Cloth Napkins

I feel like I've been working on this project forevah!  I finally finished a set of cloth napkins! 

This was not at all a difficult project and the sewing portion of it didn't take long at all, but the cutting took a bit of time and then I spent what felt like decades pressing the seams!  I actually had to split it up into three sittings. 

Also, I learned that starch is your bestie when doing something like this.  I'm still feeling my way around sewing and being such a beginner I don't realize some things that apparently everyone else just KNOWS like the fact that if you don't starch a seam like this during pressing it's going to take twice as long AND once you discover starch, you're going to have to go back and redo all the pitiful seams you did originally. 

STARCH! 

Don't forget it.  You'll thank me later.

So anyway, yes, the pressing took a long time, but obviously this is yet another learning experience for me and I'm quite happy with how things turned out!  I've been wanting to make some cloth napkins for quite a while.  We use cloth paper towels (that's an oxymoron, but you know what I mean), or the more trendy name: "unpaper towels", and are so happy with them, but we've been continuing to throw money away on paper napkins because I knew that I wanted to DIY a set for us and hadn't made time for it before now. 

Well, NO LONGER! 

Because look at these babies!  Aren't they the cutest cloth napkins you've ever seen?! 

I even chose a fabric that matched our kitchen. 

And another reason that it took so long is that I made FIFTEEN of them.  That's a lot of napkins.  But I wanted to be sure that we had enough and you have to think, some days we eat 3 meals as a family, so we could easily go through 6-9 napkins right there and I don't want to have to wash them everyday. 

I even did some very fancy schmancy (to me, at least!) mitered corners on these.  Definitely a learning experience, this project. 

I highly, highly recommend whipping up a set of these.  Cloth is where it's at.  They're not at all difficult and you'll end up with something very useful, cute, and inexpensive that will save you money!

This whole project cost under $5.  I never would have been able to purchase 15 napkins for that price.  I bought 2 yards of 100% cotton fabric (Originally $4.98, on sale for 50% off) and I had all the rest of the supplies including coordinating thread (look at me building my sewing stash!).  I used Skip to My Lou's tutorial.  I cut my fabric into 12" x 12" squares, which left me with a finished size of  11" x 11".  I'm finding it to be a good size, and it maximizes the number of napkins you can get out of a yard (or two) of fabric.

Here's what they look like opened up from the back:

And my fancy mitered corners:

And in their new home ready to go:

Oh, and another tip if you're planning to do this project, don't forget to pre-wash your fabric!  That way you don't end up with any unexpected shrinkage or wonky seams or anything.  I discovered that tip in time for my last project :D

Wet Bag!

My sewing abilities seem to be improving slowly but surely.

Last year, I initiated myself into the world of sewing with a minky cover for Jack's changing table pad (which turned out really well!) and a PUL pail liner for his diaper pail (which turned out to be functional - still going strong! - if not the most beautiful thing ever).

For Easter this year I made Jack a sock monkey, which was half hand sewn and half machine sewn, that I was very happy with!

I don't have pictures of the other projects, but I do have a shot of Mr. Sock Monkey:

Pretty cute, huh?

For my next trick I made a lined wet bag!  This sewing project was considerably harder than my previous attempts and involved a zipper - definitely new territory - but I'm quite pleased with how it turned out!  Again, maybe not the most beautiful wet bag ever, but I think it'll be nice and functional. 

For those who don't know, a wet bag is a waterproof bag made to hold wet items.  In this case, it will be holding used cloth diapers.  We already have a small Planet Wise wet bag, which we've been really happy with, but it only holds a maximum of 2 diapers.

It's perfect for a few short hours away from home, but I often find myself wishing we had not only a secondary bag for when the first one is dirty, but also one that has a little larger capacity for when we're away from the house for an extended period of time.

A medium wet bag in the brand we already have costs $16.50 plus shipping.  Not overly expensive for the amount of use you get out of it, but I decided I'd try my hand at making my own!

Here are the results:

Looks pretty good to me!

I used Skip to my Lou's Lined Zippered Pouch Tutorial to help me figure out what I was doing.

I ended up with a wet bag which is 12x16-inches with a PUL inner, and cotton outer.  I expect that it will hold 6-8 used diapers.

Cost breakdown:

 ~ Cotton outer fabric - already had this left over from another project
 ~ PUL inner fabric - already had this left over from making Jack's pail liner
 ~ Zipper - $1.19
 ~ Zipper foot - $6.60.  I did buy a zipper foot for my sewing machine with this particular project in mind, however since I'm sure I will be using it again in the future and isn't specific to this project I don't really think it should be counted toward the total cost of this wet bag, even though Mark does :P

So $1.19, if you're me, $7.79 if you're Mark

Either way, I definitely saved some money and gained some sewing confidence!

