Making Our Own Baby Food, Part Two!

As crazy as it seems, the time has come for our little Squishy to start trying some solid foods. Although the general recommendation is for baby to have breastmilk/formula exclusively for the first 6 months, it is considered "acceptible" to start purees between 4 and 6 months, as long as it doesn't take away from baby's liquid diet. Just like anything else, it's a personal decision that you should base solely on the individual child and when you feel they are ready.  For my girls, this time has come around 4-5 months. This time I'm writing all this down so I don't have to look it all up again the next time. (Here's my first post on homemade baby food from when Annalyn first started solid foods.)

Emma's first sweet potatoes...

Anna's first sweet potatoes

The way I see it, we are simply introducing foods, to get them used to it before it becomes a significant part of their diet.  In the beginning, I usually offer them about a tablespoon or so once a day.  After 4-5 days, we try a different food.  After we've introduced several foods (always waiting 4 days between new ones in order to rule out any food allergies), I start making combination dishes.  And then the real fun begins!

Unlike the typical rice cereal that our generation was always given at first, I like to start with something more fun.  Something with, well, FLAVOR! While it's absolutely fine to start with a rice or oatmeal cereal, I like to start with things like bananas, avocadoes, and sweet potatoes, then add in the single grain cereals (I actually don't make my own baby cereal - I like this brand). Maybe I'm just strange like that, but I want my girls' first food experience to have more flavor and texture than bland cereal. Perhaps that's also why my 2.5 year old loves curry, requests tiramisu by name, asks for hot sauce on her tacos, and will tell you her favorite type of olive is a kalamata. We are flavor junkies in our family and I suspect nothing less from our kiddos.

I especially like to start with bananas and avocadoes because they don't have to be cooked.  Simply mash with a fork, add a little water/breastmilk/formula to thin, and you're done! It doesn't get much easier than that, my friends. Unless I have a use for avocado that day, I usually slice it up and freeze it right away.  This seems to be the best way I've found to keep it from browning. Check out my method for freezing avocado and the handy dandy little tool I love. As for bananas, it's usually best to keep in the peel and cover the end with plastic wrap. Or just share with big sis!

Now on to the cooking part! As I've said before, you can do without a lot of baby gear/gadgets, but they sure make life easier! With Annalyn, I bought this baby food maker that steams and purees with the touch of a button. You just check it for desired consistency, add liquid if needed, and pour into ice cube trays to freeze. The next day, toss the cubes into a labeled and dated bag for easy freezer storage. Easy peasy! (Well, I'm officially using mom language. Can you tell I spend most of my time talking to a preschooler and a baby?) 


Sadly, I didn't get it dry enough after the last time I used it, because when I dug it out it had a mix of hard water buildup and what looked like mold (?) on in the inside of the water compartment.  <sigh>  Now, I'm trying to decide if I want to buy another and if so, the same model.  I whipped up a batch of sweet potato puree using the microwave and Magic Bullet, and while not hard, it just wasn't as simple as the one touch steam/blend.  This week, I made apples, pears, and butternut squash in the oven and again, used the Bullet to blend them, but I'm still torn.  Any suggestions? Any gadgets/baby food makers I simply can't live without? Here are a few of my other favorite gadgets for making baby food (and food in general):
1. Avocado slicer - saved me from cutting myself for the umpteenth time trying to get the pit out of the avocado.  Plus it makes the most beautiful, evenly spaces slices.  I just love it.
2. Melon baller - works great for balling melons, but also for coring fruit like apples and pears.
3. Small cutting boards - So great for small jobs when you don't want to get out and wash the big cutting board.  I have probably 3-4 of these so that one's always ready to go.
4. Ice cube trays with lids - these are an absolutely must for me. I have 4 that I rotate between. Once frozen, I pop the cubes out into labeled freezer bags.

5. Reusable pouches/smoothie cups - I promise I'll do a summary post about our experience with all the different types of reusable pouches as Emma gets to that stage. We've tried several, but I'm sure there are even some newer ones out there. (Anna's favorite was the Sucup. She still uses it for smoothies!)

