What's the Deal with Folic Acid

Folic acid, is a B vitamin most noted for its importance in pregnancy and the prevention of neural tube defects.  The neural tube is what baby's brain and spinal cord develop from.  When the neural tube fails to close properly, serious brain and spinal problems result.

Folic acid can also do a number of things for mom and dad also. 

• Support red blood cell production and help prevent anemia
• Help prevent homocysteine build-up in your blood
• Support cell production, especially in your skin
• Allow nerves to function properly
• Help prevent osteoporosis-related bone fractures
• Help prevent dementias including Alzheimer's disease

Some excellent natural sources of folic acid include spinach, calf's liver, romaine lettuce, lentils, beets, turnip and collard greens and asparagus.

Try this Asparagus and Melon Salad for a refreshing summer twist on this delicious veggie, or this recipe for Baby Beet Salad that we made last night which supplies both spinach and beets for a double whammy.

Baby Beet Salad

(serves2-3)

4-6 baby beets, cleaned
1/4 cup candied walnuts - you can candy them yourself by toasting them and adding maple syrup
3-4 cups of baby spinach or any mixture of baby greens
1/4 crumbled goat cheese feta

Dressing:
1/8 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp olive oil
Dash of fresh ground pepper

Whisk all dressing ingredients together.

Steam or boil the beats for about 20 minutes to soften.  Cool and cut up.  Combine all of your ingredients in a large bowl.  Dress just before serving and toss to coat.

Nutritious and Delicious - Clothing?

You wear your heart on your sleeve, so why not your health on your chest? Adorable organic cotton onesies from foodtee.com blend clever design with a healthy message.  Your little one can show off their good taste.  They make totes and shirts for mom as well. How cute are these!

Mush of the Month: Red Cabbage and Apple Delight

Introducing Mush of the Month.

I love to make food from scratch and baby food is no exception.  Not only is it incredibly easy to make but, there is something very satisfying knowing that you have created something nutritious for your munchkin. Mush of the month features baby food recipes that are not just your average mushy peas.  Feeding baby an assortment of different foods ensures that your little one is getting an array of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  Variety is the spice of life.

(photo: Alexandra Grablewski)

Red Cabbage and Apple Delight
feeding babies 8-10 months

Ingredients:
1 Golden Delicious apple, peeled and grated
1 cup finely shredded red cabbage
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons golden raisins


Directions:
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Puree in food processor or blender until smooth. (source parents.com)

Don't let cabbage scare you, sweetened with apple it can even make a delicious side dish for mom and dad.  It can be enjoyed both cooked and raw (cooked is better for baby's developing tummy) and has numerous anti-carcinogenic benefits.

Cabbage, a member of the Cruciferae family, is related to kale, broccoli, collards and Brussels sprouts.  Cabbage is an excellent source of vitamin C.  Vitamin C helps form collagen, which forms connective tissue that binds tissue cells together. Collagen is found in bones, teeth, tendons, skin, eyes, and blood vessels.

Cabbage is also an excellent source of vitamin K and a very good source of fiber, folate, and vitamin B6.

Top 5 Brands of Organic Prenatal Vitamins

Where better to start an Organic and Healthy Mom Blog than at the beginning of motherhood: Getting ready  to conceive.  My husband and I have come to understand the benefits of organic living. Although organic foods and items may be a little more costly (sometimes a lot more costly), we see it as an investment in our health and our family's future.

Taking care of yourself during pregnancy is the first step to building a healthy baby. Since me and my husband are trying for our first little one, I have been looking into organic prenatal vitamins. Here is what I found.

Guide to Buying Organic Prenatal Vitamins for the Health of You and Baby
via Elizabeth Valentine @ associatedcontent from Yahoo


For the health of mothers and their unborn babies, many--for good reason--turn to taking prenatal vitamins while pregnant and lactating (and even when trying to get pregnant too). There are a multitude of options out there, and although opting for an organic prenatal vitamin might be the best, some don't know where to start when it comes to finding what's right for them. Here are five brands of organic prenatal vitamins to consider when deciding what will be best for you and your baby during your pregnancy. As always, checking with your doctor about specific products will help make sure you're putting into your body what it needs and not what it doesn't.

New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Whole-Food Multivitamin
New Chapter is the standard when it comes to organic prenatal vitamins. Branded as nourishing fulfillment for you and your baby, Perfect Prenatal is an organic probiotic whole-food prenatal vitamin. New Chapter's Perfect Prenatal is designed to be easy digestible and completely safe. 


NewMark Prenatal Synbiotic Nutrients
An organic alternative to USP vitamins and minerals, NewMark's Prenatal Synbiotic Nutrients are cultured in organic whole-foods using health-promoting strains of probiotics. The Synbiotic Nutrients have been shown to be gentle and easily digested--even by more sensitive bodies. With 23 whole-food vitamins and minerals, and 17 energizing and protective superfood and herbal concentrates, Prenatal Synbiotc Nutrients pack quite a healthful punch. 


DailyFoods: Baby & Me 100% Whole Foods Organic Prenatal Vitamin
Suitable for vegetarians, DailyFoods Baby & Me organic prenatal vitamin is "prenatal nutrition as nature intended.  Baby & Me is a vitamin, mineral and herbal formula designed to provide you with the nutritional support you need during pregnancy and lactation. The recommended serving is 6 tablets daily.

Super Nutrition Simply One Prenatal Multi-Vitamin
Simply One is a food-based multivitamin enriched with organic greenfoods and herbs. Although some ingredients in the formula are certified organic, not all ingredients in SuperNutrition blends are. Hence, if you're looking for prenatals that are completely organic, Simply One may not be for you.


Rainbow Light Complete Prenatal System
Rainbow Light markets its Prenatal System as the first-ever food-based, once-daily multivitamin for pregnant and lactating women. With researched-based nutrition and protective potencies, the organic-based formula supports mother and baby for a healthy pregnancy. 

I find the Rainbow Light the best value for my money.  I like the idea of a once-a-day multivitamin rather than brands that suggest 3+ serving per day.  This brand also includes some extras that I like to include in my overall diet such as super-greens and raspberry leaf (which aids in menstrual and pregnancy discomforts).  What are your favorite brands?