Product Review: Mini Chocolate Fountain from TheLAShop.com

As you know, from time to time I get requests to review products and/or websites. So I'd like to introduce you to a site called TheLAShop.com.

Website: TheLAShop.com
The site design is very clean and they offer a variety of products, everything from party gear (disco balls, cotton candy machine) to home outdoor furniture. The LA Shop prices are very competitive and they offer free shipping within the U.S. and Canada. If you need assistance, there's an online chat and toll-free number.

Product: Mini Chocolate Fountain
My mini fountain arrived quickly and in pristine condition. It's a great little table-top chocolate fountain that would be ideal for holidays, small parties...or when the kids just want a chocolate fix.

The manual was easy to follow and there weren't many pieces, so set-up was a breeze. I was all ready to start melting chocolate until I realized you need 4 pounds of chocolate for the fountain to work properly. You also need special fondue chocolate, but the manual does provide guidance on how to make any chocolate work (add vegetable oil to make it a thinner consistency).

Unless you want to wait two hours, your best bet is to melt the chocolate in the microwave vs. letting the fountain do it. Once we had the chocolate melted, we poured it in and voila! We had a beautiful stream of glorious chocolate. The kids proceeded to put every morsel of food they could find in it. From marshmellows, to bananas, chocolate makes everything taste better.

Clean-up was pretty easy. The manual suggests throwing out the leftover chocolate in the garbage vs. clogging the plumbing. Considering how much chocolate was left, I put it in a container and stored it in the fridge for another day.

If you're looking for a fun way for you and the family to get a chocolate fix, this mini table-top chocolate fountain is it.

Disclaimer: Please note that this product was sent to me free of charge. That said, I always provide my honest feedback on any site or product I review -- good or bad.

Website Review: Ecofreek.com

Have you heard of Ecofreek? It's another great, green way to keep items out of the landfill. The site is a search engine that scans the web for free and 'for swap/trade' items people no longer need from over 45+ sources, 10,000 libraries, real estate, agricultural/seed swap sources and more.

Their goals is "to provide a means for people to find items they need while reducing landfill waste. They also encourage people to exchange and re-use items though their search engine and the 'places to give things away' section. You also have the option to  recommend new resources to Ecofreek.

You can search a few different areas, including all, free, swap, pets, library, or garage. While there wasn't much in my particular area, I found the other areas of the site interesting and useful. For example, you can view "Ecofreek Top Searches" which shows the most frequently searched items. These included: ferrets, snakes, turtles and coupons. Pretty funny! I guess you can consider turtles and snakes "green" -- LOL!

Ecofreek also has resources on ways to be more green save money and help protect our environment with links to some great sites...although I didn't see Green and Frugal Living listed *hint, hint*. ;)

I think Ecofreek is definitely worth checking out. While I didn't find anything in my region, I think as the site grows and becomes more popular, it will become easier to find items. Another great way to be green and frugal!

Have you heard of or used Ecofreek? I'd love to hear about your experience!

Website Review: CSN Stores

I love to shop online. It's easy, convenient and best of all, there are lots and lots of choices. I may have mentioned CSN Stores before. But I recently realized that they're adding more and more sites, which means more selection, convenience and cost savings!!! Plus, many of their items include free shipping.

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish handbags, to modern bar stools, or great cookware. Want to learn more? Check back in a few weeks when I review an item from their home collection...



Until then, here are just a few of their sites:

• http://www.allbarstools.com/ (includes any bar stool you can think of...and then some)
• http://www.csnhome.com/ (lots of great items for your home)
• http://www.justkidsbeds.com/ (very cute and unique selection for your little ones)
• http://www.fitnessequipmentandmore.com/ (all of the workout gear you can imagine)

Have your used any of the CSN Stores websites? I want to hear what you think.

Website Review: Personal-finance-guide.org

I stumbled upon this site, www.personal-finance-guide.org, which offers a wealth of information about anything and everything relative to personal finance. The topics range from mortgage and saving money to insurance, investing and loans.

