Top 5 Humidifiers

The Dilemma


Discovered on last week that it's time to get a new humidifier.  We have a Vicks Cool Mist, which is an evaporative model.  It really wasn't that great after the first month or so.  It's expensive to operate as it needs a wicking filter every month or so depending on your water($9-12 unless there's a sale).  While the cleaning cartridge (demineralizer) is optional, it seems based on my experience without it that you really do need it, but the good news about the cleaning cartridge is that the Protec PC1 cartridge is reusable for up to 30 days as long as it is allowed to dry out so that one can potentially be a really good value as long as you don't forget and throw it away.  In addition to evaporative humidifiers not being as efficient or effective at raising the humidity, the Vicks 1 Gallon Cool Mist is hard to clean because the reservoir has an off-centered, bottleneck opening which makes it impossible to scrub the film and buildup that isn't immediately adjacent.  A smell developed a few weeks ago, and I couldn't figure out where it was coming from.  I totally took it apart and found that the inside of the motor housing was filthy from sucking in air and perhaps growing mold but I couldn't tell for sure without opening it.  Of course, the housing isn't removable.  I was able to clean it with a can of compressed air and a day in the sun, all is well.  The smell is gone and everything is back to normal, but I never want to deal with that again.

The humidifier was a gift, and I always planned to replace with a better one because I wanted one that made less waste (little to no filter/cartridge replacements) and was easier to do a thorough cleaning on, and I prefer one that can do both cool and warm mist because there are times when warm mist is more effective but for every day use cool mist is usually preferred. 

Anyway, I thought I'd share my humidifier research since it's the time of year when a lot of people need them.  These are the top 5 I've found for function, noise level, low maintenance, and sterility with sterility and low maintenance being my most desired traits.  All of them are easy to find at the usual places (drug stores, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Diapers.com, etc.) except the Coway, my top choice.  The price listed is the cheapest I found online for each humidifier.

The Research

1) Coway MHS-E5010 (aka Coway HC WJ ONYX) - $125 at www.newbidet.com

From what I've found, this is the proverbial Cadillac of humidifiers.  This dual mist warm/cold ultrasonic humidifer has a 5-stage purification process that ensures the cleanest air and water is being released from the machine and produces the finest mist of all the humidifiers I looked at.  The tank and tray implement nano silver technology to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and microbes.  The air intake is also lined with nano silver to purify the air as it enters the humidifer.  You can fill the tank from openings in the top and bottom of the tank so you don't have to turn it upside down, and it makes it easier to clean since you have access from both sides.  If this isn't enough, it also has various settings including sleep mode, child mode, health mode, and sanitization mode so you have a setting for every need that should arise.  It is a fairly compact model, with a 1.3 gallon tank.  The description says this lasts 12 hours, which is probably an understatement because other one-gallon tanks usually last 18-24 hours.  This is probably the water usage on the warm setting.  Either way, it's more than enough to get through a night's sleep, and it's best to replace the water in every humidifier daily for sanitation purposes.  In short, this humidifier does more than most that cost even twice as much.  When my budget allows, this is the one I'll be getting.  For more detailed information, click the Amazon or NewBidet.com links. 

2) Germ Guardian H1500 Ultrasonic Humidifier - $100 

If you don't want one with all the bells and whistles but still want some nice features, need one to fit a smaller budget, or are more comfortable with analog rather than digital controls, the Germ Guardian is for you.  You still get the dual warm and cool mist, a tank that lasts ups 20 hours, a low water indicator, and nano silver cleaning, in a filterless and silent machine.  Germ Guardian has a great reputation and a 3 year warranty to back up their products and makes a number of products for improving the sanitation in your home including toothbrush sterilizers, air purifiers, and uv light sterilizers.  For more money, they make digital models and humidifiers with more features like variable mist control, adjustable spray, and humidity auto-adjustment.  Or for as low as $48, they also have a table top model that humidifies your personal space and can be used beside your bed and on your office desk for short-distance humidification that doesn't alter a whole room's humidity.