Next up, cloth napkins!

Natural Birth Control

Once I started really understanding the impact that chemicals have on our bodies and lives I began looking everywhere for ways to simplify and eliminate unnecessary toxins.  One thing I was still doing was popping a daily hormonal birth control pill and it wasn't something I was entirely comfortable with, but where to go from there? 

Enter: the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM).

FAM is a form of Natural Family Planning which relies on your body's natural cues to determine fertile periods.  This method can be utilized to prevent or achieve pregnancy.

I first started using FAM over 2 years ago for the purpose of trying to conceive.  It took 10 cycles for me to get pregnant (I was charting for 7 of them) and during that time FAM gave me insight into my body that I wouldn't have otherwise had.  I also knew the exact date of conception, which is good because it can prevent worries or early inductions associated with the faulty conception calculations of a health care provider.

I recently began practicing FAM again, but this time for purposes of avoiding pregnancy. 

Prior to trying to conceive our first baby I was on birth control pills.  I was on them for quite a long time and I'm convinced that our (relatively short) delay in conception was due to the amount of time it took my body to begin properly regulating itself after cessation of hormonal birth control. 

After Jack was born, I went back on birth control pills because I had a newborn and another baby wasn't even slightly on my radar.  Because of a number of factors, birth control pills seemed the best option at the time.

Nearly a year later, which brings us up to current day, I'm ready to take back control of my body.

Why?

Well, I'm lucky in that I have never had any overtly negative reactions to hormonal birth control methods unlike a lot of other ladies.  However, I don't love the idea of taking a medication which controls a process which my body should be doing on it's own.  The effectiveness of hormonal birth control lies in stopping your reproductive system from proper functioning in order to prevent pregnancy.  It changes the way your body functions all month in order to block conception in the 12-24 hour window during which a woman is actually fertile. 

Not to mention, there are some scary potential side effects associated with hormonal birth control such as headaches, nausea and vomiting, change in sex drive, weight gain, stroke, liver damage, depression, blood clots, heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and allergic reaction.  It can also mask symptoms of problems such as thyroid disorders or polysystic ovarian syndrome.  No thank you, I say! 

When practiced properly FAM is just as effective as hormonal birth control in preventing pregnancy.  However, "just as effective" is kind of a loaded statement because this method of family planning takes a lot of personal responsibility and dedication and more effort than remembering to take a pill.  If FAM fails it's most likely going to be caused by human error, not a problem with the method itself. 

How do you practice FAM?

Take your temperature every morning before doing anything else.  Every morning I take my temperature orally using a basal body thermometer (BBT).  I use a digital version and it looks just like a regular digital fever thermometer, but it's different in that it's ultra sensitive and designed to precisely record your body's resting temperature. 

When I was practicing FAM Before Baby I would just take my temp when my alarm went off in the morning before work.  Since Jack is often my alarm clock now, my waking time can vary a bit day to day and it's important that you take your temperature at the same time every day so Mark wakes me up when his alarm goes off and tells me that it's time to take my temperature.

Throughout a woman's cycle her basal body temperatures fluctuate depending on the level and type of hormones present at any given time.  Your BBT will indicate ovulation as well as impending menstruation.

Chart your temperatures.  There are a few ways to do this.  There are paper and pencil versions, paid online software, or several free online options.  Personally, I like to use FertilityFriend.  It is definitely designed for purposes of trying to conceive, but you can still use it to avoid pregnancy if you just ignore all of their pregnancy advice :) 

Observe and record cervical fluid.  A quick check throughout the day and note it on your chart.  Like BBT a woman's cervical fluid changes throughout her cycle and indicates impending ovulation and menstruation.

Some women also like to observe and record changes in cervical position, but I've never done this myself.

So that's my crash course on the FAM.  If you're interested in learning more about it I highly recommend reading Toni Weschler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  I think this should be required reading for every woman regardless of desire to get pregnant or your method of birth control.  I really can't recommend it highly enough!

I want women to know that there are options that exist other than hormonal birth control and barrier methods.  FAM is not the right choice for everyone, but it is an option worth considering.

Have you ever utilized FAM or any other form of natural family planning to prevent or achieve pregnancy?  What was your experience?  Or, is FAM something you would like to try?

