New addition to our "Green List"!

Home grown scallions! Just keep the white part in fresh water and voila! :) I hope we can add to this soon, since we've had seeds lying around for months. The planter came to hold Chaim's paperwork! Lol! Some day we might even have a yard! Gosh Golly! :D

"Yes Dear"

As per request of the amazing Sarah Fader, this is what Zalah learned from listening to Daddy:

And more of her silliness:

Product reviews - L'Oreal and Bamboo diapers

I recently had a coupon for $1 off L'oreal Go 360° Clean from CVS, so I wanted to check it out. I never heard of it before, maybe because I live in a media-less bubble. Turns out, it is a new face wash, and WOW!

The packaging is actually more opaque than this, with the green and orange being more clear of a gel. The orange has little beads in it for exfoliating. I wasn't sure which one to try but I went with the sensitive, probably because I usually use a sensitive Oil of Olay foaming wash, even though I have no idea what kind of skin I really have. (Dry, combo, sensitive??)

It has this little scrubber that, as you can see, comes out of the bottle. I'm not usually impressed by gimmicks like this, so I was objective about trying it. It is super soft like a silicone with little raised nubs. I also noticed the back end is a suction. I don't know if its on purpose, but I keep it on my mirror instead of putting it back in the bottle for easier access.
What I don't like, is that neither it or the bottle are recyclable. Uh oh! But I will give away any if I buy another bottle. Sometimes I think these things should be separate.

All face washes promise less break outs and smoother skin, etc, but I usually feel generally apathetic about them all. Mainly I just look for one that actually REMOVES my makeup from my back-in-the-day-ton-of-makeup days without raccooning a greasy mess around my eyes. Well I am very impressed with the 360° clean. It not only removes my makeup, with help from the scrubber, but actually cleans. I had compliments on my frightening bare-naked skin within a day or two of using it, even with a few residual blemishes that were from a few days earlier. Since then, new ones have not appeared. I think the combination of great face wash and that neat little do-dad really does the trick. It also exfoliates but gently, so I can still use my apricot scrub every few days, but have brighter skin just from my nightly washing. I also liked that I chose the sensitive, since I've read a few reviews that said the normal ones were a bit drying. Even Chaim likes it, and we do notice smaller pores!

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Onto their new collagen volume mascara. I bought this a little while ago, since I'm always trying new mascaras, and often they are L'Oreal. When I finally opened it, it was sort of dry and clumpy. Of course, as with the face wash, they always promise no clumps and tons of volume. I wasn't so impressed. I returned it to CVS the same time I bought the Go 360° Clean and got a replacement. It was a little less dry than a normal new mascara, but a bit better than the old one. Sometimes, new mascara is TOO wet and it gets all over. It still clumped a little, and still felt dry on my lashes and pulled, which wasn't too nice. I always get waterproof, for some reason, so its usually tough to get off. This one is no exception. Overall I'm not too impressed with this one, which is sad because I loved Lash Architect, Voluminous, Volume Shocking, Panoramic Curl and even Telescopic was ok, though I usually like volume (can you tell?) over long and thin. I'll have to go back to a tried and true next time, or just return this one now.

On the plus side, L'Oreals website is gorgeous and wonderful for info such as creating a custom skin regiment. And on websites, so is Chiquita's! I was impressed.

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On to another item since we're on topic of reviews, Bagshot Row Bamboo diapers suck. Don't even waste your $20. I don't even fully get it. It's like an all in one diaper, since its contoured and elastic at the legs, but its not. It doesn't close on its own, so you need a pin or snappi and it doesn't have a cover, so I played it safe and put a Thirsties on it. What's the point of a cute diaper if it needs a cover? It certainly didn't look waterproof...and on that topic, what's the point of paying $20 when you still need all the other stuff!? It also has a 'snap in' doubler that is like 2 long thin sheets, and a small pad that was like a liner but the same material. What I HATE is how it goes on the outside, verses how a FuzziBunz holds the bulk of material inside a pocket. This, geniuses, is to keep it mess free, and cleaning a massive poop off of 4 different surfaces WAS NOT! It didn't even wash out well. Prefolds stain sometimes, but its not so bad and FB washes pretty cleanly because of the material they use. Overall, prefold are way cheaper, better and even *gasp!* easier to clean if you fold them right, even WITHOUT a liner. The ease-level is about the same as well. Why would any sane person pay so much?? Oh right, its "in style". F that noise.

