Today I was doing research for a Suite 101 article on feeding your family organic and I came across www.kidsorganics.com. This site is written by parents interested in feeding their families organic.
They have a nice article on their site about what foods are most important to eat organic.
Do a spot of research, visit their site and let us know what you think - Why or Why Not? Are you going organic?
17 Most Important Foods to Eat Organic From www.kidsorganics.com.
1. Baby Food. The very young are extraordinarily susceptible to pesticides. Here are some organic baby food brands, Earth's Best, Tender Harvest, and Healthy Times, which are available for your baby's safety and health. Or better yet, make your own baby food by cooking and pureeing organic produce. See "Make Your Own Baby Food".
2. Strawberries. Enjoy them while they are in season from local organic farms or buy frozen organic strawberries from your local whole market.
3. Rice. Domestic rice is splattered with mega-doses of pesticides, and now, the chemicals companies are producing "pharm" rice used to produce and store pharmaceuticals. Buy organic rice where you can find it and store it in an airtight container. It stores very well.
4. Green and Red Bell Peppers. Super sources of Vitamin C, but wrought with pesticides. Buy organic, or, better yet, grow your own. Seeds of Change has a plethora of organic seeds, and pepper plants prove to be a hardy bunch!
5. Got Milk? We hope not, at least, not from conventionally raised cows. Today's commercial brands are loaded with antibiotics and growth hormones. Make sure your milk and other dairy is from organically-fed cows without the extra rBST, rBGH and antibiotics.
If you are feeding your child goat milk, and/or goat products, be aware that our science community has now genetically mutated a goat to spin silk in her milk. See the New Scientist article.
6. Corn. Corn is typically not a scale tipper when it comes to pesticide residues. But, take into account that 75- 90% of all domestic corn has been genetically-modified, that the average American eats 11 pounds of it, that most cooking oils include corn oil, and that most everything is sweetened with corn syrup, and suddenly, buying organic corn and corn products, makes more than a little sense. Eat local organic corn in season and freeze some for later, or, leave some kernels to dry, and plant them in the spring.
7. Bananas. This tropical favorite has a short window of ripeness and a very long distance to market (quick, how many local banana farms does your town have?). All of which adds up to a lot of heavy chemical dousing along the way.
8. Green Beans. Over 60 different pesticides are used on green beans. Even beans used in baby food have been found to be contaminated.
9. Peaches. Nothing beats a peach. Until you realize that they often have the highest rates of illegally-applied pesticides. Isn't that just peachy . . .
10. Apples. A decade after the dangers of Alar were exposed, apples are still soaked in pesticides. Put only organic apples in your pie.
Visit www.kidsorganics.com for more on this article....
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
I said, "Make your bed!"
Getting kids to complete tasks of every day living is important to their development.
If each morning you hear yourself saying, "I said, brush your teeth," or "I said, make your bed," consider the value of clear expectations.
Instead of making a battle out of it, consider your approach. Are you clear in what you expect? Do you assert your expectations modeling peace not anger? Are you enhancing family relationships over asserting control.
Teach your children the value of contributions early on. Do it peacefully and calmly and simply expect that it will be done.
Tasks: Are part of being a healthy family.
"We use task lists to keep the children focused on their brief responsibilities each morning," says Diana from Chicago.
Diana offers this advice,"At our house, the kids are expected to help the “family community” for which they do not get paid money. Just as I make their breakfast or dinner and do their laundry, they have ways in which they contribute to the community. Making their bed, wiping the sink after they brush their teeth, setting the dinner table, and clearing their plates from the table are typical every day expectations."
Make each child a task list and hang them on the bathroom mirror. These are tasks of daily living and do not confer money they are just a part of being a responsible family member.
Establish a weekly task routine. Make play dates, sports and family fun dependent on their accomplishing specific tasks. It's very simple, you give to the family and the family gives back.
Write the tasks down.
