A Free Clean

Ecos has a promotion going for the entire year. And I quote,

 “The first 100 submissions every month, for 12 consecutive months will receive free Earth Friendly Products samples, ending December 2010.”

So tomorrow, bright and early ,you can go HERE to sign up and get yours. I can't remember where I first read about this, probably on one of these fine blogs, but I didn't think I was in the first 100 when I entered, and yesterday I got a sweet package on my doorstep.  I love free stuff. I'll get around to cleaning one of these days and let you know how it went. (sheepish grin/ shrug)

Tipsy Tuesdays: Foaming Hand Soap

Welcome to the premier of Tipsy Tuesday. Da da-da da!

Yes it's exciting, thrilling stuff. I have a scrap paper pile full of these odds and ends, and they need a home and a purpose, so here they will be. On Tuesday's.

Why Tuesday's you ask? Well, because alliteration is fun, and these are tips. Okay then.

Yo (crunchy) Mama Tip #1: The Foaming Soap Float

This is something I figured out by accident, but it made so much sense I wondered why I hadn't thought of it sooner.

We use those foaming hand soap dispensers in my house. I have loved foaming soap from 'hello'. I don't know for sure if this is true, but I feel like we use less water while rinsing and also the kids make less mess when washing their hands on their own. Cool. Well, I accidently bought the wrong refill package and the soap was sputtering out of the dispenser. I had a big 'ole bag of the stuff that wasn't foaming. What to do?

Finally I remembered some old foaming dispensers my mom had way back when from some catalog-house party-product line. It was for dish washing soap and you put some in and added water. Duh. Water.

Seriously.

So I filled up the dispensers with a little bit of the soap and the rest with water and, TA DA, foaming soap refills. You can buy them already diluted... buy why? I googled  before posting and found this recipe. And a list of brilliant folks here who have already figured this on out. Again, duh.

Here is to cleaner hands and fatter wallets!

IMHO: gDiapers

According to gDiapers Facebook page this morning , and I quote, "

gDiapers will be on Good Morning America tomorrow (Friday) with Sara Snow. 8.30am. We're just giddy about it!". 

Pretty Cool huh? I hope they don't just focus on the biodegradable refills and mention that cloth is an option too! 


I thought this is as good a time as any to share my experience with gDiapers. You know, IMHO (in my humble opinion). 

I got my gDiapers second-hand so they were not *new* out of the package for me. They had been used for a few months a showing minor wear. The velcro was slightly curled and the elastic waist had some pilling. After a few additional months of constant wash and wear the velcro is not sticking as well and the lettering is peeling a little (the “g” on the outside and the printed on label inside the back. Also the nylon inner has stained somewhat on the edges. 

Ease of Use: When  I got them it took me all of two seconds to figure out how to use them. I had some of the flush-able inserts but didn’t use them. I did have some flats and misc cloth inserts around and have been able to fold and use just about everything and anything in them. This has made it VERY cost effective.

Fit: I have a small baby and started with size small gPants when she was about 2 months old and 9 lbs. The g’s fit on the smallest setting. The inner layer makes a “seal” and the outer layer is roomy and doesn’t make marks on the babies leg. The elastic waist is soft enough and wide, which seems to be comfortable for the baby. 

In Practice: The outside of the cover is cotton and soft like clothes and the inside is like a little nylon hammock holding the insert of your choice in place. This configuration is very innovative, in humble my opinion, and is nice for a few reasons.

 First, the liner goes from front to back and NOT around the legs which keeps the moisture centralized and make a trimmer fit. Second it holds the insert in place, making for super easy changes even when baby is squirmy. Third, and least helpful, the messy diapers are contained on the inner liner and tend not to get on the outer cover. This is only a minor help, though, because you have to have extra inner liners and you have to unsnap them from the outer and re-snap a new one it. For convenience sake it would probably be easier to just throw the cover in the wash with the inserts and go to the next one. Which is what I tend to do. I have extra covers but don’t use them often. I don’t use these for over night very often because I don’t have any super absorbent inserts that I trust. I haven’t had leaks at night, but I use the bulkier AIO’s for overnight just in case. 

The label says wash warm, but most of my other diapers get washed in hot with a cold rinse. So these have been washed every which way.  I only have 5 covers and they get me through 2 days between washes.  It would probably be better for lifespan if these were line dried every time, but since they are cotton, they take forever. Maybe n the heat of summer they I will dry them on the line, but for now, in the dryer they go.

These are just too easy to not use. They are cute enough, smart enough, and doggone it, I think I like ‘em. 

Write A Review... Go Shopping For Stuff

Thanks to Organic Deals and Coupons, one of my favorite blogs to follow, I am spending the day writing reviews at Franklin Goose. What will I get with all my credits? Hmmmm... I don't know, but I can't wait!

Girly Organics, Baby Legs, and More

red egg and ginger: Globally Inspired Organic Playwear for Baby & Toddler Girls

Taking its name from the Chinese tradition of celebrating an infant on its one-month birthday, Red Egg and Ginger infuses their styles with a multicultural flair. The soft, organic cotton fashions are made for ease of movement and feature adorable prints and embellishments inspired by different cultures. It’s all done using low-environmental-impact methods and fair-trade partners.

Zulily has this adorable deal startig today... ends March 26. Get $10 off your first purchase if you are *new*. 

Baby Steals has Baby Legs today. $15 for three + $5 ship= $20 for three. Still a deal. These are the friend to the cloth diapering parent.

