Organic Baby Gifts For the Green Baby

It used to be that organic was only about food. Now there are organic cotton baby clothes and beddings, and organic toys and furniture. For parents who are concerned about the environment and are choosy about the things they will use for the baby, receiving organic baby gifts will be very much appreciated.

Organic items are soft and gentle on baby's sensitive skin. They are all natural and free from synthetic materials that could harm the baby or the environment. They are especially recommended for premature babies who tend to have very sensitive skin. Organic products contain no chemicals that can harm babies' health. Choose products that are 100% Certified Organic. They are made from materials grown without harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Baby clothes and accessories like blankets, diapers and towels can be made from organic cotton or organic bamboo fabric. These materials are very soft and comfortable. They wick moisture away from the skin, keeping baby drier. When you give an organic baby gift set containing sleeping suits, baby blanket, shirts, hat and booties for a baby, you know you are giving something unique and special.

Babies automatically put things in their mouths. This is another reason why you should consider giving something safe and chemical-free for babies. Besides, organic baby gifts are no longer very expensive or hard to find. They are readily available online or at local stores and you can order organic gift baskets for the eco-friendly family.

Baby clothes, shoes, blankets and toys made of organic materials are sold in shops specializing in organic baby products. You can even purchase an organic baby gift basket containing baby bath towels, wash cloths, toys and soap made from certified organic ingredients. If you are a do-it-yourself person, you can put together an assortment of organic baby clothes and accessories including organic bath soap and shampoo. Wrap everything inside an organic baby bath towel or blanket and tie it with a pretty raffia ribbon. Mommy will be thrilled to receive this unique gift for her baby.

With our growing awareness about health and the environment, parents are concerned about the safety of their precious darlings. Organic baby gift products that are free from harmful chemicals and harsh bleaches are favored by discriminating parents. When you give baby clothes, stuffed toys, natural wooden toys, blankets, etc. made from organic materials, you are showing the parents that you care for their baby as much as they do.

Find the best unusual baby gifts [http://www.elitebabyproducts.com/] and check out our recommended twin baby gift [http://www.elitebabyproducts.com/] by visiting our website today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4039435

Will Organic Baby Toys Keep Your Baby Safe?

Organic Baby Toys are unique and fun for your baby, plus its a great way for your to help protect the environment and your baby's health.

Choosing the right organic baby toy is very important, so here is a guide to what you need to know to make the best choices. This to look for:

Avoid Lead in Toys 

I don't know if you remember, a few years back a huge batch of toys from China has to be recall because it the high lead levels they contain.

Lead poisoning present great dangers, especially to children since their immune systems are still developing.

So its very important to avoid toys painted in lead based paints. Lead paint has been banned for decades, but some environmentally conscious and fugal parents will buy second hand or vintage toys with all the best intentions but many of these toys may contain lead.

Tip: Simple rule; if you're not sure about a toys origin, don't buy it!

Unhealthy Toxins

One of the biggest benefits of choosing organic baby toys is knowing that they are not filled with unhealthy toxins. Although their are standard and guidelines set by the government for toy manufacturers there are still products used during the manufacturing process that can cause harm to you children.

Tip: One of best way to know if their issues with you baby toys, is to regularly visit the product recall page on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

Flag Potentially Unsafe Toys

Being proactive is a great way to protect you child against certain toys, before they have been deemed unsafe by government agencies.

Specific Toxins To Look For:

Phthalates - this is used to make plastic toys more flexible

Bisphenol A (BPA) - This is often found in baby bottles

Both of these toxins are banned in many places, but they may still slip through the system.

Tip: Sometimes products containing these items can be found on discounts stores, and flea markets.

Is It Possible to Avoid Plastic Toys?

No its not, but you can choose BPA-free and PVC-free toys. This is the best way to ensure that plastic baby toys will not harm your child.

Safe Toy Buying Tips:

• All art supplies you purchase must be labeled "nontoxic
• Monitor the toy recall websites
• Check all toy labels for ingredients

It can be very worrying to read about the toxins that some children toys may contain, the truth is that most US manufactures abide by the strict standard set out by the government. But organic baby toys is a great option not only because its better for your baby health, but its good for the environment, and thats the best gift you can give your baby.

Keep it simple: The best way to be safe and avoid any risk of buying toys with toxins is to choose Organic Baby Toys [http://www.carbottlewarmer.net/natural-baby-products/].

Organic Baby Toys are made of many environmentally friendly materials such as wood, bamboo, or from other soft pesticide-free materials. One of the easiest ways to stop your baby from coming into contact with harmful toxins is to avoid plastic toys.

