As usual in my life, everything has been nuts. This hasn't left me with much time for blogging, but I made this recipe today and it was too delicious not to share. I'm not usually a "side of the box" recipe person, but my husband requested this one when he read it. Its an incredibly delicious dessert that I have officially added to my recipe box.
Prep time: <5 minutes (Chopping banana, measure ingredients)
Cook time - <10
Cool time < about an hour
Total < 1 hour 15 minutes
You'll need:
1 Box of Murray Vanilla Wafer (I stole the recipe from this brand, but any brand would do)
1 Banana (the box calls for 3, but my kids ate two of them before I could make it, I'll be sticking with 1)
1 cup of sugar
4 egg (yolks only)
2 Tbsp flour (all purpose)
2 cups milk (I used 1%)
1 tsp vanilla
Whipped topping (We didn't use this, it was great without it!)
1 large sauce pan
2 qt bowl
Spoon
1. Mix sugar, flour, egg yolk, and milk
2. Stir over medium until it boils (it'll thicken a little as it heats, keep stirring)
3. Remove from heat when it boils
4. Add in vanilla and stir well
5. Layer bottom of bowl with vanilla wafers and 1/2 the sliced banana
6.Put half of the pudding on top
7. Repeat wafer and banana
8. Top with the rest of the pudding
9. Refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour to 2 hours :)
ENJOY!
Pepper and Mommy
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Meal Plan
So, I went shopping a day early this week and cut off one meal from my last meal plan. Since it was pancakes and eggs I can get away with that. :) So having a meal plan doesn't necessarily box you into eating that during that particular night, its just helpful. I will switch things around as suited. I didn't really fill out the breakfast area too differently this week, though I usually do try and switch things up a bit/add new things. I did 10 hours of homework straight on Sunday, so I really didn't want to look at the computer any longer than necessary this week.
This week I'm planning on highlighting three recipes and showing how easy one other process is. I'll be giving the recipes for my pastries (though I stole the recipe from my other friend named Melissa, thank you by the way!) they're similar to a toaster strudel, but they're (mostly) homemade and come out of the oven. You can make them entirely homemade, but having two kids I don't always have time to make my own dough. These cheats save over an hour of time, so they're definitely worth it.
I'll also be giving the recipe for my pork chops, but I'm not quite sure which ones I'm going to make yet. So I'll post more details about that after they're made.
I also want to highlight a food option (meatless, how cool is that?) that I don't feel people make enough in their own homes. Falafel. Its seriously easy to make, extremely delicious, and if you cheat and buy the box mix a quick option too. I'm planning on take some pictures of the making process (no fryer required, just a fry pan and some veggie oil) and also some serving options. Since a lot of people don't make it, some people are really stumped with what to do with it. I can also include my tzatiki sauce, which is delicious with it.
So here's my meal plan for the week.
Some other tips for meal planning:
*Know your schedule and plan accordingly. My husband has a doctors appointment in Richmond today, so I'm keeping it simple. While I can cook with my two kids stuck to my legs like barnacles, its nice just to keep it simple. So I'm having sandwiches and salad for dinner. Higher in sodium than I like, but its only one meal. The rest of the weak balances that out.
*Holes in the schedule are okay. Saturday and Sunday I'm not sure what I'm making for breakfast. I have a box of pancake mix in the cabinet for mornings like this. Or if I'm tired, cereal and fruit it is.
*Breakfast can be any meal. Egg in a hole sandwich (ignore my spelling on my spreadsheet, I didn't spell chick it) is delicious, and the kids think its cool. I just use whatever cookie cutter shape they like at the moment, and put cook the egg in the hole. I'll post some pictures this week.
*Do baking all at once if possible. On Thursday I'm planning on making french bread pizza (it says pockets, but the dough wasn't on sale this week) So while I'm baking my pizzas for lunch, I can be preparing my pastries and just throw them in right after the pizza is done. Breakfast for the next morning: done. All I need to do in the morning is reheat and serve.
*Some times I don't know my side dishes. It depends whats in the cabinet, what we have laying around, or what I feel like cooking. Ergo Monday's question mark.
*Ask your families input. My brain was seriously fried when I did this (ergo misspellings) and I had a hole on Thursday night and I did NOT want to shop until I filled it. So I asked my husband and he jumped on the chance to beg for the enchiladas again (they're his favorite of the moment)
*Ready made meal options are okay every once and awhile. So I'm not totally proud of it, but some mornings handing my kids pop tarts is all I can really muster. I just try and make sure the majority of their week has less sugar than that.
