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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 (Plus Linky For All Giveaways)

Mar 25,2011 / By Maria / 12 Comments

Do you find yourself hunting for a cloth diaper giveaway (or twelve) to enter? Every Friday, I round up all of the cloth diaper/accessory/baby wearing giveaways I’ve found, putting them all in one place for you to browse and enter!
If you’d like me to feature 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.

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitteds & Duo Wrap (ends 3/31)

*Best Bottom Diapering System from A Heart 4 Home (ends 3/25)

*Best Bottom Diapering System from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 3/25) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Go Green Pocket Diaper from Sugar Pop Ribbons Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/25)

*Ergo Baby Carrier from Jewels and Treasures Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/25)

*GreenChild Creations Fitted from Crazy4Fluff Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/25)

Huggabunz Diaper & Wipes from Maine Cloth Diaper Co. and Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/25) Open to the U.S and Canada

Bumgenius Diaper Sprayer from Kelly Wels (ends 3/25)

Thirsties Duo Wrap & Prefold from 29 Diapers Two mandatory Facebook “likes” (ends 3/25)

*Ergo Baby Carrier from Princes and a Princess 2 (ends 3/26)

*Bamboo AIO from LC Diaper Parties and Crunchy Beach Mama Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 3/26) Open to the U.S. and Canada

IttyBittyBums Diaper from Adventures of Mommy S (ends 3/26)

*Knickernappies Diaper from Wee Little Changes (ends 3/27)

*Itti Bitti Diapers from Your World Healthy and Natural Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/27)

*Real Nappies Starter Package from Take Time To Smell The Rose Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/27)

*Thirsties Duo Wrap & Prefold from Crum’s This n That (ends 3/27) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Ergo Baby Heart2Heart Insert from The Cloth Diaper Report (ends 3/27)

Qtbunns AIO from Nicki’s Cloth Diaper Reviews (ends 3/27)

*Bummas Wipes from Love You Always and Forever Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 3/28)

*Thirsties Duo Fitted from Madison Organics and Dirty Diaper Laundry (ends 3/28)

*Doopsy Insert from Baby EcoMart and Oh So Savvy Mom (ends 3/28) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Thirsties Prefold & Cover from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 3/28) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Snappi from A Mommy’s Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/28)

*Doopsy Diaper from Under the Apple Tree Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/28)

Best Bottom Diaper from Crazy 4 Fluff Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/28)

*Bummas Wipes from Life of a Slightly Crunchy SAHM of Drama Queens Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 3/29)

*Kawaii Diaper from West Coast Mama (ends 3/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Doodle Dypes from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

*Diaper from Mommy Secrets and Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 3/29)

*Best Bottom Diaper from Mama on a Green Mission Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

*Best Bottom Diaper from Double Duty Mommy (ends 3/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*GroVia AI2 from Wee Little Changes and The Not so Secret Confessions of a First Time Mom (ends 3/29)

*Babee Greens Fitted from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

Best Bottom Diaper from Crum’s This n That Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29) Open to the U.S. and Canada

$20 Wee Expressions GC or Snappi from So Easy Being Green (ends 3/29)

Green Bumkins Wet Bag & Wipes from My This n That Life Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

Monkey Toe Diaper from My This n That Life Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

Eucalan Wool Wash from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

Green Scene Diaper from So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

Tiny Tush Diaper from Baby Dickey’s Giveaways (ends 3/29)

Mother-ease Diaper from Fluffy Cheeks and A Whole Lot of Fluff (ends 3/29)

Sustainablebabyish Longies from Natural Family Supplies and So Easy Being Green Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/29)

*Doopsy Insert from Happenings of the Harper Household Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/30)

*$20 Eli Monster GC from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30)

*Osocozy Fitted & Wool Cover from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30)

*Fluffy Monkey Butts Diaper from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30)

*Mother-Ease Fitteds & Cover from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Cheeky Diapers Fitted & Cover from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30)

*Star Baby Design Fitted from Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30)

*Smartipants Diaper from Sweet T Makes Three Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/30)

*Itti Bitti Diapers & Wet Bag from The Eco Chic (ends 3/30)

*Bumgenius 4.0 from Happy Cotton Tails and Soleil Selene Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 3/30)

*Oh Katy Diaper from Momma in Flip Flops (ends 3/30)

*Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold from Wee Little Changes and Cloth Diaper Addiction (ends 3/30)

*$20 For The Monster GC from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

*Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted from Green Pixie Baby and Little Baby Bug Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/31)

*Kissaluvs Contour Diaper from Nutured Family and The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

*Osocozy Prefolds from All Together Diaper and The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

*Econobum from Little Baby Bug (ends 3/31)

*Econobum from The Mommy Goods Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/31)

*Hug A Monkey Baby Carrier from Coupon Queen Bee (ends 3/31)

*Bummis Fleece Liners from The Mommy Goods Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/31)

*Babee Greens Fitted from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 3/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Fuzzibunz Diaper from Mommy Gaga (ends 3/31)

Oh Katy Diaper from A Mom’s Take (ends 3/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Smart Bottoms Diaper from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