For a list of creative Organic Baby Toys visit my Organic Baby Toys Guide [http://www.carbottlewarmer.net/natural-baby-products/]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5799036

Baby Food Grinders and Food Processors - The Key to Making Nutritious Food at Home

If you're a mom that has always dreamed of creating healthy and nutritious foods for your baby without the hassles, then you should consider a baby food grinder or electronic food processor to process your baby's food at home. These clever and devices allow moms to prepare healthy and nutritious foods at home by grinding them into smaller pieces. Plus, both devices allow babies to safely eat ground up or processed fears without fear of them choking on large pieces. With a baby food grinder or an electronic food processor, moms can soften up and grind prepared foods in a short time.

Sound interesting? You bet it is. In this brief article, we'll discuss the benefits of baby food grinders and food processors and proven you with preparation tips that you can use in buying these cool but important gadgets.

Similarities between food processors and baby food grinders:

1. Prevent risk of infant choking by turning large chunks of food into smaller ones.

2. Help save money because parents don't have to purchase expensive baby food and can feed children healthy and nutritious meals at home.

3. Allow you to puree and strain all types of foods including bones and skin.

4. Enable babies to easily transition from processed to solid food is easier because they are already used to the taste of ground or processed food.

Differences between baby food grinders and processors:

1. Baby food grinders are typically hand held decixs that don't use batteries or electricity. In comparison, food processors do.

2. They tend to be cheaper than food processors.

3. These allow parents to grind up food anywhere whereas food processor don't

4. Food processors can be used for other purposes as well.

Now that we've discussed the similarities and differences between the two, we'll now discuss some tips that you should consider when searching for a grinder or processor:

1. Choose one that is made by a reputable company. Make sure that it meets quality control standards and properly grinds up the food.

2. When using your grinder or processor, make sure that you clean your hands easily as well as the area before proceeding.

3. Clean your grinding or processing equipment thoroughly after usage.

4. Keep in mind that some foods will have to be cooked before being ground or processed.

5. Always check for smoothness before giving to your baby to prevent choking hazards.

In conclusion, baby food grinders and food processors are a wonderful investment for the new or seasoned mother. Not only do they help prevent choking hazards but they are easy to operate and quite affordable. When searching for a food processor or baby food grinder, make sure that you purchase from a reputable company. Once you do all this, you'll be able to find a great device for you to use at home. And, you'll be able to give your baby a healthy and nutritious meal they can safely grow on.

For some excellent baby main meal recipes visit http://www.babyandtoddlerrecipes.com/baby-main-meal-recipes.html today and start making your own homemade baby food.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/979921

Four Ways to Serve Organic Baby Food

With it's many benefits, organic baby food is becoming more accessible to busy moms. Organic food is free from harmful additives and pesticides that can harm your baby. It provides added nutrition and reduces the risk of developing food allergies. Regardless of your lifestyle and cooking style, you can find an organic option to serve your baby.

Organic baby food is easy to find - just look in the refrigerated section of your favorite grocery store. HomeMade Baby, sells freshly pureed organic fruits and vegetables in stores nationwide. You can also check your local yellow pages to find companies that will deliver fresh baby food directly to your front door.

Purchasing frozen organic baby food is super convenient. It allows you to only thaw the amount of food you need in order to avoid waste. The freezing process is a natural way to preserve the food's nutrients. Companies such as Happy Baby and Plum Organics sell frozen baby food in grocery stores.

If you cannot find organic food in your grocer's freezer section, purchase jarred organic baby food directly from the shelves. Because this food is processed at a high heat, it can lose some of its beneficial nutrients. However, jarred organic baby food is still free from sugar, salt and other preservatives, making it a more nutritious choice than non-organic food. You can find Earth's Best meals, cereals and snacks in most grocery stores.

Especially adventurous moms may want to make baby food at home. To get started, you will need a blender or grinder, ice cube trays, plastic wrap, freezer bags, and a skillet or saucepan.

Here are six simple steps to make your own organic baby food:

1. Purchase organic fruits and vegetables.

2. Wash your supplies in hot, soapy water in order to sterilize them.

3. Place peeled, cored and sliced fruit or veggies into a skillet with just enough water to cover them.

4. Steam the pieces until they are tender and puree them in the blender. Add water, if needed.

5. Place the puree in ice cube trays, and cover it in plastic wrap keep it fresh.

6. Place the tray in a ziplock bag, seal it and place it in the freezer within 48 hours.

Voila! You've just made the healthiest food available for your baby!

When freezing organic baby food, make sure you write the date and the name of the food on the bag so you can identify its contents and throw out any food that has been frozen longer than three months.

For more facts about organic baby food visit Organic Baby Resource.

