Pouch2Go Reusable Food Pouches [Review]

We started our transition to solid foods with the Baby Led Weaning strategy, with a little bit of spoon feeding mixed in. There were some foods, like yogurt, applesauce and soups, which I wanted to offer to my son. While he was still learning the fine motor skills required to pick up food and get it to his mouth, he had not quite mastered the skill of holding a spoon with liquid/puree in it steady enough to get it to his mouth. Then, he got to a certain point where he did not want to be spoon fed. He wanted to be independent and feed himself. Reusable food pouches are a great way to offer foods to your baby and toddler while promoting independence and enabling on-the-go snacks.

Reusable Food Pouches            

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Easy to clean	Made from plastic
Convenient for on-the-go snacking
Opening big enough for chunky purees

I held off giving any type of food pouch for a little while. Let's be honest. Those little food pouches are expensive. I did not want my son to get hooked on them and be a slave to purchasing them every week and throwing them away. I know there are ways to reuse the lids, but the single serve pouches produce a lot of waste. I started to see reusable food pouches on the market, but was hesitant. Some were hard to clean, others were hard to use.

When my son decided that he no longer wanted to be spoon fed yogurt, I had to try something new. Though he can get food to his mouth fairly well with a spoon, I wanted him to eat a bit more yogurt than 1/8 cup. Plus, I wanted to offer snacks on-the-go that were contained and convenient.

Pouch2Go pouches are exactly what I was looking for. I cleaned the pouches before use, as recommended. Yogurt was the first food to go into the pouch. As soon as my 19 month old son saw the pouch, he became excited. He took the pouch and started eating the yogurt. Success! He finished the whole pouch of yogurt! Maybe it was a little bit of the novelty of the pouch or maybe he really missed yogurt. Either way, I am pleased that he did so well with the pouch. Our previous experiences involved him turning the pouch over and squeezing everything out.

Each pouch holds 4 oz. This is the perfect size for a toddler or a baby. The reusable food pouch is also a good size for throwing in the diaper bag or your purse to have snacks on hand.

The pouch was easy to clean. The plastic is firm, so the pouch is easy hold open while I get the scrubbing brush inside. The pouch closes like a zip lock bag. The zippers are designed to stay closed. I experienced no issues with leaks. Though, I did store the pouches in a big Ziploc bag just in case.

I try to avoid plastic when possible, so that is one of the negatives of the product. However, for this type of product, plastic is going to be the best material.

Overall, I really liked the pouches. They were easy and quick to fill. I can quickly spoon food into the pouch right before leaving the house. The foods I have tried so far include yogurt and mashed butternut squash that was leftover from dinner. The pouch opening is big enough that even chunkier purees would still fit through. Pouch2Go Reusable Food Pouches are good to have on hand for on-the-go snacking and for toddlers who would like to eat independently.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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reCAP Mason Jar Pour Cap [Review]

I have acquired a number of glass Mason jars over the past few years from my canning endeavors. From the small 4 oz canning jars to the big 1/2 gallon canning jars, I love the versatility for more than just canning. The 4 oz canning jars are perfect for storing leftovers for my toddler. The quart and half gallon canning jars are great for storing grains and dried beans. However, Mason canning jars can be used for so much more! From on-the-go drinks to organizing pantry items, reCAP Mason jar pour caps transform ordinary glass jars to containers that shake, pour and store.

Mason Jar Pour Cap              (wide mouth, silver color)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Transform Mason jars into storage containers	Cap is made from plastic
Regular and wide mouth sizes

I have seen Mason jars being used for purposes other than canning a lot lately, but never took the plunge to try it myself until recently. I have been using used lids and rings if I was storing something in the fridge or the pantry. The used lids cannot be reused for canning. Instead of throwing them out, I decided to use them if I were storing something in the canning jar. However, unscrewing the ring and lining up the lids and rings when putting back on was becoming a bit cumbersome each time. Let's just say, I prefer easy and efficient methods. The reCAP Mason jar pour cap is the answer!

ReCAP Mason Jar Pour Cap is made from plastic and is 100% BPA free. The caps are also made in the USA.

The jar pour cap can be used for many different uses like pouring liquids and solids. That means you can use a Mason jar like a portable cup with a lid. Though I would be careful if pouring hot liquid as the glass would get very hot. Likewise with cold liquids. I could see myself using the pour cap for thinner soups if I wanted to take food on the go.

