Natural Parenting Atlanta

2012-01-10T15:21:00.002-05:00

Cloth Diaper Trial

2011-11-07T22:51:00.000-05:00

Cloth Diaper Trial - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!

Are you a cloth diapering newbie? Want to try out the options before investing in a stash? This is the program for you. It will give you a taste of each of the styles of cloth diapers. Unlike other trial packages online, we even provide the cloth diaper detergent and a hanging diaper pail.

FREE SHIPPING or LOCAL DELIVERY included with this package.

Items included in this package:
4 Indian/Chinese Prefolds
2 Fitted diapers - Swaddlebees, Happy Heinys, and/or Thirsties Fab fitteds
1 Thirsties duo diaper cover
2 Pocket diapers - bumGenius 4.0, Thirsties duo, and/or Blueberry
2 All-in-One diapers - bumGenius Elemental, Blueberry Basix, and/or Swaddlebees Simplex
2 Hybird diapers - Weehugger and/or Flip
Accesories pack: Wetbag, Pail liner, Snappi
Cloth diaper detergent - Rockin Green or Charlies Soap
When the 28 day trial period is over, keep what you wish and return the rest. We will refund the value of the diapers you return to us. No questions asked!

The fee for this trial package is $25 and is included in the price of $175. If you return all the items at the end of trial period, you will receive a refund of $150.

You will receive a 10% discount code & free shipping or local delivery on your diaper purchase following the trail package.

Wash My Stash - Diaper Service

2011-10-25T00:47:00.002-04:00

We have had people ask us for years to come up with a program where we could wash their current diapers. After two years of testing, we have finally developed a Wash My Stash program.

Diapers that we CAN wash:

All-in-one, Pockets, and Covers made with PUL
Prefolds and Fitteds made with hemp, bamboo, cotton, etc.
All other diapers made with natural fibers.

Diaper that we CANNOT wash:

Any diapers made with Procare.
Any diapers made with TPU.

If you have any questions about your specific diaper stash, please email to inquire about details.

View Wash My Stash on our site for more details. Pricing ranges from $18.95 to $26.95 per week.

Placentophagy: Clean the Nest Site?

2011-10-25T00:35:00.000-04:00

Most animals consume their placenta after birth. Humans are in the minority in that we don't regularly practice placentophagy. In fact, if you were to ask most women if they were going to save their placenta after birth, they would look at you as if you had two heads. Many theories have been brought to light to try and explain why animals ingest their placenta after birth. The cleaning of the nest site theory is one that is often discussed as an explanation for placentophagy. It basically states that placentophagy protects the newborn and mother from being detected by predators.

However, the cleaning of the nest site theory for placentophagy does not account for the many other variables of labor and delivery. One being other fluids that are left behind following a birth. All of which would attract a predator and none of which are also cleaned up in any way. Furthermore, many animals that are actually predators themselves consume the placenta after birth. A perfect example is a lion. Lions have no predators hunting them in the wild. Yet a lioness will ingest her placenta after birth. She has no reason to clean the nest site to protect her young. She is perfectly capable of protecting her young all by herself, if needed. She must be practicing placentophagy for some other reason.

In looking at other species of animals, not all animals need to stay in the place that have given birth. Such animals would be able to evacuate the site because their young are immediately mobile. They could just get up and walk away. Yet these same animals stay, many for hours, consuming the placenta in it's entirety. If these animals were concerned about predators, they would quickly "clean up" and move on to another location.

In conclusion, for me personally as a midwifery student, the most interesting reason that the cleaning of the nest site is most likely only a tiny piece of the placentophagy puzzle is the evolutionary purpose behind ingestion of the placenta. For those mothers that are Rh negative, the ingestion of the placenta could help the mother’s immune system by suppressing the Rh antigen. When a mother is Rh negative and is carrying a baby that is Rh positive, the mother can develop antibodies to the Rh antigen. Those antibodies can attack the baby's red blood cells. This can cause severe life threatening problems with the baby. The ingestion of the placenta can prevent the mother from developing the antibodies that lead to these complications. This last reason for placentophagy, to me, is one of the most promising explanations available.

Sojourner Marable Grimmett: Support Establishing Lactation Rooms in Public Pla...

2011-09-02T19:28:00.000-04:00

Sojourner Marable Grimmett: Support Establishing Lactation Rooms in Public Pla...: One of the greatest struggles for breastfeeding mothers is to have our voices heard and accommodations met in order to express milk and ...

