Moms with a Mission

I am supposed to be posting these helpful tips given to us by Stroller Strides and Luna as a part of Moms with a Mission, but I haven't exactly been on the ball with that so I am starting early on my New Year's resolution of posting each weekly Moms with a Mission blurb!

For December Moms with a Mission is focusing on nutrition and fitness for women and children. Here ya go...


Choose Organic Fruits and Vegetables

Some organic foods may provide a nutrition boost. A research review of 41 studies conducted by the University of California at Davis found that, on average, organic produce contains as much as 27 percent more vitamin C, 21 percent more iron, and 29 percent more magnesium compared with traditionally grown foods. The kinds of packaged organic foods that now fuel the category's growth, such as cookies, baked goods, and boxed meals, also benefit from a similar perception of healthfulness.

Consuming fewer pesticides is better for you & your baby. Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables each day, on average, exposes you to 20 pesticides each day - if you eat the 12 least contaminated (organic) it translates to 2 pesticides per day - according to the Environmental Working Group. By choosing organic food whenever possible, you are supporting sustainable agricultural methods that result in less pollution, nutrient rich soil, increase biodiversity, and animal habitat protection.

You're at the market trying to decide which apples to buy, if those apples were required to label the residues of all the pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics, and fertilizers in there, which would you choose for you, your baby, and your family?

Highest in Pesticides: These 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables are consistently the most contaminated with pesticides - buy these organic whenever possible.
Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Cherries
Grapes (imported)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries

Lowest in Pesticides: These 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables consistently have the lowest levels of pesticides.
Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (sweet)
Kiwi
Mangos
Onions
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)

Americans are well aware of the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, but most people need to double the amount they currently consume in order to meet the latest dietary guidelines for Americans. All forms of fruits and veggies count - fresh, frozen, 100% juice, canned & dried.

Fitness Tip: Involve your children in your physical activities (such as Stroller Strides class). When children see mom & dad exercising and enjoying it, they'll realize that exercise is fun, and will want to join in.