Wrap Review! Didymos India Holi

Manufacturer: Didymos
Name: India Holi
Weave: Twill
Weight: 255 g/m2 (60/40 weight was the only weight listed on the database)
Blend: There are two different versions, 50% Linen 50% Cotton, and 40% Linen 60% Cotton, I had 50/50

I got my Holi in the dead of summer. Linen is perfect for the heat. The pattern is pleasing to the eye. I used the "wrong" side more often than the "right" because I liked it best. I purchased this wrap brand new and it came to me like cardboard. One hot wash/iron and it softened right up. A double hammock is my go to, and even with all those passes over me and Emmalee, it was still very breathable and wearable in the Nevada summer heat. The cush on the shoulders was perfect, without being too bulky of a wrap. Holi didn't live here long, because it was the slipperiest wrap I've ever tried. It would slip right into place when I did my passes, but it also slipped right out of place. 

It's GIVEAWAY time!

It's time for a giveaway! Thank you so much to all my readers and followers. 

There are TWO prizes this time! This fabulous cross-body babywearing bag was handmade by Mimiz Marketplace. It's the perfect length to cross your and your baby in a carrier. The strap is cushy and won't dig into your neck. It's just the right size for a couple fluffy diapers and the rest of your necessities. Bags (and more!) are available for purchase through Etsy!

The second prize is a 2 oz bottle of hand made Stink Away Diaper Pail Spray! A special blend of essential oils that ELIMINATES odors, it doesn't just cover them up. All natural, non toxic, good for the planet, and good for your nose! Stink Away Diaper Pail Spray is available for purchase through Life As Dallas Knows It.

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Wrap Review! Lenny Lamb Sunrise Rainbow

I'm starting a new series! I'll be reviewing all the wraps I've tried so far, and I'll review any new wraps that come in. Starting with Lenny Lamb Sunrise Rainbow, the first real wrap I owned! 

Manufacturer: Lenny Lamb
Name: Sunrise Rainbow
Weave: Twill
Blend: 50% Cotton 50% Bamboo

This wrap is the absolute softest wrap I have ever tried. It's soft and floppy straight out of the bag. One wash and it was perfect. The colors are vibrant, but not blinding. I found it to be a bit slippery. My passes would glide easily, but my knots also slipped a lot. When E hit 20lbs (around 4 months!), this wrap lost all its support. Every carry I did would slip and pull. I was sad to see it go!

Happy Birthday, Emmalee!

I can't even believe its been a whole year already! My sweet angel baby isn't such a little baby anymore.

Emmalee is not my rainbow baby in the typical sense, but she came to me during a particularly stormy time in my life. She has brightened every day since she arrived. I am so grateful I was chosen to be her mommy.

We had a snowstorm early early the day of E's party, so the guest list was cut down quite a bit, but we still had so much fun! I wanted the food to stick with the rainbow theme, so we had rainbow goldfish, gummy bears, a rainbow veggie tray (cherry tomatoes, carrots, yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, blue corn chips, and ranch dressing clouds), multi colored tortilla chips with salsa, and rainbow fruit kebobs (strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, kiwi/honey dew melon, grape).

We had a little drama while I was frosting the cake (choking/fainting drama--yikes!) so it didn't turn out perfect, but I'm happy with the results! What would a rainbow birthday be without a rainbow cake?

Happy birthday to my sweet baby girl!

Breastmilk Smash Cake!

Emmalee is one! I can't believe this year has gone by so quickly. Bittersweet.

I celebrated Em's half birthday, and I made her a breastmilk cupcake (biscuit, really). I wanted to keep her on the healthy route for her first birthday, so I decided to make her a breastmilk smash cake! You can read my original post here.

I went with whole wheat flour this time, instead of gluten free. Every gluten free baked recipe I've tried has turned out disastrous, so I didn't want to take my chances ruining this one! You'll need:

2/3 cup of breastmilk, which is roughly 4.5 ounces. If you don't have enough you can supplement with coconut milk. I had 3.5 ounces of frozen milk to use, the rest was coconut.
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup coconut palm sugar
1/3 applesauce
11/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries (or your fruit of choice!)

Frosting:
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups confectioner's sugar
2-3 tbsp Breastmilk (or coconut milk)
(optional) 1.5 tbsp beet juice (pink coloring)

Combine milk & ACV. Let sit for 2-3 minutes or until it starts to curdle. Mine has never curdled, any time I've used this recipe. I just waited until I saw movement (bubbles) and its turned out fine. Beat sugar, applesauce, and vanilla together until smooth. Mix in dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Stir in strawberries. Pour into two 6 inch round cake pans. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Frosting:
Beat room temperature butter until fluffy. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Add beet juice. Stir in one tablespoon of milk at a time and beat until smooth.

