I'm thinking I may need to go gluten-free. Gluten issues run in my family (Hi Dad!) and when I mean run, I mean.. um, well anyway.
My mom has a wheat allergy, most of us (including my parents, sibling, husband, 3 out of 4 of my kiddos, and myself) have problems with dairy, my husband's jaw locks up when he has agave (so, no tequila babe), and my stomach cannot handle lots of meat. My sons go ADHD-crazy when food-dye gets into their systems (but M&Ms are so tasty!) and too much black pepper causes problems for my husband (I'll spare you the details).
So, needless to say, we're no stranger to food allergies and sensitivities. That being said, we often indulge in the things that irritate our bodies the most because we're ridiculous like that. Time after time, with my stomach in knots and guts gurgling, I tell myself, "You've got to stop eating that junk," but it's difficult, isn't it?
We go through phases. We will eat super-duper healthy (even raw vegan) for a time, and then something will happen that knocks us out of the routine and we're allowing more and more "cheats" and indulgences. I personally like to blame the pregnancy for the extreme chocolate cravings, but before long, I'm going to have to blame post partum, and then what?
Anyway, my husband and I are headed to Louisiana later in the week where the term "health food" is fairly non-existent. I tell you, I am never more motivated to change my diet than when I leave my mother-in-laws. I love her Cajun cooking, but poo-yi* it slays me. (*Cajun slang, which is all the more appropriate because it contains the word POO.)
The other day I confessed to my friend (who is also my midwife) and my husband, "I'm pretty sure I need to go gluten-free." My friend has been GF for a couple months now, and my husband has been on and off the GF boat over the years (usually just as a cleanse, though). My husband agreed, "When we get back from my Mom's, we definitely need to get back to eating healthy."
*Nod*
So, here's a few recipes I wanted to share (mostly so I have a record to return to when I need some inspiration) of GF recipes around the web.
Cinnamon baked apples are one of my favorite desserts, but I haven't had them in ages. It's one of those desserts you can feel good about. (Thanks Wheatless and Meatless for the reminder!)
These Cornmeal Dinner Rolls from Gluten Free on a Shoestring would be perfect as buns for burgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches. (Mmmmmmmm....)
One of our family's favorite meals is Eggplant Parmesan. GF on a Shoestring has a great recipe for GF baked Eggplant Parm!
This recipe for Chili Almond Asparagus from Vegan Yum Yum sounds delicious, although I would replace the powdered soup "seasoning" she uses with real (GF) seasonings.
I like rice dishes, and this recipe for Vegan Paella sounds delish. Who's with me?
Oh hi yum, I would love to eat this Spring Potato Salad with a big ol' bowl of GF gumbo.
Speaking of potatoes, I could totally get my sweet potato with this great Sweet Potato Pone recipe from The Gluten-Free Homemaker. Oh man, I've got to do that ASAP!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
8 Green Gifts that $ave money!
Here are eight great gifts that are actually useful.... and "green"! All of these items come from various Etsy shops, so you are not only being green, but your money is staying in the US! Buy for yourself or someone else!
The other day I plopped a bag of sweet potatoes on the check out, and the bag ripped, sending the potatoes rumbling and rolling all over the place. Bleh.
The Flower Farm crocheted coffee sleeve $9.95
Reusable To-Go Tumbler from Poppy & Pearl Co , prices vary upon size & quantity.
Upcycled Wool diaper covers by Laura Blossom $12.50 - $24.00
Wool Knit Play Fruit from clothdiapermommy $15.00
Waterproof Labels by stickaroundlabels $19.95-24.95
Produce bags from generationMe. ($2.75)
We all know grocery store produce bags are such a waste. They're flimsy to begin with!The other day I plopped a bag of sweet potatoes on the check out, and the bag ripped, sending the potatoes rumbling and rolling all over the place. Bleh.
Cloth wipes from Lover of Life Designs
16 2-ply flannel wipes for $15
or 30 1-play flannel wipes for $20These wipes are great for those who are cloth diapering, but also for wiping dirty faces and runny noses and could be used as bath rags as well! So soft!
"Unpaper Towels" from LittleWondersDesign
$25 for 24 towels made from Birds Eye Cotton
$25 for 24 towels made from Birds Eye Cotton
Remember the days when people didn't use paper towels? Maybe you don't! Check out these towels. They are slim and can tuck into a drawer or fold into a pretty little basket on the countertop. You could use them as napkins, kitchen towels, or even use them on your Swiffer Mop!
