10 Parenting Tips I learned From My Dogs

1. Just Because you take a nap it doesn't make you worthless.

2. Just Because the newspaper is in your neighbor's driveway doesn't mean you can't read the headlines.

3. Just Because you are grown up, doesn't mean you still don't like squeaky toys.

4. Just Because you bark, doesn't mean people will listen.

5. Just Because there's nothing in the refrigerator, doesn't mean there isn't anything to eat.

6. Just Because there is a guest at your house, you have to like them.

7. Just Because it's messy and drooling, doesn't make it a real kiss.

8. Just Because you are inside doesn't mean you wish you weren't outside, and vice versa.

9. Just Because you find something in the back yard, doesn't mean you have to eat it.

10. Just Because you look at someone long enough with sad eyes, doesn't mean you will always get what you want (but it's worth a try).

"Mom"ed to Death

Mom..Mommy..Ma..Mama..OYE! My kids never stop calling my name. Every five minutes it's something. I am not just talking about the basic necessities either. Let's take for example this recent exchange:

"Mom?" "What?" The silence is now deafening while my 6 year old thinks of what to say, because she's got nothing. "Um...I think we..." "Audrey do you have something you need?" "No, I just thought I would come see you." "That's nice honey."

Five minutes later (I am not joking about the time frame) she's back.

"Mom?" "What?" "I just thought you would want me to tell you we need more toilet paper from the store." "Why is that?" "Because I just opened the bathroom door to let my brother in there and he put all the toilet paper in the bowl. I am not sure why he did that, I think it's (insert 10 minute tirade of why my daughter thinks he put it in the toilet bowl) because he wanted to see if it floats."

While I love the wit and wisdom of my children, there are days when I want to change my name and move to Canada. Don't they realize there is a Daddy in the house. Why don't they go and tell him their nuggets of truth? Oh that's right...because his standard answer is "Go tell your mother."

6 Surprising Ways to Use Coffee Grounds

You already know coffee is a highly consumed, heavily traded commodity that, when irresponsibly grown, has numerous negative environmental effects. You pay for the coffee you drink, whether it's an Earth-damaging, sun-grown brand or bears a green certified label. And a lot of labor went into its cultivation and production, so you probably want to get as much use from it as possible. Fortunately, coffee grounds have multiple uses and reuses, all of which take place outside the coffeemaker!

Beauty Uses for Coffee Grounds

Mix a quarter-cup of used coffee grounds with an egg white for an at-home skin-tightening mask.

Massage your face with coffee grounds for an exfoliating scrub that will leave you with a radiant glow.

Coffee grounds can add shine to brunette and black hair, improve scalp health, and prevent dandruff. In the shower, rub some used coffee grounds throughout your hair in between shampooing and conditioning. Make sure to distribute the grounds thoroughly and then rinse. Unless you want darker hair, you'll want to avoid this one, blondes!

To combat cellulite, mix a tablespoon of olive oil with a quarter-cup of moist, warm coffee grounds and apply to the troublesome areas of your body. Wrap the areas tightly with plastic wrap, leave on for a few minutes, and then remove and shower as normal. It's recommended that this be done a couple times a week for best results.

Coffee Grounds as a Cleaner

To combat stubborn grease and food remnants on pots and pans, try using a firm scrub brush and some coffee grounds mixed with a little water. The grounds are both abrasive and acidic, and might just give you the cleaning edge you've been looking for. Just make sure whatever items you clean with coffee grounds are stain-resistant.

If you end up inhaling or wearing most of the ashes from your fireplace as you try to clean it, simply sprinkle a layer of coffee grounds on the ashes before you start in order to minimize the amount of dust.

Coffee Grounds as a Deodorizer

If your closet smells too much like dirty gym shoes, simply fill the foot of an old pair of stockings with used, dry coffee grounds to make an odor-eating sachet that will last for weeks, or even a whole month.

You could buy a new box of baking soda to rid your fridge or freezer of unwanted smells, but used coffee grounds do the exact same thing. Simply get an empty margarine tub or yogurt container, poke holes in the lid, and fill it with used, dry coffee grounds.

