Get the best of both worlds...convenience & homemade!
Semi-Homemade Apples and Squash
Ingredients
1 2 oz. jar squash (stage 1 or 2), I prefer Del-Monte baby food
4 tablespoons Homemade Apple Puree
pat of butter
Combine above ingredients and serve warm.
Semi-Homemade Apple Bananna Puree
Ingredients
1 jar of apples
2-3 tablespoons of mashed banana
Combine ingredients and serve.
Semi-Homemade Apples & Prune Puree
Ingredients
1 jar of prunes
4 tablespoons homemade apple puree
Combine ingredients and serve.
Green Beans & Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
1 2 oz. jar green beans
4 tablespoons homemade mashed potato puree
pat of butter
Combine ingredients and serve warm.
Vegetable Medley
Ingredients
1 oz. gerber carrots
1 oz. gerber peas
2 tablespoons homemade califlower puree
2 tablespoons homemade broccoli puree
Need homemade recipes? Visit www.MyHomemadeBabyFood.com for basic puree recipes to go with these semi-homemade recipes.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Protect Your Child Against Pesticides in Food
Many parents worry about the high levels of pesticides found in fruit and vegetables and the affect it may have on their child's health. There is evidence that pesticides contribute to certain cancers and respiratory illnesses.
Fruits and vegetables are important to your child's health. BabyCenter recommends, following the steps below, to cut down tremendously on the amount of pesticides your baby and other family members consume.
• Peel fruits and vegetables, or remove the outer leaves (on lettuce and cabbage, for example).
• Wash fruits and vegetables that you choose not to peel, using a produce wash product (i.e. Fit)
• Serve a wide variety of produce. This will limit repeated consumption of the same pesticide.
• Choose produce that's free of mold, bruises and decay (these are apt to harbor more pesticides).
• Trim the fat off meat and the skin off poultry. Pesticides are also found in these foods, and they're concentrated in the fatty parts and skin.
• Buy organic produce, especially when buying foods in the higher-risk category, like cantaloupe, winter squash, green beans, strawberries, pears, or tomatoes.
According to Consumer's Union, children who eat non-organic tomatoes, strawberries, pears, green beans, or winter squash have odds ranging from 2 to 66 percent of getting more than a safe dose of at least one pesticide.
View our article on our website "Grow Your Own Fruits & Vegetables for your Baby" for more information on how to grow an organic garden.
Fruits and vegetables are important to your child's health. BabyCenter recommends, following the steps below, to cut down tremendously on the amount of pesticides your baby and other family members consume.
• Peel fruits and vegetables, or remove the outer leaves (on lettuce and cabbage, for example).
• Wash fruits and vegetables that you choose not to peel, using a produce wash product (i.e. Fit)
• Serve a wide variety of produce. This will limit repeated consumption of the same pesticide.
• Choose produce that's free of mold, bruises and decay (these are apt to harbor more pesticides).
• Trim the fat off meat and the skin off poultry. Pesticides are also found in these foods, and they're concentrated in the fatty parts and skin.
• Buy organic produce, especially when buying foods in the higher-risk category, like cantaloupe, winter squash, green beans, strawberries, pears, or tomatoes.
According to Consumer's Union, children who eat non-organic tomatoes, strawberries, pears, green beans, or winter squash have odds ranging from 2 to 66 percent of getting more than a safe dose of at least one pesticide.
View our article on our website "Grow Your Own Fruits & Vegetables for your Baby" for more information on how to grow an organic garden.
Wondering About Popcorn?
Popcorn is a favorite treat for many...especially with lots of butter. But experts say that popcorn should not be given to your baby until he/she is 4 years old! Popcorn has flakes and sharp edges that can easily get caught in the throat, which causes gagging and choking. Especially the unpopped and half-popped kernels that you can find at the bottom of the popcorn bag or bowl.
I have also found that the thin outer shell of the kernel sometimes gets stuck in the roof of your mouth, or can get caught in the gumline, and is very difficult to flush down, even with lots of water.
Please be real careful when giving your toddler popcorn and only allow your child to have popcorn under adult supervision in case a choking incident arises.
It is, however, safe to give your baby puffed corn or rice cakes because they pose less of a choking hazard.
I have also found that the thin outer shell of the kernel sometimes gets stuck in the roof of your mouth, or can get caught in the gumline, and is very difficult to flush down, even with lots of water.
Please be real careful when giving your toddler popcorn and only allow your child to have popcorn under adult supervision in case a choking incident arises.
It is, however, safe to give your baby puffed corn or rice cakes because they pose less of a choking hazard.
