Natural And Organic Food Reviews

Nature has provided every living creature with proper mechanisms to sustain life on earth. One of the most amazing wonders of being a mother is the capacity to provide milk to her offspring. With the increasing consciousness to organic food consumption, breast milk definitely passes the standard for organic food consumption.

Breast milk offers the most complete nutrients needed for an infant to grow. One may check the nutritional information written on milk products packaging and be surprised that no matter how best the milk manufacturers promote their products, they can never equal the richness of mother’s milk.

Breast milk boosts the immune system of babies because it contains anti-infective factors against infections, and harmful bacteria and microorganisms. This means that babies are safe with infectious and contagious diseases as long as they are breast fed. If a member of the family has cough, the baby is safe from being infected.

There’s no such thing as lactose intolerance for breastfed babies. Mother’s milk is specially designed to fit the sensitive digestion capability of the young. As with allergies and the onset of diarrhea despite breastfeeding, these are resolved with the mother avoiding food that causes allergies and diarrhea.

With breastfeeding, the hassle of sterilizing feeding bottles and waking up at night to prepare the milk are eliminated. Traveling becomes convenient for mother and child as there is no need to bring those can of milk and feeding bottles. If the mother is working, milk can be extracted before going to work. For most mothers, this is not a convenient option; but for mothers who want the best for their children, it’s is not a big sacrifice after all.

Of course, breast milk comes free. With the surging prices of milk in the market, milk can never be a problem for any family of whatever status. The quality of milk a rich mother produces is the same as the quality of milk a poor mother gives. The supply is never to be worried as the mother’s body produces the milk requirement as the baby grows.

However, if mothers want to provide really good milk, they also need to watch the food they eat and the emotional state. The transfer of energy also applies to the breastfeeding mother. If the mother provides her body with nutritious and healthy food, she also provides her baby with the safest milk to her child. If the mother is stressed, milk production and quality is also affected. Mother’s diet need not be expensive as nature also provides the best and cheapest food for nursing mothers. Older folks have rich knowledge on this and it is always free to ask them.

With the melamine contamination gripping the dairy industry, every mother becomes conscious as to what milk to give their babies. For mothers who still have the choice, this is one of the best time to consider breastfeeding their babies. It is natural and therefore is an organic food.

When the Earth was created billions of years ago, the process for other creations proceeded. The first creations were completely organic. Herbivores ate organic plants and herbs while carnivores ate organic meat. The symbiotic cycle continued without obstruction. Men and animals lived longer though the threat for survival seemed endless. Indeed, consuming organic food was the normal thing to do then.

When the subsistent economy gradually became commercial, it introduced large-scale production. To supply the demands of the growing population especially in the urban areas, crops has to be planted in vast tracks of lands while animals for food consumption have to be raised in highly controlled environment. These gave birth to commercial farming and livestock.

Fruits that used to grow in season are now available all-year round. As pests thrive, new and expensive pesticides were applied in plants. In plantations, planes do the air spray of these pesticides thereby extending contamination to the environment. In smaller farms, farmers learned to apply inorganic fertilizers and chemicals to yield “nice looking” produce.

As for livestock raising and production, animals receive doses of antibiotics and other injectables for bacterial and viral infection resistance. They feed on commercially-produced feeds that contain inorganic compounds. Take for instance corn which is used in feed production. New genetically-modified varieties (GMO) of corn have been introduced. These varieties are heavily dependent on inorganic chemicals and fertilizers. The chemicals are then passed on to the corn and then to the animals that consumes the finished product. Humans then consumes the pork, beef or chicken, or the by-products of these animals such as milk and eggs. A new cycle has been enforced.

These inorganic inputs were found to cause new types of diseases in human beings. With mortality rate increasing and the life span decreasing, concern for organic food increases over the last few decades. Advocacy continues to rise with the campaign to turn to organic farming, establishing organic food certification authorities and procedures, and environmental laws and preservation movements.

Easy Organic Food Production. The simplest and best way to know if what one eats is organic is to plant the food a family normally consumes. A small garden can accommodate different types of herbs and vegetables which can supply the daily food requirement of a family. Spices and herbs can be planted in pots while vines can be made to cover the fence of the compound. Different vegetables can be planted in plots, planting only enough of each kind for the family’s needs. Of course, it is always good to give to neighbors as part of practicing generosity and gratitude.

