A vaccine documentary that you must see!

For as long as I can remember, I've always felt that it was important to see all sides of an issue, even when I had my feet planted firmly on one side or another.  I feel, that to make an informed decision, on anything, we should be questioning everything.  We might end up right where we started, but what happens when those questions lead to more questions and uncertainty?

For me, it was change and a sense of empowerment.  I began going green, and writing this blog after finding out that baby shampoos and lotions, which were suppose to be safe, were anything but.  Though I spent my whole life questioning big topics, I never thought to question the little ones.  It was like the world came into focus, and I began to question everything.  I wanted to know that the things I put on, and in the bodies of my family members would do no harm.  At the very least, I wanted to know what could happen.  I wanted to make informed decisions.

I was not looking for a fight, but I wanted to know that everything I used was safe.  More than that, I wanted it proved to me.  Saying that something cannot be proved to cause one thing (or many) is not the same as it being safe.  It's a trick that many companies use, in products and in the medical field, to make us believe that a product is safe.  We've all seen it happen.

The medical community is no different, and while experts are regarded as the authority or final say, I feel that that is a flawed way of thinking.  After all, we are only as accurate at the information with which we have been provided.  Physicians are no exception.  We are all human, expert or not, and we can all continue to learn and evolve - if we allow ourselves to realize that we do not have all of the answers.

With that, I invite you to watch The Greater Good.  It is a thoughtful presentation about vaccines, or perhaps more about what is in our vaccines.  I found this movie touching (I cried!), exciting (I yelled at my monitor!) and very enriching (Lots of YEA!  Right on!).  Okay, I'm being silly now, but this is a serious topic and love the way in which this movie provokes thought and conversation.  What ever you to, make time for this movie.  Watch it while you fold laundry or clean your kitchen (I did!).  You will not be sorry!

The Greater Good is available to watch, for FREE through November 5th at Mercola.com  In addition to being available online, you can support the film by purchasing your very own copy for just $10, information also at the link above.

When you're done, come back here and let me know your thoughts.  I will be sharing mine later in the week, after I watch it again!

Painted Owl Review & Giveaway!

We have three children, so we go through a lot of clothes.  As with any product, we love to choose ones that not only work for us, but that reflect our values.  Painted Owl is one of those great companies.

Painted Owl offers 100% organic cotton shirts with water based inks on a mission.  3% of all profits are donated to children's charities like Prevent Child Abuse America and Autism Speaks (just to name a couple!)  Each month Painted Owl features a new charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of children.

They currently offer children's t-shirts with fun messages that feature their fun owl, Whoopdu.  When our review tee arrived, I first noticed how soft it was and how cute it was!  Our son loves his shirt!  He chose the "It's all about the... Adventure" shirt that features Whoopdu camping - which is right up E's alley!  My husband is a big fan of the outdoors, and E just eats it up.  You can read all about Whoopdu here.

You can check out their full line of "It's all about the..." shirts on their website - family and playground are a couple of other favorites of mine.  To add to the fun, they welcome you to share photos of your little one in a Whoopdu shirt on their facebook page.

Painted Owl would like for you to have a shirt too!  Enter below for your chance to win one!  Good luck!

Lose toxic Halloween face paints with this DIY tip!

I think that most people love Halloween.  We get to dress up and be silly or mysterious, what's not to love?!  Sadly, the products we use to have that fun aren't really all they should be.  A study conducted by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that 10 out of 10 children's face paints tested contained levels of lead, and many others contained misleading claims such as “hypoallergenic.”

You can keep Halloween fun and safe by making your own all-natural face paint!  It's super easy and the color options are completely up to you (no icky pre-made colors that 'sort of' match what you're looking for).

 

All-Natural DIY Face Paints

What you'll need:

Dr. Sears Family Essentials Diaper Rash Cream

Natural Food Coloring

Cornstarch

Mix up 1-2 teaspoons of rash cream with a teaspoon of cornstarch.  If you want it colored, divide it up into portions (if you want three colors to make a design, divide it up into three - this makes a good bit).  Once you've got it all divided up (or not) add a drop of food coloring and mix it in.

Once you've got your paint colors finished, grab a paintbrush and get to the fun part - face painting!  Your children will love this project and you can rest easy knowing that it's completely safe for them.

