Going green and eating clean can be a huge challenge, but today Embracing Imperfect is linking up all kinds of crafts, recipes, recycling and repurpose tips and more to help you go green!
About this post: Embracing Imperfect has teamed up with a group of bloggers to give you cleaner, greener ideas to detox your home! This event is hosted by We’re Parents. Visit each blog post to learn more about making your life greener.
As you know, I firmly believe that feeding children with special needs a clean, organic diet can help them physically, medically, academically and behaviorally. As I mulled this issue, though, it occurred to me that perhaps this blog has been leaving out a portion of the population.
The truth is, EVERY child should be eating like this. Now that’s not to say that if your child doesn’t have food sensitivities they cannot have an occasional sugar feast or soda on holidays. I see no reason to deny them all the time. But there’s plenty of reasons why they should eat better most of the time!
14 reasons every child should eat organic:
- Organic foods have more nutritional value because the nutrients haven’t been stripped away through processing so you’re child really IS eating better.
- USDA organic produce must be free of pesticides, so no more worrying about the Dirty Dozen.
- Growing bodies with immature immune systems, not to mention kids who do have auto-immunity issues, cannot process out these toxins as well as an adult. That can lead to a dangerous toxic build up in your child’s body.
- Because organic farming has no pesticides, it keeps local water sources cleaner and is more eco-friendly.
- Organic foods are free of neurotoxins, chemicals that target the nervous system and can disrupt proper brain signaling, causing your child forgetfulness, brain fog, memory and poor academic performance in milder cases.
- Organic foods are free of irradiation, a process that exposes food to dangerous radiation in order to preserve it longer.
- Organic foods must be GMO-free. GMOs, as you know, can cause all kinds of complications in your child’s gut. In addition, some GMO foods are so resistant to common pesticides, that far stronger ones are needed for each crop exposing your child to more toxins.
- Organic foods are better for the environment. Organic practices keep the environment clean and pastures safer.
- Organic meats are free of antibiotics that can pose a health risk to a kid’s immature system in the form of antibiotic resistant bacteria, particularly if is not cooked well enough.
- Organics are free of unsafe hormones, such as rBGH in milk, which some studies been know to make cows sick.
- It’s more humane because animals raised organically cannot be pumped up full of products that change how they develop, such as chickens that are too fat to ever walk.
- USDA organic products must be free of sewage sludge. I don’t have to elaborate on that one, do I?
- According to Psychology Today, a 2011 study from Newcastle University found organic produce to have “on average 12% higher nutrient levels” than non-organic produce, particularly in antioxidants.
- Because it hasn’t been manipulated at a chemical level, organic produce tastes better. Just compare an organic tomato to the regular. Better yet – nonorganic tomatoes are loaded with nasty pesticides. Just eat the organic one. And doesn’t every kid want better tasting food?
Feed your child organic and you – and they – will feel better about their health! Stay tuned with Embracing Imperfect as I share frugal ways to save money on organics in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, log in below for the giveaway!
What Inspired This Post
Last week, my husband taped a bit of a show that really disturbed him. It was about a young man with Down syndrome who was struggling with everything – from keeping his tongue in his mouth to tying his shoe laces. My husband was convinced these parents were not feeding him clean foods because he can see how much progress they’ve made since we’ve cleaned up our daily menu. This is not to say that every disability can be treated with healthy foods, but I believe that starting off right can go a long way.
Green Living Tips
As mentioned, we’ve got lots of great tips for you:
Re-Purpose
Reusing Your Food Containers
Green Crafts
Printable Earth Day Craft
Earth Day Fairy Garden
Mother Earth / Nature
Kid’s walk to collect trash in your community – with printable bag decoration
Recycling
This post is not trashy
Gardening
The rebirth of the American Chestnut Tree
Growing a Pizza Garden
Larisha says
I love this post! Great info! We are trying to eat more organic everyday!
Gina B says
Good for you! Do what you can and start small if you have to.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
I try to adjust to organic more and more. I applaud you and your efforts with your girls…having children with special needs is not easy – I see it first hand within my family and friends circle. I applaud the parents who do everything they can to help give their child an edge. In one friends autistic son – the difference a doing few things differently have made unbelievable changes within him. Good luck as you continue your journey.
Gina B says
Colleen, thank you so much! And how wonderful for your friend’s son, I LOVE hearing when kids with extra challenges do well! No one – special needs or otherwise – can overcome everything, but I know firsthand that being an engaged, hopeful parent makes a difference. Good for you for eating organic.
Heather says
We really make a conscious effort to buy organic – especially produce!
Gina B says
It’s not easy, especially seasonal eating with picky eaters. But I think every parent has THAT problem, lol! Good for you.
Judy Freedman says
Great ideas. I don’t have young children at home but I need to eat more organically too.
Gina B says
I eat cleaner than ever, which is probably why I FEEL better at 48 than any other age! You’re right – it’s NOT just for kids.
Lindsey @ sisterstosons.com says
Ok i need to forward this to my husband… you know, to justify the extra expense for organic food!
Gina B says
Think of produce like anything else: the better the quality, the more it costs!
Jessica @EatSleepBe says
ABSOLUTELY! We shop almost exclusively organic, GMO and chemical-free at home. (We give them leeway when we’re out of the house.) I can’t stand the thought of what is being put into our kids bodies with conventional foods, though it is great that you are educating others as to why this is important. Kudos, Gina!
Gina B says
Thanks Jessica! Actually, hubby and I do take out pizza – and then I read an article about what they put in it. No more pizza for me. And, no, I won’t be reading up on Chinese food any time soon!
claudia krusch says
Love your post, fingers crossed, would love to win!
Gina B says
Thanks Claudia, good luck!
Lauryn says
Great points Gina!! We have been on a mission in the last few years trying to eat more homemade and with organic products. Once you get going it is hard to stop;)
Gina B says
Excellent, Lauryn! It does take some practice 🙂
Anna@Green Talk says
Eating organically is so important. This is one of the reasons why I grow my own food. I control what is sprayed on my food.
Gina B says
Had a friend who did that and got some local pesticide “accidentally” sprayed on her garden 🙁 I’d love to grow, but I’m terrified!
Jenny M says
I would love to have a composter from Toter, a picnic table from Lifetime Products , and a gazebo from Brylane!
Lisa Breece says
storage shed
Jessica Fortner says
I’d also like the stand mixer with two bowls from Brylane Home.
Jessica Fortner says
I also like the Ace flyer Teeter Totter from Lifetime Products.
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
Love to have one of the Coca-Cola Fan Cans
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
From Lifetime Products I’d like to have the 8′ picnic table and the childrens picnic table.
Linda Meyers-Gabbard says
From Brylane Home I’d love to have the Plus Size Rocking Glider and Ottoman in Burgundy
Sky Evans says
I’d like toter’s Front Load Container.
Crystal Johnson says
I’d like the Toter consumer composter
Crystal Johnson says
I love the DOUBLE SLIDE DELUXE PLAYSET (EARTHTONE) from Lifetime
and the Oversized 10′ x 15′ Instant Pop Up Gazebo With Screen from Brylanehome
Terry says
Every reason is a great reason to get your children to eat organic!
Great post!