Best Books for the Organic Mama-to-Be
There’s nothing more fun than dreaming about that newborn you’ll soon be holding, and flipping through the pages of What to Expect While You’re Expecting or watching Baby Story. But for green mamas-to-be, there’s a wealth of information that can not only give you entertainment when baby’s kicks keep you awake, but can also equip you to build a green life with your baby. Here are three books we think are well worth your time.
Green Babies, Sage Moms: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Your Organic Baby by Lynda Fassa
Fassa offers an approachable guide to organic motherhood from Part 1: Pregnancy through Part 2: Life with a Newborn and on to Part 3: Your Green Baby. All three sections are divided into easily digestible chapters, each covering a main topic of concern for that particular portion of the motherhood journey. For example, the Pregnancy section of the book is divided into chapters dealing with what to eat while you’re pregnant, how to take care of yourself (skin, beauty, perfumes, body products, etc.) while pregnant, advice on having a green baby shower, and how to safely get ready for baby. Section 2, which deals with your baby’s arrival, gives sound, practical advice on everything from what baby gear to invest in to thoughts on organic clothes, diapers, and how to prep your home and kitchen for life with a baby.
What’s especially appealing about Fassa’s book is that she acknowledges that a pregnant Mama may not have the time, energy or finances to commit to a huge overhaul or go 100% organic; so Fassa gives practical tips and makes recommendations on how best to spend that precious time and energy. Her book is full of sidebars which highlight great products, options or ideas for organic living, so you’re given not only a lot of information, but a great list of resources for taking the next green steps.
Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living by Kimberly Rider
Rider has done a fabulous job putting together a book for organic mamas that is not only stuffed with helpful information, but also beautifully photographed and inspirational. The wire-bound book makes for easy flipping, and the photos of baby spaces, kids at play, baby gear and, of course, babies, are motivating for anyone who needs a little encouragement to keep going for the green life. All the information and options for “organic living” can be simply overwhelming at times; this book is helpfully divided into sections with pertinent information and practical ideas. Tackle the topic closest to your heart (nursery, gear, baby food, baby’s skin?) and use the ideas in the “Healthy Options” sections to start making green changes for baby. This is a book that’s easy to pick up and read a bit at a time.
Baby Love: Healthy, Easy, Delicious Meals for Your Baby and Toddler by Norah O’Donnell and Chef Geoff Tracy
Eventually your baby will need something besides milk, and this is the book you want to have on hand for that time. Making your own baby food is not only economical, it’s much better for the environment (no mass of plastic baby food containers or trashed baby food jars) and gives you complete control over what you allow to go into your baby’s body. And, with ideas like the ones in this book, making a batch of healthy and tasty baby food isn’t difficult. Recipes cover the gamut, from simple dishes like apple sauce and fruit mashes to baby-friendly beef stew, risotto, lentils and muffins. The introductory chapter gives you an overview of the equipment you’ll need (nothing fancy) and the basic steps in preparing, storing and serving the dishes. Many of the recipes are freezer-friendly, which means you can prep a big batch ahead of time and freeze in small servings for later use. Don’t miss the last section, full of healthy and delicious recipes for mom and dad.
image: Hafdis H
