In the past few years, "going green" has become "the thing" to do. Whether you are genuinely wanting to help the environment, trying to save a few bucks for the ever looming tax season, or you are just in it for those fabulous green grocery bags, you have probably made efforts to become more "green". Whatever your reasons, improving our environment by doing (or not doing)certain things is admirable.
I have tried to do my part by using less paper towels, doing my washing and drying in HE front loaders, turning down the thermostat, turning off lights, and using earth-friendly cleaners. I think the most adventurous of them all has been using cloth diapers.
It had never crossed my mind to use cloth diapers. Ever. I never saw my mom use them (although I found out later she did use them for a short time with my older sister before I was born) and I only knew of one family who had used them, but never actually saw them in use.
I was searching that wonderful world wide web one day while my first bouncing baby boy was napping, and somehow came across an article about cloth diapering. There were testimonials, examples of how easy it was to do, lists of all the chemicals found in disposable diapers and the risks of such chemicals, and the most persuasive of all... the charts of how much money I would save by cloth diapering! I could save enough to feed a small third world country (or at least the children)! Money was also huge in convincing my husband to give it a go.
The idea of saving so much money was very appealing, but it was only part of the reason I wanted to try out cloth diapering. I found it fascinating! I know that sounds really strange, but I thought it sounded kind of fun! I found it so interesting that for thousands of years cloth diapers (or no diapers) were the norm. That is what people did. It wasn't disgusting, gross, or looked on as unsanitary. I wanted to see for myself what it was like to cloth diaper my baby. I guess maybe it made a distant historical world come alive for me. To have a glimpse of how my ancestors cared for their babies. It was all a big adventure.
And so my adventure began! I drove to my nearest Walmart and picked up a pack of Gerber prefolds, diaper pins, and vinyl plastic pants. Wow, I had no idea what I was doing. That is for sure! I was so excited, but my excitement soon turned to frustration when the pins stuck, the plastic pants tore, and the prefolds leaked.
I was a little put out, but didn't give up. I did hours of research and joined a diaper sewing yahoo group. Not long afterwards, I sewed myself some fancy fitted pocket diapers made of scraps I had around the house(tight budget and flannel (on sale), sewed some covers, and went to Sam's and bought myself some new and improved microfiber towels from the automotive department. This worked quite well, and I was very proud of myself for sewing all those lovely fitted pockets.
I did that system of stuffing the fitted pockets and using a cover (or many times when around the house, no cover)for quite some time. I really liked doing it most of the time. There was an occasional poopy diaper that just about did me in, but other than that, things went fairly well.
Washing the diapers was interesting. I did have some stink issues, but was able to resolve them. It turns out microfiber towels are very talented at holding in stink! I would have liked to have bought a diaper sprayer to spray the poop off with, but it wasn't in the budget. It would have been nice to have quality, brand name diapers, but my home made ones got me by just fine.
I eventually bought enough PUL to make regular pocket diapers (with the waterproof layer built in). Whoo hooo! I was moving up in the cloth diapering world! I also bought my first pattern- the Chloe's Toes pattern. One of the best purchases I made in the realm of cloth diapers. I made some Chloe's Toes diapers with some variations to see what types I like best. I was using hook and loop instead of snaps like the pattern called for, so it took a little trial and error to find what I liked the best. (I'll post my variations for comparison later.)
I found a whole bunch of wool sweaters at my favorite thrift store for dirt cheap, and have made two longies and one short wool cover. So adorable and fuzzy! I have yet to make the rest of them up for lack of time. I also have a bunch of pocket diapers (already cut out)that are hanging over me as well.
So to sum up, I did cloth with my first son from about 7 months until I became pregnant with my second son, and it was just too much for me at the time. Whenever I felt well enough, and had the energy, I would pull them out for a while. While awaiting baby No. 2 I sewed as much as I could manage and tried to get enough diapers ready for two little ones.
So after my second son was born, I was ready once again to go to cloth, but to my dismay after one day in total cloth, I ran out of diapers! Every one was dirty! Who knew boys could pee so much.
So, in the here and now, I have a bunch of cloth diapers sitting in the boy's dresser. And guess what... they just sit there. They are not being used at the moment. Bad green mama (as I slap my wrist)!!! A person can only do so much, and I have discovered this recently (and I am reminded quite often).
I hardly have time to squeeze in a shower let alone sew up a stash of diapers. So I just keep trying to find a moment to sew a diaper here and a diaper there. I am hoping that by January/February I will have enough to try again. My new green mama motto: I'll try again in 2010!
Kate
Monday, November 2, 2009
Raw Food Wannabe: Green Smoothie Rave
I am so wanting to go 80 to 90% raw, organic food, but alas, it is not in the funds! However, I have come to the realization that it is OKAY not to be 100% raw! Whatever improvement I make in that direction is going to make me that much healthier.
