Author Archives: Maria

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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.
Baby Food Made in the USA Natural and Organic Food Review

Happy Baby Organic Finger Food for Babies

Apr 20,2010 / By / 2 Comments

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I’ve made baby food for both of my children, but commercial finger foods still come in very handy when kids are learning to self feed.  Easy to pick up and melt in their mouths quickly, letting them get used to picking things up and “chewing.”
Happy Baby Food wasn’t available when my daughter was little (at least, not in my area!).  I ended up redeeming points through the Stonyfield Farms rewards program for coupons.
The stores where I shop price the puffs between $3.19 and $3.29 and the yogurt melts between $3.49 and $3.69.  Toys R Us also sells this brand in my area.  It looked like the prices for the puffs were maybe 50 cents higher than Gerber (but contain 40% more product).
The puffs remind me of Gerber’s puffs, except that Happy Baby doesn’t add sugar (they’re sweetened with 100% fruit juice & have half the sugar content of Gerber).  They have apple, banana and greens flavors, and they come in green packaging. 
The puffs are made with organic whole grains, fruits and vegetables and are fortified with vitamins and minerals.  The whole ingredient list for the banana flavor is: organic rice, organic whole oats, organic wheat, organic apple juice concentrate, organic whole grain brown rice, organic wheat starch, organic banana; vitamins and minerals: ascorbic acid, citric acid, di- and tri-calcium phosphate (calcium), mixed tocopherols (vitamin e), ferric orthophosphate (iron), vitamin d3, niacin (vitamin b3), zinc oxide, d-calcium pantothenate (vitamin b5), riboflavin (vitamin b2), thiamin mononitrate (vitamin b1), pyridoxine hcl (vitamin b6), vitamin b12, folic acid
I chose the banana mango flavor yogurt melts, but they also have Strawberry and Mixed Berry flavors.  We’ll try those later once my son has been introduced to all of the ingredients.  Gerber also has yogurt melts, but since they weren’t around when my daughter was a baby, I haven’t tried them. I compared the nutrition content to Happy Baby’s and it was pretty similar, except that Happy Baby was a bit higher in protein and some vitamins, as I can recall. They are also organic.

Oh.  Em.  Gee.  These things are so good.  I could eat a whole bag myself (if they weren’t so darned expensive).  Especially since there’s only 120 calories in the whole bag!  They’re organic and contain live, active cultures, but no preservatives, chemical fertilizers, or genetically modified ingredients.  There’s also no soy, gluten or wheat, and they’re sweetened with organic cane juice.  They’re freeze dried and melt quickly in baby’s (or Mommy’s) mouth.
The whole ingredient list for the banana mango flavor is: Vitamin D fortified culture pasteurized organic nonfat milk, organic banana, organic evaporated cane juice, organic mango, organic tapioca, pectin, organic locust bean gum, inulin, natural flavor, live and active cultures streptococcus thermophilus, bulgaricus, lactobacillus acidophilus, B. lactis, lactobacillus paracasei, lactobacillus rhamnosus.
I’ve also seen the baby food pouches at Toys R Us and the cereals at a few stores.  They also make Happy Tot Pouches, Happy Bites Meals and Happy Baby frozen food cubes.  I missed the boat on that one, I had that idea as I was making my daughter’s food 4 1/2 years ago!
If you sign up for the newsletter, you can receive coupons for Happy Baby products when they send the newsletter about every three months.
In conclusion, I would like a truck load of Happy Baby yogurt melts to be delivered to my door.  :-p
Last minute addition:  After I wrote this (but before I published it) I spent a bunch more time on their site.  I’m still a big, fat chicken when it comes to contacting companies, but I thought some of you (me included) might be interested in more of their products.
Happy Family is sponsoring a very generous review and giveaway (unfortunately not a truck load of yogurt melts!), so you will definitely want to stay tuned for that in a few weeks!  I think I may turn the review into a play date/taste test!
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Cloth Diapers Diaper Covers Fitted Diapers Made in the USA Natural Fiber Diapers One Size Diapers Review Snap Closure Velcro/Aplix Closure Wool

