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[5 Little Monkeys]

Bright.....I respect your decision to want to exclusively feed/provide organic food. That is entirely your choice. I have not done as much research as you but I have read some articles and know that there are some items that the experts say you can buy non organically and still be eating healthy. That is why I posted the link for you on page 3. I understand that you don't necessarily want to buy non organic items but out of a need to cut costs you may want to start with those. I was briefly reading an article last night on a study that found organic food isn't better in health and nutrients but obviously better in regard to pesticides and antibiotics. I didn't read the whole study though. As I have said before, I don't believe in needing to eat and buy organic exclusively but can for sure agree that there are benefits!! (health wise and taste wise)

I think everyone knows that eating lots of fruits and veggies, little to no processed food and making things by scratch is the best health wise but it's not always possible due to time and money. I think it's great that you are so passionate about eating healthy, I wish I had more of that ambition. I try my best to serve healthy foods but I don't stress if they eat "crap" once in awhile while in my care. (I know I should care more, especially because I am overweight and don't want them to get on the wrong track so early) but I try my best and at the end of the day, I am okay with that.

[bright sparks]

Bright.....I respect your decision to want to exclusively feed/provide organic food. That is entirely your choice. I have not done as much research as you but I have read some articles and know that there are some items that the experts say you can buy non organically and still be eating healthy. That is why I posted the link for you on page 3. I understand that you don't necessarily want to buy non organic items but out of a need to cut costs you may want to start with those. I was briefly reading an article last night on a study that found organic food isn't better in health and nutrients but obviously better in regard to pesticides and antibiotics. I didn't read the whole study though. As I have said before, I don't believe in needing to eat and buy organic exclusively but can for sure agree that there are benefits!! (health wise and taste wise)

I think everyone knows that eating lots of fruits and veggies, little to no processed food and making things by scratch is the best health wise but it's not always possible due to time and money. I think it's great that you are so passionate about eating healthy, I wish I had more of that ambition. I try my best to serve healthy foods but I don't stress if they eat "crap" once in awhile while in my care. (I know I should care more, especially because I am overweight and don't want them to get on the wrong track so early) but I try my best and at the end of the day, I am okay with that.

I hear ya. We have crap occasionally and love to eat out too and honestly I think that is fine as long as it isn't the bulk of a persons diet. I take issue with the kids eating processed foods while in my care because I don't believe it is what's best for them and goes against my principles of what childcare is about. We do have an occasional ice cream sandwich in the summer and pizza too but I try to think outside the box and make healthy versions too. Eating organic also guarantees non gmo which is where you will find that organic foods are much more nutritionally dense than conventional. There are certain foods that I buy organic not just for the spraying but also the gmo aspect. For example, almost 100% of corn produced in Canada is GMO. It is near dammed impossible to find organic corn in this country. I can totally back this info up if people wish. Research GMO's and it will scare your pants off. I'm not denying that they have for sure helped in hunger crisis' around the world but now we are dealing with the disastrous aftermath. It is a fascinating topic. Also the difference between the benefits of organic fruit and veg and then meat and grains is different. Organic meat is a big deal although chicken is not as big a deal because of the strict laws surrounding antibiotics and poultry in Ontario. All chicken in Ontario is ABF.

I am going to do a newsletter up as someone else suggested and am going to eliminate organic from my daycare. I am going to only buy conventional fruit and veg from the clean list and I'm gonna get over myself....still going to be a healthy minimally processed meal plan for the kiddos and at the same time reduce my expenses a little. Doesn't change my opinion on Organics but seems like the most logical place to start adjusting my business practices to put myself first.

