Natural Family News

When you buy chicken, you don’t think you’re buying poison, but unless you’re choosing the organic variety, you just may be. Arsenic has been a government-approved additive in poultry feed for decades. It is used to kill parasites and to promote growth.

Several companies have ceased using arsenic, but to be safe, always choose chicken that is organic or antibiotic-free. To learn more, check out this article.

The press release I’m about to post is going to make some of you very angry. It made me angry. And then I read the part after the asterisk. Oh, so funny!

Here is the release:

Key nutrients critical for older infants’ development
Conference at Experimental Biology explores advances in infant feeding over past 25 years
SAN FRANCISCO (April 6, 2006) – According to Nancy Krebs, M.D., a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and former Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Nutrition, it can be difficult to meet the nutritional needs of older infants. Since human milk alone is no longer adequate to meet infant nutritional requirements after 6 months of age, the importance of complementary foods was stressed. In older infants, Krebs showed that meat could be a critical complementary food for providing recommended zinc and iron levels.
John L. Beard, Ph.D., a professor of Nutritional Sciences at Pennsylvania State University, stressed iron is critical in the developing nervous system. “All data to date, in three species, suggest a critical period exists in early life that requires the adequate delivery of iron to the brain,” he said.

Krebs and Beard, along with other international and U.S. speakers presented yesterday to nutrition scientists at the Experimental Biology* meeting. The special session, Advances in Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Infants Worldwide, highlighted achievements and challenges in infant nutrition and health outcomes over the past quarter-century, stressed the importance of breastfeeding infants in the first six months of life and also provided an overview of opportunities for further research and progress.

Kim F. Michaelsen, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of Human Nutrition at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark described improved breastfeeding rates over the past 25 years as well as the benefits of human milk. In a new analysis of United States Agency for International Development data from 20 developing countries, Bernadette M. Marriott, Ph.D., from RTI International, confirmed the high prevalence of breastfeeding throughout the first year of life yet also noted the common use of water, sweetened beverages, and solid foods as well as the less common use of animal milks and infant formulas over this same period in these countries.

As noted by the AAP in its 2005 Policy Statement Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, “Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow’s milk but should receive iron-fortified infant formula.” Conference participants, moderated by William C. Heird, M.D., professor of Pediatrics, Children’s Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine, underscored the importance of nutrition throughout infancy, particularly the need to improve the nutritional quality of complementary foods in older infants’ diets. In that respect, Dr. Heird noted the progress made in infant f0rmulas with the addition of important nutrients like taurine, carnitine, nucleotides, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids over the past 25 years.

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Note to Editors: Experimental Biology is a multi-society, interdisciplinary, scientific meeting attended by 12,000 independent scientists and sponsored by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). This research was presented as part of the American Society for Nutrition section of FASEB on April 5.

*This conference was sponsored by the International F0rmula Council (IFC), an international association of manufacturers and marketers of formulated nutrition products (e.g., infant f0rmulas and adult nutritionals) whose members are predominantly based in North America. IFC members include all U.S. manufacturers: Mead Johnson Nutritionals; Nestle USA, Inc., Nutrition Division; PBM Products; Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories; Solus Products; and Wyeth Nutrition.

Now, back to me– Oh, what a HUGE surprise! I can hardly belive that the International Formula Council doesn’t support extended breastfeeding! You mean Mead Johnson and Nestle want you to think that your breast milk is insufficient past six months? What a shocker!

There’s a new trend in the organic/sustainable food industry– sustainable seafood. Even giants like WalMart are starting to demand seafood obtained in a more environmentally friendly manner. Some of this is concern for the environment, but of even more concern is the idea that some of these overfished populations may simply cease to exist in numbers sufficient to support the food market.

PHOENIX, Ariz., April 2, 2006 – Looking for high-quality and stylish baby products that make valuable contributions to your baby’s world? Or a unique baby gift that really stands out? Announcing PUR BÉBÉ, an eco-friendly online baby boutique where you will find a wide selection of socially and environmentally conscious baby clothes, body and bath products, as well as unique baby gifts.

Throughout our eco-friendly baby boutique, you will find a variety of baby products that make valuable contributions to a baby’s world.

· PUR BÉBÉ offers choices when it comes to 100% organic cotton baby clothes and gifts. Our organic cotton clothing and toys are free of pesticides, often more durable, and soft next to baby’s skin, while preserving the environment.

· We also provide a selection of baby bath and body products that contain natural and non-irritating ingredients suited for baby’s delicate and sensitive skin. In addition, PUR BÉBÉ carries baby clothing and gifts that use non-toxic and low impact dyes – creating safer products for babies.