This week I'm planning on highlighting three recipes and showing how easy one other process is. I'll be giving the recipes for my pastries (though I stole the recipe from my other friend named Melissa, thank you by the way!) they're similar to a toaster strudel, but they're (mostly) homemade and come out of the oven. You can make them entirely homemade, but having two kids I don't always have time to make my own dough. These cheats save over an hour of time, so they're definitely worth it.
I'll also be giving the recipe for my pork chops, but I'm not quite sure which ones I'm going to make yet. So I'll post more details about that after they're made.
I also want to highlight a food option (meatless, how cool is that?) that I don't feel people make enough in their own homes. Falafel. Its seriously easy to make, extremely delicious, and if you cheat and buy the box mix a quick option too. I'm planning on take some pictures of the making process (no fryer required, just a fry pan and some veggie oil) and also some serving options. Since a lot of people don't make it, some people are really stumped with what to do with it. I can also include my tzatiki sauce, which is delicious with it.
So here's my meal plan for the week.
Some other tips for meal planning:
*Know your schedule and plan accordingly. My husband has a doctors appointment in Richmond today, so I'm keeping it simple. While I can cook with my two kids stuck to my legs like barnacles, its nice just to keep it simple. So I'm having sandwiches and salad for dinner. Higher in sodium than I like, but its only one meal. The rest of the weak balances that out.
*Holes in the schedule are okay. Saturday and Sunday I'm not sure what I'm making for breakfast. I have a box of pancake mix in the cabinet for mornings like this. Or if I'm tired, cereal and fruit it is.
*Breakfast can be any meal. Egg in a hole sandwich (ignore my spelling on my spreadsheet, I didn't spell chick it) is delicious, and the kids think its cool. I just use whatever cookie cutter shape they like at the moment, and put cook the egg in the hole. I'll post some pictures this week.
*Do baking all at once if possible. On Thursday I'm planning on making french bread pizza (it says pockets, but the dough wasn't on sale this week) So while I'm baking my pizzas for lunch, I can be preparing my pastries and just throw them in right after the pizza is done. Breakfast for the next morning: done. All I need to do in the morning is reheat and serve.
*Some times I don't know my side dishes. It depends whats in the cabinet, what we have laying around, or what I feel like cooking. Ergo Monday's question mark.
*Ask your families input. My brain was seriously fried when I did this (ergo misspellings) and I had a hole on Thursday night and I did NOT want to shop until I filled it. So I asked my husband and he jumped on the chance to beg for the enchiladas again (they're his favorite of the moment)
*Ready made meal options are okay every once and awhile. So I'm not totally proud of it, but some mornings handing my kids pop tarts is all I can really muster. I just try and make sure the majority of their week has less sugar than that.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Italian Meatloaf, One Version
For my family meatloaf is sort of synonymous with "clean out the fridge". We'll pretty much try anything in it, and have never experienced something that doesn't work. So I say get crazy with your meatloaf. If you think you might want to add it, go for it. Once again, I'm not a measurer of spices. I just add them until I feel they look good. Another thing to do is to add things that are already seasoned, (like the pasta sauce in this one) just keep that in mind to adjust the saltiness when you're adding spices. Here's one that was a particular favorite.
Pepperoni Meatloaf
Approx 6 oz. Mozzarella cheese
1/4 lb of pepperoni
left over jar of pasta sauce
1 egg (a few spoons of sour cream can be used as an emulsifier if you want to leave this out, when we made this we were just out of eggs and it tasted great)
1 and 1/2 - 2lbs of ground beef. We usually use 90/10 or 95/5 depending
Salt
Italian herbs
Garlic powder
Italian bread crumbs (or left overs from a loaf of bread, torn up)
Pepper
Pre-heat oven to 350
Mix ground beef, spices, egg (or sour cream), and bread crumbs in a large bowl until well mixed.
Place half the mixture in a loaf pan
Spread thin layer of pepperoni, cheese, and sauce
Add other half of mixture on top
Add pepperoni, cheese, and sauce on top
Cover with foil
Bake for 1 hour or until heated throughout
Drain off any excess grease, this is optional, but I prefer to do so to cut some of the fat out of this
*Tips - I use the sauce on top, this keeps the cheese from melting.
The amounts of cheese, pepperoni, and sauce vary, because they're usually left overs from another recipe during the week. You can adjust this to pretty much any amount of these ingredients you have left, or you like. We like ours moderately cheesey, so we don't use a whole ton.
