Tea Tree Oil

The logical wipe to use when using cloth diapers is cloth wipes. If you use disposable wipes, you have to separate them from the diaper to throw them away, and that's icky. With cloth, you just throw them in the wash with the diapers. No need for extra handling. But you need to get the cloth wipes wet so they actually do some cleaning, and just using water doesn't really seem like the best way to clean a baby's bottom. So I Googled cloth wipe solutions and came up with my own little mixture.




1 cup water
1 squirt baby wash
4-6 drops tea tree oil
1 tsp. grape seed or olive oil

After buying the tea tree oil for the wipes, I'm finding it is a miracle essential oil. It is a natural antibacterial oil, so every time I research natural cleaning and skin care products, tea tree oil seems to be included. Other uses to which I've put it include:

• Foot lotion
• Skin toner
• Mold cleaner
• Shower curtain cleaner

Next time you are looking for a new way to clean something, see if tea tree oil can help you out! 

Showers get dirty too

Our shower curtain liner has been one of my cleaning frustrations for a long time. When I asked my in-laws how they kept theirs so clean, they said they just replaced it. So I've resigned myself to replacing it with more frequency than I have done in the past.

I stocked up on a few PEVA shower curtain liners. Traditional vinyl shower curtains give off toxic gases and release toxins that affect developing hormones. Since bath time is the favorite time of day for our little guy, I couldn't continue to let him inhale the harmful scent of vinyl.

I also thought perhaps I could prolong throwing the mildewed curtain out by spraying a cleaner on it every day. I made a homemade brew that I hope will make frequent scrubbing of soap scum unnecessary. Since I didn't have any hydrogen peroxide, I improvised. Here's what I came up with:

1 c. water
1/4 c. rubbing alcohol
6 drops Seventh Generation dish soap
4 drops tea tree oil

Birchwood Cafe

I have been meaning to try the Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis for a very long time. The opportunity finally presented itself this week. We had weddings for some friends during the last two weekends, and friends were in town from all over the country (and world) for the week. When some of my favorite girls wanted to meet for dinner, I suggested this little gem.

I ordered the Turkey Club, and oh my goodness, it was the best sandwich I've ever had! We stayed long enough for dessert and enjoyed the carrot cake, 2 chocolate chip cookies, and a fruit cobbler as well.

The front door proudly states: We love local farms, and the food reflects this. In addition, the cafe composts everything it can.

Visit the website for more information, and visit the Birchwood Cafe for delicious food you can be proud to eat!

Weeds

Nate came home this weekend with Roundup weed killer. He had had it with the weeds in our rocks lining the driveway. They don't really bother me, but I'm not the one pulling them.

Regardless of his frustration, I told him I really was not okay with using Roundup, we agreed to look up some safer alternatives. We agreed to try spraying vinegar on the weeds. One week later, the weeds are brown and shriveling. and Nate will be returning the Roundup.

We will need to do some prevention to keep the weeds from reseeding. Corn gluten is supposed to prevent seeds from growing, but it takes a few years to be efffective. We've put corn gluten down twice, so we'll see what the outcomes are in a year or two.

Baby Food!

A has begun his adventures in eating. I have no doubt that he'll develop a sweet tooth like his mom, and a snacking habit like his dad, but while I still have full control over what he eats, I'll try and prevent that from happening.

We started with Gerber's organic brown rice cereal. This was after much internal debate on my part. I wanted to excite his taste palate early and often, but the doctor thought I was a little crazy. After discovering that rice cereal can be whole grain, I allowed myself to feel okay starting with this simple food.

The next food introduced is where things got interesting. I decided to puree my own organic sweet potatoes. (1 potato made 18 servings at a cost of about $.07 a serving, compared to my jar of Earth's Best organic which cost .$.15 a serving). Nate insisted I need to account for my time as well-this first foray into purees took me 2 hours :o. I blame the blender though-it's a piece of junk. So I indulged in a $35 food processor. Hopefully this (and experience) will speed my process up. And after tasting both varieties myself, I have to insist that my fresh puree is much better than the jarred stuff.

Regardless, A is loving his solids. He says "mmm" after every new food. It's been very exciting for both of us!