Is it just me or does the image that they have chosen to put on the packaging look like the imprint of a mans bum and his tackle? Almost as if he has had a cast made of his rear, just for us ladies to nibble on? Maybe that is the REAL reason they are called ‘Teasers’.

Nope… Just me!?

A lotus birth is where the baby is delivered, followed by the placenta…. still attached to the baby! The umbilical cord and placenta are kept together until they detach themselves, which can take from 2-3 days or even up to a whole week! Delayed cord clamping and detachment is now commonly known to have great benefits for the new born baby, and same goes for keeping that placenta attached too. All of the necessary stem cell blood from the placenta is absorbed to baby, taking as long as the natural process needs. It has also been noted that reported cases of jaundice is at an absolute minimum, And babies go on to have healthier immune systems.

After delivery access fluids are cleaned from the placenta organ, and is then kept in an open bowl or wrapped in cotton- air must be allowed to circulate the placenta to stop it from going moldy and putrid. Often salt or sweet smelling essential oils (such as lavender) are rubbed onto the organ, to help the placenta to dry out, and to mask any musky smells from the natural preservation process.

So, at first it may seem a very strange way to taking natural birthing to a whole new level, but many parents are now taking on this trend and embracing its amazing benefits. Something else to think about putting in your birth plan maybe….. Maybe!

Photo: wikimedia commons

BAD Parenting…. but bloody hilarious!

So, Real Nappy Week is coming up very soon.

April 15th to April 21st 2013 marks Real Nappy Week, aiming to spread awareness about ‘Real Nappies… Real Change!’

When my daughter was born I didn’t know much about using reusable nappies. I knew they were good for my purse, and the environment. But that’s where my knowledge ended. Oh how I now know different….

After being a parent for a little while, and having the pleasure of informing mums about all of the choices they have when it comes to clothing baby’s bum due to my job, I now feel a little more confident about the subject than when I first started out as a parent.

Real nappies can come in many forms and variations. When people think of cloth nappies, they tend to imagine the old fashioned terry toweling nappies, held together with a safety pin! This is no longer the case. Reusable nappies come in many different styles, sizes, patterns, etc etc etc. The list is endless.

Real nappies also have the misconception of being real pain in the bum (no pun intended!) to use and very time consuming. In fact, It has never been so easy to use reusable nappies than ever before. Most nappies no longer require any complicated folding and fastening, and are no different to put on and use as the common disposable.

There are obvious benefits choosing to use a reusable nappy. The impact on the environment is a huge issue, as is saving your pennies in the long run. But, a less obvious benefit that I discovered was that we never ran out of nappies! My husband and I never had to make a trek to the shops at midnight because we ran out! We still have the nappies that Willow wore, and we will be using them again for our new baby… saving even more money!

Now, we did use disposable nappies too. I personally liked to use them when going out for a long day, or if staying with relatives for the weekend. Many people find mixing reusable with disposable a good way of still saving pennies and the environment without worrying too much about being out of the house. I think with our new baby, I will try to use disposables at an absolute minimum or better still, not at all. I do feel that my knowledge has increased greatly since using reusable nappies on Willow- I’ll take my experiences with her as my practice shot

Have a look online and there are some fantastic sources of information about using real nappies such as the website Go Real. There you can find lots of information about all things nappy. You can even see if there is a local scheme in your area that helps you get money back on reusable nappies brought. I live in Bedfordshire, and there is a scheme in place, that you just have to apply for through the council!

Here is a picture of Willow as a very small baby in one of Mothercare’s reusable nappies.

Here is Bambino Mio’s ‘Birth to Potty’ set-

Some of you may know that I love growing my own vegetables and try to live as frugally as possible. One of my wishes, is to teach my children how to enjoy growing their own vegetables  while teaching them all about how things grow.

I know Willow is still very young and possibly doesn’t quite understand the science of growing produce yet, but it can never be too early to start teaching her about these sort of things.

Last week, I washed out an old yogurt pot, stuffed it with cotton wool and added enough water to keep the cotton wool moist. I then pushed a broad bean between the wall of the pot and the cotton wool. The broad beans I used, were just beans that I had saved from last years crop and dried out, ready to sow this year.

Well, a week later our beans have started growing! I explain to Willow every day what is happening and why, and I give her time to look at the bean and water it. When the bean gets big enough we will plant it in a bag and grow it into a big plant, ready to harvest the beans that it produces, and have them in a yummy dinner!!

Apologies for the unclear pic, but here are our (possibly) prize broad beans!

Willow watches it AT LEAST a 100 times a day….

… so we agreed, its just too good not to share! Enjoy…..

I have just discovered that the hoover add on part that goes on the end of the nozzle (Can you tell that I havn’t got a clue what these technical hoover parts are called?!) fits perfectly down the back of radiators…. sucking up all the dust that I can never normally reach. Now, this probably is not what the actual part is for, In fact I always thought it was for going down the cracks in the sofa, but it works brilliantly.

Kinda feel like I have just found the Holy Grail of housework….

I agreed to take part, but as I was half way through my pregnancy I didn’t expect to be much help for them, as I was in the ‘boring’ stage- OK pregnancy isn’t boring at all, but its not as fun as the very beginning or the end- lets face it!! I had to shoot a few questions and answers on a small hand held camera, I filmed our 20 weeks scan, our wedding ceremony and a few other clips of us moving house.

Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to get much useful or good quantity film for them to use. But I was pleased when I actually saw myself (and our unborn baby) on TV! Be it brief .. it was fab!!

The programme was good (didn’t agree with some of the editing styles though!) and the wonderful girls from Firecracker films should be pleased with themselves for the final cut

I would highly recommend taking part in a reality documentary. It was fun and a great life experience… and you never know, you MAY just see yourself!

Although, Jay and Willow are sulking they that didn’t get their 0.28 seconds of fame!!

With Easter fast approaching what better could Britain have to offer than a Fun Packed Family Break in Bristol! Like the Visit Bristol Facebook page and enter your details and you could win a family break including…

-          Return train travel from anywhere in Britain courtesy of redspottedhanky.com

-          3 Nights B&B at the Family Friendly Mercure Holland House Hotel & Spa

-          Family tickets for an open top bus tour from Bristol City Sightseeing

-          Family tickets for the At-Bristol Science Centre

-          Dinner at the fantastic Za Za Bazar

Remember Bristol has lots more to offer families, with gorillas at the Bristol Zoo Gardens (DinoZoo from 23^rd March to September), boat trips round the harbour and attractions like Brunel’s SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge. We’ve even got a Chocolate Exhibition running until May 6^th at the M shed museum and the Pharaoh – King of Egypt exhibition at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery until July 21^st.

To enter simply follow the link to like the Visit Bristol Facebook page and enter your details here.

Competition is free to enter and open to residents of Britain aged 16 and over. Closing date for entries is 25^th March 2013.

Aldi UK posted on their Facebook page earlier:

”Thank you to everyone for their comments and feedback about our Chocolate Bunny TV advert.

Our Like Brands adverts are always meant to be light-hearted and humorous, and we support all endeavours to protect animal welfare.

We love hearing from you and value your feedback. We never intended to cause any offence, and after listening to your thoughts and feelings, we will be removing the advert from air. It will not be broadcast again after noon tomorrow.

Thanks again for posting and sharing your views. We’ll take your opinions on board when planning our future adverts.”

Personally, I can not quite see what the uproar was about. I am also not quite sure what the complaints made were. I must be missing something here surely!?

Here is the advert…. Enjoy!  and let me know what YOU think