Erika Jones is a mom, web publisher and freelance writer. To get organic baby tips delivered to your inbox, subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

You may republish this article on your blog, website or e-zine by providing credit to the author and providing a live link to Organic Baby Resource.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1367191

Organic Baby Food - The Natural Choice

It is only natural for a mother to want the best for her baby, and when it comes to baby food organic is clearly the best. Many people give little credence when it comes to the difference between organic and non-organic foods. However, that is a mistake, especially where baby food is concerned. A child's body is far more vulnerable to the toxins in non-organic baby food than an adult's is.

From their developing immune system to their central-nervous and hormonal systems, the toxins in non-organic baby food can be extremely detrimental to a child's development. What's more is that many studies have now revealed that babies receive more nourishment from organic baby food than they do non-organic. Experts believe that this is a direct result of the chemicals and pesticides used to grow non-organic produce. You see, it is speculated that the very chemicals that protect the fruit from insects may actually alter it's nutritional composition.

The variety of organic baby food available in markets now rivals that of the non-organic varieties. That said, many parents find that the organic offerings for their children are a bit pricey. So, what does one do when they can't afford to buy organic baby food for their little one? Simple, they make homemade baby food instead. It is far easier than most would think to make food for your child at home and it is less expensive by a considerable amount.

To make your own baby food at home you do not have to be a gourmet chef. All you need is a blender or food processor and a little kitchen know how. For instance, you can wash, peel and steam carrots and puree them for your little one. No recipe is required. A simple look at a jar of baby food will tell you that making baby food isn't rocket science.

Many people buy organic baby food because it is easier than making it at home. However, the process of making your babies food at home can be made easier in a few simple steps. All you need is some extra ice cube trays and storage bags. Spend one day each month making your babies food at home and freezing it. Fill the ice cube trays with food, when the food is frozen each cube can go in small storage bag and be labeled with it's contents and date. Food can be frozen for up to eight weeks and should be used within 48 hours of defrosting.

Organic Baby Apples 

4 Apples Peeled and Cored

1/2 cup Water

Cube and steam the apples on the stove top in a vegetable steaming basket. When the apples are soft puree them in a blender or food processor with the half cup of water. When the puree is smooth freeze it in cubes and store.

There are many different methods for making and storing organic baby food. The point is, in this day and age feeding your baby a healthy diet doesn't have to be as complex as it once was. The advantage to homemade food is that you know exactly what you are feeding your little one.

Jessica Fuqua is the owner and creator of MomFuse.com an online resource for moms. http://www.momfuse.com MomFuse.com offers articles and information on parenting, pregnancy, honest product reviews, contests, giveaways, and much more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2174980

Organic Baby Care - Fresh Organic Information

So just what does organic mean for our babies? There was a report done by an environmental group that showed shocking results...including findings of a significant amount of toxic chemicals in the bloodstream of our newborns. Clearly I wanted to find a solution that could be safer for our babies, so I sought out to locate products related to organic baby care.

When I searched online for organic baby care, I found incredible eco-friendly products at a site called LaLaNatural. They have a complete organic baby care line. This means all the wool and cotton used in their products is organically grown. Some of the incredible products you can find at this website are organic bedding, organic baby clothing, and even natural toys. This site does not deal with organic baby soaps or shampoos; however, those products can be found in your local health stores or at other organic baby sites on the internet.

I believe that organic bedding is the most important thing we can do to provide proper organic baby care. When commercially grown cotton is harvested, it is exposed to harsh, toxic chemicals while it is being processed. This includes chemicals like formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Babies are much more sensitive than adults, which means that the chemicals and toxins in commercially grown cotton fabric can cause irritation, allergies & respiratory problems in babies. By choosing organic bedding for our babies, not only are we helping to protect our babies, but we are also helping to protect the planet so that our children can grow up in a world that is still beautiful and clean.

Another thing that is essential for organic baby care is to provide our newborns with all natural organic food and milk. Most of the produce bought at the grocery store has been genetically modified to be more appealing to the customer; nevertheless, evidence suggests that genetically modified food can be harmful. This is especially true when dealing with an infant. Organic food has been proven to contain two to three times the nutrients that conventional produce has. More nutrients and less genetically altered products are clearly a much safer choice for our little ones.

With population increasing daily, the call for organic baby care has never been higher. Even if we do not worry about all of the environmental and health issues, which would you prefer to be around our babies? Organic baby products are purer, simpler, softer and more comfortable on a baby than their synthetic counterpart. If our babies could choose, I would be willing to gamble on the fact that they would absolutely love organic baby care.

Jason Kaminski is the web administrator for Organic Planets. He writes articles related to the organic lifestyle. Organic Planets is the source for organic information on the internet.

Organic Planets - Organic Information [http://www.organicplanets.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/694833

Organic Baby Care

Shopping for organic baby care products may seem somewhat baffling, but it is not. Keep these shopping tips in mind when searching for your baby's next diaper, toy, health product, or meal.

