What are mighty pacs?
all mighty pacs are little pre-measured pouches, or pacs, of liquid laundry detergent – one for each load, or two if you have a huge load. The pacs dissolve in the wash when placed in the drum, and are safe for all machines.

What’s that film made of?
The second time I saw these mighty pacs gazing at me from the shelf I decided to do a bit of research. Just what on earth is that film made of anyhow?

According to the all product website, the film is made of polyvinyl. I immediately thought of the yucky polyvinyl chloride, but that couldn’t be it. This film is supposed to be biodegradable. I asked a contact from Sun Products Corporation if the mysterious film is composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). And, indeed, it is. PVA is nontoxic, but I’m not a chemist, so if anyone out there has some interesting facts to throw at me, have at it.

Are mighty pacs green?
We could talk all day about green detergents from companies like Seventh Generation, etc., but what I’m focusing on here is whether this new type of packaging from a very popular company is eco-friendly.

The pre-measured pacs can help you avoid laundry detergent overdosing, so they can prevent waste. All detergent contains no phosphates, and is biodegradable. The free and clear version of all detergent contains no dyes or perfumes, and is often recommended for allergy sufferers.

According to the manufacturer, mighty pacs use 88 percent less water, and on average 64 percent less plastic packaging than their standard liquid detergent. Sun Products Corporation also says that they can ship 200,000 more wash loads per truck compared to their standard liquid detergent.

So, it’s clear that the pacs involve less plastic compared to the detergent bottles, and that the company may save fossil fuels during shipping. What’s not clear is whether the production of the PVA film negates the green benefits noted.

Does the pac actually dissolve?
Yes. I used the free and clear version in a front-loading he machine, and there was no evidence of a film after the wash. While it was handy to not have to measure and to know exactly how many loads I had left, it did take some time to re-zip the bag, which is supposed to remain closed. You also have to avoid touching the pacs with wet hands, or they may dissolve on you.

Will I buy all mighty pacs again?

Sigh. I haven’t decided. I’d love to get a conversation going on whether these mighty pacs are actually more eco-friendly compared to laundry detergent in a sturdy plastic bottle.

What do you think of pre-measuring laundry detergent in water-soluble pacs?

She will receive a free copy of Helen Olsson’s new book, The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids: How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures and Connect Kids to Nature.

If you didn’t win, check Helen’s blog for upcoming chances to win during the book’s blog tour!

Get a salad spinner and buy fresh lettuce. Right now.

Fresh lettuce can have a price tag equal to about one-third what the grocery store expects you to cough up for the washed and bagged stuff.

Plus, it really seems we hear of so many bagged lettuce recalls, right?

Wash, spin and cut your own lettuce. It saves money and kills the need for that plastic bag.

There’s perhaps no better way to raise nature lovers than to take your kids camping. And freelance writer and mother of three Helen Olsson has written a wonderful guide to help you: The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids: How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures and Connect Kids to Nature.

Just in time for Earth Day, The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids delivers all the information you’ll need to plan a successful camping trip with kids, including recipes and activity ideas.

And not only that, the book is so adorably illustrated you may even want to leave it sitting on your coffee table! The illustrator, Scotty Reifsnyder, couldn’t have dreamed up more charming art if he tried.

And just so you know, the book actually has sweet rounded corners, which I happen to adore, and is printed on 30 percent post-consumer recycled acid-free paper.

While the book will be most beneficial to parents, even camping-shy adults without kids stand to learn a lot from Helen’s camping guide. After all, who wouldn’t want to know how to make delicious blueberry pancakes during a camping trip? And packing checklists for camping – always handy! Plus, you don’t have to worry about reading a dry, guide-type book. The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kidsis an entertaining, at at times humorous, read. Plus, each new chapter starts with a fun quote from a camping book, poem or song.

To enter to win The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids, simply leave a comment on this post before you turn in for the night on April 27, which happens to be Arbor Day.

The contest is open to everyone, even those who reside outside of the U.S. One winner will be chosen randomly to receive a free copy of the book courtesy of the publisher, Shambhala Publications/Roost Books.

Tips: Please check your spam filter after April 27. If you win and don’t respond to my request for a mailing address within five days, I’ll pick another winner. And, if you don’t win, visit the author’s website for a coupon code.

Disclosure: I received a courtesy copy of this book from the publisher. See my disclosures policy.

Trees may be strong and grand, but little plants can also make a difference for you. When landscaping for energy efficiency, don’t forget that plants, vines and shrubs have real cooling power.

Shrubs shade windows, reducing the amount of solar heat entering your home in summer months. And plant power comes in the form of shade lent to the ground and pavement. That shade lowers heat radiation and chills the air before it reaches your home’s walls and windows.

