MILKMUNY.COM TURNS UN-RECYCLABLE JUICE CARTONS INTO HIGH FASHION WALLETS AND ACCESSORIES

I love this company's mission. Similar to TerraCycle's but reclaiming the hard-to-recycle coated cardboard cartons for juice and milk. If you're looking for an stylish, eco-friendly, and affordable (ONLY $10?) wallet, buy this!

 (*copied from Milkmuny's Press Release)

The creative Portland start-up wants to spread awareness about the challenges of carton recyclability, raise funds for struggling non-profits and promote a new kind of ‘trashion’ statement all at once.

More than 510,000 tons of milk and juice cartons are generated every year in the United States, but sadly, less than .05% ever get recycled according to an EPA report of (MSW) Municipal Solid Waste). Paper cartons ARE recyclable, however, “because of the wax lining, are not universally recycled. Each locality is different, depending on their recycling process capability”, says the (NRC) National Recycling Coalition.
That’s what got the Portland based industrial designer, John Schreiber, thinking and how Milkmuny.com was created. The first two initial lines of wallets, in 22 styles (from the reclaimed cartons of recognizable brands of both dairy and juice manufacturers) are available online and at specialty retailers. Milkmuny is already designing other lines of recycled products, as well, to be released by the summer of 09.

“There is considerably talk these days about ‘green’ design but the vast majority of design, both graphic and industrial, is still about promoting consumption”, says John, who is also Milkmuny’s founder and creative principle. “It’s ironic that we continue to dispose of existing products and materials like computers or radios in order to purchase ‘greener’ ones. I wanted to challenge traditional design thinking and create a mass produced product that didn’t expend more energy to create or require more resources to produce but was also aesthetically pleasing and uncompromisingly functional. It’s a amazing idea to think that on one hand; here is this ubiquitous but seemingly inconsequential carton so routinely discarded and yet on the other, something that with a little creativity, has the potential to raise money for schools, be an example of innovation in design and reusability – and even create jobs.

Get Paid to Tweet! http://ad.ly/publisher/refer/251902558

Do you have a special needs child? Therapy Ball Giveaway

My friend Jean has a blog which is a great resource for parents of children with special needs, particularly Austism. She reviewed Fun and Function's Sens-ational T-Shirt (great for kids with sensory issues) and their Peanut Therapy Ball (great for OT and PT).

You can enter to win a Peanut Therapy Ball valued at ($40)

Visit her blog to enter: http://mommytotwoboys.blogspot.com/2010/06/need-new-toys-for-your-special-needs.html Please tell her I sent you!
Get Paid to Tweet! http://ad.ly/publisher/refer/251902558

Easy Dinner Suggestion - Smithfield Pork Sirloin

I am so busy these days. So I try to save time (and money) wherever I can. I aim to make meals that take less than 30 min to prepare and love to figure out shortcuts. For instance, instead of ordering wings from a restaurant, I have been buying the frozen ones. Microwaving makes them gross and soggy. Frying is fatty. Instead of following the instructions (who can wait 20 minutes for wings in the oven?) I set the oven to broil while I microwave the wings and then I broil them a few minutes on each side to get the crispiness. It cuts the oven baking cook time in half!

Ok, so when grocery shopping the other day I decided to try a marinated pork loin from Smithfield (Garlic & Herb). The instructions tell you to bake at 425 degrees for 20 min for every pound. The one I got weighed 1.44 lbs so I cooked about 30 min. It did not instruct me to let the meat rest but I know this is a good idea for any loin. It keep the moisture in and finishes the cooking process. I'm usually not a fan of pre-seasoned store bought meats. I'm very picky in the way things are seasoned. Probably saltier than most folks prefer. There was a hint of rosemary and bold, savory flavor. I highly recommend this product.

Do You Dream of Being a TV Star?

Dreams of hosting your own cooking show? Do you have a flair for fashion or interior design? When Oprah announced this was her final season, did you think "I could take her place". Well, you should enter this contest to have your own show on Oprah's Network. http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html


Get Paid to Tweet! http://ad.ly/publisher/refer/251902558