My Philosophy on the Organic LifeStyle

I have always been conscious about the food I eat. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE to eat and I do indulge once a week whether it be Mexican, a delicious burger or candy. However, I try to eat relatively clean. This really started when I became pregnant with my daughter. All of a sudden, it wasn't just about ME and what i was putting into my body, but about a growing human being inside of me. I started buying non-toxic cleaning supplies (my favorite are method and BabyGanics), BPA free products, and became more aware of the food I was eating. I decided not to make myself too crazy and let it take over my life... I still allowed myself to enjoy my pregnancy and my life (I didn't cloth diaper or make my own wipes...nor did I have any intention of doing either). Once my daughter came into the world, I figured why not control the food she eats while I still can?

I chose to breastfeed for 5 months. Emma was not an easy breast feeder and I felt as though 5 months was enough! I felt like I had been watching every thing I put in my mouth since I found out I was expecting (no raw sushi, no deli meat, non pasteurized cheeses, no dairy because the baby was gassy, etc). Around that time I began to introduce solid foods to her and purchased the BabyCook (a kitchen appliance that is a steamer and blender all in one...it was fantastic!). I was able to make my daughter's food in 15 minutes and freeze batches. There were days when I just didn't feel like making babyfood or didn't have the time and would feed her organic baby food pouches (my favorite were Plum Baby and Ella's Organic).

Around that time I began to read more and more about organic foods, antibiotics and hormones in dairy, and food safety in general. I decided that I would begin buying organic fruits and vegetables. I usually follow the "clean 15, dirty dozen" rule (a list of fruits and veggies that contain the least and most pesticides). For example, I never buy organic bananas (or really any fruit or veggie that has a thick outer layer that needs to be peeled in order to be eaten) and always buy organic carrots, apples and lettuce. When my daughter turned 1 I started buying organic cow's milk (without antibiotics and hormones). I started only buying meats that did not contain antibiotics or hormones...and if it was on sale, grass fed beef. I started reading labels and noticed how many unnecessary ingredients and preservatives there were and began looking for substitutes that contained less. I found that with a little extra work, I was successful! like I stated earlier, I didn't let myself go crazy! I can't buy EVERYTHING organic or else I would be broke or drive myself insane...but I do make sure that I can recognize all of the ingredients in the foods that I buy for my daughter..and MOST for what I buy for my husband and myself.

It really is amazing how much having a child can change the way you look at the world. I want her body to be healthy and the air that she breathes to be clean! Of course, I know I cannot control everything in her life, but it really makes you think. WHY are cows and chickens being fed hormones and antibiotics and WHY in the world are chickens not allowed to run free!?WHY are cows being fed corn when their bodies can really only handle grass. WHY are fruits and vegetables being sprayed with pesticides and WHY is the use of "pink slime" in ground beef legal?? Two words: mass production. And greed. It's not exactly the world I want my daughter to grow up in, but that is the reality. Luckily, many companies and farms are catching onto the whole organic trend and "back to basics" approach. Consumers are realizing that it is not just some marketing scheme (my mom started buying organic when I younger, but does anyone listen to their parents before they have children of their own?)

As you can see, I have become quite passionate on this subject! It is not my intention to force this philosophy on anyone and I certaintly do not judge anyone who chooses not to buy organic or chemical free. I just figure, it's out there and obtainable...so why not?? The information is out there and you just can't ignore it anymore.

Anyone who knows me well can tell you the two things in life that I love the most: my family and cooking! I am 28 years old and live right outside of D.C. I am married to a wonderful man who I have had the pleasure of spending the past 7 years with. And not to mention, an unbelievable daddy. My beautiful, smart and sassy little girl is almost 18 months. She is the light of my life! As a wife to a police officer with crazy hours and a mom to a curious toddler, it is difficult to find time for myself. A lot of people find cooking to be just another daily chore, but to me, it is a place where i can be alone with my thoughts. I enjoy planning out my weekly meals and looking online for quick and delicious recipes for a toddler who loves to try new things. But as a mom I know that a toddler's mind is always changing... and so are her tastebuds!

Cooking has always been a part of my life. I come from a family of seasoned cooks. My mom is a fantastic cook who is never afraid to try new dishes. She learned to cook from my Grandmother who we adoringly call, Nanny. The matriarch of the family...cooking is just one of the many things she has taught her children and grandchildren. Take Christmas Eve for example. The 7 course food marathon! The entire family is involved with the prep and cooking(withthe exception of my dad who is out running errands). If you know my dad, that will make you laugh a little. Once the food is ready to be served, the family piles in through the front door; aunts, uncles, cousins, and new babies. Our family gatherings and holidays are most often spent talking and laughing around a table filled with unessessary amounts of food!

I imagine this is the reason why family and cooking are my two favorite things in life.