Free Audio Books For Children at Librivox.org

My daughter loves (and I don't just means loves, I mean LOVES) stories.  Story books, long books with chapters, anything with words she loves.  I used stories to wean her when she was little.  She was three and I was done with nursing (some might think that's way to long, others not long enough, but it was what worked for us).  It was easy to cut down to just nursing at bedtime and naptime to get her to sleep but beyond that it got complicated.  So I started reading to her.  I actually pulled a trick I learned when I use to babysit my siblings and picked up books that were children's books, books she would understand, but where still mostly way over her head so she would eventually get bored and fall asleep to the droning of my voice.  We read all the Little House Books, all the Narnia books, and many, many others in a very short period of time.  It worked wonderfully for our family and as she was my first I had all the time in the world to do this with her.

During her waking hours we read tons too.  I would got to the library and come home with mountains of books that we would read every week and then return the next.  She loved it and soaked up everything story she could get her hands on (or get someone to read to her).

We kept on reading loads until my second child started getting older and needing more attention (she was between 4-5 and my second would have been 6 mo to a year).  I just didn't have the time or energy to read all the time to her.  I started looking for books on disk at the library and found a few, but to be honest I wasn't super impressed with the selection.  So I started looking online.  I was thrilled when I found Librivox.org!  Hundreds and thousands of audio books that are in the public domain (meaning they're free!).  At first I wasn't entirely sure what to look for, but I searched for "children" under genre and found tons of books.  Some we have liked much better then others.  Librivox was a way that I could fulfill my daughters needs and love of stories, without needing to be the one reading with her all day long.  (And I do mean all day.  If I let her she could easily listen to stories all day and never stir from the couch.)

We still read, more now that my two youngest are interested in sitting and listening to stories, but my daughter still loves and finds comfort in the librivox stories she has come to know and love so well.  And our whole family really enjoys them.  There are times I'll be hanging laundry, she'll be listening to a story and looking at a book, my boys will be playing legos and my husband doing something else and we're all just enjoying to story together.  There are many times my husband or I will start laughing at the antics of The Treasure Seekers or Anne's dreamy speeches in Anne of Green Gables.

So here are our favorite stories read by our favorite readers.  There are many, many more, but these are the ones my daughter asks for over and over again.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

• Little Women and Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
• The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery
• The Burgess Animal Book for Children  and The Burgess Bird Book for Children (and anything else by Thornton W. Burgess)
• The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
• The Railway Children,  Nine Unlikely Tales,   The Story of the Treasure Seekers,  The Wouldbegoods, all by  E. (Edith) Nesbit
• Pollyanna by Eleanor H Porter
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri
• Raggedy Andy Stories  and Raggedy Ann Stories by Johnny Gruelle

WARNING NOTE - These stories are old and and are full of old ideas and old language.  My daughter on several occasions has pointed to someone at a store and said "That person looks so gay," or "That person has a queer look," thankfully out of earshot of the person.  While she was using the word correctly for what she meant, the meaning has changed over the last 100 years.  We were able to explain that some people would get upset hearing that because the it doesn't mean the same thing it did when the story was written and that she should use the words happy or strange.  I've also been surprised occasionally to listen to a story I use to love (recently Peter Pan) and be rudely reminded of how much older I wish my kids were before listening to it.  Violence, chauvinism and at one point talk of a "fairy orgy" (not something I'm willing to explain to an 8 year old), it was a bit shocking.  So it is a good thing to check out these stories ahead a time to make sure you are ok with your kids listening to them.  Many stories I have little problems with but am willing to overlook because the rest of the story is so good an it doesn't seem to effect my kids negatively.

Adventures in No-Pooing: Day 1-3

No-pooing. Ever heard of it? It is the art of not using shampoo (and conditioner, for some people). I've been considering going shampoo-free for awhile now but... going without shampooing and conditioning my hair? Really? Of course, I had lots of questions.