I'm so annoyed I don't even want to take my own picture.

HOT HOT HOT!

Chaim made a home made hot sauce (finally!) from Rick Bayless. He has a crush on him. :)

Yes, its an old Frank's Bottle!

It has to marinate for a day, but it tastes so wonderful already! Zalah tried it and said "Yummy!" She loves hot stuff! He is also making me salmon tonight rubbed with the left over seeds and husks, probably because I'm mad at him! :) You can see his home made salsa in the back. I'm not sure what we'll use that for, maybe the salmon too. He also made a marinated steak Mexican style as well, but I think the hot sauce is going to be the winner of all this hot stuff! Try it!

ZALAH!!!!!

Last night I was finally going to watch Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, since I am very behind in the series. I tried to put it in the DVD slit (we don't have a door that pops out on this computer) and it would NOT. GO. IN.

We turned off the computer and when it rebooted, it accepted the DVD, but then spit it out. We turned it over to see how it looked underneath and maybe if there was a way to open the door. Then we heard it. *slide*

"What was that!? I heard something moving in there." I said. Something was sliding around in our computer. PANIC!

We called Dell, and went to Dell Chat, and were put on hold and in queue and transferred and on hold and in queue. I chatted with someone who transferred me, turns out our computer has the OLD computers code, which is another issue. We searched all over for something to prove this computer was sent to us in replacement since they made us send back the old one. I was about number 5 waiting to chat and suddenly it was 29. We restarted, we waited on the phone, etc. I finally got someone who connected to our computer and tried to shut it off and check things out. Of course it didn't work. He called Chaim's phone but was dropped, with no extension to call him back on (we asked). He was just telling Chaim to take the battery out and 'open the computer'. The computer does not open just from that. He started to unscrew the whole thing when I panicked and asked him not to do it. All this time we were starting to surmise that Zalah might have stuck something inside of it. I was sick of being up and have been trying to get to bed earlier, so I went to sleep. I don't even know when Chaim went to bed but he mentioned that they couldn't send anyone until he received a correct code for the computer.

Fast forward to this am; After I fed the kids, I thought, let me post on Facebook and see if anyone has ideas. Some people suggested I stick a paper clip in the hole that ejects the CD door. We don't have a hole, or a door. I told Chaim I think Zalah might have put in the plastic "memory card" that comes with the computer to keep dust out of that slot, since she sees us putting ours into the computer to upload pictures. I mentioned this while also trying to use something firm to coax it out. My friend Kristen suggested I use strong tape, like we used in photo processing to grab the film out, while others suggested I shake it. Well, I tried a little of both. And then I saw it. A small, black corner sticking out, barely visible. I shook a little firmer and this is what I saw:

ZALAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How I Diaper

First, I fold the diaper in three, into the middle which is the thickest. This is standard.


But what I do differently is flip it over. Then I simply lay a liner directly over the whole length, put one side under her tush, and pull the front up and between her legs.


I folded the front down because this is an extra long diaper. With some brands you won't have to do this. Then I pull the back flaps out from under her and tuck the front flaps under them and secure with a snappi. I use the bottom part of the snappi to hook the middle pieces and keep them folded together.


Cover with a diaper cover. I like Thristies 2.0.


I think the fold I use is just a standard fold, but inside out. I found the other way, which maybe was meant to hold the poop, just got it all over the sides as well as middle. This way it stays on the middle and since I use liners now, there is no need for a fancy fold to hold the doody. I've tried newspaper folds before and liked how it utilized that extra thickness on top. What are your favorite folds?

Some Funny Videos

Here are just a collection of great videos from the past few months that I don't want to lose, and also would love to share!






















Phew! That took FOREVER!

Old World Food Market

Yesterday as I was going to a doctors appointment, I noticed a big beautiful new store called "Old World Food Market" in Nyack. I wanted to check it out. This was sort of impromptu, but this is what I found:


This is over by the dry foods, I especially liked the decoration on that back wall.

