What's on the Outside Counts, Too!

Until I was pregnant with Little Bear, I never thought twice about what was in the soaps, cosmetics, lotions, or other body products that I used.  The fact that everything that goes on your body eventually ends up in your body was not something that I concerned myself with - at all.  I was the biggest fan of yummy-scented Bath and Body Works products, paraben-laden name-brand hair products, and tons of other stuff drenched in the "bad" ingredients that I now steer away from.

Straight from FDA website...

I thought that if the FDA allowed it to be sold, it must be (at least mostly) safe.  After tons of research (online, not in a lab - I missed that calling a long time ago) and as a much wiser and more cynical person, I've learned that it's almost always better not to trust your health and well-being to someone else, including the government.

Did you know that the FDA doesn't even regulate the cosmentic industry? In fact, no one does! That's not to say that the government and the consmetic companies have bad intentions or are intentionally harmful, but I'm just not willing to give control of my health over to companies who, as they arguably should be, are out to make a dollar (or a billion). Why wouldn't they use toxic chemicals that make their products cheaper and seem more effective to consumers if it made more money for their shareholders?

I'm also not saying that it's necessary to go 100% natural and give up all of your beauty favs, but it's at least worth thinking about. Rather than undergoing a full beauty overhaul - which can be super expensive since body products and cosmetics are generally NOT cheap - I, for the most part, phased out my products one-by-one as they ran out. I kept a few guilty pleasures (ahem, Got2b Powderful Texturizer), but have switched out most of my beauty regimen for all (or mostly all) natural products. I found my new favorite brands, and haven't missed my old ones one bit! For the most part, there truly is a natural alternative that works just as good if not better than its conventional counterpart.

As a guide, I use the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database to look up products and check their toxicity rating.  EWG is an independent company based out of California that does not receive any funding from any cosmetic or beauty product corporation. Along with great articles about product safety, they've rated thousands of products from 0 to 10 based on the available research (or lack of research) that's been done on the products' ingredients. This is such a great, free resource for learning more about the effects your beauty products could be having on your health.

If you're strapped for time, the EWG has put together a few quick-reference guides:

• List of major ingredients to avoid listed by product type and
• Printable pocket guide of the worst ingredient offenders in general.

Some biggie ingredients to avoid are parabens (a common preservative), PEGs, sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate (in most soaps, but it wreaks havoc on your skin), oxybenzone (in sunscreens and other SPF products, but is linked to cancer), and phthalates (linked to male infertility, among others).

I know it seems like a lot, but your health is so worth it!

As a cautionary aside - be careful with labels that claim that a product is "organic" or "natural," because often times the actual list of ingredients only contains some organic or natural ingredients. I've been duped by misleading labels enough times to be very skeptical about products with these claims (especially from brands that also make conventional products). If you're going to try the natural body products, take the time to read the ingredient list before making your purchase!

Some of my favorite brands that I've found to be pretty trustworthy with all-good ingredients are:

Yes to
Burt's Bees
Shea Moisture
La Mellite
Bare Escentuals
Kiss My Face
Mrs. Meyers
Seventh Generation
California Baby
Yes to Baby Carrots
100% Pure

Keeping the Kitchen Stocked

I'm a firm believer that a cook is only as good as her (his) pantry.  The first line of defense against food apathy is your shopping cart.  You are going to eat (and feed your family) what you bring home from the store - it's as simple as that!

I run a solo law practice with a 2-year-old and no hired help - trust me when I say, I understand busy!  Fortunately, eating "for real" does not mean hours in the kitchen or even a meticulously crafted food schedule (because who knows what day you'll come home with literally 15 minutes to throw dinner together?!).  It really comes down to appreciating your food for what it is and making a commitment to keeping it real.

Check out my pantry organizing blog here!

With that being said (or would it be typed?), here's what I always keep on hand in my pantry/refrigerator for emergency meals - rather than typing "organic" 100 times, let's just assume that everything listed is organic/non-GMO):

Canned Goods
I try to stay away from cans as much as possible (they're lined with BPA), but I keep these on hand for emergencies.

• Whole beans (pinto, kidney, garbanzo - whatever you like)
• Canned salmon without bones and skin
• Canned tuna
• Crushed tomatoes
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste

Boxed Goods

The keys here are organic and whole-wheat.  

