Kandals Scented Organic Earth-Friendly Shoes {Review}

December 31, 2012 by Karissa 1 Comment

What is it that you look for in shoes? Is it the durability? The style? The brand? For me, my favorite kind of shoes are light weight, stylish and versatile. I am not a big sneaker person, I use sneakers for their main purpose – working out – but for everyday wear, I choose a flat casual shoe first, like the earth-friendly KANDALS shoes.

About KANDALS

KANDALS is a shoe company that is based out of San Diego and manufactures their products in Spain. They produce scented (strawberry, in case you were wondering), earth-friendly shoes that are made with premium, natural and eco-friendly materials.I received the Envir Women’s Classics style in grey. The shoe was shipped right to my door in only 3 days! Talk about fast shipping! Speaking of shipping, KANDALS ships to US, Canada, Chile, UK and beyond.

Design

I love the look of these shoes. Right out of the box, I knew they were shoes that I would be wearing frequently with a variety of outfits. Skinny jeans, skirts and more, these flat soled shoes are very versatile to pair with many outfit changes. The grey color is a nice light, attractive color that works well with black, white and even splashes of color. The premium canvas fabric gives this shoe a casual and comfortable look. Comfort & Fit

When I was done admiring the attractive style of the shoe, I slipped them right on my feet. Holy comfort batman! So this is what 100% green certified European cotton feels like? Heaven to my feet. The shoe is completely flexible and cushion-y, yet there is durability in the natural rubber sole.

Walking around in these shoes felt like I was on the clouds. I am sure this is due to the two canvas linings and the sponge layer in between the shoe insole and outsole. This makes the shoe uber-flexible and it just molds to your feet. When you walk, the shoe moves with you!

Sizing

I typically wear a 7.5 – 8 US. I ordered a 38 EU (7.5-8) since these shoes are not available in half sizes. They fit great! There is room for my toes and they are oh-so comfortable on my heel. Since KANDALS should stretch and mold to the shape of your feet, even if you are a half size, they should fit great. The shoes are a medium width, so if you are a half size, or have wider feet, it is recommended to order up. Oh, also they are in EU sizes, so don’t let that confuse you. For example: if you wear a size 7, get a EU 37 (US 6.5-7) in KANDALS.Scented Feature

So the shoes are scented – not for solving stinky feet or odor problems, but for the fun of it. Their mission for this is simple: every time you wake up in the morning to put on your KANDALS, you get a fresh newness to your shoes. The scent is not perfumed on the fabric but dyed internally with the rubber sole prior to being assembled. My dog got a kick out of the scented shoes. Her sniffer was going nuts when I set them beside her, this could be a problem. (Note: Hide shoes from dog.) Personally, I wasn’t a big fan of the scent, but my husband thought it was great. He compared it to a car air freshener. And I think he is right. So if you like your car to have that Strawberry Air Freshener smell – you’ll be thrilled with the neat scented idea that is KANDALS!Sustainable – Yay Earth!

KANDALS partners with Trees for the Future, a non-profit. For every pair of KANDALS sold, a tree will be planted to aid deforested areas of lower income countries. KANDALS strives to give you the power to show your support for sustainability by wearing their shoes. Last month alone, thanks to KANDLAS customers, they donated 500 trees to plant in Ethiopia!

Final Thoughts

Although I could do without the scent, I am completely in love with these shoes! They are so cute, so comfortable and so so so versatile! I love that they easily fold and bend – so they can be slipped into my luggage easily. I’m telling you, they are the ULTIMATE traveling shoe.

Connect

Join in with KANDALS on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter @kandalsshoes. KANDALS can be purchased online at www.kandals.com.

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Filed Under: Environment, Fashion, Product Reviews, Style Tagged With: Environment, natural shoes, Sanuk, shoes review, similar to TOMS

Closed EcoSmart Garden, Home, Bug Bomb & More {Ends 4/9}

March 27, 2011 by Karissa 183 Comments

Be smart. Be EcoSMART.

Readers, don’t take that wrong. You are very smart, I know this because for the most part you spell words right in the comments. But seriously, are you AS smart as you CAN be when it comes to the environment?

I know for me personally there is always SOMETHING more I could do to reduce my carbon footprint and to give back to the environment. One major way I am SMART is by having a garden. In my garden I grow my very own fruits and vegetables. Gardens are a great thing, but unless you use environmentally safe pesticides, you might as well not garden at all, instead buy organic.

But if you want to be SMART in the garden you might want to try EcoSMART – the world’s safest, most effective pesticides based on natural ingredients. EcoSMART is what I’ll be using on my garden this season… let’s share a few of their product with you…

Garden Fungicide (24 oz spray bottle)

garden-fungicide Quick Overview

Disease control for roses, flowers & shrubs. Prevents and controls black spot, rust, powdery mildew, blight and other common plant diseases.

