This may make you angry

SIDS aka Crib Death - if you read "back to sleep safe sleep" website you will find that SIDS is the #1 killer of babies age zero through one year old. ....AND they have no idea what causes it......REALLY???

RANT warning: I am not a conspiracy chick, but there is definitely a trail that begins in greed. Follow the money (i.e. FDA drugs etc. but that's a whole 'nuther blog). Did you know that crib manufacturers fought to get the name changed to "SIDS" so that we the consumer would not associate death with a crib? Helps sell more cribs. That's just the tip of the iceberg.

What if it is the toxic fumes, fungus and off gassing of the baby's mattress? When I found out about the four-year research study, the 100% success rate in making a change to your baby's environment - I was angry. I trust that God is bringing you to this blog to open your eyes (or find out from a "real mama") the truth about keeping our babies healthy.

A 100% successful crib death prevention campaign has been going on in New Zealand for the past 11 years. Midwives and other healthcare professionals throughout New Zealand have been actively advising parents to wrap mattresses. During this time, there has not been a single SIDS death reported among the over 100,000 New Zealand babies who have slept on mattresses wrapped in a specially formulated polyethylene cover. The score in New Zealand is now 810 deaths (orthodox crib death prevention advice) to none (mattress-wrapping).

You are currently reading the blog of a mattress wrapper (cue the beatboxing, LOL).

Here's what we have done in our home:

• Our bed - three layer Queen latex from savvy rest which was about $2000 (but it lasts 30 years!)
  
• Baby Bed - Arm's Reach Co-sleeper - awesome alternative to sleeping in literally connected to your bed. The mattress is regular foam, so we bought a wrap ($25 - two years ago)
  
• Big Girls' bed organic futon mattress (seen here). It has a wool cover so it is naturally flame retardant and doesn't off gas dangerous fumes.
  
• Crib Mattress - New mattress from babies r us and we bought a wrap (another $25 - two years ago)
• To have a safe place for me to nap with the baby (now almost two), we purchased a cover for the spare room bed ($38 from No Chem) Our toddler grew out of her organic futon crib mattress so she now has the wrapped full bed mattress from the guest room.

I encourage you to read about the research and 10+ years of use - Cause of SIDS, and Stop SIDS Now. You can buy the covers here (BabeSafe is the manufacturer): Eve's Best, For adult beds at No Chem bed Solutions. Sleep safe!

Going all natural...in BED!

I know what you're thinking...nope - not what you're doing in bed - what you are sleeping on!

Three years ago we became completely debt free!!! That's an awesome way to go natural. And the first thing that we "saved up first, then purchased" was a new mattress. Ours had been a showroom floor discount and after five years was completely shot. As we pondered finding a wonderfully comfortable mattress, we were made aware of an interesting reality.

Mainstream mattresses are full of chemicals. The process that makes foam (which many beds have) breaks down over time and releases CFC's and more. So we started researching and found the option of a natural latex. It is not chemically created and lasts for 30 years! We bought our bed though a local distributor with Savvy Rest.

Honestly - we don't care for traveling too much because the best sleep is right here at home. You can pick your level of firmness and your husband (or wife) can select their firmness. Oh, it feels so great to sleep so well!

The two best things about our bed: I could sleep on my stomach way into my pregnancy. If you have been pregnant and are a stomach sleeper - you know what a pain it is to be big as a house and not able to sleep! LOL! And because it naturally keeps away the dust mites, we were breathing better.

Peruse the guest comments about direct health related experiences with all kind of mainstream mattresses at Chem-tox. Then read some more details about what our mattresses are made of. Watch out - my next blog is going to be able baby mattress toxins!

Things I never thought I would do...

For a girl that grew up on Dr. Peppers and nutty buddy's, I have become some hilarious health nut. If I my 24 year old self ever met my 34 year old self - she would think I was way over the top. And so I am.  So in the last two weeks I have made butter, buttermilk, yogurt and mozzarella cheese! If you are willing to have milk all over your kitchen for a few hours....

• Butter - I tried using the stand mixer, but the food processor was much, much easier (and cleaner)
• Buttermilk
• Yogurt - I actually bought a yogurt maker to keep the cultivating stuff at a constant temperature. It was only about $20 - very worth it since we spend $5 to $8 per week on yogurt. BTW - I don't use the plastic container - a washed out mayonnaise jar fits perfectly inside.
• Mozzarella cheese - mine did not "spin," but it tasted great and was able to be shredded the next day.
• Ricotta cheese - here's the recipe - I'm planning to make it tomorrow from all the whey I had left from the cheese making.
• Sour cream - here's the recipe - I'm planning to make it Saturday after I get a fresh gallon. It also has good info on butter, buttermilk, etc.