Oct 31 2008

Tips for Helping Young Children Eat Organic Foods

Tag: organic food @ 4:01 pm

Are you the parent of a young child who you would like to eat healthy? If you are, you may be interested in introducing your child to organic foods. Unfortunately, for some parents this can be easier said than done. If you are finding it difficult to introduce your toddler or preschooler to organic foods, please continue reading on, as a number of helpful tips are highlighted below.

One way to help your child get use to eating organic foods is to not tell them that they are doing so right away. Of course, you want your child to know that they are eating healthy and it is important for children to know what organic foods are, but you may want to wait until your child has already decided that they like eating organic, which they should. This is important for toddlers and preschoolers, as some may be turned away by the word “organic,” especially if it is a new word for them. There is really no reason why you need to tell your child that they are eating organic soap, when you could just simply say soup.

Introducing your child, especially young children, to organic foods slowly is another great approach. If you are making the switch to organic foods, consider making it a transition, instead of a traditional switch. Although your child will likely not be able to tell the difference in organic foods, some children are able to do so. This is where there are benefits to slowly introducing a child to organic foods. For example, start with snacks or one meal a day, such as an organic breakfast.

Speaking of snacks, they are a great way to get your child excited about eating organic foods. Did you know that there are a number of organic snacks, many of which are designed for toddlers and preschoolers? There are. For example, Earth’s Best Organic offers fruit snack bars, organic cookies, and organic crackers. Also, most of their products for toddlers and preschoolers come with Sesame Street themes. Snacks are a positive and fun way to introduce young children to organic foods. Also, consider offering your child a reward for eating all or most of their organic meals. This is great for picky eaters. What you can do is offer an organic cookie or an organic cracker as a reward if all or most of your child’s lunch or dinner is eaten.

Another easy, yet fun way to get your child excited about eating organically is by letting them help you shop. This is ideal if you will be doing your shopping locally. When using this approach, it is best to visit a specialty organic food store, as no matter what your child chooses it should be healthy and natural. For smaller children, point them in the right direction. For example, set your child in the cereal aisle if you are looking to buy cereal, and so forth.

The above mentioned ways are just a few of the many ways that you can successfully introduce your child to organic foods. These approaches are ideal for those at the toddler and preschool levels. Many find that this is the age range that is most difficult to make the switch to organic foods, as many children at this age dislike change, especially where their food is concerned.


Oct 31 2008

Rosemary

Tag: herbs @ 12:49 pm

Rosemary is a relative to the mint family and the name is derived from its Latin origin to mean “dew of the sea.” Rosemary is very common in Mediterranean cuisine and has somewhat of a bitter astringent taste to it. While that is true it compliments oily foods very nicely. A tisane can be made from the Rosemary leaves and that is also very popular when cooking.

First it is burned and then added to a BBQ to flavor various foods. Sage, unlike many other herbs has a high nutritional value to it and is rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin B-6 and is more nutritional in its dried form rather than fresh. Rosemary should be harvested just as you are going to use it because it truly loses its flavor once dried. Gardner’s swear that if you plant some Rosemary plants in and around your garden, the Rosemary will fend off moths, beetles, and carrot flies.

Older Europeans loved Rosemary and believed that it improved memory and also used it as a symbol of remembrance and was often tossed into fresh graves before they were buried over. Traditionally it has been said that Rosemary, left untrimmed, would grow for thirty three years where it will reach the height of Christ when he was crucified. Many would also place sprigs of Rosemary underneath their pillows to ward of evil and nightmares. Often the wood that comes from the stems of the Rosemary plant was used to make musical instruments. Remember that people back then liked to utilize every piece of something as not to waste. Today, many wreaths are made from Rosemary as a symbol of remembrance.

Today, Rosemary is still used for many things besides cooking as it is in potpourris, air fresheners, shampoos, and cosmetics. There has also been scientific evidence that Rosemary works very well as a memory stimulant. Rosemary has also shown some cancer prevention properties in animals. But further Rosemary has shown a strong relationship in relaxing muscles, and to soothe stomach upset as well as menstrual cramps. The main thing to remember when using Rosemary for this purpose is that if you use too much it can actually cause a counter effect.

