I've been using cloth shopping bags for the last couple of years whenever I go out grocery shopping, and I just love using these sturdy, reusable bags to avoid the usual plastic offerings. Still, I wasn't happy. I may have been avoiding some waste, but my beautiful fresh produce was still sitting in (what else?)... a whole lot of plastic!
Enter the Moukisac!
This little discovery made my trip to a local cranberry festival last month so very worth it! I found the Moukisac, an all-in-one pouch that covers all my grocery shopping needs.
It starts out as an inconspicuous little bag that gets tossed into my diaper bag when I set out for the market.
Then it transforms into a full-sized, cloth shopping bag. Nice and roomy, well-constructed and sturdy.
Best of all, it comes with these wonderful produce bags inside!
These gems are made of a mesh netting, with a drawstring sewn into the top of the bag. They come in 6 different sizes, from mini (could hold something like nuts) all the way up to jumbo (think pineapple-sized!). Their purpose? To replace all the clear, plastic bags that we use to hold our veggies, fruits and some bulk food items. I love it! Eco-friendly produce bags!
The set that I reviewed, the Moukisac Reusable Shopping Bag system, comes with one sturdy cloth bag (which folds up as you see above), and 4 Moukinets (mesh bags), 1 small and 3 large. The idea is that as you calmly walk frantically run out the door (along with your kiddos, sippy cups, snacks, diaper bag, cell phone and the proverbial kitchen sink), all of your shopping bag needs are contained in this one neat little pouch. Throw it over your shoulder or in your bag, and you're set. As you shop, you can pull out the mesh bags as needed (remember that not all produce needs it's own bag- a squash, a big yam, a bunch of bananas, etc.) and as you go through the checkout stand, open up your cloth bag and fill er' up with all the good stuff you've just bought.
I thought it was genius. I am really, truly crazy about mine. My only complaint? I wish I had two! :)
(Seriously, if you do larger shopping trips at one time, which many busy mamas do, you'd probably want to own more than one system. The other great option is that you can purchase the Moukinets in sets of their own, according to your size preference, and then use them with any cloth bags that you already own!)
And just for fun (because yes, I've been having fun with mine!), here are a few other amazingly useful ways to use your Moukinet mesh bags in the kitchen:
I was tickled to discover that this bag (I used the Small size) makes a perfect sprouting bag! I used my regular method for making sprouts, but did it in the bag instead of in a jar. I hung it up by the drawstrings on a small nail, over my dish drying rack. Worked like a charm!
Yet another use for those who are raw milk connoisseurs... after souring my raw milk in a jar on the counter, I poured it through the size Large bag over top of a glass bowl, to catch all of the milk solids from the separated milk/whey. By hanging it up in the same manner, it provided the ideal method to drain the whey out of my raw cream cheese!
A few other uses for Moukinets-- sprout grains or beans, strain homemade nut milks, dry herbs or spices, etc. not to mention using it around the house in some of these other ways.
To top it all off, not only do these bags offer a really practical solution for those wishing to avoid plastic at the grocery store, but they are also 100% locally made here in Vancouver, BC by entrepreneur Marie Naubert (aka Mouki)!
Would you like to win your own Moukisac Reusable Bag System??? (I thought you might!)
Here's how to enter (and remember to leave each additional entry in a separate comment, to ensure that they are all included when I draw a winner):
1) Leave me a comment tell me what you like best about the bags, and which color you would likes your in if you were to win (visit the Moukisac online store).
2) Tweet about this giveaway.
3) Link to the giveaway on Facebook.
4) Blog about this giveaway on your own blog (leave post url, please)
5) Follow me on Twitter.
6) Subscribe to my blog (or let me know that you already subscribe)
7) Become a member of the Keeper of the Home community forum, or if you're already a member, start a new topic.
Giveaway ends Friday, November 27 at 4pm.
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered- winner to be announced soon!
Posted about the giveaway on my blog http://laura-findingmyway.blogspot.com/. I also posted a link to facebook but I'm not sure why that comment isn't showing.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Check out these cool reusable bags =-.
