Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps

Eco-friendly products are better for us! I get that! With some products, we accept the "better for us" concept on good faith. Logically we know the truth but we don't really experience the difference in a day-to-day manner.

Natural body soaps have allowed me to feel the difference. I have very sensitive skin and have suffered from allergies all my life. Since switching to Eco-friendly soaps, my skin has actually gotten healthier. Rashes and skin irritations are things of the past.

So, I have tangible proof that Eco-friendly body soaps are good for us!

I was thrilled to receive an invitation to try products from SoapBox.

Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps
Bar Soap
Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps
Body Wash
Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps
Liquid Hand Soap

A Little Research


Before accepting the products, I did a little research and asked some questions.

SoapBox products are made in the US using natural ingredients such as organic shea butter, aloe, and essential oils. They are cruelty free (and vegan certified), and do not contain gluten, palm oil, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, or sulfates.

From the website, I learned that bars of soap come in Eco-friendly cardboard boxes. I was curious about the packaging for liquid soaps and learned that bottles are made of 100% recyclable plastic. The representative even gave me a link to the materials used to package samples (Xela packs).

About The Company


Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps

A company's philosophy is important!

The people at SoapBox are dedicated to changing the world with their products ... and they invite customers to join their mission. Each purchase generates a donation to people in the US and around the world. For every bottle of liquid hand soap sold, they donate a month's supply of clean water through RainCatcher. A bottle of body wash means a year's supply of vitamins through Vitamin Angels. And a person in need receives a bar of soap every time SoapBox sells a bar.

There is a Chinese Proverb which says, "If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime." SoapBox embraces that philosophy and works with soap makers around the world to empower communities.

The Products


I received a bar of eucalyptus soap, a sample of mandarin liquid hand soap, and a sample of lavender body wash.

The bar soap is delightful. The scent is refreshing and pleasing, lingering slightly on the skin after use. It left my skin feeling clean and moisturized.

The liquid hand soap smells wonderful ... similar to the fabulous fragrance experienced when peeling a mandarin orange. The soap lathers just a bit and washes off completely.

The body wash turns a shower into a spa moment. It is silky on the skin and the scent of lavender is lovely!

Conclusion


SoapBox gives me that tangible proof that Eco-friendly items are good for my body. They also redefine the meaning of success. It can no longer be only measured by the bottom line reported to shareholders, but rather by the amount of good a company does in the world ... for both people and the planet.

In my book, SoapBox is a success!

Purchase SoapBox Products


SoapBox products are now available at Target. Click HERE to see if your local store carries them. You can also purchase products from the SOAPBOX SITE. And remember, every purchase means a donation to someone in need.

SoapBox Giveaway


Review & Giveaway - SoapBox Soaps

SoapBox has generously agreed to give one lucky Reduce Footprints' reader a gift package of their own. WhooHoo!

This giveaway is open worldwide and will run for one week. There are only four, easy entry methods. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



I received SoapBox products in order to write this review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone and reflect my honest opinion of the material reviewed.


Monday, July 14, 2014

Meet & Greet (#MtaGt) - July - EcoFriendlyLink

Welcome to Meet & Greet, a regular series designed to grow our green community.

A monthly link-up party for green blogs on Reduce Footprints

Grab our banner for your site:

The rules:

1. Use the link-up tool below to share your green-living blog or collection of environmental posts.
2. Visit at least one other blog and/or the featured site and leave a pertinent comment.
3. The link-up will remain open for a month.
4. Random.org determines the featured site each month.

Random.org selected one of my favorite blogs this month ... EcoFriendlyLink written by Clare Delaney. Clare is known by her friends as a Green Goddess. She has spent most of her adult life in Africa, and says "When you live on this fascinating continent, you can’t help but realise just how much our actions affect our planet." EcoFriendlyLink is full of great content ... information which Clare has fully researched and presents in a clear, interesting way. For example, a recent post on heirloom vegetables explains the difference between heirloom, hybrid, and GMO seeds and offers reasons why heirlooms are so important. In another article, Clare shares a bit about harvesting rainwater and even mentions several rain barrels which are efficient and attractive. There are posts for every level of "greeness". Newbies can learn about Eco-friendly bags, those well on their way to living green can pick up tips on keeping their homes cool, and long-time greenies can get advice for living off the grid. EcoFriendlyLink has something for everyone. Oh ... and by the way ... want a free book entitled "Live Well, Live Green"? Check out EcoFriendlyLink's home page for your copy.

