Swaddlebees Simplex 2.0 Diaper from Kissed by the Moon: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

Kissed by the Moon is an online cloth diaper and natural parenting store based in Elk Grove, California. I was first introduced to this store earlier this year, when the owner Tami contacted me regarding a possible blog review/giveaway. Upon visiting the website, I was immediately impressed; in addition to featuring 20-30 premium cloth diapering brands (including AppleCheeks, Bummis and Thirsties, to name just a few), KbtM also offers previously loved diapers and a unique diaper rental program. To round things out, the store carries a selection of other products including Boba carriers & wraps, Planetwise snack and lunch bags and BabyLegs legwarmers. And if all that weren't enough, KbtM boasts an affiliate program, "Kissed Cash" rewards, a Gift Registry and free shipping on all orders within the United States. Whew!!!

I'm also a big fan of the site's organization - you can browse for items by manufacturer, product or price, or do a general search. Search results come up as you type, including customer ratings, which is super-helpful.

Tami offered me the opportunity to review a diaper of my choice, which made for a challenging decision indeed! I ended up choosing the Swaddlebees Simplex 2.0 sized AIO diaper for a few reasons:
1) I already own another Swaddlebees product - the EcoNappi - and love it
2) The Simplex 2.0 has a totally unique design that I was curious to try
3) The print selection is ridiculously adorable. And I'm a sucker for ridiculously adorable prints. *nods*

From the product description:

A unique all-in-one diaper design that combines the convenience of an all-in-one diaper while providing the absorbency adjustability of a pocket diaper.

It is made with a waterproof outer layer and 11 layers of 100% cotton birdseye fabric in the wet zone.

The diaper has pocket openings on both ends that allows you to increase the diaper's absorbency by adding extra inserts. This also enables any extra stuffed-in doubler or insert to agitate itself out in the wash. Half of the soaker pad is attached, while the other half also comes out through one of the pocket openings during the washing cycle. The result is a diaper that is thoroughly cleaned inside out and dries fast-either in the dryer or on the line.


(Approximate) sizing is as follows:

	SMALL	MEDIUM	LARGE
Waist	9" - 17"	11" - 20"	13" - 22"
Thighs	6" - 11"	8" - 13"	9" - 15"
Rise	14"	16"	18'
Weight	8-16 lb	12-25 lb	22-35 lb

Tami sent me a medium Swaddlebees Simplex 2.0 in the Monkeys print. Here it is!

The Simplex 2.0 is a "tongue-style" AIO; here you can see the absorbent tongue extended out and placed in "all in two" mode on top of the inner (respectively).

The diaper has a large pocket which can be used to house the absorbent tongue in pocket mode, or an insert/doubler for added absorbency.

Both the legs and back of the waist have strong and stretchy elastic. The front waist isn't elasticized.

One of the most unique aspects of this diaper is the side snap design. Rather than wrapping the back tabs over the front of the diaper and snapping in the middle (which is standard), with this diaper you wrap the front over the back tabs and secure at the sides, using one of four waist snap settings.

Neat, huh?

Before prepping the diaper, I was a bit put off by the "bunchiness" of the inner. It seemed like there was way too much inner material kicking around. Plus, the texture of the material was pretty rough - definitely not the buttery softness I've grown to expect from new fluff! But then I thought hey - the inner's made of 100% cotton. Wouldn't it behave similar to a prefold, shrinking upon prep and softening more and more with each wash? Happily, I was right! Here's a comparison of the diaper pre-prep and following about 8 washes:

Sadly, diaper changes have become somewhat of a chore with our 17 1/2 month old daughter as she does not want to lie (nor sit) still for the process, plus we've been "spoiling" her with a lot of bare bum time these days since introducing her to a potty. That said, she was actually fascinated by the monkey diaper when I unveiled it for the first time, and allowed me to snap her into it rather painlessly. And then, bless her li'l heart, she went & grabbed her own monkey! Ahhhhhh. :D

S was about 20-21 lbs here, so closer to the upper than the lower recommended weight limit, but still well within the range.

The diaper creates a smooth, trim fit which is flattering from all angles - front:

Back:

And side:

Notice that she's on the second tightest snap setting despite being on the upper end of the weight range, as she's a skinny minny.

The waist and leg elastics fit nice & snug. Arguably a tad too snug, though S didn't seem to mind this.

Overall, the diaper moves really well on her and we have yet to see any wing droop. Aside from looking cute, this appears to be another benefit of the side snaps!

Performance-wise, the Simplex 2.0 has been a winner. We've had perfect leak-free performance so far during both day use (7-8 occasions) and overight use (1 occasion, stuffed with a hemp insert). She pooped a couple times in the diaper and there were no concerns with containment either.

As for ease of use, the side snaps do take some getting used to, and are a bit tougher overall to secure than front snaps. I don't really mind them myself but my husband has professed that he isn't a fan. Caring for the diaper's pretty easy - just a single laundry cycle to prep, and wash & dry following your normal routine. Though you might want to prep a couple times to soften it (and get the material to shrink) which should be comfier for your little one, and probably result in a more absorbent dipe right off the bat.

