Books: No More Boogers Book

 

Nose picking can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing subject. In this book, social situations are presented in an appropriate manor in order to teach children the proper methods of using a tissue, blowing their nose and appropriate social behaviors associated with boogers. The "No More Boogers Book" is perfect for pre-school or early elementary age students. It is also appropriate for children with autism, PDD or other developmental disorders.  Along with parents of pre-schoolers, this book is currently being used for teacher training in autism education. 

I wrote this book out of desperation of my son’s embarrassing booger picking habit. My son is autistic, and at the time of the writing of the book, he learned best through pictures and social stories.  The book worked in helping him to stop picking his nose. My daughter, a toddler at the time, also stopped picking her nose after reading the book. I felt others could benefit from this book so I teamed up Jon Stokes, a professional artist, and graphic designer, Jill Levins, to form the No More Boogers Book.

The book is available at lulu.com, amazon.com, bn.com (Barns and Noble) and Burlington By The Book bookstore in Burlington, IA.

What moms are saying:

Broderick loved the book. He had it memorized in a matter of days and was so excited to always use a tissue! And he would ask the questions .... Wipe it on a friend?

NO WAY!!! Loved that the book could get him to do something I could not convince him to do --- use a tissue.  - Megan

Mrs. Dowd’s book is so awesome for our special needs son to help teach him manners about his nose and it is very educational.  My family loves it!  - Lisa M.

My 3 year old daughter loved this book! She asks to read is all the time and it was helpful, too! - Holly

Recipes: Buttermilk, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk

 

Buttermilk Substitute

   1/3  c. nonfat dry milk

      1  c. water

      1  T. vinegar or lemon juice

Combine ingredients and cover; let stand for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Evaporated Milk

      1  c. nonfat dry milk
    1/2  c. hot water

Combine in a blender or food processor or whisk together. Use in any recipe calling for one can of evaporated milk.

 

Sweetened Condensed Milk

      1  c. nonfat dry milk

   2/3  c. sugar (granulated)

   1/3  c. boiling water

      3  T. butter, softened

Combine dry milk, sugar, water and butter in blender until smooth. Refrigerate until chilled and slightly thick. Can be frozen.

©Copyright 2011 Tara Dowd

Money: The Present Box

One thing that works well at our house is something called the Present Box. At the beginning of the year I make a list of the amount of people we need to buy for anticipated birthday’s, children’s birthday parties, weddings, babies and Christmas. Next, I scan the sale isles whenever I am at the store for bargains. Generally I look for items 70-90% off.  If I find a good deal, I usually buy several. For example I found footballs that retailed $5 on sale for $1 so I bought eight in anticipation for boys’ birthday parties this year. I found Barbie dolls originally priced at $10 on sale for $2, so I bought six or seven. I do this with different types of toys throughout the year. Finally, I put them all in a box that is stored in our basement. When it is time for a special occasion, I simply take out the box and let my children choose a toy or other gift for the recipient instead of running to the store. It is fun for the kids to pick out a present that is within your budget. This also works great for parties with a late notice. Remember, no one knows what you paid for it. It saves money, time and stress. Be careful not to overbuy just because an item is on sale. The point is to save time and money in purchasing presents.

Recipes: Making Fruit Leather

Fruit leather can be very expensive from packages at the store (up to $6.00/ lb. for roll-ups) Fruit leather can be made from fresh, thawed frozen, or even drained canned fruit.

Simply puree the fruit with a blender, food processor or by mashing. Two cups of fruit puree makes a good batch of fruit leather. If desired, add 1 T. of lemon juice to prevent discoloration for light colored fruits. Avoid adding liquid as it will take longer for the fruit leather to dry. The consistency should be like applesauce.

Drying Methods

Dry in a dehydrator on a plastic tray and follow manufacturer’s directions or pour onto a cookie sheet lined with plastic wrap or greased with oil or spray until it is 1/8-1/4” thick. Spread as evenly as possible.

Oven method 1: Place tray in 175 degree oven with door slightly open for 3 hours. If bottom isn’t dry, flip and continue drying.

Oven method 2: Place tray in 275 degree oven with door closed for 30-35 minutes. Then turn off the oven, leave the door closed , and let dry overnight or for at least 8-10 hours.