Little Beetle Little to Big Diaper and Wool Cover

Apr 19,2010 / By / 12 Comments

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I’ve been really getting into using wool and fitteds at night, so when betterforbabies.com told me they were sending me a Little-To-Big Beetle diaper and a Little-To-Big Organic Wool Cover, I was really anxious to try them.
No doubt what I pulled out of my mailbox was what I’d been waiting for!
Better For Babies sells natural and organic baby products including diapers, covers, soaker shorts, trainers and other accessories. 
Better For Grownups sells reusable facial rounds, sateen tissues (really want to try these!) and family cloth, all crafted from fair trade organic cotton.
As the package says, the diaper is 100% organic, fair trade cotton, and is sweatshop free!  They’re actually made in the U.S.A. wow!
That’s the first time washing instructions have made me giggle.  Tee hee!
The orange is adorable, and the diaper is super soft and squishy.
Nice velcro closures.  Thus far, they are actually easy to get off of the laundry tabs, but still stick to them in the wash.  I have too many that I struggle to free from the grasp of the laundry tabs, but in the washing machine they’re all like “Meh, whatever, we don’t like you anyway,” and become besties with 3 other diapers.  Gah.
The velcro strip on the front of the diaper had that funny, stiff feel/sound like the Rumparooz.  I actually debated taking a video of me crinkling it, but decided that would be a little weird, ha ha.  Once I put the diaper on him though, it wasn’t stiff and didn’t dig into his belly.  I think it must just be whatever the velcro strip is backed with making that sound.
This diaper is a one size (6-36 pounds) and it’s the first one size fitted I’ve owned that has the snap down rise for sizing.  Love this.
The diaper comes with a soaker and a foldable “beetle booster.”
One thing I found really unique is that the soaker is sewn in, just at one point on each side of the middle.  So, no matching up soakers or snapping them in after washing, but it’s not sewn all the way into the diaper, allowing for better cleaning & easier drying.  You can slip the booster out to fold it and place in where needed (wet zone), or you can tuck it under the soaker to be held in place.
At first glance, it seems a lot smaller overall than other one-size fitteds, even all the way unsnapped.
Actually though, it just seems that way because the elastic is drawn a bit tighter.
Fully stretched, they are just about the same size.
Snapped on the smallest rise setting and unstretched, they are quite small.  I don’t doubt they really would fit on a 6 pound baby!
I used it on the medium setting on my little guy (who is about 16.5 lbs and 27.5 inches).  It fit wonderfully, and I think he could wear this setting for a while.
This was so easy to put on him.  I love my other fitteds, but this is so much more Daddy friendly.  My hubby gets really frustrated by the soakers to pull up and fold over and adjust, rises to fold over and rows and rows of snaps.
I folded the booster in half, placed it in the wetzone, and used the diaper coverless the first time. It was the last diaper before bed and he hadn’t uhh,  “used the facilities” by the time I put his night time diaper on him.
Because the soaker is in the middle of the diaper (it’s very trim too!) rather than being snapped into the back, his tush wasn’t fluffy like I’m used to.  I actually joked that it was weird to be able to feel his hiney through the diaper instead of a mound of fluff!
The next time I used it, I put fleece pants over.  He wore it for a good two hours and it was fabulous! 
I also tried it with the Little-To-Big Organic Wool Cover.
The cover is 100% organic merino wool and fits 6-36 lbs.
It’s mamajammin, yo.  I feel like I’m looking for Waldo.  I don’t want to miss anything funny on the packaging.
Yeah, Mother Nature is a smarty pants, but who figured out we could shave the wool off the sheep and make diaper covers out of it, huh?  Who’s the smarty pants now, huh?
100% USDA certified, organic wool.
I received a cover with snap closures, though both the diapers and covers come with your choice of snaps or velcro.
I think velcro on the diaper and snaps on the cover are the perfect combo, especially since my son has figured out how to open velcro!  Better For Babies said “we find it’s good to pair one closure with the other…snaps and aplix lining up exactly against one another can cause a funny fit.”  You can overlap the snaps for a smaller baby.
The cover has the same snap down rise size adjustment that I love.  It’s especially nice on a cover since you may need a slightly bigger cover to go over a diaper with a higher rise.
The first time I used the cover, I used it over my Licorice Lane Fitted.
It’s so nice to be able to adjust the rise on the fly, depending on the diaper you have on under it.
The cover didn’t really add any bulk.
So cute!!
I of course also used it over the Little Beetle Little-To-Big diaper as well.
The snaps are so easy to do.  With some others, the snaps can be really “sticky.” 
Better for Babies told me that the “snaps do have to be opened and closed gently (since the 100% organic Merino wool doesn’t have any synthetics), but it’s easy to do so.”  That makes me wonder if these are intentionally easier to undo, to avoid yanking on the wool. 
I do wish the rise snaps were just a tiny bit “stickier” though.  I sometimes inadvertently pop a rise snap on any diaper, usually when I am pulling the diaper to adjust it as I’m putting it on.  With the cover, I did it about 3 times in a row and really annoyed myself.  I’m sure it is just a learning curve with that.  I also popped one somehow with him on my hip.  That seems to be my only “complaint” though!
This was really trim over the super trim diaper!
I love that both the diaper and cover will fit babies from “Little-To-Big.”  They may be a bit of an investment, but they will last.  I also love that they are completely natural, with no synthetic materials at all and that they’re socially conscious as well.  See this diaper on my newborn.
Thank you so much to Better For Babies for sending them to me to review!  Of course, my love can’t be bought with diapers, so the freebies in no way affected my review! 
Check out Better For Babies and Better for Grownups.  I’d love to hear what products interest you, and what else you’d like to see me review.
(also see BFB on Facebook, BFG on Facebook, BFB on Twitter and BFG on Twitter!)
Edit August 2010: Although fitteds aren’t really my favorite (I prefer pocket diapers) this is so, so trim, and soft and squishy, I can’t help but love it!
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Giveaway Review