*I read on another website that seasonings could be used for the coloring in this.  I tried it, but #1 it didn't color the paint well, if at all and #2 I was concerned about possible reactions to having seasonings on their skin.  The food coloring worked perfectly and took very little (I used one drop to get the pinky/purple color on her cheek.)

Big thanks to Dr. Sears Family Essentials for this tip and the samples to test it out!  I was able to see their line first hand at the ABC Kids Expo and I was honestly moved by their products and mission.  I look forward to great things from them.  Keep an eye out for their products!  They are not only amazing and safe, but affordable too!

YAY for newborn diapers!

If you've been around here long or attending one of my classes, you've probably heard me rave about Nanipoo newborn diapers.  They are a fitted diaper, which means that they require a cover.  They were/are made by a mom on Hyena Cart.

About two years ago she stopped making diapers.  Of course, I found out after I sold all of mine from G being born.  Since then I've been buying one or two, here and there as I found them.  I always share them at my classes and tell people that if they can find them used, grab some.  Well, today I am happy to say that Nanipoo is back in business!  She listed newborn diapers this morning and says that she hopes to restock again in November.

These diapers fit G right from the start at just under 6 lbs and they were among the diapers that fit her the longest too - around 12 lbs or so.  They are a great fit and offer more absorbency than some other popular fitteds.

If you're expecting a newborn, I highly recommend grabbing some!

How did you become #Green?

I have to admit that being eco-friendly was not always a part of my life.  Honestly, growing up, I thought that crushing cans, boxes and bottles before throwing them in the trash, was somehow doing my part to "save space".  I shudder at the thought now, but that's how I was brought up.  My mom still does it, despite my constant nagging to get her to recycle. (hint, hint Mom... PS I love you! Check out retro me--->  That's for you too Mom)

I read recently on a profile that "Being green doesn't come naturally to me or most people. It's more of an awareness and a conscientious effort."  That sounds about right.  I think for most people in our day and age, life is all about ease and convenience.  Recycling and scouring ingredient lists for hours a week really don't sound like they lend themselves to ease or convenience.  Except that they do... which is where my story begins.  In my years of connecting with individuals on the same path, I've found that many stories begin this way.  Perhaps yours does to.

I was a parent.  I had a sweet baby boy and while I didn't fully know what chemicals were in things, I knew - first thing - that the scents in things weren't good.  It was instinctual.  I went out and bought free & clear everything.  Sadly, that was about as far as my new parent knowledge took me.  I didn't know more and at the time I had nothing nagging me to look for more.

Fast forward a couple of years and I'm pregnant with our first daughter.  I'm preparing as I did the first time.  Excitedly buying gear and random junk that I'd never use, when a friend tells me that her mom shared with her an article.  This article would change my course forever.  The article was the highly publicized findings that the beloved Johnson & Johnson baby washes were full of chemicals that were toxic for baby.  Toxic?!!!  What?!  No....  How can they do this?!  Why aren't they simply taking these ingredients out?!!!

Then my outrage set it in.  This is what hospitals hand out!  They are pushed upon us to use the moment that our sweet babies enter this world.  WTF!  I can recall someone saying, in response to the smell of Baby Magic, that "This is how baby's are suppose to smell."  Let's let that sink in for a moment...

Baby's are suppose to smell like artificial fragrances and be creamy, slippery and buttery?  When our son was born and I vividly recall brushing my cheek with his and thinking that he had the most soft skin that I had ever felt.  I smelled him and he was like heaven.  He was perfect...  So naturally I now think that these Baby Magic folks are just completely nuts and I am angry that hospitals still continue to give out these products.  I have heard of the rare, "progressive" hospital that offers safe products from companeis like Earth Mama Angel Baby.  Why isn't that the norm?  Why aren't hospitals standing up to phthalate and paraben riddled washes and lotions?

So, once I discovered what was in baby products, my heart pretty much sank.  If baby products weren't safe, what was?  I began to read and discover that there are toxic chemicals in pretty much every product I had used for my whole life.  I began to make DIY cleaners and buy safe products and foods.  I chose to use cloth diapers and began recycling and composting.  I learn more every day and I am thankful that because of my conscious choices I am not only making my life better, but I'm making in impact on our Earth, which helps everyone.

