Cloth Bottom Baby plus Giveaway

Recently a co-worker from college reached out to me regarding her new cloth diaper clothing line. When our kids were young(er) we messaged specifically about our cloth diapering and other natural-parenting choices we share. I appreciate that she values my opinion :-)

She wanted to send me some of Cloth Bottom Baby's new clothes to try out with baby J. So glad G is potty trained and need not participate in this review.

a happy Cloth Bottom Baby selfie

Cloth Bottom Baby started because famous name brand clothes are no longer made with cloth diapered babies in mind. Sure, many years ago it was the norm for babies to be in cloth diapers, but nowadays it's still pretty rare except with us hipsters, frugalistas, or crunchies. Thus, clothing companies have changed their patterns and styles to fit over thin disposable diapers that are so popular. Which leaves us CD-parents with two options (okay three, if you count using cloth diapers as bottoms themselves, which isn't realistic in Kansas winters).

Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pacs (#sponsored by Mom Central Consulting)

~I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating~

little miss likes to help with everything

For those who follow this blog regularly, you know we moved into our first home this past Fall. I wrote a few posts about it, and in one of them I complained about all of the problems we encountered. One of the problems was a supposedly working dishwasher, that did not get our dishes clean. I know I have really high cleaning standards, but even a moderately messy person would not have been okay with the results of our dishwasher. Thankfully, our home warranty covered a repair. It turns out the water line was pretty much broken and an easy fix. The dishwasher is still not the newest, top-of-the-line dishwasher I'd love to have, but it's average. And that's okay.
 

We are a family of 4, and use plenty of dishes. By being a SAHM, I think we use more dishes than a two-parent working family since we are using dishes at home all day. Additionally, eating out is a super-rare occasion for us, period. I use our dishwasher every day and a half to two days, but could run it every night if I wasn't trying to be so eco-conscious. I hand wash cookware, like pots and griddles, and other large items like a colander.
I hate the concept of rinse-then-wash. Seems silly! I do it only when the dishes have portions of food left, or if globs of ketchup or the like remains. I think something that helps me not have to do so much rinsing is our use of Cascade dishwasher detergent. I've tried store brands, and love the price, but not the results. I've tried other leading brands too, but none of them work as good as Cascade. Cascade leaves our dishes cleaner, with minimal or no film, and allows me to maintain my no-rinse lifestyle.

For the past 3 years or so, I've only bought Cascade Action Pacs. My favorite had been the yellow Pacs that had bleach in them, because I felt they worked the best. They became really hard to find (I'd usually buy 3 or 4 bags when I could find them!). I used the blue kind (power of Dawn) when yellow wasn't available. In the past few months, I bought Cascade Complete Pacs to see if they made a difference. They were originally on sale and I was tired of some occasional film left on glasses or plates. Turns out there is quite a difference between Complete and the original Pacs. I definitely think Complete is worth the higher cost.

At the same time I was switching to Complete, I saw that Cascade released new Platinum Dishwasher Pacs too. They have an additional feature--they help keep your dishwasher clean! I wasn't ready to commit to the even higher price of the Platinum Pacs in the store, so when I was given the opportunity to review them for Mom Central, I jumped at it!! I feel super qualified to review the newest Cascade product because I've been brand loyal to them for as long as I can remember (a few months after we got married, I think, so around 4 years).

Here's how it breaks down within the Cascade family of Pacs;

• Action -- contain the grease fighting power of Dawn, fight coffee and tea stains, offers brilliant shine on dishes, and does a good job of leaving dishes virtually spot free
• Complete -- all of the above including a better job of leaving dishes virtually spot free PLUS advanced tough-food cleaning (24 food dried-on)
• Platinum -- all of the above PLUS the best film protection for a sparkling machine and dishes

Platinum has 3 different awesome power ingredients, Complete has 2, and regular action Pacs have 1 (not pictured) in addition to the Cascade detergent on the bottom of the Pac

In my experience, there is a big difference between Action and Complete Pacs, but not a noticeable one between Complete and Platinum. I do think there was a small difference in film residue. My glasses do look a little better. I don't notice a difference on my machine though, but as I mentioned above, it's just an average machine. I think if you have a new dishwasher, especially a stainless steel interior one, you'd notice less film from hard water. (It is also recommended to use a dishwasher cleaner to remove old hard water film so that Cascade Platinum Pacs can then continue to prevent hard water film residue.)

Cascade recently partnered with Top Chef Judge Gail Simmons, because they both believe presentation is just as important as preparation when it comes to food. Boost your great tasting recipe with spot and film free dishes by using Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pacs. By having dishes that are always sparkling clean, you don't have to worry about last-minute guests. Your layered desserts will look fabulous in your film-free glassware and entertaining is easy when you drizzle sauces over sparkling white plates, says Simmons.

