Try the new Ecoegg laundry egg for free January 26, 2012

Just before Christmas we were sent a sample of the Ecoegg Laundry egg.

Endorsed by Allergy UK and supported by the National Eczema Society, the Ecoegg offers an alternative way to clean your laundry without the need for chemical washing powders and softeners.  The Ecoegg will save you money on washing powder and will protect your family’s skin.  To find out the scientific details behind how the product works, click here.

So what did our tests show?

We found that we got really good results when washing with the Ecoegg. It worked on both dark and light colours and also on quite ground in stains like grass, mud and ketchup.  It takes a while to get used to your washing smelling ‘clean’ rather than fragranced when you are not using conventional washing powders. This doesn’t tend to bother me but I understand that Ecoegg have since launched fragranced Ecoeggs for anyone who misses that floral scent.

What do we love about it?

• The Ecoegg works effectively at low temperatures, saving energy
• It saves you money – no need to buy powder
• It is kind to sensitive skin
• Safe for all fabrics – even delicates

Are they just the same as Ecoballs?

No. There are quite a few differences with the Ecoegg.  In addition to mineral pellets, the Ecoegg contains Tourmaline. This is a natural gemstone which has been found to have natural cleaning powers and is not found in Ecoballs. The Ecoegg is made from a soft durable rubber so can still be used with delicate washing. Ecoballs are made from hard plastic.  Ecoegg is the ONLY product of this kind to be scientifically tested and proven to work.

We will definitely be continuing to use the Ecoegg for our laundry.  If you’d like to try an Ecoegg for yourself we have 20 to give away! Normally retailing at £19.99 each.  Just send us an email to tracy@greenmums.co.uk, telling us how many washes the Ecoegg will last for (on average). Please include your name and address in your email. For more information on the Ecoegg visit their website.

Terms and conditions of the competition

Competition closes at 12 noon on Friday 10th February.

Open to UK residents only

Automated entries will not be accepted

Prizes will be dispatched direct from Ecoegg. Any further correspondence regarding your prize should be with them.

By entering the competition you agree to Green Mums and Ecoegg sending occasional emails which may be of interest to you. We will NOT pass on your details to any third parties.

Winners will be drawn using random.org and will be notified by email

The thank you note fiasco January 26, 2012

After 3 weeks of nagging, coaxing and pleading we have finally finished writing our Christmas thank you notes!

My 5 year old does enjoy crafting and making things, but in the aftermath of Christmas when she has a brand new  leap pad and Tangled DVD it has all seemed somehow less appealing.  It is hard though when they are in school all day. They are tired when they get home and there’s always other things to do like reading and snack and then tea and bath.  I do miss the days when I had her at home all to myself all day.

Difficult as it is, I will always encourage my children to send a quick note to say thank you. I think gratitude is a very important life lesson. I can’t guarantee they will always be hand-made though, not after this year!

 

Keep cabin fever at bay with our rainy day play ideas January 22, 2012

We do our fair share of standing about in freezing cold parks and playgrounds but sometimes you just want to put the heating on and stay indoors. Here is our top ten list of ideas for keeping cabin fever at bay.

Make a Den

Grab a few blankets and pillows and make a little hideout for the children.  Our children love having a den under the dining room table (I don’t know why, it’s very uncomfortable!) Add a few den essentials like torches, binoculars and drawing equipment and they’ll love it.

Cooking

It doesn’t have to be anything amazing, just some simple buns or biscuits will keep them amused.  Don’t forget to pull a chair up to the kitchen sink and let them help with washing up – they love it! Be sure to remove any sharp or breakable objects from the area before they start.

Who says dishwashers are expensive?

Start a band

Gather together all your musical instruments, put on some backing music and just go with the flow.  If you don’t have any musical instruments just use some pots and pans from the cupboards and some wooden spoons – hey presto you have a drum kit!

Treasure Hunt

Design an indoor treasure hunt. This could be  picture clues for younger children but for older children you can design simple or more complex written clues.  Hide some treasure or treats at the end of the trail. Scavenger Hunts for Kids have free printable treasure hunts for inside or out, many are themed and brilliant for birthday parties.

