Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce

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Our baby girl will be here in a little over one month and I could not be more excited about it! I know we have a while until we start giving her solid foods, but I am determined to make all of her first foods from scratch, just like I did for Bradley. I really think that's part of the reason why he has such an amazing appetite today! Testing out this slow cooker applesauce was a perfect decision because I realized how easy it is (and how convenient it will be once a newborn is around!) and how much Bradley loves it. Definitely saving this one to use all the time. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 3-4 cups applesauce, depending on the size of your apples

• 7 medium-large apples, peeled, cored and finely diced
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

In a slow cooker, add the apples, sugar, water and cinnamon.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Once tender, mash with a potato masher (or add to a blender/blend with an immersion blender if you want an extra-smooth consistency). Taste and add more cinnamon, as desired.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} 85 Fun Meal and Snack Ideas for Babies and Toddlers

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Feeding your baby table food is an exciting time. I personally couldn't wait for the day when Bradley could eat something off of my plate. And now I can't get him to stop! 

Seeing him pick up food with his two little fingers and gently placing it in his mouth is just the cutest. He's at that stage where he wants to try everything on my plate, and, for the most part, I try to comply. There aren't many things he hasn't liked :) I know it's hard to think of food to give your baby on a daily basis, so I've come up with a fun list of foods that I have given Bradley! (These foods are ideal for babies 6-12 months*, but use your best judgment and consult with your pediatrician before giving your baby solids.)

Below is my list of 85 fun meal and snack ideas for your baby or toddler to try! Hopefully this list will help make meal and snack time easier and more fun for you and your child :)

85 Fun Meal and Snack Ideas 

for Babies and Toddlers

Breakfast

1. Oatmeal
2. Fruit puree mixed with oatmeal (peaches, pears, etc.)
3. Banana, mashed or cut into small chunks
4. Ripe peach, cut into small chunks
5. English muffin, cut into pieces
6. Cheerios or Rice Krispies
7. Cottage cheese mixed with pureed fruit
8. Scrambled eggs with cheese
9. Pancakes (regular or with banana), cut into small pieces
10. Waffles, cut into small pieces
11. French toast, cut into small pieces
12. Bagel, cut into small pieces
13. Toast, cut into small pieces
14. Fruit smoothie
15. Ham steak, cut into small pieces
16. Canadian bacon, cut into small pieces
17. Cream cheese on a bagel, cut into small pieces
18. Cheerios with whole milk
19. Crepes

Lunch

1. Cheese chunks
2. Grilled cheese, cut into pieces
3. Deli meat, cut into pieces
4. Chicken or turkey breast, cut into pieces
5. Strawberries, cut into chunks
6. Blueberries, cut into chunks
7. Yogurt
8. Yogurt mixed with fruit puree (peaches, pears, etc.)
9. Applesauce (with cinnamon, optional)
10. Pita, cut into pieces
11. Hummus, spread on sandwich or pita
12. Peanut butter (and jelly) sandwich, cut into pieces
13. Cheese quesadilla, cut into pieces
14. Hard boiled eggs, cut into pieces
15. Quinoa
16. Mashed avocado on crackers or toast, cut into pieces
17. Tortillas, cut into pieces
18. Gazpacho

Snacks

1. Fruit or vegetable puffs
2. Baby goldfish
3. Rice cakes
4. Whole grain crackers
5. Mini banana blueberry muffins
6. Rice pudding
7. Frozen yogurt
8. Fruit popsicles
9. Yogurt melts
10. Edamame, shelled
11. Chocolate covered banana, cut into pieces
12. Watermelon, cut into pieces
13. Pineapple, cut into pieces
14. Melon, cut into pieces
15. Homemade peanut butter cookies
16. Homemade banana oatmeal cookies
17. Animal crackers
18. Graham crackers
19. Apple snack stacks, cut into pieces (for older children)
20. Chewy granola bars, cut into pieces
21. Soft pretzels, cut into small pieces
22. Banana "ice cream"

