Recycle Your Day

Green Smoothie Rocket Pops!

La Mama Naturale' — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:54:34 +0000

I’m totally loving these popsicle molds by Tovelo. My son absolutely adores them too and has not stopped asking about them since they arrived at our door last week. We have some cheapie ones from Target as well but I’m afraid those aren’t BPA FREE. Which is why I bought these they’re not lined with BPA. Instead they’re made without the yuckies and they’re groovy.

These rocket pops remind me of the “bomb pops” I grew up on from the ice cream man. Except that the mixtures that going into these rocket pops are100% natural! I made a green smoothie version and poured it right into the molds. Hooray for healthy treats! My mom let me borrow her VitaMix blender so I could pulverize some flax seeds and I decided I would take advantage of it’s mighty power and blend up the fresh strawberries we’d bought and make popsicles for Tristan.

Here’s what you need:

3-4 pineapples spears

1 1/2 cups of strawberries

1 banana

1 big handful of your favorite green- we used spinach and it was probably a little less than a handful. -

About a 1tsp of agave (optional)

ENJOY!

This is definitely something the kids will love to snack on for a treat. What makes it so great is that your kids will eat it right up and not care a bit about the greens AND it’s a perfect way to cool off in the summer. My son LOVES this recipe. Create your own and have fun with it!

What’s your favorite summer smoothie mixture?

Meatless Monday: Spanish Breakfast Scramble

La Mama Naturale' — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:22:52 +0000

It’s MEATLESS MONDAY!

That’s right kick the meat to the curb today and indulge in fresh veggies and fruits instead.

Recently, I mentioned my interest in the raw foods diet. Much of what I’ve been doing lately is fueling my brain with tons of information on becoming a raw foodie. I’m really drawn to this lifestyle of raw foods- it’s pretty fascinating to me. Not eating cook foods and getting the most nutrition out of a vegetable or fruit seems almost like a no-brainer, right? I know this diet may not be for everyone but so far from what I’ve been reading it seems like it goes right along with my who I am. I’m so hyped on the recipes- from nut cheeses to nut milks, rawasgna, to grawnola, and ice cream (dairy free) - anything is possible in the raw foods world. Pizza, mexican food- yes, that’s right tamales- and the kicker it’s HEALTHY for you!!!

It has totally made me rethink my eating habits and even having our chickens for eggs! Anyway, I’m super thrilled to share our first raw foods recipe with you. I decided to go simple and easy on our first take- I don’t want to overwhelm myself. I’ve yet to take to leap either and invest in a Vita-Mix. I really, really, really want one! Our blender just recently broke and the food processor does not do the job like the blender did. I’m not even sure when I’ll make that step but hopefully, soon. For now, I’ll borrow my mom’s blender and juice it up with our Jack Lalanne juicer. We have the one featured in the video.

I figure it can’t hurt to incorporate a few raw meals into our daily lives… so without further a do…

Spanish Breakfast Scramble an Ani Phyo recipe…

We enjoyed this dish for dinner. This recipe is easy peasy! Most raw recipes don’t require a lot of time in the kitchen. Major plus. My husband absolutely loved it- NO JOKE. He asked for seconds and kept raving about how much he liked the textures of the spinach and nuts. He said he could just eat the “Love the Chicks” pate plain. He also kept saying it was the perfect food for the outdoors. I agree. Tonight, we’re having a Mushroom Walnut loaf- stayed tuned!

Oh, and btw- I wanted to share a book with you that inspired me to become a vegetarian years ago- I’ve recently taken it off the shelves again…

I highly recommend it.

The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and The World- by John Robbins.

Happy Meatless Monday!

Save Gas & The Planet: Cycle In Style!

La Mama Naturale' — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:37:48 +0000

OMG! OMG! OMG!