If you’re a fan of the lovely look of climbing vines, you’ll be happy to know that they also shade walls, though you may want to use a trellis for stubborn vines like ivy. If you aren’t a trellis-type person, then go for some cute plant boxes with trailing vines for wall shading.

Check out the USDA’s hardiness map to research which plants will work best in your area.

Have you considered how your landscaping can help lower your utility bills?

(image via flickr)

Your house is whispering to you.
Nope.
Your house is screaming at you.
Or worse yet, it’s tormenting you.
Learn to speak house, and shutter the noise.

No matter the shape you think your home is in, you need a home energy assessment (or audit – call it what you like). Get one, and you’ll be able to understand your house at long last.

A home energy assessment can help you save energy by revealing the changes needed to make your abode more energy efficient. And energy savings means you save dollars, plus give the earth a break too.

Getting a home energy assessment doesn’t have to be expensive either. Energy Savers gives you directions on how to do your own home energy assessment. Or, of course, you can hire someone to do it.

Whichever route you take, follow up by implementing the needed changes to make your house shut up and be more energy efficient!

Wait… There’s more Earth Day fun to be had. Jennifer at Growing a Green Family is doing a green review a day leading up to Earth Day. Check it out.

Why not buy the real thing? The cost is often similar and the real thing is just so much more… REAL! Umm, that’s better usually.

Here’s a decorating scene in my living room. Everything was purchased from eBay except for the little bowl you see on the far right. I got that at a thrift shop.

The antique ceiling tile from the 1890s came from an old movie theater and performing arts building called the Bijou Theatre in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin. The rusty fleur de lis finials came from an estate sale in Connecticut. The other white finials came from an estate sale at an old barn on the coast of Oregon.

No, I didn’t have to travel to these estate sales, but was able to buy all the stuff on eBay from sellers who had lots of positive feedback from previous buyers. If you want to know the story behind an item you’re thinking of buying on eBay, it never hurts to ask. Sometimes you’ll find out.

For the vintage tiles, try to work with a seller who will add the wooden frame and hanger around the back for you and maybe a clear coat over the top too. Know that it’s possible that these old tiles could contain lead paint. Don’t try to strip the paint yourself unless you really know what you’re doing. The possibility of lead paint is the only downside to buying a vintage item like this versus a replica. Just use some common sense: don’t buy one with excessive peeling paint or put in a location where children can reach, and don’t sand it down yourself.

Benefits of buying a vintage item are many. For example, you are supporting people who salvage items rather than throwing them all in a landfill. Many of the people selling items like vintage building materials tear them down themselves from buildings that are going to be destroyed. And you aren’t settling on some cheap-looking thing that was produced in China and made to look old. Your antique decorating items may increase in value, whereas a mass-produced item with no real charm isn’t going to get you your money back.

Have you shopped for vintage decorating items at a thrift store or eBay?

My Preserve colanders have served me well for more than a year now. They’re not only durable and made of recycled materials, but they’re fun to have around.

I typically avoid plastic food prep products, but Preserve kitchen helpers are free of BPA.

The news is that Preserve now has colanders in fall colors. If you’re not a fan of the white, apple green or ripe tomato colanders, now’s your chance to grab a citrus yellow or orange piece of kitchen art by Preserve.

A few years ago I glued tea tags together to make bookmarks, but now I’m on to something new.

Some clothing tags are just too pretty to toss in the recycling bin.

Plus, you really don’t need all the info placed on those sometimes oversized adornments. The price tag is often separate, and all the other info you need is attached to the sewn-in clothing tag.

So, let’s give clothing tags more meaning by reusing them as bookmarks. I know what you’re thinking right now.

I’m too old-fashioned. Maybe e-readers are killing books, but I still prefer the look of type on paper. Yeah, not very tree-friendly of me, I know. Someone get me a Kindle…

Do you still use bookmarks? If so, do you buy them or make your own?

Remember to pick corn that is still in the husk, which should be moist and bright green. Buy your corn on the day you’re planning on cooking it.

One thing that has always annoyed me about cooking fresh corn is removing the silk. It’s so tedious to pick it off by hand, but it doesn’t have to be that way!

Tip to Make Prepping Fresh Corn Easier:

After removing the husk and most of the silk, use a vegetable scrubber to remove remaining clingy silk under running water. It’s so simple, you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of your friend the veggie scrubber sooner.

How to Cook Perfect (not tough) Corn on Cob

After preparing your corn, bring a pot of unsalted water to a rolling boil. Add the corn and bring the water back to a boil. Turn off the heat. Cover pot and leave it on the burner with heat off or 15 minutes. (Recipe adapted from Home Cooking Guide)

After removing the corn, I like to add butter and black pepper before devouring. Wonderful!

What’s your favorite way to cook fresh corn?