La Cocina Verda (The Green Kitchen)
June 16, 2008 by La Mama Naturale'
Filed under BPA free, all natural, baby food, eco kitchen, green living, healthy living, non toxic, organic
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The kitchen is a commonplace for Tristan and I to be…we love to eat! Feeding Tristan can be a challenge but we have a lot of fun being creative. Since I’ve become a mom I’ve learned there are challenges when it comes to finding all the necessities required to feed your beloved lil’ greenie. For one, you can’t get bamboo utensils or bowls anywhere in my town- PVC Free Bibs- what are those?, So Easy Baby Food food trays-you’re going to make your own baby food-what the…, how about ORGANIC foods in general for a baby/toddler! The reaction to my green baby saga was always gently nubbed. In any case, it took some time to aquire the items we needed for Tristan before birth…but we finally had what we felt was adequate and considered him our little Green Guy and our kitchen La Cocina Verde!!
Shopping List:
- bamboo- utensil set- bambu products
-.bamboo bowls
-Sustainable Highchair – Babylon Toddler Highchair
-Organic cotton bibs or PVC Free Bibs made by Bumkins
- Cloth napkins-(organic whenever possible or recycled fabric) to wipe up spills and messy faces! http://www.fabkins.com/ or recycled paper towels
- So Easy Baby Food Kit, non toxic- for storing your homemade baby food
- Cast iron pots/and skillet- non toxic, no teflon, and great for iron deficiency- iron leaches into food while being cooked
- Organic groceries and snacks whenever possible
- Non toxic sippy cup/bottle and other baby feeding accessories
- All natural, non toxic, cleaning products and hand soap
- Glass storage containers- operation out with the plastic!!!
Check out The Soft Landing http://www.thesoftlanding.com/ for an array of PVC/BPA free unique items!
While slaving over all that baby food you’ll need a handy dandy recipe book to glance over. I’ve used this one on many occassions…
* Organic Bay and Toddler Cookbook- easy recipes for natural food by Lizzie Vann
Organic Food For Thought: Just about any baby food recipe can be converted to an organic one! Also, most organic baby food books offer lots of insight about wholesome natural foods and most recipes for go refined sugar!
Tristan throughly enjoys his greens… he’s bound to have a little green in him! ; )
Our little green bean loves the following recipe and it’s packed with iron too!
*Steam- peas, carrots, spinach, broccoli, and quinoa (cook quinoa seperately) puree in food processor! Freeze and serve as needed.
What’s your favorite baby food recipe or accessory? Any suggestions…???
Tiffany on Mon, 16th Jun 2008 4:26 pm
Great list!
Amy - Green Plan(t) on Mon, 16th Jun 2008 8:42 pm
I would love to have some of these things for our baby-to-be as well. But I wonder, instead of buying something brand new, have you considered buying second-hand or borrowing? We got my son’s highchair second hand and we’ll get our next one the same if he’s still using it.
Perhaps you could make your own bibs and napkins from old clothing around the house or from a thrift store, they’re really very easy to make.
It’s also very easy to make very nontoxic and effective household cleaners from things like baking soda, borax, and vinegar. My whole house has loved the switch.
Just some thoughts!
Leslie on Mon, 16th Jun 2008 10:26 pm
Amy,
Thank you for your suggestions. Great points! I’m a firm believer in repurposing and thrift/antique store and garage sale shopping. In fact, I just purchased a car seat from a garage sale this wknd. for $5 for g-ma’s vehicle, some canning jars for this summer’s produce, and a few clothes for Tristan. I’d like to say also that MOST of his clothing is secondhand. We’ve made a few splurges here and there… Which brings me to the non toxic part…a lot of re-used or older baby items are not safe and BPA free…so when it comes to those items I’ll spend the extra money. Right now, I’m looking for antique toys for my son…saw an add for an old roadster!! So, yes, it’s best if you can find things that are used and take advantage of Freecycle or Craiglist…just Freecycled Tristan’s old exersaucer and walker! Love that service. I also have a jean bib pattern that I’m planning to create shortly for my lil one! Today, my husband is coming home with a desk and carpet from a wealthy woman he works for. The desk and carpet is for an outbuilding we’re turning into my sewing/storage room. I can wait to start sewing again!! We also make kitchen/bthrm cleaners, garden sprays, and baby wipes from scratch. We use baking soda, borax, vinegar and all sorts of natural remedies here!! I’m all for the au naturale and for consuming less whenever possible.
Amy - Green Plan(t) on Tue, 17th Jun 2008 6:12 am
It’s wonderful that you’re doing so much that way! I’m sorry if I assumed that you weren’t; I haven’t been reading your blog very long and the impression I got from this post was something different. I suppose that it was my own fault since many bloggers out there who are newly into being “green” are often spending unnecessary money on organic this and sustainable that instead of either reevaluating their need for such-and-such or buying it second hand.
Ach, forgive me for sounding a little odd, it seems my mommy-brain has given out on me lol
I do enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to reading more!
Alicia @ The Soft Landing on Wed, 18th Jun 2008 11:11 pm
What a wonderfully healthy baby preparation list!
We really appreciate the kudos too
Warmest,
Alicia
Erika on Thu, 19th Jun 2008 2:53 am
Great list. I happen to be working on a similar one to post this week. I’d just add rubber bath toys and pacifiers to your list.
By the way where do you get your glass storage containers?
Warm Regards,
Erika
La Mama Naturale' on Thu, 19th Jun 2008 5:55 am
Hi Erika,
Thanks for visiting! Good ?, We actually re-use a lot the glass containers purchased from the grocery store. I just bought a set of mason jars for storing and canning at a garage sale. We’ve purchased Pyrex glass dishes and the like in the past. I’ve also blogged about the bathtime green scene and have mentioned the all natural pacifiers. Important items, for sure!!! ; )