Sliced deli pepperoni works better than the packaged, because its easier to cut with a knife for serving.
To save money while shopping, have this recipe in the same week as a homemade pizza, or homemade pizza pockets. You can use the leftovers to make this, and save from having to buy ingredients for a whole different meal. (recipe for those to follow in a few days!)
You can add almost anything to this recipe you like thats in the fridge. Don't be afraid to experiment with your meatloaf.
Pepperoni Meatloaf
Approx 6 oz. Mozzarella cheese
1/4 lb of pepperoni
left over jar of pasta sauce
1 egg (a few spoons of sour cream can be used as an emulsifier if you want to leave this out, when we made this we were just out of eggs and it tasted great)
1 and 1/2 - 2lbs of ground beef. We usually use 90/10 or 95/5 depending
Salt
Italian herbs
Garlic powder
Italian bread crumbs (or left overs from a loaf of bread, torn up)
Pepper
Pre-heat oven to 350
Mix ground beef, spices, egg (or sour cream), and bread crumbs in a large bowl until well mixed.
Place half the mixture in a loaf pan
Spread thin layer of pepperoni, cheese, and sauce
Add other half of mixture on top
Add pepperoni, cheese, and sauce on top
Cover with foil
Bake for 1 hour or until heated throughout
Drain off any excess grease, this is optional, but I prefer to do so to cut some of the fat out of this
*Tips - I use the sauce on top, this keeps the cheese from melting.
The amounts of cheese, pepperoni, and sauce vary, because they're usually left overs from another recipe during the week. You can adjust this to pretty much any amount of these ingredients you have left, or you like. We like ours moderately cheesey, so we don't use a whole ton.
Sliced deli pepperoni works better than the packaged, because its easier to cut with a knife for serving.
To save money while shopping, have this recipe in the same week as a homemade pizza, or homemade pizza pockets. You can use the leftovers to make this, and save from having to buy ingredients for a whole different meal. (recipe for those to follow in a few days!)
You can add almost anything to this recipe you like thats in the fridge. Don't be afraid to experiment with your meatloaf.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Roasted Carrots with Honey
This is a super easy one, that my toddlers love!
*NOTE: Honey (even cooked according to some sources) should not be fed to infants under 12 months. Home cooking methods can not get the honey hot enough to destroy the botulism toxins.
Carrots (I use regular bunch carrots, you can use baby carrots or sticks too. Adjust cooking time accordingly)
Olive Oil
Honey
Pepper
Salt
Preheat Oven to 350
Drizzle with olive oil
Roll them to coat with oil
Pour honey over, I use a few drizzles to sweeten, about 1/8 of a cup, but my mom always used closer to 1/4 of a cup. You can adjust the sweetness as needed
Season with salt and pepper
Roll around again to coat evenly
Bake between 40 minutes to an hour. Bake longer to make them softer, less to make them crunchier. I bake them an hour for my two toddlers.
*Variations- Skip the honey and just use oil and pepper
Use butter in place of olive oil
Replace olive oil and honey with butter and brown sugar (just a few sprinkles of sugar and roll them a few times while baking to prevent burning.
*NOTE: Honey (even cooked according to some sources) should not be fed to infants under 12 months. Home cooking methods can not get the honey hot enough to destroy the botulism toxins.
Carrots (I use regular bunch carrots, you can use baby carrots or sticks too. Adjust cooking time accordingly)
Olive Oil
Honey
Pepper
Salt
Preheat Oven to 350
Drizzle with olive oil
Roll them to coat with oil
Pour honey over, I use a few drizzles to sweeten, about 1/8 of a cup, but my mom always used closer to 1/4 of a cup. You can adjust the sweetness as needed
Season with salt and pepper
Roll around again to coat evenly
Bake between 40 minutes to an hour. Bake longer to make them softer, less to make them crunchier. I bake them an hour for my two toddlers.
*Variations- Skip the honey and just use oil and pepper
Use butter in place of olive oil
Replace olive oil and honey with butter and brown sugar (just a few sprinkles of sugar and roll them a few times while baking to prevent burning.
Chicken Enchilada
Chicken Enchiladas:
Baking Dish- 13 x 11
Chicken - I used about 3/4 lb boneless skinless breast
Tortillas
Enchilada Sauce (I use red)
Monterey Jack Cheese
Cumin
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Ortega Taco Sauce (This is optional)
PreHeat Oven to 350 -
Cube the chicken
Cook over medium heat until no longer pink.