Recipes: Creamy Cinnamon Rolls

My great-grandmother, Ruth Taeger, was a wonderful cook and well known caterer in Southeast Iowa. I remember cooking with her often.  This recipe is my revised version taken from her first cookbook, Recipes From the Range.

Creamy Cinnamon Rolls

1 loaf frozen white bread dough, thawed

                ( or white bread dough from bread machine or bread from scratch)

2 T. melted butter

1/2 C. chopped walnuts (optional)

2/3 C. brown sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 cup whipping cream (I use milk)

Roll dough into an 18 x 6” rectangle. Brush with margarine and sprinkle with brown sugar, nuts and cinnamon. Roll up, moisten edges and seal. Cut into 20 slices and place in two round baking pans. Let rise until double (about 1 1/2 hours). Pour cream over rolls and bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. While warm, drizzle top with glaze made of 2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar and 1 T. milk.

Tara’s Tips:

For morning rolls, make the rolls the night before and let the cinnamon rolls rise overnight in the refrigerator. Check to be sure the rolls have risen enough, if not, allow the rolls to continue rising in a warm area. 

Rolls will rise faster in warm, humid temperatures and rise slower in the winter.

To cut the rolls, use thread or dental floss.  Slide the thread under the rolled dough. Bring both strands of thread into the air and make an X with the thread. Pull the thread strands away from one another until they slice through the dough. Repeat.

Recipes: Easy Tostadas, Black Bean Quesadilla and Cheese Enchiladas

Easy Tostadas

         Corn tostadas

    16 oz. refried beans

      2  c. cooked hamburger or shredded chicken (optional)

      1  tomato, diced

      1  c. cheese or cheese alternative (optional)

      1  c. lettuce, shredded

         salsa      

         Sour cream (optional)

      

           

Heat refried beans in a small saucepan on medium heat . When warmed, spread beans evenly on tostadas. Top each tortilla with meat, sour cream, salsa and cheese or cheese alternative.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place tostadas on baking sheet or stone.  Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted or chicken is warmed. Serve immediately.  Tostadas can be topped with shredded lettuce and fresh diced tomatoes.

I make this when I need a meal in less than 10 minutes. Very quick and easy! Omit the cheese and sour cream for dairy free tostadas.

Black Bean Quesadilla

      3 c. black beans, cooked

      1  c. salsa

      2  c. shredded cheese (optional)

    10  tortillas (8 inch)    

In a bowl, mash the beans and add salsa.  Place 5 tortillas on ungreased baking sheets.  Spread the bean mixture on the tortillas.  Sprinkle with cheese, if desired,  and top with the remaining tortillas.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until crisp and heated through.  Cut into wedges.  Can be served with sour cream and salsa. 

Cheese Enchiladas

      1 c. chopped onion

      2  garlic cloves, crushed

      2  T. vegetable oil

      4  tomatoes, diced or 1 (28 oz.) can of crushed tomatoes

      1  t. cumin

      1  t. oregano

     ½ t. salt

   1/8 t. pepper

      3  c. taco cheese or filler such as chicken, beef  or beans

    12  corn tortillas, warmed

           

Cook and stir onion, garlic and chili powder in oil in saucepan until onion is tender, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for approximately 30 minutes. Dip each tortilla lightly into tomato sauce to coat both sides. Spoon approximately 2 T. cheese on each tortilla; roll tortilla around cheese. Place seam side down in ungreased 9x13 baking dish. Pour remaining tomato sauce over enchiladas; sprinkled with remaining cheese. Cook uncovered in 350 degreed oven approximately 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and guacamole if desired.

*Recipes are copyright of the soon to be released book -Free Eating, by Tara Dowd.  Do not copy or share these recipes without the permission of the author.

Nutrition: Help! My Kids Won’t Eat Meat!

Recently I was talking with a group of friends and the question came up, “How do you MAKE your kids eat meat?”  Being a vegetarian since I was three years old, this really struck a chord with me.  I asked my mother how she felt abut me not eating meat as a child and she simply replied “You were a real pain!”  This is the same response that many moms I have talked to have had about their children, along with concerns about cooking. If your children won’t eat meat, they are missing essential vitamins. However, the good news is that a majority of vitamins, minerals and amino acids found in meats can be found in other foods.