I wish I could crochet, but I can't. Well, I could... if I tried, but... then I'd have to steer my patience from one area to another, so.... hey, look.. aren't these cute? The Flower Farm has a variety of crocheted coffee sleeves that will make you want to pick up the java-habit if you haven't already. Great gift for a friend who can't go without her morning cup of joe. (I know, this doesn't save you money, but... can we pretend it does? It does save you from wasting those little cardboard sleeves!)
I love mason jars, so I definitely love these cute tumblers that have a nifty little lid and come with a reusable, BPA-free straw! These make perfect kiddo cups as well!
Not too long ago, I ditched pocket diapers, PUL, and microfiber for a more natural diapering system. The first wool cover I bought was from this little Etsy store! You see, wool covers can be extremely expensive, and when you are on a budget, well.... the idea of spending $40 on one wool cover seems a little *eek*, especially when you aren't sure whether you'll really love using wool or not! I am so grateful that Ms. Laura sells these inexpensive, upcycled covers in her little Baa Baa Baby Etsy shop! I have to give her extra credit because she sends them out already lanolized so you can begin using them right away! These would make the perfect gift for a cloth-diapering mama! This one wool cover has replaced the 5-8 PUL covers I would normally use in one day! See, money saving and cute!
Okay, so this isn't actually going to save you money either, but it's a super cute handmade gift that any child should love! (I know mine would!) They are soft, safe, and perfect for toddlers and "big girls" alike, in my opinion!
Now this is a smart idea! These waterproof labels not only work on sippy cups, lunchboxes, books, and shoes, but can also be put on cloth diapers, jackets, and other wearable items! (Read directions on placement.) Choose from a variety of designs. Child have an allergy? Purchase a special sticker stating your kiddo's allergy for their backpack or lunchbox. Great for children in daycare or school.... or adults whose stuff seems to disappear from the office!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Cloth diapering: Inexpensive wool covers
Our family is in the process of switching over to wool cloth diaper covers and natural fiber fitted diapers since we have been having a lot of trouble with microfiber, PUL, and the like (and, quite frankly, doing all that diaper stripping and such is tiring).
When I started cloth diapering Evie, I had a stash of one-size pocket diapers leftover from Keagan, but I wanted to look at all my options. We started out with flatfolds and Bummis covers because I didn't think I could afford wool (and I wasn't sure I was up for caring for wool- I didn't know how easy it was!).
Maybe some of you are interested in easy, care-free cloth diapering and would really like to try out wool covers but are stunned by the pricing. Many hand-knit wool soakers are between $30-50 which seems like a huge price to pay for a cover.
However, it's important to understand that you can get by with just a few wool soakers since they do not have to be washed after each use unless they have poo on them. If they haven't been soiled, you can continue to reuse them for a week or two (I have some friends who wash them every 3-4 weeks!), doing a simple lanolizing soak. You can read more about that here in my post on MandyMom.com titled: Fleece tips, Wool, & How to make your own wool wash.
Therefore, one wool soaker (cover) can outdo and outlast fleece and PUL covers (including pocket diapers), as they do not have to be washed nearly as often, and therefore you can have fewer wool covers than you would of fleece or PUL. Wool also is a great "back-up", as it can hold up to 40% of it's weight in liquid, so if your diaper leaks, the wool soaker will save the day.
So, in the grand scheme of things, $30-50 for one wool cover really isn't a huge cost, since it will replace at least 3-5 of your other covers. BUT, for those of us who are frugal minded, seeing such a huge price tag attached to such a small booty cover, it can be difficult to make such a purchase.
Which is where sites like Esty come in handy. You see, I do have sewing talent and have sewn some of my own wool covers, but I still have to shell out at least $5 for a wool sweater from the thrift store. So, when I see a beautiful upcycled wool cover for only $10-12, I think it's a pretty darn good deal.
When you're just testing the waters of cloth diapering, you probably don't feel it's wise to invest a huge chunk of money in a cover you aren't sure you'll even like! Take my advice and look into these Etsy sellers who have a beautiful array of wool covers for a great price.
I just bought my first not-made-by-me wool shorties from LauraBlossom. I'm waiting for them to come in.... and am very eager to put them to use! She seems like a very sweet person. She had a great sale going on CyberMonday, but when I checked out, the code didn't work. However, the shorties were so cute (and still a great price), I decided to go ahead and purchase them anyway. I left her a note that the sale code didn't work, and she refunded the 20% discount to me! She also has other deals and discounts, which is a great way to catch this gal's eye and consumership! I'll keep you posted on the quality of her products. She has positive feedback, so I'm pretty sure I'll like what I purchased!
