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Why should you buy organic food for your children?  There are many compelling reasons for investing in your children’s future health and wellness by including whole foods in their daily diet   Healthy unrefined food provides solid foundational building blocks for health.   Most organic foods are kid-friendly – like baby carrots, broccoli “trees”, black olives and more.

By investing a few more cents for organic fruits like bananas or apples, you are insuring future health and less childhood illness.

Limits Exposure to Toxins

Organic food lowers exposure to toxins, heavy metals and pesticides.  Open young minds to the wonderful taste and variety of organic foods like yellow squash and green zucchini, and teach them early to prefer the natural taste of natural food.

 Build on your child’s natural curiosity by letting him help you shop for organic vegetables and snacks.  Provide a tasty dip, like ranch, and let her dip baby carrots, green peppers, or even weird-looking asparagus for a delightful snack.

Take it Slow

Transition to new foods gradually and let children accept them at their own pace.  Finger foods like organic graham crackers, unrefined fig newtons, or a handful of untreated cranberries are great try-it-now options for kids to taste.

Smaller Bodies, Bigger Risk

Harmful ingredients like pesticides are more dangerous for children because their smaller bodies accumulate deadly levels more quickly.  On the other hand, a smaller body weight will allow vitamins and healthy nutrients to assimilate faster.  Get creative with snacks and let the family discover how good nourishing food can taste.  Top organic yogurt with a handful of granola and some sliced fruit for a satisfying sweet snack.

Reduce Artificial Sweeteners and Additives

As the parent, you have the power to limit the amount of additives like artificial sweeteners, food dyes, and other harmful ingredients.  Food dyes have been linked to producing hyperactive behavior, artificial sweeteners may be harmful, and fillers and ingredients like high fructose corn syrups are better avoided.  Need something different?  Colorful, nutritious frozen pops made from organic yogurt is a simple way to benefit your child’s health.

Organic Food is More Nutritious

Serving your kids natual food means you are providing them with more vitamins and minerals.  Research has shown that organic foods contain a higher level of nutrients than commercial foods.

Smart solutions for adding more natural foods with health benefits for your children are familiar favorites like fruits, vegetables, nuts or seeds.  Roll an organic banana in a handful of sunflower seeds, and viola!  A quick, easy treat.

High Levels of Phytonutrients

A health benefit of unrefined food for children is the higher level of phytonutrients provided.  Serving raw or minimally processed whole foods provides maximum doses of vital vitamins and minerals that are needed for adolescents to grow strong.

In conclusion, organic food for children provides the following benefits:

Strong building blocks for a healthy foundation

Limits exposure to toxins and pesticides.

Eliminates harmful additives and food dyes.

Provides more vitamins and minerals for better health.

http://www.naturemoms.com/snacks-for-organic-kids.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60647

http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/12-27/health-benefits-of-organic-food-article.htm

http://www.helpguide.org/life/organic_foods_pesticide_gmo.htm

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Where to Buy Organic Chocolate

For a special earth-friendly treat, try organic chocolate.  Easier to find, more Fair Trade options, better for people and the planet, going green with America’s favorite candy has never been easier.

Head for the organic section of your favorite store and see what inspires you.  From creamy chocolate bars to truffles to organic chocolate Easter bunnies, there is an eco-friendly chocolate to suit any chocolate lovers taste buds.  Most big box stores are offering organic brands on a regular basis.

Hate to shop?  No problem, shop from your seat via the convenience of the Internet.  A quick search of the term “organic chocolate” will open chocolate heaven!  Mother’s Day is coming, so why not surprise mom with a chocolate treat that’s also good for the earth.

An excellent on-line chocolatier is Vosges. This eco-friendly company is an environmentally responsible model.  Their delectable organic goodies are manufactured in a certified organic facility powered by wind.

Check out their gifts under $10, or how about Mo’s bacon.  Chocolate and bacon?  It might be your new fave!  With gifts for Mother’s Day, weddings, birthdays, or just to treat you, this site is a must to visit.   http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/category/unique_chocolate_gifts

What would Easter be without Cadbury eggs?  This famous British chocolate company recently announced a “purple goes green” eco-conscious campaign.  In response to increased public demand for reduction of excess packaging, Cadbury has revised and updated their signature purple packaging just in time for Easter 2009.

Dagoba Organic Chocolate has one of my favorite flavor blends, delicious chocolate expertly mingled with lavender.  Yum!  This fine company scores high on the environmental scorecard and has been awarded an EPA Green Power Leadership Award.  Visit them here:  http://www.dagobachocolate.com and buy some chocolate today!

Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates lists ten reasons on the website for buying organic chocolate.  Number nine, no child slavery, is my prime reason for choosing organic candy.   Maybe I can’t save the whole world, but if I can help one child…isn’t that worth the cost?  With a full range of chocolate treats, fundraising programs, bulk and retail products, Sweet Earth Organics offers many smart ways to go green with chocolate.  Find them here: http://www.sweetearthchocolates.com/level.itml/icOid/135

These are just a few examples of the many fine chocolatiers to be found online.  No matter what your favorite flavor or blend of chocolate may be, there probably a local or online source to be found, so treat your taste buds today!

