Bundle Blog

Little Comfort Nappies

2009-04-24T04:11:00.001-07:00

Hug the Bundle is delighted to stock a new range of cloth nappies direct from Ireland.

Little Comfort based in Donegal Town is the first of its kind in Ireland. Owned and managed by Monica Nugent these nappies are a unique range of slim fitting, environmentally friendly cloth nappies at a reasonable price. They are available in Bamboo and cotton terry fabric.

Innishbeg Cottages

2009-04-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

SUMMER YOGA DAYS

Why not come along and enjoy a summer’s day of Yoga at

BLANEY SPA & YOGA CENTRE

This summer we will be offering:

Laughter Yoga with Jacky (Sat 9th May)
&
Hatha Yoga (Sat 8th August)

Each day includes 3 hours of yoga, lunch and use of spa facilities at our beautiful lake view setting.

Price: £75 for each day

Book now by contacting Gabriele or John
Tel: +44 (0) 28 686 41525
Email: sales@yogaholidayireland.com
www.yogaholidayireland.com

Launch of Ireland's First Ecotourism Handbook

2009-04-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

Fáilte Ireland and leading ecotourism organisation, Greenbox, today published Ireland's first Ecotourism Handbook with support funding from Border Action. Launched today, the 'Ecotourism Handbook for Ireland' is aimed at people working in tourism and is a concise guide to help tourism businesses operate in a green environment.

Mary Mulvey, CEO of Greenbox said -

"I truly believe to create a strong ecotourism product will only come about through education and training at all levels of the industry from government, trade and industry partners in tourism to host communities, media and the consumers of tourism .Ireland has the potential to develop a quality ecotourism experience and this book will be a big help for any business where to get started."

The Ecotourism Handbook for Ireland will be available online at www.failteireland.ie.

Real Nappy Week 27th April - 3rd May

2009-04-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

The theme for Real Nappy Week 2009 is Combat the Credit Crunch with Real Nappies. With the country officially in the first recession since 1991 and with 600,000 job losses predicted for 2009, parents from all walks of life are looking for easy ways to save money.

Go Real - The Future of the Real Nappy Campaign

ReZolve, a not for profit organisation responsible for the award winning Cornish Real Nappy Project since 2004, will now be running the national real nappy campaign.

ReZolve have run a number of successful waste related awareness programmes achieving an impressive real nappy conversion rate of 25% in Cornwall and directly helping local nappy retailers achieve sales of over £25,000.

Chief Executive Jon Rolls says:

“We are extremely excited about leading the campaign into a new phase and write to reassure you that real nappy advice is in safe hands and about to embark on an exciting journey, one that you can join today!”
Go Real!

A new start deserves a new image and following extensive consultation with over 1000 stakeholders we have worked with our design partners to update the existing branding

Blaney Spa

2009-04-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

Coffee morning, yoga and relaxation day, followed by Salsa Session at Blaney Spa in aid of Special Olympics, Fermanagh.

Further info from

Nuala McNulty 028 66326863 078 33233102 www.specialolympics.ie Sat, 25 Apr 2009

Blayney Spa and Yoga Centre

2008-09-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

Blayney Spa and Yoga Centre

Anyone with an interest in Yoga should definitely visit Blayney Spa on the main Enniskillen Belleek Road

For yoga holidays in Ireland, yoga retreats ireland or Spa centres in the West of Ireland, Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre offers yoga classes, holistic massage therapy and spa treatments, as well as hot tub and sauna.

Set within the orchard of Innish Beg Farm, Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre Ireland enjoys some of the finest views over lough erne.

http://www.blaneyspaandyogacentre.com

Orchard Acre Farm

2008-09-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Orchard Acre Farm are offering a great variety of short courses ranging from vegetarian cooking to making your own natural beauty products.

Check out the following link to see if anything take your fancy click here...

Impartial Reporter Incentive Scheme Article

2008-07-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

Please see the link below regarding Fermanagh District Council's real nappy incentive scheme

http://www.hugthebundle.com/press/impartial.pdf

Bundoran Library

2008-07-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hi folks

I have put information below regarding the library in Bundoran. It really is the place to be on one of those very rainy days!!

It's very child friendly and on a Friday morning from 11.00 - 12.00am they have story time for toddlers with time for painting afterwards.

