Tag Archives: organic foods for children

Children's Products

Koita Organic Milk | Clean and fresh milk produced in Italy now available in Dubai

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If you didn’t realise by now, I am passionate about organic foods and I try to integrate as much as I can of that food philosophy into my family’s meals.  It is always great to hear about another organic product coming to the market, and we are love to support Italy.

Before hitting the Dubai shelves, Koita spent quite some time researching what parents in the Middle East considered “clean milk”. Koita discovered parents wanted healthy milk for their children, produced without pesticides or artificial hormones in an environmental friendly packaging.

Koita Organic Milk is produced in Italy by happy grass fed cows and the TetraPak packaging is made of paper, not plastic. This premium organic milk doesn’t contain antibiotics, synthetic hormones, pesticides or added sugar, and still has the great taste of fresh milk. It also has added Vitamins A & D3 and comes in Low-Fat (Semi-skimmed – Blue color) and Whole Fat (Red color) 1 litre packs.

We were introduced to Koita Organic Milk and the kids loved it. What Koita promises is that it has no synthetic hormones, no toxic pesticides, no artificial preservatives and no antibiotics.

Additionally 5% of Koita’s annual net profits are donated to local and regional charities in the GCC region. In the end, it’s a win win situation, while you introduce better quality foods to your family, you are still able to help others.

When we moved to the UAE 6 years ago, organic was rare, and now there is a growing choice for families to switch to organic, and the prices are becoming more affordable in Dubai.  Koita is available at Spinneys, Waitrose and Choitrams, and if you prefer you can also get free delivery when ordering online 4L or more of milk.

To learn more about Koita Organic Milk, visit their website:

www.koita.com

Health & Wellness

This month’s organic superfoods I am adding to the children’s food

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#1 Goji berries

You can just throw a handful in stews and soups.  The children won’t even notice it but it adds a good amount of Vitamin C into the broth.  It has been used in Chinese receipes for hundreds of years.

#2 Cauliflower

Usually, I mash 50% of cauliflower with 50% of potato – a great way to disguise the cauliflower.  This can be thrown on top of a shepherds’ pie or just served with oven baked organic salmon or chicken.

#3 Chia Seeds

One of the latest (although Chia seeds have an ancient history) supercharged foods that is beneficial for the body and brain.  It is a great source of magnesium, calcium, phosphrous and many other nutrients.  I throw them into the children’s home made pesto sauce, or sprinkle it onto salads.

#4 Chickpeas

The only way I can get the children to eat chickpeas is to make homemade hummus by blending it with lemon, garlic, tahini and olive oil.  Or if I am brave I blend it into their home made squash or carrot soup.

#5 Coconut oil

Most of my children’s food with the exception of pasta is cooked with coconut oil.  It is a  much healthier option with great health benefits for every part of the body.  My husband even takes a tablespoon of coconut oil as part of his morning ritual every day.

Health & Wellness

What tops the Dirty Dozen list? | The Dirty Dozen Fruits & Vegetables 2013

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What is the Dirty Dozen?

These are fruits and vegetables that have been tested for the amount of pesticide residues in certain fresh crops and since most foods in Dubai have been imported mainly from Europe and US, it is important to know what to select for your children and family.  Going organic can be very expensive in Dubai especially compared to the UK.  When I lived in the UK for over 20 years, I really didn’t appreciate that farms were just down the road growing lovely fresh organic vegetables.   Now that I am a mother living in Dubai, organic really means a lot to my family.  I am relieved that demand for organic in the UAE has boomed and the last 2 years has seen a growth of organic vegetable markets.  There are several options like Ripe Market and Greenheart Organic Markets that also offer home deliveries that sell more affordable vegetables and fruits.

If your budget is tight focus on buying organic with the Dirty Dozen listed below whilst buying conventional from the second group below (The Clean Fifteen).  Please note however that this list does change so please check it directly with the website for more up-to-date lists.

Quoting from the EWG.org website

Some interesting facts

  • Every sample of imported nectarines tested positive for pesticides, followed by apples; 99% of apple samples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue.
  • The average potato had much higher total weight of pesticides than any other food crop.
  • A single grape tested positive for 15 pesticides.  The same was true for a single sweet bell pepper.  Single samples of celery, cherry tomatoes and sweet bells peppers tested positive for 13 different pesticides apeice.

‘EWG analysed pesticide residue testing data from the U.S.Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration to come up with rankings for these popular fresh produce items.  All 12 items are listed below from worst to best. (lower numbers = more pesticides)’

Dirty Dozen 2013

  1. Apples
  2. Celery
  3. Cherry Tomatoes
  4. Cucumbers
  5. Grapes
  6. Hot Peppers
  7. Nectarines – imported
  8. Peaches
  9. Potatoes
  10. Spinach
  11. Strawberries
  12. Sweet bell peppers
  13. ++Kale
  14. ++Courgettes

The Clean Fifteen for 2013

  1. Asparagus
  2. Avocadoes
  3. Cabbage
  4. Cantaloupe
  5. Sweet corn
  6. Eggplant
  7. Grapefruit
  8. Kiwi
  9. Mangoes
  10. Mushrooms
  11. Onions
  12. Papayas
  13. Pineapples
  14. Sweet peas (frozen)
  15. Sweet Potatoes

Health & Wellness

My dear mother shares… Avocado & Honey Shake

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I often speak to my mother about super and organic foods especially for the children.  Her latest discovery was a delicious Avocado & Honey Shake.

  1. 1 ripe organic avocado
  2. 1 big dollop of raw organic honey
  3. A big teaspoon of chia seeds
  4. Fresh home made almond milk or fresh coconut juice for a lighter taste
  5. 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
  6. Ice cubes – optional

I was inspired to try.

Why?  Health benefits of Avocado & Honey

Avocado has incredible anti-inflammatary properties, especially for the heart, and it has been shown to help reduce low-density cholesterol at the same time as increasing the more beneficial high density lipoprotein cholesterol.   Avocado is also amazing for maintaing moisture levels in your skin to help keep your skin feeling soft and healthy.  The health benefits do really keep going on.

Raw honey is honey that has not been heated, pasteurised or processed in any way.  The differences between having raw and processed is immense.  Raw honey is an alkaline-forming food containing powerful antioxidants, enzymes and other natural nutrients that are destroyed when heated or processed.  Process honey is the same as eating refined sugar.  Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-baterial, and anti-fungal properties.  It can also help with the immune system, help eliminate some allergies and can help for certain skin wounds.