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Easy Easter Sunday Dinner 2009

Food They'll Love - Recipes for Easter Sunday

Here are recipes for an easy yet delectable Easter Sunday dinner for 2009. The menu for a family of four includes: Ham Steaks Glazed with Apricot Sauce, Deviled Eggs Easter 2009 Style, Beans 'n Beef, Charoses Salad, and Bunny Soft Biscuits.

Deviled Eggs Easter 2009 Style Serves 4

6 hard boiled eggs
¼ tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 T. yogurt
1 tsp. mayonnaise
½ tsp. Dill seed
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash paprika

Peel eggs. Cut eggs in half and scoop out yolks, reserve whites. Place yolks in a small bowl and add all other ingredients. Blend well, taste and add more seasoning if necessary. Divide mixture between egg white halves, and gently mound. Serve on romaine leaf and sprinkle with paprika. Keep refrigerated until serving time.

Charoses Salad Serves 4

Mixed salad greens or 1 package Earthbound Organic Baby Salad Greens
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 large red apple, chopped, leave peel on
½ tsp. ground Cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1/3 cup honey (local if possible)
2-3 T. sweet red wine
1/8 - 1/4 cup apple juice
1/4 cup raisins
1 - 2 tsp. lemon juice

Rinse salad greens, pat or spin dry. Place in serving dish and keep chilled until ready to serve. Meanwhile, in small bowl combine walnuts, chopped apple, and raisins. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Gently fold and combine mixture until coated with lemon juice. Refrigerate until serving time. Combine honey, wine, enough apple juice to give it a good pouring consistency, and spices. Mix well. When ready to serve, add fruit and nut mixture to greens. Drizzle with the honey-wine dressing. Toss gently. This makes an elegant presentation served in a clear glass bowl.

Beans 'n Beef Serves 12
2 T. ground flax seed
6 oz. bacon (½ of a 12 oz. Package)
1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
1 1/2 cup chopped onion (or ½ c. dehydrated)
1 - 55 oz. can (3 lb. 7 oz.) Bush's Baked Beans
1 - 28 oz. can petite diced tomatoes, do not drain

1 T. black strap molasses, poured into a ½ measuring cup
Approx. ½ cup any mild molasses (add to black strap molasses until ½ cup measure is full)
½ tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. sea salt

Brown bacon, drain grease. Rinse pan carefully with hot water to remove as much bacon grease as possible. Brown ground beef. Put beef into a colander and rinse well with hot water. Place bacon and beef in a large dutch oven or other large stove top kettle. Drain ½ cup of juice from tomatoes, add to meats. Add onion, sauté about 5 minutes. Add all other ingredients. Bring to boil, stirring well to prevent sticking. When mixture is boiling nicely, reduce heat to low or simmer. Let it cook for at least 30 - 45 minutes. Leftovers freeze well.

Bunny Soft Biscuits

2 T. each: oat flour or oat bran, flax meal or ground flax seed, wheat germ.
½ cup spelt or wheat flour
1 cup unbleached flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sea salt
¼ cup butter
1 cup yogurt

Place the all ingredients except for butter and yogurt in a large bowl and use a slotted spoon to sift gently until well combined.

Add ¼ cup butter. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or rub it into the mixture with fingers. Mixture will look like cornmeal when it has been blended sufficiently. Gently add 1 cup yogurt (organic is preferable). Mix until a dough forms. (If your dough is very sticky, you may have to knead in a little more flour. You want a soft dough.) Place dough onto a floured surface, knead until smooth. Roll to 1" thickness, cut biscuits. Place on a very lightly greased cooking sheet, bake 10-13 minutes or until tops are golden brown. These are best served hot from the oven

Ham Steaks with Apricot Glaze

2-3 fully cooked ham steaks, enough for one 4 - 6 oz. serving per person
1 jar of all fruit apricot spread or jam
1 small can of apricots, drained
1/2 tsp. cloves

Place ham steaks in a large dutch oven or electric skillet. Empty jar of fruit spread into a microwave safe container. Microwave 11-22 minutes. You want the spread to be the consistency of a glaze. Mix in the 1/2 tsp. of cloves, gently fold in the drained apricots. Pour over ham steaks. Cover pan and cook on medium heat until heated through and glaze is gently bubbling. Serve warm.

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With grocery prices soaring, how do you eat healthy on a tight budget? The best place to start is at your computer. Sound strange? Well, by doing your homework, you can make an eating plan that is nourishing but will not bust your budget.

Look for ideas on wholesome meatless meals. Dried beans are an inexpensive way to provide protein, fiber and other beneficial nutrients on a tight budget. They are easy to cook and freeze well, so they can be prepared in advance and stored for future meals.

Learn to cook healthy meals using tea. Drinking tea is an accepted way to add nutritious antioxidants to your meals, but what if you do not like tea? Tea can be used just like any other dried herb. Just open the tea bag and add the tea to your recipe.

You can also brew the tea first and use the tea leaves for seasoning. Store the brewed tea liquid in the refrigerator and use it to prepare hot cereals like oatmeal, soups, puddings, and pasta. This liquid is also excellent for poaching meat or fish, and cooking rice. Milder teas will give you the antioxidant benefits without overwhelming a dish with tea flavor. Fruit flavored teas are perfect for adding a unique flavor note to cooked cereals and puddings. Think of it as drinking your vitamins!