Luna Moms Club - Moms with a Mission - 12 Weeks of Educational Tips - Week 9

Sign up for a local Turkey Trot run/walk event. Many cities host events like this on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a good way to get out and exercise before sitting down to a big Thanksgiving meal. Plus, the registration fees for these events usually go to local non profit organizations.

Luna Moms Club - Moms with a Mission - 12 Weeks of Educational Tips - Week 8

Tens of thousands of families in need wait in line for hours to sit down to a hot Thanksgiving meal. Volunteer to serve Thanksgiving meals at your local homeless shelter or food bank. If you have older children, sign them up too.

Luna Moms Club - Moms with a Mission - 12 Weeks of Educational Tips - Week 7

Everyone loves the smell of a fire during the holiday season. But wood burning fireplaces introduce unique hazards, including the possible emission of toxic chemicals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies some of these toxic chemicals as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dioxin and inhalable particulate matter. These air pollutants can cause a wide range of health problems such as burning eyes, coughing, headaches and bronchitis.

To minimize the emission of toxic chemicals with a wood-burning fire:

• Only burn dry seasoned hardwoods like oak, hickory and ash

• Avoid burning soft woods like pine and cedar

• Avoid burning wet wood and wood treated in any way (like painted wood, plywood, etc.)

• Never burn plastics, cardboard, garbage, gift wrapping, magazines, etc.

If you want the beauty of a fire without the big environmental impact, light soy or beeswax candles. Get several large pillar candles or varying heights and place them on a flat surface in your fireplace. They are cleaner and gentler on the environment, but are every bit as beautiful and fragrant. Plus they last longer!

Luna Moms Club - Moms with a Mission - 12 Weeks of Educational Tips - Week 6

Do another round of cleaning out all the closets in your house and donate them to a local charity. With the holidays coming up, there are plenty of organizations who need gently used items like clothing, books and toys.

Stop! Put down that Halloween candy!

I know, it's tempting - the basket of candy is just sitting there and the kids are napping.  They'll never know.  Plus, they don't need that sugar; you're really looking out for them, right?  Don't do it!
It looks like just a teeny-tiny Snickers, but just 4 of the Snickers minis (the itty-bitty ones, not the fun sized) are 320 calories!  If you are going to steal some candy, a better bet would be to eat just one fun sized pack of M&M's for only 90 calories.
OR you could do both your kids and you a favor and participate in a candy buy-back.  Not only do you get a $1 per pound of candy, but the candy will be shipped overseas to our troops along with toothbrushes and letters of thanks.  Northside Dental Clinic and James River Dental Center are both participating in this event today.

Great Deal on a Double!

If you are looking for a good deal on a high-end stroller, check out Mother of a Sale's price on the Zooper Tango.  It is not an all-terrain or jogger, but it is a double that will hold a car seat!  Here is the best part, the retail price on it is $499.99, but Mother of a Sale has it for only $185.99! 

You have to hurry, though, this sale ends TODAY!

Luna Moms Club - Moms with a Mission - 12 Weeks of Educational Tips - Week 5

Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, and the air-conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting. 3 percent to 5 percent more energy is used for each degree the furnace is set above 68 degrees and for each degree the air conditioner is set below 78 degrees.