Tag Archives: baby food

53 Weeks TV, Mommy 101, Product & Gear

Baby Food Mash Up

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I have a couple girlfriend’s who I’ve known since childhood and we all happened to give birth within a six week span last year, so this year, as our babies grow, we are able to share and maneuver through some of the “baby steps” together! So, as our babies crossed the 6 months mark and began taking in “solids,” I get this random text with a photo and link attached to it for the NUK Mash & Serve Bowl. My friend went on to say how much she had already fallen in love with hers and how easy it is to use, clean and take with you on outings! Soon after my other girlfriend also acquired her own masher and then, singing its praises. Well, I still haven’t gotten one, and now I wish I had. I think I’m at the stage where it feels like I should’ve gotten it earlier, because now I don’t feel like I’ll get enough use out of it. I mean after all, I do have a Baby Bullet and to be honest, I’ve been buying ready made baby food – don’t judge me! However, I am pretty impressed with how much my friends seem to enjoy theirs and so, I figured I’d share this masher with you.

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As you can see from the photos, this masher can smash and blend pretty much any food you’d like to serve to baby. Even without ever having used it, I love that you could easily take a small portion of your meal and quickly get it ready for baby. I have tried making larger quantities of baby food at one time to store, and if you’d rather mash as you go, this works! Plus, you can serve it right out of the bowl and clean up is nice and easy…no blender blades and parts to disassemble and wash. The other benefit of this NUK product that my friend pointed out is it’s portability. It’s small enough to toss in the bag and take with you, so if you’re on the go, this works!

If you watched the video, you’ll see how easy it is to mash up not only fruits and steamed veggies, but you can use it on meats like chicken and beef…it works with rice and oatmeal too. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make healthy & nutritious food for your tot, you may need to check out the NUK Mash & Serve Bowl…the price point isn’t bad either.

 

Mommy 101, Product & Gear

Biggest Baby Shower – Miami

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Any first time parent can relate to the overwhelming task of figuring out the ins and outs of baby products, trying to pick a stroller, baby furniture, create a registry, etc… And — if you’re ever cruised the aisles of baby stuff at the stores without doing your homework, it can be a mind-blowing experience! Well, that’s where the “Biggest Baby Shower” comes in. The event, hosted by Big City Moms, features more than 100 of the best baby and parenting companies in the industry and the “expo” is jam-packed with demonstrations, sampling, products, pampering, educational seminars, etc… you name it!

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So, when I heard the Biggest Baby Shower was making a Miami stop, I just had to check it out. My first impression was tons of great stuff going on, and although I’m not exactly a new Mommy anymore, I’m not that far removed…BUT I was amazed at all the new stuff that’s come out since I had my 2 in the 53 week span of July 3, 2012 – July 10, 2013. From new generations of strollers and baby bottles to prenatal drinks to help you get the proper nutrition and folic acid intake while pregnant! I almost felt like I need to get pregnant again just to be able to use some of this stuff…but uh, nah, not right now!

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Anyhow, one of my favorite features of the event was the long row of infant travel systems and strollers. There were brands I had previously researched, and others I had never even heard of… like Joovy, Armadillo, Uppa Baby, Chicco, Orbit Baby, and many more. They were all there available to test drive, with product experts on hand to explain all the features AND answer any and all questions you might have about the different products. Actually all the products there had very knowledgeable reps on hand who took the time to talk with you and familiarize you with what was what and what this and that were for! I mean ultimately, you’re going to have to sort of “assume” or guess which products are going to work for you and your baby, and sometimes it’s trial and error before finding the right pacifier, bottle or stroller, but if you educate yourself ahead of time, or really decide your needs and what’s most important to you, going to this event can help take a lot of the guesswork out and lead you to make an informed decision!

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Some of the highlights of my rounds around the ballroom were…

  • A (real life) mom who swears by Dr. Smiths Diaper Ointment. She couldn’t stop telling me how wonderful the stuff is and how well it’s worked for her and her children.
  • I sampled Bundle, an organic prenatal beverage …the “Kale” flavor. Hey, folic acid in a bottle! 😉
  • The ladies at the Philips Avent display showed off some of their new bottles to me, while explaining the difference between the different versions they offer. I currently use the traditional bottles for Isaiah.
  • I stopped by the Pediped table, where I saw some of the cutest footwear for babies and toddlers. Shoes are important for growing feet!
  • Lots of organic baby food on hand – Ella’s, Earth’s Best and Happy Family, which are all popular with my babes.IMG_0815

However, I MUST mention the gift bags…these things were beyond major!!! Talk about filled to the brim and completely stuffed with diapers, wipes, bottles, lotions, feeding containers, etc…. The fabulous gift bags were overflowing, stocked full of great products and not just tiny sample size giveaways! If the “admission fee” is a hang up for you, this bag is worth way more than that….so, TOTALLY worth it! I mean seriously, it weighed so much, that I wasn’t sure my arm was going to make it back to the car. So if you’re expecting, want to be expecting or have a newborn at home, and want to get a more intimate, closeup view of all things baby – not in a typical retail environment, go to http://babyshower.bigcitymoms.com and find out when the “Biggest Baby Shower” is making a stop in a city by you!

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Food

Quinoa Ratatouille

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Homemade Baby Food Recipe

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One of the few pre-packaged baby foods my little one eats on a consistent basis is Happy Family’s organic Amaranth Ratatouille. It’s slightly textured with grains of quinoa and filled with yummy vegetables. I decided to make something similar at home and it tastes even better than the one in the store. This homemade baby food quinoa ratatouille is filled with zucchini, eggplant, sweet peppers, squash and tomato, with the addition of quinoa.

If you haven’t jumped on the quinoa train yet, making it for your baby is a good start. It cooks quickly and is full of protein, fiber, iron, antioxidants and other good-for-you stuff. The tiny seed is small enough for baby to eat, which is why you find it in many of my recipes, and in the store brands as well. Did you know The Food and Agriculture Organization of the Nations named 2013 “The International Year of the Quinoa?” I just found that out.

Back to the ratatouille. This is the same dish featured in the movie by the same name, and the baby food version is yummy. I tried some, my husband tried some. Grandma would have eaten the whole bowl if we let her. It’s really flavorful and healthy too!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ medium onion, diced
  • 1 pinch garlic (powdered or fresh)
  • 1 pinch dried thyme leaves
  • 1 cup eggplant, diced
  • ½ cup green or red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup zucchini, diced
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup quinoa
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • Fresh basil and/or parsley (optional)
  • 1-2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Method

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, thyme, eggplant, sweet pepper, zucchini, tomato, tomato paste, quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and cover. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the quinoa has “sprouted” and the vegetables are tender. Add more broth if necessary during cooking.

Remove from the heat and stir in fresh herbs and cheese. Puree in a food processor until you reach the desired consistency, adding additional vegetable broth or water if needed.

REPOST from: Love and Duck Fat

For more great homemade baby food recipes from Love and Duck Fat visit http://loveandduckfat.com