More Pics by Danielle!!

What a hot mama! Thanks Danielle you are awesome!!!

Bundle-Poo??

I have been looking for how to recycle my old bundleboo fabric. This is my favorite diaper, as you can see its becoming a bit faded from washing. The outer material is from the ivory woodfern signature design. What do you think? Its has velcro attachments and a quilted liner.


I don't use a prefold with lucy (she is my EC girl.) so this picture is less bulky that it would be with some sort of an insert. I have been thinking of making them for sale... whats your honest take on whether or not they will go over.

Something's Fishy

So it seems to be pretty common knowledge now that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is necessary for proper brain and eye development in fetuses and children. DHA is supplemented in everything these days...from formula, baby food, rice cereal, yogurt, infant snacks. You name it...powdered DHA is in it. What is slacking on DHA is surprisingly American breast milk! What??? Because western medicine (society) advises a fish-limiting diet during pregnancy due to high mercury levels...most women choose to avoid it all together.(and continue to remove fish due to habit after the pregnancy) Making American mothers lack 75% of DHA in their breast milk compared to the rest of the world. Whoa! Women can significantly increase DHA during pregnancy by taking fish oil supplement (if they are afraid of Mercury) eating foods rich in Flax or flax seed oil...and eating foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for DHA production in the body.

Eggs are also a great source of Omega 3's. Natures promise eggs (not shown in the picture) are also supplemented with Omega 3 by feeding the free range chicken flax seeds. Cold water fish such as Salmon and Tuna are very high in omega 3 (mackerel is not recommended because of the high levels of Mercury).

happy nakking!!!

Got Raw Goat?

Did you know that in most states it is illegal to buy or sell raw dairy? Why? Because a couple of old cigar smoking boogers about half a century ago decided that in order to ensure the milk we drink is safe...it is best to boil it (pasteurize it). The alternative option was to make sure that dairy farms were certified and the milk inspected and tested on a monthly basis for hygienic practices and scary pathogens.

It is not illegal however, to consume raw milk from your own animal. Don't have room for a goat? Buy a goat share! Goat and Cow shares are the legal and most cost effective alternative to smuggling raw dairy from other states. How does it work? You find a local cow or goat dairy farm that is certified and inspected regularly and purchase a "share" in part of an animal. What you are paying for is a portion of boarding and monthly food costs and in return the farm owner expresses and stores the milk for you to pick up. (some farms deliver right to your door!) Is this expensive??? Not really, (if you are already buying store bought organic milk) your initial share costs are based on 1 gallon per week. You will pay a small fee for the glass storage jars. I paid $130.00 total for my goats lifetime. And pay roughly $70 every 3 months for milk. That's about $5.80 a gallon for Raw organic Goats milk.

So you ask why all the hassle for raw goats milk? Because goat's milk by structural composition is the most similar to human milk on the planet. The milk from a goat is naturally homogenized(fat does not separate from milk) allowing for more effective digestion and absorption...therefore the vital proteins are not damaged by the artificial homogenizing process. Raw milk also contains enzymes that aid in the proper digestion of milk.

(FACT: many people who are severely lactose intolerant can happily drink raw dairy because of the good enzymes that were not killed off during the pasteurization process) Raw milk also contains antibodies that help strengthen the immune system and beneficial bacteria that are essential to good digestive health. Sanitary practices such as disinfecting the teats before milking, hand washing, using stainless steel and glass containers, and disinfecting all equipment with a safe cleaning solution after every milking. All of this greatly reduces the risks for harmful bacteria growth. Make sure that your dairy is certified and inspected on a regular basis for harmful pathogens and reap all the healthful benefits of your raw dairy. For more information on the benefits of raw dairy go to. www.realmilk.com

