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Maria is an aspiring "fit mom" of 3 children, writing about cloth diapers, going green, and her life as a single mom. Maria works with many companies within the cloth diaper industry and beyond, providing social media management, product development, and other services.

11-What Will I Do When My Son is out of Diapers?

Jun 20,2011 / By Maria / No Comment

Do you have a cloth diaper issue? Have a burning question for me? On Mondays, I answer reader questions, and ask my other readers to give their advice too (for cloth diaper questions.)

Questions don’t have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with “Mailbox Mondays” in the subject, or fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Callista says:

I was just curious what you plan to do when you don’t use cloth diapers anymore, when your kids are bigger. Do you see yourself blogging about cloth diapers for a long time still?

That is a great question, and I’ve thought about that a lot since I started the blog. I have tried to sprinkle in other “green” subjects like natural personal care/household products and food, other reusable products etc. I actually struggled a lot when I chose my domain name!

I feel like cloth diapers are more than just diapers to me-beyond a hobby even-and I hope that I’ll stay involved in the diapering community even when my diaper days are over. I definitely have lots of cloth diapering ahead of me, but I realize that at some point, I won’t have an actual model to try diapers on, or to test fit/absorbency. I’ve noticed other moms/bloggers getting involved with cloth diaper companies almost as PR reps helping with product launches and advertising. I think this is fantastic, because they/we know the subject so well! However, I know that it would be difficult for me to “break into” that.

I really love getting to see, touch and photograph different diapers, and I think/hope my readers like all the detail I put into my reviews. I truly enjoy doing it, and I don’t do it for the “free stuff.” When my son is out of diapers, and I can’t really form an opinion on the absorbency/fit etc., I’d love to still be able to photograph and review diapers as a resource to my readers. Even if that means returning the diapers to the company after photographing them, or bringing in some help to test the diapers and provide action shots for me!

That was probably more than you wanted to know, but I’d love to keep blogging about diapers, but also blog about more (since my current readers won’t have babies in diapers forever either!) The weirdest thing is that the idea of being “done with diapers” makes me sad, and I never would have said that when I was using disposables!!

Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup for 6/17/11 (Plus Linky for All Giveaways)

Jun 17,2011 / By Maria / 6 Comments

Friday means I round up cloth diaper giveaways I’ve found all over the web. There are some cloth accessory and baby wearing giveaways too!

If you’d like me to list your cloth diaper, accessory, baby wearing (etc.) giveaway next week, send a link and description to maria at change-diapers.com, or Fill out my contact form for readers.

This week’s giveaway is two Grovia AIO Diapers

*AMP Diaper from The Nurse Mommy Mandatory Facebook “like” and email newsletter subscription (ends 6/17)

*Swaddlebees Simplex AIO from Measuring Flower (ends 6/17)

*WAHMies Wet Bag from Mama on a Green Mission Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/17)

*GroVia Kit from Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/17)

*Blissful Booty Diaper from The Nurse Mommmy Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 6/17)

*AppleCheeks Print Diaper from Kelly Wels (ends 6/17)

*Best Bottom Diapering System from Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/17)

*Roots Diaper from Eco Baby Mama Drama (ends 6/17)

*Itti Bitti Diaper from Seventeen Sirens (ends 6/17)

*WAHMies Wet Bag from Squishy Tushy (ends 6/17) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Hiney Lineys Cloth Diaper Package from Kelly Wels (ends 6/17)

*Rattled Rump Cloth Diaper from Mama’s Passions Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/18)

*$35 Snuggy Baby GCfrom The B Keeps Us Honest (ends 6/18)

*Thirsties Duo Diaper from Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/18) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Alva Baby Wet Dry Bag from Midnight Mommy Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/18)

*$25 AppleCheeks GC from Momotics (ends 6/18)

*Thirsties Duo Fitted & Wrap from Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/18)

*3 Bottom Bumpers Diapers from Diaper Buddys and Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/19)

*Wallypop Fitted & Wrap from Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/19) Open Worldwide

Real Nappies from So Easy Being Green (ends 6/19)

*AMP AIO Diaper from Beautiful Baby Gear/Abigail’s Diapers and Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/20) Open Worldwide

*Blissful Booty Diaper & Wipe Concentrate from The Clothspring Two mandatory GFC follows and Facebook “like and comment (ends 6/21)

*Itti Bitti Diaper from Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/21) Open to the U.S and Canada

*AppleCheeks Print Diaper from Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 6/21) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*AppleCheeks Print Diaper from The Eco Chic (ends 6/21) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*$25 Applecheeks GC from Me as a Mommy Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/21)

