Just trying to check in even though I don’t have a big post ready.  Here’s what I’m doing/planning to do in the GPP vein…

• No ‘Poo.  I’m late to jump on this bandwagon but it’s something I’ve been thinking of doing for… ever.  My hair is fine and has just enough curl to it to always have a halo of fuzzy frizz whenever it is freshly washed.  I never really have been a daily shampoo’er anyway, mainly because my  hair only really starts looking good by day 3, and really starts to look great when it feels DIS-GUSTING.  Yesterday, after almost a week without washing it, I did my first “treatment” – a wash with baking soda paste and a rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar – as per the instructions from one of my favorite bloggers, Crunchy Betty.  It’s still too early to tell for sure, but so far I love it.  My hair after washing/drying yesterday was less frizzy with NO product in it than it usually is after a regular shampoo with anti-frizz product!  My scalp feels clean and tingly (might have helped that my baking soda had lavender infused in it; next time I might go for mint and/or eucalyptus for some nice tingle!) and my hair is nice and soft and continues to look and feel good today.
• In beautiful coincidence, my mom and I helped my son concoct his first “volcano” yesterday using – you guessed it – baking soda and vinegar!
  
• Daydreaming about gardening.  Trying not to spend all my time and energy on Pinterest adding to my already huge garden board.  I’ll post more about it in the future but I think this year we’re really going to keep it “simple” – tomatoes, maybe a companion crop, and then lots of herbs.  I’ll leave everything else to the nice folks at the Farmers Markets.
• Also daydreaming about hitting the road in a wee camper such as this one:
  More on that in future posts as well.
• Looking into Maca Root, which, if it works, may help me with one or more of a bunch of ills that have gotten to me.  Anyone have any info or experience?
• Loving this sunshine and the occasional super-warm days we’ve been having… and then shifting polarities to sadness and blah every time we get another chilly, cloudy day.
• At the request of some readers, as well as my own desire and need for it, creating a list of dye-free recipes and products.  If you have any to add, please comment!  I’ll be putting the list up soon-ish.
• Testing out the Safeway (grocery store) app on my phone and the more I use it, the less frustrated I get with it, and the more money I save!  (Still spending too much at the grocery store though.)  Last visit I saved 28% off my bill, PLUS filled my gas tank at their station with a discount of 60 cents off per gallon!

Where has the past month gone? I’m so sorry I’ve been so quiet. Is anyone still keeping up?

I’ve been super-busy lately, between my downsizing (follow along at www.penniesforpackrats.blogspot.com) and Hurricane Sandy (we’re safe, but there was a lot of preparation work to be done beforehand just in case, and I’ve been trying to help out those who did not fare as well. Another storm [Nor'Easter] due tomorrow – please keep all those in need in your thoughts.)

I’m going to try to post more even if it’s just a quick thought or link – just to keep in the habit even when there isn’t enough time for the in-depth posts I really like to write.  Here’s a freebie for today:  10 FREE holiday cards from tinyprints!  Perfect for the “old schoolers” in your family who still really appreciate a paper, snail-mail card.

I am most definitely not even a little ambidextrous.  Because of that, I have never been good at 2-handed flatware use, and have always resorted, whenever possible, to cutting my food with the side of my fork, much to the chagrin of my mother.  I always thought, “how great – though potentially dangerous – would it be to have a fork with a knife on the side?”

Apparently someone was listening.  Meet the Knork.

Living Social has a deal going right now – Pay $20 for $60 to spend on anything at knork.net - may even be used toward shipping!

From the knork.net site:

A Knork Education

Innovative creativity can come from anywhere.  And that is what happened the day Mike Miller went to a pizzeria with friends and struggled to eat pizza neatly with a normal fork–while trying to impress the ladies joining them for dinner.  He noticed an employee using a pizza slicer, imagined how that functionality could exist on his fork, and the rest is flatware history.