NPA September Giveaway

2011-09-02T13:03:00.000-04:00

In honor of our new AIO, Pocket, and Hybrid diaper service options. We are going to give away a bumGenius Elemental diaper or it's equivalent in cash if you aren't diapering. This contest will run from 9/1 to 9/31.

Here are the giveaway details:

Every 100 posts on our message board is 1 entry
Sharing NPA on Facebook, Myspace, Blog, Twitter etc are 1 entry each mention
Updating your avatar on our message board is 1 entry
Updating your signature here is 1 entry
Following us on Facebook, Blog, Twitter are 1 entry each

New ways to earn points this month:

Refer a new member to our message board in September, 1 entry per member. They need to mention you referred them.
Comment on our Facebook, Twitter, or Blog posts, 1 entry per comment. I will be updating all of these over the weekend.
Write an article for our Blog 5 entries.
Each NPA event you attend is 5 entries. If it is an event you planned, you get 5 extra entries (even if no one else comes ).

Mentioning our message in a blog entry about other stuff? YES, that does count. For example if you are blogging about babywearing on your own blog, you can mention finding a local Atlanta support group and link to us. It does not have to be a complete entry about this group.

2011-04-14T22:47:00.001-04:00

Help Set A New Guinness World Record!

Are you ready to make a difference? On April 23rd, 2011 (the day after Earth Day), the Real Diaper Association has organized a GLOBAL event, called The Great Cloth Diaper Change, to raise awareness about the benefits of using cloth diapers. This event has become an Official Guinness World Records Event and there are 319 (and counting) locations currently authorized to host this event world wide!

Natural Parenting Atlanta is thrilled to be an official host for "The Great Cloth Diaper Change" - an official Guinness World Record Challenge! The challenge is for the World Record of most simultaneous cloth diaper changes. That's right, you could help set an official Guinness World Record during this global event right here in Atlanta!

We can't wait to see you there!
Natural Parenting Atlanta

How Do I Participate? It's So Easy!

Preregister and get your tickets here: Great Cloth Diaper Change Atlanta. You are required to preregister. This event is FREE. Preregistering allows us to know in advance how many participants we will need to accommodate. You only need one ticket for each adult that will be changing a child as part of the event. All other family members and friends are welcome to come watch and enjoy the event, but should register as a Guest.
Please try to arrive at Leapin' Lizards by 11:15 AM on April 23, 2011. We need time to check everyone in and get set up before the event begins. Participants who arrive late may not have enough time to qualify for the Diaper Change. We are expecting a large turn out!
Change your baby when we say "GO!"

The following regulations are set by the Guinness World Records:

Each baby must be changed out of a cloth or disposable diaper into a reusable cloth diaper at exactly 12:30 PM EDT. The cloth diaper must be a brand that can be purchased by the general public in a retail store or online. Unfortunately, homemade diapers that are not commercially available cannot be used. This is a very strict rule from Guinness World Records.
All participating babies and toddlers must be 39 inches or shorter.
Each child must be paired with exactly one adult participant.

Meet Our Wonderful Sponsors!
The first 50 participants to check in on April 23, 2011 will receive an awesome swag bag! Local and national companies are joining the bag daily packing the bags with goodies for both mom and baby!
The Swag Bags - OVER A $200.00 VALUE!

Natural Parenting Atlanta: OS Cloth Diaper
Mimi's Murals: Decorative painting and murals in Atlanta and surrounding areas.
Gdiapers: A diapering solution that is good for babies, parents and the planet
Motherlove Herbal Company: Therapeutic pampering for pregnancy, birth, baby and breastfeeding.
Pacific Natural Foods
Biokleen: All natural cleaning products for your home.
Grandma Els:Diaper rash remedy and prevention.
Nordic Naturals: Pure and great tasting Omega oils.
Northern Essence: Natural products for mother, kids and home.
Mother Goose Designs: Cloth for mother and goose.
The Bump Magazine: Pregnancy magazine.
Traditional Medicinals: Herbal teas and other herbal products.
TruKid: All natural skin care for kids.
Boudreaux's Butt Paste: Diaper rash ointment and skin protectant.
Three Lollies: Maker of Preggie Pops and Drops, Queasy Pops and Drops.
Medela: Breastfeeding products and support.
Organic bath sets
Cloth wipes & wipes solution cube sets
Tiny Twirls - by kinky-curly, hair care products for children.
Plum Organics
Yummy Spoonfuls

ADDING MORE DAILY...

