Category: Foodie

  • My Journey From Normal To Organic Only

    My Journey From Normal To Organic Only

    My Journey Begins

    I started my journey to live an organic lifestyle in 2013 when my son was born. It was his life and health and my newly acquired knowledge about genetically modified foods that accompanied with my belief since early childhood that medication should be limited to actual need. You see even as a child when my mother would give me Congespirin to mask my cold symptoms I would pretend to take it and then dispose of the pills in the trash. Mom always thought I stayed sick longer then my older sister, however I do not believe that to be the case. Because I have refused medication and allowed my body to build up natural immunity I have not suffered from a common cold since I was a child.

    During my first pregnancy twenty years ago I suffered from the flu three time during that pregnancy. You see my diet was not great I lived off Mountain dew and processed foods like McDonalds and Wendy’s and store bought premade frozen dishes and starters. Although I was healthy in all respects my body was not able to fight off the virus and give the baby everything he needed. I did not understand this at the time I only knew the baby was taking everything and I wasn’t able to stay healthy. Always sick and miserable. My eldest son I placed in open-adoption and we have maintained a solid relationship to this day. He suffered from many illnesses during childhood.

    Now when I had my second child in 2013 I still suffered from illness and caught the flu at least once during my pregnancy. And while yes I was healthier I still had been eating fast foods from taquerias and local eateries like In-and Out Burgers. My second son, is very healthy overall, it wasn’t until he started preschool that he seemed to be sick everyday. Now that he is nearly eight his immune system stronger he still is the one who gets sick fastest in the family.

    Now my last pregnancy, this child born from a body nourished of only organic foods for a solid five years, healthier and stronger then ever I did not get the flu during this pregnancy. I was able to work throughout my entire pregnancy for the first time ever. This son was born in 2018 he encountered kids in his brothers kindergarten class who touched him all over everyday and yet he stayed healthy. He has been sick only two times in his life and the last being a week ago after a trip to the playground when both my children woke in the wee hours of the morning hurling.

    Being a holistic mom I do not administer medication to my kids instead they both got hot showers/baths and a cup/glass of water with raw apple cider vinegar and blue agave. Five hours later both boys are feeling 100% better no more tummy aches, no more fever.

    Food Is Medicine Is No Myth

    I tell you all this to help you understand that I am here to help people realize that it is more important to invest in a healthy body and that by eating more organic foods, non-processed foods, and non-gmo foods you can effectively boost your immune system. This change takes time, however depending where you live there are likely a large number of organic options available and as demand increases so does supply.

    Some myths about organic foods.

    • organic food taste different
    • organic food taste bad
    • there is no difference between organic foods and non organic foods

    Genetically modified foods contain biotoxins meant to control the insect population. read more. I don’t know about you however to me the word toxin means poison and if it is meant to kill insects who eat it then what effect will that toxin have on the human body over the long term? Studies are weighed in both directions to the benefits and possible, or likely side effects. In my experience the FDA approves harmful products and medications as routine. We hear commercials everyday for new and existing medications which are meant to cure or improve the symptoms of one illness and in return most of them there have a long list of side effects; often one of those side effects is death. However the benefits outweigh the negatives and the number of people who will die is minimal so it is acceptable. So I am no conspiracy theorist I just like to know what is in my foods and so I choose to avoid the unknown and buy only organic and non-gmo certified foods.

    What Is In The Air we Breath

    We cannot control our exposure to toxins outside the home in air pollution from car exhaust, construction and such. However we can control our exposure in the home by reducing and removing toxic chemicals, switching from harsh chemicals like bleach to a safer alternatives like vinegar. Plant-based alternatives can be highly effective and many known brands now offer eco solutions like tide. Lust like toxic people, toxins in the air effect your over all well being.

    Are there really toxins in my clothing?

    Yes even organic cotton clothing that has been died or printed on has been exposed to toxic chemical from the dyes and ink used. For this reason it is important to wash all new clothing before wearing it. Buying organic cotton products helps farmers and the environment. Not only should we be concerned about our clothing but also women’s sanitary products which made from non-organic cotton maybe leaking toxins into your body at your most vulnerable time. Switching to organic pads better, safer and healthier for you or organic period panties which are also sustainable and reduce the amount on non-biodegradable materials that end up in our landfills.

    Speaking of landfills did you know most clothing items we throw away can be recycled into new products?

  • 90 Day Organic Conversion Challenge

    organic lifestyle

    Organic Conversion Challenge

    Challenge Yourself for 3 months to eat only Organic and Non-GMO Foods.