There are many reasons why children won’t eat meat. For some, it may be texture sensitivity and for another it may be the taste. Some may be bothered by Bambi shaped into a patty on their plate or maybe a traumatic experience. For whatever the reason, it can make a difficult situation.

Growing up a vegetarian in the rural Midwest has been difficult and even looked down upon. Many people are simply not exposed to other types of ethnic cooking and many feel that vegetarians will hurt the Midwest economy. As a granddaughter of a beef farmer, I understand these concerns but I also can relate to the children.

The day may come when your child refuses to eat meat or you may have a guest (child or adult) in your home that may prefer a vegetarian diet. So how do you handle the situation?

Don’t make a special meal. If you plan meatloaf, prepare it. Maybe offer a couple side dishes such as potatoes, pasta or vegetables. It may not appeal you but you but your child or guest may love it.

Do watch nutrition. If your child doesn’t eat meat, a peanut butter sandwich, cottage cheese, eggs, tofu, beans, quinoa or nuts can be alternated and still provide adequate protein. Broccoli is a good source of iron. Combining different proteins such as macaroni and cheese can provide a complete protein. Your child may eventually grow out of meat-less eating, but until that point, nutrition should be carefully watched.

To quote my mother: “You don’t like it? Fix it yourself.” Meaning, if you don’t like the meal I prepared for you, prepare your own dinner. This practice is optional. It does teach your child that he/she should respect the time and effort it took to prepare a wonderful meal and that as they grow older, people won’t cook around them. It also teaches your child to prepare a meat-less alternative on their own which will be handy when at a visitors house. Even a preschooler can scoop cottage cheese onto their plate or pull bread and peanut butter out of the cupboard.

Try different foods and recipes. Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean your kids won’t. Both of my kids love eggplant and Brussels sprouts. Refried beans are another favorite. You may be surprised at what your kids eat and of all the healthy alternatives.

Keep a positive attitude. Having a child dislike certain foods isn’t fun. Don’t tell your child they are bad or tease them. It may make the situation worse. After 25 years of having eyes rolled, loud sighs, being told I’m difficult, picky and a pain, I assure you it won’t help, but rather discourage your child.

Ask.  Ask your child or guest prior to cooking the meal what they enjoy eating for dinner.

In conclusion, try not to get too discouraged with your child, it may be a phase. At the same time be sure to watch their proper nutrition and educate yourself on meat alternatives. The library or internet are wonderful sources for proper nutrition requirements and recipes for your family.  

Note: Try http://www.mypyrimid.gov/ from the USDA that provides information on nutrition.

Babies: Diaper Wipes Recipe

Making your own diaper wipes can not only be cost effective but it can also protect your child from unwanted chemicals that other wipes may contain. The following is a recipe for homemade diaper wipes. They can be stored in an old commercial diaper wipe container.

1 Roll Bounty paper towels (you must use Bounty)

2 1/4 c. water

2 T. baby bath

1 T. baby oil

Cut the roll of paper towels in half and remove the cardboard center. Place one half in a plastic container (plastic ice cream bucket with a handle works great). Mix the water, baby bath and baby oil together and pour over paper towels. Let this soak the paper towels completely before using (about and hour or two). You will probably want to fold each sheet of paper towel in half as you use them.

*Note: for a chemical free diaper wipe, use a natural baby bath that does not contain propylene glycol, aluminum larleth sulfate or other additives and preservatives.

Child’s Craft: Music Bag

One of our children's favorite activities is playing with a bag filled with children’s music and musical instruments. The bag is very easy to assemble and is loved by children of all ages. It is perfect for rainy days.

Ideas for Music bag:

Colorful bag

Infant baby rattles (they make great shakers)

Wooden blocks (for clapping)

Wooden sticks (for tapping)

Scarves (for swaying in the air-Ladies transparent neck scarves work good)

Bells

Pot lid with wooden spoon (My kids favorite!)