Let's do our official evaluation, shall we?

Appearance/Style:
+ Super-trim fit
+ Side snaps create a unique and stylish look
+ Comes in the most ridiculously cute 'n' awesome set of patterns
+ Diaper moves well with baby; no wing droop or any other shifting
- Only a single solid colour available (white), so not a lot of options for matching with a "busier" outfit.
Score: 4.5/5

Performance:
+ Perfect performance so far - no leaks during daytime usage (7-8 occasions; no extra insert) nor overnight usage (single attempt; extra hemp insert)
+ Diaper achieves a snug tummy and leg fit
+ No problem containing solid messes. (Note - did not test with EBF poop.)
+ Diaper moves well with baby; no wing droop or any other shifting 
+ Side snaps are harder than front snaps for little hands to pull apart
Score: 5/5

Comfort & Health:
+ Diaper does not appear to cause/exacerbate diaper rash
+ Inner and insert material are made of cotton which is more breathable than a synthetic material like microfibre.
+ No buttons against baby's skin
+ Side flaps are nice & stretchy
+ Sized system, so no extra bulk due to rise or side adjustment settings.
+/- Inner material & insert are bunchy and a bit rough to the touch at first, but continuously smooth and soften with repeated laundering, similar to prefolds. 
- Moisture does not wick away from baby's skin; would need to use a liner to achieve this
- Waist and leg material feel a bit too tight (and not super stretchy)
Score: 4/5

Ease of Use:
+ Diaper is an AIO, so no stuffing or other prep required (for regular use)
+ Tongue-flap style allows diaper to dry quickly
+ Pocket provides flexibility; can stuff with an extra insert for night usage, or can stuff tongue flag insert into pocket if you prefer
+ Snaps are solid but not too tight
+ Double-opening pocket designed to agitate out its contents (tongue flap insert or double) on its own
+/- Diaper is pretty easy to care for. Only needs a single cycle to prep and can be machine washed and either machine or air dried. Spray down can be a little messier than average due to the bunchy material.
- Side location of snaps makes them more difficult to secure than the more standard front snaps 
- Pocket feels on the narrow side so can be a bit tricky to get insert to sit flat
Score: 3/5

Quality & Durability:
+ Overall, construction of diaper feels solid; snaps are strong & secure and elastics are tight & solid
+ Diaper outer looks & feels like new after several washings; inner actually continues to get softer and smoother!
- Noticed a few loose strands sticking out in various spots, though they don't appear to compromise the diaper's foundation.
Score: 4/5 
(Note - given I have only been using this diaper for a few weeks, I plan to update this section a few months down the road to get a true durability picture!)

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Total "Diaper Awesomeness" Score: 20.5 / 25 (Great diaper. Highly recommended.)
Overall Comments: The Swaddlebees Simplex 2.0 is a well-performing, trim, unique-looking sized AIO/pocket diaper which comes in the sweetest selection of prints! It's quite easy to prep and care for as well. Similar to a prefold, the cotton inner is a bit rough and bunchy at first, but continues to soften and smooth out with repeated launderings. I did notice some loose strands on my diaper, though this may have been a one-off and doesn't appear to affect the diaper's foundation. The side snaps are also a little more challenging to secure than standard front snaps, and the pocket's on the tight side. All in all, I do recommend trying this diaper, especially if you're looking to up the utter cuteness factor of your stash. :)

Approximate Stash Cost: $1364+
Calculation details: Assuming you would want 24 diapers within each size range (S, M, L), you're looking at $1364 for a full stash, plus the cost of any inserts/doublers for night diapering. So this is a pricier than average system to purchase in full, but on the flipside each diaper would be used less over the course of diapering a single child, so the full stash would be in better condition for use with another child, and/or would have better resale value than an OS system.

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Buy It:

Visit Kissed by the Moon to purchase some Swaddlebees Simplex 2.0 diapers of your own, and don't forget to check out all the other great merchandise while you're there! Shipping is free within the United States. International shipping is available as well (except for Rumparooz, Cotton Babies and GroVia products which cannot be shipped outside of the United States).

Note: Swaddlebees stock is currently low (because the products are so awesome, of course! ;) however Tami expects a new shipment early the week of May 21st. So hang tight!!


Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a Swaddlebees Simplex 2.0 diaper of their own, from Kissed by the Moon! Winner chooses size and style.

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Comments do not count as entries, however feel free to add a comment to remind yourself that you entered! 

Using Cloth Wipes in a Warmer

In response to my Two Sweet Potatoes OBV wipes review/giveaway post, one of my readers noticed that the product description for these wipes mentioned they could be used in a warmer. She was interested in hearing more details on how this works, and I was curious myself as this is something I've never done (though I do remember reading that attempting to use cloth wipes in a warmer designed for disposables could be bad news!!)

