By Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers

When shopping for your family, you should consider that per pound of body weight, babies consume about 60 times more fruits and vegetables than adults. This fact combined with undeveloped digestive and immune systems, put young children at the greatest health risk for pesticide residues. To minimize the effects, you might consider buying organic for those foods that your children eat regularly.

Produce: Pesticides levels vary in produce. Here is a list of common fruits and veggies that are high in pesticide residues*. Because of the naturally high levels, you might consider buying organic for these foods:

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

On the flip side, these fruits and veggies are commonly found to have the lowest levels of pesticide residues*

Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (sweet)
Kiwi
Mangos
Onions
Papayas
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)
*Source: The Environmental Workers Union

While the term “organic” may seem cut and dry there are several shady areas of which consumers should be aware. In 2000 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established guidelines to make it easier for consumers to understand organic products on the market. Are you one of those people still not sure exactly what the labels are telling you? Not to worry you are not alone!

aThere are five labels you may see on your supermarket shelf. They include 100% organic, Organic, Made with Organic Ingredients, Free-range/Cage-free, and Natural. Pretty self-explanatory right? Maybe not as much as you would think….

100% Organic
This label on produce means the fruit or vegetable was grown completely WITHOUT synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Meat or dairy products wearing this label ensures that all the USDA stipulations concerning hormones, feed, and time spent outdoors were met.

Organic
This type of produce or meat doesn’t meet the standards of products labeled “100% Organic”, however the majority of its ingredients have been approved for organic use by a nationwide certification organization called the National Organics Standards Board

Made With Organic Ingredients
Foods with this label let consumers be assured that the item is made with no less than 70% organic ingredients and rules.

Free-range/Cage-free
This is a term that can be used for poultry but not for eggs and is very unclear on the rules of time spent outdoors as well as the quality of feed. Poultry can be considered at different levels of organic quality and still be in this category.

Natural
This label can only be used for meat and poultry and states it was raised and sold using no artificial coloring, chemical preservatives, or ingredients. There’s no certification process that meat or poultry producers must comply with in order to place the term on their labels.

As the organic market grows you will begin to see more products on your supermarket shelf. Many experts hope that with the increase in products that the UDSA will become stricter on their qualifications and clearer so that the consumer can easily understand what they are buying and consuming.

Organics are becoming more visible in local supermakets in produce, meat and dairy departments. Its not just fruits and vegetables anymore! It is the newest craze to hit america and many parts of the world, pushing many to think about what they are buying before they buy it. While others are ask, “What does organic mean?”

Organic food means different things depending on the product. Organic produce (fruits and vegetables) are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, and without ionizing radiation, bioengineering or food additives. The same concept as planting an apple tree in your backyard, and doing nothing but watering it and then picking the apple off and eating it. Organic fruits and vegetables also lack genetically modified organisms or altered DNA.

For meat, dairy, eggs and poultry it means animals reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. Thes products have no additives to make them richer or fattier, they are naturally farmed and raised. Like organic produce, organic meat, dairy and poultry lack the genetically modified organisms that non-organic foods contains.

Fresh or Processed
Organic food can come both fresh and processed. with most fresh foods being seasonal and higher priced than non-organic foods. Often they are easier found at a farmer’s market or specialty grocery stores. Consumers worried about effects on their pocket book can price shop to find the best prices in their area. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables are likely much easier to find than fresh meat and dairy products.

Processed organic food is more commonly found at the neighborhood supermarket Processed organics often come from large conglomerates that produce food in larger quantities. Processed organic foods usually contain organic ingredients without artificial food additives, and are processed through fewer artificial methods.

When shopping for organic foods, keep in mind you will find most of it near the produce. Organic fruits and vegetables largely out number the meat and dairy organic choices in neighborhood grocery stores. Trouble identifying organics? Try the one under the higher price tag!

