Future Fortified

As a mother, we always want to give our best to our children. Have you ever stopped to think about what it would be like to not be able to? What if we lived in a country when adequate nutrition was not a given? What if we lived in a country where it was common to see children starving every day? Did you know that over 2 billion people around the world are under-nourished?
To be honest, I can't even imagine this myself. I read about these children and it breaks my heart.

Future Fortified is a campaign of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
Their goal? To increase access to improved nutrition for 50 million women and children by 2015.

Their focus? There is a 1000 day window between pregnancy through a child's second year. Ensuring good nutrition for pregnant women, new mothers and young children during the 1,000-day period from pregnancy to their second year of life puts children on the right track to reach their full potential. Recent studies have confirmed that good nutrition is essential for brain development and physical growth during this timeframe—and the damage sustained from poor nutrition is irreversible.

This isn't just a campaign to feed the starving. Recent estimates state that 1 billion people are starving, yet 2 billion people in this world are under-nourished. This is putting focus on getting the building blocks for a child's life set in the early years, when it does the most good.
This is accomplished by :
The promotion of good nutrition practices, including breastfeeding and the introduction of highly nutritious baby foods after six months.

Increased consumption of essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, through fortification of staple foods (such as wheat and oil).

The proper treatment of moderate and severe malnutrition with highly nutritious products

So how are they doing it? Future Fortified takes funds raised from individuals, and helps local partners build capacity to increase the supply and availability of home
nutrition packets as well as educating people on their use and the importance of proper nutrition. Because these packets are produced and sold locally at a price mothers can afford, the solution is sustainable for long-term impact.

A REAL solution, not just a band aid.


Visit Future Fortified to see how you can help

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureFortified
Twitter: https://twitter.com/futurefortified

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf Future Fortified. To thank me for my contribution, Mom Central donated $20 to the Future Fortified campaign.

So Many Insert Choices.....

When I first started cloth diapering 5 years ago, I only knew about big bulky All In One diapers that used flannel. I quickly realized there are many other choices out there. So what are the differences? Hemp, microfiber, bamboo, cotton.....how do you choose?
I was always told that Microfiber absorbs quicker, but Hemp holds more.
Most people have their favourites, but how does each insert really hold up?

I decided to do an experiment to test each of the inserts I currently own to see which ones were able to absorb the best. This way, I have a way to compare new inserts as I test them. After all, a cloth diaper is only as good as it's insert, right? I filled a measuring cup with warm water, immersed an insert for 1 minute. When the minute was up, I could measure how much water was absorbed by the insert.

So, how did they hold up? Lets see:

Microfiber
Each microfiber insert is different in size and quality. It is a standard insert for most cloth diaper companies.
Prestan's Pants Microfiber: 12 ounces
Rumparooz 6 R soaker: 10 ounces
Rumparooz Newborn insert: 6 ounces
Ordinary Microfiber towel: 8 ounces

Bamboo
I tried both Applecheeks and AMP Bamboo inserts, and got the same results with each. Each insert absorbed 10 ounces.

Hemp
I tried AMP 2 and 3 layer Hemp inserts.
2 Layer AMP Hemp insert: 12 ounces
3 Layer AMP Hemp insert: 17 ounces

Organic Cotton
Flip Organic insert: 15 ounces
Flip Trainer Pad: 7 ounces

Cotton Prefold
Infant size Bummis Organic cotton prefold: 13 ounces

So there you have it. Most inserts can hold pretty close to the same amounts. I was very happy to see how well the Hemp inserts preformed. Hemp may not be as trim as Microfiber and Bamboo, but it is still my insert choice! Now I need to find a good test for diaper covers and pocket diaper shells. Any ideas?

*Disclaimer*
Each of the inserts is from my own stash. All inserts were washed in the same detergent, and fully prepped. There are many factors in cloth diapering such as water hardness, soap build up, the use of diaper creams ect. These are my personal results.

Winter Blast of Cash Giveaway

Welcome to the $700 Winter Blast of Cash Giveaway hosted by Giveaway Promote.
 
A fantastic group of bloggers has gotten together to give away $700 in cash to one lucky person. Check out the list of participating blogs at the end of this post. Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway. One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.
 
