Organic with an Asterisk*

As a Mom I try to do the best for my child.  I have a pretty large organically grown garden in the backyard that produces most of our veggies.  For the items we don't or can't produce ourselves I buy Organic.

It seems like the best thing to do.  If something is marked "Organic", even "USDA Certified Organic" than you assume that is would be free from harmful chemicals, pesticides and genetically modified products.  Isn't that what makes it "Certified Organic"?

For alot of it, yes.  But when you discover that the DHA that is being put into "Organic" products is genetically modified and has no business being in there, well that  just pisses me off!

I mean really?  What happens when the supposed "safe guard" isn't really safe.

Here is what was written about the GMO DHA and how it made it into Organic products:

The Organic Consumers Association explains:

In 2009, a front page Washington Post article,“Integrity of Federal ‘Organic’ Label Questioned.”explained how Martek Biosciences’ synthetic DHA and ARA ended up in organic infant formula. In 2006, National Organic Program staff told Martek that its synthetic DHA and ARA couldn’t be used in organic because they were synthetic and not on the National List. But, Martek’s lawyer, J. Friedman, was able to get their decision reversed by NOP director Barbara Robinson, with just a call and an email. He told the Washington Post, “I called Robinson up, I wrote an e-mail. It was a simple matter.”…

The National Organic Program attempted to remedy this situation by requiring Martek to formally ask permission to use its DHA and AHA in organic. The petition came before National Organic Standards board, and surprisingly, the NOSB voted to continue to allow Life’sDHA and Life’sARA in organic.

The NOP and NOSB ignored evidence that Martek’s products should never have even been considered for use in organic in the first place. According to patents uncovered by the Cornucopia Institute, all of Martek’s DHA and ARA products are produced through genetic engineering, processed with volatile synthetic solvents and microencapsulated, three things that are expressly banned from USDA Organic.

You can protect your baby by making your own baby food or looking for food that does not contain DHA and ARA. DHA and ARA are important omega fatty acids found in breast milk, so long term breastfeeding insures your child gets them. The Cornucopia Institute explains how the chemical version cannot replace mother’s milk:

What is troublesome, however, is that some infant for- mulas contain DHA- and ARA-containing oils that are novel foods—extracted from laboratory-grown fermented algae and fungus and processed utilizing a toxic chemical, hexane. These algal and fungal oils provide DHA and ARA in forms that are structurally different from those naturally found in human milk…

These oils are produced by Martek Biosciences Corpora- tion and appear to be added to infant formula primarily as a marketing tool designed to convince parents that formula is now “as close as ever to breast milk.” Substantiating this the- sis is a Martek investment promotion from 1996, which reads as follows: “Even if [the DHA/ARA blend] has no benefit, we think it would be widely incorporated into formulas, as a market- ing tool and to allow companies to promote their formula as ‘closest to human milk [emphasis added].”1

So basically an email and a phone call was able to take away the safety net that "Organic" is supposed to give to parents trying to do the right thing.  


The worst part is that it is in baby formula's and baby food.  Earth's Best is supposed to be Organic.  


Here is a list of the Life's DHA products from their own website.  Try to avoid them is possible.


http://www.lifesdha.com/Products-Containing-lifesDHA-/Partner-Products/tabid/683/Default.aspx


If they are going to put something that is GMO in organic food than I think that they should have to mark it as so.  Organic* (this product contains a GMO).  They should have to put it out there so every consumer of organic foods knows what they are actually getting.  


People assume that if it is USDA Certified Organic that is completely safe.  Think again!  


I am so happy with my decision to breastfeed and make my own baby food, but what about the women who can't?  Why is it that now what you thought was the safest avenue to take isn't as safe as you thought.  


Where do you turn when "Organic" isn't enough to keep the garbage out of our food?  


Till next blog.......

Do You Know What's In A Candy Cane???

My husband came up with an idea for me to make Candy Cane ice cream.   Yes I do make homemade ice cream, and what I discovered in trying to make it shocked me.

Do you know what is in a Candy Cane?  I didn't until recently.  We went to the store and picked up a box of regular candy canes.  One the way home I decided to flip the box over and read the ingredients.  Corn syrup (which is now all genetically modified) and Red (dye) 40. Last time I checked not only is dye terrible for anyone, especially kids, but didn't they link red dye 40 to cancer??  WOW!  Then I researched further when I got home and discovered that the ingredient that makes the white so bright in a candy cane is Titanium Dioxide!  WHAT!?

Let's just say that the box of candy canes did not stay in my house and NO I did not make ice cream out of them.

You know me though, of course I found organic ones.  There are 2 brands that are very popular.  Pure Fun Organic Candy Canes  www.purefun.ca/products_candyCanes and Tru Sweets  www.trusweets.com.  Pure Fun are made with organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice, organic fruit juice and natural peppermint oil.  Tru Sweets are made with organic ingredients, corn syrup free, no artificial colors or flavors.  Both are certified organic by the USDA.