JAMES, age 9
Get up
Make bed
Get dressed
Put PJs under pillow
Eat breakfast
Clear the table
Brush teeth
Brush hair
Get backpack
Out the door
Place a 4 x 6 task card on the mirror in the bathroom for each child to check off daily.
"This helps the children feel some mastery over their daily activities, they don't have to keep checking with me to guide their responsibilities, they know clearly what they are," offers Diana.
Chores: Teach children the value of money.
Remember, children do not earn money for doing what is expected. They are expected to be a productive part of the family, their tasks are a piece of that, just as listening respectfully and being kind are expected.
Jane from Scottsdale agrees. "We have some “chores” for which they may get allowance if they choose to help out. Each chore is assigned a specific fee, if they do a chore on the “Family Helper” list, they will get paid every Friday," reports Jane.
"On Saturday there is a pretty good chance that our preschool and school-age children will help out, as they can earn valuable spending money for their participation. This money goes to things they care about like horseback riding, going to the water park and having movie night at home. Without hard work there are no horses and there are no sleep-overs, that's just the way it is," Jane says confidently.
Model your values.
If you are going to give allowance for everyday household tasks, make sure you establish a specific amount, be consistent in giving it out each week and make sure the children complete the tasks assigned to earn allowance.
It is important to also suggest that children do not need to "consume" everything they like. Children can enjoy things in a store and leave them in a store. Life is not about accumulating stuff it's about caring for people.
Kim from Boston offers some clear advice, "When we go to the store, I do not agree to buy them small toys or objects that they can purchase with their allowance. We have a ten dollar per week maximum of allowance earned and they can use that to buy the newest Polly Pocket or Lego toy."
"Further, they are encouraged to put one dollar in savings and one dollar in our “community jar” to give away at the holidays to families in need. If every child contributes, they often have more than one hundred dollars to give away at the holidays, which teaches them to be compassionate as well as generous. They learn the value of hard work early with a spend, save, and donate system," asserts Kim.
Consider delineating what are expected family contributions in your home. Create a morning and evening task list for each child. Keep it simple with (3-8) discrete tasks. If you wish to help your children learn about money management, develop a chore list, assign fees, and encourage your children to spend, save and give.
Teach your children the value of contributing to the family in the early years.
If each morning you hear yourself saying, "I said, brush your teeth," or "I said, make your bed," consider the value of clear expectations.
Instead of making a battle out of it, consider your approach. Are you clear in what you expect? Do you assert your expectations modeling peace not anger? Are you enhancing family relationships over asserting control.
Teach your children the value of contributions early on. Do it peacefully and calmly and simply expect that it will be done.
Tasks: Are part of being a healthy family.
"We use task lists to keep the children focused on their brief responsibilities each morning," says Diana from Chicago.
Diana offers this advice,"At our house, the kids are expected to help the “family community” for which they do not get paid money. Just as I make their breakfast or dinner and do their laundry, they have ways in which they contribute to the community. Making their bed, wiping the sink after they brush their teeth, setting the dinner table, and clearing their plates from the table are typical every day expectations."
Make each child a task list and hang them on the bathroom mirror. These are tasks of daily living and do not confer money they are just a part of being a responsible family member.
Establish a weekly task routine. Make play dates, sports and family fun dependent on their accomplishing specific tasks. It's very simple, you give to the family and the family gives back.
Write the tasks down.
JAMES, age 9
Get up
Make bed
Get dressed
Put PJs under pillow
Eat breakfast
Clear the table
Brush teeth
Brush hair
Get backpack
Out the door
Place a 4 x 6 task card on the mirror in the bathroom for each child to check off daily.
"This helps the children feel some mastery over their daily activities, they don't have to keep checking with me to guide their responsibilities, they know clearly what they are," offers Diana.
Chores: Teach children the value of money.
Remember, children do not earn money for doing what is expected. They are expected to be a productive part of the family, their tasks are a piece of that, just as listening respectfully and being kind are expected.
Jane from Scottsdale agrees. "We have some “chores” for which they may get allowance if they choose to help out. Each chore is assigned a specific fee, if they do a chore on the “Family Helper” list, they will get paid every Friday," reports Jane.
