laundry...

...always an area of discussion at our house. I do all the diaper laundry. DieselDaddy does the other laundry (supposedly).

We definitely have different theories on laundry.... I do all the laundry. It might not get folded or put in the proper drawer, but it's all clean. DieselDaddy waits until he's almost out of 'roos and then does just what he needs ('roos, socks, etc). He actually went out and bought me more underwear b/c I kept asking him to do laundry b/c I was almost out of 'roos. He will always fold it, but never put it away. It annoys me immensely. I need my work clothes cleaned every week. Not when there is a big pile. 1) i don't have that many work outfits. 2) doing that much laundry is such an overwhelming task.

When I started using cloth diapers, I became more conscious about what I was washing with. A lot of conventional detergents contain "extra" ingredients (brighteners, enzymes, fragrance). I also switched to using plant-based surfactants vs petroleum based products.

I realized that you do not need a ton of suds to actually get things clean (this took a while for me to grasp...i love suds). I recently read an article about how much laundry detergent we actually waste... Is this a conspiracy from the manufacturers? why do they have 3 marking levels on the cup when they say level 1 will get your clothes clean? why is the top mark not at the top of the cup? why are the markings so difficult to read unless you tilt the cup while holding it up to the light? they know people mindlessly fill those cups. we are filling our cups waaay above the mark that will actually get our clothes clean. washing away our money as we do. Our clothes are not getting as clean if we have tons of suds that just re-settle on our clothes along with the dirt. No wonder we need "brighteners" in our detergent.

I will admit that I still glance in the washer and look for suds. I often get the urge to pour in an extra bit of detergent just to get the bubbles.

One more reason to know what you eat...

We have been eating these Simply Fruit "roll-ups". The other day, I purchased some Fruit by the Foot b/c in purchasing it, I actually got my Fiber One bars cheaper (buy 3 get $3 off).

Anywho...I was grazing the other night, so I thought I'd try one. I remember loving them on the rare occasion that my mom bought them.

OMG..blech! They were the most bland "snack" I've had in a long time despite being so colorful. I would have thought that with all the extra (un-pronounceable) ingredients that the flavor would have been enhanced (?). We will definitely be eating the Simply Fruit ones from now on. The FbtF have already been given away.

Simply Fruit:

Apple Juice Concentrate, Dried Apples, Strawberry Puree, Canola Oil, Fruit Pectin, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Blueberry Juice Concentrate, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Natural Flavor, Sodium Sulfite Citric Acid

FbtF:

Grapes from Concentrate, Sugar (at least not HFCS), Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup (oh...wait...), Pears from Concentrate, Carrageenan (?..oh seaweed...natural), Citric Acid, Acetylated Mono and Diglycerides (?), Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum (yummy!!), Natural Flavor (shouldn't this be in ""?), Potassium Citrate, Color (Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1) (yummy)

darn you formatting...i had this in nice columns to compare, but the formatting got all wacky....

R.I.P. Sadie

Group hug!

even though I am not a "dog person," you won me over with your gentle nature. you graciously shared your "babies" with me and let me sleep on your couch.  

we will always love you.  

deodorant

I bought a crystal deodorant more than a year ago while looking for something aluminum-free to keep me stink-free. I have found it to be cost-effective. I bought a little travel-size stick because i figured if it didn't work I wouldn't be out too much. Over a year later, with daily use, I still have at least half the stick left. I can't believe how long it has lasted. In the same amount of time, I would have bought 3-4 conventional deodorant/anti-perspirants.

When applying, the armpit needs to be wet so i put it on right out of the shower. It's not a quick "swipe swipe" like other deodorants. I usually rub it on for 10-15 secs. I figure it takes a little bit for the water to melt (?) the salts for them to be applied.

This is NOT an anti-perspirant. I still sweat, but I find it is not as much as I used to sweat even with conventional deodorant/anti-perspirants, and the sweat doesn't smell.

I found there was a "detox" period when I started to use this deodorant. I think it took my pores several days to get the yucky gunk out, to be receptive to the crystal. After those initial days (used over a long weekend), I have not noticed a stink. I often have my husband or close friend to do a smell test because I have always had a fear of being "the stinky girl".

I HIGHLY recommend the crystal deodorant.

compliments...

I like to complain.

(DieselDaddy might say I love to bitch). 

People seem to have no problem complaining, but rarely give compliments.  I have been trying to give more compliments (who couldn't use a pat on the back occasionally).  I've sent emails to:

- Kashi - love their GOLEAN Honey Almond Flax cereal, it doesn't get mushy in milk.

- Keen - I love my Seattle shoes.  I have worn them (almost) everyday for almost 3 years. I had to check Zappos to see when I ordered them (4/07).

- GudonyaToo - love their deodorant and Salty Dawg shampoo. (deodorant review to come....)

- BioKleen - love the dishwasher detergent. it smell fresh and clean and actually cleans the dishes!

- CVS - this was actually a complaint.  they never have sale items stocked (errr!) and there is a checker who is a real jerk.  One night he refused to give me a bag. I had to carry two 2L of Coke home in my arms as I walked thru the park.  Last night he refused to let me use a coupon that Cocoa-Cola mailed me for a free 12-pack. 

I'll add more as I send 'em....