How To Do 3 Kids in Cloth Diapers Like A Boss

Have you ever had multiple kids in diapers?  Whether you choose disposables or cloth, you may feel like all you do is diapers.  Cloth is a little extra work, but with good organization, it can be a breeze.  Moms have various reasons, but I do cloth to save money.  For the price of one month of disposables, I can buy or make a set of cloth that lasts several years and sometimes, several kids.  For a large family, thousands of dollars can be saved and redirected elsewhere. 

Plus I think they're adorable :) 

I'm about to begin my 3rd round of 3 kids in diapers at the same time, and I've learned a thing or two about cloth.  I realize not everyone is going to have the same methods, but here's  HOW TO CLOTH DIAPER FOR MULTIPLE CHILDREN LIKE A BOSS:

1.  Adjustable snap nappies - If you've got multiple children, you're going to want ONE SIZE FITS ALL nappies so every nappy adapts to every baby.  This is practical for single child families, too, because they can grow with the baby.  Why snaps?  Because they tend to last longer than Velcro.  I do love the Velcro, too, but if you're going for a set that will last, snaps are your best bet.

2.  Have a huge inventory - Buy or hand make at least 15 nappy outers per child.  I have approximately 50 outers for 3 children. If all the nappies are dirty, you find yourself having to wash too frequently, you will burn out or be tempted to buy disposables in a pinch.  Have a huge inventory of plastic pants (I recommend 10-15), pre-folds (50-60), inserts (20-30), liners (20-30), and cloth wipes (50-60).  With 3 in diapers, there will be days where you simply can't get to the laundry like you want to, and being well stocked will set your mind at ease. 

You don't need to spend a fortune on supplies.  I was able to purchase all the above second hand online for a total of $70, and I was given a few hand me downs.  Making your supplies is a great option.  You may even have materials laying around the house right now.

3.  How to clean the nappies so they come out looking brand new - I use a wet pail method of pre-soaking (the dry pail method only stained my pre-folds and stunk).  With the wet pail method, the nappies are soaking as long as I need them to until laundry day.  I have no stains, and no lingering odours. 

TO PRE-SOAK NAPPIES: Fill a 5 gallon bucket half way with cool water.  Add a scoop of Vanish, NapiSan, or OxiClean and a scoop of laundry detergent.  Stir until dissolved.  Soiled nappies get rinsed by a sprayer or brushed into the toilet to remove as much solid as possible, then go into the wet bucket solution face down until washing day.  Keep the wet pail near the washing machine, up and away from toddler access.  Ours is in the garage, so no smells penetrate the house.  The Vanish gets rid of any smell anyway.

TO WASH:  Wash the nappies in the washing machine with the maximum amount of water, on either a cool or warm water setting (hot will set a stain).  Limit your load to about 15 nappies.  Add a normal amount of laundry soap and 1 scoop of Vanish, NapiSan, or Oxiclean to your load.  Use 1 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle to kill odours. I like to do an extra rinse to remove as much detergent as possible.  This is optional, but it keeps the pre-folds nice and thirsty.

*Note some people are very particular about the type of laundry soap used on cloth diapers.  I make my laundry soap, so I know its a gentle recipe and free of harsh chemicals, but there are great brands out there designed specifically for cloth diapers.  That being said, most moms I know use store bought, everyday detergents with fine results.

TO DRY:  Cloth nappies do best when air dried on a clothes line where they can be exposed to the sunlight.  If you prefer an automatic dryer, avoid using the hot setting.  Hot heat will damage your elastic and plastic linings over time.  Use the cool or warm setting and your nappies will stay looking fabulous for a really long time.

4.  Strip nappies every 3 months - Over time the fibres of your cloth will collect residue from laundry soap, causing them to repel liquid and leak.  To strip the nappies of residue, wash the entire inventory of nappies, inserts, and liners.  Begin by running a load using cool water.   Instead of laundry soap, add a half cup of dish soap.  Rinse the load once with 1 cup of vinegar, then run an additional rinse cycle.  Dry as usual.

5.  Make it convenient - Set up several diaper changing stations around your home, especially if you have a big or multi-level home.  Create a station in the nursery, where you bathe the babies, near the night time feedings, and where they go down for naps.  Equip all these areas with cloth wipes and wipe solution.  Another convenient preparation is having additional wet pails set up in discrete places, just be sure to keep out of kids' reach.   

6.  Creating a leak-proof nappy -  Wrapping your baby in a cloth diaper is an art, especially if you have babies like mine who really know how to pee and have skinny legs.  I've collected tips from friends and my own trial and error to come up with a leak-proof method. 

-THE LAYERS: I use a nappy cover, a pre-folded cloth, an insert, and a liner.  Some nappies already have a built in insert, allowing us to skip the removable one.  The liner is meant to hopefully catch all the solids so we can just spray that down into the toilet without soiling the other layers.  Liners can be disposable, but I've got many cut pieces of a micro suede type fabric that work like a charm.