Quickly, on convenience and I'll let you go :)  I mentioned in the second paragraph that "Recycling and scouring ingredient lists for hours a week really don't sound like they lend themselves to ease or convenience.  Except that they do..."  Well here is the 'they do' part: These changes, as you know, lead to quality of life and healthier living.  I've heard this philosophy said in several ways, but basically it's that you can pay more now by making healthy choices, or you can pay later with medical expenses.  I know which one I choose, and the one that I wish to instill in my children.  I grew up using toxic products, most of us did.  We have the power to change that, from the start, with our children.

Thank you so much for joining me today.  I have enjoyed sharing my story with you.  I would LOVE to hear yours.  If you are a blogger, please post how you became green and link up!  If you are a reader, please share your story in the comments.

DIY Dishwasher Detergent without Borax!

I've been playing around with a dishwasher detergent recipe for a while now, and finally worked out one that leaves my glasses clear and does not use borax.  I am happy to use borax in my laundry detergent, but I feel that using it on my dishes is probably not the best choice.

For some time now I've been stuck using uneco-freindly options, mostly.  I've been using Cascade packs with Lemi-Shine.  It was the only thing that cleaned my dished and left my glasses clear from film and yuck.  I have been using this DIY recipe with success.  It used Lemi-Shine, which is completely safe and eco-friendly.  The only thing I wish is that I could buy it in tubs.  I simply will not do a load of dishes without it.

1 1/2 Cups Lemi-Shine (They come in 12 oz containers, so this is a full one)
1 1/2 Cups Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Sea Salt (any will do I'm sure)

Use 2 Tablespoons per load and if you like, vinegar can be added as the rinse agent.

You can find everything you need to make this at Alice.com  I am an Amazon fan, but they charge way too much for the Lemi-Shine!  Alice.com offers free shipping on all orders and once you spend your first $50, you'll get a $10 credit.  They also have great prices and coupons!

If you're new to Lemi-Shine, right now you can head to their site for a sample.  I swear, this stuff is amazing if you have residue issues, hard water issues, etc!

This has been working wonderfully for me.  I hope you try it out and I would love to hear how it works for you!

Planet Earth Limited & Special Edition Giveaway

This October, the blockbuster series, Planet Earth, looks more beautiful than ever.  Planet Earth has been remastered, taking advantage of new advances in high definition technology since the original release.  It is available in both a 6-disc Blu-ray and DVD box set that showcase over three hours of fresh bonus materials including a sneak peak at Alastair Fothergill’s next project Frozen Planet.  Additionally, the Planet Earth Special Edition Blu-ray contains the eleven production video diaries and the bonus series Planet Earth: the Future, which were not included on the original Blu-ray release.  Available only while supplies last, the Planet Earth Limited Collector’s Edition comes in an exquisite, numbered, collectible globe package with an exclusive set of four art cards.

Planet Earth is a fascinating and inspiring documentary.  The imagery is simply breathtaking.  It is a perfect addition to any collection and perfect for those, like me, who have young minds to feed.  There is so much to be learned and the beauty and suspense of it all will keep little minds captivated.  Be sure to check out the official site to learn more.

This would make a wonderful holiday gift!  Check out the clips below and then enter for your chance to win a copy for your family.


We have four copies to share, one of the Limited Edition and three of the Special Edition!

It's my birthday and I'll have a #giveaway if I want to!

I turned a fantastic twenty-nine years old today.  I am having a wonderful birthday and want to share it with you.  I love cloth diapers and I know that many of you do to, so I am going to share some fluffy love!  The gift will be a surprise, because it's my birthday and I say so :P

Seriously though, who doesn't love a surprise in the mail?  If you win I'll contact you to find out your gender/size preference and create a fun package just for you.

Simply follow the blog and be sure to enter many ways to have many chances to win!

Be quick, you have just 24 hours to enter!

Shop @GroViaDiaper for a Cure!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and GroVia is doing their part to support awareness and find a cure.  We all know someone who has been touched by this disease and right now you can do your part while helping the environment and supporting cloth diapers.

When you purchase a GroVia Cosmo (pink) colored diaper now through October 30, 2011, you will receive 30% off of your purchase and GroVia will donate 10% to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Choose from the Cosmos All-in-one, Newborn All-in-One and Hybrid Shells (snap or hook & loop!)  There are even convenient 6 and 12-packs of the Cosmos All-in-One and Cosmos Newborn All-in-One.

Enjoy the sale and do your part in finding a cure!

What do you know about hybrids?