Plastic bottle filled with beans or macaroni (you may want to superglue the lid shut)

Spoons (to clap together)

Plastic Easter eggs filled with beans or macaroni (you may want to superglue the egg shut)

Other musical instruments:

Many local stores have inexpensive musical instrument packs such as Target or Wal-Mart. Also try independent toy shops as they often have a nice selection of high quality instruments for children at reasonable prices. Check fabric stores for the scarf material or sale racks at clothing stores.

Music:

Have a variety of music for your children to listen to. One child of mine loves classical music, the other loves Rock and Roll. Play music for the children fast or slow, loud or soft, silly or sweet.

Playing with the instruments:

Experiment with different motions such as tapping your legs, the floor, standing and swaying, turning circles and jumping. The scarves can be thrown in the air, swirled in a circle or for peek-a-boo. Let the child explore the instruments. For a small child, try to copy what they are doing. Keep rhythm with the selected music. Try different music styles and children's albums from your local library.

The Story of the Umbrella Jacket

It was a chilly spring day but the weather in the Midwest would soon be warming up. It was a time in our lives where our family unit was strong but money was tight. I knew my son would soon need a new jacket for spring.  Fortunately, most of my children’s clothes were acquired second hand which saved us a great deal of money. Unfortunately, we did not inherit a jacket in my son’s size that year or have any extra cash that month to buy a jacket for him.

Earlier in the rainy cold day, I stepped outside to get the mail but as I opened my large, vibrant umbrella, the fabric ripped from several of the wires and the umbrella was unusable. Disappointed, I laid the broken umbrella near my door.

I stood staring at my umbrella that was soon doomed for the trash but then I was struck with a MacGyver like idea. The material on the umbrella is similar to that of a windbreaker and surly it would be waterproof, maybe I could finagle this into a jacket somehow.  I stripped the material off of the umbrella frame and began to work. 

The material was thin so I decided to line the jacket with an old flannel shirt.  I cut six rectangles from the umbrella material.  I used two for the front, two for the back and two for the arms. I then made a pocket out of two leftover umbrella material ends. It was a quick sewing job, as I finished the entire project in a few hours.

When the jacket was done, my son tried it on. He loved it! It fit perfect, was warm and worked well for a windbreaker. He wore the jacket for several years and passed it on to his brother who also wore it a year or two. When we went out in public, people would often comment on his “cute” jacket and ask where we bought it.  When I told people that it was made from an old umbrella, a confused look usually appeared on their face, they would peer at the jacket and say “How did you do that?!!”.

The jacket must have made an impression on people as I still frequently receive comments nearly ten years after making the umbrella jacket. I feel that the umbrella jacket represents my personality as far as being creative, practical, thrifty, environmentally friendly, financially savvy and resourceful. It encouraged me to continue to look beyond our circumstances and be thankful for everything we have.

Cleaning: Laundry Detergent Recipe

While  searching for the dishwasher soap, I stumbled across several recipes for laundry detergent. My husband and I were married under the condition that I would not switch his laundry soap so I was a bit reluctant to try the new laundry soap for our family. However, I never resist a challenge so I tried two recipes.  I tried the first recipe because it was the easiest to mix up.

1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax

For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons

Although I couldn’t prove it, I felt that it didn’t clean my laundry as well as trusty Tide could. So, I gave up, for a while. The next recipe sounded like a lot of work but many individuals insisted that it worked well.

3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated  (I use Ivory)
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Hot Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with hot water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.

I tried this recipe and it works great! Total time to make the laundry soap was about 12 minutes with a three year old helping. Grating the bar of soap takes about 30 seconds. It looks like egg-drop soup while in the bucket but none-the-less, it still does the job. This recipe lasts about 2 months for me. I have found, however, that it does not remove stains well. I cannot use this recipe on cloth diapers or other heavily soiled items. This soap would work well for those who are sensitive to soaps or scents. There are several other laundry recipes to try if these don’t work on www.frugalhomemaker.com

Borax (@$2.50) and Washing Soda (@$1.50) can be found in the laundry soap isle at your local grocery or super store. After four months and several experiments, I have not yet run out of my original boxes of soap.  And at less than $1 per month, this is a great financial savings in my laundry room.