Chopping onions and garlic leaves your hands downright pungent for hours. To get rid of stubbornly smelly hands, just scrub them with used coffee grounds and follow with soap and water.

Keep your sink drains clean and odor-free by pouring about a half-cup of used coffee grounds down them, immediately followed by at least 5 cups of boiling water to avoid clogging.

Coffee Grounds as a Dye

To make your own at-home dye, secure used coffee grounds in a filter or an old stocking, then soak in 2 cups of hot water for five to ten minutes. Simply increase the quantities for larger items. Then set the dye with either alum, vinegar, or soda ash.

If you have brown furniture that is scratched, scuffed, or blemished, put some of this dye on a Q-tip to perform a quick touchup.

You can also use it to dye such things as clothing, fabric, ribbons, feathers, or paper.

Coffee Grounds in the Garden

Sprinkle some used coffee grounds in the soil of your plants, especially rosebushes, for an organic fertilizer they'll go crazy over.

If you want to keep bait worms alive longer, just add coffee grounds to their soil.
Before planting carrots and radishes, mix the seeds with used coffee grounds to not only increase the size and quantity of your vegetable yield, but to ward away underground pests as well.

To keep slugs and snails out of your garden and plants, use coffee grounds as an organic repellent. And to repel cats, mix used coffee grounds with orange peels and sprinkle along the boundary of your garden. Curious dogs can be fatally poisoned by coffee, however, so use with caution.

Coffee Grounds in the Kitchen

Used coffee grounds are clearly a great pest repellent. And they also work for bothersome ants that usually show up in the kitchen area. In fact, ants won't cross a line of coffee grounds, so sprinkle some around any popular ant hangout.

If you like mushrooms and want to grow them indoors year-round, you'll be surprised to learn just how easy it is. All you need is a jar or bucket, some used coffee grounds, and some inoculated mushroom plugs that can be found at such places as Fungi Perfecti, LLC. Every time you drink coffee, place the wet grounds in the jar or bucket and add a mushroom plug. If you make sure the coffee grounds stay moist, you should begin to see mushroom growth within just a few days. It's usual for some mold to grow on the grounds, so if this happens just remove it so it doesn't affect the mushrooms.

If you have leftover coffee in the pot, use it to tenderize steak. And if you can spare some of your fresh grounds, add them to chocolate cake and brownie batter for bold, unique flavors.

It's Thirsty Thursday....

On tonight's mommy menu are Chamomile Hot Toddy's.

Ingredients:

3/4 oz J. Witty chamomile liqueur
2/3 oz Meyer lemon juice
1/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 ratio)
1 dash Scrappy's lavender bitters
hot water
lemon peel

Preparation:

In a coffee mug, add first three ingredients.
Add honey syrup and lavender bitters, stir to incorporate the ingredients.
Add hot water to fill, stir again, and garnish with a lemon peel.

Sip. Relax. Repeat.

The Joy of Depression

Depression is much more than a state of mind...it's a way of life. I have been affected with depression for over 15 years. I have been on medication after medication. I am a member of the worry club and the anxiety brigade. Becoming a mother didn't help my internal suffering. So after years of telling a total stranger about my own mother, I thought why fight it. Having a sense of humor about the things I cannot control has helped me realize that I am stronger than I think. A glass of wine helps too!

So for all the catatonics, out of sorts, crestfallen, those in the doldrums, those who live in Cincinnati, the disheartened, and the generally glum I say lets overcome our fear of optimism. We are all in good company.

I've learned it's ok to wake up in the morning --- and go back to sleep, only now I get to snuggle with 3 of the cutest little monkeys you've ever seen.

El Benacabra.....

Cute isn't he? Don't let the adorable cheeks or blonde hair fool you...this little one is full on whirling dervish! Perhaps it's because his father wants to make him a Wolverine when he grows up? Maybe it's because he's a boy? All I know is that my girls were never as active, busy, nosy, and just plain curious!

