Happy Holidays

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2010 bring health, love and happiness to you and your family!

Looking Forward To The Holidays

Having a child to experience the holidays with is one of the greatest gifts. I am looking forward to creating new family traditions with Paul and Julian. When I look back at my own childhood, Christmas always holds fond memories- the tree, family, great food and of course gifts. It is a wonderful time of the year.

We started by putting up the tree. I always buy an ornament whenever I go on vacation, or something special happens in my life, so decorating the tree is a walk down memory lane. I plan on continuing this and also getting ornaments for Julian every year. Christmas music was playing on the iPod, and Julian really enjoyed it when daddy turned on the lights. Of course, the cats love it too- it gives them a place to curl up under at night.

We also got our picture taken with Santa at Northwestern Stables in Fairmount Park. The picture is great, so this will also be an annual outing. I also love that it is a fundraiser to support the horses!

Julian is 8 months, so he will not remember this Christmas, but for me it is laying the foundation for many more holidays to come. I feel like the magic is back in the holidays, all thanks to our little man. I'll remind him of his first Christmas by taking lots of pictures of course.

Happy Holidays to everyone, and a wonderful 2010. Feel free to post any holiday traditions you share, or memories from your childhood of the holidays!

I Passed

Great news! I just got the results of my food safety test (the first step in getting our business up and running) and I passed. Now, we just need to figure out how we want to package our product. We're learning a lot about the packaging business, different types of containers and environmentally friendly options.

We're also going to take a class to help us finish up our Business Plan. We keep moving forward:)

For the moms out there, tried a new combination today that Julian loved- avocado banana. Give it a try!

I Think I Can Have It All, Why Not?

My interest in nutrition came about from my work as a veterinarian. My job at VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia opened my eyes to the epidemic of obesity in our pets. Currently it is reported that over 50% of our pet population is overweight! I think the majority of the patients that I see on a daily basis are overweight. When I approach the subject with my clients, many are surprised that their cats are carrying extra weight. Our perceptions are skewed and even though studies show that if our pets are maintained at their ideal weight they live longer (average of 2 years longer, which in pet years is a long time) I often find it difficult to get clients on board with weight loss. I make sure I talk about nutrition with each of my clients. Getting our pets to lose weight is not easy, so I need to educate my clients on why it is important for their pets health.

Check out this article on pet obesity where I was quoted:

http://www.obesitydiscussion.com/forums/miscellaneous-obesity-studies/porked-pets-reflect-u-s-2707.html

So I think it is natural that I want my family to be healthy and eat right too. So can I have it all? A career, family life, friends, a new business? I don't see why not! But I need to educate moms on why homemade food is better then all the other options available. Here are my reasons...

Organic

First, the subject of organic versus non-organic seems obvious to me. If I can choose a food without pesticides, growth hormone or antibiotics, absolutely I will. We don't know the effects long term for a lot of these chemicals, but I am sure if they can be avoided our bodies will benefit. Do you even know what they are spraying on the produce you're eating, or which injections they give to the animals you are eating? It's scary to think about.

Freshness

Have you ever wondered why the jars and pouched found on shelves are good for over a year? When I make my food fresh, it will keep three days refrigerated or three months in the freezer. Unless I add something to keep it from spoiling, that's the maximum time it will stay fresh. Some companies use additives and preservatives. Most store organic brands, which don't use preservatives, are heated to very high temperatures to prolong the shelf life. This diminishes the color, texture and nutrient content. I love looking at the vibrant colors of the fruit and vegetables I cook for Julian. Take a peek at the expiration dates on the foods next time you're in the supermarket. (And look at the color.)

Flavors

Most important, have you ever tasted any of the food you feed to your baby? I do! I love eating the leftovers that Julian doesn't finish. It tastes exactly like it should, delicious. I feel that eating fresh produce from the start will help Julian transition to eating fruits and vegetables as a normal part of his diet. It makes sense- he is used to the flavors from the start.

Variety

I have made many fruits and vegetables that you just don't find in store bought baby foods. I believe the variety is opening up Julian's taste buds, and giving him the experience of flavor. Also, the texture of the food is closer to what we would experience- it's not a uniform purée. The zucchini is thin and watery, the sweet potatoes are thick. The different textures give Julian a whole new experience at each meal.

Can you have it all?

It's funny how when you have a child, your priorities automatically shift. No matter what you are doing, when your baby needs you, you drop what you are doing and tend to him. I could be watching my favorite show, trying to talk on the phone, at work, or just trying to get some quiet alone time and when Julian needs me, I am there. That part of you that wants to be selfish is dampened and you put your all into this little being; however, you need to keep true to yourself as well.

I have had many interests and passions in my life. I am fortunate to have a wonderful family, a caring husband, dedicated friends and a career that I enjoy every minute. When I am with these people or doing the work I love to do, I feel fulfilled, needed and sane. It completes me and is the anchor for my "old" life. I think by investing my time into the things I enjoy, it ultimately makes me a better mom. Of course, you feel that guilt when you drop him off at daycare, but the time away makes the time we spend together even more precious.

So I question sometimes, why do I want to add something else to my already overflowing plate? Am I crazy? Maybe, but something is drawing me to this business. I see a real need for our children to eat healthy. With the obesity epidemic raging, it is even more important to start our children out as healthy as we can from the start.

Paul, my husband and business partner, was asking new parents about the food they use or plan to use for their babies to gain some insight into the market. We were surprised that many did not have the time to research the options yet, or didn't know that fresh organic food is more nutritious than processed organic foods. So I feel my first task with this business venture is to educate. And I will. In the next blog.

He's Rolling!

I waited over 7 months for this. Paul found Julian yesterday in his crib on his belly (we put him to sleep on his back as good parents are told to do;) We've been practicing, and practicing but he never made it past rolling onto his side. Now I am just waiting to witness it for myself.