Other soaps to try instead of Fels Naptha:

Ivory, Colgate Octagon, Pure and Natural, Zest, Kirk's Castile Soap, Dr. Bonner's Castile Soap, Zote Soap or Lever 2000

If making your soap sounds too cumbersome, try a natural laundry cleaner such as Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent.  Also, consider switching your soap to one that is made for sensitive skin and/or does not have a scent or other added chemicals.

Cleaning: Automatic Dishwasher Soap Recipe

Upon reading a book about being environmentally friendly, I stumbled across information about the adverse effects that chlorine has on the human life. It prompted me to search for recipes to replace my existing dishwasher soap. My soap cleaned well, but full of chlorine and we also noticed that when the dishwasher was running, every member was having trouble breathing, coughing and getting headaches. The internet proved to be the best place to find many recipes.  I tried the following recipe for several weeks in my dishwasher.

Mix and use per dishwasher load:

1 Tablespoon Borax
1 Tablespoon Baking soda

2-3 drops of dish soap (Seventh Generation brand or other environmentally friendly brand)
or
Mix equal parts Borax and Baking Soda, and add 2 Tablespoons per load. Increase proportion of soda
for hard water. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle

(You may try Washing Soda instead of Baking Soda)

The dishes were clean but very spotty. Many individuals suggested that vinegar should be added in the rinse compartment of the dishwasher to help with the spottiness.   Unfortunately my dishwasher does not have one so I was unable to test this theory. Another person suggested using 1 part baking soda, 1 part salt, 2 parts washing soda. I did not try this recipe. Although it is very inexpensive to make, my husband insisted that we return back to commercial dishwasher soap. I now currently use Seventh Generation brand powdered dishwasher soap.  It is more expensive than my previous soap but our family is not being contaminated when we run the dishwasher.  Also, I do use this recipe when I run out of my regular soap as it works very well in a pinch.

Babies: Clearing up Diaper Rash

Tara’s Tips

Make a spray of aloe vera juice, about 2-3 oz.,  with a few drops of therapeutic grade lavender essential oil (such as Young Living Essential Oils) and spray on the diaper region.  Do not use inferior essential oils!  The oils found at our local health food store are of very low quality and oils that are not therapeutic grade may contain chemicals and more water than oil.  Low quality oils are a waste of money!

Consider using cloth diapers as the rash could be caused by a reaction from the chemicals in the disposable diapers. My son benefitted greatly and quit having rashes when we switched from disposable to cloth diapers.

Consider that the rash could be caused by an overgrowth of yeast.  Many mothers pass an imbalance of yeast, such as Candida, to their children at birth which in turn can cause diaper rash, thrush and even cradle cap.  To help this, a breastfeeding mother could take pre and probiotics from a reputable source.  I like to use the brand Florajen, found at health foods stores or you could get ProSynbiotic from a health care professional selling Standard Process (not available commercially).  When the baby is old enough for solids, a probiotic could be sprinkled into cereal or baby food.  

Plain yogurt contains natural probiotics (best if homemade-see the homemade yogurt post) and can be fed to a baby after 6 months of age if it is whole milk, plain yogurt.

Has your baby had antibiotics?  This can damage internal flora in the gut. Try to use the ideas for probiotics above to re-establish good bacteria, in turn healing the rash.

Frugal Baby tip from Jennifer:
I would like to share one of my ideas for preventing diaper rash and chaffing. I use aloe vera either the fresh plant or the extract bought at the pharmacy or health food store. It saves money and is a great barrier cream. It also works great on teething rash around the mouth, as it is not harmful to swallow. I'm sure it works great on the cuts and scrapes for everyone else in the house gets.

(note from Tara: be sure the aloe vera does not contain any additives, preservatives or chemicals! Try to buy the aloe vera from a health food store or other reputable source.)

Frugal Baby Tip from J. Persimmon:
Breast milk applied to the affected area will clear up diaper rash - really!!!!!

Frugal Baby Tips Taken from www.borntolove.com

Chapped Lips?

Try Lanolin Breastfeeding Cream. It works great and gives you a nice lip gloss shine! It also heals your lips very quickly.  So don’t throw out that giant bottle of breastfeeding cream or your sample packets from the hospital-heal your skin.