When made into a tea it is ingested for calming nerves and anxiety and as an antiseptic. Rosemary when used as a tea many people find to taste very good. Making the tea from Rosemary is quite simple actually, just pour boiling water over the leaves and steep for 10-15 minutes. A little sugar can be added by you should not add any cream. A few sprigs can be added to oils and vinegars to flavor the products which add a nice taste for cooking.

When used cosmetically it can lighten and tone human hair and when mixed with equal parts of shampoo it has been known to strengthen hair too. It also makes for a nice additive in hot bath water. Rosemary is still used quite commonly today however more so for cooking than anything else.


Oct 29 2008

Tips for Choosing an Organic Food Store to Shop At

Tag: organic food @ 4:01 pm

If you have just recently decided to switch to organic foods, you may be looking for the best places to shop at. After all, it is no secret that organic foods can sometimes be difficult and costly to buy. With that being said, organic food consumption has increased in popularity over the past few years, as more individuals worry about their health. This means that you may have a number of different options when looking to buy organic foods.

If you do have a number of different options, when looking to buy organic foods, you may be wondering which option is best for you. For example, if you have two local, natural food stores, you may be wondering which one is actually best for you to shop at. When choosing an organic food store to shop at, there are a number of important points that you will want to keep in mind.

Price should play an important role in choosing an organic food store. As it was previously stated, organic foods are known for their increased prices. In fact, that is one of the many reasons why not everyone chooses to eat organically, as many are turned off by the cost of doing so. If you are looking to eat organically on a budget or if you are just looking to save money, examine the prices of your nearby organic food stores. Find a store that enables you to save the most money.

Product selection should also play an important role in choosing an organic food store to shop at. For example, in addition to specialty organic food stores, many supermarkets have organic food sections. As nice as this is, these sections are often extremely small in size. This means that you aren’t provided with the largest selection of organic foods. In fact, you may only have two or three organic cereals to choose from. To help ensure that healthy and tasty organic foods are consumed, the largest selection of products should be sought after.

Your alternatives should also be examined. As previously stated, many supermarkets have small organic food sections. It is also important to note that many cities and towns are seeing an increase in organic food stores. If you have two or more natural food stores to choose from, be sure to examine them all. If you do have a choice, not only look for affordable prices and large product selections, but also examine the level of customer service that you receive.

In addition to buying organic foods locally, they can also be purchased online. When looking to buy organic foods online, be sure to do business with a trusted website or company. Does the website in question look clean, professional, and is it easy to navigate? Remember that you do have a number of different options when looking to buy organic foods online, so be sure to find the best for you.

Should you decide to shop online for organic foods, it is important to examine shipping costs. As you likely already know, fresh and frozen organic foods need to be properly shipped. This may cost extra money, but it shouldn’t cost too much more. You will never want to pay more money for shipping than you need to. For that reason, you should compare shipping costs just like you would organic food prices.

Another great way to help you choose the organic food store that is best for your needs is by seeking recommendations from those that you now. Ask your friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbors for recommendations. It is even better if these individuals are organic food eaters themselves. If you are interested in buying organic foods online, consider joining an online community, like one that is designed for organic eaters or health conscious individuals. Ask about organic food recommendations, not just online stores, but products as well. In fact, did you know that many organic eaters are known to trade recipes on online message boards?


Oct 27 2008

Parsley

Tag: herbs @ 12:48 pm

When it comes to herbs, traditions have changed, varieties have increased, but through it all, Parsley has just stayed Parsley, flat or curly leaf, nothing major and no need for change. Use it as an herb or use it as a garnish, it does not matter people still love it. Often used fresh or dried, fresh is more popular and has very easy access when purchasing it or growing it. Storing it is simple, just wrap it is a damp paper towel and place it in a baggie and store it in the fridge. Parsley is used for all kinds of sauces and salads. Parsley can pretty much be added to anything and is used often to color pestos but it is very frequently used as a garnish.