The articles are quick reads and offer thoughtful content. Some of the articles I enjoyed included:

• Tips for Creating a Successful Budget Plan
• Annual Financial Check-up
• Why Balancing Your Checkbook is a Good Idea
• How to Get Through the Hard Time
• Investing in Real Estate
  

With information dating back to 2005, you won't find a shortage of educational material on personal finance. But don't take my word for it, check out Personal-finance-guide.org today and let me know what you think.

Website Review: TheGetGreenStore.com

I somehow stumbled upon TheGetGreenStore.com website. It's a great site loaded with some cool green products, information and calculators. I was also impressed with their blog.

Their key areas include:

• Green Electronics
• Cleaning Products
• Fuel Saver Products
• Efficient Lighting

As I perused their products, I came across some interesting items, including one I'm tempted to try called the Kill-A-Watt. It's $25 and you plug your appliance into it to see how much energy it consumes. By trying it out with each electrical appliance, you can see which ones are sucking up energy -- and money!

I like the simplicity of the site. It's easy to quickly find what you need. There's also free shipping on order over $99.

I'll let you know when I get my Kill-A-Watt and try it out. Ever used TheGetGreenStore.com? I'd love to hear your feedback.

Website Review: BreakPal.com

Have a desk job and wondering how to fit in time for exercise? Look no further than Break Pal!


I recently had the pleasure of testing this exciting new service. Think of it as "deskercise." In a nutshell, you download a simple widget to your computer, and every 30 minutes (or whatever amount of time you decide works best for you), you're prompted to do 2-5 minutes of exercise. The exercises are easy, and no, you won't look silly as your co-workers walk by.

Since the creators of Break Pal are martial arts and fitness instructors, many of the desk exercises are martial arts-based. You'll notice jabs, blocks and punches -- get out your aggression and get in shape! Who could ask for more?

Plus, when you visit BreakPal.com, you'll have access to a social network of other Break Pal users who are also trying to get or stay in shape. You can compare notes or even compete to see who can accumulate more points! The site also has a blog, FAQs and testimonials. There's even an option for companies to roll out Break Pal as a wellness program to their employees. What a great idea!


As a former fitness instructor and current desk worker, I thoroughly enjoyed Break Pal and think it's a truly innovative idea. One caveat: if you use Break Pal at work, you may want to check with your IT team to make sure it's okay to download the widget.



Enter to Win Your Own Break Pal

Want to try Break Pal? Three lucky winners will be randomly selected to receive a free membership, courtesy of Break Pal. Hurry, this contest runs for just one week. See below for all of the details

For more information, visit http://www.breakpal.com/.

Contest Details

Contest begins Friday, April 17 at 8:00am and ENDS on Saturday, April 25 at 8:00am.

The winners will be posted in a separate post within one week of the contest's end.

Winner will be notified either by blog or e-mail and will have 4 days (96 hours) to claim their prize. Time begins when I post the winner.

If the prize is not claimed within this timeframe, a new winner will be chosen. NO exceptions.

Entries will be entered into and chosen by Random.org.

How to increase your number of entries:

1) Visit the BreakPal website, come back to this post and tell me what you liked or disliked about the site. (This step is mandatory for the other entries to count.)

=5 entries

2)Follow my blog.
=10 entries

3) Join my mailing list.
= 10 entries

4)Twitter about this giveaway.(Please provide a link or your Twitter id.)
=10 entries

5)Add this contest to your Facebook status
=10 entries

6)List and add up all of your entries in one comment.
=15 entries

For example...
I really like the images on BreakPal =5
I already follow your blog =10
I signed up for your newsletter = 10
I twittered about this giveaway =10
I added this giveaway to my Facebook =10
I have tallied the entries =15
Grand total = 60 entries

Let the contest begin...