*Note: The information on this Web site or in emails is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child’s condition.

Babies: Caring for Cloth Daipers

1. Fill a large pail or 5 gallon bucket (with a lid) with water
2. Swish the soiled diaper in the toilet until all particles are removed.
3. Place the urinated or rinsed diaper into the bucket.
4. When ready to wash, dump the entire bucket into the washer and put on spin cycle.
5. Wash the diapers according to manufacturer’s directions and load size.
6. Hang dry the diapers in the sun for natural bleaching or dry in the dryer.
7. Be sure to wash the diapers at least every other day.

Note: Be sure children and babies are not around buckets of water as they could drown!  I kept my covered bucket in my bathtub, near the toilet but out of site for my children.

Babies: Buying Cloth Diapers

There are many types of cloth diapers on the market today. You can purchase original diapers, pre-folded diapers and also pocket cloth diapering systems that have Velcro or snaps that are similar to disposable diapers. The pre-fold diapers are like original cloth diapers except they have an absorbent pad inside the diaper.  The diapering systems are more expensive but offer conveniences similar to disposable diapers and do not require pins.

At first, I purchased my cloth diapers at a local department store. They were Gerber brand diapers and ran about $15 for 12 diapers. I have found that these diapers do not hold urine well and have to be changed often. These quickly turned to dusting cloths. Gerber does have a more expensive diaper that can be ordered from the internet as they are heavier duty, therefore, requiring changing less often.

Next, I tried making my own diapers out of fleece and waterproof outside covering that was similar to the Fuzzi Bunz diapering system. Although a great idea, they were very leaky which resulted in more clothes washing for me.

Finally, I decided to purchase pre-fold diapers in combination with a diapering system. I chose to purchase Chinese pre-folds which were excellent in retaining urine. These could be used alone with diaper covers or used with a diapering system. They diapering system I chose was Fuzzi Bunz. This system had one of the best ratings in 2002 and still continues to be one of the best. To use the system, fold and insert the pre-folded diaper into the pouch provided on the Fuzzi Bunz diaper. The Fuzzi Bunz then snapped into place similar to how a disposable diaper works. I loved this diapering system!  I purchased the Chinese pre-folds on Ebay and I also purchased 2nds of Fuzzi Bunz diapers on Ebay which reduced the purchase price more than half.  I was able to use both types of diapers with two children without any replacements.  I never had a leak with either type of diaper.

Diaper covers are used in conjunction with plain cloth diapers. Look for waterproof nylon diaper covers to cover the diaper. Don’t get the Gerber vinyl covers or rubber pants found in the store. They don’t allow the baby’s bottom to breathe. I have used both and there is a major difference in performance. The brand of pants I like are Dappi diaper pants. They were a gift from a friend so as far as I know, they must be ordered. The company’s address is:  

P.O. Box 77087, San Francisco, CA  94107

You can probably find them on the internet also.

Babies: Cloth Diapers and The Great Diaper Debate

In one of the first conversations I had with my husband, he informed me that his future wife would be using cloth diapers. My reaction was that “I feel sorry for your future wife”. I mean, not only had he never changed a cloth diaper but he had never changed a diaper period!  There is no comparison to the great convenience of disposable diapers . Or is there?

When my children were young, I was forced to compare the two, something I had hoped never to do. I was balancing the checkbook one week and we were negative in dollars, again! Two children in diapers plus the wipes we use were costing us around $100 a month. When I worked full time, the cost of diapers was just another added expense. When I made the decision to stay home, the extra income wasn’t flowing and we are forced to cut many conveniences of our previous life.  After a brief thought, I ran to town and came home with 24 cloth diapers, diaper covers and baby pins (and 50 lbs. of potatoes-but that’s another story.) My husband was appalled when he came home. Now his reaction was “Are you insane?!” . The tables had turned.

Luckily our oldest son was nearly potty trained. In fact, I think that’s what pushed me over the edge. After sticking my hand in toddler poo what seemed like a hundred times a day, I became immune to the gooey stuff that touched my hand. The things that held me back from trying cloth diapers included sticking my hand in the toilet and fear of diaper rashes. After two days of cloth diapers I got over the hand in the toilet syndrome.

