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Bridget Leigh Pugh is a wife, Stay-at-Home
Mother of two children, and dual business owner
in Houston, Texas specializing in Organic
cuisine. Her work in Fair Trade and support of
local farmers is known throughout the Southern
United States. Check out http://www.fudgette.com
Mother of two children, and dual business owner
in Houston, Texas specializing in Organic
cuisine. Her work in Fair Trade and support of
local farmers is known throughout the Southern
United States. Check out http://www.fudgette.com
Organic 101 - What's it all About?
As health-conscious Moms, we have all heard the buzz about organic foods. As
we cruise down our grocery store isles, we see new versions of many of our
favorite foods, reading “Organic”, “All Natural’ and “Made with Organic
Ingredients”. However, with two toddlers in the buggy, we really don’t have time to
read the labels! What does all this organic labeling mean? Read on to help clear up
some of the confusion behind organic products as well as why it might be a good
idea to consider them.
Organic foods meet federal standards set by the Organic Foods Production Act of
1990, and it applies to “any agricultural product from livestock or crop marketed as
organic in the United States” says Joan Shaffer of The National Organic Program
(www.ams.usda.gov). So, you can be rest assured that if a product is labeled as
“organic”, it is. But what exactly does organic mean? In a nutshell, organic
farmers can’t use many traditional methods of growing crops. For instance,
fertilizers made with sewage sludge cannot be used. Organic farmers cannot
sow genetically modified (GM) crops with the genes of a different organism (foods
inserted with the genes of a different organism- think a tomato with a fish gene-
eek!). There are also rules against sterilizing goods by irradiation, or using
conventional pesticides. If the product comes from an animal, such as dairy, meat,
eggs, or poultry, farmers must feed the animals 100% organic feed, allow their
animals access to outdoors, and avoid using growth hormones and antibiotics.
All of these seem like positive changes in our farming industry, but organic labeling
and terminology seems to bring confusion with the good. There are four main
categories of organic or all-natural labeling that you might have seen at a recent trip
to your supermarket.
So, Moms, next time you find yourself surrounded by screaming toddlers and
confusing organic labeling, relax and remember that you are armed with the
knowledge needed to make the best food choices for your family, no matter what
they might be. If you would like to learn more about organic foods for your family,
check out the US Department of Agriculture (www.usda.gov) and read all about
organic and natural food. Look for “Part Two: Organic 201” next month where we
dig deeper into which foods might be more important to eat organically than others.
In the meantime, experiment with an All-Natural and Organic Family-Friendly Recipe
that kids can make themselves:
As health-conscious Moms, we have all heard the buzz about organic foods. As
we cruise down our grocery store isles, we see new versions of many of our
favorite foods, reading “Organic”, “All Natural’ and “Made with Organic
Ingredients”. However, with two toddlers in the buggy, we really don’t have time to
read the labels! What does all this organic labeling mean? Read on to help clear up
some of the confusion behind organic products as well as why it might be a good
idea to consider them.
Organic foods meet federal standards set by the Organic Foods Production Act of
1990, and it applies to “any agricultural product from livestock or crop marketed as
organic in the United States” says Joan Shaffer of The National Organic Program
(www.ams.usda.gov). So, you can be rest assured that if a product is labeled as
“organic”, it is. But what exactly does organic mean? In a nutshell, organic
farmers can’t use many traditional methods of growing crops. For instance,
fertilizers made with sewage sludge cannot be used. Organic farmers cannot
sow genetically modified (GM) crops with the genes of a different organism (foods
inserted with the genes of a different organism- think a tomato with a fish gene-
eek!). There are also rules against sterilizing goods by irradiation, or using
conventional pesticides. If the product comes from an animal, such as dairy, meat,
eggs, or poultry, farmers must feed the animals 100% organic feed, allow their
animals access to outdoors, and avoid using growth hormones and antibiotics.
All of these seem like positive changes in our farming industry, but organic labeling
and terminology seems to bring confusion with the good. There are four main
categories of organic or all-natural labeling that you might have seen at a recent trip
to your supermarket.
- 100% Organic: Very simple- 100% Organic! A product with this label
has to use all organic products in every step of production. These foods
are the puritans of the organic movement, and Moms can rest assured
knowing that the highest standards have been met for this product to carry
this label. Foods to look for: produce, fruit juices, and even some snacks.
This week, try 100% Organic Gala apples for a sweet, crunchy treat. - Organic: This label is what a majority of the food you see might carry.
This label means that at least 95% of the ingredients used are organic.
Usually, the reason that products use this label is because organic
versions of a particular ingredient aren’t available. Foods to look for:
Choose Organic dairy and cheeses to ensure ethical treatment of cows
and reduce you child’s exposure to growth hormones. - Made with Organic Ingredients: This label ensures that at least 70% of
the ingredients are organic. Standards also prohibit certain farming
practices of all the ingredients, including non-organic items. We have seen
a surge of this label among some of the large American manufacturers to
appeal to the growing number of organic consumers. Any product with
less then 70% organic ingredients cannot use the term “organic”
anywhere on the front of the package, so check the labels! Foods to look
for: Spend a few more minutes on the Breakfast Cereal isle of your
grocery store and find a “Made with Organic Grain” version of your
favorite breakfast cereal. - All-Natural: For many, this is the most confusing label. All-Natural
does not mean organic, however it does mean that nothing man-made was
added to the animal, plant, or mineral in the products. While it sounds good,
and usually is, there are no restrictions regarding this terminology. Foods
to look for: All-Natural meats, such as ground beef and chicken, are now
easily found in your grocer’s butcher shop. Check the labels more
carefully to make sure there were no added antibiotics or hormones.
So, Moms, next time you find yourself surrounded by screaming toddlers and
confusing organic labeling, relax and remember that you are armed with the
knowledge needed to make the best food choices for your family, no matter what
they might be. If you would like to learn more about organic foods for your family,
check out the US Department of Agriculture (www.usda.gov) and read all about
organic and natural food. Look for “Part Two: Organic 201” next month where we
dig deeper into which foods might be more important to eat organically than others.
In the meantime, experiment with an All-Natural and Organic Family-Friendly Recipe
that kids can make themselves:
Fresh N Pretty Parfaits
Makes 4 Parfaits
Spoon half of one yogurt cup into the bottom of an 8-oz clear glass. Layer ¼
cup granola on top of yogurt and then ¼ cup of sliced fruit. Spread the
remaining yogurt over fruit and repeat with another ¼ cup granola and ¼ cup
fruit. In desired, top with optional dollop of organic whipped cream and finish
with a slice of fruit for garnish. Repeat these steps in three more glasses.
Enjoy!
Makes 4 Parfaits
- 4 6-oz. cups pre-blended organic yogurt cups, such as
Horizon Organic Yogurt, Strawberry flavor - 2 cups organic or all-natural granola, such as Cascadian
Farms Organic Oats and Honey Granola, divided - 2 cups of sliced organic strawberries or other organic fruit of
choice, such as bananas or peaches - Organic whipped cream, optional
Spoon half of one yogurt cup into the bottom of an 8-oz clear glass. Layer ¼
cup granola on top of yogurt and then ¼ cup of sliced fruit. Spread the
remaining yogurt over fruit and repeat with another ¼ cup granola and ¼ cup
fruit. In desired, top with optional dollop of organic whipped cream and finish
with a slice of fruit for garnish. Repeat these steps in three more glasses.
Enjoy!
Want to cook healthy for your family but you're
not sure where to begin? Here's your chance
to ask a real live chef!
Email Bridget now.
not sure where to begin? Here's your chance
to ask a real live chef!
Email Bridget now.