Go to school

Children love to play schools.  Set out some pens and papers, pack a little snack and head off to school. I don’t mean actually go to school, I mean a pretend school in the next room.  The children will love it if you be the teacher and pretend to take the register and set tasks for them. If you have more than one child they will probably end up taking it in turns to be the teacher and you might even find you get the chance for a cup of tea in peace!

Put on a show

Encourage your children to put on a show. This could be one that they make up themselves or if they are younger it might help if you read their favourite story and they take on their favourite characters from it. Encourage them to dress up before hand and find any props they might need.  If you have a video camera why not video it so you can share it with grandparents.

Have a teddy bear’s picnic

Make and write some invitations to a special tea party. Your child can deliver the invitations to her special dolls and teddies and everyone can enjoy an afternoon with tea and cake (did someone mention cake?!)

Fun with a box!

Have you got a large cardboard box that you don’t need? Why not turn it into a boat, a car or even a house? Or just give the children some felt tips or paints and let their imagination go wild. See what they manage to turn the box into.  They might need some helping with cutting holes in it – or adding blankets or pillows.  We turned this big box into an aeroplane and Lily and Thomas love it.  We’ve also made a ‘departure lounge’ and designed passports and tickets to use with our aeroplane role-play. If you are looking for ideas on what to do with your cardboard box have a look at this brilliant link.

All aboard for Grandma and Grandad's house

Get out those puzzles and games.

With busy days spent dashing here and there we hardly have time for puzzles and games. Rainy days are a great opportunity to re-discover them.

Arts and Crafts

Children love getting crafty. If you’re not sure where to start have a look at Red Ted’s Art  or The Imagination Tree for some brilliant craft ideas

What are your favourite rainy day activities?

Horses for courses – memories of France January 14, 2012

On miserable, grey days like today I like to reminisce about our last summer holiday to France. After a fairly choppy ferry crossing, we had a whole day of driving ahead of us.  I spent most of this time reaching around changing DVD’s in the back seat (whilst trying not to put my back out) and passing various snacks and drinks to our children and to my husband who was driving.  After about 64 toilet and rest stops along the way (ok, I may be exaggerating a little) we finally arrived at our campsite just outside Sarlat in the Dordogne.

Beynac Castle

The Dordogne river snakes its way through walnut groves and fields of corn and it really is a beautiful place.  Perched high up on the cliffs are the Castles of Beynac and Castlenaud which are really very impressive. We visited Beynac with our 5 and 2 year old and it was one of the best days of our holiday.

Not far from Beynac is a lovely little man-made beach on the edge of the river. We spent a few happy afternoons here, the children making sand castles and splashing in the water. Our daughter Lily made friends with a little french boy who shared his candy floss with her. We also spent quite a lot of time at the Campsite in the indoor and outdoor pools. What I loved about the campsite was that in addition to excellent modern amenities it had large areas which had been allowed to grow wild.  We came across one large field of hay that was teeming with butterflies, literally hundreds of them, it was amazing.

La Roque St Christophe - checking out the wildlife!

If you are visiting this area, there are three places I would recommend for children. Gouffre de Padirac is an underground cave which is vast and spectacular. Probably better for older children as it’s a long climb up and down and you enter the caves via a little underground boat. La Roque St Christophe is a fascinating Troglodyte Village which our children loved! It was fun for all four of us but also very educational for our 5 year old.  Finally The Jardins de Marqueyssac have spectacular views overlooking the Dordogne river and are a wonderful place to spend the day. With hidden playgrounds and tree houses for children and a gorgeous little cafe for the grown ups.

The thing I love about this area is that you can just stumble across the most beautiful, quaint little villages, find yourself a little cafe and enjoy gastronomic delights to suit all budgets.  One particular day we decided to order the ‘special’ viande de cheval. We happily enjoyed our meal and trotted out none the wiser that we had just eaten horse! Oh well, when in France as they say….

Fun at the campsite!

This post was written for tots100 for a entry into their chance to win a holiday courtesy of Al Fresco Holidays. For more information on how to enter  yourself click here!

