We received an awesome 338! comments on the NoPlastic.ca giveaway post, and today I have two! lucky winners to announce.

These two gals were chosen at random via the integer generator at Random.org.

Without further adieu, congratulations! to:

Commenter #42, Theresa!

Commenter #118, Heather H!

You've each won a stainless steel water bottle set. (Total value: around $30 USD, per set.)

Thanks to everyone for entering!
Happy! Tuesday, all.

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Every week or so we use this space to feature a recycled note or three from some of our favorite online sources. This week we're showcasing the hand-drawn recycled notes from the Oxford-based Etsy shop, Squirrel In The Attic.

A little bit about Squirrel In The Attic, in their own words:

You know how sometimes you want a greeting card to simply say "hey", but still want your recipient to feel special, knowing the card was chosen just for them? Well, here at Squirrel in the Attic, we produce hand drawn greeting cards that do just that by coupling the word "hey" with a fun descriptive noun.

Sounds pretty great, right? (Right!)

Here are my three favorite cards from the shop:

Hey Lady

From the seller, re: this particular card:

Your lady friends will adore this card! Use it as an invitation to a spa party or a friendly dinner. It would be a wonderful "thank you" card, or "will you be my bridesmaid" card. The possibilities are endless. Keep these on hand for any occasion.

Three colors of bright green, deep orange-red, and pale peach make the "hey lady" card a pleasure to see. The colors depicted in photoshoot may vary slightly from the actual printed colors. Please see last photo for close-up of actual colors.

Each of our hand-drawn cards are made on recycled paper and come with white, recycled envelopes. The dimensions of each card are 4.25" x 5.5" folded.

Hey Sir

And just in time for Father's Day (it's this upcoming Sunday, June 21st if you were wondering), SITA has you covered with their Hey Dad card:

Do you see how adorable the hand-drawn details are?

I also very much love the little tag-like "hey" adorning each card.

Now, what are you waiting for? Go check out the rest of their Hey-laden designs!

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Have your own favorite recycled note (or three)? We'd love to feature it on the site! Email your favorites to 5minutesforgoinggreen(at)gmail(dot)com.

And remember, you still have until Sunday at 7:00pm EST to win a set of stainless steel water bottles courtesy of NoPlastic.ca, and all you have to do for a chance to win is comment on the giveaway post with a valid email address; if you haven't entered yet, what are you waiting for?

I think by now most of us know we as a society and a planet use too much plastic on a daily basis. We've talked about it on the site before, about where our plastic goes to die live forever in our oceans, and about proactive ways to minimize our reliance on plastic.

I'm happy to introduce you to NoPlastic.ca, a Toronto-based green business helping consumers lessen their plastic footprint with every product they sell. Their passion and focus?

They're here to help you clean your food from the outside in.

The story behind NoPlastic.ca:

We use enough plastics on a daily basis! Why not avoid the ones that come in contact with your food? By using products manufactured with stainless steel, you can avoid the dangerous chemicals that leak from plastic products into your foods and drinks.

We started NoPlastic.ca in order to make people aware that there are better and healthier options to using plastic. The widespread use of plastics has left its footprint on our bodies and the environment. A number of studies have shown that no one seems to have been spared from exposure to the dangerous toxins in plastics. This information has made us aware that plastics are not benign materials, and we cannot indiscriminately continue their use. We have to make better choices. We have to make the right choices. We have to make the responsible choices.

As such, we are absolutely committed to service, and offering products that facilitate better and healthier living, and are enjoyable to use. Our customers must receive value for their money - we do our best to make sure that you get the most product for every dollar you spend.

NoPlastic's site is loaded with creative and practical eco-friendly non-plastic kid's items, food storage, kitchen accessories and water bottles, as well as great resources and links to help you learn more about why you should care about how much plastic comes into contact with your drinking water and your food.

(Click here for more information on the differences between plastic vs. stainless steel.)

To help get you started on your way to plastic-free living, No Plastic would like to give TWO lucky 5MinutesForGoingGreen readers a stainless steel water bottle set. (Total value: around $30 USD, per set.)

NoPlastic.ca's collection of stainless steel bottles are all manufactured from high quality, food grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel. They do not require a lining like aluminum bottles do, as stainless steel doesn't leach any toxins or chemicals, and are BPA free. The wide mouth on all NoPlastic.ca's stainless steel bottles allow you to effortlessly add ice cubes, and cleaning them is quick and easy. They are even dishwasher safe! (Except the caps and spouts, of course). Further bonus: liquids held in these bottles will always retain their original taste.

