The Homegrown Collective- June 2013

The Homegrown Collective is a great monthly subscription box that's goal is to promote a sustainable way of life for its members.

I love the instructions provided. They're really informative.

The box comes complete with all ingredients to make various items each month, typically focused on a theme.
Last month was my first box and the theme was salt. I got to make preserved lemons (they're still in my pantry soaking up the beautiful Himalayan salt they came with) and dead sea salt lavender body scrub. I love receiving this box because I get to make projects each month that the whole family can use.

All the ingredients arrive in a really earthy and organic box.

This month's theme is vinegar and the second box did not disappoint. The kit came complete with everything needed to make blueberry infused balsamic vinegar, drain cleaner and multi-purpose solution.
I immediately prepared the vinegar, which sat in the fridge for a couple days and soaked up the dried blueberries. I then combined it with oil and now we have a gorgeous salad dressing that's delicious and homemade.
I tried the drain cleaner, which worked as instructed, and my vinegar for the multipurpose solution is under the sink combining with delicious smelling dried orange rind to create a citrus scent not a vinegar scent when it's time to use.
While the box does cost more than your typical $20-25 monthly subscription box, I think it's well worth it, especially when you consider not only how fresh and high quality the ingredients for each item are, but that you get enough of the ingredients to make it two, three or four times.
Check out the Homegrown Collective here, and use coupon code VICROS to save $10.




This post contains referral links. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Where it all began - CSA

I've now been receiving sub boxes for about 2 months now. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what got me started on this "surprise" box obsession besides the obvious. I mean who doesn't love getting gifts in the mail? All we ever get these days in the mail is bills, and even they come few and far between now with the ability to pay everything online, so a pretty fun-filled package is always welcome.  

However, I think I've discovered my first version of a subscription box and why it got me interested in seeing what else was out there.

Community Supported Agriculture.

What's that, you may ask. It's a wonderful concept that supports local farmers. The basic premise is that you buy a share of a farm, and for a set number of weeks you get an offering of farm-fresh goodies to enjoy.

Mike and I are in no way health nuts. We don't eat the best choices a lot of the time, and I don't think we'd recognize a piece of gym equipment if one laid down in front of us and said, "run on me!" However, we are becoming more and more aware of the junk that's put into our food, even fruits and vegetables and thought this would be a great opportunity to try something new and get some great quality foods in the process. We are meat eaters, although we eat much less now. However, we want the steak on our plate to have enjoyed life prior to being our dinner so we attempt when possible to buy grass fed, free range meats. We by no means have it all down, but we are a work in progress!

The CSA has completely transformed how we eat. We now eat tons of veggies with every meal, further reducing the amount of mean on our plate, and even eliminating rice much of the time. We live on stir-frys and are losing weight and feeling much healthier. Where Mike used to take frozen lunches to work, he can now take delicious salads made with straight-from-the-farm lettuce and whatever other goodies arrive that week.

Our CSA is a little on the pricey side, but we think it's well worth it. For 26 weeks this year we get 8 fruits and veggies a week, a loaf of bread and a dozen eggs. If you're in Maryland, check them out. It's Breezy Willow Farm and they are based in Howard County. Everything we have tried has been great, and we have been exposed to veggies we didn't know existed, let alone how to prepare them, but we are learning. Once a week we go to a local location (or the farm if you choose), and pick up the offering. There are also herbs available to take.

The farm also offers a work-share program so for a set number of hours work on the farm, you get a share for free. I figure it works out about $35 a week for our share, and we more than make that up on the money we are saving at the grocery store not buying fruits, veggies, eggs, bread and frozen lunches. Additionally, we really feel like we are giving back and helping to support our local farmers. Our CSA also teams up with other farms to make sure we get a great offering each week, so if there are no good fruits ready here, they'll bring some in from neighboring states. I love that they think of us, and the variety we are seeking.

We've also been introduced to the best bread we've ever had. They offer a Rosemary Lavender Foccacia bread that I now have to make sure I arrive to my pick up early for, just to make sure I get this loaf of bread. My marriage depends on it!

Make sure if you are thinking of joining a CSA to read reviews. I have friends who have not so great farm offerings, so be sure you are getting the best quality you can. Additionally, you can often purchase half shares, and if that's not available, team up with a friend or other family and split the weekly offering.

If you are interested in Breezy Willow Farm's CSA, check them out here.

Lalaalu June Boxes

    I can't say enough great things about this company and their boxes. Lalaalu is based out of NYC and their boxes are curated by a group of moms, with guest moms each month.
They went through a bit of an identity transformation recently in so much as they are no longer a subscription box service, however, if you currently have a subscription with them you will continue to receive the monthly special box in whatever age group your child is in.

Lalaalu ships in simple white boxes, which is great for reusing or storing items in, as well as something for the kids to color on.