Season with cumin, garlic powder, a few pinches of salt and pepper, and approx 1/4 cup of Taco Sauce (I don't measure spices.. everyone's tastes are different, season to your family's taste level)
Cook on low for an additional few minutes.
Spoon mixture into tortilla shells and roll. (You can also add cheese in the shell and roll for extra cheesiness)
Place seam side down on the pan
Pour enchilada sauce generously to coat
Cover with cheese generously
Place aluminum foil over baking dish
Bake approx 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly
Let stand a few minutes to cool
Serve with your choice of toppings. We use sour cream, and my husband adds some hot pepper flakes to taste
This is a family favorite of ours that is so simple to make. They sell kits to make this, but the sodium is so much higher, and they include MSG. Once you learn to season to your taste, you'll never want to buy a taco kit again!
Baking Dish- 13 x 11
Chicken - I used about 3/4 lb boneless skinless breast
Tortillas
Enchilada Sauce (I use red)
Monterey Jack Cheese
Cumin
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Ortega Taco Sauce (This is optional)
PreHeat Oven to 350 -
Cube the chicken
Cook over medium heat until no longer pink.
Season with cumin, garlic powder, a few pinches of salt and pepper, and approx 1/4 cup of Taco Sauce (I don't measure spices.. everyone's tastes are different, season to your family's taste level)
Cook on low for an additional few minutes.
Spoon mixture into tortilla shells and roll. (You can also add cheese in the shell and roll for extra cheesiness)
Place seam side down on the pan
Pour enchilada sauce generously to coat
Cover with cheese generously
Place aluminum foil over baking dish
Bake approx 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly
Let stand a few minutes to cool
Serve with your choice of toppings. We use sour cream, and my husband adds some hot pepper flakes to taste
This is a family favorite of ours that is so simple to make. They sell kits to make this, but the sodium is so much higher, and they include MSG. Once you learn to season to your taste, you'll never want to buy a taco kit again!
Monkey Wrench in the Plans
So, David wasn't able to ship out this time. This changed my entire food list. I've had to go back and re-work everything. So, here's my first week plan. Things are a little crazy with a tight budget, and I've got a fussy toddler who only eats certain things now, so there isn't a large variety, especially with breakfast and lunch. This will change over the next few weeks. I like to think of this as an evolving work in progress. These are some really simple dishes, making my oven work over time this week. None of these involve anything special or complicated. Next week, when things settle down I'm planning on putting a few of my favorites, such as homemade baked potato soup. This is also really simple, and sooo much better than from a can, so please check me out again next week.
Some tips for making your own food plan:
1. Start on the day you go shopping. I shop on Wednesdays or Thursdays, so my list will always start there.
2. Use the freshest food first. This applies to meats AND veggies. My chicken and beef dishes are in the beginning of the week, and my fish toward the end, as I'm using a frozen variety this week. For the veggies, I use the salad first, then my root veggies, before going to the frozen veggies at the end of the week.
3. Give yourself a no cooking day. Mine is Friday this week. Cereal for breakfast, Peanut Butter and Jelly for lunch, and then ordering out for dinner. Mom's work 24/7, I like having a day out of the kitchen once and awhile.
4. Waffles are my quick go to for a hot breakfast for mornings after I've been up doing homework late (or watching Grey's Anatomy, hence Friday being no cooking day!)
5. Normally I don't do so many pre-made lunch meals in a row, but its been a crazy few weeks, and sometimes we just need a break!
6. When you put something on the list, you can type out a shopping list at the same time. Mine are usually on the same spreadsheet.
7. If you want to save paper and ink, you can skip printing it, and keep your food list in a folder or save it as your background picture.
8. If you run out of ideas, breakfast for dinner is ALWAYS a hit!
Here's a quick idea of how I do mine without further ado.
Some tips for making your own food plan:
1. Start on the day you go shopping. I shop on Wednesdays or Thursdays, so my list will always start there.
2. Use the freshest food first. This applies to meats AND veggies. My chicken and beef dishes are in the beginning of the week, and my fish toward the end, as I'm using a frozen variety this week. For the veggies, I use the salad first, then my root veggies, before going to the frozen veggies at the end of the week.
3. Give yourself a no cooking day. Mine is Friday this week. Cereal for breakfast, Peanut Butter and Jelly for lunch, and then ordering out for dinner. Mom's work 24/7, I like having a day out of the kitchen once and awhile.
4. Waffles are my quick go to for a hot breakfast for mornings after I've been up doing homework late (or watching Grey's Anatomy, hence Friday being no cooking day!)
