Do you GET it?

*Waves out to the masses in cyberspace* So tonight I sit here tired and bored. I really should be going to sleep. But my sleep schedule is off because everyone in the house has been sick this week :(. The boys are asleep behind me on the bed and my "thinker" won't stop thinking (what's new?!)!

The longer I go being a "crunchy" mama the more alone I feel. Even though I know you mama's are out there I just never come across you.... And if I did how would that change anything? I am not super social usually, at least with strangers.

It saddens and frustrates me to go out in public most of the time. There is always so much disrespect to children from their own mothers and fathers. So much yelling, so many hurtful words. So many missed opportunities.  Where are my peaceful mamas? Not saying I have never raised my voice but I certainly do regret it! And maybe those mothers do too.

We took the boys out to see "Day Out with Thomas" the other week. They enjoyed it although we were more rushed then we would have liked. Everywhere I looked were strollers though. I know strollers aren't evil but I just want to see some baby wearing mama's! I mean I have chronic pain issues and I still try to wear Little L as much as I can (most certainly during outings). I understand everyone has their own set of circumstances too but I just want to see all those babies lovingly attached to their parents.

After we had visited the petting zoo and were cleaning up hands, there in front of me was another mama with her baby in a soft structured carrier! We both gave each other big smiles and the dads smiled too. She made a comment about her sleeping baby (of course he was comfy and happy!) then we went our separate ways. As we were walking away I said to my hubby "She GETS it!"

         I just have to interrupt this post to say how much I want chickens! We all do really! It is just something we have to work on.. Maybe next year!?

I am just having a hard time being away from everything I know I guess and never even SEEING anyone remotely like me in my parenting. It would be truly awesome to find some mama's like me. Non judgemental (I really try anyway!), crunchy, hippie types who wear their children, breastfeed, who are respectful and nurturing to their kids. Some real life mama support from moms who GET it really makes days easier.

I had found a spot I "fit in" on Facebook but that spot was another mamas personal page and she needed a break from FB so now I just feel lost. It is funny how you can feel a connection with someone or something and how it just brightens your days a little more. Even through the Internet.

I ended up creating a community page for anyone who might be interested, I know it will never be as full as the place I was a part of before but I was hoping it might help fill the void a bit. If any of you who read this are interested I JUST made it and could use some like minded mama's to get it going a little more :)

The Healing Earth Village

Little L on the train :)

Big L on the train :)

It really would be so much easier to clean with Clorox (spell?), eat pre-packaged prepared foods, do exactly what the doctors say and generally just not care nearly as much. But I do and I AM thankful for what I have learned and am learning still to try to give my children the best life I can and that they deserve.

Hugs to all the mama's who have strayed from the mainstream norm. And hugs for everyone else too because the world needs more hugs.. ♥

Hello world! :)

OK so this is for any of my readers who actually wondered and for myself just to explain why I have been MIA!

Short and simple. I love blogging BUT I love my family more! Blogging was new to me and I felt I needed to be on some kind of schedule with it. And I decided that I would rather be spending time with my boys then worrying about writing a blog post!

I have however been thinking a lot about it lately and decided that I do still want to blog sometimes with no pressure on myself how often.

I constantly have stuff I want to blog about its just getting the fingers moving on my keyboard. But times like right now while I have a sweet little nursling falling asleep on my lap and making it impossible to move, I figure is a perfect time to type away! :)

So stay tuned for whenever I get around to posting! I have lots to catch up on since I have been "away".

It is mulberry picking time again in our yard today and I am hoping we can get enough berries off of the branches we can reach to make some more pie! Yay! I just might post a few pictures. :)

Just thought I would add a current picture of my boys that I love! ♥

EcoMom and Revolution Foods Giveaway Winner

                                       And the Winner is..... Ashley! with comment # 9

Thank you to all who participated! And a big Thank you to EcoMom for providing great products and discounts to both me and my readers! I hope to be able to do more giveaways here soon so keep checking back :) !

A last attempt to win something for my baby boy...

If any of you are up and could so kindly spare a minute. I need some "Likes" on a picture of my boy for a contest. It would mean so very much to me. The contest is open till 5 am est time. Thanks mama's xo

You need to like the Tots Bots page and then like the picture of my boy. Link below

Tots Bots Facebook Page

Yay cloth wipes!

