Xylitol is a natural substance found in fruit and has been shown to fight cavities. Make a habit of having your child end a meal with a fruit containing this nutrient, and you’ll have a child with healthier teeth.
Some good sources: Continue reading Worried About Tooth Decay?
Healthy First Birthday Cake!
So the big ONE year birthday was approaching, and I wanted the photo of my baby digging into his cake with frosting all over his face…but I had never fed him anything that wasn’t whole grain or that contained refined sugar, and he’d only had little tastes of dairy and whole eggs.
So how on earth do you make a cake without these things? Does everything you’ve done to give your baby a nutritious, healthy foundation go out the window because it’s his birthday? It doesn’t have to!
Here is a recipe for a healthy, but YUMMY first birthday cake! Best of all, it only contains a few ingredients and is super easy to make.
Cake:
2 cups organic whole wheat flour
1 tbsp wheat germ
1 tsp baking soda
6 medium, ripe organic bananas – mashed
1 cup organic applesauce (make sure it’s only apples and no sugar added)
1/4 to 1/2 cup organic milk of choice (goat, cow, soy, rice or almond)
Is It Really Organic?
Wow- I just read an artical in the Washington Post which said the USDA has decided to allow non organic ingredients in products bearing the organic seal. Of utmost concern to me is the allowing of synthetic additives in organic baby formula! This is one more reason to feed our children fresh, whole foods (starting with breastmilk!) that don’t come from a package. If there is no “label” to mislead us, we don’t have to worry about toxic ingredients. After all, just because a wrapper says it’s organic doesn’t take away the fact that it’s still a packaged, processed food. And now we also know that it might not even be organic. .
What to do?
- Join a CSA
- Go to the farmer’s market
- Feed your family a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, eggs dairy and meat.
- Involve your children in the preparation! It’s so much more interesting and exciting for your kids to crack open eggs and measure out servings of berries than it is to watch mom tear open a package of food that will still be edible this time next year.
If you think you don’t have time, make time. It’s that important. Need shortcuts or plan ahead ideas? Ask me– I would love to help. You are building a foundation of eating habits for the rest of their lives. Also remember that many diseases are a result of what we consume- so give your bodies what they need. Fresh, whole, delicious food.
Locally Grown Goes Virtual
Sometimes the happy chaos of the local farmer’s market is a challenge with children. This is one of many reasons you should check out locallygrown.net – it’s a virtual farmer’s market! Go to the site and search for your city- if they serve your area you go online, peruse the seasonal offerings, order, and pick up. Completely takes out the hassle of wrangling for a tomato on a hot, crowded day, or missing the best options if you’re not there when the sun comes up. If they aren’t in your hometown yet, check back often- they will be soon! It’s the wave of the farmer’s market’s future.
Ask Holly: Do You Like Gripe Water?
Hi Holly! I was wondering what your take on gripe water is? My 6 week old has been very colicky and I’ve tried Hylands colic tablets, as well as eliminating dairy from my diet, but nothing seems to be working so far and I’m so frustrated, as is my sweet baby! I’ve been researching a few different gripe waters on the web but wanted to know if you had any suggestions. Thanks so much!
Becca, Rogers, AR Continue reading Ask Holly: Do You Like Gripe Water?