MommyCon Newport Beach Giveaway!

We are super excited that MommyCon is coming to our local area.  We've been attending as many of these events across the US this year as we could, but THIS one is going to be the best yet because it's right here in Orange County!   It's also their last event in 2014, so you do not want to miss it!

To help MommyCon end this year with a bang, we are giving away a pair of tickets to MommyCon Newport Beach.  If you're in the Southern California area, be sure to enter and tell your friends.  We'd love to see you there!  The Spray Pal crew will be hanging out at the Sloomb Cloth Diaper Resource Center answering any questions you may have about cloth diapers.  We're hoping to convert a few more of you to cloth as we work to #makeclothmainstream. ;)

You can purchase your tickets HERE or enter to win below!

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Homemade Almond Milk and "What do you do with the PULP?"

Last week I attempted my very first batch of almond milk made from scratch.  The reason being that we give our son a blended diet through his g-tube so he's getting healthy and organic food as much as possible while he learns how to eat orally.  We avoid dairy because his lungs still aren't all that great and the slightest bit of mucous can send him into a coughing/gagging tailspin. And no one wants that, right? ;) 

So, for the past few months, the base of his daily blend has been mostly store bought almond milk.  Then I started reading things about carrageenan not being super great for you.  While the USDA will label foods that contain carrageenan as organic, the EU has banned this ingredient from all baby formulas.  So, there's that.  Some research testing done on rats shows that it's harmless, while other studies have shown that prolonged exposure can show an increased risk for cancer and tumors.  I'd credit all this, but it's basically just what I'm recalling from my random internet research. So, credit source:  The Interwebs.  And also, it's always a good idea to do your own research to see what works best for you.

Back to my point.  Since I was worried that he was getting enough of this particular nut milk to make it worth questioning how much I really wanted to expose him to these potentially concerning ingredients, I decided to bite the bullet and make a batch.  My friend Lennox from Milkin' Cookies (by the way, if y'all need lactation cookies, check them OUT!) had told me a few months back that it really wasn't as difficult as it seemed, and I thought to myself, "Yeah....but....do I really have time for this?!" And then I thought to myself, "Self?  That's what people say about cloth diapers." Point taken.

So, I went jumped in feet first, bought some almonds and went to town.  I used a combination of two recipes that I found on pinterest, and even with TWO recipes I managed to mess it up.  So please learn from my mistakes! ;)

A shot of the mess I managed to make my first time attempting homemade almond milk.  Round 2 with the nut milk bag was MUCH less messy, I promise!

Basically you just soak the almonds in the water overnight (10-12 hours).  Then you blend everything in the blender and strain it all through a cheese cloth.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well.  Because I had two recipes going, I didn't really pay attention to the water to almond ratio.  I measured out my almonds and then just randomly filled the bowl with water.  I have no clue how much.  When I went to blend it the next day, I realized that I probably should've measured the water as well.  So I estimated and added more water to bring it to where I needed it, and I think that may have affected the taste.  Not to mention my estimation skills were lacking and I shorted my batch about 1.5 cups of water, lol.  So, this was my practice batch, which was fine because Ryan doesn't actually taste it going down anyways!

The second big mistake I made was the cheesecloth.  It wasn't actually a true mistake because it got the job done, but holy heck did I make a mess.  And I felt like I was squeezing out the milk for about an hour because I had to keep pouring it in small batches. It. Took. Forever.  As soon as I was finished and I went on Facebook to post about it, I got a ton of comments about this magical thing called a Nut Bag (stop laughing, haha).  I ordered myself one of those bad boys off amazon, and the next batch was SO much easier!

In conclusion, here are my easy steps for making your own almond milk after a major fail and a successful make up session so that you may learn from my mistakes:

1. Measure 2 cups of almonds and soak them in 6 cups of water for 10-12 hours.

2. Blend thoroughly in a high quality blender (we use Vitamix).

3. Strain through a Nut Milk Bag.

You can adjust the portion size, just keep the ratio of one cup of almonds to three cups of water intact.  Some recipes I found on pinterest had some suggestions for adding vanilla extract and sea salt to give a nicer flavor, but we didn't need that since it was all going through the g-tube anyways.

My big question after my first batch was, "What do you do with the pulp?" and as usual, pinterest had the answer to that.  I searched "almond pulp recipes" and a bunch came up, so we tried this one and it was AMAZING, plus it was super easy:

Almond Pulp Brownie Recipe

We adapted it a little bit, but the recipe was delicious nonetheless.  Here's how ours turned out.  I realize this isn't pretty, but it was OH so good:

Brownies made with almond pulp leftovers from homemade almond milk.

