ECOparenting: ECOnomical. ECOlogical.
K.I.S.S. That’s my parenting philosophy: Keep it simple, stupid! The path of least resistance is often a very valid and scientifically proven method of parenting, and that includes baby-led weaning. Not sure what it entails? Here’s a post all about baby-led weaning by a Registered Dietitian. But in a nutshell, baby-led weaning means … [Read More...]
When you start learning about cloth diapers, you quickly find out that there are three basic styles of cloth diapers, and every cloth diapering parenting has a personal preference: All-in-two (AI2) diapers have a waterproof cover that can be reused and inserts that are replaced at each change. Pocket diapers have a waterproof exterior with … [Read More...]
This is a guest post by my very own pelvic floor physiotherapist, Mercedes Eustergerling. Find her in Calgary at Vida Health If you’ve delivered a child vaginally, you may be familiar with the number one fear of a postpartum woman: the first poop. Your body sends you a signal that you need to go to the bathroom, but a part of your brain … [Read More...]
As the Black Eyed Peas once said: “Pump it! (LOUDER!) Pump it! (LOUDER)” Yes, pumping your breast milk can be a noisy affair. My husband has likened the noise of some of the electric breast pumps I’ve used to the lowing of a cow. I’ve tried without success to use an electric pump while on the phone without my interlocutor perceiving and … [Read More...]
One of the most single-use-plastic-ridden rooms in our homes is the bathroom. I realize that many forms of plastic packaging can be recycled. Alas, recycling is not the holy grail of waste reduction—it’s the least effective of the three Rs. In fact, I’d rewrite the 3 Rs if I could: Reduce, Reuse and Refuse. Many recycling plants have bales … [Read More...]
By Kristy Webb, Registered Dietitian Big thanks to the mamas in my April 2018 Moms Facebook group for sharing their pics of their BLW-babies! Is it time to introduce your little one to food? This is an exciting but confusing time, and the internet can sometimes provide more questions than answers: What do I offer first? What the heck is … [Read More...]
It takes money to make money. I like to earn money back when spending money I’d be spending anyway. I do this by using a variety of cashback apps when shopping on and offline. What’s the catch? Well, in exchange for loyalty points or straight-up cash, you’re handing over your valuable data to the companies that make these apps. You’re sharing … [Read More...]
After an unpleasant shock of winter weather in September, the temperature in Calgary through October and early November seemed downright balmy. If there’s a benefit to having had to dig out the bin of winter apparel while my compatriots in other provinces were under heat advisories, it’s that I truly appreciated above-freezing temperatures once … [Read More...]
What’s so magical about Magformers? Well, Magformers are the gift that just keep on giving. Ideally I’d like to tell you that they magically spew money at you every time you construct a wicked tower, castle, prison, boat, duck or soccer ball (the possibilities are endless) … but they don’t give cash, just endless, rediscoverable fun … [Read More...]
Just like the dreaded birthday party loot bag, the Christmas stocking can be stuffed with a whole bunch of useless doodads that ultimately wind up in the trash. I get it: Christmas is expensive, and the dollar store is full of inexpensive fluff with which to stuff those Christmas stockings. But, ultimately, can we as global citizens really … [Read More...]
I first tried HumBird cloth diapers and wool when Little Miss was peeing through most of our overnight cloth solutions. Guess what? She didn’t pee through her HumBird! I was eager to get some smaller wool covers for her little brothers, and I was equally eager to get to know a bit more about the woman behind this Germany-based brand. Dawn … [Read More...]
I had some pretty bold aspirations for babywearing my twins … while I was still wearing them in my uterus. I never got into ring slings with my firstborn, and with my daughter I regretted not trying one when she was newborn. For the twins, I definitely wanted a ring sling. I had been told by a couple of babywearing educators that a sling was a … [Read More...]