New Logo

OK so I think I am officially happy with the new logo and I am finally settled with the look of the blog. I think this graphic is perfect!!! What do you think?

I found the graphic at this neat website- has sooo much. Check it out!
www.clipartof.com/

Are You Listening to Your Baby?



 

This is a fascinating video from The Oprah Show about how babies use 5 words to communicate with us their needs. Wish I had heard this when my first was little- would have helped alot! Check it out- it's simply AMAZING!!!!

 

 

Are you intrigued? For more info check out the website- http://www.dunstanbaby.com/

Nature's Promise Organic Foods

For those of you looking for Organic foods, but don't live close to a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods stores. Try your local Stop & Shop. They have their own brand of organic foods called Nature's Promise. They have recently expanded their brand to include many different items and some stores have now made an entire aisle dedicated to healthy, organic brands.
For a listing of items under this line click here http://www.stopandshop.com/our_stores/offerings/brands/index.htm?brnd=NATURE_PROMISE

We love their Organic Animal Crackers, Cheese Crackers, Pasta Sauces, Chicken Broth, Frozen Strawberries, Homestyle Frozen Waffles, Milks, Meats, Cheeses, Lemonade, and Black Beans- just to name a few.

Everything we have tried under this brand we like better than the non-organic version we had been eating before. I have even had people ask me what sauce I used in my ziti- because it tasted so good! Being a busy mom, I can't always do homemade everything so when I do buy ready made items I always try to get the best products for my kiddos and I know when I give them Nature's Promise items that they not only taste good, they are good for them! Nature's Promise items are cheaper than most other organic items found in your regular grocery store and because it is made by Stop and Shop they have these items on sale regularly. So if you haven't tried Nature's Promise brand I highly recommend you do so!

Honest Company Diapers

I recently have not been happy with the diapers I had been using on my toddler- Pampers Baby Dry (didn't have Dry Max). I noticed that they smell a little chemical to me lately- that I never noticed before and that the seem to fall apart very easily lately and I have those annoying gel beads to clean up. I suspect they have changed something in the way they make their diapers. So I went on the hunt to find the best diaper and while I was at it I wanted to find a more eco-friendly option.

My research revealed that the diaper I had been using was the best-rated for keeping kids dry and lasting through the night. Well damn, that is not what I was hoping to find. And all the eco-friendly brands where more $ and didn't get the greatest of ratings for holding up well. Then I came across a new brand of diapers- The Honest Company.

The Honest Company is the baby of Jessica Alba (that's right, the actress) and Christopher Gavigan (former CEO of Healthy Child Healthy World). They make top quality eco-friendly diapers that your order from their site and are delivered to your doorstep. https://www.honest.com/ I was intrigued- so I researched them and found that moms who tried it seems to all be singing their praises. So I ordered a sample and have been very happy and decided to order the monthly bundle.

THINGS I LIKE ABOUT HONEST COMPANY DIAPERS:

• Naturally biodegradable & pure plant-based PLA in the inner & outer sheet (NO petrochemicals/oil)
• Bio-based wheat / corn super-absorbent materials blended with reduced SAP gel  
• Secure moisture barrier cuffs to prevent leakage or blowouts
• Comfortable stretchy, re-fastenable grip tabs- they feel more sturdy than our old diapers
• Hypoallergenic 
• Chlorine free fluff
• Non-toxic adhesive used
• No heavy metals in the inks used
• Super Absorbent

So if you too are in the market for better quality, safer, eco-friendly diapers I suggest you check them out. They are a little more expensive- a month supply is about $80 plus shipping and tax, but hey they work, don't smell (unless your child makes you a present) and are very absorbent for overnights. They have a free sample package (you pay S&H) if you wanna test them out before ordering.
https://www.honest.com/

Cleaning Schedule

As fall approaches I am reminded of all the fall cleaning that needs to happen; take air conditioners out of windows, clean window screens, wash curtains, clean the rugs, and it goes on and on. In an attempt to be more productive and organized this year, I have compiled cleaning lists for fall, spring, monthly and weekly. Happy cleaning!