Dinner

1. Elbow macaroni and cheese, cut into small pieces
2. Small pasta with basic tomato sauce
3. Thin spaghetti with butter and Parmesan cheese, cut into small pieces
4. Tortellini, cut into small pieces
5. Peas, pureed or cooked well and cut into small pieces
6. Green beans, pureed or cooked well and cut into small pieces
7. Sweet potatoes, pureed or cooked well and cut into small pieces
8. Squash, pureed or cooked well and cut into small pieces
9. Carrots, pureed or cooked well and cut into small pieces
10. Rice mixed with pureed vegetables
11. Cheesy mashed potatoes
12. Cheesy mashed cauliflower
13. Slightly mashed beans, such as black or pinto
14. Corn off the cob
15. Broccoli and cauliflower, cooked well and cut into pieces
16. Vegetable stir-fry
17. Basic meatballs**, cut into small pieces
18. Tofu, cut into pieces
19. Beef, chicken, turkey, pork or salmon, cooked well and cut into pieces
20. Meatloaf, cut into small pieces
21. English muffin cheese pizza, cut into small pieces
22. Fish sticks
23. Roasted vegetables, cut into small pieces
24. Baked beans
25. Tomato soup
26. Broccoli cheese soup

(*Note: Be sure to make sure your child is not allergic to ingredients before allowing him/her to try an item that contains more than one thing. Also, consult with your doctor before feeding your baby solid foods and before moving from pureed food to more solid food.)

**Make sure breadcrumbs do not contain honey if you child is under one.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Hummus for Babies and Toddlers

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I feel like I'm incredibly lucky. Not only because I have an amazing family, including my handsome husband and son, but because I have an amazing son who also isn't picky when it comes to food! Do you know what a feat that is for moms? It's also really convenient when we go out to eat because there's always something on the menu we can give Bradley. He's also at that stage where if he sees you eating something from your plate, he wants to try it. So we've been giving him tons of new foods and he's loving it! And so am I :) Most recently we got Greek food and he was loving the hummus, so I made a homemade version for him. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (15 oz.) can organic garbanzo beans
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste (optional)
• 1/2 tbsp. fresh organic lemon juice (optional)
• Water

Drain and rinse garbanzo beans. 

Add garbanzo beans to a food processor and process until beans are broken up. Add olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice (if using). Process until beans make a fine paste. Slowly add water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serve plain or with whole grain pita bread.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Mac and Cheese for Babies and Toddlers

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I'm pretty sure most older babies and toddlers love anything that includes cheese, so this easy Macaroni and Cheese recipe is one to keep in your back pocket. You can customize the ingredients to make it organic, plus you can substitute your child's favorite cheese in the recipe. I'm pretty sure all kids (and adults) will love this!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole grain elbow macaroni
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 tbsp. flour
• Sprinkle of salt and pepper (optional)
• 1/2 cups organic whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups organic Mild Cheddar cheese

Cook pasta for 8 minutes or until very tender.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan. Gradually add in flour, whisking constantly. Immediately add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Stir until well blended, about 1 minute.

Slowly add milk to butter mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and let boil for about 2 minutes. Lower heat and continue to cook over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Slowly add in cheese, stirring to combine along the way. Keep stirring until cheese is completely melted.

Remove from heat and add cooked macaroni. Stir until combined.

Allow to cool slightly and serve!

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Cheesy Mashed Cauliflower for Babies and Toddlers

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I think anything with cheese in it will be a win for Bradley. He loved cheesy potatoes that I made for him recently (recipe coming soon) and grilled cheese is his new favorite lunchtime meal. I recently decided to add some cheese into mashed cauliflower I made him, and it definitely made the taste more desirable to him.  Who can blame him? Cheese makes everything better!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 head organic cauliflower
• 1 cup organic cheddar cheese, shredded

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Rinse cauliflower well under cold water. Cut cauliflower into small pieces. Add to boiling water and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until cauliflower is very tender.