Here is a wider shot, also towards the dry section, but you can see the gorgeous olive bar. More (but terribly lighted) pictures are found here.

So basically, this place is stunning. There is no doubt about that. The owner said in an interview (that I can no longer find) that he wanted to return to an old way of shopping, and have prices that are reasonable, despite being gourmet. I noticed first that there were organic bananas by the produce room, big and beautiful ones at that. My local stores have been seriously slacking in the organic banana department, sometimes having one "ok" looking bunch to none left! That was a big plus. The fish area smelled very much like an old world fish market...possibly unavoidable but not so pleasant. The Cheese area in the center was HUGE. I didn't actually spend much time there, but could tell they had a very wide variety that you might not find in many other stores. As far as dried foods, there were many known organic brands, some that I can find elsewhere and some that are a little trickier. I saw a few foreign items on the shelf as well that I have never seen before, but things like a dairy item from Switzerland. The kosher section, unfortunately, was stocked with the same crap every other supermarket has, that no one born after 1932 actually eats. Thankfully, much of these natural or organic foods end up being kosher as well, so that's a big plus for those concerned. I ended up buying $37 worth of mostly snack foods. I liked that the chocolate covered goodies weren't made with a ton of additives, like the generic brands are. Bear Naked granola, which rules, and Newman's cookies, which also rule, were in my bag but not rare finds. There were, however, more flavors offered here than other stores. I also found a Darrell Lea licorice, but I found more flavors at a smaller, more local natural store. The olive bar had interesting flavors offered, but I thought it was only 'ok' in taste. Lastly, I found spices that I needed, and hope they are a great quality to match the price. Our local stores also carry these spices, but there aren't too many companies offered. The same thing happened with tea. I enjoy interesting tea, especially chai, so it was an opportunity to find more brands of it, but not the most exotic item either.

Overall, the store itself felt a lot like a Whole Foods kind of deal. I think I had the impression that it would carry more 'worldly' foods, so I want to try an experiment, just in case I missed it.


HOLY HELL! They actually passed!! I just called to ask if they had an exotic spice mixture and they did! Points for that one homie. I wonder if its the Crate and Barrel version or the real deal. It seems whole foods carries it or at least uses it in their prepared foods as well. There are no Whole Foods or Trader Joe's nearby, so I think if I am in the area and need some bananas or a really nice tea, I would stop in again. But I know I won't (or can't, since they don't accept food stamps!) do my regular shopping there. In the town of Nyack, where there are a lot of wealthy trendsetters, I'm sure the store will do well.

UPDATE: I bought spices that were hard to find there, and found them much cheaper in an Indian market. They are still sealed, but because I don't have the receipt I can't return them! LAME!!!

Zalah's Wild Hair

bWhat do I do about this:

Zalah's Flock of Seagulls look

See, they are twins!

We don't want to cut it yet, and we've tried so many options. My grandmother bought her headbands, and Miriam made her pretty clips with velcro on the inside for grip! I tried my old rubber mini elastics which work the best but pull on her when either she or us try to take them out, and then we bought the toddler hair bands in many colors.

Here you can see her massive bump >:(

Well those suck. She pulls them out in a few minutes and they stretch out easily. AND they were like $3.99! (They are made by a Jewish company....hmmmm...)

Her hair gets in her face and stuck in her boogers. Anyone have a suggestion!?

The Liners (and Covers) that Saved me!

I've posted about cloth diapers a few times before. The first impression and a followup. Well its time for another. My awesome friend Amanda bought me the first things I needed to start as well as told me about the site she gets her stuff from, Mom's Milk Boutique. I have ordered from them before to add some more diapers to my collection. I went with those unbleached Indian prefolds that were seen in the previous diaper post. (These are great because they are actually very soft, super absorbent and extra long.) I decided it was time for a second trip to Mom's Milk, for the much awaited covers I needed and while there, I also decided to pick up some liners. After reading reviews, I went with the ImseVimse in toddler size.