In any case, I contacted Nikki (owner of TSP) for more information and she got back to me with the following:

I used this one for my boys.  With the bamboo velour wipes you can just wet them and set them right in the warmer.  No need to measure and no need for the wipes to be swimming in solution since they are absorbant and hold onto the water and they stay soft unlike many types.  They really do not need a solution.  I can't comment on how much solution goes in because each solution is different in how to mix it and use it.  One option could be to pre-wet the wipes and keep them in the warmer and then spray the wet wipe with a solution if you feel you need to soap and/or scent.  Some people may prefer to use distilled water if they have really hard tap water and don't want that sitting in the warmer for several days at a time.  And you don't need to roll them up like in the picture (these are square wipes they are using), just lay them flat right in there and they will all get nice and toasty.

Awesome tips, Nikki. Thanks for sharing!

This would certainly come in handy at times in our household. Although our peri bottle squirt approach generally works very well for us, the solution gets a tad chilly on our daughter's bum when the temperature of our house dips a couple degrees below normal. (She's pretty sensitive!) As such, during these periods I'll often pre-wet a wipe with warm tap water prior to a change to "take the edge off". A warmer would definitely be a more convenient alternative! (Though probably a purchase I'd only be able to justify if we end up welcoming another li'l addition into our family, since S is getting close to potty training herself!)

Do you use a wipe warmer? Do you have any other cloth wipe-related tips you'd like to share?

Sprouting Seeds with the Kids {Guest Post}

By: Jakob Barry

Sprouting seeds with our kids is an amazing opportunity to not only bond with them but teach a few things about the world without getting too much into the nitty-gritty. After all, there are so many lessons a child can learn from cultivating a plant, watching it grow, and enjoying its fruit. It's an experience which can positively affect them for years to come.

That's because the excitement generated when a little green stem pops through soil and grows is lasting, even when it doesn't always work out. Then, when it matures into a plant and bears fruit or flowers it's a rewarding feeling for everyone involved.

If venturing into the world of sprouting with young ones interests you, here are a few things to consider before getting started.

• Start small - As with most new experiences it's always good to start small, even if only one seedling is on the agenda. That way neither you nor the child is overwhelmed with the simple task at hand: keeping it alive.
  
• Time and space requirements - Next, consider the time it will take to grow certain plants and which are best suited for the task. For example, you don’t want to start with something like watermelon which will need a lot of space and takes months to bear a mature fruit, but you do want something that is (ideally) edible and matures steadily. Radishes, which grow quickly, are a good place to begin. You may also consider herbs like dill, basil, or parsley which are edible and have the added enjoyment of stimulating the sense of smell more deeply.

• Good placement - Whether the plant is kept inside or placed outdoors, make sure it gets plenty of sunlight though not so much that it will dry out. Consider keeping it in an appropriate spot in your child's room as this allows it to be observed and nurtured more easily by your son or daughter. Just make sure to put something under the pot if you keep it indoors to prevent water from leaking out the bottom and potentially damaging a window sill, flooring or other surface.

• Watering schedule - Wherever the plant sits, make sure to put it on a watering schedule that includes the parents so they can keep an eye on it as kids may not recognize if it's in distress or needs better surroundings. Also, making this a joint venture allows kids to take on responsibility for its care a little at a time.

• Materials - Because this is a small scale project, you'll only need a few things such as seeds, some earth, a starting pot and a few small pots if you want to transplant seedlings. The amazing thing is that besides the seeds, everything else can be found around the house. A few scoops of earth can be taken from the yard and empty containers from milk or juice can be repurposed into pots. That being the case, this is a great project which has little cost and reaps many rewards.

Jakob Barry is a home improvement journalist for Networx.com. He blogs for pros across the U.S. like Atlanta, GA, flooring contractors.

Wordless Wednesday: Cousin Cuddles!

Organic Bamboo Velour Wipes from Two Sweet Potatoes (Etsy): Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

Get ready, because I'm about to tell you all about the perfect cloth wipes for bum changes.

Yes, I said it. Perfect.

I've had the opportunity to try many different types since our daughter was born, and there are lots of great options out there, but (in my opinion) none measure up to the awesomesauce-ness of the Organic Bamboo Velour wipes from Etsy shop Two Sweet Potatoes.

I first discovered Two Sweet Potatoes and these OBV wipes over a year ago via a giveaway at the mama blog So Easy Being Green which I was lucky enough to win!

Before I even got to trying the wipes, I was impressed that the shop owner, Nikki, took the time to write me personally congratulating me on the win and letting me know that the prize would be shipped out soon. Such a nice added touch!

Then when I finally got my hands on 'em I proceeded to realize just how sweet these things truly were. A full year of regular use later, and lemme tell ya - they'll still going super-strong!

Alright, let's get to the specifics.

From the product description:

Just say no to folding! These wipes will fit right in a wipes warmer or container without folding.

