I’ll be honest, for the most part, when I heard the name Jaime Oliver in the not so recent past, I thought of the charismatic “Naked Chef” on the Food Network. Now I hear his name and I think of a courageous and passionate man/father with the drive to change the health and well-being of this country. Coming March 26th on ABC, Jaime will be kicking of his new show Jaime Oliver’s Food Revolution, a new series shedding light on our country’s epidemic of obesity and declining children’s health. While listening to Jaime speak on TED, I could not help but think I must share this with parents and future parents. It’s an eye opening, motivating clip for everyone to watch or listen to.

His message is very clear and true. We need to re-educate ourselves and most especially our children ( yours, our nieces,nephews, god children, all of them) on food, how to prepare it, where it comes from, quality-vs- additives and its effects on our health. These are essentials survival skills which are lacking. As new parents start fresh and instill these lessons within your children from the beginning.

Join his revolution!

For whatever reason, I had a craving for raw asparagus today. Since I have been trying to focus on my physical health of late, my muscles are screaming loud and clear for potassium. While eating the asparagus I became curious to see what other benefits were attributed to it. Low and behold I found some wonderful benefits that are actually tailored for mothers-to-be and new moms. Here they are for you:

5 BENEFITS

• Eaten during the early stages of pregnancy, it helps the body to fight against certain birth defects such as spina bifida (a neural tube defect)

• A cup of asparagus provides around 263 mcg of folate (Vitamin B). Folate is very important for the synthesis of DNA. Its absence or inadequate supply causes the improper division of fetus’ nerve cells, in turn leading to birth defects

• Stimulates milk production in nursing mothers

• Has very high levels of folic acid which is known to make conception easier

• Controlling blood sugar levels and therefore, is very beneficial for people with diabetes

This month, when you purchase The Everyday Oils enrollment kit from the Verte boutique, $15 will be donated to V-Day and UNICEF’s City of Joy Project. The two non-profits, in partnership with the Panzi Foundation, are currently building a special facility for the survivors of sexual violence in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The City of Joy will support women to heal and provide them with opportunities to develop their leadership through programming in: group therapy; storytelling; dance; theater; self-defense; comprehensive sexuality education (covering HIV/AIDS, family planning); ecology and horticulture; and economic empowerment.

Just a few dollars have far-reaching impact and can provide much needed supplies that will make the City of Joy a comfortable, caring, and healthy place for women survivors of sexual violence to learn, lead, and inspire.

For example, $30 provides one woman with seeds for the City of Joy’s horticulture program for one year or $400 provides the salary of a local registered nurse.

On your behalf, Verte (The Green Doula’s Parent Biz) will donate $15 to one of the City of Joy’s registry category items which include:

Skills Training
Healing
Living
Education
Working
Nourishing
Or a Custom Donation

How Are You Able to Enhance Your Life While Helping to Build the City of Joy?

By incorporating “nature’s living energy” into your everyday lifestyle, you are bound to enhance your everyday life. How do you hone such energy? Well, you don’t have to for Young Living Essential Oils have already done it for you. It is Young Living’ mission to promote the ancient healing art of essential oil therapy. Offering a collection of over 140 therapeutic-grade single essential oils and unique essential oil blends, they are the world’s largest community dedicated to achieving wellness via nature’s purest, most potent gift, essential oils.

When used aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally, essential oils can calm, energize, balance, purify, and rejuvenate the mind and body. As well, such oils can be incorporated into your everyday (including pregnancy and childcare)lifestyle in areas such as:

air purification
aromatherapy + fragrance
cleaning
cooking
first aid
pet care

Your Everyday Oils enrollment kit will include the following oils and more for only $150; ideal to introduce you to the benefits and ease of incorporating essential oils into your life, receive discounts & rewards, and should you chose, the opportunity to generate extra income:

Everyday Oils includes:
(
1)- 5 ml Frankincense
(
1)- 5 ml Lemon

(
1)- 5 ml Lavender

(
1)- 5 ml Peppermint

(
1)- 5 ml Purification
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Panaway
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Peace & Calming®
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Thieves®
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Valor® Blend
As well

You can purchase the enrollment kit at any time through Verte, though the fundraiser for the City of Joy ends on February 28th. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me and db@vertenyc.com.

Keep an eye out all this month for a variety of recipes incorporating essential oils that you can incorporate into your pregnancy and infant care regime. If you are not interested in purchasing therapeutic-grade oils, but still want to contribute to the City of Joy, please make your donation here

The team over at Plum organics have just added to their garden of delicious and healthy foods for your growing tot. Simply named “Just”, the product line is a offering of single fruits which are Non-GMO & USDA-certified organic, gently cooked and pureed. The fruit is then packaged in a BPA-free, lightweight pouch that pours easily onto a spoon for a mess-free eating experience. This method is designed for the reduction of food waste and eliminates the need for double dipping

The options include JUST Apples, JUST Peaches, JUST Pears, JUST Bananas, JUST Prunes and JUST Mangos. They are portable, convenient and durable for whenever you are on the go or don’t have time to prepare.