-FOLD IT CORRECTLY: A friend taught me to fold the pre-folds in the opposite direction that you think they should go (so they are shorter, rather than longer).  This way the most amount of layers are placed in the centre of the diaper.  Some people pin their pre-folds at the sides, I've never had to do this, since the cover holds it pretty well in place.

-WHEN IN DOUBT, ADD PLASTIC PANTS:  I cover my nappy covers with a pair of plastic pants when we leave the house and at bedtime.  This extra layer has never let me down.  Think of your nappy covers as water resistant, they aren't necessarily water proof.  If you've ever had a baby with skinny legs, you'll find this tip particularly useful.  And who couldn't use insurance against the untimely blow outs? 

Yes, cloth diapers are a little more work, but I love not having to rely on store brands, saving money, and using gentle products on my babies.  Their little brightly coloured bums look so cute running around outside. 

What tips do you have that you'd like to share?

Large Family Logistics - How To Get Kids To Love Reading (And Strengthen Your Family At The Same Time)

 

How To Get Kids To Love Reading

(And Strengthen Your Family At The Same Time)

 





Parenting has gotten tricky lately for those of us who want to avoid the mediocrity (and degradation) of today's pop culture.  My husband and I decided to get aggressive against negative influences on our kids, -not to isolate them entirely-, but to fill their minds with the best this world has to offer while they develop.  Quality entertainment is out there, but filtering the bad is a must. 

My concern about today's entertainment is not only that the majority of it is amoral, but also anti-intellectual.  The video culture has trumped the print culture, creating a dumbing down of society.  People are reading less, losing the ability to concentrate for short periods of time, and make rational, educated decisions. 

In my opinion, success in school and life can be boosted by reading often, and loving it! 

Here's what we've done to create a house of reading:

How To Get Kids To Read

1.  Digitally Disconnect -  To really encourage kids to read more, reading needs to become the most appealing activity in the home. We removed cable TV and limited movies early in the learning-to-read process, around the time our oldest child was 5 years old and filled each room with books.  Our kid's video games are also limited to strategy or educational games, weekends only, for our 5-12 year olds.  As the children grow into teenagers and have established a love for reading, we allow socially interactive games so kids can hang out with their friends online.

EXCEPTION:  E-books can be wonderful, especially for large families!  We find the children who are just learning to read prefer holding a real book, so I would wait on buying your kiddo a tablet or e-reader until you know if your child will take to reading on it.  But generally, I would say the e-readers have allowed our bigger kids age 10 and up to read MORE books because of the convenience factor.  Having a family Kindle account is the best!

image courtesy of www.favim.com

 

2.  Read to you children - Read chapter books that you genuinely enjoy to the children, one chapter a night.... from birth then even when they already know how to read.  Reading aloud has many advantages like expanding the vocabulary for challenging books.  We can give quality time to several kids simultaneously, and we all have something to talk about when we are together.  Kids walk away with the knowledge that their parents consider reading important, and usually follow suit. 

image courtesy of www.youthlitreviews.com

3.  Find the right book series for each child- Kids who hate reading may have just not found a book they like yet.  Great starting series for boys and girls are Magic Tree House, Goosebumps, Captain Underpants, and Junie B. Jones.  Don't give up!  There is a book out there for everyone.

image courtesy of www.laughinggiraffebooks.com

 

4.  Subscribe to magazines -  Even stubborn readers can't resist a bright magazine, and there are some fantastic publications available for kids.  Appleseeds, Weekly Reader, National Geographic for Kids, Highlights, Kids Discover, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and Ranger Rick are fun to have on the coffee table.  The kids think we're alleviating their boredom, but we've just tricked them into reading.

image courtesy of www.nytimes.com

 

5.  Watch the movie when they've finished the book - Back when Harry Potter was new, we started a habit of reading books, then seeing the movie.  We found ourselves (and our kids) racing to finish books and wanting everyone else to finish it so we can finally talk about it.  We discuss the morality of the book, what makes a character likeable, motives, and how the author inserted foreshadowing, irony, comic relief or climaxes.  When the movie does come out, we make a huge event of it.  Now we look for upcoming movies based on books that will be appropriate for all of us, or we hunt down older film versions of a classic story and determine our favourite.

image courtesy of www.momtastic.com


As a parent, I feel an obligation to my children to fill their little minds with general knowledge and give them the best chance at life.  My plan is to create a home of reading and taking the time to learn with them to build strong relationships and guide them to the best books.

How do you get your kids to read?

Do you agree that society is growing increasingly amoral and anti-intellectual? 

Do you see a dumbing down society, or has technology made us smarter?

