Flip Diaper Cover w/Stay Dry Insert

Apr 7,2010 / By Maria / 11 Comments

I had been wanting to try a Flip for a while. When I found out Abby’s Lane was not only honoring the Bumgenius Coupon for a free AIO, but they actually had the coupons for me, I couldn’t resist.

The only catch was that they asked a buyer to spend $25 on Bumgenius, Flip or Econobum products if you wanted Abby’s Lane to clip the coupon for you, rather than the $10 stated on the coupon. Not a big deal since they weren’t charging for the coupon (other sites were charging for the magazine/coupon, then crediting you a bit if you didn’t want the magazine) and shipping is always free at Abby’s lane. Basically, I got a lot more from them for just a couple bucks more than $10 in product, shipping and the coupon cost would have been from somewhere else. For the record, no, I don’t work for Abby’s Lane, just love them!

Anyhoo, my order came at the speed of light at usual.

The packaging had a sticker saying to wash the cover separately 6 times. I was a little confused, since I didn’t think this needed to be “prepped.” I called cottonbabies and it turns out that they had some issues with the covers running. So, I dutifully washed just the cover 6 times! You do have to hang the cover to dry.

The Flip cover has an easy snap closure.

The inside is PUL, easy to wipe clean during changes.

The Flip has the same snap down rise that the Bumgenius 3.0 one size diapers have.

Same leg casings and outer too.

The insert is one size and has wonderful seams and markings to make the folding super easy.

They make inserts in organic cotton and disposable too. The price per disposable insert seems similar to disposables, but instead of chemicals, fragrance and gel, they contain Non-woven bamboo viscose, Wood Pulp and SAP fillers, and starch based glue. They would be a nice compromise for road trips and such, since you could really just wipe out the covers and even hand wash them if they really needed it.

I prefer a stay dry liner, so I chose the stay dry insert, which has 3 layers of microfiber, and has stay dry suede on the side that touches baby’s bottom. Very soft.

There are no awkward snap attachments, the insert just slips inside. The little envelope like thingie at each end helps hold it in place and keeps it from wicking onto clothing.

The snap closure was very easy, and this seemed as trim as the Bumgenius 3.0.

He fit wonderfully in the medium setting.

We had no problems, no leaks. This was great!

I’d like to get one more cover and a few more inserts. I think this would be excellent for being out and about. One extra cover and a few extra inserts would take up a lot less space than several pocket diapers for sure!

Detergents Giveaway Made in the USA Review Stink Washing

Rockin’ Green Detergent and Giveaway! CLOSED

Apr 6,2010 / By Maria / 238 Comments

Detergent is one of the biggest obstacles when starting to or continuing to cloth diaper. In fact, it is the #1 reason I didn’t start at my son’s birth.

Believe it or not, detergent is a rather controversial subject. There are a few “cloth safe diaper detergent” charts out there that give detergents rankings based on whether they contain ingredients like dye, fragrance, brighteners, whiteners, enzymes and so forth.

Like so many others, I didn’t want to risk hurting my diapers, or my kid’s tushie. So, when I couldn’t find a “safe” detergent locally, I gave up. Then the detergent drama began. I managed to find one, but then I saw it was not safe on another chart. Round and round we went.

Natural and Organic Food Review

C is for cookie

Apr 6,2010 / By Maria / 2 Comments

No, this isn’t about diapers, but who doesn’t like cookies? In all seriousness, I hope no one minds if I talk about other natural/green/earth friendly etc. products every now and again.

I have a ton of diaper, diaper related and baby “stuff” reviews coming. Also giveaways for Rockin’ Green, Five in a Row Baby Legs and Inspired by Finn Baltic Amber Jewelry. In fact, go enter my current giveaway (if you haven’t already) for Lil’ Outlaws Wipe Solution, Almost Heaven Diaper Company Wipes and a FuzziBunz changing pad!

For now, If you’ll indulge me, I’m talkin’ ’bout cookies! Chocolate chip to be exact. I use shortening in my pie crusts and my chocolate chip cookies. I just can’t get the same loft and texture with butter alone. I’ve heard some people say they use lard, but considering that I gagged a little just typing that, lard (*gag*) is out.

So last time I gathered up my ingredients for good old CCCs, I had a newcomer to the crowd.

I saw Spectrum Naturals Organic All Vegetable Shortening in the organic section of my grocery store more than a year ago, but at $6.99 for 24 oz (if I am remembering the price correctly!) and no coupons in sight, I hesitated.

I took a closer look at the package and decided to give it a try. It is Non-hydrogenated, USDA Organic, Kosher, and contains one ingredient: Mechanically pressed organic palm oil. Compare that with Crisco’s ingredient list: Soybean oil, fully hydrogenated palm oil, partially hydrogenated palm and soybean oils, mono and diglyerides, TBHQ and citric acid (antioxidants).