The “JUST” line is exclusively available at Babies R Us/Toys R Us at the suggested retail price of $1.19 – $1.29 for a 3.17oz. Single pouch and $7.19 – $7.29 for a single variety 6-count box. Soon, Plum will be extending its distribution to Buy Buy Baby, HEB, Food Lion, and online at Target.com, Diapers.com, and Drugstore.com.

Mamatini™ is a new all-natural, 100% organic herbal infusion that was created with the modern mother-to-be in mind. It is the first-ever, ready-to-drink, pediatrician-designed beverage created to help women breastfeed better, easier and for longer. Not only will Mamatini naturally boost your milk supply, it will also increase your energy and increase your ability to absorb and retain critical nutrients your body uses to produce milk. This herbal tonic also helps to relieve your baby colic symptoms.

Mamatini™ is shipped directly to your door via FedEx and can be shipped on a weekly basis at your option. Made with organic ginger and spearmint, this refreshing beverage is recommended from the 36th week of pregnancy until your baby is weaned.

Fenugreek helps you produce a generous supply of milk for your growing baby
Fennel stimulates the “let down” reflex, and helps prevent gas, bloating and colic
Chamomile and Ginger relieve stomach upset and provide restful sleep for baby and mom
Micronutrients promote absorption of vitamins and minerals, such as Calcium and Iron, often depleted during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Vitamin A forms healthy teeth, bones, skin and nails and is key for breastfeeding
Vitamin C forms collagen in the body and aids the absorption of Iron
Vitamin D aids the absorption of Calcium, helping to form strong bones
Folic Acid and B Vitamins provide energy and prevent birth defects

Happy Baby, the leader in premium organic baby & toddler food and Healthy Child Healthy World, the nation’s nonprofit innovator in preventive health education for children, has announced an exciting partnership. Happy Baby will be contributing articles and nutritional information for HCHW outreach efforts.

“Educating parents and caregivers about food grown without GMOs, hormones, and chemical additives is more important than ever in light of the increasing rise in childhood illnesses, such as food allergies, early onset obesity, and ADHD,”

-Healthy Child’s CEO/Executive Director Christopher Gavigan

This logical yet respected partnership will make it easier for parent to research, compare and orchestrate their child’s nutritional wellness. Make sure to frequent both companies’ websites for valuable information.

Happy Baby’s complete organic line of fresh frozen baby food, cereals, finger foods, yogurt snacks, and grab-and-go pouches provides healthy yet convenient options for parents.

So you have just finished exclusively breastfeeding and are beginning the transition to solid foods for your baby. Do not be intimidated by the attention that is now needed for your child’s diet and nutritional needs. Yes, the amount and quality of essential nutrients you give to your infant/toddler is important, but there are many cookbooks, pre-packaged fresh meals and supplements to help make the transition easier for both of you.

Shaklee just recently rolled out a new supplements for babies & kid. Their Shakleebaby Multivitamin & Multimineral Powder ($21.45 list price) delivers 23 essential nutrients to your baby’s systems which helps to support proper growth. This mineral powder comes from one of the most respected wellness brand in the world. Check out its other benefits and for further information go directly to my Shaklee site. Perhaps this is the supplement aide you have been looking for. Regardless of whether or not you give your little one multivitamins, do not fall into the common parental default for making french fries, cookies and sugary juicy a staple in your child’s diet.:

• Provides a unique blend of clinically tested prebiotics to help support strong immunity*

• Star-K kosher certified

(getty images)

Though one would assume it to be, there are not many published reports that clinically validate the benefits of eating organic foods during pregnancy. The intuitive lifestyle has been growing primarily because moms-to-be want the purest and healthiest foods possible to help ensure a healthy baby. Now, The Organic Center (TOC), an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3), have taken the much needed steps of converting what many have already figured into a tangible report. In the medical and scientific world, theories and hunches do not mean a thing until it can be clinically proven or documented.

As a result of over 150 scientific studies, The Organic Center have concluded that a balanced organic diet before and during pregnancy directly benefits childhood development. Such a lifestyle can significantly reduce childhood obesity and the development of diabetes. As well TOC’s report revealed that exposure to pesticides used to grow non-organic food during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, low-birth weight, and neurological problems.

(getty images)

Click here to read more about the report. All of TOC’s publications, consumer guides and videos are available free of charge on their website as well. The organization’s mission is to advance scientific research on the health and environmental benefits of organic foods, and to communicate those benefits to the public.

As I am glad that such concrete information and reports now exist, I still want to emphasis, that it is still important to research the companies that stamp their products with the organic logo. With the growing demand for organic foods and the less than stringent regulations provided by the FDA up to this point, there are several companies who pose as charlatans and misuse the organic symbol and/or brand their product to appear to be the most pure, when in fact it is not. Check out this startling article regarding some brands of both Organic Soy and Dairy milk.

A little bit of research and intuition are the only sure things you can rely on to make the right food choices for you and your family. After reading the labels, you should be able to comprehend the ingredients. The more simple, whole and real the ingredients are, the better. After reading about the company, whether it be on-line, on the package or through word of mouth, you should feel comfortable about the source and comfortable about your purchase. Do not solely rely on the design of the packaging and the Organic logo alone before you make a purchase. Remember that ultimately, design agencies are paid big bucks to make consumers purchase. Make sure the companies’ ingredients, mission and practices match, if not supersede, the initial visual impact of the design of their packaging.