For previous features & blogs, check out the Meet & Greet Page: http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com/p/meet-greet.html.

Our link-up is live. Please list your blog, visit and have fun!







Thursday, July 10, 2014

Vegan Recipe - Soy Chorizo Chili with Rosemary Polenta

Please welcome Andrea, owner of The Green Queen of Moderation.

I first met Andrea via our Meet & Greet series. Her blog is full of great content! Posts are organized into four categories: The “Re” Words, The Green Garden, Green Choices, and Simple Gifts. I headed straight for the garden section and was rewarded with posts about wildflowers, pollinators, and an interesting article about plants going to seed. Each post includes stunning photos.

The Simple Gifts section has terrific ideas for meaningful, earth-friendly gifts. And the "Re" Words section offers tips for recycling, repurposing, reducing, reusing, repairing, and restoring just about anything (ever thought of repurposing a top sheet into a nightgown?). Green Choices addresses all of the day-to-day decisions that we make, everything from what to cook for dinner to shopping to purging our extra stuff.

In chatting with Andrea, I learned that she is converting to a vegan diet. To that end, she has been busy in the kitchen, experimenting with ingredients. She recently created a dish which both she and her husband enjoyed ... and she very graciously offered to let me post it here, for you. Please enjoy!


Soy Chorizo Chili with Rosemary Polenta

Serves 6–8 (freezes well)

Vegan Soy Chorizo Chili with Rosemary Polenta

Soy Chorizo Chili


Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 medium yellow onions, peeled & chopped
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
  • 24 oz. Soyrizo (non-GMO soy chorizo), without casing (if you don’t use this product, be sure to look for non-GMO varieties)
  • 4 cups cooked black beans
  • Two 12-oz. cans of diced tomatoes
  • Two 8-oz. cans of diced, mild green chilis
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 cups frozen white organic corn
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Method

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, add onions and garlic and cook till transparent.
  2. Add soyrizo, stirring well, and cook until heated through and soyrizo begins to brown.
  3. Add remaining ingredients (except for salt & pepper) and bring to a bubbling, boil, stirring while it cooks. Reduce heat to low, mix well, and cover—preferably with a lid that vents steam. Simmer for an hour or more. I cook on a gas stove, and use a diffuser to dissipate the heat so I don’t have to worry about the chili sticking to the pot while it simmers. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Spoon into bowls over the polenta, garnish with avocado and/or vegan yogurt and cheese.

Rosemary Polenta


Ingredients

  • ½ cup polenta
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon finely ground, dried rosemary (I use a mortar & pestle)
  • Dash of salt

Method

  1. Place polenta, water and spices in a deep, microwave-safe bowl. Stir with a fork to mix well. Cook in microwave on high for 10 minutes. Let set for an additional 10 minutes. (see note below for stove top method)
  2. Slice and portion into chili bowls before adding chili.

Note (suggested by Small Footprints)


For those who would rather not use a microwave, polenta can be made on the stove top. Traditional polenta takes up to 45 minutes of cooking (with constant stirring) so I suggest buying quick cook varieties which typically take 3-5 minutes.

Stove Top Method

  1. Bring water and rosemary to a boil. Add the salt.
  2. Slowly pour in polenta, stirring constantly.
  3. Reduce heat and continue to simmer, stirring constantly, until polenta reaches a thick consistency (it should come away from sides of the pan, and be able to support a spoon).
  4. Turn polenta out into an oiled bowl, pie plate, or even a wooden cutting board and let cool for 10-15 minutes or until it sets (remains firm).
  5. Once the polenta has set, it's ready to be sliced and served.


The original recipe, along with Andrea's reasons for going vegan, can be found HERE.

If you have a vegan recipe which you'd like to share, please contact me HERE. And for all the recipes we've shared so far, be sure to visit our recipe page using the tabs at the top of this blog ... or by clicking HERE.




Image courtesy of Andrea at The Green Queen of Moderation