Radio jockey and mom of two Andi Manzano started adapting to an organic lifestyle when she and husband GP Reyes had their first daughter, Olivia.
She mostly did her own research and listened to other moms on how to live healthier. She asked her fellow moms for their recommendations and drew inspiration from seeing the transition that they have made.
Going organic, for the 33-year-old mommy, means she had to know what she serves on the table—the process, and how it is free from chemical pesticides, antibiotics, and added sugars.
“I started looking at labels, the food sources, etc.,” she shared. “It gives you peace of mind knowing that whatever you ate, drank, or put in your body comes from the ground and [has] no chemicals.”
Manzano slowly started adding more greens and fruits on her plate and had a conscious effort of looking for healthier options to serve at home.
“I would get organic peanut butter instead of what was on the shelves and if we could make it from scratch, then the better,” she shared.
Because she believes kids see what grownups do, Manzano strives to lead by example. “In order for Olivia to eat more vegetables and fruits, we had to show her that we, her parents, love eating them too.”
While eating more greens is a good start, she knows going organic is not just limited to changing the family’s diet.
For Manzano, gradually integrating naturally made products into the household can also make a huge difference in reducing the amount of toxins and chemicals in the environment.
For example, using handmade soaps instead of the bottled ones, or using citronella plants as natural mosquito repellants are simple ways to lessen chemicals and integrate more nature into the household.
But before she became the mom that she is today, Manzano has admittedly always thought that going organic was beyond their budget and that organic products would be difficult to find.
Later on, she found out that the prices of organic products were not much of a difference compared to the commercial ones. She also discovered there are several businesses that sell organic produce.
Manzano reveals she doesn’t exclusively serve organic food to her family, however, she chooses organic when it comes to her eldest daughter’s milk. After doing a thorough research and consulting fellow moms, she discovered Promil Organic.
Made by Wyeth Nutrition, Promil Organic is made with 100 percent organic milk sourced from certified organic dairy farms. It is certified organic by the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines Inspection and Services, Inc., and is the only organic formula milk in the Philippines intended for preschoolers aged 3 and above that contains DHA and AA—important nutrients that help support children’s brain development.