The house was baby proofed from the girls, but has since intensified by 10! There is baby latches on the garbage can, door knobs, all the chairs have been put away because they are used for climbing onto counters and stoves. Although he figured out how to use a box of wipes and his lego table to make a ladder and get in the sink. All the bathrooms have to be secured for fear of Barbie getting a swirly along with entire rolls of toilet paper. There are baby gates that are no match for my son.

There are matchbox cars in our blinds. Bouncy balls in our speakers. Shoes in every crack and crevice of our house. I even found his Tom Brady action figure in the washing machine. I know, I know...Boys will be Boys, but I am not sure if this one is typical! C'est la Vie...at least he keeps it interesting!

SPD and Me

Why does life have to be so stressful dealing with the unknown of a child living with Sensory Processing Disorder. It seems like there is never a time when you feel settled. You finally get comfortable in the thought that you are doing everything right, but then the rules change.

My daughter has always been a fighter. I knew she was trouble from the moment she was born, but her feisty demeanor has now turned into Muhammed Ali. She has started to manifest her frustration, anger, and excessive compulsions into rage. Full blown hitting, screaming, kicking, scratching, you name it she does it. Not to others, to herself. I know change in routine can be bad for her. I have seen it happen time and again, but physically hurting herself or tantrums just weren't her style. Again....the rules have changed.

I love my little Rockstar...so I will just keep up the fight within myself for her, what else is a mother supposed to do?

What Makes a Slinkity Sound?

I have no idea where the slinky came from and perhaps it should have stayed in that pile of toys from whence it came. Somehow it's evil lure was no match for my 3 year old today. From the depths of the toys to the side of Eva's head. I have no idea how she put it in there, but it must have made a great hair clip in her mind. Ugh...Patience, Dexterity, Supreme Patience, Repeat.....Finally it's out!

What walks down stairs, and gets stuck in hair,
And makes a slinkity sound?
A spring, a spring, an evil ole thing,
Everyone knows it’s Slinky…
It's Slinky, it's Slinky, for fun it's a terrible toy!
It's Slinky, it's Slinky, it's bad for a girl and a boy!

Nike Shoe Recycling

Recycle your shoes with Nike Reuse-A-Shoe and help us turn them into Nike Grind, a material used in sports surfaces like tracks, playgrounds and gym flooring. Learn more about sneaker recycling and Nike sustainability today.

Running Is.....

What have I agreed to do to myself? So far I am 3 days into my half marathon training schedule and I feel like I've been "Hoof'ed and Run" by a deer! You would think with the stress of raising 3 kids that I would have more stamina! Well, at least I am staying committed to this endeavor and trying to actually fulfill one of my New Years resolutions! Stay tuned for the continuing story of a quack who has crossed over into the world of marathoners....

Home Crayon Recycling

I remember having crayons as a kid - I even remember how they taste; it's just something you don't forget :).

I also remember the amount of crayon remnants that used to accumulate - and would just be thrown out.

Recycling crayons isn't going to save the environment by any means; but it's just a little less garbage winding up in landfill, can save you money and can help teach your children the value (and fun) in recycling. It's also recycling in it's truest sense - taking the waste from something and turning it into more of the same original product.

There's all sorts of ways you can recycle crayons; but here's a popular and very simple way to do it:

Remove any paper wrapping and cut up the crayons into small pieces
Grab an old muffin or cookie tray
Preheat your oven to 150-200F (around 65-90C). You don't want the oven too hot as you could wind up with a smelly, smokey mess - or a fire.
Add the crayons to the tray/tin. Group colors together to prevent mixing
Place in the oven
After around 5-10 minutes, the crayons should start melting, so keep a close eye on progress
Once fully melted, remove and allow to cool
If you're using a cookie tray, while the wax is cooling, you may want to score the wax into the sizes you wish
Another way to go about it is to place crayon pieces into cut-down soda cans and place into a saucepan with water in the bottom. Heat the water and let simmer until the wax is melted, then pour into molds such as ice cube trays or chocolate molds.

Get the kids involved or even just observing; they would probably find the process quite interesting - but of course the usual safety warnings apply when working with anything hot or sharp.