So I FINALLY finished my cloth wipes and I am FINALLY getting to posting them! I swear all you mama's with great blogs must have super powers! Because my stay at home self finds getting the time and energy to write up a blog a bit hard sometimes!

But anyhu here they are, a short and simple post about simple wipes. They are not perfect but I didn't try to make them so. I figured I am not selling them and they are being used on my babies bottom so who cares if they are perfect! As long as they are soft and get the job done! This is my first time making wipes and I am completely satisfied with the results.

All I used was some old receiving blankets, a ruler, scissors, thread and of course a sewing machine. Oh and I used a fabric marker.

My Big L's sweet little hands seem to end up in a lot of my pictures. :)

I want to make more someday but for now these will do!

A Crappy Energy Alternative....

                                                              Picture by Roger Chouinard


In the midst of the Gulf Coast oil crisis there are many many people who if weren't thinking about it before are thinking about it now, other ways to fuel our country and the way we live. Unfortunately there are issues with just about all alternative energy sources but this was brought to my attention today, energy fueled by our body waste. Yep you heard me, running things from our poo. Now I know absoloutely nothing about this but if this could be accomplished on a big scale, I only see good things coming from it. Because not only are we hurting the earth with our energy sources, we are also polluting it greatly with our own filth.


 I mean the fuel out of our other ends isn't stopping anytime soon and seeing as how it already is waste, using it and having it turn out into any kind of waste again, whats the difference? Besides lowering our dependency on things like oil! I mean how many more times do we want to be doing this?

 Makes me cry :(.

Now I hadn't heard of this till now but I am sure it is not new news to some of you. And today I read that Michigan is actually working on this very idea right now. This article "Make Sewage, Not Disasters" talks a bit about it.


Heres another article "Poop-Powered Hydrogen Cars Show Promise" about the Japanese testing this. It also mentions some stuff that has been being used in California for years now.


And this doesn't just apply to human waste either. How about animal waste. There is a flower right now that is being researched for biofuel and it grows off of animal waste. It is called Duckweed.

I really hope people can get their "shit" together and make it happen! (sorry for the wordage here but I can't resist!) Or the world we see in futuristic movies is going to be ours very soon...

                               And just for a little humor on a not so humorous subject....

EcoMom and Revolution Foods Review/Giveaway & Discount Code!

It's always nice to come across great new websites. This one I found through a twitter party I "attended" a little while back. The website is called EcoMom and it is great! They have many awesome and safe products to offer anyone who is Eco-friendly and concerned about what goes in and on their family. There is literally something for everyone! From baby food to mens shaving products, to composters and high chairs!

 Eco-friendly Baby Products - EcoMom sent me a great Sampler package of Revolution Foods to review and is doing a giveaway for my readers as well!. Oh and did I mention they are giving my readers a discount code too? :)

First off the review! Now I really like making as much food as possible from scratch but there are times when I just don't have the time and or energy to do so. Finding nifty little snacks for kids these days that are not full of bad things is hard to do. Of course you can do the usual fruit and crackers and such but it's nice to have a little change. These seem really great for travel too. And they are all Organic of course!

  Now my son, Big L (the real reviewer) LOVES getting things in the mail (even if they aren't for him! lol) and he was jumping up and down waiting for me to open the package. When I got it opened there was an "Oh wow food!" Of course it could have been dirt and he still probably would have been excited because it came in the mail!

 He pulled it all out of the box and lined them up.                       

So then for the test... taste test that is!   First up the little Sammies.

 Making his way around the plate...

 

He tried them all and seemed to really like them.

 

 Nom, Nom, Nom...

 

Big L will not eat anything he does not like so it was a thumbs up on the Sammies!

Now on to the Mashups. He opened up the first one (Strawberry Banana) "It's Yummy and squishy" he said.

 He really liked the Mashups but I think he liked Strawberry Banana best..

 Ok I don't think I have ever seen him do this before and since it is our table and I had just cleaned it (with water and vinegar no less!) I didn't halt that tongue from hitting the table. He obviously didn't want to waste any!

Big L eyeing the last of his prey....

 

 You had no chance for survival little Sammy!