*Envibum Diaper from Closer to Lucy Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/21)

*Itti Bitti D’Lish from Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/22) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Mother-Ease Fitted and Cover from Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/22) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*$25 AppleCheeks GC from Baby Dickey’s Giveaways (ends 6/22) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Cow Patties Diaper from Anderson’s Angels Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/22)

$30 Modern Cloth GC from Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways (ends 6/22)

$5 Credit to Cloth By Kim from Nicki’s Cloth Diaper Reviews (ends 6/22)

*$25 AppleCheeks GC from Mama Dweeb (ends 6/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Bebe Bottom Wipes Spray from This Mama Rocks Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/23)

*Monkey Doodlez Swim Diaper from Green Bebe and Mama on a Green Mission Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/23)

*Envibum Diaper from Formula Mom Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/23) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*AppleCheeks Print Diaper from Mama B (ends 6/24) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Flip Diaper from Babies Bottoms and More and Going Green with Noah Two mandatory Facebook “likes” (ends 6/24)

Charlie Banana Training Pants from The Review Stew Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/24)

MiniMaestro Cloth Diaper from Formula Mom (ends 6/24)

Boba Baby Carrier from Luxury Living Frugal Style (ends 6/25)

GoGreen Champ 2.0 from Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/25)

Ergo Baby Carrier from This Mama Loves Her Bargains (ends 6/25)

Lovely Pocket Diaper from Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/25) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Lovely Pocket Diaper from Formula Mom (ends 6/25) Open to the U.S. and Canada

GoGreen Pocket Diaper from Mama on a Green Mission Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/25)

The Willow Store Dryer Balls from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/25)

$50 Abby’s Lane GC-Two Winners (ends 6/25)

*Applecheeks Diapers from Baby Dickey’s Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/26) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Sprout Change Diaper from Formula Mom (ends 6/26) Open Worldwide

*Ergo Baby Carrier from Two of a Kind (ends 6/27)

*Itti Bitti Diapers & Wet Bag from Knocked Up & Nursing (ends 6/27)

Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry Bag from Tales from the Nursery (ends 6/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Mother-Ease Diaper & Cover from Sugar Pop Ribbons Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Thirsties Duo Diaper from Lindsay’s Family Reviews & Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Lil Roos Carrier from The Bragging Mommy (ends 6/27)

BubuBibi Diaper & Wet Bag from The Momccupation Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 6/28)

*Mother-Ease Cloth Diapering System from One Smiley Monkey Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 6/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Blueberry Basix Diaper & Wetbag from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/29)

Bummis Swimmi Swim Diaper from Spoons, Spades & Stitches (ends 6/29)

$25 Rearz Diapers GC from The Mommy Goods (ends 6/29)

Kissaluvs Antbacterial Wet Bag from Lindsay’s Family Reviews & Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Knickernappies Diaper from Wee Little Changes (ends 6/30)

*Rumparooz Diapers, Wet Bag (and other stuff) from Belle Baby Carriers (ends 6/30) Entry is on Facebook, thus mandatory Facebook “like.” Official rules also state that by entering, you are added to 4 sponsors’ email lists.

$25 Madison Organics GC from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/30) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*GoGreen Pocket Diaper from Monkey Tales Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/1)

Blissful Booty Diaper & Wipes from Crazy 4 Fluff Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/1)

*Itti Bitti Diaper form Baby and the Chis Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/3)

Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag from One Smiley Monkey Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 7/3) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Boba Baby Carrier from Freckleberry Finds Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/7) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*giveaways that have been listed in a prior week’s roundup

You may enter any “family friendly” giveaway in the linky below. The form Blog name – Giveaway Item – Ending date works well. Please at least include the item and end date, and link directly to the giveaway.

View my where I list my giveaways post, to find more places to link up your giveaways!

Discount Natural Personal Care Products Review Sale

Renpure Organics Shampoo & Conditioner Review + Deal at CVS

Jun 16,2011 / By Maria / 4 Comments

So again I’ll say that I’ve had a hard time switching my personal care products over to more natural alternatives. I admit, I love the way my shampoo, conditioner, soaps, body wash etc. smell and work. Since I started “CVS’ing” in 2007, I haven’t had to pay real money for any of that kind of stuff. It’s also given me the opportunity to try a lot of new brands I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I have a handful of mainstream shampoo/conditioner brands that I love. They smell good and leave my hair clean, soft, shiny and silky. At any given time, I have 4-6 bottles of shampoo (plus their matching conditioners) in my stockpile. If one of my favorites comes up free (or better than free) it goes in the back of the stockpile. If it’s not a favorite, it gets donated.

