In Australia it’s easy to take for granted the amazing maternity and midwifery care that we are afforded. I have had the experience of a Caesarian at 36 weeks for medical reasons and we then had the amazing special care unit looking after our tiny little lady for 3 days. We were blessed! We are thankful every day that we had an amazing doctor and now you would never guess the early start she had.

I spotted the amazing work of the Birthing Kit Foundation and knew I had to help. Some how. We got a talking at a girly lunchen and all the girls had seen the same idea! Whilst Avidiva is a great avenue for us to collect the funds and hopefully gain enough support to organize an assembly day and have a tangible end to the project. So whilst Avidiva is the front there are many, many helping hands at the ready!

So for our part Avidiva will donate 1 kit for every order for the entire month. We also have the ‘kit’ listed so you can purchase the kit and that will be donated to the foundation. If numbers do not allow for an assembly day a cash donation will be made to the foundation. Please put a note on the order comments section if you would like a tax receipt from the foundation. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION:

The Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia) is an organisation dedicated to improving the conditions for women who give birth at home in developing countries.

“Every minute, a woman dies of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth”

With an estimated 385,000 women dying annually in childbirth, many from infections acquired during childbirth, there is a great need for our clean birthing kits.

Most women we assist for reasons of isolation, cultural choice or poor transport have little or no assistance during childbirth. Many mothers and babies die from preventable infections. By providing a clean birthing kit and training in how to use it, these mothers will have the resources to reduce infection.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit non-government organisation (NGO) that provides birthing kits and education in clean birthing practices. We have no religious or political affiliations.

ABOUT THE KIT:

The birthing kit addresses the 7 cleans needed for a safe delivery.

The kits are basic with 6 items. A plastic sheet, soap, 2 gloves, sterile scalpel blade, 3 cords and 5 gauze squares.

These items are assembled into a small bag at an Assembly Day.

PROJECTS:

The Birthing Kit Project has two main

aspects to its work:

1. To make and distribute birthing kits to women in remote and rural regions of developing countries, targeting predominantly home birth, where the only assistance may be from a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) or with no assistance at all.
2. To establish funded health training programmes for health workers and traditional birth attendants, in consultation with local stake holders and health authorities in the course design and content.

The kits are distributed with the assistance of a health professional who gives instructions on how to use the kits correctly and dispose of the waste safely.

Annually over 140,000 women who give birth in remote regions of developing countries are the recipients of our kits.

IMPORTANT INFO TO KNOW BEFORE YOU PURCHASE

• if you require a receipt blease write clearly in the order comments section when checking out. Your details will be passed onto the foundation to supply you with a receipt after the final donation has been made.
• Donations over $2 are tax deductable.
• Corporate donations are welcomed and please email Cassie@avidiva.com.au if you would like to have your logo featured on the Avidiva website as an extra thankyou!
• Every little bit helps!!!
• Check out the Birthing Kits Foundation Australia website Here for more information on the current projects they are working on and there brilliant work!
• You can become a member of the Birthing Kits Foundation website Here for $25 you can show your extra support
• Follow the blog, facebook and twitter pages to keep up to date with out tally and all info on assembly days and final donation!
• We will be keeping a running tally on the facebook page so keep an eye out!!

Thanks for all your support and now lets make a positive difference under the cost of a cup of coffee!!

Cass

xo

Here is the video for the Foundation.

Birthing Kit Foundation

A new little adventure!

Whilst Avidiva is one of the loves of my life, it is both a passion and very fulfilling. It gives a sense of achievement whilst also allowing me to watch my babies grow and develop. There is also another side to me. Another passion, and it was probably the earliest passion in my life! I am a FOODY!

If you ask my hubby I am probably a bit of a food Snob… If I’m home alone I’d think nothing of knocking my self up a fancy dinner… for one! I love good wholesome food – I also LOVE Organic food but that is a whole other post!

