On the subject of Cloth! Part 2

My Laundry Routine!

A little late, but as promised, here is my laundry diaper routine!!! If you missed part one, click here.

When changing cloth diapers, I change them the same way as "sposies" (disposables). Wipe the front of the diaper on the baby bottom, so that I don't need to use many wipes*. After the quick swipe, the diaper, naturally, is folded in half. Any and all wipes that are used are placed on top and then are rolled into the diaper again. You may be able to tell from my first picture.

Cue Laundry Day!           You have a dry pail (meaning no water/detergent/ or anything other than diapers are in the pail), full of cloth diapers. Your baby may be wearing the last clean cloth diaper, or you have lost track, and now have to resort to using a back up sposie on your baby.

 

Step 1.   Pull a single individual dirty diaper roll out of your bucket. (Note that I am using a pocket diaper for this demo). Place wipe(s) into wipe bucket. Or if you are using cloth wipes, toss wipes into washer. 

Pull Inserts out from inside of your pocket diaper.

 

Now, simply toss all parts of the diaper into your washer!

Step 2.  Adding detergent.   This is the detergent that I am currently using. It's BioKleen Free & Clear (meaning no scents have been added, thus no residue will be left on your diapers).

I add only about 1 tablespoon of detergent. 

 

 

I toss the whole lid in so that there is no mess on the bottle itself. I tried to capture a picture of it falling into my washer. That's didn't work well! LOL!

 

 

 

  

This is my wash cycle settings. I use cold water! No need to use hot water with LolliDoo brand cloth diapers.  Cold water is actually the preferred wash cycle of LolliDoo!! However! As with any fabric, you do need to wash these before being worn 2-3 times in hot water. It helps release any oils the fabric has gathered that could cause sensitivity. It also gets rid of any residue left by machines, that can cause your diapers not to function properly. Moral of the story - PRE-WASH 2-3 times in hot water before allowing your little one to wear them! 

Step 3.    Machine settings. The more water the better. Sounds funny, but it does help! So here are my settings, which will be changing very soon! I'm going to get a front loader in the next couple of weeks! When I do, I will post an update for this section!!!

 

  

 

Step 4.    Drying.  There seriously is nothing to drying! I toss all diapers and inserts into my dryer, pick my towel setting (50 minutes). And turn it on. It's a high heat.  Now, again, when I have my new front loading washer, the diapers won't be as soggy, so I will be able to use my (17 minute) dry cycle!!! I'm sooooooo looking forward to that!

Alright...I'm waiting on a new heating element that will be here and installed this week! So, until I have pictures of my dryer with diapers in it, here is a picture from the laundromat. I washed  a large load of kids clothes (right dryer) and a medium load of clothes belonging to hubby, baby and I. Diapers were tossed into this load (left dryer)! Everything was dried on high heat for 43 minutes. I checked for dampness 10 minutes before finishing, and everything was very dry!!! 

Bad picture, I know...again, when my dryer has it's new heating element installed, diapers are going in first, no matter how small the load!

 

Step 5.   The final step!  Stuffing!!!

For stuffing my pocket diapers, I use strips of blue and yellow ShamWow's and microfiber shop towels!! Really simple, no?

 

I first fold my microfibers into thirds

I place the micro fiber on top of the yellow ShamWow, the little blue ShamWow on top of the folded microfiber towel.

 

I then fold the flap of the yellow ShamWow up, like so,

Finally I stuff this, yellow end first, into the pocket diaper.

 

  

That's all there is to it! Very simple. It may seem like a lot to do. I know it did for me. After 2 or 3 times, I had found my groove.  Hubby even does it now! Can you believe that he panics if we don't have a clean one?! Crazy huh?! 

My next post on the subject of cloth will be on the topic of diaper stashes!  So stay tuned!!!

*I have not yet transitioned to cloth wipes, I am still using one use disposable wipes.

Post*it Note Tuesday

 

 

  

 

  

 

Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! Review and Giveaway!!

300th post!!!!!!! And to celebrate this momentous event, a giveaway!!

The world’s most beloved and inquisitive monkey is back in “CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY,” the sequel to the 2006 animated hit movie. 