Features & Benefits

• Ultra light Single Walled Stainless Water Bottle — for cold or warm beverages
• Durable, ultra light electropolished 304 grade (18/8) premium grade stainless steel
• Toxin-free, non-leaching, BPA-free - safe alternative to plastic
• Clean tasting
• No inner lining - dishwasher safe - wide mouth allows for easy addition of ice cubes
• Caps and spouts are made of non-leaching polypropylene
• Easy to clean - bottles are dishwasher safe (except caps and spouts)
• 100% recyclable
• All caps are interchangeable

To put it simply, these bottles look great, are practical, and above all, they are the healthy alternative to using plastic water bottles and products.

I can personally vouch for the awesomeness of these stainless steel bottles as I've been carrying around a wee pink one for two weeks now, and have also been using a larger black version when I'm working out or otherwise feeling a bit dehydrated.

NoPlastic.ca offers the following sizes and colors of stainless steel bottles, with the cap of your choice:

• 12oz – 355ml : black, blue, pink, plain - USD $12.95 / CAD $14.49
• 18oz. – 530ml : black, pink, plain - USD $13.95 / CAD $15.75
• 27oz. – 800ml : black, plain - USD $15.95 / CAD $17.95
• 40oz. – 1.2L : plain - USD $21.95 / CAD $24.95

Available caps & spouts:

• Sports Cap
• Flat Cap
• Loop Cap
• Adapter Cap
• Avent Sippy Spout

So now that you know how awesome these water bottles are, you want one (or two), right?

How to get in on the green giveaway action? Simple.

1) Just leave a comment on this post anytime between today, Friday June 5th, and Sunday, June 21st by 7pm EST and consider yourself entered. (Be sure to use a valid email address when leaving your entry comments, as I'll use that email address to notify the winner of the contest.)

2) Because it's Friday and we like you, for a second giveaway entry visit www.noplastic.ca and then come back here at any point between today and Sunday, June 21st by 7pm EST and tell us about another product (anything you can find on the site) you think looks great.

On June 21st I'll use a random number generator to pick two winners, so be sure to check back on the site on June 22nd to see if you've won!

Some additional contest-related details, and to recap:

* As always, non bloggers are welcome to participate!
* Contest entries are open from Friday, June 5th through Sunday, June 21st at 7pm EST.
* Two winners will be drawn randomly and I will announce the winners Monday, June 22nd. Please make sure to check our site and your email address to see if you have won a prize. We must receive your reply within 5 business days. (The sooner we hear from you, the better!)
* This contest is open to US & Canadian shipping addresses. Due to legal restrictions, this promotion is not available in Arizona or Quebec.
* Please see our site's Terms and Conditions of Use for a complete list of our Contest and Giveaway Rules.

Good luck!

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Every week or so we use this space to feature a recycled note or three from some of our favorite online sources. This week I thought I thought I'd switch it up a bit and feature two recycled notebooks from an extremely talented Australian artist, Esta Sketch.

I love the fact that they're discarded sketches re-purposed into artistic and usable notebooks. Which makes every one them (lovely, and) one-of-a-kind!

Recycled Art Notebook (blue)

From the seller:

This is a handbound notebook constructed from cartridge paper and silk screen prints. The cover features one of my 'comfort' prints that didn't turn out perfectly.

The covers will contain flaws.. underinked or overinked areas, smudges, slightly crooked registration, etc. but they're still beautiful prints on beautiful heavyweight paper. Affordable art for you to carry everywhere with you!

These notebooks are of a very limited edition, I have 2 - 3 of each print only. If you'd like a different cover than the one listed please convo me and I'll put a listing up for you if it's still available.

Each notebook is approximately 15cm x 21cm (6×8 inches) and contains 22 pages. Would make a great notebook or sketchbook, small and light enough to take just about anywhere. (The listing is for 1 book only.)

Recycled Art Notebook (yellow)

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Have your own favorite recycled note (or three)? We'd love to feature it on the site! Email your favorites to 5minutesforgoinggreen(at)gmail(dot)com.

As much as I love summer, it definitely has its drawbacks, mostly in the form of humidity, weeds, and mosquitoes.

There's nothing I can do about the humidity, but I'd really really like to get rid of the other two. With a dog running around, I'm even more reluctant to turn to chemicals than I was before, but I've got to do something.

I'm always on the lookout for green pest control tips that work, but so far, I've come up a bit short. So I thought I'd turn to the 5m4gg readers, and see what you have tried and tested.

Problem: Grass growing at the edges of landscaping beds.
Solution: ???

I've already lined the landscaping beds with multiple layers of newspaper topped with landscaping fabric, but the grass keeps coming through. I've been tempted many times to go buy a big jug of Roundup, but our dog goes out into the yard multiple times a day, and I don't want him exposed to poison if it can be avoided.

Problem: Mosquitoes. OMG the mosquitoes.
Solution: ???

