Cloth nappies are economical, great for the environment and great for baby's bottom but there are a few tricks to getting them clean and fresh.
For nappies that are simply wet with urine, I 'dry pail' them by simply placing them in a bucket with a lid. As I have enough cloth nappies to last me four days without washing, I have several buckets around the house to store these wet nappies. I put a dash of eucalyptus or lavendar oil in the buckets prior to use to try and mask the urine smell.
For soiled nappies, I wipe the poo off into the toilet with some toilet paper. I then rinse the nappy liner and nappy under the laundry tap and soak them in a bucket with warm water and my home made laundry detergent. I let the nappies soak until I'm ready to wash.
I wash all my nappies, nappy liners and nappy covers in a warm wash (60 deg) for 2.5 hours. I add 2 cap fulls of my home made laundry powder and a capful of eucalyptus oil.
The nappies come out of the washing machine warm, clean and smelling divine. I peg them on the line in the morning and let them dance in the sunshine all day.
I give the used buckets a rinse with warm water then put them out in the sunshine all day to dry out.
Happy Nappies to Everyone!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Bircher Museli
Take care of your poo!
Pooing is very very important. It is kind of like breathing - we would be dead if we stopped doing it. I know that it isn't talked about that much but bowl cancer is a real problem for a lot of Australians. It is important to take care of your bowl by taking care of your poo.
One of the best ways to get that great big log poo without straining is fibre. And one of the best most yummy recipes to make sure you get heaps of fibre and great poo is Bircher Museli. This stuff is the BOMB and will have you pooing regular as clock work each and everyday.
Bircher Museli
1 cup oats
1 tbsn coconut flakes
1 tbsn slivered almonds
1 grated apple
sprinkle sunflower seeds
1 tbsn dried paw paw
1 tbsn cranberries
unsweetened apple juice
Place all dry ingrediants into a bowl and mix. Add apple juice until everything is just covered with liquid. Place in the fridge overnight. The apple juice will soak into everything.
Serve with vanilla yogurt.
The idea with Bircher Museli is that you can add any nuts, seeds, or fruit that you want. The more the merrier. Try different combinations and experiment a little.
Some stats on bowl cancer from Bowl Cancer Australia....
Around 14,234 Australians are told they have bowel cancer every year.
Bowl cancer claims the lives of around 4,047 people every year.
1 in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer before age 85.
Both men and women are at risk of developing bowel cancer.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR POO!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
S.
Pooing is very very important. It is kind of like breathing - we would be dead if we stopped doing it. I know that it isn't talked about that much but bowl cancer is a real problem for a lot of Australians. It is important to take care of your bowl by taking care of your poo.
One of the best ways to get that great big log poo without straining is fibre. And one of the best most yummy recipes to make sure you get heaps of fibre and great poo is Bircher Museli. This stuff is the BOMB and will have you pooing regular as clock work each and everyday.
1 cup oats
1 tbsn coconut flakes
1 tbsn slivered almonds
1 grated apple
sprinkle sunflower seeds
1 tbsn dried paw paw
1 tbsn cranberries
unsweetened apple juice
Place all dry ingrediants into a bowl and mix. Add apple juice until everything is just covered with liquid. Place in the fridge overnight. The apple juice will soak into everything.
Serve with vanilla yogurt.
The idea with Bircher Museli is that you can add any nuts, seeds, or fruit that you want. The more the merrier. Try different combinations and experiment a little.
Some stats on bowl cancer from Bowl Cancer Australia....
Around 14,234 Australians are told they have bowel cancer every year.
Bowl cancer claims the lives of around 4,047 people every year.
1 in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer before age 85.
Both men and women are at risk of developing bowel cancer.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR POO!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
S.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Children and Pets
Justin and I believe in the importance of having animals in Alex and Ellie's lives. Having Sash our Border Collie has taught all of us the importance of feeding her healthy food, taking her for daily walks, giving her lots of cuddles and pats and learning not to scare her (with Ellie's high pitched screams of delight every time Sash walks by).