Throughout history, parsley has been used for cooking as well as for medicinal purposes but has also been used for a lot more. Early Greeks used Parsley to make crowns for the Olympian winners. Hebrew tradition uses Parsley as part of Passover as a symbol of spring and rebirth. Parsley tracks all the way back to Hippocrates who used it for medicinal purposes for cure alls and as an antidote for poisons.

He also used it for ridding kidney and bladder stones. Many of these prior claims have been validated through modern science and it is true that Parsley is rich in vitamin A and C and is also shown to clear toxins from the body and reduces inflammation. Parsley has three times the amount of Vitamin C than oranges do!

Back in much earlier times, any ailments that was thought to be caused from a lack of Vitamin C was treated with Parsley such as for bad gums and loose teeth, for brightening what were considered dim eyes. The Greeks almost feared Parsley because it was associated with Archemorus, who too was an ancient Greek. Ancient tales tell that Archemorus was left as a baby on a parsley leaf by his nurse and was eaten by a serpent. For this reason the Greeks were terrified of Parsley which sounds kind of silly now but it took a while for them to get over that.

Parsley was also used to regulate menstrual cycles because parsley contains apiol which mimics estrogen, the female sex hormone. Parsley was also used to ward off Malaria and is told to have been very successful in doing so and it aided with water retention as well. Although these are old wives tales as some might call them when you consider them for just a minute they really do make a lot of sense.

Some of these old remedies still are used in part today such as the use of Parsley for kidney stones, as a diuretic, for rheumatoid arthritis, as a stimulant, for menstrual regulation, to settle the stomach, and as an appetite stimulant. You can purchase Parsley juice at herbal stores and it can be very healthy for you although it might not taste the greatest it can be mixed with other juices to enhance the flavor. Dried Parsley really has the least amount of nutritional value to it.


Oct 26 2008

The Pros and Cons of Eating Organic Foods

Tag: organic food @ 4:00 pm

Have you heard that organic foods are healthy to eat and good for the environment? If you have, you may be interested in making the switch to organic foods. With that being said, you may still be a little bit uncertain about doing so. For many individuals, a change in eating habits is a big deal. In fact, a change in eating habits can also be considered a lifestyle change. To help ensure that you are making the right decision, you may first want to examine the pros and cons of eating organic foods.

Perhaps, the greatest pro or plus side to eating organically is the health benefits. Organic food differ from many of the other foods that are available for sale today because they are not made with chemicals and other additives, some of which may be harmful to our bodies. Organic food is one hundred percent, completely natural. You are also given guarantees, as most organic foods must be certified and pass rigorous tests.

Another pro or plus side to eating organically is that organic food is ideal for individuals of all ages. This is great if you are looking to have your whole family eat organic, not just yourself. It is also important know that organic foods aren’t just fruits and vegetables. There are snacks, drinks, and deserts that are all considered organic. Most organic foods, including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and snacks are designed for individuals of all ages. With that being said, there are also many companies that specialize in selling organic foods for babies and toddlers. One of those companies is Earth’s Best Organic.

Another pro or plus side to making the switch to organic foods is that you can do your part to help the environment, as well as organic farmers. Unfortunately, farms seem to be a dying bread in the United States. Many farmers, even those who have been farming for years are finding it too costly to continue. Although most will simply just close down their operations, others decide to make the switch to organic foods. This not only helps to keep farmers afloat and in business, but it can also help the environment, by eliminating the number of pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals that are used.

Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to buying and eating organic foods, it is also important to touch on the downsides of doing so as well. One of the biggest cons or downsides associated with eating organic is the cost of doing so. Visiting one of your local supermarkets and walking through an organic food section will give you an idea as to the costs. When compared to other foods, organic does cost more money. While that cost is more than worth it to many, some are turned off by it. With that being said, it is important to know that there are a number of ways that you can save money on organic foods. These ways involve searching for store sales on organic foods or by using organic food coupons.

There are also many individuals who are unhappy with the selection of organic foods that they are able to gain access to locally. For the largest selection of organic foods locally, examine specialty organic food stores, as they specialize solely in the selling of natural foods. The internet can also be examined, as there a number of product manufacturers who sell their organic foods online, as well as organic food stores that sell a number of different brands.


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