Before and After using Platinum for the first time

With super clean dishes, and delicious looking food, Cascade is also helping those of us with food-picture-additions! I love taking pictures of my food, so much so that in public my husband is probably embarrassed (though used to it now)!! Photos of delicious looking food litter my Facebook Timeline and I use Instagram to take artsy shots of my recipes-come-to-life. If you're like me and would love a new dishwasher, enter photos of Cascade making your pots, pans, and plates sparkly! The "My Platinum" contest is a four week Instagram contest with weekly themes. Each week, two people will receive a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher!! The grand prize winner will get a new Platinum kitchen make-over. For details and to enter, check out this site. (You will have to register for Instagram, if you are not already using the app) The themes are Plate, Bite, Clink (glassware), and Table--it runs through the end of June, so head over to enter now! {To win, you must register and upload a photo with #MyPlatinum tag and also tag @MyCascade. If you have not registered, you will be disqualified from winning.}

Finally, there is a 12% price jump (MSRP) from Complete to Platinum, so I personally will be sticking with Complete until we have a new dishwasher that I care about keeping sparkling ;-) I do, wholeheartedly, recommend the Cascade brand...and Pacs are for sure the way to go because it's so easy to just pop one into the machine with no measuring or spilling.

Green Giant Seasoned Steamers Review & Giveaway

 

 With all the hustle and bustle of our move to Kansas over the past two months, I nearly forgot about the exciting opportunity My Blog Spark gave me. Green Giant recently released a new product in the frozen veggie aisle-- Seasoned Steamers. These are one of the first non-sauced, but still seasoned & flavorful, packages of frozen vegetables that can be steamed right in the bag.

Progresso Light Soup Review and Giveaway

I've written about my history with Progresso soups before, and I've been given the opportunity to review two new flavors through My Blog Spark. These two new flavors are rich and creamy, but light on calories. Light Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese and Light Chicken Pot Pie Style each have 100 calories per serving (2 PointsPlus on Weight Watchers). They're created to make you forget about guilt when eating rich, indulgent, and flavorful soups.

Fiber One Brownies Review + #Giveaway

I haven't participated in a My Blog Spark campaign in quite some time, so I am happy to bring you the latest info about Fiber One Brownies + a prize pack giveaway below! I've been a lover of Fiber One products since having my daughter in 2011. Prior to that, I never truly realized the benefits of eating enough fiber. The Fiber One box states that about 4 out of 5 Americans don't get the recommended amount of fiber. I think that Fiber One has made it possible for us all to fix that. They offer some truly great tasting products with high amounts of fiber.

In today's food world, there's no reason to think that fiber has to be bland, hard to swallow, or unappetizing. I found Fiber One Chewy Granola bars and instantly fell in love. They really taste like a candy bar to me!


Recently, Fiber One released a new product--fiber in the form of brownies! They are a great afternoon snack, long-office-hours-pick-me-up, or stash-in-the-diaper-bag treat. Perhaps you've read another review of mine--the one about Betty Crocker brownie mix? If so, you know that I am a true blue brownie lover--potentially addict. I'm a tough brownie critic; the sample I was sent tastes good but I definitely think I'd prefer the chocolate fudge or chocolate peanut butter flavor over the chocolate chip cookie flavor. The chocolate chip cookie flavor does not have a traditional brownie taste to it. If you go in knowing that I think it taste more like a cookie bar, rather than expecting a 'brownie'; you'll be more appreciative of it's 90 calorie goodness.
The thing to remember about Fiber One Brownies is that they are only 90 calories, 3 grams of fat, and have 20% (5g) of the recommended amount of fiber! Knowing that, how could you turn one down?? From my personal experience with the brand's variety of products and quality taste, I definitely recommend Fiber One products as a way to increase your fiber intake. I've not tried one of their products that I don't love. Be sure to check out the new Fiber One Brownies at your local store!

For when you've got Brownies on the Brain

Enter to win a prize pack from Fiber One & My Blog Spark below. The prize pack contains fun little items to relieve stress or have a 'me' moment--all are listed below on the rafflecopter form.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: The product, gift pack, information, and additional sample have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. Giveaway entries involving Facebook are not mandatory and Facebook has no legal ties to, responsibility / liability for, this giveaway. Giveaway ends 8/25 at 12:01 am EDT.