Door Prizes will be drawn during the event. More businesses are adding prizes daily. So far our list of items for prizes includes:

Atlanta Diaper Service: Mother-ease cloth diaper and cover.
Truly Kneaded Home Spa: Massage gift certificate
Natural Parenting Atlanta: Rumparooz one-size cloth diaper
Natural Parenting Atlanta: Moboleez Nursing Hat
Natural Parenting Atlanta: So Easy Baby Food Making Kit
The Angels Halo: Hair Bows
Chick Fil A Decatur: Family Prize Pack of dinner for four
Mark W. Insurance Agency: 3 pack of Blueberry Diapers & Wetbag
Maukilo Toys: 2 prize packs of HABA Toys
Suburban Tree Hugger: Plan Toys Dancing Alligator
Baby Signs by Adventures in Childbirth: It's Potty Time (for boys) book
Initials, Inc: Swag bag with a flared base.

MORE TO COME. ..

Before and after the diaper change, you'll be able to check out our vendors, several of whom will also present brief mini-workshops on products and classes useful for natural babies and families!
Vendors: We are still accepting vendors and sponsors! Email for details!

Natural Parenting Atlanta will have a booth with items for sale and will offer a short workshop on modern cloth diapers.
DiaperFreeBaby will have information available about elimination communication.
MotherGoose Designs will have handmade products for sale including family cloth, momma cloth, reusuable bags, etc.
Mimi's Murals

Speakers: We still have one opening for a speaker! Email for details!

Lisa Baker: Elimination communication, a natural approach to your baby's elimination needs that can reduce your need for diapers
Rachel Harp: Cloth diapering in 2011: what has changed and what has stayed the same.
Courtney Watson Crowdis: Babywearing

MORE COMING SOON!

Giveaway on the NPA forum.

2010-10-08T13:54:00.000-04:00

Diaper bag and wetbag all in one!

This contest will run from 10/1 to 10/31. The prize is a Weehugger diaper bag. These are a new product that is a combo wetbag and diaper bag all in one. Here are the giveaway details:

Every 100 posts on our message board is 1 entry
Sharing NPA on Facebook, Myspace, Blog, Twitter etc are 1 entry each mention
Updating your avatar on our message board is 1 entry
Updating your signature here is 1 entry
Following us on Facebook, Blog, Twitter are 1 entry each

New ways to earn points this month:

Refer a new member to our message board in October, 1 entry per member
Comment on our October blog posts, 1 entry per comment
Write an article for our blog 5 entries
Each NPA event you attend is 2 entries. If it is an event you planned, you get 5 entries (even if no one else comes ).

Just post on the message board to let me know what you did and when with a link, if possible.

Also someone asked me about mentioning the group in a blog entry about other stuff. YES, that does count. For example if you are blogging about babywearing on your own blog, you can mention finding a local Atlanta support group and link to us. It does not have to be a complete entry about this group.

Product of the Week

2010-09-18T15:11:00.001-04:00

Size One: 6-18 lbs (3-8 kg) 0-9 months
Size Two: 18-40 lbs (8-18 kg) 9-36+ months

Features:

A two-piece diapering system combining an absorbent insert and a waterproof sleeve diaper
An adjustable rise for extended use to suit your growing baby
Two sizes will fit from birth-to-potty
Leg gussets provide superior protection against leaks
Pliable and breathable in 8 fun colors!
Sleeve design for easy stuffing & easy cleaning
Microfiber terry & hemp combo insert for optimal absorption; 7 layers in all!
Use from birth-to-potty and save $1400 over disposables!

Details:

Thirsties® Duo Diapers are easy to use and even easier on your wallet! The adjustable rise of this diaper design means one size will last twice as long. In fact, you'll only need two sizes to cover your baby from birth all the way to potty-learning. Period! Similar in feel and fit as our best selling Duo Wrap, Thirsties® Duo Diapers are completely waterproof yet remain breathable, pliable, and very comfortable for your baby’s delicate skin. The ultra-soft microfleece liner on the inside protects baby’s skin from wetness and also resists staining. Our handy sleeve design features openings on both sides of the diaper between the microfleece and waterproof layer. The duo openings featured in Thirsties® Duo Diaper enable easy insert stuffing from either side of the diaper and also make for easy cleaning. There is no need to remove the soiled inserts when washing -- your hands will remain clean! Simply toss your soiled Thirsties® Duo Diaper in the laundry and the inserts will agitate free from the diaper in the washing machine.