How to survive long family car journeys January 13, 2012

Hitting the road with the whole family in tow can be daunting. The more people in your car, the higher the chances of tension, tetchiness or a full-blown bust-up. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of World War III breaking out on your journey.

Plan ahead

According to the Daily Mail, getting lost on a journey is one of the top ten reasons for couples falling out. But this is such an easy situation to avoid these days – not only is there the sat nav to rely on, but there are various websites to help you plan the route for your journey.

The AA provides an excellent online route planner. You can also plot routes throughout Britain and Europe with the Via Michelin site – allowing you to plan your journey based on cost, time and types of road.

As well as picking the easiest or shortest route, you should look into some of the places you could stop at along the way – and it needn’t always be a motorway service station. Research some of the little places you’ll be passing through, and you might find an ideal spot for refreshment or stretching your legs.

Think of everyone

You might think that, as the driver, you’re automatically absolved from the responsibility of organising the trip as well. But if you want the journey to go smoothly, you have to take control. Every single passenger must be considered if you want a stress-free journey.

The youngsters

With kids on board, you’ll need entertainment of some sort to keep them occupied. Get them a copy of their favorite comic or magazine, or buy them a new book to enjoy on the journey.

You could also ask friends or family if they have a portable DVD player you can borrow. Screens are available which attach to the back of front seat head rests. This means that the kids can hook up their games consoles, with earphones of course, and play games to their hearts’ content – almost guaranteeing you won’t hear a peep out of them!

Make sure you have sufficient power options – some portable DVD players come with built-in batteries, as do laptops and tablets, but a console might require an adapter to run from the cigarette lighter.

Kids are almost guaranteed to want something to eat, so make sure you pack enough snacks and drinks to see you through the trip. It’s often a good idea to pull off the road to have a food break, not only for safety reasons, but also to make sure their stomachs are settled!

Babies and toddlers

This age group is often the hardest to please, but don’t underestimate the pacifying effect of a favourite cuddly toy. Some nursery rhymes on the stereo might also calm the younger children – although this could be at odds with what everyone else expects to hear in the car!

Who is in the passenger seat?

As this person is the closest to you, they can easily make or break your journey! If this is your husband or wife, you should already know about any potential flash points, so make sure you’re both in the right frame of mind for the trip and well prepared so you avoid any unnecessary tension!

Are you covered?

Planning a long journey well in advance can help reduce the likelihood of any difficulties. Part of that process should be to ensure you have the correct car insurance policy taking care of everything you need to be covered for – including things like child car seats.

Greenmums launch online video to promote benefits of cloth nappies January 10, 2012

We have finally completed our online version of our cloth nappy demo. This short video briefly explains how cloth nappies work and the benefits of using them. We’d love to hear your feedback!

Want to save money on your food bills? One thing you must do for 2012 January 8, 2012

In the lead up to Christmas we were trying our best to cut down on our food shopping bills.  December is always going to be a big one no matter what you do! We discovered a really simple way to cut down on mounting food bills so I thought I would share this with you. Basically, all you need to do is plan your weekly menu before you shop.

Before we head to the supermarket we just make a note of what we are going to eat every night in the week.  I know it sounds really boring and organised but it does work. You can organise your meals around the ingredients that you already have available. So, for example have a look through the freezer and see what you already have, then buy ONLY what you need for those meals.  If you are really clever you can even make one meal last for 2 or 3 nights. 

Tonight we’ll be having Roast Chicken so tomorrow night we’ll have leftover roast chicken with baked potatoes and the night after that I will make a chicken and mushroom pie. Planning your meals like this is a good way to use up those ingredients that have been sitting around for a while and it definitely cuts down on waste.  We’ve reduced our shopping bills by a whopping 40%!

Do you have any other tips for reducing the amount of money we spend on food?

 

Well now, that was a big surprise November 18, 2011

My gorgeous children

When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, I was of course over the moon . That was five years ago now and I can’t believe how much has changed since then.  I used to be a career woman, I loved my own space, loved to read and relax, liked to buy nice things. My priorities have become rather different since then.

