Are some baby foods negatively effecting our children?

http://sproutbabyfood.com/stage3.php?sku=RTHV

I sing the praises of another ORGANIC baby food and yet wonder why these products aren't more advertised and readily available to the average consumer. With all the products that are pushed to children on a regular basis, it makes me ponder the questions I'm sure so many mothers ask themselves, WHY aren't these products more popular?

While having a conversation with fellow mothers in arms, we discussed why babies are so lethargic and sluggish when they should be bouncing and active and moving about. I also noticed that some babies are even more chunky that my babies are. At first I wondered if it's because my children were preemies but then I thought my babies have never eaten anything but organic foods. Could this have an effect on their energy levels and even their development? Are other products more fatty in content or filled with additives that are slowing our children down? I have found that my children do have more energy they play longer they are stronger and are developing way beyond the stages of their peers. Does baby' diet play a role in how they progress. I've even noticed that my twins are natural vegetarians. They don't like meats or any meals with meat content.

We are moving towards the stage of finger foods and I question whether or not some of the "foods" that are presented really that good for them. I actually heard of a pediatrician suggesting Cheetos puffs? WHAT are you kidding me? After all the hard work and research of finding organic healthy baby foods, after the efforts of our first lady to combat childhood obesity and all the talk of early juvenile diabetes and this woman wants me to give my children a greasy, fatty, artificially flavor snack to help with their hand eye coordination and get them to feed themselves all the while clogging their 10mos old arteries and starting them on a path of salty, couch potato diet! YEAH RIGHT, I'm going to do that (lol)

So why aren't organic products available in cheaper prices or in more store with the varieties they have on their websites and even more why aren't these products available to women on public assistance? Especially now if you think about it, there are so many women and children that are in need of asistance from the government you would think that a healthier alternative would be available to them if the object is to have a nutritian program in place to serve the public. I have noticed on several occassions that healthier alternatives to foods such as organic and products without GMI (genetically motified ingredients) aren't presented to families in lower income areas, which makes me think that there's a reason for this. If these fattier, greasier foods are what's available to the poorer communities then would it be fair to say that this is the state in which these people are expected to stay? If organic products aren't pushed by public assistance programs and aren't advertised regularly to lower income families and even more so made affordable to them then would it also be fair to say that these families are in some way ignored when it comes to the crisis of health and nutritian in America? or is it because organic foods are more expensive?

I leave you with love and support and hope that mothers of all economic backgrounds take heed to the nutritian and well being of their children, for their development and growth.

~Empress

Working Mom again

With the rising costs of diapers, food, clothing, and other baby essentials mothers find themselves like other mothers before them going back to work after a period of time. I must say I was one of the lucky ones I was able to stay home with my children for a while. However, now I've joined the force of mothers with jobs. Trying to balance work, doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, teething and growing twins. It becomes difficult for a mother when she feels as if someone else is spending the important times with your child(ren) I mean for me I am lucky again because I have retired parents who don't mind watching my babies, but what about those mothers that have to turn their children over to the dreaded DAYCARE or nannies!?  I'm so particular about what my children eat and watch and the books that are being read to them that I find daycares repulsive. I'm not saying that there aren't some very good facilities that take good care of children, however, I find it odd turning my child(ren) over to someone that doesn't love them like I do and it's a JOB for them. MY BABIES AREN'T A JOB! A handful maybe but a job never. So I decided when I was pregnant that my babies would stay in a loving environment where they are getting the love I would give them and the attention they deserve, as well as the diet that I set forth for them. So many times I've heard horror stories about natural mothers that feed their children organic meals and vegan/vegetarian diets and then they go somewhere to be taken care of while the parents are away (working, or just taking some adult time) and their child is being feed all sorts of things that aren't good for them. Or are not being paid close attention to or even worse being WATCHED by the television. UGH!

So how do you find that balance. How do you find a daycare or nanny that is going to respect your wishes and not just do whatever they feel is necessary to get through a day with your child(ren)? How do you work all day and still feel as if you're giving your child the quality of yourself?