New Downloads!
We have a new downloads section at www.MyHomemadeBabyfood.com! We've recently added a Food Diary for keeping track of the foods your baby eats and it even allows you to keep track using the 4 day rule for allergy detection.
We also added an "Introduced Foods" diary so that you can keep track of what you've already given your baby. This form is also good to give to babysitters and caregivers, so they know what your baby can have and cannot.
Visit www.MyHomemadeBabyfood.com and check it out!
We also added an "Introduced Foods" diary so that you can keep track of what you've already given your baby. This form is also good to give to babysitters and caregivers, so they know what your baby can have and cannot.
Visit www.MyHomemadeBabyfood.com and check it out!
Join our Message Forum
If you are a mom who wants to connect with other moms, join our message board!
It's fun and free! And most importantly, we can all share best practices and VENT!
Join Now! www.MyHomemadeBabyFood.com
It's fun and free! And most importantly, we can all share best practices and VENT!
Join Now! www.MyHomemadeBabyFood.com
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Time for Homemade Baby Food
Many moms I talk to say I'm superwoman because I have a full-time job, I am a full-time mom and wife, I am a freelance web developer, a beginning cake decorator, and somehow I manage to cook everyday for my husband and make homemade baby food too!
Well, I will be the first to tell you, it AIN'T easy! If I can find time to make homemade baby food you can too.
You may think that making homemade baby food isn't for you because you are just too busy. I am here to confess to you that it is more simple than you think, especially when you make big batches at one time. It requires a little bit of planning, but the reward for your baby and your pocketbook makes it worth it.
Here is what to do:
Well, I will be the first to tell you, it AIN'T easy! If I can find time to make homemade baby food you can too.
You may think that making homemade baby food isn't for you because you are just too busy. I am here to confess to you that it is more simple than you think, especially when you make big batches at one time. It requires a little bit of planning, but the reward for your baby and your pocketbook makes it worth it.
Here is what to do:
- Write out 5 fruits, and 5 veggies, and 1-2 meats (optional) to buy.
- Buy them!
- Plan to puree the foods on your least busiest day. For me, it's Sunday.
- On the day you plan to make food for your baby, take out everything you bought and cook it (certain fruits do not require cooking). Baking is the best option because it is the best method for retaining nutrients and you can bake different foods at one time (i.e. apples, sweet potatoes, squash, pears, etc.) You can also steam other foods like broccoli simultaneously.
- When the food is done, allow to cool.
- Whip out your blender or food procecessor and puree each food separately, being sure to rinse out the blender in between batches.
- Pour purees in ice cube trays, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
- Once frozen, pop out food cubes and transfer to freezer bags (you can also vacuum seal). Label each food type and date. Cubes should be used within 8-10 weeks.
That's it! You're all done for at LEAST 2 months. You can even mix and match the food cubes to make tasty combinations such as:
- Green beans and mashed potatoes
- Apples and Squash
- Cranberries and Apple
- Apple and Pear
- Chicken and Apples
- Potatoes, Broccoli, and Chicken
- Chicken & Broccoli
You get the idea. A lot of moms who work outside the home are discouraged to make homemade baby food because they don't believe they have the time, or are just too tired. Trust me, I know how it is. But babies deserve to eat fresh foods too and it's a win-win for everyone.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Holiday Gifts for Baby!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
We have converted our online store to a Holiday Gift Store for all of your shopping needs! We have great baby gift items, and great items for older children as well. We have also expanded our product list! All items are shipped through Amazon.com and are eligible for free shipping for orders $25. There is still time to place your order before Christmas.
Check out our new Holiday Store. Have a safe and happy holiday.
We have converted our online store to a Holiday Gift Store for all of your shopping needs! We have great baby gift items, and great items for older children as well. We have also expanded our product list! All items are shipped through Amazon.com and are eligible for free shipping for orders $25. There is still time to place your order before Christmas.
Check out our new Holiday Store. Have a safe and happy holiday.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Keep Jars of Baby Food on Hand
I recommend buying about $10 to $20 worth of store bought baby food to keep on hand. It is made for convenience and there are times when you may have to resort to Gerber. I always keep a couple of jars in my diaper bag because you just never know if you will get into a jam.
It's also good to have it on hand if you are coming home from a hard day's work and you don't have any more frozen purees left! That has happened to me once. Life for working mom's doesn't have to be hard, my goal is to help you work smarter, not harder!
So, when your schedule has absolutely no room and you're so tied up you have to order take out for the family because you don't have time to prepare the family's meal, serve your baby a container of Del Monte apples and chicken or mangoes.