• Whole wheat crackers (Ak-mak is our favorite!)
• Lower-sugar cereal (Little Bear's favorite is CF Fruit O's)
• Chicken, beef & vegetable stocks
• Coconut milk
• Spaghetti-style whole wheat pasta
• Elbow whole wheat pasta
• Rotini whole wheat pasta (love jovial einkorn pasta)
• Wheat-free, whole-grain pasta (love the corn/rice/quinoa/amaranth blends!)

From the Bulk Aisle

Buying in bulk saves tons of money and keeps healthy choices on hand.

• Dried beans (pinto, kidney, navy, etc.)
• Brown rice
• Whole wheat bread crumbs (or homemade)
• Quinoa
• Whole-grain (with the germ) corn grits/polenta
• Oats (whatever type you like, it's mostly all wholegrain)
• Popcorn (for late-night munchies!)
• Whole wheat pastry flour (for making roux)
• Various nuts & seeds
• Raisins
• Chia seeds
• Turbinado sugar

Bottled Ingredients

Find your favorite oils, vinegars & sweeteners and keep them stocked for quick sauces and dressings.

• Unrefined olive oil
• Unrefined coconut oil
• Unrefined sunflower oil (I recently found this really cheap at Walmart!)
• Unrefined, toasted sesame oil
• Raw, local honey
• Organic maple syrup
• Franks red hot (or other hot sauce)
• Balsamic vinegar
• Apple cider vinegar
• Lemon/lime juice
• Non GMO mayo
• Peanut butter

Freezer

Frozen fruit/veggies will usually be cheaper than fresh, and they are healthier than canned.  A quick sauté or broil will pull a side dish together super quickly.

• Frozen mixed veggies
• Frozen diced onions
• Frozen fruits
• Frozen spinach
• Frozen whole wheat ravioli
• Various types and cuts of meat, rewrapped into individual portions

Produce

It's so important to just buy what is locally in-season, but these gems are almost always available organic and tend to be pretty cheap.

• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Onions
• Bananas
• Apples
• Carrots
• Greens
• Pre-peeled garlic (without added preservatives)

Dairy

Adding a touch of cream or cheese to almost any sauce makes the meal instantly seem richer and more thoughtfully prepared.

• Sour cream
• Half & half
• Whole milk (raw or low-temp pasteurized, if you can)
• Cream cheese
• Greek yogurt
• Several cheese choices (freeze what you aren't using right away)

Extras

Keep these little extras on hand to add quick pizzaz to any dish.  Costco has a great selection of organic dried herbs & spices.

• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Dried rosemary
• Smoked paprika
• Onion powder
• Granulated garlic
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Cocoa powder
• Cumin
• Chili powder

Other
Just because it isn't 100% healthy, doesn't mean we don't occasionally need a quick sanity-saver!

• Whole-grain tortilla chips
• Cookies for Mommy (Anna's ginger thins & Late July "Oreos")
• Cookies for Little Bear (Arrowroot Maple Cookies)
• Chocolate bars (dark & milk - yum!)

Am I missing anything?  What are your secret cooking weapons?

Minus the Microwave, Please!

I had a couple of questions about why the casa de Olson decided to go sans microwave after I posted an instagram picture of my new coffee heating solution.

There isn't a simple answer, so rather than tapping out a response from my phone, I'll explain here.

I can't say that I've done extensive microwave research, but a quick "microwave safety" google search leaves little settled.  There are adamant folks on both sides.  I have no solid opinion about the actual safety of the microwave, but I tend to lean on the safer side of things when it comes to my food.  I pretty much just figured, why risk it? 

Also, when you really start to rely on real, homemade food, the microwave becomes less and less useful.  I ended up deciding that I can easily throw leftovers in the oven or in a skillet for a pretty quick reheat just as easily as I could put them in the micro and nuke 'em.  Without a microwave, I couldn't take the easy way out and compromise on nutrition anymore.  I had to think of a real, healthy meal for my fam rather than concede to a frozen/processed alternative.  Even if the microwave itself doesn't create health risks, it does superheat food and cause the nutrients to break down.

Really, it all boiled down to the fact that my kitchen isn't as big as I'd like, and with the very little mileage I was getting out of the microwave, I much preferred the extra counter space.  As I said on my instagram photo, the only thing that I really missed my microwave for was reheating my coffee/tea (as most moms know, as you introduce kids into your life, the second half of your coffee gets colder and colder...).  Simple problems beget simple solutions, though, - cue the coffee maker!