My Thoughts

I will definitely be using the garden fungicide on my flowers, plants & trees to prevent anthracnose, black Spot, blight, botrytis, powdery mildew, rust leaf spot, scab and other diseases. I have had plants that I have dedicated so much time and effort to – but then they die because of diseases that take over – it is a HUGE disappointment! So I’ll be using this spray to make certain that it doesn’t happen again. You better believe I will be spraying this on them at the first signs of disease.

Garden Insect Killer (24 oz spray bottle)

Quick Overview

Kills and repels garden insects and mites. Kills exposed eggs, larvae and adult stages. Safe for all plants in and outside of the garden.

My Thoughts

I can’t help but feel safe when spraying this on my plants because o the list of active ingredients such as rosemary oil, peppermint oil, thyme oil, clove oil, etc. I can spray this on my plants and not worry about harvesting them later – in fact, you can spray and harvest safely in the same day!

Weed & Grass Killer (24 oz spray bottle)

Weed & Grass Killer

Quick Overview

Kills all types of weeds and grasses. For use on patios, walkways, driveways, around trees and shrubs, along fences and foundations and in other areas of your yard.

My Thoughts

The weed and grass killer worked wonders on the annoying grass that filled in the cracks on the side of our house. I will be using this weed and grass killer further on our cement walkway, driveway and sidewalk. I am going to get at it a.s.a.p. so I can stop the weeds and grass while they are actively growing. But I might wait a few weeks because this product works best in temperatures above 60°. It’s spring, but we’re not quite there yet!

Insect Repellent 6 oz. Bottle

insect-repellent

Quick Overview

Keeps bugs away for hours and is safe for the entire family. We don’t use DEET or other synthetic chemicals. Our powerful, all-natural formula is made from organic plant oils, and repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats and other annoying pests for hours.

My Thoughts

I am one of those people that gets eaten alive when I step outside after the sun goes down. Literally I will be camping with friends and come home with 30+ bites where as my friends might have a few. This product will be sure to get used over and over again this summer, especially in the garden. Last year the garden was a mosquito attack fest on my arms and legs! Well that is changing this year because I will have the protection of my EcoSMART insect repellent.

OTHER PRODUCTS – Bed Bug Killer & Repellent and Mosquito Fogger

Other products that caught my eye:

As for the Mosquito Fogger, I don’t think I have to tell you twice why I am intrigued by this! You spray it in the air instead of on you to kill and repel mosquitoes, flies, gnats, moths and more! It is like an invisible tent! Finally you can have a picnic in peace (no bugs flying down on your food!)

You might be thinking I have had or have a bed bug infestation and this is why I am interested in the bed bug killer and repellent – but thankful no and no. BUT they have caused a HUGE issue in hotels and some major cities. They are no joke PEOPLE! And since I practically live in hotels – I a terrified of getting them! (Oh Ps – did you hear they found them on an American Airlines plane, ewwww!! Bug Bomb!) They are serious little bugs and this travel size spray would be fine bringing it through TSA security!

Overall, I love that using EcoSMART essentially makes me SMART! By using this brand I am doing my part – using organic garden products and keeping the bad chemicals out of the soil and water! Not only am I looking out for the big picture, I am looking out for me! I am directly taking care of my family and I’m not putting those nasty, harmful chemicals on the fruits and veggies that I eat (and the plants my dog sometimes eats too!) And since my dog sometimes decides to eat plants she isn’t supposed to – I am thankful they have no adverse effects on mammals, birds, and fish. Get Your Own!! EcoSMART’s household products are available in leading retail stores and online.

{Giveaway}

The Prize: One reader will win an EcoSMART Garden Products Package including: Insect Repellent, Grass and Weed Killer, Garden Insect Killer, Garden Fungicide

To Enter: Leave 1 comment for each of the following entries you choose. Mandatory entry must be done for all extra entries to count.

Mandatory entry: Tell us why you want or need the value bundle!

Extra entries:

+1 Fan/Like EcoSMART on Facebook

+1 Subscribe to WithOurBest by email
+1 Subscribe via Feed Reader RSS
+1 Follow WithOurBest on Google Friend Connect (located on sidebar)
+1 Fan/Like WithOurBest on Facebook
+1 Follow us on Networked Blogs
+1 Follow WithOurBest on Twitter (leave twitter ID)
+1 Tweet the following (By using the Retweet button or copy and paste into Twitter)

@WithOurBest #Win #Giveaway EcoSmart Value Bundle http://tinyurl.com/4zq7w8t {Ends 4/9}

~~Rules: Open to US residents (NO HI or AK) 18 years or older. Winner chosen at random via random.org. Winners will be emailed and have 48hours to respond. BEST OF LUCK!~~
Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Filed Under: Giveaways Tagged With: Environment

Grounds For Change–Organic Fair Trade Coffee

December 5, 2010 by Karissa Leave a Comment

I am impressed. I am thoroughly impressed with this environmentally-friendly coffee company, Grounds for Change. If their company name doesn’t speak for itself, well then, let me! So first I am going to brag about the company itself….