Bundoran Community Library
Bundoran Community Library,
Civic Offices
Station Road,
Bundoran

Tel 071 9829665
Fax 071 9829652
email : bundoranlibrary@donegallibrary.ie

Monday Closed
Tuesday 10.30 - 5.30
Wednesday 10.30 - 8.00
Thursday 10.30 - 8.00
Friday 10.30 - 5.30
Saturday 10.30 - 4.00

Contact: Helen McNutt

Bundoran Community Library is located on Station Road, between the newly opened Health Centre and the 6 screen cinema, also recently opened. The building is a consciously modern one, with imaginative use of steel and glass, and the surfaces are brightly painted. Sculptor Brendan McGloin has created a two-part artwork based on the Four Masters, who wrote their ground-breaking Annála Rioghachta Éirinn [The Annals of the Four Masters] at nearby Bundrowes. One piece is located inside the Library and the other is the centrepiece of plaza in front of the building.

Bundoran Community Library has a wide-ranging selection of books and other materials for lending to both children and adults – books, CDs, videos, etc. - ca 16,000 items in all. The Library is also building up a collection on the history, natural history, economy, archaeology and culture of County Donegal, and especially of the Bundoran area and the south of the county.

Fermanagh District Council Real Nappy Incentive Scheme

2008-06-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

Incentive Scheme

Please remember to pick up your real nappy voucher when you register your child's birth at the Town Hall. You can then pick up your real nappy pack from the Technical Services Department, Killyvily, Tempo Road, Enniskillen. Your packs includes two types of real nappies along with a waterproof wrap and liners. It also has booklets to show you how to use the nappies.

If you would like further information on the incentive scheme please do not hesitate to contact me,

07930679985

Marian

Sunflower Montessori School Kinlough

2008-06-25T05:46:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in sending your child to a Montessori School then please contact Sarah for further details

071 9843444
heronsarah@hotmail.com

Unit 3, Mountain Vista, Kinlough, Co.Leitrim

Where your child can grow, learn and be given the freedom to develop at their own pace, encouraging them to be happy, creative and motivated individuals.

Activities include:
1,Working in a Montessori Environment
2,Creative activities
3,Organic gardening
4,Music and Movement
5,Outdoor play
6,Children's Yoga
7,Nature walks
8,Organic fruits and snacks included.

Pre- School sessions 9am - 12.30pm 2yrs 10 mths - 5 yrs
After - School 2pm - 5.30pm Junior and Senior Infants

Summer school from 7th July - 15th August Morning and Afternoon sessions

Lifestart Study

2008-06-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

Are you the Parent of a child under 1 year old

Would you like FREE FEEDBACK on your child's development

If yes, phone FREE on:
1800 818 688
to find out how you could take part in the Lifestart Study.
(The call is free from any landline. Calls from mobiles may incur a cost).

The Lifestart Study is an exciting new project looking at what works best for parents in bringing up children.

The Lifestart Study is funded by Lifestart which is a parenting programme running in your area for families with children between birth and 5 years of age.

It is being carried out by the Institute of Child Care Research and the School of Education, Queens University Belfast

PARENTING FROM YOUR HEART

2008-03-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

A series of 6 teleclasses Wednesday nights, 26 March – 30 April
9.30 – 11pm(evening time).

THIS COURSE IS A JOINT VENTURE BY
DONEGAL PARENTING GROUP & GALWAY NVC PARENTING GROUP.

“Deeply connected parenting can create the family life we want. It can also create the world we long for.”
Inbal Kashtan, Director, Peaceful Families Peaceful World Project.

Summary of Course
Our children are so important to us, yet sometimes we struggle to parent in ways we truly feel good about.
Join this series of 6 telephone classes and explore how to:
• Understand the needs behind your children’s behavior.
• Parent effectively without relying on the threat of punishment or promise of rewards. • Transform power struggles and conflicts into opportunities for building connection and trust.
• Discover a quality of connection that will sustain your family through life’s challenges. • Contribute to peace by raising children who can make peace.

Trainers
Kristin Collier and Stephanie Bachmann Mattei are from the US and both 2006 graduates and 2007 assistants of the Center for Nonviolent Communication’s Parent Peer Leadership Program (PPLP), a part of Peaceful Families, Peaceful World Project. They are both assisting with the PPLP 07. Stephanie also serves on the Strategic Planning Committee for Peaceful Families, Peaceful World Project.

Learning Styles
Under the close and caring guidance of Inbal Kashtan, PPLP Program Director and Peaceful Families Peaceful World Project Director, (for more info. please visit www.cnvc.org and www.baynvc.org ), we have developed a learning style that intertwines information and interaction. Learning and exploring together in our classes, we seek to meet needs for growth and meaning as well as support, inclusion and belonging.