I think exercises like these can also help train children to develop a recycling and reuse mindset. Instead of thinking "this is junk", they'll start thinking a little more along the lines of "what can I do with this?".

Beeswax crayons

Crayons were once made with beeswax, but these days are usually made with paraffin. Paraffin is derived from fossil fuels. If you're particularly adventurous and would like to make more environmentally friendly crayons for your children, all you'll need is beeswax, some soap and food coloring. Beeswax isn't all that expensive - I've seen it advertised for around $15 a pound, which could make quite a few crayons.

Making beeswax crayons could even be a nice little cottage industry for enterprising folks!

BEESWAX CRAYON RECIPE

Things You'll Need:
1 part beeswax
1 part soap, grated (Glycerin works for harder crayons. Commercial bar soaps work for softer ones).
paste food coloring (found in the cake decorating aisle)
Soup cans
Large pot
Small candy molds or cookie cutters
Wax paper
Potholders
Vegetable oil

Fill the pot with water about halfway up. Boil water in the pot.

Place the beeswax in a soup can and place the can in the boiling water.

Once the beeswax is melted, add grated soap. Stir until the soap melts and the mixture is smooth.

Add paste food coloring until you have the color you desire.

Coat your molds with a thin layer of vegetable oil. If you use cookie cutters, put them on a piece of wax paper on a flat surface.

Using pot holders to lift the can from the water, carefully pour the mixture into your molds. For cookie cutters, make sure to hold the cutters steady while you pour. Quickly place a heavy object such as a book on top of the cutter (if possible depending on the shape of the cutter) to ensure that the mixture doesn't leak out of the sides.

Allow the molds to cool. When they are cool to the touch, gently remove the hardened crayons. Then start coloring!

Top Ten Useless Board Games for Moms!

1. Trivial Pursuit - You already know the agony of searching every retailer for the hottest toy your munchkin absolutely has to have!
2. Mouse Trap - Who needs to assemble a rodent catcher from a plastic bathtub and a colored marble? That's why you have a husband!
3. Monopoly - You spend virtually every second of your child's playdates trying to convince him not to hog all the Matchbox cars or the Legos!
4. Trouble - Why go looking for it? In five minutes a neighbor's going to call to say your kindergartner is peeing on his swing set!
5. Risk - You have a kid. They have a bike. 'Nuff said!
6. Twister - You already wake up most mornings to find your toddler's foot in your rib cage!
7. Scrabble - You can't make a word using only the letters Q, G, R, W, and X? Well, you lose, because your kindergartner can!
8. Go Fish - Been there, done that after your toddler dropped your keys in the toilet!
9. Clue - You've put many hours determining who squirted mayo on the dog that you could join the cast of CSI!
10. Life - You're no stranger to tuition bills, doctor bills, and a growing family. And somehow, you still feel like you are coming out a winner!

New Years Resolutions!

Ugh...why is it that Christmas has to come with all it's pomp and circumstance and leave me with a whirlwind of cleanup and a new year to come up with ways to torture myself! Well this year is the year...I know I know we say that all the time!

I decided the following resolutions are in order:

1. Losing Weight. Although I have a butt about as big as Kim Kardashian, it certainly does not fill out a spanx like hers does! So I actually have taken the steps to join Weight Watchers. Then I asked myself this question...Why is it I make sure my kids are eating healthy, organic, and well balanced and I am not? So here's to at least 20 lbs. this year! (Hey if I aim low I am sure to make it!)

2. De-Clutter the House. Ok this one is a necessity. Why is it I have to clean out the kids toys to "make room" for the Christmas toys they receive. Isn't there something wrong with that process? So I finished the Master Bedroom and the girls room. I am amazed at the amount of waste we have in the form of stuffed animals and broken toys. At least it is an opportunity to get the girls in on the spirit of giving and we can recycle some of these toys to charity! Now onto the boys room....

