The problem with bath toys...

When bub was around 12 weeks old, we attended a Plunket PEPE course which is designed to help out new mums by providing advice, support and education. The course itself was fantastic, and we would recommend these kinds of courses to just about everyone.

A negative was one comment that a guest speaker said which has been ringing around in my head ever since. She was talking about the importance of getting babies used to water (great stuff) and talked about bath toys. Apparently the ones that have 'squirting capabilities' get really mouldy within a month- even if you sterilise them. Her suggestion was to buy new ones from the $2 shop every month and dump the rest.
It horrified me that she was effectively promoting adding a bunch of these brightly coloured, mostly non-recyclable items to landfill every month. She didn't seem to understand my issue with it either, sadly enough.

So what do you do with a bunch of bath toys you can't use in the bath? It would be great if you could give us some suggestions!

Also, how do you deal with people who just simply dont understand (or want to)?

Thanks!

'No poo' update

Its been about 16 weeks since I stopped washing my hair. Most sites about going 'no poo' that I have read state that it takes around 6 weeks for your hair to regulate its oil supply. For me it took a little longer, but that doesn't mean that I had greasy, lank hair for that whole time- rather it was days of 'ponytail hair'.

I started out at first just rinsing with water every day and massaging my scalp, but I found that I ended up with dandruff. A month ago, I found that if I do a weekly baking soda and cider vinegar wash, my hair ends up looking even better and with little or no dandruff.

I'm glad I started, as its so nice not having to buy shampoo or conditioner and I don't have to worry about the chemicals I'm putting on my skin.

HERE is the link to our original post back in May and below is my baking soda/cider vinegar routine, inspired by the Instructables post here

Baking Soda Wash:

1-2TB Baking soda

Add 1 cup water.

Apply the mixture to your hair- particularly at the roots, and massage in.

Rinse thoroughly

Cider Vinegar rinse:

1-2TB apple cider vinegar (I dont tend to measure, I just slosh it in)

Add 1 cup water

Work it in the same way as the baking soda and rinse completely.

Healthy hair for the both of us!

DIY Dishwasher Powder

We don't have a dishwasher, but Wendyl Nissen has tested this recipe and we trust her. Commercial dishwasher powder is unbelievably toxic so if you have little ones around then you should really give this a try. The recipe can be found on Wendyl Nissen's newletter (I hasn't made it on to her website yet) or get it right here:

Amazing Dishwasher Powder
I've finally been able to test the recipe I have given out before which was sent to me by a reader. It's quite fantastic. I've adjusted it slightly but you'll love it and can be safe in the knowledge that it is cheaper and less toxic than the commercial ones. This does have a little borax in it which is toxic in high doses, but shouldn't be swallowed so do keep this in your old dishwasher powder bottle with a child preventing screw cap on it.

½ cup of borax 

½ cup soda ash (this is powdered washing soda, not the crystals. Try Trade Me or www.lotusoils.co.nz)

¼ cup of citric acid

½ cup salt (not iodised))

10 drops of lemon essential oil 

Place all in a plastic container and shake.

Use 1 Tbsp per load. Use white vinegar in the rinse compartment.

Let us know how it works.

-K

DIY Cleaning Products ep.2

Anyone try the DIY spray cleaner and glass cleaner? If you haven't, you should it's really good. Anyway here's the next one to try. It's a bit more complex and you will need to do some specialist shopping but it is worth it. If you want to try some to see if it works as good as the store bought stuff; you can buy it ready made here, 


(This is another one from Wendyl Nissen by the way)

DIY cleaning products

Have you ever added up how much commercial cleaning products cost? We first noticed when our shopping bill almost doubled every time when needed to buy several products at once! Also there is the environmental and health concerns with all the chemicals in them. There is now lots of 'green' options but they cost even more and a lot of the time just seem to be marketing and stink of green washing. 


There is a alternative that is both cheaper, better for the environment, and your health - making them yourself! All credit for inspiration and these recipes goes to Wendyl Nissen (http://www.wendylsgreengoddess.co.nz/). First up I'll start with some that you can make with stuff that is already in your cupboard.


Spray Cleaner (replaces spray&wipe, etc)
1 L Water
1-2 Tsp Baking soda  
2 drops of soap/detergent (for ecological niceness use Dr Bronner's Castile liquid soap but anything will work)
10 drops of essential oil of your choice (optional, but it does help it kill bacteria)


Glass Cleaner
650 mL water (or 2 parts)
350 mL white vinegar (or 1 part)
2 drops detergent

The exact amounts are not important for either of these recipes, just get the ratios ruffly right.

We have been using both of these recipes for months now and they work great! They are sooo cheap to make, and most of the ingredients are eaten regularly so they are safe and healthy.

Enjoy the savings!