AMP Diaper from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

Thirsties and Happy Heiny’s Diapers from DNA Diapers & Mama B (ends 3/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada

GenY Cover from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

Zookies Diaper Cover from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

Sleepy Wrap from Triple Duty Momma (ends 3/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada

AMP Diaper from Sweet Little Bottoms and Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/31) Open to the U.S. and Canada

$20 Lil Bunz GC from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

Tiny Tush Cover from The Mommy Goods (ends 3/31)

Ergo Baby Carrier from This Mama Rocks Mandatory GFC follow (ends 3/31)

*Mini Maestro Diaper from Mama to 4 Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/1)

*Flip Disposable Inserts from Lindsay’s Family Reviews & Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/1)

*Econobum from Padded Tush Stats Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/1)

Itti Bitti Diapers & Wipes from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 4/1) Open to the U.S and Canada

Huggabunz Diaper from Maine Cloth Diaper Co. and Chubby Cheeks Thinks (ends 4/1)

Maxwell Designs Wet Bag from Mama Days Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/1)

Zookies Diaper Cover from Fabulous Family Reviews & Giveaways (ends 4/2)

Kissaluvs Marvels AIO & CJ BUTTer from Modern Cloth and Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 4/2)

Thirsties & Econobum Diapers from Modern Cloth and Double Duty Mommy (ends 4/2)

*Boba or Ergo Carrier from CSN Stores and Life as a Global Mom (ends 4/3)

Sprout Training Pants from The B Keeps Us Honest (ends 4/3)

Applecheeks Diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 4/4) Open to the U.S. and Canada

2 FuzziBunz OS Diapers & Diaper Pail from Madison Organics & Mama B Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 4/4)

2 FuzziBunz OS Diapers & Pail Liner from Madison Organics & Double Duty Mommy Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 4/4)

Monkey Doodlez Diaper from Baby Dickey’s Giveaways (ends 4/4)

Boba Baby Carrier from Gal Time Two Mandatory Facebook “likes” (ends 4/4) Open to the U.S. and Canada

*Ergo Baby Carrier from Monkey Tales Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/5)

AMP Diaper from Une Petite Plume (ends 4/5)

Banana Bottoms Cloth Trainer from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 4/5) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Ergo Baby Carrier from The Bragging Mommy (ends 4/5)

Sugar Plum Baby Diaper from Knocked Up an Nursing (ends 4/5)

Tiny Tush Diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 4/6)

Thirsties Duo Diaper from The Baby Birthing Mama Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 4/7)

Tiny Tush Diaper from Double Duty Mommy (ends 4/7)

Sweet Pea Diaper from A Mommy’s Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/7)

Itti Bitti Diapers & CJ’s BUTTer from Cloth Is Green and Double Duty Mommy Manatory Facebook “like” (ends 4/7)

CJ’s BUTTer from Fluffy Cheeks and The Not So Secret Confessions of a SAHM Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/8)

Tiny Tush Diaper from This Mama Loves Her Bargains (ends 4/8)

$15 Mud Butt GC from A Mommy’s Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/8)

*Softbums Diaper from Monkey Tales Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/10)

Rumparooz Diaper from Thanks Mama and Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/10)

Cow Patties Fitted from Sophie and Momma Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/10) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Dinkledooz Diaper from Go Go Natural and Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/11) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Best Bottom Diaper from Mommy and Me Giveaways Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/14)

$25 AppleCheeks GC from Happenings of the Harper Household Mandatory GFC follow (ends 4/15)

Ergo Baby Carrier from Luv My Two Girls (ends 4/17)

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

You may enter any “PG rated” 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!

Natural Personal Care Products Review

Tom’s of Maine Natural Deodorant Review

Mar 24,2011 / By Maria / 44 Comments

Fair warning that this post talks about perspiration/smelly pits. 🙂

I’m going to be perfectly honest here; I really enjoy my “mainstream” personal care products. They work, they smell good, and since I “CVS,” I usually get them for free, “better than free,” or pennies. I know though, that the chemical filled products aren’t good for me, especially anti-perspirants that contain aluminum. So, I’m trying to take baby steps to switch things over to more natural choices.

CVS had a deal a while ago on Tom’s of Maine products, where they were $3.99, with $3.00 Extra Care Bucks back, limit 2. This deodorant cost me a net of 99 cents (haven’t paid that much in years!), but since I paid with extra bucks, I figured it wasn’t too bad. I chose the fresh apricot scent, but it comes in several others as well.

Here are the ingredients (no aluminum):

Name/Purpose/Source

Propylene glycol/Consistency/Natural gas from the earth
Water/Consistency/Maine aquifer
Sodium stearate/Stabilizer/Vegetable oil
Aloe vera leaf juice (organic)/Soothing/Organic aloe (Aloe barbadensis) plant
Witch hazel water/Soothing/Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) plant
Zinc ricinoleate/Deodorancy/Zinc oxide and castor bean (Ricinus communis) plant
Glyceryl laurate/Deodorancy/Vegetable oils
Chamomile flower aqueous extract/Soothing/Organic chamomile (Matricaria recutita) flowers
Apricot fragrance (natural)/Pleasant smell/Natural plant essential oils
Hops [CO2] extract/Deodorancy/Hops (Humulus lupulus) cones
Caprylic/capric triglyceride/Consistency/Coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil and glycerin
Ascorbic acid/Antioxidant/Corn (Zea mays) or molasses
Silica shells/Fragrance duration/Sand

The deodorant went on really smoothly, almost like a gel solid. It smelled really nice, but not too strong and not too “fruity,” despite the apricot scent.

