Sweet Benefits!

                                                             

Apricots were the star of the show this week as our team produced more fantastic blendz in the lab.Our newest blend has the sweet flavors of apricot, peaches, and apples that's sure to please a crowd. We love apricots as it is satisfying to the palette, and a healthy treat.

 Here is a list of the health benefits:

-Rich in fiber/aids in food digestion when your little one is constipated.

-Iron & copper is present in apricots which helps treat people who suffer from anemia. When digested, the fruit helps in the formation of hemoglobin.

Other benefits include:

-Reduces oily skin when applied to the body & relieves eczema...no wonder why apricot is found in facial scrubs.

-The oil of an apricot has been known to relieve asthma.

-The natural oils that are present in an apricot has been known to relieve an earache.

The next time that you enjoy a tasty apricot think of all the health benefits that are packed in the amazing fruit. See you at the market!

Cover those bum bums

                                                              


So I went to a friend's baby shower yesterday and played fabulous games. One of the games that stuck in my mind was a quiz on how well we knew certain customs and information pertaining to babies and the effects of having one. One question that stuck in my mind was how long does a diaper last on Earth before it disintegrates.

 I knew that a diaper lasts awhile after a consumer uses it, but the answer shocked me! For those that do not know the answer, get ready to be amazed. It takes anywhere from 200-500 years as it depends on the company's materials that they use. Yikes!! Talk about a landfill full of diapers, not to mention where they dump the product after the process. Lucky for us there are alternatives to covering our babies bum bums that are Eco-friendly. Cheers to a better planet for our children! Check out what I found:



http://www.gdiapers.com/happy-planet 
You can flush or compost the liner for very speedy results, or you can even toss it -- these decompose in just 2-6 months! 


http://www.bumgenius.com/products.php




http://www.naty.com/us/Home/tabid/90/Default.aspx

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

Drum roll please..............

Our website is now up at Bare Blendz.Come check out our delicious blendz. We will see you at a Farmer's Market and in stores very soon!
http://bareblendz.com/index.html

Hidden Treasure!

I have a few picky eaters at home that refuse to eat certain vegetables. Over time I found that my husband and I could use our Bare Blendz combinations and infuse them into the food that my kids already loved and enjoyed eating. Here are some of the foods that we paired our signature blends with.....and the kids had no clue that they were eating healthy. Bare Blendz isn't just for babies, it's a good way to get your child to eat healthier without the fuss.

1. Pizza- Put our carrot blend into the pizza sauce.
2. Spaghetti- Mix the Bare Blendz peas into the spaghetti sauce
3. Macaroni and cheese- Mix the cauliflower blend into the cheese and then place on the noodles, melt in the oven.

Top 10 Superfoods that really are super!

Parents want the best for their children, and that includes helping them grow up healthy and strong. Eating healthier is the best way to keep our children healthy and ready to start each day. Here at Bare Blendz we use many superfoods to encourage healthy eating habits in the early stages of life. Here is a list of 10 superfoods that support developmental growth.


 Vegetables 

1. Parsnips -provide a good source of fiber and contain antioxidants, vitamins C and E.

2. Butternut squash-excellent source of bete-carotene

3.Carrots-high in beta-carotene & Vitamin A

4.Sweet potato- high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin c

5.Broccoli- as it is a great source of vitamin C, contains beta-carotene, folic acid, iron, & potassium.

Fruits

 

1. Peaches -vitamin C, and the soft flesh is easy to digest.

2.  Blueberries- vitamin C & contains beta-carotene. The blue pigment anthocyanin in the skin of the blueberries helps protect us against cancer.

3.Apples- fiber, helps fight against constipation

4. Apricots-beta-carotene, fiber, iron and potassium.

5.Papayas- vitamin C, beta-carotene, fiber and enzymes that aid digestion

 

 

Top 5 reasons to go Organic:

1. Toxin Free-
Non-organic products are treated with artificial preservatives, pesticides, and additives.

"We oppose the use artificial flavors, preservatives, and food coloring. Instead, we rely on nature to provide everything necessary for the optimum development of a child."

