The Center for Science in the Public interest recommends that we assume all raw meat, poultry and fish are contaminated with bacteria, and therefore handle them properly. To preven even a mild case of food poisoning "flu" in your home, do not allow any uncooked meat to come in contact with cutting boards, plates or utensils that will touch foods that will not be further cooked.
Follow these important safe-handling tips:
Own 2 cutting boards. Reserve one for meats, the other for vegetables. This helps reduce the chances of cross contamination.
Thoroughly wash your cutting boards and knife immediately after prepping your meat. (Delaying this chore is an invitation for cross contamination to occur.)
Use a CLEAN plate for serving meat off the grill (not the plate you used to bring the meat to the grill.) Use a clean utensil as well.
Discard meat marinade after use. (However, if you boil it, you can serve it as a dipping sauce.
Happy cooking!
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Germ-Free Cooking
Monday, March 5, 2007
How to Deal with a Picky Eating Toddler
Dealing with a picky eating toddler is not easy, especially if their eating habits were not built on a healthy foundation. So how can you get your toddler to accept other foods besides pizza and cupcakes?
The most important thing parents fail to realize is that their own unhealthy eating habits and picky tendencies rub off on their children. If parents are eating unhealthy snacks and sugary foods, most likely their children are eating that way as well. Additionally, if certain foods are not a part of the family diet then most likely they will not be a part of the childs diet. The good part about it is that children are impressionable and their picky eating habits can be evolved into healthy ones.
Here are a few tips to get your child off to a healthy start:
Start 'em young
If your baby is just starting to begin eating solid foods be sure to introduce a wide range of fruits and vegetables and try to make homemade babyfood. If your baby shows resistance or makes funny faces when you feed her certain foods don't ban that food altogether. Try to offer the food at another time and encourage her to eat. If you ban the food all together you are already setting yourself up for a picky eater. Your goal is to offer foods that are healthy for your baby...they may not like it now but in time, their taste buds will adapt. Also, offer foods that you wouldn't ordinarily eat yourself. Just because you hate peas doesn't mean you should deprive your baby of peas. She may like them.
Don't ever say "I don't like...." in front of your child
If your child sees you heeing and hawing over brussel sprouts what do you think he is going to do? He is going to hee and haw and convince himself he doesn't like them either. Hide your food dislikes and encourage your child to be open minded.
Be Creative
If your child doesn't like vegetables, you are not alone. Most children don't like vegetables, especially if you don't do anything to add some flavor to them! Offer your toddler seasoned vegetables with a little butter, a little dill, a little oregano, a little rosemary, or a little garlic. That may be enough to tempt their taste buds. If it isn't, try blending vegetables into fruit smoothies or sauces and use the "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" technique. If they can't see it, they might eat it.
Limit junk food and sugary snacks
Only buy foods that you want your child to eat and do not introduce chips, cookies, or candy until your child has established a healthy foundation. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks and keep your refrigerator stocked with healthy food choices. This will also help keep you from indulging and adding on unnecessary pounds.
Do not give in to your childs picky tendencies
It's okay to give your child choices, but only choices like "Would you like strawberries or blueberries for your snack?" Often times, children will express their dislike and the parents will cave and accept their decision to not eat something and will never offer it again! Bad move. Ask questions! Find out what your child doesn't like about a food by simply asking him. You may find he may not like the way a food is prepared and you can make some adjustments and try again.
These tips should get you off to a great start. Buy a few healthy kid friendly recipe books from http://www.myhomemadebabyfood.com/bookstore.htm and prepare colorful and fun foods that your toddler will enjoy!
The most important thing parents fail to realize is that their own unhealthy eating habits and picky tendencies rub off on their children. If parents are eating unhealthy snacks and sugary foods, most likely their children are eating that way as well. Additionally, if certain foods are not a part of the family diet then most likely they will not be a part of the childs diet. The good part about it is that children are impressionable and their picky eating habits can be evolved into healthy ones.
Here are a few tips to get your child off to a healthy start:
Start 'em young
If your baby is just starting to begin eating solid foods be sure to introduce a wide range of fruits and vegetables and try to make homemade babyfood. If your baby shows resistance or makes funny faces when you feed her certain foods don't ban that food altogether. Try to offer the food at another time and encourage her to eat. If you ban the food all together you are already setting yourself up for a picky eater. Your goal is to offer foods that are healthy for your baby...they may not like it now but in time, their taste buds will adapt. Also, offer foods that you wouldn't ordinarily eat yourself. Just because you hate peas doesn't mean you should deprive your baby of peas. She may like them.