Our Duo Inserts provide double the duty as well! Thirsties' specialty inserts feature two layers of serged microfiber terry snapped together with five serged layers of hemp jersey; seven thirsty layers in all! Microfiber terry is a fast absorber designed to rest closest to your baby’s skin (beneath the microfleece sleeve); hemp is a stable absorber and pairs perfectly behind the microfiber terry to add more absorbency and to prevent compression leaking. By the way...did you know that Thirsties' new hemp jersey is like no other on the market!?! We (finally) found a knitter right here in the USA to custom knit the hemp textile to our specifications. You will find this hemp is thicker, softer, and holds-up better than any other on the market.

Each of the two sizes of Thirsties® Duo Diaper feature three rows of snaps to adjust the rise to your baby's shape; it really is like having THREE sizes in one. Pairing such adjustability in rise with our signature leg gussets make this diaper the most versatile on the market. Whether your baby is tall or short, thin or chunky, this cover will keep those messes contained!

Therefore, in the end, Thirsties® Duo Diapers are truly the more reliable and more affordable option when comparing to a 'one-size' system.

Thirsties DUO Diapers ~ 10% off from 9/18 - 9/24.

Cloth Diaper Workshop ~ FREE

2010-09-18T14:34:00.001-04:00

September 29th
10:30AM - 12:00PM

Interested in learning more about cloth diapering? Want to share your knowledge of cloth diapering? Like to meet other parents who are using cloth diapers? Hosted by Rachel Harp with Natural Parenting Atlanta this free event is a great way for parents to meet, commune and share cloth diapering knowledge. Come learn about the benefits and how to cloth diaper. This event is free.

Questions? Email Jennifer.smeth@wholefoods.com

Then try some of their yummy lunch items or do some shopping!!

Harry's Farmers Market
1180 Upper Hembree Rd
Roswell, GA 30076

Bargain Basement Stocked!

2010-09-13T23:24:00.000-04:00

Head over to our Bargain Basement to catch some great deals on used natural parenting products, new discontinued products, and display products. All at great prices. Free shipping too!

Bargain Basement

August & September Giveaway

2010-09-12T23:39:00.000-04:00

This raffle will run from 8/1 to 9/15. Those of you that have played before will remember the guidelines to qualify. It is completely FREE to enter. If you win, you can pick up your prize at an event or pay for shipping to your home.

Complete an item and earn 1 entry into the drawing:

1 point per 10 topics started on the message board
1 point per 100 posts on the message board
Update your avatar on the message board
Update your siggy on the message board
1 point per mention of NPA on your Facebook
1 point per mention of NPA on MySpace
1 point per mention of NPA on your blog
1 point per new member you recruit

The prize is an Eggplant Organic Moby Wrap baby carrier worth over $60 retail.
View the Moby Wrap details.

NPA Link Exchange Program

2010-09-12T23:10:00.000-04:00

Anyone interested in a Link Exchange with our main site, please email admin@naturalparentingatl.com. It is free and the only requirement is you link back to us and be a local natural living business.

For our page, we will need:

Name of Business/Service/Personal Name
Area serviced or location
Logo graphic (if there is one)
Description of products/services offered
Contact information

We will do a nice paragraph about each business, not just a link. Please email with any questions.

July Contest

2010-07-12T18:17:00.000-04:00

This raffle will run from 7/1 to 7/31. Those of you that have played before will remember the guidelines to qualify. It is completely FREE to enter. If you win, you can pick up your prize from me at an event or pay for shipping to your home.

Post 15 topics for discussion this month.
Post 150 times for the month.
Update your avatar or update your siggy. Post here when you have done one or the other.
Mention NPA on your Facebook page by sharing. You can even share an event posting. Post here when you have done one of the three options with a link for us to check it out.
Post about NPA on your blog, or in some other way let people know about our awesome natural parenting community.

This month will be a little different. You will get one entry per item off the list that you complete. So the more you do, the more times you are entered for a chance to win.

