Yes, I cloth diapaper! Heres why.

We've been cloth diapering for about 3 years now. It started with my desire to stop buying pull up for a boy of mine that had bed wetting  issues. My first cloth diaper was the bumgenius 4.0 which is a pocket diaper http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=2424  This is still a very reliable diaper we use around here.  

Reason #1: Its healthier and better for baby.  

 I have long know of the toxins in disposable diapers but didn't really know had bad it really is. Until I found out some of this information I will share with you.

In disposable diaper there is at least 9 potentially harmful substances in the diapers and then there is dioxin a byproduct of the bleaching process used to make diapers white. The EPA considers Dioxin to be a cancer causing agent that can increase your chances of getting cancer even in low doses.
I quickly want to mention the sodium polyacrylate, the crystal - like gel that helps disposable absorb crazy amounts of urine some say up to 800 times their weight in water. Which I can believe after seeing children's inflated diapers after swimming in them. There is also concern with asthma like symptoms developing from emissions from diapers. These were noticed in mice who were around disposable diapers in studies. And there are those children who react horrible to disposable diapers and have constant rashes that wont go away.

Reason# 2:  You can save big bucks

Someone else did the math added up the costs of cloth diapering including the laundering and the number came out to 6 cents a diaper depending what kind of diaper you choose, compare that to disposables which cost 36 cents a diaper or more if you go with a greener choice.
You don't even have to do the math a baby in cloth can vary from brand to brand and from style to style, but its important to realize that its a one time up front fee starting anywhere from 100- 500 for designer cloth brands. In comparison  disposables cost an on going fee of 40- 60 per month.

If parents have multiple children, they can reuse the cloth diapers for a second, third and often forth time, saving even more and maximizing the few hundred they spent upfront on their cloth diapering system.

$350 vs $2400 x 2 kids

That's real money and real saving with cloth.

Reason #4. Eco- Friendly/ Less waste

Currently we have no trash pick up and really have no trash a few bags a week. When we did use or do use disposable diapers the trash and waste is significantly more and the smell is very offensive.

I did not set out to use cloth diapers because they are eco- friendly but love that we are not contributing to the 27.4 billion disposable diapers used in the US alone. The EPA estimates that is nearly 4 millions of waste going into landfills. It is a possibility that those diapers will still be there 500 years later that is not a good legacy.

Reason #5. Self- Reliant/ Convenient

I love not having to run to the store every time we run out of diapers. Worse case scenario is I have to run a load of diapers.

Also in case of pandemic or other disaster we still  have cloth diapers and have a plan for those kind of situations.

Reason # 6. Cloth diaper are so Cute and Fun. Really!

If you would have told me how much I would enjoy cloth diapering a few years ago I would have laughed. But its really fun! I like all the cute prints and colors and it doesn't get much better than getting a package in the mail full of cute cloth diapers.

 

Intro to the Intro kit- my favorite ways to use these 3 oils.

In my earlier post I shared that I started with Doterra's intro kit. Which comes with Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint.

Here are my favorite uses for the 3 oils in this kit.

LEMON:

1 Freshen up Stinky Laundry.Have really stinky laundry, towels that  smell mildewy? A few drops of lemon will help, I love this trick. I also use this on any laundry that i want to smell extra fresh.

2. Perk up your Dish water:Tired of doing the dishes and need a little pick me up? lemon is great for this, drop a few drops in to your dishwasher.

3 Get Gum out: .Oh, this one saved my couch, gum stuck in clothes or  furniture,hair: a few drops will help it out. continue to apply until desired result is achieved.

4.De-scratch Your Scratchy Throat. Adding a couple drops of lemon essential oil to warm water & honey can change that yucky sore throat feeling, slow a nasty cough, and douse a fever. Lemon oil fights bacteria, as well as viruses.

5.Make your home smell lovely and lift your mood. This is one of my most diffused oils it kills germs in the air, makes your home smell lovely and uplifts mood. Doesnt get much better than 13.33 a bottle either.

6.Makes drinking water fun again. It's no secret I havent always been a water drinker but putting a few drops into my water has made it enjoyable, its also a gentle way to detox and get things regualr wink.



Peppermint:


Oh how I love my peppermint!!

1. Stop a headache in its tracks: This is one of the oils I reach for the most apply to my head and neck when i have a headache works like a charm.

