eco-friendly – Luv Saving Money

I Bought it, I Tried it: Gelo Hand Soap

This year, I bought a few different products that I kept seeing ads for. I’ll be honest, most of them I was pleasantly surprised with. All of these products I bought with my own money (they are not comped products). I figured if I kept seeing the ad on Facebook and Instagram then maybe other people have been curious too.

The first product I wanted to feature, was one of the first products I bought this year via a facebook ad. I kept seeing the ad, I liked the idea, when I saw the price I thought, what the heck I’ll give it a try. It also came at a time where we had just gotten through having a hard time finding hand soap during the pandemic. Not knowing if it would happen again and always needing a supply of hand soap on hand, I thought this might be a good way to stock up.

Gelo is hand soap with a unique approach. Biodegradable pods you can use to refill your hand soap bottles (or one of theirs) using just water. The scent choices were choices I liked. I also released I was spending anywhere between $1-$3 on bottles of soap at the store and throwing them away when they were done. Yo! I keep hand soap in the kitchen, downstairs bathroom, upstairs bathroom, and the laundry room!

Gelo products reduce the amount of waste of regular disposable hand soaps. If you have a reusable soap pump at home, you can even use the one year already have.

I did an instagram reel so you can get an idea of how it works:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Angie Beechan (@angwith4)

The Gelo refill pods are made with plant based materials: shea, oat, and essential oils. Their pods are completely made up of biodegradable materials including the pod film. There are no sulfates, parabens, or fillers. When you order the refill bag it has enough for 4 refills. So I can literally refill all the soap dispensers I used in my house with one bag. Instead of throwing out 4 soap dispensers I’m only throwing out one bag.

They offer foaming hand soap or gel hand soap options for your preference or for the type of soap dispenser you already have at home. So one of my fave parts? It’s super affordable. I ordered two starter kits for our bathrooms a couple months ago and I’m just now getting to where I needed to order refills. So I ordered a starter kit for our kitchen and 2 more refill bags. $21 shipped and I have enough to refill 12 times. Even with shipping that breaks down to only $1.75/bottle!

Now I’m not an affiliate, ambassador, or anything else with them but I do have a referral link (that anyone can get when you order). It will save you $2 off your first order and give me 10% off my next order. Just go through my Gelo referral link here.

If you like this post let me know if you’d like to see more of them in the comments.

Earth Day Feature: NOVICA

I’ve been a fan of NOVICA for a long time. They find true artisans, skilled in their crafts to hand make products and purchase them at fair trade. If you use my search bar on the upper right side of my page and search the term NOVICA you’ll find other posts. There’s a reason I keep agreeing to work with NOVICA and have made several purchase from them on my own.

NOVICA seeks out artists from around the world. They are skilled artisans often using natural materials. There are artists from all over the world such as Mexico, Thailand, India, Argentina, West Africa, etc. Finding jewelry makers, glass blowers, wood carvers, and more.

Each piece is unique. I’m absolutely in love with the NOVICA glassware that Javier and Efron create in Mexico. Each and every piece is just a little different, even if you buy a set. You can see the tiny bubble marks that are almost a hallmark of hand blown glass.

These glasses are a thick smooth glass. I has a beautiful turquoise color. When you pick it up you can feel that it has just a little more weight than a juice glass you’d buy in a store.

I have 2 other sets of glasses from NOVICA. When people come to visit and we use them I usually get compliments on them.

Another thing I like about NOVICA is that the artisans hand craft these items, NOVICA does not mass produce products in factories so it cuts down on the environmental impact.

I encourage you to check out Novica.com and see all the beautiful and unique handmade pieces there are. Jewelry, baskets, decor, clean beauty, and more.

I’d love to know one piece that catches your eye on NOVICA.com

I did received these glasses to review at no cost from Novica in order to complete this post. Any opinions expressed are my own.

2021 April Showers Giveaway

Did you know April is Earth Month? It’s true. Earth day is Thursday April 22 this year. There are so many things we can do to do better for our planet.