"On Saturday there is a pretty good chance that our preschool and school-age children will help out, as they can earn valuable spending money for their participation. This money goes to things they care about like horseback riding, going to the water park and having movie night at home. Without hard work there are no horses and there are no sleep-overs, that's just the way it is," Jane says confidently.
Model your values.
If you are going to give allowance for everyday household tasks, make sure you establish a specific amount, be consistent in giving it out each week and make sure the children complete the tasks assigned to earn allowance.
It is important to also suggest that children do not need to "consume" everything they like. Children can enjoy things in a store and leave them in a store. Life is not about accumulating stuff it's about caring for people.
Kim from Boston offers some clear advice, "When we go to the store, I do not agree to buy them small toys or objects that they can purchase with their allowance. We have a ten dollar per week maximum of allowance earned and they can use that to buy the newest Polly Pocket or Lego toy."
"Further, they are encouraged to put one dollar in savings and one dollar in our “community jar” to give away at the holidays to families in need. If every child contributes, they often have more than one hundred dollars to give away at the holidays, which teaches them to be compassionate as well as generous. They learn the value of hard work early with a spend, save, and donate system," asserts Kim.
Consider delineating what are expected family contributions in your home. Create a morning and evening task list for each child. Keep it simple with (3-8) discrete tasks. If you wish to help your children learn about money management, develop a chore list, assign fees, and encourage your children to spend, save and give.
Teach your children the value of contributing to the family in the early years.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
"Mommy are you listening?"
Really being present when we interact with our children is important to their self-esteem and attachment. Here is a lovely quote from themindfulparent.org, sit down with a cup of tea, visit their site and learn to be more mindful and attentive with your beautiful child.
"Our days are filled. We experience moments that fly by and moments that pass at a slower pace. No matter how frenetic the pace, there are occasional lulls.
Today, allow the lull to serve as a cue to open awareness to your child.
In the stillness of this moment
I imagine my child
Breathing softly
Calm your mind, breathe deeply and appreciate the quiet of the moment. Even if there is some noise around you, inside yourself you are able to open to the spaciousness of the moment.
Bring your awareness to your child, wherever he or she may be. Let the stillness of the moment resonate as you imagine your child amid the same stillness. Sense your child breathing softly, just as you breathe softly.
As you direct awareness to your child, sense your child opening awareness to your presence in his or her life. Smile."
Take a moment each day to be present and attentive to your children, it will fill you with joy.
Books to read:
Mindful Parenting: Meditations, Verses, & Visualizations for a More Joyful Life (2006) by Scott Rogers.
Everyday Blessing: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting (1993) by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
"Our days are filled. We experience moments that fly by and moments that pass at a slower pace. No matter how frenetic the pace, there are occasional lulls.
Today, allow the lull to serve as a cue to open awareness to your child.
In the stillness of this moment
I imagine my child
Breathing softly
Calm your mind, breathe deeply and appreciate the quiet of the moment. Even if there is some noise around you, inside yourself you are able to open to the spaciousness of the moment.
Bring your awareness to your child, wherever he or she may be. Let the stillness of the moment resonate as you imagine your child amid the same stillness. Sense your child breathing softly, just as you breathe softly.
As you direct awareness to your child, sense your child opening awareness to your presence in his or her life. Smile."
Take a moment each day to be present and attentive to your children, it will fill you with joy.
Books to read:
Mindful Parenting: Meditations, Verses, & Visualizations for a More Joyful Life (2006) by Scott Rogers.
Everyday Blessing: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting (1993) by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
PHAT KIDS CAMP RECIPES
I promised the wonderful families at PHAT KIDS CAMP that Chef Keith and I would come up with some simple recipes that can be served with steamed veggies and brown rice.
Simple Solutions: Make the meat selection, then steam your fresh vegetables or frozen organic veggies, take a moment and slice some onions and quick sautee them with a basket full of mushrooms in 1T olive oil, whip up your Uncle Bens Quick Brown Rice and you have a delicious dinner!