2. Put that fever out: with all the recalls on certain fever reducers i was becoming quite lereary of using them on my children. Now I use peppermint to bring down little ones and fevers on us too. apply 1-2 drops on bottom of feet and on head be careful to keep out of eyes:)

3. Need a quick pick me up? You can put some oil in your hands rub together and inhale deeply or apply to head,chest,temples for an uplifting surge of energy.

4. Say goodbye to bad breath: One drop of peppermint essential oil on your tongue will freshen your mouth and open airways.

5. Say goodbye to aches and pains: a few drops on your sore muscles and your body will be thanking you.

6. Keep away pesky pests: Keep spiders and rodents away with a spray of peppermint water make a perimeter or put some on a cotton ball and put in traffic areas.

7. Keep Cool when its hot: make a refreshing spray to keep you cool when its hot outside using water and peppermint spritz on self occasionally and feel the coolness.

8. Stop upset stomachs quick: my kids occasionally get upset tummy's I love peppermint oil for this i usually dilute this for them, But apply neat (undiluted)on myself.

Lavender:

Oh the Swiss Army knife of Oils Lavender, when in doubt what to use,use lavender

1.Kiss rashes and skin problems goodbye: Have a rash, an itch or a burn try lavender. I have seen many blusters prevented when applied quickly to a burn.

2.Got cranky kids, try some lavender: Try some lavender on your kids when they are grumy or tired and wont go to sleep. If they don't oils on them put them on yourself and hug them.

3. Want more restful sleep: put lavender on the bottom of your feet before going to bed and zzz away.

All three oils make a wonderful allergy bomb take equal parts in a shot of juice I use 4 drops of each and can be diffused as well.

I Love being a Doterra Independent Consultant and would love to help you get your oils. Here's a link to my website mydoterra.com/210981

The Intro Kit comes with three oils Lavender,Lemon, and Peppermint can be purchased directly from my website for $26.67. I can also teach you to get these oils for 25% off.

Discovering pure Essential oils, and what a discovery it was!

I started with essential oils way back in the day about 13 years ago. I took a local herb class where we made salves and other home remedies and  was given a few small vials of oregano, and tea tree oil. I used them some and my toddler son got a hold of the oregano one day and got it in his eye he wailed. I wish I would have known then to use oil instead of water because any attempts to help only made it  worse. You see oil and water are polar opposites and when you use water to clean up essential oil it only draws it in deeper, whoops.

I didn't do much with essential oils for a long time after that, not sure that experience made me stay away or if it was unrelated but, it wasn't  until several years later when  I was in Esthectian school (you know the lady who gives you a facial and waxes your brows) that I experienced oils agian. And I did not like them one bit. We had one whole  day where we mixed our own fragrances and learned about aromatherapy, eww. I have a very sentive nose and cant really wear perfume and ylang ylang made me sick. These were not high quality oils but cheap synthetic oils that were aweful. So when I gratuated and ventured to have my own spa, I bought a few but never really used them.

 Shortly after I stared researching recipes for homemade lotions and potions that I realized I had not really experienced a pure oil. I found several articles and blogs where people praised the power of Pure Oils, DoTerra had and I wanted some now. I didn't know anyone who sold these oils and ordered the little 3 pack of lemon lavender and peppermint from someone on ebay!  When I my oils arrived I quickly noticed the difference these oils!They didn't make my head hurt or cause me to sneeze the true test was the lavender. I hated everything lavender and liked this! The difference being this wasn't a synthetic oil!
I quickly went through my oils and wanted more!! I just had to figure out who to get them from. I had made some all purpose salves taken fevers and headaches away with the peppermint and drank up all the lemon in my water. I knew I wanted someone close and local so I waited and waited. Until one day a friend posted on her fb that she was having an oil class at her house and that is how I meet the fabulous teacher and Doctor who I have been so fortunate to learn how to  be a healer in my own home and take ownership of my own health.

Update Wow its been years since my last post. Thought I would update a bit. Wev'e added another child since my last post. D was born in November 2012 my second Natural childbirth at a freestanding birthcenter. Its been over 18 months since we last had to go to the doctor because of illness thanks to the new found healthcare  miracle that we just cant get enought of DOTERRA Essential oils. Look forward to tons more stories in detail coming soon. We continue to homeschool and are part of a co-op that we love. Things are going great and I  look forward to getting blogging again.