Oh, and I love the disclaimer:

DISCLAIMER: Due to the organic ingredients of these candy canes, the colors will NOT be bright white and red. They are muted colors. Titanium dioxide is required to make bright white.




They are a little bit more that the other candy canes, but so worth it.

Now I can make my homemade Candy Cane ice cream with all organic ingredients!!

Happy Holidays!

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Favorite New Item! Stainless Steel Toddler Dish Set

 I have found yet another new favorite item!

Untangled Living Anyware Stainless Steel Dish Set for Children

The set is made of high quality food grade stainless steel.  They are free of plastics, BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Lead and other harmful toxins.  Durable and dishwasher safe.

The 5 piece set includes plate, bowl, cup, fork and spoon.

They are so adorable also.  They come with either a butterfly or gecko design on them.

You can find them at www.untangledliving.com, or I also found them on Amazon.com.

What a great set for you child and toxic free!!!

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Favorite New Item! Stainless Steel Toddler Cups

I am always on the lookout for non-toxic, non-plastic items for my daughter.  In my recent quest to get her some toddler cups I have found something I love!!

The are kids stainless steel drinking cups.  Non-toxic, BPA free and durable!!  They are also inexpensive.

They are from Kids-Cups.com.  www.hic-cups.com/cups

Our Stainless steel cups are safe, sanitary, unbreakable, and dishwasher safe. These cups are light, strong, and most important, non-toxic and BPA free. They are safe and affordable. What’s your child's health worth to you?  How about less than $5 each!

Just when I thought I would never find a toddler cup since I do not use any type of plastic, I found these.  They are so easy for a child to use and safe for them to use as well!!  Hurray!!!

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Buying a Christmas Tree From a Local Tree Farm

This year when we started thinking about getting our Christmas Tree we decided to see if there was a local farm we could buy from.  Not only is the tree fresher than the ones that are shipped in from other states, but giving money to a local business is better for the community.

If you are in the Tampa area I highly recommend Ergle Family Christmas Tree Farm. www.ergletrees.com.

This place was incredible.  As we arrived we were greeted right as we entered by a very nice lady making wreaths.  She was making them with the tree clippings and had a machine that clamped the trimmings into the wire rack.  She allowed my 2 year old daughter to help her make our beautiful wreath.  She picked out the bow, pine cones and accessories.   It makes our wreath very special since my daughter was the one to put it together.

We then went inside to pick out our tree.  They have trees that are already cut and sitting in a stand of water to keep them fresh, or you can take a saw and head out to the trees on the farm and pick your own and chop it down.

We found a beautiful 11ft. tree.  The price was much less than what we would have paid at a "big name store" for a tree that size and it is the freshest tree we've ever had.  They put the tree into a tree shaker, which I had never seen, and the put it through the machine that wraps in with the webbing for the car ride home.

They were all so helpful and courteous.

They also have a little train for the kids to ride around on.  There was also a little petting zoo area with goats.

It was such an amazing experience.  It was such a blast for my daughter and made it really feel like Christmas!  We have found a new place that we will be going to for our Christmas trees from here on.

If your not in the Tampa area, search in your area for a local tree farm.  Anytime you can keep money in your local community is great, but you may also have a great experience you never expected!

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The Organic Birthday Cake & Cupcakes

For my daughter's second birthday I wanted her cake to be organic and have icing that was not made with dyes that could harm her.

Finding a bakery makes a cake like that where I live was not possible.  I honestly couldn't believe that something like that wasn't available.  Am I the only one who wants this for my child??  I realized if this is what I wanted I would have to make it myself.

My daughter told me that she wanted a pink cake and purple cupcakes.  Yes, I have a very opinionated 2 year old!  The cake and cupcake part was easy enough.  I just used all organic ingredients. The icing, was another story.

Using regular icing was not an option since they use synthetic dyes that are just not safe.


Synthetic dyes have been linked to a wide variety of health concerns including behavioral problems, hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and even cancers. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), an organization that advocates for nutrition and food safety, is calling for a ban on these synthetic dyes.   


My search brought me to India Tree Natural Decorating Colors.  They are sold at Whole Foods or go to indiatree.com to find a store in your area.

I bought the  3 pack of colors that come in Red, Yellow and Blue.  They are made from vegetable juice and contain no corn syrup or synthetic dyes.

I went on their website to get help on mixing the colors to make the pink and purple I needed.  It was like a science experiment to get the right colors, but in the end they were perfect.

The cake and cupcakes came out great!!  My daughter was thrilled.  It made me very happy to know that all the ingredients in the cake and cupcakes were organic and that the coloring was safe.

It was a great (Organic) birthday!!!

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