Features:

• Double-sided organic bamboo velour
• Ultra soft for sensitive skin
• Eco-friendly diaper wipes
• Washcloths
• Removing makeup
• Works well just with water or with your favorite wipes solution
• Use as a doubler/cloth diaper insert for added absorbancy (I use 2 for my son at night)
• These wipes are hand finished. I do not use chemical fray block

Measurements:

• Approximately 7 1/4 x 4 1/4

Materials:

• Organic bamboo velour (70% organic bamboo viscose, 28% organic cotton, 2% polyester)

Care Instructions:

• Machine wash any temperature (I wash mine in hot), dry low

When I contacted Nikki earlier this year about a blog giveaway partnership, I told her she didn`t even need to send me more wipes because I could base my review on the ones I already had. However, she was generous enough to send me an extra set of 8 wipes in a rainbow of colours (fuschia, apple, turquoise and orchid).

This should give you an idea how big these wipes are - about the size of an adult hand (unfolded).

And here is a comparison pic of a year-old wipe (left) and a brand new wipe. Aside from the material becoming slightly less plush over time, notice that they look quite similar.

So why do I luuuuurve these things so stinkin' much? Well, let me count the ways!

• They are incredibly absorbent - even after just a single laundry prep cycle!
• They have amazing "wipeability" - messes get picked up efficiently and stay on the wipe. 
• They're the optimal size and thickness. Thick enough to use without folding (giving a nice, large surface to work with), or you could fold a single time during use, if you prefer.
• They are reaaally soft - wonderful on your little one's delicate skin!
• They're made of organic bamboo velour - a more sustainable material than many other wipes on the market.
• They are super durable. As I alluded to above, the wipes I've been using for almost a year (through 100+ laundry cycles) are still in wonderful condition! They don't get at all wonky, bunchy or uneven after laundering, they maintain the exact same size and shape and the trim has remained perfectly snug after all these months.
• Finally, since these wipes are thick enough to use without folding, you save a bundle of time on your diaper laundry! How much? Well, let's assume a wipe which gets folded into quarters takes about 10-12 seconds to locate, fold and stack. 30 of these (an average laundry load) would then take 5-6 minutes total. While this may not seem like much for a single folding session, it adds up to more than an hour each month. Compare this with the TSP OBV wipes which just need to be located and stacked, taking about 3 seconds each. Doing the rest of the math, that's over 45 minutes freed up per month!

The only potential criticism I can see with these wipes is that they're not large enough for a single one to perform both as a wet and dry wipe. This isn't a concern for us as we keep a clean prefold on our daughter's change table to dry her bum before a new diaper goes on. And, as mentioned in the last point, the time savings involved in not having to fold these smaller-than-average wipes is worth any "inconvenience" here, IMO.

So yup - these are definitely my go-to wipes for diaper changes, and if I were to start fresh with the knowledge & experience I have now I'd invest in a 30-wipe starter set (or more!) upfront.

What about the other potential uses for the wipes as listed in the product description - as wash cloths, doublers for night diapering, etc.? Well admittedly, I haven't used these wipes for any other purpose because a) they're just so amazing as bum wipes and b) now that we've been using them as bum wipes, I don't really want to start using them for another purpose, if you know whadda mean. That said, I'm pretty sure I'd find these wipes a bit on the small side to use as bath or meal time wash cloths. This is where I do like some additional width and bulk, and I'm willing to spend the extra time prefolding to get it. The doublers idea is compelling, however I have so many dedicated diapering materials for this purpose that I'd rather keep these guys reserved for their primary purpose.


Buy It:

Visit Two Sweet Potatoes on Etsy and purchase some of these amazing Organic Bamboo Velour wipes for yourself! At just $1.50 per wipe (and less if you buy a set of 30 or 60) they're a total steal! Note that these wipes are (understandably) very popular so sometimes take up to 3 weeks before shipping, however Nikki accepts pre-orders which is a great option if you need them at a particular time!

While you're at her shop, take a look at the other sweet merchandise Nikki has to offer - hats, tops, dresses, bibs and more! Everything is organic, handmade and designed with comfort in mind for babies and toddlers!

Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a rainbow 8-pack of Two Sweet Potatoes Organic Bamboo Velour wipes of their own!

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Comments do not count as entries, however feel free to add a comment to remind yourself that you entered!

"Fit Moms for Life" book by Dustin Maher: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

Are you looking to adopt a healthier mindset and lifestyle for yourself and your family? Become stronger and more energetic? Lose a few extra pounds and keep them off permanently? Or perhaps gain a few extra pounds?

If you answered yes to any (or all) of the above questions, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out the brand new book "Fit Moms for Life" by Dustin Maher. I was contacted by Renee, Dustin's PR rep a few months back regarding a review/giveaway for this book, and I was initially a bit hesitant because I'm actually underweight so the last thing I wanted to do was become even thinner! However, Renee assured me that Dustin's recommendations have also helped his underweight clients gain a few pounds (5-10 on average) so the book could definitely help someone in my own situation.

So, first of all, a little background on the author (and fitness tycoon) Dustin Maher. Dustin is a certified personal trainer who began teaching fitness classes in university. He graduated in 2006 and started working full time as a fitness professional, moving on to develop MamaTone classes and a program called Fit Fun Boot Camps which has grown into one of the largest boot camp programs in the US. To date, he has worked with over 5,000 people looking to improve their fitness levels, and sold more than 10,000 of his fitness DVDs to clients around the world. He also blogs and offers a newsletter including fitness and nutrition tips, inspiring stories and other tidbits. (Side note: it's one of the few newsletters I regularly take the time to read, so I definitely recommend signing up!)