PHAT KIDS CAMP Chicken
INGREDIENTS
1 (2 pound) organic roasting chicken, cut and quartered
2 T organic chicken broth
1 sliced onion
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
kosher salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Place the chicken into a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover it. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over medium heat until chicken is easily removed from the bone, about 35-45 minutes. The chicken will be boiling, even though the heat is on medium. Turn the chicken over once during this time so it will cook evenly.
When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the water. Run cool water over it, pull off the skin, pull the meat apart in long shreds and place all of the chicken meat in a clean pyrex dish.
Place 1 T olive oil in the original pan, quick saute the onion on high heat, turn the heat to medium add garlic, toss the chicken back in, pour in 2T chicken stock stir til warm, 3 minutes.
Serve with steamed veggies and brown rice.
HERBED CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
4 bone-in chicken breast halves, with skin
2 T olive oil
Palmful fresh basil
4 peeled garlic cloves
Kosher salt
Pepper
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place chicken breasts in a lightly olive oiled 9x13 inch baking dish or roasting pan. Drizzle olive oil lightly on each breast, rub crushed garlic on chicken, sprinkle a touch of kosher salt and pepper over meat. Crumble and lay fresh basil leaves over chicken. Alternately, you can take fresh rosemary and place it between the skin and the meat.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Serve with steamed or grilled veggies, mango salsa and brown rice.
GRILLED STEAK
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds flank steak
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano leaves
2 tablespoons lime juice
Whole wheat tortillas
Gourmet Salsa
DIRECTIONS
Brush steak with olive oil. Combine the next 3 ingredients to make a paste. Rub paste over steak and refrigerate overnight.
Broil or grill and slice thinly to serve. Throw away marinade. Wrap steak in warm flour tortillas. Serve with salsa, grilled onions and peppers.
We recommend Saddlebred Salsa, available from Desert Palms Equestrian Center Cave Creek Arizona.
Simple Solutions: Make the meat selection, then steam your fresh vegetables or frozen organic veggies, take a moment and slice some onions and quick sautee them with a basket full of mushrooms in 1T olive oil, whip up your Uncle Bens Quick Brown Rice and you have a delicious dinner!
PHAT KIDS CAMP Chicken
INGREDIENTS
1 (2 pound) organic roasting chicken, cut and quartered
2 T organic chicken broth
1 sliced onion
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend
kosher salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Place the chicken into a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover it. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over medium heat until chicken is easily removed from the bone, about 35-45 minutes. The chicken will be boiling, even though the heat is on medium. Turn the chicken over once during this time so it will cook evenly.
When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the water. Run cool water over it, pull off the skin, pull the meat apart in long shreds and place all of the chicken meat in a clean pyrex dish.
Place 1 T olive oil in the original pan, quick saute the onion on high heat, turn the heat to medium add garlic, toss the chicken back in, pour in 2T chicken stock stir til warm, 3 minutes.
Serve with steamed veggies and brown rice.
HERBED CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
4 bone-in chicken breast halves, with skin
2 T olive oil
Palmful fresh basil
4 peeled garlic cloves
Kosher salt
Pepper
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place chicken breasts in a lightly olive oiled 9x13 inch baking dish or roasting pan. Drizzle olive oil lightly on each breast, rub crushed garlic on chicken, sprinkle a touch of kosher salt and pepper over meat. Crumble and lay fresh basil leaves over chicken. Alternately, you can take fresh rosemary and place it between the skin and the meat.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Serve with steamed or grilled veggies, mango salsa and brown rice.
GRILLED STEAK
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds flank steak
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano leaves
2 tablespoons lime juice
Whole wheat tortillas
Gourmet Salsa
DIRECTIONS
Brush steak with olive oil. Combine the next 3 ingredients to make a paste. Rub paste over steak and refrigerate overnight.