—— Organic —— Shade Grown —— Fair Trade Certified —— Carbon Free ——

The farmers use really neat conservation practices which help them cultivate their coffee with minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem. Take the fact that this coffee is “shade grown.” So what does that mean exactly? Well while most coffee growers will take down forest areas in the climates where coffee grows well, Grounds for Change realizes that it’s better for the environment (and the taste of the coffee) to let the coffee trees grow under the natural shade of hardwood trees! So not only is this more ecologically friendly but it allows the coffee to grow as it was intended, under the protective shade of tropical trees!

As we all know, more and more consumers are not only asking "Is this good for me?" but also "Is this good for the workers and the environment?" According to a recent study, 90% of Americans say it’s important for companies to be mindful of their impact on the environment and society and 70% say they’re more likely to support companies that do! The growth of Fair Trade products proves that consumers are voting with their purchase for a better world and demanding sustainable, ethically sourced goods nationwide.

Fair Trade coffee supports a better life for farming families in the developing world through fair prices and community development. Fair Trade basically helps small operation famers prevent large operations from dictating what price they have to sell their product at. It’s a market principal that sustainability advocates can get behind. Grounds for Change gets behind this concept 100% and I definitely applaud their efforts.

Now about the coffee… The aroma of the whole bean organic coffee immediately filled our kitchen as we opened up the package we got from Grounds for Changed. My husband (he’s the coffee drinker) was really excited to get at this coffee once he had a few whiffs!! We made sure to store the coffee in its whole bean form in an airtight container at room temperature and once my husband ground some up for his morning cup of coffee here are some of the things he had to say: “It’s not over roasted, no burnt beans like we unfortunately always seem to get with some of those other brands!” He also told me that he likes the “excellent” smoothness, full body, and “syrupy finish” the Agate Pass Blend had. As if that wasn’t enough he told me that he likes this coffee because it tastes like super fresh farmers market coffee and has much fuller flavor than the more popular brands found in every store!

So…one last thing before I sign off on this select scrumptious super bean coffee! Christmas is just around the corner and if you have a coffee lover in your family then you’ve already been thinking about how PERFECT of holiday gift option Grounds for Change coffee would be!! Your family or friends are going to love Grounds for Change’s ethical business model paired with the delicious coffee in the assortment of gift boxes that Grounds for Change has to offer! Check it out at http://www.groundsforchange.com and let us know what you think!!

Discount Code!! Enter the coupon code: HK98 at checkout by Februrary 28, 2011 to save 10% on your entire order! This includes everything in the online catalog and includes sale items!!

[Product review & giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

Filed Under: Environment, Recipes Tagged With: coffee, Environment

101 Things You Can Compost

July 15, 2010 by Karissa 18 Comments

So many people responded with shock in my previous composting post that you could compost wine corks, finger nails and hair, I decided to write an expanded list of items that are all safe for composting! While doing my research on all of these items, I was shocked too!

For those non-composting folk: Once you see all the things that go in the landfills instead of back into the garden or earth’s soil – hopefully you’ll be encouraged to start composting too!

Here goes… 101 things you can compost!

Kitchen

Coffee grounds
Coffee filters
Burlap coffee bags
Milk (in small amounts)
Outdated yogurt
Tea bags
Used paper napkins
Pizza boxes, ripped up
Paper bags, ripped or balled up
The crumbs off of the counters & floors
Cooked pasta
Cooked rice
Egg shells
Stale bread
Stale cereal
Stale preztels
Pizza crust
Freezer burnt Veggies
Freezer burnt Fruit
Stale crackers
Tofu
Paper towel rolls
Used paper plates (NO wax coating)
Cellophane bags (Cellophane – not plastic.)
Nut shells
Expired herbs and spices (or new if you wanted to?!)
Cereal boxes (ripped up)
Wine corks
Moldy cheese
Potato peelings
Melted ice cream
Old jelly, jam, or preserves
Stale beer (tragedy!)
Stale wine (double tragedy!)
Paper egg cartons
Toothpicks
Bamboo skewers
Paper cupcake or muffin cups

Bathroom

Used facial tissues
Hair from your hairbrush
Toilet paper rolls
Matches
Toe and fingernail clippings
Urine (only a minimal amount!)
100% Cotton cotton balls
Q-tips (cotton swabs: cardboard, not plastic sticks)
Cardboard tampon applicators (yuck!)
Latex condoms

