Celebrating 10 Years & the "Pass It On" Contest!

I can hardly believe that this month marks my 10 year birthday with Gold Canyon! What a ride its been!

To celebrate, I'll be posting some fun things all month (including birthday cake recipes, my story & interesting tidbits about me) and I'll be giving away prizes & great deals. p.s. you can also anticipate the links to the brand new summer catalog that's being released in April!

So, lets start with my "Pass It On" contest:

Post a link (http://gottahavecandles.blogspot.com/2009/03/celebrating-10-years-pass-it-on-contest.html) to this message on your Blog if you have one (or Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, or any of your message boards) to tell everyone about this contest.

Once you've done that, just send me an e-mail (kim.milius@goldcanyon.us) to let me know where you posted the link.

In that e-mail that you send to me, please also include:

1. your name & mailing address (so I'll know where to send your prize)

2. and tell me if you're a Gold Canyon demonstrator or have one that you work with

3. as well as if you are interested in information about Gold Canyon candles, body & home products.

Get one entry in the drawing for each different location that you post the link.

Contest deadline is April 10th. There will be one winner for each 10 entries, up to 10 winners! And check back later in April for other chances to win!

Here are some of my personal favorite “green” colored products from our Spring Catalog:

Brazillian Rainforest Vanilla – this specialty candle smells great & gives you a bit of a unique fragrance; It’s what I’m currently burning in my family room!

Single Leaf Try – This ceramic tray is perfect for an 8oz, 16oz or 26 oz candle or our pillar candles. It gives a real earthy or natural look to your display and is also safe to use with food – it would be such a unique and fun small serving dish for entertaining!

MY favorite green colored fragrances:

Key Lime Pie

Ginger Lime

Apple Orchard Pear'adise

Coconut Lime Verbena

Spruce & Citrus

Grandma's Chicken Divan Recipe

This is a recipe from my great-grandma’s cookbook. Now, there’s not any connection to candle fragrance here, but the broccoli makes this a green colored recipe that I thought would be fun to share!

Chicken Divan
Boil, debone & cut into pieces:
1 large chicken
Cook according to directions:
2 pckages frozen broccoli
Put cooked broccoli in casserole dish.
Cover with cut-up chicken.
Mix and spread over the above mixture:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbs. lemon juice
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
Sprinkle over top:
¾ cup grated cheese
Sprinkle over cheese:
¾ cup bread crumbs mixed with
2 Tbs. butter
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Re-useable Grocery Bags are the "thing to do"

Doesn't it feel like everybody has an environment friendly bag now for packaging up your groceries? Well, with Gold Canyon's focus on the environment with our new homeology cleaners, we wouldn't be complete with our own bag! And I must say, that I think it is soooo cute compared to some of the other boring bags out there! I love the bright green color & the size is absolutely perfect as well. Take a couple of these to the grocery store & you can dramatically limit the number of those plastic shopping bags that you usually throw away. Plus, I love that I can bring several plastic shopping bags worth of stuff into the house in one trip, especially when I'm carrying a baby around, too!


Product Spotlight: Eco-Shopper
--Help protect the environment with this generously-sized reusable bag made from non-woven material. Use for candles, groceries, as a gym bag and all of life’s carrying needs. Perfect for stowing all of your goods and fashionable enough to make a statement of eco-chic style.

Natural Cleaners -- you'll LOVE these!

Have you heard of HOMEOLOGY? This is a great line of natural cleaners that Gold Canyon came out with. Of course, since its Gold Canyon, they smell great - using great essential oils that not only smell great but have cleaning properties as well! Below, I've spotlighted our cleaning products so you can learn a little bit more about them:



Product Spotlight: Homeology Glass Cleaner

A natural cleaner for glass--As long as it’s not raining, cloudy days are better for cleaning windows because the sun won’t dry the glass cleaner prematurely before it can do the job.--Use newspaper for cleaning glass. The ink in the paper helps lift dirt and grime. Plus, it’s a good way to reuse and avoid wasting paper towels. If you must use paper towels, stay away from brands that include softeners. A squeegee is another handy tool for cleaning glass. It’s reusable and effective.--For best shine results, hold the bottle of Glass cleaner approximately 12 inches from the surface. This ensures coverage of a larger surface area. A small amount of this natural cleaner goes a long way.--The first time you use Homeology Glass, you may see some slight streaking. This is because Glass is stripping off the residue that other glass cleaners

may have left on your window.

