My Husband Wanted to Put Weed Killer In Our Yard!

That's right folks, not only did he want to use it in our yard but he then wanted to go to his mother's house, my mother's boyfriend's house and then to our friends house and spray all their yards as well. Seriously?


He is not alone here people. We all know that it's common to spray your yard. Why? I can tell you in three words WE ARE LAZY.

This general apathy is contagious. My neighbor sprayed his yard which meant that Chuck felt like it was ok to spray our yard since it's already in our neighborhood. And this thought pattern dominoes and before you know it - our whole neighborhood is weed-free and laden with tumors.

There are four basic types of herbicides.

1. Above ground. This is the easiest weed killer to use. interrupts the way the plant makes protein by destroying the enzyme that does it: EPSP synthase. The problem with above ground weed killers is that on windy days, you could end up killing plants you want to keep because almost all plants contain EPSP synthase.

2. Birth Control. Scientists claim to have created a weed killer that is safe for one type of plant, say grass. The theory is that the chemicals attack plants that are made up of different chemicals. So the weed killer for grass is made from a chemical that resembles grass and kills everything else. Sound to good to be true? I'll let you be the judge.

3. Under Ground. This is a horrendous creation of chemicals meant to kill the weed from the root up. The big problem is that it makes the soil to toxic to grow anything.

4. Chemical. This chemical attacks plants by being absorbed through cell walls. It bleaches the cholorplasts that the plant uses for photosynthesis causing the plant to weaken, erode and die.

There are organic alternatives to herbicide - salt and vinegar are commonly used weed killers. I wound up going into the yard and spending a few hours pulling weeds. At first it was very relaxing and when it wasn't so much fun anymore - I called the kids to come outside and help. It turned into a nice family afternoon.

Please, I beg of you, stop putting chemicals into our soil. They leak into our groundwater and our food. Weed killers are causing are children to be sick and in some cases cancerous. Please America - pull your weeds!


This is a link to several prestigious studies done on weed killer and it's effect on our bodies. http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehcsg/weed_feed.html

Our Core Values

When Melissa and I were in our conceptual phase we envisioned a company that was socially conscious and environmentally responsible. A company that supported our economy by creating green jobs, manufacturing in the USA of components in the USA. Most importantly we wanted to create a diaper that encompassed all these things while being soft, comfy, absorbent and safer for babies.



I am proud to say that we have, at least in part, hit all of these goals.



We are socially conscious. At least 75% of our staff are single mothers from domestic violence shelters. We aren't giving them a hand out, these are well trained workers who needed a break. They create the beautiful diapers that we make today. We employ these women because we believe in them and we support mothers.

Have you met our sales reps? All but two of our reps are mothers who work from home, sometimes taking their babies on sales calls with them. Melissa and I made the decision to hire mothers as a way to empower women to generate income and raise their family without having to choose.



We are environmentally responsible. Most people know that LolliDoo™ diapers are recycled, recyclable, re-usable and certified organic. But did you know that we re-purpose our manufacturing waste into packaging? Our materials are printed at Arizona Lithography using wind power on recycled paper with soy based inks. Melissa and I are trying to get a grant to build or renovate a building using as many renewable resources as possible. We also donate 10% of our profits to the Water Keepers Alliance. One of our dreams is to create a non-profit to educate the public on water consumption and quality.



Green jobs. By manufacturing in the USA we create jobs. By using only domestic components we support other American businesses, especially the organic cotton farming industry - which you may know is floundering.

As for the final product we manufacture - LolliDoo™ Diapers, well they are soft, absorbent, comfortable and safer for babies. They are highly breathable and we even came up with a nighttime solution for heavy wetters.

Melissa and I want to make a difference in the world. We not only want to support our families but our babies, our planet and our economy. When you purchase a LolliDoo™ Diaper - rest assured that you are supporting a company with the purest of intentions.

Demystifying The Different Types Of Cloth Diapers

This post is part of the Real Diaper Facts carnival hosted by Real Diaper Events, the official blog of the Real Diaper Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to cloth diaper education. Participants were asked to write about diaper lies and real diaper facts. See the list at the bottom of this post to read the rest of the carnival entries.

It has been brought to my attention that the myriad of cloth diaper styles and brands can be confusing. I will break it down for you.



Ali's Cloth Diaper Dictionary

Pre-folds - A rectangular diaper usually made from cotton with three score marks. These are fastened with diaper pins or Snappis and can be folded in several different ways.



Plastic Pants - These were also called rubber pants. I haven't seen these since the 70's but they were basically plastic underwear used over pre-fold diapers to keep the moisture in.

Diaper Covers - an updated version of the old plastic pants. They have built in closures, usually velcro or snaps. Modern diaper covers are available in various fabrics and styles. LolliDoo(TM) are a one-size diaper cover that is made from recycled fleece. Other common fabrics are PUL (Polyurethane) and wool.



Fitted Diapers - a modern version of pre-fold diapers. Fitted diapers require a diaper cover. They are self closing typically with velcro or snaps. No diaper pins required. Below is an example of a LolliDoo(TM) Fitted Innie(TM). Other companies have varing styles, closure systems. Some fitted diapers are one-size and some are sized. Popular fabrics are cotton, hemp and bamboo.


Flat Diapers - Large square diapers similar to a pre-fold but without the scoring. The benefit of flat diapers is that they can be used in so many different ways. They can be folded any way the caregiver chooses. They offer additional absorbency protection when used inside of pocket diapers. Flat diapers are secured with diaper pins, a Snappi (pictured) or just folded without a fastener. Flat diapers need a cover in order to contain leaks.




Contour Diapers - These also need diaper covers. Contour diapers are similar to flat diapers but they are cut to lay inside a diaper cover without needing outside fastening agents. Sometimes extra absorbency layers are sewn in as you can see in the diaper pictured.

Pocket Diapers - A diaper cover and skin layer are sewn together on three sides which leaves a "pocket" opening. The pocket opening is so that caregivers can customize the absorbency inserts that they prefer. Some caregivers use several inserts, some use flat or pre-fold diapers, you can even use a Sham-Wow. Pocket diapers are available in one-size as well as sized. The water resistant layer is usually PUL, unless you have a LolliDoo(TM) which uses fleece spun from recycled water bottles and the likes.


All-In-One Diapers - These are diapers where the outer water resistant layer is sewn directly to the inner absorbency and skin layer. All-in-one diapers most closely resemble disposable diapers in look. They can be fastened with velcro or snaps.




All-In-Two Diapers - A cross between a pocket with an all-in-one diaper. Typically, an all-in-two diaper is a pocket diaper with the absorbency layer either sewn or snapped in. These are fairly new on the market and I haven't seen one up close and personal. Below is a all-in-two from Bum-Ware.


Hybrid Diapers - The best known hybrid diapers are gDiapers. Typically hybrids marry cloth and disposable diapers by offering a re-usable outer water resistant layer with a disposable inner and/or skin layer. The level of sustainability varies from company to company. I believe that one company offers a disposable insert that is made from rice paper. gDiapers claim to be compost able and flushable.


If you have requests for future blogs, let me know. Alison@ggsillc.com

Do you know what's in a vaccine?

I saw this on the wall today at my pediatrician's office and I thought I'd share. Click on the photo to enlarge.