Course Content
Learn to understand your children's behavior by identifying the core needs underlying it. We will develop skills to self-connect and give empathy with greater ease and depth to support you in parenting from an authentic place of choice rather than habitual reaction. Explore the concept of "limits," and whether and how to use force in a paradigm of partnership parenting.
This course, originally designed by Inbal Kashthan, is divided into 6 sessions. Each week we will look at a specific application of NVC principles and practices of NVC in parenting. Some of the topics we will cover are:
WEEK 1: Core Needs: Understand Children’s Behavior.
WEEK 2: Self-Connection and Empathy.
WEEK 3: Transforming Habitual Reactions into Choiceful Responses
WEEK 4: The Power of the NVC Process and the NVC Tree of Life
WEEK 5: The Dreaded Word: When Children Say “NO”
WEEK 6: Parenting with NVC: Power and Partnership; Authentic Limits; Protective, Punitive and Utilitarian Force.

We will also engage in exercises, games and role plays to maximize integration of the concepts discussed in the class. All classes will be taped so that you can listen again to further your learning and/or catch up on a missed class. We also intend to set up a buddy system so that you can connect with another participant outside the class and get out the most of this course (empathy; deepen understanding; sharing of insights, etc.)

What is Nonviolent Communication?
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) was founded by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., has been used around the world to mediate conflicts, nurture relationships and promote peace.
Imagine connecting with the human spirit, in each person, in any situation.
Imagine interacting with others in a way that allows everyone's needs to be equally valued.
Imagine creating organizations and life-serving systems responsive to our needs and the needs of our environment.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) helps connect us with what is alive in ourselves and in others moment-to-moment, with what we or others could do to make life more wonderful, and with an awareness of what gets in the way of natural giving and receiving.
NVC language strengthens our ability to inspire compassion from others and respond compassionately to others and ourselves. It guides us to reframe how we express ourselves, how we hear others and resolve conflicts by focusing our consciousness on what we are observing, feeling, needing, and requesting.
Nonviolent Communication language awakens empathy and honesty, and is sometimes described as “the language of the heart.”
For more info see www.cnvc.org

Preclass Instructions:
We encourage you to read "Parenting from Your Heart" by Inbal Kashtan. You can order it at www.amazon.co.uk
If you feel moved to do so, please be ready to share one challenge you are facing in your parenting journey towards connection, choice and compassion.

How does a teleclass work?
A Teleclass is a live, interactive workshop that is conducted over the telephone like a conference call. It relies on technology called a telephone "bridge" line. A bridge is simply a telephone line that allows several people to be on the line at the same time. It allows you to take the class from the comfort of your own home.
Participants pay for their own phone call charge to the United States for the teleclass. If you have access to Skype then the call will be free. Alternatively there are several call cards with very cheap rates for calling the US
Once you register for a Teleclass, a few days before the course you will receive an email with the telephone number and access code for your Teleclass.

Cost: €125 plus cost of phone call( rates to the US can be very cheap using call cards such as Global caller). For parents living in Donegal the price is €90, concession €60. This is being subsidised by Donegal Parenting Group, thanks to a grant from Dept of Social and Family Affairs

For more information and/or to book a place
CONTACT: SARA ANDERSON AT 086 2545 669 OR EMAIL donegalparenting@eircom.net
OR CHARLOTTE SOFTLY AT 087 686 6198 OR EMAIL: charlottesoftly@yahoo.ie

DONEGAL PARENTING GROUP& GALWAY NVC PARENTING GROUP

2008-03-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Parenting From Your Heart

A series of 6 teleclasses
in Compassionate Communication
for Parents of Toddlers & Preschoolers

Our children are so important to us, yet sometimes we struggle to parent in ways we
truly feel good about. Join this workshop in Nonviolent Communication to explore how to:
Understand the needs behind your children’s behaviour.

Parent effectively without relying on the threat of punishment
or promise of rewards.

Transform power struggles and conflicts into opportunities for building connection and trust.

Discover a quality of connection that will sustain your family through life’s challenges.

Contribute to peace by raising children who can make peace.

When: This series of 6 telephone classes will run on Wednesday nights from 26th March, 9.30 – 11pm(evening time) You can attend from the comfort of your own home!

“Deeply connected parenting can create the family life we want. It can also create the world we long for.”
Inbal Kashtan, Director, Peaceful Families Peaceful World Project.

