Finally- My Post About Nuts

Tweet With my three crazy Spawn, I think we all knew that a post about nuts was coming. It was inevitable. There was just no stopping it.
I mean, they get their clothes so dirty! So when I saw the new Soap Nuts from Hip Mountain Mama, I knew I had to try them! (Why, what nuts did you think I was talking about???)

I have made my own detergent before. It's cheap and easy (and made me feel like a virtuous hippie), but it does take some effort. Even though it's minimal, that may be energy I am not willing to spend on laundry. Enter Soap Nuts: these funky looking little dried fruits mainly from the Himalayas.

Ok, these babies are not winning any beauty contests.  

They couldn't be more easy to use- you simply toss them in the washer in the included cotton bag, and wash your clothes! The saponin in the outer shells of the fruit naturally and gently cleans your clothes. They've been used for centuries but are just now becoming popular in the US, and I can see why. Biodegradable, organic, compostable- they're really an amazing detergent alternative.

I used my Soap Nuts in a cold wash even though a warm is recommended when using the nuts straight (wow, does that sound weird). My laundry came out smelling exactly how I like it- like nothing! I did purchase the Lavender Essential Oil to test though, and it gave the laundry a fresh, light scent. And while your laundry smells fresh, the nuts themselves smell kinda funky (you know I am enjoying writing this post!). The few drops of oil on the bag covered that up. If you are looking for an alternative to traditional detergent that you can feel good about trying, then check out these nuts! You can get a sampler bag for only $2.25 to try out, and I have used that to wash 3 loads now- all with spectacular results.

As always, the people at Hip Mountain Mama are too respectable to buy anyone's opinions, so I purchased this product and reviewed it as part of the Hip Mountain Mama Sisterhood. 

The Two Most Important Things I Have Learned In My Life

Tweet Not Blessed Mama has been around the block a few times. She's learned a few things. She's seen things.......

Ok, not really. But I do have two wonderfully awesome tips from my dear friends that I feel the need to pass on to you. They are beautiful in their simplicity. Without further ado...

MIND BLOWING TIP NUMBER ONE:

Do you ever hang wet laundry or towels (or bathing suits or bath mats or jackets or hand-washed halloween costumes) from your shower curtain rod? I always used to- until one day at a friend's house, and I saw the inside of her shower. My life was forever changed. 

Do you know what you are looking at? Has the Earth moved beneath your feet? That's right- it's my bathtub, with two curtain rods. Yes, I know- how brilliant is this? Not only do I now have plenty of room for hanging items to dry, I can simply pull the outer curtain closed and all items are easily hidden when company comes. Wow. It's utter genius. 

MIND BLOWING TIP NUMBER TWO:

You may know that Not Blessed Mama loves wearing skirts and dresses. Sometimes when you are wearing a skirt or dress, your thighs can get sweaty and sticky. It's ok, we can talk about it- we're all friends here. This tip actually comes from a friend's sister, but it has changed my life in such an amazing way that I must tell you that.....

Deodorant applied to the insides of the thighs will keep you feeling smooth and soft, even in the stickiest (hehe) of situations. And if you're thighs don't ever touch, we probably shouldn't be friends. Just kidding. Not. Yes I am. 

Well my dear Mama friends, I hope you have enjoyed these lovely tips. I know they have probably brightened your whole day- or maybe even life. You're welcome!

Laundry is Evil

Tweet I am of the opinion that all housework is evil, really. There is such a staggering amount of it- and who is responsible for the great majority of it? That's right, women. It's a sad, twisted world. And laundry has got to be one of the worst chores- it's a daily, never ending, time consuming, vicious cycle. It's not like dishes, or other repetitive chores- if you're out of dishes, you eat out of the carton, with your hands or on a napkin. If your carpet/floor is dirty, you walk on crumbs. If your clothes are all dirty, you go out smelling funky and looking like a transient, and people will hand your kids quarters and shake their heads sadly as they walk away. You may be thinking that this is the silly ranting of a mad woman- and you are absolutely right. But in my defense, I'd like to offer some evidence as to why laundry is evil:

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Exhibit C

Exhibit D

Exhibit E

Exhibit F

Exhibit G

And you know what, I just realized I forgot to take pictures of the dirty towel hamper and Spawn#2's hamper. If all this laundry isn't enough to make you want to off yourself, I don't know what will. So, in conclusion, I believe that I have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that laundry is, indeed, evil. Thank you.