Some simple things to try:

picking up litter when we see it
choosing reusable over one-time use when possible
choosing more eco-friendly options as a for instance, sometimes it’s a lot less work or more feasible to use disposable utensils but there are tons of options for biodegradable options such as bamboo, avocado pit, and even cornstarch.
Getting plastic bowls for the kids is understandable but after time they get worn out or grow out of them. One option I love is Coconut Bowls. Save some money with my coupon code: 7E85E4E1
Shop from companies that use sustainable practices, offer eco-friendly packaging, or are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Need some ideas?

Coconut Bowls – Use coupon code: ANGELA-COCO-953 to save money

Girlfriend Collective – an eco-friendly and sustainable activewear brand offering things like legging made from recycled fishing nets, 100% recycled and recyclable shipping, tees made from cupro which is waste that the cotton industry leaves behind, and more. They’re also a body positive company features models of all shapes, sizes, and abilities.

Simply Earth – essential oil recipe box teaching you to make your own toxin free cleaning products, beauty products, and more. They’re oils are sourced from small ethical farms. 13% of their profits also goes to charities in the fight to end human trafficking. Use code: ANGELABEECHANFREE to get a free big box when you do the recipe box subscription.

That’s just a few ideas. I’d love to know some of your simple acts to be more earth friendly.

I’m also excited to be a Coconut Bowls ambassador. Check out my instagram from April 13 – April 22 I’ll be sharing earth friendly tips, letting you know about giveaways from Coconut Bowls, and hosting my own giveaway for your chance to win some earth friendly stuff!

coconut bowl and spoon is biodegradable and earth friendly

In the meantime, I’d love to give one person either $20 Amazon gift card to replace one thing with an eco-friendly suggestion or $20 paypal to shop locally.

GIVEAWAY

Check out these other participating blogs for a chance to win more prizes:

This post does contain affiliate links. I will earn a small commission from sales made through my links.

Sustainable, Ethically Made, and Inclusive Activewear Brand

If you follow my instagram page, you’ll see that I’ve been trying to change to a healthier lifestyle. I made a decision last September that I was tired of starting to put on weight every year and buying bigger clothes. I was tired of feeling tired all the time. My confidence was low and I had some self loathing. When I started working out my main goal was to lose weight. I joined a gym started finding sources that worked for me to help educate myself about nutrition. I’m still learning and still trying. What I found though was my purpose is no longer just about losing weight. In fact, that purpose has become secondary. It’s helped me so much with my energy levels, my anxiety and depression, and my confidence.

What I noticed is when I started posting about my fitness and health and wellness journey I start getting pitches from activewear brands I never heard of to be an affiliate with them. I check them out but everyone of them were the same. In fact, I’m pretty sure I saw the same pieces and designs on about 6 different websites. And when you’re looking at these site and following fitness influencers it seems almost every one is lean and muscular, C cups or bigger, wearing skimpy clothing, and well..that’s just not me and every model in the ads looks the same.

Then I was pitched Girlfriend Collective. Honestly I wasn’t going to check it out. I was so tired of affiliate pitches for “ambassadors” that were really affiliate programs. But as soon as I hit the Girlfriend Collectives page I knew it was different.

First of all when you hit the page you find out that they are a sustainable and ethically made activewear company. If you check out the Girlfriend Collective about page they break it down what each piece and line of clothing is made from. Everything from recycled fishnets, to plastic bottles, cotton industry waste, and more.

To take it a step further, Girlfriend Collective’s packing is also 100% recycled and recyclable. They are made in a facility that is SA8000 certified, guarantees fair wages, safe and healthy conditions, and no forced or child labor.