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

Ditching commercial cleaning products in your household has obvious environmental and health benefits, but a bonus that I absolutely LOVE is mixing up your own products is so much cheaper than, yet just as effective as, their store bought counterparts!  No nasty chemicals AND better for your budget.  To me that's  a win-win situation!

I've previously shared my green cleaning tips as well as the cloth diaper soap that I like to use (which, by the way, we've been using for 7-8 months now and I still love!) and today I'm going to share a recipe for dishwasher soap that we've recently started using. 

This is a quick, cheap recipe to mix up and it works really well!  Now, I'm not going to say that it gets everything spotless, but prior to this we were using cheapie store brand detergent and this recipe cleans just as good if not better than that stuff.  I can't honestly tell you how it would compare to a name brand product, but I can assure you that it's cheaper than the name brand stuff and it's much better for you and your family! 


Homemade Dishwasher Soap
Source:  diyNatural

1/2 cup Borax
1/2 cup Washing Soda (if you have trouble finding this Penniless Parenting has a neat tutorial on how to make your own from regular old baking soda!)
1/4 cup Citric Acid (or you can substitute 10 packets of Lemon Kool-Aid)
1/4 cup Kosher Salt

I like to mix this up and keep it in an old 32 oz. yogurt container.  You will need just 1 tablespoon-sized scoop of powder per load. 

Cost = $0.08 per load!

Let's talk about why homemade soaps are better for you. 

According to poison control centers, dishwasher detergents are the #1 cause of accidental poisonings in the household.  All you have to do is look at the outside of a bottle to see a warning that says: harmful if ingested.  Yet we're washing our dishes and utensils - things that we put our food on and place in our mouths everyday - with these products and surely we're aware that soaps leave a residue behind, but they also release toxic vapors into the air during use.

What harmful chemicals are found in commercial dish detergents?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (surfactants)
Chlorine
alkyl phenoxy ethanols (APEs)
dichloromethane (DCM)
diethanolamine (DEA)
dioxane
phosphates

Among these are poisons, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and compounds that can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.

And, as I mentioned previously these chemicals are all much harsher on a baby's underdeveloped system than on adults.

If you are interested in avoiding nasty chemicals found in a lot of commercial cleaners, but don't want to go the DIY route there are other options out there that you can purchase at the store, I just don't have any firsthand experience with them!

Tidy Home Project: Cleaning Tips

In preparation for the Tidy Home Project I thought it would be a good idea to discuss what I like to use to clean around my house.  Maybe some of my tips will help you on your own cleaning quest.

Since Jack has joined our family I have become more crazy contentious about the kind of chemicals that we use in our house. Whenever possible I try to use "green" cleaners, most of which I make myself with things you probably already have in your house. Not only is it cheaper, it's better for you too.


Here are a few suggestions on cleaning products:

All-purpose cleaner: In a clean spray bottle mix 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. I also like to add about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, which is known for it's antibacterial properties, but it's not necessary.

Some people don't like the smell of tea tree oil (I find it to smell herbal-y) or may not have any on hand.

Vinegar itself is disinfecting and can kill viruses, germs, bacteria, and mold. This mixture is what we use to spray down our counters, stove, etc.


Abrasive cleaner: Baking soda. Baking soda by itself with a little water can be used to scrub anything that needs it. For tougher stains, baking soda can be mixed with a little bit of white vinegar or lemon juice to create a stronger cleaner. This can be used to scrub sinks or tubs.


Kitchen Sink Garbage Disposal: To help keep things moving and smelling fresh dump 1 tablespoon of baking soda down the drain and slowly pour in 1/4 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let stand for 30 minutes and then flush it out with hot water. It is recommended that you do this once a week to keep things fresh.


Grease Splatters: Dampen a towel and add a dot of dish soap (this is made to cut grease!) and then use that to rub all over any areas affected by grease.  This will cause icky streaks so follow up with an all-purpose cleaner and everything with be nice and shiny with no more grease spots!

I've found that I need to do this on the face of our stove and also on the door of our over-range microwave.



A few suggestions on cleaning tools: 

Un-paper Towels: We utilize cloth whenever possible while cleaning in the interest of saving both trees and money.  We used to go through paper towels like crazy and they aren't cheap!  Now, we use cloth to wipe down the counters at night or to scrub off the stove.  Cloth can really be used anywhere that a paper towel is. 

The "un-paper towels" that we currently use are just cheap, rectangular scraps of t-shirt like material that I found at Lowe's.  They get the job done.  You can also use scraps from old clothes, old towels/washcloths, or if you are lucky enough you can make or purchase your own un-paper towels, which are made to replace that old roll of paper towels and come in a number of decorative choices.