My very first being, "Won't my hair be greasy and gross??"....
     According to Google, it really depends on how you go about no-pooing (pa-tooee, I loathe that moniker). Some people just "wash" with hot water followed by a cold rinse. Others use a baking soda/water mixture. Some follow this with a vinegar rinse. Others just use conditioner. Each has their place and purpose. And each has it's own adjustment period that can last from a day or two to a couple of weeks. The adjustment period is caused by the fact that shampoo strips our hair of our natural oils, causing our scalps to over-produce oil to compensate. That's why we get grossed out by our hair if we go more than 12-48 hours without washing it. It's a vicious cycle, and one that shampoo companies are profiting off of. When you stop stripping the oils with shampoo, it takes a bit of time for our scalps to get the message and to cut the oil-factory's overtime.

My next question was "But, WHY would you go without shampoo?"
      Well, this was sort of a no-brainer but I HAD to ask. First, shampoos and conditioners are loaded with chemicals and harmful ingredients. Sulfates, pthalates, fragrances, etc. all wreak havoc on our bodily systems. You can go to the Skin Deep Database to find out how your shampoo and conditioner (and body wash, face wash, makeup, lotions, etc.) check out. (Mine scored a 5 on each *shudder*)
      Second, shampoo and conditioner are expensive! If one can get away with a little baking soda and vinegar, why not and save money? Plus, you're saving the environment from plastic bottles and packaging/shipping costs. And I hear it makes for a healthier scalp and gorgeous hair. If this is true, it's a win-win situation.

And then finally, "And the suds! I'll miss the suds, won't I?"
   The answer is yes. I miss the damn suds. But, I don't miss the nasty chemicals so I suck it up and deal with the suds-less showers. Truly, the suds are not that important.

 After having these questions answered by friends and google (what would we do without friends and google?) and all my excuses thrown out the window and lost forever, I had to see for myself.
So, I decided that when my last bottle of shampoo and conditioner was gone, I would try it out. Just to see.

Here is how it's gone so far:

Day 1:
   I mixed up my baking soda/water (1 Tbsp to 20 oz) and apple cider vinegar (ACV)/water mixtures (2 Tbsp to 20 oz) into my old shampoo and conditioner bottles. This is the first time I can remember that I ran out of both at the same time. I took it as a sign that this experiment might not be as bad as I imagined.
   I did my usual routine, this time just substituting the baking soda mixture for my shampoo and the ACV mixture for my conditioner. I let each mix sit in my hair for a minute before rinsing. Then I repeated it. Just for good measure. And because I am terrified of my hair being greasy. Ish.
  I took the time to really massage it into my hair nicely while trying not to tangle up my hair much. I figured without conditioner, this was probably a good idea.

After my shower, I blow-dried my hair and styled it. It was super shiny, soft, and held my curls better. I was super impressed! I also noticed my hair did NOT smell like vinegar (which I was worried about), and I didn't have as much frizz. I had a few compliments on my hair that day, too! Day 1 of no-poo (what a dumb name... *sigh*) = success. I'm ready for day 2!

Day 2:
   Did the same thing as day 1, except I didn't measure out the baking soda. I notice that I don't really like the feel of washing with the baking soda, but I suck it up and do it anyway. The vinegar is kind of refreshing and invigorating though... in a weird way. I also didn't let it sit as long before rinsing it out, and I didn't repeat.

I then did my usual styling routine and immediately noticed that my hair had TONS more body and volume than usual. And being I have TONS of hair, I wasn't sure if this was a good thing! But I styled it nicely and it worked out ok. I note that my hair seems a bit more... not exactly greasy, but not exactly NOT greasy.. today. I, again, suck it up and remind myself that there is an adjustment period. Push through, Britt. Just push through.
No one notices this weird greasy-but-not-greasy look but me, and I get another compliment on my hair today. Day 2 = semi-success.