Baby Food
One popular organic item hitting the shelves is organic baby food. Baby food sections now include almost as many organic selections as non-organics. It is becomming more common for new parents to be concerned about added preservatives and artificial flavors when they start feeding baby. These concerned new moms and dads are choosing organic baby food for their little one. For more on organic baby food see our article by clicking here.

While organic food gains popularity, so do organic wine, beer, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Some manufacturers have gone organic in an effort to cut down on allergies. This process allows people, who have previously been unable to enjoy such spirits, new opportunities.

Wine
An organic vineyard is one where grapes are grown without chemical fertilizers, weed killers, insecticides, or other synthetic chemicals. These grapes then go through the same process as non-organic vineyards. Like organic foods, beverages also have guidelines. A label reading “organic” in wine country guarantees consumers the wine has met certain standards set by a government agency. Due to the added costs of registering organic wine, many organic wine makers will choose not to label their wine as organic, relying on their product and consumers to advertise this for them.

Beer and Other Spirits
Although not as popular or widely available, you can buy organic beer and other liquors from specialty stores and suppliers. The production process for organic liquor does not differ much from conventional production, but is based on the use of organic, raw materials. Organic beer is made from organically grown hops.

Popular in the UK
While growth and production of organic wine, beer and liquors is more popular in the UK than the States, they are growing in popularity stateside.

While organic food can be great for your health and skin, there are some disadvantages.

Cost
Regulations on organic farming and the fact that produce is usually grown in smaller quantities than non-organics, are two of the reasons for the elevated cost of organic produce. Regulations have not been set on organic food pricing and percentage increase differs between organic foods such as; fish, meat, dairy and produce. Individual producers of organic food are able to assign the prices of their product. Many families find this cost differential a deterrent to purchasing organics. As organic farming grows in popularity, it should allow for a rise in supply, and one would hope, decrease in cost for the average American consumer.

Environmental Safety
While producers of organic products state that their produce is more sustainable and environmentally sound, it is questioned among specialists and scientists alike. Factored in is also the argument that the shipping of products is not as efficient as quantities are smaller and shipped further than non-organic products which are grown locally. Some argue that pesticides are not area specific controlled, making it impossible for products to be grown completely pesticide free. While others strongly feel unsafe foods can not be sold, stating pesticides found in non-organic food are not harmful to consumers.

Just a Fad
Many believe that organic food has “sold out” becoming a marketing gimmick. Companies are marketing more organic products, changing ingredients and labels in an effort to jump on the “organic band wagon” so to speak, while benefitting from the higher prices. Many consumers believe that organics may not be all they are made out to be, that products will quietly disappear from shelves. Only to be forgotten, like many fads in the past.

Your skin is the largest and most visible organ you have and covers your entire body. Consumers are choosing to use different organic products in their home, to ensure better health for their loved ones like food, cloth , flushable diapers, and other household items. It only makes sense to treat the skin with the same care as they do their family. Unlike the unnatural products in regular skin care, organic skin care is created from herbs, fruits, and flower buds. They are then combined with natural oils and waters.

The last thing your skin needs is to be invaded by chemicals and harmful toxins that are so prevalent in standard non organic skin care products when your skin is already exposed to harmful chemicals all day long. Organic skin care provides a healthy alternative to today’s chemical filled products.

A woman, on average. is exposed to hundreds of chemicals a day, many of which are absorbed into the blood stream. The rise of allergies and eczema has been thought by some to be caused by these chemicals that increase on a daily basis.

There are a large number of websites that sell organic skin care products or list recipes for making your own organic skin care products in your home. There are also books you can buy on organic skin care like Natural Organic Hair and Skin Care: Including A to Z Guide to Natural and Synthetic Chemicals in Cosmetics, How to Make Your Own Organic Cosmetics: Face Masks, Hair Rinses & Body Lotions: Recipes for Natural Beauty and Pure Skin: Organic Beauty Basics.

