new woolies!

showing off the newest soakers in our cloth diapering stash--hand knit especially for hudson by a friend-of-a-friend (thanks, thea!). they'll fit him for quite some time, and i'm quite pleased. i'm also totally jealous of all people possessing the knack for knitting--so much so that i'm planning on taking a 2-day "learn-to-knit" class at the end of this month. i need another crafting hobby like i need a flat tire, but curiosity has totally gotten the best of me. can i really learn to knit my own cute & wooly creations?

stay tuned to find out!

one-size wool?

you cloth-diapering mamas will surely agree with me when i say that, when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, buying one-size-fits-most diapers and covers is the way to go. one-size items also lend some simplicity to the equation when you've got 2 children in diapers (which we do, at nighttime). one-size diapers are easy to find--we like bumgenius, rocky mountain and swaddlebees the best. one-size covers aren't quite as easy to find, but they do exist. we've never had one--until now.

here's one of our favorite new diaper covers--the little beetle "little-to-big" wool cover. made out of organic wool with snap closure and rise adjustment. nice and soft. we've had this cover for about 2 months now, and i must say that i'm really pleased with it. it gets the job done, keeping dampness at bay. most often it's on hudson's bottom (he's on the medium setting), but lucy has worn it on several occasions without issue. i wouldn't expect it to fit a very large toddler, but lucy is 28 pounds and it will fit over a trim fitted diaper without a problem.

too cute, right? wool is always an investment, and this cover is no exception. i think i paid around $38 at my local cloth diapering store. but i know we'll get good use out of it--and that he won't be outgrowing it anytime soon. now, if only i could say that about the rest of his woolies. and his clothes, for that matter!

smart move, baby einstein...

disney, the company behind the ever-popular baby einstein line of videos, books and toys, is issuing refunds for all DVDs purchased between june 2004 and september 2009. click here to read more about refund information.

apparently the false claims by baby einstein are finally being put under fire. which, to your loyal blogger, is both surprising and non-surprising all at once. i mean, companies make blatantly false statements all the time. just the other day i happened to be walking through a regular supermarket and was stunned by the "healthy" claims stamped upon sugared cereal boxes such as froot loops and cinnamon toast crunch--do people really fall for this stuff? i guess, ultimately, some people do.

i've heard and read reports for a long while now discussing findings that not only does baby einstein not promote language development, it actually hinders it. especially when videos act as a replacement for one-on-one time with a caregiver. it doesn't take a "genius" to understand this, especially with the american academy of pediatrics recommending no time in front of a television for children under the age of 2.

well, as most of you know, we don't have television in our home. it started as a one-month experiment and went from there. occasionally jeremy and i will watch a movie after the kids are sleeping, but it's never on when lucy is awake. as such, we have no einstein DVDs to return, and lucy thinks that the television is something meant to display her artwork--tacking up each painstakingly-scribbled-upon piece with a bit of tape.

but what would i do with the money IF i were returning my non-existent DVDs?

i'm a sucker for green toys. we have their sand set, kitchen set, tea set and indoor garden. great quality stuff. cute. made of recycled materials in the usa. what's not to love? i'm sure lucy would be delighted with both of the toys pictured above. living in a construction zone has her quite familiar with all of daddy's tools, and she looks forward weekly visit from the garbage trucks with gusto.

anyhow. that's what i would spend my einstein money on. and now you know.

had for $1.49

this sweet little baby gap outfit. soft thermal knit. roomy for a bulky diaper. and super warm with babylegs underneath. i found it at a nearby thrift shop last week, along with a few other items i couldn't live without.

when it comes to children's clothing, thrift shops vs. consignment shops is always a true conundrum for me. in my experience, thrift shopping takes lots of time and effort pawing through racks of junky stuff, keeping an eye out for a gem. as a payoff to all that effort though, prices are extremely low. consignment shopping offers tons more cute stuff, name brands and like-new quality, but with a higher price tag to go along. what's a girl to do?

a little of both?

into thrifting? this blog is a must-read!

made...

photo courtesy bbcgoodfood.com

in efforts to cut back on our meat intake, i've been looking for some easy-to-make veggie meals. i came across this recipe for butternut squash chili with quinoa. being that i had just purchased 4 pounds of organic quinoa at costco a few days before, and had squash on hand from our csa box, i decided to give it a go.

i've never cooked with quinoa before. actually, i don't even think i've eaten much of it either. but this grain-like seed is certainly a healthy food, high in protein, fiber, and magnesium. it also contains all of the essential amino acids that work to build muscle in the body--nice because i am finally trying to work off the last of the pounds that hudson has so graciously bestowed upon me. (thank you, darling son).

anyway, the recipe worked out well. we substituted kidney beans for canellini beans because that was all we had. we used tomatoes from the freezer that i put away during the summer--they were nice and flavorful. we also upped the garlic from 2 cloves to 5 or 6. and we topped the finished dish with grated parmesan cheese. if you're making the recipe, i'd recommend you cut the squash into very small cubes--ours took much longer than 15 minutes to get tender, and in the end, a few of the larger bites did have some crunch to them.

it was the kind of meal that would have been fabulous with a pork chop, you know? but we're working hard at changing our habits around here. which means my 4 pound bag of quinoa is my new best friend!

lucy is 21 months...

an endless ball of energy, that's what this little girl is. recent talents include:

~ counting from 1-11

~ correctly naming most of the common colors

~ "jumping." there is no getting off the ground yet, but she's working hard at it.