Libman Freedom Mop: This is my new favorite thing!  Libman has recently come out with a new mop that is similar to the wet Swiffer that we all know.  I saw an advertisement for it on TV and I knew I had to get one! 

The result: the Freedom mop is SOOO much better!  Why?  For one, the cleaning pad is reusable.  It's nice and sturdy and has built in scrubbies to get your floor really clean.  It attaches securely to the mop and when you're finished using it just take it off and toss it in the washer so it's ready to use next time.  Awesome! 

Another bonus, the container that holds the cleaning solution is made to come off the mop so you can easily fill it with whatever cleaning product you want to use.  This gives you so many options!  I like to use a splash of white vinegar and some hot water and I'm ready to go!  The Freedom mop is so easy to use and has so many benefits I would totally recommend that you get one.  It has certainly made my life a lot easier.  Right now they're doing a $5 rebate if you purchase the Freedom Mop.  I'm not sure when that ends though.

DIY Cloth Diaper Detergent

I've been using this recipe for a while now and I've had great results!  It's cheap, eco-friendly, doesn't have any harsh chemicals or fragrences, and you know exactly what's in it!

1 cup Washing Soda (I use Arm & Hammer, found in the laundry aisle)
1 cup Borax (I use 20 Mule Team)
1/2 cup Oxi-Clean (I use Oxi-Clean Free)

To use: Add 1 Tablespoon detergent to cold rinse cycle.  Then, add 1 Tablespoon detergent to your hot wash.  Diapers will come out smelling like - nothing!  This is good : )

Note: You can also mix this up in bulk so that you don't have any leftovers.  If doing so, you will need 3 boxes Washing Soda (55 oz. each), 2 boxes Borax (76 oz. each), and 1 large tub of Oxi-Clean (96 oz.).  However, I know from personal experience that Borax is a good item to have around the house.  It can be utilized in other applications besides this detergent!

There is also a "regular"/clothing laundry version of this detergent that I have not tried yet.  Once I get through the store-bought detergent that we're currently using I will mix up a batch and let you know how we like it!



Recipe and photo courtesy of:

Farmer's Market Purchases!

Our first Farmer's Market experience was last weekend. I scored an amazing tomato ($1), blueberries ($4 pint), and a HUGE bunch of fragrant basil ($2.50).  The prices were comparable to those in the grocery store, but the produce was SO. MUCH. BETTER!  And it was a fun family excursion.

Here is what I used my purchases for:

Saturday afternoon, when we returned home I used the beautiful blueberries to make a homemade blueberry pie.  I just couldn't resist cooking those plump berries into a sweet treat!




Blueberry Crumble Pie

Ingredients:

1 recipe Basic Pie Dough (see recipe below)

3/4 cup plus 5 Tbs. all-purpose flour

2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbs. granulated sugar

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

8 Tbs. (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

5 cups blueberries (Note: I used 1 pint of fresh blueberries and most of a small bag of frozen mixed berries that I needed to use up.  I really wish I had made the pie with just fresh blueberries as they were really the star of this treat!)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F.

In a large bowl, stir together the 3/4 cup flour, 1/3 cup of the brown sugar, the 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp. of the cinnamon and the salt. Scatter the butter pieces on top and toss with a fork or your fingers to coat with the flour mixture. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, work the ingredients together until the mixture forms large, coarse crumbs the size of large peas. Set the topping aside.

In a large bowl, combine the blueberries, the remaining 1/3 cup brown sugar, the remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon and 4 Tbs. of the flour. Stir gently to coat the blueberries evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 Tbs. flour and the 1 Tbs. granulated sugar over the bottom of the prebaked crust. Pour the filling into the crust, spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the blueberry filling. Bake the pie until the topping is golden brown and the blueberry filling just begins to bubble, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Serve at room temperature. The pie is best served the day it is baked. Makes one 9-inch pie




Basic Pie Dough Recipe:  

Ingredients:


1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 Tbs. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

8 Tbs. (1 stick) COLD unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

3 Tbs. VERY COLD water


Directions:


Position rack in lower third of oven and preheat to 400°F

Add flour, sugar, and salt to a food processor and pulse until combined. 

Add cubed butter to the food processor and pulse just until the butter begins to get cut into the flour mixture.  Then, slowly stream in very cold water while continuing to pulse until dough forms.

Immediately roll out dough using a rolling pin and a sprinkle of flour as needed.  Make sure to handle dough minimally as you do not want to melt the butter in the dough.  Cold butter and water will result in a delicious, flaky crust!