 

 Mama tried to steal the extra one (he had already had one of the same flavor...) but he spoted it, grabed it and I chased him around the house till he laid down on the floor laughing that it was his. Guess I miss out on that one (not that they were for me anyway!)!

I think Little L wanted some, look at that face as Big L gobbled up the last Sammy!

 Just packages and crumbs left....

 What I don't have pictures of, is all the times he put something down and picked it right back up to have another bite or sip! He was such a good little reviewer (must have been because the food was good! mama can vouch for that as she tested a bite and sip of everything too... ) So these were definitely a success!

If you would like to get your own just hop on over to EcoMom! And use the discount code  (good till June 30th, 2010) just for my readers for 15% off your first purchase with EcoMom!

DISCOUNT CODE:     SBBL415 

EcoMom also has a new program called EcoPass that allows you to purchase a $99 annual membership, which provides a 15% discount on every order, as well as free shipping with no $75 minimum requirement!

You can enter the giveaway below for $15 worth of Plum/and/or Revolution Foods!

 Here's how to enter:  The first entry is mandatory, you may do as many or as few of the rest as you like (extra entries means more chances to win!).  Leave a comment for each entry  and be sure to leave your email address in each comment.  If I can't contact you, I will choose another winner.

Mandatory Entry!

Visit Eco-friendly Baby Products - EcoMom and tell me something else you would love to have from the website.  

Extra Entries!

1. Follow my blog publicly via Google Friend Connect.

2. Like EcoMom on Facebook

3. Follow @EcoMomCEO on Twitter

4. Follow @InsideMyHeartt on Twitter

5. Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post.  One tweet per day!.  

Win #giveaway for Organic Plum and/or Revolution Foods from @InsideMyHeartt and @EcoMomCEO http://tinyurl.com/29odam4 for your munchkin/s! . 

Then post a comment here with your tweet URL.

6. Sign up for EcoMom's newsletter.

7. Blog about this giveaway.  Please be sure to link back to this post and leave me a link to your blog post.

This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.  I will be accepting entries until Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 10:00 P.M., Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator, and contact the winner by email.  S/he will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and another winner chosen. Once the winner responds I will send EcoMom the winners contact info and email so they can set up shipment of the prize!

ECOMOM provided the review Sampler to me at no cost, and is providing the winner's item as well. The sample product was provided to me for review purposes, I was in no way compensated for reviewing the product. The opinions expressed in this post are strictly mine & not influenced by the company in any way. Your results and opinions may differ. Thanks for participating & Thanks to EcoMom for sponsoring!!! 

A newly "fluffy" world!

For those of you who haven't heard this term before fluff is used as another word for cloth diapers (because they are so soft and fluffy!) And I am writing about my experience so far with cloth diapering and what works for me! I had actually started this post on 5/18/10, just hadn't finished it up till now! :s

First I want to talk about the diaper that comes to everyone's minds when cloth diapers are brought up. And that would be prefolds. You know the diaper you have to fold funny then pin, then put a cover over? Well so far these are my least favorite kind of diaper. Even though some people love them, it is too many steps for me. I have already jabbed myself once with a pin and that was when taking out the pins! Not putting them in...

Here are some prefolds on the line.

But I must say I was given quite a few of these from a friend and without them I would not be able to cloth diaper full time. So I am very happy to have them! I'm sure with practice I could get better but as if now they are not fun and I can't seem to get a good fit on baby.

They also make this thing now called a snappi and I am thinking about buying one to see how they work and if it makes it easier. I really should try to get one soon as I am using the prefolds!

Next are hybrid diapers. I have tried two now, a Flip and the one most people know as gDiapers. The g's I was using before I had cloth and for me they def worked well for my baby. But I was really wanting to go cloth all the way and not use disposable inserts. They do make cloth inserts as well but I didn't have any at the time I was using the g's so I can not say how well they work.

The flip to me is just a diaper cover. I use fitteds, prefolds and some cloth inserts in it. But they make disposable inserts as well.

Then there's AIO's (for any newbies that's All In Ones), I like them like I thought I would. They really are a quick and easy diaper to put on but they take FOREVER to dry. Seriously it takes me AT LEAST 2 times in the dryer on medium heat to dry them. I know line drying them would be best too but it rains here a lot and it's not always possible. And line drying in the house takes more time then I have!