Clean Dinners Under $12 - Spanish Rice

 

 

Spanish Rice

 

image courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com

 

We've been having Spanish Rice for as long as I can remember.  Our version is fairly plain so it is highly flexible and super cheap.  Use any leftovers for a second meal stuffing burritos, a side dish to tacos, or a layer for nachos.

Spanish Rice

WARNING: Serves 10-12, this recipe can be halved

1 TBSP olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced ($.25)
1 green capsicum, diced or 1 cup frozen ($.75 frozen price)
1/2 kg beef mince ($6)
4 cups cooking tomato sauce (we use Benedict's Passata cooking sauce, 2 -680g jars) ($4)
5-6 cups beef bouillon or water to cut costs
5 cups long grain white rice ($1)
Tabasco sauce or similar, to taste
salt, pepper, cayenne to taste

Optional add ins: 
chopped garlic
sliced olives, green or black
pinto, red, or black beans
canned corn
canned tomatoes
canned diced chillies
shredded cheese
1 cup salsa
fresh chopped cilantro
sour cream

In a huge stock pot with a lid, heat the olive oil on medium high heat.  Add onions and capsicum and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes.  Remove the onions and capsicum and set aside.

Add the beef mince to the pot and brown, about 5 minutes.  Return the onions and capsicum to the pot.  Now add the cooking tomato sauce, the beef bouillon, the seasonings, and bring to a boil.  Once its boiling, stir in the 5 cups of rice.  Reduce the heat to medium low and put a cover on the pot. 

Let the liquid simmer with the rice for approximately 20 - 25 minutes.  Stir occasionally to make sure the bottom of the pot is not burning, and reduce the heat further if necessary to avoid it.  You may have to go the other direction and increase the heat if there's still a lot of liquid and crunchy rice.  With every stove we have and every brand of rice, the cooking time and liquid to rice ratio is slightly different, so be patient, adding liquid and heat if necessary.

Once the rice is soft and liquid fully absorbed, keep the lid on but remove the pot from the heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. 

Clean Dinners Under $12 - Roasted Kielbasa and Rosemary Potatoes

 

 

Roasted Kielbasa and Rosemary Potatoes

 

image courtesy of www.cooking-in-college.com

 

 

I hesitate to call this recipe clean, since sausage by definition is processed.  However, meat processing varies, and there are some fantastic, high quality sausages on our grocery shelves.  With the right brand selection, this meal can be a healthy option for the family.

 

We have been off this recipe for a while because we were having it too frequently.  I don't know if it was the chilly winter rains or the fact that red potatoes are really cheap right now, but it's made a come back.  We love the heartiness, full flavour, and ease of this dish.

 

Roasted Kielbasa and Rosemary Potatoes

 

WARNING: Serves 10-12, recipe can be halved

 

1 kielbasa, sliced into coins (variations:  3-4 chorizo or pre-cooked sausage links) ($5)

10 fist sized red potatoes, chopped into large dices unpeeled ($2.50)

1/2 cup olive oil ($.50 for this and remaining items)

1/4 cup fresh or dried parsley

1 TBSP dried rosemary, chopped

salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste

 

Preheat the oven to 220 C or 375 F. 

 

Line a very large roasting pan with aluminium foil.  I use the broiler pan from my oven because it is the largest thing I can find.  Toss all the ingredients together and stir until the oil and seasonings are evenly distributed.  Try your best to create a single layer. 

 

Bake for 45-55 minutes, stirring twice during baking.  Your meal is done when the potatoes and sausages are crispy and brown but soft all the way through. 

 

Serve with beautiful vegetables you find at the market (brussel sprouts and carrot medley $2) and a baguette of crusty bread. ($2)

 





Clean Dinners Under $12 - Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks

Toppings

1/2 package raw spinach, chopped  ($2)
1/2 a celery head, diced ($1.50)
2 cups shredded carrot (.50)
1 cup sliced black olives (.75)
1 can diced pineapple (.85)
1 diced tomato ($1)
Crispy Chinese Noodles ($1.25)
shredded coconut, optional
slivered almonds, optional

Other topping ideas....kidney or garbanzo beans, bean sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli, daikon, corn, shredded cheese, maraschino cherries, and mandarin oranges.  I like to use what is on hand.  Arrange toppings in a buffet style so everyone can build their own haystacks.

 

 

For the Chicken and Sauce 
(Teriyaki sauce instead of a white sauce is good, too)

1 chicken breast, cut into small dices ($3)
4 tbsp. butter ($1.15 for the remaining items)
1 cup flour
3 cups chicken broth
1 + cup milk
salt, pepper, cayenne, and parsley flakes, to taste

In a hot skillet, melt a small pat of butter.  Add the diced chicken and sauté until brown on the outside and no longer pink in the middle, about 7 minutes.  Remove from the skillet.  Melt the remaining butter in the skillet, and add the flour and mix until combined.  Cook for 1 minute until the raw flour taste is gone.  Add hot chicken broth and simmer, stirring constantly until its a consistency of thick gravy.  Add the milk and seasonings, stirring until smooth.  Add more milk until you find the desired thickness.  Return the cooked chicken to the sauce, and remove from heat.

