3 Coconut-Lavender Wipes Solution

So, I don't know if I mentioned it, but I'm cloth diapering my newest little lady. I'm loving it. Weird, considering normal people want to have as little to do with changing baby diapers as possible. But I totally love my babe's fluffy bottom, and diaper laundry is my favourite. I find stuffing diapers very zen.  

Anyway, I also use cloth wipes which are way, way better than disposable wipes, size-wise and also in sheer clean-ability. I wanted to use a cleansing solution that would be healthy for her skin and smell delicious when in the wipes warmer. I came up with this coconut-lavender concoction and have been using it for the last few months with great results. ZERO diaper rash so far, and the coconut oil really moisturizes. (You could also use this solution to make your own disposable wipes with Viva paper towels!)

I have a pretty glass bottle that I mix and store it in, and each batch is enough for three one-cup portions (each portion is enough for 12 or so single-ply wipes). You could also use a large mason jar. 

You'll need:

2 tbs unrefined organic coconut oil, melted

15 drops lavender essential oil (I've also used other EOs, including Medieval Mix which apparently wards off The Plague...)

1 drop GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract for anti-yeast properties!)

squirt of Burt's Bees baby wash

3 cups distilled water

Mix all ingredients together in your container. 

Shake well and pour on and around wipes in warmer (I just eyeball it.) I'm OCD and inter-fold all my wipes in quantities of 12 so that they will pop-up from the warmer like 'sposie wipes. 

The coconut oil does solidify on top of the solution after several hours if the ambient temperature is below 75 degrees.  I have a Scentsy full-sized warmer that I mainly use as a nightlight, but does double duty for the wipes solution! I just set it on top of the warmer bowl for a few hours and it melts it again. Voila! 

Oh, one more thing - I was using one of those anti-microbial pillows that are supposed to keep the wipes in the warmer fresh, but I still had a problem with the wipes getting musty really fast. Baby bottoms should not smell like mildew. I finally discovered that it was the pillow itself that was causing the mustiness. (Really?!) I chucked it and my wipes have been fresh as a daisy ever since!

2 Coco-Crack (aka Coconut Bark)

These yummy bites look and taste just like chocolate candies! They are high in good fat, low carb and low sugar alternative. They are so good! I'll have to add pictures later, I'm mobile and they are at home. 

1 cup unrefined coconut oil

4 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbs milk powder

1 scoop whey protein powder (opt)

1 tbs heavy whipping cream

1 tbs vanilla (unsweetened)

1-2 tbs stevia or xylitol (or reg sugar)

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cup your favorite nuts or unsweetened coconut (opt)

Flat baking sheet or silicone molds

Wax paper

Get your silicone molds or cookie sheet ready...you can use cupcake liners in a cupcake pan...a plain cookie sheet or baking dish...or even ice cube trays. If you use a large flat surface, line it with waxed paper.

Make sure the coconut oil is warm enough to be liquid, (do not heat in the microwave - try putting the jar in warm water) then mix in the dry ingredients with a mixer. 

Add the liquids last and mix until it is well blended. 

Taste your mixture for sweetness, add sweetener a little at a time. 

Add your nuts by hand to the molds if using and pour liquid mixture into your molds. Or pour onto waxed paper lined baking sheet. 

Place in freezer for at least one hour and - VOILA! You have just made coco-crack. 

Keep refrigerated. For variety try layering with fresh peanut butter in the middle.

1 Happy Pi{e} Day!

Squeaking in juuuust under the wire for 3.14 - Pi{e} Day!  I have been trying to get this post together all day, but a little certain someone has been especially clingy.  Today I have Piggy Pies!  They are chicken jalapeno popper pies!  They are super delish.  In the ones above I used a CuteZcute deco cutter from AllThingsForSale.

I don't have measurements, but it's cubed cooked chicken breast, shredded cheddar, chopped jalapenos, green onions, bacon and cream cheese. I made them in my awesome new mini pie maker!