Here's my general plan for introducing first foods to a 4-6 month old baby (waiting 4 days after each new addition before adding another food.  This helps rule out food allergies if baby were to have a reaction to something):

foods:  bananas, avocadoes, baby rice/oatmeal cereal, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, apples, pears.  Start by offering single foods until each has been introduced, then you can start giving combinations using foods she's already eaten.

timing:  start with giving a small amount at lunchtime (Emma usually naps from 10:30ish-12).  She really likes to eat when we eat and it's helped her figure out what to do with this crazy spoon thing we keep putting in her mouth.  As she's gotten the hang of it, we sometimes also give her a small amount while the rest of the family's eating dinner (we always push her highchair up to the table and give her teething toys so she's at least included).

how much:  In the beginning, offer about a tablespoon.  Gradually increase to a whole cube (1 oz, about 2 T.).  As baby gets bigger/older and starts eating more, can mix 2-3 cubes for each meal.

I don't know why, but this is one of my absolute favorite baby stages.  Maybe because I love food and I love sharing that with my girls. It's so much fun to see her face each time she tries something new, and watch as she acquires a taste for it over the next couple days. I'll be sure to update our progress, but for now, we are still introducing first foods in addition to breastfeeding. And it seems to be working for her - just look at those rolls!

Strawberry-Banana-Avocado Smoothie To Go!

In a previous post, I talked about how much we loved our latest baby/toddler food pouch/cup discovery, the Sucup.  It's perfectly sized, easy to use, spill-proof, and best of all, even travels well.  Annalyn loves that it fits in the cup holder of her car seat.  Mama loves that she can have a snack or breakfast on the go without risking her making a huge mess in the car.  It's true, we definitely love this cup!  Here's a recipe for a quick and easy toddler smoothie that's been a big hit with Peanut lately and fits perfectly into her Sucup. 

Strawberry-Banana-Avocado Smoothie To Go

Ingredients:  (or double this recipe and store half for later or the next day.  Add a little lemon juice to help prevent the fruit from browning.)

- 1/2 ripe banana

- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 c. strawberry yogurt

- 1-2 T. milk to thin to desired consistency

Baby Product Review: Sucup Feeder

Here's a new innovative product recommended by one of my readers.  As you all know, I'm a complete sucker for gadgets, especially baby gadgets, so I was super curious.  After checking out the site (www.sucup.com),  I was so impressed and intrigued by this unique design that I couldn't resist ordering one just to see how it worked. 

The product is made in the UK and received a prestigious double gold award at the British Invention Show in 2012.  The Sucup comes in two different models - the Teeny-Weany for babies 4+ months just starting on solids, and the Toddler for babies 10+ months which is designed for lumpier foods and purees.  (Obviously I ordered the Toddler version for Annalyn since she's 19 months and been eating table food for awhile now.) The cost from the US was $16.37 and I received it within a week!

After ordering the product, I actually received a personal email from the inventor thanking me for my order and asking for my feedback.  Wow, talk about amazing customer service!  They even waived my postage charge since I was their first overseas order (though I'd imagine there will be more coming soon!).

At first look, the Sucup may seem a little intimidating because of all the parts, but it comes with great directions and is super easy to put together and use.  Here's my step by step directions on how to assemble the product:

My Baby's Done With Purees, Now What? Our Top 10 Favorites!

I've been asked to give advice about good baby/toddler finger foods a few times lately, so I decided to write a post about it.  Granted, I am no nutritionist, I am just a mama of an eating machine.  I remember the questions I had when Annalyn first started really wanting to feed herself, and honestly, there's no perfect answer.  Like any parent, I did what I felt was best for my kiddo, including lots of trial & error (after all, she is our "practice kid" as Michael puts it... aka first born).  We have our go-to meals/snacks, but now that she's eating table foods, we try to give her what we're eating, just cut into manageable pieces (at first, about the size of a pea).  This is a list of some of Peanut's favorites, but again, don't hesitate to give baby what the rest of the family's eating, too.  It's important to introduce him/her to the flavors you normally cook with so you don't end up with a super picky eater later on.  It's not all inclusive, but here's a few of our go-to toddler meals/snacks:

bring on the real food!
(I love throwback Peanut pics!)