For the Rice

5 cups short or medium grain rice ($1)
7 cups water

Wash the rice thoroughly.  Add rice and water to the rice cooker and press cook.  Let sit for 5 minutes after it's done, then fluff with a fork.


Start each plate with a cup of rice and create a well in the centre for catching sauce, then allow everyone to build their own haystack. 

Enjoy!

Large Family Logistics - How To Teach Kids Poise

The friends and family who know us well are snickering right now, because we aren't exactly the poster family for poise.  However, we want to be, and experts need to start at the beginning don't they?

Poise has been on my mind for a while now, but I was inspired by one of my favourite blogs The Daily Connoisseur to address the cultivating of poise in children.  I love that I'm not the only one who sees the common void of poise in society, particularly of concern is the sloppy, derogatory behaviour portrayed in the media directed at children.  (Happy Gilmore is a classic example of the Anti-Poise).  I would like to add to her thoughts that social skills like poise, good grooming, and manners help kids and teens have a positive self-image that they desperately need right now.  Skills such as poise can help them stand out in a competitive world and lead them to more successful lives.

What is Poise?

Poise is presenting yourself in a dignified manner through grooming, posture, behaviour, attitudes, composure, and restraint.  Poise is not arrogance, it is gentle words, thoughts, and treatment.

Let's get started........

HOW TO TEACH YOUR KIDS POISE

1.  Start with cleanliness - Bathe daily, have a well-maintained hair cut, excellent oral care, and tidy clothing.  Help your child form good habits, creating a cheat sheet to-do list on the bathroom mirror if it will help.  Sometimes kids are resistant, but try inspiring them by buying a fun spinning toothbrush, setting up a reward system, or reading books about grooming.  Teach them not to do their grooming in public, including clipping nails or cleaning out their ears.  Never pick at body parts in public.  Hopefully the children react by feeling better about themselves, which is the greatest reward. 

Maintain a clean bedroom, backpack, desk at school, and possessions such as bikes or scooters.  Talk to your child about the benefits of being organized, knowing where everything is, and keeping things in good working order and set aside times to accomplish these things together until they show independence. 

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

2.  Dress your best - Regularly check clothing for holes, fraying, stains, and proper fit.  Teach your children to become expert stain removers, how to repair simple holes, and sewing on buttons.  Hang clothing immediately out of the dryer, or teach your child how to iron and use starch.  I am of the opinion that collared shirts are much nicer than T-shirts, though I do like the way they look layered.  Each child should have belts that match their shoes and know how to tuck in their shirts properly.  Explain to children how we dress appropriately for different occasions and weather conditions.  Check yourself in a mirror before you leave the house each day, and never hide your hands in your pockets.

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

3.  Posture - Head should be up with the chin level with the floor to facilitate eye contact.  Shoulders should be relaxed, chest slightly out, and abdomen slightly in.  Arms should be held at the sides.  The back should be straight.  When sitting, keep the torso and head as when you are standing, but either cross the legs or put them together and softly set to the side.  Never sit with your legs apart.  Never rock back on your hind chair legs, keep your hands in your lap or within your personal space.  Never slouch, hunch, or lean.  If the chair or couch is a fluffy one, sit on the edge so its easier to keep posture.  Enter a room with the intention of leaving it exactly the way it should be.

Traditionally, children were expected to balance a book on their head while they walked to practice poise.  You're welcome to set up a relay race if you feel so inclined.  Explain to children to maintain an open body posture (torso aimed at the group, avoid turning your back to people, avoid folding your arms and twitching your legs to give a bored or unimpressed appearance).

Posture is easier to keep when you have toned muscles.  If you're serious about poise, enrol your child in ballet, ballroom, or gymnastics where they will be educated further about presenting themselves gracefully.

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

4.  Be Gentle -  This is difficult, because the trend in society is harshness.  The media continues to portrait women in violent roles against their nature, and both men and women are portrayed as unfeeling killers.  Consider the exposure your kids have to the hardening of the world, and determine if changes need to be made in entertainment and activities to promote kindness and find good role models.  Explain that being kind to your enemies is not cowardly, it's being strong.  Gentleness is not weakness at all, in fact it is self-control.  Some rules of being gentle:

• Speak softly, never yell. 
• Step slowly, never run.
• Be calm, never stress.
• Sooth others, never hurt.
• Touch rarely, never disturb.
• Think positively, never dismay.

