EcoTools Choose to Live Beautifully

Get excited! EcoTools is beginning a nationwide campaign this Saturday (May 21, 2011) that allows people to recycle their make-up tools and get EcoTools products for free!

To kick off the “Choose to Live Beautifully” campaign, EcoTools will hold a sampling and beauty event at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, May 21, 2011, hosted by EcoTools fan and celebrity makeup artist, Fiona Stiles! Consumers can drop off used products and receive coupons on site, as well as get a complimentary makeup application and meet-and-greet with Ms. Stiles. Passers-by may also receive a valuable sample pack containing several EcoTools products to nurture their natural beauty. In the following weeks, EcoTools will hit the streets of two cities – Chicago (May 24) and Washington D.C. (May 26) – to pass out samples and give others the tools to inspire change!

Follow me on Twitter (@veamason) and EcoTools @EcoTools to find out more on those days!

Friday Giveaway- Fling Bin- Pop Up Recycling Container

I'm closing out the month of April with this great little container.  A Fling! It's a container for recycling that you can pop open whenever you want.  If you are having a party or a picnic just pull it out, pop it open and viola!  Your own portable recycling container!

The Fling holds over 60 bottles or cans and is equal to 13 gallons/tall kitchen size. When not in use it folds flat (about an inch tall) and can be stored or tucked away easily.  It's a great find and a must have if you entertain often.

Enter to win one Fling by commenting.  Extra entries can be obtained by following me, tweeting or "liking" MPR's Facebook page.

Good luck!  Happy Friday!


*Image from mommygoggles.com

Diamond Brilliance Cutlery

"With the look and feel of real silver, Diamond® Brilliance™ Disposable Cutlery is the perfect complement for elegant weddings, festive holiday parties and landmark anniversaries."

While I am not in the entertaining mood these days I do love simplicity and items that are reusable or recyclable.  Diamond Brilliance Plastic cutlery falls in both these categories.  Safe for the dishwasher and elegant enough to use for special occasions this product could even be disposable. 
What I like about this product beyond being reusable if you wanted is that unlike other plastic ware the knives don't bend and break.  They are sturdy and actually help to make an event rather than cheapen it. I only received one set but is a 30 count ($3.97), which is fantastic it was fun using them and reusing them and seeing them stand up to the heat of my dishwasher.  I still have them after a few uses too.  I think that if you are having a party or event that you want to make more special but have a limited budget then Diamond Brilliance plastic cutlery is a good way to go.

Diamond Brilliance plastic flatware is available at Walmart. 

MPR Rating: Three Stars. 

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post.  Products reviewed are for testing and review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

Radius Toothbrush- It's Money

I have reviewed toothbrushes in the past, mainly the electric variety.  All of them plastic, even if it's recycled.  Radius Source Toothbrush  are made from something entirely different.  Money.  Dollar bills y'all.  Made from recycled dollar bills, flax fiber or wood Radius Source toothbrushes last longer than your average toothbrush.  Here's the rundown directly from the source-


-93% Recycled Material - 47% Renewable Resource.



-Source handles are molded from recycled US Dollar bills/Recycled Flax and Recycled Wood all blended with recycled polypropylene resulting in a bio-plastic that is 100% renewable or recycled.


-Lightweight unbreakable replacement heads made from surgical-grade nylon.


-Dramatically increases softness and efficacy of brushing with 65% more bristle tufts than ordinary toothbrush.


-Reversible for both Right or Left handed brushing - Available in soft or medium bristles.


-Handle lasts forever - the head can be discarded as you would a razor blade!

I admit that for some bizarre reason I thought that this brush wouldn't be durable.  Instead of lasting longer I felt like it would disintegrate in my hands as soon as it got wet. I know, it's ridiculous.  The handle feels just like plastic and it's comfortable in my hand as well.  The actual head/brush threw me off as well.  It's shaped like an iron.  I have a small mouth and I didn't think it would work.  Turns out, I LOVE it! I actually feel like this shape head was designed for my mouth.  My teeth, gums and tongue feel cleaner than they have using the standard narrow head.  I'm super excited that my pack came with a replacement head as well. 

I love that this toothbrush is eco-friendly in packaging and product and it really works.  The Source Radius Toothbrush is fun (it's made from money!), works superbly and lasts a long time (9 months).  The replaceable heads (about $4 for 2) and price are affordable too ($5.21). I don't want to switch toothbrushes ever again.  I'm now a Radius convert.

Radius sells other versions of recycled toothbrushes and styles.  Check them out here.   Radius Toothbrushes can be found at Drugstore.com, Duane Reed, Whole Foods and online at the website.  They are also 25% off right now.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post.  All products received were for review and testing purposes only.  Opinions in this review are solely my own.

Marcal Paper Products

Here is what I love- when you find products and services that cost less, perform better and help the planet. Marcal Small Steps is one such line. Made from 100% recycled paper products, Marcal Small Steps doesn't cost more than everyday non-recycled brands and they have been recycling for over 50 years. Our household was lucky enough to test out a large variety from the Small Steps line including toilet paper, tissues, paper towels and napkins.

The Small Steps bath tissue is gentle, durable and chlorine free. It is also septic tank safe. While it doesn't look as thick as some of those cushy double-ply brands it works just as well and doesn't drop all that lint that other brands do. The same goes for the facial tissue you use to wipe your nose. It is soft, absorbent and doesn't rip up your skin like some of the other 'green' tissues we have tried and tossed in our home.

Napkins by Small Steps were one of my favorite finds in this brand. Not only do the compete and work just as well as any other paper napkin but the bag they come in can be resealed. I didn't have to worry about the bag tipping over and spilling napkins all over my pantry like other paper napkins packages. It is such a great idea and I wish more companies employed this type of packaging. It was also a bit of a luxury to use disposable paper napkins as we typically have cloth ones that I wash each week. Not having that extra load of laundry to do was nice.

One of the best things about the Marcal Small Steps paper towels is that they look just like regular paper towels so I don't have to hear my husband "assume" that they won't work because they are say, brown versus white in color. They also come in multi-packs unlike a lot of other green paper towel lines. When I made the switch I could not tell the difference. At all. I could still wet them, use them to clean the counters, kids, high chair and more. They didn't rip when I used them on the floor or to clean my bathroom. I love these paper towels and have continued to use them since then.

Marcal Small Steps line is competitively priced and is the same quality as its competitors if not better. It works as well as store brands and name brands too. In the most recent months it has also begun to be offered at more grocery stores and big box chains as well as online.

Remember that if each American household were to buy just one package of Small Steps™ bath tissue, together we would save one million trees.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.