I wish I had this tub instead of the monster baby bath tub I have haul around my house. It's by PUJ and on sale at bTrendie today or until it sells out. Its half off at $29.99. They also have some Organic Baby Blankets by Swaddle Designs. Shop on.

ISO Saturday

I am ALWAYS in search of (ISO) something. Almost always on Saturdays. I guess you could just call it a "shopping list" but its not always as simple as that. So here we are. My ISO:

1. Gluten Free. Specifically pizza crust, bread, and flours for baking. Wish me luck. 
2. Pocket diapers. I have 4 microfiber inserts that need a nice pocket to fill. I'll only buy if they are FSOT or deep discount. 
3. Fitteds. Probably won't buy, but am drooling over Nifty Nappies, GM's and BSRB's.  
4. Reading chair or loveseat. This is for the kids room. We are currently without a cozy reading nook and this will solve that. I am keeping my eyes on the local Craigslist and Habitat Restore.
5. Patio chair. Now that the sun is shining and the kids are playing outside. I think I need a cozy place outside to nurse my 4 month old.  Don't you think? I could use the money I am saving on not buying formula, right?

What are you shopping for today?

Updates: Dipes Shopping List & Twitter

I have updated the shopping list for cloth diapers here. Have Fun. (If I am missing any of your faves, let me know!) I am updating the descriptions as I nurse my baby so they happen in spurts. (Yes, I have researched laptops and read that they are safe for babies, and, yes, I nurse my baby and work on the computer at the same time, skype anyone?)

ALSOOOOOOOO, I have taken the plunge back into Twitter.  My father asked me to explain Twitter to him and all I could come up with was "Its the simplest, most complicated thing on the internet." That is still all I can figure out. Anyways, follow me and see how it goes (wink).

Yo (crunchy) Mama

Adiri Natural Nurser DEAL - Today Only!

Shnoop is another "daily deal" site that offers odds and ends at super steep discounts. Its pretty hit or miss on the items here, as most of them aren't very useful to the eco mom, but today is an exception! Check out this deal for six (6) ADIRI bottles (choose stage 1,2 or 3) and pay $25.95 with FREE shipping. Get yur bottle on.

Another Organic Deal at Target

Target has yet another sweet deal with Positively Organic. Today only this onsie is $9.99 (retail $24) with free shipping. Keep 'em coming....

Daily Deals Plus Free Shipping

One of my favorite "daily deals" sites is Eco Baby Buys and today's deal is a cutie AND with free shipping. I just had to share.

These are adorable bamboo outfits by Kicky Pants. Four styles to choose from and , did I mention, free shipping?

Hurry, these go fast!

And Target has this cah-ute romper by Positively Organic for $12.99 (list $26) and always free shipping on their Daily Deals.

Boba: Read, Tweet, Win

Win this at Natural Mommie's Blog. Contest ends March 21st.

As a mommie of three (yup, count 'em) I am learning the full awesomeness of a good carrier. If I had this one, I would hug it and love it and wear it.

Organic Deals at Target.com TODAY ONLY

Target Daily Deals has two organic offerings today. Better get 'em fast, cuz they don't last long! The best part is NO SHIPPING.

Todays deals are a Toddler Tee by Positively Organic for $9.99 (this is on clearance on their site for $11.99) and a four pack of lip butter by Body America for $8.99. Don't forget, NO SHIPPING. Yummy.

Yo (crunchy) Mama

Free Babylegs @ Kelly's Closet

Free pair of bumGenius! BabyLegs with the code "FREELEGS" if you spend $20 or more at Kelly's Closet. Not bad. That's $12 savings. Plus while you are there sign up for the Kelly's Closet newsletter and rewards program so you can catch all the deals.

Yo (crunchy) Mama

I {heart} my gDiapers

My sister got me hooked on these and now is a good time to load up on g's...

Right now they have special trio packs for $39! The ad says:

Too cute times three, three little gPants for $39. The gussy up trio includes girly girl ruffle, good vibe girl, and genuine vanilla bean. The get down trio includes goodnight blue, genuine vanilla bean, and glam black. While supplies last. Sale ends March 19th.

Normally retailing for $16.99 up to $18.99 per diaper, the "gussy up trio" would retail at $52.42 and the "get down trio" would be $48.42. 

They also have the "everyday g's 6 pack" (orange and vanilla bean) for $70... also a deal! 

Any way you slice it you are going to save $$ over disposables if you use these with cloth inserts.  I think I may have to start my collection of mediums ASAP... 

Oh, and a bonus feature is you can donate $10 while you order to send two gDiapers to Haiti. Feels good to save $ and feels good to give. It just feels good. 

Yo (crunchy) Mama

Under Construction

I just wanted to let you know... I am working on this. I am.

Its just really hard to type and nurse at the same time...

However, I have added lots of tasty stuff here and here. So if you are ever (or always) in the market for dipes or slings you can shop to your hearts content.

Yo (crunchy) Mama

TGIF For Giveaways -Click the pic to enter

Another humble list

Well, I have been working on getting quality list of links for  all things "reusable diaper" related. I have compiled a list that will make you blurry eyed if you explore all of them. Working on this list induced all sorts of dreams about cloth diapers.... yes, its been fun!

I hope to add info about each link and more resources in the future. Check it out and let me know if I missed anything! The "Dipes" tab above with take you there.... or you can just click HERE (smile).