Gramma Tuck has a beautiful assortment of wool shorties, longies, and even skirties.
Celia Screams makes lovely hand-knitted (crocheted?) soakers... and they are incredibly priced. Her small soakers go for $10!
JoyfulGirlDesign makes upcycled wool longies and more- and even sells "Seconds" at a great price. (Seconds are products that have slight imperfections but are still functional.)
Nana's Knickers knickers are wonderfully priced and absolutely adorable! Her soakers remind me of the old vintage style I've seen in photos from long ago!
So, now you need a cloth diaper to cover up! One of my favorite Esty gals is Tiffany. When Evangeline was a baby, she sent me one of her beautiful creations to test out and review. You can bet I'll be using it when little Molly Jo makes her entrance! Check out Tiffany's shop, True Baby Designs. (You will need to pin her fitted diapers, or use a Snappi.)
Aw, look how small my Evangeline Rose was!
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you could even make your own fitted cloth diapers. I prefer cotton flannel, and usually sew in at least 6 layers for a newborn and 8-10 for an older baby. (Helps to make a set-in soaker, or one that is only sewn on in the back so that it dries quicker after washing.) Here are a few of my own early creations:
Oh, and I wanted to add- if you are looking for a great insert to give you more absorbency, try out my friend's awesome bamboo soakers over at Cotton Cheeks! It may seem pricy at $6, but these are my favorite, favorite inserts/soakers. I promise, I use these regularly! (I actually should buy more!)
When I started cloth diapering Evie, I had a stash of one-size pocket diapers leftover from Keagan, but I wanted to look at all my options. We started out with flatfolds and Bummis covers because I didn't think I could afford wool (and I wasn't sure I was up for caring for wool- I didn't know how easy it was!).
Maybe some of you are interested in easy, care-free cloth diapering and would really like to try out wool covers but are stunned by the pricing. Many hand-knit wool soakers are between $30-50 which seems like a huge price to pay for a cover.
However, it's important to understand that you can get by with just a few wool soakers since they do not have to be washed after each use unless they have poo on them. If they haven't been soiled, you can continue to reuse them for a week or two (I have some friends who wash them every 3-4 weeks!), doing a simple lanolizing soak. You can read more about that here in my post on MandyMom.com titled: Fleece tips, Wool, & How to make your own wool wash.
Therefore, one wool soaker (cover) can outdo and outlast fleece and PUL covers (including pocket diapers), as they do not have to be washed nearly as often, and therefore you can have fewer wool covers than you would of fleece or PUL. Wool also is a great "back-up", as it can hold up to 40% of it's weight in liquid, so if your diaper leaks, the wool soaker will save the day.
So, in the grand scheme of things, $30-50 for one wool cover really isn't a huge cost, since it will replace at least 3-5 of your other covers. BUT, for those of us who are frugal minded, seeing such a huge price tag attached to such a small booty cover, it can be difficult to make such a purchase.
Which is where sites like Esty come in handy. You see, I do have sewing talent and have sewn some of my own wool covers, but I still have to shell out at least $5 for a wool sweater from the thrift store. So, when I see a beautiful upcycled wool cover for only $10-12, I think it's a pretty darn good deal.
When you're just testing the waters of cloth diapering, you probably don't feel it's wise to invest a huge chunk of money in a cover you aren't sure you'll even like! Take my advice and look into these Etsy sellers who have a beautiful array of wool covers for a great price.
I just bought my first not-made-by-me wool shorties from LauraBlossom. I'm waiting for them to come in.... and am very eager to put them to use! She seems like a very sweet person. She had a great sale going on CyberMonday, but when I checked out, the code didn't work. However, the shorties were so cute (and still a great price), I decided to go ahead and purchase them anyway. I left her a note that the sale code didn't work, and she refunded the 20% discount to me! She also has other deals and discounts, which is a great way to catch this gal's eye and consumership! I'll keep you posted on the quality of her products. She has positive feedback, so I'm pretty sure I'll like what I purchased!
Gramma Tuck has a beautiful assortment of wool shorties, longies, and even skirties.
Celia Screams makes lovely hand-knitted (crocheted?) soakers... and they are incredibly priced. Her small soakers go for $10!
JoyfulGirlDesign makes upcycled wool longies and more- and even sells "Seconds" at a great price. (Seconds are products that have slight imperfections but are still functional.)
Nana's Knickers knickers are wonderfully priced and absolutely adorable! Her soakers remind me of the old vintage style I've seen in photos from long ago!
