Baby fomula tin crafts?

I am on the hunt to find something crafty and useful to do with the formula tins that are now starting to build up around my kitchen...so watch this space.  Here are some ideas I have found so far...

-Decopage
-Planter boxes
-Halloween decorations and storage solutions

On a different note, I have finally found a free photo editing software that is quick and easy to use.  I found the link of one of my favoutite blogs Homemade by Jill and am now having fun testing out all its features. 

Picnik is the name of the software, so go try it out for yourself!

Have a great week!

Got Milk?

Baby boy is now 17months old, and I have decided to bring the breatfeeding phase of our relationship to a close.  I say 'I' have decided because I think if it was up to him we would be going for a long..long time.  When I first had a baby I was aiming for 6 months exclusive breastfeeding, but once we got started I was really reluctant to stop.  I have loved breastfeeding my baby, and am actually a little sad that it is coming to an end (but a little excited as well).  Whilst pregnant I joined the Australian Breastfeeding Association , which was a fantastic investment and has definately helped me to see long term breastfeeding (past 12 months) as a norm and not an unusual sight.

 I have been constantly amazed as I have learnt how intelligent and devine our bodies are at providing nutrients and food to meet every stage of our growing child.   So here is my little tribute to something that has been an amazing and wonderful experience for me.  

And how could I forget...breastfeeding  is one of the 'greenest' ways to feed your baby!

I love bamboo..

I have recently discovered a love of bamboo!  Did you know that bamboo can grow up to 3 to 4 foot per day, produces heaps of oxygen and makes a really soft, fast drying fabric.  I bought a bamboo fabric t-shirt off the internet for work and it is so soft.  I also now own bamboo teatowels, a bamboo face washer and...a bamboo toothbrush!  (that one I bought at the Logan Eco Action Festival).  My bamboo toothbrush is biodegradable and great for the environment.  I am not sure how long this love affair will last (partly because most bamboo products have to be imported from overseas, which I am not a fan of, and these days there always seems to be some hidden downside when products are mass-produced), but I am going to enjoy it while I can!

I am recycling by re-reading...

Do you re-read books?  I must admit I don't do it very often, even though I do have the terrible habit of forgetting the ending of books (Even though man of the house can remember them years...and years later.  I realised this when I started reading King Solomon's Mine when we were first married.  He had read it when he was 12...ten years later he told me the whole plot and could name all the characters.  I have trouble remembering what happened in the Harry Potter book I read last week).

Anyway, at the moment I am re-reading one of my favourite books (well of the non-fiction genre anyway)...

Peter Walsh is the guru of home organisation and using (hence needing) less stuff.  I think it is one of those books I will have to re-read many times in my life.  I love his advice about space in your home.  I always think I need a bigger house, but he basically says that you just have to  limit what you own/buy to the space you have.  (But he obviously says it in a better way than that).  Does this quest for a clean, uncluttered,  organised home ever end??? 

Does your cupboard look like this?

Watch: sunrise segment on deadly household chemicals

This segment was on sunrise this morning, and whilst I like the segment I didn't think that it gave specific information on how to actually eliminate chemicals from your home.

Using less chemicals is something that I am passionate about!  And thats why I Use and Sell Enjo. (sorry, it is a shameless plug)

If you would like to know more about how the Enjo Microfibre cleaning system works,  just contact me or leave a comment.

Or if you have your tips on reducing chemicals add a comment for us to all learn from.

 (that's right..I can clean the shower whilst my son is standing in it)

Not your 1960's washing machine...

 Did you know that it is 2010...and along with all the great advances we have had in medicine and technology we also have great washing machines.  No, not the fancy pants ones that wash, dry and fold your clothes, but the regular ones that we all use.  Apparently our washing machines are so efficient these days that most of the work is done in the way it spins and swishes and not in the ammount of washing powder you use.  

Choice magazine conducted some tests and found that you can get just as good (sometimes better) washing results by using a 1/4 of the washing powder reccomended on the box.  So apparently we are all using too much washing powder/liquid! 

And if you use more than the recommended dose (just cause you are feeling generous that day) it will actually make your washing machine work inefficiently.

So do something for the environment and your wallet and try using a 1/4 of the powder/liquid that you would normally use in the wash.  

You can be even more brave and use no washing powder at all...its called a strip wash and I will test it myself and let you know how I go.

Nature and Nurture...

We were all struck down by a horrible virus last week, and in attempt to get some fresh air we headed to our favourite local park.  It is always fun to go to the park, but is now so much more fun that baby boy is big enough to actually 'play' at the park.  He played on the slide, with the music area and on the swing.  

I was listening to a radio program last week that talked about how our kids are really in danger of never having a relationship with nature.  The speaker said that because of a lack of green spaces that our kids can own and explore they will lose the chance to really feel comfortable with nature and all the gifts that that brings to a child.  I know how much baby boy just loves to go outside to play and I am so glad that we live in a country with weather that allows him to do that most of the time

My goal is to try and regularly take baby boy into nature so he can develop that 'relationship' with God's beautiful creations.  Does that mean camping?  I hope so! (hint...hint to man of the house)