Don't ever say "I don't like...." in front of your child
If your child sees you heeing and hawing over brussel sprouts what do you think he is going to do? He is going to hee and haw and convince himself he doesn't like them either. Hide your food dislikes and encourage your child to be open minded.
Be Creative
If your child doesn't like vegetables, you are not alone. Most children don't like vegetables, especially if you don't do anything to add some flavor to them! Offer your toddler seasoned vegetables with a little butter, a little dill, a little oregano, a little rosemary, or a little garlic. That may be enough to tempt their taste buds. If it isn't, try blending vegetables into fruit smoothies or sauces and use the "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" technique. If they can't see it, they might eat it.
Limit junk food and sugary snacks
Only buy foods that you want your child to eat and do not introduce chips, cookies, or candy until your child has established a healthy foundation. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables for snacks and keep your refrigerator stocked with healthy food choices. This will also help keep you from indulging and adding on unnecessary pounds.
Do not give in to your childs picky tendencies
It's okay to give your child choices, but only choices like "Would you like strawberries or blueberries for your snack?" Often times, children will express their dislike and the parents will cave and accept their decision to not eat something and will never offer it again! Bad move. Ask questions! Find out what your child doesn't like about a food by simply asking him. You may find he may not like the way a food is prepared and you can make some adjustments and try again.
These tips should get you off to a great start. Buy a few healthy kid friendly recipe books from http://www.myhomemadebabyfood.com/bookstore.htm and prepare colorful and fun foods that your toddler will enjoy!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Health Alert: Earth's Best Baby Food Recall
Health Alert: Earth's Best Baby Food Recall
February 20, 2007 FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Certain Jars of Earth's Best: "Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast Baby Food"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use certain jars of Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food because of the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. The affected product was sold in single individual jars and in variety packs (which contains 4 jars of the apple peach barley in the pack along with other varieties). The food is part of the firm's "2nd Vegetables, Fruits and Blends" line intended for babies 6 months and older. The food was distributed through retail stores and sold through the Earth's Best website. If consumers have any of the specified jars in their home, they should not use it and destroy it immediately. No illnesses have been reported to FDA or the manufacturer to date in connection with this problem.
The affected baby food is as follows:
Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast (4.5 ounce jars)
UPC Code: 23923-20223
Lid: PF6J14 NP
Expiration Date: EXP 14 SEP 08
Earth's Best Organic 2 Wholesome Breakfast Variety Pack (12 pack)
UPC Code: 23923-20295
Expiration Date: 13 SEP 08
Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley (4.5 ounce jars within 12 pack)
UPC Code: 23923-20223
Lid: PF6J14 NP
Expiration Date: EXP 14 SEP 08 A
Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, usually causes illness within 18-36 hours of exposure. Initial indication of illness in infants is decreased frequency or absence of stools. Other signs and symptoms noted are poor feeding, weak suck, lethargy, listlessness, weak cry, decreased body tone, and diminished overall movement. Difficulty with swallowing may be evident as secretions drooling from the mouth. This may be followed by decreased respiratory effort which may lead to respiratory arrest from airway occlusion from un-swallowed secretions. Older populations who may be consuming the product as part of a pureed diet might experience symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, and progressive weakness from head to legs. Constipation and urinary retention are also common. Caregivers or people observing these problems should seek immediate medical attention for those affected.Hain Celestial Group initiated a recall of the food on February 9th. The recall is ongoing. Production and distribution of the product has been suspended as FDA and the company work to determine the source of the problem. Hain Celestial Group distributed 4,072 cases of the specified individual jars consisting of 24 jars per case and 38,298 variety packs with the specified jars.
Consumers who have questions should contact Hain Celestial Group at 1-800-434-4246. Source: FDA Website
February 20, 2007 FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Certain Jars of Earth's Best: "Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast Baby Food"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use certain jars of Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast baby food because of the risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled. The affected product was sold in single individual jars and in variety packs (which contains 4 jars of the apple peach barley in the pack along with other varieties). The food is part of the firm's "2nd Vegetables, Fruits and Blends" line intended for babies 6 months and older. The food was distributed through retail stores and sold through the Earth's Best website. If consumers have any of the specified jars in their home, they should not use it and destroy it immediately. No illnesses have been reported to FDA or the manufacturer to date in connection with this problem.
