Skoy Cloths Giveaway [CLOSED]

When I entered giveaways, almost every blog featured Skoy cloths--reusable, biodegradable cloths to replace paper towels, dish towels, and sponges. I thought, What's the big deal about them? So I decided to review them myself. I wasn't even sure I would use them because I only use paper towels for drying fruits and vegetables and cleaning up spills on the floor, I like using sponges for washing dishes, and I hate dish towels. However, after using it this morning to clean my kitchen, I'm now a believer!

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*I love the way it feels when wet: not as if it's going to fall apart like a paper towel, and not grimy and bumpy like a sponge.
*It scrubbed well, which was unexpected since it is so soft.
*Skoy cloths are super green! They are made from cotton and wood-pulp cellulose and completely break down after 5 weeks.
*You will save lots of money. The package comes with 4 cloths, each replacing up to 15 rolls of paper towels!
*They are easy to clean/disinfect.
*The four colors (blue, red, green, yellow) brighten up the kitchen.
*The company is very PR friendly!

Frowns*When I first wet it, it smelled a little funny. But the odor did not last or transfer to the kitchen.
*I usually disinfect my sponges in the microwave, which you can do for these as well, but I decided to test the company's promise that they are washer/dryer safe. It was fine in the wash, but it shrank about a third in the dryer.

Skoy has generously provided cloths for 2 WINNERS!

Mandatory 1st Entry: Visit Skoy and read "Our Products." What do you like most about Skoy cloths?

5 entries: Blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post and to Skoy. Leave a link to your blog post.

2 entries: Put my button on your blog.

1 entry: Like Skoy on Facebook.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook.

1 entry: Post this giveaway on Facebook.

1 entry: Follow my blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Sunday, December 26. The winner will be announced Monday, December 27. Please leave your email address in one of your entries so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Starlights Nightlights Review

Ever since I was little, I used nightlights. Then, because I was afraid of the dark; now, so I can care for my baby at night without turning on bright lights. The ones we use now are the cheap, ugly, clear plastic ones from Wal-mart. I would rather have one of the nightlights from the Etsy shop Starlights by Amber. I have never seen anything like them! This one would go great in my baby's jungle-themed room:

Turn it on and Wa-La!

My husband would prefer this one:

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*Cute and creative.
*Various themes, including Twilight.
*Custom orders, including photos.
*Nightlights come with on/off switch and 5-watt bulb.

Frowns
*As she notes on her shop: "DISCLAIMER: Although I adhere items (like buttons) to my night lights the best that I can please be advised that they could come off and become a choking hazard to small children. Night lights are not toys. Please keep out of reach of small children and babies."

Right now she is offering a Christmas special: $4 for shipping and handling no matter how many nightlights you order.

Naturalists vs. Traditionalists

After becoming a parent, I was introduced to the terms naturalist and traditionalist.

Naturalists practice natural parenting, meaning they home-birth with no medications, baby-wear, breastfeed exclusively and lengthily, cloth-diaper, and co-sleep with their children. They prefer all-natural products, toys, and food for their families. They do not believe in harsh discipline, purple crying (letting the baby cry themselves to sleep), circumcision, or all vaccinations. In my experience, many tend to be snobbishly judgmental of traditionalists. Of course, there are different degrees of naturalists.

Traditionalists are the complete opposite: they have their babies in hospitals, take medications, and often schedule induction; use disposable diapers; put their babies to sleep in their own rooms, perhaps letting them cry; and circumcise and vaccinate their children. They may breastfeed (most likely not lengthily), formula feed, or both. They tend to think naturalists are weird, extreme, and unwise. Again, there are different degrees of traditionalists.

I'm a babywearing, breastfeeding, cloth-diapering, co-sleeping mother. But I also had my baby at a hospital (with a midwife and doula, though) and had him circumcised and vaccinated. So am I a naturalist or a traditionalist?

I consider myself neither; I am somewhere in between. And it turned out that way because I chose what I think is best for my baby and me. I birthed my baby at a hospital for insurance reasons. I wear my baby because I like to hold him close. I breastfeed because the benefits are numerous and undeniable. I use cloth diapers to save money. I co-sleep so I can get more rest at night. I circumcised and vaccinated my baby for his health.

I feel good about my choices. I do not believe others should make the same choices just because I did. Only you can decide what is right for your baby, family, and situation. I do not think we should judge others for their choices simply because they are different than ours. Nor should we feel ashamed or defensive about our choices for fear of what others will say. Do not let fear of judgment stop you from choosing your parenting style, whether it be more naturalist or more traditionalist or somewhere in between.

Melted Snowman Cookies

My friend shared the link to this recipe on Facebook. I totally want to make these! I'm usually not one for baking, but these are so cute! Learn how to make them on the blog Smashed Peas and Carrots.

WINNER!

The winner of the Udder Covers nursing cover giveaway is comment #38 "I like Carson" by Angelene. Congratulations! I will be contacting you shortly.

Quick & Easy Homemade Rice-a-roni

My husband loves my homemade rice-a-roni, as I call it. And I love to make it because it's fast and easy to make. I modified it from a rice pilaf recipe on the back of a Sara Lee rice package. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 tbs. unsalted butter
• finger-width bundle of angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus a couple ounces
• 1 cup white rice

Directions

1. Melt the butter over medium heat. Break the pasta into short pieces and saute in the butter for a few minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. (The extra ounces of broth are for the pasta or else the rice will come out crunchy.)
3. Stir in rice, cover, and simmer over low heat for 20 min.

That's it! So easy to double or triple this recipe. Cook time remains the same. Just remember to add extra broth to make up for the extra pasta.

Baby & Me Gifts One Gift a Day Giveaway [CLOSED]

Baby & Me Gifts gives away a different product, from baby items to clothes for family, everyday. Their giveaways are simple to enter: all you submit is your name, address, email, and why you like the product. Click here to start entering!