Choosing Organic Baby Toys

When shopping for organic baby toys, avoid phthalates that are known to cause cancer and are associated with infertility. In addition, keep in mind that polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC) is found in plastic baby toys. PVC has also been linked to many health ailments including cancer.

 Lastly, consider the materials that plush toy is made of before it makes its way into the nursery. 

Mostly likely (unless otherwise indicated) stuffed animals contain synthetic fibers that contain petrochemicals. While the industry standards find this acceptable, organic mommies think twice about the idea of letting their babies roll around with a toy that gives off toxic gas even after being washed.

Organic Diapers

Making the switch from disposable to organic diapers is a major lifestyle change. In the long run, however, cloth diapers are not only environmentally friendly, but baby friendly as well. Before deciding on which is best for your family, consider this - disposable diapers are filled with gels, pesticides, chlorine, and other toxins. These toxins can be absorbed through the skin of the baby and straight into the blood stream. Once a disposable diaper is thrown away, it takes up to 500 years for it to break down in a landfill. Compare that figure to organic cloth diapers that can be used as many as 150 times and then recycled into hand rags.

If cloth diapers are a bit too much to take on, consider a combination of the two. You can utilize chlorine-free disposable diapers for outings and bedtime and reserve the cloth diapers for times when you and your baby are at home. Remember, every little bit helps.

Organic Skin Care For Baby

Did you know that a baby's skin exceptionally thinner than yours? In fact, your baby has skin that is five times thinner than the average adult. Keep this fact in mind when considering what skin care products to use on your child. Ask your pediatrician to refer you to a baby skin care product that is both safe and age-appropriate.

Organic Labels

Perhaps you have already seen the USDA "Organic" label in stores and on baby products. When you buy USDA Organic labels, you are purchasing an item that is free of antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, food additives, pesticides, irradiation, and other synthetic chemicals that are dangerous to your baby. Organic labels can be found on a variety of items including cotton, skin care items, and food.

You can subscribe to our Newletter for more articles on Pregnancy Tips, Baby Care and more.

[http://preggytips.com] Plus get a fun and interactive pregnancy countdown widget for FREE! Great for websites or blogs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3167583

Is Organic Baby Food Really Any Better For Your Baby?

You people know that there I know what you're thinking - "I want to feed the healthiest food to my baby & I've heard Organic Baby Food is good, but - I've also heard it's not any better & is just marketing hype! What is the truth?"

Well Read on.... here I will list the features & benefits of Organic Baby Food and let you decide for yourself.

Minimize Risk of Exposure to Toxins 

Toxins come in many shapes and forms, some you simply can't protect your baby from unless you were to live under a rock! However you can greatly reduce the risks to your baby by feeding them organic foods.

The lack of chemicals in organic foods reduces the toxin intake of your baby dramatically. The common toxins in non organic fruits & vegetables are pesticides or insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, not to mention the chemical preservatives & other sweeteners, thickeners & stabilizer additives that are in all jarred, canned or packaged foods.

Many sprays used on farms & chemicals added to foods were once thought to be safe but have since been proven to be harmful. Many have been proven to cause ADHD, Diabetes, Autism, even Cancer, birth defects, nerve damage and genetic mutations!

The EPA & FDA estimate that as much as 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides and 30% of insecticides/pesticides are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer.

Combat Many "Accepted" Childhood Illnesses & Allergies

Childhood conditions and allergies are getting to be so prevalent that it's almost inevitable! Well it doesn't have to be! Diagnosing a child with ADHD was once a rare occurrence and Autism was not a household word.

It is no coincidence that the rise in popularity of fast food and salty or sugary packaged foods, has also seen the rise in diagnoses of childhood illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and many other more sinister conditions such as allergies, autism and ADHD.

And while there are plenty of people who have legitimate food-related allergies, many of the allergies that are attributed to foods can actually be traced back to the chemical components added to preserve or sweeten foods, not the actual food!

While there are plenty of causes for these illnesses and allergies, there are too many cases that could be avoided and can be maintained with proper nutrition and avoidance of certain additives & toxins. Organic, unprocessed baby foods are a large step toward preventing these problems from beginning in your child.

Control Everything Baby Eats

While you control everything that goes into your baby's mouth right now, unless you are feeding them organic foods, you may be unconsciously feeding them harmful substances.

When you use all-natural and certified organic baby foods, you know everything that passes your baby's lips is beneficial to their body and not accidentally slowly poisoning them.

By reading labels and buying or making only organic foods you will avoid unintentionally feeding your baby harmful substances.

Avoid Having to "Convert" Later in Life

It's so much easier to begin healthy habits now with your child (rather than later). From eating the right foods to getting enough exercise, your child's health is in your hands now. That won't always be the case, though.