Drain cauliflower and add to a food processor. Process until smooth. Add cheese and continue to process until combined.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. Add formula or breast milk to thin out the consistency, if desired.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your cauliflower! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen cauliflower up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out, if desired.

*Consult your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Mini Banana Blueberry Muffins for Babies and Toddlers

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Bradley has been trying new foods left and right, and thankfully, he has had no allergic reactions or no really adverse feelings towards anything. Since he is eating more table food, I wanted to whip up a breakfast muffin that he can enjoy with his usual oatmeal. These muffins combine both bananas and blueberries, plus all other ingredients he has already tried (so I know he won't be allergic). He didn't really know what to think of these, but it was a nice switch-up from his regular morning breakfast routine!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 large, ripe organic bananas
• 1 egg, beaten*
• 1/2 cup purified water
• 1/2 cup organic whole milk
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 pint fresh organic blueberries

*If your baby is allergic to eggs, or you would just prefer to omit them, substitute with 1 tbsp ground flax and 3 tbsp water.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two mini 12-hole muffin tins.

In large bowl, mash bananas. Add egg, water and milk.

In a separate bowl, combine flours, baking soda, baking powder and brown sugar. Slowly add to wet ingredients, stirring to combine. Once combined, use a spoon to gently stir in the blueberries.

Spoon about a tablespoon into each muffin tin. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container. 

To freeze, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place them all in a large ziplock bag. To thaw, pop in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or allow to defrost at room temperature. You can store the muffins in the freeze for up to one month.

Source: Adapted from The Homemade Baby Food Recipes Blog

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Yellow Squash

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Bradley loves zucchini and butternut squash, so I figured yellow squash would be a big hit for him as well. I think maybe you could say I was a teensy bit wrong. He ate about three bites of it with no problem, then his body shuddered when Chris tried to give him a fourth spoonful. He would much rather eat strawberries and cheese and turkey instead :)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 large organic yellow squash

Clean the squash well using cold water. Remove the ends and cut into chunks. Rinse under cold water again. 

Note: I kept on the skin since it contains a lot of nutrients. It is also thinner, so it purees easily. I also left the seeds in since they become tender while cooking and puree easily. If you are worried about the texture for your baby, peel and seed the squash prior to cutting it up.

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add the squash to the water and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until tender.

Drain squash and add to a food processor. The squash retains a lot of water, so I did not find it necessary to add any to the puree. If you want a thinner consistency, feel free to add purified water to thin it out.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. You can also add some breast milk or formula to the pureed squash to thin it out and add a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your squash! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen squash up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out, if desired.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Strawberry Frozen Yogurt for Babies and Toddlers

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Bradley is at the point where he's starting to enjoy table food and (being his mother's son) I'm also making sure he's enjoying healthy desserts. He loves eating yogurt mixed with different purees for lunch and is also really into eating chunks of strawberries, so I decided to turn that combination into a frozen treat. I simply pureed some strawberries, mixed it with his baby-friendly yogurt (we use the plain YoBaby brand) and put it in the ice cream maker for a sweet and refreshing treat. He loved this! Adults shouldn't be the only ones who can indulge in some after dinner sweet treats:)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. organic strawberries
• 3 cups plain organic whole milk yogurt (such as YoBaby)

Rinse off strawberries and cut off stems. Place in a food processor and process until smooth. Add yogurt and pulse until combined.  Place in a tupperware container and cool for at least 1 hour, or overnight.

Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

Keep frozen for up to one month.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Poultry Puree for Babies

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So Bradley hated chicken. I can't really blame him since the texture of pureed chicken breasts sort of resembles chalk. Sounds good, huh? We even mixed it with some pureed butternut squash to try to mask the flavor/texture, but he's one smart cookie and wasn't having it. At least we know he's not allergic and hopefully he'll enjoy it down the road when we prepare it a different way!