So, now you need a cloth diaper to cover up! One of my favorite Esty gals is Tiffany. When Evangeline was a baby, she sent me one of her beautiful creations to test out and review. You can bet I'll be using it when little Molly Jo makes her entrance! Check out Tiffany's shop, True Baby Designs. (You will need to pin her fitted diapers, or use a Snappi.)
Aw, look how small my Evangeline Rose was!
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you could even make your own fitted cloth diapers. I prefer cotton flannel, and usually sew in at least 6 layers for a newborn and 8-10 for an older baby. (Helps to make a set-in soaker, or one that is only sewn on in the back so that it dries quicker after washing.) Here are a few of my own early creations:
Oh, and I wanted to add- if you are looking for a great insert to give you more absorbency, try out my friend's awesome bamboo soakers over at Cotton Cheeks! It may seem pricy at $6, but these are my favorite, favorite inserts/soakers. I promise, I use these regularly! (I actually should buy more!)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Waking up to yum...
Know what I like? Waking up the day after we load up on fruits and veggies to see all of this!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Make Your Own: Greek Seasoning
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried mint
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
I like to toss mine in a grinder so it's granulated. I bought a $10 coffee grinder which is perfect for this. Add salt to taste if you prefer to have a salted seasoning. Start with 1/2 teaspoon and taste before you add anymore. Store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Sling it, kid & hair for the garden
Sunday, Keagan fractured his arm (it's basically a hairline crack). He needed a sling, and not one single store in our area had them in kid-size. After hitting up a series of stores with no luck, Keagan and I returned home with a mission. We were going to make one ourselves! Why didn't I think of that in the first place?
We used some camouflage fabric from a hand-me-down shirt to create this cute mini-sling. The soft, worn t-shirt material makes it comfortable and breathable. Perfect fit for this little boy!
Of course, having a "bum arm" hasn't slowed him down any. He's still on the go!
Speaking of my little Keagan, as you can see, he got a major haircut! While I miss his wispy locks, I love his short hair. (I'm a little torn- I really loved his long hair! He looks so grown up now, which is cute, but... eep! What happened to my baby?)
A while back, we learned that human hair is great for keeping certain bugs from nibbling at your garden! So, after his haircut, he got to sprinkle the trimmings throughout our plant beds! Talk about making the most of what you've got!
Sewing Fleece Diaper Covers
Evangeline has outgrown her size one Thirsties Duo diapers. I'd say they're pretty much my favorite because they are adjustable and blow-out resistant because of their double gussets. They come in two sizes. The size ones fit her comfortably from newborn to six months. She could still fit in them at seven months (and now, at eight months), but I have to keep the inserts slim, which means less absorbency. Even though I try to take her out of diapers to the relieve herself, this doesn't always happen, especially during naps. And, the tighter the fit, the less room to hold poo when there's a massive, um... release.
Here's the thing, folks. If you are having troubles with blow outs (whether in cloth or disposables), it may be because the diaper is too fitted against the heiny. There needs to be a little wiggle room there, some space, really. If the insert or the disposable is pressed tightly against the bum, there will be no where else for the poo to go... other than out the gussets. Just a tip for those having these issues. If you keep having diaper blowouts, it's time to go up a size in diapers.
Anyway, so I decided it was time to make some new covers for Evie. I really like Thirsties Duo Wraps, so I did purchase one in size two (which also adjusts and will last the rest of her diapering days), but I also knew that I could make my buck stretch further if I made my own. I really like fleece diapers. They're more breathable than PUL (which is what Thirsties and most diaper covers are made of), and they're easy to care for. You can wash them with the rest of your wash, if you need to. No special care. So, if a little poo gets on them, I can toss them in with the rest of my wash, regardless of whether I'm using free and clear detergent.
They're easy to make and significantly cheaper than purchasing covers from a shop, especially if you happen to have an old fleece blanket laying around! Let me give you the breakdown. One yard of fabric will give you two diaper covers. Each diaper cover is made of two layers of fleece (extra protection!). If you purchase the fabric full price, then you are paying about $4.50 per diaper. I never buy it full-price. When they are on sale, each diaper comes out to $2.75. If I buy fleece off the clearance remnant section (50% off), it costs me $2.25 per diaper. Add in the cost of elastic (.25 per diaper, typically), and that's a pretty cheap, handmade diaper. If I use a 10% off total coupon, well.. I can get it even a bit more cheaper. (I shop at Joann, btw. They have great sales in store and online.) Plain fleece is cheaper, but not by much. If I use plain fleece, I like to use some pretty fabric to dress it up, which usually ups the cost a bit, unless that fabric is repurposed or from my scrap bin. This diaper below probably cost me about $4.00 to make. When I saw this delicious quilting fabric, I had to have it. It's just too adorable! I was a cupcake fan long before cupcakes were the "in" thing, and, believe it or not, one of my favorite colors is brown. (I know some people think brown is a ugly color, but I love it.)