As for the diaper rashes, they actually improved. Our youngest son battled a severe diaper rash for several months. He was unable to wear most disposable diapers without breaking out. Although his initial rash was not diaper related it did improve with the cloth diapers. I still used disposable diapers at night, for the nursery or babysitter and vacation.  He had a rash every time I used disposable diapers for a full day or more.

Environmental factors for using cloth diapers should also be considered. Although you use more water to wash the diapers you are decreasing the landfill problem America faces today. And it only takes a few extra minuets to hang dry the diapers to save on energy and the cost of the dryer.

I used cloth diapers over four years and I can honestly say that I will not go back to disposable. It took a few weeks to get used to the cloth diapers, but I soon became a master at the art of changing a wiggly 11 month old without sticking him with diaper pins. Besides, I hear kids potty train faster with the cloth diapers. (Whoopee!!)

In defense of the disposable diapers, they are still very convenient.  As I mentioned, I used them for overnights because with the cloth diapers I have, I would have to change him in the night. I also feel that caretakers should not have to deal with cloth instead of disposable diapers because I am on a save-some-money and save-the-universe flurry.  I also spoke to a few moms that were dissatisfied with the results of the cloth diapers. One person commented that the diapers were too leaky and another disliked the amount of laundry she had to do with the amount of diaper covers that she had. I personally have not had a leaky diaper yet, but it may be due to the fact that my son has chubby legs and her daughter was slim.  I also wash my diapers every other day so they don’t get stinky. I give these ladies thumbs up for trying.

If you have ever considered trying cloth diapers or would like extra money each month, then I encourage you to try cloth diapers.  I calculated that if you used them for a thirty day trial period you will pay for the diapers by not using the disposable and this would give you plenty of time to practice. If it doesn’t work after 30 days, go back to disposable.

By using only 8 disposable diapers a week I saved $817.60 this year for one child and $1635.20 for two kids using name brand diapers. (Based on 28 cents per diaper, 8 diapers a day) Two thumbs up for cloth diapers.

Environment: 8 Ways to Start Living Green

REWARDS for Green Living:  Save money and better health

1. Reduce
1. Buy less
2. Avoid individually packaged items
3. Buy glass or recyclable containers instead of plastic
2. Reuse
1. Paper
2. Glass jars or containers
3. Gift bags, wrapping paper, cards
4. Repair damaged items
5. Clothing- give away, garage-sale, resale or rags
3. Recycle
1. Glass, metal, paper, plastic
2. Yard waste, computers, batteries
4. Power Down
1. Insulation
2. Turn off lights
3. Energy efficient toilet, shower head, washer, dryer and appliances
5. Drip water
6. Shop smart and ethically
1. Energy or water efficient
2. Recycled material
3. Minimal packaging
4. Shop local and companies that support the environment
7. Automobile
1. reduce the amount you drive
2. tires filled with air
8. Show others

Check out some of these websites!

www.creationcare.org

www.healthyfamiliesnow.org

www.recycling-revolution.com

www.greenlivingideas.com

www.recyclethis.co.uk

www.pioneerthinking.com/recycle.html

www.earth911.org

www.seventhgeneration.com

www.greenfloors.com

www.surplusbooksforcharity.org (books to donate or recycle)

www.letmeplay.com (athletic shoes to recycle)

www.sharing is living.org (trade online)

www.accesscotton.com, www.cottoninc.com (denim jeans recycling)

www.gazelle.com (buy, sell and recycle your gadgets and electronics)

www.wastewrap.org (DMC Regional Waste Commission)

Locally we have a Hazchem Swap Shop. We can donate or trade chemicals and paints for free. Also check for weed killers, stains, varnish, spray paint, window cleaner, brake fluid, anti-freeze, pet treatments and much more! Check to see if your town has a local drop-off or swap shop for chemicals.

Computer Recycling at Staples:

Keyboard, mice, speakers, cell phones, printer cartridges, CPU, monitors and more!

