Handmade Reusable Snack Bags And Cloth Napkins ~GIVEAWAY~!!

It is undeniable that we live in the age of consumption where just about everything is designed to be used only for only a moment and then thrown away forever. In my opinion, our culture is becoming as disposable as our habits, as we are what we do, say and eat. 

I have a habit of looking in other people's cart when I am at the grocery store. When you start to become aware of the waste that is generated from your purchases the big packages of smaller individually packaged items, the constant purchasing of paper towels & napkins, kleenex, tampons, diapers, plastic wraps and snack bags, etc. you start to see them as massive carts of trash - not food. My kids don't always like that I refuse to buy individually packaged items, my husband isn't fond of the fact that I very rarely buy paper towels or napkins (and even then I make sure it is recycled and compostable), but you know what? They don't do the shopping. I do. Shawn has learned that if he wants something that I think is not good for our environment or us he will have to go buy it himself. I refuse to be a part of it. Because the bottom line is, you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem.

For those of us who are mothers, we should care most about this as it is our childrens very future which is going to continue to pay the price for the choices we make today. It's very important to remember that Recycling is the LAST "R" - the first two are REDUCE and REUSE. First we reduce our waste. We can start by looking for recycled packaging and stop buying individually packaged items, then we can find alternatives to disposable items like pads and tampons (like trying the amazing Diva Cup or Cloth Pads), and diapers (I use GroBaby diapers instead of disposables and I LOVE THEM - one of my favorite things about it is watching the chick with the massive amounts of diapers in her cart - knowing it's at least $20 she's about to spend - and feeling like I'm getting away with something by not having to do that EVER AGAIN.). After you reduce the amount of waste you are responsible for you can find awesome ways of reusing the waste you still produce. THEN recycling should be brought into the picture. 

One great investment into reducing the waste in your home is green cleaning cloths, REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS (get with it, people! MAKE yourself remember those bags - I would punish myself by having to put it all back in the cart and bag it up at my car where the bags were at - or putting it in my car because the bags were at home. Eventually I learned to remember.), reusable coffee cups & water bottles, reusable coffee filters, take out containers (NO MORE STYROFOAM!) and cloth paper towels, napkins and snack bags - like the ones from the very talented Bleuroo, who is so gracious to offer my readers something to contribute to their journey towards being more green!

Recently I entered a giveaway on another blog for Bleuroo, which is how I found out about her and her fantastic line of reusable (and beautifully embroidered) products. I was excited to try these, so I was pretty geeked when I won. After getting them I realized what an essential part of my life they were! I can throw some snacks in the bag for Zander, some for me in the other one and we're good to go. It takes up little space in the diaper bag and is going to protect what's inside more than a sandwich bag would anyways because it is made from sturdy 100% Unbleached Cotton on the outside and a waterproof and stain resistant Nylon liner - so, no nasty plastic leaking toxins into your food! The top is a sturdy Velcro that keeps the snack bag closed well. Not only are they functional, but they are well made and really cute. I get compliments on mine all the time, and I consider that a chance to educate and encourage others to reuse, too! Being the example is the greatest way of accomplishing a message. 

One lucky winner will receive one large plain snack bag and a set of four beautiful plain cloth napkins!

This is a GREAT prize. The napkins are something that I keep in a holder on my table and we use them all the time. They don't stain easily and are so neutral and beautiful they easily blend in with any decor. These are a must for all homes! 

How To Enter: 

MANDATORY: To enter you must Publicly follow this blog in google friend connect (on the right side bar). I am trying to grow my readership so that I may bring you more awesome giveaways like this one! After that, please visit Bleuroo and come back here and leave a comment stating something you learned about or saw not mentioned here or another product of theirs you would like to try.

Your first entry should look something like this "I follow publicly! I also really like the "fill in the blank here" on their site! {EMAIL ADDRESS}". 

*You must do the mandatory requirements and entry before using any extra entries. Please include your E mail address with your comment so that I may notify the winner. Entries will be accepted until midnight May 28 and the winner will be announced on May 29. Winner is determined by random drawing of numbers through random.org, each comment you leave is a numbered entry.*

Want the low down on entering blog giveaways?

Juliea's Guide To Entering Giveaways

Extra Entries:

(You may do any or all of these - current subscribers or followers count too!)

• Subscribe via e mail to this blog (2 entries ~ leave two comments) 
• Fan Gypsy Jewels on Facebook 
• Follow Gypsy Jewels on Twitter
• Visit Gypsy Jewels Etsy Shop and come back stating your favorite item!
• Favorite Gypsy Jewels Etsy Shop
• Favorite Bleuroo on Etsy
• Mention this giveaway on your Facebook, Twitter (put "@gypsyjewels" somewhere in your tweet so I may verify), Blog (leave url where I can find it), Myspace (leave url where I can find it) or through e mail (cc:willow_moonspirit@yahoo.com) - one extra entry for EACH of these. 
• Refer a friend - for each new friend who follows this blog you can get one entry. Leave their name in the entry so that I may verify.
• Tell us something you do to reduce or reuse your waste! What is your favorite "going green" tip?

Good Luck everyone!!!