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Notes from the Nutritionist
Greetings!
 In honor of Earth Day (April 22), this issue of Gourmet Baby focuses on adopting a "greener" way of life. By incorporating little acts of green into your daily routine, you can benefit mind, body and planet! A great place to go green is your kitchen and below I offer easy tips for making that room a more sustainable place in your home. I'll also have you "springing into shape" with a few nutrition tips that will fuel your exercise routines.  Speaking of healthy practices, if you haven't picked up a copy of The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet, it's about time you did! My best-selling cookbook has more than 200 recipes that use natural and fresh ingredients -- good for the planet and for your little one.
Delicious wishes,
Tina
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10 Easy Tips: Go Green in the Kitchen
 No Plastics Please: Minimize the amount of plastic you use by wrapping sandwiches in butcher paper, store leftovers in glass bowls and scale back on paper towel use. If you must use plastic, buy products made from recycled materials.- Repurpose Your Products: Clean out empty glass containers such as spice jars, pickling jars, glass bottles and canisters. They make great re-usable storage containers.
- Shop Around: Invest in reusable shopping bags to carry groceries and other wares. They are more durable and stylish then the small plastic bags from the store.
 Become a Locavore: When you eat locally-grown food, you're supporting the local agricultural community, reducing your carbon footprint and enjoying the riches of taste and nutrition natural products deliver.- Shut it Off: Unplugging appliances and turning off lights when not in a room is the simplest thing you can do to conserve energy.
- Pressure Cook Foods: The pressure cooker is the greenest way to cook, short of using a solar oven. It heats faster, reducing energy to prepare just about anything you like.
- Naturally Clean: Purchase cleaning products that are gentle and non-toxic without harsh petroleum-based detergents, surfactants or other unhealthy additives. Add in a few dye-free, biodegradable sponges while you're at it.
- Eat Your Greens: Try consuming more plant-based foods, such as beans, for your protein source. Veggies require less energy to grow and don't produce any greenhouse gasses like livestock do.
- Rethink Your Cookware: Cast irons pans and pots might sound old-fashioned, but they're the way to go. Cast iron is environmentally friendly and you'll never see them in a trash can or landfill - they last forever!
- New and Improved: Replace consumables with earth-friendlier products. For example, use trash bags that are corn-based and compostable. When you run out of the old standards, pick up recycled aluminum foil, paper towels made from 100% recycled paper, waxed paper and plastic wrap made without PVCs.
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Banana & Peach Purée
The beautiful, bright color of this recipe will be very appealing to Baby. To save time, you can also use jarred or canned peaches packed in their natural juices, not heavy syrup. INGREDIENTS: 1/3 banana
1/2 cup peaches, pitted, peeled and cooked
DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth.
Yield: 2 baby servings, 2 tablespoons each
Each serving contains: 32.1 calories, 0.2 g total fat, 0.0 grams saturated fat, 0.0 mg cholesterol, 0.2 mg sodium, 8.1 g carbohydrates, 1.1 g dietary fiber, 0.6 g protein, 3.2 mg calcium, 0.1 mg iron, 134.8 IU vitamin A and 4.2 mg vitamin C. ©2011 Tina Ruggiero, M.S., R.D. | The Gourmet Nutritionist
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Spring Into Shape! Top Foods for Everyday Athletes
 For me, springtime weather and long days make outdoor exercise so inviting (What's better than a long walk at dusk under a pink sky?). You probably know that the right pre-activity meal is important, but what you eat every day can have a big influence on your physical performance. To get you back in bathing suit shape, just follow my tips below for a slimmer, healthier body.
 More than 60% your daily calories should come from carbohydrates. Think oatmeal, pasta, brown rice and fruit including blueberries and figs. - Potassium is particularly important to athletes, since it helps ensure peak muscle function. Choose bananas, apricots, milk, oranges and spinach.
- A good rule of thumb is to drink eight to ten ounces of water every 15 minutes while exercising. If you're working out longer than 90 minutes, drink eight to ten ounces of a sport drink every 15 to 30 minutes.
- Unless you are participating in an endurance event (workouts that are less than an hour and a half), skip the sports drinks.
- When it comes to repairing and rebuilding muscle that's been broken down during exercise, protein is the answer. Protein also optimizes carbohydrate storage. Dig into egg whites, low-fat yogurt, tofu, low-fat milk, lean meat and fish to meet the 40 to 70 grams of daily protein your body requires.
- Calcium is critical, since deficiencies can contribute to stress fractures and osteoporosis. Dairy foods are the best sources of calcium, but fortified foods like orange juice and dark green vegetables will also add this much-needed mineral to your diet.
- Healthy fats should be a part of every athlete's diet. Avoid saturated and trans- fats, and choose mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Adding a little fat to your diet will help you meet your increased calorie needs and will add flavor to your healthy meals.
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Coming Soon!
New Contest
Our Facebook contests have been such a hit, we're planning a few more! Be sure to like The Best Homemade Baby Food on Facebook for your chance to win!
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Order
The Best Homemade
Baby Food
on the Planet!
This incredible collection of quick and easy recipes includes countless meals for infants and toddlers that can be made in 10 minutes or less! It also features essential nutrition and health information for your little one. Buy The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet now and get your baby on the path to wholesome, healthy eating!
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Tina on TV
Tina is the nutrition correspondent for NBC's syndicated TV show Daytime. Nearly 80 million people tune in to hear what she has to say. Her simple tips, recipes
and ideas will inspire you
on a path to good health.
Watch her now!
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FAST FACTS
Milk with Meals 
When a baby turns one year old, some mothers continue to breast feed. For those who don't, begin serving whole milk with your toddler's meals. You can decide how much to serve with each meal and snack, but ensure your growing child drinks at least 2 cups daily. |
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