We've been driving the same vehicle for about 5 years now.  My husband is all excited about getting a new car, but I've been saying that I wanted to wait until we could afford a hybrid.  Well, my request may be more realistic than I thought.  I was asked to share the new Kia Optima Hybrid with you; this is a sponsored post.  I am excited to be sharing it with you and have already contacted my local dealership, of my own accord, to set up a test drive so that I can see it first hand.  The idea of getting an estimated 40 mpg highway has my interest peaked.  Plus it starts at just $945 more than the newest model of our current vehicle.  I'm interested and I thought that you might be too!

You can head over to Kia's website to learn more about the Optima Hybrid from videos like this one from Motor Trend (Can you believe I had a subscription to this magazine in high school?!)

To add to the fun, you can test your hybrid knowledge with their Hybrid Myth Busters Facebook App.

The Hybrid Myth Busters app puts your hybrid knowledge to the test! You can take the quiz which consists of a series of questions related to common hybrid myths and you can even challenge your friends. Now you can finally confirm and deny the rumors you’ve heard about hybrid cars.


This is a sponsored post: All views and opinions are my own and are in no way swayed by the sponsor.  Sponsored posts on this blog are always selected with my readers and sustainable standards in mind.

Join me for a fun Halloween themed chat!

Today at 12:30 EST there will be a fun Halloween themed chat at MomsEverday.com  I love chats, so I'll be joining in and offering up my ideas and plans for the holiday as well. Just click to comment and interact with other parents as we prepare for the spookiest day of the year! Share your ideas for great DIY costumes, safe trick-or-treating, and healthy(er) parties!

Head on over by clicking on the image below!

What kind of cloth diapers should I get?

When you think about cloth diapering the options are seemingly endless.  Everyone has a favorite, which means that you will get lots of very different opinions.  For those new to cloth, it can be very overwhelming.  When it comes down to it, you want the system that is going to work best for your lifestyle.

There are four main categories of diapers.  All-in-one diapers, pocket diapers, hybrid diapers (sometimes called all-in-twos) and diapers that require covers.  The confusing part comes in the fact that there are countless brands of diapers and most offer some sort of special 'feature'.  The bottom line is that as long as the diaper works (read reviews!), the choice is up to you!  The biggest three questions you want to ask yourself are #1 Does it fit your lifestyle?  #2 Is it in your budget? and #3 Is it your style?  That brings me to the point of this post. When you're done here, you're going to have a better idea of what you want!

The most important question here is #1 Does it fit your lifestyle?

Cloth diapering is easy, but not every style of diaper is for every family.  You want a diaper that is going to be convenient and easy for you to both use and wash.

In my opinion All-in-one Diapers are going to be the easiest diaper to use.  They include cover and absorbency all in a single piece diaper - much like a disposable.  You simply put the diaper on, and when baby has soiled you remove it and toss it into the pail.  From there it can go directly into the wash, assuming you don't have solids to rinse away first.  All-in-one diapers typically cost $20+.  I recommend a minimum of 24 diapers, though more is truly advised (36 is a great number to give your stash some rotation).  Look for package deals to save!

If the simplicity of an All-in-one appeals to you, you might consider these from bumGenius (a new all-in-one coming soon!), GroVia, Itti Bitti and Thirsties (coming soon!).

Close behind All-in-one Diapers would be the Hybrid Diapers (sometimes called All-in-twos).  Hybrid diapers offer parents the simplicity of a Cover or Shell and some sort of simple insert.  Most inserts require no folding and are either rectangular or hourglass shaped.  Inserts can be made of cotton, hemp, bamboo, microfiber and any combination thereof.  They can come with or without a stay dry top layer (to keep baby feeling dry).  There are many choices, but basically you're going to choose a natural fiber or a synthetic, the fiber content will simply vary by brand.

In addition to washable inserts, most Hybrid systems come with the option to use a disposable insert.  Due to the eco-friendly nature of cloth diapers, many companies choose to make their disposable liners biodegradable.

Hybrid systems are simple to use.  Simply toss in and insert, put it on baby and when they have soiled you remove the insert and toss it into the pail.  Most covers can be wiped off and reused unless they get soiled.  They typically cost $18+ and because these utilize a cover or shell, you can typically get by with less covers than inserts, saving you more money when you consider your diaper stash as a whole.

If you feel like Hybrid Diapers are for you, you might consider these from GroVia, Flip or gDiapers.