 

 

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

 

5.  Smile and Demeanour - Teach your kids to be cheerful as often as possible, but in a courteous way.  Laughing loudly, knee slapping, and joking too much is rude.  However, so is a Debbie Downer, saying "I'm bored", being listless, pouting and whining.  Hold a mirror up to the child's face and let them see how they look.  Better than that, video tape them and play it back.  Discuss how their emotions, attitudes, and behaviours affect everyone around them and contribute to their reputation and people's opinion of you.  Being positive in dark moments is not fake, it is being hopeful and optimistic. 

 

 

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

6.  Conflict Resolution - I get so embarrassed for the parents who scream at the referee during their kids' games, or the adult who can't get beyond racial or religious differences (the world is big enough for all types, people).  I feel sorry for drivers who can't control their road rage.  I'm disappointed in the poor decisions made by people in the public eye who can't admit mistakes or swallow their pride.  Sportsmanship, teamwork, peace making, empathy, humility and problem solving are skills we should expect of our kids and ourselves.  When you notice people behaving badly, tell your kids about it and discuss what could have been done instead.  Walk them through their own conflict resolutions and let them explore actions that will wield the best results.  Surprise them and ask for their advice in a sticky situation you are encountering. 

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

7.  Boundaries - Having boundaries means limiting your actions to what is considerate to others.  This is a really broad term, but I'm going to list some essentials.

• Never use or touch other people's belongings without asking, and when you do, treat it delicately.  Replace or compensate if you break something. 
• Never enter the private areas or upstairs of other people's homes or invite yourself over/in
• Never enter someone else's personal space (18 inches to 3 feet surrounding a person)
• Talk to adults as superiors, and address them with their appropriate titles Mr., Mrs, or Doctor, or President, never casually like you do your friends
• Shake hands with males, but males should never extend a hand to a female.  Females can choose who they want to extend a hand to.
• Think before you speak.  Is it pertinent?  Is it true?  Is it essential?  Is it kind?  Do I have the authority to share that information?  Will it be interesting to them? 
• Never yell for someone's attention, go to them personally

Artist Johann F. Dietler, images courtesy www.iamachild.wordpress.com

8.  Choose Your Words Wisely - Swearing will never be acceptable to someone with poise, as well as potty humour or crude talk.  Sometimes adults have common terms that have become acceptable in society that are actually quite vulgar, so never say something that you aren't completely sure what it means or where it came from.  Teach the children to look straight into someone's eyes when they are talking, and give a clear, concise response.  Gossip, negativity, sarcasm, and mockery should never be initiated by you, and if you are pulled into a conversation, divert it or politely leave the conversation.  Never advise or criticize unless your opinion is specifically asked for.  Never boast or dominate conversations.  Don't be one of those people who is turning every conversation back around to themselves, one upping every story rather than showing sympathy.  Never include yourself in someone else's conversation, and don't start conversations that are loud enough that strangers can't avoid.

My list may not be all encompassing, but it is a decent beginning.  We will be working on these ideas in our Family Home Evenings and practicing these behaviours at home to see what needs to be added to the list.

What are your thoughts on poise in our society?

How do you plan on increasing poise in your children?

Are there any recommendations that you do not agree with?

Shopping in New Zealand - The American Store

 Shopping In New Zealand

Now we love New Zealand food, but every now and again we get a hankering for some good old fashioned American treats.  About 25 minutes south of us in Mt. Wellington is a fantastic little store, Martha's Backyard. 





Here's a view of driving on the other side of the road if you've never seen it. 

 

What would you miss the most if you left the United States?

 

I consider Cheerios to be an American icon.  General Mills took something as simple as oats and turned it into a successful household product since 1941. At $8.00 per box, I am tempted but end up passing.  If I don't get multiple boxes, there will be fights.  Better to avoid that while I still can.

 

 Ok I realize that most of our purchases would normally be found on the Hispanic aisle, but this is what we miss the most.... salsa, queso, and enchiladas.

 I must confess, nothing tasted as good as we remembered. 

In fact, being in a country for the last 18  months where we've prepared almost everything from scratch, we found that a lot of American food tastes.......well, plastic!  You can almost taste the packaging.  Like Space Food :( 

What would you miss the most if you left the United States?

Which foods taste better from the store vs.  from scratch?

Cacao Almond Protein Shake - Mother/Baby Nutrition

Feeling low and sluggish?  Here is a guilt-free recipe we came up with for a protein shake that is LOADED with goodness for mums and bubs or anyone else fighting fatigue.  This shake has:

• 18 grams protein for building baby
• probiotics beneficial to moms for a healthy digestive system and avoiding UTIs
• folic acid in the first trimester for avoiding birth defects
• anti-oxidants aiding placental development, reducing chances of miscarriage AND preeclampsia
• B vitamins for healthy moods, stress reduction, and elimination
• Iron for red blood cells so they can deliver oxygen throughout the body
• Chromium when occurring naturally in the diet stabilizes blood sugar, and aids in avoiding gestational diabetes
• potassium, magnesium, zinc, and fibre

 

Cacao Almond Protein Shake

1/2 cup plain organic yogurt (make sure it says PROBIOTICS somewhere on the container)
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/2 medium banana
1 TBSP wheat or oat germ
1 TBSP raw cacao nibs
1 TBSP dried goji berries
10 raw almonds
your favourite sweetener, to taste (no honey if you're sharing with your baby under 2 years)


Put all ingredients into a blender and continue to blend until smooth.  Add ice if you want a refreshing treat.  200 calories per serving.