3) Sunpentown SPT SU-4010 Dual Mist Humidifier with Ion Exchange Filter - $75

This very slim model is equipped with warm and cool mist, adjustable split nozzle for bi-directional mist control, overheat protection, and it's own cleaning brush.  The water tank lasts about 10 hours on high in the warm setting, which uses 90 watts, and 12 hours on the highest cool setting, which is 43 watts.  While this is not a filterless model, the filter it uses (SPT ION F-4010) only needs replacing every six months or so.  And the filter does double duty to demineralize the water in addition to removing particulates.  The one downside is that because it's so thin, it can tip over easily if pets or children can reach it.  Make sure to keep it out of reach of curious little hands and paws.

4) Vicks UV 99.999% Germ Free Humidifier - $68

This warm mist model features dual water tanks that function independently of each other, so one side empties before the other which allows you to refill it without having to shut off the machine.  The smaller tanks are easier to handle during refills and cleaning.  No filter is required on this one, but a demineralizer like the Protec cleaning cartridge or Honeywell mineral absorption pad are recommended.  A special UV chamber kills 99.999% of all bacteria, mold, and spores so the water vapors released are about as sterile as it gets.  This machine also has adjustable humidity and mist output settings that you can customize to suit your needs.  Since this is a warm mist model, however, users must take care to not let the unit run dry or it will boil itself out.  Some reviewers have complained that the UV chamber leaks very bright light.  Because of the temperature necessary to create the steam mist, the UV chamber seems superfluous.  A UV cool mist model like this Honeywell would make more sense, but I haven't seen one with good reviews and all the models I saw require filters.  People in general seem to like this Vicks model though.

5) Crane Cool Mist Humidifier - $30-45

For an inexpensive, no fuss humidifier with consistently good ratings, the road stops here.  Cranes are dependable, easy to use, and easy to maintain.  No filters are required, but you may want to use a dimineralizer especially if your water is hard.  These models are cool mist only and come in other colors besides the typical blue and white fair.  For the little ones, they make the line of Adorable 1 Gallon Humidifiers in cute animal shapes, and they even make Sponge Bob and Thomas the Train humidifiers.  If you want the extra antibacterial protection with less expensive humidifiers, you can use Protec Cleaning Cartridges which are actually reusable for 30 days as long as they are allowed to dry out between uses.  A 2-pack is perfect for this because you can take the wet one out during your weekly or biweekly tank maintenance and put the dry one in when you refill the tank.  There are also chemical additives that are supposedly safe for use in cool mist humidifiers like Holmes Bacteriostat but I would stay away from them as they have pretty serious warnings about contact with skin and accidental ingestion.

The Longevity (aka How to Get the Most out of your Humidifier)

With all humidifiers, you'll get the best performance with regular maintenance.  It is recommended to change to empty the reservoirs, rinse, and refill with fresh water every day.  If you use tap water, you may need or want to use cleaning cartridges to prevent mineral buildups.  You should soak the tank and basin or tray weekly with a white vinegar solution (Crane recommends 1/2 gallon water and 2 tablespoons vinegar) for 20-30 minutes to disinfect and remove deposits.  Some recommend a bleach solution, but I prefer to use less harsh treatments.  When not in use (end of season storage, vacations, etc.), the humidifier should be cleaned with the vinegar (or bleach) solution and allowed to air dry completely.  If you use a humidifier with a filter or cartridge, follow the manufacturer's directions to prevent odors, mold, mildew, and bacterial growth.  Most filter and cartridge media should be replaced monthly unless otherwise specified.  Regardless of what the life expectancy is for your humidifier filter, always change it when it becomes discolored or full.

Sleep Training: 5 ways to make it easier

6 weeks old

Every two to three weeks, my son's sleeping patterns change.  This was to be expected, so I didn't sweat it much.  After about 2 months, a general sleeping pattern emerged in which he slept from roughly 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM with about 3-4 hungry wake ups on average.  By the time he was 4 months, he was sleeping from 8:30 PM to 6:00 AM, sometimes through the night but sometimes with as many as 5 wake ups.  This was nice because it gave me a little time to work before I went to bed, and he took enough naps during the day that I could take a nap as well.  

