Home Made Fabric Baby Wipes And Washers

Well we are in the final countdown to the arrival of our first baby who we are currently calling "Peanut" and I am trying to organise the last few things that I think we will need.
To be honest it is hard to know what we will and won't use as we have quite different ideas and ideals about consumption and waste compared to some of our friends and family and this translates over to babies as well so asking others is not yielding the information we are looking for..

As first time parents we are some what unsure how things are going to go, how we will manage and what areas of our lives we will feel the pressure with everything else we will have going on in terms of our move to New Zealand.

One of the things I was determined to get ready for Peanuts arrival was some baby washers and baby wipes.  
In the parenting info and sample packs you get at midwife appointments and on lots of parenting websites I kept seeing lists of "Must Haves For Baby" Baby only washers and towels. What a load of rubbish.  I do not have to be an expert to know there is no need for a baby to have its own set of hooded towels and washes made from extra soft cotton.  Yes I want to use soft cotton on my baby but I do not need to buy one specifically marketed at babies.

I am also not a great fan of disposable baby wipes for change time.  It is not just the chemicals that might be getting wiped all over my baby (have you seen how well those things clean dirt off things?) but I have also seen that disposable wipes get used for cleaning more than baby bottoms.
For me personally I just do not want to be creating extra rubbish or spending money on single use items.  I am not saying I will never use disposable baby wipes as I have been given some eco wipes and have some samples of commercial brands but these will be in my nappy bag for emergency use not daily use.

So I have just spent a few hours over the weekend making some wash cloths and wipes.
I had half an old single flannelette sheet and an old fitted flannelette sheet that had already been mended a few times and was no longer usable as a sheet.
The half an old single flannelette sheet was folded in half and then cut into squares approximately 20 cm square.  I did a zigzag stitch around the edges to join the two layers and stop the fraying.  I ended up with 12 lovely soft wash cloths that will be used for baby bath time.
The old fitted flannelette sheet had so many holes in the middle and was worn really thin so I just used the outside area.  I removed the elastic edging which surprisingly had not failed, and was able to get 24 squares approximately 30 cm square.  These are going to be used as baby wipes so were best left as a single layer with just a zigzag stitch around the edges to stop fraying.

Single layer wipes and double thickness striped washers.

I am really happy with the result and since the fabric has been washed many times already they are beautifully soft but the proof will be in the using.  The different colours will make it easy to know which is which, meaning that the wipes will never be used as washers and will be washed along with nappies not other washing.  I am now looking at an easy home made solution to wet the baby wipes and have seen a couple of recipes that use coconut oil, essential oil, pure soap, water and vitamin E oil as a preservative.  If anyone has a recipe they have used, made or tried that they were happy with please let me know.

What kind of wipes did/do you use for your kids?

Rosella Cordial

In the anticipation of filling or freezer with beef I have been using up as much as I can.  On the hit list last week was a large container of frozen Rosellas.

I decided on cordial as it is something that would last a while.  I boiled the calyx's in water before straining off the pulp which I have re frozen to mix with apples and make pie filling.

Then I added sugar and reduced the liquid to a cordial consistency and since it is concentrated you only need a small amount.

We have been enjoying it ever since.

Make Your Own Harissa

Harissa is a popular middle eastern condiment and in Morocco they use both a spicy variety, which is this one, and a milder variety using red capsicums.  And when I say this is spicy what I mean is it is HOT!!

Harissa

65 g Dried Chillies Stems Removed
1 Tbs Dried Mint
1 Tbs Ground Coriander
1 Tbs Ground Cumin
1 Tsp Ground Caraway Seeds
6 Cloves Garlic
100 ml Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp Salt

Prepare and sterilise a 600 ml jar.
Roughly chop the chillies then cover with boiling water and soak for 1 hour.
Drain and put them in a food processor with the mint, spices, garlic, 1 tablespoon of oil and salt.
Process for 30 seconds, stop scrape down the sides then process for another 30 seconds and scrape down again.
Then with the motor running gradually add the remaining oil scraping down the sides as required.

Spoon the paste into your jar and cover with a thin layer of olive oil.  Label (you do not want to get this mixed up with anything) and date then store in the fridge for up to 6 months.

A Moroccan Feast

Recently we had some friends visit us for lunch and I decided I would cook up a Moroccan inspired lunch for us.
We had Spiced Chickpeas, Carrot Salad and Beef and Quince Tagine.

Carrot Salad

1 Tsp Cummin Seeds

2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tsp Honey

Pinc of Ground Cinnamon
Pinch of Cayenne pepper
4 large Carrots, cut into batons
2 Tbsp Chopped Corriander
2 Tbsp Chopped Pistachios

In a dry frying pan cook the cummin seeds over a low heat for 2 minutes or until fragrant.  Do not over cook or they will become bitter.  Transfer to a plate to cool.
Place the lemon juice, oil, honey and spices in a screw top jar and shake well to combine.  Leave for 10 minutes for the flavours to infuse.
Bring a large pot of water to the boil and add the carrots.  Cook for 5 minutes then tip into a basin of cold water to stop the cooking.  Drain and cool then toss in the dressing and sprinkle with herbs and nuts.