Day 3: 
    Today, I made sure I measured correctly, repeated the wash/rinse, and let it sit in my hair for a bit before rinsing. I wasn't planning on going anywhere today, so I let my hair air dry and didn't style it. When I usually do this, it dries into this flat, weak wave. Today, my hair looked full, shiny, with rolling waves that actually looked decent. My hair feels soft and clean, but different. Almost.. tackier? I can't explain it... yet. I'll keep thinking on how I can describe it and get back to you all. I keep running my fingers through my hair, loving it, and being fairly surprised that I actually am loving it. I'm excited to see how this method will work on my daughters' hair, being they have lovely natural curls that are super hard to tame. Day 3 = Convincing success! And I wonder how long I'll be shocked that I'm impressed?
 
  

Water Kefir FAQ

Kefir FAQ:

•  How much fruit/ concentrate/ juice do you put in?
• I usually put in a 1/2 cup of fruit at least. I'll use a half of an orange per quart jar for example. For concentrate, a heaping tablespoon usually does the trick for a quart. And for juice, I use about 1/3 cup of juice per quart, sometimes less. 
• How about extracts?
• Extracts are trickier. Because they don't have sugar, you have to add some for the second ferment. I have yet to perfect this. You only need a drop or two of extract per quart jar. Really. Any more and you'll be dumping it in the garden. For this last ferment, I tried mint and added a tablespoon of sugar. I'll let you know how it goes!
• How do I know if my kefir is healthy or dying?
• Kefir grains are pretty tough, and even at the brink of death, they can be saved. I recommend keeping spares in the fridge in some sugar water just in case though :) Healthy kefir grains will give you kefir water in 24-48 hours with a fresh, fermented, slightly fizzy taste. They will also multiply for you. Unhealthy kefir will leave a film on top, won't "dance" in the jar (when bubbles get trapped under the kefir they will float and do a little dance), will smell like rotten eggs, or turn your sugar/water into a jellied mess, and will not multiply. If you're worried your grains are unhealthy, give them a baking soda bath. Take 1/2 tsp of baking soda per 1 cup of water and do enough to cover your grains. Leave them in the fridge for a few days, rinse and repeat. Then try again, being sure to follow the 1 Tbsp grains to 1 Tbsp sugar to 1 cup of clean, room temperature water ratio and add a bit of molasses/eggshell (if needed, see below) and a slice of organic lemon (see my full instructions here). Make sure they stay warm, at least 70-75 degrees F. Don't expect them to multiply right away, but pay attention to the other signs of health to assess them.
• What's this slime on top?
• Refer to the above question. The slime on top can indicate that you are putting too much minerals in your first ferment (for example, if you have well-water and are also adding molasses/eggshell) or that you over-fermenting your water kefir. I've just removed the slime and still drank the water kefir from these batches with no ill effects. But you definitely want to be adjusting these things if you want your kefir to stay healthy.
• Does it matter what temperature water I put in it?
• Yes. You want your water to be room temp/luke warm. Too cold, and you could shock your kefir grains causing them to take longer to start fermenting. Too hot, and it will just kill the grains.
• How do I know when the second ferment is done?
• Your lids should be on tight enough that you can see/feel the pressure build up. My mom waits until they "pop", which kind of ruins her lids. I usually just wait about 12 hours or so and when the lids feel done (which means I can't push them in at all), I give the jars a little tip or two and put them in the fridge. You don't want to leave them out too long... I've heard of jars exploding. Also, the warmer it is in your house, the faster the second ferment will go. So pay attention on those 90 degree days!
• What other dried fruit can I use?
• Apricots, plums, raisins, cranberries, etc. can all be used. Just be sure that it is unsulphered or preservative-free.
• Can I use other citrus fruits besides lemons?
• Yep! Try out different combinations to see what you like best!
• Is water kefir safe for pregnant/ breastfeeding moms/ young children/ elderly?
• So far from what I've read it is safe and beneficial. I personally am breastfeeding and drinking it and my young children drink it. However, don't take my word for it! Do your own research. Only you are responsible for yourself and your family's health. A word of caution to pregnant and breastfeeding moms- water kefir causes a sort of detox. If you choose to drink it, be sure to drink LOTS of water and go slow starting out. And by slow, I mean like start with a tablespoon a couple times a day and go from there. You may notice that your nursling may get a bad butt rash when you start drinking the kefir. I believe this is a yeast die-off. I personally kept the diapers off my baby (I used prefolds and removed them immediately upon wetting/pooping) and covered her bottom in coconut oil to help heal it. Consider using some sort of barrier cream on their bottom when you start drinking the kefir to protect their skin.
• Where can I get water kefir grains?
• A quick google search will lead you to a ton of people who sell water kefir grains.... usually for way too much, in my opinion. If you'd like some grains, I'll send them for the cost of shipping ($7 covers it for shipping in the U.S.). I send enough for at least one quart (4 Tbsp) but usually more if I have them. And I send them in fluid, so all you need to do is rinse and start 'em up!
• What if I go on vacation or just want to take a break from water kefir?
• Just take your grains, rinse them, and put them in a jar with clean water and some sugar, lid it, and refrigerate. Every once in awhile (like once a week or something), open them up and give them a second to get some fresh air and re-lid. I've heard of them lasting a year or more this way, though these people usually changed the sugar water out every so often.