Have you ever made your own nut milk?  How did it go?  Any tips you'd like to add, feel free to let us know in the comments below!

***This post may contain affiliate links to products I am recommending.  You won't pay any extra, but I'll make a small percentage back on your purchase if you use my link.  Thanks!***

Two Little Fish Collaboration and Giveaway!

If you played in the Instagram Round Robin giveaway this weekend, then you already know we have some more surprises waiting for you this week, and here's one of them!  We have teamed up with another really amazing family-run small business, and I'm excited to share a little bit more about them and their mission.  Plus, they are generously sponsoring a giveaway for one of their large wetbags!

The Two Little Fish large wetbag perfectly fits a Spray Pal all the way inside!

I first discovered Two Little Fish on Instagram.  I was actually on the hunt for a good quality wetbag that would fit the Spray Pal inside for a new, fashionable, but made in the USA option for our bundles.  I just happened to see one of their wetbags in a feed somewhere and I instantly fell in love!  The colors and patterns were so bright and cute, they seemed perfect.  Then I went to their site and read more about who they were and what they were doing.  You guys, this family is running their entire business to benefit others.  

I immediately contacted them and heard back right away from a very sweet and excited Nicole, who is the mom behind this company.  She was just as excited as I was about the opportunity to work together, but they hadn't really done the wholesale thing before, and let me tell you...I knew EXACTLY what she was going through!  When Spray Pal first started, we didn't even think we could handle wholesale.  We were choosing to make our product here in the USA with high quality, BPA/phthalate-free, recycled polyethylene which, of course, is costly, and we were still (and still ARE to this day) adding the clips onto the Spray Pals in our home garage!  But, we've been able to make this work with numerous (and AMAZING) retailers in the US and Canada!  

After numerous emails back and forth, Nicole and I were able to figure out a way to make this happen for you all! So, for a VERY limited time and in VERY limited quantities, we are going to have the Two Little Fish large wetbag in 3 different colors available for purchase!  And, because Nicole is so awesome, they are going to do a giveaway for you guys as well!

You will notice that the wetbags may cost a bit more than you're used to, but here's why:

100% of their profit is given away and put back into the community via partners that assist their mission in Putting Poverty To Bed.  How do they do this?

1.  Your item contains Ghanian fabric which has been purchased straight from the village women in Ghana, Africa.  This gives them sustainable income.

2. You will be sending a mattress to an AIDS orphan in South Africa through Horizon International with the purchase of your item.

3.  The rest of the profit from the wetbag you have bought will be put BACK into local and global organizations that help Put Poverty To Bed!  It's really THAT cool.

Feel good about the products you spend your money on.  100% purpose, 100% handmade in the USA.

There's a great video on their website that shows a bit more about their mission so you can see the big picture as to how this business is helping so many others others.  My favorite quote is: "The mission is to, at every facet of the process, benefit someone other than ourselves."  I truly admire the work this family is doing and I'm honored to be able to support them in their mission.

Photo credit: @houseofrose on Instagram

You can learn more at www.twolittlefish.com - Their shop is SO much more than wetbags, too.  If you're looking for some beautiful nursery linens and decor, definitely check them out so you can feel good about your purchase and supporting their labor of love.  Enter below for your chance to win a large wetbag from Two Little Fish and help spread the love!



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ABC Kids Natural Parenting Scavenger Hunt!

Spray Pal is super excited to be a part of the most exciting scavenger hunt since you were in 5th grade (or possibly later if you have a fun bachelorette party, but maybe we won't go there ;) )...the Natural Parenting Scavenger Hunt at the ABC Kids expo! This multi-brand event/giveaway is being organized by our friends at Super Undies and Kim Rosas from Dirty Diaper Laundry!  With a pair like that, you know it's going to be amazing.

So, what does this entail?  Well, if you are a retailer, blogger, or anyone else associated with the baby industry, and you're planning to attend this year's ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas, you are going to want to pick up your copy of the scavenger hunt clue list.  You can print one from home (shoot us an email if you'd like a copy) or pick one up from the Super Undies booth at ABC Kids. Then you visit all the natural parenting brands listed (including Spray Pal at booth #5143 of course. I ain't to proud to shamelessly plug) and turn in your completed stamp sheet for a chance to win some AWESOME prizes for your store and followers.