Spiced Chickpeas

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Onion

2 Cloves of Garlic

1/4 Tsp Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

1/2 Tsp Turmeric

2 x 400 gm tins of Chick Peas or 1 Cups of Dried Chickpeas that have been soaked and cooked

1 Cup of Vegetable or Chicken Stock

1/2 Cup Sultanas

2 Tbsp Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley

In a large fry pan heat the oil over a medium heat and add the onion cooking until soft and slightly golden. Stir in the garlic and spice stirring for 30 seconds then add the chick peas stock and sultanas.  Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally while cooking for 10 minutes.

Season to taste and sprinkle with parsley.

Beef and Quince Tagine

I cook this in a tagine but if you do not have one it will work fine in a heavy base pan you can use on the stove top and in the oven.

1 kg Chuck Steak or Shin Beef
2 Brown Onions
4 Cloves of Garlic
4 Tbl Olive Oil
2 Tsp Ras El Hanout (see Notes)
1/2 tsp Harissa ( Use Cayenne Pepper if you do not have Harissa)
1/4 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/2 Tsp Salt
3 Diced Ripe Tomatoes
1.5 Preserved Lemons, Skin Only Finely Diced (skin only)
2 Tsp Honey
2 Tbl Chopped Coriander
2 Tbl Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley

Prep all of your ingredients before you start an heat your oven to 140 degrees.
Dice the beef into 2.5 cm pieces and brown in batches on the stovetop using 2 tablespoons of the olive oil setting aside after each batch.
Once the beef is browned add the remaining oil to the pan and cook the onion over a medium heat for 5 minutes then add the garlic, ras el hanout, harissa or cayenne, pepper and salt and cook for a further minute stirring the entire time.
Add the meat back to the pot and then add the tomatoes, honey, 3/4 of the preserved lemon and half the coriander and half the parsley. Stir well then cover and cook for 3.5 hours.
The tomatoes and juice from the meat should keep the dish moist but check it after 1.5 hours and add a little water if required.

When the meat is tender transfer to a serving platter and scatter over the remaining herbs and preserved lemon.

Ras El Hanout

This a blend of many spices that can differ between makers but this is the version I make.

1/2 Tsp Ground Cloves
1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 Tsp Ground Allspice
2 Tsp Ground Cumin
2 Tsp Ground Ginger
2 Tsp Ground Turmeric
2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
2 Tsp Ground Cardomom
3 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
3 Tsp Ground Coriander
6 Tsp Ground Nutmeg

Store in an airtight jar.

Slow Living March 2013

Linking up with Christine again this month.  I am really glad that she is hosting this again this year it is great to hear what everyone is up to.

Nourish -Make and bake as much as possible from scratch. Ditch over packaged, over processed convenience foods and opt for 'real' food instead.
There has been some lovely home made meals this month and we have enjoyed our first hearty meal from the  slow cooker.  Over Easter I made some cross-less buns, I posted the recipe I use last Easter and I am always happy with the result.  I make these during the year as well and they always go down a treat.

Prepare - Stockpile and preserve. Freeze extra meals or excess garden/market produce. Bottle/can, dehydrate or pickle foods to enjoy when they are not in season.
I have been freezing the last of the capsicums and the late planting of purple climbing beans I put in are coming on nicely so hopefully there will be some of those to put into the freezer in the future.

Reduce - Cut down on household waste by re-using, re-purposing and repairing.
Nothing very exciting happening on this front.

Green - Start (or continue!) using homemade cleaners, body products and basic herbal remedies. The options are endless, the savings huge and the health benefits enormous.
I made up a big batch of laundry liquid over the Easter weekend.
I keep forgetting to post the recipe I use but it is pretty simple:

Laundry Liquid

4 litres of water
3 Cups Lux Soap Flakes
2 Cups Washing Soda (the powder not the crystals)
1 Cup Borax

Heat together in a stock pot until it is all dissolved   Then add another 6 litres of cold water blending with a stick blender as you go.  I then 3/4 fill about 4 old plastic bottles with the mix and tip the rest into a bucket with a lid.  You need to only fill the bottles 3/4 of the way as they need a good shake before using.  I use 1/2 a cup per load and have been very happy with the results.

Grow - plant/harvest. What's growing this month? What's being eaten from the garden?

I have a late run of climbing beans and cucumbers coming along and the rosellas are ready for harvesting.