5. Normally I don't do so many pre-made lunch meals in a row, but its been a crazy few weeks, and sometimes we just need a break!
6. When you put something on the list, you can type out a shopping list at the same time. Mine are usually on the same spreadsheet.
7. If you want to save paper and ink, you can skip printing it, and keep your food list in a folder or save it as your background picture.
8. If you run out of ideas, breakfast for dinner is ALWAYS a hit!
Here's a quick idea of how I do mine without further ado.
Any questions or suggestions please email me at Melissa.Brook@hotmail.com
If anyone wants the recipes for how I prepare things please feel free to email me! Eventually I'll work up to adding them all on here as a database sort of thing. (For examples, my pop tarts are homemade, and easily done! as are my mashed potatoes, and baked carrots.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Getting Ready To be a Married Single Parent.
I know I haven't been updating this as much as I should, but since my husband is leaving in 6 DAYS, I'll have a lot more time...
So, now I'm in the process of getting everything ready for him to leave. My first order of business was making a playroom. Since I only have a two bedroom apartment, how did I accomplish that? I moved K's "big boy" bed into our bedroom. This solves plenty of dilemmas for me. The first one is that I'm a hard sleeper, and I'm worried about K getting out of the apartment when I'm sleeping. The second dilemma that this solved was how to put two kids to bed at the same time. Since I still co-sleep with P, I lay with her in our bed until she falls asleep. We can all snuggle up together and read our good-night books until its lights out time. K can hop over to his bed and know I'm still in the room with him while he's falling asleep.
The playroom now holds their clothing, toys, and diapers. I have a small plastic table and chair set that should be here today(!). We can spend most of the day in there, and if I let them, they can even eat in there. I'm not sure about that quite yet..
I'm working on finalizing my weekly meal plan, and it should be done by this weekend. One of the cool things I added to my meal plan, is a shopping list on the next page of my spread sheet. When I add a meal to my planner, I can just scroll down and add the ingredients I need to buy during my weekly shopping trip. Right now I have my meal plan set up for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner; I'm thinking of making one that includes snacks too, but I'm not sure yet.
Right now in my notebook, I have a master list of things I like to cook organized by main ingredient, (Chicken, Beef, Pork, Pasta, Egg.. etc) So I can go through my list and plug things in there depending on what's on sale, and make sure I still vary their diet. While my cooking isn't the healthiest yet, I like to think of it as a work in progress. Every day I'm finding new recipes to add to my collection, and new healthier options. I anticipate by the time David comes home, I'll have added an entire new diet to our list!
I look forward to seeing where this adventure takes my family!
So, now I'm in the process of getting everything ready for him to leave. My first order of business was making a playroom. Since I only have a two bedroom apartment, how did I accomplish that? I moved K's "big boy" bed into our bedroom. This solves plenty of dilemmas for me. The first one is that I'm a hard sleeper, and I'm worried about K getting out of the apartment when I'm sleeping. The second dilemma that this solved was how to put two kids to bed at the same time. Since I still co-sleep with P, I lay with her in our bed until she falls asleep. We can all snuggle up together and read our good-night books until its lights out time. K can hop over to his bed and know I'm still in the room with him while he's falling asleep.
The playroom now holds their clothing, toys, and diapers. I have a small plastic table and chair set that should be here today(!). We can spend most of the day in there, and if I let them, they can even eat in there. I'm not sure about that quite yet..
I'm working on finalizing my weekly meal plan, and it should be done by this weekend. One of the cool things I added to my meal plan, is a shopping list on the next page of my spread sheet. When I add a meal to my planner, I can just scroll down and add the ingredients I need to buy during my weekly shopping trip. Right now I have my meal plan set up for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner; I'm thinking of making one that includes snacks too, but I'm not sure yet.
Right now in my notebook, I have a master list of things I like to cook organized by main ingredient, (Chicken, Beef, Pork, Pasta, Egg.. etc) So I can go through my list and plug things in there depending on what's on sale, and make sure I still vary their diet. While my cooking isn't the healthiest yet, I like to think of it as a work in progress. Every day I'm finding new recipes to add to my collection, and new healthier options. I anticipate by the time David comes home, I'll have added an entire new diet to our list!
I look forward to seeing where this adventure takes my family!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
5 Weeks and Counting...
So today marks 5 weeks until David leaves for Basic Training. We have a million things to do in the mean time, and one of them on the schedule is potty training.
We've prepared with Gerber Training Pants, and a training ring
I've been doing my best to get Kep excited for potty training. I really hope he'll do well with it. We're planning on starting Thursday or Friday depending on which days he goes to school this week.