Launch of Yummy Mummy PJ 5K

2007-08-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

Hug the Bundle is very privileged to be linking up with CLIC Sargent to promote the PJ 5K in Castle Archdale on 22nd September. It will be a great family day out. It starts at 1.00pm. Why not get all Grannies, Grandads, Aunties and Uncles together for a picnic beforehand to get the day off to a good start. To register for your FREE PJ5K fundraising event pack or to find out more information about National Yummy Mummy Week 2007 log on to www.clicsargent.org.uk/yummymummy or call the event hotline 08451206658

Hope to see you all there.

Marian

Donegal Post Eco Friendly Feature

2007-08-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hug the Bundle was delighted to be part of the recent Eco Friendly featured in the Donegal Post. See article below.

Marian

Fermanagh District Council Incentive Scheme

2007-07-20T17:22:00.001-07:00

Please see article below for information on the real nappy incentive scheme run by Fermanagh District Council

Marian

July update

2007-07-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Hello there,

Incentive Scheme

Hug the Bundle is delighted to report that Fermanagh District Council has implemented an incentive scheme to promote the use of real nappies. Every new mother living in the Fermanagh area is to receive a £30 voucher towards a starter pack of real nappies. The voucher can be collected when registering a birth at the Town Hall in Enniskillen. Please pass on the word and make sure if you are eligible to collect your pack. The following article provides more information on the scheme. http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/fh/free/298213763465343.php

New Products

We have added to our range of products and I know you are all going to love them.

First of all we have stocked up on a range of ‘All Tucked Up’ hats and scarves. These are an irresistible range of cosy fleece wear designed by Helen Walshaw and perfect for this coming autumn. Please visit the following link for more information. http://www.hugthebundle.com/ecotots.html

In order to give parents the most natural alternative we now have available Jackson Reece Herbal Baby Wipes. These wipes are produced with aloe vera and tea tree for sensitive skin and have been strictly constructed to offer parents an alcohol free wipe *Baby and toddler gear platinum award winner* http://www.hugthebundle.com/nappy_accs.html

Delivery Service

After many enquiries we are now glad to make available a delivery service to both Sligo General and the Erne Hospital. This is the perfect way to surprise the new mama with an eco friendly gift basket. Please contact me if you would like more details.

Yummy Mummy Week 15th- 23rd September 2007
Finally, Hug the Bundle is proud to announce that it will be working in conjunction with Clic Sargent to promote Yummy Mummy Week. Please visit the following link for more information.www.yummymummy.org.uk. I’ll be sending an email shortly to keep you updated.

Talk to you all soon.

Marian

Sure Start Antenatal Day Omagh

2007-07-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

Hug the Bundle recently attended an antenatal day at Omagh Library organised by Sure Start. The day was a great success with lots of Mums and dads interested in the range of nappies available. Please see thank you letter received from Sure Start and also coverage featured in Ulster Herald.

Celebrating World Environment Day 2007 15% OFF

2007-06-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

To celebrate World Environment Day - 5th June 2007 Hug the Bundle is offering 15% off all organic baby clothes, handcrafted jigsaws and Earth Mama Angel baby skin care. This offer is available for this week only!!

Products include Cut4cloth organic baby and toddler clothes
Sckoon organic baby clothes
Alphaet jigsaws
Earth Mama Angel Baby skin care

New Product June 2007 C-Mama Healing Salve

2007-06-05T01:49:00.000-07:00

Earth Mama Angel Baby C-Mama Healing Salve

The latest product added to Hug the Bundle is Earth Mama Angel Baby's C-Mama Healing Salve
http://www.hugthebundle.com/emab_mamma.html

Mama's ultimate scar and skin balm is a revolutionary healing balm formulated with 100% natural ingredients rich in Vitamin C, essential fatty acids and amino acids - all nutrients necessary for proper cell regeneration and wound repair. This ultimate healing balm is formulated especially for cesarean section and other surgical wounds, old c-section scars and stretch marks, inflammed rashes and burns.

Inishowen Summer Gathering 2007

2007-05-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

If anyone is looking for a good weekend away then the Inishowen Summer gathering is the place to be. The event takes place from June 30th to July 1st on Inch Island Co.Donegal. We went there last year and will certainly be attending this year. It was a great weekend away with lots of entertainment for the kids, traditional crafts on display, interesting talks, GREAT food and lots more.

