Happy Hineys! (Tutorial for fabulous waterproof changing pads)

With a title like that, you gotta know you're in for a treat! Today's project was crafted for my newest nephew, Jeremiah. Isn't he just a doll? 

Today I'm sharing the tutorial for what I made him, and what every mama needs for the daily job of keeping that "tiny hiney" a HAPPY hiney... If you don't have babies, don't throw this project aside! Bookmark it for the next time you need a cute baby gift for someone special! (More on that in a minute!) It's a super-simple project that any mama will graciously thank you for! 

I introduce you to... waterproof changing pads! I use these to sit on top of my son's actual changing pad so that the cover doesn't have to get washed all the time. These pads are easier to make than spare covers, and quicker to change out as needed. (There were some days while he was a newborn I'd actually go through a couple in a day.)  

Spring Cleaning for GMO's

Ok so when I shared the craziness yesterday about GMO's and genetically engineered foods, I wasn't planning on there being a "part 2", but ugh, I couldn't NOT share this one more thing. The American Academy of Environmental Medicine publicly condemned genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food supply, due to their serious health risk. Although the evidence against GMO's is alarming, and the government and food industry are keeping a lid on it while ignoring and denying scientific findings and silencing those who speak up... one thing is for sure. The same foods (GMOs) that are killing lab animals and farm animals and causing serious reproductive disorders, liver problems, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation and changes in major organs are being pumped into our food supply big time. "More than 70% of the foods on supermarket shelves contain derivatives of the eight GM foods on the market- soy, corn, oil from canola and cottonseed, sugar from sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya, and a small amount of zucchini and crook neck squash. The biotech industry hopes to genetically engineer virtually all remaining vegetables, fruits, grains, and beans (not to mention animals)." Want to know more? Here's a really excellent article on the Big GMO Coverup, and here's "GM Crops- Just the Science" prepared by researchers and scientists, written in plain English for the general public. 

No Way Jose!

You know how I've shared a couple posts earlier this year about eating healthier? Like My Top Choices of Cookbooks to ROCK your SOCKS off, and the freaky picture of a McDonald's meal to nudge you away from processed food? 

Well, I have another doozy for you! Let's say you ARE trying to make reasonable decisions when buying food for your family. What you may not realize is that there are lots of chemicals in foods that WEREN'T THERE when we were kids. You surely wouldn't feed your kids insecticide, would you? Well, did you know that corn is now regulated by the EPA as insecticide? That's because it's been genetically modified produce its own insecticide internally and to withstand increasing doses of weed killers. Let me introduce you to "genetically engineered foods" and "genetically modified organisms." 

Fake Drawstrings and Adjustable Waist Pants (Sewing Tutorial)

You know when one day you realize that every pair of your kids' pants are too short? And you get him some new ones, making sure to get the ones with drawstrings so you know they'll adjust small enough to fit his waist, even though he's average size and all the pants SHOULD fit him anyway but you know they won't because they are always made for someone with a much more rotund belly? 

I know you know what I'm talking about. If not, just pretend you do. So then you get home with your loot, relieved to be done and hoping he doesn't grow for a good long time, only to realize that EVERY.... yes I said EVERY single drawstring is FAKE?!? 

Tupperware Fridge Smarts

Just prepare yourself to be amazed. Today I'm going to share with you an amazing find that saves money and space, and keeps this organizational guru one happy gal. 

WHAT IS IT? Tupperware FridgeSmart as a smart system of storing produce, based on how much ventilation it needs. You can open one vent, two vents, or no vents on the tupperware, according to what you're storing in it (there's a handy chart printed right on the side so you always know how to store various foods). And you can store various fruits & veggies together, as long as they're in the same ventilation family. 

Why Should You Be Amazed?

Reason #1- FridgeSmart keeps your produce FRESHER... longer! Way longer! Here's the difference between strawberries stored in and out of FridgeSmarts for three weeks... 

Spare Toilet Paper Holder (Sewing Tutorial)

Is it weird to be excited about a toilet paper holder? Cuz I am...  Here's my newest sewing project:

Dish Towel Bib Tutorial

You know how babies are perfect eaters and never look like this? 

 

Oh, right. They always look like that. My little guy went through a phase of yanking off any and every bib, which didn't do any favors for his clothes. So I started using dish towel bibs. They are easy to pop on over his head but he can't yank them off (for now). And best of all, the towel is a generous size to cover his entire body from neck to leg. I just tuck it under him around the edges and his clothes stay clean.

These are super-easy to make... all that's required is a dish towel, a little ribbing, and a teeny bit of time.