When we first started using cloth diapers, I thought hybrid diapers were dumb. I mean…why even cloth diaper if you are going to just put disposable inserts into them anyway? Won’t that be more expensive when my whole goal is to spend less with cloth diapering.

But my whole perspective changed when I met the GroVia hybrid diapers. Actually I have a confession to make…I didn’t even know they were hybrid diapers at first!

GroVia Diaper System

The thing that really got me to try the GroVia diapers is the incentive that you only need 2-4 shells and you just swap out the cloth inserts all day long! This turns into a very cost effective option for high quality diapers. Here is a picture of the cloth inserts. They snap right into the diaper…NO stuffing required! I love it.

Once I got my diapers I was really impressed with the hook and loop velcro tabs on them. They are different than any diaper I’ve seen. The “sticky” part isn’t rough and doesn’t stick up like most diaper tabs and sticks so nicely to the diaper. I think it would be nearly impossible for a toddler to pull off his diaper with these tabs!

Using Disposables

There have been times {such as when we moved last month or when you are traveling} that disposables are just easier! I don’t envision very many times needing to use disposables but sometimes it’s just nice to take a break. Well with the GroVia Biosoaker disposable liners I can save money instead of using disposable diapers but still get the convenience of throw-aways!

When you purchase the normal box of GroVIa BioSoaker’s which come in a pack of 50 you are spending just $0.39 a piece. This is better then a lot of normal disposable diapers let alone the chemical free natural ones! And a box of 50 would last me a long time and I could just use them when needed!

Sweet Bottoms Baby

I got 2 shells and 4 liners from Sweet Bottoms Baby to try out the GroVia and I’m so glad that I did! Their prices are awesome, they have fast shipping and their customer service is great! Before getting my GroVia’s I had ordered 10 Kawaii diapers from Sweet Bottoms Baby and I was so happy with my order!

They off this cool build your own bundle deal that I took advantage of. You add any 10 {or more} of their diaper {you can mix and match styles, colors, types} and Sweet Bottoms Baby will review your cart and give you a custom package just for you! I got 10 Kawaii diapers {All different styles} or an awesome deal! {There are only 9 pictured below}

 

I’m wanting to build up my stash of GroVia diapers so I’m thinking about taking advantage of the build your own bundle deal again! :) Sweet Bottoms Baby offers some fantastic sales prices too! When I purchased my Kawaii diapers they were all on sale. Right now, the GroVia bundles are on sale woogoo!

You can get:

• 2 shells and 4 soaker pads {stay dry OR organic} for $66!
• Summer kit which includes 3 shells, 5 disposable liners and laundry detergent for only $57.59! {This would be a great package for trying out cloth diapers}
  
• Get a full day’s supply of diapers with 6 shells and 12 soakers on sale for $189
• OR if you want to just purchase an entire stock of diapers and be done with it, then go for their full time package which includes 12 shells, 24 soakers AND 4 boosters on sale for $394! That’s a great price for a full stock of organic, safe, and easy to use diapers!

Have you ever tried out a hybrid diaper? What did you think?!

By Whitney R., Contributing Writer

When we consider service, we often think of programs, organizations, or events. We think of sign-up sheets upon which to write our names. We think of donation boxes. We think of a designated time on our calendars. Perhaps the last aspect of service we consider is the face of the ones we serve. It’s easy to stand behind a counter and place food on a plate; while harder to sit beside him or her and listen to his/her story. It’s easy to participate and praise the food distribution program; while harder to turn our vehicle around to place a second order at the restaurant specifically for the man on the side of the street holding a cardboard sign. It’s easy to donate money; while harder to brink a meal and sit with a family in the midst of a tragedy. It’s easy to serve in ways that are comfortable and avoid looking directly into the eyes of the faces of service.

As a Christian, a heart for serving others ought to be so intimately wound into our identity that it is not just something we do, but who we are and how we simply live life.

Jesus is our example, and throughout the accounts of his life are stories of his heart for service.  He journeyed with a heart that was easily broken for the sake of others. Do I walk with a heart that is easily broken for others? What place does service have in my life?

In addition to his outward demonstration, Jesus also spoke on the subject of service. In Matthew chapter six he conveys a value placed on acts that are performed even when no one sees (vs. 4). He contrasts the show that is performed by the Pharisees following their good deeds. Which are we? Do we seek to serve when the effort is unknown just as much as when it is known? Jesus assures us in that verse when he says, “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” And so, his acts of service were not accompanied by a grand production. Instead, they were comprised of a heart so broken that it was moved to action, regardless of it being big or small.

