Organically Growing

The offical blog of HappyGreenBaby.com

Coffee Conundrum August 30, 2008

Filed under: Pregnancy Nutrition — happygreenbaby @ 10:38 am
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I love to have a cup of coffee in the morning. I’ve even been known to indulge in a little Starbucks rendezvous on a rainy afternoon.

Of course, it’s not really earth-shattering news that pregnant women are supposed to cut back (or out) caffeine.  Research has found that a higher amount of caffeine is linked to miscarriage and low birth rate – so I figure as part of my three-part system to create a clean, mean baby-making machine, I should work on cutting back the bean consumption now. But what is a “higher amount of caffeine”?

An article in the NY Times says that “pregnant women who consume 200 milligrams or more of caffeine a day — the amount in 10 ounces of coffee or 25 ounces of tea — may double their risk of miscarriage.”

The American Pregnancy website says that a pregnant woman should have no more than 300mg of caffeine (three 5oz. cups of coffee) a day.

Compound these conflicting numbers with the fact that the amount of caffeine in any given cup can vary by bean and brewing method. So, to play it safe I’m considering going decaf. It’s an easy enough option at the local coffee house, but since I share my morning pot o’ joe with a groggy husband I’m thinking I will have to take a bit sneakier here at home.

The decaf coffee experiement continues tomorrow.

 

New Eco-Friendly Baby Clothes from Baby Soy August 28, 2008

Filed under: Baby Clothes, Eco-Friendly Fabrics — happygreenbaby @ 2:17 pm

Baby Soy items have been incredibly popular with HappyGreenBaby.com shoppers. And for good reason! The eco-friendly soybean fiber is super soft and cozy, plus the styles are classics, good for everday wear and tear. The newest additions the Baby Soy collection at Happy Green Baby include a wicked cool layered onepiece bodysuit (it looks like two pieces, but without all the bunching and discomfort for baby, just $23) and a cute this snap-down cardigan that layers over onsies with skirts or Baby Soy’s ever-popular slip on pant ($22).

Both are ideal for the chilly fall weather moving in. Check ‘em out!

 

Why I Choose Organic August 27, 2008

Filed under: Organic Food & Cooking, Pregnancy Nutrition — happygreenbaby @ 9:31 am
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Marc and I eat a mostly organic diet. We tend to stay away from packaged, processed foods as a general rule, and eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. But that’s not to say we’re perfect eaters. Just last night we gorged ourselves on MorningStar Farms veggie buffalo wings and fish sticks. Both highly processed and definitely not organic. But the point is – we try to eat organic as much as possible – particularly when it comes to meat, dairy and fruits and veggies.

So when I read in The Complete Organic Pregnancy, that pre-pregnancy is a good time to switch to organic foods, it wasn’t a real shock to the system.

Choosing to eat organic has all sorts of altruistic benefits – It’s good for the soil and water supply. It’s better for farmers, who aren’t exposed to toxic chemicals. But when you’re playing nutritional gatekeeper for your little peanut (or peanut to come), probably the most important aspect of choosing to eat organic is that it is better for your body to not nosh on toxic pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones. While research is still pending on whether or not dangerous substances from conventional food can actually harm a developing fetus – I say why risk it? Pretty much anything I want to eat can be procured in an organic version, so why not go organic?

 

The Art of Entertaining, In Your Uterus August 24, 2008

Filed under: Fitness, Pregnancy Nutrition — happygreenbaby @ 10:05 am
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I love to entertain. We have friends over for BBQs, dinner and wine tastings of all sorts. I pride myself on giving our guests a top notch experience with comfortable seating, good music and fine foods. So you better believe I’m going to be one hell of a hostess to this little baby that will be partying in my womb for 9+ months.

One of the best parts of planning for a pregnancy is that you can actually get yourself in order before you host the little lima bean in your womb. By this I mean: I can get my body in a strong, healthy physical state – which will not only help me carry a happy healthy baby, but will (in theory) make the pregnancy and delivery more comfortable, too (or should I say, less uncomfortable?).

I think of this ready-ing as a 3 step approach:

1. Create a healthy body on the inside (diet)
2. Create a healthy body on the outside (exercise)
3. Create a healthy home

More on how I actually implement this to come …

 

As Seen On Sheryl Crow – Drive a Hybrid Eco Baby Tee August 22, 2008

Filed under: Baby Clothes, Eco-Friendly Fabrics — happygreenbaby @ 9:11 am

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a sucker for Hollywood gossip … particularly when it comes to spotting super cute, organic baby clothes. If you haven’t already seen the picture of Sheryl Crow with her son Wyatt sporting the “Drive a Hybrid” t-shirt by Tiny Revolutionary, here it it yet again! I mean, how completely cool is that? Especially with the madras print shorts.

Now you can dress your baby like the stars! HappyGreenBaby.com just got in two new Tiny Revolutionary tees: Drive a Hybrid and I’ll Change the World Someday. Both are made of an eco-friendly blend of organic cotton, recycled polyester and naturally derived rayon.