Note: The same method can be used for both chicken and turkey.

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 organic boneless, skinless chicken OR turkey breasts
• Purified water

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut each chicken or turkey breast in half. Add to the boiling water and cook for 20 minutes, or until cooked all the way through.

Drain the chicken or turkey and allow to cool slightly. Cut into small chunks. Add to a food processor and grind until it becomes somewhat powdery. Add water, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. I recommend adding a vegetable or fruit puree to the chicken or turkey, since it tastes somewhat chalky plain.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your poultry! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen poultry up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out, if desired.

*Consult your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Zucchini

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I usually peel vegetables and fruits before cooking and pureeing them for Bradley, but the skin of zucchini is so thin and soft so I decided to leave it on this time. Plus it contains a lot of nutrients, and I want Bradley to get all that he can! If you do decide to leave the skin on, I recommend buying organic products and scrubbing them really well before cooking. Bradley was a big fan of zucchini, just like every other food he has tried so far (except carrots). Just look at his arms going in anticipation of his next bite!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 large organic zucchini

Clean the zucchini well using cold water. Remove the ends and cut into chunks. Rinse under cold water again. 

Note: I kept on the skin since it contains a lot of nutrients. It is also thinner, so it purees easily. I also left the seeds in since they become tender while cooking and puree easily. If you are worried about the texture for your baby, peel and seed the zucchini prior to cutting it up.

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add the zucchini to the water and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until tender.

Drain zucchini and add to a food processor. The zucchini retains a lot of water, so I did not find it necessary to add any to the puree. If you want a thinner consistency, feel free to add purified water to thin it out.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. You can also add some breast milk or formula to the pureed zucchini to thin it out and add a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your zucchini! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen zucchini up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out, if desired.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Avocado

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Avocados are like bananas in the sense that they are extremely easy to prepare for babies. No prior prep work is needed--you just scoop out the flesh and mash it up. The only downside is that once cut, avocados don't store very well. It's a good thing Chris and I love guacamole, because we always whip some up with the avocado that Bradley doesn't eat. We don't waste food in this household :)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ripe organic avocado

Wash avocado under cold water to remove bacteria.

Cut the avocado in half lengthwise around the pit. Twist to break in half. Remove the pit and scoop out the flesh. Mash the avocado well with a fork until there are no visible lumps.

If your baby doesn't like texture, throw the avocado in a food processor and pulse until smooth.

If your baby does not like avocado plain or if you want to thin out the texture, add a little breast milk or formula to the avocado to add a flavor they already know.

Mashed avocado does not store in the refrigerator very well, so I recommend using or freezing it right away. You can freeze the avocado for up to one month.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Peaches

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When peaches are in season, there's nothing like sinking your teeth into a fresh, ripe one and letting the juices run down your chin. Luckily it's prime season for them now, so I was able to find some organic ones for Bradley. (I also included a recipe for frozen peaches, since for more than half of the year that will be your only option.) Even though the peaches were ripe, they still tasted a little bitter once they were pureed. I was worried that Bradley would be turned-off by the sour taste, but he gobbled them right up! Now I rotate mixing in apples, pears and peaches with his morning oatmeal, and he absolutely loves it. I think breakfast is his favorite meal, just like his mama :)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. fresh organic peaches
• OR 1 (10 oz.) bag frozen organic sliced peaches

If using fresh peaches: Wash the peaches thoroughly. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the whole peaches and cook for two minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the peaches from the water. Allow to cool slightly. Remove the skins (they should slide right off). Cut the peaches in half around the pit, and use your fingers to peel the flesh back from the pit. Discard the pits. Place the peaches in a food processor and process until smooth. No need to add water or milk since the consistency is very runny once pureed.

If using frozen peaches: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the frozen peach slices and cook for 10 minutes, or until peaches are tender. Place the peaches in a food processor and process until smooth. No need to add water or milk since the consistency is very runny once pureed.