I was watching a video on you tube were David Wolf said that(I'm not directly quoting here, just paraphrasing) having an all or nothing attitude is dangerous. he specifically said that you DON'T have to be 100% raw vegan if you are not in a position to. You will definitely still see health benefits! I can testify to this personally. While going 100% raw would be fantastic, I have felt better in just adding a green smoothie everyday. I try to get in one green smoothie everyday (usually for breakfast). It gives me so much energy, which is huge for me because I had a hard time finding the energy to accomplish basic tasks like dishes, laundry, and even spending as much time with my kids as I should.
I would suggest to anyone who wants to add greens as well as more raw fruit into their diet, EAT GREEN SMOOTHIES!!! They are so easy to make and a very easy way to get some awesome nutrition into your kids! You can make it nice and thick by adding more ice or bananas and create a fruity ice cream. I know what you are thinking, "my kids won't touch anything green with a ten foot pole!" Blueberries are very good at disguising the greenness. You can try the super hero approach and tell them (especially good for boys) that it is a Hulk smoothie! If the Hulk drinks it, it must be good, right? Or maybe a witches brew is more up your alley? Worth a try.
You can also use the frog in the boiling pot approach. Just start out by adding a couple leaves of spinach. Each time add a little more until you reach a satisfactory amount. The greens are much less noticeable if you add them slowly. I have also found that my 2 year old will never turn down a Popsicle! Make the smoothie, and if they don't eat it, pour it into Popsicle molds and pull it our later for a healthy snack or a treat after dinner.
You could also experiment with chocolate smoothies and adding greens to those. The brownness will hide the green, and who the heck can turn down chocolate?! You can also try having your kids actually help make the smoothie. Kids LOVE to help out and if they help make it themselves, they will probably be more willing to taste it. Helpers like to help themselves to what they make.
My mom never made green smoothies, but it was always a treat when she made banana ice cream! Yum!!! She would fill the blender about halfway with FROZEN bananas, then add orange juice for the liquid and maybe a little honey and vanilla. There are so many terrific green smoothie recipes out there, but honestly, I usually just throw stuff in the blender. I do follow a basic list though. This is what I usually do:
Kate's Green Smoothie:
Fill blender halfway (yes halfway, this is for me, not for my boys. I would probably put a little less if it was for them so it would not be as noticeable)with your choice of greens. I have tried and liked spinach, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, and rainbow something or other, I can't remember the name. You can do just one type or do a mixture.
Then add some liquid (usually water, but you can do any kind of milk or juice)to just about cover blades. Sometimes I have to add more later on. Then I do a couple squirts of flaxseed oil to get in my omega-3's. I like to add my sweetener at this point because I like to use frozen fruit and when the smoothie gets so cold from the fruit, it is not as easily dispersed, but you can add it later. Either way is fine, I've done both. I like to use agave nectar or raw honey. I tried stevia, but wasn't wild about it in the smoothie (I do like it in other things).
Then I blend this concoction together until all the greens are nice and blended. If I had a fancy Vita Mix or Blendtec, I wouldn't have to do it this way, but I only have a ordinary blender. I have found that with my ordinary blender, I can get the greens in smaller pieces if I blend the greens before I add the fruit.
So after I blend the greens, I add my fruit, which is usually 1-2 frozen bananas and about a cup or so of another type of fruit like strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, mango, or whatever fruit you like. I have discovered that I like to do 2 frozen bananas with non-frozen of the other type of fruit. If you want to use all frozen fruit, you will almost definitely have to add more water. My blender begs for more water if I do all frozen fruit. If I do all frozen fruit, I also might use a little less banana. I use the frozen banana specifically because I like the consistency and the pleasant sweetness it adds. So creamy!!!
At this point I taste test (you always have to taste what you are making, of course!). I usually end up adding more sweetener, not that I need it. Then kick up my heels and enjoy! : )
I was watching a video on you tube were David Wolf said that(I'm not directly quoting here, just paraphrasing) having an all or nothing attitude is dangerous. he specifically said that you DON'T have to be 100% raw vegan if you are not in a position to. You will definitely still see health benefits! I can testify to this personally. While going 100% raw would be fantastic, I have felt better in just adding a green smoothie everyday. I try to get in one green smoothie everyday (usually for breakfast). It gives me so much energy, which is huge for me because I had a hard time finding the energy to accomplish basic tasks like dishes, laundry, and even spending as much time with my kids as I should.
I would suggest to anyone who wants to add greens as well as more raw fruit into their diet, EAT GREEN SMOOTHIES!!! They are so easy to make and a very easy way to get some awesome nutrition into your kids! You can make it nice and thick by adding more ice or bananas and create a fruity ice cream. I know what you are thinking, "my kids won't touch anything green with a ten foot pole!" Blueberries are very good at disguising the greenness. You can try the super hero approach and tell them (especially good for boys) that it is a Hulk smoothie! If the Hulk drinks it, it must be good, right? Or maybe a witches brew is more up your alley? Worth a try.
You can also use the frog in the boiling pot approach. Just start out by adding a couple leaves of spinach. Each time add a little more until you reach a satisfactory amount. The greens are much less noticeable if you add them slowly. I have also found that my 2 year old will never turn down a Popsicle! Make the smoothie, and if they don't eat it, pour it into Popsicle molds and pull it our later for a healthy snack or a treat after dinner.
