Marissa, is a stay at home mommy to Hudson and loving wife to an Air Force man! She has a passion for the environment and the art of living simply, naturally and consciously. She is the owner of Growing Green Bums, a natural parenting store. she loves organic/whole food eats, nature, gardening and living "green"!
Last year, this was such a great campaign by the Real Diaper Association! It was a great success, our Executive Director is amazing! This helps raise tons of funds for our cause, please enter your baby! I know you have lots of cute fluffy bum pictures around!!
**Post by The Eco Chic
Grab your camera!
It’s time for the 2nd annual Real Diaper Association (RDA) 100% Reusable Cloth Diaper Photo Contest! Today (10/19/10) is the first day you can submit a picture to the contest. Anyone can enter the contest – all you need is a child in cloth diapers and a camera. Entries will be collected from now until November 3rd and there is a special treat for the 12 best photos that are submitted.
All submissions will have a chance to win. Any active RDA member as of November 5th, 2010 has the opportunity to vote on the best 12 pictures. (To become a member of the RDA follow this link to the contest rules and click Make a Donation on the right – membership is only $25 per family for the year.) But never fear – you don’t have to be a member of the RDA to submit your photo to the contest!
What happens to the best 12 photos? They will be used to create the 2011 RDA Cloth Diaper Calendar! And the picture with the highest number of votes will become the Cover Model – and win a Flip UltraHD 2nd generation video camera OR $150 Gift Certificate to my favorite diaper retailer – Kelly’s Closet!Tough decision on which prize I’ll choose when I win – think I may pick the gift certificate for more cloth diapers!!! Which prize would you pick if you beat me in the photo contest? Two runners up will also win great prizes from Metro Minis and Sub Tree Hugger – and all 12 finalists will get a copy of the 2011 RDA Calendar!
Hmmm….now which diaper should I choose and where should my setting be? The beach maybe? A park? In the pool? A holiday inspired picture? Oh the choices are endless!
Want to learn more? Want to win even MORE great prizes?Join the RDA along with Eco Chic Parties for a Kick Off Twitter Party – TONIGHT! Tuesday, October 19th from 9-10pm ET on Twitter (of course!). We’ll be answering all your questions about how to enter and going over some of the rules with you. We have some special guests joining us with lots of fun prizes including:
Nifty Nappy: giving away a combination of NINE cloth diapers of assorted styles and prints! Fitteds, pockets, swim diapers, and more!
The Willow Store: giving away TWO starter kits featuring their Super Saver shells and inserts.
Growin Green Bums: giving one lucky family a year membership to the RDA – so they can vote for their baby!
To RSVP for the #REALFlashyBums Twitter Partybe sure to visit Eco Chic Parties NOW and enter! The party starts at 9pm ET but I hear that Eco Chic Sidekick is offering up some pre-party training starting at 8pm ET for anyone who is new to Twitter! That’s TWO hours of party fun! What are you waiting for? Go enter – and don’t forget to bring your camera!
I am so excited to be attending the annual ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas October 9th-14th! ABC Kids Expo is the premier juvenile products specialty show in the nation. Over 900 exhibitors in over one million square feet of exhibit space! I will be checking out the newest and most innovative products to hit the industry! I am excited to also bring in new products to Growing Green Bums, I know you will be pleased!
Please take a moment to take our online survey, results from this survey will help us determine what products to bring into our store! Click here to take survey
I would appreciate your time! Please use discount code SURVEY to receive 5% off your next order!
Congrats to the winner LisaR79! You have been notified via email, please respond within 48 hours! Thank you too all who liked us on Facebook, tweeted daily, joined our blog and blogged about the giveaway! Stay tuned for our next awesome giveaway!
I am so excited to share such a wonderful interview with my readers! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I love finding out the story behind the products I buy! I believe it is very important to know where your products come from, how they are made and the face behind them. I had the honor to interview Ms. Nicki Maynard founder of Planetwise Inc. She is the wet bag guru in my books. Her wetbag is such a great wetbag you would not even know you have dirty diapers in your house!
Interview with Nicki:
Please tell me the birth story of your company, PlanetWise, Inc.
A: (Nicki) I started out as a retailer first that sold baby items including other lines of wet bags. I knew good prints sold well however would often get the complaint of the wet bags wicking. After several years of trial and error and searching high and low for a USA manufacturing facility Planet Wise was born with our patent pending sealed seams for NO wicking. I also knew the importance of good prints and searched everywhere even conducting a worldwide survey to find out what prints consumers wanted. I basically took what wasn’t working for our store on a great product that had potential and fixed the problems. We quickly found that other retailers were looking for the same things.
