Baby Food Cubes.

Since I now have a child, I think I am turning into the “food police” (not that I wasn’t already).  Because I am “in the know” of what is in our food and water supply, I am very vigilant on taking steps to reduce my child’s exposure to toxins. One of those steps is feeding her organic food and using filtered water.

Organic baby food costs approximately 89¢ – 99¢ and up, for a 4 oz. jar. Not a big deal, I thought. When items are priced under a buck, we are more apt to let go of our dollars. However, it adds up quickly. Especially as the quantity goes up as she increases her intake. Babies grow quickly! And when you look at what you get in one jar of baby food for the money, it’s not much. So I started making my own.

It’s Healthier

When making baby food, you don’t have to cook the fruit and overcook the veggies. That means more of the the vitamins, minerals and enzymes stay intact. And if you are using organic food, you know there are no chemicals, pesticides or GM (genetically modified) ingredients. You’ll notice homemade baby food is brightly colored whereas the jarred food looks dull in comparison. It’s dull in color because it is pasteurized and overcooked.

How To Make Your Own Baby Food

There are plenty of “make your own baby food” kits and products, but really, all you need is a blender, ice trays, and maybe some small containers (or baby food jars) for refrigerated leftovers. Keep it simple. First, I start with vegetables, either frozen or fresh, and steamed them with a little bit of water. From there, puree them with some, if not all, of the water in a blender (I found that the food processor leaves it too course). Then pour the mixture into ice cube trays, freeze them, and then store them in labeled freezer containers or bags. I also purée fresh and frozen fruit and cooked lentils. As your baby gets a little older to eat more complex foods, you can purée healthy meals that you are eating.

You’ll be amazed at how much money you will save by making your own baby food. For example, let’s compare a jar of organic lentil dinner to homemade. Again, it costs 89¢ – 99¢ for one 4 oz. jar. I went and purchased organic dried lentils in bulk for $3.99 per pound and there are about three cups of dried lentils in one pound. One cup of dry lentils yields 24 oz. when cooked. That’s equal to SIX jars of baby food! So in a nutshell, you can pay $3.99 and BUY 4 jars of baby food (16 oz), OR for the same price you could buy one pound of dried lentils which makes 18 jars of baby food (72 oz.). So, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that over 300% more for your money? Granted, lentils are an extreme example since they are sold dried and expand when cooked. But even with fruit and vegetables, you will still get much more for your money when compared to jarred food.

Here are some foods that I have made myself:

• broccoli
  

  Lentils, Broccoli, Green Beans and Baby Food Cubes

• cauliflower
• green beans
• peas
• spinach
• sweat potatoes
• lentils
• peaches
• berries
• mango (a little more time consuming)
• bananas
• avocado

It Tastes Better

I made it a rule not to feed my baby anything that I wouldn’t eat. What I mean by that is, if it doesn’t taste good, I’m not feeding it to her. I’m speaking of healthy food, of course. My baby eats everything I feed her, because I feed her good tasting veggies, fruit and meals. It’s important to start feeding children a variety of fruit and vegetables when they are babies so they develop a taste for them that will carry into their older years.

Now Go Do It

As always, start simple. Go buy some frozen cut up fruit or vegetables. Steam the veggies as I explained above, and/or thaw the fruit. Blend them, freeze them and you’re done. You can venture into preparing fresh fruit and veggies and more complex food once you feel comfortable. Good luck and good job! Here’s to you for putting your baby first!

I was excited when I first saw the trailer to the new network television series about healthy school lunch programs, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. “Yes!” I thought, as I’m an advocate for healthy school lunches. “Now Americans can see how much of a positive difference can be made by changing school lunches!” But after watching the first episode, I was kind of disappointed.

The Reality Is, It’s Reality TV.

Here we have a witty Brit going into a town in West Virginia in the middle of the school year to try to change things over night. It’s hard enough for anyone to go to small-town American and instigate change, let alone be a foreigner and do it over night. Next, trying to change anything while in mid-stream is much more challenging than starting from the beginning. It’s common sense. I’m thinking that the network wanted some drama and figured there would be some nice dramatic resistance to film (and there is). And finally, giving grade-school children a choice between the junk food they know and like and healthy food is a set-up for failure. No matter how delicious and nutritious the healthy food choice, kids will pick pizza over it. Be real.

Junk Food Shouldn’t Be An Option

The USDA considers french fries as a vegetable choice in school lunch programs. It's wrong.

The bottom line is this: children should not even have junk food as a choice. We are the adults. We are responsible for what they eat and should be making that decision. The “powers that be,” whether the school or the government, should make a healthy school lunch program available for our children. If you provide them with only fresh nutritious food, they will eat it. Give them green beans that are bright green, not grey. Give them fresh ripe fruit; not some syrupy, overcooked, cubed, mystery fruit  that comes in a cup. Give them brightly colored lightly cooked or fresh vegetables. Give them real unprocessed food — and they will eat it — eventually. If they don’t like it at first, they will grow to like it within a few weeks. I guarantee it.