Mega Bloks First Builders Review & Giveaway

I reached out to Mega Bloks to be a part of the Babies First Birthday Blog Party, but didn't hear back from them in time. Luckily, they were still interested in working with Letters from Momma! I was recently sent a new Mega Bloks Big Building Bag {in pink} to review with G. She's had the classic colors bag since Christmas, and they are one of her favorite toys. Last month, Mega Bloks released a First Builders Let's Build! app for the iPhone. To go along with this great app release, they've revamped some of their products geared toward younger kids. They've grouped all of the preschool blocks, designed for ages 1+, under the First Builders brand name. Check out my review below, download the iPhone app for free, and be sure to enter the great giveaway at the end of the blog post!

Catholic Family Gifts Review & Giveaway

Several weeks ago, I was approached by a lovely online Catholic store. They offered me the opportunity to review an item for Letters from Momma. There was a lot to choose from, but I ultimately decided on something for G that I knew she would treasure as she grows up.

FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper Review

FuzziBunz was one of the first brands I read about when decided to cloth diaper. When starting our stash, I bought a few prefolds and covers, a few fitteds, a couple newborn size diapers, and two FuzziBunz. I bought one small and one medium, because as is common advice, I wanted to figure out what worked best for us before preferring one brand over another. My dear friend bought an entire stash of the FuzziBunz one size diapers and they've worked really well for her. I also really like FuzziBunz diapers because they are cute, easy to use, and moderately affordable. I have two of the new elite style diapers, 1 small perfect size and 2 medium perfect size. Check out my review of the perfect size below!

Thirsties Duo All-in-One Review & cloth diaper #Giveaway

I think it's safe to say that I've tried every diaper option Thirsties currently sells. As you've probably read in my other Thirsties reviews, they are my go-to brand because they have something for everyone and every occasion! If you are having night time issues, add a Thirsties hemp prefold for super absorbency power. If you are a pocket dipe lover, look into their Duo Diaper. I could continue listing their great options, or you could just head over to their website, ThirstiesBaby.com and look around for yourself. All of us eco-conscious diaperers can appreciate Thirsties' commitment to using local products when possible and their efforts to reduce the company's carbon footprint. Thirsties warehouse is 100% wind powered. You can read more about their sustainability efforts on their website.
The latest in diapering options from the Colorado based company is a Duo All-in-One diaper. When I heard they were coming out with an AIO, I imagined it to be like the Fab Fitted, but with a tried and true Thirsties Duo Wrap attached to the outside for the waterproof feature. I was almost right. Check out my review below and be sure to enter the great giveaway to win your own Thirsties Duo All-in-One cloth diaper.

BFBBP: Happy Baby Organic Food - review of munchies, pouch, bites

I love cooking, I really do, but sometimes I just need a quick and easy meal--even for the baby. I also enjoy giving her healthy snacks throughout the day to promote eating when hungry, rather than learning to stuff herself full at meal times. I found Happy Baby just as she was starting solid foods. She instantly loved the Happy Baby Puffs--so much so that she kind of became addicted! I'm happy to say that she has widened her food preferences as she's grown, and Happy Family brand products have plenty to choose from. They offer cereals, puffs, pouches, finger foods, and even frozen meals--always organic. Check out baby G's favorites below, and enter to win some Happy Family products of your own as part of the Babies First Birthday Blog Party.

BFBBP: Thirsties Duo Diaper & Hemp Prefold

I was thrilled when Thirsties offered my family the opportunity to try another one of their cloth diaper products. In case you haven't read them; please check out the blog I wrote about the Fab Fitted, Hemp Inserts & Duo Wrap, and my review of the Fab Wipes, Booty Luster, & Booty Love. The Booty Love is still my favorite cloth diaper accessory; it's a CD safe ointment that keeps G from getting even a hint of rash. As part of the Babies First Birthday Blog Party, Thirsties sent us a Duo Diaper to review. It's a pocket style diaper & very easy to use. While the BFBBP is geared toward one-year olds, this diaper is perfect for any diaper stash!

BFBBP: Green Toys Stacking Cups Giveaway

I really wanted to include a toy company in the Babies First Birthday Blog Party. I try to focus on mostly-crunchy living at Letters from Momma, so I did an Internet search for "green toy companies." Because Google is awesome, I instantly found Green Toys, Inc. I perused their products and was really pleased to find a variety of options for kids of all ages. They agreed to participate in the BFBBP by sending baby G a set of Stacking Cups to review & share with another baby through a giveaway. I just love environmentally friendly toys that are made in the USA.

BFBBP: Londonware Etsy Shop - diaper cover & leg warmer giveaway

I have been using cloth diapers for over a year, which is crazy to say! I can't believe baby G is a year old. Ten months into our cloth diaper journey, Wendy of Londonware contacted me to review her fleece diaper covers. I knew many pocket diapers use fleece as a liner, but I had never considered using it as a cover. I was a bit apprehensive about how it would work for us, but I ended up loving it! I've since found that many tried & true cloth diaper moms love the combination of fitted diapers and fleece covers as the most absorbent option around. Check out my review of her handmade items below & be sure to enter the giveaway to her Etsy shop as the Babies First Birthday Blog Party continues!