One Ingredient Crayon Remover!

As random as this post is... it works!  Little Bear took some creative license with the concept of "coloring book" and graffitied up his play room.  and the kitchen.  and the living room.  and the master bedroom.  and... yeah.  I learned that you really can color on carpets if you desire.

While there was no removing the crayon from the walls (thank goodness for the can of touch-up paint that we hold on to), and the carpets came clean with one run of the shampooer, the doors and white leather sofas were not such an easy clean.

After several trials and errors, I stumbled into a magical crayon remover:  almond oil!  

I wish I had better pictures for you, but it was pretty dark in the house, and by the time I was able to successfully remove all of the crayon (he's an efficient little graffiti artist...), I was too apathetic to finagle with the camera settings to get a better shot.  Maybe mommy needs photography lessons for Christmas, hint, hint :)

Before

After

It actually worked on all of the harder to clean, non porous surfaces, too (doors, tile, etc.)!  It also did a number on the scuff marks that were all over the back of the sofas from when they were moved into the house.  I was curious, so I tried different oils after I realized that the almond oil was such a good cleaner.  I had zero luck with olive, coconut and vegetable oil, though.  There really is something magic about the almond oil!

Do you have a stumbled-upon cleaning/housekeeping secret to share?

PERFECT Hair Mask (Yet Another Reason Why Coconut Oil Is the Best)

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It's no secret that I'm in love with about five single-ingredient products: coconut oil, chia seeds, bee pollen, witch hazel, and beer. Wait. Beer... what? I mean... coffee. Yeah, coffee.

Anyway, back to coconut oil. I literally use coconut oil for everything.   EVERYTHING.   Frying, baking, spreading, facial moisturizer, body lotion, after-sun care, nutritional supplement, hand cream, boo-boo cream (I have a 2-year-old, so give me some slack. It's boo-boo and potty and wee-wee for now, ok?).   One of my favorite coconut oil uses, though, is as a hair mask.  I have really fine hair.  When it's healthy, it shines like crazy.   But, when it's dried out, it's crunchy and frizzy.   Not pretty wavy and textured, but crunchy (I know you know what I mean...).  

I figured one day several months ago that if I use coconut oil for everything else, why not in my hair?! Here's how it works:

Start with an unrefined coconut oil (I'm a big Nutiva fan, and it can usually be found for pretty cheap on Amazon).

It'll be a solid in the tub, but will quickly melt in your hand. 

After your shower at night, take between a teaspoon and a tablespoon-sized glob (it's a word) in your fingers, depending on the length of your hair.

Work quickly to massage it through your hair.  You'll want to make sure you've covered all the way from your roots to your ends.  Use extra oil, if needed. 

Find a way to pull your hair up and back so it's not flopping around.  I braid the bottom of my hair and then secure it to the back and top of my head with bobby pins.  For some reason I always feel like Katniss Everdeen when I do this (laugh if you want, but it's the little things that get us through, right?).

Sleep with your hair this way (use a shower cap, if you are worried about greasing up your pillowcase). 

In the morning, wash and condition your hair as usual.  When your hair dries, it'll be super silky, shiny, and soft!  For me, it lasts about a week in turbo hair mode and then starts to wear off. 

Depending on your particular hair type, repeat every week to two weeks, as needed.

Let me know if you've tried this before or if you give it a go for the first time - I love to hear feedback on my favorite things (good and bad!)!

Pantry Tip!

I saw these shoe organizers at the store for around 5 bucks, and thought they'd make great pantry organizers! All of my favorite bottles, jars, and spices are really easy to access, plus I cleared tons of pantry shelf space for other things!

{Product Review} Ceramcor Xtrema 10" Skillet!

I gave away/threw away all of my nonstick pans a few years ago.  Something about nonstick cookware just bothers me.  It's super chemical-laden and usually doesn't hold up without flaking and scratching.  I am way too rough on my pots and pans to worry about scratches and overheating and hand washing...  I've been using Calphalon stainless steel pots and pans since I ditched the nonstick.  I really am a fan of stainless - mostly because it's so durable.  However, I've recently come across several sources that are saying that the metal does leach into food from stainless cookware.  ARGH.  I know we can't avoid everything, but if there's a better option then why not try?