You could also experiment with chocolate smoothies and adding greens to those. The brownness will hide the green, and who the heck can turn down chocolate?! You can also try having your kids actually help make the smoothie. Kids LOVE to help out and if they help make it themselves, they will probably be more willing to taste it. Helpers like to help themselves to what they make.
My mom never made green smoothies, but it was always a treat when she made banana ice cream! Yum!!! She would fill the blender about halfway with FROZEN bananas, then add orange juice for the liquid and maybe a little honey and vanilla. There are so many terrific green smoothie recipes out there, but honestly, I usually just throw stuff in the blender. I do follow a basic list though. This is what I usually do:
Kate's Green Smoothie:
Fill blender halfway (yes halfway, this is for me, not for my boys. I would probably put a little less if it was for them so it would not be as noticeable)with your choice of greens. I have tried and liked spinach, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens, and rainbow something or other, I can't remember the name. You can do just one type or do a mixture.
Then add some liquid (usually water, but you can do any kind of milk or juice)to just about cover blades. Sometimes I have to add more later on. Then I do a couple squirts of flaxseed oil to get in my omega-3's. I like to add my sweetener at this point because I like to use frozen fruit and when the smoothie gets so cold from the fruit, it is not as easily dispersed, but you can add it later. Either way is fine, I've done both. I like to use agave nectar or raw honey. I tried stevia, but wasn't wild about it in the smoothie (I do like it in other things).
Then I blend this concoction together until all the greens are nice and blended. If I had a fancy Vita Mix or Blendtec, I wouldn't have to do it this way, but I only have a ordinary blender. I have found that with my ordinary blender, I can get the greens in smaller pieces if I blend the greens before I add the fruit.
So after I blend the greens, I add my fruit, which is usually 1-2 frozen bananas and about a cup or so of another type of fruit like strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, mango, or whatever fruit you like. I have discovered that I like to do 2 frozen bananas with non-frozen of the other type of fruit. If you want to use all frozen fruit, you will almost definitely have to add more water. My blender begs for more water if I do all frozen fruit. If I do all frozen fruit, I also might use a little less banana. I use the frozen banana specifically because I like the consistency and the pleasant sweetness it adds. So creamy!!!
At this point I taste test (you always have to taste what you are making, of course!). I usually end up adding more sweetener, not that I need it. Then kick up my heels and enjoy! : )
Thanksgiving Day Ideas for Toddlers
Well, our family is going to be in Branson, Missouri for Thanksgiving. not really sure what we will be doing, but it is almost certain it won't be entirely toddler/baby friendly. What's a mother to do? I will have to come up with some toddler-mind entrancing activities, that's for sure. Any suggestions? I'm thinking hand turkeys where you trace out the child's hand and then make the cut out hand into a turkey. Maybe a thankgiving tree, where the cut out hands are the leaves and you write something you are thankful for on each leaf. That one might be a little over his head. I'll definately be singing the turkey songs. If he were just a little older, it would help a lot. Oh, well. I'll let you know what happens. Pictures soon to come. I started sewing a bib with turkeys on it with orange ric rac around the edge, but I was trying to wing it without a pattern, so I'll post a picture as soon as I get the patter. It will be mega cutness when completed. Kate
Fun Thanksgiving Songs
Here are two songs to sing with your kids. I'll type out the words and try to find a recording so you can hear what they are supposed to sound like. If I can't find it, I'll see if I can sing it for you, or you can get creative and make up your own tune! These would also be fun to sing in preschool, elementary school, or girl scouts. I don't know where they came from. My mom always sang them to us growing up. Here they are:
FIVE FAT TURKEYS
Five fat turkeys are we
we slept all night in a tree
when the cook came around
we couldn't be found
and that's why we're here, you see!
WHAT DOES MR. TURKEY SAY?
What does Mr. Turkey say?
gobble, gobble, gobble.
"I don't like Thanksgiving Day!"
gobble, gobble, gobble.
"Why is it that you feel this way?"
gobble, gobble, gobble.
"Because I want my head to stay!"
gobble, gobble, gobble.
FIVE FAT TURKEYS
Five fat turkeys are we
we slept all night in a tree
when the cook came around
we couldn't be found
and that's why we're here, you see!
WHAT DOES MR. TURKEY SAY?
What does Mr. Turkey say?
gobble, gobble, gobble.
"I don't like Thanksgiving Day!"
gobble, gobble, gobble.
"Why is it that you feel this way?"
gobble, gobble, gobble.
"Because I want my head to stay!"
gobble, gobble, gobble.
A Mother Like You
Hey everyone out there in mommyland! I am Kate, a mother like you. I have two beautiful, energetic boys, ages 2 and 7 months. My husband and I try our best to be good, loving parents through all the tantrums and runny noses. I look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with you in my wonderful journey through motherhood! Hugs, Kate
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