So to my delight I was lucky enough to get my little hands onto a Thermomix about a year ago. OH MY it’s seriously been life changing I LOVE whole foods and with two little people I am able to cook beautiful food with ease. And not only that it’s changed the way I look at our pantry! I love making things from scratch and the kids love it too…

So it brings me to my side hobby – I’d love you to join us over at www.thermovixens.com if you are a foody at heart or own a Thermomix. It’s the confessions of two thermo-holics with the wonderful Megs my fellow Vixen! You could join us on Facebook as well! http://www.facebook.com/ThermomixRecipeShareAustralia

I’d love to know what you love to cook for the little people in your life!

In Perth the cooler nights are just starting to really bite. I know all you eastern stater’s have been freezing through most of 2011 and even having to deal with a little bit of snow yesterday… WHAT ? So with the cooler night’s we have gone back to our old favourites our BabyJo Bamboo Double Layer Pj’s.

Bamboo is the perfect fibre for all year round but especially in the winter months. Bamboo naturally lets the skin breath and regulate temperature. Therefore it wont make little ones sweaty and will help them feel comfortable with the covers on. They are our family favourite. And they wash softer with each wash. The quality is fantastic and they will outgrow before they out ware them. The cocholate details make them perfect unisex and can be handed down easily.

Get yours from the Avidiva store Here.

And remember we offer free shipping on ALL orders Australia wide.

SALE SALE SALE!!!!

PRICES AS MARKED

40% OFF RRP OF ALL BABY BOTTLES, SIPPY / TRAINING CUPS AND ACCESSORIES.

AVIDIVA ALSO OFFER FREE POSTAGE ON ALL AUSTRALIAN ORDERS.

INTERNATIONAL RATES APPLY.

NEW TO AVIDIVA!!

Since 1998, Under the Nile has been a leader in the organic industry, producing the softest and most durable cotton apparel, toys and accessories for infants and children.

All Under the Nile products are made from 100% handpicked organic Egyptian cotton, without the use of pesticides or chemicals throughout the entire production process.

All Under the Nile products carry the internationally recognized Demeter certification.

By cultivating organic cotton, you also cultivate the community and the environment that make it possible. Under the Nile believe that providing work, as well as education and health care, are necessary to help impoverished communities become self-sustaining. In doing this, they are keeping their promise to support the community and foster health and harmony.

The range is priced great and sure to be a massive hit!

Check out the whole range here!

So what is your favorite piece???

Cass

xoxo

That’s right from the 10th Feb 2011, Avidiva has decided to go FREE shipping on ALL orders!

WHY?

Because I am a lover of online shopping and to be honest I don’t like the little hidden cost at the end of it all. But on the flip side as a retailer and trying to build a business from the ground up I agree the postage costs must come into consideration.

So from now on you will notice 3 check out options.

1. Free NORMAL Post (we use Australia post. All care is taken in packing to make sure the item arrives how it is posted!)

2. Express Post $8

3. Registered Post $6

So it’s all about options. I hope you all enjoy the FREE post and would love any additional feedback!

Cass

xo

Welcome to 2011! Happy new year and may all that you wish for come true in 2011!

This year for one of the first times I have set myself a new year ‘challenge’. One that I hope will make many positive healthy changes in our family! Recently I read a book called “My dog eats better than your kids” by Peter Dingle. The book was amazing so well written and one I would recommend to any parents out there! It made me realize that everything I teach my babes now and the path that I set them on is a direct result of the healthy or unhealthy lifestyle they will live. I want to teach them the benefits of the right foods for your health.

On the other hand I realize that I have to look after my children’s mum! I need to look after myself and take some time out for me too, so that brings me to my new year ‘challenge’ or ‘commitment’.

We are going to have a one day detox once a week. So for us the easiest is a Monday. It’s not a lose weight fast, drop a dress size or only drink water and lemon sort of detox but a cleanse your body detox. The basic outline is to omit the following:
*Meat /Fish
*Dairy
*Gluten
*Sugar
*Caffine /Coffee
*Alcohol

To eat 80% raw to 20% cooked and throw in a few cooked grains or lentils, drink plenty of water with green juices and herbal teas. I’m hoping this will help roll on into the other days to help make better choices, not that we eat horribly at all but I would love to get out the sugar As the second part to the challenge I personally want to get out and do a yoga class hopefully at least once a week. To look after the “mind and body”.

