#TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow milk: the perfect drink for snow days

"This post is an announcement about the new seasonal Chocolate Marshmallow Milk that's in stores this month only! We can't wait to try it! For this post TruMoo's Chocolate Milk was used and is available year-round"

#TruMoo, no HFCS!
That makes FreshGreenKim smile!

While people across the nation are combating cabin fever and trying to stay warm during our polar vortex, comfort food and drinks rank high. There are few things more comforting than a nice hot cup of hot chocolate, especially with a few marshmallows. TruMoo Milk has a limited edition flavor available for February, Chocolate Marshmallow Milk, in fact, it was so popular that it was temporarily out of stock when we went to sample it, but we cannot wait for it to be back in the stores.

TruMoo uses milk from local dairies with no artificial growth hormones, and is sweetened with natural sugar, NOT lab created high fructose corn syrup.

Chocolate milk has long been documented by physiology experts as the perfect post exercise beverage. The ideal recovery beverage will have a ratio between 3:1 and 4:1 carbs to protein. It will enter the blood stream quickly and contain essential amino acids to repair muscles. Lastly, it should taste good and be easy to digest. After a tough afternoon of shoveling snow, building snow forts, sledding or ice skating, TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow milk is the perfect finish.

If you're craving s'mores and dreaming of warm weather campfires, have a cup of TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow with some graham crackers, and summer nights are only a sip and a bite away. We went out on a mission to track down some TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow milk as a cure for cabin fever after many snow days... it's going fast, so we suggest you get it as soon as you find it!

Our Daily Green has been compensated for this blog post, but we only share reviews we think will truly be useful to our readers. Our sponsors at TruMoo and Target have teamed up to offer a $500 gift card drawing. Simply answer the poll listed in this post and you will be automatically entered.

Meanwhile, if you want to learn more about TruMoo, find them on Facebook or Twitter. To find out where you can buy the limited edition TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow milk, use this convenient Store Locator.

Preparing for professional rug cleaning

image courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons

Busy traffic areas in the home increase the chance of embedded dirt and grime in rugs and carpets. But homeowners can take a few steps to ensure the most effective rug cleaning prior to the commercial cleaner arriving. If there are pets in the home, the rugs will also have pet dander and dirt from their paws.

To prepare for a deep cleaning, it's important to vacuum the rug several times in each direction. Make sure your vacuum is set to the proper height.  If your vacuum is set too high above rug, it will not attract the grit and dirt in the fibers, yet if it is set too low, it could gouge the carpet pile, and the vacuum’s beater bar or brushes can fray the surface. The beater bar should just skim the surface of the pile, not dig into it.

After vacuuming the rug, if it is an area rug, flip it over and vacuum the other side as well to remove the dirt that is deeply embedded. You can do this even if the backside is rubber or plastic. The key to a good cleaning is to have as little as possible to clean and focus on the dirt that a vacuum cannot reach. Rugs should also be rotated at least once a year to keep the traffic patterns even and minimize stains from repetitive foot traffic.

Additionally, doormats should also be cleaned in the same manner, vacuuming both sides, or if the care label allows, they can also be cleaned in the washer and dryer. Prevention and preparation allow the best cleaning possible when you contract a professional rug cleaner.

Today's post has been brought to you by a sponsor. 

Working with your favorite brands through #Markerly blogging network

Our Daily Green was founded in 2009 with a simple premise. Our first post stated:

Living green also helps keep more green in your wallet. In economically tough times, any tip that conserves dollars as well as our environment is welcomed. This blog will offer tips to live better for both our planet and your wallet. Welcome to 2009, where Green is the new Black. 

That philosophy has served this blog well as we've grown our audience and been able to review more useful, money saving, and good for the planet products. After several years of growing a loyal following of readers, in 2013, Our Daily Green was invited to join a fantastic blogging network, Markerly.

Writing this blog is a labor of love and passion, but that doesn't necessarily pay the bills. Part of the measure of success is to find something you love doing and get paid to do that. It's a wonderful feeling to share what you know with folks and be recognized for your expertise by sponsors who also want to reach an audience. We have proudly worked with several companies that have products we believe our readers will find interesting. The world of advertising has changed and intelligent consumers want real people with real opinions behind their campaigns. Blogging is one of the best ways to authenticate a real person has used a product.

Through our partnership with Markerly, Our Daily Green has been able to engage our readers through influence marketing opportunities. We've been able to bring exclusive discounts and contests to our readers. Markerly offers full-service blogger support is 24/7 and pays promptly, within 48 hours.