Peanut Post: Prune Banana Avocado Smoothie with Oatmeal & Flax

Another yummy smoothie/puree for Peanut!  We just can't get enough of these nutritious, easy smoothies.  I love that I can make up a big batch and have her snack or breakfast covered for the whole week.  This one sneaks in all kinds of goodies:  prunes for sweetness and to promote regular bowel movements, avocado for healthy fats and smooth texture, bananas for sweetness and potassium, yogurt for calcium and creaminess, ground flax for omega-3 fatty acids that promote brain and overall development, and lastly fortified baby oatmeal for added iron.  Maybe it's the pharmacist in me that makes me write recipes according to nutrients, but I like to think it's just the mother in me.  Here's how this nutrition-conscious mama makes it:

Prune Banana Avocado Smoothie with Oatmeal & Flax

Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 ripe avocado
- 5-6 dried plums (aka prunes)
- 6 oz. vanilla or plain yogurt
- 1-2 t. ground flax seed
- 1/4 c. baby oatmeal (iron fortified, for extra nutrition!)
- 1/2 c. whole milk or water, plus more as needed to thin consistency

Peanut Post: Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Equal parts of oats, milk, and yogurt give this dish is creamy, delightful texture and taste with minimal effort.  Granted, oatmeal is not an extremely labor-intensive dish to begin with, but anyone with a kid/pet/job/spouse/life will agree that an extra 15 or so minutes each morning is a huge deal.  Besides, who doesn't love waking up to breakfast already made for them?  I know this mama does!   Here's a toddler friendly version of this delicious breakfast staple:

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal



Ingredients:
basic overnight oats:
- 1/4 c. rolled oats
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1/4 c. vanilla yogurt
suggested add-ins:
- 1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 t. cinnamon

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower & Parsnips

Well, after seeing numerous recipes on Pinterest, I finally gave in and tried mashed cauliflower.  I will admit, I had my share of doubts about this "mashed potato imposter."  That just seemed like something there was no substitute for - including the boxed stuff.  But, I have to say, we were all pleasantly surprised!  I made this healthy, low fat alternative similar to my regular garlic mashed potatoes, but used Greek yogurt in place of sour cream/butter, added a parsnip for some extra flavor, and blended it for a creamy, smooth texture.  It was delicious and perfect for a family meal (it's basically baby food already!).  Here's how Mama makes it:

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower & Parsnips



Ingredients:
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into pieces
- 1 parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 whole garlic cloves
- 1/2 c. nonfat yogurt
- 1 t. salt
- 1/2 t. pepper
- 1/4 c. chives, (reserve 2 T. for garnish)
- milk, if needed to adjust consistency

Toddler Meals: (Semi-Homemade) Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Casserole

This little gem is a Mama's kitchen original, created out of the need for more make-ahead toddler meals.  As we've gotten away from making so many purees, we've really started to miss the ease of heating up a few ice cubes and seconds later having dinner ready.  I find myself seeking more and more creative ways to have delicious and nutritious make-ahead meals that can be easily reheated and served.  This one's different than some of my usual ones in that it uses a lot of shortcuts to make it quick, easy, and doable for this working mama's busy schedule.  It uses several pre-cooked and/or microwavable ingredients and the only kitchen appliance needed is the microwave - talk about simple!  Here's how Mama makes it (and fast!):

Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

- 1 (8.8 oz) package brown Ready Rice (or microwaveable frozen rice)

- 1 c. frozen broccoli, cooked and chopped

- 1/2 c. pre-cooked chicken, finely chopped

- 1 (10 3/4 oz) can broccoli cheese soup

- 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

- 1/2 - 3/4 c. milk, as needed to thin

Toddler Meals: Avocado Chicken Cheese Spread

Here's one of Annalyn's latest favorites.  It's great for so many reasons!  First of all, it's super easy to whip up for lunch or a quick snack.  Peanut likes it best when spread on toast and cut into bite-sized pieces.  When she was younger, I fed it to her from a spoon like a puree.  It's also good with crackers/chips for older kids.  And on top of all that, it's well-rounded and healthy!  Gosh, what more can a mama ask for? Oh yea, and it lasts for more than one meal - usually like 4 or 5!  Here's how Mama makes it:

Avocado Chicken Cheese Spread



Ingredients:

- 1 ripe avocado

- 1/2 c. small curd cottage cheese

- 1/4 c. cooked chicken, finely chopped

- 1/4 t. garlic powder (because toddlers have taste buds, too!)

**serving suggestion:  toast, crackers, chips, tortillas

Peanut Post: Pearberry Yogurt Smoothie

I love this smoothie because it combines some of Annalyn's favorite flavors, while giving her calcium, potassium, fiber, antioxidants, and all around goodness!  While the yogurt and banana can be constipating in large amounts, the pear and blueberry help offset that (fellow parents, you know how important the bowel regulation becomes - crazy how much I consider that when planning her meals!).