The affected baby food is as follows:
Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley Wholesome Breakfast (4.5 ounce jars)
UPC Code: 23923-20223
Lid: PF6J14 NP
Expiration Date: EXP 14 SEP 08
Earth's Best Organic 2 Wholesome Breakfast Variety Pack (12 pack)
UPC Code: 23923-20295
Expiration Date: 13 SEP 08
Earth's Best Organic 2 Apple Peach Barley (4.5 ounce jars within 12 pack)
UPC Code: 23923-20223
Lid: PF6J14 NP
Expiration Date: EXP 14 SEP 08 A
Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, usually causes illness within 18-36 hours of exposure. Initial indication of illness in infants is decreased frequency or absence of stools. Other signs and symptoms noted are poor feeding, weak suck, lethargy, listlessness, weak cry, decreased body tone, and diminished overall movement. Difficulty with swallowing may be evident as secretions drooling from the mouth. This may be followed by decreased respiratory effort which may lead to respiratory arrest from airway occlusion from un-swallowed secretions. Older populations who may be consuming the product as part of a pureed diet might experience symptoms such as blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, and progressive weakness from head to legs. Constipation and urinary retention are also common. Caregivers or people observing these problems should seek immediate medical attention for those affected.Hain Celestial Group initiated a recall of the food on February 9th. The recall is ongoing. Production and distribution of the product has been suspended as FDA and the company work to determine the source of the problem. Hain Celestial Group distributed 4,072 cases of the specified individual jars consisting of 24 jars per case and 38,298 variety packs with the specified jars.
Consumers who have questions should contact Hain Celestial Group at 1-800-434-4246. Source: FDA Website
Saturday, January 27, 2007
New Product Line
I would like to introduce my new product line! All items were designed by me and are exclusive to My Homemade Baby Food.com
You can view all of the items on www.myhomemadebabyfood.com.
Below are my exclusive homemade baby food labels that are designed to label your zip lock bags, jars, bowls, or whatever you store your homemade baby food in. They are only $4.95 for 20 (small labels) or $4.95 for 6 (large labels). All of our members of the month receive 12 large labels for free! Join our message forum and you can become the member of the month an receive these labels. Check it out!
I also have aprons, bumper stickers, mugs, onesies, toddler apparel and a shirt especially designed for breastfeeding moms! Check it out. Go to www.myhomemadebabyfood.com to see the whole line.
Homemade Baby Food Labels
by
BabyChef
Homemade Baby Food Labels
by
BabyChef
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Make Sweet Memories with Your Baby For Valentine's Day
If this is your baby's first Valentine's Day make it special and take lots of pictures for your scrapbook. There are so many things that you can do to make your baby or toddlers Valentine's Day a fun one.
Here are fun tips:
Heart Shaped Pureed Teething Pops - for babies
Buy heart shaped ice cube molds (Target currently sells silicone ice cube molds for $1 in their "$1 Spot"). Puree fruits & veggies like apples, pears, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, squash, avocado in a blender. Pour the mixture into the molds and insert popsicle sticks. When frozen, you can put the "Teething Pops" in a zip lock bag and give to your baby to help soothe her teething pain and show her you love her. You can also freeze plain water, babies also love sucking on ice.
Heart Shaped Teething Biscuits - for babies
Using cookie cutters, roll out the dough of your teething biscuits and cut hearts out. Visit http://www.myhomemadebabyfood.com/recipes/teething_biscuits.htm for a teething biscuit recipe.
Heart Shaped Cookies - for toddlers
Buy heart shaped cookie pans and cookie sticks from Michaels or your local craft store. Make sugar cookies and sprinke red and pink sugar crystals on each heart for a heart-felt treat.
Heart Shaped Muffins - for toddlers
Serve some love for breakfast! Bake your favorite muffin recipe in heart shaped muffin pans (Target currently sells silicone muffin pans for $1 each at the "$1 Spot") and your toddler will love you for it.
Don't forget to dress up your little one in Valentine's Onesies & Bibs and take lots of pictures. They don't stay young and cute for long!
