Tag: reusable

Green Grocery Shopping

Reusable shopping bags are the way to grocery shop these days. They’re so convenient, and a really smart, easy way to cut down on plastic bags.

Disposable plastic bags are a huge problem to the environment and cutting down on any plastic that we can will be helpful. So, let’s do what we can to help save the environment from plastic bag overusage by getting the Lotus Trolly Bag today!

This bag is seriously such a great product. It makes shopping easy but more importantly, it makes carrying your bags into your home easier.

When you get to the store, hang it on the cart with the short handles and leave it there until you’re ready to check out. Once the groceries are on the line, pull your bag out and place the, on the cart. They easily slide out onto the cart and stay open so you can conveniently place all your groceries in them. When you get to your car, un-Velcro the bags from each other and place them in one at a time. I’m a ‘carry all the bags into the house in one load’ kind of girl; and these bags are perfect for that!

I primarily shop at Costco and Aldi, both of which have large, wide carts. This is a problem with the Trolly Bag because it doesn’t fit in these carts. The bag is only compatible with standard size (in width) shopping carts. For most people, this probably wouldn’t be an issue; but for someone (like me) with more than one child, this holds some challenges. Unless you’re shopping child-free or with just one child, using the shopping bags (attached to the cart) won’t be possible. (One way to allow this to work is grabbing these large carts so your kids have a seat that isn’t in the basket.)

With all that being said though, the bags have a duel feature that really make it great. The poles that connect the Trolly Bag to the cart are removable, making the bags all the more versatile. Just slide the polls right out of the bag, and use them like any other reusable shopping bag. I love this feature. It’s what actually changed my mind about these bags. When I learned that the polls weren’t wide enough to fit in the carts at the stores where I normally shop, I was really disappointed. But now knowing that I can easily remove (and re-enter) the polls with ease, I can and will use the bags more frequently.

The Lotus Trolly Bag comes with four different sized and colored bags, all removable. This means you can use all four at once, or un-velcro the bags and use them individually.

The purple bag is the largest and has pockets where wine bottles fit snuggly in and a carton of eggs fits well. This keeps your eggs safe and your wine bottles secure. The light blue bag is my favorite. It’s very large and it’s insulated, so all your cold items go here. The top of the bag velcro’s shut, keeping the coolness inside the bag; seriously genius. The last two bags are the same sizes; the dark blue and tan bag. These bags are smallest of the bags and are perfect for running into the store and picking up a few items.

All of the bags, except the light blue, insulated one, have mesh bottoms. This is really great because when there are spills from your groceries, the bags will clean easily. This also ensures that there will be pooling of your spills.

The bags are really long/deep, which I love. They hold a lot and don’t take up a lot of space because they’re skinny and tall; as opposed to my previous shopping bags that are wide and short.

I also LOVE the handles on the Trolly Bag. The long, deep handles are my favorite feature. This means I can hold the bag on my shoulder without it ridding up into my armpit. My largest complaint of ‘normal’ shopping bags is that the handles are so short; there isn’t even room for me to put them up onto my shoulder because they are too short. I’m not sure everyone will appreciate the long handles as much as me, but I just had to share my experience and opinion with you!

The reinforced stitching on the handles a huge plus. Seriously, it’s like super stitching. It would really take a lot for these handles to come apart.

The Lotus Trolly Bag is the perfect shopping accessory to take with you to any grocery store. I love to use them without the poles, mostly because it the stores I shop at the most. All that being said, having the option to put the poles back into the bags so I can use them for their [main] intended purpose.

The strong stitching and large, deep feature of the bags really make these bags stand out from other reusable shopping bags. My favorite feature though, the long straps, seriously.

Go get yourself a Lotus Trolly Bag, or give it as a gift. The holidays are just around the corner!

Use and Re-use

Kids love snacks, am I right?!

My two year old asks for a snack about 37 times a day.

 

It is super vital, in our home, to have prepared snacks, ready to grab, at all times.

That’s why I’m loving WeeSprout and the re-usable food pouches they make. Keep reading to hear all about them and other products they offer.

