Clearly I am a huge foodie…this is not my first post on what foods I find the most tasty, the most effective and the most healthy. And so my love affair with fresh new ideas for meals a mommy will love continues with what I call Breakfast Brilliance. Last time I posted about breakfast it was centered around that fabulous thing we call oatmeal. And while I still hold oatmeal at the top of my fabulous food list, I have a new option for you morning mommies. Try this gorgeous concoction for a protein filled, sweet tasting, organic treat…

Start with an organic whole wheat english muffin, toast it then spread it with crunchy organic peanut butter and top it off with sliced organic strawberries. Yep, that’s it…basically an “unpreserved” PB and J! This quick treat is as yummy as it is gorgeous! (and it will keep you nice and full till lunch thanks to the peanut butter).

There are already many good reasons to eat organic fruits and vegetables, but it seems that with each passing day the reasons get more serious, more intense and more critical to the health of our children. NBC recently conducted a study to explore the connection between pesticides and ADHD. Maryse F. Bouchard, a researcher at the University of Montreal in Quebec, led the study. She took 1,139 children ages 8-15 (selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) and measured the levels of six pesticide metabolites in their urine. What she found was down right frightening…

“She found that kids with a 10-fold increase in the kind of metabolites left in the body after malathion exposure were 55 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD.”

“The most alarming finding was a near-doubling in odds of ADHD diagnoses among kids with higher-than-average levels of the most common of the six metabolites detected. Kids with high levels of dimethyl thiophosphate were 93 percent more likely to have the disorder than children with with undetectable levels of the marker.”

Because pesticides work by interfering with the nervous systems of insects, it’s no surprise that they can have the same effect on mammals. So what does that mean? It  means we should buy organic whenever possible. There are certain fruits that seem to have much higher residues of pesticides, and therefore should be the first on your list to choose organic- those identified in the study include STRAWBERRIES, FROZEN BLUEBERRIES and CELERY.

You can also try and follow the dirty dozen list when choosing which fruits and vegetables to buy organic…”It is estimated that if a consumer avoids eating non-organically grown produce in the top 12 (”Dirty Dozen”) on this list, pesticide exposure can be reduced by up to 80%.”

The Dirty Dozen:

• Apples
• Cherries
• Grapes, imported (Chili)
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Bell peppers
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Spinach

The cleanest fruits and vegetables, which should be bottom of your list to buy organic are as follows:

Yes its possible and I intend to prove it through this blog from here on out…
I know it seems like maintaining a sense of style while schlepping your lil one to and from the park, or to music class, or school or swimming lessons or the grocery store, or soccer practice…(you get the idea) seems like a waist of time or simply too much work. And I know too, that choosing to make a salad for lunch instead of eating a few o your lil guy’s chicken nuggets or string cheese seems like it would take an impossible amount of self control and there is no way on this green earth that you could do it everyday…trust me, I know! It aint a cake walk, (but then again neither is being a parent) but I think it’s completely doable and totally necessary! We are strong, beautiful women who deserve the confidence and second looks that we got just a few years back.

I have always (well, at least since high school when I FINALLY got out of a uniform and had permanent free dress) loved fashion, and over the years have developed my own sense of style that in a way, defines me. If I had to describe “my style”, I guess I would say its a large scoop of the 60’s, mixed with a tablespoon of beachy comfort, an topped off with a pinch of glamour. What in the world does that look like, you ask? Here’s a picture of one of my favorite dresses…I have worn it to weddings, out to dinner, when pregnant, when slim- its an amazing dress that captures the essence of my style in a nutshell. (and no, that is not me in the picture!)

So…you have a glimpse into my style, now how do I qualify as healthy? Well, I do a few things that keep my mind and body feeling fresh and alert and sometimes even toned. 1. I run. First thing in the morning after I feed my little guy his oatmeal and fruit- we hit the strand in Manhattan Beach and I run. Sometimes its 2 miles, sometimes it’s 7…depends on how I feel that day. Sometimes it’s just walking at a brisk pace- but unless there is rain, we are out and about by 9am. Then, on the way home, I reward myself with a Latte or Iced Coffee…everyone deserves a treat after working hard! 2. I eat almost exclusively organic food…and I say almost exclusively because there are a few fruits and veggies or dried goods that do not need to be organic (things like avocados, broccoli, pasta etc), and because I LOVE to eat out on the weekends- and lets face it, not all restaurants serve local, organic foods! 3. I drink tons of water, then a touch of red wine. That’s right, I look forward to my glass of wine each night as I wind down the day and enjoy a homecooked meal. Afterall, like I said before, everyone deserves a treat after working hard…and after a long day of being a mom and business owner, I like to enjoy a treat of red wine.