How cute is baby G in her Londonware cover and leg warmers?!

Swaddlebees Cloth Wipes Review & Giveaway

The switch to cloth wipe event continues! Prior to these wipes, I had never tried any Swaddlebees cloth products, but I had swooned over their top quality cloth diapers and accessories. I was super excited when they agreed to be part of Letters from Momma's switch to cloth wipes. I was able to review both the bamboo wipes and the baby cloth wipes--in addition to receiving a wet bag! Check out the review below.

Tropicana Trop50 Juice {$50 SpaWeek Gift Card giveaway}

I love drinking juice, but hate drinking calories. I usually opt for fresh fruit over juice, because of the nutritional value...but you know, sometimes a glass of juice just hits the spot! Often I will water it down to lower the calories, but then the taste isn't nearly as good.

Tropicana Trop50 is a new juice product that gives me the middle ground I need. Trop50 has 50% less calories and sugar than 100% fruit juices, but doesn't sacrifice flavor! You can drink juice for a lower number of calories, without watering it down, without artificial sweeteners. (Trop50 contains PureVia, steva-based natural sweetener.)

Progresso "Souper You" Contest & Giveaway

When I was in college, I had a job at a collection agency (hey, it was a good job and I was nice...thank you very much). My hours were usually 4 - 9 pm, so I ate dinner at my computer station. I often brought a can of soup, and it was almost always Progresso brand. I love the Chicken and Wild Rice variety. I know this is probably weird, but I would take like 30 minutes to savor it. I think it tastes really yummy, and the whole can is only 200 calories!

The other day I was getting my and the baby's lunches ready, when we heard a knock on the door. It was the delivery man with a package of Progresso soups and a Biggest Loser workout DVD. I was really excited to find that within the 5 varieties I was sent, Chicken and Wild rice was included! My lunch plans instantly changed. I made my soup and a cheese sandwich. It definitely hit the spot on a blustery January day. I even shared some of the carrots from the soup with baby G, who loved them!

Bummas Cloth Wipe Review & Giveaway

Swap your commercial wipes for some eco-friendly, soft, terry cloth diaper wipes that will last beyond the days in diapers. -- Bummas website

Through the research I've done during our switch to cloth wipes, I found one company that makes only cloth wipes--Bummas. Because they specialize in awesome resusable wipes, I just had to try some--and share them with you, of course! I love that they are made in the USA (California) and come rolled up in a bundle displaying all of the edge colors. Bummas also reduced their price for 2012--instead of $16.99, they are now only $15!

Planet Wise Cloth Wipes / Wipe Pouch Review & Giveaway

"Planet Wise Inc. products are eco-friendly and designed to replace disposable items you use every day. Not only will they help reduce your waste, but you can save money and look good doing it!" 
-- Planet Wise Product Guide

I first saw Planet Wise at my local cloth diaper store, while shopping for my pre-baby stash. Their bags were super cute, and felt like they were made of quality materials. I went home and did some more research on Planet Wise, and found out pretty much every cloth diaper mom loves them! I went back to the store and bought a medium wet bag for our diaper bag. I love it because it truly keeps the moisture AND smell inside, so that nothing else in the diaper bag is affected from dirty diapers. During my cloth wipe research, I found out that Planet Wise also makes cloth wipes! I was really excited when they offered me the opportunity to review a pack of their flannel wipes and a Planet Wise wipe pouch. A lot of cloth diaper brands offer wipes, but not many sell a pouch for storing them.

We've been using sky/lime Planet Wise flannel wipes and the owl Planet Wise wipe pouch for a few weeks now. Check out my review below and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end!

Thank you FuzziBunz warranty

In case you missed this photo on my facebook yesterday:

I turned it inside out so that you can see the tears better

That's what I found when I was stuffing my small watermelon Perfect Size FuzziBunz Friday morning after doing laundry Thursday afternoon (yeah, my diapers often sit unstuffed for a while...sorry about it).

Thirsties: Fab Wipes / Booty Luster / Booty Love Review & Giveaway

The great switch to cloth wipes is upon us... and by us, I mean me, because my husband still doesn't seem fully committed. I'll write more in a separate post about the apprehensions we are feeling and the challenges we are facing, along with the perks and positives from switching to cloth wipes. This review will focus on the specifics about the Thirsties brand cloth wipes and accessories, not just using cloth wipes in general.