 

 

WeeSprout is a family owned company that was created to keep our kids and planet healthy.

Using these reusable pouches means you’re using less waste – keeping the environment a little more clean. The WeeSprout products and packaging are made from recyclable materials; they truly use ‘green’ in every aspect of their business.

———-

Connect with WeeSprout

Facebook               Instagram               Pinterest               Twitter

———-

 

SILICONE DIVIDED TODDLER PLATES

The WeeSprout divided plates are the perfect addition to our home. I love using these plates for our two year old.

BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate free. These are all materials we don’t want in the products we’re using; especially when eating off them.

Made of 100% food grade silicone, these FDA/LFGB certified plates are perfectly safe for children.

These plates come in a variety of bright, fun colors; all available in packs of three. I love bright colors, and our house is full of them, so these plates are the perfect addition to our kitchen!

The plates are so easy to clean, and can even go into the dishwasher. Not only that, but the plates are perfectly safe to in the microwave too!

I love that the plates nest together. Storage space is minimal because of how well they sit together; which is very important in our little house. Because of how well they stack they can stay super organized – this mama loves that feature!

“NATURE’S LITTLE SQUEEZE” REUSABLE FOOD POUCHES

Preparing healthy food just got a lot easier with these reusable food pouches. These pouches are not only reducing waste because of the reusable factor, but they are saving you money and giving you the option to give your child exactly what you want them to eat. We all want our kids to eat healthy, right? So these pouches truly allow you to be creative and fill them up with true, raw, natural ingredients.

WeeSprout makes it easy to fill the pouches with applesauce, smoothies, yogurt, baby food, fruit and/or veggie purees. Filling and cleaning the pouches is easy because of the extra wide zipper opening. I would recommend using a funnel to fill the pouches. I have found that it’s much easier and less messy doing it this way.

The bottom of the pouch has two zippers that close easily and are super strong. We haven’t had any leaking problems with these pouches. The duel zippers really do keep leaks at bay. We all know that this is a huge positive when giving kids food. Last thing we want is to find some fruit puree on the floor or in the car seat.

The rounded corners on the top of the pouches means there is no corners for food to get trapped in. When cleaning, water flows easily through the zipper opening and down out the spout – easy peezy! It is recommended that before putting the pouches on the top rack of the dishwasher you rinse them.

My favorite aspect of the pouches is that I can freeze them. This makes my life so much easier; it saves me a ton of time too! When filling my pouches I make a large batch of whatever I’m filling it with, and then freeze the extra pouches. Seriously such a lifesaver.

When thawing a pouch I recommend using the same method you would when warming up a baby bottle. Fill a bowl, cup, or container with hot water and place the pouch in the water until thawed. Warm the water in the microwave if needed. You can also hold the pouch under warm water until thawed to your desire.

These food pouches are perfect for children of all ages. There are three sizes of pouches offered: 3.4oz, 5oz, and 7oz. We have the 3.4oz. and 5oz. pouches and they are great for our two year old; I think the 7oz. would be too much for him.

 

The WeeSprout products are the perfect addition to your home. These reusable, eco-friendly products are easy to clean and make being in the kitchen with children more tolerable. The fun colors will bring your home brightness and the products are easy to stack and store.

Life’s A Beach! GIVEAWAY HOP

Enter for your chance to win (1) $40 gift package of assorted GoSili items!

 

Sponsored by: SiliKids

Open to: US and Canadian residents

 

 

 

 

Hop along to each blog for your chance to win awesome prizes!
Don’t forget to come back daily for bonus entries.

 

 

 

 

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Get Silly with Silikids

It seems like the world is depleting quickly, am I right?

“Going green” seems to be the new catch phrase for people these days; and for good reason. I think we have a responsibility to take care of our planet.

Not only is taking care of our planet important, but taking care of our bodies is important too.

That’s why our family is starting to transition away from plastic and over to silicone.

Well, that’s where Silikids comes into play.

Silikids was founded in 2006 and offers alternatives to plastic tableware found in our homes. Their products are safe, modern, and made completely from silicone.