CVS usually has a lot of great deals around Thanksgiving/Black Friday, and they are open on Thanksgiving! So for the past 3 years, I’ve taken a break from cooking Thanksgiving morning and gotten a haul of good stuff. Nothing like the buzz of a great bargain shop to get you through the cooking. 🙂

Last year, CVS had Renpure Organics shampoo & conditioner on sale for $4.99, and when you bought it, you got $4.99 Extra Care Bucks back (limit 2.) Renpure has quite a selection of shampoo/conditioners, but my CVS didn’t have many. So, I got the “I love my hair” body & shine shampoo/conditioner. I’d love to try the “my savvy hair needs sleek” smoothing formula, or maybe even the revitalizing or strengthening formulas.

Anyhoo, the Renpure products do not contain sulfates, parabens, dyes, gluten, phthlates or propylene glycol. It’s made with 100% certified organic extracts and the formula I got contains hydrolyzed soy protein, green tea, chamomile and sunflower oil.

Shampoo ingredients:
•Water (Aqua)
•Decyl Glucoside
Sugar derived foaming agent based on Coconut Oil
•Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate
Vegetable Oil based foaming agent
•Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Coconut Oil based mild foaming agent
•Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Sugar derived foam stabilizing agent based on Palm Oil
•Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
Certified Organic anti-inflammatory
•Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Certified Organic anti-oxidant to protect hair color
•Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Natural protein replenishment
•Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Natural protein replenishment
•Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Certified Organic natural hair lipid
•Panthenol
Pro-Vitamine B5 moisturizing and hair repair
•Polyquaternium-10
Hair conditioning agent
•PEG-150 Distearate
Palm Oil based thickener
•Glycol Stearate
Palm Oil based pearl opacifier
•Polyquaternium-47
Hair conditioner
•PEG-100 Stearate
Palm Oil based thickener
•Cetyl Betaine
Coconut Oil based foaming agent
•Coco-Glucoside
Coconut Oil based foaming agent
•Glyceryl Oleate
Palm Oil based emulsifier
•Amodimethicone
Modified silicone hair conditioner
•Glycerin
Vegetable Oil moisturizing agent
•C11-15 Pareth-7
Solubilizer
•Laureth-9
Solubilizer
•Trideceth-12
Solubilizer
•Benzophenone-4
Sunscreen to protect hair color
•Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Food grade pH stabilizer
•Citric Acid
Fruit acid based pH adjuster
•Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
•Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
•Fragrance (Parfum)
Pineapple Olive

Conditioner ingredients:
•Water (Aqua)
•Cetearyl Alcohol
Canola Oil based emulsifier
•Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Hair conditioner derived from Rapeseed Oil
•Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
Certified Organic anti-inflammatory
•Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
Certified Organic anti-oxidant to protect hair color
•Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Natural protein replenishment
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Certified Organic source for Vitamin E
•Panthenol
Pro-Vitamine B5 moisturizing and hair repair
•Tocopherol Acetate
Vitamin E for sun protection
•Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil
Natural hair lipid
•PEG-100 Stearate
Palm Oil based thickener
•Dicetyldimonium Chloride
Palm Oil based hair conditioner
•Cetrimonium Chloride
Palm Oil based hair conditioner
•Glyceryl Stearate
Emulsifier based on Palm Oil
•Stearalkonium Chloride
Palm Oil based hair conditioner
•Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Food grade pH stabilizer
•Citric Acid
Fruit acid based pH adjuster
•Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
•Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
•Fragrance (Parfum)
Pineapple Olive

It had a pleasant smell (not quite what I’m used to, but not bad) and was sudsier than I expected for a non-mainstream product.

The best part by far is that both bottles I bought had “try me free” hang tag (around the neck of the bottles) rebates. Keep in mind that I paid $10.58 in Extra Bucks, then got $9.98 back. So all it “cost” me was 60 cents Extra Bucks for the tax. Even so, I figured it was worth a stamp to try for the rebate. The forms did not limit the rebate to one per household. So, I sent both completed forms and my receipt, not expecting much. Lo and behold I was refunded for both bottles!! $9.98 was the rebate check amount, meaning the shampoo earned me $9.38 in real dollars (vs. Extra Care Bucks A.K.A. monopoly money, LOL.)

I would buy Renpure again (with a good deal of course) but I wouldn’t buy this formula again. I felt it weighed my hair down, and as though I had residue on it. It didn’t really feel clean. My husband finished the bottles because I couldn’t bring myself to use it anymore! No, it’s not exactly baking soda and apple cider vinegar, but I think it’s a good compromise for those of us would-be-crunchy ladies, who are still clutching our mainstream shampoo products in our white-knuckled, sudsy mitts. With the CVS deals, it’s certainly a great compromise for those of us who are pinching pennies too!