Do Composting. Garbage is one of the problems of a growing population. For biodegradable, the best way to process them is through composting. One simple way is by making a portion of the backyard as composting area. Throw fruit and vegetable peelings and food left-overs in the composting area and let the earthworms do the job. If there is no backyard, put the earthworms in a container where composting process will be done. The excreted matter of earthworms is the best topsoil in the world!

Simple Physical Check. Some organic food are not “beautiful”. They have blemishes that implies poor crop quality. They are also smaller in size. Don’ t be deceived by these unpleasant look because these are signs that the fruit or vegetable did not receive pesticide spray to kill the organisms or “beautify” them. Many newly introduced varieties are heavily dependent on pesticides and inorganic fertilizers, and would not survive if planted the organic way. An unblemished and smooth banana, for instance, is wrapped in plastic bag and sprayed with pesticide to protect the banana from pest.

Having organic food does not have to be expensive; but going organic needs will and determination. The society and the human mind have been programmed to eat the unhealthy food in the market today. To get out of this cycle necessitates discipline and positive thinking. Choices are eternally present and every person only has to be responsible for his or her choice.

After consuming that maternity leave, working mothers go back to work to support the family’s needs. After a few months, baby becomes ready for weaning and the concern on what to feed arises. Help is always ready for those who really need it. Here now comes the idea of frozen organic baby food which mothers and babies would definitely love.

An ideal frozen organic baby food should have no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. It simply has to contain the main ingredient/s. The frozen organic baby food product must not contain salt nor sugar to enhance the taste. The ingredients should not also be made from genetically-modified varieties or other new varieties that are heavily dependent on inorganic substances. Ingredients should be free from hazardous chemicals applied during crop or livestock production.

If the frozen organic baby food really gets its ingredients from organic-certified suppliers, then the frozen organic baby food can be certified organic. However, it must also undergo the same process as required by the certification authority which many countries now have. A product is certified organic if it bears the seal of the organic certification authority.

Furthermore, the amount of nutrients the baby would get from eating the frozen organic baby food must also comply with the baby dietary requirements standards. Check the Nutrition facts on product label if the product contains the necessary vitamins, minerals, fats, fiber and other baby dietary requirements.

Babies get balanced dietary requirements by buying different frozen organic baby food flavors. Consider the food pyramid in choosing the flavors. Meals should be rich in fruits and vegetables, then cereals, then protein-rich meat products. If the parent considers feeding the baby with purely vegetable flavors, then find a substitute for protein-rich meat. One example would be tofu or mongo beans.

Since these are frozen organic baby food, there are no more hassles in preparation such as as peeling, scraping, or whipping. It can be heated in a microwave oven, on a saucepan or simply bring a few cubes of frozen organic baby food on the road. The Best Before warning should also be observed to get the most freshness out of the product.

Organic food production and consumption is to some way in its advocacy stage. The entire planet floats on significant amount of pollution, radiation and hazardous chemical compounds that produce different viral strains, fatal diseases, and unhealthy conditions. Going back to our natural state such as consuming organic food has now been a test of one’s will and level of economic status.

Millions of years ago, men and women lived harmoniously with nature which provided abundant food for them. Having no other goal but survival, they had no idea of manipulating an organism or enhancing the organic food into more tasty and palatable recipes. They learned how to find their food by hunting and then later through farming. When people crossed the boundary towards civilization, mass production became a big part of every nation’s economy. Research and development were focused on creating high-yielding varieties (HYVs) and the unnatural method of propagating and producing these varieties.

The choice the human race made in the past is now revealing its lessons. However, these lessons are still veiled to majority of the people. To a few people, they have already decided to go back to organic farming or organic food consumption. To protect the interest of the consumers, organic food certification authorities have been set up in many countries. Many are also following suit.

The internet now offers organic food online. Consumers can simply connect to the web, look for organic food online and process the order of organic food online, right at the comfort of their home. The availability of information over the net makes it also possible for consumers to check the authenticity of products claiming to be organic food. Organic certification authority has a list of organic food certified products, suppliers and manufacturers.

Organic food has more vitamins and minerals than ordinary food which contains harmful chemicals as a result of pesticide and herbicide application. A high-yielding variety of carrot, for example, is bigger than organic carrot. However, organic carrot contains more nutrients because it was grown on fertile soil with organic fertilizers.