For more information on the weekend and directions on how to get there visit http://www.inishowensummergathering.com/index.htm

Marian

Lakeland Extra Advertising Article

2007-05-26T03:45:00.000-07:00

Please see below article featuring Hug the Bundle as part of Fermanagh Entreprise advertising feature.

Marian

Great Green baby

2007-05-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

Check out http://www.greatgreenbaby.com Good to see other blogs recommending Hug the Bundle's products.

Marian

May 2007 Update

2007-05-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

News from Hug the Bundle

Thanks to you all for your support and encouragement during Hug the Bundles first month of business. Things have been busy and I am delighted to update you on some of the latest new products.

Hug the Bundle is celebrating Compost Awareness Week 2007 and as such I am pleased to make available Moltex Oko compostable nappies, gel free and much better for the environment. http://www.hugthebundle.com/compost_nappies.html Compostable nappies can be very practical to use in conjunction with cloth nappies especially if you are traveling or working full time. Personally I find it fits in well with my cloth nappy system - whereby I can use an odd compostable nappy, first thing in the morning when still bleary eyed, or in a real rush!

For your convenience I have put together a compost guide and some useful links to help you get started on building your own compost heap. Also to celebrate the week thats in it I am giving away free packets of sunflower seeds - just drop us an email with the subject 'sunflower' to request yours... info@hugthebundle.com.

I've added to the range of cloth nappies and have stocked up on good old terry squares and super absorbent Mother Ease Sandy’s Nappy and Rikki Wraps. Check out the following link for more details.

http://www.hugthebundle.com/motherease.htm http://www.hugthebundle.com/wraps.html

If you are new to cloth nappies then please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. Alternatively, you may wish to have a look at the starter kits to help you decide which nappy suits you best.

Hug the Bundle is delighted to be selected as part of Fermanagh Enterprise advertising feature in Lakeland Extra later this month. Keep an eye on the bundle blog for latest product and press updates.

Finally, Don’t forget National Breastfeeding Week 2007 13th – 19th May - 15% off entire Breastfeeding range.

Warm Regards
Marian

Compost Awareness Week 2007

2007-05-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

Compost Awareness week takes place from 6th - 12th May. This year the central theme for the campaign is Compost: make it, buy it, use it. To celebrate the week Hug the Bundle will be officially launching its very own 'guide to composting' which will be available from 6th May. From this date also you will be able to purchase Moltex Oko compostable nappies, gel free and much better for the environment. Please visit the site for more information. Hug the Bundle is also giving away a free pack of sunflower seeds to everyone - just drop us an email with the subject 'sunflower' to request yours... info@hugthebundle.com.

Marian

New Products

2007-04-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye out over the next few weeks to see new products added to Hug the Bundle.

Some of these exciting new products include

1. Moltex ÖKO: Eco Disposable nappies
2. Mother Ease Sandys Nappy
3. Mother Ease Rikki Wraps
4. Little Ewe Terry Squares

Don't forget to look in for more information. We will also be putting together starter packs to help you guage which nappy suits you and your little bundle the best!!

Marian

Donegal Post

2007-04-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

Hug the Bundle featured in the Donegal Post today. Please click on the article for more information.

Infant Baby Massage

2007-04-18T04:20:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested in attending an infant baby massage class then please contact Sinead O'Loughlin on (00353) 086 3180333. Sinead is a holistic massage therapist based in Belleek. She teaches classes in infant massage in Fermanagh and Donegal. Sinead is running a course in Belleek on Friday mornings at 11am and will be starting a course for the Donegal Town Natural Parenting Group in May.

Please visit the links section on hugthebundle.com for more information and see Sinead's 10 reasons why you should massage your baby.

I would highly reccommend baby massage for every new mother. It gives you special time with your little one in a relaxed and calming environment. Just what every new Mum needs!!

Article - Fermanagh Herald

2007-03-21T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hug the Bundle featured in the Fermanagh Herald on 21/03/2007. Please see the following link. If you have any comments or issues relating to the article please post them here.

Link to article...

Marian

Website

2007-03-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone as you've probably seen I have the website up and running. I'll be expecting a few technical glitches over the next few days until I get things runnign smoothly. If you spot anything on the site that you think I should be aware of then please let me know.

Take Care,
Marian.

Welcome...

2007-03-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my blog - I hope this will become an interactive forum on which to discuss various issues relating to baby, mummy and the whole 'green thing'.

If everyone contributes we should be able to create a really useful and fun way to discuss all things baby!

I'll post back soon... hope to hear from someone soon!

Warm Regards,
Marian.