At close to 6 months, however, a distressing change in his sleeping habits began to take shape.  He went from a nap every hour and a half or so (often very short) to 2-3 naps a day.  And he started going to sleep at night later and later.  He also started sleeping in later, so that wasn't bad at first.  

By his 7th month (today!), he got to a point where he took only 2 naps a day and sometimes didn't go down for the night until almost midnight.  This cut out all my pre-bedtime chore time, and I had to do as much as possible during his naps and while he was distracted by his toys.  Because he still wakes up a few times in the middle of the night, the later mornings aren't enough to make up for it.  The changes I'd been toying with in my head concerning my approach to his sleep routine were now too much to ignore.

Parenting books that mention sleep training say to put the baby down and comfort them every five minutes if they cry until they fall asleep.  I'd mentioned sleep training to my mom before, and she was always strongly against it.  I was worried about it not going well and the time or two that I tried it didn't go as planned.  Desperate for a reprieve, I decided to give it another shot.

When he woke up from his afternoon around 3:45 PM, I kept him up for the rest of day and too distracted to attempt the cat nap he's been wanting to take lately around 7:00 PM.  I waited until I knew he was very sleepy and would have a hard time fighting it as he usually does.   I tried giving him a bottle around 8:30 to get him in a bed time mood, but he didn't want it.  At 9:30 PM, he was still going strong, but I knew he was ready for bed.  I tried his bottle again, but he still didn't want it, so I sat with him in a quiet and dimly lit room for about 5 minutes.  Then I put him in his crib.

He was not thrilled about being put down, but he didn't cry so I left.  I turned the baby monitor on and gathered some crafty items to get ready to hunker down for the crying I just knew would ensue.  Then I waited.  Nothing.  A little whine here and there, but no crying.  After about 5 minutes, he got a little fussy but still no crying.  Then there was silence.  He was in bed before 10:00 PM and didn't require an hour's worth of holding and playing and soothing to sleep.

I have theory on why it worked so well this time when the one or two times prior ended up with me having to give up and pick him up until he decided to fall asleep.  This is what I did.

1) I didn't let him have any extraneous naps after 4:00 PM.

2) He was well-fed prior to falling asleep with a hearty dinner around 6:00 PM followed up by a generous serving of milk (he drank about 8 ounces) when he was ready for it.

3) At 8:00 PM, he had a bath (his first sitting up bath!).

4) Exercise:  After his bath, he played for about 15 minutes and actively rolled around in a generous play area.  When the 8:30 attempt at bed time failed, I let him have more activity time culminating in a 30 minute play session to his favorite Baby Faith video, which he prefers to Baby Einstein.

5) When we got serious about bed time, I took him to a quiet, dark room and snuggled with him for about 10 minutes to calm him down.

After that, he went out with minimal fuss.  I'm hoping for a repeat tonight.  With a little luck, I'll have good news about an encore performance tomorrow.

DDT7 -- Strip Odors from Cloth Diapers (and other clothes)

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Let's face it.  We want cloth diapering to be all roses and sunshine because it's better for the earth and better for the baby.  We even tell our non-cloth-diapering friends that we never have problems with odors in our cloth diapers.  But it happens to the best of us...sometimes our cloth diapers get funky and not in a good way!

In my effort to make sure that the least possible amount of irritants touch my baby's most sensitive skin, I've learned how to strip diapers naturally, organically, and inexpensively.  For those times when high heat, double and triple rinses, and sun drying don't kill the diaper smell, here's my method.

Prewash with hot water, 3/4 cup of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup baking soda.  You may use more or less depending on the soil level and size of the load.  You have enough of everything if the water fizzes even just a little.  Wash as usual afterward.

