Celery root. It may look strange, but don’t be afraid! It’s crispy when raw and creamy when cooked. High in Vitamin C, minerals, plus thiamin and B6; it tastes similar to celery, but with a mild nutty flavor. Celery root is excellent as a pureed soup or blended with mashed potatoes. You can also grate raw celery root into a salad or embellish hummus with it. Enjoy!

*For best results, use as many organic ingredients as possible.

Recipe for Celery Root Soup:
Make a quick and easy soup by cutting off the exterior layer (similar to cutting a pineapple.)

Chop up the celery root along with a Yukon Gold potato and a few celery stalks.

Put them in a large pot and barely cover with water.

Add 1-2 garlic cloves or some chopped onion.

Boil until soft.

Transfer to a blender, using only the amount of boiled water required for the desired consistency. 1-2 batches may be required depending on the size of your blender.

Blend until creamy.

Pour soup back into the pot then add herbs, a touch of extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt to taste.

Note: Storing leftovers in glass (like old pasta jars) is recommended over plastic containers.

My mission: As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Eco Expert, I’m dedicated to leading you straight to the core of what it takes to enjoy a new level of vitality, weight loss, detoxification, immune boosting, radiant beauty, and overall health and happiness.

All Rights Reserved. www.RachelAvalon.com

Vegan is Love, by Ruby Roth, will undoubtedly make some parents and their
children feel uncomfortable, but then again so have beloved classics such as The Lorax and The Giving Tree. These types of books often stand the test of time because they ultimately offer the wisdom and compassion that little ones naturally gravitate towards and intrinsically embody. Vegan is Love attempts to connect with that authentic core (and succeeds here and there) through illustrations that swing from lovely to unsettling coupled with an unapologetic narrative. It is clearly intended to affirm those who have already committed to a plant-based diet and lifestyle while motivating others.

As a result, the book has sparked controversy among reviewers and conventional health professionals. One of the arguments is that a vegan diet isn’t healthy for children or adults, but all the best, global science indicates otherwise. Yes, vegans can have nutrients missing in their diet if they aren’t proactive with eating a variety of whole foods. However, the same can be said for any other diet that relies too much on processed foods high in trans fats, refined sweeteners, or other health-depleting, artificial ingredients.

As a Holistic Nutritionist & Eco Expert, as well as a vegan parent, I commend Roth for inspiring discussion around a topic that is too often ignored. Even though I believe her message could have reached a greater amount of families had she focused more on the love (which the title and cover illustration imply) it presents a bold case for how and why we need to abandon animal cruelty. With 10 billion land animals slaughtered for consumption every year in the United States, rapid planetary destruction, and an epidemic of often preventable diseases (affecting all ages) including Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and cancer we really do owe it to ourselves and to our children to eat more plants and less (or no) meat and dairy.

In response to some of the media coverage around Vegan is Love many vegans are passionately defending the author’s work and fully dismissing the critics. I presumed I would likely be taking that stance until I actually read the story. This brings up a whole other point and that is the intensity in which a fair amount of animal welfare advocates are perceived and behave. There is a bit of a mantra I’ve observed among some vegans over the years that “you’re either with us or against us.” Too easily are ignorant or even well-informed non-vegans labeled “idiots.” I understand where the frustration and anger is coming from, but just as we vegans typically don’t care to be labeled “crazy” I find the name-calling to be counterproductive and divisive. Ruby Roth is an exceptionally talented illustrator and strong woman. If she, the vegan community as a whole, and the general public can sift through the critiques with a discerning eye it may benefit the cause and the planet in unexpected ways.

It’s important to note that in addition to diet, Vegan is Love sheds light on other animal welfare concerns such as wearing fur, habitat loss, and animal-based forms of entertainment like horseracing or sea parks. It evens demonstrates how a plant-based diet ties into ending world hunger, something any family can appreciate. At times Vegan is Love comes across as more intellectual than heart-centered and it certainly lacks the poetic charm that authors like Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein won us over with. Overall though, Roth offers a book that is thought provoking, regardless of how much or how little the reader initially agrees with or adheres to.