Organic food, much more organic food online, are usually more expensive than ordinary food. One of the unveiled reasons is that the government subsidizes the more pervasive inorganic agriculture while organic food producers have yet to receive support from government. Since production of organic crops necessitates the use of natural fertilizers and forbids harmful chemicals in pesticides and herbicides, the labor cost is higher. This means controlling the weeds and pests manually instead of simply spraying. The yield is also low as compared to HYVs.

If computed, however, it would always turn out to be more expensive for consumers of inorganic food because part of the people’s taxes go to agricultural subsidies and consumers pay more for their health when they get sick. Organic food consumers are feeding the body with clean elements, therefore, they also have a cleaner and healthy body. Since they have more energy, they have more time to work, less stress and more income opportunities.

Is your baby ready for weaning?  If your child is already six months old, then it’s time to change the usual routine of milk preparation or breastfeeding, and add the solid food preparation in the daily schedule.  Because babies are very sensitive,  organic baby food recipes would be perfect for them.  So, get ready to check on weaning information from fellow mothers, your child’s pediatrician, or from the website.  Make sure to buy organic food to give your babies the best.

As a parent, it always excites me to see newborn babies and watch them grow.  My sister-in-law is now weaning her first son.  After explaining her the benefits of giving organic baby food, we started experimenting on new organic baby food recipes every week.

My nephew is seven months old and tries one new organic baby food recipe straight for one week to test for allergies or digestion problem.  Let me share to you the first three home-made organic baby food recipes we did.  These recipes are made completely from organic food.  These are very easy to do, take less time to finish and have longer shelf life to feed for the next few days.

Going Banana
Banana is always in season and is readily available in the market or at your favorite supermarket.  However, since we want our babies to eat organic food, make sure you buy your banana from trusted seller/market.  If you are living in a country that imports banana, check for the organic food certification on the label.  Buying local banana would be safer especially if you live in the rural or rurban area.

Banana lasts up to at least three days, depending on the quality of ripeness upon buying.  Therefore, this organic baby food recipe can always be served fresh to babies.  Use the baby feeding spoon to scrape ripe banana and start on ½ tablespoon for the new starter’s meal.

Banana is rich in Potassium which is good for bone development.  Feeding babies with banana helps  the body’s capability to absorb calcium which is present in babies’ milk.  Banana also contains Vitamins (A, C, Folate, Choline), Minerals (Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus), Carbohydrates and Omega-6 Fatty Acids.

Go, Go, Go, Avocado!
I had never tried avocado for my kids’ organic baby food recipe; and when I saw my nephew nibbled it graciously, it was a nice experience.  Indeed, its taste and texture is ideal for babies.  One avocado is more than enough for one week.  However, avocado turns brown if not served immediately.  One solution is to integrate avocado in the family meal.  The baby then eats organic food with the entire family.

When buying avocado, choose different levels of ripeness so that there would always be a ripe piece everyday.  Start serving ½ teaspoon of this organic baby food for the baby’s meal.  Scrape in small amount until there is enough for the baby’s meal.

Avocado is definitely an organic food because it is not produced on large-scale basis.  Avocado is an all-around complete organic baby food.  Babies get Vitamins (A, C, E, K, B6, Folate, Pantothenic acid, B6, and other vitamins in small amount), Minerals (Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Phosphorus,  Potassium, Sodium), Saturated Fats, Carbohydrates, Dietary Fiber and Protein from eating avocado.  It is high in fats but is good for babies.

Go and Get Sweet Potato
Boiled sweet potato was one of my favorite organic baby food recipes.  It is very cheap and abundant in the market all year round.  The variety I like best has the light red skin and peach orange meat.  Once boiled, it can be refrigerated for the next feedings.  For babies, boiled sweet potato is simply mashed.  Serve ½ teaspoon for solid starters.

As an organic baby food recipe, boiled sweet potato is low in Sodium and very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol.  It is a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B6 and Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Go for Organic Baby Food!
Eating habit and preference are determined at early age.  As more and more people becomes health conscious, it is best to train children to value health and their physical body.  Start the training process at the earliest stage – at birth by breastfeeding and as soon as they are ready for solids.  Train babies to eat organic food by preparing organic baby food recipes for them.