It also works great on socks and other odor-prone clothing like work clothes and underwear, but be careful because it can cause some fading, especially when you sun dry after using this method. To strip cloth diapers organically, use organic baking soda and vinegar.

Organic vinegar is easily found in most major grocery stores.  Baking soda (here comes a chemistry lesson), even though it is made of carbon (the main property of organic compounds), can technically never be "organic" because of it's chemical makeup and the type of bonds required to hold it together.  From the standpoint of green living and using naturally derived products, baking soda is not really organic either because it requires a multi-step chemical process involving heat and exposure to other chemicals to create it.  It is however made from naturally occurring compounds and requires no synthetic materials for the reactions from which it derived.  That being said, the most "natural" and healthy baking soda, especially if you intend to ingest it, is aluminum free.  Bob's Red Mill makes an aluminum free baking soda and Frontier also sells an aluminum free baking soda.  Both are sold in one-pound packages.

Why does the baking soda and vinegar solution work at stripping odors?  This is another chemistry lesson, but this one is easy to digest.  Stinky diaper syndrome is caused by bacteria and and spoiling or deteriorating micro residues from waste (imagine a microscopic septic tank or garbage dump in the fibers--or don't because that's gross).  Baking soda, an alkaline salt, chemically neutralizes odors.  Vinegar, an acid, kills bacteria.  The reaction created by combining them (aka the fizz), blasts and eats away dirt and residue (think of what happens when you put a rusty penny in vinegar and baking soda).  This solves both the odor causing problems.

Here's to fresh smelling diapers and all your other smellier than average laundry!

photo credit:  by gesinek, stock.exchng,

6-month Firsts

First time eating carrots

For me, the first 6 months of motherhood were a trial and error period of parenting theory testing and boundary setting.  There were so many questions.  How much could I reasonably expect to do alone as a single mother?  How concerned should I be about when and how to start introducing new foods?  Is sterilization of every little thing a major issue? 

He learned how to sit by himself right before his 6 month birthday!

What I learned is that everything isn't as life or death as experts and family members may make it seem.  It turns out I can do pretty much everything on my own.  I may not sleep as much, and I may not do it in as timely a fashion as I would prefer, but if I have to, I can.  When it comes to foods, your baby will let you know in many different ways when he or she is ready for new things.  As far as sterilization goes, he hasn't died yet even though I don't always fully sterilize his bottles and eating utensils or worry about every toy that touches the floor.  In fact, he hasn't been sick at all since he's been born.  Here's an interesting tip for breast feeding mothers:  your body puts antibodies in the milk which are made specifically for the pathogens you encounter, many of which will come from your child due to the constant contact.  So if you nurse, you can worry even less about germs.

In light of the way things have turned out, I've become more laid back and less worried.  So last weekend, we did all sorts of things I've never done or tried to avoid including a sort of a day trip with my son all by myself against my mother's advice.  Please, Mom, don't have a heart attack when you read about everything we did.

First time riding with a friend

1.  Let him touch one of my dog's puppies.  He seemed to think it was like one of his stuffed animals.  I washed his hands after.

2.  Stopped freaking out every time my son rolls off his play mat onto the bare floor.

3.  Let him occasionally sit and play on the floor.

4.  Let my son ride in a WalMart shopping cart, but with a blanket to cover the seat.  He very much enjoyed sitting up and looking around like a big boy, but he wasn't a big fan of the bumpy pavement.

5.  Didn't try to comfort him every single time he got fussy in the car.  As long as he's not hungry or wet, it turns out he can pacify himself most of the time if I don't jump in right away.  The sound of my voice as background noise (like on the cell phone) but not actually talking to him seemed to be soothing.  Actually talking to him made him cry more.  Saving the best toys for last instead of giving them all right away also seemed to help.  I figure you've got nothing to bargain with if you give him his favorite the first time he fusses.

6.  Let him eat baby food from a not freshly sterilized spoon.

7.  Let him touch a client's dog.

8.  Let said dog lick his hand.  This made him giggle.

9.  Took him with me to a chiropractic appointment.  He loved the bench in the dressing room because it made impressive sounds when he kicked his feet on it.