Good Intentions, But Wrong Execution

Don’t get me wrong. I think Jamie Oliver has good intentions and really wants to make a difference.  And because of all the publicity, I think he will (hey, I’m talking about him, right?). But I think the network got in the way of something that could have been really great. The good thing is, even if this experiment doesn’t go as well as it could (I know it doesn’t because I know of the outcome.), at least the masses can get a good look at the crud that is being served in the majority of the schools and maybe start being proactive in making a change themselves, either at their local school or even at their own dinner table. French fries should not count as a vegetable.

Make A Difference: The Child Nutrition Bill

The Child Nutrition Bill is up for a vote with the Senate in mid-to-late April. Many organizations are petitioning. For more information see the Time for Lunch campaign at www.slowfoodusa.org, Chef Ann Cooper’s Lunch Box “One More Dollar A Day For Healthy School Food” campaign to our elected officials, or sign Jamie Oliver’s petition to save cooking skills and improve school food.

BTW, The Revolution Began Over A Decade Ago

There have already been successful changes to school lunch programs in certain areas of the country. One such place is in Wisconsin at the Appleton School District, which started back in 1997. Chef Ann Cooper, a.k.a. The Renegade Lunch Lady, has made some great strides in improving school lunches in several schools as well. Two Angry Moms is another group that is making a change. I guess the food revolution is just “new” to the masses. And bringing it to the masses is where Jamie Oliver succeeds.

OK. I’ll try to make this quick. This morning, something dawned on me while I was thinking about Monsanto’s genetically modified “Terminator” seeds. If you don’t know, “Terminator” seeds are GM seeds that only produce once. Meaning, the seeds from the crops cannot be taken and planted to produce more crops. Instead, more seeds have to be purchased and planted. They are patented by the Monsanto Corporation (On a side note, Monsanto is the producer of Agent Orange, Round-Up and aspartame, to name a few damaging chemicals.).

Here is a list of what bothers me, or more so, SCARES me about Monsanto and/or GMO’s:

• the health risk factors of GM food (infertility, low birth weights, under developed brain, liver and kidneys)
• the unintentional cross pollination of GM with non-GM crops
• the spreading of, and contamination by, GM pollen (GM pollen has even been found in Antarctica!)
• the allowing of a patent to be granted for a living organism
• the lawsuits against farmers who are unintentionally “infringing” on these patents because of GM pollen blowing over into their crops
• the contamination of organic crops from GM pollen
• the possibility of “killing” off our food supply because terminator seeds will not produce crops that will reproduce
• the eventual end of the human race and other life because of food shortage due to infertile seeds (maybe that’s why GM food has been linked to infertility?) This makes me think of Easter Island and how its people met their demise from starvation due to their negligent ways of living…

And in case you didn’t know, the new Senior Advisor to our FDA is a former Monsanto VP! How safe do you feel about your food NOW?

If you want to get really in-depth information that you can sink your teeth into, I recommend visiting the following sites and signing up for their newsletters:

• The Institute for Responsible Technology (They are the leader in taking action against GMO companies and policies.) and/or to sign up for IRT’s newsletter
• mercola.com (I recommend doing a search on Monsanto and GMO’s. There is a lot of info.) and/or to sign up for mercola.com’s newsletter.

In my previous post about purchasing organic produce at an affordable price, I briefly suggested some sources. Well, here is a list of sources with a descriptive blurb. I also posted a link to a website where you can search for local produce in your area. I hope you find it helpful.

Sources for Organic Produce:

• CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) – this is a membership that you pay ahead of time (usually several months) to a local farm where you get a box of fresh produce either weekly or every other week. It’s a great way to get a variety of fresh produce that is seasonal, organic and locally grown. Plus, you are supporting local farms which are a sustainable source of food. It’s a win-win for everyone: you, the farm and the earth. It’s also a great way to become acquainted with produce that you may not be familiar with. Usually CSA’s will let you know ahead of time what is in the week’s box and will also supply recipes for items that are not so widely known. 
• Farmer’s Markets – Like CSA’s, shopping at a farmer’s market is a great way to support local farmers and get fresh seasonal produce. It also allows you to talk with the farmers themselves. Some local farms use organic growing practices, but are not officially USDA Certified Organic. Reason being, the certification process is too expensive for their small farm. They are not allowed to advertise “organic” but they can at least advertise as “pesticide free.” They may even let you know that they follow organic practices. So essentially, you are getting organic produce, even though it is not labeled “organic.”
• Local Produce/ Grocery Stores – These can range from a roadside stand, to a mom & pop grocery store. Usually, they purchase their produce from local farmers. However, you may need to ask some questions as to whether or not pesticides are used and what their practices are.
• Specialty or Health Food Stores – These range from larger chain stores such as Wholefoods and Trader Joe’s to smaller chain or individual health food stores. Usually you get a nice selection, BUT, you need to really check out the prices. This is where you will find prices fluctuate and they can be quite high or very affordable.
• Organic Sections in Supermarkets – Many large chain grocery stores are now creating organic sections in their stores. Again, the prices can be high. Plus, the produce may be out of season and imported from halfway across the globe (burning a lot of fuel in order to make it from the farm to the store). But at least it is good to see these large commercial stores now giving an organic option. Because sometimes out of convenience, you may need to purchase from this source. Plus, as more people buy organic, the supply may increase and bring the prices down.
• Costco – Costco is a wholesale club that now carries many organic products at REALLY good prices. The downside is, like mentioned above, the produce may come from halfway across the globe. BUT, they also carry a lot of organic local (depending on where you live) and frozen produce. They are a great affordable convenient source if you are a member.