[AmandaKDT]

I hear ya. We have crap occasionally and love to eat out too and honestly I think that is fine as long as it isn't the bulk of a persons diet. I take issue with the kids eating processed foods while in my care because I don't believe it is what's best for them and goes against my principles of what childcare is about. We do have an occasional ice cream sandwich in the summer and pizza too but I try to think outside the box and make healthy versions too. Eating organic also guarantees non gmo which is where you will find that organic foods are much more nutritionally dense than conventional. There are certain foods that I buy organic not just for the spraying but also the gmo aspect. For example, almost 100% of corn produced in Canada is GMO. It is near dammed impossible to find organic corn in this country. I can totally back this info up if people wish. Research GMO's and it will scare your pants off. I'm not denying that they have for sure helped in hunger crisis' around the world but now we are dealing with the disastrous aftermath. It is a fascinating topic. Also the difference between the benefits of organic fruit and veg and then meat and grains is different. Organic meat is a big deal although chicken is not as big a deal because of the strict laws surrounding antibiotics and poultry in Ontario. All chicken in Ontario is ABF.

I am going to do a newsletter up as someone else suggested and am going to eliminate organic from my daycare. I am going to only buy conventional fruit and veg from the clean list and I'm gonna get over myself....still going to be a healthy minimally processed meal plan for the kiddos and at the same time reduce my expenses a little. Doesn't change my opinion on Organics but seems like the most logical place to start adjusting my business practices to put myself first.

Very much off topic but I made a "pizza" the other day using spaghetti squash as the crust. It was actually really delicious!! Just google "spaghetti squash pizza crust". It doesn't feel like you are missing out on anything to eat this instead of regular pizza.

[bright sparks]

Very much off topic but I made a "pizza" the other day using spaghetti squash as the crust. It was actually really delicious!! Just google "spaghetti squash pizza crust". It doesn't feel like you are missing out on anything to eat this instead of regular pizza.

Have you heard people say that the cauliflower is the new kale? Last year everything was all about kale but this year its the cauli. I have seen so many recipes now for a cauliflower pizza crust!

[AmandaKDT]

Have you heard people say that the cauliflower is the new kale? Last year everything was all about kale but this year its the cauli. I have seen so many recipes now for a cauliflower pizza crust!

I haven't heard that cauliflower is the new kale, though I am definitely behind on the kale thing. I made kale chips in the oven last week and didn't really like it. I don't know if I cooked them too long, but they had a bitter after taste that wasn't very pleasant. But I had raw kale mixed with other greens in a salad and that was good.

I haven't tried cauliflower pizza crust, that is a new one. I have been making cauliflower mashed "potatoes" for a long time and recently made cauliflower "rice" with cilantro and lime juice that was really yummy. I will have to give the pizza crust a try, sounds interesting.

[Fun&care]

This conversation has definitely gone a little off topic. I don't understand what is so difficult about serving healthy food. If you feel that food is being wasted because kids aren't eating then SERVE LESS. Then pack up the rest for tomorrow's lunch. Cooking from scratch is easy once you have a few recipes and you cook in BULK so you can freeze some for later. If the kids still won't eat what you serve then tough. Honestly as long as they are growing normally and there is no cause for concern it's on them whether they eat or not that day. I stopped caring about how much the kids eat but I don't think I see myself ever ceasing to care about WHAT they eat. I've had quite a few interviews too where ppl left their previous provider because they found out that she served KD and hot dogs...I cringe at the thought of serving foods like that to kids. And I don't even think that cost is as big of a deal as ppl make it yet it's always the first excuse they throw out there. And I certainly don't claim to be perfect either, I eat out and I love pizza too but that is only a small part of my diet.

[bright sparks]

This conversation has definitely gone a little off topic. I don't understand what is so difficult about serving healthy food. If you feel that food is being wasted because kids aren't eating then SERVE LESS. Then pack up the rest for tomorrow's lunch. Cooking from scratch is easy once you have a few recipes and you cook in BULK so you can freeze some for later. If the kids still won't eat what you serve then tough. Honestly as long as they are growing normally and there is no cause for concern it's on them whether they eat or not that day. I stopped caring about how much the kids eat but I don't think I see myself ever ceasing to care about WHAT they eat. I've had quite a few interviews too where ppl left their previous provider because they found out that she served KD and hot dogs...I cringe at the thought of serving foods like that to kids. And I certainly don't claim to be perfect either, I suppose we all have different views on food so to each their own but I felt I had to put in my own two cents.

I agree completely