The Eco-Friendly Family

Bliss

2012-02-25T08:05:35Z

Bliss is truly the most perfect way to describe Blissdom. I’ll have more photos to share later, but this has been amazing so far. The speakers are phenomenal and the entertainment is amazing as well! Not to mention I am going to be a rock star as far as my kids are concerned. I mean after all, I was photographed with a celebrity

And then I had dinner with the super amazing and wonderful Calley from TheEcoChic.com

And then… well let’s just say that we put our silly hats on and had a whole lot more fun!

I hope that you are all having a great week!Similar Posts:

I’m Off… to Blissdom!

2012-02-21T22:19:41Z

I’m on the road – a seven hour drive – yikes! or bliss? – and can’t wait to share all that Blissdom has to offer! I will be tweeting and posting to my Facebook page as the conference marches on. Be sure to follow me on both so that you don’t miss any of the fun. You can find my links in the sidebar.

Are you a blogger headed to Blissdom? Give me a shout and we schedule a meet up!Similar Posts:

Ladybugs = Free Babysitters

2012-02-21T22:34:18Z

Our children love ladybugs! G will spend hours watching them, following them around with pieces of paper to pick them up, and then squeal for me to help find them when they attempt to flee.

I never thought a time would come that I didn’t mind a bug in my house!

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Babywearing: Why Forward Facing Isn’t For You

2012-02-21T04:58:41Z

Babywearing has so many benefits, but it can have downsides too. Choosing a carrier that offers the proper support for baby and wearer is key. As I have mentioned in the past, I am among the group of babywearers who do not like forward facing carries. There are few ways to do it properly, so I never recommend it. In general, forward facing carriers offer little support for baby, and wearer, in a variety of ways.

Forward facing carries are often more strain on the adult wearing the child. Many of the carriers designed to be worn this way are not designed or structured well enough to give proper support to begin with, let alone with baby’s weight distributed improperly. Carriers like this often become quite uncomfortable, and even painful after short periods of use. For carriers that do offer proper support and structure, it can still cause extra stress to the back and shoulders due to the way the weight of the child is carried and distributed in contrast to the way that it is when they are facing towards the wearers body.

Notice the images below – On the left of each image is a child in a forward facing carry, and on the right the child is facing inward.

The first thing I notice is the posture of the adults. You can clearly notice that both of the adults are arching their backs to compensate for the lack of proper weight distribution of the child. You can easily see how this would 1) wear on the back quicker, causing discomfort and pain, and 2) tug on the shoulders, again causing discomfort sooner than if the weight was being properly distributed. Looking now to the child in each set of photos, you can notice how each is cradled in the inward facing position; their weight is supported properly and their bodies are in a comfortable position. In the forward facing positions, their posture and positioning looks awkward, uncomfortable and not well supported.

The support of the child is the most important issue here, as it can directly impact development. The image below from hipdysplasia.org is a wonderful illustration as to why a proper carrier with a wider bottom and proper support is so important. Notice how the carrier to the left offers no support to the child’s legs or hips, leaving full pressure on the developing sacrum and spine. On the right, you can see that the wider base of the carrier cradles the child and gives fuller support, relieving the hip and spine from strain. Think also of how this better weight distribution would increase the comfort lever for the adult as well. The bottom set of this illustration demonstrates the impact a narrow carrier can have on the hip from improperly supporting the legs. Generally speaking, forward facing carriers only come in a narrow harness design, as they cannot provide the wider base allowed by an inward facing positions.

In addition to the support and physical comfort aspects of forward and inward facing carries, the emotional support of the child is an aspect to consider as well. Infants and toddlers need the feeling of protection and security. Facing inward, the child can retreat from the stress easily if overstimulated. While some children may love the chance to look around, this can be achieved by using a back carry when the child is old enough, while offering all of the support needed, as it is facing toward the wearers body.

There are many wonderful carriers that offer the fully supportive features needed to provide both wearer and baby with a safe and comforting babywearing experience. You can check out a quick comparison of several carriers here on the Baby Carrier Overview & Review Spreadsheet (feel free to add your reviews too!)

What’s your favorite carrier and why would you recommend it to others?Similar Posts:

Kale Chips!

2012-02-15T21:34:15Z

My thoughtful husband bought me a beautiful fruit arrangement for Valentine’s Day. It came loaded with strawberries, grapes, melons, pinapple and kale. Okay so the kale is meant for decoration but it’s jam packed full of nutrients, so I couldn’t stand to see it go to waste! I’ve heard lots of people talk about how much they love kale chips, so I thought I’d try my hand at it and oh boy I am so happy that I did. They are delicious!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Kale
Salt
Olive Oil
A Rack - An oven safe drying rack works beautifully, but a cookie sheet will do too.