I had an idea of the type of mummy I would be and I have to say that it was nothing like the mummy that I am.  I never thought for a minute that I would use cloth nappies on my children (let alone end up starting a business around them!), I didn’t really think I would breastfeed and I didn’t imagine for one minute that I would resign from my  job at a local hospice in order to be a stay at home mum.

When my baby arrived my grand plan went out the window.  She looked up at me for the first time, our eyes met and everything else just faded into insignificance.  I have become a different person.  Some things I think have changed for the better.  I have changed my outlook on life, I have broadened my horizons, learnt new things, met new people.   I have learnt how to love unconditionally even when exhausted through lack of sleep and sore nipples.

Some things have changed for the worse.  I have very little relaxation time, we have no money, I have less patience…  I’m not the perfect mummy that I wanted to be but then, who is? My relationships have changed. Visits with old friends are few and far between and I have made new friends through my children. I now have to share my parents with two demanding children who will always be centre of attention and that’s just as it should be.  My husband and I have very rare nights out and if we do we are usually home before 10pm.

So if anyone tells you that becoming a parent won’t change you, don’t believe a word of it.  If you do, you’ll be in for a big surprise. How has becoming a parent changed you? Or do you feel that you have not changed at all?

Gorgeous gifts for special little girls – all for under £10 November 17, 2011

Children seem to have loads of toys these days.  We may be living in a recession, but cheap, plastic toys are still pretty easy to come by for most of us.  The giant toy stores are already offering special deals to tempt us through their doors.  I find a lot of these toys a bit depressing, they just don’t seem to last for more than 5 minutes before they get broken.  I’ve been trawling the web today looking for some lovely gifts that I would have liked as a little girl – here are some of my favourites! They don’t break the bank as they are all under £10

The Hungry Caterpillar Watering Can

Perfect for helping Mummy and Daddy with the garden.  This lovely watering can is only £9.95 from The Handpicked Collection

Pretty bead kit, sure to provide hours of amusement!

I love this bead kit. It comes in a gorgeous little case that my daughter could find a million uses for when the beads are all gone!  At £9 I think this is very good value. Available from Notonthehighstreet.com

Belle and Boo Tea Party Lunchbox

How sweet is this?! Ooh, I want one too please….£8.99 from The Gifted Penguin

Fawn Water Bottle

We got one of these for Lily last year. She was four and I did wonder if a water bottle would get much of a reaction from her but she LOVED it! £8.50 from Cox and Cox

Keep your little mermaid dry with this gorgeous umbrella!

I love the sea-horse handle on this umbrella. Very, very cute! I think we might have to ask Santa for one of these. Available from Brollies Galore at £7.99

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little selection.  If you have any to add, please do comment below. It will help us all in the search for the perfect Christmas present!

Country kids October 21, 2011

Our perfect weekend would include a day out in the country, or even at the local park.  Seeing the children running around without a care in the world, enjoying the freedom, the space and the independence is the best feeling in the world.  Being outside encourages them to explore their environment and develop confidence in their own abilities. It also encourages them to use their imaginations, making up their own games and their own rules.  We look for berries because if we find lots then we know there must be a bear around somewhere! We look for birds and try to name them and see who can spot the most interesting bug!

As a parent, I love them to play outside because I know they are not having to rely on the usual toys, games and television that we have at home.  I love to watch them enjoying life’s simple pleasures, whether it’s feeding the ducks, paddling in a stream or climbing a tree.  I also love knowing that they are getting plenty of fresh air and exercise. There’s no doubt that encouraging our children to be ‘country kids’ has increased the amount of real ‘quality time’ that we spend as a family and we have created some very happy memories whilst playing!

Lily can make a den out of anything!

This fallen down tree is actually a boat, watch out for the shark!

Enjoying a walk in the woods

Our lovely Lily

I am linking this post to  Country Kids by Coombe Mill Farm.  Why not pop over and look at the other posts or share your own with them?  While you’re there, have a look at their Family Farm Holidays. If your family have a love of the outdoors you will have a fantastic holiday here!