KNORK Flatware is ergonomically designed to correctly fit the way we naturally eat.  Its patented design combines innovation and function to produce a complete line of modern flatware designed with comfort, style and stability in mind.  Each piece features attributes unique to KNORK including smooth stem fingertip platforms, ergonomic shape and a heavier, balanced design that won’t bend or fall from a plate.

The FAQ (through the link above) assure me that the Knork will NOT cut me, and that it is dishwasher-safe stainless steel (aside from their plastic line, which I know no Green Penny Pinchers are interested in!)

I don’t know how green these really are, or how penny-pinching other than this great deal today through Living Social, but I am (probably a little too) excited about the Knork!  I may just have to break down and order some!  Get this deal while it’s hot and get your knork on, too!

Here are a few other, greener, penny-pinching-er deals as well…

Grab Green Home - $15 for $30 to spend at GrabGreen.  $6.50 flat rate shipping to the Continental USA.

Bambeco.com - Take 20% off all orders! Use Code: TAKE20 at checkout! (through 5/31/12)

Green Living Every Day - Save $15 on SolarGorilla Portable Charger for Netbooks, Laptops and phones.  Also, 15% off Everything in the Eco Coffee Shop

Tiny Prints - 3 FREE Stationery Samples!

LivingSocial has a great deal going right now:  Pay $15 for $30 to spend on non-toxic cleaning products from GrabGreen.   (Shipping is a flat rate of $6.50)

I’ve never tried these products but this is a good opportunity to do so, and they sound great!  Click here for more information on Grab Green company and their products, including what ingredients they do and do not use.

Or, if you’d rather DIY, check out these past Green Penny Pincher posts filled with lots of recipes and hints!

HOMEMADE CLEANING PRODUCTS from Green Penny Pincher
Part 1: The Kitchen
Part 2: Walls, Floors, & Other Surfaces

Note:  If you DIY these cleaners or any other items, be sure to first read Crunchy Betty’s very important information regarding the water you use!

 I’m intrigued by some of these combinations, though!

All Purpose Cleaner Thyme with Fig Leaf 16 oz Your Price:$5.00 On sale:$4.00	Dish Soap Tangerine with Lemongrass 16 oz Your Price:$5.00
Lavender with Vanilla Laundry Detergent Kit Your Price:$25.00	fragrance-free laundry kit Your Price:$25.00

If you grab this deal, please stop back to let me know what you think of these products!

A little note before I begin, regarding Diatomaceous Earth:  Since my post a few days ago, I have been made aware that Diatomaceous Earth sold for use in swimming pool filters is not recommended for pest deterrence, as it is not guaranteed to be safe for pets and humans, and it may also be less effectivein pest treatment due to being heat-treated.  

Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is recommended, and is available at a good price through Amazon ($23 for 10 lbs and eligible for Super-Saver Shipping if you spend $25 or more.)  

Click this link:  Diatomaceous Earth-Food Grade-10 Pounds by: Nature’s Wisdom
or find it in the Green Penny Pincher Shoppe 

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for Canadian readers: Groupon in Canada

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably at least heard of Groupon by now.  From their site:  ”Groupon features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in 48 countries, and soon beyond (read: Space). ”  (<< Wheee!  Let’s go!)  New to Groupon?  Please consider signing up through my referral link and help me get a little $ to keep this blog going! Thanks in advance!I’ve lost count of how many good deals I have bought (and some, sadly, passed up) on Groupon.  Haircuts, massages, gift cards, dining certificates, even travel.  In honor of Earth Day on April 22nd (this Sunday!), Groupon is currently offering some great eco-deals:

$25 for $50 Worth of Eco-Friendly Home Décor, Accessories, and Gifts at Bambeco.com 
Get Your Groupon!

Get Your Groupon!