What we've done so far:
Purchased- Seat, training pants
Talked about - Potties, What happens with potties, flushing toilets, washing hands, BIG BOY underpants!, and saying "Bye bye diapers!"
Wish us luck!
We've prepared with Gerber Training Pants, and a training ring
What we've done so far:
Purchased- Seat, training pants
Talked about - Potties, What happens with potties, flushing toilets, washing hands, BIG BOY underpants!, and saying "Bye bye diapers!"
Wish us luck!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Co-Sleeping
There is a pile of babies in my bed. Well, a baby and a toddler. They're spread out and so comfortable that I don't even have room to get into bed. My 1 year old daughter is snuggled up to my husband. She's right under his arm, where she's slept since she was 2 weeks old. My son is spread across his feet, he slept in a crib until he was 15 months old, and then decided to join us in bed. This is an issue that will cause debate and arguments. Luckily, we had a doctor who believed in co-sleeping. As long as its done as safe as possible. No comforters at night, one pillow each, using the "H" position. Now that she's over a year, we feel more comfortable with a comforter and pillows.
They're restless some nights, other nights they sleep soundly. I find myself waking up in a pile of the ones I love, cherishing ever moment of this. When they're older they'll sleep in their own beds (which are more just a decoration at the moment) and I'll miss these days. Its such a gift to have them snuggled so closely, knowing how wonderful it must be for them to feel that safe.
There are nights they drive me crazy. There are nights I fantasize about them sleeping in their own beds. But for the most part, I love this and wish these days would stop going by so quickly...
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Organix Tea Tree Mint Shampoo and Conditioner Review
This is seriously my favorite conditioner and shampoo. So, the other day when I was researching some other blog reviews I was disappointed to read them. It seems that many of the reviewers didn't fully understand what they were reviewing. I have the same problem with many of the organic products I use. The problem is they compare them to the competition. Now, this competition is not fair and uses many chemicals which may not be safe. I level the playing field and keep in mind other products that have the same philosophy and use the same ingredients (or more importantly don't use certain ingredients). I think comparing an organic paraben and sulfate free shampoo to anything else in the shampoo isle is similar to letting olympic athletes use performance enhancing drugs. Its just not fair!
This shampoo and condition is Sulfate Free & Paraben Free Formulas • Organic Active Ingredients. This is very important to me. I will not choose a formula that has sulfates and parabens. I won't even consider them. So, when I do this review, please keep that in mind.
I love this shampoo. I believe this shampoo has the best smell of any organic shampoo or conditioner that I have purchased to date. It brings to mind a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie, and I absolutely LOVE using it! My hair is very manageable and shiny when I'm done using it. I do not have any build up, and its very easy to style. My hair is currently cut in a pixie cut, so the quality of my shampoo and conditioner is very important. Having anything build up will essentially ruin my hair. I believe this shampoo and conditioner is the highest quality and works extremely well with my coarse curly hair.
I also feel great when using it. The mint is refreshing, and a great way to start or end my day. I don't worry about the ingredients in it, and I'll even consider using it on my toddler if I'm out of his shampoo! I also love that its manufactured in the United States. It also boasts eco-friendly packaging (including the label!) and is recyclable. They never test on animals, another important philosophy for me!
All in all, a very responsible product of great quality!
Ratings: (out of 10)
Scent: 8.5
Safe: 7
*I have seen products with lower ratings (safer ratings) on the cosmetic database, but I think this is a great product!
Quality: 9
Price: 10
This shampoo and condition is Sulfate Free & Paraben Free Formulas • Organic Active Ingredients. This is very important to me. I will not choose a formula that has sulfates and parabens. I won't even consider them. So, when I do this review, please keep that in mind.
I love this shampoo. I believe this shampoo has the best smell of any organic shampoo or conditioner that I have purchased to date. It brings to mind a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie, and I absolutely LOVE using it! My hair is very manageable and shiny when I'm done using it. I do not have any build up, and its very easy to style. My hair is currently cut in a pixie cut, so the quality of my shampoo and conditioner is very important. Having anything build up will essentially ruin my hair. I believe this shampoo and conditioner is the highest quality and works extremely well with my coarse curly hair.
I also feel great when using it. The mint is refreshing, and a great way to start or end my day. I don't worry about the ingredients in it, and I'll even consider using it on my toddler if I'm out of his shampoo! I also love that its manufactured in the United States. It also boasts eco-friendly packaging (including the label!) and is recyclable. They never test on animals, another important philosophy for me!