Enjoy!

Makes approximately 2  6 oz. servings

Large Family Logistics - How Do You Afford All Those Kids? 6 Ways We Provide For Our Large Family On One Income - Reader's Question Answered

Large family living is a strange concept for some, especially when it comes to money.  I get a lot of questions about our finances, what my husband does for a living, whether or not we are on government assistance, and how we manage to live on one income.  People often make assumptions about us that range from "Wow you must be really rich!" to "Wow you must be really poor!", and neither of these statements are true.   We're just DIFFERENT.  Let me show 6 Ways We Provide for Our Large Family On One Income.

We have taken advantage of the practical skills we have learned through our church, our parents, and through our own personal study.  My husband and I made our college education a priority for each of us, he has a Master's degree in Computer Science and I am a Registered Nurse, though I do not work currently.  His education has allowed him to get a job to support a growing family, and I use what I've learned at home to care for my family and keep our medical expenses low.  All these factors contribute to our ability to provide for the family and need to be mentioned.

6 Ways We Provide For Our Large Family On One Income

1.  We Don't Spend Too Much On Housing
Housing is by far the largest expense for most families, and saving on housing is a dramatic way to increase the disposable income left over each pay check.  I did some research and found these facts from NZ Government Statistics:

• the bulk of New Zealand households spend 25-40% of their income on housing (Americans spend even more, more out of choice than requirement, depending on the region)
• our family spends 18% of our income on housing, about half of the social norm

The result is we look poorer than we are and maybe live in an area that might be below our income's standards.  We do NOT have a large home.  There are 11 of us in approximately 1300 square ft.  That's 4 bedrooms/2 bathrooms.  We're cool with this, though.  The sacrifice is temporary while we're focusing on raising our family.  *Added bonus, the desire to keep up with your neighbours is reduced when they have less than you.

 

2.  We Do Not Drive Flashy Cars
To avoid debt, we've paid cash for our cars OR bought cars that we can pay off painlessly within one year.  There have been periods of time when we have only had one car for all 11 of us, having to take 2 trips while we saved up for the second vehicle.  Yes, it was a little embarrassing and cumbersome, but our family is free of financial strain, and that makes for a happy home.  My husband saves a significant amount money each week by taking the bus into the city.  He has a 20 minute walk each way, but he finds it invigorating.

• let other people pay interest on an auto loan, its not for us
• older cars cost less to insure and make great cars for teenage drivers
• public transportation is a beautiful thing

3.  We Cook From Scratch
A trip to McDonald's for Combo Meals and Happy Meals would cost my family $83, but only if no one upgraded anything.  I guarantee they'd all be hungry in an hour.  I can make my Spicy Ranch Burgers and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes for under $20, and that would include rolls, a green salad, and dessert.  With a little ingenuity, we spend less on food per person than many of our 'small' family friends.

• when we splurge for fast food, we get $1 drinks or $ .70 ice cream cones
• dinners are selected from a list of meals I've priced to cost $12 or under
• kids and husband typically take home-prepared lunches
• we practice many cooking techniques to save on convenience foods like tortillas, breads, pasta, sauces, yogurt, and curries
• we don't have expensive habits like coffee, alcohol, or smoking

4.  We Are OK With Second Hand Clothing and Furniture
Some readers might squirm at the thought of having stuff that has been used by someone else, and I confess I struggle with this still on occasion in some categories.  For a large family on a budget, second hand is just a part of life.  Over the last 20 years I have evolved from believing it was shameful, to thinking 'hey this makes sense', to 'wow, what else can we get second hand?' 

Most of my friends and family know we are OK with second hand items, and like to use us as a dumping ground for their old things.  The understanding is we will go through their stuff, take what we want, and pass what we don't want on to someone else. 

• we reuse, repurpose, recycle and we're PROUD OF IT
• we sanitize everything (a $5 box of Legos from the second hand store scrubbed with a brush and soaked in bleach water over night looks EXACTLY like new ones)
• we've been known to have a lot of fun with the kids redoing furniture and making it look new again
• we've got standards.  I won't tolerate clothing or items that are dingy, stained, or ripped and know when to say "This item is no longer good enough for us".  I'm a lot more lenient on toddler clothing and play clothes, but large families need to look nice, too. 