In return, Sash showers the kids with 1001 kisses, wags her tail when we get home, barks to scare away strangers and eats all of Ellie's food scraps that fall on the floor (sweeping is over-rated).
Sharon and I met each other through our dogs (Sash met Ginger while out walking) and we have been firm friends ever since.
Having a dog is not cheap. The annual vet checkup and vaccinations are around $200 and when Sash fell ill 4 years ago, we were sent a $2000 bill. Still, she is money well spent and is a gorgeous girl with a wonderful nature.
I read an article several years ago about Vets choosing to sell commercial dog food in their surgeries and then telling pet owners to purchase the food as it was 'best' for their dog's health. The article raised the issue about a Vet's duty to his/her pet patient rather than to making profit out of selling commercial food.
I find commercial dog food not only expensive but it gives Sash the 'trots' and gives her flatulence. So, I started feeding Sash home made dog food several years ago which is inexpensive and she is thriving.
Ingredients:
Chicken Stock - I buy chicken frames and put them in my slow cooker overnight ($1.50 for two frames makes 6 litres of stock)
1 cup of frozen vegies (no onion)
1 cup oats
1 chicken drumstick or a couple of chicken necks/beef bone
1 tablesoon olive oil (gives her coat a lovely gloss and helps with dry skin)
Method:
I pour the chicken stock over the frozen veggies and heat them in the microwave for two minutes. I then add the oats, meat and olive oil. The bones help clean her teeth and she relishes in crunching them up.
Bon Appetit to our furry friends!
In return, Sash showers the kids with 1001 kisses, wags her tail when we get home, barks to scare away strangers and eats all of Ellie's food scraps that fall on the floor (sweeping is over-rated).
Sharon and I met each other through our dogs (Sash met Ginger while out walking) and we have been firm friends ever since.
Having a dog is not cheap. The annual vet checkup and vaccinations are around $200 and when Sash fell ill 4 years ago, we were sent a $2000 bill. Still, she is money well spent and is a gorgeous girl with a wonderful nature.
I read an article several years ago about Vets choosing to sell commercial dog food in their surgeries and then telling pet owners to purchase the food as it was 'best' for their dog's health. The article raised the issue about a Vet's duty to his/her pet patient rather than to making profit out of selling commercial food.
I find commercial dog food not only expensive but it gives Sash the 'trots' and gives her flatulence. So, I started feeding Sash home made dog food several years ago which is inexpensive and she is thriving.
Ingredients:
Chicken Stock - I buy chicken frames and put them in my slow cooker overnight ($1.50 for two frames makes 6 litres of stock)
1 cup of frozen vegies (no onion)
1 cup oats
1 chicken drumstick or a couple of chicken necks/beef bone
1 tablesoon olive oil (gives her coat a lovely gloss and helps with dry skin)
Method:
I pour the chicken stock over the frozen veggies and heat them in the microwave for two minutes. I then add the oats, meat and olive oil. The bones help clean her teeth and she relishes in crunching them up.
Bon Appetit to our furry friends!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Haircuts
I have spent a fortune at various hair dressers over the years and with Justin and Alex needing haircuts every six weeks, I was paying $100 every six weeks just for basic trims for us all.
Justin is a bit precious with his hair and has only entrusted his golden locks to a professional hairdresser. However, he was charged $28 for his latest hair cut and was disappointed with the results and the cost.
We received a Myer gift voucher for Christmas and decided to buy a Haircut set from the store on the weekend. They were having a 15% off sale which bought the set down to $30.
I read the instructions and used Alex as my first guinea pig but we are all very impressed with the results. The process was very cathartic for myself and Alex looks quite handsome as a result. That haircut alone saved us $13 and we have nearly recouped half of the cost of the haircut set.
Justin has promised me that I can cut his hair when it next needs doing. I think that I'll do some internet research and watch some u-tube videos on how to cut men's hair prior to cutting his hair so that he is blown away by my talents!
Justin is a bit precious with his hair and has only entrusted his golden locks to a professional hairdresser. However, he was charged $28 for his latest hair cut and was disappointed with the results and the cost.