 

The Worst Name for a Vitamin Ever August 21, 2008

Filed under: Vitamins & Supplements — happygreenbaby @ 9:58 am
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In January 2007 I started taking a prenatal vitamin – not because I actually thought I was going to get pregnant – but because the helpful girl at Wild Oats Markets told me the “Rainbow Light Just Once Prenatal One Vegan Guard Multivitamin” was the best vitamin for women, whether or not you are pregnant. “You can even take it on an empty stomache,” she quipped. That’s a selling point! Plus they were on sale for 25% off.

So, I’ve been taking it ever since (hiding the bottle in the cabinet whenever nosy nellies come over so they wouldn’t think we were “trying” when we clearly were not).

Fast forward to fall 2007 and my newly pregnant friend Molly, sends me her supply of a terrifyingly-named supplement: FertilAid for Women (and yes, there is a FertilAid for Men, too). Wow. You can imagine that this bottle went deep into hiding in the bottom drawer of my bathroom cabinent … until this April.

Since Marc and I decided now is the time to get ourselves a baby, I pulled out the FertiAid, label adorned with a lovely cartoon woman cradling a swaddled infant. What could it hurt? It’s basically a lot of the same stuff from my multi, plus a special fertility herb. So, I started popping the three pills a day (and stopped with the prenatal, per label instructions), hoping it would at least level out my wacky cycles.

Many of the reviews on Amazon said the pills increased sex drive (which might be part of why the users get knocked up so quickly) but my energy is what is really noticeable. I’ve been running and generally just can’t believe how motivated I feel.

Even if these pills don’t help me get pregnant, I’m pretty psyched on the boost I’m getting physically!

 

Essential Organic Pregnancy Reading August 19, 2008

Filed under: organic pregnancy — happygreenbaby @ 9:35 am
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New moms (and moms to be) spend a LOT of time reading, researching and searching the web for all things relating to pregnancy and health. I’m no different, but since I’m doing this as green as I can, there are really only a few books out there that offer up the type of information I’m looking for.

If you’re looking for advice on how to have an organic pregnancy, your go-to book is absolutely going to be “The Complete Organic Pregnancy” by Dierdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu. This takes you through everything from pre-conception to postpartum. I’ve already dog-eared so many pages and I’m sure you’ll see me referencing this book in the months to come.

Another good choice is “Green Babies, Sage Moms” by Lynda Fassa. The content is a little thinner (particularly after reading TCOP) but there are some good tips and she frames everything by level of “greeness” – Evergreen, Pea Green or Spring Green.

 

Here’s a story August 16, 2008

Filed under: organic pregnancy — happygreenbaby @ 9:30 am
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I’m 30. My husband is 37. We have been married 2 years (together for 7). We have two golden retrievers. And two super cool nieces, 5 and 3 years old. It’s no secret that we’d like to have kids, and it seems the topic has been in our conversations more and more over the last year.

We are not “trying” to have a baby … mostly because I absolutely despise that turn of phrase. When people talk about “trying” to get pregnant, they are really just telling you that they are having lots and lots of sex. I really don’t want to announce the frequency of our sex life to anyone. Period. 

So, needless to say, while I will never in a million years say we are “trying” to have a baby – we sure would like to have one in the next year! So, here is the start of our very own baby story. But don’t for a minute think this is your average “pregnant woman blog” … oh no – there is a twist: We live green in this house and our pregnancy (and resulting baby) will be as organic as we can make it.

Here’s the story of my organic pregnancy. Before, During and After. Stay tuned …

 

Emeril Takes on a 2-Year Old August 11, 2008

Filed under: Organic Food & Cooking — happygreenbaby @ 9:26 am

Imagine living your life without dairy (no mac ‘n cheese!), wheat (good-bye pizza-pie) or nuts (PB&J no more). It just doesn’t seem like a childhood without enjoying these iconic foods. But, sadly, food allergies are becoming all the more common in kids and adults alike. In Emeril’s new show on PlanetGreen, Emeril Green, he helps one family create an allergy-free, kid-friendly menu for a 2 year old, complete with Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Brownies.

BTW:If you haven’t started Tivo-ing every single show on PlanetGreen yet – you are missing out!

 

New Arrival: Baby Soy Clothes in Eggplant August 7, 2008

Filed under: Baby Clothes, Eco-Friendly Fabrics — happygreenbaby @ 11:03 pm
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Baby Soy Year-Round Reversible Hoodie Jacket

Baby Soy Year-Round Reversible Hoodie Jacket

Baby Soy’s newest addition to their already insanely cute color pallete is picture perfect for fall. Eggplant is a deep shade of purple with Cloud (light grey) and Chocolate accents. The ever-popular Year-Round Reversible Hoodie Jacket in Eggplant looks dynamite with a pair of Chocolate Slip-On Pants (also by Baby Soy). Plus, it’s the perfect light layer for chilly summer nights and as we quickly fade into fall.

Check out Baby Soy’s newest color, Eggplant, now available in Year-Round Reversible Hoodie Jacket, Bib and Signature Soft Blanket.

Green Tip: Baby Soy clothes are made from soybean fiber, an eco-friendly fabric that is made with the byproducts of soy processing. It’s so soft, people often call it “veggie cashmere.”