We don't have any standing water in or around our yard that I can find, but we're absolutely overrun by mosquitoes in the summertime. When we're out using the grill, we put out tiki torches with citronella oil, which helps somewhat. I planted tansy and marigolds in the garden, but it's a little early in the season to tell if they're making a difference. There are definitely still WAY too many mosquitoes around.

Problem: Cats leaving presents in inappropriate places.
Solution: ???

I read somewhere that if you put grapefruit rinds hollow-side down in the garden, they'll keep cats away. I saw some really disturbing piles of what look like rained-on cat poo out in the front landscaping today, so I guess I need to find somebody who likes grapefruit. Either that, or hide in the bushes with a spray bottle full of water, which might be more entertaining…

Green divas and dudes, the floor is yours!

What famous green tips have you tried and debunked? What have you discovered that really works?

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. On most days you can find Velocibadgergirl at Pardon the Egg Salad, where she blogs about travel, her spoiled pets, science geekery, and whatever else comes to mind. She'll be chronicling her second-year gardening adventures at Pardon the Garden, and admits that she hates weeding and is mostly making it up as she goes along.

Every week or so we use this space to feature a recycled note or three from some of our favorite online sources. This week we're showcasing the beautifully designed and playful cards from AC Bohman Designs, a North Carolina based freelance designer with an etsy shop filled with unique recycled cards.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Rad Father's Day Card

From the seller:

This A2 sized card is made of heavy eco-white stock and flat printed with a vintage illustration (in black) and typewriter text (in red). Paired with a recycled kraft envelope and packaged in a clear archival sleeve.

I Love You Card

Tandem Bike Card

Aviators Card

Who says eco-friendly has to be boring? (Not these cards.)

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Have your own favorite recycled note (or three)? We'd love to feature it on the site! Email your favorites to 5minutesforgoinggreen(at)gmail(dot)com.

You can gradually reduce the carbon footprint of your baby with Baby Pottying or Elimination Communication. (Did you see the word "gradually" in that sentence?)

Gradually is there because you can ease into EC slowly, taking baby steps to gain your confidence and discover some EC tools with your baby to reduce your use of diapers in time.

Imagine if every baby wore just one less diaper each day because Mom and Dad are dabbling in baby pottying? That means millions less disposable diapers will be tossed in the bin.

EC, or Elimination Communication, is an ancient approach to baby hygiene that involves getting to know your baby’s patterns and rhythms of elimination so that, together as a cooperative team, you can "catch" some of their business in a potty, potty bowl or other suitable place. Yes, you will still use diapers, despite what some dreadful articles and T.V. shows love to sensationalize!

Being "Part-Time Diaper Free" is perhaps a more accurate term, as you use nappies some of the time, or training pants during diaper-free time. You can certainly use diapers or other reusable cloth options as backup between potty visits. I do, and I have practiced EC since birth with both my children.

Let's have a look at the benefits that just one less diaper means:

1 less throwaway diaper means – fewer diapers in landfills.

1 less cloth diaper means – a smaller washing load to do.

1 less disposable diaper each day over 2.5 years will save you over $410.

Each time you "save" a diaper, you are reducing your use of throwaway wipes, plastic diaper bags, and the overall amount of washing you'll need to do.

What can you do to use 1 less diaper? Here are 3 simple ideas:

Buy Your First Reusable Modern Cloth Nappy.

• You'll save the cost of a disposable each time your baby wears it, while discovering how easy and effective cloth is to use, leading you to more savings! By starting with one cloth diaper you'll be introduced to the reusable cloth versions of all diaper accessories. By starting with one, you'll save money so that you can invest the savings in more environmentally friendly options, like the eco-disposables that are compostable or flushable.

Start Baby Pottying!

• Discovering how to practice some EC skills with your baby will help you use fewer diapers in a gradual, natural way. Begin by offering your baby the potty when they wake up; often the need to pee wakes them, as it does us! If you’d popped a clean diaper on your baby before their nap and they woke up dry then did a tinkle in the potty, you’ve saved 1 diaper, just like that! Tomorrow, aim to save one more.

Have Daily Diaper-Free Time.

• Air your baby’s "cheeks" daily – it’s good for their skin and it’s good for the earth! Simply grab a washable, waterproof mat for your baby to roll about on. Or use a towel that will be going into the wash soon. Experiencing diaper-less moments will help your baby to stay aware of their body, and help you become more accustomed to their body language when they are ready to "go."

Start with one. One less diaper used today, whatever sort it may be! Strive with your baby to christen that potty. It's really quite addictive. You'll save money as you develop new ways to share the excitement with your baby, and you'll be working together to protect the environment. And protecting the environment is something that should be high in our consciousness these days as we are thinking about the earth we will leave our babies, after all…

Keep in mind, the most environmentally-friendly diaper is the one you don't use today!