I really like that the caps can be used for just about anything. The opening is wide enough to allow most items through. The reCAP pour cap has a rubber gasket inside that provides for a good seal against the glass Mason jar. I feel comfortable that nothing would be spilled. The top opening is firm enough that it will come open accidentally, but easy enough to open. The opening is about the size of a quarter.

 

I am in love with reCAP Mason Jar Pour Caps. I would like get a few more lids for smaller containers that I can take on the go. ReCAP Mason jar pour caps are a great way to reuse Mason jars in many different ways.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Warmables Hot and Cold Pack [Review]

Heating pads have become my favorite natural remedy for back pain and shoulder tension. Carrying around a toddler plus the stress of a sleep regression gone crazy, my back and shoulders are crying out for some relief. Warmables natural heating pads offers a natural and eco-friendly solution for pain relief. Reused cherry pits are the main component in Warmables heating pads.



Body Warmer Heating Pad              ($26.00)

Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

Warmables Coupon Code: KEEPWARM ($5.00 off on orders in the hot and cold pack category, excludes sale items, expires 10/31/14)

The Good	The Not So Good
Hot and cold therapy uses	Fabric is on the thinner side
Great for pressure massaging

Warmables hot and cold packs are pretty simple - used cherry pits inside a cotton cover. The pack that I received had cotton flannel on one side and cotton knit on the other.

The hot and cold pack came just in time! I hurt my lower back the day right before a race. As I was picking up my race packet and feeling sharp pain in my lower back, I decided to get home and put the Warmables hot and cold pack to use. I heated up the pack in the microwave, 1 minute at a time, until it reached the desired heat level. It took about 2.5 minutes total time to get to a good heat level, but not be so hot that it burned my skin. Warmables recommends heating one minute at a time to prevent the cherry pits from burning. Giving the pack a shake will help to distribute the heat during the heating process.

I loved that the cherry pits got hot fairly quickly because that is what my lower back needed. I had to be careful with putting the pack directly on my skin when I first took it out of the microwave oven. I laid it over my shirt. I really enjoyed the heat radiating into my skin. I felt that the cherry pits kept the heat very well. After about 5-10 minutes, I turned the heating pad over to get a few more minute of heat.

After doing the heat treatment, I noticed improvement in my low back pain. I ended up doing the treatment three times and my lower back pain improved by 90%. I had a successful run the next day.

I have also used Warmables Hot and Cold Pack on my shoulders. The pack that I received covered one shoulder, but Warmables does sell biggest packs and packs that are made just for shoulders. I like the versatility of this size and will use it on other body parts.

The pack can also be used for cold therapy. Chill in the freezer for a few hours in a plastic bag, for protection.

I love that the heating pad cover is made from cotton fabric and is filled with cherry pits. What a great way to reuse cherry pits and provide good heat for natural pain relief. I could like to see the fabric be thicker to avoid burning the skin when really heating up the pack. I worry that the fabric could get dirty. A removable and washable cover would be a great bonus!

If you are looking for natural pain relief through heat or cold, Warmables Hot and Cold Packs are a great solution. Warmables also offers packs in many different sizes. Aside from using the microwave or the freezer to warm up/cool down, Warmables packs with cherry pits use absolutely no electricity. The versatility and ability to achieve a high heat level make Warmables hot and cold packs a required staple in any house.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Zero Waste at the Grocery Store [#CTWW]

Zero Waste challenges are one area where I can improve. These challenges are always difficult for me. I am not sure why. I few years ago, I made a huge switch to green and eco-friendly products, including reusable grocery bags, reusable menstrual products, cloth diapers, etc. I still feel like a lot of packaging gets thrown away, recycled, and in some rare instances, reused. My focus on this round of the Zero Waste challenge will be the grocery store.

This week's challenge:

This week, look for one more way to reduce the amount of waste you generate. Need some inspiration? Check out the Zero Waste Week Facebook Page and scroll through the posts for tips and ideas. Perhaps buy "naked" produce (items without any kind of packaging), carry a reusable bag at the market, or find creative uses for leftover food. If you have a baby in the house, try cloth diapers (nappies) and reusable wipes rather than the disposable varieties. Consider reusable menstrual products instead of single-use items. Find creative ways to upcycle "trash" or donate used items to charity. The idea, this week, is to find one more way to reduce waste.

There are two Whole Foods Markets in our city. We shop at the second one every couple of months if we are around that area, usually after Sunday morning church.