Broil or grill and slice thinly to serve. Throw away marinade. Wrap steak in warm flour tortillas. Serve with salsa, grilled onions and peppers.
We recommend Saddlebred Salsa, available from Desert Palms Equestrian Center Cave Creek Arizona.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Child Car Seat Safety
Child car safety seats save lives. It’s as simple as that! Here are some tips on keeping your children safe.
We know it’s fun for children to sit in the front seat of the car but it’s just not safe. If your children are under 12 years of age or 100 lbs they are safer sitting in the back seat. Check your state laws on child passenger safety. Every state is different.
Help get your children accustomed to car seats beginning with the ride home from the hospital. For the first year until a child is 20 lbs he must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Check the height and weight requirements of the specific car seat you own.
• Never place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an airbag.
• Set a good example-always wear your seat belt. Do not even start the car before you hear “Click.”
• Remember that each car safety seat is different. Read and keep the instructions that came with your seat.
• Read the owner's manual that came with your car on how to correctly install car safety seats.
When your children are babies, car seats are a necessity and it’s important that you purchase one that fits securely into car. You might be heading to your friend’s down the road or the store up the street and have a crying baby that longs for your arms rather than a confining car seat. While you may be tempted to hold your baby versus dealing with the process of getting him settled in, it is imperative that you secure him in a seat.
Car accidents do not only happen on long journeys. Visit these sites for child safety guidance.
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm
Be safe. We even have a Be Safe song in our family "You'r better safe than sorry, it's better if you wait. Follow the rules, 'cause you're better safe than sorry."
Forward facing-seats and booster seats should be used as your child grows and needs continuing security before he is able to use a seat belt alone.
Check the advised height and weight requirements before advancing to these safety seats. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration webpage to check their ratings on the safest car seats available, recalls, or local inspection stations and technicians to make sure your child’s seat is properly installed.
As mothers, it’s in our blood to multitask and this trait is generally a huge strength when managing a family life. However when in your vehicle, this is the one time when multitasking is not good idea. As tempting as it is to call work to confirm a meeting, wait. Wait until you are home or until you are no longer driving.
Keeping your family safe should take precedence.
From: Brienne Hollingsworth and Lynne Kenney
We know it’s fun for children to sit in the front seat of the car but it’s just not safe. If your children are under 12 years of age or 100 lbs they are safer sitting in the back seat. Check your state laws on child passenger safety. Every state is different.
Help get your children accustomed to car seats beginning with the ride home from the hospital. For the first year until a child is 20 lbs he must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Check the height and weight requirements of the specific car seat you own.
• Never place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an airbag.
• Set a good example-always wear your seat belt. Do not even start the car before you hear “Click.”
• Remember that each car safety seat is different. Read and keep the instructions that came with your seat.
• Read the owner's manual that came with your car on how to correctly install car safety seats.
When your children are babies, car seats are a necessity and it’s important that you purchase one that fits securely into car. You might be heading to your friend’s down the road or the store up the street and have a crying baby that longs for your arms rather than a confining car seat. While you may be tempted to hold your baby versus dealing with the process of getting him settled in, it is imperative that you secure him in a seat.
Car accidents do not only happen on long journeys. Visit these sites for child safety guidance.
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm
Be safe. We even have a Be Safe song in our family "You'r better safe than sorry, it's better if you wait. Follow the rules, 'cause you're better safe than sorry."
Forward facing-seats and booster seats should be used as your child grows and needs continuing security before he is able to use a seat belt alone.
Check the advised height and weight requirements before advancing to these safety seats. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration webpage to check their ratings on the safest car seats available, recalls, or local inspection stations and technicians to make sure your child’s seat is properly installed.
As mothers, it’s in our blood to multitask and this trait is generally a huge strength when managing a family life. However when in your vehicle, this is the one time when multitasking is not good idea. As tempting as it is to call work to confirm a meeting, wait. Wait until you are home or until you are no longer driving.
Keeping your family safe should take precedence.
From: Brienne Hollingsworth and Lynne Kenney
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