Markerly's attention to quality writers is a great way for brands to connect with the appropriate audience and an opportunity for bloggers to get paid for working with well-respected brands such as TruMoo, eMeals, Jaybird, and Invivo. For bloggers who love statistics and detail, Markerly offers heat maps of their entire post to analyze what is working and what readers are clicking on, which serves to improve their future posts.

Working with content sponsors has helped Our Daily Green continue to bring quality information to our readers as well as a supplemental income for doing something we love, sharing good information with interested readers.

If you're a blogger with a loyal following and engaged audience, Markerly's blogger network is ideal. Joining is free for bloggers and when you are chosen for your first campaign, you can join the ranks of influencer marketers in their highly authentic network of top bloggers.

disclosure: Our Daily Green has been compensated for this post. If you are interested in being compensated for your blogging and working with fantastic sponsors, we encourage you to join Markerly. 

Power of the wind (repost.us)

Power of the Wind (via Photography @BySilent)

Power of the Wind A number of people think wind turbines are ugly and complain regarding the noise the machines make. The slowly rotating blades may also kill birds and bats, but not nearly as lots of as automobiles, energy lines, and high-rise buildings…

Turn it Green with REPREVE and the X Games

Thanks to REPREVE for sponsoring today's discussion

Last month, Our Daily Green shared some of the great ways REPREVE is giving a second life to all our plastic bottles. 

Years ago, when I was a kid walking to school 10 miles each way, uphill, we didn't have water in bottles, so in some ways, this is a little bit of preaching to the choir. But years ago, neither did we have polar fleece that made The North Face jackets or Haggar pants or cool green beanies from REPREVE, modeled generously by my brother and his family, the next generation. 

So while my nephew and niece have to listen to Auntie FreshGreenKim wax poetic about the way it was, they also can get excited about the way it is. And have a chance to win fabulous prizes in the: 

learn more from REPREVE

#TurnItGreen X Games contest:

Dates: Jan. 1-31

Grand Prize: $5,000 cash

To celebrate the X Games, REPREVE invites participants to share how they "turn it green", or how they live a more sustainable life by recycling or reusing materials, by sharing an image or video on Twitter, Instagram or Vine with the #TurnItGreen hashtag.

Once you share the image or video with the hashtag, you will be entered into a sweepstakes where five entries will be randomly selected as the Top Five. Those five will be voted on by visitors to Repreve[dot]com where the image or video with the most votes will win a $5,000 cash prize. The other four video entries will receive a REPREVE Jacket and a Go-Pro camera (retail valued at over $350).

#TurnItGreen with REPREVE

Removing indoor odors without perfumes

Indoor air quality can deteriorate quickly, whether in the home or in a business establishment. Finding solutions that improve indoor air quality by removing odors is an important step toward creating a pleasant atmosphere. Most air fresheners cover up the odor, rather than removing it, and a small air purifier may not be efficient enough to remove odors from businesses. An ozone machine may be the best solution when you need to remove odors quickly and efficiently without the perfume smells that come with air fresheners.

One of the simplest things that you can do to reduce odors indoors is to purify the air. There are several different types of air purifiers on the market that can remove odors quickly and leave your indoor air clean and fresh. One of the most common types of air purifiers used in businesses is commercial grade ozone machines. Ozone machines work to remove odor by creating ozone, a compound that contains three molecules of oxygen. This type of machine is ideal for hotels and other businesses where a large amount of air space needs to be purified on a regular basis. A standard ozone machine can clean up to 8,000 square feet of space, allowing you to create a pleasant atmosphere with one simple machine.

This post has been brought to you by a sponsor.

What is a living roof? (guest post)

A living roof refers to one that has been covered either partially or wholly with foliage such as grass beds, flowers and shrubs. Although not a new concept to many parts of the world, living roofs is still a fairly new concept in the Unities States. Nevertheless, the popularity of green roofs has been growing steadily as word of its aesthetic and environmental benefits become more known. Below are just a few of the benefits of implementing a living roof.

The Environmental Benefits of Living Roofs:

•      Provides habitat: Living roofs offer quality habitat for neighboring insects and animals, this is especially beneficial in urban environments and city buildings where habitat is scarce.

•      Reduces energy usage: The layer of insulation that a green roof provides serves as a natural barrier. This insulation helps reduce your use of energy by keeping the building warm in the colder months and cool in the colder ones.

•      Cleans the air: Living roofs help keep the air clean of pollutants and chemicals by releasing oxygen and absorbing toxins.

