Are you moving? Here are some great tips from Unpakt

Moving can be expensive—from movers to insurance to down payments—the bill can add up quickly.

Fortunately, packing supplies do not need to be added to your list of expenses. Actually, you may already own some of the best packing materials around—you just didn’t realize it yet!  Unpakt, a price comparison site and online booking tool for consumers searching for a reputable moving company, put together a list of household items that can be used for packing:

Sandwich Bags – These can be used to hold hardware from disassembled furniture and appliances. They are also ideal for toiletries—if something leaks during the move, a sandwich bag will prevent other items from being damaged.
Towels, Socks, other Clothing Items – Towels can be used to wrap plates, serving platters, vases, or breakable décor. Make sure you keep one out to pack  n your overnight bag though!  Balls of socks can be used to fill open space in boxes of breakables. You want items secure, so they do not bounce around. Rather than using packaging peanuts or other costly products, use socks. Longer socks can also be used to wrap glasses and stemware. T-shirts, tanks, and sweaters can also be used to wrap breakables. A nice soft sweater or sweatshirt is ideal to line the bottom of the box. This will provide cushioning in case the box gets roughed up during the move.

Beer Boxes – There are three reasons to use beer boxes. First, they are heavy duty and can hold a lot of weight. Second, they have handles on the side, which makes them easy to carry. Third, you get to drink the beer to empty the box! If you’re not into drinking a case of beer, head to a liquor store and see if they will give them to you for free.

Drawers – With the exception of clothes you do not necessarily want movers peeking at, most clothes can stay in your dresser drawers. Simply cover them with Glad Press’n Seal. If you plan on doing this, make sure the moving company doesn’t have rules about handling unboxed items.

Twist Ties – Use these to stop cables and cords from getting tangled.
Other household items that can be used as packing supplies include trash pails (after a thorough clean!), suitcases, Rubbermaid containers, baskets, underbed storage, gym bags and backpacks, trash bags, and hampers.

Join Yoplait's fight against breast cancer by Saving Lids to Save Lives (Giveaway)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Yoplait is doing their part to help in the fight. For the next couple months, you can save the pink lids from participating Yoplait yogurt.  you can redeem the codes on the Save Lids to Save Lives site and General Mills will give 10 cents per lid to Susan G. Komen. You can also mail them in if you choose. I always participate each year and it is amazing how quickly those little lids add up!

Right now you can find participating Yoplait products on sale at Publix:
$1 off any one Large Size, Light with Granola or GoGurt (coupon on select products) - Dates: October 2 - October 18
20 for $10 on Yoplait Core cup - Dates: October 3 - October 9
Light with Granola BOGO - Dates: October 5 - October 25
You can follow Publix on Facebook.

To help you stock up on some Yoplait yogurt, one Mom Files' reader will win a prize pack including a cute pink lunch bag, a pink ribbon brooch and a $10 Publix gift card. Enter below: a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on October 25 2013. One winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize.  Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Support Truvia® brand’s “Sharing a Sweet Future” charitable initiative #SweetFuture

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Truvia® Natural Sweetener  for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you ever take a moment to think about what you do when you want a snack? In my home, we run to the kitchen and take a peek into the pantry or refrigerator. Once we make up our mind, we enjoy our snack and feel satisfied. Sadly, this is not a reality for everyone.

Did you know that every day, over 40% of Bolivian families struggle to support their children’s most basic food needs? Two-thirds of the Bolivian population is below the poverty line. The majority of the country’s children does not receive the minimum daily caloric intake and are suffering from nutritional deficiencies. The widespread use of primitive cook stoves resulting in harmful smoke exposure has led to a number of other health issues for families in the community.

Knowing of the hardships faced by these families, the Truvia® brand has committed to working with the World Food Program USA to help provide Bolivian kids and families with a sweeter future. Thanks to the Truvia® brand’s “Sharing a Sweet Future” charitable initiative, over 34,705 Bolivian school children have already received more nutritionally-balanced school meals, and Bolivian locals have received 68 fuel efficient stoves, allowing another 3,574 students to eat cooked meals in a safer environment.

The Truvia® team created a video series showcasing the everyday hardships experienced by Bolivian family members. $1 dollar feeds 4 kids. Now, they are asking consumers to view and share these videos on Facebook or Twitter using #SweetFuture to support our initiative.

Here is how you can help: Follow Truvia on Twitter. Share the Truvia® brand’s video to support their Sharing a Sweet Future initiative. $1 feeds 4 kids.  You can also Share the Truvia® brand’s video on Facebook to support their Sharing a Sweet Future initiative. $1 feeds 4 kids. What do you have to lose? I will be doong my part to help other. Won't you join me? 

 Learn even more about the Truvia® brand’s initiative here and also help "Share a Sweet Future" through the Facebook app https://www.facebook.com/Truvia/app_633774663321139

 

Cleaning up the sick germs with CleanWell

We are going on week 5 of sick germs circulating in our household. As soon as one person gets better, another gets sick. It has been an ongoing battle and I am sick of it! Thankfully, I received some cleaning products from CleanWell just in time to clean the sick germs up.

CleanWell products are made with botanical ingredients to help kill germs and disinfect surfaces safely. This is especially good when breathing problems, small children and pets are involved. I love that these products have no harsh fumes and will give me the same results of chemical cleaners. I love the wipes for quick clean-ups on counters, tables and even the dog kennel. I tried the all purpose cleaner for the first time and was quite pleased with the results. I really like it for sanitizing the toilets seats, bathroom and kitchen sinks. It has a nice scent without it being overpowering. I am always careful about what I use around my younger children since they are allergy sufferers. I really like the CleanWell line of products and highly recommend them. There are sold at many retailers nationwide and you can check out their store finder for a specific location.

Be sure to check out Cleanwell on the web, Facebook and Twitter for product updates.

I received products for review purposes and all thoughts/opinions are my own as always.

Golden Blossom Honey - Perfect for the cold and flu season

Every person in my household has been sick over the course of the last 5 weeks. It seems like the cold germs keep on getting passed around and it has been hectic. Being a homemaker and mom of 3, I knew it was going to hit me. I can always tell by that uncomfortable tickle in my throat. I received a bottle of Golden Blossom Honey to review at the right time. I immediately made a cup of Earl Grey tea sweetened with the Golden Blossom honey and a few splashes of lemon juice. The honey had a wonderful, rich taste and was very soothing going down. One of the things that made me feel good about this honey is that it is a product of the U.S.A.. 

Thankfully I am feeling a lot better, but I will keep this recipe in mind for the future, just in case...

Ginger & Honey Citrus Sore Throat Home Treatment

Ingredients
4 tablespoons GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
Juice of 1 large lemon
3 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a small jar. Every hour, take 1 teaspoon in your mouth and gargle. Then swallow the remedy.

You can find Golden Blossom Honey online to learn more about their products and check out the awesome recipes they have posted. I am glad I can find it in my local Publix Supermarket, here in Columbia, SC!

I received a sample of Golden Blossom Honey for review. All opinions are my own as always. No other compensation was received.