Pearberry Yogurt Smoothie

Ingredients:
- 1 medium ripe pear
- 1 medium ripe banana
- 1/2 c. blueberries
- 1/2 c. yogurt

- baby cereal as needed to achieve desired thickness

Directions:

1.  Begin by washing the fruit, peeling the banana, and peeling/coring the pear.  Cute the banana and pear in to large chunks, then place in a blender or food processor. 

2.  Blend slightly to mash, then add the blueberry and yogurt.  Give it another quick blend and you're done!  Add baby cereal as needed to adjust thickness.

printable recipe

Perfect treat for morning cartoons with Daddy! Love lazy hotel mornings :)

Peanut Post: Another Yummy Smoothie Recipe! (Spinach-Sweet Potato-Green Pea-Pear)

Another of Annalyn's favorite smoothies (purees), this one is sure to be a hit with parents and kiddos alike!  The sweet potato and pear add fiber and sweetness, while the pea and spinach add texture and nutrients.  As you've probably noticed, I'm a big fan of adding green leafy veggies to Annalyn's purees... and why not?!  She loves it and so do I.  The other day I gave her a store bought food pouch that was a mix of spinach, pear, and green pea... sounds great, right?  Well, I have to say, she loved the flavor, but I was a bit disturbed when I saw that it was about the same color as applesauce.  How on earth can that puree contain a significant amount of spinach and peas?  Every time I add anything green, my purees instantly turn this beautiful vibrant green color.  If you ask me, that's pretty misleading.  All the more inspiration to make my own, I suppose!  Anyway, here's how Mama makes it:

Spinach-Sweet Potato-Green Pea-Pear Smoothie

Ingredients:
- 1 c. diced sweet potato (I like to buy a few, dice, and freeze)
- 1 c. frozen green peas
- 1/4 to 1/2 c. water
- 1/2 c. packed spinach, frozen or fresh
- 1 pear, peeled and chopped

Toddler Meals: Pasta with Chicken & Avocado Pesto

A toddler-friendly version of my chicken linguine with avocado pesto, this dish is fun, healthy, and delicious.  Instead of a mostly basil pesto, I made an avocado and spinach pesto with just a few basil leaves so it wasn't overpowering for my Peanut.  I also added some green peas to the sauce for some added greens and smooth texture.  Instead of linguine, choose a smaller pasta, such as stars, alphabets, or even rice.  Here's how Mama makes it:

Pasta with Chicken & Avocado Pesto

Ingredients:

- 1 lb. ground chicken

- 1/2 c. spinach, cooked

- few basil leaves

- 1 ripe avocado

- 1/2 c. cooked green peas (I used frozen)

- 1/2 c. cottage cheese

- 1/2 t. lemon juice (prevents avocado from browning)

- 1 1/2 c. small pasta, uncooked



Toddler Meals: Pasta with Beef & Veggie Sauce

As Annalyn gets older and starts eating table foods, I'm starting to explore the world of "toddler meals."  Now don't get me wrong, in general, she eats what we eat, just cut up smaller.  But occasionally (especially for lunch or on days that I work), we need healthy, easy to make meals on hand for her.  Much like her purees, I freeze them in small containers so they can be reheated quickly or set in the fridge the night before so it's thawed for the babysitter the next day.  I especially like those little 4 oz. dressing containers that come in the Rubbermaid sets... it seems to be a good amount for her lately.  Here's a recipe that I love because of the nutrition (2 greens & 2 orange veggies!) and she loves because of the taste. 

Pasta with Beef & Veggie Sauce

Ingredients:

- 1/2 lb. ground beef

- 1 T. unsalted butter

- 1/2 c. chopped onion

- 6 oz. can tomato paste

- 1 c. diced sweet potato

- 1 c. green peas, frozen or fresh

- 1 large carrot, grated

- 1 t. minced garlic

- 2 c. water

- 1 1/2 c. kale, washed & chopped

- 1/2 t. italian seasoning

- 1 c. uncooked small pasta, such as stars or alphabets (can also use spaghetti broken into small pieces or rice)

Baby Product Review: Squooshi Reusable Food Pouches (& Mango-Carrot-Spinach-Applesauce)