You have to check out this AWESOME giveaway going on at Madsen Cycles! Ever since we traveled abroad and visited Amsterdam; where practically everyone rides a bike…

I’ve wanted a bike that reminded me of our trip to Europe and Madsen Cycles does just that. It would be such a hoot to cycle the boys up to town on one. I can totally see myself now. Big huge sunglasses, a loose tank & capri shorts, hair tied back and the boys smiling happily in the bucket. Hopefully, they’d be blowing peace signs and kisses to everyone in the sunshine as we rode by.

How dreamy! Sounds like the perfect way to start the day. Fun! Fun! Fun! I want to be the one in the neighborhood with the hip, trendy, Madsen bike. Yes, I do! I’d wave everyone down with big grins and smiles while soaking in the sweet sunshine. Perfect for cruising the kids around. Can you see it, too!?

Make sure you check out Madsen Cycles!

Get there before July 15th to enter.

twitter thursday, green edition #10

La Mama Naturale' — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:13:20 +0000

This weeks question…

@LaMamaNaturale asked: Do you BYOB (bring your own bag) if so what is your favorite brand or what are you reusing?

Responses from the twitterverse…

@LittleInkers we do use cloth bags but we print or own designs on hemp organic cotton.

@TheSingingNurse BYOB, I like the color of the 1 I purchased from CVS, it is amazing for 1$

@lindamessing Tons of fun prints/patterns: http://bit.ly/Ont4E

@jlfmama My org. gave chico bags as a TY to attendees at our conference in Mar. I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine! It’s clipped to my diaper bag.

@MindfulMomma Yes, I BYOB and I always donate the discount!

@janetissmo BYOB a wicker basket, just like the good old days.

@Anyelday yes- but I just use the ugly store ones. Hope to get some cute ones someday

@GreenEyedMonst check out a fresh take on reusable shopping bags here! GreenEyedMonster bags are a unique take on the BYOB trend with limited edition prints. Compliments abound from TJ shoppers! http://www.greeneyed.com

@cookingupfamily I BYOB everywhere, I use Sheryl Crow WF bag, they are amazing and strong! Aside for the green aspect they just work better!

@mightymarce U mean shopping? Almost always. Have an assortment- Target, freebies, etc. Fave is from Kohl’s, HUGE but folds up so easy.

@thesmartmama I BYOB everywhere, from Macys to the thrift store. I have a collection, but lately really liking Rebel Green’s princess

@fentonslee i use some from my grocery store, and ive made some from leftover quilting and upholstery fabric from my garb sewing days.

@Lovemore_Andrea Lovemore bags of course! http://bit.ly/SgLaA

@GeminiJoanLANY Sure do BYOB-have a stash of cloth totes in trunk of my car… of course, I also need to remember to take them into store:)

What about you-Do you BYOB?

A Local Article: BYOB!!!

La Mama Naturale' — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:17:47 +0000

No this isn’t a post about beer. It’s Bring Your Own Bag. Say no to plastic bags at grocery stores and businesses. Bring your own cloth bags instead or heck reuse your old plastic ones. Why say no to plastic and bring you own?

Consider the following shocking facts about plastic shopping bags:

Plastic bags are made of polyethylene
Polyethylene is a petroleum product
Production contributes to air pollution and energy consumption
Four to five trillion plastic bags are manufactured each year
Americans use over 380 billion polyethylene bags per year
Americans throw away approximately 100 billion polyethylene bags per year
Of those 100 billion plastic bags, 1% are recycled
It takes 1000 years for polyethylene bags to break down
As polyethylene breaks down, toxic substances leach into the soil and enter the food chain
Approximately 1 billion seabirds and mammals die per year by ingesting plastic bags
Plastic bags are often mistaken as food by marine mammals. 100,000 marine mammals die yearly by eating plastic bags.
These animals suffer a painful death, the plastic wraps around their intestines or they choke to death
Plastic bags choke landfills
Plastic bags are carried by the wind into forests, ponds, rivers, and lakes
There are alternatives to plastic bags. All of this death and pollution is unnecessary Read more: www.environmentalactivism.sutie101.com

Here are a few reusable options:

Reuse plastic/brown bags from previous visit!
www.envirosax.com
www.reusablebags.com
www.theinconvenientbag.com
www.chicobag.com
www.greeneyed.com

Many cities have attempted/already banned the use of plastic bags such as the City of Santa Monica and in and around the Bay area. Also, stores like Albertsons (in Quartz Hill) and The Whole Foods Market give back five cents towards your purchase for every bag you bring. -My ? Why don’t we jump on board and get our city to stop using plastic bags? With all the wind the litter carries (I’d bet plastic bags are #1) we could use a ban!!!