To serve: Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your peaches! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen peaches up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Pears

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Bradley loves his pears almost as much as he loves his applesauce! I serve these to him in the morning mixed in with oatmeal and apples, and he devours it. Literally. Sometimes I even hear a little "mmm" humming from his lips. His legs also kick out of pure joy the whole time he is eating. It's the cutest thing ever. 

Pears are just as easy to make as apples, so I suggest making a big batch to freeze. I love eating them as well, so you can save a little on the side for yourself while you're at it!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 12 servings

• 4 organic pears (I used Bartlett)
• Purified water

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. 

Peel and core the pears. Rinse under cold water then cut into chunks.

Add the pears to the water and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender.

Drain pears and add to a food processor. Add a couple tablespoons of purified water and process until smooth. Add more water, if necessary, to get to your desired consistency.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. I recommend adding some breast milk or formula to the pureed pears as well...this thins out the pears and adds a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your pears! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen pears up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Applesauce

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Applesauce is one of those things that I'm sure most people just prefer to buy, and that's completely fine. You can purchase it organic and sweetened or unsweetened, so I can see why it's a good option for most people. I still prefer to make all of Bradley's food, even applesauce, and here's why: I can choose which types of apples to use (Gala are his favorite) and make it the consistency he likes (not to mention I want to avoid all those preservatives and whatnot). 

Chris and I love applesauce, too (who doesn't?), so when I make Bradley's I make a big batch for us to split. I keep Bradley's half plain and then whip up the second half with cinnamon and other flavors that Chris and I like in our applesauce. It's a win-win! Bradley loves applesauce for breakfast, especially mixed with oatmeal!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 12 servings

• 4 organic red apples (I used Gala, but you can use any apple that tends to be a little sweeter)
• Purified water

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. 

Peel and core the apples. Rinse under cold water then cut into chunks.

Add the apples to the water and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until tender.

Drain apples and add to a food processor. Add a couple tablespoons of purified water and process until smooth. Add more water, if necessary, to get to your desired consistency.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. I recommend adding some breast milk or formula to the pureed apples as well...this thins out the apples and adds a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your apples! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen apples up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Bananas

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I was so so upset when Bradley didn't like bananas at first. They are cheap, incredibly easy to make and easily transportable. Such an ideal food! In case you missed last week's post, this is what his initial reaction was:

But Chris and I tried again, and he wasn't so opposed the second time. By the third time, he was loving them. Now? Now he eats them with almost every meal. We can't give him enough! If your baby doesn't mind texture, you can mash the bananas with a fork and have them ready to eat in 15 seconds. Easy enough, right? Right. They're full of potassium and fiber as well, so that's just an added bonus! This is what he thinks about bananas now:

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ripe organic banana

Wash banana under cold water to remove bacteria.

Peel the banana and remove all the lose strings. Mash the banana well with a fork until there are no visible lumps (no need to add water/milk--the banana will become runny the more you mash it).

If your baby doesn't like texture, throw the banana in a food processor and pulse until smooth.

If your baby does not like bananas plain, add a little breast milk or formula to the banana puree to add a flavor they already know.

Mashed bananas don't store very well, so I recommend only breaking off and mashing the amount your baby is going to eat at that specific time. 

To save the rest of the un-mashed banana, wrap the banana in plastic and leave at room temperature for up to one day. To freeze, place the banana in a ziplock bag and put in the freezer for up to 1 month.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.
Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} The Great Baby Food Experiment and Why I Don't Give My Baby Jarred Baby Food

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It's the great debate. Homemade baby food vs. jarred baby food.

I need to preface this post a little bit first. I'm in no way judging you if you give your baby store-bought jarred food. I know not everyone has the time or energy to make their own baby food, and that's okay. But I still want to share my reasoning behind my avoidance of jarred baby food.

There are five factors that made me come to this conclusion, and I'll explain them below. In my "experiment," I compared homemade green beans to a jar of green beans from my local grocery store. 

