Bottombumpers Cloth Diaper Winner

Jun 28,2011 / By Maria / 1 Comment

171 people entered this giveaway, with 426 entries in all. The winning entry is #70, which is Rebecca Hawkins.

Congratulations Rebecca, I’m sending you an email now so you can claim your prize!

Fage Greek Yogurt Review

Jun 28,2011 / By Maria / 15 Comments

When my daughter started eating solid foods (she is almost 6 1/2 now) I made an effort to feed her wholesome foods, making my own baby food (for both kids) and buying organic whenever I could. My husband and I started making a conscious effort to eat more “real food” and less processed, artificial foods, sweeteners and flavorings. Being a new mom, I was also struggling to lose the baby weight, and I ended up discovering that real food was much more satisfying than “diet” foods, and helped me get fit and feel great.

Previously, my yogurt of choice was a light yogurt with artificial sweeteners and flavors. When I started buying plain, whole milk yogurt for my daughter, I discovered how darn delicious and filling it was. A friend turned me on to Fage Greek Yogurt, and before I knew it, I couldn’t stomach the fake stuff anymore. I tried a while ago, and I actually gagged and had to throw the rest of the yucky stuff away!

A few months ago, I caught a sale on Fage, and I grabbed all kinds to sample (I’ve been buying the plain 2% for a few years now!) I consider it a bit of a treat since it’s rather pricey (I’ve seen it as low as $1.69-regular price, all the way up to $2.09 for a single cup.) A good sale is when they are 4/$5, or $1.25 each. Still rather spendy if you ask me! However, if you “like” the Fage Facebook page, they often have coupons that make it an absolute steal (as in 25 cents per cup when it’s on sale!)

Anyhoo, the yogurt comes in classic (whole milk, this is what we fed my son when he started eating solids/dairy), 2% and 0%/non-fat. I’ve tried other Greek yogurt; I’ve even made my own homemade yogurt, but none compares to Fage. Greek yogurt is yogurt with active cultures, which has had most of the whey removed, giving it a thick texture and slightly tart flavor. It takes 4 pounds of raw milk to make one pound of Fage Greek Yogurt!

The final product is thick and packed with protein.

Check your packages for the most up to date nutrition info, the information listed on Fage’s website varies slightly from what I have here (which is based on the packaging.) Sorry for the blurry photos!

The whole milk version is a 7 ounce cup and contains 260 calories, 20 grams of fat and 14 grams of protein. I loved this for my son since he definitely needed the fat and calories, but it’s a bit much for me!
The 2% version (my favorite!) is also a 7 ounce cup, and contains 130 calories, 4 grams of fat and 17 grams of protein.
The non-fat version is a smaller package (6 oz) and contains 100 calories, 0 grams of fat and 18 grams of protein.

If you’re not into totally plain yogurt, they have 5.3 oz split cups with a smaller portion of yogurt, and a little bit of fruit in a tiny cup. They come in all 3 versions (whole, 2% and 0%) and come in cherry-pomegranate, blueberry acai, mango guanabana and strawberry goji (non-fat) strawberry, peach, cherry and blueberry (2% and whole), as well as a version with honey in the little cup. I haven’t tried the honey version (makes more sense to get more yogurt for the same price and add my own honey, since I eat these at home instead of “on the go”), but I’ve tried most of the others. I’m not actually a huge fan of fruit in yogurt, something about the texture bugs me (especially if there are seeds, yecccchhhhh…) but I like the peach, and my daughter likes them all! I try to hide them but she always finds them. 🙂

Of course, the split cups don’t pack quite the same nutrient punch as the plain versions, but they still put “regular” yogurts to shame. Again, nutritional info I list here is based on the packages I have (sorry again for the blur.) Double check on your packaging since my info is slightly different than Fage’s website. Each flavor varies a bit in sugar content etc. but calorie, fat and protein content is largely the same.

The whole milk fruit cups contain about 210 calories, 12 grams of fat and 8 grams of protein.
The 2% fruit cups contain about 130 calories, 2.5 grams of fat and 10 grams of protein.
The non-fat fruit cups contain about 120 calories, 0 grams of fat and 11 grams of protein.

The versions with honey of course have higher stats.

If someone who was used to processed, artificial foods tried this, I’m not sure they’d like it plain. If you already enjoy whole, natural foods, you may love it! If you’re somewhere in between, the versions with fruit are perfect.

You could dip your spoon in the fruit, or flip it over and squeeze it on top. The package says not to stir, but my disobedient daughter stirs hers anyway. 😉

My absolute favorite (as in I savor it and practically lick the cup) is the 2% Fage with a drizzle of light agave nectar on top. Ohhhh my…so good. The protein keeps you full, and it makes a fantastic snack!

I love Fage and I hope you will grab some if you see it at your store. Just save some for me!

FTC compliance: I paid normal retail prices for all pictured/mentioned products. I was not asked to write this post, I was not compensated for writing it, and all opinions are my own.

Cloth Diapers Mailbox Mondays

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 6/27/11 – Cloth Diapers & Daycare

Jun 27,2011 / By Maria / 6 Comments

Do you need cloth diaper advice? On Mondays, I answer reader submitted questions, and ask my other readers to give their opinion.