    Instead, they currently offer 4 boxes, called Kid Urban Boxes that range in price from $30 to $40. Then each month is a special box, curated by a guest mom, and based around a theme. There are 3 different age groups for this specially-themed box.
What separates Lalaalu from others is that you can see what you are getting before it arrives. Now if you want a sub box for the element of surprise, this might not be the one for you (unless you are gifting it to someone). However, if you want to know you are getting value for your money, this might be a good option for you.

    I started my love affair with Lalaalu last month when I received the Urban Newbie Box filled with goodies for my infant daughter. Teethers, sippy cups and breast feeding supplies were included and the value of the box was more than double what I paid for it.
So obviously my totally obsessed, addicted self had to order 3 this month. I got 2 more of their standard boxes - The Urban Player and The Urban Insomniac- and the baby version of their monthly box, the theme of which was "Artiste" for June.

The Urban Insomniac Box arrives packed full

The Insomniac Box includes 2 books, Ella's Kitchen food pouches, an Oogaa spoon, Weleda Bath Creme, 2 types of teething tablets, Green Sprouts Diaper Stick, and a NasaKleen. I will use most, if not all, of these items. Everything fits the insomniac theme and the total of the box is far more than I paid. And if I didn't already have a NoseFrida, I would have been exposed to a new product with the NasaKleen. I love learning about new products. For more on the NasaKleen, click here.

The Urban Player Box is more geared towards my 3 year old, and age recommendations are listed on Lalaalu's website. It contains a whole bunch of Ella's Kitchen products, including pouches and cookies. There is also a sanitizer from the Honest Company, another company whose products I have become completely obsessed with. There's a natural muscle ache cream called Arnicare, some fun-looking all natural blue bubble bath, and Hold On Handles, that you can attach to a stroller so that your toddler/preschooler has enough freedom to walk alone, but not too much. Finally, there are Wexy snack bags, which have monsters on them and I know my oldest will love. Once again, I will use everything in here, and I was exposed to a couple new products with the Arnicare cream and the Hold On Handles.

Packed Baby Artist Box

Finally, I received the monthly special. There are 3 age groups. The middle and oldest ones didn't catch my eye, but this baby box really did. I am really glad I tried out the monthly box. Curated by Brooklyn artist Tatiana Arocha, this box has everything to get my little one's artistic mind going, and artists get hungry too, so there are some Nuturmeals organic food for when she needs to take a break form creating the next great Mona Lisa. I love the natural wipes, another new product for me, and the Little Black Book combines lift the flap, feel the material and scratch and sniff. Even my 3 year old loved this book. I haven't used the art cards yet, but the high black and white contrast is all the rave among the under 6-month crowd. I remember many of the songs on the Little Pim French CD from learning French as a kid, and the Cucumber Aloe Vera Shampoo and Wash from Babo will go to great use this summer after long days in the pool.

    I was very happy with all the boxes. The value far exceeded what I paid and Lalaalu often runs specials of 10% or 20% off plus free shipping so I actually didn't end up paying full price for any of these boxes, making them an even greater value for money! These make a great gift and I am excited to see what next month has to offer.

Lalaalu doesn't currently ship everywhere. They are mainly focused on the East Coast, but they have plans to eventually expand again. Check our their site by clicking here.

And learn more about the Honest Company, one of my other new favorites, here. Try coupon code INVITE10 or HONEST10 for $10 off your first order and orders over $50 ship free.

Note: All opinions expressed here are my own. Blog posts may contain affiliate or referral links.

I am an addict...

It doesn't matter what it is, but when I get into something I REALLY go for it. Sometimes, this works out well for me (and my family), like my years-long obsession with dog rescue. My family has helped foster and transport more dogs than we can count, and that is truly a life-saving effort.
However, sometimes it just involves me jumping into things feet first, with my eyes closed, and dragging my family along for the ride. I'd mention some of these but they're either too embarrassing or too detailed to get into. Needless to say, I am a 100% obsessive addict, which brings me to my latest obsession and reason for this blog... subscription boxes.
Ok, so what is that you may ask yourself. A subscription box is typically a box of surprise goodies that gets delivered to your house usually monthly. There are boxes for expectant moms, moms, babies, children, adults. There are naughty boxes, food boxes, and boxes for men. If you can imagine it, there's probably a box for it. So over the last few months, I have started to receive these boxes. It's really fun to get s surprise each month for myself, the house and the kids, and I am currently receiving more boxes than I care to let Mike know ;)
In actuality, Mike is really supportive of all my obsessions. He knows what he signed up for. I think, however, he is more enjoying the fact that since "box" is a euphemism for lady parts, he can make fun of me (usually hourly) for: 1) Being in groups of other like-minded ladies, such as Box Addicts, Box Swap and Box Giveaway and 2) saying things like, "I wonder what will be in my box today?" to which I typically receive completely inappropriate but hilarious responses, none of which I'll mention here.
Now onto the point. So I have decided like many others out there to document and review the boxes I receive. Not only does it help others out there to see what kind of items and what value of items they can receive, it also gives me an opportunity to write again, something I've missed. Since my last blog hasn't been updated in a long time, however, it will be interested to see if I can keep this up (Mike, insert inappropriate joke here!)