Next up are Pocket Diapers.  I am placing these after Hybrids because the insert on these diapers is not simply laid in.  It must be 'stuffed' in to a pocket, and generally removed before washing.  Pocket diapers are great in that they are typically very affordable costing anywhere from $13 to $18 on average, though some go higher.  In general, most pocket diapers come with microfiber inserts (a synthetic fiber).  All pockets have a stay-dry layer that is typically micro-fleece or suedecloth.  Pocket diapers are easy on, and somewhat easy off.  You will need to remove the insert before washing on most all pocket diapers.  There are a few 'sleeve' style pocket diapers that have an opening at both the front and back of the diaper.  Generally these inserts will come out in the wash.  I suggest having a pair of rubber gloves in your laundry room to remove the inserts before washing.

If you think that Pocket Diapers are your thing, you might consider these from Applecheeks (which can also be used as a cover), bumGenius, Thirsties, Fuzzibunz or Smartipants.



We've discussed All-in-one diapers, Hybrid diapers and Pocket Diapers.  Each of these types includes a cover.  Now I want to talk to you about diapers that Require a Cover.  These types of diapers are great for many reasons, but usually because they can be quite affordable, though not always!  There are some super cute Fitted style diapers that many ladies just love to collect - oh yes, it's practically a sport!

To get started I should probably discuss covers.  These are not rubber pants.  They have come a long way and are super soft, easy to use and boy can they hold in messes!  Most are made from a polyester fabric with PUL (or polyurethane laminate) to keep it from leaking.

Some great cover options are Thirsties, Bummis, Applecheeks (which are also envelope style 'pocket' diapers) Flip or Econobum.

If you'd like a more natural route, you can go with wool covers.  Wool is more expensive, but it looks great as part of an outfit, and if you're the crafty type you can even make it yourself - knit, crochet or repurpose an old wool sweater!  Wool comes in wraps (similar to the PUL cover shown above), soakers (to your left) and longies - which look like pants.  If you're like to know more about wool, check out this post all about wool covers.

I love wool and if you think you might too, you may consider these soakers from Sustainablebabyish or their longies (they come in great colors - love SBish!!!) or these from soakers from Kissaluvs.

Now that you have a cover you need something to put in it.  First up we have a Fitted Diapers.  Fitted Diapers look like a normal diaper (pictured to the rigt) yet they require a cover because the body of the diaper does not contain any sort of waterproof layer.  They are almost always a natural fiber, though some have a natural fiber outter and a microfiber inner.

Fitteds are great because they offer a lot of absorbency and are notoriously good for heavy wetters and nighttime use.  Due to their high absorbency, they can often be used around the house without a cover to let baby's bottom get some air.  Fitteds are easy to change and in my experience, are pretty great at containing messes.  Another benefit of fitteds is that they are great to use with wool covers (which I'll mention in a moment).  Fitteds run anywhere from $10 to $35+ and require just a few covers or more depending on your baby's age.  Fitteds make a great addition to any diaper stash!

If you want to try out Fitteds you might consider these from Blueberry, Sustainablebabyish, Thirsties, Kissaluvs or Kiwi Pie.

Last but not least we have the plain old Prefold Diaper.  Prefolds are very basic diapers.  They are most commonly cotton, but can also be bamboo, hemp or some combination.  Typically prefolds are fit onto the baby with various methods of folding, you can see how to do that here.  Prefolds are the single most economical option when it comes to cloth diapering.  A dozen prefolds can run you anywhere from $25-$35, toss in a few covers and you're good to go!  These diapers require the most skill and time when it comes to cloth diapering and generally these are not consider 'easy' for Dad, grandparents or day care centers

There are several brands of prefold style diapers, but you might consider these from Bummis, OsoCozy or this hemp/cotton option from Thirsties.  I do NOT recommend Gerber prefolds, they are usually a very light weave fabric and are not nearly as absorbent as high quality prefolds.

One you decide what type of diaper fits your lifestyle you'll want to buy a few to try out, and maybe try a few of your next favorite style just to see how you like them.  This is where cost and style are going to come in.  I've listed several brands of diapers here.  I have had experience with most and overall they are all very popular and well rated.  Take a look around and just see what appeals to you.  It might be that it's snaps or hook and loop closures, or perhaps you like the cute print of a certain brand.  As long as you buy quality diapers, you're going to be happy with what you get.  Now not ever diaper will fit every baby, but if you try a few you're bound to find one you love!

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to post here or email me!  I'm happy to help and there are many cloth diaper pros around that can chime in too!