3. Run a Half Marathon. I know...baby steps. I decided this was a lifelong goal in which I was so close at one point in my life and then my babies hit my body like a Mack Truck! So I joined the SA Road Runners and am going to attempt my first 5k in February! The Texas Polar Bear here I come!

e-Trash to Treasure!

Chances are, for every shiny new gadget you got this holiday, there is an outdated one you won’t be utilizing anymore. I found out about several programs out there that let you get rid of your old electronics, and even get something in return! Here are a few ways to recycle those old ipods, computers, phones, etc:

A growing number of websites allows you to mail in your used electronics in exchange for a check or a paypal payment! One of the most well known and secure is Gazelle.com. They accept everything from cell phones, digital cameras, and laptops to old DVD’s and Video Games.

Who knew so many local retailers would let you trade in against a future purchase? Best Buy, Target, Sears, and Wal-Mart (the list is huge and includes just about every big box store) and online retailers like Amazon and eBay all offer such a program. Before you buy whatever doodad that has caught your eye, always ask about a cell back program and trade in value.

If your electronic is not new or trendy, but isn’t living among the dinosaurs, your best option is to donate it, and declaring it as a gift on your taxes! Some YMCA’s and Salvation Army locations will take cell phones, etc. as will charities that serve soldiers, seniors, and others. Check Earth911.com for a list of organizations that accept these donations.

Maxback.com helps you recycle cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, and GPS systems in exchange for donations to schools and other non profit organizations.

Also, remember to simply get rid of your old electronics safely. In many states you can’t throw them out because of the not-so-safe for the environment components. Check with Responsible Recycling (R2) or e-Stewards for EPA approved recyclers!

Natural A-peel!

I have found that my kids love of Fruit Snacks has led me to find a healthier way of giving them the soft chewiness they love about them, while still giving them something better in disguise!

Here are some great products my kids love:

Stretch Island Fruit Leathers: These fruit strips are very simplistic. Each one is made with sweet fruit puree and nothing else. Only 45 calories!

Kopali Dried Pineapple: Chewy pieces of dried pineapple with no sugars or fillers. This fair-trade company crams a full serving of fruit into each bag!

Sensible Foods Cherry Berry Crunch: Freeze dried cherries, strawberries, and blueberries have 22% of the day’s Vitamin C. My kids love them because they are like astronaut food!

Calbee Snack Salad Snapea Crisps: My kids shy away from peas. These pod shaped crisps have green peas as their first ingredient and my kids think they are croutons!

Goodness Inside Turbana Plantain Chips: These chips have half the fat of a potato chip and the kids love the crunchiness!

Terra Exotic Harvest Sea Salt: The colors of these carrot, blue potato, and kobacha squash chips are the real selling point for the munchkins!

My Baby Comes Into Contact with What???

I recently read that the average child comes into contact with over 400 toxins a day. This has spurred be into action to rid as many of these toxins from my home as possible. From now on our household will use only the finest of homemade eco friendly products prepared by yours truly! Here are a few recipes for those looking for home made baby products and cleaners!

Diaper Rash Treatments

Calendula Diaper Rash Ointment

1 lb. coconut oil (I use Nutiva, yellow & green label)
2 good handfuls calendula petals (health food store)
Comfrey leaves (Do Not Use if Pregnant)

Melt the coconut oil in a stainless steel pan. Add the herbs. Cook the herbs on low heat for about 30 minutes; the petals should be crispy, not burnt. Filter the ointment into jars. Allow to harden. Use as needed.

Diaper Rash Cream

1 teaspoon mineral oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch baby powder
2 teaspoons zinc oxide ointment
2 teaspoons triple antibiotic ointment
2 teaspoons Lotramin A/F ointment (optional for yeast infections)

Mix oil and cornstarch powder to a paste. Add ointments and mix well. Place in container with lid. Apply with cotton swab.

Other Natural Remedies

Powdered slippery elm bark makes an excellent dusting powder.

Dust cornstarch right from the box on to sensitive skin areas

Alternate milk of magnesia with Crisco after each diaper change

Add several drops of lavender, calendula or rose essential oil to a spray bottle of distilled water or colloidal silver. You now have a skin-loving, antimicrobial baby-bottom wash that’s totally chemical free.

