Making Baby Food Part 2

Life, man. Phew! There have been so many transitions lately! Every time I feel like I am settling into a routine something new seems to make me have to adjust. This school year was a tough one and I can't wait for it to be over. From maternity leave, to teaching AP classes, getting back into shape, adjusting to having an infant again, Charlie going to kindergarten, court with my ex husband, leaving my gym to train at home... so many things to constantly balance and adapt to. With this balance, to relieve some of the stress, I have made an effort to be more present in all my endeavors- focus on quality over quantity because my time is stretched- I have made an effort to be off my phone more at home, not bring work home to grade, work hard during my workout instead of working out longer, and interacting and getting to know my students as individuals. I am going to carry a lot of these plans into summer as I adjust from working mom to stay-at-home mom, now of two for the first time. I am really looking forward to it. For so long it was just my Charlie girl and me during the summer days this will definitely be more interesting.

Although going back to having an infant has been easier this time, it has made me think and reflect back on when Charlie was little. I will openly admit, like most new moms, I didn't have a clue what I was doing and don't remember a lot because I was so darn tired. But, one of the things I did do when she was little, that was worth repeating, was to make my baby food. It is so easy, doesn't take hardly any time, and is exponentially more cost-effective. A pouch or jar of babyfood is roughly 30-50 cents/ounce. When you make your own, is is less than 1/2 that depending on what you are making. I wrote a post back in 2014 (see it HERE) sharing some of my favorite recipes, so I thought I would do that again. I really hope most people consider it in the future with their own kids- I know I didn't nurse for 6 damn months just to give my baby some stuff in a jar I hope is what they say it is. I don't buy any special equipment- I use baby beeba jars someone gave me just for convenience- just my normal kitchen pans, ice cube trays and a Vitamix blenders. :)

Mila is 8 months old now, but I started her baby food at 4-5 months with simple, one-ingredient purees like sweet potatoes, carrots, pears, banana, etc. I like to peel, dice and steam whatever I am making until it is fork-tender and then puree it until very smooth in a high-powered blender, adding liquid from cooking until it was a consistency she would enjoy. I freeze all my foods in ice-cube trays and move them to labeled, large ziplocks when they are frozen. When it's time to eat I pull 2-3 cubes out and heat them in the microwave, stirring often and tasting them (usually 30-45 seconds.) 

Mila still has no teeth, and although I give her some finger foods, she still really likes her purees so I have added more variety. Below are a few of her favorites....

Corn, Sweet Potato and Carrot

- 1 Tbsp Butter (I use Kerrygold)
- 1/2 Sweet Onion* Optional
- 1 Sweet Potato, peeled and large dice
- 2-3 Carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 Cup Low-Sodium, Organic Chicken Stock (or homemade)
- 1 Cup Corn, fresh or frozen

1. In a large skillet with a lid, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes and carrots (and onion if using.) Saute a few minutes until they start to soften and get some color. Add the stock and turn up the heat to a boil. Turn the heat to a simmer, cover and cook 8-10 minutes until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. Add the corn. 

2. Puree the mixture in a high powdered blender until smooth, add more stock or water if it is too thick for baby. Yum!

Chicken, Apple and Sweet Potato

- 1 Tbsp Butter (I use Kerrygold)
- 1/2 Sweet Onion* Optional
- 1 Sweet Potato, peeled and large dice
- 1 Apple, peeled and diced
- 1 Chicken Breast, diced
- 1 Cup Low-Sodium, Organic Chicken Stock (or homemade)

1. In a large skillet with a lid, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and saute a few minutes until it starts browning. Add the sweet potatoes and apple (and onion if using.) Saute a few minutes until they start to soften and get some color. Add the stock and turn up the heat to a boil. Turn the heat to a simmer, cover and cook 8-10 minutes until the potatoes  are fork-tender and the chicken is cooked through. 
2. Puree the mixture in a high powdered blender until smooth, add more stock or water if it is too thick for baby. Yum!

Blueberry, Avocado and Banana

(This is also a good one to make "thin" so when you reheat it you can add baby oatmeal...yum!)

- 1 Avocado
- 2 Bananas
- 1-2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
- 2-3  Ounces Formula or Breast Milk

Depending on the age of your baby you may want to cook the blueberries first- it helps break them down and is easier for a younger baby (4-5 months old.) I put mine in a small pan over medium low heat and cooked them until they started bursting, stirring frequently. 

Puree all the ingredients, adding more milk or water until the consistency is right for baby.