Product Spotlight: Homeology Floor Cleaner

A natural cleaner for floors--Cleaning floors was never easier. With Homeology Floor, simply point and shoot straight from the bottle. No diluting or mixing required. The pH balanced Floor cleaner is safe on ceramic tile, laminate, linoleum, hardwood and natural stones like marble and travertine. For best results and shine, use this natural cleaner with a flathead microfiber mop. When dealing with difficult residue or dried clumps, spray the area a few extra times and let it soak for two minutes, then mop.



Product Spotlight: Homeology All Purpose Cleaner

A natural cleaning product
--Light and gentle, All Purpose is ideal for everyday cleaning. It’s safe for counters (including granite), blinds and even the refrigerator, since Homeology is chemical free.--Clear the area and spray All Purpose directly on the intended surface. Let it soak, allowing the natural cleaning product to take effect. Wipe down with a cotton* or microfiber towel. Use frequently on breeding grounds such as handles, counters and refrigerator doors.

Product Spotlight: Homeology Cleanse

Shake, cleanse, deodorize, scrub, love!--Use this plant-based cleaning scrub on just about every surface. Great for stubborn spots on the floor, scum from tile and bathtubs. Plus, it invigorates your home while it works. Cleanse works great as a deodorizer. Sprinkle in garbage cans, diaper pails, sink drains and even sneakers. Sprinkle a small amount on the floor of your car and enjoy the aromatherapy while on the go.*Green Cleaning Tip: instead of buying new cleaning cloths, use old cotton t-shirts that can be repurposed as cleaning rags.

Recycling/Re-using Scent Pods

What is a "scent pod"?

Do you ever use "tarts"? Gold Canyon has produced another version of the "tart". You purchase a Pod Warmer and then there are "scent pods" that can be placed on top of the warmer instead of using a candle. Each pod has scented wax in it that melts on the warmer, producing an incredible fragrance!

Why use pods instead of tarts?

With tarts, you have the mess of having to clean out the wax when you're finished with it & you can't change fragrances until one is completely used up. Because Gold Canyon's scent pods are in a plastic container, there is no mess to clean up at the end, you simply throw the container away (or clean out & re-use as directed below). Because of that plastic container, you can also change fragrances when you want to . . . take off one pod, put the lid on it & pull out another to use according to your mood!

Pods are a big hit with former "tart" customers . . . try them out today!

Cleaning Scent Pods
-With the wax solid, scoop out two spoonfuls of wax. Put the Scent Pod on a Pod Warmer until the wax is fully liquefied.
-Pour wax into a disposable heat safe container. Use a disposable towel to wipe out any remaining wax.
-Squeeze Wax Remover into Scent Pod; wipe clean.
-Spray Scent Pod with Homeology All Purpose, rinse in hot water and dry.

Cleaned out Scent Pods can be re-used to hold . . .

• office supplies like paper clips, push pins, etc.


• bathroom items like hair ties, bobby pins, etc.


• small scrapbooking accessories


• beads or other crafting supplies

  

Shameless Plug for my Kiddo!

Vote for Chase!

Help us pick Chase as the winner of the Cutest Kid Contest held by our local radio station. Unfortunately, they cropped the pictures so you only get a close up of their faces; it was tough for even me to find my own kid! (This is the picture we actually submitted; he is rather cute, don't you think?!)

Go to www.wpoc.com
click on the cutest kid contest icon on the top left
select "group 2"
then vote for Chase M.!

He's on the 20th row
2nd from the left
marked "Chase M."

Or hit "control" & "f" on your keyboard to bring up a "search" box. Search for "chase"; he's the only one on the page.

Once you find Chase, click the button next to his name, scroll to the bottom of the page & enter your e-mail address & click on "vote". You'll get an e-mail with a link that you have to click on in order for your vote to count. You can vote as many times as you want, but have to use a different e-mail address each time.

We appreciate all votes! Please pass this on to anyone who might vote for our kiddo!

I "gottahave" . . . great green recipes!

Watergate Salad

This green colored “jello salad” has been a traditional favorite in my family as long as I can remember! It’s easy & is a great dish to bring to a potluck or serve along with any meal. Its pineapple & marshmallow combinations make me wonder about burning a Pineapple Coast & a Marshmallow Confections candle together. I think I’m going to have to try that!

Watergate Salad

1 20oz can crushed pineapple
1 box instant pistachio pudding
16oz. container of cool whip
mini marshmallows

Defrost cool whip. Add pineapple, undrained, and pudding. Mix until blended. Add as many marshmallows as desired.