We've all had the experience of trying to make ourselves like a certain food - or avoid certain foods when we're on a diet. It's hard & not fun! You can give your baby an advantage over most kids by starting them out on the right road with healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

Know How Fresh Your Baby's Food Is

Every food you buy comes with an expiration date, but many non organic foods seem to last 12 months or longer on the shelf! How fresh & nutritious can that food really be 12 months after harvest? Not very!!

By feeding your baby Organic Baby Food, you can ensure the complete freshness of your baby's every meal. (Not wonder if this jar was prepared 12 months ago or earlier and has been sitting on the shelf, slowly deteriorating ever since.)

You can also prepare the best baby food when fruits and vegetables are at the peak of freshness & their vitamin and nutrient supplies are optimal.

If you do decide to buy readymade organic baby food from the grocery store instead of cooking your own, just be sure to check the expiry date as they have a shorter shelf life than their non organic counterparts. (which is a good thing!)

Save Money in the Long Run

While organic baby food - whether pre-made or homemade - may seem like an expensive option, consider all of the future costs that poor health can incur.

Not only would you have to worry about illnesses like colds and flu when your child's immune system isn't at its peak, you would also lose sleep over much more serious problems.

When you consider the doctor's bills, medicines and remedies that you may spend hundreds or thousands on over the years to heal your child of the afflictions caused by a poor diet & toxin exposure, organic baby food doesn't seem quite so expensive anymore.

Protect the environment 

Organic farming methods are much better for the environment.

Without the use of chemicals on crops, the land produces better food and is able to fortify itself naturally. The soil of an organic farm is richer than that of a non-organic farm and richer soil produces better tasting & more nutritious food because it gives the food all of the natural nutrients and the environment it needs to thrive.

Non-organic farming strips the soil of its natural goodness and replaces it artificially, making the food not taste as good and also the chemical run off into local streams and animal habitat is lethal!

Also organic foods are often packaged in environmentally friendly ways and their carbons are often offset as the companies producing these foods are often much more environmentally conscious.

Support Small & Local Business

Another benefit of feeding your baby Organic Food is that many of the companies producing this food - whether it is fresh produce or pre made organic baby food are small to medium businesses. (Not all are though so chose carefully if you prefer to support smaller companies instead of large corporations)

You can also support your own local economy by finding local suppliers or farmers markets to source your ingredients from, A great side benefit to the health benefits.

Feeding your baby an organic diet is a personal choice that will be based on many factors. Many parents find it hard at first because they think it is difficult to stick to an organic diet or too expensive. But that's a misconception.

Amy Garrow is an Organic Food Researcher, Alternative Health Nut & Mom. She is also author of a new ebook "Organic Baby Food: The Buyer's Guide". Her passions include, health foods and alternative cosmetics, great food, friends & most importantly - family.

When you look at all of the advice, information, tips & recipes for organic baby food feeding in her book, "Organic Baby Food: The Buyers Guide" you will be excited & I bet you'll not be able to wait to start your baby on a healthy, organic diet (and maybe yourself too).

Find out more about her ebook above or on her blog Organic Baby Food Reviews

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6233473

Organic Baby Food - 7 Secrets to Choosing the BEST Brands

Neglect to follow these steps and you could feed your baby a substandard brand!

Choosing between the dozens of brands of Organic Baby Food is difficult and can be overwhelming! Many companies make all sorts of "claims" on their labels and some even make up facts and flat our lie to you! If you follow these 7 tips - when you are comparing those little jars, it will make your choice a little bit easier.

1. Organic Certification Any organic baby food that you buy should be certified organic and have a certifiers logo or symbol on the label. It means all the ingredients meet the standards for organic foods.They have been grown without pesticides or herbicides and made without artificial preservatives, additives and sweeteners. BUT BE CAREFUL!! Sometimes food manufacturers will try to TRICK YOU into thinking that you're buying organic food when you really aren't!


2. The First 3 Ingredients When reading an ingredient list, the first three ingredients are the most important. That's because they make up about 90% of the content of your food. With baby foods there usually aren't a lot more than three ingredients. So this rule can be slightly different. But the ingredients are always listed in order from the ingredient that makes up the largest percentage to the ingredient that makes up the smallest percentage of your food. So - The main ingredient of that food should be the first ingredient listed. WATCH OUT!! Another Trick food manufacturer's do is put great looking, "Nutritional Information panels" on the front of the pack. These are TOTALLY UNREGULATED! Which means they don't actually have to be true! and they often aren't!