    Keep a Journal and log what you eat and how you feel daily.

    Have you considered trying to eat more organic foods, but failed? Would it be helpful to have others supporting you through your struggles?

    Well, you have come to the right place. Today is the first day of the rest of your life! I promise you after you complete this challenge you will feel happier and healthier. We want you to participate not only in the challenge but also join us on Facebook and share your story, ask questions, give feedback. We want to hear from you!!

    Not convinced that converting to an organic lifestyle will automatically make you a healthier person?

    We make choices every day to spend money on things we don’t really need, and then we are forced to spend money on things we need. I am sure there are things you can sacrifice for your health, right?

    10 Essential Benefits of an Organic Lifestyle – Health Works Collective
    Jun 20, 2019 A huge part of living organically is only eating food from local, organic-friendly farms. That includes not only fruits and vegetables but meat, as …


    For the next 90 days the challenge is to convert to an organic lifestyle and tell us your story.


    Here is the first part of the challenge:
    Think of five things that you spend money on regularly that you don’t really need. Here are my 5 tell me yours!
    1. Starbucks (or some other coffee bar)
    2. Movie nights at the theater
    3. Eating out
    4. Mani/Pedi
    5. Cable TV

    Part two:
    Cut the above expenses and invest that extra money in your grocery shopping.

    Part Three:
    What challenges did you face?
    How did you push yourself to stay on track?
    Did you slip on any days and eat non-organic foods?
    How do you feel now after eating real food, clean food for the past 90 days?


    My first three months were a struggle, however, three years ago when I converted there were not nearly as many choices for organic foods and the prices were higher at that time as well. As awareness has grown and health consciousness no longer means just eating fruits and vegetables because now unfortunately most fruits and vegetables are loaded with toxic chemicals due to the overwhelming amounts of pesticides sprayed on them. However, today if it doesn’t have the USDA Organic label or the Non-GMO Project Verified stamp it’s not even a considerable choice. Remember NON-GMO only means no genetically modified organisms were used in manufacturing the seeds however heavy pesticide use may still be present as most conventional farming use some type of synthetic pesticide.

    Soil contamination
    aromatic hydrocarbons (such as naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene), solvents, pesticides, lead, and other heavy metals. Contamination is correlated with the degree


    After three years eat a 100% organic diet I feel better, my skin is healthier, I’ve lost weight naturally and I never feel sluggish after a meal.


    Organic means pesticide-free yes obviously there are natural pesticides used to protect the food from bugs however these are derived from organic materials.


    You may notice organic is now more abundant in most grocery stores and the trend will continue to grow as more people choose an organic lifestyle!

    Environmental impact of pesticides
    The impact of pesticides consists of the effects of pesticides on non-target species. Pesticides are chemical preparations used to kill fungal or animal

  • Locating Organic Restaurants and Fast Food in the Bay Area

    Locating Organic Restaurants and Fast Food in the Bay Area

    When we get the opportunity we enjoy going out to eat around the bay area. So this page will be dedicated to bringing you our restaurant reviews of local Organic restaurants. Please feel free to leave your own reviews or comments as well we love to hear from our readers!!
    Bon a petite!!

    Eating Out in the Bay Area

    The Organic Coup

    Leave it to San Francisco to come up with the first organic fast food chain! Organic Coup features a small menu of organic chicken sandwiches and salads. Now expanding to Portland’s and Seattle I think I heard in the news recently. I’ve eaten there twice and I love the chicken sandwich it’s unique in its own way topped with coleslaw served on a bun it is a tasty treat in the middle of my work shift. The chickens fried but it’s not greasy and it’s not dry. So if you’re walking by and you see Organic Coup stop in and give it a try. America’s first Organic Fast Food!

    THE PLANT CAFE

    A TRULY ORGANIC ESTABLISHMENT Wow what a wonderful establishment. The Plant offers a 100% organic experience. Even there sodas are Organic Blue Sky! A truly organic establishment all items are organic no exceptions. they offer pizza, sandwiches, pre-made salads, and the location on the Embarcadero offers a café featuring organic coffee. We dined at the location in Burlingame and the roasted chicken and avocado sandwich. So tasty! fairly priced at $12 and served with a side salad.

