Breastfeeding and Diapers

There are two things that every mom has to deal with. Food, and diapers. Now we cloth diaper, however when we go on trips we use disposables for the convince. However this breastfeeding commercial from Luvs really makes me want to go out and buy a pack. Way to go LUVS, and THANK YOU!

It's all about the oil.

I have this issue with cooking oils. I never can remember what is good for what, and the ones I should stay away from (canola oil is bad!) So, I was so happy when I came across this chart! It makes it easy to see what is good, and what is not so good, and it even tells you why! So, if you are like me and you care about the fats that you consume, and you want good ideas for substitutes when you find out that you shouldn't be using that icky refined canola oil, go check it out! I printed out two, one is in my new Home Management Binder (a post about that soon!) and the other is taped to the inside of my kitchen cabinet. The link is here. 

The Angry Octopus - A Mama's Emporium Review

The Angry Octopus by Lori Lite

 

The Angry Octotopus is a book that helps children (and adults) help take control of their emotions in a way that is healthy and productive.It is wrapped in a beautifully illustrated package, with a very cute story to match. 

When octopus gets mad the sea child comes along and helps him to see that getting mad doesn't do any good,she helps him to calm down and together they rebuild what was lost, only to make it better than before.

This book is very well written, and it helps kids in a practical way to calm down with "progressive muscular relaxation," it gives them easy tips to remember to help them relax if they are mad or upset. The CD that can accompany this book has a very soothing male voice that reads this story as well as four others, it even has a bonus track of beautiful music with ocean sounds. The pair will make a great gift and addition to any book lovers collection.

Right now Connor enjoys the pictures, and listening to the story, but I think since he is not yet 2 he might not get all of the concepts, however this is one that will stay on our shelves and read often as I know it will be very helpful when he gets a little older.

I received a copy of this book to review from Mama's Emporium, the opinions are my own.This post contains affiliate links.

Mama's Emporium is a great online and physical shop located in Englewood, Colorado. With a wonderful owner dedicated to her products and the satisfaction they will provide her customers. She often seeks out the advice of the current customers to make sure she carried exactly what they want and need. (I even suggested Goddess Garden Sunscreen which she now carries!) She carries a great line of cloth diapers, and natural baby products. I can't wait to try more of her items!  Check her out now at: www.mamasemporium.com/ (this one is not my affiliate link. :))

How to Clean Your Microwave

My husband used to purchase these expensive products to clean the microwave. They were pouches that you warmed up and then wiped down. The first time I went to clean his microwave I needed 4 of them, and the thing still wasn't clean. It wasn't that his microwave was exceptionally dirty either, it wasn't.

Now to my shame our microwave is disgusting. Things have blown up in it and it has gotten super gross. I have a great solution for cleaning the microwave, it works great and it costs pennies.

What you will need:
A bowl
A rag
Water
Vinegar

Pour water in your bowl and add a splash of vinegar. I also toss my rag into the bowl so it's nice and warm. Then you set it to cook for about 3 minutes, now be extra careful because it is HOT! Ring out the rag and wipe down the top, bottom, and sides of your microwave until they are nice and clean.

Super easy and super cheap!

Ice Cream Without a Machine

I have been craving ice cream, but I didn't want one of the "frozen deserts" they are trying to pass off as ice cream these days, instead I found this amazing sorbet recipe from Not Without Salt.

There are some amazing recipes including Raspberry, Honey & Black Tea Sorbet and a Peach Basil Sorbet.

No-Poo

I am going on an adventure, a no shampoo adventure. I have issues with my really fine hair. I don't like the way it gets after getting wet. I have to use a ton of conditioner to keep it under control. I heard about this no-poo method of taking care of your hair, and other people I have heard have had awesome results. However, some other friends of mine with curly hair said it only did well for about a year. Since my hair is pretty straight with just a little wave I am going to try it out. I have read a couple things, the first is apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 cups of water and use that to "shampoo" your hair, and rinse, this can be drying and you should only do it if your hair gets greasy. The other method is baking soda, again make a paste and wash. The other thing is a "shampoothie" you peel one cucumber and one lemon, then you blend them. You rinse them out completly (which I read can be hard to do and if you don't do it you might look like you have dandruff. So here I go, I am expecting to have a couple weeks of nasty hair followed by some amazing hair. (I HOPE!) so cross your fingers for me! I will post pictures so we can see how it goes.

Oh and on another note, check out my new affiliate link for Mama's Emporium on the top right. It's a cool shop based out of CO, by a very cool mama.

A Passing.

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
Albert Pike

Yesterday we found out about the passing of my brother’s brother-in-law. He was serving in the US Army in Afghanistan. He was killed by enemy fire while on patrol. He was a a son, a brother, a father, a friend, a soldier, and a hero. He sacrificed his life for the people he holds dear in his heart.

He would have been 25 on August 3rd, his family was asking friends to videotape and send birthday wishes for him. I spoke with his sister last night, after being inspired by a blog called “The Birthday Project” and we think it would be a great idea to ask his friends and family to commit 25 random acts of kindness in his memory.   We think this is appropriate because this young mad had such a kind and generous heart, we think he would approve.

I am asking for your ideas on how to present this to his other friends and for suggestions of random acts of kindness that I can give to his friends to help honor this brave young man.

 

(Please leave your positive comments below, this is not a forum for anti-war sentiment.)