All in all, a very responsible product of great quality!
Ratings: (out of 10)
Scent: 8.5
Safe: 7
*I have seen products with lower ratings (safer ratings) on the cosmetic database, but I think this is a great product!
Quality: 9
Price: 10
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Update and Giveaway Opportunity (Not on my blog!) in one!
Kepler is growing in leaps and bounds. On Monday I went to have breakfast with his class in the Sukkah. Its part of the Jewish Thanksgiving, there's a lot more back story to it. Sukkot Click here to get the info! It was so great to get to see him with his classmates. He's always my baby, but seeing him among his peers it really struck me that he's a little boy. He did so well! He was sitting still (I was SHOCKED!) and paying attention. How do those teachers DO that anyway? How did his teacher manage to get 8 2 year olds to sit still, when I can't even get ONE to sit still?? He's learning and growing more every day. Its a truly awesome thing to see. He even knows 3 different dances now! I'll have to post some pictures later!
But this brings us now to my other topic, a giveaway opportunity on one of my favorite blogs. MommaInFlipFlops2 has an awesome giveaway for Sid the Science Kid! Which is one of Kep's favorite shows. The giveaway is for a Learning Science Kit. Now, I believe every thing in life is an opportunity to teach, but how cool would a Sid the Science Kid Experiment Kit be for Kep??? Check out her blog, and tell her I sent you! MommaInFlipFlops2
More update later! I still have a Gro-Via biosoaker review coming up! But we're sick as dogs here today. :(
But this brings us now to my other topic, a giveaway opportunity on one of my favorite blogs. MommaInFlipFlops2 has an awesome giveaway for Sid the Science Kid! Which is one of Kep's favorite shows. The giveaway is for a Learning Science Kit. Now, I believe every thing in life is an opportunity to teach, but how cool would a Sid the Science Kid Experiment Kit be for Kep??? Check out her blog, and tell her I sent you! MommaInFlipFlops2
More update later! I still have a Gro-Via biosoaker review coming up! But we're sick as dogs here today. :(
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Giveaway alert :)
So, we're finally here and moved in. We're still getting settled, but the computer is unpacked on the floor and ready for me to get back to blogging (or get started!) and get back to some of the reviews that I promised. I have a great one on the way for the Gro-via Biosoakers and our experience with lots of tips and tricks! I also have my eco-year resolution updates for this month!
But the first order of business is a giveaway alert for Zavella Eco-Chic Apparel. I really would LOVE to win this giveaway so I'm hoping random.org really likes me this time. You can find the giveaway at http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2010/09/zavella-eco-chic-apparel-giveaway.html Bamboo cotton has to be the softest cotton I have felt, and I feel good wearing it. I'm in love with the terracotta long sleeve shirt pictured here. Good luck to you :)
I'm really hoping for some giveaway love! Due to our recent move, I haven't entered many giveaways, and I also have a tragic post coming later. I switched from my cloth diapers (notice I said MY, not Pepper's) and it really has been an emotional switch for me. I loved the cloth diapers, but without a washer/dryer (and without a car) it has been nearly impossible. We have had much luck with the Seventh Generation disposable so far! More on that later :) For now, while you're waiting for a new post... go check out Momma In Flip Flops2! She has awesome giveaways on her facebook page, and be sure to follow her on twitter as well to keep up on all the action :) Let her know I sent you!
But the first order of business is a giveaway alert for Zavella Eco-Chic Apparel. I really would LOVE to win this giveaway so I'm hoping random.org really likes me this time. You can find the giveaway at http://mommainflipflops2.blogspot.com/2010/09/zavella-eco-chic-apparel-giveaway.html Bamboo cotton has to be the softest cotton I have felt, and I feel good wearing it. I'm in love with the terracotta long sleeve shirt pictured here. Good luck to you :)
I'm really hoping for some giveaway love! Due to our recent move, I haven't entered many giveaways, and I also have a tragic post coming later. I switched from my cloth diapers (notice I said MY, not Pepper's) and it really has been an emotional switch for me. I loved the cloth diapers, but without a washer/dryer (and without a car) it has been nearly impossible. We have had much luck with the Seventh Generation disposable so far! More on that later :) For now, while you're waiting for a new post... go check out Momma In Flip Flops2! She has awesome giveaways on her facebook page, and be sure to follow her on twitter as well to keep up on all the action :) Let her know I sent you!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Moving Moving Moving...
