"Mama, Feed Me!"

Posts Tagged ‘BPA-Free’

I know what you were expecting. You thought I was going to tell you to go out and buy a dehydrator and make your own fruit roll ups. That is an excellent idea, but not what this is about.

Sometimes fruit on the go just isn’t an option. Maybe you need to keep clothes neat….or your car. I am not even going to research what exactly is in fruit roll ups. I’m always looking for healthy alternatives for foods that your kids will love. There’s no need to deprive your kids of such things like Fruit by the Foot, but you can get a serving of fruit into your kids and eliminate some of the dyes that these foods have in them.

Stretch Island Fruit Co. has fruit strips that offer 1/2 a serving of fruit in each strip. There are seven different flavors, all made with real fruit puree and no artificial additives. FruitaBu, another product offered by Stretch Island Fruit offers a portable fruit roll that contains a full serving of fruit from real fruit puree. There is no added sugar in either of these products.  Even their packaging is BPA free. These products are a easy and portable, without the extra hassle of making and packaging it yourself. These snacks are not just for kids either. I love them and it is a great way to get in some servings of fruit into my on the go diet. If they are not in your local grocery store or Natural Food Store, you can buy them right online from  http://www.stretchislandfruit.com. Enjoy.

Protecting our kids from harm is a mother’s biggest responsibilty, be it from strangers, physical harm, or even chemicals and preservatives in our food. Thankfully there are some ways we can cut back on the amount of harmful substances that enter into our bodies, and “going organic” is an easy and “green” way to do it.

How do you know its organic? What are the standards?
Supporting organic farms and growers is easy to do, whether you have access to a farmer’s market or a large supermarket. Look for product labeled “organic”, “100% organic”, and for even more brand confidence look for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seal. Simply “organic” products are those grown, raised, prepared and processed with at least 95% organic ingredients or processes, and the remaining ingredients must be on the approved USDA National List. “100% organic” products are created. raised, processed and prepared with only organic incgredients, with no additions of any kind. Both of these types of products must not be produced using excluded methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. Products labeled, “Made with organic ingredients” must contain at least 70% organic ingredients, can include up to three types of ingredients that are certified organic, and can include the markings of the certifying agency, but can not be labeled with the USDA seal anywhere on the packaging.

What does organic mean?
Organic products do not contain any chemicals, substances or preservatives that are considered unhealthy by the USDA. Chicken that is labeled organic is most likely free range (not caged) chickens that are fed with pure and natural feed that do not include any growth hormones, fattening agents, or antibiotics. Veggies that are labeled organic are grown with no pesticides or chemicals, and are processed using methods that do not require these products either.

What are the farmer standards?
The USDA requires all growing organizations to be certified after a vigorous inspection of their farming procedures by and accrediting USDA agent. Farms and ranches that make more than a $5,000 profit on the items that they sell must be certified by the USDA to use organic labeling.

Why go organic?
Foods that are organic taste better, are better for you, and even make you healthier! Organically grown vegetables have been scientifically proven to have larger amounts of antioxidants, and obviously lower amounts of harsh substances and cancer causing compounds. Lands that use only organic fertilizers are more healthy than those poisoned by chemicals and phosphates, and this helps to protect the waters and ecosystems around the farm as well. And any food that is raised with only compost, sunshine and clean water is definitely going to more yummy than a food that is loaded with chemicals, fillers, and byproducts. Foods that do not contains these harmful substances do not pose the same risks to pregnant women, infants, and young children that chemically processed foods do. You are protecting not only your immediate family, but the next generation as well.

Organic Recipes
There are a host of websites promoting the green movement and organic foods. Check out sites like  Organic.com for games and recipes that your little ones will enjoy. Or try Horizon Dairy for great tasting meals and snacks all made with your child in mind. And try Babyzone for organic goodies for your toddler.

But what about plastics?
There are a lot of chemicals and harmful substances used in making everything from baby toys to the dishes and silverware we use to eat on. One of these in Bisphenol-A, or BPA, which can leach into the foods we eat and the water and juices we drink from the plastic packaging used to display it. To avoid such contamintants, only buy plasticware, plates, forks, spoons, leftover containers and baby bottles that are marked BPA-Free, or pthalate-free. Don’t heat plastic items in the microwave, and don’t wrap your leftovers in cling wrap.If you aren’t sure whether or not your plastic items are free of Bisphenol-A, (BPA) look for the #7 stamped into the container.

These rules are easy to follow and will help you keep your family and future generations safer and healthier.