(Not my pic)

I have to say, these are a LIFE SAVER!!! The few times I've used them, she's only peed in them ONCE! So I guess that's a lot of poop! But I have skipped a few times in the hopes that she just pooped and wouldn't again. It worked a few times, but I've had to clean the diaper "regularly" one time. I have also previously switched (sucked it up) to cleaning the diaper off in the actual toilet. It's not as gross as you might think (and probably better than using the sink) but its coooolllldd! These liners make that whole ordeal basically unnecessary! Also, having more covers is great and I have to do the laundry so much less! This matters since our washer situation is still a mess. I also let them air out over our shower rack if they are pee-smelling and use another one. By the next day the smell is gone and I can alternate more often. This also works if there is a little poop on the plastic part, but not on the fabric part. That can rinse right off and air dry as well, and if I do a load, I throw all the used ones in anyway!

I have only used the liners a few times because I tend to not use cloth diapers on weekends, mainly because I am away and its daunting for me. But that brings up another issue; I personally use a washcloth or rag on Shabbas for the kids faces, but you are not supposed to 'squeeze'. If someone was religious enough to not squeeze out on Shabbas (or back in the old days) what would they do!? Shake it off (doesn't really work, fyi) and put it in a bucket with poop on it? Wet or Dry? Wet doesn't really get the stain out, unless you rub the material together, and that is not allowed, and dry, well that's just gross and smelly. Feel free to let me know what you think!

My only caution is that us cloth diaperers might be used to using the diaper to wipe some of the poop off. So naturally, my instinct was to use the liner for this. DON'T! They are thinner than paper, and you WILL get pooty hands. :( They still leave a stain on the diaper when you remove them, a little thicker than my picture of them rinsed out. But some moms and dads might be ok with putting it in a wet bag or bucket from there. I still rinse mine out a bit, spray them and hang them on the bucket to dry a little like before. Its just a whole lot easier! I highly recommend it for "big kid poops", and even want to do it for Zalah to get her to POTTY TRAIN ALREADY! But, alas, she lost my small snappi so now I only have the one. :P Guess I have to go back to Mom's Milk Boutique!

The Passive Agressive Plague

There have been a number of things that have gotten me thinking about this topic lately, which culminated with a conversation with my friend Sarah. (See previous post for Sarah's blog and other links that related to this topic.) It seems that today we have a surplus of passive aggressive behavior which creates a lot of defensiveness. This might not be new information, but lets look at why this is happening.

People today live in a world with a thousand different styles and subcultures. They want to be accepted somewhere, and it sometimes takes a lot of work to get there. So when someone is 'in' a group, they keep others on the outside with catty remarks and attitude. It makes sense in some ways as a sort of initiation rite and keeping the clan together, but what ends up happening is that there are so many little divisions and each one wants others to know what they are all about while still being insular and secretive. It drives me mad. The reason they want others to know about them is so they are not misunderstood, or taken to look like another group that they are not. Here is a great example from a thread on Facebook about red laces on Doc Martin boots:

"I'm a black skinhead( I don't think I need to tell you where I stand, and those of you scratching your heads look it up on wikipedia) and I can tell you for sure if I wear any coloured laces or braces then it means that I like to accessorize. I did run across some dumb ass hipsters on the train who still think skins are racist. To this day, I regret giving them a good smack in the face for being so bloody stupid!"

Now, this is just one example of MILLIONS! The point is, many people wear colored laces to mean racism or a variety of things. So to an outsider, how can you tell, even WITH knowledge of all of these groups, what the person actually means!? Besides the fact that racist and non-racist skin heads dress a like, and I have yet to figure out why, and I have asked a few times before, you can't really be sure who you are looking at. He was nice enough to write back and explain a TON of information for me, which I am appreciative. But what I am highlighting on is just how hard it is to navigate through all of these subcultures and know how to regard them.

The thing is, many people don't even CARE about learning about this. This is a pretty obtuse example but that's part of why I chose it, because many people DON'T understand the real truth about it, as even I have more to learn. I totally think we should learn about others in their main culture and even sub cultures. But some subcultures piss me off for being so vague yet so demanding of us. Such as the second group, the hipsters, often do, and don't ever offer an explanation about who they are, because they DON'T know! Basically, a common frustration of this world is to be misunderstood which is especially bothersome when you actually stand for a deeply held belief. While we can't expect everyone to know all about us based on image, it is also wrong for people to assume they know it all because of that.