Connect with Silikids

Facebook Instagram Twitter

Silicone is:

Safe. Silicone is primarily made up of silicon. Silicon is a natural element that is found in sand and rock. When silicon is combined with oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen, it’s transformed into silicone. Silicone is inert – lacking the ability or strength to move – so it doesn’t react with food or liquid. Silicone is hypo-allergenic and does not promote bacteria or fungus growth.

Non-toxic. Silicone is BPA free and does not contain toxic chemicals like bisphenol-A, lead, PVC and phthalates.

Durable. The durability of silicone means that you will really not have to worry about disposable for a long time. The long lasting silicone takes away from the waste that you would otherwise create. You can also recycle silicone. Send your Silikids products back to them and they’ll recycle them for you!

Universal Tops

These tops are super great. Just like the name says – they’re universal. These tops fit on any cup, regardless of size. The beauty of these tops is that they turn any cup into a children’s cup in just seconds. Seriously so cool!

Two options are available for these tops – sippy top or straw top. Both of these options are great for children of any age. Not only are these tops good for the environment, they are a great money saver. Having cups in the house already means you only need these toppers. No extra kids cups sitting around the house taking up unwanted space.

Although the universal tops are made to fit any size cup, I would recommend using the tops on smaller sized cups. I had a few experiences with the toppers where some of the cups I used were just a little too big. Better be safe than sorry and use a smaller rimmed cup! But even better, invest in the Silikids silicone cups. These cups are perfect for kids, won’t break, and make the switch over from plastic complete.

*Note that the photo above is showing a sippy top. The cup in the photo is not a Silikids cup.

Reusable Silicone Straw

These silicone straws are great for children and adults. Six packs and three packs are available and come in different lengths, for different cup heights.

The straws are perfect for little teeth and especially great for teething kiddos. The softness of the straws are great for soothing gums; any baby will enjoy that! That being said, these straws are also a fabulous alternative for adults with sensitive teeth or sore gums! In some cases, these sore gums may be a canker sore lurking inside the cheek, luckily treatment such as Luminance RED is available to help alleviate that soreness, however, if it is their gums, the appropriate treatment is a must. A friend of mine has recently had to undergo treatment for periodontitis (also known as gum disease) so I will definitely be recommending these silicone straws to her. Which reminds me, my friend told me that if you are considering treatment for periodontitis Sydney is home to some fantastic dental professionals that can provide the advice and support you need to get your smile looking back to its best. Just be sure to reach out to a few different dentists to find the best treatment plan for your needs.

Reusable Snack Bags

These reusable bags are the perfect replacement to disposable bags. Use them over and over again and don’t feel like you’re hurting the environment; because you’re not!

If you’re like me, it’s really easy grab a ziplock bag and fill it with snacks for the kids or food for hubbies lunch. But now that I have these reusable bags I love grabbing one and filling it with goodies, I feel better that I’m not waisting anything.

The bags are super easy to open and close. The simple closure on the bag pops into the hole and is easier use than a zipper. Due to the way this bag closes, there is not a complete seal. I would recommend not putting food into the bag that should be sealed shut in order to stay fresh. We mostly use the bag for fruit, veggies, and nuts.

You can even write on the bag with a washable marker or a pen, it wipes off very easily. Writing on the bag allows you to know what’s in it without opening it up. You can write your name on the bag so no one eats your food, or write a note on the bag for your hubby or kiddo!

The bottom of the bag is gusseted, which allows the to stand up on its own. This is perfect for snacking and makes filling the bag super convenient.

Silikids is a great way to transition your family away from plastic. The silicone products are super safe and perfect for children, and adults too.

I love the straws and that you can use them for not only the Silikids products but other drink containers as well.

The products are durable and the fun, bright colors are sure to bring some sunshine into your home.

The best part though?

They can be washed in the dishwasher.

Score!

My Favorite Lil Helper

Do you know what I love? When a company I already love continues to strive for innovation and perfection!

Lil Helper cloth diapers have my Fluff Love heart.

Connect with Lil Helper

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Instagram

 

I could write a whole article on why Lil Helper Cloth Diapers but I feel they’ve already make a pretty good case on their website.