3. Filler Ingredients There are many different "filler" ingredients in pre-made foods. By filler ingredients, I mean ingredients that have NO nutritional value and are only added to increase the volume of the food (and give you less value for money!) Tip: Read the ingredient list. If anything is listed that isn't the food you are buying, they are filler ingredients. These ingredients should be avoided! Many things are used as filler ingredients to increase the volume of a food, thus "watering down" the nutritional value and the dollar value. DID YOU KNOW? Even some organic baby foods include unnecessary filler ingredients!


4. Genetically Engineered Foods Do you know much about Genetic Engineering? I bet you'd be surprised to know that many, many items on your supermarket shelves are made with Genetically Engineered ingredients (including many we feed to our baby's!) Certified Organic Baby Foods will NOT contain any GE ingredients, however.... some brands simply call themselves organic and not "certified organic" by a 3^rd party like the USDA so these brands are at risk of contamination!


5. Preservatives Any food that comes pre-packaged needs to have a preservative. So, yes - even organic baby food has some preservatives. Not all preservatives are created equal! Many are very dangerous chemicals and you should therefore avoid them, but there are some naturally occurring preservatives that aren't all bad. Or the preparation/packaging method may be the preservative. Many "No preservative" foods are simply heat treated and sealed in their packet. Treating a food at high heats does kill bacteria but it also kills many nutrients and is therefore no better than most preservatives!


6. Expiration Dates Organic foods are good for so many reasons. One of those reasons is their freshness. When you buy organic food it has to be fresh, frozen or preserved with natural preservatives. (not with toxic preservatives!) However, the down side to this is that organic food doesn't last for years on the shelf like some non-organic foods do. (Remember: This is a good thing). All of those chemicals that extend the shelf-life of foods are the ones we're trying to avoid. So, when buying organic baby food, be sure to check the expiration date. Grocery stores are used to jarred foods lasting for a long time and may not be as diligent in removing expired organic products from their shelves.


7. Packaging, BPA & Other plastics The packaging your food is contained in is something you should really think about.The chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) that is found in some plastics can be very harmful especially to babies. Almost all baby bottles, toys and other products made from plastic used to contain BPA. Buy only bpa free drink bottles, bowls, spoons, storage containers etc for yourself and the entire family. Also, Avoid hand-me-down plastic containers as time and years of washing can make BPA and other Dangerous toxins leach out into the food at higher levels. Also the metal lining of some foods, like baby formula, or tinned vegetables can leak dangerous chemicals into your foods especially after or close to the expiration dates. The safest way for you to be sure to avoid these pitfalls when buying pre-made food is to buy baby food that says their containers are BPA free. Also when buying plastic items for your baby, like spoons and bowls be sure that they are BPA free and recyclable!(And remember to recycle them when it's time to replace.)

If you want to know more about these 7 steps and find out even more about Organic Baby Food & how to make sure you are feeding your baby the absolute best, head over to Amy Garrow's website to learn about the new ebook which includes reviews of over 35 organic baby food brands "Organic Baby Food:The Buyers Guide" and you can find out even more!

Amy Garrow is an Organic Food Researcher, Alternative Health Nut & Mom. She is author of "Organic Baby Food: The Buyer's Guide". Her passions include, health foods and alternative cosmetics, great food, friends & most importantly - family.

Visit her website above or her blog Organic Baby Food Reviews

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6233316

Organic Baby Food - Do Not Buy ANY Brands Until You Read This!

The nasty components of some Organic Baby Foods that food manufacturer's don't want you to know!

Most Organic Baby Foods are fantastic, made by ethical, sustainable & considerate companies.

Others are large corporations simply aiming to get a piece of the "Organic pie" - although they may still scrape under the regulations and call themselves "Organic baby food" some of them are no good for your baby and not much better than the non organic varieties.

Read through the below tips to help you tell the good brands from the bad!

Is it certified organic?

Many brands put the word 'organic' somewhere on their label without any regulation or being truly organic. Only trust brands which have a say "certified organic" & have a logo somewhere on their label. In the USA the main certifier logo is the USDA but there are many others Packaging - What is it made of?

• Is it plastic? If so, make sure it is BPA Free.

•  NEVER heat anything made from plastic (even if it says microwave safe!) as heat causes all sorts of dangerous toxins to leach out of all plastics and into the food. (Especially in the microwave)

•  If you need to heat this item, empty the contents into a glass, ceramic or stainless steel container.

•  Is it recyclable? Try always to buy food in packaging that can be recycled - and remember to recycle it! every little jar counts!

•  How much packaging is used? Don't support companies that don't care about our environment and who use multiple levels of packaging. For example, a jar, inside a cardboard box then wrapped in plastic. Instead choose to support a company who uses only 1 level of packaging.

Filler ingredients - what other ingredients are in this item?