How does this tie in to my main point? Well everyday people today are OVERWHELMINGLY playing the passive aggressive card as a way to deal with these ambiguities. People don't know how to act towards anyone anymore so it is a way of "playing it safe". People want to insult someone, yet do it 'nicely' as it were, and also not look like too much of a jerk for being flat out rude, even though it is. It's become a skill to zing people in just the right way. (It also makes people come off as very snotty.) But it also becomes a cover. People often act rude and snide so that they can later cover it up and say they meant something else. This goes along with dirty looks and words being so delicate now that an argument can ensue over the details of words used or the tone or what the person really meant that was disguised. It becomes "talking about nothing". And then people wonder why they can't even remember what they argued about.

Long story short: No one is direct anymore. If you are too direct, you are seen as being rude and not having tact. And even I think a white lie is ok and that there is no need to blatantly tell everyone that you don't like their shirt or hair cut. It's not needed. Yet today we seem to dance around EVERYTHING because that's the way its done now. It's a complicated net of behavior that is difficult enough for adults to deal with, that when we throw children in the mix it's even worse. Fader recently posted a blog about O.D.D. which basically means an overly defiant child. I feel that in this society, how can we expect our children to behave and listen when they are surrounded by snippy remarks and insults!? The psychologist she interviewed even stated that it was an issue with parenting style. Bingo. And while I think we should criticize others less to avoid the passive aggressive pitfall, it's quite hard not to.

I am not immune to this behavior either. While we were talking we mentioned friends who are good at witty remarks and how funny it can be, especially when the other person is "asking for it". After that remark on the Red Laces thread, I checked out that guys page (I couldn't find any information on Wikipedia about his group either, by the way). I found that he was a member of Thanks to Ed Hardy I recognize morons right away. Now this was hard for me to resist! I don't like the idea of just being rude for no reason, not that I don't do it, but I don't like it. So here are a group of people that aren't even organized in themselves, but they all have a similar attitude that seems to be screaming "I'm cool!" even though to us, they seem like total style sluts and trend whores, and we're not even impressed. Joining this group, although mean, also shows a sort of defiance to the popular culture and the ability to judge for ourselves that we don't even like the way it looks to begin with. Here I am again using stupid words to justify my behavior, when I should in one way not even care at all.

After some time many people go from being on the style bandwagon to dissing something they previously liked. This is shown in the fact that the group has grown suddenly from a few hundred to a few thousand, and it keeps going. Now, I never liked this brand and I also try to not just scream insults at those who wear it for the sake of not being more of an ass than I need to be. I'm also not so worried about it that I have to advertise Ed Hardy immunity to make sure I don't become confused with the 'other', though in a way, joining was doing just that. (I thought it was funny enough though, so I did!) Although, I do see that sort of attitude with the "I'm not a hipster" sentiment, which even hipsters seem to have. Basically what this means is that people will not want to be part of a group and don't want to be confused with them, so they will speak about how they are not them. People have this urge to be accepted, by their group and others, yet they don't want to look like they are being elitist about it, even when they are.

This happens because while people seem so super self absorbed today, they are also increasingly concerned with what others think! This is obvious, but it seems contradictory. So to balance, people try to look less concerned to defend their egos, which comes off as pretentious and just keeps it going in a cycle. It also makes people seem impenetrable, and coupled with P-A attitude, they pretty much are!

I think one of the MAIN reasons people are so afraid to be who they are but deny it, is because there is SO MUCH HEARSAY going on! Because groups and individuals don't really know first hand about the 'other', so all you hear is negativity. You can plug any group into any of the examples above. For example, moms and non moms, like the Sirens article I linked. To Blog or not to blog. Each side has its aspect that would have some one turn their noses up. But the main issue is that its usually not true. Yes, there are "green yuppies" who are anal about every little thing and B-boys who act overly fly, but at the root, there is so much more to a person. We tend to brush this off because it is easier to label and think we know it all anyway, but we don't like it when it is done to us. I also think one of the most important things I've learned recently is that people actually try to do what is best for everyone else, even though it doesn't seem that way. Of course people are selfish creatures and some more than others, but we also have a very strong social urge, and when people do something opposite of us, it doesn't always mean their intention is opposite, even for Republicans!