In chapter twenty-five of the same book, Jesus shows concern for matters of hunger, thirst, lack of residence, clothing, illness, and imprisonment. In fact, he asserts that attentiveness to these needs in others’ lives is also a showing of attentiveness to him. He says, ”And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ ” (vs. 40). The shocking aspect of bypassing the face of service is the missed opportunity to see Jesus.

The call to serve is well established, but who to serve and how remains uncertain. When considering the “who” and “what” realms of service, our tendency is to respond in a few manners:

1) seek a program, organization or event
2) assess who appears to be in need of assistance or coming to know Jesus or
3) serve within the church alone

As has been discussed, the first option lacks a personal connection and may require a designated date on the calendar. The second option leads us to walk into a trap of developing a judgmental spirit. We assert ourselves to be great individuals from whom others need our assistance. Remember that we, too, are equally flawed individuals. The final response is to serve within the church alone. While needed, this effort lacks a reach that presents Jesus to individuals beyond the church walls. In essence, the church can very easily come to serve the church. Who are we reaching and why? If we merely serve ourselves, then we are doing a disservice to the spread of the gospel. Church members can be strengthened in faith, but not brought to faith. Cardinal Sean O’Malley says it best when he says, “We are called to be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium. To have a heart broken for others like Jesus also means to come to see as he sees, and he sees us all along the daily journey of life.”

And so, finally, as Christian homemakers it is our duty to embrace this kind of service and make it part of our daily lives. There is no need to wait for a “30 days of kindness” or “random acts of kindness” poster to circulate to inspire us to serve. The time is now and the occasion is everywhere. Commit to daily acts of service, which may be as simple kindness. Imagine the transformation in our communities and society made by hearts so broken for others that we cannot resist acting and seeing the faces of service. It all begins with us, our families, and our homes.

By Kristian, Contributing Writer

Do you struggle with food allergies? Do you find yourself itching with hives after eating a certain food, or deal with the side effects of itching and burning mouth or throat? I do. Millions of people do. It is a struggle every single day. From reading food labels at the grocery store, to having to ask waiters and waitresses if things are made a certain way or with a certain ingredient when you eat at a restaurant.

A couple of years ago, I found out I am allergic to nuts. All nuts. As a lifelong peanut butter eater, this seemed like the worst thing that could’ve ever happened to me. I also have a slight wheat intolerance and am allergic to shellfish. Good thing I was never a seafood lover!

After the nut allergy came about, I knew it was time to change. I had to find an alternative to peanut butter, but knew I didn’t like the sunflower butter they had at schools I had substitute taught at. I went to the whole foods market and low and behold I found Wowbutter! This wonderful little creation is made from non-GMO soybeans. It looks and tastes just like peanut butter! Yay! But, while I was there, I found so many new things to try.

Before long, I jumped onto the real foods bandwagon and decided to change my family’s way of eating. I poured myself into research for the next year, inevitably finding myself reading several new blogs about food and homemaking and then, wham! A whole new way of looking at food came about.

Along this path to whole foods, I found out that my son and I more than likely have a gluten intolerance. Just going off of symptoms and side effects. Not diagnosed, but definitely able to change things to help it.

I recently came across a cookbook of gluten free baking recipes. I had tried some other recipes here and there that were gluten free, but none that we liked. This little gem made a huge difference! It is called Gluten-Free Baking with the Culinary Institute of America. Basically, they have come up with five flour blends that are all gluten free and able to make the foods rise like they should and taste just like wheat based flour baked goods. Amazing! So we are now trying to get to the gluten free phase of our new whole foods life.

Food allergies are a struggle. Every single day, I deal with the possibilities of coming across something that had been processed with nuts or has wheat in it. But instead of letting it beat me, I decided to make it work for me. It has forced me to look at food a different way. It literally spun me into a whole new way of thinking when it comes to buying and preparing my family’s food. It took us into an adventure into real foods, and for that, I am thankful.

God never gives us more than we can handle, and while food allergies can come at a huge cost and be a huge struggle, sometimes, it is a blessing in disguise. Sometimes, it can force you to look at food a totally different way, and for that, I am thankful.

Check out my blog to read more posts about our family’s adventure into real foods! www.kristianfrye.blogspot.com

*This post contains affiliate links but all opinions are 100% my own!

Every summer I envision lazy days full of reading, relaxing, and catching up with friends and family. But every summer it’s the same…I end up crazy busy and before I know it the summer is gone!

Does this happen to anyone else? My days get packed full of summer bible studies, days at the park, camping trips, church picnics, chores…and not to mention lots of blogging work {and it’s HARD to sit on a computer all day with the sun shining outside}! All of these things are good and many of them I should spend my time doing….but it gets so hard to organize it all!