•      Improves drainage: Green roofs improve drainage by filtering rainwater

•      Improves curb appeal: A roof dressed with an abundance of greenery and budding flowers is one to awe at. Implementing a green roof will improve curb appeal and enhance the value of your home or office.

How to Implement a Living Roof:

•      Professional assessment: To successfully implement a living roof you will need a roof assessment from a professional. The green roof expert will determine if your roof is structured and durable enough for a living roof then a layer of protective rubber will be placed on top.

•      Select your foliage: You want to choose greens that do not weed continually, your foliage should be attractive to butterflies, birds and bees.

•      Maintain: Much like your grounded landscapes, your living roof will need routine maintenance to stay healthy, beautiful and strong. If you have the means to afford a professional landscaper, do so, if not, your roof should be easy to access for quality maintenance.

Living roofs can be added to both commercial and residential buildings. In our world filled with so much chemicals and toxins, implementing a living roof is a simple way to reverse some of the damage we've helped to create.

About author: Roechelle Adair is a certified Green living coach as well as a small business owner. You can find her offering handmade Eco friendly gift items and promoting sustainable living at Hug a Tree with Me. 

What does "grass-fed" mean and what does it have to do with our food? (guest post)

Today's post is written by Our Daily Green's good friend, Michael, who owns Walnut Hill Farm. He recently posted this valuable piece of information on his Facebook page, and we thought it was so relevant we asked his permission to share with our readers. If you're in Western PA or Eastern Ohio, we strongly recommend their grass-fed and finished beef. We are Walnut Hill customers for several years now. Thanks, Michael for sharing your thoughts with our readers. We encourage you to continue to learn more about the food you eat. 

Grass fed is the term that we use to describe our small (but growing!) beef & lamb feeding operation here at Walnut Hill Farm. At least in the context of our operation, it means that our ruminants eat GRASS ONLY, for the ENTIRETY of their life. (Some add the term "grass-finished" to describe what we do. I'm thinking that addition may be worth considering in light of what I'm about to talk about).

It seems that over the past few years, the term "grass fed" (as well as many other terms suggestive of a more sustainable approach to raising food --- or just plain healthier food; "All natural" is another great example) has been widely hijacked by folks who graze calves on pasture, then "finish" them on grain. Technically, they are not lying. At some point, EVERY cow eats grass. Thus, by that logic, EVERY BEEF COW could be considered "grass fed". Much like every tree could likely be considered "seed fed" and every mammal "milk fed".

This has always been the case (ie: beef could have been called "grass fed" even when "grain fed" was the term that brought a higher price at market). Truly grass fed (and "finished") beef take between 24 & 36 months to get to "finished" weight (that's why grass fed beef costs more). Grain fed (whether in a pasture or a feedlot) gets there in 18-22 months. There are many operators out there who think nothing of charging you the premium earned by the extra work and time involved in raising a grass fed animal, even though they did not earn it. This is theft by deception, in my book.

The term that's been coined to describe this (and similar) unscrupulously deceptive marketing technique(s) is "GREENWASHING". (In this case, the greenwashing is meant to take advantage of the fact that Americans are finally waking to the health & taste advantages of grass fed beef). This, coupled with the USDA's refusal to allow the term "Grass Finished" on labeling can lead to a LOT of confusion among a nation struggling to reconnect with our food...

Buyer beware! If you're looking for "grass fed" or "free range" (don't even get me started on that one!), PLEASE make sure you're getting what you're paying for!

Best bet:
KNOW YOUR FARMER!
#WHFGrassfed

Pledge to stop using disposable cups in 2014

With New York City instituting a ban on styrofoam in 2014, it's time for green-minded folk to lead the way to a cup revolution, not just with styrofoam but also paper and plastic cups.

Our Daily Green recently traveled to NYC and we were astounded to see how quickly garbage accumulates in such a densely populated area. Each morning, we walked past bag after bag of single use cups and water bottles. We saw a few folks pushing around shopping carts, picking through the trash to find aluminum and plastic bottles, presumably to cash in, but for the most part, those disposable cups went from one use to the landfill, every single day. 

What do we suggest? BYOC -- Bring Your Own Cup. Bring a refillable, reusable cup and whenever you get coffee, tea or water, use that. At first, the clerks may seem befuddled, but they will catch on. Refill your water bottle. Vow not to use anything that will be in the trash when you're finished. Someone needs to lead the way. With a commitment to action, we can be part of the solution, not part of the problem. 

infographic courtesy of: Steely's drinkware