As far as nutritional stats, Spectrum’s 1 Tbsp (13g) serving has 110 calories, 13g fat, 6g saturated fat, 2g polyunsaturated fat, 5g monounsaturated fat. Crisco’s 1 Tbsp (12g) serving has 110 calories, 12g fat, 3g saturated fat, 6g polyunsaturated fat and 2.5g monounsaturated fat.

I usually use half butter and half shortening in my cookies. Typically, I weigh the shortening on a piece of wax paper to avoid having an icky measuring cup (and for more accurate measuring). The Spectrum has a much drier, wax-like texture, making it a little tougher to dole out. It didn’t have the creamy, greasy texture of shortening. I was actually worried about it creaming in my mixer, but it worked just fine. I’m wondering how it will work using it in a pie crust where I have to “cut” it into dry ingredients, but I will give it a try. Same with using it to grease pans! *edit* I used this again on a day when it was warmer, and the texture was much more crisco-like.

The package says: “When we say our Organic Shortening is good, we really mean good. It’s better for your body than ordinary shortening because it’s never hydrogenated, has zero grams of trans fat, and is made from palm oil, which is naturally cholesterol free and a good source of heart healthy monounsaturated fat. Even better are the dozens of small family farmers in Columbia who cultivate and press our palm oil in an environmentally sustainable manner. It’s good for you, the farmers and the earth…just imagine what it does for a pie crust.” High Heat up to 450, 0 grams trans fat, cholesterol free, Less saturated fat than butter, vegan – dairy free, Kosher – KSA, Gluten Free.

In the end, the proof is in the pudding…err…cookies.

The cookie dough mixed up wonderfully & looked (and tasted, tee hee) no different than usual.

The cookies were the perfect fluffy, golden brown.

The perfect mix of crispy & chewy I love so much!

and

glurf wur sl guf..

*Gulp* That is, they were so good, they didn’t last long!!

In my opinion, this is a great choice for anyone who is avoiding hydrogenated oils. I can’t wait to try making a pie crust with it!

Cloth Diapers Diaper Covers Fitted Diapers Made in the USA One Size Diapers Overnight Diapering Solutions Review Wool

Guerilla Fluff

Apr 2,2010 / By Maria / 22 Comments

I became interested in Guerilla Fluff because of a custom she did. I still have diaper envy. Unfortunately, that customer provided the fabric, so none for me. Wah wah!!

I had been on the hunt for the most absorbent fitted I could find, and while browsing Guerilla Fluff, I discovered The Utilitarian Night Time Diaper (sorry, the website is all flash, so I can’t link).

The Utilitarian has an outer, hidden and inner layer, all of Bamboo Rayon Fleece. The diaper is turned and top-stitched, and has decorative stitching reminiscent of Frankenstein (the buyer chooses the color). Even my hubby thought it was very cool. That’s one of the most awesome things about Guerilla Fluff. They’re not your typical cutesy diapers, though she can make those too if you want them!

What really sold me was that the soakers (two of them) were each made of 3 layers of bamboo fleece, there was an option to add Zorb (I chose this option) and a precision doubler made of 2 layers of bamboo fleece and 1 layer of wool was included as well. This was the most absorbency I’d seen in a fitted!

The washing instructions said I didn’t need to pre-wash, though it would become more absorbent with future washings, so I only washed once.

I do love a handwritten note!

Here’s the back of the business card:

The first time I used the diaper, I folded over all of the soakers.

I huffed and puffed and managed to get pins in.

It was hard to get a good fit with the pins!

I put the wool cover on, followed by a fleece sleep sack.

Naturally, he soaked right through it! I didn’t contact Novia about it because I knew it was operator error and had nothing to do with the diaper. I was in my cloth diaper group, feeling sorry for myself and trying to figure out if my super-soaker son was hiding a garden hose in his crib that he was soaking his diapers with. I had no idea that Novia was a member! She sent me a private message offering to help me troubleshoot.

With everyone’s help, I figured out that I needed to fully prep the diaper (babies who aren’t as heavy wetters would probably do fine using it without prepping) get a tighter fit with a snappi, and lanolize my wool more heavily.

I ordered a snappi from Abby’s Lane, lanolized the heck out of my wool, and figured I could prep the diaper while I waited for the snappi to arrive. The snappi came too quickly, so I had to set it aside while I washed & dried the diaper a total of about 10 times.

This time, I didn’t fold the soakers over.

I got a nice snug fit.

and managed to

get the snappi

on!

Much better!

I topped it with my freshly lanolized wool.

and fleece pants!

In the morning, he was dry! Since all of the materials he was cocooned in are breathable, I did feel ever so slight dampness, but it was the kind of dampness you feel when you ignore your dryer for a while, then can’t tell if your clothes are damp or just cold. No biggie.