Here's some bumGenius AIO's

Little L in a bumGenius AIO

Which leads me to pocket diapers! Which turned out to be just like I thought too! As of now these are by far my favorite! After you wash and dry them if you stuff them then, they are just like an AIO. Just stuff them ahead of time. I'd much rather take a few extra seconds to stuff a pocket then all the extra time it takes drying an AIO.

 And now that we are talking about pockets I will introduce my absoloute favorite diaper so far! The Bummis/Tots Bots Easy Fit Diaper! I would go into all I love about it except I wrote a review on it for another website which will hopefully be posted soon! So I will link to it from my blog when it does! While we are waiting I will just post some pics! :)

 Little L in his Easy Fit

Now my second favorite is fitted's. It does take a little extra step at diaper changing time because you have to put on a cover but that is pretty easy. Just like the pocket's there is one more step then the AIO's and I honestly would rather have the extra step not be right when I am changing my baby so pockets are first. For all you mama's who have changed a screaming babies diaper, you know what I mean! But fitted's are still great!

I have some bumGenius bamboo fitted's that I love but they don't seem to make them anymore! I'm over here pouting about that as I only have them in small and baby is going to be too big for them very soon... I am not sure why they were discontinued because I love them. They are so soft and absorbent! If your reading this bumGenius bring em back I would love you for it (and I would imagine many others out there that would too)!

Now for detergent! With cloth diapers you cant just use any old detergent so I did ALOT of looking around and getting opinions on what worked best for people. After a while I decided on Rockin' Green. It smells so yummy and definitely gets my diapers clean.

Notice the pile of lint in the background that I still have not bought a  container for... 

 Well that's a pretty simple post about my experience with cloth diapers so far but I'm sure there will be more posts in the future! Woohoo for cloth and for less garbage in our landfills!

Herbal Coffee Review

Now this is something I am choosing to write about myself. I was not asked by the company or the place I bought it from but after tasting it I had to post about it! What would this be? Teeccino Mediterranean Herbal Coffee.



First I want to say I am not a big coffee drinker. In fact I never drink it. But not because I don't like it ( I actually love the taste of coffee!) but because for whatever reason it makes me feel awful and gives me shakes and even anxiety.

So for years now I have not drank any coffee. But just the other day I came across a yummy looking recipe that called for coffee or a coffee substitute. Coffee substitute? I had never heard of this before....

So I typed in coffee substitute into my search bar and started browsing. One of the links led me to Teeccino. I read some really good reviews on it and decided this would be the first one I tried. I ended up ordering it from LuckyVitamin.com as it was a good price there and I needed a few other things. I ordered the Mediterranean Herbal Coffee in Hazelnut. I always liked flavored coffees and thought it would be safer to buy a substitute like that as well.

So it just came in the mail today and I took a closer look at it. It has no caffeine (good!) And the ingredients? Carob, barley chicory, dates, almonds, natural hazelnut flavor (whatever that is! but this product claims to be 75% organic so it could be worse!) and figs. That's it!

I must admit I was really skeptical that this stuff was going to taste like coffee. And I had bought it for baking so I figured close enough would be good. But I had to taste this stuff anyway since it had such good reviews. I got out the coffee pot (under the counter and never used) because you make this just like coffee. Then I opened the bag and OMG did it smell good! At that moment I figured if it tastes remotely like what it smells like, it should be pretty good!

So I brewed up a small pot, meanwhile my son was saying mommy I want Coffee! Oh boy I really don't want him going around saying that! I would never give him real coffee! But the package says great for kids too and judging by the ingredient's I think it's pretty safe!

Now I like my coffee with cream and sugar so when it was done I mixed in some raw sugar and coconut milk. Took a sip cautiously... Wow not bad! Second thing out of my mouth? "I can't believe this is not coffee!" The company should totally steal the line from that butter! lol




I'm more then impressed and have a feeling a cup of this stuff will sneak its way in once in awhile on top of baking with it.

My son did try it and did drink some. Not sure it was quite for him but I never thought he was a coffee drinker anyway. :P

My next stop is to the Teeccino website to buy the sampler pack because I want to try some other flavors too! Sampler Pack

OOoooh! And I just noticed if you subscribe to their Healthy Tips Newsletter you get a FREE SAMPLE of Teeccino - in your choice of flavor!

Happy baking, or brewing! :)