Our prize this month will be a gift basket of Broody Chick Natural Products worth over $50. http://www.broodychick.com/

Map of Cesarean Delivery Rates by State, 2007 - The Unnecesarean -

2010-02-15T20:20:00.000-05:00

Map of Cesarean Delivery Rates by State, 2007 - The Unnecesarean -

It's Now More Dangerous to Give Birth in California Than It Is in Kuwait or Bosnia | Reproductive Justice | AlterNet

2010-02-03T21:22:00.000-05:00

It's Now More Dangerous to Give Birth in California Than It Is in Kuwait or Bosnia | Reproductive Justice | AlterNet

Really the title says it all. Comments?

Babywearing Social

2010-01-31T14:33:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
11AM - 1PM

The Daily Grind
3960 Mary Eliza Trace
Marietta, GA 30152
(770) 422-9480

Come join other babywearing moms. Bring any carriers you may have for others to touch, feel, and tryout. From newbies to experts, all are welcome.

Guests & kids welcome. For more information visit http://www.naturalparentingatlanta.com

"Atlanta Cloth" Diapering Workshop

2009-09-29T01:00:00.000-04:00

10:30am on September 30th.

Come join us in the cooking school area for some cloth talk.
Then try some of their yummy lunch items or do some shopping!!

Harry's Farmers Market
1180 Upper Hembree Rd
Roswell, GA 30076

Nurture Decatur Presents Natural Family Living Series

2009-09-29T00:58:00.000-04:00

Nurture Decatur is a new resource for parents who seek to make informed choices as they create a whole, healthy family environment. A free lecture series to be hosted this fall at the Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite in Decatur (321 West Hill Street) will bring together parents in the community to learn about and discuss ideas related to natural family living. Some lecture topics include cloth diapering, babywearing, doulas, cesarean awareness, and homeschooling, to name a few. Nurture Decatur hopes to raise community awareness about natural family living and to forge new bonds between families through discussion, personal interaction and, in some cases, demonstrations of how to apply these values and ideas in their own lives. Details about this month’s lectures are below. Please be aware that lectures are limited to 30 attendees. Reserve your space now at www.nurturedecatur.org, or send an email containing your name and lecture date to nurturedecatur@gmail.com.

Is Cloth Diapering Better for Your Baby?
Monday October 5th, 7:00pm-8:30pm
With guest speaker Rachel Harp

Are you curious about cloth diapering but confused with all the different styles and brands? There are so many different options it can be overwhelming, but this lecture can help you sort it all out. How many do you need? How much will it cost? What about washing and drying? Come and find out the ins and outs of cloth diapering as well as see and compare several types of diapers. Join us and learn from cloth diapering expert and owner of Atlanta Diaper Service, Rachel Harp, and decide if cloth diapering is the best option for your family.

Homeschooling: The New Private Education?
Monday October 19th, 7:00pm-8:30pm
With guest speaker Alicia Pillsbury

More and more parents are considering homeschooling (or parent-directed education) as an alternative to public or private schools. Some reasons parents choose to homeschool include: the opportunity to teach to a child’s abilities as opposed to test scores, to incorporate spirituality into a curriculum, to spend more quality time with their children, to escape hostile school environments and negative social influences, and the opportunity to meet special education needs in an individualized fashion, to name just a few. Alicia Pillsbury, who holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught in a traditional classroom setting-yet chose to homeschool her children from the start-will lead a discussion on some of the major homeschooling philosophies as well as legal implications and Georgia state requirements. Come learn why parent directed education works so well for some families, what resources are available locally and how to get started.

Raffle for August on TNMC Message Board

2009-08-09T00:18:00.000-04:00

This FREE raffle is for a choice of one of two different prizes:

1. BLUEBERRY ONE SIZE BAMBOO VELOUR Cloth Diaper worth $27.97.
2. Organic material for making diapers or clothing. I will list in detail what is included in the lot a little later and post a pic of the fabrics.

To qualify for the raffle you must meet the following criteria. You must be a registered member of our message board at The Natural Mothering Center.

Post 150 times by 8/31.
Create at least 25 threads by 8/31. They do not have to have responses. Just be started on whatever topic you wish. Current events, holiday fun, random chit chat, etc. are all good topics.
Add 5 pictures to your album.
Create an avatar. If you sync with Facebook this will automatically happen.
Play at least 2 games in the Arcade. Feel free to ask for help if you can't figure it out.

