The following endorsements are informal, have not been solicited by, and are not representative of their respective companies.
Welcome to this week’s Friday Five. Each week I’ll give you a heads up on some of our family’s favorite products and activities. I’ll tell you why I chose them in the first place and why I like using/doing them now. A product will only make my list if it: does what it says it does, is practical, and is worth the money. Activities become favorites if they are: worth the time/money expense and fun. We hope you like them as much as we do. Enjoy!
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1. Clorox Green Works All Purpose Cleaner
This all purpose cleaner is made with “Coconut-based cleaning agent (nonionic surfactant), corn-based ethanol, essential lemon oil, filtered water and biodegradable preservative. Contains no phosphorus. Contains no bleach.” It smells divinely fresh and does a darn good job of cleaning things up. It is an easy alternative to mixing your own cleaning solutions and runs just under $4 at the major discount stores. You can also buy it in concentrate and mix it yourself for a much better price. I will be doing this after my first bottle is gone, but since I was just trying it out, I went ahead and bought a smaller dose in case I didn’t like it.
As part of an effort to be more aware of the chemicals, processed foods, and downright icky things we bring into our home, I’ve been phasing out my old cleaning chemicals and replacing them with more natural, “greener” products. Though I am also an advocate for being good stewards of this planet that God gave us, I’m not about to go all Al Gore on you. I just think living simply is an all around good idea.
2. Stoneyfield Farms YoBaby Organic Yogurt
“All natural and certified organic. It’s made with milk from cows that were fed organic feed and have not been treated with antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. And, all of the fruits and grains in our products were grown without the use of toxic and persistent chemical pesticides and fertilizers.”
My little Gremlin loves YoBaby and she hasn’t met a flavor she doesn’t like yet. With some raisins or other dried fruit, it’s a yummy quick breakfast when we need to get going in the morning. It also makes a great snack. It’s a little pricey compared to most yogurts at about $3.50-$4 for six four ounce containers, but it is well worth it in quality. I really like YoBaby more for what’s not in it than for the organic qualities they boast. Most other yogurts in the grocery store use high fructose corn syrup or aspertame as sweeteners. I don’t like putting that junk in my body and I certainly won’t put it in my baby’s! One package lasts anywhere from one to two weeks.
3. Target Brand Diapers
I applaud the moms that are so financial and environmentally conscious that they use cloth diapers, but that is not for me. That’s just more yuck than I’m willing to deal with ya’ll.
Though I’m *fingers-crossed* expecting to be diaper free (well, not me per se, but my baby!) in the next six months, we’re still using them now and have been using Target diapers for the last year and half. I will continue to use them with my other children as well. At about $13.50 for a box of 105-80 depending on the size, they’re a great value.
When I was teaching while I was pregnant, my kids had a diaper shower for me and thusly supplied us with enough diapers to last about the first 4 months of L’s life! Consequently I have tried practically all the diaper brands under the sun. My least favorite were the Pamper’s Swaddlers which leaked incessantly regardless of the size I used and didn’t agree with my L’s super sensitive skin. My most favorite, was the cheap-o Target brand! They rarely leak and don’t irritate L’s skin much at all. They’re half the price or more of the expensive brands and they’re great quality. We highly recommend them!
4. We bought a discounted family season pass this spring to the Houston Zoo. It cost $60 and is good for two adults and 3 children. We have already gotten WAY more than our money’s worth in the last few months. Since L is still pretty young, it doesn’t ever get boring for her. I don’t recommend going between noon and five during the summer because it is just too hot for the people and the animals. With our 743 degree heat index here in the summertime, it’s best to stay indoors or in water during those hours.
Still, the zoo is great fun for the whole family and there is always something new. With a membership, you also get exclusive access to special keeper chats and other activities that are a lot of fun. The children’s zoo is also great fun with a splash pad, playground, petting farm, educational and interactive exhibits, a carousel, and some fun little shows.
Regular price tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Kids under 2 are free.
5. Meyer Park
If you live in Harris County or visit often and haven’t taken advantage of our great park system, you’re missing out. My favorite, that I’ve been going to since I was a kid and now take my kid to, is Meyer Park. Cypress Creek runs through the south side of the park and has some great walking/biking trails along the banks. There are plenty of places for the kids to run wild and play to their heart’s content. You can also picnic, watch or play soccer, fly a kite, go fishing, feed the ducks, geese, and nutria, watch the turtles, coo with the doves, and run, jog, skate, hop, skip, walk, bike, or ride on their paved trails.
I’m sure I’ve only listed half of the activities available here. Again, in the summertime, it’s best to play outdoors in the morning or evening, or in small doses in the afternoon with plenty of water. I keep an outdoor play bag in my car pretty much all the time in case we have an impromptu trip to the park or beach. I carry a large blanket, beach towels, sunscreen, sand toys, a kite, and some other various outdoor toys in it.
Why don’t you leave me a comment and share some of your favorite things with us! Pretty please?
Posted by Kim H. on July 21, 2008 at 9:19 am
Wow, I’d been looking at the Clorox Green Works products, and when I run out of my 409 – I’m all over it! I read or saw somewhere that they’re coming out with dish soap too – so I’ll check into that as well. I think it’s a good idea to buy the smaller version the first go around, for the sake of testing it, but also – now you have a bottle to use when you mix up the concentrated version.
I’m absolutely going to have to check out the Target diapers when I get the pleasure of having a baby…
I’ll have to think of some ideas of things to do, but I don’t have much experience in entertaining little ones – so my suggestions might not be very practical right now.
Posted by renjoe on July 21, 2008 at 9:44 am
LOL, it’s not just about little ones. In fact, I would appreciate having some ideas on things to do for just me and Kyle…we love to go on dates where its just the two of us!
Posted by Kim H. on July 21, 2008 at 10:22 am
Well, when I think of them – I’ll offer up babysitting!!