Okay, let’s take baby steps and start within. Next time you go shopping forgo the plastic and BYOB!! It’s an easy way to help save the planet. Not only that but many grocery chains and retailers are selling their own version of grocery bags to make it easier for you. Which brings me to my next point…when you make the switch - go plastic-less completely and AVOID bags that are made from plastic.

It’s a catch-22 so be mindful and choose cloth or any other sustainable material. Either way, whether you’re mindful or not… you’ll be helping to protect our environment by bringing your own bag. Guess what? It doesn’t just stop there either- especially, when you consider all the possibilities to reduce your plastic intake i.e.: produce bags, Ziploc bags, utensils from fast food joints etc. Plastic lives forever so let’s keep our community clean and say no to plastic bags. If you forget reusable your bags- ask for paper!!!

For Ziploc bag alternatives go to www.etsy.com and enter Love For Earth in the search.
Also be sure to check out www.to-goware.com

More Facts (obtained from www.greeneyed.com):

The average American uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year. If everyone in the United States tied their annual consumption of plastic bags together in a giant chain, the chain would reach around the earth 760 times!

Californians cut their plastic bag waste in half, it would save over two thousand barrels of oil a day (over 800,000 barrels a year) and keep 73,000 tons of rubbish out of our landfills.

Interview @ Pregnancy Today!

La Mama Naturale' — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:06:48 +0000

Hi there!

Been meaning to mention it…

My interview is up at Pregnancy Today with Katherine Bonganger titled An Eco-friendly Baby Shower forget- pink and blue throw a green shower!

Don’t miss it- lot’s of great info!

Happy WW~ GreenHouse Project: Imagine A Roof!

La Mama Naturale' — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:36:53 +0000

The roof was on by the end of the day- I’d gone though and taken the camera. The hub shot a one on his phone but I can’t seem to get it to send out- says invalid address-whatever!

In any case, this is the beginning stages of our greenhouse community project. We’re hopeful and excited about it. More deets to come.

Cloth Diapers: Back By Popular Demand!

La Mama Naturale' — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:53:23 +0000

When I first started blogging I was at freewebs.com - I posted about my cloth diapering experience there but the post did not make the Wordpress move.

Now, that I’m here I have not had the opportunity to really discuss my experience…I’ve mentioned before that I use bumGenius 2.0, All In One (AIO) diapers but haven’t gone into great detail.

Before Tristan was born I knew I was going to cloth diaper. I had no idea how popular it’d become until I started scouring the net. UPDATE: Check out www.diaperpin.com for reviews on diapers, slings, etc. I based my decision on which cloth diaper I was going to invest in based on the comments there. I found so many different types of diapers I was completely overwhelmed but was also filled with delight that cloth diapers were now functional, stylish and modern. I couldn’t wait to jump on board. Cloth diapering has actually been a money saver and I honestly don’t mind doing the dirty laundry at all. I chose bum Genius “dipes” because they were very close to what a disposable diaper, AKA “sposie” was like. I liked the velcro tabs feature as opposed to the snaps. At the time, I didn’t think the snaps would be ideal. I’m totally over that now!

Little did I know that snaps were an awesome feature until I received my Fuzzi Bunz in the mail - AKA “fluffy mail”. It is the only other brand of cloth dipes that I’ve used I even have about 8 old skool dipes- you know the burb cloth style- but these have velcro tabs! No pins, here. I would love to expand my cloth diaper stash and have a variety. There are just soooo many different styles, colors, and prints that it seems worth it to have a more than one brand. I’m sure you’re curious about how well they function.