2. Infants are susceptible to pesticides-
Infants & children come into contact with pesticides through non-organic foods.

3.Organic foods are beneficial for the environment -
 Organic foods reduce the chemical levels that are released into the environment.

4. We breathe what is injected into the air-
Some pesticides are harmful to humans and animals

5. Creating a better tomorrow-
Organic farms produce less waste, and conserve more energy.

Bare Blendz supports local organic farmers in order to provide the best ingredients for your little one.

Love this Rockin Melon!

When I was pregnant with my little guy, I found that I often craved cantaloupe.I could have this tasty treat any time of the day, and often enjoyed it juiced from a local farmers market. 

Cantaloupe was a favorite in our household that stayed on the grocery list. Although cantaloupe satisfied my sweet tooth, I was not aware of all of the benefits that this sweet fruit offered. 

While researching I found that cantaloupe is high in folic acid, vitamins A, and C.Folic acid is necessary for our body to improve new cells as vitamin A promotes strong bones, helps our vision and  guards us against bacterial, viral, parasitic infections. Vitamin C has been proven to fight against heart disease, cancer, and cataracts. 

Wow, who would have thought that this delicious fruit that I craved carried so many nutrients. This is a great fruit for babies, and children to enjoy.I believe that this fruit is a keeper!

Toddler Self-feeding: Is it the Spoon?

Recently, our two year old championed the art of potty training. We thought that we would never see the day that she would ask to go potty rather than hugging the banister and doing her do. Now that that milestone has been achieved, we return to the "less messy" milesones; using a spoon to eat without all of it ending up on her clothes and sleeping in her bed without waking up yelling for mommy and daddy as if we'd abandoned her!

Last night, rice, baked chicken and broccoli were on the menu. Amari is very good at using her hands to pick up most items and tends to avoid the spoon all together. When it calls for it, she will try but if she cannot get a mouth full of rice or whatever the delectable item, she gets discouraged and asks for help. So last night there I was, just as all the nights before, feeding her with her toddler spoon, those items that continued to litter my floor. When I encouraged her to try again, she yelled, "No mommy, you do it!" Now we have tried several spoons on the market. Those with rounded edges, those that curve and even small metal ones. Nothing seems to work! Some say that the type of spoon matters, but I feel like it’s the process in which we introduce utensils that concerns our children most. Here are some easy instructions on how to encourage your toddler to use a spoon or fork. I will report back when Amari has mastered it!





Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby spoon
• bowl
• thick yogurt
• favorite dry cereal
• Soup

1. Spoon half a cup of thick yogurt into a bowl in front of your toddler. Hand him one spoon while you keep another.


2.Let your baby play with her spoon while

you use your own to feed her the yogurt. If she decides to put her spoon in the food as well, let her.

3.Fix yourself a small bowl of yogurt to eat in front of your toddler. Make sure he also has a bowl and spoon in front of him. Watching you eat will show him what to do. Even if he doesn't understand how to scoop, simply touching the spoon to thick yogurt will transfer food to his mouth.


4.Place one piece of dry cereal on your toddler' s spoon. This will teach her the right way to hold the spoon without dropping it's contents. Using dry cereal is much less stressful than using liquid.

5.Pour some soup into a bowl. Give your toddler the bowl and a baby spoon. Let him use the spoon to transfer liquid from the bowl to his mouth.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid moving your toddler' s spoon with your hand. Let her do it herself.
• Give your child finger food to go with the yogurt. This will prevent him from getting frustrated.
• This method could take weeks or months to perfect. Don't give up.


Read more: How to Teach a Toddler to Use a Spoon | eHow.com

"Because I Children Mommy!"

So…yesterday, Amari and I made a run to Babies R Us to purchase a child safety gate for her baby sister. On the way home, I veered into the rearview mirror after hearing a light smacking noise to see my two year old picking French fries out of her car seat and eating them. When I abruptly asked her, "Amari, why are you eating old French fries, no no!" She then said, "because I children mommy!"



