The End 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!"

Unfortunately I didn't make it to the end of this year's challenge. I completed 5 days. Last year I finished the challenge and continued to hand wash for an additional 2 weeks and continued using flats for another 2 months. I know that I could do it if I had to but fortunately I don't have to.
This challenge has made me seriously consider getting rid of a lot of my stash and sticking to flats if there is ever a baby #2 in my life.
Congratulations to everyone that did complete the challenge. It isn't an easy task.
And now without further ado. The winner of the wool longies is.....
Mommytoreanne!

I also have this crocheted soaker up for sale in my Etsy shop.

Day 6 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!"

Ok I'm out. I am sad to say it but I'm done. BB has been coming down with something. He was up all night coughing to the point of vomiting. I hope it is nothing. He has had a couple of upper respiratory things this year. I have used 3 disposable diapers. I almost feel guilty if I don't hand wash the flats from yesterday. I will see if I get around to it. My dream team (my mom and step sister) are out of town so I am holding down the fort by myself. Which is no easy task when there are still 6 mouths to feed and clean up after.

Today I am hoping to join thousands of others in the March Against Monsanto. This week the Senate rejected a bill that would give States the option to decided if they want to make the labeling of GMO foods mandatory or not. This bill was just to give States the choice. But now they are not even allowed to do that. There is no evidence that GMO's are safe nor are there any long term studies done on their effects on humans. Please join me in Marching against the Godfather of GMO's Monsanto. There will be locations all around the country.
Also don't forget that I am giving away a pair of handmade wool longies. I am not the best seamstress but they are completely functional. Please leave a comment to enter. Good Luck! Winner will be announced Monday!

Day 5 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!"

After 5 days on this challenge the lessons that I have learned are...
Keeping a regular washing routine is crucial!
Stick to folds you know or be ready for some messy clean-up.
Take it one day at a time.
Second time around is not as fun as the first.


My go to fold from last year. Tutorial here.

This year I am struggling more with the challenge. I am dreading having to wash the diapers today. I am avoiding that job like the plague. But it must be done.
This year I stuck to pad folds. That's it. I know BORING. But I just can't get fancy with the folds when I have a boy that won't stop. Not even for 2 seconds. Last year I was more adventurous with the folds and learned the hard way that the origami fold was not for us.
This year I just am not as motivated as I was last year. Maybe since I already completed the challenge and know I can do it and proved to myself that I have done it. I don't know but I just don't have the same gusto as I did last year. But I am no quitter! I will finish!
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 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.

Third Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge

DirtyDiaperLaundry.com

"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!"

This will be my second year participating in the Flats and Hand washing Challenge. I decided to participate once again for the simple reason that I had so much fun last year. Yes I find hand washing diapers covered in poop and pee to be fun! LOL.
Last year my reasons were much more personal. I was poor growing up. I lived 3 years from the age of 6 to the age of 9 without running water. Our well had dried up and my parents could not afford to get it filled. It was hard. But through that experience I became more conscious about water conservation.  For the whole story you can read my post from last year here.
This year will be more challenging than last. First of all my son is 2.5 years old and soaks through everything. I have slowly moved further and further away from cloth diapers and have been much more reliant on disposables. I really need to get back on track with cloth diapering and hope this challenge forces me to do so. My budget and the environment will thank me for that.

Lastly I believe that the more knowledge and experience that I have with diapering on a budget the more I can help people that may be in the same position I was in as a child.
Like last year I will be holding a give away to celebrate the end of the Flats and Hand washing Challenge. This year I will be giving away a new pair of handmade wool longies. I made them from an upcycled thrifted sweater that I felted. They are size large- x large. I am not much of a seamstress so there are some flaws but are totally functional. The waist is elasticized. If you'd like a chance to win these longies please leave a comment. The winner will be announced Monday May 27, 2013.

Goals for 2013

With a new year comes new dreams. I started this year with a new appreciation for life and a strong drive to make this year the year I finally accomplish my goals so I can live the life I have always dreamed of living.
1) My biggest and probably most difficult goal for this year is to take control of my health and lose around 50 lbs. I have struggled with my weight my whole life but am determined to get to a healthy weight. I have been eating clean for the past 3 weeks. It has been wonderful. Not only am I eating better... I am saving time by prepping ahead and saving a bundle of money since I am not eating out anymore. The biggest change has been giving up soda. I never realized how addicting that stuff really is. The first week or 2 I kept craving it but now I have no desire for it.
2) Produce more of my own food.  With me transitioning to a clean real food diet I am thinking more and more about where our food comes from. The food industry is so corrupt that the only way to guarantee what you are actually eating is safe you must grow or raise it yourself.  I am going to try my hands at some meat birds this year Inshallah.
3) Get out of debt for good.  This has been an on going process.  I have paid $600 towards one debt this month and cut up my only credit card. I sold my old car so will be getting another $1000 to pay down our debt.
4) Spend more time together as a family. This is more my husbands goal but I have always wanted to become closer. We decided we will start praying together. This will be a great tool to help teach BB more about our faith.  It will strengthen our iman and our love for Allah (swt). Bonus, praying in congregation increases its reward too!

I have declared this year as my year of change! I am so excited to share my journey this year with all of you. Happy New Year!

Mama Mushroom!

Back in April I bought a mushroom box from Gardens Alive.  After a couple of weeks we got some decent sized mushrooms.  Here's how big they were before leaving for camp. 

This is what I came home to 3 days later. I can't believe how big they got basically over night. This was our first harvest.

I checked on the box this morning and we have couple small ones again. Probably by Monday we will be harvesting again.
I am loving this. I am not sure if I am saving any money growing our own or if it would have been cheaper to get the mushrooms from the store but this way is so much fun. It even got my husband excited. I found pictures of the mushrooms on his cell phone lol. He took care of them while I was camping.