Here are fun tips:
Heart Shaped Pureed Teething Pops - for babies
Buy heart shaped ice cube molds (Target currently sells silicone ice cube molds for $1 in their "$1 Spot"). Puree fruits & veggies like apples, pears, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, sweet potatoes, squash, avocado in a blender. Pour the mixture into the molds and insert popsicle sticks. When frozen, you can put the "Teething Pops" in a zip lock bag and give to your baby to help soothe her teething pain and show her you love her. You can also freeze plain water, babies also love sucking on ice.
Heart Shaped Teething Biscuits - for babies
Using cookie cutters, roll out the dough of your teething biscuits and cut hearts out. Visit http://www.myhomemadebabyfood.com/recipes/teething_biscuits.htm for a teething biscuit recipe.
Heart Shaped Cookies - for toddlers
Buy heart shaped cookie pans and cookie sticks from Michaels or your local craft store. Make sugar cookies and sprinke red and pink sugar crystals on each heart for a heart-felt treat.
Heart Shaped Muffins - for toddlers
Serve some love for breakfast! Bake your favorite muffin recipe in heart shaped muffin pans (Target currently sells silicone muffin pans for $1 each at the "$1 Spot") and your toddler will love you for it.
Don't forget to dress up your little one in Valentine's Onesies & Bibs and take lots of pictures. They don't stay young and cute for long!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Semi-Homemade Baby Food Explained: What is Semi-Homemade Baby Food?
Everyone has been asking me, "What is Semi-Homemade Baby Food?"
Semi-homemade baby food is part homemade baby food and part store bought baby food. Women who are full-time career women and full-time moms don't always have the luxury of time on their side! Neither do some stay-at-home moms who have busy schedules carpooling their children around or busy with maintaining the home.
I don't know anyone who doesn't keep a couple of jars of baby food on hand. So why not use some of those jars with fresh food? First I will say that I am a big fan of Sandra Lee's "Semi-Homemade" Television show, although some people have unfavorable views toward the show. But one day, I wanted to put some apples in my daughters homemade sweet potatoes and I didn't have one apple in my refrigerator! What I did have, was a jar of apples and guess what? I discovered "Semi-Homemade" works for Baby Food too!
If you don't have certain fresh foods, or don't have time to cut, peel, dice and cook, mix some of your already frozen purees with store bought and you get, Semi-Homemade Baby Food. It's still nutritious and tastes better than store bought food alone! Stay tuned for more semi-homemade recipes, tips, and ideas.
Semi-homemade baby food is part homemade baby food and part store bought baby food. Women who are full-time career women and full-time moms don't always have the luxury of time on their side! Neither do some stay-at-home moms who have busy schedules carpooling their children around or busy with maintaining the home.
I don't know anyone who doesn't keep a couple of jars of baby food on hand. So why not use some of those jars with fresh food? First I will say that I am a big fan of Sandra Lee's "Semi-Homemade" Television show, although some people have unfavorable views toward the show. But one day, I wanted to put some apples in my daughters homemade sweet potatoes and I didn't have one apple in my refrigerator! What I did have, was a jar of apples and guess what? I discovered "Semi-Homemade" works for Baby Food too!
If you don't have certain fresh foods, or don't have time to cut, peel, dice and cook, mix some of your already frozen purees with store bought and you get, Semi-Homemade Baby Food. It's still nutritious and tastes better than store bought food alone! Stay tuned for more semi-homemade recipes, tips, and ideas.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Let's Get Back to Basics
Let's Get Back to the Basics
Many of us can't fathom living without the frozen foods section in our grocery store and the abundance of canned and pre-packaged foods that pack the aisles. Buying primarily frozen foods and canned goods has become the way of life! It really is convenient to come home from work and pop a frozen pizza in the oven and sit down with your baby to a jar of baby food.
It seems like something is wrong with that picture! While there is nothing wrong with frozen foods and canned goods, we've come to rely on those items too much. Fresh produce and meat has not been a hot commodity in my refrigerator and I know it has not for other moms as well. But when I have bought fresh meats and produce, I feel so much better...I feel like I am actually eating healthy for a change! Making my own baby food has helped me come to that realization.
While my husband and I were at Sam's Club the other day, I bought a boatload of fresh items that I usually wouldn't buy. We had to keep to freezers because of all the frozen foods I bought. Now our refrigerator is glistening with red and green bell peppers, kiwi fruit, pears, oranges, apples, broccolli, romaine lettuce...all kinds of good stuff.