· At PUR BÉBÉ, we also showcase baby clothes which are made from recycled fabrics and fibers, as well as products packaged in recycled materials. By purchasing recycled products, we all help minimize the impact on our landfills.

· Not only is it important to know what products are made from, but it is equally important to know how and where products are made. As a result, PUR BÉBÉ makes a statement by offering products made by companies who utilize fair trade and sweatshop-free standards, ensuring workers receive fair compensation and a safe environment.

· PUR BÉBÉ also specializes in clothing and gifts made by artisans and cooperatives supporting communities and people around the world, rather than mass producers. Not only is PUR BÉBÉ striving to be a part of improving the greater world community, but we also support many local businesses that produce their products here in the USA.

PUR BÉBÉ is committed to healthier lifestyles for children as well as improving the global community for their future with stylish, high-quality, eco-friendly baby products. One dollar of every purchase goes to support non-profit organizations that make positive impacts to both people and the environment.

To learn more about PUR BÉBÉ and the products we offer, please visit their website.

Remember the Pittsburgh Steelers fan who was going to put off her birth if it conflicted with the Super Bowl? Well, she has a kindred spirit. Angela Finnegan, of England, delayed her Caesarean section so her husband, Christopher, could watch a soccer match. Well, as long as they have their priorities straight.

You may have noticed we have a new advertiser. I highly recommend visiting their site. They have really cute items for sale. My husband’s favorite is a t-shirt that says “I make milk. What’s your superpower?” I like a lot of the homebirth and attachment parenting items. Just click on the link to head over there and find out if there’s something there you like.

Well, you shouldn’t be eating them anyway, but if you’re nursing it’s especially important that you avoid eating trans-fatty acids. A recent study shows trans fatty acids (trans fat) prevent infants from absorbing essential polyunsaturated fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are required by infants’ brains. Trans fatty acids are found in deep fried foods, baked products like pies, pastries, cakes, biscuits and in some margarines.

If so, you could be part of Bill Nye’s drive to collect 1000 hybrid owner testimonials by Earth Day. My son would think being part of anything Bill Nye was involved in was the coolest thing on Earth. Unfortunately, we dont have a hybrid. But if you do, you should definitely check out this program.

You would think with some of the billions of dollars in the U.S. budget that we would have developed some great alternative fuel sources by now. Biodiesel? Solar? Wind? Sure, some of these things are plugging along. But SO SLOWLY.

Maybe that’s because out of the billions of dollars that could be spent developing alternative fuels that would really work, the government, instead, is pouring money like water into subsidies for companies making synfuel, an outdated product that will most likely never benefit anyone. And yet companies continue to make it because the government pays them to do it.

Bella Online’s breastfeeding editor has written an excellent article on her experience with nursing and cavities. Since two of my children had similar teeth issues, I can identify with her guilt and struggles. My daughter, who had her first major dental work done at 15 months is now almost 6. She has several adult teeth, which so far seem to be okay. I wish there had been more information available on this subject when she was 15 months old. We didn’t wean, but it would have been nice to know there were others out there facing the same problem.

We all know that breast is best. And I, in no way, want to promote the use of formula when breastfeeding is an option. But I wish I had this option when I had to go on medication that required me to stop nursing. I’m sure this would have been better than what we used, instead.

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HAIN) today announced plans to introduce and roll out a line of Earth’s Best(R) Organic Infant Formula. The organic milk-based powder formula is patterned after breast milk for easy digestion and meets all FDA requirements for complete infant nutrition including vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. Certified USDA Organic, the Earth’s Best Infant Formula is produced without the use of antibiotics, no genetically engineered ingredients and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.

“We’ve been working on an organic infant formula for a long time and are pleased to offer this important product for newborns,” said Irwin D. Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hain Celestial. “Our Earth’s Best brand now offers a broad product line to start babies on an organic path including infant, toddler and kids products with formula, juices, jarred vegetables, fruits and blends, cereals, cookies and bars, crackers, applesauce and soups-all with age-appropriate formulations.

Earth’s Best, the leading brand of organic baby and toddler foods sold in natural food stores, is a trusted name with pediatricians and parents alike. Look for Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula in the spring. It’s the Earth’s Best Way to Grow(TM) toward A Healthy Way of Life(TM).

I’m truly afraid of what this means for the organic market. Sure, initially, people will think it’s great. They’ll be able to buy organic products for probably half the price. But what happens next? Does Whole Foods go out of business? Are organic producers forced to outsource their manufacturing and production? I just don’t like it. I won’t be buying my organic products there.