I’d love it if anyone wants to join in and I will be blogging more in depth about the journey on http://www.beyondthebaby.com.au/ecomummy and also will be on the Eco Mummy facebook page where I’d love everyone to join in share recipes, stories and tips!

Hey Guys,

Every now and again I find the ‘Ultimate’ addition to Avidiva. This brand is certainly that!

I am so proud to be the latest Eco Peko stockist! This brand stands for everything I want Avidiva to be about! It is about the simple things and of course to ‘fist do no harm’. Right from the quality bamboo and organic cotton products through to the Lady at the helm and what Eco Peko stands for. It’s all brilliant!

The clothing is so wearable, soft, top quality and also unisex so great for passing onto siblings!

The bamboodie is a brilliant idea! It is a long sleeve hooded bamboo top so it’s perfect for all seasons! Bamboo is naturally has a high UV protection making it the perfect sun shirt. Bamboo is also very breathable letting the body regulate temp – meaning that they stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter! It’s etra long body and super fast drying abilities mean that it’s great all year round!

I purchased a couple of Bamboodies for my little ones and it didn’t take long to realise that Avidiva needed these

Here is my little man rocking the bamboodie at the river the other day!

Bamboodie comes in both Natural and Turquoise and is available in – 0-3months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 1 year and 2 years. They are generous sizes. For example my little bloke is around the 11kg mark at 15 months. He has size 1 and has plenty of room to grow into it! They also come in two simple designs. Check them out in the store here now!

Christmas Time

ALREADY?

Wow where has the year gone? Well back on April 25th this little blog was born. I had full intentions of sitting and writing quirky, funny, family or business musings of my days, weeks, months and years… Well guilty as charged for one count of neglect! I am sorry little blog and I promise to visit more often – maybe it shall be my new years resolution…

If you are anything like me you feel as though during the last week of November the realisation  dawns  on you that it doesn’t matter how many times you tell your self Christmas is still a bit away, UM it actually isn’t! In fact it’s about to sneak right up on you. The first two weeks of December then seem to gang up on you chew you up spit you out the other side slightly battered and with a ‘to do’ list a mile long and wondering how did I get to this point when for months I had been mentally planing just how organised I was actually going to be. The last two weeks just seem to be an acceptance of either getting the job done or sometimes not getting it done… And then you wake up on Christmas Day and it’s magical and dreamy and oh so much good food and family and you think to yourself ahhh I wish it was Christmas everyday…

I am a lover of Christmas and in fact all things Christmas! I love the carols, I love the cooking and the eating! I love the old Christmas movies, I think I grew up watching Yes Virginia, There is a Santa… To those that say Christmas is for the kids, I dispute. Christmas is for the family, the old and young. Sure it’s even more fun now watching my little ones get into the Christmas spirit, helping to hang the tree and to wonder at it all. But there is still something magical about Christmas. I love nothing more then searching for that perfect gift, and waiting out to see the expression upon opening. To feel like a kid again when you receive a gift. But it’s so much more than that. I think most of all, it’s the fact that it makes the whole world stop and be thankful for family!

Given that it is still the last week of November maybe this year there is hope that the next few weeks won’t chew me up and spit me out, given the look of our calender maybe not. But lets have fun trying!

Merry Christmas to you and yours and may it be truly magical!

Avidiva is VERY excited to announce that we have been reviewed by the Little Crew App for the Dandelion Soft Organic Dolly. She her in the shop here! She is adorable, super soft and cuddly and is made from organic cotton and filled with natural corn fibers. She also has a hidden benefit with part proceeds the dolly supports breast cancer research. She is a hit with the little ones who all seem drawn to her!

Get your Little Crew app from the itunes store now or check a shortened version out at http://www.littlecrew.net It is a must and the luxe guide to children’s products. At time of writing this the App is available FREE so make sure you go and grab it while it is still free!!