Transfer rolled dough to a 9-inch pie plate and pop into the fridge/freezer for a few minutes to allow it to chill.

Line piecrust with a piece of aluminum foil.  Fill with dried beans, uncooked rice, or pie weights.  Bake until the crust dries out, about 15 minutes; to check, lift an edge of the foil. Carefully remove the weights and foil. Reduce the heat to 350°F. Continue to bake until the crust is lightly browned on the edges and dry-looking on the bottom, about 5 minutes more. 

Allow crust to cool slightly and then add filling.

Pie and crust recipes adapted from Sugar & Spice by Celeste.

For dinner Sunday I made pizza with homemade crust.  Mark doesn't like tomatoes so I made 2 different kinds of pizza.  I'll give you both recipes :)




Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough


Ingredients:

2 cups whole-wheat flour1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

1 (.25 ounce) package (or 2 1/4 teaspoons of bulk) active dry yeast

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)


Directions:

Add yeast to water and mix.  Allow to activate for approximately 5 minutes or until you see bubbles/froth forming.

While yeast is activating: Measure all dry ingredients to the bowl of a mixer fitted with dough attachment.  Stir for a minute to make sure that all dry ingredients are combined. 

Add EVOO and water/yeast mixture to the bowl of mixer and turn mixer on low speed to combine.  Scrape sides of bowl with spatula as needed. 

Once all ingredients are combined turn mixer to a medium to medium-high speed and allow to knead dough for 8 minutes.

Once dough is kneaded, mixer bowl with a towel and set in a warm/non-drafty place.  Allow dough to rise for 1 1/2 hours.

Dough can be baked or grilled.

Adapted from AllRecipes

Margherita Pizza

Ingredients:

1/2 above recipe for whole-wheat pizza dough

EVOO

Finely minced garlic

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Sliced, ripe tomato

Feta Cheese

Fresh Basil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400-degrees.

Spray pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray and press dough out to approximately 10-inches in diameter.  Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Drizzle par-baked crust with EVOO and sprinkle with garlic and mozzarella cheese.  Top with tomatoes and a sprinkle of feta.

Bake for 10 minutes or until  cheese is melted and bubbly.  Pull from oven and sprinkle immediately with fresh chiffonade of basil.

Serves 1; a Confessions of a Trophy Wife original! 

Barbeque Chicken Pizza  

Ingredients:

1/2 above recipe for whole-wheat pizza dough

Favorite BBQ Sauce

Grilled Chicken, Sliced  (I usually utilized leftovers for this!)

Shredded Monterey-Jack cheese

Bacon Crumbles (or real bacon pieces)

Thinly Sliced Red Onion

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400-degrees.

Spray pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray and press dough out to approximately 10-inches in diameter. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Drizzle par-baked crust with BBQ sauce and spread over dough.  Top with sliced grilled chicken, cheese, bacon, and onion.

Bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.  Pull from oven and drizzle with some additional BBQ sauce.

Serves 1; a Confessions of a Trophy Wife original! 




Later in the week, I used the rest of the basil to make homemade pesto.  I used some in pesto chicken (another original recipe!) and froze the rest to use for a later date.



Pesto   

Ingredients:

2-3 cups fresh basil

1/2 c. parmesean cheese

1/2 c. walnuts

2-3 cloves garlic (depending on the size)

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

(approximately) 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (just drizzle in until a thick sauce texture forms)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until chopped and combined.  Slowly stream in EVOO (approximately 1/2 cup) until a thick, sauce-like texture forms.

Can be used immediately to flavor pasta, chicken, soups, etc.  Or, freeze for later use in an ice cube tray or in tablespoons on a baking sheet.

A Confessions of a Trophy Wife original!

My Manifesto

If you pay attention to my "what I'm reading now" widget (I don't know if anyone does...) you may already know that I recently finished reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto.

This book is... amazing... brilliant... eye-opening... life changing... awesome.  I don't think I can say enough good things.  If you haven't read this yet read it!  NOW!  Although, I am going to warn you, it may make you want to move "off the grid" and never trust grocery store food again.  You have been warned. 

This wonderful, educational book, coupled with the horror documentary Food, Inc....

...and in addition to some of my own independent research has led to a change in thinking about food.  The food available to consumers to buy and the food that my family consumes. 

The conclusion that I have reached is we must "Vote with our food dollars" as Pollan says in his book and choose foods that are better for us.  I no longer find the general produce, poultry, and meats available in our local supermarket sufficient and I, the cheapest, err... thriftiest person around, am willing to pay more for a better product as that product is so important to the health of my family and especially my baby's - who is hurtling full steam ahead towards solids - delicate system and rapidly growing body.

