Choosing Organic – When Possible

When it comes to food, today we are faced with so many choices in the marketplace and some parents are forced to ask the question, “Should I choose organic or non-organic?” Some of us feel guilty when our decision is based on our family food budget.

I am here to tell you: Do NOT feel bad… at all!

One thing I think we can all agree on is that we want the best for our kids and family. The reality is that we all do the very best we can. As you follow my blog and learn about Baby Cuisine and Alina’s Cucina, you will see that we promote the choosing of organic ingredients. However, I want to stress to you that you don’t ever have to feel bad when/if you can’t buy organics because of the price tag. Like my friend Shannon Salverda (owner of Chatterbox Learning) says in her video series and lecture circuit, when it comes to parenting “there are no ‘shoulds’”.

All you can do is make the best possible choices based on the information you have. Here is one resource on buying produce that will help you make those choices.

“The Dirty Dozen” is a short list published by the non-profit organization Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org/). They suggest that if given a choice, choose the organic version of these 12 fruits and veggies due to the high level of pesticides used to harvest these crops non-organically:
1. Peach
2. Apple
3. Bell Pepper
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear

Here is the link to list: http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

Also, in my new book, “The Baby Cuisine Cookbook” there is a chapter written by Dr. Tamara Cullen, ND, (my co-author) on teaching healthy eating habits. This includes the definition of “organic“ and suggestions of what to do when your budget is a concern.

So in summary, the most important goal is to feed your baby fresh, wholesome food! Introduce them to the flavors of the world, help enhance the development of their taste buds and set them up for a lifetime of healthy eating habits! If it is organic – great. If not, don’t fret…know that you are an amazing parent and are doing a wonderful job! We are all in this together and I am here to help. If you have any questions, comments, concerns please feel free to drop me a note at shane@alinascucina.com and follow me on twitter (twitter.com/AlinasCucina). I look forward to hearing from you!

For more information on Shannon Salverda and Chatterbox Learning please visit her website http://www.chatterboxlearning.com/ as well as her video series on Speech, Language and Learning in the Expert Advice page on my website at http://www.alinascucina.com/expertdetl.php?id=4

For more information on Dr. Tamara Cullen, ND, and her practice at the Naturopathic Family Medicine please visit her site at http://www.naturopathicfamilymedicine.com/ as well as her video series in the Expert Advice page on my website at http://www.alinascucina.com/expertdetl.php?id=3.

With Gratitude,
Shane

Fun Fall Recipe - Calabaza Soup

Fall has arrived here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and with that comes the return of several staples of the season: brisk winds, colorful leaves, sweaters and maybe the best of all…comfort foods!

This recipe was inspired by my next door neighbor who brought over a huge wedge from a pumpkin he harvested. (We both started organic vegetable gardens this past spring in our back yards and share our abundant crops regularly.) As I was looking at this humungous piece of fresh pumpkin, it hit me - as it usually does with Alina’s Cucina - What are some of the other comfort foods from around the world that involve pumpkins? My first thought was of Calabaza which is a member of the squash family and similar to pumpkin. It is also known as the West Indian Pumpkin and is very popular in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

So I created Calabaza Soup from the South American country of Chile! This hearty vegetable stew is not only Vegetarian but is Vegan, Gluten Free and Dairy Free! I made sure to keep it simple, not only for the sake of time, but it is a belief of mine that simple is better - especially when the ingredient is in season. The simplicity allows you to really “taste” the ingredient in all its glory, they way nature intended it to be! So good!

I know your whole family will love this new dish, especially your baby! As with all my recipes, just take some out at the end and blend it up for your baby.

If Calabaza cannot be found at your local market you can substitute Butternut or Acorn Squash with the same yummy results!

Calabaza Soup

Recipe by: Shane Valentine

Country: Chile

For Babies: 9 months and up

½ C Leeks, thinly sliced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 TBSP Olive Oil
2 C Calabaza (Substitutes: Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash), diced – 1 inch cubes
1 C Carrots, diced – 1 inch cubes
1 C Red Potato, diced – 1 inch cubes
2 C Vegetable Stock, low sodium
2 C Water
½ tsp Sea Salt
Fresh ground pepper to taste
2 TBSP fresh Cilantro, finely chopped
1 TBSP fresh Oregano, finely chopped

1. In a pot on medium heat, sauté leeks and garlic in olive oil until leeks are translucent (about 2-3 minutes).

2. Add Calabaza, carrots, red potatoes, vegetable stock, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to low/medium low and cook for 30 minutes.

3. After 30 minutes, check to see if veggies are fork tender. If so, add cilantro and oregano and stir to incorporate.

4. Serve!

5. For baby, you can fork mash veggies or put into a blender to make smooth. You can leave the soup as-is for the rest of your family and for children that can chew well.

6. Enjoy!

Yield: 4 ½ Cups

(c) 2009 Shane Valentine

Grand "Re-Opening" of my blog!

Hi All

Welcome to the Grand Re-Opening of my blog! I am so excited to get back into this and share my stories, recipes, videos, pictures - all to assist you with making homemade baby food that the whole family can eat together! How great is it that your little one can eat the same food you eat as you all sit around the kitchen table?! It's the one place where family comes together and experiences 'life'! Food is more than just nutrients and calories, which encompasses the physical needs we have, it also serves as an emotional connection we have to family and culture. The bonds that you can create here will last a lifetime.

Part of the Alina's Cucina experience is to expose your baby to as many flavors and cultures of the world as possible as his/her taste buds are still being developed, so the earlier you start the better! My recipes are internationally inspired so I hope your passport is up to date because this is going to be a fun journey!

We are more than just food. I also will share some of life's everyday storys and general parenting experiences from my perspective and my family's perspective...as an example my wife Chantal and our 2 year old daughter Alina just found out this week at our 20-week ultrasound appointment that we are having TWINS! I can't help to think that this will also work it's way into our blog as it will naturally blend into our life and business. I am sure that Chantal will post on this blog from time to time so it should be fun.

Again, I am excited and hope that you will enjoy and find the things we share helpful, informative, uplifting and fun! Also I am looking forward to your feedback - so don't hesitate to share!

Take care and with gratitude,

Shane

PS - My first seasonal recipe will be posted next week so look out for it!!!