Go Green: Product Review -- Organic BellaBand

As a mom of two kids, I know how important it is to stretch your wardrobe throughout pregnancy. The one product that I swore by was the BellaBand. And now there's an organic version. Does it get any better?!

Considered "the green way to stretch your pregnancy wardrobe,"Ingrid & Isabel, designer of the BellaBand, have recently launched BellaBand Organic. Just in time for Earth Day, the BellaBand Organic is made with 95% certified organic cotton. BellaBand Organic offers mothers-to-be an environmentally conscious choice when shopping for maternity accessories.

Ingrid & Isabel’s BellaBand Organic uses a natural, breathable organic cotton fiber: cotton that is grown using no synthetic chemicals or genetically modified seeds. Moms can feel good about choosing the eco-friendly BellaBand Organic, knowing that its primary source is a sustainable plant.

How does BellaBand Organic work?
Just like the original version, BellaBand Organic allows pregnant moms to get more wear out of the clothes they already have, as well as the maternity staples they need throughout pregnancy. The band easily fits over waistbands to ensure a comfortable fit. This means less consumption during and after pregnancy...all in an eco-friendly way. Women can wear pre-pregnancy pants longer and cute maternity styles sooner, which gives them more choices among the clothes they already have and a few new ones to show off their pretty bellies.

BellaBand Organic is available in Black, White and Sand. It comes in three sizes, which correspond to pre-pregnancy women’s and plus sizes, and retails for $32. The product packaging is made from 100% recycled cardstock. BellaBand Organic will be sold in select stores in the US and abroad. Visit www.ingridandisabel.com for more information.

Website Review: GoodGuide.com

According to the site, GoodGuide™ strives to provide the world's largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of products and companies. GoodGuide's mission is to help you find safe, healthy, and green products that are better for you and the planet. From our origins as a UC Berkeley research project, GoodGuide has developed into a totally independent "For-Benefit" company. We are committed to providing the information you need to make better decisions, and to ultimately shifting the balance of information and power in the marketplace.

At first I had time figuring out where to start. Then I saw the box entitled, "What Can I Do With GoodGuide?" That's what I needed! The options were "See GoodGuide Ratings," "Find the Best Products," or "Compare and Save."

I selected See GoodGuide Ratings and was hit by information overload! There is just so much going on! They've evaluated more than 70,000 products. While I like their rating system -- very simple and visual -- it's difficult to process so much information.

It's a great site for figuring out which products are potentially harmful and which are not. You can search by highest and lowest rated. Rated products include personal care, food, household chemicals and toys. Some of the highest rated brands included:

• Burt's Bees (a personal favorite)
• Gerber Graduates (toddler foods) (my kids love their products)
• Tom's of Maine soap
• Suave shampoo
  

Overall, I think GoodGuide.com is a much-needed site, considering all of the overwhelming choices on the market today. You can see if how your favorite brands rank, as well as discover new brands. I know that I look forward to trying out Tom's of Maine!

Check out the site and let me know what you think!

Green Website Review -- RenewableEnergyJobs.com

If you're interested in an eco-friendly job, look no further than RenewableEnergyJobs.com. While the site was just recently launched in February 2009, this new career site has an impressive design with a wealth of offerings.

RenewableEnergyJobs.com is a high-quality site that has more green energy jobs than any other site -- 700 positions in 28 countries. In addition, in February alone, the site had 50,000 visitors.

You can search jobs by sector or location links along the right side, or you can use the search box to enter keyword, sector, city/state. No matter what you're interested in -- from Solar Sales Professionals to Environmental Consultant -- you'll find positions around the global.

RenewableEnergyJobs.com works with both job seekers and recruiters. And don't forget to check out the numerous articles available about green jobs and careers.

Consider it a Green HotJobs or Monster, RenewableEnergyJobs.com is an up and coming job site that will definitely serve a great niche.

Check out RenewableEnergyJobs.com today!