We also have a self seeded Jap pumpkin that is set on world domination.  It is taking over and my comfrey has been lost below but hope fully we will get some pumpkins as my QLD Blue vine only produces one and it is a very sad looking pumpkin at that.

Jap pumpking taking over

Sad looking QLD Blue Pumpkin

Create - To fill a need or feed the soul. Create for ourselves or for others.

I am still practising my knitting and have been doing lots of scrap booking and card making.

Discover - Feed the mind by reading texts relevant to current interests.
I am still reading lots of books.  I am currently reading  "The casual vacancy" by JK Rowling and about 3 other books as well.

Enhance - Community
Planning for this years Classic Car Show is well under way again and will be keeping me busy for many months to come.  I am also in charge of organising all of the stall holders for the festival so it is a huge job.  This will be our third year and hopefully even more successful that the last two.

Enjoy - Life! Embrace moments with friends and family. Marking the seasons, celebrations and new arrivals are all cause for enjoyment.
Well we had a great time in Melbourne and over Easter caught up with friends so we have been really blessed this month.

What have you been up to?

Bi- Carb Cream Cleanser

Over the last 12 months we have been working our way through an array of cleaning products using them up but not replacing them.
For some reason the last owner of the house left behind all sorts of cleaning products plus we had the ones we brought with us.  We had  over 20 half bottles of all sorts of things that we would not normally purchase, but did not want to be wasteful and throw out.
I while ago we made the decision to switch to simple green cleaners that are cheap and easy to make at home.
The basis of most of these cleaners is Bi-Carb Soda and for $25 we purchased 25 kg bag that I blogged about way back here.
In the past I used to purchase gumption for use as a cream style cleaner.  I have also used Jiff  in the past but find the smell unpleasant.
So now I make a cream cleanser using 1 cup of Bi-Carb Soda, 1 tablespoon of Glycerine and just enough water to make a smooth paste.  And that's it.

It s slightly abrasive so don't use it on anything that will scratch.  We have a ceramic top stove and that is one of the places we do not use it.
The way I use it is to put some on a cloth and clean the area that I want then give the area a spray with white vinegar.  This activates the layer of Bi-Carb left behind by the paste and helps pick it up.

 

I also keep a shaker of Bi-Carb under the kitchen sink too, great to sprinkle where ever it is needed then spray with vinegar for a quick and easy clean.  The next thing I want to make is some citrus cleaner.
What do you use at your place?

Common Sense Out The Window

So on the weekend I made a batch of soap.  This is a first for me as I have not made soap before but I have been keen to have a go for a while.
The soap seemed to turn out ok and I have left it to cure so I will wait and see how it turns out in a few weeks.

So if it wasn't an issue with the soap at what point did my brain go to sleep?

That would be when I put my silicone soap moulds in the dishwasher....doh!
Turn head to the right...

Yep I was so distracted by the foam spilling out of the
dishwasher I forgot which way up I had the camera

What a foamy mess.

Thankfully I keep a spray bottle of vinegar for cleaning under the sink and a few sprays of the vinegar dissolved all the bubbles and neutralised all the soap.

Whoops I won't make that mistake again, but lets just say I had very clean dishes.

Home Made Liquid Soap

We use this soap as hand wash in both the bathroom and kitchen at our place and it is very cheap to make.  The first time I made it it ended up very goopy and stringy and it would not break off from the bottle after you pumped it so there was long strands of soap being stretched between your hand and the pump bottle.  I think it was because I added too much glycerine. I have since adjusted the recipe and I am much happier with the result.
The glycerine can usually be found in the supermarket near the medicinal things, in my local it is next to the Tea Tree Oil.  You can also sometimes find it near the cake decorating items as it is used to make royal icing pliable.  I am not sure it there is any difference but the one I use says "can be used and an emollient to soften roughened skin, chapped hands or sore lips".
I make this in 1 litre amounts because there is only the 2 of us, and even then it lasts for ages.  You will need a stick blender, food processor or some other method of breaking the mix into a liquid.

Liquid Soap

1/2 cup of Lux or grated soap flakes
1 tsp Glycerine
1 litre of water

Into a saucepan place soap flakes and glycerine.  Add your water and heat on the stove on a low - medium heat.  Stir occasionally until all the soap has dissolved.

Once it has all dissolved and you have the clear soapy mix in the pan you remove it from the heat and leave to cool.  At this stage you could add some essential oil for fragrance if you wanted.
It will cool and solidify into a thick jelly like substance that now need to be blended to form the liquid soap.

Once you have blended it into a more liquid state you can pour into your pump bottles and you are ready to go.

I store mine in plastic water bottles one under the bathroom sink and one under the kitchen sink.

I do find that with very grubby hands you may need to use more than 1 lot of soap but it is so cheap that even doing that you still come out miles ahead of the shop brought liquid soap.