We received a Myer gift voucher for Christmas and decided to buy a Haircut set from the store on the weekend. They were having a 15% off sale which bought the set down to $30.
I read the instructions and used Alex as my first guinea pig but we are all very impressed with the results. The process was very cathartic for myself and Alex looks quite handsome as a result. That haircut alone saved us $13 and we have nearly recouped half of the cost of the haircut set.
Justin has promised me that I can cut his hair when it next needs doing. I think that I'll do some internet research and watch some u-tube videos on how to cut men's hair prior to cutting his hair so that he is blown away by my talents!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Fruit or Veg?
L is now nearly 6mths old. I have started to think about (and experiment with)solids. Which are really more like gloopy fluids rather then actual solids.
I took L to daycare and they asked about what foods I have introduced L to. I mentioned a few things like banana, potato, peach, pumpkin, blueberries, grapes, avocado. The daycare lady was horrified that my list included mostly fruit. I got a huge lecture about how children will always go for foods that are sweet and if I want L to eat his veggies for the rest of his life then I should give him mostly veg and very little fruit.
At first I believed her. I mean - she works with children and has a diploma in childcare and I have not even been a mum for 6mths yet. So it makes sense that she has more idea on these things then I do. But - it really did bother me not to give L too much fruit. I mean - it is packed with vitamins and minerals and high in fibre with zero fat (except for avocado). How can it possibly be bad?
So I started investigating. Turns out that breast milk is very sweet and we have been told forever that breast is best. Also - almost all of the baby foods on the market have a combination of fruit and veg (sweet potato and pear, or pumpkin, carrot, and apple).
The new weight watchers pro points plan has zero points for most fruit and veg. The idea being that you can eat as much fruit and veg and as you want without counting it towards the total points for the day.
The most important thing for me though is to let L grow up without having the same hangups and problems with food that I have. I don't want to introduce him to a diet at 6mths old! And of course as long he is eating plenty of fruit and veg - how can that possibly be bad??
Here is a picture of L enjoying his first taste of watermelon. I think I will continue to introduce L to fruit and veg without feeling guilty.
Cheers,
S.
I took L to daycare and they asked about what foods I have introduced L to. I mentioned a few things like banana, potato, peach, pumpkin, blueberries, grapes, avocado. The daycare lady was horrified that my list included mostly fruit. I got a huge lecture about how children will always go for foods that are sweet and if I want L to eat his veggies for the rest of his life then I should give him mostly veg and very little fruit.
At first I believed her. I mean - she works with children and has a diploma in childcare and I have not even been a mum for 6mths yet. So it makes sense that she has more idea on these things then I do. But - it really did bother me not to give L too much fruit. I mean - it is packed with vitamins and minerals and high in fibre with zero fat (except for avocado). How can it possibly be bad?
So I started investigating. Turns out that breast milk is very sweet and we have been told forever that breast is best. Also - almost all of the baby foods on the market have a combination of fruit and veg (sweet potato and pear, or pumpkin, carrot, and apple).
The new weight watchers pro points plan has zero points for most fruit and veg. The idea being that you can eat as much fruit and veg and as you want without counting it towards the total points for the day.
The most important thing for me though is to let L grow up without having the same hangups and problems with food that I have. I don't want to introduce him to a diet at 6mths old! And of course as long he is eating plenty of fruit and veg - how can that possibly be bad??
Here is a picture of L enjoying his first taste of watermelon. I think I will continue to introduce L to fruit and veg without feeling guilty.
Cheers,
S.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Meal Planning
My good mate in Brisbane introduced me to the concept of meal planning in 2010. I have since become a meal planning convert and know that it saves me money and time.
I sit down at the end of each month and flip through my cooking mags, recipe books and online recipe websites. I try and find three or four new recipes to add to my monthly meal plan to spice up our culinary repertoire.
I then open up Microsoft Word and make a table, Monday to Sunday across the top and weeks one to four down the side. I then insert my recipe name and relevant recipe book page numbers. If there's any extra ordinary ingredients needed, I jot these down on my shopping list.