Sorry for the pic- would’ve been a better one of the stash but diapers were in the laundry!

bumGenius diapers have great leak guard protection and hold up well overnight. Sometimes, I add a doubler in for extra protection which is a hemp liner that lie flat inside diaper before fastening the diaper tabs. It depends on whether you have a heavy wetter or not and how often your baby pees. Clark requires a doubler inside his dipe at all times. Tristan was mainly at night. The diapers are easy to wash and laundry becomes part of your routine.

When the diapers are soiled I place them into a dry pail (plast ic trash can) can wash them every other day. I’ve gone 2 days before…but that’s really stretching it. I don’t recommend doing that. It will cause your diapers to smell like ammonia which could eventually lead to a diaper rash. I wash my dipes on cold cycle first no detergent then wash again on hot with detergent. When we’re out we place the soiled diapers into what’s known as a “wet bag”. It’s a very simple process.

We also have a pail liner much like the “wet bag”. You can toss in the wet bag with the pail liner and dipes. These are items that you can do without, honestly. I bought them up front with DS #1 (dear son) and used them for sure. I haven’t really used the pail liner much because it seems easier to go without as long as you keep the pail clean. Ewww, stinky! You can reuse a plastic bag or Ziploc bags for dirty dipes or make your own wet bag.

We use Allen’s Naturally on our dipes and for washing clothes. It’s pretty darn expensive but’s it’s biodegradable and is recommended for cloth diapers. Today, I actually ordered Charlies Soap and am excited to test it out. I’m trying to cut back on my plastic intake so I’m looking for detergents that come in paper or cloth. I’m going to figure out how to make my own and share it! I’ve also used Planet detergent in the past and really like the way it’s cleaned the dipes. I always add about a 1/4-1/2 cup of borax to the wash to help keep the dipes nice and brightly white.I wash on cold first, no detergent…then wash on hot with detergent and run again on cold without detergent. I always line dry my when possible. One downside to that is that it can take all day if it isn’t summer out- even in the dryer. Minor detail- very minor.

With cloth diapering comeS cloth wiping! Since my last cloth wiping post I have alternated between the use of the wipes warmer and a spray or peri bottle. We don’t use a warmer pad in the warmer itself and just add in the wipes and dump in the water. They get used up so fast that they don’t get discolored of funky smelling. I think that has a lot to do with having two. Oh! and for the poopies you invest in a diaper spray and spray the poo directly into the toilet. No dunking like the old days. I love the diaper sprayer because it also serves as a hand washing tool for my toddler and makes rinsing out the tub after I cleaned it a breeze.

My number one reason for cloth diapering though was to keep my sons bottom free from plastic and toxic chemicals such as bleach and dioxin (and to save the EARTH). I love the fact that my baby is comfy in his fluffy. I have two organic AIO bumGenius dipes that I just bought and love. They’ve been put to the test and so far hold up fantastic. Going the organic diaper route is ideal but can get costly though. Actually, all of the dipes have held up great- I’m impressed.

Last summer, I cloth diapered on our trip to Hawaii. If there’s a washer and dryer available I will totally make it happen. We’ve camped before and it just wasn’t an option. I use Nature Care sposies that actually biodegrade and are made without harsh chemicals when camping in an area that I can wash my the fluffies. You can find Nature Care at Target. Seventh Generation is also another disposable brand and the hybrid of disposables are gdiapers. I haven’t tried gdiapers yet. Think of all the sposies being thrown into the landfills on a daily basis.

Cloth diapering may sound intimidating but once you get the hang of things and figure it out- you’ll agree with the rest of the cloth diapering community that it rocks! The initial investment may be costly but overall you’re going to save a ton of money and the Earth.