I’ve used it several times since then with no leaks, though he has managed to completely saturate all of those layers!!

I love my Guerilla Fluff! Novia also makes a one size diaper with snaps, a one size pinnable, a sized side snapping diaper, and the Utilitarian in original (10-24 lbs) and toddler (25-40 lbs). She can also add snaps to the utilitarian now. She also makes bamboo prefolds and full size and “precision” doublers.

Customs are closed for now, but check out Guerilla Fluff on Facebook, GF on Twitter and GF on Blogspot to keep up with what’s happening!

Edit August 2010: This is still in our regular night time rotation, though we don’t need as much absorbency anymore.

Cloth Wipes Diaper Accessories Giveaway Made in the USA Wipes Solution

Giveaway! Lil’ Outlaws, Almost Heaven Diaper Company & FuzziBunz Closed (4/15)

Apr 1,2010 / By Maria / 160 Comments

April marks 6 months of cloth diapering for me, and I’m celebrating my 6-month clothiversary with giveaways this month!

The first giveaway begins today and no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke.

This baby changing set includes a FuzziBunz changing pad, Lil’ Outlaws Texas Ranger Rump Solution and 3 soft, squishy Almost Heaven Diaper Company wipes!

The FuzziBunz Fleece Changing Pad is made from ultra soft and cushy fleece to provide comfort when changing your baby on the go or at home. The Fleece Changing Pad measures 27.75 in x 18.5 in when open, and folds small so that it fits inside most diaper bags. Materials: 100% microfleece (top layer), 100% polyester laminated (waterproof bottom layer). This was provided courtesy of yours truly.

Next up is a bag of Lil’ Outlaws Texas Ranger Rump Solution in Extra Light Baby Bee scent (a fragrance cocktail of luscious fruits such as peaches, mandarin oranges, coconut pulp, bergamot, grapefruit, tropical guava, and tangy lemons.)

From Lil’ Outlaws: The original rump solution is an easy-to-use cloth wipes solution, all packed into a convenient little star! Contains: Approximately 48 pieces per order.

Simply add one or more stars (to your preference) to one or more cups of water (depending on how strong you like your solution). Microwave approximately 15 seconds to soften, and stir to dissolve!

Then just apply to your wipes in your favorite manner – I dunk mine, wring them out, and place them in a wipes warmer or travel case. You can also put the solution in a spray bottle or peri bottle to wet wipes as you use them, or pour it over the pile of wipes in the tub or warmer.

Any way you choose to use it, Rump Solution is excellent for messy bums (and hands, and faces, and…)! Great for sensitive skin, too! Thank you to Lil’ Outlaws for offering up this bag free for the giveaway!

Finally, you need something to wipe that tush with!

These adorable wipes were made by Christen at the Almost Heaven Diaper Company. They have a cute heart print on brushed cotton on top, and coordinating colors of minky on the back. They’re approximately 8″ x 8″ (perfect to fit in a wipe warmer) and they’re so soft and squishy, I wanted to nuzzle them on my face. Don’t worry, I resisted the urge!

Christen also makes baby legs, mama cloth, and is working on newborn diapers right now. Though Almost Heaven Diaper Company doesn’t have an online presence just yet, you can contact Christen at justpeachee22 at yahoo dot com for more information on her products. Thank you Christen for providing these wipes for the giveaway for free!

~~Want it? Win it!~~

~~To enter:~~
~~1. Go to~~ ~~Lil’ Outlaws~~ ~~and tell me what~~ ~~product~~ ~~and~~ ~~scent~~ ~~you’re most interested in.~~
~~2. Follow my blog (current followers count). Comment that you’re following to get your entry.~~
3. ~~Fan me on Facebook~~ ~~(current fans count). Comment that you’re a fan to get your entry.~~
4. ~~Fan Lil’ Outlaws on Facebook~~ ~~(current fans count). Comment that you’re a fan to get your entry.~~

You may be noticing I’m not offering entries for blogging or posting about my giveaway. I would love you forever if you did, but I don’t want to risk being all “spammy.” So in exchange for posting or blogging about my giveaway, you get my undying gratitude only. <3 I may change that in the future, I’m not sure.

~~Make sure to leave your email address if it’s not in your profile please.~~

~~Entries will be accepted until Thursday, April 15th, 2010 at 9 P.M. EST.~~

~~I’ll choose a number with~~ ~~random.org’s~~ ~~True Random Number Generator and contact the winner.~~

Thank you to Lil’ Outlaws and Almost Heaven Diaper Company for making this giveaway possible!

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Flip Diaper Cover w/Stay Dry Insert

Rockin’ Green Detergent and Giveaway! CLOSED

C is for cookie

Guerilla Fluff

Giveaway! Lil’ Outlaws, Almost Heaven Diaper Company & FuzziBunz Closed (4/15)

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