A simpler Christmas, A simpler life

We decided to do Christmas a little different around here in 2011. We were desiring A simpler Christmas and to try to make it more about the true meaning, Jesus Christ. It wasn't always easy, the consumerism seemed to be at an all time high. With the crazy sales starting on Thanksgiving day! Sheesh.
I realized that if we were going to cut back on the amount of stuff or kids got and only get them one or two good quality gifts (by this I mean not cheap junky plastic toys made in China,useless things etc..) I had to avoid the after thanksgiving sales at all costs. I have a hard time passing up good deals. As evidence by last years junky toys that ended up in the donation center.

So instead, we thought long and hard about what kind of things would last, be played with and hopefully still treasured by this same time next year. I ordered them online, and avoided impulse shopping. I stayed out of the stores as much as possible and we instead enjoyed holiday movies, and making Christmas memories.

On Christmas eve, after we had wrapped everything. I had a moment were I questioned, if we had done the right thing. In the morning the kids opened their gifts and were quite happy. They received lots of gifts from others as well. in the end I was relieved we had just got them a few things.

I'm glad that we are trying to teach our children to appreciate what they have. It's hard to do when they have so much. I hope we can continue to cut back the excess in our life both material and other. And focus on what really matters. We ran around way to much for the holidays and want to stay home more next Christmas. No more driving home from moms on Christmas eve at 12 am. We are looking forward to a more enjoyable, peaceful, simple Christmas.

Review on the New Bumgenuis Freetime

I received the New Bumgenius Freetime on Saturday!!! In the beautiful color mirror and in applix closure.This diaper retails for 19.95. I was so excited to try it on my kids. The Freetime is Bumgenius newest product a onesize, all in one. What does this mean: no stuffing pockets, quickdry and fits most babies 8-35 lbs. This diaper features new semi attached inserts that are made of microfiber and microfleece which feel dry for baby. There are two inserts one is sewn at the front and one in the back, they fold into the center. I was a little bit leery of how this diaper was going to spray out, but it is spraying out great. This diaper fit great on J who is almost 10 months and 20lbs and pretty good on P who is 3 1/2 and weighs about 33+. I'm really loving this diaper. It is pretty trim. Not quite as trim as the elemental but still trim. It is really absorbent. J wore this for his nap and for a total of about 3 hrs and no leaks!! I'm really looking forward to trying this diaper in the snap version as well. I will update if I feel the fit or size is any different with the snap closure. Overall, I am very happy with this diaper and already have more on the way.

Review on the New Bumgenius Flip Trainer

Isn't he cute~P





We have been using the Bum Genius Flip Trainer for a little over a month.
I purchased the trainer at cottonbabies.com for 24.95. It comes with a cover and 5 organic cotton inserts. This is a onesize trainer it (fits most 18 months to 4t).


I bought the trainer in the color mirror with clementine side panels. It was intended as an overnight solution for P who is 3/12 and needs a nighttime diaper. I had been looking for something he could put on and take off by himself. And was hoping the new bg trainer would fit the bill. So I washed and prepped the trainer and tried it on P. We had some leaking and I was a bit sad.

But we kept on trying. I finally realized that I was setting the trainer too large for p. I had it on the largest setting but the legs were gaping. I may or may not have prepped the inserts as much as needed (cotton needs washed several times before it reaches its full absorbancy.) So I snapped the rise down all the way down and washed the inserts some more and we had sweet success!! It's pretty wet in the morning but since making it smaller it has not leaked. I may have to add another insert but I am hoping he will begin waking up dry soon. Either way, I love that he feels wet vrs a disposable where he wakes up thinking he woke up dry. I love the fact that it's cute, healthier and more economical than the disposable as well.

Pros- soft organic cotton, feels wet, pretty good price, size is adjustable
Cons- the insert is a bit small, sometimes the rise comes unsnapped when pulling up or down, velcro can snag stuff up in wash(newer versions have wash tabs!!

Overall, I am happy with this purchase and will consider getting more. For more info on this trainer check out http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=139&products_id=3110

WHAT ELSE

I'm really looking forward to trying Grovia's New All in one trainer coming out later this month!



Next Review: Bumgenius Freetime : Bumgenius latest AIO Diaper.


So excited should be here tomorrow!!!