One of my favorite aisles at the grocery store is the bulk bin aisle. The Whole Foods Market that I frequent most often has a big bulk section. Shopping in the bulk bin section allows me to purchase exactly how much product I need or want. Let's say I need 1 cup of a specific type of bean or I want to fill up my quinoa container. Though the bulk bin allows reusing of your personal container (have the cashier weigh your container before you fill it), most people, including me, use the plastic bags and containers that are provided. Usually, the plastic bags and containers are reused another time, but I ultimately throw them away or recycle.

I have not been able to bring myself to lug my glass containers to the store when they empty. I cannot even remember to take the recycling that Rumpke does not accept to Whole Foods. How do I reduce my reliance on plastic bags and containers??? The second Whole Foods Market in our city has solved this problem, or at least made it better! No more plastic bags and containers for the dried bulk bin goods. These have been replaced with brown paper bags! Take a pencil, write down the name and the number of the product. The brown paper bags can be reused, recycled or composted. My plan is to reuse for lunches and then compost. While recycling does require energy, composting is a more eco-friendly option that requires no energy.

I hope my preferred Whole Foods Market switches to brown paper bags. I will speak with an employee next time to see if they have considered this option. In the meantime, I will be reusing the small brown paper bags in the bulk bin aisle.

>> How do you reduce waste during your grocery shopping trips??
  

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Ozeri Instavac Green Earth Food Storage Container Set [Review]

Although I have slowly been transitioning from plastic storage containers to glass storage containers with the goal of 100% glass storage containers, I have realized that there is a time and a place for plastic storage containers. A good set of 1-4 cup glass storage containers is essential. They work well for reheating leftovers in the microwave and in a toaster oven or full oven. However, as the size of the glass container grows, they become heavy, especially when filled. When we travel for the holidays, I need to transport baked goods or prepared foods to contribute to family meals. For example, 16 scones need to fit into one container. I tend to be clumsy at times and carrying large glass containers full of food always makes me nervous. Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Containers are efficient and functional, saving food, time and money.

Ozeri INSTAVAC Green Earth Food Storage Container Set    
    ($24.95)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Large storage, nesting containers	Made from plastic
Instant vacuum seal
Stain resistant plastic

I look for three things with storage containers:

1. Eco-friendly, green, and non-toxic materials
2. Efficient storage
3. Functionality (size, fit of lid, etc)

Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Container Set contains 4 plastic food storage containers (BPA-free). Each container is microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe. Although, I would personally not microwave or put plastic in the dishwasher because the heat will cause the plastic to break down and degrade over time. The plastic is see through. The largest container can hold 21 cups and would be perfect for storing a whole batch of scones or muffins. 

The main feature that makes Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Containers unique is the patented valve system that allows you to quickly remove excess air to prevent growth of bacteria. This mean that foods will stay fresh longer. Remove excess air by pressing down on the lid, forcing the air out of the container through a one-way valve. Minimal effort for longer lasting food? Yes, please. I try to be diligent about taking inventory of the fridge, but sometimes, I miss containers that have made their way to the back. I can be confident that the food in containers that get "lost" in the fridge will last just a little bit longer when using Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Containers. Plus, the bottom of each container has a wave pattern that elevates food off the bottom to keep food from deteriorating from sitting in water or its own juices.

The feature that initially caught my eye about the Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Container Set is that the four storage containers nest within each other. I only have to create a little bit of space for the biggest size container. My cabinet space is already limited so I am constantly looking to consolidate my storage containers.

If you are sick of digging through your storage containers to find the best airtight container to keep food fresher longer and provide the most functionality, look to Ozeri Instavac Food Storage Container Set. This most effective vacuum-sealed container set will save food, save time, and save money. 

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are my own.

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Smitten by Rearz Fitted Cloth Diaper [Review]

This is the first time I am writing about cloth diapers. I am very excited! I read about and researched cloth diapers for quite some time before I began using them. My cloth stash includes a variety of types, closures, fits, colors, etc. I do not have a strong preference to the types of diapers or closure, as long as they fit well and absorb well. Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper offers an absorbent, quick drying fitted cloth diaper with soft velour and a tongue design.

Rearz Smitted Fitted Cloth Diaper        (5 pack, $69.99)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Colored with certified organic dyes	Requires cover
100% cotton (unbleached inside)	Velcro is stiff
Tongue design for faster drying
Cross over snaps

Since the focus of my blog is about natural and green living, I would like to focus first on the environmental impact of the Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper. I love that the fitted diaper is made from 100% cotton, outside colored with certified organic dyes and inside made from unbleached cotton. The type of fabric and whether it is made from organic, conventional, or synthetic fabric is very important to me. Babies have such sensitive skin! The organic dyes are very bright and have not faded with several prep washes and uses. I received the red color and also have a Rearz Smitten in brown. The colors are so rich that I cannot believe the fabric is dyed with organic dyes.