So we have boxes packed up as high as my shoulders (and I'm 6 foot tall..), a moving truck in our driveway, and almost everything ready to go! Its all coming together for us. I'll probably be MIA for the next few days, but when I get back, look for an update on my Gro-Via BioSoaker experience! I'm stripping my cloth diapers and packing them Tuesday before bed and putting Pepper in a disposable BioSoaker! We're excited and I hope it works out well for our adventure. Pepper is highly allergic to almost every disposable diaper out there (in fact we haven't found one we can use yet...) So we're hoping Gro-Via has a disposable option that works for us! This will allow me to use my shells, and have a soaker pad that I can throw away that is completely biodegradable! Also, according to the package they are flushable inserts! That will allow us to not have to worry about the laundry situation for our first few days there. Stay Tuned :) I'll also have an update on Kepler's preschool experience!
Schedule: Today- Packing Truck
Tuesday 8/31 - Finish Packing the Truck, Pick Up Rental Car, Wash/Strip Diapers
Wednesday 9/1 - 0300 Leave for Virginia!/Move in
Thursday 9/2 - 1900 - Parent's Night at the Jewish Community Center Preschool!
Friday 9/3 - 1200 - Children's Meeting at the Preschool!
Schedule: Today- Packing Truck
Tuesday 8/31 - Finish Packing the Truck, Pick Up Rental Car, Wash/Strip Diapers
Wednesday 9/1 - 0300 Leave for Virginia!/Move in
Thursday 9/2 - 1900 - Parent's Night at the Jewish Community Center Preschool!
Friday 9/3 - 1200 - Children's Meeting at the Preschool!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
30 Minutes of Fluff
Hey Everyone! Check out the Cloth Diaper Whisperer for 30 minutes of Fluff! You have 30 minutes to get on and comment for a chance to win. You have to 1st like them on Facebook, and like Diaper Shops http://www.facebook.com/#!/diapershops, for two entries in a chance to win free cloth diapers! BumGenius and Grovia Up for Grabs today :)
http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/
Also, while you're there, head over to my facebook and friend me! http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1042842605
http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/
Also, while you're there, head over to my facebook and friend me! http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1042842605
My Yearly Project - To be more Eco-Friendly
Over the next 12 months my family is going through a major change. Starting in 6 days, we'll be moving to a new state! We're so excited. We'll be moving near my husband's first base that he'll be at in the Army. He'll be headed to SC in January for basic training, and then off to Ft. Eustis VA for AIT (Advanced Training) He'll be living on base for both, but since we'll be living near by him in VA, he'll be able to see the babies more often.
Along with our move, we're changing our lifestyle. For our children, we're making a change to become more eco-friendly. Each month, we've committed ourselves to changing one thing in our lives that will have a positive influence on our children and the world. Follow us on our journey!
For September: We bought bikes and baby seats. We can't wait to get them set up, and when we move we'll be using them as our primary mode of transportation.
October: My goal is to stop using plastic grocery bags and use reusable ones. We may start this a little earlier than October.
And more to come! I'll be adding to this list as we decide on our next ventures in changing our family and living healthier lives.
For now, back to packing! Virginia here we come!
Along with our move, we're changing our lifestyle. For our children, we're making a change to become more eco-friendly. Each month, we've committed ourselves to changing one thing in our lives that will have a positive influence on our children and the world. Follow us on our journey!
For September: We bought bikes and baby seats. We can't wait to get them set up, and when we move we'll be using them as our primary mode of transportation.
October: My goal is to stop using plastic grocery bags and use reusable ones. We may start this a little earlier than October.
And more to come! I'll be adding to this list as we decide on our next ventures in changing our family and living healthier lives.
For now, back to packing! Virginia here we come!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
GIVEAWAY!! Doopsy Diaper
My first blog post will be for a diaper giveaway!!!
Please stay tuned for the musings of my life as a military mom with a husband away for training. Expect to see blogs on cloth diapers, cloth diaper care, breastfeeding, A toddler and an infant, etc!!! But for now check out an awesome fan page for Doopsy Diapers!!
Please stay tuned for the musings of my life as a military mom with a husband away for training. Expect to see blogs on cloth diapers, cloth diaper care, breastfeeding, A toddler and an infant, etc!!! But for now check out an awesome fan page for Doopsy Diapers!!
Buy 1 Doopsy diaper ($11.96) and get a FREE Organic Changing Pad ($14.99 value) + 1 chance in 15 to win 2 Doopsy "SD" diapers. Details on DOOPSY Facebook Page
Check out their facebook page!
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