When Ceramcor requested that I review their skillet, I was really excited about getting to try their all-natural cookware.  I instantly checked their pricing and thought that it was more than I would probably ever spend on cookware, but the product was just so intriguing.  The website and other promo materials really talk a big game.  I am a major propaganda cynic, so I wasn't counting on the pan to work the miracles that it claims to work. 

The cookware is lighter than it looks.  It actually has a cast iron look and feel to it, but it weighs significantly less.  The surface is shiny and pretty (and still all 100% ceramic).  The entire skillet is one piece, so I'll never have to worry about the handle coming loose. 

Ok, so it looks good, but can it hold its own on the stove?  Oh my holy moly - yes!  I've never been so impressed by a kitchen item ever.  EVER!  The pan takes a few minutes to get really hot, but it holds the heat amazingly well once its heated.  I wouldn't say that the surface is "non-stick" but it certainly is stick-resistant.  I made a quick tomato cream sauce in it (jarred organic pasta sauce + a dash of cream and garlic) and was super surprised that nothing was scorched at the bottom.  I even tossed in some chicken and whole wheat pasta and then baked it for a short bit.  The food slid right out with no problem!

 

 

Somehow, the pan gets really hot, but it keeps foods from burning (it's not fail proof, but it really is a forgiving pan!).  The bits that didn't pour right out of the pan, came out with one swipe of a Scotch-Brite sponge - just like magic!  It literally goes from super dirty pan to super shiny pan in less than a minute. 

I also loved that I can use anything in it without worrying about scratches.  I used a metal whisk when I made my bacon scalloped potatoes, and it is still pristine.  The metal did leave little grey marks in the bottom, but a vinegar swish and rinse had it restored to its original state in less than a minute.  I overcooked some green beans one night, too, and vinegar pulled up every last bit of imperfection that the beans left.

Since nothing really sticks, all it takes is a quick water soak and a sponge/washcloth and some soap to get it cleaned up.  If you have an accident, and the surface is really messed up, you can even use Bar Keeper's Friend or an SOS pad to get it clean - Ceramcor promises that it won't scratch the surface!

I haven't tried it yet, but the pan can also go straight from the fridge to the oven without cracking.  This would be so useful for prepping dinner the night before and just sticking it in the oven the next night (or for leaving a ready-to-go meal in the fridge that the fam just needs to heat up on a night that you're not home for dinner!).

Ceramcor has a whole line of 100% natural ceramic coookware - skillets, soup pots, bakeware, etc.  I'm absolutely adding a smaller skillet and a wok to my Christmas list!!!

Homemade Pore Strip Mask!

I came across a similar recipe on Pinterest and then did some research.  Everything I read was positive, so I gave it a try... LOVE! 

It was soooo cheap to make ($2.18 for four envelopes of gelatin), and it really did work!  One cautionary word - it hurts like a B (as in Biore, of course) when you pull it off.  Be careful around your eyebrows and hair line!  If it hurts to badly when you're peeling, just dampen the mask with a little bit of water, and it'll soften up (but, no pain no gain!).

Also, this is so great to do right after a clay mask.  The clay draws the toxins to the surface, and the mask peels the leftovers away!

{Product Review} Little Bear & His Trunki!

Little Bear's Easter Trunki got it's first airport trial today, and I am very impressed (with the Trunki and with Little Bear)!

We did a few practice runs by riding the Trunki around the house - just to make sure that he was strong enough to balance correctly - and all systems were go.  He very much enjoys filling it with toys/books and pushing it around the house, too.

At the airport, we attracted more than a few stares and "awww, look how cute"'s.  Little Bear, of course, loved all of the attention.  He started by pulling the Trunki behind him as we walked through the airport.  I told onlookers that if he was going to insist on dragging 5 bazillion toys with him, he was going to help carry them... I was only half joking.  The extra storage space was really great, as was not having to personally carry my purse, the diaper bag and his bag of carry-ons (I literally ran out of room in the checked baggage...)

Once he got tired, I let him ride while I pulled.  I was really surprised at how sturdy the Trunki was!  I had it packed FULL of toys, but, even with all of Little Bear's 33 pounds added on top, we had no troubles with the wheels.  At one point, Little Bear's feet hit the ground while I was walking pretty fast, and he went flying over the front of the thing, but no harm was done. 