Laundry

Lint from the dryer
Old/stained cotton clothing (ripped or cut up)
Old wool clothing (ripped or cut up)
Wool socks (ripped or cut up)

Office

Shredded Bills and documents
Envelopes (Without the plastic window)
Pencil shavings
Post-it notes
Elmer’s glue
Business cards (Not the glossy kind)
Receipts

Outdoors

Wood chips
Grass clippings
Pine needles
Seaweed and Kelp
Leaves
Tree bark
Clay soil
Old leather gardening gloves (ripped up)
Sawdust
Leftovers from the garden

Pets

Fur from the dog
Fur from the cat
Rabbit/gerbil/hamsters, etc. droppings/bedding
Bird cage dropping/newspaper
Feathers
Alfalfa hay or pellets
Rawhide dog chews
Fish food
Fish scraps
Dead jellyfish, starfish, etc.
Crab shells
Dry dog food
Dry cat food

Other: Around the house

Vacuum cleaner bag or canister contents
Newspapers (shredded or ripped up)
Subscription cards from magazines
Trimmings from houseplants
Dead houseplants and their soil
Flowers from floral arrangements
Natural potpourri
Used matches
Ashes from the fireplace, barbecue grill, or outdoor fire pit
Wrapping paper rolls
Paper table cloths
Crepe paper streamers
Latex balloons
Raffia
Halloween Jack o’ Lanterns
Hay bales used as part of your outdoor fall decoration
Natural holiday wreaths
Christmas tree (Chopped up)
Evergreen garlands

It’s fun to watch how fast the compost pile grows when you are taking advantage of all things compostable!

Filed Under: Environment Tagged With: 101 list, compost, composting, eco-friendly, Environment

Farewell stinky compost bucket, hello new stink-free pail!

July 13, 2010 by Karissa 21 Comments

Did you know you can compost:

Pet and human hair?
Finger nails?
Coffee grinds and coffee filters?
Wine corks
Lint from the dryer?

All that along with fruits and vegetables, egg shells, grass clippings and so much more.

"But what about that beastly smell?"

I love to Compost, but I absolutely hate the smells! Composting can be a very stinky process. There is no denying that moldy, rotting food will stink up a kitchen! It is necessary to find the right compost pail in order to reduce the smell.

Previously I had been using a large tupperware to put all of my kitchen scraps in. Every time I opened it, an unpleasant smell lingered in the air for hours. I had to take it out daily to reduce the smells. The bucket was deep and hard to clean. The worst part, it was completely see-through. Anyone who stepped into my kitchen could see all of the rotting kitchen scraps I’d placed in my bucket! I was fed up with the embarrassment of the bucket, the stench and the inconvenience. I was desperate to find a good replacement!

I did some research on quality compost pails, and was thoroughly impressed with a stainless steel compost pail that I found on CleanAirGardening. Once it arrived, I happily said goodbye to my stinky compost bucket. I have been using the pail everyday and I couldn’t be happier! It looks great on the counter, shiny and sleek!! I am no longer embarrassed to have it sitting out! It holds a generous amount of kitchen scraps, so I don’t have to dump it everyday. The food can sit for a few days and this pail still keeps the stink down, way, way down… This is because the pail has carbon filters inside the cap that block the smell from leaking out! It’s neat and the filters last for several months before needing to be replaced. Most importantly, the pail is easy to clean! All you do is wipe it down with soap and water. I wash it out after each dump to keep any smells from forming.

What an upgrade! If I could give this pail a Hi-five I would, for it’s job well done. Instead I will give the pail FIVE stars because it is attractive, there is no more stink and is incredibly easy to clean.

CleanAirGardening is a useful resource for all gardening and compost needs. If the stainless steel pail isn’t your style, they have others to chose from, like my second favorite, the ceramic crock.

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.

Filed Under: Environment Tagged With: compost, eco-friendly, Environment, garden

Plant a tree… while you sit on the computer!

June 12, 2010 by Karissa 2 Comments

How great is Odwalla? I already loved them before, but now they get a little more love from me. I love companies that give back to the earth (ahem BP!) and Odwalla is doing just that!! They made a promise to plant a tree for each person that goes to the site and fills out a simple 2 question form. It is so easy and rewarding.

The Odwalla Plant a Tree program is available in all 50 states from May 25, 2010 through August 15, 2010 or until 175,000 trees are donated. Please go to www.odwalla.com/plantatree, enter your email address and choose the state where you want Odwalla to plant a tree. Only one (1) click per person. All trees will be planted in state parks in the chosen states.

Isn’t that great? Thanks Odwalla for adding a tree to Colorado for me!

Filed Under: Environment Tagged With: earth, Environment, freebie

Kandals Scented Organic Earth-Friendly Shoes {Review}

Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For full disclosure click here.