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.

Anna says:

My son will be going back to day care this fall after taking a few months off during the summer. The lady that will be watching him agreed to do a trial of cloth diapers, but warned me that they might not work.

I’m trying to think of ways that will make it the easiest for her. I’m buying AIO’s and pockets that I can stuff before hand with aplix already. I’m stuck on the storage of the used diapers though. I looked at the state regulations and I can only find “wet and soiled diapers must be placed in an air tight container.”

Any ideas would be great.

Thanks

For someone just changing and storing cloth diapers (not washing them), they are really not much different than disposables. I really wonder what she thinks/knows about cloth diapers that makes her think they may not work! Rules about cloth vary based on state/area, but the closed container rule seems to be pretty common. Here is a helpful link to state childcare licensing regulations.

We’ve all heard that you are “supposed to” dump solids from disposables in the toilet before discarding the diaper, but I’m pretty sure no one actually does that! I’d suggest providing a zip closure wet bag or a cloth pail liner. Many pail liners have elastic or drawstring closures, allowing them to be used in just about any diaper pail or lidded trash can. Your daycare provider can simply place soiled diapers in the pail or wet bag, like any other dirty diaper. Of course, this would mean a little extra work for you, since you would have to dump solids and rinse diapers when you get home.

I’d suggest pre-stuffed pocket diapers or all-in-ones with a sewn in soaker and velcro/aplix closures. They are most similar to a disposable, and we all know that snap closures and soakers that need to be folded can be intimidating to those not familiar with cloth.

You might also consider sized diapers for daycare, or one-size diapers that adjust via hidden leg elastic. Though they wouldn’t need to be re-sized, seeing all the snaps on the front can seem complicated, and I know that I still occasionally pop a snap open when pulling the rise of the diaper snug!

Make sure you send along cloth diaper safe rash cream, and explain that only a thin layer is needed if rash cream is to be used. Also know that they may accidentally throw away a cloth diaper! Totally heartbreaking, but certainly not intentional.

I really think cloth diapers can be just as easy to change as disposables, and your provider may be surprised to see what you mean when you say “cloth diaper.”

I know some of my readers have successfully sent cloth diapers to daycare. Can you weigh in with some tips for Anna?

Friday Giveaway Linky Giveaways Linky

Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup for 6/24/11 (Plus Linky for All Giveaways)

Jun 24,2011 / By Maria / 2 Comments

It’s time again for the Friday Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup, where I list cloth diaper, accessory and baby wearing giveaways I’ve found.

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.

My Bottombumpers One-Size AIO Cloth Diaper Giveaway ends 6/28

*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)

Eco Sprout Cloth Diaper Detergent from Kelly Wels (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)

Alva Baby Wet/Dry Bag from Midnight Mommy (ends 6/25) If you have entered another giveaway for these wet bags on this blog, you are entered for this giveaway as well. Open to the U.S. and Canada

iPlay Swimsuit Swim Diaper from 29 Diapers (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)

Itti Bitti Tutto from A Time Out for Mommy Mandatory RSS or Email subscription (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

Tiny Tush Star Spangled Diaper (ends 6/29)

*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

Bummis Swim Diaper from Madison Organics and Double Duty Mommy (ends 6/30)

AMP Diaper from Cloth Diaper Contests & Giveaways (ends 6/30) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Super Skivvies Training Pant from The Review Stew Mandatory GFC follow (ends 6/30)

Envibum Diaper from The Nurse Mommy Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 6/30)

*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

Rumparooz Wet Bag from Earthy Crunchy Mama & Newly Crunchy Mama of 3 Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/3)

6 Bamboo Cloth Wipes-2 Winners-from Cloth Diaper Makers (ends 7/3) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Thirsties Duo Wrap & Prefold from Spoons Spades & Stitches (ends 7/3) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Mother-Ease Wizard Duo Diaper from Life Full of Unexpected Happiness (ends 7/4) Open to the U.S. and Canada

GoGreen Pocket Diaper from Anderson’s Angels Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/4) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Envibum Diaper from Mama to 4 Blessings Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/5)

Dippee Dypees Diaper from Dibs (ends 7/5) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Zookies Diaper Cover from Sugar Pop Ribbons Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/5)

Bee Bop Baby Diaper from Knocked Up and Nursing (ends 7/6) Open to the U.S. and Canada

WAHMies Wet Bag from The B Keeps Us Honest (ends 7/6)

Applecheeks Swim Diaper from Crunchy Beach Mama (ends 7/6) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Sew is Your Baby Diaper from Mama Chocolate Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/6) 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

Best Bottom Diaper from What Mama Wants Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/7) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Babykicks Diaper from Measuring Flower (ends 7/8)

Planet Wise Sport Bag from Closer to Lucy Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/9)

Zookies Diaper Cover from Smiley Boy Knows Best Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/10)

Thirsties Duo Wrap & Prefold from One Smiley Monkey Mandatory GFC follow and Facebook “like” (ends 7/11) Open Worldwide

Best Bottom Diaper from Love You Always and Forever Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/12) open to the U.S. and Canada

Cutesy Tushies Cloth Diaper from Thrifty Nifty Mommy Mandatory Facebook “like” (ends 7/14) Open to the U.S. and Canada

Oh Katy Diaper from Padded Tush Stats Mandatory GFC follow (ends 7/15)

*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!

