Category Archives: Products and Gear

Reviving a Forgotten Favorite

Posted on June 26, 2008 by juliebyers

Someone recently reminded me about an old trick I used to use.  Add some sugar to the shower routine!  More sugar that is.  Maybe I should just move my spice cabinet to the shower!  I now have apple cider vinegar, baking soda, brown sugar, oregano, and white sugar in the tub.  What next? 

I digress.  It goes like this:  I put the white sugar in an old spice jar that has a sift top.  I pour some Dr. B in my hand (peppermint is my current flavor-of-the-day) and shake on some sugar.  It makes a great exfoliate for my skin.  And unlike salt, which I’ve also tried, it dissolves quickly and doesn’t feel as abrasive.  It is soft enough for my face.  And maybe, just maybe, it will make me sweeter.     

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Negative Heel Technology

Posted on June 22, 2008 by juliebyers

I am not posting this picture because I want anyone to be jealous.  No, no, no. 

On a fast tip from a friend, I drove some miles to find Earth shoes for a RIDICULOUSLY low price.  But don’t be jealous or anything.   

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‘Poo Free

Posted on June 3, 2008 by juliebyers

Hi.  My name is Julie.  I’ve been free from shampoo for 17 months.  The recovery process from shampoo abuse took about 6 weeks during which time my hair looked, um, like I hadn’t washed it in 6 weeks. 

I decided to stop using shampoo out of vanity.  But others do it for safety.  Or, for frugality. 

Here is how it works for me:

I mix up some baking soda and water and keep it in an old apple juice bottle in the shower.  Before each use, I shake the mix.  I pour some on my head (yes, it is cold) and then scrub it into my scalp.  Then rinse. 

About once a week, before rinsing, I pour on some apple cider vinegar (ACV).  It bubbles in reaction to the soda and then I rinse.  The ACV takes care of any build-up and adds shine. 

I still use conditioner–I’m a curly.  But if you have straight hair, using ACV after the soda or even ACV alone may be all that is needed to soften, clean, and shine.

I finish with a quick rinse with cold water to seal the follicles.

Maybe once a month, I scrub a little brown sugar and honey into my scalp before the baking soda step.

My favorite hair help is a spray bottle I filled with water and lavender oil.  If my hair ever fills blah or if I don’t have time to wash it, I squirt on some lavendar love and it perks up.

And I never, ever brush or blow-dry.  No way.  Oh, and about that recovery process–depending on your hair, it can look crunchy for a period of time while it gets over the shampoos withdrawal.  Lavender water will be your best friend and must go with you everywhere.   

Want to know more?  Find full instructions, recipes, and reasons in this book.        

Of course, my husband, with his perfect curls, laughs at the lengths to which I go…

 

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Pigs Anyone?

Posted on May 4, 2008 by juliebyers

I’m talking “Pass the Pigs.”  Best game on the planet.  Have you passed some pigs? 

I’ll never forget evenings around the Nicewongers’ dining room table; all of us “camp folk” stuffed from Judy’s feast and Dick’s pork tenderloin grilled on the Weber.  While we tried (successfully) to find room for Judy’s peanut butter pie, Dick would bring out the pigs.  We leaned forward in our chairs, some even stood, as the electric charge of competition lit the room.  It was on.  Each of us with our own special technique–pig kisses, the wrist flip, Dick’s special cup toss, the hand roll–we passed pigs late into the NY night. 

Don’t know about the pigs?  Hang in here with me, it gets complicated.  You have these two tiny pigs and you throw them.  The positions in which they land give you points.  The piggies touch and you lose it all.  Toss a Double Leaning Jowler and you hit the jackpot.  I told you it was complicated. 

Snouter/Razorback

So the next time you’re planning a camping trip, pack the pigs.  The next time you have some friends over, bring out the pigs and the peanut butter pie. 

Pig out.     

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Finally, Nalgene

Posted on April 19, 2008 by juliebyers

For those of you keeping up with the BPA saga, did you hear the news about Nalgene?  My beloved Nalgene has been one of the most tenacious defenders of the safety of Bisphenol-A in their products.  Thanks to pressure from Canadian outdoor stores, Canada’s Ministry of Health, consumers, and (of all things) the Today show, Nalgene introduced a new line of BPA-free choices last week.  Then, a few days later, issued a press release that they will no longer produce any products with containing BPA.  Huge news!   

In other BPA news, according to Z Recommends, Walmart Canada has announced it will immediately pull all BPA bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers, and water bottles from their shelves.  Walmart US claims they will phase out BPA bottles (only) by 2009. 

No word from the Big Formula on eliminating BPA from formala containers.  Surprised?

And once again, the FDA, is ignoring the issue altogether–even in the face of congressional subpoenas.

Oh dear, the EPA, is also under congressional review for its cozy ties to the American Chemistry Council.

Sigh.    

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Who is this woman?

Posted on April 9, 2008 by juliebyers

Today, having joined other moms at the monthly Cloth Diapering Group to discuss laundry issues and while sharing a cup of organic green tea with agave nectar with my daughter, I wondered…who is this woman?  I once lived off ramen noodles and spent days reading fiction.   

Words overheard at the mom’s group:  poop, growing so fast, amber teething necklace, child-directed, attachment parenting, meltdown, basal temp, environment, your child escaped, sleep, no, raising our children, bamboo, how often do you wash, discipline, microfiber, love and anger, potty, ovulation, mommy’s milk, babylegs, be gentle, odor, odor-remover, nursed all night, share your toys, see you next month. 

My husband asked me last night:  Do you ever think of anything except breasts? 

I had mentioned that stem cells have been found in breastmilk.       

Again, who is this strange woman? 

I like her.