There’s another Renpure deal at CVS next week (6/19-6/25.) Please keep in mind that deals can be regional, so check your local ad before you buy! Renpure Organics Shampoo/Conditioner is on sale for $4.99 and when you buy a bottle, you will receive $3.00 Extra Care Bucks. That makes your net cost $1.99. Unfortunately, the limit is just one this time, so you’ll have to choose shampoo or conditioner. You can buy more than one bottle at the $4.99 price, but you will only get one $3.00 Extra Care Buck back. If my CVS has any of the other shampoo formulas I wanted to try, I might try again!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

AppleCheeks Print Cloth Diaper Winner

Jun 14,2011 / By Maria / No Comment

291 people entered this giveaway, with 509 entries in all. The winning entry is #18, which is Rebecca M. Congratulations Rebecca, I’m sending you an email so you can claim your prize!

Coupon Discount Natural Personal Care Products Review Sale

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash Review + Deal at CVS Next Week

Jun 14,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

So I tried the Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Toothpaste as part of a BzzAgent campaign last year, then I tried the Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant a few months ago.

I’ve explained before that since I’ve been “CVS’ing” since 2007, I haven’t paid more than a few pennies (paid in CVS ExtraBucks mind you…not real money, LOL) for my personal care products, including toothpaste (I only “buy” that if they pay me to take it, and I donate a lot as it is!) deodorant and mouthwash. The deal with the deodorant was that it was on sale for $3.99, and you got $3.00 Extra Care Bucks back. It’s regularly around $5.29 for 16 ounces.

I’ve struggled with switching my personal care products to more natural alternatives, largely because I can’t bring myself to pay $5, $8 or more for things I can get for free (when they are for me anyway, my kids are worth it of course.) Even though 99 cents was “a lot to pay” I figured it was worth a try for something more natural.

If you read my deodorant review, you know that was a bust, but the deal was limit 2, and included the Wicked Fresh Mouthwash. I recently finished the bottle and it was OK. It was definitely worth 99 cents!

Here are the ingredients:

(Name/Purpose/Source)

Water/Consistency/Maine aquifer
Glycerin/Skin moisturizing/Vegetable oils
Sorbitol /Moistener/Corn (Zea mays)
Aloe vera leaf juice (organic)/Soothing feel/Organic aloe (Aloe barbadensis) plant
Propanediol (vegetable source)/Consistency/Corn (Zea Mays)
Natural flavors/Flavor/Natural oils derived from the leaves of mint and other aromatic plants
Benzoic acid (natural)/Preservative/Apples or Cinnamon leaf/bark
Zinc chloride/Fresh Breath/Derived from purified zinc from the earth
Menthol/Flavor/Brazilian cornmint (Mentha arvensis) oil

Sounds a little better than this, eh?: THYMOL (0.064%), EUCALYPTOL (0.092%), METHYL SALICYLATE (0.060%), MENTHOL (0.042%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, ALCOHOL (21.6%), SORBITOL SOLUTION, FLAVORING, POLOXAMER 407, BENZOIC ACID, SODIUM SACCHARIN, SODIUM BENZOATE, FD&C GREEN 3

Anyhoo, I’ll be honest that I don’t think it was quite as effective as the traditional stuff. My breath didn’t seem as fresh and my teeth weren’t slick-clean. However, I would continue to buy it if I can get good deals!

~~FreeVS~~ CVS has another deal on Tom’s of Maine next week, 6/19-6/25. Please keep in mind that some deals are regional,so check your local ad before you buy!!

Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste, Mouthwash or Deodorant will be on sale for $3.49 and you will get $1.00 Extra Care Buck back when you buy it (limit two.) The 6/19/11 Smart Source Coupon insert is supposed to have $1 coupon for Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste or Mouthwash, as well as a $1 coupon for Tom’s of Maine Deodorant. (Make sure you’re buying the largest paper in your area, ex: my local paper doesn’t usually have the good coupons, but the Washington Post does.) So your net cost would be $1.49 each. Not bad if you’ve been wanting to try their products, or if you already use them!

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Author Archives: Maria

Mailbox Mondays 6/20/11-What Will I Do When My Son is out of Diapers?

Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup for 6/17/11 (Plus Linky for All Giveaways)

Renpure Organics Shampoo & Conditioner Review + Deal at CVS

AppleCheeks Print Cloth Diaper Winner

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Mouthwash Review + Deal at CVS Next Week

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