Making Your Own Healthy Baby Food at Home

When you are blessed with a newborn baby, it is important to get the child off to a good start by feeding them with the most nutritious baby food that you can find. Baby food is readily available at your local grocery store and although some brands claim to be healthy, most bottled baby foods are processed and contain chemicals and preservatives that are not ideal for a baby’s consumption. One of the best ways to ensure your child gets the nutrients that he or she needs and avoids unnecessary additives is to make your own baby shower food.

Making your own baby shower favors like baby food is not hard. Actually, it is very easy to make and with a little experience, it will become a simple part of your daily routine. Homemade food is not only cheaper, but more delicious as well. It has no extenders and is definitely healthier than the bottled variety. Here are some simple to follow recipes that your baby is sure to love.

When doing any of these recipes, please do not use mineral water or bottled water with mineral salts in it. Always use distilled sterile water for this does not usually have sediments. The sediments may be harmful to the immature intestinal tract of the child. Note that the GI tract is immature until two years of age so use the right water.

A great vegetable to start with is the carrot as this is full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Simply wash the carrots clean and peel. Cut up into small pieces and place in saucepan. Make a batch as this can last up to three or four days in the fridge. Add bottled clear water to level off with the carrots and set to the lowest flame. Eventually, it will simmer and the carrots will soften. Remove from heat and mash. For finer results, push the mashed carrots through a metal sieve, but do not moisturize! This will release a gummy consistency and the taste could change. For babies four to six months the consistency should be really fine at first to gradually rougher in texture as the child gets older. The older child should be able to chew some tiny bits with their baby teeth if they already have them.

Apple sauce is usually a favorite among babies. Simply peel and core two or three Red Delicious apples, cut up into small pieces and put water to the level of the fruits. Simmer gradually on lowest heat until the apples are soft and easy to mash. Mash thoroughly through a sieve if need be and remove any pits or peel that may have been overlooked. This apple sauce should stay four days up to a week in the fridge.

The same system can be used with peaches. Do exactly the same thing as with the apples for the fresh peaches. Do not use canned peaches if the child is below six months of age. If the child is around six months the making of baby food is easier. Simply grab a can, drain the light syrup and place in clean container. Get the peach halves and push through the sieve and serve to the child.
Again, the finer the texture the better for younger babies, but gradually introduce the different textures so they learn how to chew.

You can even make your own baby food as gifts to other mothers or if you want to make your own baby shower favors for a baby shower party. As can be seen from the simple recipes above, healthy baby food does not have to be bought off the shelf. It can be made in a snap over the stove and will save lots of money.

Fun Food Ideas for Kids

With so many candies, chocolates, pizza and other unhealthy foods in the market, kids are now eating less healthy. Because of their taste and looks, unhealthy foods are the ones preferred by kids. While it may be okay to have them occasionally, a healthy balance of food intake can help decrease the number of kids having tremendous weight gain. Obesity is one of the biggest challenges among kids and teens today and by starting with making them eat healthy earlier in life, the better chances they will have for making wise food choices and decisions later on in life.

Give one of their favorites a healthy twist – make a veggie pizza that the kids can make on their own. Prepare the ingredients beforehand so the kids need not have to worry about cutting them. Instead, they can spend time having fun putting different toppings and even designing their own pizza. You can get to know your kids more as they show their behavior and temperament in making the pizzas.

For their everyday snacks, place them in colorful and designed plates to make them look more enticing. Even for adults, food presentation means a lot. Having these yummy and healthy snacks placed in colorful plates or bowls will entice even the pickiest child to eat healthy food that may otherwise seem boring.

Everyone loves cookies, and you can discreetly make your cookies healthier by adding oats and whole grains in them. Add their favorite flavor, whether vanilla, chocolate or honey and your healthy treat will be gobbled up in no time. For different and special cookie treats, you can make your own cookie cutters or bring out those old wedding cookie cutters you have in the cupboard so you can create specially designed cookies. It will be fun as the kids get to see cookies shaped as different fun shapes like stars, snowman or gingerbread men. Cut down on the sugar and butter if possible and use healthier substitutes like stevia instead.

Have healthier but fun alternatives to their all time favorite snacks. That lean and healthy sandwich you can be made into a yummy pita sandwich that’s fun-looking and fun to eat! Give it a dollop of cheese melt, then sneak in veggies as well. Use whole grain or wheat pita bread to add in fiber and other essential minerals in their meal. Vary the fillings so they get to enjoy the pita sandwich every single time.

Suggestions for Baby Shower Food

Baby showers are fun parties and as a host, it is your duty that every aspect of the party will satisfy your guests. The time, venue, activities, games and food should be well thought out to ensure that everything will go smoothly. For your menu, here are some ideas on what to serve during a baby shower.

Finger foods and finger sandwiches are your best bets for a fun party. Easy to hold, easy to make, fun to eat, and great-tasting, these foods can be the only ones you can serve in a party so that no one will get hungry. Other food additions in a baby shower are for variety, but for satisfying food, you can never go wrong with finger sandwiches and other finger foods.

You can also serve the baby shower cake during the party to satisfy the sweet tooth of your guests. Baby shower cakes are generally large in size as they come with different themes or shapes. This cake should then be enough to be served to everyone, or you can have lovely cupcakes which guests can help themselves with as well.

Take out your baby or wedding cookie cutters and grandma’s secret recipe and work it out in the kitchen. Cookie cutters for wedding, birthdays and other themes can be used for baby showers as well, such as butterflies and hearts. Nothing can be more special than homemade cookies, but if you don’t have the time, or the skills, just head off to your local bakery to get some. Pizza can be considered as a staple or one of the official food for fun parties. They will never be out of place for your baby shower.

Vegetables and fruits can be cut in bite size pieces and are great and refreshing treats. You want something that can appeal to the health conscious people.

In planning a baby shower, you first start off with the important details of the party such as date, venue, and guest list. After these details, you can now work on your menu. Adjust your menu according to the time and place of the party, and not the other way around. Opt for a pineapple shake when get to finalize that you’ll have an afternoon shower outdoors, but do not change your venue or time only because of your menu. There are other alternative yet fun menu options that you can have.