Healthy Baby Bums!

There's something so idyllic about cloth diapers hanging out to dry on a sunny day. It just seems so natural and pure. It almost makes me forget that those are the same cloth diapers that I have to squirt poop off of on a daily basis. I don't really love rinsing poop off of diapers. Then again, I don't love changing diapers at all, but since babies don't come potty trained, I guess I'm stuck doing it for now.

With a little more research, I learned that every single disposable diaper ever made is still in existence filling up our landfills and polluting our Earth. They don't biodegrade. They will still be here long after even our children's children. 

Right around this time, I got pregnant with baby number two and I realized that we would be spending double to diaper two babies. We were already spending about $70 a month on disposable diapers and wipes for one baby. The thought of spending $140 plus to diaper two babies was the kicker for me. 

I remembered the cloth diapers, pins, and plastic pants that my own mom used for my siblings, so I was pleasantly surprised to see just how far cloth diapers have come!  At first I was overwhelmed by all the cloth diapering options out there, but I was fortunate to meet a local mama and cloth diaper retailer. Christy with Gorgeous and Green helped me get started.  


Now, I'm proud to be a cloth-diapering mom!  I don't cloth diaper 100% of the time (Kudos to all those parents who do!!!), but every time I put a cloth diaper on one of my girls, I feel good knowing that it's one less disposable diaper I had to buy, one less diaper going in a landfill for eternity, and one less time that my baby was exposed to the toxins in disposable diapers.  Plus, babies look so adorable in cloth!

What's for dinner?

My mom taught me to plan a menu each week before grocery shopping, and I've been passing that wisdom along to my clients for years. It takes a little bit of forethought, but it will save you money, headaches and stress and help your family eat better.

Recently, a friend of mine recommended The Six O'Clock Scramble. It's a great menu planning web site for quick healthy meals that makes it super simple to plan ahead! 


When you sign up for The Scramble (Subscriptions range in price from $19.50 for three months to $64.50 for two years.), you receive a weekly Scramble newsletter which includes five dinner recipes complete with side dishes and a corresponding grocery list. You can then choose to keep all the meals for the week or swap them out for any recipe in The Scramble's extensive recipe database to fit your family’s needs, tastes and/or schedule. Your grocery list is automatically updated with your choices and conveniently divided by section to make your shopping easier. Most recipes are under 500 calories for a hearty serving and provide enough left-overs for lunch the next day or you can freeze some for later. Since our children are still small and don't eat very much, we've been able to eat some for lunch the next day and freeze some for later with many of the meals.


We love The Scramble at our house! It's fun to try new recipes and new ingredients. Have you ever had parsnips? I hadn't until a few weeks ago! They're delicious! We feel good about the healthy, satisfying meals that we've been eating, and the shopping list is the best! No more missing ingredients!


If you'd like to sign up for The Scramble, please tell them Healthy Mommy (Shannon Brennan) sent you and use code GLSHA16117 to get a $3 discount off a 6 or 12 month subscription!


Here are two delicious Scramble sample recipes for you to try:

Vegetarian Chili

and

Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple Soup

If you do decide to try it out, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  

Get Outside, Get Moving and Get Happy!

For years, I've been telling my clients to get outside and walk, even if it's just for five or ten minutes during a break at work or after dinner. Getting outside to exercise lifts your spirits and re-energizes you! You get fresh air and you get your heart and lungs pumping! Now there is scientific research to support that advice! From BBC News:

Just five minutes of exercise in a "green space" such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim. There is growing evidence that combining activities such as walking or cycling with nature boosts well-being.

In the latest analysis, UK researchers looked at evidence from 1,250 people in 10 studies and found fast improvements in mood and self-esteem.The study in the Environmental Science and Technology journal suggested the strongest impact was on young people.

The research looked at many different outdoor activities including walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming in locations such as a park, garden or nature trail. The biggest effect was seen within just five minutes [and an even] bigger effect was seen with exercise in an area that also contained water - such as a lake or river.

Save the Date: DC VegFest!

After a little investigating, I discovered that there is a VegFest in D.C. on September 11, 2010. I already have plans for that day, so now I am going to be torn about which event to attend. Chef Tal Ronnen author of The Conscious Cook (I've got this book on my night stand right now!) will be at the D.C. VegFest!


The D.C. VegFest is a FREE outdoor festival celebrating the very best of everything vegetarian in and around the nation's capital. There are so many reasons to choose a vegetarian diet—for our health, the planet, and animals—and Washington, D.C. offers wonderful opportunities to explore meatless cuisine. The DC VegFest has something for everyone to enjoy, so be sure to bring along your friends and family!


WHERE: University Yard at 2000 blk H St.
             N.W., Washington, D.C. 20052
WHEN: Saturday, September 11, 2010 
            12 p.m. to 6 p.m.


I also came across two great vegetarian sites for those of you in the Baltimore/DC area:

  

NOLA Veggie Fest

I wish I was going to New Orleans for my birthday this weekend! I would love to attend the 2nd Annual NOLA Veggie Fest. Plus New Orleans is just a fun town!  I have never seen anything like this where I live near Baltimore, MD . I know Chicago, another one of my favorite cities, has a big Veggie Fest too!


The annual NOLA Veggie Fest promotes vegan and vegetarian food choices. The health benefits of a plant-based diet are well known. The Fest educates how these diet choices benefit the environment and about the cruelty of factory farms, the source of most animal products. Nola Veggie Fest will offer a variety of delicious food samples (Yum!) and also educational materials.  Bonus: One of my favorite organic and vegetarian companies, Amy's Kitchen is going to be there!

Today Only on Groupon: 29 Days of Unlimited MAC Access for only $29

For $29, you get 29 consecutive days of unlimited access to the Maryland Athletic Club, a $140 value. The MAC has three area locations in Harbor East,Timonium, and an Express location in Hunt Valley. Once your membership has begun, you can visit all three gyms interchangeably.

The state-of-the-art gyms offer experienced workouteers and more leisure-inclined visitors a fun and encouraging environment to blast body fat and tone tummies. The Hunt Valley Express location offers quick cardio and strength-training equipment for the unfussy athlete, while the Timonium and Harbor East locations will impress even the most distinguished gym designer. Both locations boast aquatic centers complete with a lap pool; two warm-water therapy pools for relaxing, float training, or injury rehabilitation; and a 104-degree coed whirlpool. The Harbor East locale offers more than 50 group classes each week, and Timonium offers more than 100 classes in everything from yoga, Pilates, and Zumba to kickboxing and spinning. Both gyms house more than 100 pieces of cardio and strength equipment, nearly all equipped with personal entertainment systems. The Harbor East location boasts four squash courts for fierce battles of paddling domination, and both locations offer Internet cafes and kids clubs where pre-Olympians participate in stimulating and creative activities under the watchful eye of the friendly MAC staff.

Get This Deal on Groupon.