2009-03-16T18:23:00.000-04:00

Raising a Whole Baby

Monday March 23nd starting at 5:30PM

Harrys Farmer's Market ~ Roswell

1180 Upper Hembree Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
770.664.6300

5:30pm: Body Care Products for Mom and Baby • Nasheya Abbott
5:50pm: Healthy Sleep Habits for Mom and Baby • Shaun Pittman
6:10pm: Prenatal Yoga • Ellen Sichel, RYT
6:30pm: Atlanta Cloth (cloth diaper demo) • Rachel Harp
6:50pm: Birth and Postpartum Doula Services • Teresa Howard (Labor of Love)
7:10pm: Breastfeeding Q&A • Molly Parker (La Leche League of North Fulton)

This is a Wholefoods Event. You must RSVP with them in order to attend. Please register at Customer Service or by emailing jennifer.smeth@wholefoods.com

Make sure to mention you heard about it from Rachel with Atlanta Cloth.
Food and Goody Bags will be provided for participants.

Raising a Whole Baby Event ~ WholeFoods Market

2009-03-15T01:08:00.000-04:00

Sunday March 22nd starting at 1PM
WHOLE FOODS MARKET ~ BRIARCLIFF
2111 Briarcliff Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
404.634.7800

1:00pm: Jack’s Harvest Organic Frozen Baby Food • Connie Pope
1:20pm: Mother Love All Natural Products • Nasheya Abbott
1:40pm: The Pregnancy Massage Center of Atlanta • Renee Kimes
2:00pm: Stroller Strides (total fitness workout) • Kyle Pointer
2:20pm: Atlanta Cloth (cloth diaper demo) • Rachel Harp
2:40pm: Birth and Postpartum Doula Services and Breastfeeding Q&A • Jeni Standard

This is a Wholefoods Event. You must RSVP with them in order to attend. Please register at Customer Service or by email to kate.graham@wholefoods.com.

Make sure to mention you heard about it from Rachel with Atlanta Cloth/The Natural Mothering Shop.
Food and Goody Bags will be provided for participants.
Event will take place outside weather permitting.

"Atlanta Cloth" Diapering Workshop

2009-02-18T19:13:00.000-05:00

10:30am on Feb 25th.

Come join us in the cafe area for some cloth talk.
Then try some of their yummy lunch items or do some shopping!!

Harry's Farmers Market
1180 Upper Hembree Rd
Roswell, GA 30076

The Natural Mothering Shop ~ 3 Day Sale

2009-02-06T18:24:00.000-05:00

While visiting Kroger this week, we were inspired to have a 3 day sale. Starting today, Friday 2/6/09, until Sunday, we will have a 3 DAY SALE. Today and tomorrow, everything in the Natural Mother category will be 15% OFF. Just enter "TNMSfans" without the quotes on the 2nd checkout page.
The Natural Mother category includes:
Baby Carriers
Birth Balls
Nursing and Maternity Clothing
Menstrual Cups and Pads

This sale only applies to customers on our email list, Facebook page, or forums. On Sunday, we will pick another category and percentage off. So watch for that announcement.

Have a great weekend!

How to make babyfood.

2009-02-04T21:35:00.000-05:00

My choice for product of the week was easy this week. We started making our own baby food for Kyleigh this morning. I have made baby food this same way for my other children, but I have never used the Fresh Baby Food Trays. I decided I wanted to try these neat trays for a couple reasons. The most important being I wanted to know the amount of food Kyleigh was eating. Since I have low milk supply issues, intake of all nutrition is important. Each cube measures about one ounce. This makes it really easy to know how much I am giving her at each feeding.

We started with Gala apples and sweet potatoes. You need to decide if you want to steam or boil your produce. I choose to boil them. I have done both and they work equally well. Boiling was just easier for me today since I was working at the same time I was cooking.

I rinsed my pot out then filled it half full of water. I washed my produce and peeled it.

Then I cut up my produce and put it into the water.

I brought the water to a boil. I boiled the produce until it became tender and I could easily puncture it with a fork. Then I rinsed out the food processor and trays.

Once the produce was drained, I dumped it into the food processor. For the apples, I didn't need to add any liquid. They were juicy enough to blend to a nice consistency. For the sweet potatoes, I added some expressed breast milk to make them thinner. You could also add a formula, water, or juice. I blended for about 60 seconds until I saw no lumps of produce.

The produce was still steaming hot when I opened the processor and began to spoon out the mixture into the tray.