So cool to be partnering with so many fabulous brands as we help #MAKECLOTHMAINSTREAM

Not attending ABC Kids this year?  No worries!  We've got you covered.  Starting Sunday morning, you can head over to Kim's blog at www.dirtydiaperlaundry.com and enter to win via rafflecopter.  Yes, you'll miss out on meeting the Spray Pal crew as well as all the other super cool natural parenting brands that are participating, but we can't have it all. ;)

We are bursting with anticipation as we pack our bags and load up the cars for our first ever ABC Kids booth.  If your favorite local cloth diaper retailer isn't carrying the Spray Pal splatter shield yet, be sure to let them know that they can stop by and see one in action (yes, we are bringing a real working toilet with diaper sprayer to demo the Spray Pal!) at our booth #5143 on the first floor in the ABC Kids Expo Sept 7-10, 2014! 

Traveling with Cloth Diapers just got Easier!

Many of us start out with cloth diapering as a way to save some money for a couple of diaper changes a day at home.  We never really expect to put our baby in cloth 100% of the time because we just feel that overnight and outings might be too hard.  Then we start looking into it (and falling in love with the daytime fluff), and we realize that overnight really isn't as hard as we had anticipated.  So, we get a few prefolds or fitteds and covers to test out and realize our baby will sleep through the night in one diaper.  So, now we're using cloth full time at home, but not on outings.  No way.

Then there's that one day when we're heading out to a quick trip to the park and we realize we don't have any disposables. Or maybe we're heading in for a doctor's visit and we want to show off our adorable cloth diapers.  So we make an exception and grab a couple extra cloth diapers, a wetbag, and some wipes and just wing it in cloth, just for this one outing.  All of a sudden, bringing cloth on outings doesn't seem so daunting!  Woohoo, cloth full time!!

But wait.  What about that week long trip we have planned to visit Grandma out of state?  NO WAY can we bring cloth diapers along.  What will we do with the dirties?  Nobody wants my baby's poop in their washing machine.  This just can't be done.  Or CAN it?!? ;)

Enter the Qdspray and a Spray Pal!  The Qdspray is a portable diaper sprayer that attaches to your sink.  This is awesome in so many ways.  Let me list them for you:

1. You can take it with you where ever your cloth diapering heart may lead you.  Just make sure the sink is compatible or that you have the correct adapter.
2. By hooking it to a sink you have access to hot or cold water through your sprayer.
3. If you're worried about an older child finding the diaper sprayer attached to your toilet and using it as a water blaster, you won't have to worry about this one. ;) 

So if you're planning on camping in a tent or RV, or even just bringing cloth diapers to stay with squeamish relatives, you can just show them your awesome pre-rinsing system which will get your diapers super clean before you put them in the washer and will also keep their bathroom's spotless by keeping any splatter right where it belongs, in the toilet! 

Et voila! Now ANYONE can cloth diaper ANYWHERE without a worry in the world! ;)

The Spray Pal and qdspray are available in a bundle on the Spray Pal website with FREE shipping in the US!  www.spray-pal.com

Yoohoo! Big Summer Blowout! {Another Fun WAHM Giveaway!}

I've had the pleasure of working with Tia from Wooly Booly Designs a few times in the past, and when she approached me about working together on a massive giveaway, I just couldn't say no!  I love learning about new WAHM small businesses and sharing them with all of you.  So we have gathered together a few of our favorites and we'll be sharing a little about their products here. 

These small, mom-run businesses have generously offered up some amazing, hand-crafted prizes, so be sure to check out all that they have to offer and show them a little love. You'll be glad you did!  You can find all of these shops on Facebook and many of them have Etsy shops as well, just search for their names. :)

Honeysuckle Handmades is offering a size medium shortiBunz, designed to fit sizes 3-18 months and beyond.  The waist and leg cuffs can be folded up or down to accommodate all sizes and kinds of children and their cloth diapers.  Value: $20

Lil Monkey Business is going to make one lucky winner a custom pair of "Grow with Me" pants! Value: $30

Wooly Booly Designs is sponsoring a medium wetbag and 4 fleece Wooly Bums Inserts for cloth diapers. Value: $22.50

Ema's Elegance will be providing a 12 inch polished caramel amber teething necklace for one lucky little one.  Value: $20

Elvish Painter will be honoring a $15 gift card for a custom painted baby item (gDiaper, baby clothing item, cloth baby shoes, etc.)