Fitted cloth diapers do require waterproof covers, but you can also go without if you can remember to frequently check for wetness. I kept the cover off one day to see how absorbent the Rearz Smitten was. After one pee, the wetness was noticeable on the outside to the point where it would have gotten the onesie wet. I did not use any additional inserts. If you prefer to go coverless, I recommend adding a few inserts into the pocket opening to boost absorbency. I have only used Rearz Smitten fitted during the daytime only since we do not cloth diaper at night. An absorbent insert would add enough materials for night time wear.

Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper is offered with snaps or with velcro. I received the Rearz Smitten with snaps. My existing Rearz has velcro. In general, I do not have a strong preference of snaps versus velcro, but I did notice that the Rearz Smitten velcro is stiff. If you add a cover with more velcro, it might be a little too much. I recommend going with the snaps. The snaps were easy to use and allowed me to get a good fit. I like the cross over snaps that allow for a better fit with newborns or lean babies. My son is a little on the leaner and longer side. The leg opening just barely fit tight around his legs, but if I am careful on how I secure the diaper, the diaper does not leak.

Overall, I have enjoyed using the Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper with snaps. Only today, I realized that the tongue does NOT go inside of the opening. And all of this time, I was frustrated that the tongue was so hard to stuff inside the smaller opening. Tongue goes on the outside, additional inserts go on the inside. The unbleached cotton, organic dyes, and tongue design make the Rearz Smitten fitted cloth diaper a great addition to your cloth stash.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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TreeSmart Offers Recycled School Supplies [Review]

I try to recycle everything, after determining if it can be reused or composted first. I always wonder what the recycled paper and plastic becomes. Does the paper become recycled paper? Does the plastic become a recycled plastic toy for a child? Knowing what your hard recycling efforts become is a great motivator to continue recycling. TreeSmart specializes in recycled school and office supplies, including recycled rolled-up newspaper pencils, colored pencils, and rulers.

Tree Smart recycled products       
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Made from recycled newspaper
Biodegradable

I received a recycled rule, regular pencils, and colored pencils. All three are made from recycled newspaper. How neat is that! I love that TreeSmart takes recycled items and makes them into recycled school and office supplies. This is a great way to teach our kids about the importance of recycling and that the stuff we recycle does get put to good use. TreeSmart offers a school fundraising and service project called Newspapers for Pencils to educate children about the importance of recycling. Children learn first-hand about the benefits of recycling by collecting newspapers in exchange for pencils printed with the school's name.

I was a little skeptical when I first read that the pencils are made from recycled newspaper. My fears were gone once I took the regular and colored pencils out of the packaging. They were sturdy and hard just like you would expect wooden pencils to be. TreeSmart recycled pencils are made from recycled rolled-up newspapers and high-quality #2 HB graphite. The pencils were easy to sharper with my standard mechanical sharpener. I can even compost the shavings. The ruler was very sturdy. I plan on adding this ruler to my canning kit so I can measure head space (I needed a 6" ruler).

Between the fact that TreeSmart reuses recycled newspaper to make school supplies and the Newspapers for Pencils fundraising project, I would highly recommend this company. The durability of the products shows the high quality process that takes recycled newspaper, adds graphite, and makes pencils. When my son gets older, I hope to introduce his school to the fundraiser and classroom activities. If you are looking for a greener and more eco-friendly source of your school and office supplies, consider TreeSmart.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free to facilitate my review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls [Review]

A few years ago, I stopped buying dryer sheets. Cold turkey! I do not know what came over me because this occurred long before I started down the all-natural path. Maybe I wanted to see if clothes would feel different without the dryer sheets. The only difference I found was that synthetic clothes had more static. Of course, this is because dryer sheets coat the fabric and make it feel slick, which we feel as softness. For years, I dried clothes without dryer sheets, until I discovered wool dryer balls. Wool dryer balls are a natural and eco-friendly way to reduce the drying time and reduce some static build-up.

Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls        (6 balls, $34.95)
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Eco-friendly and natural	Doesn't quite eliminate/reduce static
Replaces dryer sheets	Can deposit lint onto clothing
Reduces drying time

Woolzies wool dryer balls come in a pack of 6 large balls. You need at least 6 balls to noticeably reduce drying time. I loved that the balls are made of 100% pure wool. You can feel the high quality of the wool and the weight of the balls.