Each Monday, I make a quick list of the ingredients that I will need for the forthcoming week's recipes. When I go shopping on Tuesday, I quickly zip around the supermarket and only buy what I actually need.
To make cooking easier on myself, every Saturday night is automatically takeaway and Friday night is a simple meal e.g. frozen ravioli with a pre-prepared sauce and vegies that takes 5 minutes to prepare.
The beauty of meal planning is that I don't have to think 'what's for dinner' every day and my family gets to try new recipes.
Bon appetit!
I sit down at the end of each month and flip through my cooking mags, recipe books and online recipe websites. I try and find three or four new recipes to add to my monthly meal plan to spice up our culinary repertoire.
I then open up Microsoft Word and make a table, Monday to Sunday across the top and weeks one to four down the side. I then insert my recipe name and relevant recipe book page numbers. If there's any extra ordinary ingredients needed, I jot these down on my shopping list.
Each Monday, I make a quick list of the ingredients that I will need for the forthcoming week's recipes. When I go shopping on Tuesday, I quickly zip around the supermarket and only buy what I actually need.
To make cooking easier on myself, every Saturday night is automatically takeaway and Friday night is a simple meal e.g. frozen ravioli with a pre-prepared sauce and vegies that takes 5 minutes to prepare.
The beauty of meal planning is that I don't have to think 'what's for dinner' every day and my family gets to try new recipes.
Bon appetit!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Homemade Laundry Powder
I have been buying commercial laundry powder for years. I loved the claims that my laundry powder box made; removes stains without scrubbing garment, won't make colours run in the wash, removes every bacteria known to human kind......
A year ago I decided to run the gauntlet of the laundry aisle and make my own laundry powder. I was inspired by my blog guru, Rhonda Jean of www.down---to---earth.blogspot.com who had a homemade laundry powder recipe. I have had nothing but success with this recipe but recently decided to ditch the soap flakes and instead added bicarb soda.
Warning: if you love the smell of chemical laden laundry powder do not use this recipe as your clean laundry will only smell of sunshine and fresh air!
Ingredients:
2 cups of bi-carb soda (found in cooking aisle of supermarket)
2 cups of nappy soaker powder (found in laundry aisle)
2 cups of borax (found in pest aisle)
2 cups of washing soda powder (found in laundry aisle - do not buy the washing soda crystals as they're too big)
Note: Add a dash of lavendar oil to the powder if you like a scent to your clothes
Method:
Just mix all the ingredients together in a tub and store with a lid on. I use two tablespoons per wash and don't dissolve the powder before adding to the washing machine.
It cost me $15 to buy all the ingredients and that quantity will make two batches of powder which will last me around 4-5 months!
I use this recipe as a laundry soaker as well for dirty nappies and stained clothes.
My clothes are always clean and fresh and I even managed to convert my mother (who has been using the same washing powder for many years).
Happy Washing.
A year ago I decided to run the gauntlet of the laundry aisle and make my own laundry powder. I was inspired by my blog guru, Rhonda Jean of www.down---to---earth.blogspot.com who had a homemade laundry powder recipe. I have had nothing but success with this recipe but recently decided to ditch the soap flakes and instead added bicarb soda.
Warning: if you love the smell of chemical laden laundry powder do not use this recipe as your clean laundry will only smell of sunshine and fresh air!
Ingredients:
2 cups of bi-carb soda (found in cooking aisle of supermarket)
2 cups of nappy soaker powder (found in laundry aisle)
2 cups of borax (found in pest aisle)
2 cups of washing soda powder (found in laundry aisle - do not buy the washing soda crystals as they're too big)
Note: Add a dash of lavendar oil to the powder if you like a scent to your clothes
Method:
Just mix all the ingredients together in a tub and store with a lid on. I use two tablespoons per wash and don't dissolve the powder before adding to the washing machine.
It cost me $15 to buy all the ingredients and that quantity will make two batches of powder which will last me around 4-5 months!
I use this recipe as a laundry soaker as well for dirty nappies and stained clothes.
My clothes are always clean and fresh and I even managed to convert my mother (who has been using the same washing powder for many years).
Happy Washing.
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