Jae's Gems will be giving their winner a choice of a custom, handmade, all natural healing child's hazelwood/amber/gemstone necklace. Winner can choose from general teething, acid reflux, allergies, or insomnia. The necklace will be new and made to order. Value: $25

Sara Ren Designs will be designing a custom invitation or chalkboard (winner's choice). Value: $15

Upcycle Momma will be creating an adorable custom-made stuffed animal for one of our winners.  Value: $25

Tickled Pretty is sponsoring a Coraline wristlet bag with an owl theme.  Measures 10 inches wide by 6 inches tall.  Value: $20

Just In A Stitchy will be providing a $15 gift code to their Etsy store.

Lil Angel Bows *n* Toes will offer one winner their choice of a headband and sandals or a headband and bows. Value: $18

Ramblings of a Cloth Diaper Addict is giving away a limited edition and now HTF (hard to find) BumGenius 4.0 in the Chaplin print!

Mama Beads and Baby Baubles will provide one lucky winner with a bubble gum bracelet. Value: $15

You Found Me-Safety ID Bracelets and More will create a custom ID bracelet to keep your little one safe and sound. Value: $10

The Sweet Spot is sending one lucky winner a small sample box of home baked goodies. Value: $30

Spray Pal will also be sponsoring a prize.  We will send one lucky winner a Spray Pal splatter shield to make cleaning cloth diapers with a diaper sprayer EASY and mess-free!

We will be selecting and verifying 16 winners, the more the merrier!  You'll have 48 hours to respond to our email if you've won, so make sure to provide an email address you check often.  Good luck to all who enter, and a HUGE thank you to our amazing WAHM sponsors!


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Back to School with Cloth Diapers

Are you a busy parent?  Do you send your kids to day care in cloth diapers? Have an older child heading back to school and a younger child in cloth diapers? Many parents avoid cloth diapers thinking that it's going to be a ton of extra work, but it's just not true.  If WE can do it, ANYONE can!

Save time in your daily routine with these helpful tips. Whether your cloth diapered babe is home with you or at day care, you can use our time saving tips below and be sure to comment with any time savers you've discovered along the way.

For those doing cloth diapers at home:

• If you're looking to save time over money, buy some AIO (All in One) diapers or fitteds and wool.  AIOs and fitteds go on in one piece, so there's no stuffing or set up involved.  Wool covers, which go over fitteds to make them waterproof are actually easier to prep than you'd think.  One lanolizing session every 2 weeks or so, and you're good to go.  Plus, the longies and basewoolies double as adorable pants perfect for Fall!
• Invest in a few extra diapers.  Expanding your stash will benefit you in a few ways.  You can stretch out the amount of time between laundry days if you have more diapers to change.  You'll also be decreasing the wear and tear on your diapers by washing them less frequently, which will help them last longer and get you a better resale value when you're finished with them (or make for a nicer quality donation).
• Get a diaper sprayer and a Spray Pal splatter shield.  This dynamic duo is a definite time saver.  Whether you spray them as they come or save the dirties for the end of the day, using a sprayer on the highest pressure to quickly blast those diapers clean without worrying about messy over-spray is a life saver for us.

For those sending cloth diapers to day care:

• Send enough diapers.  Calculate how many to send based on a diaper change every 2 hours and at least one extra, just in case.  They may not need them all, but it's better to have more than enough ready.
• Keep the communication open and send what they like.  Ask your provider what style of diaper they are most comfortable with.  Many prefer pre-stuffed pockets or AIOs so that they don't have to do any prep, and Velcro/aplix/hook and loop closure.  It's honestly no different than putting on a disposable other than they will toss the dirty diaper into a wetbag to be washed rather than the trash can to sit in a landfill. ;)
• Send two wetbags.  One for the clean diapers and one for the dirties.  Maybe sure they are clearly differentiated, maybe a nice blue or green color for the clean and a red or brown for the dirty diapers?
• Consider a third wetbag specifically for poopy diapers.   You will have to take care of those after you bring them home.  Might as well have them separated out so that you don't have to dig through the other diapers to get to the hidden treasure, so to speak.  This step will save you time at home!
• Invest in a sprayer and Spray Pal splatter shield.   If you are trying to get the poop out of cloth diapers that have been sitting in a wetbag all day, you will make your life a lot easier by clipping them into a Spray Pal and spraying them at full blast with the sprayer. No more spending time hunched over trying to carefully pulse that stuck-on stuff.  Just spray, squeeze the excess water, unclip in wetbag, repeat, then get on with your day!
• Be sure to show them your appreciation.  Not all day care providers are open to the idea of modern cloth diapers (mostly because they probably don't realize how easy they are). If your day care is willing to work with you to do cloth, be sure to be overly thankful!  After all, they are helping #makeclothmainstream. :)
  
  If you have any of your own tips for successfully using cloth diapers at day care, please share them in the comments below!