Spilled Milk

For the last two years I have been researching how to privately donate breast milk. I realize the immense value to moms and feel its a crying shame to charge money for this precious gift. Recently I found a fantastic community at "Milk Share" who feels similarly that precious breast milk should be gifted and not capitalized upon... who uses safe practices in making and accepting donations. Excited about doing something selfless, I started the application process for this community. Before I could get too far into the application process a FNL (families for natural living) friend of mine intercepted me and let me know about a family 2.5 hours away from us who was in need of a private milk donation. I had some colostrum in the freezer from when Lucy was in the NICU...and I was willing to pump daily to provide extra milk for a family. So, I emailed this wonderful lady and made arrangements to get milk to her. She was making arrangements to get the milk tested thru her pediatrician and I ordered up my prenatal blood work to send with the milk and started pumping twice a day... for approx 4oz per day.

About two weeks later I finally had about 40oz to send. I made arrangements thru a local private shipping store to get the packing correct. I picked up 2.5 lbs of dry Ice at Roberts Oxygen and a shipping cooler...sealed the container...Pak Mail put the cooler in peanuts in a larger box. I told Pak Mail that I would like the fastest and least expensive way to get this "frozen breast milk" to Charlottesville Va..(2.5 hours away) He agreed with me that airmail would be pointless and very expensive for a location this close. And told me that ground would probably get it there in 1 day. So Friday,$32.00 later I kissed my package goodbye and hoped for the best.

6 DAYS LATER, my milk arrives at her house... hot. GRRRRRRRRR!!! According to the FED EX tracking information the milk sat in a local warehouse for 3 days before shipping! All I got from this local shipping store was that FED EX ground does not promise anything. So now, not only is all that milk wasted...but I am splitting the shipping cost with the mother if fedex doesn't refund the money. (sigh) I am disappointed to say the least...and my recipient mommy is leary about accepting mail donations again...but I am definatly not discouraged from donating again. Perhaps if she doesn't want to try again(I don't blame her in the least), I will certianly find a local family that needs help.

UPDATE: I got a call from the local shipping company and they said that FEDEX should have gotten the milk to her by the following day. It was a 1 in 100 chance that they screwed up that bad...go figure. I was refunded 100% of my charges. Pheuf...I thought that I had messed up.

Bundleboo Pics by Danielle

Mommy Danielle sent us some great photos of her beautiful baby girl in her Natural Classic Bundleboo. Danielle runs a blog space called "new mommy rant" where she reviews new parent products. We are grateful to Danielle for such positive words...and the pictures are so remarkable we will be using them in our new website...coming soon! Thank you Danielle!!!

"Urban Edgy"

I am really thankful for Drea from touched photography for introducing me to the new image of Bundleboo. I have been struggling for the last 1.5 years on how exactly I want my product to come across on media and web. I sent her a Bundleboo sometime ago for review and then another to say thanks for her time. I love her work so much that I asked her to take a few shots of the Damask Bundleboo that I gifted her to see what she could do with it...sure enough she never ceases to amaze me with her talents.

Kitchen Science

So I have a new addiction. If you like a strong taste of yogurt you may be interested in trying kefir. It was introduced to me a few months back by another kefir addict in my FNL group. Its a homemade fermented milk beverage that is jam packed with a ton of healthy pro-biotics. Think yogurt on steroids...with a tart...sometimes fizzy appeal. The beverage starts with a "kefir grain" a gummy live culture that when added to milk, it eats the milk lactose and multiplies into the beneficial kefir after product (for milenia used to cure a multitude of health related issues). Real Kefir grains have been gifted for thousands of years... as the grains multiply (as live culture naturally does)...the extra is lovingly passed to family and friends.

To ferment my kefir yumminess I put the kefir grains into a glass jar on the counter...add milk (we use raw goats milk)...and wait about 24 hours. The milk starts to form this "curds and whey" appearance when the kefir is just right.

I then sift the kefir grains out with a spoon. Put the grains into a clean glass container fill with fresh milk and refrigerate today's finished product.

After the warm kefir has chilled in the fridge...I love this at night while I'm watching TV. I pour it into a mug, add fresh fruit (this time it was nectarines and peaches) and honey. Mix with a stick blender....