5.  We Use Out-dated Technology and Entertainment
Have you ever noticed how quickly the value of electronics plummets as soon as the newer version is released?  We cling to the older versions and buy used games, used consoles, and I believe our laptop is a display model.  Our home phone has a cord.  Our cellular phones are pay-as-you-go and bottom of the line. We do splurge on gifts, so we do have the occasional cool gadget, but for the most part we are a good decade behind our friends.

• our movies and music are electronically purchased on Xbox Live, Netflix, and iTunes so they can be seen over and over again, and best of all, won't get lost or ruined.  We do not frequent the cinema unless its the- movie- we've- all- been- waiting- for.
• our books are all electronic on a family shared Kindle account, then we have a few family tablets to split between us all
• we don't do the library or video stores.  For some reason, we are cursed and cannot return them on time and in one piece

A rare splurge for the Avengers movie.  The cheeky grin is priceless  :)

6.  We Prepare For Financial Storms Before They Hit
Rarely do people go through this life and experience perpetual prosperity.  Storms are bound to hit, and the question is 'when' and not 'if' these storms will occur.  When trouble hits a large family, the fall is hard and recovery is long.  Prevention is our responsibility, and we take it seriously.  Here's a list of our favourite ways to prepare and sleep at night with a peace of mind that our little ones' needs will be met.

• have an emergency savings
• store food, water, fuel, and supplies
• have a network of professionals in your field who can help you find work
• develop DIY talents like gardening, sewing, animal husbandry, and home repair
• life insurance, living wills, retirement savings, and owning land are good things

Raising a large family on one income is a challenge, but with some old-fashioned tricks and self-restraint, it can be done.  We don't feel like we're missing out on anything.  In fact, my kids have told me they'd much rather have our happy family than all the gifts in the world.

"A fool and his money are easily parted." -Benjamin Franklin


Do you live on one income?
Are you willing to shop second hand?
What luxuries are you NOT willing to part with?

Large Family Logistics - 7 Baby Steps Toward a Whole Foods Diet

We want to move toward a whole foods diet.  With a stubborn family like mine, change is slow.  I've come up with 7 Baby Steps toward our goal and maybe they can help you, too. 

image courtesy www.wellandgoodnyc.com

WHY WHOLE FOODS?

Our religion advises us to eat a diet based on whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and to eat meat sparingly.  We avoid tobacco, alcohol, coffee and caffeinated teas.  I try to stay up-to-date on nutritional studies to know exactly what foods I should be feeding my large family and teach healthy habits to the best of my ability and budget.  A diet of whole foods is true to my current research and beliefs. 

I see how marketing and convenience foods have deceived us in thinking we're eating healthy.  Our current diet is mostly empty calories, high in fat, sugar, and processed everything.  We've got to get back to more plant foods, basic grains and MODERATION of grass-fed, hormone free meat and dairy.

I love the advice given by Tosca Reno in her book The Clean Diet and I listen whole heartedly to Robyn at  www.GreenSmoothieGirl.com.  Both are women who I feel get nutrition right.

WHY NOT BECOME VEGETARIANS?

Can a family be raised without animal products?  Probably, but I would also be dealing with total anarchy from certain members of my family I love who delight in meat and dairy, and above all .... we want harmony in the home. 

So, how do I get from where we are to where we want to be?

Baby Steps Toward a Whole Foods Diet

1. The beverages we drink.  Drinking water instead of sugar drinks and colas will make the biggest impact on our health, so I started with it.  We bought 4 glass carafes for the refrigerator for the family to share.  They're beautiful, so its very inviting to drink.  Decide how best to filter water, and buy a new personal water bottle to encourage water intake, preferably made of glass or metal to avoid the chemicals that come with plastics.

• Drink 8 cups of filtered water daily
• Drink herbal teas instead of coffee and cola
• Read about kombucha and apple cider vinegar and consider adding to the daily regimen 

image courtesy of www.wineware.co.uk


2.  Increase the vegetables we eat.  The goal is to have vegetables be the base of the food pyramid.  If you're having a hard time getting the kids to eat their veggies, see my previous post here.  Even loving veggies, we still have a long way to go before veggies are the foundation of our meals.

image courtesy of www.topfoodfacts.com

• Start each day with a green smoothie.  (1 bunch of spinach, 1 bunch of kale, 2 cups water, and 3 fruit of choice) According to GreenSmoothieGirl.com, aim for 1 quart of green smoothie daily
• Buy organic when practical
• Avoid white potatoes, corn, and other starchy vegetables
• Soups, salads, and sandwiches are usually great meals to stuff with more veggies

3.  Change the grains we eat.  Plain white bread, boxed cereals, and white pasta bags are the norm in my pantry right now.  We love white sushi rice and white flour.  My plan of attack for changing to whole grains is going to need to be aggressive.