Cloth Diapers

What is Pampers Up To?

Jun 23,2011 / By Maria / 15 Comments

I’ve posted before about “designer disposables,” both here and on Facebook. It’s clear that disposable diaper companies are a little threatened that “they’re cute” is a valid reason for ditching sposies and switching to cloth. Lots of other people have blogged in depth about their most recent campaign for special diapers to go with special outfits yada yada and the sposies on the clothesline, so I won’t go into that too much.

Now, I’m not a sposie hater that thinks that disposable diapers and the people who use them are awful. My daughter was disposable diapered for a little over 2 years, my son just over 5 months. However, had I known then what I know now about cloth (or a fraction of it really) I never would have used a single one! I do think disposable diapers are expensive, wasteful (in many ways) and we really don’t know what the long term health effects of the chemicals really are. I know disposable diapers are very useful for many people in many situations, but what can I say? I love my cloth. I don’t want people to think we cloth users look down on (gasp) sposie users since I want to bring more of them to the ~~dark~~ fluffy side. (Tee-hee.)

I’m particularly bothered by this trend of spending an exorbitant amount of money on a “special” disposable product, when you can get a “special” reusable product for the same cost. I don’t judge people for what they choose to spend their money on, but it would be silly if someone paid a zillion bucks to have fancy paper plates shipped from Europe for a party, instead of spending the same bucks on some lovely fine china to use, keep, sell, lend, donate etc. If you have the money to spend, good for you! You have obviously worked hard to get to where you are, spend it how you like. But why accept an inferior product for the same price? Especially when it will be thrown away? Maybe it’s because I’ve had to stretch a single income over a growing family for so long. Maybe it’s because of the “penny wise, pound foolish” lessons I’ve learned over the years? In any case, it seems silly. Doesn’t a diaper cover (like the little bloomers that come with some baby girl dresses) make more sense than a printed disposable anyway?

I’ve been trying to put my finger on just what it reminds me of. $15 for a case of printed paper towels to cover your Thanksgiving table, instead of spending the same amount on a cloth? Buying a couple of knockoff purses that fall apart after 1 use but cost the same as one designer purse that goes with everything? I don’t know. I need to think about this some more. Maybe like Cinderella’s dress (and all the goodies) that went *poof* at midnight (if she didn’t have a fairy Godmother to *poof* them there for free in the first place?) Getting a French manicure before digging a garden with your bare hands (yeah they’ll get ruined in two minutes, but at least they’ll look nice?)

Oh and so what happens when you have a massive sposie blowout, and now the outfit you bought those sposies to match is no longer in the picture? (True story, we have one pic of my daughter in her baptism gown!) Mmkay so now I’ve gone off on a tangent, totally away from the point of this post!

Though I haven’t used a disposable diaper in over 20 months, I do still collect the “freebie” pampers points codes they put out there. Why not? Free stuff is free stuff, right? Well recently they have been posting codes on their Twitter account that are valid only until the end of the day. I have a specific site I lurk to grab the codes, I don’t follow them on Twitter!

Well here’s why I’m suspicious: Today’s code (yesterday’s by the time you read this) was TWITTERCNGCLOTH. Yeah. CLOTH. OK, no biggie.

I really wanted to know why they were putting out a code with “cloth” in it, so I had to go to their Twitter account to see what was up. (Picture Sherlock Holmes with a laptop.) That’s where I found out where they are doing a trivia type thing where they release the code once someone guesses correctly. See below.

“Is everybody ready for some trivia? We are going to play ‘Guess what’s in my diaper bag’ for GTG points.” “Clue one: Even though this is my first baby, I know I need plenty of these in my diaper bag! What do you think it is? ^Cathy .” The answer was baby wipes, and the code was TWITTERDIPEWIPE. Next: “2 more items in my diaper bag today. What are they? Want a hint?^Cathy .” The answer was keys & wallet and the code was TWITTERKEYWALET.

When I went to stalk their account to figure out why they were using codes with “CLOTH” in them, it said: “Oops! I sent out the free code today w/out the question! Looks like everyone is getting off easy today lol Enjoy TWITTERCNGCLOTH 5pts ^Cathy.”

So color me suspicious but boy do I wonder what the question today was supposed to be! Was it a burp cloth? CNGCLOTH…a changing pad and burp cloth? Was it “What icky gross thing do some people use but not us because we’re using horrifically overpriced but not as cute printed sposies??”

Then again, I’m the type who walks into a room at the same time chatter stops, and gets paranoid that everyone was saying nasty things about me!

What do you think about “designer disposables?”

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Bottombumpers Cloth Diaper Winner

Fage Greek Yogurt Review

Cloth Diaper Advice – Mailbox Mondays 6/27/11 – Cloth Diapers & Daycare

Cloth Diaper Giveaway Roundup for 6/24/11 (Plus Linky for All Giveaways)

What is Pampers Up To?

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