    Tigelleria Ristorante

    WOW!! Absolutely Amazing experience!! 100% Organic menu, organic beverage (except the alcohol) This is a Fine Dining Restaurant and the food was delectable. I think even Chef Ramsey would be impressed!! My filet minion was cook to perfection! You must dine at Tigelleria Ristorante

    We dined here again for my birthday this past October 2016. I invited my extended family and two closest friends. Everyone was please. the ravioli is handmade and delicately prepared. And even thought the teenagers and preteens at the table were unsure about their choices at first once served they were please and not a single person failed to clean their plate. This spot is a fine dining hole in the wall. Always packed I strongly suggest reservations!!

    Fraiche Artisanal Organic Yogurts

    A bit of a disappointment, sadly this establishment only had 3 organic yogurt options and none of their toppings were organic and no organic beverage selections either. The yogurt was good, but it’s hard to mess that up. Biggest let down was we had to eat it plain as there were no organic toppings NOT EVEN THE FRUIT! Very Sad experience.

  • Chia for life… These seeds harbor amazing health benefits!

    Chia for life… These seeds harbor amazing health benefits!

    Chia seeds are small and nutritious possibly one of the most beneficial seeds you can include in your diet. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, protein these little seeds can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    Chia seeds
    black chia seeds

    1 ounce (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains:
    Fiber: 11 grams.
    Protein: 4 grams.
    Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).
    Calcium: 18% of the RDA.
    Manganese: 30% of the RDA.
    Magnesium: 30% of the RDA.
    Phosphorus: 27% of the RDA.
    They also contain a decent amount of Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2.
    This is particularly impressive when you consider that this is just a single ounce, which supplies only 137 calories and one gram of digestible carbohydrate!
    Reference: https://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/

  • Tell Frito Lay To Remove Artificial Colors And Flavors From Their Snacks

    Tell Frito Lay To Remove Artificial Colors And Flavors From Their Snacks

    Frito-Lay makes a wide variety of products including potato chips and corn chips.

    Boycotting this company will show a major stand for our rights to protect our health. Pushing for healthy snacks for our families is our right as Americans.

    We are not Monsanto’s guinea pigs we deserve to know what is in the food we are eating and how it was genetically changed. Our Farmers should not be held slave to a company for profit, being forced to buy new GMO seeds every season and being sued if they harvest and replant seeds from last years crops. 

    Monsanto
    The Monsanto Company (/mɒnˈsæntoʊ/) was an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation founded in 1901. In 2018, it was acquired by

    The push for Genetically Engineered foods is a way to help Monsanto become a Monopoly they are aiming to control to worlds food supply with their bioengineered foods. The seeds contaminate nearby crops and cost Organic and Conventional farmers millions each year.

    We are asking you to join us in boycotting Frito Lay who is a major supplier of snacks, and requesting them to remove artificial colors, artificial ingredients, and genetically modified or bioengineered foods from their snack line. 

    Food coloring
    are known as carry-over ingredients. Widespread public belief that artificial food coloring causes ADHD-like hyperactivity in children originated from

    artificial food

    We also request you get NON GMO Verified.

    Last year Frito Lay made 11.1 Billion Dollars in Sales!! They are #40 Worlds most valuable brands on the Forbes List 2014.

    Frito Lay Brands are Lays, Cheetos, Doritos, Tostitos, Fritos, Sun Chips, Oven Baked, Dips, Baken-ets Chester’s Snacks, Cracker Jack, Cracker Jack’D, Funyuns, Grandmas, Matador Beef Jerky, Maui Style, Mrs. Vickie’s, Munchos, Nut Harvest, Quaker Snack Mix, Rold Gold, Ruffles, Sabritas, Sabritones, Sanitas, Simply, Smartfood, Spitz and Stacy’s.

  • Driscoll Cares about what we eat, the environment and our health!

    Driscoll Cares about what we eat, the environment and our health!

    Mom and Baby Healthy Living say thank you to Driscoll’s for providing delicious berries for us to enjoy, your organic options are super yummy. My son enjoys fresh organic blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Your raspberries are some of the sweetest I’ve ever tasted.

    We love the fact that if we can afford organic we can still feel at ease purchasing your GMO-Free fruits throughout the year. So thank you Driscoll for caring about the fruits we eat, the environment, and our health!

    #GMOFREE #ORGANIC #CONVENTIONALGROWNPLANTS #SAFE #SHOWYOURSUPPORT
    SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BUY DIRSCOLL’S BERRIES!!

  • Remember when you could just go to the store and buy pretty much anything without a worry?

    Remember when you could just go to the store and buy pretty much anything without a worry?