After trying the Beaba Babypote and researching similar products available, I decided to give the Squooshi pouches a try.  They are similar to the disposable food pouches you can buy in the store, but have a zipper pouch on one end and cute animals on each side.  I ordered a 4-pack of the large (4.5 oz) meal size pouches, and they actually threw in a trial of the small (2.5 oz) snack size pouches.

this is the snack sized pouch

The pouches are easy to clean, easy to fill, and overall easy to use.  Annalyn has no problem squeezing them (but unfortunately she likes to watch herself do so, which can make for a mess... I really have to watch her while she eats these lately) and can easily get every last bit of puree out.  The zipper seal seems to be pretty strong and reliable, but I haven't pushed this too much (as in, see what happens if baby squeezes like crazy when the lid is on). 

washes easily with warm soapy water

I have, however, learned the importance of putting the lid on before filling the pouch.  Yes, I absolutely did that, and felt pretty embarrassed for making such a ridiculous mistake, but cooking/filling pouches is getting much harder now that Annalyn is mobile (and obsessed with the dogs' water dish).  To make things worse, not only did I let some drip through the spout, but my reaction was to quickly grab (and unfortunately squeeze) the pouch, sending more of it spewing out the zipper end... *sigh*  I then proceeded to remove the baby from the dog dish, wash her hands and set her down so I could start cleaning up the mess that covered my clothes, cabinets, counters, and floor.  Before I could even remove my puree-soaked sweatshirt, I looked down to find my daughter eating handfuls of it off the floor. *sigh*  There's a making mama moment for ya!  Of course, I did what every good mama would do... wipe her hand off, snap a pic, and quickly clean up everything in baby's arms reach!  

 

*fail*

Here's the recipe I  made that she seems to really like (from the pouch or off the floor!):

Mango-Carrot-Spinach-Applesauce

 

Ingredients:
- 1 c. mango, frozen or fresh
- 1 c. sliced carrots, frozen or fresh
- 1/4 c. water
- 1/2 c. packed spinach, frozen or fresh
- 1/2 c. no sugar added applesauce

Peanut Post: Blueberry-Banana-Yogurt-Oat Smootie

Peanut & Mama have officially fallen in love with smoothies lately.  They make the perfect on the go snack, are easy to pack for road trips and easy to feed in the car/at a restaurant/while getting groceries/etc.  With the help of my handing reusable pouches, I'm having a great time experimenting with new flavor combinations.  Here's a yummy fruit and yogurt treat packed with nutrition.  The addition of baby oatmeal to thicken the mixture also makes it extra filling for hungry baby tummies.  This mama even added a little cinnamon for my little lady.

Blueberry-Banana-Yogurt-Oat Smoothie

Ingredients:

- 1 ripe banana

- 1/4 c. blueberries, frozen or fresh

- 1/2 c. yogurt

- baby cereal as needed to thicken

- dash of cinnamon, optional

Directions:

1.  In a blender or food processor, combine banana, blueberries, and yogurt; puree until smooth.

2.  Since the puree was pretty runny, I added baby cereal to thicken the mixture to the consistency of thick applesauce (ideal for the pouches).  Add a little at a time and blend after each addition.  Add cinnamon, optional.

this is about the perfect consistency

3.  Spoon into pouches, freeze in ice cube trays, or serve immediately.  Peanut was a big fan and it filled up her little belly on our way back from Huntington last weekend to hold her over until dinner.

printable recipe

.

Baby Product Review: Beaba Babypote - Reusable Food Pouch (Recipes included!)

Back when I bought all of my baby food making supplies, I came across this silicone reusable food pouch.  I didn't have a lot (well, any) experience with the disposable food pouches, but several friends had raved about how awesome they were for older babies and toddlers on the go, so I decided to give this reusable one a try.  Well, about a year later, we finally got to give it a shot! 

 

 

 

Peanut Post: 11 Month Update!

My little Annalyn, you never cease to amaze me.  With only one month til your first birthday, you are changing and learning so fast!  Every day is an adventure as you become more and more mobile, curious, and brave.  I started writing this post, then for whatever reason decided it was time to update your baby book (I was really good about it for the first 4-5 months, but the last few have been a little neglected).  So now that it's midnight and I'm pretty well caught up on your book (minus the pics), I'm finally finishing my post.  You will never have to doubt where you're obsessive nature comes from - that one's all me, kiddo.

"singing"

such a lady...