Things are incredibly complex in today's world, but at the center, people are people and they feel similar things. I think its a bold step to try to lead on that rather than defense mechanisms and criticism because it brings the possibility of being hurt. But you don't have to be a martyr. Everyone can find a balance of being direct and nice, without being too vulnerable. I know I am one of the last places to find balance and harmony, and I'll be the first to admit I'm frazzled and extreme, and I do like that about myself. But I think we also need to try to relax when it comes to the 'other' and take some time to try to get to know the individual. (I think I am guilty of sometimes giving too much credit and being very xenophilic, but at least that's giving the benefit of the doubt.) Sometimes, yes, they will be a jerk to you. But at least you know that you took the time and chance to get to know someone (however small) while they are still stuck on their image and labeling others. (Of course, this is a defense mechanism yet again!) But if we just try to be a little nicer instead of on the defense, our daily interactions will prove much more fruitful. And when its all said and done, interaction is always better for our souls than alienation is for our ego.

Mom Suggestion of the Day

Wear an apron while FEEDING your kids.




This is my rock star apron that I made, but y'all already know that since all of my followers are already friends on Facebook. :) But seriously, its saved a few stains.

Toys of Today (and Parenting Methods)

For the most part, I think a healthy mix can be a great idea. My philosophy is similar to that of my friend, Sarah Fader, that old school advice and new school attitudes can mesh pretty nicely. The problem is, the old school is hard to find.

Lyla just had a birthday party. Now I've been a mom for about two years, but Chaim and I noticed how there really are hardly any toys that don't beep blink and sing. I appreciate that my family wants to buy fun toys for the kids, but where have all the natural toys gone? We have a few books and stuffed animals that the kids love. They also have some blocks that range from excellent (stacking board blocks with numbers and animals that fit into each other) to sort of crappy (foam Lincoln blocks!? Maybe for the bath, but they don't stand up!). I worry because the more the kids see these toys, the more they want only that kind. That was demonstrated last night when we tried to put Zalah to bed and she flipped out because she wanted to play with Lyla's new toys. She is usually pretty well behaved, brilliant and sweet, and she turned into the terrible-two's modern day brat. I don't like to see that AT ALL! She even asks for TV now that she's seen a very little bit of it. Sometimes these toys or shows can be educational, which is great. Zalah has learned all of her letters from a few toys that repeat them, and I don't mind an occasional PBS kids program. But something is missing.

When I was a kid, my mom used to get us educational toys from a number of catalogs. I think one was MindWare and HearthSong. I miss these kinds of toys and I want my kids to be excited about learning and problem solving as well. I believe there needs to be some straight up fun in life too, even in addition to fun that is functional. But when it causes so many tantrums and a snowball effect of needing mind-numbing electronics, some balance needs to be restored.

As a sort of off shoot that is inspired by a few sources today; I know many people think that if you are in the least bit natural you are a snot and rigid. Well I happen to be neither. I know things won't always go my way, they'll have tantrums and other people will give them junk food. I don't flip out over these things and try to be pretty easy going. But I know my kids will be better behaved if they don't get spoiled with junk (physical and mental) 24-7. And I know that every one else around them wants that too! No one wants to hear kids screaming out in public because they don't get what they want. While this is bound to happen, some kids and parents are more prone to it than others. And besides from all of that, people should also relax a little and let others do what they want to do. I try to keep my criticism of other moms to a minimum. (For a well written discussion about this and a great blog in general, feel free to visit my wonderful friend Amanda's blog.) What works for one doesn't always work for another and its hard enough just to make kids into decent people to begin with, and it isn't always the parents fault. Sometimes kids are bad, sometime good plans backfire. With all that said, I want to have some control as a parent over what my children have in their lives, but to be strict on it means other people think you are too inflexible and kids feel stifled. Yet a parent is in control (or should be) and children don't always know what is best for themselves. They don't have an excess switch, and sadly, many adults don't either. Everything is a balance anyway, but it sure is hard to find one that works for everyone in the best way. (See this Sirens article for some more of my inspiration today.) This is why I urge people to do what they think is best, and please don't criticize other methods. We need a little more understanding and harmony in the world today.