But If you want the short version:

Almost 3 years ago MamatheFox did a review on Lil Helper. Two years later I started experimenting with cloth diapers and got all of MamatheFox’s hand-me-downs. I was given one Lil Helper diaper and immediately I wanted more! I loved the fit, bamboo inserts, and system of using the liner multiple times.

Which how awesome is it that I fell in love with a second hand diaper!

It definitely sheds light on the life span of Lil Helper and their quality.

Recently Lil Helper upped their fluff game and not only made their diapers even more dependable, which I didn’t think was possible, but also started making a variety of products for all babies, not just cloth diapered.

 

Charcoal Cloth Diaper

Now sometimes it is scary when a company you love makes changes. There is definitely hesitation and sometimes resistance from us stubborn folks. If it ain’t broken why fit it right?

However, I also highly appreciate companies always trying to be better. Lil Helper engineered a beloved cloth diaper that is working great, yet they stay diligent to keep up with technology and assure customers they are providing the best. Lil Helper recently redesigned their diapers to have a higher back.

It definitely gives my very tall daughter extra coverage and protection, while still fitting close to her body comfortably. She is a very active toddler that is always on the move…or climb. With a higher back I feel her bum stays in and all the nastiness can’t come out.

 

As for the rest of the diaper, it has all the same great features Lil Helper promises.

Each diaper comes with 2 inserts that attach to the diaper cover with snaps. There are two reasons I love this feature so much. First because the chore of “stuffing” cloth diapers is eliminated. Snapping inserts in a diaper is very quick and self explanatory. I have no worries if the insert is wrinkled or if wiggly baby girl is going to displace the insert and have a mega leak. Secondly, laundry is so much easier. I don’t have to fear reaching into the dark pee filled diaper cave to separate diaper from insert.

Oh and my favorite reason (which I guess makes 3 reasons)…

My husband voluntarily does diaper laundry, and I let him! He has a strong distaste for pulling out inserts and I have a mini panic micromanaging attack every time he tries to help stuff diapers. Since Lil Helper is so user friendly he happily unsnaps diapers for washing and perfectly assembles diapers for wearing.

Day made!

Lil Helper has a variety of diaper inserts that meet the needs of your cloth diapering preferences. And of course, all their inserts are interchangeable with Lil Helper’s adorable diaper shells. From bright solid colors, to playful graphic prints, you are sure to find a style to match your little fashionista.

Cloth Wipes

Now I have to admit I am still working on my reusable cloth wipe game. I go back and forth on whether or not I’m sold on the idea. Lil Helpers sells a 4 pack of two layer bamboo cotton/micro-fleece wipes. They are made with same great quality and materials as their diapers. I loved the size and absorbency of the wipes and was especially impressed with how soft they’ve stayed after multiple washes. The super soft wipes are so gentle on baby’s bums and have multiple uses. I’ve used them for wiping noses, bath time, and sticky hand clean up. The affordable pack of 4 would make an excellent gift for any mama whether they cloth wipe or not.

 

Reversible Bandana Bibs

A new addition to Lil Helper’s collection is bandana bibs! If you have a baby then you definitely have drool problems. With three gender neutral prints, these adjustable bibs are perfect for any baby, or dog!

I have also been a big user on baby bandanas because they keep my little one fashionable while still fulfilling their purposes. In the winter bandanas are a great layer of warmth and protection where a coat might not cover.

A waterproof layer is sewed in-between the printed cotton and micro-fleece, keeping kids dry all day. I especially liked the soft micro-fleece option when my kids are sick. As gross as it may sound, I’ve caught a lot of snot with the fleece side. It is soft on their skin and easily assessable. As moms know, there is about a two second gap between a runny nose and kids doing something disgusting with their snot!

 

During that wonderful stage when babies leave their mouth open and the drool pours out by the gallon (how can one child hold that much liquid!?) bandana bibs save laundry and the hassle of changing shirts. They are also great during teething when again it seems like the drool is never ending.

 

Bamboo Change Mat

Another great addition to the Lil Helper collection is their organic Bamboo Change Mats. If you enjoy Lil Helper diapers then you will also love their bamboo change mat. It’s huge area of 86cm X 91cm can be used in a crib or spread out on a toddler’s bed.