Inspired by Finn Baltic Amber Jewelry review and giveaway/discount! CLOSED 5/2

Apr 18,2010 / By / 162 Comments

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Inspired by Finn sells Baltic amber and hazelwood jewelry, including the beautiful teething necklace I was given to review.
The first time I heard “amber teething necklace” I thought people must be nuts.  Then, I learned about the benefits of Baltic amber.  I figured out that no, people weren’t allowing their children to chew on jewelry.  When Baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin’s warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin.
Read more about the benefits of Baltic amber and check out the available shapes and colors.
I asked Inspired by Finn to choose the shape, color and length of my son’s teething necklace for me.
It came in a cute gift box.

All jewelry is lead-free and phthalates-free and it meets all US legislative testing (CPSIA) requirements for children’s jewelry.

Each bead is individually knotted and while it isn’t “stretchy,” it does have a tiny bit of “give” to it.  It will break if pulled, which is good for safety’s sake.  Even so, I, personally, did not put the necklace on my son for naps etc.

The necklace has an easy to use, secure closure.

After I took these photos, I tucked the necklace under his shirt, so it was in contact with his skin.

The necklace is absolutely beautiful, and I want one for myself, if only because it is so pretty!
I couldn’t resist taking this photo, he gave me the biggest grin when he saw the camera!

My husband says he looks like a hippie, and the cashier at Old Navy thought he was a girl.  My mom said it was because of the necklace, but several weeks ago, a Dad at the park told me he was “too pretty to be a boy” because of his big brown eyes and long lashes, LOL.  I think he looks adorable!

I can’t really say whether it has eased his teething pain.  However, since he started teething, he has never really napped. 

After wearing the necklace, he napped for an hour and a half!!  So  yeah, I love my Inspired by Finn teething necklace!
Want it?  Buy it.  Use coupon code BLOG68  for 20% off your entire order!

Or, win it!  Inspired by Finn will send the winner of this giveaway one item 16 inches or SMALLER that is in stock.