*there may be a fee for the CPU or monitor

Tara’s Tips: Buying Flour

First of all, purchase flour that is unbleached. Organic flour is best but can be more expensive but is of superior quality. I usually buy Gold Medal unbleached when it goes on sale and I buy 25-30 lbs. of it. The flour goes on sale near baking holidays and about every 6 weeks for 89 cents to $1.25. I have found with bread making that the quality of flour is very important. I NEVER buy generic brands because even though it is cheaper, the bread loaves turn out half the size and the taste and texture is poor. When I do buy in bulk, I buy organic flour from a health food co-op that drops off food locally once a month. You may also check at bulk stores for flour availability.  I did see that Wal-Mart carried 25 lbs. of flour but it is bleached flour and not as healthy. I also do not like the quality of Wal-Mart's flour and I NEVER use Aldi brand cooking products as I have found the quality to be very poor compared to other brands. I will pay an extra 5 cents a loaf for good bread! King Arthur has the best flour quality that I can find and the loaves are superior to any other brand. It is higher priced at $2.50 for 5 lbs, but the flour quality is superior and will produce not only a larger loaf of bread but also great tasting.  

Tara’s Tips: Bread Machine

Use bread flour when making bread.

If you don’t have bread flour simply add 1-2 T. of wheat gluten to unbleached all-purpose flour. This adds protein also.

Use high quality flour. Off brand flour (generic, Hy-Vee, store brands, etc.) usually produces loaves that are about half the size of Gold Medal, King Arthur and Hodgsen Mill flours. Although they are generally cheaper, the quality and taste are mediocre. I use many specialty flours (organic, white/wheat mix) found at health food stores and have had the best luck with these.

Use the correct amount of salt. Salts such as sea salt or kosher salt have a better flavor, in my opinion.

Have the bread ready at least 1 hr. before you serve it. If you cut the bread to soon, it may collapse the loaf.

Try the delay timer mode on your machine. I start my bread before I go to bed. The bread cooks overnight and my family wakes up to the smell of warm bread.

Time Saver Tip: Pre-mix your bread in an assembly line. Add all dry ingredients of your favorite recipe to a large, plastic baggie. When it is time to make bread, simply pour the bag into your machine and add the wet ingredients. Less mess, less time. I do about 35 bags at a time. This will last about 3-4 months at our house. It takes approximately 30 lbs. of flour, 1 box powdered milk, less than 5 lbs. of sugar, 1 container of salt. Total cost is approximately $12 with leftover ingredients. Each loaf of bread is approximately 35¢. Total time to pre-mix is about 1 hour. Store the finished bread in the baggie that the mix was in.

Recipes: Bread, Homemade and Machine

 

Basic White Bread

(Bread Machine)

3 ½ C. bread flour                                1 ½ T sugar

2 t. salt                                                   2 T. butter

2 T. dry milk                                          12 oz. water

Place dry ingredients in bread machine in order given. Next add butter and water.  Or add ingredients in recommended order by machine manufacturer. Add 1 ½ t. dry yeast to yeast dispenser. Press Start. Yield: 1 (2 lb.) loaf.

This recipe costs about 30 cents to make.  Save time by seeing the post on Bread Machine Tips.

 

Tara’s Beer Bread

3 C. flour

4 t. baking powder

4 T. sugar

1 ½ t. salt

Mix above ingredients with 1 ½ cups of beer or seltzer water. Place in a bread pan. Top with 4 T. melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until golden brown.

Save money by making your own recipe.  This recipe cost about 32 cents to make and companies like Tastefully Simple sell this same bread for over $5 not including shipping!

90-Minute Bread

2 pkg. Yeast (or 4 ¼t.)         2 T. cooking oil

½C. warm water                    2 ½t. salt

1 ½C. hot water                    4-4 ½ C. flour

2 T. granulated sugar

Dissolve yeast in warm water; let stand for 10-15 minutes. Set aside. In large bowl, combine hot water, oil, sugar, salt, and enough flour to make a sticky dough. Mix well. Add yeast and let stand for 15 minutes. Turn dough out onto floured surface and knead until firm and elastic (or place in a large mixer with a bread hook on low for about 2 min.). Shape into two loaves, put in greased loaf pans, and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 375° F for 30 minutes. Great for pasta meals. Good for sandwiches, too.

This recipe is from Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her? By Betty Rae Frandsen, Kathryn J. Frandsen, and Kent P. Frandsen.