If you're like me, you might be wondering why such a young guy (just 28 years old, and no children of his own) has chosen to work primarily with moms. First of all, he is very close with his own mother who stayed at home to raise Dustin and his three siblings, with an unwavering dedication to meeting their needs and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Secondly, he just enjoys it! He finds that moms bring a lot of energy to their workouts, appreciate having the time to focus on themselves, and are especially proud when they achieve results. Finally, he loves that in working with moms, he is also influencing future generations to be healthier and more confident.

The Fit Moms for Life program focuses on the entire person and is based around five pillars of health: mindset, nutrition, strength training, burst training and environment. Dustin asserts that this approach to fitness is well rounded and sustainable, and one busy moms can fit into their lives. It also reinforces that there is no "quick fix" to getting healthy and fit; one needs to be committed to the process and recognize that it's going to be challenging, but certainly worth it in the end! I really like that his approach is both holistic and pragmatic, unlike many other weight loss and health programs out there which strike me as gimmicky and too good to be true.

Before delving further into the book itself, here's a video narrated by Dustin which describes the pillars in more detail and includes numerous clips of featured moms rockin' some hardcore fitness moves!

 

Fit Moms for Life is broken into sections focusing on each pillar in more detail.

The first section on mindset explores concepts such as motivation, building confidence, positive thinking, setting SMART goals (i.e. those which are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed) and conducting an effective "before" assessment (with respect to fitness, nutrition and other self-care elements). It does a great job illustrating why mindset and preparation are such an important part of a lasting fitness strategy. It provides moms with a number of tools to reinforce motivation and commitment when things get tough.

The second section on nutrition includes 16 rules to eat by, foods to avoid, keeping a food diary, planning meals, healthy snacks, grocery shopping strategies and many other helpful resources. This is one area where I've become fairly knowledgeable myself over the last few years, via independent research and communicating/working with associated professionals, and I'm happy to report that the info presented in this section of the book jives with my learnings elsewhere. This isn't to say I didn't discover a new thing or two. In fact, I was intrigued by one of Dustin's rules to avoid grains after 4 PM, and while I haven't followed this 100%, I have cut down on grains and carbs in general later at night, and I have to say I've noticed a positive difference in energy level in the morning. All in all, some super-valuable stuff in this part of the book.

The third section covers the "meat and potatoes" of the Fit Moms for Life program - strength and burst training. Two prominent concepts stressed here are that 1) lifting heavy weights will not cause women to bulk up and 2) long duration, steady-state cardio is not the way to get fit and lose weight, and may actually make you fat. In addition to explaining why strength training and burst cardio are the way to go for optimal fitness, this section includes practical instructions for putting together a workout routine and a complete, fully-illustrated sample workout. Now admittedly, I (currently) don't work out and have done very little of this in the past, however this section did a good job convincing me that I should start. While the idea of lifting heavy weights is somewhat intimidating, Dustin continually asserts that women can do a lot more than we think, and we often end up surprising ourselves. So hey, maybe even this here scrawny bod could kick some butt if sufficiently motivated! And the fact that cardio is recommended only in short bursts is appealing as well - less time required for a complete workout with better results. Sounds pretty good, right?

(Now, to get things started.... :) 

The final section of the book discusses environment, including the "fit mom, fit family" link and creating a fitness community of like-minded individuals who keep each other motivated and on-track. In this section, Dustin describes his latest mission: to have one million moms in the Fit Moms for Life community by the end of 2015, via embracing the program's philosophy and approach either individually or (even better) as members of local workout-oriented support groups.

Several appendices are included as well, including fitness for new moms (and moms-to-be), documenting your fitness journey, additional resources and FAQs. He also includes a full list of his workout DVD programs.

Finally, the best (in my opinion) part of the book: spread throughout the chapters are 31 real-life stories of women who took part in one (or more) of Dustin's programs and experienced profound transformations in mind and body. The women profiled range in age from mid 20s to early 50s, which I was happy to see as it illustrates that it's not too late to get started if you're past your physical prime. Each story includes before and after pictures, weights and clothing sizes, and tips from the woman on achieving nutrition, fitness and general health goals. The stories themselves are varied and unique, ranging from overcoming pervasive medical challenges, to beating clinical depression, to takings things to the next level and becoming a certified trainer! I really enjoyed reading every one of these stories, and went back and read some of them a second time. I found that they added a real element of credibility to the program.

