Second, I made baby food for the first time today!
It is something I've been wanting to try (I am the one who registered for the food processor after all and while Jim uses it all the time, I had yet to use it for my own purposes), but just haven't had the motivation or inspiration to try. Well, Jim bought the world's biggest squash for me for Thanksgiving and needless to say, I had plenty left over. So, I jumped in with both feet and made squash baby food. It was easy! I ended up making almost 30 ounces from a quarter of the squash (I told you it was a big squash). I don't think there is anything wrong with Gerber baby food (in fact, that is all Finn has eaten!), but there is something special about making your baby's food. I kind of feel like Super Mom. Hee, hee. Now maybe I can venture into some other foods, too (since the one down fall of Gerber is they have limited varieties). Any suggestions on the best way to cook the veggies to keep the most nutrients?Third, Finn has a little cold (stuffy nose, tiny coughs and sneezes). He had a low grade fever even while on Motrin this morning. I'm not concerned about him, necessarily, only that if his fever doesn't go away, I believe he won't be able to get his second H1N1 vaccine tomorrow. Fingers are crossed (and I'm keeping him hopped up on Motrin and Tylenol!).
3 comments:
Oh I LOVE LOVE making baby food. I have a beaba babycook - its an all in one steamer/blender thing for baby food making that I'm obsessed with. We have BAGS of baby food cubes in the freezer.
Here's my suggestions:
1. Steam, steam, steam. Don't microwave. Even boiling loses some of the nutrients into the water. Just put a little water in the bottom of a saucepan, put a steamer basket in it, and steam away! With the exception of carrots, save the leftover water to use in the blender if you need to make it less thick. You're not supposed to use the leftover water from carrots because of some nutrient in it that babies shouldn't have yet. I don't remember the name, but you can google it if you want. :)
2. It looks like you have some containers, but you can use ice cube trays to freeze whatever you make. Once the tray is frozen plop them out into a freezer bag and there you go!
3. I try to avoid reheating in a microwave (because of the loss of nutrients) so take a few cubes out of whatever you want to feed him the day before, put them in a little covered feeding dish (I bought some for cheap at babiesrus. that way you'll have some thawed when needed and if you have to put in the microwave it won't be as long as if it was frozen.
4. When making your own, you can get creative and add things to veggies, fruit, whatever. Like I'll add avocado or egg yolk to veggies for Jaleah - super source of healthy fats and proteins for babies (no egg whites until 1 though!)
5. Be CAREFUL. You will probably become addicted to making baby food when you see how much CHEAPER it is (insane!!) and how much more he will love it! Jaleah spits out anything gerber, store bought, jarred. She's gotten too used to the real stuff, which I don't blame her.
6. Did I mention I love making baby food? :) :)
Awesome, Rebecca, thanks for the tips. Do you buy fresh or frozen veggies? I've heard either are fine, but obviously frozen are cheaper. Just curious. Can't wait to get started!
I buy fresh when it's in season or on sale, but otherwise frozen. :) Have fun! :)
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