I was curious if the wool dryer balls would: 1) reduce drying time, and 2) reduce static. I have read mixed
review on reduction of static and finally realized the connection between drying time and static. If you overdry your clothes, they will have more static. The goal is to dry your clothes to the point where all of the moisture is gone, if not stopping right before that point. Of course, I do not have time to constantly check the dryer, nor do I have a way to measure how dry the clothes are. Therefore, we'll use time.

After the addition of the wool dryer balls, I started with the max time on the dryer and with each load, bumped the time down by 10 minutes to determine at which point the clothes were dry. The drying time will also depend on the amount and type of clothes that are in the dryer. I experimented for about 2-3 weeks with decreasing the time I set on the dryer. The addition of Woolzies wool dryer balls did reduce the drying time. I cannot stay exactly by how much since each load of laundry was different, but the fact that I saw a reduction in drying time means that wool dryer balls work!

Now, the question of static. The dreaded static. If I let clothes dry on the max drying time, static was definitely present. Wool dryer balls did not eliminate static for me. However, I did find that the static went away as I took the clothes out and folded them. Synthetic fabrics had more static than natural fabrics. Some ways to combat static is to not dry the synthetic clothes in the dryer (they will dry quickly if you hang them) or to take the synthetic clothes out sooner.

I love that wool dryer balls have replaced toxic dryer sheets and helped to reduce drying time. I will continue to adjust my drying routine to see how I can further reduce static on synthetic fabrics. Another thing to be aware of is that the wool dryer balls can take lint from one items (like a fluffy blanket) and deposit it onto another item (like a black shirt). I will need to look into this to understand why. I highly recommend Woolzies dryer balls for their high quality and their ability to make your drying routine more efficient. I have even purchased a box of them as a housewarming gift for a friend.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator [Review]

I had read about nasal aspirators long before getting pregnant. I knew that hospital issued blue bulb aspirators were bad because they are hard to clean and bacteria/mold can grow inside. They are disposable and only intended for single or very short term use. Somehow, we came home with not one, but TWO, of the blue bulb aspirators. Ugh! My husband became the "snotsucker" and I quickly got him to switch to the Nosefrida product we purchased right before the baby came. Although Nosefrida is a highly rated product, buying replacement filters can get costly, especially if you plan to suck your baby's nose at least once a day. When I discovered Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator, I was intrigued by the idea of using a tissue as the filter. Baby Comfy Nose uses your own suction to hygienically and quickly remove nasal mucus with a household tissue as the filter.

Baby Comfy Nose Nasal Aspirator      
Rating: total green check marks out of 5.

The Good	The Not So Good
Uses household tissue or toilet paper (no filter replacements to purchase)	Plastic parts, mouth piece tastes like plastic
Hygienic, easy to clean	Tissue blocks some of the suction power
Human suction is the most effective
Gentle on baby's nose

Since I have used both products, I would like to compare the Nosefrida product to the Baby Comfy Nose product. Both products use human suction, which is believed to be the best suction you can get at home. Nosefrida uses foam rubber filters (single-use and require you to buy replacements), while Baby Comfy Nose uses a tissue, which you already have at home. I tried Baby Comfy Nose with Whole Foods 365 brand recycled tissues and found that it was to much blockage. It was a little difficult to suck and I had to use more sucking power than I do with the Nosefrida nasal aspirator. If you are using a thicker tissue, you will have to suck even harder to get the snot out. Next time, I tried one square of Angelsoft toilet paper in the Baby Comfy Nose nasal aspirator and found it to be better.

I was trying to suction out a booger out of the left nostril. My hope was that Baby Comfy Nose would pull it out and deposit it inside the egg-shaped container, so I could throw away the paper with the booger, but this did not happen. The booger did come out after a couple sucking attempts, but only to the end of the nose where I had to pick it out with my finger. The opening of both the Nosefrida and Baby Comfy Nose nasal aspirators is a little small so I could see that the booger would not quite make it inside.

I do like that I can use a tissue or toilet paper square in Baby Comfy Nose, instead of having to buy replacement filters for Nosefrida. Overall, I have to weigh the economy of using your own tissues versus the suction power/ability. Baby Comfy Nose lacks a little in the efficiency and effectiveness, but makes up for it by removing the need to buy replacement filters. I recommend you try both products and see which one works for you. I can see myself using both products going forward.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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