A few facts to consider:

The instructions on a disposable diaper package advice that all fecal matter should be deposited in the toilet before discarding, yet less than one half of one percent of all waste from single-use diapers goes into the sewage system.

Over 92% of all single-use diapers end up in a landfill.

No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years, long after your children, grandchildren and great, great, great grandchildren will be gone.

Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste. In a house with a child in diapers, disposables make up 50% of household waste.

Disposable diapers generate sixty times more solid waste and use twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp.

Two years has passed since I first began my cloth diapering journey so much has evolved- my BG diapers size, small had withstood the many washes and are now being uses. There’s definitely a buzz going around about them. I’m all about debunking the cloth diaper rumors! I ordered my bumGenius dipes and accessories at www.cottonbabies.com. Check out their Growing Up In Cloth program- reason #1 for choosing BG dipes. Also, if your velcro tabs wear, they’ll send you replacements for free!

Another favorite:

www.jilliansdrawers.com

Fluffy mail wish list:

www.gadbaby.com

www.rumparooz.com

www.smartipants.com

www.es_baby.com

www.applecheeks.com

www.thenaturalbabyco.com - Grobaby diapers.

On top of this cloth diapering biz I’ve also been EC’ing part-time with the boy- seperate post. Oh! and did I mention potty training. Aye Carumba!

More to come~

Do you cloth diaper? If so, what is your favorite dipe?

If not, what is your biggest drawback?

Happy Fourth & Randomness….

La Mama Naturale' — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:51:59 +0000

Happy 4th!!!!

Wow! It’s been a crazy week. I’ve had a really hard time blogging lately. The sunshine keeps calling our names and so does the pool. We’ve been enjoying the outdoors a whole lot. By the time the evening comes, I’m wiped out from all the fun and the sun!!! I know, I promised to talk about cloth diapering- and I’m still planning too. I’ve had a lot on my mind this past week. All the free time out in the sun has my mind free flowing. I’m loving it. I’ve actually been listening to interviews from The Raw Mom Summit and I’m totally psyched about delving into the “Raw foodie” world. I’m actually going to start my first raw recipe today. I’m pretty stoked about. I’ve learned a great deal of information from the interviews and can’t wait to share some of it with YOU! I’m also going to start investing in some books about going Raw. It’s really inspiring stuff, actually!!!!!!!!! I’ve been on a RAW buzz this past week. Filling my hubby’s head with info and fueling my brain too! Yesterday, I think he had enough of it because he said I was “eco-buggen”. LOL!

It’s now time to get ready to celebrate the independence party and have a blast with family. My husband and dad are working this weekend so things are going to be low key. This week has been busy, busy so I’m actually okay with that. I feel like I haven’t had the chance to spend quality time here… I kinda have a feeling it’s going to be like this most of the summer. In two weeks, we leave for our vacay up to Bass Lake and Yosemite with Ty’s family and friends. Then two weeks after we leave for Mammoth for a weeks stay with my family!! Yay!!! I can’t wait. I’m thinking about having a few guest posts up for that week. Still in the works!!

I’ve also been doing a lot of research on homeschooling. Another topic on the mind. So much always! Not to mention all of the projects ahead and one of them includes turning our outbuilding into their schoolhouse/sewing room by the end of the summer. Some of the homeschooling curriculum’s that I’ve seen start at the age of 3- so I’m doing the research now to prepare. We also bought a greenhouse and have a gardening project I plan to discuss here as well. Lot’s of exciting things ahead. So, please bear with me if this summer I’m sporadic about blogging. I’m always thinking about writing a post- it’s just squeezing in the time… Only because it’s summer and we’re enjoying it as much as possible!

Oh! and my garbanzo beans have sprouted- who knew sprouting was so much fun!

FYI: That’s my sis, Heather and Tristan walking towards the giant American flag!

Let FREEDOM ring!

Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Remember to REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, & RECYCLE!!!!

What have you been up to?

Happy WW~ Tummy Tub, Time!

La Mama Naturale' — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:21:07 +0000