Posts Tagged: organic recipes

Holidays — Comments Off
20
Feb 10

Making Mother’s Day Special – Beyond Breakfast In Bed

The Origins of Mother’s Day

Celebrating mothers and motherhood is by no means a new idea. Societies from ancient Greece to imperialist Britain had their own ways to honor mothers. However, Mother’s Day as we know it was “started” in the early 20th century by a woman named Anna Jarvis. As part of an effort to honor the memory of her own mother’s dedication to pacifism and reform, Anna Jarvis gathered over 400 mothers and children at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia. From this relatively small gathering on May 10, 1908 was born a tradition that today has spread all over the world.

Breakfast in Bed…

The origins of ‘breakfast in bed’ are much harder to trace. Who first came up with the idea of honoring someone by serving them a meal in bed? However this tradition began, it has rapidly become a popular way to celebrate birthdays, holidays – and Mother’s Day. There’s just something about the early morning, a warm blanket, and that sleepy feeling which makes breakfast in bed so much better than, say, dinner in bed (which conjures up images of staying home sick).

So go ahead – whip up some scrambled eggs, pancakes, fruit, and coffee to spice up your mom’s Mother’s Day morning. Don’t like coffee? A nice fruit smoothie is a great alternative which is easy to make and healthy to drink – all you need is some fruit and a blender.

…And Beyond

Alright, so breakfast in bed is a great Mother’s Day idea – at least for those of us who can actually function at 5 o’clock in the morning. But what about the rest of us, those who would be more likely to set the house on fire than make a decent meal in the early morning hours? Why is cooking for your mother such a wonderful idea? For one thing, cooking shows personal effort, something that’s missing if you just buy a card or send some flowers. After all, our mothers spend hours cooking for us; it’s only fair that we attempt to return the favor.

Which raises the question: what to cook? Take a look around – you’d be surprised what you can make with common ingredients and a little patience. If all else fails, try this. Grab a dozen plain cookies and some frosting from the local bakery and do some home decorating.

For more recipe ideas for Mother’s Day, visit http://www.cdkitchen.com.

Joseph Devine

Babies-Toddler — Comments Off
14
Feb 10

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.