This one is a SUPER deal:

Spend $59 on a 30-piece Simply DIY conservation kit (a $118 value).(1) wall-mountable, low-flow Spoiler 2.0 GPM white showerhead w/pause feature(1) package of Teflon tape to quickly seal pipes(1) Stop In Time shower timer requires shower singers to belt the abridged version of Bohemian Rhapsody(2) toilet tummy water savers reduce tank fill(2) packages of leak-detection dye tablets alert users to leaky toilet flappers(2) 1.0 GPM standard bathroom faucet aerators(1) hot-water gauge(1) dual-spray swivel faucet aerator(1) dish squeegee(1) multiwindow insulating kit(2) refrigerator/freezer thermometers(1) furnace filter whistle to sound an alarm when filters need changing(1) 20-pack of insulating light switch and outlet sealers(1) LED nightlight(2) packages of foam tape weather stripping(4) 13-watt LumaCoil CFL bulbs(4) 18-watt LumaCoil CFL bulbs(1) self-stick door sweep to prevent drafts and unexpected visits(1) switch-plate energy saver equipped with a color-coded thermometer encourages eco-friendly interior temperatures

Get Your Groupon!

Check out the Groupon Earth Day Deals page for more great eco-minded deals, including Hypo-Allergenic Pillows, travel to beautiful destinations, portable solar chargers,  healthy food delivered to your door, and exciting volunteer opportunities!  Get Your Groupon!

for Canadian readers: Groupon in Canada

I’m a big fan of Reuseit.com – they have a great selection of products and great customer service.  Obviously as a penny-pincher I try to DIY and  ”make it do or do without” whenever I can, but even I, crafty goddess, can not DIY everything needed for a greener life.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, Reuseit.com is offering a great sale all week long: load $50 of great products in your cart their and they’ll knock off $10 with code SAFE10APR!

Here are a few great product suggestions from Reuseit.com that I have yet to figure out how to really DIY…

BioBag™ – Dog Waste Bags (50 ct.) Price: 5.95 100% compostable / 100% biodegradable (ASTM D6400-99 certifi…Read More	BioBag™ – 3 Gallon Food Waste / Compost Bag (25 ct.) Price: 4.95 100% compostable / 100% biodegradable (ASTM D6400-99 certifi…Read More	Guyot Designs TapGuard Water Filter Price: 14.95 Replaces hundreds of disposable water bottles a year- saving money…Read More
Nalgene 12 oz Kids MiniGrip Bottle with ATB Cap, Blue Price: 7.45 Virtually indestructible – ideal for kids Fits in most kids lunc…Read More	Kids Konserve Stainless Steel Food Container, Nesting Set of 3, Sky Price: 24.95 Food-grade stainless steel container & BPA-free LDPE lid Perfect…Read More	eneloop Battery Charger and Rechargeable Batteries, 4-slot with 4 AA Price: 22.95 One eneloop can be charged up to 1,500 times (about 15 years of use…Read More
humangear GoToob Reusable Container, Medium, Clear Price: 7.95 Made of soft-yet-rugged silicone No-drip valve keeps cap cl…Read More	Multi-purpose Reusable Rubber Zip Tie, Pack of 25, by Q-Knot Price: 7.45 Replaces disposable zip and twist ties Durable, long-lasting des…Read More	Nalgene 32 oz Narrow Mouth Reusable Bottle, Tritan, Blue Price: 8.95 Durable, safe, non-leaching Read More	reuseit Biodegradable Garbage Bags made from 100% recycled plastic, 13 gallon Price: 6.95 100% biodegradable garbage bags Made of 100% recycled plasticRead More
Vacu Vin Wine Saver Set, Pump and 2 Stoppers Price: 11.25 Eliminates waste – keeps opened wine fresh for 7 to 10 days Ea…Read More	Vapur 0.5L Foldable Water Bottle, Blue Price: 9.95 Flattens and rolls up when empty for maximum, compact portabilityRead More	Orka by Mastrad Popsicle Molds, Set of 4 Price: 9.25 Set of 4 molds – designed to make homemade ice pops Small servin…Read More

Don’t forget to use code SAFE10APR for $10 off your $50 purchase!

Eating well is expensive, isn’t it?!  Here are a few coupons – most printable on demand, right now – to help you save a few bucks and eat better-for-you, better-tasting food…