The lid easily snaps on tight and then stacks neatly in the freezer. I left the trays in the freezer for about 4 hours until frozen solid.

To store the cubes for a longer period of time, I labeled a zipper freezer storage bag.

I popped the cubes of produce out and put them into the bag labeled with the date and contents. The bags are stored in the freezer. I take one cube out at a time for a feeding depending how much she will be eating that day.

Making baby food is easy, cheap, and so much healthier for baby. :)

Product of the Week ~ Fresh Baby Food Trays

2009-02-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

Our product of the week, Fresh Baby Food Trays, will be 10% off until 2/7/2009 .

Fresh Baby Food Trays are specially designed to simplify feedings and reduce waste of baby food or breast milk. All you do is pour expressed breast milk or pureed baby food in the food safe trays, put them in the freezer and use what you need when you need it. The neat thing about the trays is they have covers, so there are no spills, no mess, and no odors. Each So Easy Tray makes 12 pre-portioned servings which measure about one ounce (30ml), which is a single serving of baby food or breast milk for a baby.

Breast Milk cubes are the perfect answer to many situations. Since cubes defrost quickly, they are great for topping-off bottles, thinning baby food, or just adding a little extra nutrition to your baby’s cereal. You’ll only thaw what you need - convenience for Mom, Dad, or any caregiver.
See why parents say So Easy Trays are the best. They won’t spill, and are an easy stackable way to safely store breast milk and pureed baby food. Cover, stack, and freeze – it’s that easy. The heavy duty construction allows quick release of the frozen food cubes. And they are dishwasher-safe, so clean up is a breeze.

Trays are FDA-approved food-safe plastic. #4 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) and #2 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene).Contains no PVC, Bisphenol-A, or Plasticizer.

About Me

2009-02-04T19:57:00.000-05:00

Hello internet visitors , I’m Rachel. I am a work at home mom to four fantastic children, Trevor, 15 years old, Samantha, 13 years old, and Patrick, 3 years old, and Kyleigh, 6 months old. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for almost 16 years. My passions include attachment and natural parenting, breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering, and educating other parents about natural parenting practices.

Want to know more about me? This is my story:

The Natural Mothering Shop & Center, Atlanta Doulas, and Atlanta Diaper Service were founded by a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom), me. I wasn't always a SAHM. I worked in the corporate world for ten years raising my two oldest children the best that I could while working more than a full-time job. I managed childcare centers for over 8 years. I absolutely love children, always have. Once my older two children were in school, I went to work for the world's largest retailer. Yes, you guessed it, I was a Wal-mart Operations Manager. One day my husband sat me down and said, "lets have another baby." I was shocked considering our other children were both almost out of elementary school. My oldest son was having troubles in school and with the thought of having another infant to raise my only stipulation was to be able to be a SAHM.

In December of 2004, I left the world of the working mother. Less than a year later on October 19th I gave birth to my third child, a beautiful boy. Breastfeeding wasn't easy at first, but we stuck with it; and, it has been the most rewarding experience of my life, so far. I never thought that it would be that big a deal, but it is! Babywearing was just natural for us. The moby wrap is a godsend. Everyone should get one! People in stores and at church started to come up to me and ask, "where did you get that baby carrier?" With the need to help out the family financially, The Natural Mothering Shop was born in April 2006. This SAHM became a WAHM (work-at-home-mom).

As my interest and passion for natural parenting has grown, so has my desire to share that with others. In the summer of 2006, I founded a group called Atlanta Cloth. This support group was designed to educate other families in my area about cloth diapering. With the forum, chatroom, playgroups, and workshops, this wonderful group of women and children has become like a second family to me.

In the fall of 2006, I started a journey down the path to becoming a certified birth doula and child birth educator. All I can say is that it is the most rewarding experience to help other mothers during this precious time in their life. It is a true blessing each and every time I see a sweet baby come into the world.

On July 22nd of 2009, our gorgeous daughter, Kyleigh, was born into water at North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, GA. My wonderful midwife, Kay Johnson, truely was a prayer answered. Kelsey Smith, my doula, was exactly what I needed with my other three births and didn't have... loving, kind, and gentle support. God Bless them both. ((HUGS))

I have personally had both natural and medicated births. I have bottlefeed and I have breastfeed. I have used commercial babyfood and I have made my own. I have used disposable diapers and I have cloth diapered.

Mothering is like life really. It is a learning experience and a beautiful journey. You learn as you go.