Sunday, May 11, 2014

Flats and Handwashing Challenge Day 1 - What? WITH YOUR HANDS????

I am participating in Dirty Diaper Laundry's 4th annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge.  One week of using flat diapers and covers, with no washer and dryer.

It might be hard to understand why I would decide to sign up for something that will ADD to my workload for 7 days.  The answer is actually pretty simple and the truth is that it isn't as hard as you think.  This is my second time participating in the challenge.  I did this very same thing back in 2012 when my middle son was just shy of 2 years old.  So when the challenge came back around this year I was actually excited about having yet another son to participate with.  This event was created to show that anyone can cloth diaper in any situation.  There are many people across the US that have to make the choice between diapering their children and food.  They make the decision to leave their children in one dirty disposable diaper the entire day or worse re-use a disposable diaper.  If you Google or just take a look at some of the other bloggers doing this event you will see that it can actually cost very little money to start up cloth diapering with flats and covers.  I am about as crafty as a rock, but some folks have even created their own full diaper stash out of stuff they already had!  Now that is awesome.

My personal reason for taking this challenge is that I live in an apartment and do not own my own washer or dryer.  I am limited to either taking my diapers to a laundry mat, using the dirty nasty laundry rooms here where I live, or drive my load of diapers over to my mother's house which would mean not having diapers for a couple days since I can't stay there and hang out till they are done. None of these options are ideal, and I know some families have it much worse.  I hope to show readers that not only can you handwash and dry diapers in an apartment setting, but it is actually easier and cheaper!  No backyard or clothesline needed.






Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Flats and Handwashing Challenge 2014 - Almost There!

The 4th Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge starts Monday and I am ready.  I just finished prepping my stash and I am excited to get started.  

For the challenge I will be using 6 covers:

3 - Flip covers
3 - econobum seconds covers
1 - completely felted SBISH Underwoolie to use at night 


I have 12 Fleece liners (boring but wanted to note I was using them).  They are mostly for nights since my guy is sensitive.


And the main star of the Challenge is the FLATS!!!!! I will be using 12 - GMD flats, 6 Stashify bamboo flats, and 8 Flip daytime flats. 


And the boy wearing it all!!!! (In this pic we are testing out a GMD flat pad folded in a flip cover) 



What are you using for the challenge?



 

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Day 2 of Whole30 and I miss SUGAR.

I never realized how addicted to sugar I really am.  Crazy actually.  I always thought of myself as a healthy eater, but I am a true carb fan.  I like bread, bagels, desserts.  Day 2 of 30 and I am already feeling the sugar monster getting angry.  I have been grumpy and head-achy.  It probably doesn't help that I am still breastfeeding Thing 3 so my caloric requirement is higher than most.  I am also a runner who runs almost daily.  I have been filling in the gaps with some (gasp!) snacks because I tend not to be able to eat large meals.  I have been sticking to the plan though.  An example of my days so far:

Pre-work out - handful of almonds and a banana
Black coffee (ack)
Post work out/Breakfast- BLT Egg Salad (NOTE: I didn't omit the bacon as I was able to get nitrate and bad stuff free bacon)
PM - Pecans, bananas, coconut mix
Dinner - Squash sauteed with ghee, salt, and pepper and a large salad with olives, grilled chicken, and strawberries.  Homemade vinegar dressing.

Not bad.

Hopefully I can keep up the momentum.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

My Body Hates Me.

I knew it would happen at some point.  My body is failing me.  After 3 pregnancies in 6 years and cancer, chemo, and surgery mixed in there as well, my body has given up the good fight.  I am dealing with a few problems that at first seemed like nuisances but are now proving to be otherwise.  Low thyroid which might be autoimmune related.  Digestive issues that have cause me much pain and trips to the bathroom.  I am just tired of it.  My Endo and a few other folks have recommended the Whole30 Plan to help figure out if my issues are dietary or food allergy/sensitivity related.  I am going to give it a whirl.  I have a lot to gain from it and nothing to loose.  So I guess today is Day 0.