Because of all the fresh foods I have been giving my baby, I have been eating more fresh fruits and vegetables myself. I actually had a freezer that wasn't hard to close because of all the frozen junk I was buying -- French Fries, Taquitos, Corn Dogs, Frozen Dinners, etc. We don't need all that when we can make all those things fresh.I don't know about you, but I'm going to stick to the basics and try to continue eating full servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Maybe it will help me lose some weight!
Many of us can't fathom living without the frozen foods section in our grocery store and the abundance of canned and pre-packaged foods that pack the aisles. Buying primarily frozen foods and canned goods has become the way of life! It really is convenient to come home from work and pop a frozen pizza in the oven and sit down with your baby to a jar of baby food.
It seems like something is wrong with that picture! While there is nothing wrong with frozen foods and canned goods, we've come to rely on those items too much. Fresh produce and meat has not been a hot commodity in my refrigerator and I know it has not for other moms as well. But when I have bought fresh meats and produce, I feel so much better...I feel like I am actually eating healthy for a change! Making my own baby food has helped me come to that realization.
While my husband and I were at Sam's Club the other day, I bought a boatload of fresh items that I usually wouldn't buy. We had to keep to freezers because of all the frozen foods I bought. Now our refrigerator is glistening with red and green bell peppers, kiwi fruit, pears, oranges, apples, broccolli, romaine lettuce...all kinds of good stuff.
Because of all the fresh foods I have been giving my baby, I have been eating more fresh fruits and vegetables myself. I actually had a freezer that wasn't hard to close because of all the frozen junk I was buying -- French Fries, Taquitos, Corn Dogs, Frozen Dinners, etc. We don't need all that when we can make all those things fresh.I don't know about you, but I'm going to stick to the basics and try to continue eating full servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Maybe it will help me lose some weight!
What on Earth is a Parsnip?
Someone on my message board inquired about feeding her baby some new and different vegetables, other than the common veggies we here about. Not long ago, I did some research on some unique fruits and veggies to try and I came across something called a "parsnip."
What is a Parsnip?
Parsnip is a root vegetable that is white in color and looks very similiar to a carrot. Parsnips have been around for ages and is native to Europe. It belongs to the carrot family, its flavor is strong, and it is cooked the same way you would cook a carrot.
Parsnips can be given to your baby during stage 1 or as a first food puree. Parsnips can be steamed, boiled, or roasted. You may need to cook them longer for small babies for easy pureeing, but older babies that can chew can enjoy this vegetable a little crispier by cutting down on cooking time. Shortening the duration of the cooking time also helps preserve vitamin C.
Nutritional Value
The parsnip is richer in many vitamins and minerals than its close relative the carrot. It is particularly rich in potassium with 600 mg per 100 g. Parsnip is also a good source of dietary fiber. 100 g of parsnip contains 55 Calories (230 kJ) energy.
Parsnip Puree
Ingredients:
2 medium parsnips
Directions:
Trim, peel and slice parsnips. Boil in pan of water and simmer until very tender. About 20 minutes. Remove parsnips from pan with a slotted spoon and puree, adding as much of the cooking liquid as desired, to a smooth consistency.
Parsnips are yummy when combined with white potatoes, carrots, or chicken.
What is a Parsnip?
Parsnip is a root vegetable that is white in color and looks very similiar to a carrot. Parsnips have been around for ages and is native to Europe. It belongs to the carrot family, its flavor is strong, and it is cooked the same way you would cook a carrot.
Parsnips can be given to your baby during stage 1 or as a first food puree. Parsnips can be steamed, boiled, or roasted. You may need to cook them longer for small babies for easy pureeing, but older babies that can chew can enjoy this vegetable a little crispier by cutting down on cooking time. Shortening the duration of the cooking time also helps preserve vitamin C.
Nutritional Value
The parsnip is richer in many vitamins and minerals than its close relative the carrot. It is particularly rich in potassium with 600 mg per 100 g. Parsnip is also a good source of dietary fiber. 100 g of parsnip contains 55 Calories (230 kJ) energy.
Parsnip Puree
Ingredients:
2 medium parsnips
Directions:
Trim, peel and slice parsnips. Boil in pan of water and simmer until very tender. About 20 minutes. Remove parsnips from pan with a slotted spoon and puree, adding as much of the cooking liquid as desired, to a smooth consistency.
Parsnips are yummy when combined with white potatoes, carrots, or chicken.
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