Q: (Marissa) What is a typical day at work for you?
A: (Nicki) My husband and I mainly work from home while raising our 3 young kids. We have a nanny come into our home several days a week to help but I am always available for my kids if needed including many breastfeeding breaks! We have a warehouse a couple miles from our home with great employees who take care of all the shipping and receiving. On a typical day I get my kids ready and go to my office to answer emails, make phone calls, work with suppliers, touch base with our factory, accounting, marketing, you name it I’ve done it!
Q: (Marissa) What are the most important eco-friendly choices your company makes?
A: (Nicki) To manufacturer our products locally in the USA! We are very proud to provide jobs in our community and to help reduce our environmental impact. We also pride ourselves in creating reusable products to replace commonly used disposable items.
Q: (Marissa) What are the top three things you won’t compromise on/recommend other parents to do/buy?
A: (Nicki)
Won’t Compromise:
1. Quality 2. Affordability 3. USA Made
Parent to Do
1. Follow your heart – you know what is best for your baby!
2. Enjoy the time you have with your kids
3. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on
Parents to Buy
1. Planet Wise Wet Bag!
Q: (Marissa) What is your best washing tip for cloth diapering families?
A: (Nicki) Overall – keep it simple! Make sure you do a good COLD rinse first with NO detergent to wash all the waste away before washing. So many start by washing with detergent first but who wants to wash their cloth diapers with pee and poo?!!
Q: (Marissa) Your wetbags are the best on the market when it comes to cloth diapers, can you give me 10 other uses for your popular wetbags?
A: (Nicki)
1. soiled clothing
2. gym bag3. swimsuits
4. shoes when traveling
5. cosmetic bag
6. potty training
7. reusable mama pads 8. hairspray, shampoo, conditioner, etc when traveling
9. to separate items when traveling
10. diaper bag (wet/dry bag is perfect for this!)
A short biography on Nicki!
I live in New Glarus, WI with my husband and three beautiful children. In my free time I love to run, bike, swim (and most recently completed my first sprint triatholon),
read, crochet little toys for my kids, and love movies if I can stay awake long enough to watch
one! In a nutshell I love my family and have done everything with them in mind to better their lives.
Follow@GrowinGreenBumson Twitter and tweet this Giveaway. Please tweet, Want your diaper stink to go away? Visit @GrowinGreenBums blog & win a Planetwise wet bag package!http://tinyurl.com/34far38#clothdiapers Leave a comment with your status.
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Join our newsletter. Leave a Comment
Giveaway ends on September 10, 2010 12pm EST. (Open to US only).
Congrats to the winner Sarah G! You have been notified via email, please respond within 48 hours! Thank you too all who liked us on Facebook, tweeted daily, joined our blog and blogged about the giveaway! Stay tuned for our next awesome giveaway!
Congrats to the winner Nelle! You have been notified via email, please respond within 48 hours! Thank you too all who donated and became members of the Real Diaper Association! Thank you for your support!
Today was a day like no other! I am still on cloud 9! I had the privilege to meet a leader in our cloth diaper industry!!! I know my readers know herand love her, Ms. Tereson Dupuy the founder and CEO of Mother of Eden and the inventor and patent holder for FuzziBunz®pocket-style cloth diapers! It was such an honor to meet her,  she is one of the nicest people I have met! She is warm, friendly and a wonderful mom! Tereson, a native of NewOrleans, was in Destin vacationing with her family for a week and took the time out from her vacation to get a peek in at our store! We had such a lovely conversation about her company, the future, the Gulf Coast and I even got to meet her 2 boys and mom!
I sat down with her and asked her a few questions.
Q: (Marissa) Tell me a little about the birth of FuzziBunz®
A (Tereson) The story begins with my son Eden, hence “Mother of Eden, LLC” , he was suffering from horrible diaper rashes with disposables and I knew something else was out there. I went to the cloth diapers that were available at the time (1999/2000) and I didn’t like anything that was out there. They kept him wet and they were very hard to wash. I knew I could do something better. I knew Fleece had certain stay dry properties, I stuck a piece of fleece in one of the diapers and it worked. I knew I could make something better, it was the year 2000 and I sat and looked and thought “this is where cloth diapers have come in 30 years?”. One thing led to another….the birth of the pocket style diaper.
Q. Â (Marissa) What is a typical day like of work for you?
A (Tereson) When kids are in school, get up in the morning and getting them off to school. I am a single mom and I do pretty much everything by myself. Fist thing is to check emails on my iphone and seeing what I need to do for the day. Mostly it is sitting in front of the computer and check in periodically at the office. Then I get my kids off the bus, from 3:30 to 8:00 is kid time and after is work until about 2:00 am!!! That is a pretty routine day for me, but I like the flexibility of being self employed, I have an office, I have employees and most of them work remotely too. It is a good work structure.
