Mystery Jar

What is in the baby food? Can you even pronounce the items listed on the back of the jar less known understanding what they are. I really do not think I want to purchase and eat many items that are good for two years after I purchase them. Most food items are not suppose to last for two years. Who knows exactly what are in the jars, are you now thinking we have been eating it for years and we are ok ? The answer is yes, we are ok but there is better. I admit that popping the lid on that prepackaged baby food is convenient and less time consuming. And I often pop the lid when out and about during the day running errands, when traveling and on vacay and I often pop the lid when I am too lazy to cook.

The bigger picture is you could be providing your baby more wholesome and nutritious food while saving a buck. Hopefully by now we try to avoid the canned sodium, excuse me I meant canned goods and at the very least purchasing frozen vegetables. Purchasing fresh veggies may not always be financially feasible for most.

Here is an easy plan; Whatever veggie you are making with dinner add an extra serving for your little one. In my household we do not eat salt.  When I make veggies for the family I cook them with out any salt. Those who want  condiments are welcome to season to their taste after the food is done. For her protein, which is all poultry until she is old enough for seafood. I normally just cook her a small portion separately without seasoning.

Decrease or Eliminate the Cost of Baby Food

Prepare an extra serving of the meal’s veggies and fruit for your little one. Baby food gets expensive this is a cost you can eliminate by DIY.

Increase your Veggie Intake

Having to cook veggies for the baby may increase your veggie intake. If you previously were one that would bypass veggies for a single or double starch with your entrée you now are already cooking a veggie for your baby you might as well partake.

Know what you are eating

As a society we have totally become reliant on the FDA to monitor our food for us. And a good job they do. Just because items are edible and not detrimental to your health does not necessarily make it good for you to eat. Take the mystery out the jar.

Stage 1 Foods

• Carrots, Peas, Squash, Zucchini, Green Beans, Apples, Pears
• Wash, peel and cut into small pieces
• Put in sauce pan, add water
• Cover and Boil until soft

Blend food in the your blender, add water from the saucepan or add water or breast milk (the water level should not exceed the amount of food in the blender, add enough water not to jam the blender but not too much to make the food watery)

Stage 2

At this point I added brown rice to my baby’s diet so I used the rice cooker and steam to cook food for her

• Cook brown rice in the rice cook
• I used the top steamer to steam mix veggies while the rice was cooking
• For protein I purchased individually wrapped chicken breast and bake with only water
• Once the chicken breast, rice and veggies are done I would add breast milk or water and blend

**It would be great to purchase organic veggies and fruits

Save baby food jars, they are good for storing home made baby food if you are going to be out for the day.

Freeze left over baby food, or place in the fridge and use within 3 days