Evangeline looks so adorable in it- chunky legs and all. She's just so sweet, I want to nibble her up! It's been a while since I've had a chunky baby to snuggle since Keagan was super tiny. I mean, her legs are way chunkier than his were. He had little stick-legs. Her body is chunkier than his was at a year! (And I love it! I just love all those soft squishy rolls!)
Fleece is super comfortable. I recommend buying anti-pill fleece because it stays looking nicer for longer. But, hey, if you have an old fleece blanket laying around, use it. I don't have a snap press, so I just use a Snappi or pins. I'm thinking about making a fleece cover that ties in the front. I'll have to ponder a pattern for that one. I have an idea in mind! There are also patterns out there for pull-up fleece covers, so you don't have to worry about snaps, Snappis, or pins.
I don't have my own pattern posted- but you can find free patterns all over the internet. A fitted diaper pattern will work just fine as a fleece cover pattern, although you may want to make your cover just a bit larger (maybe just 1/2 an inch larger all the way around).
Here's the thing, folks. If you are having troubles with blow outs (whether in cloth or disposables), it may be because the diaper is too fitted against the heiny. There needs to be a little wiggle room there, some space, really. If the insert or the disposable is pressed tightly against the bum, there will be no where else for the poo to go... other than out the gussets. Just a tip for those having these issues. If you keep having diaper blowouts, it's time to go up a size in diapers.
Anyway, so I decided it was time to make some new covers for Evie. I really like Thirsties Duo Wraps, so I did purchase one in size two (which also adjusts and will last the rest of her diapering days), but I also knew that I could make my buck stretch further if I made my own. I really like fleece diapers. They're more breathable than PUL (which is what Thirsties and most diaper covers are made of), and they're easy to care for. You can wash them with the rest of your wash, if you need to. No special care. So, if a little poo gets on them, I can toss them in with the rest of my wash, regardless of whether I'm using free and clear detergent.
They're easy to make and significantly cheaper than purchasing covers from a shop, especially if you happen to have an old fleece blanket laying around! Let me give you the breakdown. One yard of fabric will give you two diaper covers. Each diaper cover is made of two layers of fleece (extra protection!). If you purchase the fabric full price, then you are paying about $4.50 per diaper. I never buy it full-price. When they are on sale, each diaper comes out to $2.75. If I buy fleece off the clearance remnant section (50% off), it costs me $2.25 per diaper. Add in the cost of elastic (.25 per diaper, typically), and that's a pretty cheap, handmade diaper. If I use a 10% off total coupon, well.. I can get it even a bit more cheaper. (I shop at Joann, btw. They have great sales in store and online.) Plain fleece is cheaper, but not by much. If I use plain fleece, I like to use some pretty fabric to dress it up, which usually ups the cost a bit, unless that fabric is repurposed or from my scrap bin. This diaper below probably cost me about $4.00 to make. When I saw this delicious quilting fabric, I had to have it. It's just too adorable! I was a cupcake fan long before cupcakes were the "in" thing, and, believe it or not, one of my favorite colors is brown. (I know some people think brown is a ugly color, but I love it.)
Evangeline looks so adorable in it- chunky legs and all. She's just so sweet, I want to nibble her up! It's been a while since I've had a chunky baby to snuggle since Keagan was super tiny. I mean, her legs are way chunkier than his were. He had little stick-legs. Her body is chunkier than his was at a year! (And I love it! I just love all those soft squishy rolls!)
Fleece is super comfortable. I recommend buying anti-pill fleece because it stays looking nicer for longer. But, hey, if you have an old fleece blanket laying around, use it. I don't have a snap press, so I just use a Snappi or pins. I'm thinking about making a fleece cover that ties in the front. I'll have to ponder a pattern for that one. I have an idea in mind! There are also patterns out there for pull-up fleece covers, so you don't have to worry about snaps, Snappis, or pins.
I don't have my own pattern posted- but you can find free patterns all over the internet. A fitted diaper pattern will work just fine as a fleece cover pattern, although you may want to make your cover just a bit larger (maybe just 1/2 an inch larger all the way around).
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