An Apple a Day (From the archives)

For many of us, apple season has begun. We were torn about featuring this wonderful, nutritious and easily transportable fruit, as it is one of the highest ranking in pesticide residue. We could have picked (no pun intended!) another food and avoided this altogether, but true to our philosophy here at nourishingmoms, we want to bring information, create discussion, and let you make your final choices.

Urban Container Garden – by Cori Morenberg from Ms. Green-Clean

Urban Container Gardening – How to Make your own EarthBox®, A Self-Contained Gardening System - YES YOU CAN!  by Cori Morenberg

Trademarked EarthBoxes are self-contained mini gardening systems that people with no yard or with very limited available outdoor space can use to grow vegetables and herbs . Even people with plenty of arable land are using these and similar contained systems because they produce yields more quickly and bountiful than traditional gardening can.

Mindful Meat – by Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein

From the archives

There is much we could cover when talking about meat. So we reached out to Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein, Holistic Pediatric Neurologist and founder of Mitzvah Meat and Mindfull Meat, a co-op offering natural, grass-fed and finished, humanely-slaughtered beef and lamb from local Hudson Valley farms in NY State, to cover the basics for us.

Sardines from Jen in Brooklyn

Jen, a mom from Brooklyn, shares her story about sardines and how they have made there way into snack time.

How you feel about this “success story” depends on how you feel about sardines. I never ate them myself, though I’ve always liked fish in general. Then in 2006, just one year after the birth of my son, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An acupuncturist I saw for treatment was the first of several people who recommended sardines as a good dietary brain strengthener. I started an almost daily lunchtime habit, and really got to enjoy and even crave them.

“Non-constipating foods” for babies from Bonny

Bonny, a mom from Alexandria, asks these questions about feeding her little one.

We have started solid foods in the past month and I’m committed to making most of what Madelyn eats, but have run into a few frustrations/questions.
-Why doesn’t anyone tell you that the majority of the suggested “first foods” are constipating to little ones?

Cloth Diapering by Stephanie Daniel

After having my second child, with one still in diapers, I became increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of diapers I was throwing into the dump everyday. I was extremely interested in cloth diapering- but it was SO OVERWHELMING! There were so many kinds and ways of doing it. There was so much on line about washing- all seeming so complicated. If I was not so committed, I would have not proceeded. But I did, and luckily I found Stephanie of Abby’s Lane (www.abbyslane.com).

Need a Snack Idea?

I don’t know about you- but I am often struggling with a quick snack for the kids. I feel that before Dakota was born it was easier for me to be more conscious, prepare fresh items, vary the nutritional content etc etc. However, now between school, nap, trying to get outside, trying to prepare fresh meals etc. I find I am often struggling to stay away from grabbing the next variety of organic cracker and throwing it at them as I know that they will eat it… and LOVE it. We do rely on “snack-on-the-go” at times, and they are enamoured with their snack traps, so it limits some items.

Thankfully, I found dried fruits at my local organic market by a company called Just Tomatoes. I am not even a dried fruit fan, but I am telling you the bananas and the strawberries are amazing. I bought them for my kids, and of course they loved them. I brought them to my prenatal Pilates class and the mommies to be could not believe how delicious they are.

I ventured out to other fruits- all delicious, although I have my favorites, but the most exciting part is the veggies. I always have had a hard time adding veggies as a snack and now we have peas and corn as a midday snack. These are just freeze dried, taste as fresh as can be, and retain all of their nutritional benefits.

One caveat- they are a bit pricey. But I find that if I buy a few varieties, I have them for something different once or twice a week. I often add them to other “less expensive snacks” — like the beloved crackers — in their snack traps. And, they are great for Mommy munchies- wether at home with the baby- on the run with the kids, or at the office stashed in your desk.

Breastfeeding Support Products

When I gave birth to Jasper, I had a terrible time breastfeeding. He was hungry all the time, my nipples we unrecognizable with splits and bleeding, I had fever, … on and on- some of you know what I am talking about. When pregnant with Dakota, I was determined to have a different nursing experience. I backed myself up on every front- went to a breastfeeding class at a fantastic breast feeding center in Washington D.C., enlisted help in the first few weeks so I could lie in with him and bond- even with a toddler running around- and I bought fun products I hoped would ease the pain. I loved the products by Earth Mama Angel Baby. I nipple butter is to die for – smells so delicious and you need not worry at all about it going into your little ones mouth. The ingredients are as pure as can be- organic, toxin-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. You can read about the ingredients, and why you may not want to use lanolin or have your baby ingest it, right on their site. Two other products I used religiously in the first few weeks were the organic breast compresses (made with cabbage leaves, black tea, and healing herbs) and the booby tubes (I used both hot and cold – depending on what I needed at the time of use). These product used consistently, having the support I needed to relax and bond with Dakota in the first weeks, and a very informative breastfeeding class all helped me have an amazing experience nourishing my baby with the best stuff available!

 

Certainly a splurge, but well worth it! These make great gifts for any expectant mom who plans on nursing.

A Great Healthy Living Magazine

 

  

I love to read magazines that are in line with my philosophy on living- body, mind and spirit. Magazines are the way to go for me since having kids- small ones still- as I never feel I have the time to read a book or the attention span. I love to have them around for a quick article to glance at, to inspire my work, and to pass time at the gym while trying to get a bit of a work out! My recent discovery is Experience Life Magazine. I found this laying around my friends house and was fascinated by an article on pantry make-overs. This is something Marcela and I do with our clients and it was so fun to read. They had all the goodies listed to make for a healthy kitchen. I immediately subscribed and have not been let down. In my field, I read a lot about healthy living with a whole foods nutrition base, and this magazine always has an article about something I have not heard about before. Great magazine, fantastic tone, and well educated professional contributors. A great resource for anyone who is looking for support on their journey to better living.

Delicious Bath Time

What says relaxation more than a luxurious bath behind a closed door with a good book or magazine? Nothing we can think of! We like to look to our kitchens for inspiration when it comes to bath time. The skin is the largest organ of the body, so why not feed it as nutritiously as we would our stomach? Try the recipe below and see how you (or preferably someone else!) can create a delicious bath for yourself on Mother’s Day.

 

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

 *we know you may not have this on hand, but do yourself a favor and buy some, you will hear about this product a lot from us and it keeps for a VERY long time!

1 Tbsp. honey

4 bags chamomile tea

 

Melt coconut oil and honey in a cup of hot water with 4 bags of chamomile tea and pour under running bath water. You will notice immediately the moisturizing properties of both the honey and the coconut oil. The chamomile will wash you away into a haze of relaxation, while the anti-aging properties of coconut oil will work in harmony with the anti-irritant properties in honey for immediate, glowing results.

 

This is gentle enough to use on babies and can even have a calming effect on cranky ones. Just lessen the amount of ingredients. Give it a try and let us know what you think!