How Your Diet Affects Your Skin
Fatty and greasy foods are known to wreck havoc on your skin. Abstaining from these types of foods as much as possible is beneficial in healthy skincare. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals responsible for maintaining skin integrity. Because lack of vitamin A in your system can cause dry and scaly skin, vitamins A and C are very important to your skin care. Watch the labels of the foods you eat because many contain unnatural chemicals that will affect your skin. In most cases companies are required by laws to list the ingredients on the packaging of their food before it can be sold, so learn about the chemicals in your food to eat responsibly.

The rise in popularity among organic foods raises the question for many; “What are the real benefits of organic food over non-organic food?” Organic foods benefit not only consumers, but also the environment and food producers.

Consumers
It is believed that most of the pesticides infants and young children come in contact with come from non-organic baby food,non-organic fruits and vegetables. These products are treated with pesticides, artificial preservatives and other additives. Studies show that simply by replacing your non-organic foods with organic you can decrease the risks of pesticide levels dramatically. There has been much controversy over the safety of pesticides, leading to many families choosing organic produce for their home.

Environmental
Organic foods are also beneficial for the environment. Organic produce is not treated with pesticides, reducing the chemical levels released into our environment. Some pesticides can be harmful to animals and humans in or around the area. Organic farms also sustain a more diverse ecosystem without chemicals that potentially may kill plants, insects and other animals. Organic farms also conserve more energy and produce less waste, as they do not dispose of packaging for additives.

Producers
The lack of pesticide use on organic farms has huge health benefits for workers. When used correctly, pesticides get into the air, and are then breathed by workers. Resulting in medical conditions including abdominal pain, dizziness and headaches. Some believe long term exposure to pesticides contribute to cancer in some patients.

While organic foods are still in their infanthood, all of the long and short term benefits are not known. One would be pressed to argue the obvious fact that lack of pesticides and artificial additives make organic foods a better choice for ones’ family. Many families opt for organic foods, despite the slightly higher costs, feeling it is safer and healthier for their children and loved ones.

Children are like sponges when they are young in that they soak up so much information that it is hard to keep up! They are also inquisitive and will ask question after question until they fully understand what they wanted to know to begin with, and often everything related to the subject in question as well! As a result, this is actually the ideal time to teach them all about the environment and how they can help to prevent damage to it.

The key when encouraging your child to become more environmentally friendly is to make it fun and interesting. If you are creative then they will get involved and are more likely to remember what you have said! The earlier you start the better so take a look at the tips outlined below for a few ideas!

• Invent games! Children love to play games and can relate to them so hiding a message in the game is a great way to get the green message through. For example, you could play I-Spy with green items within the house or paint wildlife… anything that you can think of to get the ball rolling!

• Encourage them to decorate their own rooms with old furniture! They can paint it and alter it themselves as long as they use green items only.

• When you are eliminating things you no longer need and organizing the stuff you have, send them on a treasure hunt. Encourage them to figure out which toys they don’t want any more so other boys and girls can have them, nothing goes to waste.

• Get them to help in your vegetable patch! Give them a patch of their own to nurture so that they can watch the plants grow and feel proud of themselves.

• Involve them in household recycling. It gives them a little responsibility and teaches them about recycling at the same time.

• Buy your children a bike from an early age and take them to the local shops on it regularly. This is much better than driving there and will be fun for them as well.

• Join a local environmental group with your children. There are community groups that are designed for parents and small children and they are of real value when encouraging your children to go green.

• Get creative! Encourage your children to make toys and games from recycled materials and birthday cards for family members from old cards that you have previously received.

All of these activities will engage your children and allow them to see that being environmentally friendly is actually a lot of fun. They will soon be environmental converts for life!

If you walk into any supermarket and take a wander up to the baby aisle then you will undoubtedly see a whole host of baby lotions and potions that all boast to be the softest and smoothest solutions to diaper rash and skin irritation. However, what the tubes and bottles do not say is that they can also be harmful to your baby’s skin as well. They are full of toxins and chemicals that may have a negative affect on their health and well-being. If you are becoming a parent for the first time shortly or have just had a child then you may be interested to know that you can make environmentally friendly baby lotion yourself!