Honestly, the aforementioned items are too important and in-depth to efficiently summarize here, but what it boils down to is the food industry is just that, industrialized.  We have eradicated small farming in favor of mega-farms which mass-produce cheaper, crappier products.  This has resulted in major economical, social, and health ramifications.  In our society cost is the bottom line, not quality.  And that is a scary thing when we're talking about the vitamins and nutrients that keep us alive and thriving. 

Now, I am a cheap person.  I'm always looking for a way to cut costs and do/get things for a cheaper price.  Why pay more when you don't have to? is pretty much my motto.  But there is a delicate balance between cost and quality.  It's not worth paying less for an item if it's severely lacking in quality.  And based on my reading, and watching, and researching we have been spending our money on far inferior products and I'm not willing to do it anymore.  Not only are the products inferior, but I'll go as far as saying that the products we have been ingesting may even be dangerous to our health.  I am not willing to compromise on the food that I put into my baby's body, so why should I compromise on what my husband or I am eating?  This is the question that has lead to a few changes around here as well as some changes I am planning to make in the near future. 

First, I am doing my best to make processed foods at home.  I already do a lot of cooking at home, but I am planning to start making all of our bread products.  I want to know what goes into our processed foods and have control over the ingredients.  It is possible to buy high-quality breads at the store, but they are fairly expensive (like 3-4 times more expensive than store brand whole-wheat sandwich bread that we usually buy) and this is a place where I have the ability to save some money and I enjoy making bread.  Win - win. 

Second, I am going to begin reducing/eliminating the use of some staples in my baking and cooking. 

     - White refined sugar will be replaced by sucanat, which is an organic whole cane sugar that is unrefined, naturally evaporated, and minimally processed in such a manner that it preserves all the vitamins and minerals.

     - White flour will be replaced by whole-wheat and spelt flours.  I usually bake with at least half white AP flour, half whole-wheat flour, but I'm going to try to cut back even further or completely eliminate the white flour.  In addition, I'm going to try some grain soaking techniques to make the grains easier for our bodies to digest and extract nutrients from.

     - Canola/Vegetable oils will be replaced with olive oil (for cooking) and coconut oil (for baking).  Canola and vegetable oils are not naturally occurring while olive and coconut oils are.  I already use olive oil for cooking, but coconut oil is new to me.

     - Margarine will be replaced by butter.  Margarine is essentially solid, colored, spreadable vegetable oil.  Butter is better for you and tastier.  I already use butter exclusively for baking I just need to use it for cooking and spreading.

Additionally:

     - I want to start purchasing organic produce according to the Dirty Dozen/Clean 15 breakdown.

     - I'm going to avoid all processed foods as well as anything with high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, or any derivative of such. 

     - I want to start purchasing local free range eggs and chicken and grass-fed beef.  This is likely something that will happen a little further down the road after we have already made some changes.

     - We are going to start eating locally as often as possible.  This is easy to accomplish in Ohio during the Late Spring/Summer/Early Fall as there are a plethora of farmer's markets all over the place.  There's nothing better than fresh, vine-ripened produce farmed with mindful techniques.  The taste puts imported grocery-store produce to shame and the prices are comparable since you are buying directly from the source.  Also, you have the benefit of being able to speak directly with the farmer who picked your produce for questions and tips, not to mention that produce was picked recently as in yesterday or a few days ago.  And the person selling you the product can answer this question because they were likely there when it happened.  To find farmer's markets in your area visit LocalHarvest.org.  Next year, I hope to talk Mark into a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share.

So, that's my plan for improving the health of my family through the food we consume.  Yes, these changes are going to cost more money, but in my opinion, that money will be well spent and that says a lot coming from me. 

Tomorrow, I'll share what I purchased on my first Farmer's Market excursion and what I made with my purchases!

Cloth Diapers = Success!

We've been using the cloth diapers and surprisingly enough both Mark and I are enjoying it! We have not had any problems with leaks or blowouts and we've had both wet and dirty diapers at this point.

They are not nearly as messy as I was expecting. The diapers are so absorbent that everything is nicely contained. And washing them is really a breeze! We don't have a diaper pail yet so I've just been putting the used diapers in a plastic grocery bag. I've found that this is no different than when we have to use a grocery bag to hold used disposables when we run out of those stupid Diaper Genie liners. Don't even get me started on what a waste of money those things are!

