Day 3 of the Third Annual Flats and Hand Washing Challenge...Why does it Matter?

"I am taking part in the Third Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all. You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post. This year there are over 400 participants from all over the world!"

I know a lot of people are wondering why did over 400 people from around the world chose to hand wash their flat diapers. What is the big deal? Why does it matter any way? Can't these moms just buy disposable diapers?
Well yes most of us probably can afford regular ol' sposies. Yes most of us probably do have access to a washing machine and dryer. But there are so many people that do not.
The reason why this challenge is so important for many of us... especially me is that it is making me more prepared to help someone that can not help themselves. I now have first hand experience and can tell someone that is struggling to provide for their family that it is possible to keep their children happy, healthy and clean for under $100 dollars! It is possible and I can show you how it is done.
Diapers are not covered by wic or foodstamps. For a family that can not even afford food for their family they need to some how afford diapers. Disposable diapers can add up to several thousand dollars over the course of a child's diapering days. Parents sometimes reuse disposable diapers out of desperation. Flats are definitely the better option.
I have seen this first hand. I spent 2 months in a rural village in Turkey when I first got married. One of my husband's relatives placed some extra tissues in an already used diaper so she could use it again. If this same situation were to arise now I could help her. I could introduce her to the magic of flats.
Helping by doing. We can not expect to help anyone if we have never done it ourselves. How can we promote that flats and hand washing is a viable option if we haven't ever even used a flat or hand washed anything? We can't and that is why it does matter.
Last year when I was in Turkey I used flats for a whole month. I hung them out on the line. I got so many questions from neighbors about my diapers. Be the example for change.

Don't forget I am giving away a new pair of homemade wool longies size large- x large. To enter please leave a comment. The winner will be announced Monday.

Day 2 of the Third Annual Flats and Hand Washing Challenge

 

"I am taking part in the Third Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all. You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post. This year there are over 400 participants from all over the world!"

Today's topic is: How did I prepare for the challenge?
Fortunately I had everything I needed already. After last year's challenge I invested in some extra flour sack towels from Target to use when we travel. Last July we went to Turkey for a month and I used flats exclusively during that time. The flour sack/ tea towels were almost $5.00 for a 4 pack. I have 2 packs. Seeing how cheap and effective these flats are is really making me regret buying expensive prefolds and pockets.
I also have 6 birdseye flats that I got 2 years ago from GreenMountainDiapers.com and 2 receiving blankets that I am using. So a total of 16 diapers! Not bad.
I have been doubling up since BB is such a heavy wetter lately. But with 16 diapers I can skip a day of washing if I have to.
My only problem is my lack of covers :(.  I needed to retire the Velcro covers I had since BB would not keep them on. So now I am down to only 4 covers. I can make that work.
Don't forget I am giving away a new pair of homemade wool longies size large- x large. To enter please leave a comment. The winner will be announced Monday.  

Rose Hip Oil Salve

Last year my mother in law gave me a big bag of rose hips that she had dried. I didn't really know what to do with them though. I tried tea which I didn't really like. I attempted jam but got so frustrated trying to clean out all of the little prickly hairs from the hips. I ended up straining out the rose hip pulp and making it into a syrup. The syrup is good over oatmeal :) The syrup can also be used as a supplement during cold season because of the high amount of vitamin C found in rose hips... I will tell you all about that in another post. But for now let's get back to the salve.
After some failures in my rose hip experiment I finally came across something that really intrigued me. I read about all of the skin healing properties found in rose hip oil.
Over the past year my skin has gone through so much. First and foremost I recently celebrated my 27th birthday and it shows lol. I feel like I have aged so much since having my son. I am definitely seeing signs of aging on my face. Secondly last summer I got my first bout of eczema. I never had it before and have no idea why all of a sudden it appeared... but it 's again back this year. Thirdly I went through a year of electrolysis which left my skin blotchy and scarred in some spots.  All in all my skin is a hot mess.
Rose hip oil does wonders for the skin. It is super moisturizing. It can help treat eczema, burns and sunburn. It also reduces the appearance of scars and wrinkles. Sounds like a win win to me.
So naturally I had to try it. I looked up how to make my own rose hip oil from what I had and settled on doing an infusion. I put the rose hips and carrier oil (I used almond oil) in my crock pot to speed up the infusion process.
I tried to use it just as an oil but didn't like how greasy I felt afterward. So it sat for a couple of months in my fridge. These rose hips were slowly becoming the bane of my existence. Until I discovered the wonderful world of SALVES!! How a little bit of beeswax could change my life is beside me.
I transformed my rose hip oil into a salve and what a difference. I now love using it and can't wait to try out different herbs.

 

 

 

 

Home Sweet Home... Back from Turkey

After being away for a month I am so happy to be home. It was a long trip home especially after missing my original flight and having to go on stand by the following day. I though I may never get home. But we made it. And just in time for my 8 year wedding anniversary.
We had a great time in Turkey.  I learned so many new recipes (will post soon) and got to spend time with my in laws.  It was amazing how quickly my son adjusted to everyone and everything.  

BB and his cousin Lutfi.  I got them these matching outfits. They look so cute together.  They really are BFF's.  When we first arrived my son was shy and wouldn't go to anyone except Lutfi.  He went right up to Lutfi and gave him a big hug!

Our homemade swing holding BB and Lutfi.  With Harun Amca pushing and Satinur Abla.

Lutfi and BB playing cars on the balcony.

Getting water for iftar in Oylat.

My mother-in-law with BB.

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