Re-use Your Empty Candle Jars

If you’re a true candle fanatic, you’re bound to have empty candle jars piling up! Clean them up & put them to use . . . here’s some ideas:

• Collect spare change in the jar throughout the year, then give away at Christmastime as a “Christmas Jar” to someone in need.
• Add dry cookie/brownie/hot cocoa mixes and give away as gifts.
• Store sugar, flour, spices, etc. in them – especially great with our baking line jars.
• Fill with candy to keep on your desk or give away as a gift.
• Use as a unique vase for a flower arrangement.
• Use it in the bathroom as a decorative way to store cotton balls, q-tips, etc.
• Fill with potpourri and use as decoration.
• Use as a unique “holder” to burn tealights in
• Votive holder: fill with sand or marbles, place a straight glass votive holder in the center with a votive.
• Storage for buttons, craft items, etc.
• Use to mix salad dressings.
• Pen & pencil holder.
• Put permanent markers inside & put the lid on (26oz size jar) to keep away from children.
• Sponge paint the outside & use as a gift.
• Use as “luminaries” that won’t blow away.
• Store puzzle pieces when the box gets ruined.
• Emergency Chocolate Jar. Add chocolate candies and give as a gift to only be used in case of emergency (or keep for yourself!)
• Fill with items, especially natural things, with unique textures to add to your decor (see below picture, taken from 2009 Inspired Spring Gold Canyon catalog)

"Going Green" . . . Cleaning out used Candle Jars to be re-used

Re-using your candle jars around the house is a great way to recycle the jars as well as to really get your money's worth out of your candle purchase since it will save you the expense of purchasing a different containers. Do them one at a time or save up a few and do them all at once. Just don't throw away those candle jars anymore! You'll see an article in a few days with a bunch of ideas for re-using your candle jars, but first, here's the details on how to get the residual wax cleaned out:

(instructions taken from the 2009 Inspired Spring Gold Canyon catalog)

Cleaning Candle Jars:

1. Only use this method of cleaning when 1/2” or less of wax remains in a jar. Turn oven to

200 degrees, place candle jar on a baking sheet and warm in the oven for 30 minutes or

just until wax is liquefied. CAUTION: Jars will be hot to the touch.

2. Pour wax into a disposable heat safe container. Use a disposable towel to wipe out any remaining wax.

3. Squeeze Wax Remover into jar; wipe clean.

4. Spray jar with HomeologyTM All Purpose, rinse in hot water and dry.

Testimonial from Sarah K. in Maryland

Testimonial from Sarah K. of Hanover, Maryland:

"I love candles. I knew that Kim sold Gold Canyon candles, but had not been to a party until recently, and I am now totally converted. Gold Canyon candles rock. They burn a long time and are way more affordable than Yankee, plus they don't burn as fast as Bath and Bodyworks ones. I get coupons all the time, GOOD coupons, in my email. People always joke about the year’s supply of candles in my bathroom, which is where I store them, but I also have candles on both my husbands and my nightstands, on my bathroom counter, and on my kitchen counter. Then I add them wherever I need them at the time. I’m going to my second party this Friday and I’m sooo excited! I totally converted my sister too. Attached are pictures of my ‘candle storage’. One day it will be all Gold Canyon!"

I "gottahave" . . . Pineapple Lime Pie!

Mmmmm! When I was looking for some green colored recipes to share this month, this one struck me as interesting! We tried it out & it is a new favorite in our household! This different combination of Pineapple & Lime started me thinking . . . now I'm just dying to try out the combination of burning a Pineapple Upside Down Cake & Key Lime Pie candle together!


Pineapple Lime Pie
from 1999 Best of Country Cooking - Taste of Home cookbook
(with a slight variation from me!)

1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lime juice
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 to 3 drops green food coloring, optional
1 graham cracker pie crust (9inch)
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a bowl, combine milk, lime juice, and pineapple. Stir in food coloring. Spoon into crust and chill for 8 hours.

Before serving, beat cream, sugar and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Spoon whipped cream over pie filling and serve!

I "gottahave" . . . great March content!

March is here & I'm excited to announce the fun that I've been planning for this month! We're "going green" this month & here's what you can expect:

What's to come in the Blog:
Each week you'll find posted to the blog . . . a new recipe for a green colored food, ideas for re-using your candle jars, a spotlight on one of our green colored candles, and "green" cleaning tips! Plus, as usual, you'll receive details on any special deals we have going on. So, don't forget to check back on a regular basis!

Whats to come for my Home Parties:
Hosts will receive one of our eco-shopper bags (these are awesome for toting just about anything & will help you reduce the number of plastic shopping bags you waste!)
Guests will receive lots of freebies & get to experience homeology "green" cleaners and some of our green colored candles!

What to expect for Catalog Hosts:
No time for a home party? Host a catalog party & you'll also receive one of our eco-shopper bags when you collect orders of $150 or more!