5 Ways to Get Organized This Summer

Don’t let summer pass you by! I’ve learned that I need to get organized {and STAY organized} so that I can actually do things I want to during summer. Here are some tips I’ve learned:

1) Get a good daily planner

A daily planner is a MUST for me. But I have some strict requirements when it comes to what planner will work well for me. And it’s really hard to find. In a planner I want:

• A monthly view so I can write down things like doctor’s appointments and see them all at once! 
• A weekly view because I need to see each week at a glance and be able to write down daily things like blog posts and our dinner meal plan
• Lots of space to take notes, jot down contact information, and make shopping list.

Basically I want a master organization tool that I can have out with me in the kitchen to make my shopping list, by my computer to help with work, and something I can throw in my purse quickly. Check out my FAVORITE planner: the Homemaker’s Friend daily planner. {BTW you can get a FREE 2013 planner when you order the new 2014 planner right now - find out more!}

2) Become a list maker

I think I am a natural born list maker, but even if you are not, I would urge you to take up list making just for the summer to try it out.

I don’t know about you, but during the summer my brain becomes chaotic! There are so many parties, outings, fun things and other commitments PLUS normal housekeeping, menu planning, grocery shopping, ect. It can be crazy to keep track of it all.

So this summer I urge you to try making lists. It will help you in a couple ways:

1) When you make a list, you can stop worrying and thinking about everything. Just relax knowing it’s all down on your list and you won’t forget it!

2) When you make a list, you can prioritize the important things. See why this is important in the next point!

3) Do the important {or boring} stuff first!

Usually when I start my day, I start by doing the easy things first. I hop on the computer to check my email “real quick” and 2 hours later have not accomplished anything significant.

By making a list and putting that list in a planner that I can carry around with me, I am better able to prioritize what needs to get done. This way I can get my bible reading done everyday, meals on the table, and other important things I need to get done!

4) Plan FUN time into your schedule

This is a big one for me. When I start envisioning how my day will look, I usually pile on WAY too much stuff. I try to get 15 things done when really I can only get 4 and I stumble into bed exhaustive.

This then leads to burn out and fatigue, which isn’t good for anyone in my family! So by actually scheduling in some time to read or relax with my husband then I’m investing in my family and my marriage!

5) Don’t neglect your Bible reading and time with God

This is another BIG one that gets neglected for me during the summer. Because the summer time usually has a wacky schedule and so many different things going on, my time spent with the Lord really suffers.

So I’ve been getting better about putting this as the FIRST thing on my to do list each day and writing in my planner to help. This gives me daily reminders and encouragement to make it a daily habit!

Introducing the Homemaker’s Friend

A big help in managing my crazy schedule as a wife, mother of twins, and business owner is with my daily planner. And as I said above, I am picky about my daily planner! It has to have everything I need.

Well I have found a wonderful solution that I want to share with you! It’s called the Homemaker’s Friend Daily Planner.

 

What I Love

This planner pretty much has everything I need! It hits all my major requirements. It has the perfect monthly and weekly views like I said I like above. It also has specific tabs for tasks, projects, info, and shopping!! For a list maker like me, this is heaven!! Order your copy here!

The last section is really neat. The shopping list section includes lists that tear right out of the planner so that you can take the list with you or throw it out when you are done! Order your copy here!

PLUS the planners are just plain cute – which is very important to me ;) I love having a cute planner…it makes me want to use it more! And they have a pretty cool deal going on right now! If you purchase the new 2014 planner you get the 2013 planner for FREE! You still have half a year to use the 2013 planner so order today and get two planners for the price of one! Order your copy here!

Do you use a planner? What is your favorite thing about using a planner?

Growing up, my family did not take medicine lightly. We didn’t take ibuprofen at the first sign of a headache and I’m thankful for that. But I was largely ignorant and skeptical of home remedies.

I had no idea that a vast world of home remedies past down through the years could be so helpful {and healthy} with my own family! 

Until recently, I have been clueless about essential oils, natural remedies, herbs, and ways to help my family naturally. But there is a whole world of natural remedies that we have at our disposal that can help heal and nurture our family’s naturally.

But when it comes to my family’s health, I am protective. I don’t want to neglect giving my children and husband medicine when they truly need it! And I don’t want to give them “natural” things that could be harmful.

So I’m doing research! I’m working to stock a natural medicine cabinet. I have a LOT to learn but it’s been fun knowing that I am treating my family in a way that helps them recover quickly without all those nasty and harsh chemicals!