Homemade green baby lotion is kind to the skin and cheap to make as well because it only requires a few household ingredients. It is free of toxins and chemicals as it is 100% completely natural and extremely kind to baby’s soft skin! There are several recipes floating around out there to choose from, but here are just two of the best and most effective ones to try.

1. The Honey Milk Baby Lotion – Now we all know that honey is good for the skin and can leave it smooth and soothe irritated areas, which is why it is perfect for a baby. For a lotion that you can refrigerate and use for up to a week, you will need ½ cup of honey and ½ cup of cream or milk (with the former being a better option). Poor the honey into the milk in a saucepan over a medium heat and stir until the two are completely blended. Allow the mixture to stand for five minutes before placing in a glass jar with a lid and refrigerating. When completely cool, it will be ready to use!
2. The Lavender Baby Lotion – Again, this one will soothe irritated skin, but it will also protect the skin against further wetness and hold moisture in the skin. Mix 225g of petroleum jelly with nine teaspoons of olive oil, thirty drops of lavender oil and the same amount of chamomile. You do not have to heat this at all, but simply mix it in a bowl. You may want to use a fork to mix because it does take some blending but always needs mixing by hand to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Again, refrigerate for a few hours and then use on your child. It will keep for up to two weeks so be sure to store it properly in the fridge.

Both of these homemade baby lotion recipes will help to keep diaper rash at bay and bring it under control. Both recipes are cheap convenient and extremely green so you have nothing to lose by trying them!

Every mother to be or new mom will be well aware of the need for nappies for their little one. Nappies, or diapers as they are more commonly known in the United States, are one of the biggest necessities for families with young children, but they can also be one of nature’s greatest enemies! That conflict is a big reason why more and more parents are turning to the old style cloth nappies in an attempt to reconcile their family with their beliefs.

Nappies have been around in cloth form since the Elizabethan era in England. Although they were only squares of linen back then, they have been used ever since. If you are over the age of forty then the likelihood is that you wore cloth nappies when you were a child, but from the 1970s onwards more and more children wore disposable nappies. They were actually introduced in the 1940s but were not affordable for the average family until thirty years later. Now, they are more common than ever and brand after brand adorns the supermarket shelves, but why should we regress and use cloth nappies in the 21st Century?

There are a number of reasons why you should use eco friendly cloth nappies over disposables on your children. Whilst many of them relate to the environment, some also relate to the well-being of your child:

• Disposable nappies take, on average, 500 years to decompose. This is hotly debated because many experts have predicted that they will take much longer than that, but when you consider that disposable nappies actually account for one full black bin bag’s worth of trash every week per child then you get an idea of just how big a problems this is. 90% of nappies will end up in landfill sites so we are degrading the earth.
• Washing a disposable nappy 400 times is comparable to the manufacturing of one nappy in terms of the amount of energy that is used in both processes. This makes the cloth nappy far more energy efficient and in keeping with a greener lifestyle.
• The average baby will use over a thousand disposable nappies in one year, but would only need between twenty and thirty cloth nappies for the same period of time. Of course, some families would purchase more to accommodate physical growth, but the number is still nowhere near as large. In terms of the financial and environmental burden that the former brings, cloth nappies seem infinitely preferable.
• You can purchase environmentally friendly cloth nappies that are made of hemp, wool and organic cotton now so even the material that they are made with will not damage the environment! Not to mention the fact that they would be extremely kind on your little one’s skin.
• Finally, baby faeces that are left as rubbish for two weeks contains around 100 viruses on average. If you think about the fact that the faeces is not going through a proper sewerage treatment plant but is instead filtering through the groundwater system. It could actually make its way into your own water supply at a later date. You may want to seriously consider using cloth nappies. They are better all around for you, your family, and the environment in general so they are by far the better choice!