After discussing the process with my friends who are in the know I found that this is the best way for us to wash the diapers:

First, I take the bag of diapers and dump the diapers into the washing machine so I don't even have to touch them!

Then, I send them through a cold rinse without any detergent. This helps to remove any particles and yuckys from the diapers.

After that, I send them through a hot wash with a cold rinse with 1/2 the manufacturers recommended amount of detergent. We are using Purex Free & Clear at the recommendation of my friend.

Then, I dry them on a medium heat.

And that's it! They're ready to re-use!

Here is a great source for which detergents are cloth diaper friendly. It's very important to use the correct kind of detergent as certain ingredients commonly found in some laundry detergents can ruin the cloth diaper by reducing absorbency.

Speaking of diaper laundering, I was discussing cloth diapering with my mother-in-law and she was telling me that back when she had her first child she used flats and a few prefolds and covers because that is what was available. To wash them she used a hand-me-down wringer washer and had to hang everything to dry! I can't believe we complain about laundry nowadays! If she got through her first baby doing all that then certainly I can throw in a load of cloth diapers a few times a week and let the washer and dryer do all the work! It's amazing how far things have come!

So since we are enjoying the cloth diapering I took advantage of Earth Day sales and purchased a few more diapers. We are trying a little bit different style. This time we have opted for the popular one-size bumGenius 3.0s. These are pocket diapers so they go on just like a disposable diaper, but they come apart in to two pieces (the diaper and then an insert that can be pulled out) for ease of washing.



I purchased them for about 33% off the regular price and they should arrive tomorrow. I'm pretty excited!

In Honor of Earth Day

Let's discuss cloth diapers.

Today's post is brought to you by the Moby. All writing was done with Jack sleeping snuggly on my chest : )

When I was pregnant some girlfriends and I discussed cloth diapering. They were also expecting and had plans to cloth diaper their babies. I however, was a bit hesitant. The idea of cloth diapering intrigued me. I love the benefits - saving money, better for the environment, better for baby - but the whole washing diapers thing? Ick.

With Jack's impending arrival I decided that we would go with disposables because I figured it would be enough on our plate to adjust to a new member of the household and all that entails. I didn't want to throw yet another thing into the mix.

Well, now that Jack is 7 weeks old I feel that we are really starting to get a handle on things and have more of a routine down. I started looking into cloth diapering. After discussing with Mark and really pushing the economical benefits (because hey, he's the Nature Grinch. He's not into saving the Earth) we decided we would lay out a little bit of money to try it out and see how we like it.

It's amazing how far cloth diapering has come. Generations ago people cloth diapered because that's all that was available or because that's all they could afford. Nowadays cloth diapering is coming back into vogue. And let me tell you, it is possible to save money by cloth diapering, but it is also very easy to spend way more diapering your babe with this method. Costs can range from a few dollars if you are using a prefold and cover method to $30+ per diaper if you want higher end organic options!

And there are a TON of options out there.

Of course there are traditional cloth diapers - A flat piece of cloth which must be folded to layer and then wrapped around baby's bottom. A water resistant cover must be used over top to prevent leakage.

Prefolds - Essentially a traditional cloth diaper which is already layered up into a nice square so that it's all ready to be wrapped around your baby's bottom. Also must be worn with a cover.

Fitteds - An absorbent cloth diaper that goes on similar to a disposable, which must also be used with a cover.

Pocket and Sleeve dipes - Similar in style to disposables (some brands utilize snaps, others have velcro tabs for closure) but with a removable absorbant layer that is stuffed in the diaper itself and then removed for ease of washing and drying.

They even have All-in-One diapers - As the name indicates, these are one piece just like a disposable diaper, but can be washed and reused.

There are benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Even more importantly these diapers now come in "one size" meaning that they will grow with your baby via a snap system. In my opinion, the "one size" is the best way to save money because you only need to purchase one set of diapers vs. sized diapers that will only fit your little one for a certain length of time and then must be switched out.

See where the research comes in? There are SO many options out there it's hard to know what you want!

After hours of research we decided that our first foray into cloth diapering would be the Flip system manufactured by Cotton Babies.


This is what they call a hybrid diaper because it's a two part system - liner and cover - that can use reusable cloth liners, or disposable liners which can be utilized while you're on the go. What appealed to me is they are cheaper than some of the other options out there, but are a step up from the simple prefold and cover option (which is most like traditional cloth diapering that we think of from generations past).

And so we have entered into the world of cloth diapering. I must say I'm extremely excited. I can see how people become obsessed. Ever since we decided to try out cloth diapering I've been researching and researching trying to figure out if we will continue with this system or try a different style/brand. I've been reading reviews and comparing prices and really just lusting after all the different options.