Sometimes I'm afraid I'm going to miss everything, especially now since they are about to start walking. I'm afraid I won't be there, I'll be in some office working for pay, beneath my worth, trying to give my children what they need and at the end of the day I feel like all they really need is me! But money makes the world go around and the store doesn't take love for diapers and clothes and food. SO I'm a working mom still trying hold it all together and some how maintain my chi.

Blessings in love
Empress (AND 10 month old seed and bean)

The "Ce-Real Life"

Like any mother I take an interest in what my children are eating. I talk with other mothers about what they feed their children, and discuss alternatives to the larger brand foods that aren't always so good for your child as they say they are. Well I recently started comparing cereals. Which ones are as "organic" as they claim, which cereals seem to work better with their little systems? I even wondered a little closers after viewing a few documentaries about GENETICALLY MOTIFIED FOODS. You would be suprised to know how many foods are motified or contain motified ingredients, so pleasantly to my eyes I wonder down the isle and find Earth's Best. Intrigued I read the label (something i suggest everyone do for your entire family).  On the front of the box it reads Organic at least twice, then it goes on to say NO GEI( What is Genetically Motified Genetically modified (GM), or genetically engineered (GE), foods are made from plants that have had traits in their DNA changed. Scientists take genes — the pieces of DNA that differentiate living things — from one plant or animal and insert them into another organism. These plants are also known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The purpose of genetically modifying plants is to make them better in some way. So a corn plant, for example, might have a gene added that makes it more nutritious, more resistant to herbicides, insects, or diseases, or more tolerant of ). so I'm in awe now. For the first time I see a cereal that actually says on the box there are no genetically engineered ingredients! The box carries the USDA stamp for organic and it's says it's also grow WITHOUT potentially harmful pesticides or herbicides.

So of course by now you know I'm thrilled. I mean this is great, but I have to read closer I mean this is just the front of the box. I turn the box over and they say Introduce your baby to the whole line of  Earth's Best products including organic infant formula, organic jarred baby food, 70% organic gentle baby body care and new chlorine free diapers and baby wipes. So I'm like wow this is great I have to contact this company and show my approval, which I will very soon. However, now I have to compare to the cereal I've already been giving them.  Beech Nut, now right away I see a difference but that's just the packaging. On the front of the box it doesn't say organic however, it does say made with NATURAL ingrediencts, 45% daily value of iron, 25%daily value of Zinc & 7 B-vitamins. It's soy free and gentle on the tummy. Now the ingredients are about the same so there is nothing to make me say hey this one is better than the other one, OTHER THAN the package. I mean first impressions is everything but you can't judge a book or cereal by the cover! So I have to investigate closer. Both cereal claim to not use artificial colors or flavors or preservatives and both say soy free. So now I must look at the NUTRITION FACTS. I want to know the daily value really of vitamins. So while Earth's Best says we are organic and we don't use GEI, Beech Nut scores big with the vitamins (Vitamin D 20% Vitamin E 25% Vitamin B1 B2 B6 B12 Folic Acid and 25% Zinc)

Now I'm not saying either cereal is better than the other one, they both seem to have quite a bit of concern and thought into how they manufature and package their product. I'm impressed. Only time will tell which one seems to be the better cereal. With a little more research I will get back to you all.

Love and life
Empress

(available on the Earth's Best box~The Hain Celestial Group's policy on Genetically Engineered Ingrediencts 1-800-434-4246)

More info on other GEI products to avoid~http://todayyesterdayandtomorrow.wordpress.com/2007/05/28/baby-food-2/ 
http://hubpages.com/hub/GMOs-in-infant-formula
http://www.momsview.com/discus/messages/23/11251.html  
The easiest way to ensure that the baby food is guaranteed GM-free is to buy organic. Organic food is:



• Free from GM ingredients


• Produced without artificial pesticides and fertilisers


• From animals allowed to roam freely and reared without the routine use of antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs


Organic regulations also forbid the use of artificial colourings and flavourings and most of the artificial ingredients used in non-organic foods.