Organic baby food is expensive, yes I agree with you there. However I believe it is worth every penny but I know only too well that when you are down to only one wage whilst on maternity leave, money gets tight!
When trying to fit organic eating for you and your baby into your budget, there are some ways to make your dollars go further. While they may be a little more trouble than just buying conventional foods, the hassle is definitely worth it for your baby's health.
Comparison Shop
Whether you buy your organic produce online or at your local farmers market, check around for the best prices.
Big supermarket chains are also starting to offer more organic choices especially with things like pre-made baby food and frozen foods. So check for the items you use at a discount or grocery store before looking at more expensive options (but be careful as big stores' organic foods may not be as fresh & good quality as a small, local supplier).
Buy in Bulk
The more you buy the more you save. So, stock up on things you use in a lot of recipes and look for frozen bulk produce online or in your local store, just make sure to use it all or freeze it to avoid wastage.
Freeze Leftovers
Saving leftovers that your baby doesn't eat can make a big difference in your budget.
Make sure that you spoon out a portion into a separate container before feeding your baby. Always dispose of food that is left in the container your baby ate out of. Bacteria from their mouth can cause serious illness or food poisoning if the food is reused later.
Make Your Own
You can make your own food for much cheaper than you can buy pre-made food. Rely on pre-made food as a supplement when you are on the go or have one of those days when you're overwhelmed. Give yourself a break every now and then. You don't have to be perfect all the time!
Price Comparison: Organic vs. Conventional Foods
The best way to save on organic baby food is by making your own. Take a look at this comparison chart to see the differences in cost between conventional, pre-made organic and homemade organic baby foods.
Conventional Baby Food (non-organic)
-Gerber 1st foods: From online grocery store, 2 pack (5oz) .45 = .25 per week
-Gerber 2nd foods: From online grocery store, 2 pack (7oz) .75 = .37 per week
Organic Pre-Made Baby Food
-Earth's Best 1st foods: From online grocery store, 2.5oz jar $.65 = .65 per week
-Earth's Best 2nd foods: From online grocery store, 4 oz jar $.89 = .69 per week
-Gerber Organic: From online grocery store, 2 pack (7oz) .05 = .52 per week
Fresh Organic Foods (use ingredients To make your own)
-Organic Green Peas: From online organic produce store, 1 lb at .25 = .80 per week
-Organic Yellow Squash: From online organic produce store, 1 lb .99 = .50 per week
-Organic Green Beans: From online organic produce store, 10 oz (would be MUCH cheaper if bought in bulk) .69 = .90 per week
-Organic Macintosh Apples: From online organic produce store, 1 lb .49 = .20 per week
As you can see, the price difference is VAST!
If you decide to make your own baby food;
Buy in bulk and freeze as this can often be much cheaper as seen in the beans example. Always take into consideration the time of year (what is in season will be cheaper and fresher) And whether you are buying fresh, frozen or canned foods when comparing prices.
(I have based these comparisons on an average 7 month old appetite of approx. 10 oz per day (or 280g). Your baby may eat more or less than this - don't stress too much about quantities in this early stage, as you are still giving them their milk feed so much of their nutrition still comes from this.)
(All of these prices are based on buying your organic produce at online sources which is the most expensive alternative because of shipping and making sure the food gets to you when it's fresh - but you can save much more money when you buy local organic produce.)
Recycling is a very important step in slowing down and eventually stopping wasting of earth's natural resources. Scientist worldwide are exploring new ways to have better fuel efficiency and lowering pollution emissions. In an attempt to reverse the effects of overusing earth's valuable natural resources, everyone is called upon. Recycling is a big part of the effort to re-use and limit the use of our resources.
There are many categories of products people can recycle. Paper and its derived products such as carton are now being recycled successfully everyday.
Other resources like metals are being recycled daily. Such metal objects as tin cans, aluminum cans and tinfoil plates. Before recycling metal items, they have to be rinsed and free of food residue as this can cause toxic problems in the recycling process.
Another very useful way of giving a second life to metal products is to use them for storage or making crafts. By creating crafts with our children with used metal objects, we are showing them that many uses can be found and wasting is not the only solution.
Recycling glass has also been around for a while as bottles and jars are getting a second life everyday. Again, all these glass containers need to be rinsed before put in the recycling bin.
Plastic is now part of our lives and is very useful. The quantity of plastic we are discarding everyday is a major problem nowadays. Recycling and reusing plastic containers are the best way to ensure we are not polluting earth. Plastic bags can be also recycled. The easiest way to recycle them is by putting them all in one plastic bag.
Another very important point is to rethink our packaging methods and realize we are overusing wraps and seals unnecessarily. We have to honestly ask ourselves if a brand new music recording requires all this plastic wraps and sealing to conserve its "freshness". It is more commonly accepted to walk out of a convenient store with a very small item and refuse the small plastic bag offered knowing it will be thrown away a couple of minutes later.
Not everyone is aware that milk cartons and juice cartons are recyclable and can be put in the glass/plastic/metal section of the recycling bin. They need to be rinsed out of their food residue first of course.
Another good way of recycling is to have consignment refunds on tin cans and bottles. Not every American state offers a valuable refund and recycles soda drinks bottles and cans. It is every citizen's duty and right to ask their governments in power to implement such recycling politics.
If everyone starts recycling and takes environment seriously, we can have hope that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy nature's resources as we did.
Important items that cannot be recycled for now are: diapers, used toys, dishes, soiled pizza boxes, food leftovers (although they can be easily turned into composting), clothing and many more.
Hopefully, there will come a time in the future when we will be able to enjoy the commodities of life without sacrificing any of earth's natural resources.