Mix 1 drop of roman chamomile with 1 drop of lavender with some coconut oil (I use Nutiva, yellow & green label) and apply.

Try an oatmeal bath. Grind up oatmeal in your coffee grinder for a pleasant soak in the tub. Another way to get the benefits of oatmeal without the mess is to put some regular oatmeal (not baby oatmeal) in a small cotton bag and let it soak in the tub with your baby. Squeeze water through it every so often.

Extra virgin olive oil that has been steeped with fresh calendula. You can apply this oil at diaper changing time to help soothe and heal the rash.

Baby Powder

Easy Lavender Baby Powder

1/2 pound cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil

Place cornstarch in a self-sealing plastic bag and add the essential oil drop by drop. Tightly close the bag and shake it to distribute the oil, breaking up any clumps through the bag. Let stand 4 days to distribute the essential oil. Use with every diaper change, or as needed.

Potato starch or arrowroot powder can be used instead of cornstarch.

Healthy Baby Powder

1 ounce powdered chamomile
1 ounce powdered marigold flowers
1 ounce oat or oatmeal powder
1/2 ounce comfrey root powder
1/2 ounce powdered eggshells
1/2 ounce cornstarch (optional)

Powder herbs in a coffee grinder. Sift through a very fine sifter, then bottle. If heat rash is a problem, add cornstarch.

Fragrant Baby Powder

2 ounces cornstarch
2 ounces arrowroot powder
1 Tbsp kaolin clay
10 drops sweet orange essential oil
5 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
5 drops rose geranium essential oil

Place powders in a self-sealing plastic bag and add the essential oil drop by drop. Tightly close the bag and shake it to distribute the oil, breaking up any clumps through the bag. Let stand 4 days to distribute the essential oil. Use with every diaper change, or as needed.
Baby Oil

Apply a thin layer of baby oil to the infant’s feet after bathing. Gently massage the oil up the legs and over the body. Small circular strokes on the abdomen are soothing and stimulate digestion.

Baby Oil for Bloating and Colic

2 1/2 tbsp. sweet-almond oil
2 tsp. St. John’s-wort oil
3 drops ginger essential oil
3 drops Roman-chamomile essential oil

Mix all of the ingredients in a dark bottle with a dropper top, which will help to preserve the oil and prevent bacteria from forming. Shake well before each use. The baby oil will keep for about 6 months.

Basic Baby Oil Recipe

¼ Cup Cooking Grade Almond oil
10-15 drops lavender essential oil

Pour your ingredients right into the bottle you’re going to use to dispense the massage oils. Just give a good shake to blend the oils and you’re all set. For a different scent, use rose essential oil in place of lavender and orange.

Heavenly Baby Massage Oil

4 ounces of oil (olive, almond, apricot, or sunflower)
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops orange essential oil

Pour your ingredients right into the bottle you’re going to use to dispense the massage oils. Just give a good shake to blend the oils and you’re all set. For a different scent, use rose essential oil in place of lavender and orange.

Calendula Baby Oil

8 ounces of oil (olive, almond, apricot, or sunflower)
1 ounce calendula flowers

Place the oil and calendula flowers in a crock pot on low temperature for about 4 hours to extract the beneficial properties of the calendula into the oil. Check very carefully that your oil is not getting too hot! Allow the oil to cool and then strain it using cheese cloth or a gauze diaper.

You can add a few drops of essential oils if you like. Try 5-10 drops each of orange and lavender or chamomile. For the ultimate luxury use rose essential oil.

Calendula is healing and soothing to the skin. It is excellent for massaging your babies! Calendula oil is also good for helping prevent the over-growth of yeast in the diaper area.
Baby Wipes

Once you have your solution mixed up, choose your baby wipes. A roll of paper towels (recycled is very cool) cut in half with a bread knife gives you a lot of wipes.

Or you can cut up a towel and finish the edges or use flannel or other cotton fabric. And what about those blue shop towels? Or inexpensive wash cloths?

