Feeding My Family Organic

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While this may be the ideal scenario, O'Keefe admits that steering youngsters toward organic food can be difficult. "As children go through the developmental stages, their eating habits can vary from being picky or addicted to junk/fast food. Incorporating nutritionally dense organic foods can only benefit their health."

Tanya Steel, editor-in-chief of Epicurious.com and the mother of twin eight-year-old boys, wholeheartedly agrees with the benefits of organic food, but acknowledges the financial aspect too.

"I do buy organic when I can for several reasons: It's generally healthier for my family, I like to support organic businesses, and I want to encourage traditional business to become organic. However I don't buy everything organic, as price is a factor.

"I buy organic milk, eggs, meat and chicken, and porous produce like berries, as they tend to absorb more pesticide. "

She recommends shopping at local farmer's markets for low-cost organic produce.

O'Keefe is quick to agree. "Absolutely! Patronizing local farmer's markets and CSA groups is a great way to eat healthy foods. Many, but not all, local farmers use organic growing methods, so always ask. If they don't, make sure to wash the produce and thoroughly rinse.

"All organic produce is not the same, either. Foods obtained from an organic farm down the road that was picked within a day or two is even better than organic food grown in California and shipped across the country."

Whatever you do, says O'Keefe, don't drive yourself crazy. "I have seen many people become obsessed with 'only buying organic' and creating more stress in their already stressful lives. It is more beneficial to create a balanced life that includes healthy food choices--organic if possible, and if it's not possible, wash all produce carefully. Eating more fruits and vegetables is a better choice than the standard American diet of processed foods, sugar-laden foods, and fast foods."

So how do I incorporate more organic food into my children's diet? I buy organic bananas, as we eat a lot of them. That was an easy switch. Organic apples are also affordable and tasty. I've bought organic chicken nuggets and they've passed the taste test, albeit with ketchup.

Sadly organic waffles didn't fly, and I'm still working on introducing them to organic cereal--sneaking it into regular cereal hasn't been a huge success.

I find organic milk too expensive, so I buy hormone-free but conventional brands as a compromise.

I'll keep chipping away, however, and try to redefine definitions of "good food." Hey, I'm being devious for a good cause.

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