I do tend to perspire a good bit, especially when I’m nervous (which is like, always.) Luckily, I don’t really have a stinky B.O. smell. Still, I don’t really want to smell that natural, musky scent. I know some people don’t mind it, pheromones and all, blah blah…I’m not one of them, LOL.

So while testing this, I felt like Molly Shannon’s SNL character, Mary Catherine Gallagher. I felt like I was constantly sniffing myself. Hee hee. While it smelled great at first, it very quickly seemed to “wear off” and I could “smell myself” again. I tried reapplying every few hours at home, and that seemed OK. I wanted to give this a fair shake, so I used it for about a week or so.

The other morning, I applied my deodorant, and went for a walk about an hour later. It wasn’t terribly warm; around 45 when we started, and warmed up a bit as the sun came out. By the time I finished a 45 minute walk, I felt like I smelled, and a sniff made me feel like I hadn’t put anything on at all.

So, this deodorant is definitely not for me, I’m sticking with my usual for now, but I know lots of people swear by Tom’s of Maine deodorant!

I really want to find a great natural deodorant before my daughter needs to wear it. I know, she’s only 6…but kids seem to need it earlier and earlier, and she will be a pre-teen before I know it! I know there are differing opinions on the link between aluminum/parabens and breast cancer, but if I can find a product without them, why not use it?

FTC compliance: I paid normal retail price for this product. I was not compensated in any way for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Apparel & Accessories Handmade Items Review WAHM made

Stroller Blanket From Nikki’s Little House – Review

Mar 22,2011 / By Maria / 4 Comments

Nikki’s Little House sells all kinds of fabulous products, from cloth diapers to Melissa & Doug toys. Nikki also has a Hyenacart store where she sells her hand made items. You may or may not remember the custom Birthday Monster shirt and I Heart Dad shirts she made for me.

I had been eying her stroller blankets for a while, and when the monster print was on sale for $15 (regularly $20), I grabbed it!

It even has loops to attach toys for little ones!

The blanket snaps on to the stroller to keep it securely attached. When my daughter was little, I ran over her blanket many times, and occasionally she’d toss it out without my noticing. That would mean backtracking my 4 mile loop to find it!

The blanket snaps at the bottom to form a boot to cover tootsies.

You can also use it unsnapped for bigger kids.

The blanket I bought is a super cute monster print on the front, with green trim and backing.

Here it is all snapped to the stroller:

Here you can see how the “boot” covers the foot thingie on the stroller.

I’m able to take my son out for a walk and have him tucked in snugly the whole time! The blanket is very well made and nice and soft and thick!

I am getting ready to order new I heart Dad shirts for both kids, my daughter wanted to wear them to pick up Daddy from the airport (business trip), and she was sad that she & her brother both were outgrowing them!

FTC Compliance: I paid normal retail price for this item. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Mailbox Mondays

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 3/21/11

Mar 21,2011 / By Maria / 19 Comments

Every Monday, I will answer reader submitted questions, and ask you to add your opinions.

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.

I didn’t receive any submissions this week, but as you all know, I will always answer questions via email. I thought I’d summarize two emails I received this week, since others may be having the same issues, and see what you all think!

M. has a 6 month old, 22 lb baby who has a pretty high rise. She was looking for one-size pockets with a high enough rise to cover his crack! She doesn’t have too many commercial diapers, but did recently win a Best Bottom diaper in a giveaway.

The highest rise diapers I have are the Bumgenius 4.0, Flip, Fuzzibunz Perfect Size Medium and Thirsties Duo Diaper Size 2.

I grabbed a few of my diapers to compare and found that the Bumgenius 4.0 unsnapped is a smidge bigger than the Best Bottom unsnapped, by about an inch. The BG 4.0 and FB medium are about the same size when stretched, but the FB is actually a smidge bigger when folded. The Thirsties size 2 is very similar to the Bumgenius.

How about you guys? Have you found a diaper with a nice, high rise?

A. received a few used diaper covers, but they smelled like smoke. She did a soak and triple rinsed, but they still smelled smoky. She was looking for a way to get the smell out without damaging the diapers.

That is definitely something to remember to ask, whether you’re buying used dipes, or from a WAHM. Is this a smoke free home and do you have any pets (if you have pet allergies.) That said, it’s something I always forget to ask!!

The two things I thought to try were baking soda or vinegar. Soak the covers in a tub with water and a generous helping of baking soda, then rinse rinse rinse or do the same with vinegar. I’ve heard about people using “oxyvin,” or oxyclean and vinegar, to strip really icky diapers. The oxy clean and vinegar create a chemical reaction (use caution!!) to clean the diapers.

How about you all, have you had to get smoke smell out of diapers? What worked?