10.  Didn't take my bagel away immediately when he grabbed it and decided to use it as a chew toy.   He thinks he needs to sample everything he sees me eating or drinking.

11.  Took him to Books-A-Million and fed him sweet potatoes on one of the coffee shop tables.

12.  Didn't tell him to stop when he chewed another baby's toes.  After all, he chews his own toes all the time.

13.   Bought gas with him in the car.  I usually let someone else do it or wait until I'm by myself because I didn't want to have an upset baby during an extra stop.  I set the pump on autopilot, played with Davie while it filled up, then put him back in his seat when I was all done.  He fussed when I put him back, but he got over it and ended up falling asleep.

Finally-a natural shampoo I can love!

I'm one of those people who's been wanting to love an organic or natural shampoo and body wash for a long time.  But they made my hair and skin feel funny or didn't clean the way I wanted.  On closer inspection, many of these so called "natural" body products contain harmful chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), or sodium myreth sulfate (a newer derivative of SLS and SLES that companies use to get away with the "SLS-free" label).  SLS is a cheap, readily available chemical that makes soaps, detergents, toothpastes and other products foamy.  It is also valued as a commercial cleanser because of it's ability to strip oils from surfaces including skin and hair.  This is why sodium lauryl sulfate and other chemicals related to it are known to cause eye and skin irritations in concentrations as small as .5% and are considered dangerous in concentrations of 10-30% which is the level commonly found in many household products.  One of the other negative aspects is that dioxane, a known carcinogen, is one of the byproducts of creating SLES so dioxane contamination is possible in products made with SLES.

Since I couldn't find anything better, I was using the 365 brand of "natural" shampoo, conditioner, and lotion from Whole Foods.  They are inexpensive, dye free, paraben free, and use essential oils for fragrance, but they still contained SLS/SLES or related chemicals.  But I ran out about two weeks ago, and decided to give all-natural bath products another chance.

I stumbled upon a great shampoo at Vitacost that doesn't make my hair crazy, smells great, and is free of all the major toxic chemicals used in personal care products.  The chemicals mentioned (ethylhexylglycerin, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate) are preservatives with antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties that are either plant-derived, kosher, or naturally occuring, cause irritation/allergies only in rare instances, and are among the last on the ingredient list, which means they are the smallest concentrations.  The line is the Beauty Without Cruelty shampoos and conditioners.  For those interested, they also make facial cleansing products and cosmetics.

Another all natural bath product I'm loving is the Hugo Naturals shower gel in the Vanilla Orange fragrance.  It has a relaxing vanilla undertone, and the only ingredient I didn't immediately recognize as coming from nature was decyl glucoside.  It's an SLS alternative made from vegetable oil and sugar.  The Hugo Naturals line of products includes hand soaps, lotions, body scrubs, shower gels, and more in a variety of fragrance options including unscented.

I haven't decided on a final product for the baby, but here are a few I'm considering.  The Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash, Burt's Bees Tear Free Shampoo and Wash, and Nature's Baby All Natural Shampoo and Body Wash are all economical choices that pass initial inspection.  They also all make natural baby lotions.  A few days ago, my aunt and uncle gave me the Aubrey Organics Natural Baby & Kids Body Lotion to try.  I used it on my son this evening after his bath.  It smells good, moisturizes well, and meets my expectations for an natural/organic product.  The downside is that it is on the more expensive side, a little greasy, and the fragrance is stronger than I like for a baby lotion.  I will probably try something else when this bottle is gone.

Other alternative household products free of harmful chemicals and additives are Earth Friendly Ultra Dishmate, Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Dish Soap, Biokleen Automatic Dish Powder, Tom's SLS-free Toothpaste, Kiss My Face Aloe Vera Toothpaste, and Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder.  For you Seventh Generation and Avalon Organics users, sorry!  They didn't make it to the "clean" list.