Just posted a link on facebook.
Just tweeted :) http://twitter.com/CroppinKD
These bags look really cool. The part I like best is that they fold up in such a compact way when not in use. I would love any color if I win but especially denim.
How neat! Love the Maraschino color! So bright and happy! Thanks for the great give away!
I just discovered your great blog and have subscribed.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Christian Audio - Free audio book =-.
Love the produce bags, what a grand idea to get rid of those pesky plastic ones.
I posted about the giveaway on facebook.
I have subscribed to your blog and registered for the forum. I love your sight you have such great information. I love the bag in navy blue.
Just linked up giveaway on Facebook. :)
Just Tweeted! (Knees2Earth)
Would love to win the Denim color and love the fact that they are compact. I love my reusable bags but I am already carrying a purse and big notebook full of coupons into the store, this would be one less thing to take up space in the shopping cart. :)
I would have to pick the burgandy one. Like that they are made in Canada.
This bag looks cool - I like that it has a shoulder strap. I would like the red.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..simplicity =-.
I have been a subscriber for about a year! I really have enjoyed your posts! I have been looking for something like these bags but since I don't live in an area that is eco-friendly, I have to work twice as hard to find things.
I love that these are reusable and so handy for groceries, not to mention made in Canada!
Love the navy blue the best I think but really like them all.
.-= Nicolle (FoundProdigalDaughter)´s last blog ..J.R. Watkins Giveaway at Feisty, Frugal, and Fabulous =-.
I subscribe to your blog.
I follow you on twitter.
I like how compact this bag system is. I also think the versatility would be great. My favorite is the burgundy. Thanks for the giveaway!
And I am a member of the forum and started a new topic.
I subscribe.
I love the compactness and especially the produce bags! And I would love red.
I started a new topic on the forum...don't I start a new one almost everyday LOL
6) I already subscribe through email!
1) I like best that they are a replacement for the plastic produce bag. I would like any colour really!
I love the evergreen color, and I love how everything condenses into a small little pouch so it's easy to take along anywhere.
I would pick the denim one...
...what a great system! :)
I'm off to check out the forum and post something
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Thrifty Threads #6 =-.
I follow you
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Thrifty Threads #6 =-.
These look great! I've been using cloth bags for a long time now but end up using the little ones for fruits and veggies so this would be great!
I also would like to try making nut milk and it sounds like this would work great for that too.
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..Thrifty Threads #6 =-.
I follow your blog on reader!
Oooo I love the maraschino!
I buy LOTS of produce! Usually use lots of plastic!
I'm subscribed through Google Reader.
I like that there are so many purposes for these, in addition to being a replacement for plastic produce bags...like using them for sprouting! That would be very useful!
I like the burgundy best. :)
I like the denim...it would hide dirt well I think. I love the produce bags! Great idea!
I shared this giveaway on facebook.
I tweeted this great giveaway!
What a great giveaway! Denim would be my choice. Blessings!
I think I would go with the rust or green colored system.
I really like the fact that the larger bags are reinforced. I would use these all the time!
Love the red... and would love to win
I subscribe to your blog!
So great - like the evergreen color choice. We use shopping bags, but not for produce yet.
facebooked it. (i love the way we can turn anything into a verb.)
love the burgundy. this is so brilliant! it would easily fit in my diaper bag so i wouldn't forget my bags as often (hopefully!).
I love them! I also like the burgundy and must say I really like that they include a drawstring on the mesh bags!
I like the burgundy and my favorite feature is the little net produce bags. Those are super!
I would love to enter the drawing. What a great idea. I subscribed to your site.
Have a great Thanksgiving Day everyone!
These are great!! I'll have to put one on my Christmas list :) I like Navy. Awesome giveaway!!
.-= Kendra at New Life on a Homestead´s last blog ..An Easy Way To Make Your Own Basket =-.
I love that this bag comes as a complete set. Red, red, red!