Mary Jane's Farm Magazine

Have you heard of Mary Jane's Farm magazine?  Well, I had never heard of this lovely publication until a few weeks ago.  Maybe I am just out of the loop and all of you have been reading and subscribing to this magazine for years, but where has this been my whole life?  It is wonderful!

My mother-in-law gave me a fantastic gift for Christmas; tons of magazines!!  These weren't just any magazines, these were magazines I had never heard of or never read (due to the fact that they were a little out of my regular budget), but they were all covering topics that she knew I was interested in - thank you Gigi!!

Mary Jane's Farm magazine is a mix of everything I love all in one publication; cooking, home and garden, women's topics, organic living, life with children, and this list goes on.  So if you are like me, and hadn't heard of this magazine, I highly suggest you check it out.  Click here to find out more information about Mary Jane's Farm magazine. Pin It

Homemade Organic Baby Food

Matilda Jane - 6 Months

I can't believe my little baby has started eating solids!  Where has the time gone?  I feel like I just blinked my eyes and there she is taking her spot in the "big girl chair" aka the high-chair.  I'm sure those of you with older children, can attest that time flies.  I'm trying my best to enjoy these precious early moments with my girls, but my goodness, before you know it they are going to be all grown up (sob, sob).

Since my sweet Matilda Jane is starting to eat solid food (well cereal, so far), I thought I would share one of my favorite homemade baby food recipes.  I had so much fun making baby food for my little Savannah Rose (not so little anymore.....again, sob, sob) and I definitely plan to cook some things for Matilda Jane.

Making your own baby food is very easy and affordable.  It's really nice because you can control exactly what goes into your baby food.  I like to use all organic ingredients and add seasoning as well.  Just make a large batch, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it.  Once frozen, pop it out of the trays and into a freezer safe bag.  When your little sweetheart is hungry, just pop a few cubes in the microwave and you have fresh, organic baby food in seconds!

Delicious Butternut Squash Puree

Ingredients:

1/2 tablespoon butter

1 medium butternut squash

1/4 yellow onion, chopped

3/4 cup chicken stock

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions:

Peel your butternut squash.  Cut it in half and remove seeds and cut into 1-inch cubes.  Steam butternut squash in saucepan for 15 minutes and remove from pan (you know it's done when it can easily be pierced with a knife).  Add butter to pan and saute onion on medium-low heat until translucent.  Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper.  Add chicken stock and cook for 2 minutes.  Return butternut squash to pan.  Use an immersion blender to puree or if you don't have an immersion blender, puree in a food processor or regular blender.

Cottage Mama's Note:  This puree should be introduced as a 2nd food (after introducing each food separately, in case of allergies).  Taste your puree to see if it needs more seasoning - it should taste good to you.  I like to start using seasoning early on in my kids food because I think it helps them become accustomed to the way our family eats, which is with lots of flavor.  No bland cooking going on around here at The Cottage Home!!

Here are a few more pictures of Matilda Jane starting solids

(just because I think she is so cute!)

My sweet little lady checking out her food (love those cheeks!)

Mama, I don't know if this is a good idea.....

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The Best Soap & Cleaning Product EVER!

Have you heard of Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap?  Well I had heard of it and seen it in our local Trader Joe's, but I hadn't really paid much attention to it.  Lately, I have been trying to get my family "back to basics" by trying to eat more organic food as well as incorporating more earth friendly products into our daily lives.

So yesterday I was at Trader Joe's and thought "I'm going to give this Castile Soap at try."  And boy am I glad I did - it is AWESOME!!  This one bottle of soap can tackle 18 different tasks and has the most amazing peppermint scent ever.  The soaps are biodegradable and vegetable-based and are made with certified fair trade and organic oils. 

Today I used it to clean my entire house.  I used 16oz of water with about 1 teaspoon of the soap and went to town.  I cleaned my furniture, my floors, my countertops, my sink, and the list goes on.  And what's even better -  I didn't even barely use 1/30th of the bottle!!  My house has never felt cleaner and I feel really good knowing that the soap I used is 100% safe for my two little girls (both under age 2).

According to the Dr. Bronner's website you can use this soap as a body wash, shampoo, facial cleanser, toothpaste, mouth wash, laundry detergent, dish-washing detergent, on babies to cure cradle cap, and again, the list goes on and on.

So if you are interested in switching cleaning products to something that is safer for you and our environment, I highly recommend Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap.  Try it - you won't be sorry!!  Click here to find out more information. Pin It

Community Supported Agriculture - CSA Programs

One of my top New Year's resolutions this year is to incorporate more organic food into my family's diet.  I feel like I have fallen off the wagon lately when it comes to what we are putting into our bodies.  The more I hear about what the effects of pesticides and growth hormones are having on us, I feel it is my responsibility as a mother, and as the main cook in our household, to take charge of what my family is putting into their bodies.

Are you familiar with the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in your area?  Or have you heard of CSA?  I have tried in the past to incorporate as much organic into our diets as possible, but sometimes those cheaper prices get me.  Organic produce, meat, and dairy is often quite a bit more money in our regular supermarkets; however, there are ways to save on these items.  This is where CSA programs come into play.

Here's how it works:
With a CSA program, a local farm offers a specific number of "shares" to the public for the growing season.  You buy into the farm by purchasing a share (which will feed a family of 4) or you can purchase a half-share, if you are not sure about the level of produce you will be using.  Each week (or every other week if you are doing a half-share), you go to the farm to pick up your box of organically grown produce.  Some farms have other designated pick-up spots, if the farm is not in your exact town.

Most CSA's are geared towards vegetables; however, some include flowers, herbs, and a little fruit.  A share is somewhat equivalent to a paper grocery bag full of vegetables.  You can also purchase fruit only shares through some farms and add-on organic eggs and chicken to your weekly pick-up.

Through the CSA you will get to know your specific farmer and exactly where your food is coming from.  I know that, if I am going to be spending a little bit more money purchasing organic food, I would prefer to know that my money is going to support our local farmer's.  Most farms encourage families to come out for a visit.  This is a wonderful way to educate your children on the workings of a farm and to show them where the food they eat comes from.  Additionally, if you have a picky eater, they may be more likely to eat the produce they have seen harvested first-hand.  Some farms have volunteer opportunities and gatherings for CSA members as well.

I highly suggest you check out the CSA programs in your area.  Most farms are taking CSA applications for the 2010 growing season right now - if you are interested, sign-up as soon as possible because shares fill up quickly and you might miss out.  Go to www.localharvest.org/csa or click here to find out more information.

Cottage Mama's Note:  When searching for a farm in your area, do no disregard farms that my be an hour or so away - check them out because they may have an additional pick-up spot in your area.  Also, consider going in on a "share" with another family if you aren't sure exactly how the CSA program will fit into your current lifestyle and eating habits.
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