The Trunki served not only to hold toys and give LB a break from walking the long terminals, but it was also a way to keep Little Bear's attention focused on something other than bolting for the water fountains (indoor splash parks in his eyes) and windows lined with mesmerizing planes.  I can't imagine going back to the airport without one again!

The Trunkis retail for $40, but they are usually less expensive on Amazon.  {As of the date of this post, the orange one like LB's is only $26!}  I don't think I'd pay the full $40, but the $26 is WELL worth the investment!

Getting Dirty!

Hello to everyone visiting from Pinterest!  I'm so happy that you've found my little corner of the Internet :) There's quite a bit here to explore, so please have a look around! Also, I'd love it if you would join us over on Facebook:

I have found the best and cheapest skin care product EVER!  Seriously, ever. Are you ready for this?  Really ready?

It's Dirt!

Well, clay actually, but dirt's dirt, right?

I read about clay's incredibly complex characteristics and uses over at A Real Food Lover and figured, "what the clay"!  [my mom thinks I'm funny. I swear.]  I've had skin issues since Little Bear was born, so I figured I'd add it to the list of supposed magical remedies and get to trying it eventually.

I found it in a grocery store for just 7 bucks, so I thought Mom and I could try it out. Oh Em Gee!  (ordinarily I hate that phrase, but it seems very fitting here...)

Not only did it extract all the ickies from my pores, both clogged and not, but it also closed my gaping pores up without a trace of Little Bear left on my face! My mom likened it to a microdermabrasion, but I never cared for them and I LOVED this.

I'd definitely say that this is something to move to the top of your "to try" list, especially with a price tag of around 7 bucks or less (usually less than $6 on Amazon)!

Where to find it?  You should be able to pick a jar of clay up at a health food store, a natural health store, or even online. I've been using this brand, but any clay powder should work relatively similarly.  I wouldn't get hung up on the "type" of clay or the brand (e.g., bentonite v. kaolin). Dirt's dirt, right?

The How's and the To's  The process is a little messy, but the procedure is super easy.

1. Mix equal parts of clay powder with equal parts water (or for really deep cleaning, use raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar). Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes.
2. Once most of the lumps can be stirred out of the mixture, apply liberally to your face. You will want to really cake it on - a minimum  of 1/4-inch thick. You'll probably feel like the swamp thing, but this can be used to your advantage [think about how many veggies your little ones will eat while the swamp thing is watching them, or how much more willing your loud neighbor will be to turn their d**n music down when the crazy swamp thing lady next door asks them].
3. Cover your face with a damp cloth (or plastic wrap, if you're desperate - don't suffocate!).
4. Let the mask set for 20 minutes to an hour.  
5. Use a wash cloth to remove the mask, and wash your face well.
6. Dry, tone and moisturize your skin. DONE!

Notable Notes  A few things to keep in mind:

You're not supposed to let the mixture come in contact with anything metal, including the mixing spoon and bowl, but if you're having trouble mixing the paste, the mini food processor is really helpful! Otherwise, make sure to use glass, ceramic, or plastic for mixing and applying.

If you don't have time to sit still long enough to cover your face with a damp cloth, you can let the mask dry without a cover. From what I've read, the cloth helps the mask be more effective, but I've had good results without a cloth, too.

You will most likely feel your face pulsate a few minutes after application. This is normal (and really cool). I think it has something to do with drawing your blood to the surface and helping to detox.


Once you've removed the mask, your black heads will be all loosened up and a pore strip will be super effective.  I read a review on Amazon to this effect, so I tried it. SUPER CLEAN SKIN!

In addition to your face, try using the mask on your feet (especially the bottoms of your feet). Your feet are a major "port of detox" for your body, so a good foot detox really helps to detox your whole body.

You can make the clay mixture thicker and use it to pull out infection or other skin maladies just about anywhere on your body. I used it to cure a little hangnail infection (darn those suckers are annoying) in just two one-hour applications. The clay actually drew out all of the nasty infection stuff (let's just say it was really gross when I removed the clay...) and made the infection go away all together. It's also wonderful for pulling the poison out of insect bites (fire ants!). I saved Little Bear from a nasty slew of itchy ant bites by caking on the clay and wrapping his ant-bite-ridden feet in plastic bags for 45 minutes. They never even made him itch!