    Well my friends those days are gone… The Government wants us to believe that these new foods are better for us because they allow for mass production and lower rate of loss due to pest and or illness, and the use of growth hormones allows for higher yields of production and or bigger fruits/vegetables.

    Well all that sounds good, but what are the long-term side effects of daily consumption for us? SUPERBUGS! Antibiotic resistant viruses and unknown illnesses are mysteriously on the rise.


    As we all know nothing happens overnight and these products have been on our shelves since 1999, however the amount of them has slowly increased over the years and without us knowing manufactures were changing the chemical makeup of the foods we eat! Just as with everything effects take time to be revealed and we are now seeing the effects of these genetically engineered foods.

    Remember when you could just go to the store and buy pretty much anything without a worry?


    Grocery shopping has become a two hour excursion of trips down each isle reading labels to determine which foods are safe for my family. When available I buy the Non-GMO Verified brands as they are a bit less expensive and then I buy Organic for the remainder of my shopping list.

  • Request More Organic Choices In Products You Use Everyday

    Request More Organic Choices In Products You Use Everyday

    Our lives are filled with challenges everyday, some good and some not so good. We have choices in life and one of those choices is how we choose to care for our bodies.  Eating healthy foods and exercise are always the two things we think of or are told to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

    Yet in todays world of genetically modified foods is it really that simple?  Fruits, vegetables, and non processed foods are commonly thought of as the healthier choices. 

    We need more organic choices

    The FDA wants you to believe that the genetically modified seeds with which the food is being grown has no effect on the human body. This is NOT true! Everything you put into your body affects your body one way or another. So is it logically possible that eating foods with pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics grown into them will not affect you over time with prolonged exposure?

    scientist holding crops in laboratory | more organic choices
    Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels.com

    The answer is NO! It used to be you could wash your fruits and vegetables really goo to get all the pesticides off, but now no matter how long you wash the fruit it will remain contaminated.  Have you noticed that the vegetables you bought two weeks ago and forgot about are still looking fresh? That’s the antibiotics grown into the product to help in sustain a longer shelf life.

    You can’t limit your thinking to the fruits and vegetables you eat either, you have to think about what is fed to the animals you eat! It makes little since to avoid the GMO’s yourself if you’re going to eat food that has been fed GMO’s. #moreorganicchoices

    NATURAL VERSES ORGANIC

    Everyday you hear more and more promotions for natural products, nothing added… that is nothing added after its grown! According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) “all natural” means no artificial colors, flavors or synthetic substances.  Read the labels closely because labels can be deceiving. Companies trying to get you to but their products with sneaky labeling tricks.  According to the Organic Consumers Association, organic foods grown in China and sold in health food stores like Whole Foods  are not 100% Organic! Visit http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_29253.cfm to read the article.

    Ways to avoid being fooled

    1. Shop locally grown organic foods

    2.Read the ingredients on products that say Natural or All Natural!!

    Call ’em out

    Do you have a favorite brand/s that is using non-sustainable practices? We as consumers have the power to call ’em out on their bad practices and encourage them to implement green solutions. Amazing companies like We Don’t Have Time and Remark make this easy.

  • Remove harsh chemicals from your home

    Remove harsh chemicals from your home

    Have you ever wondered what ingredients like Cocamidopropyl betaine, polyquaternium-10, tetrasodium EDTA, and PEG-80 sorbitan laureate are?

    These are ingredients found in most baby shampoos!!

    Now, do you want to know what they are? EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database has answers! Visit www.egg.org/skindeep/ and find out what you’re really putting on your skin!! According to EWG Cocamidopropyl Betaine is a low health concern it may cause skin irritation or dermatitis. However, formaldehyde has high health concerns, a high risk of causing cancer, and moderate skin irritations. Used in many cosmetics as a preservative as this is released over time.  More to come on www.egg.org/skindeep/ in another post.

  • Happy New Year 2014!!

    Everyday I wake up I strive to be a better person.
    Welcoming 2014 with an open mind and a open heart looking forward to all the joys and laughter ahead with my LO as he grows and learns.
    Drive and ambition are my two best friends
    I will take on this year as every year before with an outlook of prosperity and good fortune.
    I will say goodbye to all the negative energy and people in my life, I haven’t got time or energy for you to drain from me.  I say goodbye to stress and anxiety.
    We believe in you!
    It is not for me to judge others therefore I shall not.
    It is not for me to say if what you do is right or wrong, therefore I hold my tongue.
    This year we are making a commitment to a healthier life and you can too!!