After all, we do live in a society that adores dogs and cats and posts endless videos of cute critters online. We teach children before they can barely talk how to make the sounds of different farm animals like piggies and cows. We buy kids stuffed animals of every kind while idolizing animals for various holidays and in a myriad of family films. Then, strangely, without their true consent or capacity to understand what they’re doing we feed toddlers the meat and milk from the animals they cherish and dress them in their furry friends’ skins. By the time they reach an age and reasoning power to connect the dots most will be so indoctrinated they will suppress their desire to protect and love animals to continue on like the other adults and children around them. This is one reason why this book is so powerful. It asks us to question the norm and to strive for a world that is kinder to all. It may not be perfect, but with an open heart and mind Vegan is Love could change countless lives for the better.

My mission: As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Eco Expert, I’m dedicated to leading you straight to the core of what it takes to enjoy a new level of vitality, weight loss, detoxification, immune boosting, radiant beauty, and overall health and happiness.

All Rights Reserved. www.RachelAvalon.com

In 2011 I had the chance to really practice what I preach. I became pregnant and incidentally quickly drove everyone around me crazy. I insisted on buying almost everything for the nursery on Craigslist so the crib, stroller, car seat, etc. had already had time to off-gass. I politely requested that people only give us used (or organic) baby clothes and avoid buying me or the baby lotions and potions since that industry is so poorly regulated in our country. As my husband said, “You’re the woman who knows too much.” I really couldn’t help myself though considering my job as a detoxification and eco expert and once I looked into our son’s eyes the need to protect him and other children only intensified. The good news is that whether it was planning an eco baby shower, decorating his room, or giving him his first bath I found ways to cut costs and toxins while enjoying the process and inspiring once reluctant family members and friends to do the same. Are we all perfect now? No, but to me it’s all about striving for progress, not perfection.

So, here are my Top 10 Healthy Ideas for Nontoxic Baby Products to help you and your loved ones along the way:

1. Homemade baby wipes with cotton squares or reusable baby wash cloths. Place a reusable water bottle with a squirt top on the diaper changing station and wet 1-2 wipes as needed. Add a drop of lavender essential oil to the water bottle if you like. Whatever you choose, avoid wipes with “fragrance” listed in the ingredients since that term is a clever way for manufacturers to sneak in hundreds of questionable chemicals.

2. Stainless steel baby bottles with silicone nipples by Pura. Why settle for BPA-free when you can skip the plastic all together?

3. Organic, cotton mittens by Under the Nile to keep baby warm and his or her little face scratch-free, especially while teething. These are also great for public outings when everyone will want to grab those tiny hands without washing theirs first.

4. Simple Green diluted in a spray bottle for the ultimate, nontoxic stain remover. Use an old toothbrush to scrub out dried stains.

5. Tummy Tub – babies love keeping warm in these food-grade polypropylene bath tubs. Plus, the photo ops are priceless.

6. Driftwood used as bath toys (be sure to smooth pieces if needed.) These unique shapes are lightweight, free, and fun without being overstimulating like so many of today’s toys. If you don’t feel comfortable taking these from the beach, or don’t have access to a shoreline, look for other natural objects that makes sense.

7. Green Start children’s books (printed on 98% post-consumer paper with eco inks.) With sweet illustrations, these stories have great themes about nature, gardening, etc. At the very least, look for used books locally or online.

8. Organic, cold-pressed olive oil for cradle cap and baby massage. Keep it simple, nontoxic and affordable when it comes to pampering your baby’s skin. Just make sure you keep any oils out of direct sunlight and use in less than a year since all oils will eventually turn rancid.

9. 100% rubber or silicone pacifiers are extra important since they go right in baby’s mouth. Sometimes just using your clean pinky (with a short fingernail and no nail polish) can be even more practical and comforting for an infant seeking more sucking time. It can also reduce how much air is swallowed which means less gas and fussiness for the little one.

10. All-natural Eco Baby Sunscreen by Eco Logical is a wonderful alternative to the conventional brands that usually contain neurotoxins and other crazy chemicals. It’s easier to apply than many other options and is comparatively well-priced.

Bonus: Wooden teething rings (there are SO many cute options from classic circles to bunny shapes.)

Important: Whenever buying used baby gear make sure there haven’t been any recalls on the items you’re considering and that all the components and structural integrity are intact.

For more info on safer, nontoxic living explore my website along with www.healthychild.org and safecosmetics.org.

Photo by Annie McElwain

My mission: As a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Eco Expert, I’m dedicated to leading you straight to the core of what it takes to enjoy a new level of vitality, weight loss, detoxification, immune boosting, radiant beauty, and overall health and happiness.

All Rights Reserved.
www.RachelAvalon.com