The only thing I'm still wary of is the extra laundry. I hope I can keep up with it. Also pee is one thing, but I'm not so sure how I'll feel about scraping newborn poo off of a diaper that I then have to wash. I feel that if we try it and like it then great! If we don't like it then at least we tried and I got it out of my system.

I'll keep you updated!

DIY Air Freshener?

I have this... thing. A pet peeve, if you will. I absolutely abhor stale food smell. I love the smell of good food cooking. I can get on board with some cookies in the oven or a lasagna, bread, or even a yummy meatloaf, but if those smells stick around AFTER the food has been cleaned up it drives me nuts! If that smell happens to sink into my clothes... well then I'm really ticked off. I even avoid certain types of restaurants (Hello Japanese steakhouses and Bob Evans at breakfast time!) because I *HATE* leaving smelling of food. It ruins my day.

Last weekend I put together a breakfast casserole for Mark and I to enjoy. The casserole was absolutely delish, but involved my arch-enemy: bacon. Now, I fully enjoy eating bacon in any capacity. It's yummy. But cooking it? I DREAD it because I know my house is going to smell like a restaurant for the next 3 days and any cloth around the kitchen is going to soak up the smokey, greasy smell! *gag* HATE it.

The good news is perhaps I have found a solution to my problem. I haven't tried this yet, so I can't endorse it's ability, but I just came across a suggested DIY, green, solution for ridding your house of unwanted smells. Ready for this??? Baking soda and water in a Crock Pot! How easy is that? Apparently, if you mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water and leave it in your Crock Pot on low with the lid off voila! It neutralizes odors in the air! For an added bonus you can add in some scent in the form of essential oils, extracts, spices, or fruit rinds and the air will be scented as it is neutralized.

I can't wait to try this! Baking Soda may just be my new best friend! I have a Little Dipper that would be perfect for this use, but I'm sure you could do the same thing if you brought a pot of baking soda and water to a low simmer on your stove.

If anyone has tried/tries this let me know how it works!

I've Been Killing The Earth and I Didn't Even Realize It.

Yesterday was our first adventure shopping with reusable grocery bags. I purchased 3 grocery bags for a little less than $3 each (including shipping) from eBay where there are many different options. These are larger and sturdier than the $0.99 bags that some grocery stores are now offering (at least IMO).

About 2 weeks ago a Green-iphany (a Green epiphany ; ) struck me: I've been voluntarily harming the Earth without even realizing it! Okay, maybe that's a bit extreme, but I did realize that my "recycling" of plastic grocery store bags wasn't really enough.

In the past, we have used the plastic grocery bags as lunch bags. Each week, we save the bags instead of throwing them out and then reuse them to carry our lunches. However, once lunch is over each day, the plastic bags get tossed into the trash anyway. It just occurred after 2 uses instead of one.

I realized, with my Green-iphany, that this isn't really an excellent practice in trying to eliminate waste. Plastic bags are still being thrown in the trash. So, I hopped on the reusable grocery bag bandwagon (much to H's chagrin ; ). When I told H about my plans, he was not thrilled, which seems to be a common thread with any of my attempts at Green Living ideas.

Truly, I'm not asking him to cut off his arm to donate to the effort (although he acts as if I am). I'm asking to make very minor, barely noticeable, life "realignments" (as opposed to "changes"). Not only does he just have to go along with the minor things I'm proposing, but he doesn't even have to think of the ideas on his own. I do all the research. I have all the ideas. I'm trying to save the world in my own little way! He's going behind me and trying to make the Earth implode on itself.

Okay, maybe not quite that extreme, but my ideas are usually met with resistance and an inexplicable unhappy face where I can hear him thinking, "Seriously? Where does she come up with these crazy ideas? I hope that she doesn't turn into some dirty hippie."

::eye roll::

Of course I'm no where near heading toward a life of dreadlocks, smelling of Patchouli while rocking out to Phish. ::shudders:: This would not make me happy at all.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with the reusable grocery bags. Magically, the baggers who usually like to put an average of 2 items per grocery bag (which drives me crazy!) were able to fit all of our groceries (minus the TP, and Diet Coke, which of course didn't need to be in a bag) into 2 of the large reusable grocery bags. Very refreshing.

I do believe that the reusable bags have won out based on convenience.

Take that Mark!

Now all you can complain about is the "dirty hippie" smell, known to the rest of the world as new material smell. I think it shall fade away into oblivion along with the rest of your Green-related complaints ; )