1) Color

Now I'm no scientist, but if these canned foods claim that the only ingredients are the fruit/vegetable and water in them, why is the color so off? 

I opened the jar of green beans and they seriously looked gray. I was aghast. Especially when I put the jar up against my homemade green beans, they were so off-putting. 

Nothing at all looked natural about the color. Green beans are bright green, so why is the stuff in the jar gray-ish? I didn't even want to touch the jarred food, why should I make my poor little baby eat it?

2) Taste

Chris came home from work one day and was blindsided. I asked him to close his eyes and trust me. Luckily I have a very brave husband.

First I gave him a spoonful of the jarred green beans. His immediate reaction was hysterical. To give you a mental image, it was very similar to the face Bradley made when he first tried bananas:

Then he said it tasted like *ahem* dog poop. Awesome. When I asked him to guess what it was, he didn't even have an answer for me. That's how off they were.

I then gave him the homemade green beans, and he immediately knew what they were. One of my best friends and her boyfriend came over the next day, and I had them do the same thing (do I have very trusting people in my life or what?). They had the same exact response to the jarred and homemade green beans.

Not that Bradley knows the difference, but why should he eat something so gross that tastes nothing like the real thing? Especially if his own parents won't even eat it? There's no good reason.

With homemade food, I also like that I can mix combinations on my own. I don't have to rely on what the manufacturer thinks will work together. If I want to give Bradley apples, carrots, oatmeal and pears, I have the freedom to do it! There are no restrictions.

Plus, I (obviously) cook dinner very often, so I think by eating homemade baby food early on, it will get Bradley used to eating the same foods as Chris and me down the road.

3) How on earth do they stay good on the shelf for so long?

Again, I'm no scientist, but this makes absolutely no sense to me. The ingredients only state the fruit/vegetable and water. So why is my homemade version only good in the fridge for 3-5 days, but these jarred foods can sit on a shelf, at room temperature, for 2 years? How does that make sense? Something else has to be in there preserving them, right? Yet I don't see anything listed in the ingredients. 

(Yes, I know that if it contains less that a certain percentage of an ingredient, the FDA does not require companies to list it on their ingredients list, but still...I want to know everything that's going into Bradley's body.)

I personally just don't find that very natural. If I make something, I let it sit in the fridge for 3-5 days, depending on what it is, then I toss it. Same with Bradley's homemade food. But the label on the jarred green beans, which I bought right before testing them out, says they're good until January 2016. 2016!! That's more than a year and a half away! Unbelievable.

4) Time

I know I'm a stay-at-home mom and everyone thinks I have all the time in the world, but that's another argument for another day. Fact is, most of these homemade baby foods take 15 minutes to make, and a majority of that time is just sitting around waiting for the food to cook. So why NOT make it myself? I found no reasonable explanation. 

5) Cost

When I broke it down, I realized it's actually cheaper to make baby food myself. I typically make Bradley organic food, which, yes, is more expensive. But you don't need to buy organic. For the sake of this argument I'm going to use non-organic ingredients since the jarred baby food I purchased isn't organic. 

Let me break it down for you.

• A 16 oz. bag of green beans costs $2.99. This makes 16 1-oz. servings. This equals approximately $0.18 per 1-oz. serving.
• A 4-oz. jar of store-bought baby food from the store is on average $1.29. This equals approximately $0.32 per 1-oz. serving.

So that's a savings of $0.14 per ounce! (I feel like Sandra Lee from Money Making Meals right now.) It might not sound like much, but considering how much you feed your baby, it's going to add up! As of now, Bradley eats 8-10 oz. of food a day, so that's a savings of over a dollar per day. That amount is only going to go up!

Plus most baby food jars are typically around the same price, but they shouldn't be. A lot of fruits and vegetables are even less than the green beans were. Bananas, which are something like 20 cents EACH, will save you even MORE money. Cha-ching!

