Snack Shack

So for anyone who has children eating solid food, you may be starting to get overwhelmed by all the snacks your children are consuming!  We are going through this very thing in our own home with an 11, 9, and 4 year old.  It goes like this...every week I go buy groceries. Admittedly, I am not the most organized grocery shopper and often get what looks good as I'm wandering the aisles. But I always need snacks!  Lots of snacks!  I'm talking like fruit, fruit snacks, energy bars, cheese crackers, yogurt, JUICE (for goodness sakes don't forget the juice! My kids might actually die of dehydration if there is no juice *note the sarcasm here)! Graham crackers, cookies, chips & string cheese, and that's usually one week! It's a little embarrassing to admit that I do actually buy that many snacks a week, but we can't keep them, the kids eat them all up.  I have always stressed that the kids must choose a healthy after-school snack and then maybe right before dinner (if they're starving, which they always are) a small snack like cheese or fruit snacks to hold them over and then they always want one right before bed.  Its exhausting!  And wasteful! Just eat a meal for the LOVE!

 So here I was...another day complaining to my husband in the kitchen about all the food the kids are eating and how they're always hungry because they aren't making healthy choices when it comes to snacks.  And his answer at first was...quit buying them.  Well, duh!  But that's not going to work.  We're on the go a lot and everyone is running in different directions, so we still need snacks, we just need them to last more than 4 days! The second solution...quit feeding the entire neighborhood!  That is a really good point!  Not only do they want snacks, but they have good manners and offer their friends a snack as well!  Now... how do we let the kids have a variety of  healthy and indulgent snacks and still be aware of who they're eating around and how much they're eating?  This is what we came up with!  I posted it on my personal Facebook page and got a great response!

Now, I don't need to hear any judgement on our snack options...I know what is and isn't "healthy" and I'm sure most people do.  I choose my battles, and to be honest, my husband and I enjoy these sugary snacks from time to time!  It's all about balance right?

We give our kids $5 a week to pay for snacks.  We have several free options so they'll eat something that is actually filling.  They put their money in a jar when they want a snack.  When a friend is over, they have to buy a snack for that friend or wait until the friend leaves.  At the end of the week, they get to keep the leftover money!  My kids are very motivated  by money. 

You know what happened?  They don't eat all the snacks!  They fill up after school on a sandwich or something free.  They wait until dinner to eat again! They may or may not get a snack before bed or they may just have a glass of milk!  AHA!  We've got some pretty smart cookies in this house.  I haven't had to buy snacks for 2 weeks.  I don't think we'll need to continue this for very long.  But the kids have learned to be aware of what they're eating and how much it costs to keep these items in stock for them.  They also like having a little extra cash in their piggy banks!  Good math lesson, good life lesson.  I call this a win-win!

 How do you control the snacks in your home? 

Time is Running Out!

Quick reminder to enter our GroVia O.N.E. giveaway.   Deadline for entry is September 15th.   See full details on our original blog post here!

Did you know, eLeMeNO-Pee has some of the lowest rates on Charlie's Soap?  Our 32 lb, 1250 Load bucket of Charlie's Soap Laundry Powder is cheaper than Amazon and SHIPS FREE!   Buy yours now!








Finally, our Ergobaby baby carriers are almost gone! We only have a few left so get yours now before we run out!   We still have a few of the new Ergo 360 baby carriers in stock.  

These are hard to find and also ship for FREE!    Find out more about all of our Ergobaby products on our website or buy YOUR ergo 360 now!

GroVia O.N.E, What Do You Think? (Giveaway)

GroVia O.N.E. Shown In Topaz

The GroVia O.N.E. is the latest edition from the really awesome mind of Kim Ormsby's team, and one of the greatest product launches in the highly competitive and ever evolving cloth diaper community.   Our initial order is almost completely sold out and we want to know what our customers think about their ONE's - is it THE ONE for you?


eLeMeNO-Pee is hosting a contest for one free, GroVia O.N.E All In One Cloth Diaper - tell us what your favorite feature is and send us a photo of your baby wearing their favorite ONE Shell.  Comment on this blog and post your photo to our facebook page at www.facebook.com/todaysclothdiapers




What do you love the most:
-the choice of hook and loop or snap on the same diaper?
-the sizing options to last from birth to potty training?
-no prep - you can use straight out of the bag?
-the modular snap in soaker system that allows you to completely customize absorbency?
-the built in extra absorbency, making this a great night time option for cloth diapering?
-the ease of replacing the hook and loop closure if it ever wears out?
-the simplicity of the wash routine?
-the great price point - you get so much for so little with the GroVia ONE!

And just in case you don't have your own GroVia O.N.E already you can buy it online at http://www.elemeno-pee.com/grovia-one.  If you don't know what it is, here is GroVia's own description:
"O.N.E is a unique all-in-one diaper that we have spent the last several months designing and refining. It is a true all-in-one diaper (fits 10-35+ pounds) with a unique Outlast closure system that gives the user the ability to choose between Hook & Loop and Snap closures, and the ability to buy a replacement kit when your Hook & Loop wears out. O.N.E's absorbency comes from a hidden body layer PLUS our one-of-a-kind cotton, channeled soaker design that is trim yet absorbent. All with the same amazing quality you've come to know and love in GroVia products."

