Organically Growing

A couple of months ago, I posted about how easy it is to make your own baby food. For a refresher, click here: http://blog.happygreenbaby.com/2008/10/06/make-your-own-organic-baby-food-really/

Today, I came across a great website chock full of delicious recipes for making babyfood, as well as food for toddlers! http://weelicious.com/

Weelicious has great photos, easy recipes and she does a lot of things based on what you can find at the farmers markets right now. Some of the food looks downright appetizing! Even better, the recipes are categorized by age group: 6-9 months, 10-12 months, toddler bites, big kids. I have it bookmarked for when our little Hellcat is ready to start munching on delights like Kiwi & Peach Puree and Mexican Beans & Rice.

Some other really fabulous things to help make homemade babyfood a snap you should check out:

So Easy! Babyfood Making Kit by FreshBaby, on sale at HappyGreenBaby.com for just $29.99 (was $37.95)
http://www.happygreenbaby.com/freshbaby-so-easy-baby-food-kit.html

Babycook Baby Food Maker by Beaba – $149.99
http://www.happygreenbaby.com/beaba-babycook-baby-food-maker.html

Squirt BPA-free Babyfood Dispenser Spoon by Boon – $8.50
http://www.happygreenbaby.com/boon-bpa-free-squirt-baby-food-dispenser.html

I know what you’re thinking. I have a baby. I don’t have time to make my own baby food. But with just a couple of hours a month and an extra bag of produce, you’re see just how easy (and delicious) making your own baby food can be!

You don’t have to be a celeb with a personal chef or a domestic goddess to make your own organic baby food. All you need is a microwave (or stovetop), a blender, covered ice cube/food trays, and a canvas bag full of organic fruits and veggies.

1. Thoroughly wash fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Just like the food you put on your plate - remember to shop for seasonal, locally grown items for maximum flavor.

2. Steam, bake, or boil to the consistency of your baby’s stage of eating.

3. Puree the veggies in a blender, adding a bit of water if necessary. You may want to add a squeeze of lemon juice to keep fruits from turning brown and to enhance flavor, but salt and sugar are not necessary.

4. Strain the food to remove any stray peels or seeds. Pour the puree into the food-cube trays and stick them in the freezer.

5. When the cubes are completely frozen, transfer them into individual glass containers or zip top bags with two or three cubes per container. Label with contents and date, then pop the containers back into the freezer.

6. When it’s time to chow down, heat up the individual portions. Remember to test the temperature of the food before feeding your baby.

In the winter months when fresh produce is slim pickings, don’t be shy about shopping the frozen section. Frozen fruits and veggies can be prepared just like fresh ones, just omit the washing stage.

When you puree up your own peas and carrots, you’re taking control of what goes in your little one’s Buddha belly. You choose the organic ingredients, get creative on blends your baby likes and take out all those weird preservatives and arficial flavorings that you can’t pronounce anyway. Plus, when you freeze your “food cubes” you’re keeping all the packaging from baby food containers out of the landfill.

PlanetGreen has more information on how to make your own baby food, including a recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow. Also visit http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ for tons of great recipes grouped by ingredient!