Not sure where to find LOCAL produce? Here is a link to a website to search for local produce in your area: www.localharvest.org

“You Paid $21 for Only Three Pieces of Produce?!”

I normally do the grocery shopping when it comes to produce. But the other day, my other half did the honors. And I was very thankful that he did. He brought home some really nice fruit and vegetables. However, some of his choices caught my eye, as they seemed out-of-season. So I browsed the sales receipt. And low and behold, there were a few high numbers that jumped out at me.

Grapes, cauliflower and pineapple were the culprits. The grapes were $7, the cauliflower was $6, and the pineapple was $8. How crazy is that? I broke out an earlier receipt to make sure that wasn’t “the norm.” And sure enough, it wasn’t. On the previous receipt, I paid $1.96 for grapes, $1.50 for cauliflower, and $2.99 for the pineapple. I paid, roughly six dollars for the same items that he paid twenty-one dollars. Wow! What a difference!

Tips for Buying Organic Produce

Buying organic food can be more expensive than commercially grown food, but it doesn’t have to be outrageous. The key is to be vigilant and look at the prices CAREFULLY, especially if sold by the pound. It’s all about supply and demand. And since there is less organic than commercially grown produce, and the demand keeps going up, the prices are more volatile and can change dramatically, as demonstrated in my story. Also, it’s usually better to buy what is in season and, if possible, grown locally. Finally, keep a look out for sales and take advantage of them. It’s always better to have more than one source for your organic produce as well (such as CSA’s, farmer’s markets, local markets, specialty or health food stores, wholesale clubs).

Is It Worth Paying More for Organic Food?

To an extent, yes. The main reason I buy organic produce is to avoid poisons such as pesticides and herbicides. And now that I have a child, I try to only feed her organic food. Who knows what those GMO’s and pesticides do to a developing baby? What really scares me are the genetically modified foods (GM or GMO), even though those are not usually found in fresh produce (except Hawiian Papaya and Sweet Corn). If you care about your health, you should care what you are eating. But I don’t think one should have to give up cable TV in order to eat organic. It just takes more time and effort to make it affordable. Which means have several sources; look at prices carefully; buy what’s in season and buy wisely.

Become Aware: Try this Experiment

Choose an organic fruit or vegetable and “follow” it’s price throughout the year. Notice how much it fluctuates. See where it hits its peak and when it is at its cheapest and compare the price at different stores or sources. It will open your eyes to how much the price can fluctuate so you won’t pay $7 for a vegetable that you paid a $1.50 at an earlier time.

I find it interesting when I hear adults spout off with great conviction that they don’t like certain foods. Only to find out, they haven’t eaten that particular food since their childhood. Or, maybe they have only had it prepared one way, and ONLY that way. Honestly, since I am such a foodie that is willing to explore so many culinary frontiers, I find it kind of unbelievable that these people would put such constraints on their taste buds. But, as it turns out, I now live with one of “these” people, which can sometimes be a challenge if I’m doing the cooking. But I’m working on him… slowly (The key is don’t push and act like I don’t care if he eats it or not. Sometimes, I go as far as stating that he won’t like it so don’t bother even trying it. Which, of course, makes him try it. Hee, hee, hee.)

The Infamous Brussels Sprout

Anyway, let’s look at a food that is notoriously in the “I don’t like” category: Brussels sprouts. Well, I guess either one or both of my parents did not like them because I did not even know what a Brussels sprout looked like until I was in my early twenties. And when I finally did see them, I thought they were baby cabbages. Their reputation preceded them, for sure. I had always heard of this mysterious hated vegetable, but never encountered it. I bet many of you think I was lucky.