Any other questions? I'd love to hear them! I'll post whatever questions you have and answer them here.

The Kefir (B)Logs

Okay okay okay, I know I'm doing ANOTHER post on kefir, and that I'm a total nerd, but I just can't help myself. I'm loving this stuff! And I think about how I can improve things all the time. Once you all know me better, you'll understand. When I get interested in something, I'm the type of person who has to know EVERYTHING about it. It's an insane drive, and an annoying one at times. Mostly to my friends and family who have to suffer through hours of kefir/birth/breastfeeding/rabbit genetics/ gardening/ homesteading/ alien conspiracy theories (OMG, how do they put up with me?) talk. And by "talk" I mean dissect everything into little bitty pieces, chew, swallow, regurgitate, and often vomit the information back up and talk about it again from another perspective.

So, now that you know how I operate, it should not come as a surprise that I am going to do water kefir experiments. I'm talkin' the whole nine yards... I'm going to outline a hypothesis, procedures, have a control, etc. For realz. And it's gonna be awesome. Eventually I'm going to figure out a way to selectively breed? harvest? feed? my water kefir so that I get super-kefir. Not sure if this is possible yet, but I'm totally going to try!
The best part of all of this? My 5 year old is totally with me. What an awesome homeschooling project!

So, I'm going to be keeping track of my experiments on paper and let you know the results right here on the blog. Some experiments I have thought of so far are:

• Lemon vs Lime vs Oranges vs Grapefruit vs No citrus/ use small amount of previous fermentation instead and their effect on the water kefir's propagation, taste, fizz
• Apricots vs Prunes vs Figs vs other dried fruits and their effect on the water kefir's propagation, taste, fizz, health
• Warm vs Room temperature water and their effect on the water kefir's propagation, taste, fizz, health
• Molasses and white sugar vs eggshells and white sugar vs demerara sugar vs turbinado sugar vs date sugar
• Juice ferments

• Stirring vs not stirring
• 24 hour vs 48 hour vs 60 hour first ferments

I also am going to research a few things. One rumor I heard was that water kefir makes unsafe drinking water safe. I've also heard you can live off of water kefir alone. Also, I haven't been able to find good information pointing to water kefir's origins. I've also been researching some helpful tips and tricks to having healthy water kefir... Which is where my next blog post comes in! Enjoy and stay tuned! I promise I will write about something OTHER than water kefir next week. Promise :) In the meantime, if there is any other experiment you'd like me to try, comment below and tell me about it!