Ok now let’s talk about when you actually start browsing the site. You see REAL women. Women of different size, different body types, different colors, with birthmarks, stretch marks, not air-brushed, not photoshopped. They have activewear from sizes XXS to 6XL which you just don’t see in the activewear industry very often. They even have a maternity line! It’s beautiful, it’s real, and it’s what we need to see more of in the women’s clothing industry.

photo credit: Girlfriend Collective website

I could go on and on about this company but the about page on their site has a wealth of information. All about their practices, their facilities, why they use the methods they use, etc. It’s refreshing, it’s transparent, and it’s responsible.

Girlfriend Collective prices fall right in line with other popular companies but still less than some of the more luxe brands out there. When you think about the effort and benefits overall of this company it’s an easy choice. You can feel good knowing that you’re supporting a company that is trying to do better for customers and for the environment.

Shop Girlfriend Collective HERE

They also have a rewards program to help you save more. Sign up for their emails for a $10 off $95 purchase coupon for your first purchase. Sign up for the Girlfriend Collective rewards to start saving on future purchases and even earn free leggings!

This post does contain affiliate links. I will get a commission from sales made through my links.

How Knowing Your Plants Can Save You Money

For way too many years, I took for granted the “weeds” that were growing in my yard. I thought they were good for nothing but making my yard look bad. Then after learning a common weed in my garden was actually edible (and not half bad) I wondered else I didn’t know about the weeds in my yard and garden. Turns out, it’s a lot.

It is important to note that you should NEVER consume plants/weeds that have been treated with weed killers or certain lawn products. If you’re not sure, it’s best not to consume it.

Just another weed in my yard?

A landscaping company posted a picture of a weed I commonly see in yard.

Crushed or chewed then placed over a bug bite, mosquito bite, bee sting, rash, or acne as a poultice and bandaged these plant is said to be able to help draw out toxins. Do a quick search and you’ll find several recipes for salves and balms using the broadleaf plantain. It’s said to be a digestive aid as well. B&D Landscaping’s facebook post has a wealth of information about this plant and uses.

Broadleaf plantain is also edible in salads or added to recipes.

That Sticky Plant

On another occasion, while harvesting raspberries from the wild raspberry bushes we have growing in our yard, I came across this invasive weed. It was so long and sticky. It was starting to wrap around the raspberries. I wondered what it was since it was touching some of the raspberries we were going to consume. Turns out this weed has many names: Clevers, sticky willy, coachweed, goosegrass, and a few other names.

Probably my favorite thing to learn about these was that you can make “coffee” with them. Cleaver is actually part of the coffee family. Yes, those little sticky, fuzzy berry looking things. You can pick them off, dry out, then roast them in the oven, then grind them up and make coffee. Be warned the process is time consuming. Picking all those stickly little berries off takes a while and you need a lot to brew a pot of coffee. I tried it though. It wasn’t half bad. The leaves and stems are edible as well and can be added to stir fries, salads, and soups.

Cleaver is said to have diuretic properties and has been used for kidney and urinary tract ailments.

People actually plant this one on purpose!

Purslane. This is the one I often saw growing in my gardens. Almost looks like a succulent to me. I found out that not only is Purslane edible but quite nutrient dense for a little plant containing antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, Potassium, and Manganese. Phew! Now that’s a hard working plant.

You can eat it raw by itself, mix it into your salad, or add it to your dish. You can easily find Purslane seeds and plants online. In fact, Purslane is commonly grown, on purpose, in many other countries.

The multitasker of the weed world

Dandelions, we all know them. Dandelion greens can be eaten. The petals can be turned into teas, wine, jams, or jellies. You can use the root for dandelion root coffee.

Dandelions are also said to have medicinal properties. A quick search will have you finding tinctures, tonics, and many other medicine cabinet ideas for dandelions.

The more I learn the more I realize the culinary adventures and medicine cabinet stocking I can do. And that saves me money! I’m also interested in learning more.

I love seeing companies like T1 payments that care. Donating to the South Florida Fairchild Botanic Gardens. I truly believe that there are so much more we need to learn about plants. There could be one out there that could be the cure for an illness, or an affordable option to help stop hunger.

This post is sponsored by Diamond Links.