As for storage, use a zipper baggie for travel or a small plastic storage container with a lid for home. Shoot — be subversive and recycle a commercial baby wipes container for your homemade wipes!

The Original Recipe for Baby Wipes

1/2 roll of paper towels (cut in half to make short rolls)
1/8-1/4 c. baby shampoo
1/8-1/4 c. vegetable oil (apricot or sunflower)
2 cups lukewarm water
1 plastic container that the rolls fit in

Mix liquid ingredients gently. Pour mixture over one half of paper towel roll in container. Dispense wipes from center of roll.

Basic Baby Wipes

1 ½ – 3 cups water
1/8 cup olive oil (apricot or sunflower too)
3-5 drops tea tree oil
8 drops lavender oil

Shake gently with 1 T (1/8 cup) baby shampoo (I like Mustela!)
Pour over either cloth wipes or 1/2 paper towel roll, or can be kept in a spray bottle near changing station.

Anti-fungal Baby Wipes

1/2 c. distilled water
1 tsp. vinegar
1/4 c. aloe vera gel
1 TBS. calendula oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop tea tree essential oil

Looking for something to gently discourage yeast diaper rashes? The vinegar and essential oils discourage yeast growth which means you shouldn’t have too much trouble with these wipes getting moldy. To prepare, use a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Pour all your ingredients in, cover the jar and shake to blend the ingredients. Place your wipes in a container and pour on enough solution to moisten them. Store any extra solution in the fridge. It should stay fresh for a long time especially if you used distilled water. If a baby had a really red, raw diaper rash you might not want to use these wipes as vinegar may cause a burning sensation.

Herbal Baby Wipes

2 cups water
2 tsp. baby shampoo
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1 tbsp. calendula oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix liquid ingredients gently. Pour mixture over one half of paper towel roll in container. Dispense wipes from center of roll.

Calendula Baby Wipes

2 cups water
2 tsp. baby shampoo
1/4 cup aloe vera gel
1 tbsp. calendula oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix liquid ingredients gently. Pour mixture over one half of paper towel roll in container. Dispense wipes from center of roll.

Castile Baby Wipes

1 cup water
1 tbsp. Baby Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile
1 tbsp. apricot oil or almond oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix liquid ingredients gently. Pour mixture over one half of paper towel roll in container. Dispense wipes from center of roll.

What's In Your Water? Bottle Vs. Tap

We have been buying stainless steel or glass water bottle, not plastic or aluminum. Although the fear of BPA in plastics is one of the reasons we have started the change over. If your municipal system uses chlorine or has contamination, get a good quality water filter. Our family uses one with a carbon and KDF (Copper-Zinc) media, whichs cuts out the chlorine and removes particles larger than 5 microns. It cost $160 and will filter 10,000 gallons – way better and more cost effective than a Brita/Pur pitcher.

3 Little Eco Disasters!

Want to wreck the environment? Have a baby, or in my case 3! Each bundle of joy gobbles up more of the planet’s food, clogs garbage dumps with diapers, churns through plastic toys and winds up a gas-guzzling, resource-consuming grown-up like the rest of us. Still, babies are awfully cute. Given that most people still intend to procreate, what’s an environmentally conscious parent to do?

Step up and take the challenge I say! I am going to start my journey to raise 3 little eco disasters, although adorable, to be green!

Last Child in The Woods

I stumbled upon this book, and fell in love with it.  I highly recommend it to those of us that enjoy the majesty that mother nature brings into our lives.  

In this influential work about the staggering divide between children and the outdoors, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today's wired generation—he calls it nature-deficit—to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.

Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions and simple ways to heal the broken bond—and many are right in our own backyard.

For more on Richard Louv's work click here!

It's Mom Monday!

As I sit here getting over the fact that it is actually cold in South Texas, and *gasp* there is freezing rain coming down in November, I am reminded that it is the simple things in life that give you pleasure.  This mornings pleasure treasure....Raspberry White Chocolate creamer in a cup of French Roast coffee.  

Sip. Breathe. Repeat.