Category Archives: Nutrition

Cranberries: Benefits and Recipes

  By Donna DeForbes | October 27, 2015 - 5:00 am |
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My family recently enjoyed Massachusetts’ annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration, during which we toured the cranberry bogs and watched the fruit being harvested. It was a gorgeous fall day to enjoy such festivities, and we learned a lot about the cranberry. History of the Cranberry Cranberries are one of three native fruits to North America (the others being blueberries and Concord grapes). Besides cooking with them, Native Americans used cranberries for treating urinary infections, fever, childbirth injuries and arrow wounds. They also used the fruit as a fabric dye and the plant leaf as a tobacco substitute. Early settlers ate them to fight off scurvy, which did help since cranberries are rich in vitamin C. The fruit was originally dubbed a craneberry because the Pilgrims thought the plant resembled a crane’s red head and bill. It wasn’t until 1816 that cranberries were first harvested successfully. Because the fruit requires such specific … Continue reading →

5 Must-Have Apps For the Eco-Conscious Shopper

  By Donna DeForbes | February 6, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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Food Shopping Apps | Eco-Mothering.com

This is a guest post by Garret Stembridge. So you’re shopping for salad ingredients when you remember that your sister recently mentioned spinach could be high in pesticides. Wait, was it spinach or was it cabbage? Better go with the box labeled Certified Organic, just to be safe. But how environmentally conscious is that packaging? You could spend half your day scrolling through pages of Internet search results, but who has the patience for that while standing in the fresh produce aisle? Even when time is of the essence, you don’t have to sacrifice your eco sensibilities. Check out these five, *free* smartphone applications that bridge the gap between real life and the virtual information highway to make you the savviest shopper on the block. GoodGuide Don’t tell your four-year-old, but the GoodGuide app could be the best shopping buddy you’ve ever had. With over 170,000 catalogued food, personal and … Continue reading →

Product Review: Mohawk Valley Trading Company

  By Donna DeForbes | January 7, 2014 - 5:00 am | , ,
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Natural Products from Mohawk Valley | Eco-Mothering.com

There are companies who try to make everything natural and green—a valiant effort—but they often spread themselves too thin. Then there are companies who specialize in a few items and do those items very well. Mohawk Valley Trading Company is one such company. With a warehouse and apiaries located in upstate New York, they produce honey, beeswax, maple syrup and soap— unprocessed and natural and of the highest quality. I had the pleasure of sampling some of their products, which are only available online. Beeswax and Honey I have their beeswax candle lit right now as I work on my computer. (Apparently, when burned, beeswax candles emit negative ions, which are believed to clean the air and reduce symptoms of depression and asthma. Not that I suffer from either, but I figured it might offset the electromagnetic radiation from the computer.) Beeswax candles may seem a little pricier, but honeybees … Continue reading →

Why You Should Avoid Sugar When You’re Sick

  By Donna DeForbes | November 12, 2013 - 5:00 am | ,
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Why You Should Avoid Sugar When You're Sick | Eco-Mothering.com

This is something I wondered recently when Sofie came down with a bad cold after a string of birthday parties and Halloween activities. I knew that a virus had caused the cold, but I wondered if an excess of sugary treats had contributed to it. Motherly instinct told me to reduce the number of sweets Sofie ate while she was sick (a trying rule to implement during Halloween!), but my suggestion was met with such horror from my seven-year-old that I had to see if there was any foundation for my parental decision. I learned some interesting things. Like how most plants and animals (including cats and dogs) can convert sugar into vitamin C. Now that would be cool. Unfortunately, humans are not one of the lucky animals who can do this. In humans, glucose (sugar) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) compete with each other, so a diet high in … Continue reading →

School Lunches: Trusting Kids to Make Healthy Choices

  By Donna DeForbes | October 1, 2013 - 5:30 am |
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Kids Making Healthy Food Choices | Eco-Mothering.com

Sofie went off to first grade this fall, and, for the first time ever, I do not have to pack her lunch. Hooray! However, this also means my six-year-old now makes her own lunch choices at school. Not so “hooray.” I now worry about my sudden lack of control in this area. What if Sofie eats nothing but bread and ice cream every day? Maybe peer pressure will take hold and she’ll decide it’s not cool to eat veggies. Anything could happen. The good news is that her school has a healthy menu of food selections. Every day there is a sandwich bar, a salad bar, soups and fresh fruit. Dessert is served twice a week, a parent-approved reduction from previous years. The other days, Sofie makes “rainbow yogurt” — vanilla yogurt mixed with fruits of her choice. The milk is local (Rhody Fresh), and we have reached an agreement … Continue reading →

Top 5 Power Snacks for Breastfeeding Moms

  By Donna DeForbes | September 13, 2013 - 5:30 am | ,
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Power Snacks for Breastfeeding Moms | Eco-Mothering.com

When I was breastfeeding Sofie, I was always hungry. Why? Because women emit anywhere between 425-700 calories per day into their breast milk, which is great for baby but also leaves you feeling depleted and constantly craving food. Take care of yourself and eat smart with nutrient-dense snacks that make your milk healthy while fueling you with a much-needed boost of energy. If you can make snacks ahead of time (say, on the weekend while someone else cares for the baby), they’ll be on hand for easy grabbing during the week. Here are five ideas: Nut Butter on Whole-grain Bread This combination of protein and whole grains really takes the edge off hunger. Nut butters are delicious and come in a variety from peanut to almond to cashew (although avoiding peanut butter may decrease your child’s chances of a peanut allergy). Try these delicious and healthy nut butters — I … Continue reading →