Bloggers, join us in an upcoming event! Sign up for Giveaway Promote's event mailing list to receive information via email about their future events.
 

This giveaway is open worldwide.

It will end at 11:59pm EST on March 4th, 2012.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 
This giveaway is brought to you by:

Giveaway Promote	Review and Giveaway	My Kids Review It
Baby Feeding Shop	Miki's Hope	Yummy Boy Mummy
Gone Klippin' Krazy	Mamacita La Cuponera	Mama Luvs Books
Colleen's Book Nook	Made.By.Jess	Frugal Gals
Kat's Corner Niche	Daily Digital Deals	Couponing4You
Mommies Point of View	Oh! My Heartsie	Money Saving Mindy
Military Wives Saving	Coupons Not Cash	Our Mom Spot
Shopaholic Mommy	Travel Mommy	Building Carpenters
I'm Not Superwoman	Half-Pint House Handouts	A Helicopter Mom
My Cloth Diaper Stash	Someday I'll Learn	Tidbits From A Mom
Blueberry Squash	Style 'n Decor Deals	Twingle Mommy
Its the Simple Things	My Kids' Cool Mom	Acadiana's Thrifty Mom
JustFindIt4U	The Frugal Navy Wife	Operation $40K
Whoreders	The Ladies Lounge	Ohayo Okasan
Taunya's Place Too	Faith and Family Reviews	Freebies With Attitude
Disney Contests and Sweepstakes	Emptynester Savings and More	Flaunting it with the Image Diva
Oh My Gosh Beck!	Our Share of Crazy	Carpe Diem
Potato Chip Cats	Perfecting Photos	Choosing Love
Happy Home and Family	Carmen's Coupon Blog	TheItMom.com
oc Deal Mama	The Anti-June Cleaver	I Heart Giveaways
Krazy Couponing with Trish	Random Deals	My Charmed Mom
Saving While Making Money	I Love My Kids	Fuggs and Foach
Coupon Hauls	Tory's This and That	SwagSaver
Cheap Junkie	Mothering Matters	Sister's Saving Cents
Savior Cents	Linda's Angels	Free Hot Samples
J Magnolia Designs	I Am A Couponer	Picture Clusters
2 Kids and a Coupon	Sweeping The USA	Mary's Cup of Tea
Feed Your Pig	Wonderful Things In Life	Grow With Stacy
Coupon Savvy Sarah	Book Flame	Family Makeover Maven
Coupon Coffee Shop	Capri's Coupons	Green-Baby-Goods
Mom Always Finds Out	Pinching Pennies with Heather	The Mommyhood Chronicles
Prolific Shopping	Bake Sew Write	Krazy Coupon Club
Southwest Coupon Clippers	Cheapskate Cafe	The Coup Diva
Mommy Who Loves Giveaways	Uncreative Mommy in a Sea of Crafty Bloggers	Life: Full of Unexpected Happiness
Arizona Moms Network	Bluegrass Savers	Extreme Coupon Professors
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Adventures in Coupons	Nicki's Coupon Blog	Black, Divorced & Virtuous
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Cheap Is The New Classy	Beauty and Fashion Diva	The Denver Housewife
Celebrate Woman Today	Finger Click Saver	Teach Me 2 Save
Whole Lotta Mama

 

Wordless Wednesday

Breakfast in bed done by an 8 year old boy: a dry un toasted bagel with a slice of cheese, and raisins. I think it's time I teach this kid to cook.

Time for a change...

A while ago I posted about how I wanted to start wearing make up every day. I have been pretty good about it too. I even have been wearing jewellery again. So now I want to do something about my hair. I have poker strait, and crazy thick brown hair. I don't cut it often enough (pretty much after I have a baby. I know, I know *blush*)
The last cut I got was very blunt, and I hate my hair. I end up being the good old pony tail Mom.

Well I want this to change. Lately I have been doing a messy bun, but I have decided I want a change. I am thinking of getting layers, but am really nervous. The last time I had layers I cried because it looked so bad! I need help!!! Please help me pick a style!!

Bangs? No Bangs? I need to keep it long enough to put it back.
Here is my picture...

Any advice?