~ creating her own little songs. current favorite is 'baa baa sheep,' in which everyone we've ever met gets a bag of wool. this also includes inanimate objects such as the bathtub, the stroller, her cowboy shirt and the oranges we eat for breakfast. wool for all!

cheers!

wear-what-you-want wednesday...

sweats and a swimsuit, people. sweats and a swimsuit. thankfully we happened to be sticking around the house. because really, what type of shoes would one wear with an outfit such as this?

buddies...

party in my pants winner....

the winner of the $25 gift certificate to PIMP is maria, who said:

I've got several on order from another vendor but strongly believe that, just like with CDing, a varied stash is key to success. I'd love the chance to get some of these, since I've heard such great things about them!

congrats, maria! i've just sent you an email with info. have fun picking out your pads!

more goodies...

i told you i was addicted to crocheted food from lucette on etsy. our latest order includes all of lucy's recent favorite foods--carrots, broccoli, orange slices and popcorn. lucy LOVES her popcorn. it all started with a little rhyme we learned at her preschool playgroup (sung to the tune of frere jacques/are you sleeping):

popcorn kernels,

popcorn kernels,

in a pot.

in a pot.

shake and shake and shake them,

shake and shake and shake them,

'till they pop!

'til they pop!

party in my pants--the giveaway!

what are you thinking right about now?

well, thankfully (for you and me both), "party in my pants" is a cute little company making top-of-the-line, reusuable menstrual pads. nothing x-rated coming from your loyal blogger, people. let's keep it that way.

i've posted some about cloth pads before, but to catch everyone up, here's a bit of a timeline:

• 1993-2009: i hold firm in the belief that i am not a "pad girl."

• april, 2008: lucy is born. no tampons allowed. i buy box after box of disposables in great dismay at the entire situation. hate sticking something to my underwear. hate the leaks. grossed out by the full trash can.

• summer, 2008: first postpartum period returns. invest in the diva cup. find it okay, but with a significant learning curve. buy boxes of disposable pantyliners to catch occasional leaks. eventually decide to ditch the diva on most occasions and purchase (expensive) chorine-free tampons.

• summer, 2009: pregnant. my great friend molly convinces me that we will use cloth pads after the birth of our second babies. not only that, we're going to sew our own. i wince and go along with her plan.

• fall, 2009: birth of hudson drawing closer with each day. worry that my home-sewn pads are going to suck. order a couple of PIMP pads to have on hand, just in case.

• november 6, 2009: hudson is born. i use the phone book-sized pads provided at the hospital. upon arriving home, i switch to cloth.

• november 7: i'm sold.

i highly doubt that i will ever buy a box of disposable pads again. there is simply no need--cloth pads are more comfortable, more effective, and not nearly as gross as you might imagine. much like cloth diapers--you don't want your baby sitting in what amounts to plastic and chemical-treated fibers, right? well, then you shouldn't want the same for yourself.

many users of cloth pads will attest to the fact that their periods are lighter, shorter and less painful than they were while using disposables. can this be? can the moisture-absorbing chemicals in cloth pads actually make periods worse? there aren't many studies done to provide scientific findings on the matter--beyond the obvious fact that the bleaching agents used to make pads bright white result in the production of dioxins. dioxins are a known toxin--part of the reason we've personally replaced bleach in most of its applications around the valleygirl home. dioxins: not something you want pressed against your sensitive parts.

other than that, all i've got to go on is personal testimony. i have a friend who was often bedridden during her monthly cycle--it was something she'd been dealing with for years. simply switching to a chemical-free disposable changed this. i've nagged her to take the next step and switch to cloth, but she's not quite there yet. we'll see.

as for me, i'm a believer. less waste, better function, a better feel against the skin. washing is a breeze--i simply keep them in a wetbag under the sink and wash every few days. stains are pretty much a non-issue.

party in my pants pads are great. so, so thin and yet surprisingly absorbent. the makers use nylon instead of PUL as the waterproof layer, which is pretty unique to the marketplace, at least in my findings. snaps are nickel-free. besides the 100% functionality of these pads, you've got to love the cuteness. all sorts of fabrics to choose from--even some organic varieties. with 10 different sizes/absorbencies available, picking out a stash will be the only tricky thing about switching to cloth!