A few more general comments on "Fit Moms for Life":

• It is an easy, accessible read. Perfect for overworked, sleep-deprived moms! ;)
• Dustin comes across as confident without being arrogant or pushy. He recognizes that there isn't always necessarily one "right way", that individuals are different from one another, etc. 
• The book contains a balanced level of information in the different sections - not too much and not too little! Dustin is quick to admit when he's not an expert in a particular area and includes additional resources for more information as appropriate.
• While the book is marketed to moms specifically, much of the advice is applicable to all people, young and old.
• There's a certain element of authenticity and trustworthiness in the writing which really makes me believe what I'm reading. In fact, there's even a little joke going on between my husband and I that "Dustin Maher says..." has become one of my go-to vocabulary staples. :)
• Finally, while this book could easily have been a fluffy, thin-on-content offering produced solely for the purpose of marketing more lucrative products (in this case, Dustin's DVDs and bootcamps), I want to stress that this absolutely isn't the case here. While there is some level of promotion for Dustin's other products (and why wouldn't there be?) Fit Moms for Life can definitely be used on its own to kick start an individual down a path to better fitness and overall health.

Buy It:

Order one or more copies of "Fit Moms for Life" directly from Dustin's website! Single copies can be purchased for $17.99, however if you order in bulk you can get them at a discounted rate ($14.99 if you order three or more, and $12.99 including free shipping if you order 10 or more.)

Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win their own copy of "Fit Moms for Life"! To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Comments do not count as entries, however feel free to add a comment to remind yourself that you entered! 

AppleCheeks Bamboo Little Bundle: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

What's better than adding an AppleCheeks diaper to your stash? Adding two AppleCheeks diapers, of course! :)

Following my "Fluffy February" review of the AppleCheeks Microterry Little Bundle (which I awarded a "Diaper Awesomeness" rating of 24/25), the company offered me the opportunity to review their Bamboo Little Bundle (on a quest for that oh-so-elusive perfect score? ;)

The Bamboo LB consists of the same awesome 2-Size Envelope Cover used in their Microterry system, and a One-Size Rayon from Bamboo Insert.

For full details on the envelope cover (as well as general company info), see my previous review. I`ll be focusing on the bamboo insert more specifically in this one.

From the product description:

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AppleCheeks One-size Rayon from Bamboo Insert 

Two layers of ultra-soft 70% rayon from bamboo/30% organic cotton fleece give you the ultimate in comfort and absorbency! Fold this approximately 12″ x 15″ insert into thirds and you get six layers in the soaker zone.

Rayon from Bamboo is perfect for the heaviest wetter as it retains twice as much moisture as cotton alone for its weight! And plus rayon from bamboo’s antimicrobial properties make it the healthy choice for your baby’s bottom. Rayon from Bamboo is the cloth diapering choice!

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For review purposes, AppleCheeks generously sent me both a Bamboo Little Bundle and a set of 2 extra bamboo inserts!

The envelope cover I received is a Size 2 in the "Forget Me Not" shade - here it is, ready for action!

And here is one of the OS Rayon from Bamboo Inserts, right out of the package:

This insert measured about 12.5" x 15". Can't quite visualize how big that is? This may give you a better idea:

Here is the insert trifolded to create 6 layers of absorbency. I tried folding it both the short and long way (as the description doesn't specify which one is "correct") and found that the short way results in the most appropriate length & width. (Note - in hindsight, just noticed that the Care Instructions page of their website does specify the correct folding direction. A li'l tip for the AC web folks - I recommend either including this info on the Inserts product page directly, or embedding a link to this info as its current location isn't the most intuitive.)

This method also results in a size (and thickness) quite comparable to the microterry insert. The microterry is just slightly longer.

The trifolded bamboo insert stuffs easily into the generous pocket opening of the envelope cover.

It also fits nicely on top, as an AI2.

One of the most fantabulous things about the bamboo inserts is how utterly soft they are. Just as smooth 'n' velvety as the microfleece lining of the envelope cover, if not more so. And made from natural materials to boot! As such, I'd think babies would be more comfortable with this insert than the microterry one for parents who prefer to use the AI2 method.

Another thing I noticed is that the insert's two layers are sewn together only at the edges. In other words, you can pull the top and bottom surfaces away from each other, if that makes sense. I kind of like this as I can't imagine it would negatively affect performance or longevity, yet it might have the benefit of a speedier drying time.

Here are a few shots of my daughter wearing her snazzy new envelope cover and bamboo insert combo! (If you're wondering why her skin looks blotchy, she'd just come out of the bath and was a li'l chilly! So I was trying to be super-snappy with the pics which is why I only managed 3. :)

In terms of overall diaper fit, I didn't really notice a difference here compared with the microterry system. Still a stretchy (yet snug) fit around the waist and legs, and relatively trim overall.

Performance-wise, we've used the bamboo combo about 5 times during the day (both pocket and AI2 methods) and once at night, and results have been great! We did have one leak during the day, however the diaper was on longer than average (about 3 1/2 hours) and she also appeared to "cluster-pee" during this timeframe as the insert was entirely saturated. So not the diaper's fault, really. That said, based on this we decided she'd need a little extra sumpin' sumpin' when it came to our night diapering test, so we stuffed the pocket with two bamboo inserts. A little bulky, sure, but the 12 layers did the trick nicely - no leaks! She did manage to wet both inserts pretty substantially, however, so I'm wondering how she would have done with "just" an insert and one of the rayon from bamboo boosters. I like the concept of the booster system, however - depending on how heavy of a wetter your child is, you can add 1 or more boosters (or even two inserts together, like I did) to meet his/her needs, especially for night diapering.