Baby food really should be only 1 ingredient - the food you are feeding your baby! (And maybe a little breast milk to make a runnier consistency for newbies)

However, when you buy any premade, packaged foods (organic or not), some other ingredients are needed such as preservatives to maintain quality and thickeners/stabilizers to ensure a good consistency.

The percentage of the main ingredient will determine how good this food is and how ethical the company supplying it is.

Do not buy any baby foods that do not have the main ingredient at the first thing in the ingredient list, or that have lots of other ingredients as well as the main one.

For example, green bean puree ingredients should read: green beans, water. And maybe a little citric acid (lemon juice) or vitamin c.

The bottom line is the less ingredients - the better, more pure and closer to nature this food will be!

Preservation method - Fresh or frozen?

Frozen foods are ALWAYS best. They contain fewer (if any) preservatives as the freezing is the preservation method. They are also more nutritious as they have been frozen quickly after harvest or preparation, thus locking in the goodness.

Room temperature foods in pouches or jars are not very fresh or nutritious. They either have preservatives in them (organic baby foods will have natural preservatives). Or if there are "no preservatives", the food has been heat treated to kill bacteria and seal the jar or pouch which raises a few issues;

• The chemicals in the packaging can leach into the food during the heating process.

• Heating foods also kills vitamins and minerals and nutrition levels! So your food may be "safe", has no bacteria and has a long shelf life - but all the goodness of eating fresh, organic baby food is killed! And nutrition levels keep dropping the longer it has been sitting on the shelf.

The bottom line - buy frozen organic baby food or make your own from the freshest local produce you can find.

Additives like DHA etc

Many baby foods and formulas now contain extra additives - which may sound like they are good for you - but think twice before believing the marketing hype!

Anything which says "fortified", "enriched", "supplemented" or "added nutrition" etc should be treated with caution, things such as DHA or ARA (a synthetic version of Omega 3 fatty acid), Iron, Vitamin C, or anything similar are needed in a diet of a child, but if you are breastfeeding (which the AAP recommends until the age of 12 months) then your baby should be getting all of these things from you.

And if you are feeding your baby a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables, they will be getting much of their iron and vitamin needs from those foods.

If your baby is formula fed, they may be missing out on some essential fatty acids which is why many baby formula brands are fortified with DHA & ARA.

However - the jury is still out on the safety of these additives in their synthetic version in food. So - in my opinion - until the jury is in, I am avoiding them. For more info read this article http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/nutrition/a/dha_ara.htm

The company as a whole

While this may not affect the actual quality of the food, I like to access the company who provides each product to decide whether I want to support them with my money. I look at things like -

Are they are large or small company?

I prefer to support smaller companies as they tend to be more ethical, sustainable and local and I feel good knowing I am supporting a family.

Are they a local or international company?

I prefer to support companies who are from my own country - thus creating jobs for my own community.

What other products do they sell?

Do they sell only certified organic and other healthy products? Or are they a big company who makes non organic baby food and has decided to make an organic version of it?

I tend not to support this kind of company because in my opinion they probably started making organic baby food for the money and market share and not because they truly believe in it.

What kind of marketing do they use?

Does this company make sugary or salty "junk" foods as well and still tell the consumers they are healthy?

Breakfast foods are the worst kind of foods for this - many, many cereals and breakfast items are marketed as "healthy" but common sense and a quick look at the ingredients for sugar & salt levels will tell you otherwise.

I prefer not to support a company who misleads their consumers in this way.

Amy Garrow is an Organic Food Researcher, Alternative Health Nut & Mom. She is also author of a new ebook "Organic Baby Food: The Buyer's Guide". Her passions include, health foods and alternative cosmetics, great food, friends & most importantly - family.

Find out more about her ebook Organic Baby Food The Buyer's Guide

Or visit her blog Organic Baby Food Reviews

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6233227

A Beginners Guide To Making Homemade Baby Food

Making Homemade Baby Food

Making homemade baby food is not difficult. It is economically friendly and healthier than purchasing commercially prepared food for your baby. Baby food recipes range from puree to recipes incorporating table food into recipes for baby. It takes less time than you think to create fresh, healthy baby food. Making homemade food assures you and your baby no preservatives are used and baby is only getting nutritious and tasty food.

Things to Consider when Making Homemade Baby Food

Before making food for your baby, consult with your pediatrician, especially if this is the first somewhat solid food the baby will be eating. Your pediatrician will suggest foods to introduce to the baby and what foods should be eaten at specific ages or signs of maturing. If you choose fruits, vegetables and meat you like; your pediatrician may suggest better alternatives for different age groups.

Unless your baby displays a serious reaction to a certain food the first time they experience it, offer the baby the same food 4 days in a row. This method will allow time for a food allergy to manifest and will help determine the food the baby likes and dislikes. There will be some foods the baby will refuse to eat because of its taste, texture or smell, or even a combination of the three. It is not important for a baby to like everything offered. It is important the baby gets the right food with the proper nutrients. It is never a good idea to introduce a baby to more than one new food at a time for allergy discovering purposes.