Okay, I'm done with my rant now.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is why I prefer to not give Bradley jarred baby food. I like to know exactly what's in the food I'm giving him. It might take a little more time and effort, but overall I think it's totally worth it! Now if I'm on-the-go or somehow manage to run out of food, I'm not against giving him something pre-packaged once in a while. That's fine. But overall, I'm sticking to homemade food all the way! 

Click here for the link to get to all my homemade baby food recipes!

Let me know your thoughts/opinions in the comments section below!

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Green Beans

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I have a fun little post coming up for next week's Tiny Tot Tuesdays post, and it's regarding these green beans, so stay tuned for that! 

In the meantime, here's the super quick and easy recipe to make some green bean puree for your baby. Hopefully your child loves these as much as Bradley does. Green beans are a great source of Vitamin K, which helps the blood clot. It's very essential for growing babies, especially for when they start crawling and walking! You have to make sure those inevitable boo-boos get healed as quickly as possible! Can you tell he loved them?

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 12 servings

• 12 oz. organic green beans
• Purified water

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Snap the ends off of the green beans. Rinse the green beans under cold water.

Add the green beans to the water and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until tender.

Drain green beans and add to a food processor. Add a couple tablespoons of purified water and process until smooth. Add more water, if necessary, to get to your desired consistency.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. I recommend adding some breast milk or formula to the pureed green beans as well...this thins out the green beans and adds a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your green beans! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen green beans up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Baby Butternut Squash

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Butternut squash is, surprisingly, Bradley's second favorite food. It's right up there with sweet potatoes, and you can see from this post how much he loves sweet potatoes. He got a little camera shy in this photo, but he gobbled them up like there was no tomorrow! 

You can choose to roast the squash like I did with the sweet potatoes, but I decided to boil these for the sake of saving some time. Butternut squash is a type of pumpkin, so it tends to be a little sweeter than other squash. Plus it's packed with Vitamin A, which growing babies need plenty of!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 12 servings

• 1 large organic butternut squash
• Purified water

Peel the butternut squash and cut in half. Remove all the seeds from the inside and cut into small chunks. Rinse with cold water.

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add the squash to the water and cook for about 10 minutes, or until tender.

Drain squash and add to a food processor. Add 1/4 cup of purified water and process until smooth. Add more water, if necessary, to get to your desired consistency.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. I recommend adding some breast milk or formula to the pureed squash as well...this thins out the squash and adds a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your squash! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen squash up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original

{Tiny Tot Tuesdays} Homemade Organic Carrots for Babies

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So we finally found something that our sweet little boy doesn't like: carrots. Don't be fooled by the large quantity surrounding his mouth. That's the only place they ended up.

We're going to try again soon, though. My pediatrician recommends not pushing your baby to eat something if he/she doesn't like it, and to instead try again in a few weeks. I mean, you wouldn't want to be forced to eat something you didn't like, right? They're super easy to make and are packed with vitamins, so I'm hoping he comes around sooner or later!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients
Makes 12 servings

• 8 oz. organic baby carrots or 4 large organic whole carrots, peeled
• Purified water

Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Rinse the carrots under cold water. If using whole carrots, remove greens, peel and cut into chunks. 

Add the carrots to the water and cook for about 10 minutes, or until tender.

Drain carrots and add to a food processor. Add 1/4 cup of purified water and process until smooth. Add more water, if necessary, to get to your desired consistency.

Allow to cool then serve to your baby with a spoon. I recommend adding some breast milk or formula to the pureed carrots as well...this thins out the carrots and adds a flavor they already know and enjoy.

If saving for a later date, pour it into storage cups to freeze or refrigerate. You can refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze for 30 days. Make sure you label your carrots! Once you are ready to serve, heat the refrigerated or frozen carrots up in the microwave and allow to cool to just warmer than room temperature. Add breast milk or formula to thin it out.

*Consult with your pediatrician before feeding your baby solid foods and to see what amount/type of food you should give your child.

Source: SK Original