It had me thinking…why do kids enjoy potatoes so much? Amari was not eating the Cheerios or apple skins that she often spits out. There was something about those once crispy starches that invited her to taste again, no matter the concern that it may cause stomach trouble.

Whether mashed, baked or roasted, people often consider potatoes as comfort food. Amari would be quick to agree. They are an important food staple and the number one vegetable crop in the world. Potatoes are available year-round as they are harvested somewhere every month of the year.

I thought I would take this funny, yet disturbing event with Amari to discuss the proper storing and picking of potatoes. Surely, day old French fries out of a car seat is not the way to go!


While potatoes are often conveniently packaged in a plastic bag, it is usually better to buy them individually from a bulk display. Not only will this allow you to better inspect the potatoes for signs of decay or damage, but many times, the plastic bags are not perforated and cause a build up of moisture that can negatively affect the potatoes.

Potatoes should be firm, well shaped and relatively smooth, and should be free of decay that often manifests as wet or dry rot. In addition, they should not be sprouting or have green coloration since this indicates that they may contain the toxic alkaloid solanine that has been found to not only impart an undesirable taste, but can also cause a host of different health conditions such as circulatory and respiratory depression, headaches and diarrhea.



Sometimes stores will offer already cleaned potatoes. These should be avoided since when their protective coating is removed by washing, potatoes are more vulnerable to bacteria. In addition, already cleaned potatoes are also more expensive, and since you will have to wash them again before cooking, you will be paying an unnecessary additional cost.
Since new potatoes are harvested before they are fully mature, they are much more susceptible to damage. Be especially careful when purchasing these to buy ones that are free from discoloration and injury.

The ideal way to store potatoes is in a dark, dry place between 45°F to 50°F between 7-10°C) as higher temperatures, even room temperature, will cause the potatoes to sprout and dehydrate prematurely. While most people do not have root cellars that provide this type of environment, to maximize the potato's quality and storage, you should aim to find a place as close as possible to these conditions. Storing them in a cool, dark closet or basement may be suitable alternatives. Potatoes should definitely not be exposed to sunlight as this can cause the development of the toxic alkaloid solanine to form.



Potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator, as their starch content will turn to sugar giving them an undesirable taste. In addition, do not store potatoes near onions, as the gases that they each emit will cause the degradation of one another. Wherever you store them, they should be kept in a burlap or paper bag.
Mature potatoes stored properly can keep up to two months. Check on the potatoes frequently, removing any that have sprouted or shriveled as spoiled ones can quickly affect the quality of the others. New potatoes are much more perishable and will only keep for one week. Cooked potatoes will keep fresh in the refrigerator for several days. Potatoes do not freeze well.


Read more at http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48

Going Organic? Take your baby with you!

Imagine ingesting a chemical produced solely for the termination of insects and vermin, and now imagine that same chemical...inside of your baby!

Frightening isn't it?

Lets face it, your baby is your mini-you, so if you wouldn't take a bite of the insecticide flavored apple, you certainly wouldn't want your baby doing it either. Imagine the long term health effects this could have on you not to mention your child whose body is a fraction of your size which means the effects are greater, happen quicker and will have a lasting effect on their little systems.

 Thats why we chose to go Organic and thats why millions of others like yourself have followed suit. The benefits are amazing and the peace of mind you get knowing that you have decided to rid yourself and your babies of unnecessary chemical poisoning is priceless.

Some of the benefits of Organic living include:
  - higher energy levels
  - softer skin
  - firmer muscle tone
  - and even a freedom from HEADACHES!!

Going Organic is easy but many are intimidated by it. Dont be! The first thing you should do is your homework! Research and find out the health risks and benefits of Organic Vs. Non Organic, how to pick the right organic foods and products, and how to start your own Organic garden.

I started with a super informative eBook by Claus Stockholm entitled "The Ultimate Organic Lifestyle." Not only does he explain  EVERYTHING you need to know about organic foods, but he opens your eyes to other organic products, clothing and even organic cleaning. Check it out here and let me know if it has helped you as much as it has helped me!

Until next time, we at Bare Blendz wish you happy and healthy living for you and your baby!