Prehead your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wash and pat dry your kale. Tear into bite sized pieces and toss with olive oil and salt. Feel free to get creative and try other seasonings too!

Bake on rack until the edges of the chips are browned. Set your timer to 5 minutes and go from there.

Enjoy!Similar Posts:

Ones & Twos Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway

2012-02-14T20:41:35Z

I love cloth diapers and I *really* love all-in-one (AIO) cloth diapers. Not only do they have all of the benefits that other cloth diapers offer, but they are SO easy to use! They are favorites for those new to cloth for the familiar features (easy on, easy off, one step) and for those who are seasoned pros and just want the benefit of simplicity. I am thrilled to introduce you to the newest AIO on the block from Ones & Twos.

Ones & Twos are a one-size fits most, all-in-one cloth diaper. It has a great baby shape that is narrow and trim through the thighs, providing a super slim fit that fits our 2 year old wonderfully. The Ones & Twos AIO features the familiar, and easy to use, snap down rise for size adjustments meant to fit babies from 6.5 to 40 pounds. These diapers come only in hook and loop closures. I am a snaps girl, but these do hold well and I find that the design of the hooked portion does not snag like some other styles do and the laundry tabs on these have held up great for me.

The sewn in microfiber layer in the Ones & Twos works well for daytime use, and the included doubler with stay-dry layer is the perfect addition for night time use. Because it has a stay dry layer, it just needs to be laid into the diaper, not stuffed into a pocket, which is a big plus! If you have a heavy wetter you may find that an additional bamboo booster may be needed. Our daughter is 2 1/2 and I found that the included booster was enough for her needs.

Ones & Twos come in 6 fun colors, plus white. They are a great deal for an all-in-one at just $16.95 each or $15.99 when purchased in a 5 pack of whites.

To learn more about the Ones & Twos watch the Cloth Minute below. You can find Ones & Twos on the web at www.onestwosusa.com and join them on Facebook & Twitter for fun events and Ones & Twos news!

Want to try Ones & Two for yourself? Here’s your chance! Enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveawaySimilar Posts:

Looking to join a CSA?

2012-02-06T05:46:25Z

So what is a CSA?
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. In joining a CSA you are buying your produce (even meats, cheese, eggs and other things can be included) by purchasing a share of the farm’s yield. Shares are often sold early in the year before the farm season begins. (Now is the time to look!)

Why a CSA?
Well, for starters it’s local food. The food is picked when ripe and it is fresh! This means that the food will have more of it’s nutrients when it gets to your table.

In addition to having plenty of nutrients, many CSAs are organically grown, even those not certified. Talk to your local CSAs and see what they are all about.

Eating locally is not only great for your body, but it is environmentally friendly. You are supporting local business. There is no need for large facilities and trucks to carry food hundreds, if not thousands of miles just to reach you.

Not sure about the cost of a CSA?
Consider that this will cover the bulk of your produce (and maybe more) costs during the CSAs active months. If you’re still unsure, many families split the cost of a CSA share and divide the shipments up to reduce costs.

How can you find your local CSA?
Local Harvest is a great resource for information about CSAs. Go there, type in your zip code and be on your way.

Another way to find local produce is by going to a farmers’ market. You can also find them on Local Harvest.Similar Posts:

Kaia Magazine v2.0

2012-02-06T05:45:54Z

I’m so excited to announce the newest edition of Kaia Magazine. A whopping 5,000 people enjoyed our gift guide in December, and we were just getting started.

The February issue came out on Monday, and it’s chock full of green tips, in-depth articles, and entertaining anecdotes. It covers everything from healthy recipes to eco-friendly *ahem* romantic products.

I’m so proud to be a part of Kaia’s creation, and I hope you’ll check out this issue. I think you’ll find some really useful — and entertaining — information. While you’re at it, head over to the Kaia Facebook page, where you can join in on the discussion, get updates, and learn about our giveaways and upcoming events.

Don’t miss an issue! Sign up to receive an email notification when each edition goes live!Similar Posts:

Wordless Wednesday: Toddler Fashion

2012-02-13T14:15:07Z

Bubby's shirt, striped leggings and two right shoes = Every girl's fashion staples.

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Wordless Wednesday: Little Mommy

I love a great giveaway!

2012-02-07T16:53:52Z

To kick of the newest issue of Kaia Magazine, the Kaia blog is hosting two great giveaways.

THREE sets from Afterglow Cosmetics (a $90 value each!)

and a $20 gift card to the super hot shop, Hip Mountain Mama

What are you waiting for? Go enter and good luck!!

And don’t forget to enter to win a Beco Butterfly 2 right here on the Eco-Friendly Family!

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