But knowing where to start in stocking a natural medicine cabinet can be tough! Here are a few ideas to get your started. {OR check out this great eBook collection that is FULL of natural medicine goodness – The Natural Mothering eBook Collection}

Stocking a natural medicine cabinet

1) Stock your kitchen

Wait? I thought this post was about stocking a natural medicine cabinet. It is. This is the first step.

So many of our sicknesses, illnesses, and general ickyness comes from how we eat. We mask the symptoms with medicine and doctor’s visits when really we need to treat the root of our pain – our diet!

I highly suggest you start by reading the comprehensive book Nourishing Traditions. If you are interested in healthy eating at all…then you need to get this book to start with.

In Herbal Nurturing, Michele shares,

“In your pursuit of wellness, I urge you to always seek the root of any issue; don’t merely try to treat symptoms without ascertaining the cause. Strive for holistic wellness, with a strong foundation of nourishing real foods, rest, fresh air, exercise, prayer/worship, chiropractic maintenance, and supplements.” ~ Pg v.

PSSSST – This week only {Ending June 17th} you can get a great eBook collection that INCLUDES Herbal Nurturing. Find out more about the collection HERE.

2) It’s all about prevention

As you begin to study home remedies you will quickly realize that there are herbs, supplements, and dietary guidelines that you should take all the time! Not just when you are sick.

Prevention becomes the key and a few preventative measures in your household can save you many headaches {literally}!

“One of the keys in warding off illness is to keep the immune system strong, allowing it to do the job that it was designed to do.” ~ Mother’s Little Herbal Helper and Home Remedies

3) Learn to know what is normal {and what isn’t}

Our modern science oriented culture is happy to reach for medicine at the first sign of an illness or pain and move on, never giving it a second though. But this often leads to further illness and more pain! We walk around in semi-ill states most of the time because we don’t take the time to stop, listen, and find out what is normal and what isn’t normal in our bodies!

For example, so many American’s feel like it’s normal to live with constant headaches. It isn’t.

“Most people think that the way to handle a head -ache is to reach for a bottle of aspirin. They think that it’s normal to have a head -ache, but they are mistaken. While headaches (and the countless other aches and pains that people experience) are certainly common, health is the truly normal state. Disease is an aberration, caused either by harm you’ve done to yourself or that others have done to you.” ~ The Curative Kitchen

4) Do your research

This is the most important thing in starting a natural medicine cabinet! Do your research before you try natural and herbal home remedies. While most natural remedies are gentler and safe for your family, but you should always be familiar with the correct way to administer home remedies.

For example, there are some herbs that are dangerous to take during pregnancy. So do your research and start out slowly. Over time you will build up a storehouse of knowledge, practical wisdom, and confidence in your home remedies. Here are some great resources to get you started!

 

Some great resources:

Herbal Nurturing: A Family Healing & Learning Guide by Frugal Granola

Learning about natural remedies and then actually using them in every day life are two different things. I love this book by Michele because she gives you nearly three dozen recipes to use in your household and provides helpful tips & tricks along the way!

“Herbal remedies can be a natural and affordable option in the midst of a society filled with expensive, chemical-filled “medicalized” treatments.” ~ Herbal Nurturing

 

Mother’s Little Herbal Helper and Home Remedies by The Family Herbalist

If you are new to home remedies {like me!} then I think this is a great book to start with! She really starts from the basics and doesn’t assume you are familiar with the natural home remedies world. She covers everything from home remedies for kids to antibiotics to proper nutrition. I’ve only read the first part of the book so far {and skimmed the rest} and can’t wait to finish it!

“For thousands of years parents have been treating their children with natural remedies that include no chemicals, preservatives, fillers or binders. These remedies come from nature and many of them can be found in your own kitchen. Many mild herbs are merely food, have very few if any side effects, and are completely safe to use with children.” ~ Mother’s Little Herbal Helper and Home Remedies pg 15

 The Curative Kitchen by Susan Smith Jones, PhD

Susan takes an honest and real look at what American’s call “health” and modern medicine. She shares how we have been led astray in our thinking about medicine and what it truly means to be healthy. Plus my favorite part – she covers 21 superfoods! Love this section of the book!!

“Collectively, Americans have been making some very poor choices. We’ve become a self-medicating society because we don’t really understand how beautifully robust the human body is. Each of us needs to be reminded that our bodies are magnificently equipped to meet life’s problems when supplied with the simple and easily obtainable requisites of health.” ~ The Curative Kitchen

**This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are 100% my own and I am really excited to share these resources with you regardless of affiliate links :)