How to enter:



1. Visit Inspired by Finn’s store and select the item (16″ or smaller and in stock) you would like to receive (mandatory entry).
2. Follow my blog (current followers count). Comment saying you’re a follower to get your entry.
3. Fan me on Facebook (current fans count). Comment saying you’re a fan to get your entry.
4. Blog about this giveaway and link back to me. Comment with a link to your blog post to get your entry.
5. Follow me on Twitter.  Comment saying you follow me.
6. Tweet about this giveaway.  Comment saying you did so, to get your entry.  1 tweet/entry per day.  “RT @chgdiapers Enter to win an Inspired by Finn Baltic Amber teething necklace (or other jewelry) until 5/2. http://bit.ly/98R6Ub #giveaway”


Note: Inspired by Finn has a Facebook page now.  It would be awesome if you beame a fan, but I can’t add an entry option for that this late in the game, since it wouldn’t be fair to those who already entered.


I will accept entries until Sunday, May 2nd at 9 P.M. EST.  I’ll use random.org’s random number generator to choose a winner. Please make sure to leave your email address in your comment if it isn’t in your profile.

Thank you to Inspired by Finn for providing the products for the review and giveaway.  The freebie in no way influenced my review.

Edit August 2010:  We stopped using this when my son kept lifting it from under his shirt, over his chin and putting it in his mouth.  I have been wanting to buy a short one but haven’t yet!

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Giveaway Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Winner of the Five in a Row Baby Leggies!

Apr 18,2010 / By / 2 Comments

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Congratulations to the winner of the Five in a Row Baby Leggies.
The lucky # is 27.
Congrats SAPsMaMa!
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Natural and Organic Food Review

Ricemellow Fluffernutter

Apr 17,2010 / By / 6 Comments

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ricemellow-creme
Go ahead and make a corny joke about this being “fluff” in my blog.  However, this fluff is anything but “corny.”  In fat, it has no corn syrup at all!
Regular marshmallow fluff contains: corn syrup, sugar syrup, dried egg whites and vanillin or Corn Syrup, Sugar, Water, Egg Whites, Artificial Flavor, Cream of Tartar, Xanthan Gum, Artificial Color (Contains Blue 1), depending on brand.

I found this 10 oz package of Ricemellow Creme by Suzanne’s Specialties at my grocery store, for just under 5 bucks.  Outrageous compared to regular fluff I know, but it contains only brown rice syrup, soy protein, natural gums and natural flavors. 

The only sweetener is the brown rice syrup, there’s no corn syrup, no cane sweeteners, no refined sugars. There’s also no gluten, no animal products (it’s vegan), no fat, cholesterol, added salt, preservatives or artificial additives.

Despite the lack of preservatives, the jar is good until August.

To be honest, with all that, I didn’t have high hopes for it’s taste!

A two tablespoon serving has about the same nutrition facts as it’s corn syrup-y cousin.

When I opened it up, it wasn’t what I expected to see and I was thinking I was going to end up throwing away this $5 experiment.

I cautiously gave it a sniff.  Hmm…smells pretty good.  Sweet.  *sniff*  Almost like a melted marshmallow.  Reminds me of something I can’t put my finger on.

I put a teeny bit on a spoon and gave it a taste.  It was pretty good!  Sweet, a bit like fluff, but much lighter and airier.  I had hubby taste it, and my daughter too.  Both liked it. 

They both thought it had a consistency more like whipped cream than fluff.  My daughter said “It’s TOO YUMMY.”  She also hugged it to herself and said “It’s mine and I’m going to eat it ALL UP because I love it SO MUCH.”  She also told me she liked it better than regular fluff, but later told me she wasn’t sure.

I made a ricemellow creme fluffernutter.  (It’s a little messy since I didn’t use a clean knife to cut it)

It was definitely lighter and easier to spread than regular fluff.  My daughter gobbled her half of the sandwich.  I did too, and while it was tasty, it just didn’t have that gooey, gloppy meld-with-the-peanut butter texture that I love in a fluffernutter.
I will definitely continue to buy this for my daughter, but I will probably still buy the old fashioned stuff every now and again, when I get in the mood for some gooey goodness!
On another note, I ended up buying some brown rice syrup to try to use in place of corn syrup.  I found a great recipe for home made marshmallows I want to try (though I’m going to try them with corn syrup first to work out kinks, the brown rice syrup was expensive!!)
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