More on Cloth

As you know we've been making a lot of changes around here over the past year. A friend in my MOPs group asked me last week if it would be faster for me to tell her what I don't make rather then what I do. I had to think about it for a second. It didn't occur to me that I make more then I buy because it's been such a gradual thing. Little by little as I study and learn we've changed some things. It's not been drastic or overwhelming because it's been one thing at a time. But I guess from an outsiders point view we are really weird from everything to food, beauty care, home remedies for illnesses, toiletries, etc. When I got married I couldn't cook, clean, manage money, train children, and much much more. Now that I think about, I'm not sure what my husband saw in me. However, I had a desire to learn and I read everything I could get my hands on, that was bible based and would teach me how to be a wife, mom, and keeper of the home. I still have a long way to go but I guess if I look back the Lord's brought me a long way too.

Proverbs 14:18 The naive inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Webster's Dictionary defines "Prudence" as "Skill and good judgement in the use of resources, caution or circumspection as to danger or risk. "Prudent" is defined "Frugal".

It's so interesting to me that God cares about these things. He's pleased with us seeking knowledge and using what He's provided for us wisely. He say's if we are prudent we are wise.

My husband called me one day and said he was reading the Proverb for the day. He came to Proverbs 14:1. The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. He wanted to thank me for building our home wisely. That's worth it right there!!!! So, my latest weird act is switching to cloth menstrual pads and cloth toilet paper. Yup, you read that right! I posted earlier about cloth diapers and their health benefits as well as cost effectiveness. You can read it here. I stated some facts on the hormones and chemicals in disposable diapers and a lot of them are in the menstrual pads and tampons as well. Women who switch to cloth, (And I know of few personally), claim to have less bleeding and less cramping. I don't know about you but I sure don't need any extra hormones when I'm on my period. I especially don't need any extra after I have a baby. So, I'm giving it a try. I'm only saving about $4.00 a month so this is more of a health conscience move. I'm also thinking ahead for my oldest daughter who has had signs of puberty and imbalanced hormones since she was 5. So here they are!


I can tell you how they work yet. I'll have to get back to you on that.
Now, for the toilet paper. It's 2 layers of cotton flannel. Talk about luxury! The kids have been ranting and raving about how soft it is. I was reading about putting wet ones in a wipe warmer with some lavender oil. I like this idea alot! We would have the most clean and fresh bottoms around. I'm saving another $20.00 a month right here which is going to pay for one of my girls to have piano lessons and I am not adding to my laundry! I just dump it in the diaper bucket and wash with a vinegar rinse cycle to sanitize. And don't worry, if you come over I will try to have a roll of paper under the sink just for you but I'd say you'd be missing out if you use it.


And Anina learned how to use the sewing machine. It's all straight lines and she made most of them. My girls are definitely more prepared for their future families at 9 and 7 then I ever was.

Also, I found this great website called Grocery Shrink. This family won Dave Ramsey's contest to pay off the most debt in a certain time because of their frugal ways. There is something on this website for everyone from meal planning and grocery shopping to decorating on a budget.

So tell me what you are doing to build your house. I would love to get more ideas. I'm off to read my bible now. If you're not building your home that is a great place to start!

Benefits of Cloth Diapers and "A Giveaway"

COST

I was forced into cloth diapering. I had no idea how easy and cost effective it was going to be. My seventh baby had a chronic rash for the first 9 months of his life. He had oozing, bleeding sores. We tried everything. Even steroid cream and that was really pushing it for me. Nothing worked except letting him go naked. We decided to switch to cloth diapers and his rash was gone within 3 to 4 days. I realized that it was a lot easier then I thought and if I used them on my other little guy in diapers and my little girl who still needed pull ups over night I would save $60.00 a month. My original supply was $150.00 so they paid for themselves within 3 months of using them. We discovered, had we used cloth diapers for all 7 of our children, we would have saved approximately $6,000.00 so far. Calculating the cost of generic brand diapers, I figured the savings is approximately $780.00 per child using cloth diapers and wipes if they potty train by 2 1/2. This was enough to convince me to use cloth diapers forever.

A friend of mine asked me to help give a class on the benefits of cloth diapering. I was excited to share how cost effective they were. I had know idea what else I would learn that day.

HEALTH

I've heard a saying "What you don't know won't hurt you". This was not the case for my little guy. Disposable diapers contain:

Dioxin: An extremely toxic by-product of the paper bleaching process. It is listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It has caused genetic defects in lab animals and is banned in most countries but not the U.S.

Tributyl-tin (TBT): A highly toxic pollutant that absorbs through the skin and even minute ammounts caused hormonal imbalances in humans and animals. It can also cause infertility.

Sodium Polyacrylate: A super absorbent polymer (SAP). It's the gel like substance that comes out when the diaper is too wet. It can cause allergic reactions, irritation, bleeding of the perineum or scrotal tissues, fever, vomiting, staph infection, and in 1985 was banned from being used in tampons because of it's link to Toxic Shock Syndrome. When injected into rats it caused internal hemorrhaging, cardiovascular failure and death.

Phyto estrogens: Just what it says "Estrogen". My baby boy's especially don't need any of this or God would have given it to them. The diaper area absorbs these chemicals very easily.

The emissions from ONE disposable diaper were high enough to produce asthma-like symptoms in rats.

ENVIRONMENT

I am not an environmentalist. I'm just a frugal mom who loves to stay home with my children and help my hard working husband. However, some of these facts were very interesting to me.

Over 300 lbs. of wood, 50 lbs of petroleum feed stocks and 20 lbs of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby for one year.

Supposedly, a family can attribute 50% of their waste to disposable diapers. You could save money on your garbage bill!

10,000 tons of disposables are tossed into landfills each ear. That's 27.4 billion per year.

GIVEAWAY

Had I known what I know now, I would have switched to cloth diapers a long time ago. I've tried a few different kinds and have found what I think is the easiest to clean, the cheapest to buy, especially in the long run, and the cutest on. They are All In One Pocket Diapers. When I first looked at these they were very expensive. The name brands can run around $20-$30 a diaper. I've found them for a fraction of that and am giving 3 away (Courtesy of GoGreenPocketDiapers) to anyone who is willing to try cloth diapering.



This business was started by a mom just like us and her customer service is the best I've ever seen. Her diapers are cute and cheap. They have all snaps, no velcro to wear out. They are adjustable from newborn all the way up to toddlers. One stash of these will last you for many children, just a one time cost!

To enter, you have to be willing to try Cloth Diapering and not doing it already. Just leave a comment on this link or the facebook link and I will enter your name in a drawing. I will draw names in one week. Next Tuesday, November 2. (Wow, November already!!)

(Just a side note. A lot of these chemicals are in your menstrual pads too. I don't know about you but I don't need any extra hormones. Especially after I have a baby. I'm going to make some cloth pads and will be posting soon!)