To learn more about the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate and its derivatives, click these links:

http://www.health-report.co.uk/sodium_lauryl_sulphate.html

http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.html

How to Wash Cloth Diapers

Now that you've learned about the different kinds of cloth diapers available to modern moms and gotten ideas on how to choose the cloth diapering system that's best for you, you're wondering what to do with them between wash days and how to deodorize, disinfect, and keep them looking clean and bright.  Even after all the research, it was still a fairly lengthy trial and error process for me.  Here are a few insights and suggestions based on my experiences.


Supplies

• Gloves
• Diaper bucket or waterproof bag
• Cloth diaper friendly detergent
• Diaper sprayer

You'll need a place to store dirty diapers between washes.  I have used 5 gallon paint buckets from the hardware store and a small, lidded trash can as my diaper buckets, but there are many other alternatives out there that may work better for you.  The Safety 1st Simple Step Diaper Pail is an affordable option with a handy foot pedal operated lid for hands free use, and this Swaddlebees Diaper Pail Liner is a multitasker that can also be used alone as a wet bag, laundry bag, or travel diaper pail.

The diaper sprayer and gloves are optional, but very useful to have.  I don't actually have a diaper sprayer because I have a "dirty" sink with a sprayer.  For those who don't have that luxury, my cloth diapering mom friends swear by their diaper sprayers because it allows them to spray the mess directly into the toilet before tossing the diaper in the pail or the wet bag.

Your choice of detergent is very important to the life and functionality of your diapers.  Most detergents leave a residue that will eventually build up on your diapers and cause skin irritation, interfere with the diaper's ability to wick away wetness, or both.  Cloth diaper makers do not recommend using regular commercial detergents such as Tide or Dreft, but some people have had success using 1/4 - 1/2 the recommended amount in their diaper washes.  I personally use Charlie's Soap because it is an all natural, residue free laundry powder.  I love that it's made in the USA and that I'm supporting American made products every time I purchase it.  It's also very economical.  Even though I do all my regular laundry with it in addition to the diapers (for diapers I usually double the amount of soap), one bag lasts over 3 months.  It is also not necessary to use fabric softener or static cling sheets with Charlie's soap as it is the chemical residues that stiffen clothes and cause static in the dryer.


Location, location, location!


When considering places to keep your dirty diaper pail, keep in mind that even with pre-rinsing, baking soda, and all the diaper odor tricks out there, it has been impossible in my experience to completely eliminate diaper bucket odors.  If you have space in your laundry room, I would recommend keeping the dirty diapers there since it will be out of the way.  If this is not an option, use a diaper pail with a tight fitting lid or a wet bag with a drawstring to seal in as much of the odor as possible.

To keep diaper odor to a minimum, I've found the rinsing all diapers, including the ones that only have pee, greatly reduces diaper pail smells.  You can also sprinkle the inside of your dirty diaper container with baking soda.  While I have had the best results using a dry diaper bucket, some have had success by keeping the diapers in water with a tablespoon of vinegar, but do not use bleach as this ruins the waterproof layers in your expensive AIOs and your waterproof covers.  If you do use bleach for your prefolds and other coverless diapers, make sure to rinse them thoroughly as the bleach residue can irritate your baby's skin.


The Wash Cycle


Pre-rinse wet diapers and remove solids from dirty diaper before putting them in the diaper bag or bucket.  Make sure all velcro tabs are secure so they do not snag other items.


Run your diapers through a rinse cycle first to get rid of any remaining solid waste.  This may be done with cold water.  You may do a short soak if you desire, but don't overdo it as this will breed bacteria.

After the pre-rinse, wash your diapers with your cloth friendly detergent on a cycle that uses hot water.  Hot water will serve to disinfect your diapers.  For extra whitening or deodorizing, you may add 2-4 tablespoons of baking soda.  If you are using a regular, commercial detergent for laundering your diapers, I would recommend using a bit of baking soda in the final rinse because it will help to remove the residues.  The added benefit is that baking soda is a natural fabric softener.