• Substitute brown rice for white
• Buy whole grain rolled or steel-cut oats instead of instant porridge
• Try a new grain like buckwheat, quinoa, bulgur, millet, barley, or farro
• Move to whole grain breads, crackers, and pastas
• Slowly phase out store bought products and baked goods entirely as you find whole grain recipes you enjoy

4. Change the fats we eat.  The word on the street is that real butter is healthier than margarine, and if we can find organic, grass fed butters, ....even better.  Coconut, olive, and flax oils are known to be better for us than butter and have their own unique nutritional benefits.  Vegetable oils are to be avoided.  Dr. Weil, who I trust immensely, still believes canola oil is good for the body, though other sources conflict.  I'll leave that up for each individual to decide.  Choose a fat that will improve on what the family currently uses and try it this week. 

Let's consider the AMOUNT of fats we consume.  Consider the possibility of replacing oil with applesauce in baking, or using non-stick pans to avoid frying in oils.  In some recipes, using half of the butter or oil doesn't affect the taste or outcome of the recipe at all, but over time will make a difference in health.

• Buy real butter (organic, grass-fed if possible)
• Upgrade to a healthier oil like coconut, olive, or flax oil
• Toss the vegetable oils and refuse to buy them again
• Choose recipes that call for less fats or make substitutions

image courtesy www.foodlve.com

5.  Change the sweets we eat.  High fructose corn syrup (found in almost every product on grocery store shelves) causes disease.  Refined sugars used in our baked goods they're now saying is not meant for human consumption because of the way it affects our blood sugar and causes inflammation, and in turn, causes disease.  Honey, real maple syrup, and molasses raise our blood sugar, too, however they are natural and have nutritional and immunity perks.  I don't know a lot about agave nectar, other than its super sweet and I don't care for it.  Stevia is a natural herbal sweetener that doesn't affect your blood sugar, and is superior to all the other mentioned sweeteners.  Artificial sweeteners are BAD for us, and should be avoided at all costs.

• Read the labels of store products and search for undesirable sugars and sugar substitutes
• Buy honey, molasses, maple, and stevia for family use
• Limit refined sugars to special occasions, or not at all

6.  Look at the dairy products we eat.  Even though everyone in the family is free of milk allergies and loves dairy, I have gone without diary temporarily during cleanses or dieting and was surprised at the remarkable improvement on how I felt and looked.  Again, I don't want to eliminate this category entirely, but I want to find moderation for the family.  We're very lucky, on the outskirts of Auckland there are gorgeous tiny goat milk farms that make their own cheeses and dairy products.  The goal is to avoid the hormones added at large, mainstream farms.  I prefer pasteurized milk to raw, though some believe the nutritional benefits to raw outweigh the threat of outbreaks (like Listeria) in milk.  I prefer to get my nutrition elsewhere and not pick up disease.  To each his own.

• Find a local source of organic cheeses and milk products
• Make our own yogurt from the local milk
• Read about and experiment with kefir
• Make our own nut milks, when cost efficient

image courtesy www.cheese-types.com


7.  Make a collection of whole foods recipes that look good.  Put them somewhere new, like a new binder, or a new folder on the computer.  If there are existing whole foods diet recipes the family loves, put them in a separate category of the collection for the recipes already tried. Out with the old, in with the new.  If there aren't any recipes yet, don't worry.  In this step we just want to create a place to be organized.

• Buy a recipe binder or other index type way of storing recipes
• If you prefer the computer, create a place to store new whole foods recipes
• Place existing whole foods recipes in the new collection

There are many more steps we could take to move toward whole foods, but this list is a good start for me and my family and where we are right now. 

How do you change the eating habits of a large family?

Which choices do you think should take priority and have the biggest impact on health?

Large Family Logistics - Clean Dinners Under $12 - Garlic Hummus Appetizer or Side Dish

Hummus is a great way to eat whole foods and take in more veggies.  Serve as a side dish, first course to dinner, or a substitution for meat in sandwiches and wraps.

The 8 oz. containers of store bought hummus are not even close to satisfying 12 people, relatively expensive, and in my opinion, have a plastic taste.  Like many things, you haven't really tried hummus until you've made it yourself.

Homemade hummus is so easy and costs about $2.50 for a huge bowlful.  If you were to reconstitute dried chickpeas, it would cost you only a fraction of that.  Here is an Anderson version of hummus that is fresh and loaded with nutrition.

Garlic Hummus Dip

2 cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans, or dried chickpeas, reconstituted
2 cloves fresh garlic
the juice of 1 lemon
2-4 TBSP flax oil, melted coconut oil, or olive oil
1 pinch cumin powder
1 pinch Himalayan salt


Put all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.  Serve with sliced carrot, celery, and cucumber.

Store remaining hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Enjoy!

Anderson Boys Day Out - Hobbiton in Matamata, NZ