There are a ton of other uses for clay, but I haven't had a chance to try them out. If you're interested, I highly recommend checking out my inspiration for this post over at A Real Food Lover!

Adorable, Fast & FREE Father's Day Gift Idea!

A friend just told me about Tagxedo.com but forgot to tell me that, in addition to being awesome, it's FREE!  I've been playing around with the settings for the past hour or so, and I am so in love with this new find!

You can create customized images with your own words inside.  Once these are matted and in a frame, they will make awesome gifts for almost any holiday.  I'm especially loving this idea for Father's Day (it'd be great office art work)!

To get started, just click on over to Tagxedo.com.

There are TONS of settings that you can use to customize your creation, but here are some of the biggies (it's not quite an intuitive interface...):

Filler Words

Click "load" on the creator home screen to add your descriptive words.  You can also use a url or tag list (if you're a blogger, this could be a fun tool!).  Most likely, you'll just be typing the words in the "enter text" field, though. 

Note:  Don't use hyphenated words, as they will come up as two separate words (I used hard-worker, and it put "hard" and "worker" in my picture.)

Change the Shape

You can change the shape of your image just by clicking on the expand arrow next to the "shape" option.  There are so, so many shapes from which you can choose!

Customizations

You can control everything from the font, to the color scheme.  This is where it gets really fun!  Use the arrows next to each option to manually select your choices, or click the arrow to "respin" and randomize each option.

Detailing

If you're really feeling controlling, there are even more settings that you can tinker with under the "word | layout options" menu.  You can control whether punctuation is allowed in, how often to repeat words, and the spacing between the words (among tons of other options). 

Save or Print

Once you have your image just how you want it, you can save it as an image, print it, share it, or even create a url for it!  Considering that this is a free service, you really are given tons of great (prime) options!

Print & Frame!

Here's my final image (I'll get a picture of the framed gift uploaded later):

{Product Review & Giveaway} ChicoBag Reusable Bags

Note:  The items in this review were provided to me by ChicoBag for the purpose of this review.  However, the opinions expressed here were in no way influenced by ChicoBag.  This review represents my honest opinion about the products.

I am a HUGE fan of reusable bags.  I have reusable shopping bags in every shape, color, fabric & size, and I never leave home without an array of snacks in various little bags.  So, when I heard that ChicoBag has reusable produce bags, I was instantly intrigued!

The produce stand bags come in three types, each for a different type of produce/food. I've been using the Complete Starter Kit, which includes one of each bag type:

• The rePETe bags are "designed to restrict airflow and lock in moisture, making them perfect for squash, broccoli, carrots and celery."  These bags "are made of 94% recycled content [and] are machine washable." 
• The rePETe Mesh bags are "designed to allow ethylene gas, nature’s ripening agent, to escape. The rePETe Mesh bags are perfect for apples, oranges, onions and potatoes."  These bags "are made of 94% recycled content [and] are machine washable."
• The Hemp Cotton bags are "made of 70 percent hemp, 30 percent cotton blend - the ideal produce bag for green beans, nuts, grains and bulk food items. The fabric is designed to absorb excess moisture and restrict airflow."

What a great idea, right?  The 3 bags come with a little carrying pouch, but I'm never together enough to fold the bags and stick them back in their pouches.  I just throw them in with the rest of my reusable bags and take them into the store that way.

I love that each bag has a little tag on the inside to remind you which produce is best in which bag.  I also love that I can throw them in the washing machine and not have to worry about cleaning them.  The Hemp Cotton bag does recommend hand washing, but I have a hand wash setting on my washing machine, so I just used that setting and hung the bag to dry.  It survived and still looks great!

I loved getting to try one of each bag in the Starter Kit, but I really wish that I had more than one of each at the store.  I ended up combining all of the produce that was recommended for each bag together in that bag and then taking it out of the bag at the register for weighing and paying.  Everything went back in the bag and then went straight into the fridge when I got home.

I'm signed up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) share this summer, and the produce comes in one big plastic bag.  I would HIGHLY recommend these bags for anyone participating in a CSA!  It has been super convenient to sort out my produce and store it in the fridge.  Otherwise, the produce has to go straight into the crisper without any protection.