If you are laundering items with a hook & loop style closure such as Aplix or Velcro, make sure it is secured or it will stick to other garments and create snags and pulls or even ruin some fabrics.


Drying Cloth Diapers


Either line dry your cloth diapers or put them in the dryer on high heat WITHOUT fabric softener.  Fabric softener will make them less absorbent and cause repelling issues.  Using high heat or the sun will further disinfect your diapers for healthier reuse.  Drying in the sun is an energy efficient way to launder cloth diapers without increasing you utility bill that also naturally deodorizes without artificial fragrances that only mask unpleasant odors without treating the cause.  Line dried items are easily fluffed up by placing them in the dryer for a few minutes on a heatless setting.


Prewashing Pointers


All cloth diapers regardless of style or brand recommend prewashing up to 5 times before use in order to bring out the maximum absorbency of the fibers and fully preshrink the fabrics.  For most diapers prewashing with your regular laundry is fine as long as you use the appropriate detergent, remember to avoid fabric softener, and wash with like colors.

Certain fabrics, however, must be laundered separately.  The two main ones are wool and hemp.  Check the laundering instructions on your wool diaper covers to see if they're machine washable.  Most will be hand wash and line dry only.  Those items will shrink up to 50% or more if machine washed and/or dried.  Hemp has naturally occurring plant oils that will interfere with wicking, so it must be washed several times before use.  Do not wash hemp diapers with other fabrics until they have been completely stripped or the oils will transfer to them.


Up Next...


Now that you know the cloth diapering basics, come back to Cool Mom's Blog every week on Diaper Duty Tuesdays for an ongoing look at cloth diapering tips, how to's, and reviews!

For a look at all my cloth diaper information, go the the Cloth Diapering tab at the top of the page or click here.

Why Cool Moms Should Love Cool Cucumbers

Cucumbers, it would seem, are the unsung heroes of the summer garden.  More than just a beauty treatment, cucumbers can clean crayons off the wall, act as a caffeine free pick me up for the busy mom, and reduce the appearance of cellulite for those afternoons at the pool or beach. There is even documentation of the existence of cucumbers in many ancient civilizations including Greece, Turkey, China, and Sumer.  Ancient peoples used cucumbers for food, a facial and skin cleanser, and as the base ingredient in many household cleaners.  Because cucumbers are inexpensive and readily available, there is no reason to NOT take advantage of all the wonderful things they can do.

Cucurbitin and fatty oil in the seeds

• Have diuretic properties and may be used to treat constipation
• Promote healthy digestion
• Have been used to expel intestinal worms including tapeworm
• Sooth irritated skin

High potassium level and moderate amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, phosphorous, and magnesium

• Stave off hunger.  Ancient European trappers used cucumbers to keep from starving on long expeditions.  Take a cue from them and bring sliced cucumbers on your next road trip or offer them as a healthy snack.
• Provide a natural, stimulant free energy boost
• Replenish electrolytes as effectively as power drinks but without the artificial colors and high fructose corn syrup

Enzymes and Phytochemicals

• Relieve burns and skin irritations as effectively as aloe.  Place a slice directly on the affected area or put it in the blender to make a salve
• Tighten collagen in your skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite, swelling, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles.  For a low cost, 5 minute spa treatment, bring a sliced cucumber to a boil, remove from heat, and lean over the steam.  The chemicals will mix with the steam to rejuvenate your complexion and the fresh scent will leave you feeling relaxed.
• Kill bad breath.  Just place a slice under the roof of your mouth for 30 seconds.  The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria that causes odor.
• Revitalizes and conditions skin
• Can be used to polish shoes.  Rub a slice on your favorite pair and watch them shine.