Q: (Marissa) Where do you see your company in the next 5 to 10 years?
We talked a lot about what the future holds. Tereson described her efforts in making a more environmentally friendly diaper.  She has tried different things in the past such as biodegradable polyesters that did not work as they would not last as long as her current style which is important to her – but she assures me she is on top of the curve and always on the quest for the next best thing and green is one of her top priorities. She did mention starting a “Recycle” program where people could donate their used diapers to send to the orphanages and organizations that she has worked with before to give the diapers even longer life! Stay tuned for that. She is really in tune with this industry and is always moving one step ahead! I think her goals and her mission of where to take Mother of Eden, LLC. is downright amazing!
A (Tereson) I think our FuzziBunz® product will be a lot more popular because people will catch up with the trend. The trend is leaning towards being environmentally and cost conscious  and it appeals to so many people on so many different levels. It focuses on baby’s overall health by preventing rash, it addresses concern about finances and the environment all with one product.I look forward to “big” advertising. I would like to see FuzziBunz® be a household name, that is what my future holds, my psychic said so . And of course, I would like to see my company making even more environmentally friendly choices. As the technology for “green” and environmentally friendly textiles gets better, we will to, I am on top of that!
Q (Marissa) What green choices does your company make?
A (Tereson) Although I wish I could say yes, we use green energy for our manufacturing facilities. I can’t. It’s not widely available at this time – I can only hope. However in our manufacturing all of our raw materials are produced in one location, manufactured in one location then shipped in a full container once or twice a month reducing fuel and energy cost. In my opinion, having a product that lasts for such a long time reduces the manufacturing strain on the environment. People say “why don’t use organic cotton?” My answer to them is 6 one way and half a dozen the other. Organic cotton or cotton means that 7x that is has to be produced, 7x times the water, 7x the manufacturing, it falls apart. Polyester lasts 7 times longer than cotton. Reduce, Reuse!
Q. (Marissa) Your best washing tip for cloth diapering families?
A (Tereson) Stick to something simple, don’t use vinegar, don’t use baking soda, don’t use tea tree oil.Rockin’ Green is an excellent detergent, it is proven to work with FuzziBunz®and if it is proven to work with FuzziBunz®if it is another pocket diaper, it is likely to work. It is polyester, part of the problem with polyester it will get a residue if something waxy or oily gets on it, but using Rockin’ Green works. You don’t need anything else.
A short bio on Tereson:
Mompreneur extraordinaire. A New Orleans native, mom of 3 and if there was ever such a real super hero, well she is the real deal, a true Super Hero!
To celebrate her visit, one of our lucky readers will win a 3-Pack of One-Size FuzziBunz® Reusable Cloth Diapers (your color of choice, of course!)
How to enter (please leave a comment for every method of entry)
Mandatory Entry:
Visit Growing Green Bums store and tell me your favorite color FuzziBunz®.
Become a fan of FuzziBunzon Facebook. Leave a comment.
Follow@GrowinGreenBums on Twitter and tweet this Giveaway. Please tweet, Want to win some fluff? Visit @GrowinGreenBums blog & win a package of 3 FuzziBunz http://tinyurl.com/2c7o6pu #clothdiapers Leave a comment with your status.
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Giveaway ends on Saturday August 14th. (Open to US only).
I am always excited to support the Real Diaper Association (RDA) and their mission to help put more babies in fluff!!! I need your help with raising money for their campaign. I am giving away a
Your choice of colors and closures!! In order to be entered into this giveaway, you must do one option below (remember every option is tax-deductible):
Giveaway ends August 11th at 11:59 EST! At the end of the Contest I will randomly pick winner with the help from random.org. I will contact the winner and ask for receipt or confirmation of donation before prize is handed out! Thank You.
Are you a memeber of the Real Diaper Associtation (RDA)? Do you know what/who RDA is all about? The RDA is a non-profit organization on a quest to change “diapers”, literally one baby at a time! Right now RDA is trying to raise $3500 by August 11! Please help us by making a donation or even better, become a member! The money will help RDA advocate to get more babies in cloth!