Let's face it, working mom's don't have the luxury of staying home playing Martha Stewart so we have to improvise as best we can. Keeping jars of baby food on hand as a last resort can be a great time saver for mom's with hectic schedules.
Let me know what you think. Share some stories.
It's also good to have it on hand if you are coming home from a hard day's work and you don't have any more frozen purees left! That has happened to me once. Life for working mom's doesn't have to be hard, my goal is to help you work smarter, not harder!
So, when your schedule has absolutely no room and you're so tied up you have to order take out for the family because you don't have time to prepare the family's meal, serve your baby a container of Del Monte apples and chicken or mangoes.
Let's face it, working mom's don't have the luxury of staying home playing Martha Stewart so we have to improvise as best we can. Keeping jars of baby food on hand as a last resort can be a great time saver for mom's with hectic schedules.
Let me know what you think. Share some stories.
Homemade is Best
Homemade baby food has a fresher taste than commercially prepared foods, which may contain preservatives and other additives. By making the food yourself, you have total control over exactly how the food is prepared and you can mix purees together, creating a flavorful experience for your baby.
Homemade baby food is significantly cheaper than store bought. It just takes about an hour or so per month to prepare an abundant supply of food for your baby, freezing the food in ice cube trays. You probably already have the tools to make baby food in your kitchen, so all you need to do is shop for good fruits and veggies to prepare. You can also offer your baby a better variety of foods than what the store bought brands offer.
Homemade baby food is significantly cheaper than store bought. It just takes about an hour or so per month to prepare an abundant supply of food for your baby, freezing the food in ice cube trays. You probably already have the tools to make baby food in your kitchen, so all you need to do is shop for good fruits and veggies to prepare. You can also offer your baby a better variety of foods than what the store bought brands offer.
Making Homemade Baby Food Keeps Moms Healthy Too!
As parents, we want our children to eat well and be healthy. That is why we are making homemade baby food in the first place!
Have you noticed that while you are out shopping for the variety of fruits and veggies to puree for your baby, you think twice before picking up that bag of potato chips and bag of cookies in the next aisle? While you are planning your meals for the family, have you been adding more fruits and veggies to the family's meals because you have a lot extra?
You see, making homemade baby food for our babies not only benefits them, but it benefits us too! Because we are role models for our children, we have to practice what we preach! Why would we offer our children carrots for a snack, but then grab a bowl of ice cream for our snack?
I recently bought squash to puree for my baby. And while I was making it, I made some for my husband and I too! Squash is something I NEVER bought, let alone prepared. Slowly but surely, I am leaning toward less junk and more wholesome food. I am giving it to my baby because I believe it's the best, so I believe I should be eating those foods myself!
Hope you agree!
Have you noticed that while you are out shopping for the variety of fruits and veggies to puree for your baby, you think twice before picking up that bag of potato chips and bag of cookies in the next aisle? While you are planning your meals for the family, have you been adding more fruits and veggies to the family's meals because you have a lot extra?
You see, making homemade baby food for our babies not only benefits them, but it benefits us too! Because we are role models for our children, we have to practice what we preach! Why would we offer our children carrots for a snack, but then grab a bowl of ice cream for our snack?
I recently bought squash to puree for my baby. And while I was making it, I made some for my husband and I too! Squash is something I NEVER bought, let alone prepared. Slowly but surely, I am leaning toward less junk and more wholesome food. I am giving it to my baby because I believe it's the best, so I believe I should be eating those foods myself!
Hope you agree!
Welcome to Our New Blog!
Welcome to the My Homemade Baby Food Blogspot!
It is so nice to finally have a blog too! Please check back frequently for tips and recipes that may not be posted on our website. This blog is not going to replicate my website, but instead, I plan on sharing motivational thoughts for moms that work in and out of the home as it relates to baby food preparation and the like.
When you think you can't hold it together, visit this blog for some inspiration! Being a mom is a tough job and every little bit of positive information counts! Please feel free to leave comments on my blog and share your thoughts too.
For more homemade baby food fun, join our message forum.
It is so nice to finally have a blog too! Please check back frequently for tips and recipes that may not be posted on our website. This blog is not going to replicate my website, but instead, I plan on sharing motivational thoughts for moms that work in and out of the home as it relates to baby food preparation and the like.
When you think you can't hold it together, visit this blog for some inspiration! Being a mom is a tough job and every little bit of positive information counts! Please feel free to leave comments on my blog and share your thoughts too.
For more homemade baby food fun, join our message forum.
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