Final Grade:  A

I also got to try ChicoBag's Snack Time bags.  I was leery about the velcro closures at first, as I was worried about smaller items slipping out of the sides.  But, the way that the velcro is placed (at an angle) kept this from being a problem.  I really like that the bags can be closed just at the top for larger items like sandwiches, or you can fold the bag over (almost in half) and close a second velcro tab for smaller items like nuts, animal crackers, and small candies.

Again, I love that these bags are machine washable!  They are also super durable.  You won't have to worry about crumbs breaking through like in a plastic bag and getting all over your purse or diaper bag, because these are just nearly impenetrable! 

Another plus:  Because they are so deep when fully opened (about 9"), I can hand a bag to Little Bear without worrying about loose snacks falling out during his clumsy escapades. 

I do wish that there were more fabric options.  I like being about to put various snacks in bags and know which one I'm grabbing because of the fabric color/pattern.  I also wouldn't want to put anything too wet or juicy in these bags, because the top doesn't seal completely (because of the velcro closure).

Final Grade:  A-

The last ChicoBag product that I tried was one of their Print bags.  These bags come in tons of colors and patterns.  They are super light weight, but still have a 40 pound carrying capacity.  I could tell as soon as I unwrapped the bag that it was extra tough!  Something about the construction just feels like it is very, very well made.  I wouldn't bat an eye at carrying multiple gallons of milk in this baby. 
The bag has an attached pouch that you can fold it back in to, but (as I said) I'm not really patient enough to mess with it.  I did fold it up to throw it in my purse after I dropped some things off that I was carrying in it, and I was surprised at how easy it was to fold it back up.

I have so, so many reusable shopping bags, and this is absolutely one of my favorites!  It just feels fancy and luxurious.  I know that is a weird thing to say about a bag, but when grocery shopping and carrying kids' stuff around is your life, quality bags really do become a thing of luxury :)
Final Grade:  A

Overall, I am super impressed with ChicoBag's reusable bags!  Their bags are a little pricier than the ones you can get off the shelf, but you get what you pay for, right?  Every item that I used seemed super durable with a sort of understated elegance.  The colors are classy and trendy, and the products were absolutely designed for real life. 

Because they are super awesome, ChicoBag has given me an exclusive promo code just for y'all!  Click here to shop their online store, and then use promo code CBBLUR25 to save an extra 25% off everything!  {the promo excludes accessories, sale items, and swag; is good for one use per person; and expires 6/30/2012}

PLUS, what would a review be without a giveaway?!  Three winners will each receive one of reusable bags featured in this review!  Be sure to stop by ChicoBag's facebook page and thank them for this great giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pantry Makeover!

I started this project weeks ago and have been slowly completing it since then (not because it's difficult, but because I was trying to bum jars off of my mom).  There are still a few changes that I want to make, but, for now, it's ready for its debut!

I was pulling my hair out every time I needed something from the pantry.  I kept most of my bulk goods in jars, but I still had bags lying around on random shelves - there were boxes here, bags there, and cans everywhere...  Argh!!!

So, with very little to spend, and very little time to devote, I did a pantry makeover.  Best of all, the final cost was only $37!!

I started by buying 14 blue plastic bins from the dollar tree (only $1 each!).  They rotate their stock, so the odds of being able to match these are pretty low, but they almost always seem to have cheap plastic storage bins of some sort.  I organized the packaged, bottled, and canned goods into these bins (snacks, spicy, sweet, pasta, tea, etc.).

I bought regular-mouth quart canning jars from Walmart.  If you buy the Kerr or Ball jars, they're about $12 for 12 jars, but Walmart now has their own line of jars for cheaper.  They were $7-something for 12 jars.  I used these for my bulk items and anything that would normally come in a non-resealable bag (rice, beans, quinoa, corn meal, etc.).  I also used the new plastic lids for the canning jars.  They run about $3 for 8.

To prop up the back row of jars, I turned half pint wide-mouth jars upside-down and set the quart jars on top of them.  These jars are a little more difficult to find than the quart jars, but I ended up scouting them out at ACE Hardware.  You may be able to find them at Walmart, too.

I used 2 1/2 inch round mailing labels on everything.   I downloaded Blessed Day for the script font and Coventry Garden for the center wording.  If you're interested in the label template, click here to download it through google docs.  You will still need to separately download the fonts, though.