Don't be surprised when you batter looks a little... strange! The coconut palm sugar combined with the whole wheat flour make for an interesting color!

Emmalee really enjoyed her cake! She didn't really dig in, she preferred to be dainty and not get messy!

What do you think of this breastmilk cake? Will you try it?

Woolzies Review and GIVEAWAY!

One of the things I always hear about on cloth diaper or babywearing forums is wool dryer balls. Toss a few dryers balls in to help break in a wrap, or to cut your diaper drying time in half. I decided I needed to try some! Wool dryer balls are just what they sound like, wool balls you throw in the dryer.

I tested Woolzies, made from 100% Pure New Zealand Wool.

The box and insert say that Woolzies will:

Soften Naturally
Reduce Drying Time By 25%
Help Eliminate Wrinkles
Help Reduce Static
Save Energy
and are Noise Free

I was really interested in the reduced drying time, so my first test was with my cloth diapers. During the summer, I prefer to dry my diapers in the sun. However, the sun isn't out long enough or hot enough to sun my diapers right now, so I've been using the dryer. To extend the life of my dipes, I make sure to dry them on the lowest heat setting. A full load of diapers (four days worth) will generally take 2-2.5 hours on low to dry completely. I added 6 XL wool balls to the dryer, and my full load of diapers took 1 hour and 10 minutes to dry completely, cutting my drying time down significantly (saving energy and money!). While the balls are not noise free, I can definitely hear them in the dryer, they aren't annoying or extremely loud.

My next test was softening naturally. I did a load of linens without adding the fabric softener I normally use (vinegar), and dried them with nothing but the wool balls. The sheets came out static free and as soft as they normally do. Woolzies suggests adding a few drops of essential oils to a ball for a yummy scent. I added a few drops of lavender to a ball, but I made sure to mark the oiled ball so I wouldn't toss it with my wraps.

Third, I tossed the balls in with a freshly washed wrap, an Ellaroo from our local lending library. It had crunched up quite a bit during it's bath, but the balls beat it up nicely. I don't have any new wraps that need breaking in right now, but I'm eager to see how they do with a wrap right out of the package.

I threw the balls in with my regular laundry also. My only complaint in with my clothes is that the balls get stuck inside sleeves. One worked its way into the sleeve of E's pajamas and it came out stretched.

Overall, Woolzies deliver. I am very pleased with how well they work. Drying time was cut dramatically, my clothes were static free, and each time I used the balls I saved a little money.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Woolzies. I was not compensated for my review.

I was given a sample product in exchange for my honest opinion. Life As I Know It is not 

responsible for delivery of prize. Prize shipped directly from Woolzies.

Here's your chance to try Woolzies for free! Winner of this giveaway will receive one box of 6 XL, 100% Natural New Zealand Wool dryer balls for FREE! Enter below!

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Whitening Your Teeth Naturally

I HAVE to share this with you guys!

Activated charcoal. Heard of it? Maybe? How about for whitening your teeth? No?

I read this article from Crunchy Betty months ago. I was skeptical, but wanted to try it anyway. I finally got around to buying some activated charcoal (aka activated carbon) about two weeks ago. Oh. My. Gosh. The results are incredible!

Crunchy Betty suggests using capsules of activated charcoal like this. You can open a capsule and it's the perfect amount for one treatment. I chose to purchase this one (wayyy cheaper). It's for an aquarium, so it's tablets instead of powder.

Pour out a bit of the AC.

Grind it up into a powder (I do it mortar and pestle style). You should have roughly a teaspoon of powder. Be careful when dealing with the AC in powder form, it can be harmful if inhaled.

Add a dash of water to make a paste and spread it on your teeth with your finger. I pour the rest in my mouth, swish around a little, and then hold it in front of my teeth. Keep it there 3-5 minutes then rinse WELL, and brush normally.

So easy! You don't have to worry about any harmful chemicals, and it won't cause any tooth sensitivity like traditional peroxide-based whitening creams.

Look! This is after only THREE treatments! You guys, this is amazing! (sorry I don't have Hollywood straight teeth)

Remember, you need ACTIVATED charcoal (carbon). Don't go out and grab a brick from your barbecue, it's not the same thing.

Did you try it? What were your results?