Join Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. This unlikely trio faces all types of comic calamities and colorful characters and in the end learn that with family, friends and determination you can achieve anything. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Matt Lauer, Jamie Kennedy and Jerry Lewis, CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY, “proves that family, friends—and curiosity—are number one.” (Francine Brokaw, Los Angeles Family Magazine)

PREVIEW  HERE

Track Listing of FOLLOW THAT MONKEY:

       1)  “Life Less Ordinary”                Carbon Leaf
       2)  “The Friendship”            Carbon Leaf
       3)  “California Sun”            Brian Wilson
       4)  “On A Roll”                 Carbon Leaf
       5)  “Heart Of The Day”          Carbon Leaf
       6)  “Let Your Troubles Roll By” Carbon Leaf
       7)  “Walking In The Sun”                Carbon Leaf
       8)  “Follow That Monkey”                Jackie Greene
       9)  “Moon Man”                  Heitor Pereira
       10)  “Going East”                       Heitor Pereira
       11)  “Giving A Hand”            Heitor Pereira
       12)  “Zoo”                      Heitor Pereira
       13)  “Friendship”               Heitor Pereira

This is such a fun packed CD. Full of varying styles of music! It's sure to make you feel like you are at the beach, on exploration in the jungle, or even like you are taking a stroll on a beautiful spring day.   

Perfect for any age! All my kids have enjoyed this CD. 

Their favorite song by far is number 3, "California Sun". 

It could be that they already liked the song before hearing this CD.

The new arrangement, is even more fun than before!

Buy it!!  "CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY" will be available on CD March 2nd! This CD will retail for between $10.97 and $15.99 and is currently available for pre-orders at Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, and Walmart.

 Win It!!!!!  One of my lucky followers will win their own copy of "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!" CD!!  Simply head over and preview the cd here and leave me a comment with which song you enjoyed most! 

Comments will be disabled on Wednesday February 18th at Midnight CST. You are allowed one comment per person, unless you do the extra credit. US residents only. And duplicate comments will be disqualified. All comments are Moderated. 

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*Remember that all entries  MUST have an email address included. Winners will have 24 hours to reply or another name will be drawn via Random.org.

This post was written for Family Review Network as part of a program for 429 Records, who supplied the product for review.  All opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine.

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Sinful Saturday!

 

Strawberry-Rhubarb Bread Pudding

 

4 large egg whites
	4 large eggs
	1 cup skim milk
	1/2 cup sugar
	1 tablespoon vanilla extract
	1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
	4 cups whole-grain bread , crusts removed if desired, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1/2 pound, 4-6 slices)
	2 cups roughly broken gingersnaps
	2 cups quartered strawberries , fresh or frozen (thawed)
	1 cup diced rhubarb
	1/4 cup chopped walnuts , lightly toasted
	1/4 cup chopped walnuts , lightly toasted, or Streusel Topping

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat an 11-by-7-inch glass baking dish or a 2-quart casserole with cooking spray.
2. To prepare custard: Whisk egg whites, eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Add sugar, vanilla and orange zest: whisk to combine.
3. Toss bread, gingersnaps, strawberries, rhubarb and 1/4 cup walnuts in a large bowl. Add the custard and toss well to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and push down to compact. Cover with foil.
4. Bake until the custard has set, 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with 1/4 cup walnuts (or Streusel Topping) and continue baking until the pudding is puffed and golden on top, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer to a wire rack and cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

To make ahead: Prepare the pudding through Step 3; refrigerate overnight. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats. Bake as directed in Step 4.
Spread walnuts on a baking sheet, place in a preheated 350 degree F oven and toast, stirring once, until fragrant and lightly browned, 7 to 9 minutes.

To make streusel topping: Combine 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup oats (preferably old-fashioned), 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 tablespoons canola oil in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on top of the pudding after the initial 40 to 45 minutes of baking.

Thank Heavens It's Friday

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! Ahhhhhhhh! Decisions!

During the Winter Months 

Would you want to wake up to this every day?

 

Or this???

During the Summer Months

Would you rather this:

or This?

No matter what - this is going to be a BIG move!