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

• Wash Bed Linens
• Dust Bedroom 1
• Dust Bedroom 2
• Dust Master Bedroom
• Dust Kitchen
• Clean Bathroom
• Dust Ceiling Fans
• Do Laundry
• Put away Laundry

Monthly Cleaning Schedule

• Wash air conditioner filters
• Wash air purifier
• Clean windows
• Dust/Vacuum under/behind furniture
• Clean Microwave
• Clean Washer/Dryer
• Scrub bath, shower, bathroom floor
• Clean trash cans
• Vacuum Baseboard heaters

Fall Cleaning Schedule

• Replace Hepa filters air purifiers
• Wash and/or change out curtains
• Change out kids clothes fall/winter
• Steam Clean carpets
• Remove air conditioners and clean them
• Wash window screens and put back
• Vacuum mattresses and flip them
• Clean out Fridge and Freezer
• Clean out pantry
• Clean kitchen cabinets inside/out
• Oil burner inspected and cleaned
• Winterize sprinkler system
• Turn off outdoor faucets and store hoses
• Clean and store patio furniture
• Clean cars inside/out
• Check and repair caulk around windows and doors inside and out
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors- replace batteries
• Rake and clean up yard
• Check and clean gutters
• Go through toys to donate
• Go through clothes to donate

Spring Cleaning Schedule

• Replace Hepa filters air purifiers
• Wash and/or change out curtains
• Change out kids clothes spring/summer
• Steam Clean carpets
• Clean air conditioners and put in windows
• Wash window screens
• Vacuum mattresses and flip them
• Clean out Fridge and Freezer
• Clean out pantry
• Clean kitchen cabinets inside/out
• Power wash house
• Turn on sprinkler system/ repairs
• Turn on outdoor faucets and hook up hoses
• Clean and put out patio furniture
• Clean cars inside/out
• Mulch garden
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors- replace batteries
• Go through toys to donate
• Go through clothes to donate

Use Baking Soda as a Beauty Product

I have been on a mission lately to "greenify" my beauty products. With so many chemicals in cosmetic products that are harmful, toxic and cancer-causing I have been transitioning slowly to greener options as I research and test different products.

I have been using baking soda as a beauty product for about a year now and I love it!! Here are some ideas:

Baking Soda Hair Detox
All of the products you use in your hair build up on the hair shaft. Shampooing reguarly removes some, but not all of the products. To give your hair a great deep cleanse try pouring some baking soda into the palm of your hand in the shower. Stick your palm under the water and make a paste with the baking soda. Apply to roots and gently massage in. (This doesn't foam up like shampoo, so it will feel different.) Then rinse it out. Your hair will be shiny, smooth and full of body! Usually I have to use a detangler product when I get done washing my hair so I can comb it through. On days when I use baking soda I don't have to- the comb goes right through! Do this every few weeks to remove product build up. Best of all it is NON-TOXIC!!!

Baking Soda Facial Scrub
Pour some baking soda into your palm and stick your hand under the faucet to wet the baking soda enough to make a paste. Apply to face and GENTLY massage into your skin in a circular motion. Then rise or wipe off with damp sponge. Your face will be as smooth as a babies bottom. Do this every few weeks or whenever your skin needs a boost! Also works well as a foot scrub.

Do you use baking soda as a beauty product? How do you use it?

Cheddar Potato Soup

Fall is in the air and I thought I'd share our family's favorite fall soup-

CHEDDAR POTATO SOUP

• 3-4 large baking potatoes
• 3 cans cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Start by cleaning the potatoes and drying them. Poke several hole in each with a fork and microwave on high for about 7 minutes or until tender to the touch. Then let cool for about 10 minutes. Once cooled take a knife and peel most of the skins off (it is ok if you leave some- it's a rustic soup). and cut into bite-size chunks.

In a large pot pour in the cheddar soups, chicken broth and milk. Add in the garlic, salt and pepper and heat on med/high strirring with a whisk until the cheddar soup dissolves into the other liquids. Bring to a boil. Then add in the potato chunks and turn down to a simmer. Let simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes to reheat the potatoes. Then remove from  heat and either mash the potatoes with a masher or use an immersion blender to break up the potatoes until you get the desired consistancy. BYOC (be your own chef) if you like it thicker- mash/blend less, if you like it creamier- mash/blend more. Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, garlic as needed to taste.

Top with your favorite baked potato toppings; sour cream, bacon, fried onions, scallions, cheddar cheese, croutons, crackers, etc.