A "cool" food that stays up to 20 degrees cooler than the external temperature

• Soothes burns, rashes, and other skin irritations such as diaper rash
• May prevent overheating by acting as a natural refrigerant when ingested

           

Cucumber skins

• Erase crayon markings and can also erase pen and ink mistakes or stains.  Just rub the cucumber on the mark and watch it disappear!
• Contain trans-2-noneal chemicals that repel cockroaches

Cool Ideas

• Cucumbers are known to lower high blood pressure and may lower cholesterol.
• Remove tarnish by rubbing it with a cucumber slice.
• Lubricate squeaking door hinges and cabinets with a slice of cucumber.
• Prevent bathroom mirror fog by rubbing a slice of cucumber on the glass.  It will also leave a fresh, clean scent that lasts.

* Take precautions when using cucumber medicinally.  Cucumbers may cause or aggravate a pre-existing electrolyte imbalance or dehydration.  Pregnant and nursing women should consult a doctor before beginning medicinal use of cucumbers.

Cool Mom's Guide to Looking Your Best for Summer 2009

Losing weight after baby and regaining your pre-pregnancy figure can be a daunting task. Cool Mom knows this from experience as she is in the throes of post partum transitions, and she wants to share her holistic approach of nutrition, physical activity, and conscientious clothing choices to help you look better and feel better this summer. By following these simple steps, Cool Mom has already lost 10 pounds in the past 6 weeks with minimal exercise and has learned to artfully disguise what's left of the deflated balloon stomach for a chic and slim summer look.

• Drink more water! Staying hydrated keeps the body from storing excess water reserves (AKA bloating) and has the added benefit of making your skin look fresher and more youthful. You can lose as much as 10 lbs. and keep it off by upping your water intake.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are low calorie, nutrient packed dietary powerhouses. They promote healthy digestion with fiber. The sugars in fruit keep blood sugar levels more stable than sweet snacks like cookies, candy, and other foods made with refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup. Eating one vegetarian meal a day is what kick started Cool Mom's weight loss even more so than exercise!

• Wear tops with long lines and side rouching. Remember how your maternity tops had side rouching to make your pregnant tummy look cute instead of fat and plunging necklines to draw the eye away from your burgeoning midsection? That trick still works after you have the baby. Rouching gives your clothing a more tailored fit while accentuating the curve of your waistline and creating folds in the fabric to hide the tummy pooch. Cool Mom made a dress based on this concept that does a great job at disguising the post-baby tummy sag.

• Bottoms with wide waistbands that sit lower on the waist are most flattering to the post baby figure. They flatten the tummy and take attention off the flab without creating unsightly muffin tops. When paired with a flattering top, it's a winning combination for a sexy postpartum look. Think gauchos and gauzy wrap skirts for a fun, summer wardrobe that beats the heat.

• Incorporate playing with baby into your exercise and activity plan. Entertaining our little ones is something we mothers already do every day. If you can turn play into a way to also get your body moving, you'll be amazed at how much more exercise you can fit into your day without even thinking about it. Here are some ideas to get your started.

1. Turn crunches and sit ups into a game. My son loves it when I sit him on my chest during crunches and make silly sounds or attack his toes every time I come up.
2. No one likes to run during the hot months of summer. If you baby is anything like mine, he doesn't always nap long enough to allow significant outdoor activity. No matter how hot it get, however, most babies still enjoy taking a trip in the stroller. Beat the heat by making a track in your home. With an umbrella stroller, maneuvering around sharp turns and household obstacles is a breeze. To burn more calories, make it a power walk. For Cool Mom, an added benefit is that a 10 minute power walk around the house usually puts her baby to sleep.
3. Use your baby as a makeshift weight. When your infant is able to comfortable hold his or her own head up without assistance, he or she will probably love to do the superman. For a great arm workout, do several reps lifting and lowering your little one above your head.

• Make every second count. As mothers, we have more opportunities than we realize to get our bodies moving. In addition to using the far away parking spot or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, there are many daily chores that can be turned into multi-tasking moments for exercise. Do squats while waiting for the water to boil. Stand up and down on your tip toes or do hip and glute presses while you wash the dishes. Do bicep curls with the laundry basket on the way to the washer. Be creative and consistent, and adding activity to your day will soon become a life long healthy habit. Before you know it, you'll be popping in the exercise videos during your little one's naps!