have i mentioned that the gals at PIMP are super generous?

everyone is invited to try a PIMP pantyliner for free--just pay postage. click here to read about and participate in their "cloth curious" program. i happen to have one of these myself--it's the "go-to" liner in my stash.

good at coming up with original, witty descriptions? click here to "name that PIMP" and win a free pad.

the PIMP gals have also graciously donated a $25 gift certificate to one lucky blog reader. to enter, simply leave a comment here on the blog. giveaway ends saturday, 1/30 at 8 am PST. winner will be chosen by random number generator and announced shortly thereafter. good luck!

homework:

peek at this list before your next shopping trip. it sets my mind at ease against the frustrating expense of buying organic. genetically modified food is just not something i want to mess with--especially when it comes to my kids. and to see that the nations #1 formula company is listed on the "may contain gmo's" list is, quite frankly, a pretty gross discovery.

so, check the link above.

have another minute? read this tidbit from an article on the huffington post:

"Beware the SCCC. No, it's not some new government agency (though maybe it should be). That stands for soy, cotton, canola, and corn, which are among the most common GMO crops. The statistics are startling: 91 percent of soy, 87 percent of cotton, 75 percent of canola, and 73 percent of corn crops grown in the US are GMO, according to the USDA. So unless the label specifically says organic, you can pretty much bet that any food or product you buy that contains any of the big four have been genetically changed. We're not just talking tofu and tortilla chips, either: It's the sheets on your bed, those potato chips fried in cottonseed oil, and the aspartame in your Diet Coke (made using a fermentation process that involves soy and corn)."

have yet another minute? click here to read information and help oppose lifting a ban on genetically modified "roundup ready" alfalfa. the form takes less than a minute to fill out. and it's for an cause if you care about preserving the integrity of organic foods. alfalfa is pollinated by bees, which means that if the ban is lifted and genetically modified alfalfa becomes legal, bees will spread gmo's to everything that they pollinate--including plants otherwise considered organic.

if only people knew this stuff. pass it on.

the empanadas were made...

rolling out dough? super fun. especially with little handfuls of flour everywhere--that dough didn't stand a chance of sticking to our counters. we used this recipe from buttons magee and were really pleased with the outcome. piping hot hand pies with various fillings and a nice, somewhat flaky crust. jeremy likened them to gourmet (and much better tasting) hot pockets. i guess i understand the comparison, as we've just made more to have on hand in the freezer to have on hand for quick lunches.

we made a few with broccoli, carrots and cheddar cheese. a few with spinach and feta. a few with grass-fed beef, onion and beans. and a few with a mishmash of everything. lucy enjoyed the spinach. toddler eating spinach = totally satisfied mama.

make these. cross my heart you won't regret it.

just because...

more good cooking...

i don't consider myself a "good" cook by any means, but i've certainly been giving it a go. after all, cooking is just following directions, right? well, that's the problem with me. following directions is so tedious. :smile:


we had several brown bags filled with all sorts of potatoes from our csa box. red ones, yellow ones, even a few purple ones i'd gotten at trader joe's. well, in addition to all those potatoes, we had a few leeks. i don't think i've ever had potato leek soup, but it seemed we had all the proper ingredients, so i set about googling a recipe and came across this one at pinch my salt. a simple recipe accompanied by a series of gorgeous food-y photos. perfect.

a few hours later (after a run to the market for cream) we were dining on delicious homemade soup. lucy liked it. i loved it. jeremy thought it good but hinted to add garlic next time. a "good" vote on all three counts means that this one definitely has repeat-ability. which is nice, because it was quite cheap (notice the lack of meat, aside from chicken stock) and easy to make. even for a cook without a potato masher--mine appears to have gone missing. or perhaps i never had one at all. who knows. lack of a masher just meant our soup was very hearty in texture--perfect for all the rain we've been getting here in northern california.

next up--empanadas.

have i mentioned...

just how much i love bok choy? oh, that's right. i probably have.

just looking at this photo gets my tummy rumbling. if there wasn't a cozy baby napping peacefully on my chest, i might just get up and make some more for tonight's dinner. yum.

we got ourselves out to the farmer's market on saturday morning. haven't been in quite awhile, as our csa box has been keeping us pretty satisfied. but we're on a mission to up the veggie intake and eat a little less meat, so off we went, braving the threat of rain. we scored raisins, two loaves of artisan bread*, the last bit of bok choy available, and even a tiny container of california-grown strawberries amongst a few other treats. the strawberries were from santa barbara, which is a good 5-hour drive from us. i rationalized my purchase by figuring that santa barbara, though far, is much closer than chile or ecuador--which is where trader joe's is currently importing all of its berries from. and lucy LOVED the berries. specifically, when i covered a few of them in chocolate. (we were making chocolate-covered almonds, but the darn strawberries kept crying to be dipped too!).

we also got a bit of grass-fed ground beef from a local farm. not sure what we'll do with it, but it's on the menu for this week. i'm thinking empanadas from this site if i can find the time to make the dough. sleeping babies are just so snuggly. nature's pause button, i guess.