So is it possible to be stylish, healthy AND a mom? I think so. I think it’s critically important to hold on to the things that made you proud, made you confident, made you who you are before you were pregnant and before you were a mommy. Of course, now that you are a master of parenthood and your life is richer, fuller and more meaningful, things are a bit different and some priorities have changed (lets face it, blow drying your hair takes a distant second to feeding your baby or getting some much needed laundry done)…but keeping yourself feeling great will only bring more happiness and life to your home. I hope that sharing my tips and tricks through this blog will bring you inspiration and new ideas on how to keep your style and your health in fabulous shape! Afterall, you have already taken on the greatest challenge of all- being a parent, the rest is easy…

Yep- I jumped on the bandwagon and tried this new AMAZING snack for little ones…squeezable fruit! My guy tried the Peter Rabbit Organics (conveniently available at starbucks) brand in Mango, Banana and Orange…and he LOVED it! I tasted it too, of course, and its much like a fruit smoothie. Completely organic, with nothing but fruit in it, I know he is getting a healthy snack. With a simple packaging design that allows you to grab the pouch and take it anywhere, then feed right through the opening at the top (and reseal if you dont finish it all), there is virtually no mess at all (not like dragging fresh cut fruit somewhere, or even letting your little one go after a banana…which we all know ends up between fingers, behind the ears and somehow down the pants)- this fruit snack is easy and clean and healthy. The particular flavor and brand I chose has 33% of his DV for Vitamin C, which after a week with croup and other viruses, is very important to me! You can also try the Revolution Foods Mahsups organic brand (available at Whole Foods), or Smashies Organic (available at Amazon.com).

It’s surprisingly easy to get your own bumper crop of herbs going in your backyard, porch, windowsill or even kitchen counter. Herbs are remarkably tolerant to people with brown thumbs, like me, and produce not only a delicious, organic treat, but also add a clean and refreshing smell to your home. There are a few things that herbs MUST have….sunlight, lots of water and good water drainage. Other than that, they are pretty much fool proof. Start with organic seeds, of course. My favorites to grow are basil (so yummy on pasta or with fresh mozzarella and tomato- and the key ingredient in pesto!!), chives (which add great flavor to potatoes, salad or any casserole dish), and Sage (which is easy to grow and perfect for roasted chicken or home made soups).

These are just a few…but to learn more about getting your own garden up and running, check out these great sites!
backyardgardener.com
herbgardeningtips.com
organicgardentip.com

All you have to do to find local, sustainable and organic food in your area is log on to Eat Well Guide! This super easy website will ask you for either key words (like farmers markets, caterers, restaurants etc) or your zip code or state…once you give it this simple information, it will pull up all the registered vendors, locations and stores that offer local, sustainable and organic food. It sorts it for you by business type…bakery, grocery store, coffee shop, even personal chef…Viola, it’s that easy! You can also Travel Guide for trips, Personal Guide for your hometown, or my favorite the Seasonal Food Guide- which will tell you what fruits and veggies are in season based on your location!

It’s not often that one retailer will comment, blog or praise another one publicly (especially when they might offer some of the same products), but in this case, speaking from one parent to another- I just have to. If I can make another parent’s life a bit easier and suggest a way that he or she has more time to spend with her little ones, then I feel the need to do so. We need to look out for one another, as parents first and foremost, and as business entities second. As a mom who finds convenience and customer service to be priceless and invaluable, I have to tell you that you will find both at Diapers.com.