It’s All In the Preparation

Well, the day that I finally ate Brussels sprouts (notice it is plural), I really liked them. “What was the big deal?” I thought, “These are delicious! Why are these things so infamously hated?” I found out the answer to that question this last spring while being an out-of-town guest. I was not “allowed” to do the cooking. So, I torturously watched my precious veggies get cooked to death as I politely held my tongue while they met their demise in the frying pan before me. Since I touted earlier of my love of these things, I had to take a fair share when dishing them out onto my plate at the dinner table. Oh yeah… you know what’s coming, don’t you? I took one bite of this dull-colored, once-green sprout. And not only did I have to restrain a disgusted facial expression, but I had to force a smile and act as if I was delighted (I guess my acting lessons were good for something). And I thought watching them get cooked was torturous… ha! In short, they were dry, mushy and bitter. Yuck! It all made sense now… okay, I “get” it.

Cook It More. Cook It Less. Add A Little of This. Add A Little of That.

Just so you know, I quickly cook my Brussels spouts in a skillet — usually with some olive oil and fresh garlic. Sometimes I also add a splash of soy sauce, or a little bit of butter and a squeeze of lemon. They end up bright green, crunchy, and slightly sweet. Yes, I said sweet. They’re delicious. Which brings me to my point: so many vegetables taste SO MUCH BETTER if they are quickly cooked. The flavor, color, and texture, stay intact, or are “brought out.” Plus, the nutrient value is higher than over-cooked food. Some foods are even better raw. Some people prefer slightly cooked rather than raw. But I have yet to meet someone that prefers over-cooked veggies to the previously mentioned (not to say they aren’t out there). However, as always, there are exceptions. Such as potatoes and certain greens, which need to be cooked a decent amount of time to be palatable. I didn’t think I liked cooked carrots until I had baby carrots that were steamed so they were NOT mushy. Collard greens is another vegetable that needs to be cooked a decent amount of time to be palatable as well (Before I learned about them, I once tried to eat them raw… a la salad style. It was not pleasant!)

Try It. You’ll Like It.

I leave you with this: think of a food that you THINK you do not like. Now I challenge you to go try it again, but have it prepared in a new way. Who knows? You might actually surprise yourself and like it!

After educating myself on the detrimental effects of genetically modified (gm or gmo) food and where these gmo’s are hiding in my kitchen, I started replacing the bad with the good… one item at a time. Granted, I initially wanted to comb through and toss anything that could possibly contain gm ingredients. But it seemed a bit overwhelming to do it that way. However, if you have the time and resources to take action in such a bold manner, I salute you.

Start with Your Next Shopping Trip

To begin your vigilant change to non-gmo food, stop buying anything that could contain gm ingredients. It’s easiest just to buy organic for the sake of easy label reading (anything labeled USDA Certified Organic or the ingredients are specified as organic, contain no gm ingredients) or products labeled “non-gmo,” or simply avoid processed packaged foods. But sometimes organic isn’t an option, and we want to get some cereal or crackers (processed food). That’s where you may have to take extra time to read labels of non-organic processed foods.

Where You Shop Can Make This Easier

If you shop the large grocery store chains, finding non-gmo and/or organic foods can sometimes be a challenge. In fact, I recently read that certain large grocery store chains in Canada went out of their way to make this task even harder for consumers by boycotting any food that had a “non-gmo” label! Can you believe that? I’m serious. Look it up and get angry. I did. But on the contrary, some large chains are embracing the organic movement, thankfully, and are now carrying more organic and non-gmo items. Ask the manager to start buying more of these products. The more people ask, they more they are likely to meet their customers’ requests (you know, “supply and demand”).

Then there are smaller grocery store chains, specialty stores, local farmer’s markets, and independent stores and co-ops. These stores usually specialize in “healthier” foods (organic, non-gmo, “natural,” hormone-free, pesticide free, sustainable farming, etc.). If you’re not shopping at one of these types of places, maybe that should be your next “search” item in your area. These places make it much easier to purchase non-gmo food. And for fresh produce, there are also CSA’s (community supported agriculture. A CSA is where you pay an upfront fee and get a weekly box of locally grown produce).

My First Item to Replace

My first item I replaced was my cooking oil, which happened to be canola oil… one of the “big four” gm ingredients (corn, soy, canola, cotton). Since I couldn’t find organic canola oil where I was shopping, (it’s available, in fact, Spectrum make one.) I bought grapeseed oil to replace it. I figured since I use oil often in cooking, that would be a good item to start with. I’m actually glad the organic canola oil was not available, because I discovered that the flavor of the grapeseed oil is really nice.

What’s Your First Item Going to Be?

As I said, if you just try to replace one item at a time, you won’t get overwhelmed or over burdened. So today, choose a gm item that is in your kitchen and replace it with a non-gm version. Then move onto the next item. Before you know it, you’ll (hopefully) have a non-gmo kitchen! Good luck and get going!