FROM RDA:
We come here to you with a request. RDA continues to play a leading role in the cloth diaper movement, training and supporting grassroots advocates to lead local Real Diaper Circles, compiling and distributing research on the subject, working with the media and other businesses and organizations to increase awareness about cloth diapers, and providing direct reliable, unbiased support for consumers. We do all of this with the support of our member donors. If you haven’t contributed to our efforts before, please join us as a member today-annual individual membership is still only $25. Your donation is tax-deductible, and membership ensures that you’ll be kept up-to-date with our work via our quarterly print newsletter. www.realdiaperassociation.org/directory/signup.php
Because we’ve had the good luck to employ an Executive Director over the past year, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot recently . Explore the archives of our blog atwww.realdiaperevents.org for stories about some of most recent accomplishments, such as:
the launch of a cloth-diaper-friendly daycare directory and publication of a tip sheet on using cloth diapers in daycare ,
a blog carnival focused on Real Diaper Facts that highlighted some of the most useful research out there on the benefits of cloth diapers, and
the ongoing 100% reusable cloth diapers campaign to support people and choosing and using real diapers in any situation.
Additionally, there are 15 active Real Diaper Circles and nearly 100 volunteers in training to become Leaders across the U.S. and Canada.
We are convinced that we made the right decision in hiring our Executive Director, and have plans for how to accomplish more in the coming year. In order to do so, we need to continue to fund the Executive Director position and ensure that we have someone in place to push all our efforts forward.
This is the time for cloth diapers for a number of great reasons. You have been supportive in individual advocacy, spreading the message time and again to your friends and acquaintances. Join together with us now and take a larger role in the overall cloth diaper movement. Become a member of the Real Diaper Association today atwww.realdiaperassociation.org/directory/signup.php .
If you can’t become a member, would you please consider giving just a little to help our efforts? We need to raise $3500 in 35 days before our 6th Anniversary on August 11, 2010! We’re confident we can do it. Please help, then spread the word to the other cloth diaperers you know. These contributions, like membership donations, are tax-deductible.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of cloth diapers.
As you may know GGB is located on the Gulf Coast, we are between Pensacola and Destin. We have been seeing oil wash up onto our beautiful white sand and emerald shores everyday,and everyday it seems to get worse. It is so sad what is happening to our beaches, I believe this will even get larger and spread to other parts of Florida’s coastline. I know the Cloth Diaper Community islarge and I wanted to keep you posted on how you can help with the oil clean up!
It is called “Cloth for the Coast” started by the creator and manufacturer of FuzziBunz, Tereson Dupuy. She is located in New Orleans and reaching out to all the families in the cloth diaper community to help! About two weeks ago she made the connection that microfiber inserts could aid in wildlife clean up, how exciting is this? Cloth for the Coast is accepting donations of old cloth diapers (prefolds or contours w/o snaps) and any type of diaper inserts – as well as baby blankets, receiving blankets, burp cloths and other cloth items that could be used to clean up our increasingly damaged wildlife.
I also would like to ask for local North West Florida families to bring their donations by our office, 2709 Gulf Breeze Pkwy Gulf Breeze, FL on July 10 from 10-2. I will also set up a “donation station” so you can drop them off in case we are not there, local donations can help our local relief efforts like Destin Wildlife Refuge.
Please “like” them on Face Book to keep up with their relief efforts!
If you are not local, please send donations to:
FuzziBunz Diapers
Attn: CFC
315 Weeks St
New Iberia, LA 70560
So if you have wondering how you can help, the time is NOW!!!!!! We CAN make a difference!
For all the bumGenius fans out there, waiting on the edge of their seat….refreshing their youtube video site….It is finally here! Their announcment of their new and imporved diaper, the 4.0! Here are some of the new features:
Changes in the new bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper:
1. Now accommodates even larger babies! Better yet, the diaper still fits small babies too.
2. All new hook & loop closures (also available in refresher kits)
3. Accessible, easily replaceable elastic. All elastic tack-points are now visible from the inside of the diaper. To replace elastic, turn the diaper inside out, thread new elastic through the casing and stitch it down at each end.
4. Three new colors. Bubble (light lavendar), Noodle (light cream) and Sweet (light green). We are waiting on shipments to arrive from Egypt and anticipate being able to ship the new colors in all of our other products soon (details to come via the Updates page on the wholesale website).
5. And my favorite new feature… you now have your choice of closures (snaps or hook & loop).
How to Preorder:
Visit our site and order color/clousre/quanitity of your choice.
Please select “Local Pick Up” and “check” at checkout! You will receive free shipping and will not be charged!
Once stock arrives, I will contact everybody and make arrangements for payment!
Thank You!!!! Â Stock from Cottonbabies will be shipping July 14th.
. And of course, I would like to see my company making even more environmentally friendly choices. As the technology for “green” and environmentally friendly textiles gets better, we will to, I am on top of that!