This is where I order my son’s diapers (Naturecare) and formula (Earths Best), and while it not only saves me money (vs going to Target or Whole Foods), it also saves me a trip in the car, precious time and valuable energy. Their mission is clear “To offer the lowest prices moms (and dads!) will find online, along with the convenience of fast, free shipping and the best customer service around” and its exactly what you will get when you shop there. They do offer the lowest prices (at least on the items and brands that will allow a price reduction- some brands such as plan toys and miyim will always be the same no matter where you shop), and their shipping and customer service is top notch! I find that for your necessities (food, diapers, wipes etc) this is a great option and they have a decent assortment of green products to choose from. However, when you are looking for a more special, personal and unique experience for things like gifts, clothing, bedding and baby registries, you will find that a site like Bloumebaby.com will be more of what you are looking for:)

If you are anything like me, or any other mom for that matter- you are probably somewhat sleep deprived, in desperate need of a pedicure, running just a few minutes late for a meeting, squeezing in a quick run or yoga class whenever possible, and somewhere in there trying to get the nutrition you need to keep up your mommy super powers. Since sitting down for an organic chopped salad and iced tea at lunch is probably not an option (if it is, HOORAAY! for you!!), here are some tips on how to satisfy your hunger and stay healthy throughout the day…even if you never sit down at all.

1. Early morning snack- Peanut butter or Almond butter on whole grain toast. Takes a total of 2 minutes hands on time to prep this fine feast, and yet it offers you nearly a quarter of your daily protein (which will also keep hunger from coming back too soon) and about 15% of your daily fiber. “But peanut butter is so high in fat!” you say…well, yes there is a decent amount of fat in peanut butter, but it’s rich in the “good” fat, much like avocados. Cooking light reported that the fat in peanut butter is “mostly the monounsaturated kind, is extremely good for the heart–and for health in general. And the good news didn’t stop there. Researchers continue to uncover disease-fighting chemicals or new health roles for these foods.”. Also, because its so rich in protein, you wont be hungry as quickly as if you ate a bowl of cereal or had some rice cakes, so you total calorie intake will be lower.

2. Mid morning snack- yogurt…I am currently obsessed with Fage greek yogurt. Go for the non fat option and add some honey for a perfect combination of flavor and nutrition. Although Fage is not certified organic, they use all natural ingredients, which means no sweeteners, preservatives or additives. Their milk comes from cows who are raised with out the use of rBGH, and they conduct business in harmony with the environment. Oh, and you will get 15 g of protein without any of the fat. If you add the honey, you will be getting antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties for your body as well as an amazingly sweet flavor! (just don’t share this with your lil one until they have been cleared by a dr…honey is not to be served to children until they are at least 12 months of age)

3. On the run snack- baby carrots. These lil guys are so easy to throw in a small food container and hit the road or the park! They can curb a sweet tooth, and you can even share them with your tiny tot if they have the teeth to take em down. These are a great source of vitamin A- in fact 1 ounce of carrots will give you nearly 80% of your daily value. ** if you aren’t a veggie lover, and a dip would help… try making your own ranch dip with greek yogurt and seasonings.

4. Afternoon snack- Cottage cheese and apples. This is an excellent option if you are looking for a low fat, high protein snack. Not as easy to take with you in the car or to the park, but perfect for when your lil one goes down for a nap. Most low fat cottage cheese brands will only give you 2g of fat with 28g of protein! And the apple will give you more than just a burst of flavor, it offers great vitamin C and fiber as well!

5. Happy hour snack- hummus and crackers. Although I am a HUGE fan of cheese, I am also fully aware that its not the best snack in the world for me. So, I recently turned to hummus for a festive happy hour snack. Made from chickpeas and olive oil (these are the primary ingredients), hummus offers a healthy amount of fiber and protein and is low in fat. You can also make your own hummus, adding your favorite flavors like garlic, red pepper and chives.

For more nutritional information visit nutritiondata.com

Starting your baby on solids can be as exciting as it is messy. There are no words to describe the movement that an infant’s mouth will make when they are fed a solid food for the first time! We experienced this personally a few weeks ago with our son. Luckily for us, he LOVED it! He took the rice cereal, then the peas and no the carrots. The kid cant get enough…neither can his bib, hands, pants and high chair! But who really cares how big the mess is, the most important thing is that he enjoys his meal and I enjoy what he is getting nutritionally. I did some research on organic baby foods- have tried Earths Best and here is what I think…

Even though its organic, doesn’t mean it’s pure. After all, those grocery store brands, even organic ones, have to ensure the food has a shelf life of 2 YEARS!!! So they are process them with extended high-heat exposure, which can destroy vital nutrients and deplete the food of its natural taste and vibrant color. I am going to try making the food myself…if that is too hard (which I cant imagine pureeing some cooked veggies and raw fruits can be that hard), I found a cool site that makes fresh baby food that you can freeze or serve within a few days. Check them out!
http://www.pommebebe.com