In terms of care & maintenance, AppleCheeks advises that the bamboo inserts be prewashed three times on hot and dried once on hot to ensure optimal absorbency. I personally like to "live dangerously" and use a diapering product before it has reached its recommended level of prepping to see how it does, so I washed the inserts just once along with my regular cloth diaper laundry (on cold/hot/warm) and the absorbency was already quite good - no leaks during test #1! Day-to-day care is super-easy; solids spray off the inserts easily and neither the envelope covers nor inserts have required any special treatment outside of my regular laundry routine. In terms of size, the inserts have shrunk about 1/2 inch both length and width-wise. So nothing to write home about.

I really only have a couple minor gripes with these inserts. First of all, from my experience they come out of the laundry ever-so-slightly misshapen / bunchy at the edges, presumably due to slightly uneven shrinkage. This makes them a bit harder to fold evenly (you kind of need to smooth out the wrinkles a bit), though doesn't appear to affect performance at all. Second, it appears they are more prone to staining than the microterry variant (and synthetic fibres, in general). One of our inserts is now, unfortunately, branded with a reminder of how much our daughter enjoys blueberries. :) We'll try sunning it out this Summer!

Alright, let's move onto the official evaluation! (Note - for thoroughness, I've incorporated applicable comments from my previous review. So if some of this looks familiar, that would be why! :)

Appearance/Style:
+ Flattering fit; super stretchy leg and waist elastics create a nice visual touch (especially on the smallest setting)
+ Colour options are vivid and attractive; with 9 currently available (and another limited edition one on the way!) there is something for everyone's taste!
+ Diaper is quite trim, even when baby is at the smallest end of the suggested weight range. 
+/- Prints have recently been introduced as well, however only two will be available at a time.
Score: 4.5/5

Performance:
+ Tri-folded bamboo insert fits perfectly into pocket so that there is no gaping or bunching on the sides or at the ends, increasing the possibility of leakage.
+ Diaper achieves a snug tummy and leg fit - even at the lowest end of the recommended weight range! 
+ No leaks experienced so far during during the day with single OS Rayon from Bamboo Insert used in both ways (all in two and stuffed) except one time when the diaper was left on too long and the insert became oversaturated. User error!
+ No problem containing solid messes. (Note - did not test with EBF poop.)
+ No overnight leakage when two bamboo inserts were used together. (Would be good to test an insert + booster combo.)
Score: 5/5

Comfort & Health:
+ Inner microfleece is buttery-soft and outer waterproof fabric is smooth and also pleasant to the touch.
+ Waist and thigh elastics are nice & stretchy so that they don't dig uncomfortably into baby's skin; no marks left behind when diaper comes off
+ Waist and thigh material sticks outward rather than inward into baby's skin.
+ Diaper does not appear to cause/exacerbate diaper rash
+ Rayon from bamboo is an antibacterial, naturally-derived material so would be a good choice to look at for babies with very sensitive skin prone to diaper rash. (Could be worn in the AI2 style in this case so baby's bum touches the bamboo rather than the synthetic microfleece lining the envelope cover.)
Score: 5/5

Ease of Use:
+ Diaper is super-easy to stuff with the trifolded insert via ultra-large pocket opening. Even two full inserts together stuff in quite easily!
+ Snaps are solid but not too tight such that changes become difficult
+ Both cover and inserts are very easy to care for - easy spray-down, machine wash, machine dry or hang. (Air dries quickly!)
+ System can be used two ways with OS Rayon from Bamboo Insert - stuffed or all in two. Mom and Dad can pick their favourite!
+ Insert comes out in the wash on its own
- Insert gets a teeny bit wonky after laundering which makes it a bit harder to fold smoothly prior to usage.
Score: 4.5/5

Quality & Durability:
+ Construction of cover looks and feels flawless. (No loose seams, improper stitching, etc. are evident.)
+ Snaps are strong & secure
+ Elastics are tight & solid
+ Inner lining of cover and insert both feel almost as soft after several washings.
- Insert gets a teeny bit wonky/bunchy at the edges after laundering - possibly due to uneven shrinkage?
- Rayon from bamboo inserts seem more prone to staining than the microterry variant (and synthetic fibres in general). Possibly unavoidable when it comes to naturally-derived diapering materials?
 Score: 4.5/5 
(Note - given I have only been using this diaper for a few weeks, I plan to update this section a few months down the road to get a true durability picture!)

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Total "Diaper Awesomeness" Score: 23.5 / 25 (Pretty much a perfect diaper. Go out there and buy some NOW! :) )
Overall Comments: Similar to their Microterry offering, the AppleCheeks envelope cover and One-Size Rayon from Bamboo Insert combine to create an awesome diapering system! Top-notch construction, great performance (day and night), soft and comfy for baby, naturally-derived materials, simple to use and care for and ridiculously cute! The only (very minor) gripes I have are that print options are currently limited and the OS Rayon from Bamboo Insert appears somewhat prone to staining, and can also get slightly misshapen after laundering (making it a tad more challenging to trifold smoothly). All in all I'd wholeheartedly recommend either system, leaning toward this one for babies with more sensitive skin, and the Microterry system for parents who are looking for ultra-convenience.