YUMMMMMIE! For more information on the benefit of kefir a great web resource is dom's kefir.

DIY Signature Bundleboo

So, I have heard of plenty of people on line and in the baby wearing forums requesting tips on how to make a Bundleboo. If you need a DVD and a label...let me know I will gladly send you one LOL:) First things first.

YOU WILL NEED: * 1 sewing machine and serger
* 5 yards of woven 100% cotton fabric (linen or linen type non-stretchy fabric is preferable)
*1 yard of coordinating print fabric for the center panel,
*1 package of cream colored "double fold bias tape" (found at your local fabric store)....or you can make your own bias tape.
*1 spool of cream colored "all purpose" sewing machine thread
* fabric scissors and pinning needles.

STEP 1: cut or tear your 5 yard piece of fabric lengthwise down the middle creating two long narrow pieces of fabric measuring approx 22-24 inches wide and 5 yds long. Then take one of the pieces and fold it lengthwise and cut in half. Now you should have two 2.5 yard x 22inch pieces of fabric left over.
STEP 2: take your 1 yard piece of printed fabric (fold it so that the front and back are "correct side" print out. And surge the short sides of the print to the woven fabric.
STEP 3: cut 4" diameter circles (leg holes) 6" apart and 3.5" from the bottom of the fabric. Then cut a slit from the circle to the bottom of the fabric (this will make applying the bias easier) I have been saving my bundleboo circles for something special.... I don't know what yet. I am thinking funky breast pads or something. What would you use your leg circles for?


STEP 4: Give your sewing machine a good pep talk about how you don't feel like using the seam ripper today... and get ready to sew. (works for me sometimes :)
STEP 5: apply your bias using a straight or zigzag stitch. I used a straight stitch in this picture. Then I go back for a second straight stitch to re-enforce the leg hole.
STEP 6: Now, I didn't get a good picture of this so I will try my best to describe as clearly as possible.

Find out what side is the "inside" of your bundleboo by finding the side with the surging showing. So, connect the bias and the vertical slit so that they line up and run it thru the serger.(this is what it would look like connected)

STEP 7: strengthen ALL of your surged seams by using a straight stitch to tack down the surging lip. (is it called a lip? I dunno it sounds good..lol)
STEP 8: If you have a Bundleboo label ... sew it on where you would like to have it. I usually sew it someplace in the center top of the print fabric panel. If you don't want it to clutter up your gorgeous fabric... you can put it on one of the side panel ends.

FINAL STEP: Surge the entire outer length of your Bundleboo finish the fabric and keep it from fraying. You can round the corners or leave them squared off. Its up to you :)
Cut all of the loose strings and voila you have your own DIY Signature Bundleboo. I am hoping the owner of this Bundleboo might send better action pictures. I couldn't do better this time...my kids were asleep and I didn't have pants on...LOL:)

(These instructions are for personal/individual use only and not for resale...thank you!)

Mount Gonzalez

laundry is my mommy cryptonite. I swear this stuff will be the death of me. This pile has been building over the last week and a half...and this is the clean pile to boot (you should see the dirty pile). My mom was so gracious to come over and help me get caught up before Lucy was born and I swore that I would never get that behind again... sure enough it was only a matter of time. I've tried everything from a load a day to an official "laundry day". I can't seem to stay on top of it. Upstairs there are still baskets of clean laundry folded that have not been put away yet. What on earth am I to do???? The kids are napping now, thank goodness I will try and knock some of this out. I have found that using baking soda helps to strenthen the washing power and allows me to use less soap.
I buy this in bulk at costco and I use it for everthing. I put it in my diaper pail and trash can, spinkle it on my carpets before vacuuming and use it with vinegar to soak and wash my diapers. Its super cheap and eco-friendly. Any how, back to the laundry grind. :)

WHAT IS YOUR MOMMY CRYPTONITE?