Made with only the best fabric, this mat is pesticide, bleach, BPA, leads and heavy metal free. The medical grade waterproof material sandwiched between the layers of bamboo absorbs 10 time its weight in water. The bamboo/cotton on both sides is organic and provides soft cushioning.

We’ve used this mat for multiple uses such as a play mat, sleeping area, a cushion, and a protective layer in a hard travel crib before we got our and pack n play mattress. We also used it to protect my couch when my son had the flu.

For easy cleaning pop this pre-washed mat in the washer and even finish off in the dryer! This multi-use Bamboo Mat is an essential for bed time, diaper changes, and on the go.

So wether you are a cloth diapering expert or looking for the perfect baby accessories, I highly encourage you to check out Lil Helpers high quality products. Their witty website will have you laughing while also providing you with any answer or resource needed for fluff love mamas!

Connect with Lil Helper

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Instagram

Sweet Bobbins Review

Sweet Bobbins Review

Who is Sweet Bobbins?

Angela is the primary owner and designer. She happily bears the burdens of shopping and sewing. Rene helps out with accounting and does tons of sewing too! This 2 women show makes beautiful products at affordable prices.

What Do They Sell?

About Sweet Bobbins:

ALL fabrics are PRE-WASHED in free & clear soap. Which means they are pre-shrunk! I want my products to wash well and look fantastic even after several uses, so I pre-wash EVERYTHING to reduce shrinkage and warping!

They also sell on Etsy under Sweet Bobbins Fabric and Urge2Serge. This is mostly De-stash from their projects, but they do have some designer prints for sale.

They also offer custom jobs. If you want something in a certain fabric or in a larger quantity they can happily help you. They use the best machines so you know that everything they make is going to be good quality and long lasting. Read these reviews of Brother sewing machines to see some examples of the kind of kit they use.

Get 10% off a Sweet Bobbins Etsy Purchase with code: TheFox10 Amazon products are already discounted for you. All Amazon orders will get a free gift with purchase!

Mama’s Experience:

washcloth

When you receive your order all items are handled with great care. I was SO surprised that my wipes were already washed. They are crazy soft! Like I want to cuddle with these wipes, that kinda soft. I washed mine after getting them, because you know, habit. They are still crazy cuddly soft! Super happy with the quality of fabrics Sweet Bobbins chooses.

My son had never felt a wipe other than a store brand disposable wipe. The first time he felt it touch his skin he got still. Like frozen in place. This is a 17 month old – they don’t stay still for changing at this age. They are like greased pigs when you try to change them. He never felt a soft, smooth fabric before. He looked at me with a “what is happening, mom?” sort of face. I wiped him off and put the new diaper on without a struggle.

close up

Cleaning the poop – I was scared. I never used a cloth wipe with poop before. I knew that I was about to change a real toddler poop. I wet 2 of the cloth Sweet Bobbins wipes with warm water from my bathroom sink and set them down while I went to grab by son. The cloth wipes are 7 inches by 7 inches. I ended up only using 1 wipe when changing him! I was shocked! And pleased of course. I could just leave the wipe in the diaper and when I took the cloth diaper to the toilet to dispose of the solids I was able to shake off the wipe. It washed like it had never seen a poopy diaper. I am so in love.

in basket

Woodhaven Birds

They are flannel and velour wipes, and come in a ten pack. They are 7 inches by 7 inches.

  • Luxuriously soft and absorbent handmade baby washcloths
  • Cute flannel print backed with bamboo velour
  • Pre-shrunk
  • Multiple uses – bath time, meal time, diapering wipes for sensitive skin, remove make-up
  • Made in the USA

They fold neatly and sit right next to my cloth diapers. Sweet Bobbins has TONS of fun designs and options of wipes. Check them out here.

Follow Sweet Bobbins

Facebook Etsy Twitter

Enter to win a set of Cloth Wipes from Sweet Bobbins

Now you can enter to win a set of cloth wipes from Sweet Bobbins!

Open to US only, Runs 8/1-8/15

giveaway