*a note about the bread we bought at the market--i've got to start making my own again. it's infinitely cheaper.

he's smiling....

hudson's toothless grins have become a much-adored part of everyday life around here. the kid even has a dimple--no kidding! (of course it's impossible to caputure on film).

this post is just a "sigh-of-relief-and-a-little-observation" post. i think we're finally hitting the "coast" part of life with 2 kids under the age of 2. at the very least, we've adapted to our "new normal." which certainly doesn't mean that every day is coast-y. but a little bit of coasting makes the uphill stuff much more manageable. it's getting fun. and the smiles make it all the more worthwile.

you might even say they're contagious...

we're so spoiled...

well, hudson is, anyway. check out his new longies, made with love by my brother's girlfriend jaime. super soft, super stretchy. easy to get on and off. and as cute as could possibly be. we LOVE wool over fitted diapers. thankfully hudson's skin seems to be getting a little less sensitive and he's able to wear all those fitteds i made him a little more often. which is good, because i'm a lazy cloth diaper-er and hate stuffing pockets. anyone else?

thanks jaime!

farm box friday...

i so look forward to our csa delivery. now that it's only coming every other week (we couldn't keep up with eating everything in a mere 7 days) we're able to use everything at a leisurely pace, trying out new recipes. but by the end of 2 weeks, i'm eyeing the packed-in-plastic produce at trader joe's and itching to get our new box delivery to freshen up our fridge. here's what came today:

~ 2 pounds navel oranges (um, 2 oranges weighing a pound each! huge!)

~ 2 lbs fuji apples

~ 2 zuatano avocados (guacamole coming right up!)

~ baby bok choy

~ a red cabbage

~ grean leaf lettuce

~ kale

~ leeks

~ carrots (carrots with stems attached are like, the cutest thing)

~ italian parsley

~ yellow onions

~ french fingerling potatoes

i get SERIOUSLY excited when i find baby bok choy in the box. so good. and wouldn't you know, i'd never ever cooked with it until starting our csa. now i'm totally hooked. we've had it on its own, in soup and in pasta. lucy calls it "lettuce," (we let her believe that anything green is lettuce--hey, it works) and gobbles it right up. so satisfying!

on a side note, our farm newsletter announced that our farm owners welcomed a baby girl into the world on january 1. they named her lola. eep! isn't that cute?

so. we watched food, inc.

i'm sure most of you eco-minded folks have already seen this. we were late to jump on the train, but watched it over our computer the other night. wow.

honestly, the documentary concreted many of my suspicions--basically that if you don't know where your food is coming from, chances are the answer isn't going to be something you want to hear. i was already familiar with some of the information provided--the horrors behind factory chicken farming, the fact that it's far cheaper (in the short run) for a family to eat a diet of fast food rather than a diet of fruits and veggies, america's dependance on corn, and the far-reaching effects of monsato's stronghold over genetically-engineered seeds & crops. all depressing stuff, really. which plays a large part in the changes we've made in our own household over time (switching to organic whenever possible, shopping at farmer's markets, joining a csa, raising chickens for eggs, etc.).

still, there were more than a few instances during the film when my mouth literally dropped open--meat being routinely washed in ammonia to rid it of potentially harmful bacteria. the fact that a single fast-food hamburger contains beef coming from 1,000 cows. the disgusting lengths that monsanto has taken to stamp out small farms and farmers. the many disguises that corn has when listed on an ingredient label.

so. where do we go from here?

jeremy and i have agreed that it's high time to look for alternative sources of meat. we regularly buy beef and pork from trader joe's, with some chicken thrown in on occasion. not that we're big meat eaters--certainly the opposite is true. but it's time to make the switch to grass fed and local. my stomach feels queasy at the idea of buying (and consuming) any more factory-farmed meat. and, as i've said here before, i do believe in the whole "voting with your food dollars" thing.

we are now looking into either joining a meat csa with regular pickups, or buying directly from a local farm as needed. both options are expensive. which means we may be looking into more veggie-based meals to help cut back on our meat consumption. with our farm box bounty, it shouldn't be too hard. i'll keep you posted when we make our decision soon.

we eat fast food so rarely it's almost not worth mentioning--maybe 4 times per year. this will not be hard to give up. as for the rest of dining out, i really don't know. we always try to pick places that serve fresh, quality food. but every now and then, a girl likes a cheap taqueria burrito. i guess from now on, it'll be a cheap beans and rice taqueria burrito. ole.