All done!  I still need to get the tomato cans taken care of, but I don't actually plan on rebuying canned tomato products after I use up what I have now.  Who knows what I'll do with the extra pantry space!

Oh, and, on one of the side walls, I hung little mug hooks to hold our aprons and onion goggles.

(Stupid) New Facebook Protocol...

I started last week with a mini resolution to avoid calling everything stupid.  I way overuse the word, and it sometimes makes me just plain grumpy.  Stupid car.  Stupid people (not y'all!).  Stupid computer.  Stupid.  Stupid.  Stupid.  I really like the word...  However, I've consciously done a pretty good job of not using it the past week.  Until the new facebook page rules came out....  Stupid new facebook.

I know that there have been several rumors circulating about facebook charging folks to use the service (my whole world might just end) over the past few years, but this is for real.  As of now, facebook pages will have to pay to "promote" each of their statuses just so that the fans who already like their pages can see their updates.  This is so asinine that the stupidness of it doesn't even need discussing.

Here's an example:

As you can see, only 150 of my over 2,000 facebook fans were shown this status update.  However, I can pay $10 to have facebook pop it up in 1,800 of my fans' newsfeeds.  SO -- I can get as many fans as I want, but even after y'all have decided to like my page and follow my updates, facebook will only let you see my updates if I pay $5 or $10 PER UPDATE to show it to more fans.  I realize that facebook is a (now publicly-traded) company that's just trying to make a profit, but REALLY facebook?

Those of us with "not for profit" pages are really left up a tree here, because the few bucks that I make from y'all using my affiliate links (thanks, by the way!) certainly will not yet come close to covering even one "promoted" update per day. 

So, what can you do?  First, complain to facebook!  There is much to be said for a well-written complaint letter/email...  But, for now, there are ways that you can make sure that your favorite pages show up more often, even without promoted statuses.  The algorithm that facebook uses to determine which statuses will be shown to whom and when weighs pretty heavily on how interactive a page's user has been.  If you like, comment, and share the content often, the page's content will show up in your feed more often. 

You can also go to a page's profile and hover your mouse over the "liked" button at the top right of the screen.  When the little menu pops up, make sure that "show in newsfeed" is selected.  This won't guarantee that you will still see all of that page's updates, though, so you'll still want to be as interactive as you can with the pages your care about!

Also, utilize other means of info-gathering.  Subscribe to your favorite pages' mailing lists for updates, follow them on twitter, pinterest, google +, etc.  You may just have to manually check the page's updates (but be sure that the top of the timeline feed says "posts by page" so that it doesn't just show the day's highlights.

I know that most of this seems like useless info for personal users without a facebook "page," but the content that you see in your newsfeed has been drastically altered.  I'm a big fan of staying informed and knowing how to be a few steps ahead of the system, so consider yourself warned!

I'm stepping off of my (somewhat angry) soapbox now.  The step is open... what do you think about the changes?

Supermom Crib Sheet Trick

I *think* I read about this in a product review comment before Little Bear was born.  Regardless of where the idea came from, it's saved me tons of sanity over the past year and a half!  I've only done it with crib sheets, but I don't see why it wouldn't work on a toddler bed or even a twin-size mattress.

I seriously feel like a supermom when I have to change the sheets and can do it in less than 15 seconds!

What you'll need:

• 4 fitted crib sheets
• 1 mattress protector
• 3 crib pads (mine aren't full-length, but I wish they were)

What you do:

1.  Take the mattress out of the crib, and put the mattress protector on it.

2.  Put a crib sheet over the protector.

3.  Lay a crib pad flat over the sheet.

4.  Layer another sheet over the pad.

5.  Repeat steps 3 & 4 with the remaining pads and sheets.  I use 4 sheets, but you could do more or less, depending on what works best for you.

When you're layering, you'll want to start with the tightest-fitting sheet and work your way out to the loosest-fitting one.  I found that the jersey-type material was stretchier than the sateen or regular cotton sheets.

Now, when your little one wets through a diaper or spills a water cup in the crib, you just have to remove the top sheet & pad, and you're all set to go with clean sheets! 

I promise that when you have a late-night accident, you will really feel like supermom when you can do a sheet change that quickly & easily.  I can't even imagine having to take the mattress out of the crib and start from scratch every time Little Bear had an accident!