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A few new favorite things:

Posted on April 6, 2008 by juliebyers

We’re lately grooving to Elizabeth Mitchell and Lisa Loeb.  Elizabeth Mitchell, beautiful guitarist/ composer/ singer who formed the indie band, Ida, with her hubby, Daniel Littleton, sings the sweetest folk sounds on You Are My Little Bird.  With their daughter, Storey, they sing traditional songs as well as covers of Neil Young, Bob Marley, and The Velvet Underground.   Elizabeth Mitchell also recorded music with Lisa Loeb (remember her?).  Catch the Moon includes the most precious rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” you’ll ever hear as well as a lovely take on Bob Dylan’s “New Morning.”  Shhh, I listen to them even when Norah isn’t in the car. 

Peter Cottontail brought Norah an interesting little book, A Ride on Mother’s Back.  Full of bright illustrations and educational tidbits, this book highlights babywearing around the world.  My favorite is the daddy carrying a net of firewood on his back and a net of baby on his front–all hanging from his head.  And I’m partial to the grandpa babywearing on a hunting trip in the rainforest!  Scott preferred the North American daddy trekking with the backpack carrier. 

My friend (she shall remain nameless–it was a secret mission) and I took a little journey to the continent of Ikea where I staked claim to the Bygel series.  What an incredibly inexpensive and uber-cool way to create some much-needed kitchen space! 

Finally, though I’ve never been a watcher of cooking shows, I have learned so much over at Cookus Interruptus.  Mmmm, mmmm, Cynthia has revived my love affair with collard greens.     

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Blessingways and Broken Mornings

Posted on March 18, 2008 by juliebyers

I’m re-reading Spiritual Midwifery and getting lost in the hippie love of the Farm midwives.  Why is it that in almost every Farm birth story, the couple makes out during labor?  I didn’t even think of that during my labor.  I was very close to Scott physically and emotionally during the process and he was very hands on but we weren’t making out.  No.  I asked him if he’d be willing to give it a go next time around.  Of course, he suggested we start practicing right away. 

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Because I’m dreamily lost in the Farm love, my background music carries the smell of patchouli.  Yesterday, Norah and I were riding in the car.  I was listening to a Cat Stevens song.  Norah asked, “What’s dat song called?”  I said, “It’s called ‘Morning has Broken.'”  Norah:  “It needs batteries, Mommy?”

This Saturday is our monthly Blessingway at UCEDS.  The Blessingways are free and open to anyone.  It is our way of surrounding new and expectant families with positive support and mindful information.  Caryn will be sharing her birth story and then we’ll have an informational session on Cloth Diapering 101.  We need experienced women with encouraging wisdom to bless these new families.  We meet from 2-4 at UCEDS the 4th Saturday of each month.  Children are welcome.       

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Romantic Notions

Posted on March 3, 2008 by juliebyers

My lovely husband invited me for an afternoon on Lake Jocassee today.  We paddled to a secluded cove for picnicking, napping in the sun, and exploring.  Alright, I napped in the sun.  Scott turned into a 9 year old boy–he threw rocks in the water, tracked the borders of our cove, planned our survival in case of catastrophe, and debated building a fire. 

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Jocassee is my favorite lake.  I have deep romantic notions about her water.  And I have some fear of her.  She is not warm and welcoming like Keowee or Hartwell.  She is cold and beautiful and unfathomable.  I love to swim at the base of the rocky cliffs where the water is freezing black deep.  I can lose myself staring into the earthy green moss dripping with froth at Laurel Fork Falls.  I’ve even imagined how powerful it would be to give birth in one of the pools carved out by the waterfall.  Of course, it might be a little cold and I’d probably scare some trout fisherman out of his waders! 

Enough rambling.  I had a lovely day on the water with my sweet hubby.  We didn’t make it back to the landing before the gates shut.  Thankfully, the park ranger was a former student employee of mine and he was merciful.  Now I stink of boating gear–a musty smell of neoprene–my face is sun-pinked, and I carry tiny glistens of sand in my skin. 

I sparkle.             

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It’s a Major Award!

Posted on March 1, 2008 by juliebyers

And, no, it doesn’t involve fishnet and a lampshade.

I won a My Baby Nest carrier and I tried it out with 1 wk old Grayson today.  The design is really interesting.  Two stretchy loops intertwined–like a figure eight.  The directions are simple and I admit it was easier to spread out the fabric than the Moby.  Today was sweet Grayson’s first time being worn in a wrap and he snuggled in contentedly.  We only tried a tummy to tummy.  I felt very comfortable being hands free with a 1 wk old–even with his mama watching me!  The carrier’s stretch was super supportive.  I’m certain nursing would be a breeze in this carrier. 

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I also think I would like this carrier for super snug hip carries.  Hopefully, I can try it out at the upcoming Babywearing Group.  Norah is too big. 

Now for the parts I don’t love:  For bigger babies to be carried facing out or tummy to tummy, you have to break out a seperate piece–a stretchy belt.  The belt was not as easy to manipulate.  There is also no mention of back carries.  Now, I’m certain that advanced babywearers could figure out a way (there is always a way, right?) but you can’t beat the versatility of a long wrap.  And this could be a positive or negative:  the fabric has some serious stretch to it.  The stretch really grabs and supports.  I really liked that quality but if you don’t like the feel of a sports tank…you might feel smothered by this carrier. 

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Bottom line–I like the design for newborns and hip carries.  I would not use it as my exclusive carrier.  If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take one carrier, it would be my Storch.  But if I had a newborn right now, I would use it along side my Moby.  And it might be the first one I would choose to use with a newborn.  You can easily put it on in bed without fabric getting twisted or tucked.        

Yay for My Baby Nest!

     

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