Approximate Stash Cost: $560 to $1200
Calculation details: Depending on your approach / preferences, you can build an AppleCheeks stash fairly economically or you can splurge a bit more. AppleCheeks suggests that three envelope covers can be used for approximately nine changes (each with a separate insert, of course). Based on this, you would need to purchase a minimum of 8 covers in each size (or 16 total), 24 One-Size Rayon from Bamboo Inserts (which cover daytime use) and, say, 6 bamboo boosters (for night diapering) to have a lifetime stash. There are slight pricing differences between retailers, however on average covers cost $20, One-Size Rayon from Bamboo Inserts cost $9 and bamboo boosters cost $4 (all in CAD). This adds up to a stash cost of $560. That said, some people (myself include) may prefer not to reuse a "soft" cover like this between changes, even if the cover isn't soiled. So on the other end of the spectrum, if you opt to purchase a full set of 24 covers in each size, you're looking at a stash cost of $1200.

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Buy It:

AppleCheeks sells its products exclusively via 3rd party retailers. Visit their Find a Store page to find retailers in your area.


Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win an AppleCheeks Little Bundle (envelope cover + insert) of their own! Winner chooses style, size and insert type. Thanks AppleCheeks for generously offering another great giveaway here at M2M so soon after the last one! <3

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Comments do not count as entries, however feel free to add a comment to remind yourself that you entered! 

Mom Central Canada {hearts} Manager to Mom! :D

I'm super excited to share that Manager to Mom has been selected as one of the Winter 2011 recipients for a $250 Mom Central Canada Blogger Grant! Only 10 bloggers are chosen each quarter so this is quite the distinction, and a quick review of the previous winner lists confirms that I'm in some elite company! 

The blog post idea I submitted was on helping busy moms become more efficient so that they can maximize the quality time they have with their families. I'll be writing up this post over the next few weeks. I hope y'all like it and find a tip or two you can put into use yourselves!

Thanks Mom Central Canada for this wonderful honour!

"Anti-Sick" Recipe: Onion, Lemon and Honey Drink

This past Winter, my family was constantly sick. We'd get over one illness and boom, down we were with another. Strep, gastro, multiple colds & the list goes on. I'm pretty sure the entire staff at the walk-in clinic knows my astrological sign by now.

In addition to all these maladies, I was also battling general fatigue and brain fog, so I decided to be proactive about the whole situation and booked an appointment with a local naturopath.

I'm so glad I took this step! 2 1/2 months later, I can definitely say I'm feeling a lot more energetic and focused.

And as for the sickies? Well, one of the many fascinating health "tools" my ND supplied me with was a recipe for an onion drink.

"An onion drink?" you say, scrunching your nose.

Yes indeed! Though I promise you that it's actually quite good.

And more importantly, since I started drinking this li'l concoction, I haven't been sick. At all. Despite the fact that I continue to encounter germ factories posing as humans on a regular basis (including my husband who's currently battling a narsty sinus infection, poor guy.)

Not making any "official" medical claims here. Just sayin'

So why an onion drink, you still may want to know. Well, similar to garlic, onions are packed full of immune boostin' phytonutrients and other goodies which helped earn 'em a spot on the The World's Healthiest Foods list.

But seriously - isn't the flavour kind of gross? Nope - the opposite, in fact. It's refreshing and tangy, with a hint of sweet.

Want to try it out for yourself? Well, it's your lucky day! :)

Onion, Lemon and Honey Drink

Ingredients:

• 1 large red onion
• 1 lemon (preferably organic)
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• Water

Steps:

• Chop up onion and place in 32oz resealable jar (e.g. mason jar or pickle jar).
• Cut lemon into 4-6 pieces and squeeze into jar.
• Seal jar and refrigerate for 3 hours.
• Heat honey until it's in a liquid state and pour into jar.
• Fill jar with water. Leave about an inch of air at the top.
• Seal the lid tightly and shake shake SHAKE!!!
• Refrigerate overnight.
• Pour and enjoy!

Note: If you're feeling brave, you can eat the onions too. I don't personally love how they tend to "make an appearance" again later, however, so I stick to the drink myself. :)

What do you do to boost your immune system during cold & flu season?

Wordless Wednesday: Hickory Dickory Shock!

Our daughter S (15 1/2 months) used to love the Hickory Dickory Dock video from Super Simple Songs. Then she started getting "excited" at the elephant part, but turns out the excitement was actually utter terror, as this video demonstrates. I was taken aback by her reaction in the moment but didn't realize until I watched the video later just HOW upset she got! Poor kiddo - I hope we didn't scar her for life! (Mentally/emotionally, I mean. Yes, I realize we probably already scarred her physically with that nasty head gash. Evidently we're not in the running for any parenting awards here!)