Preparing the food ahead of time will be a tremendous time saver. A large quantity of food can be frozen in individual containers for future use. For example, the food can be frozen in ice cube trays and then transferred to another container for continued freezing. That method gives you baby food in easy to serve portions. The frozen portions will thaw quickly when set out on the counter or thawed in a microwave or submerging the container of hot water.

Precautions to take when making Homemade Baby Food

When preparing homemade baby food, always make sure your hands are clean, as well as the food preparation surface, pots or pans and cooking utensils. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before preparing the baby food, and if meat is being prepared, rinse the meat with room temperature water. Always be sure the baby food containers are clean and sterilized for baby's protection.

Always put a date on the homemade baby food container and store it properly. Refrigerate or freeze the baby food for future use, after preparation. Freeze the baby food in small quantities and only thaw one portion at a time. Do not refreeze any leftover baby food. After a feeding session, any food left in the dish should be discarded.

When serving baby food, make sure the food is room temperature to slightly warm. If the food is heated in a microwave, stir the food thoroughly to make sure there are not hot spots that could potentially burn your baby's mouth.

The Baby Food Process

After rice based cereal, your baby will most likely move on to pureed fruits, vegetables and meat. Until you know what your baby will like, buy small quantities of fruits, vegetables and meat, unless other family members consume lots of fruits, vegetables and meat. After proper washing cut the fruit and vegetables in half and either boil, steam or bake them. If they are baked, place those in a baking dish with enough water to almost cover the dish contents. Vegetables and fruit can be peeled before or after cooking.

Small vegetables such as corn, peas and lima beans do not need to be halved. Bananas can just be mashed and not cooked at all unless that is your preference. Frozen peas are much easier to prepare than fresh peas. If preparing meat, make sure all traces of fat are removed and when cooked, make sure the meat is well done with no trace of pink.

Bake the fruits and vegetables for about an hour at 350 degrees (Fahrenheit) or until they are soft. During the cooking process make sure there is sufficient water in the dish to avoid burning the fruits and vegetables and add water if necessary. When the fruits and vegetables are baked, take the dish out of the oven and let cool. Peel the fruits and vegetables, if not already peeled, after they have cooled. Cook the meat until there is no pink showing.

Place the cooled fruit or vegetable in a food processor for pureeing. Add water to the mixture until the appropriate consistency is reached. If you add too much water, dry baby cereal can be added to thicken it up. If a food processor is not available, a hand mixer or a meat grinder will suffice or in the event a mechanical means is not available, mash the fruits and vegetables with a fork until there are no lumps present. That method will be very time consuming.

The food should be very thin for babies beginning to eat solid food, and as they grow older and have some solid food eating under their belt, the food can be made a little thicker. As the baby ages, the fruits and vegetables will just have to be chopped into small pieces rather than mashed or pureed.

Once you know what kind of fruits and vegetables your baby likes, you can mix different flavors together such as bananas and peaches or peas and squash.

Using Organic Fruits and Vegetables

Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the benefit of, or with a limited amount of, synthetic material, such as pesticides or other chemicals. Organic food is grown according to regulations and certified and labeled as organically grown. Food organically grown develops antioxidants to protect themselves against garden pest and, as a result, develop into a vegetable or fruit with higher levels of antioxidants. That means the fruits and vegetables are richer in minerals, vitamins and other pro health nutrients.

Eating organically is not just for mom and dad, but baby too. Making organic baby food will assure you your baby is getting the real deal. Who is to say a jar of baby food marked as organic is really organic? Organic fruits and vegetables were once only available in health food stores, or they were home grown. Today, organic food of every kind is available not only in specialty stores, but the average, everyday grocery store.

Organic food is prepared the same way as any other food. They can be steamed, boiled or baked and then mashed or pureed. As the baby gets older, food can be cut into small, bit size pieces, making it finger food babies can eat on their own.

The Benefits of Making Homemade Baby Food

If you have ever read the label of baby food bought at the grocery store, you will find some ingredients you have never heard of before, and some you will not be able to pronounce. I like to make my own food. It gives me the ability to control the ingredients and the quality of the food.

Another benefit of making baby food is cost. It is far less costly to make baby food than to buy it by the jars, especially since the ingredients can be purchased in bulk and in season. Making homemade baby food will even be less costly if the ingredients are homegrown.

We provide great articles for parents and families. Our website will give a wide range of information like top ten lists for products and baby how to's. We keep the site fresh and current and every new or veteran parent should check it out: http://practicalbabystuff.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6983065