*Contest rules:
1. You must comment on THIS BLOG with you favorite features of the GroVia ONE diaper AND include your facebook name
2.  You must post the same comment to our facebook page at www.facebook.com/todaysclothdiapers AND include a picture of your LO wearing their favorite GroVia O.N.E. diaper.   Diaper did not have to be purchased from eLeMeNO-Pee.
3. A minimum of 50 valid entries must be received by September 15 for giveaway to proceed.   If less than 50 entries are received, eLeMeNO-Pee reserves the right to discontinue the contest.
4. Winner will be chosen through the use of a random number generator.  Posts will be numbered as the appear on OUR facebook feed and the number chosen by the RNG that matches the posting will be the winner.
5.  This contest is not a facebook contest.  It is a contest of this blog, using a combination of this blog's page and our facebook page to qualify for the contest.
6.  In the event of any disputes, eLeMeNO-Pee shall retain the sole and exclusive right to determine any and all remedies it determines to be necessary, if any.

A day in the life...

Hey everyone!  We're going to do a fun guest post today about "A day in the life of a cloth diapering mama"!  Tonia Neal Johnson, a former eLeMeNO-Pee consultant and mother of three was kind enough to get us started!  Don't for get to follow her on facebook (mooshka sees)!  

What's going on here?

If you're an avid follower of eLeMeNO-Pee, you may be wondering....What's going on here?

We have endured many changes over the last few years, becoming owners in 2011...

Original Logo

Redesigned Logo 2011

opening a brick and mortar retail location in 2012...

 

 ... and then sadly closing in 2015.   

But we're still here, online and going strong!  We still have over 30 consultants across the United States to help you find exactly what you need to start your cloth diapering journey successfully!  So stop by and visit the new website!  

 We are now hiring new consultants, so apply today!

 

www.elemeno-pee.com/apply

 

Diapering: Nighttime Solutions

So… you have been cloth diapering your little one for a while and you have come to a slight speed bump… nighttime.  Your little one has graciously given you a longer stretch to sleep at night, but is waking up wet.  What should you do?  

Get yourself a few diapers that will work specifically for night time.  

Our favorite options…

Kiwi Pie by GroVia

This one-sized diaper is unbelievably absorbent, especially considering how trim it is.  It comes with two additional inserts that make this beyond perfect for a dry night!  Pair with a Flip or wool cover.

Dimple Diaper by Bummis

This is also a fitted one-sized option that is made of soft organic cotton.  An extra booster is included that ensures your child won't wake up wet! Pair with a Flip or wool cover.

Prefold Combinations

Maybe you use prefolds and want to stick to that.  You may just need to use a combination of prefolds to make them work through the night!  Try a newborn prefold combined with an Osocozy pre fold. Cover with a Flip or wool cover.

One of the great things about nighttime s once you have found your favorite, you only need 2-3 if you wash regularly!

Happy diapering :)

About the author…

I am Stasia- wife, mom, blogger over at Our Life on a Budget, part-time preschool teacher and local cloth diaper 

Cloth Diapering Essentials

Are you or a friend getting started with cloth diapers? Does it feel just a bit overwhelming? It is easier than you think! Just a few simple things and you will be ready to go!

Diapers

Let's start with the obvious, right?  You need about 24 (give or take) diapers.  You can grab all in ones, pockets, hybrids, prefolds, fitteds or any combination of the above!  Having 24 diapers will give you the wiggle room to wash every two days.  

Wipes

Probably the most obvious necessary accessory.  Use cloth wipes and wipe solution so that you never have to buy a pack of disable wipes.  Plus, cloth wipes are so much better for your baby's skin! Don't forget to grab some wipe solution too!

Wet Bags

So now you have dirty diapers and wipes… where do you put them?  In wet bags my friends!  I recommend at least one smaller wet bag for the diaper bag and at least one pail liner for the home.  If you have two of each you can use one while the other is in the wash.

Detergent

Once you have started to use cloth diapers, the washing must begin!  Don't worry, this is easy too.  It is just a few extra loads a week!  Charlie's Soap is a great option and inexpensive per load.

Diaper Sprayer and/or Diaper Liners 

As long as your child is exclusively breastfed, you won't have to worry about these!  But eventually they must start to eat solid food and you have to do something about the… waste.  One option is to connect a sprayer right to your toilet and spray off the diapers into the toilet.  If you choose to go with the liners, you put one in each diaper and just flush it down the toilet when soiled.  

Your Personal Cloth Diaper Expert

Even though it is easier than you think to get started, there is an option of using a cloth diaper expert and it is completely free to you! They can help you pick out what you need, get you set up, help you with fit and washing.  If you have an option of a team of experts helping you than why not?

Are you ready to get started on your cloth diapering adventure?  It is fun, I promise.  Check out eLeMeNO-Pee and get in touch with your local cloth diaper expert!

About the author…

I am Stasia- wife, mom, blogger over at Our Life on a Budget, part-time preschool teacher and local cloth diaper