An original 5MinutesForGoingGreen post. Charndra Josling is enthusiastic about helping families ease into Elimination Communication gradually as a way to enhance the parent-baby bond, save money, and help the environment by reducing baby waste. She lives in Canberra, Australia with her husband and two young sons, with both of whom they been practicing EC since birth. Discover how to reduce your baby's use of diapers with access to over forty potty songs, plenty of tips, resources, and helpful ideas to make your journey easing into EC a smooth one, at Part-Time Diaper Free.

*Photo by D Sharon Pruitt.

Every week or so we use this space to feature a recycled note or three from some of our favorite online sources. This week we're showcasing the bright and artistic 100% recycled cards from Little Green Cards, an etsy shop based in the Pacific Northwest.

Here are a few of my favorites from the shop:

Birthday Beauty

From the seller:

I found this monarch butterfly during some travels and it was kept safe in a little plastic bottle all through Central America. I drew the wings and found some bright colors to recreate my find. Comes in two colors, pink and blue. Please specify which color(s) at check out.

Each card measures approx. 4.25 x 5.5 and comes with matching envelope. All cards have our logo printed on the back and are blank inside. We use 100% recycled paper with at least 70% post-consumer.

Friends

Journey

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Have your own favorite recycled note (or three)? We'd love to feature it on the site! Email your favorites to 5minutesforgoinggreen(at)gmail(dot)com.

Every day we are faced with many types of pollutants. It can come from buses, autos, smoking, factories, detergents, pesticides and more.

Although it seems as though the safest place to be at times is your home, you may not be entirely right. Many indoor pollutants can trigger a LOT of different health issues. Asthma, allergies and carbon monoxide are just a few of the issues your home many have.

Luckily there are a few things you can do to make sure the IAQ (indoor air quality) in your house is up to par.

In the Bedroom:

• Washing bed linens in warm water weekly and keeping a low humidity (30-50%) will keep dust mite levels low
• Dust mites also hide out in other places so wash stuffed toys, dust often, and vacuum regularly

In the Bathroom:

• Mold is the allergen here and can easily be remidied by proper ventilation. Open a window or install a fan
• Wash floor mats often

In the Basement:

• Use a dehumidifier to aid with mold control
• Make sure furnaces/appliances, etc. are functioning properly and there are no leaks for gas or chemicals
• Make sure any chemicals stored there are sealed properly (paints, thinners, cleaning products) as many of these contain toxic fumes

In the Kitchen:

• I love using gas to cook, but it does have the tendency to let off a bit of carbon monoxide. This is easy remedied by opening windows while you cook, or, if this is not an option, having a hood in place
• Don't leave food out so you don't attract pests. This will cut down on pesticide use. If you MUST use a pesticide, please make sure your house is properly ventilated

In the Living Room:

• Make sure pets have designated sleep areas. Pet dander is a SERIOUS allergen. I love my doggy, so I know it's hard, but try to keep the pet/couch contact to a minimum
• Vacuum often to rid living room of dust, mites, dander and so much more pollution you may not even want to know about
• If you have a fireplace, make sure flue is functional
• Make sure you try to get natural candles. Many release very toxic fumes

These and many more little things will ensure that your house is low in airborne pollutants. There are also many other things you can do. There are always tons of tips online for how to improve your IAQ.

Contact a radon professional for help with this naturally occurring gas.

You can find out more at the EPA website.

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Keep up with Marizela and her love of all things science-related (with occasional pictures of her doggy) at her personal site, Potspoon!

Every week or so we use this space to feature a recycled note or three from some of our favorite online sources. This week's Recycled Note Of The Week comes via JustUsWomen's etsy shop. While I was browsing her shop I was instantly taken by the simplicity and creativity in her stationary sets, comprised of repurposed paper from various vintage books and paint chip samples.

Tacking and Jibing Stationary Set

Mix and match this set of 4 cards and envelopes. These folding note are cut from 80 lb 100% recycled PC White Mohawk paper, which is manufactured with wind power! The paint chips are slightly distressed to add some texture. The envelopes are made from a book about sailing published 1977.

4 Folding Notes 6 15/16" x 5"
4 Envelopes 3 9/16" x 5 1/16"
4 White Round Address Labels 2"
(These labels also make great seals.)

Each envelope has a self adhesive closure.

There are also various other sets in various other colors and envelope designs, so be sure to take a look!

As a bonus to this week's recycled note, I stumbled on these awesome and functional card cases from SoSheSews created from recycled and repurposed plastic grocery bags.

Pretty rad, right?

An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. Read more about all things Kerri Anne, including her renewed commitment to green living and her affinity for talking in movie quotes at kerrianne.org.

Have your own favorite recycled note (or three)? We'd love to feature it on the site! Email your favorites to 5minutesforgoinggreen(at)gmail(dot)com.