Tasty Toddler Tuesday

This past week we experimented with brown rice and butternut squash. Sometimes I feel like I am on that show Hell's kitchen and Eliza is Gordan Ramsey. Some of my concoctions are not met with a smile. I have had gagging and the shivers. But I have also had some successes which makes me smile and say Yes Chef!

This past week I made E a meal with apple, chicken and brown rice. In a saucepan I cooked diced chicken and an apple. Then I added in some cooked brown rice and mashed it up a bit. Eliza ate it as a finger food and loved it! I will definitely be making it again.

I also tried butternut squash, applesauce and rice. I don't think it was the taste with this so much as the texture that E didn't love. She can be funny about texture.

The third rice dish I made was steamed eggplant and squash with brown rice, chopped chicken and a little melted cheddar. Also a success!

Scores!
*Pastina with cheese and butternut squash!
*butternut squash and peach puree

UNDECIDED
*bananas with fresh pumpkin puree
* Avocado chunks

Also, I think E might be allergic to eggs. I mashed up a cooked egg yolk for her and gave it to her for breakfast. She turned up her nose at it but did manage a few bites. Later that day she pooped and had a bright red rash where the poo touched. It is the only new food she had that day so I am thinking possible food allergy?

Stay Tuned!
Next Tuesday I will be reviewing Tasty Baby Organic Baby Food!

Poppin Peas like Candy

So my little Eliza is loving peas lately. Recently, I have been trying to give her more finger foods to eat. In the past she would usually gag whenever I gave her something with more texture than oatmeal, but lately she is really getting the swing of this eating biz! I bought some frozen organic peas and have been making them in small batches for her every few days. She loves them and pops them into her mouth rapid fire. I also cut up and steamed some carrots for her to eat. She is enjoying them as well. I am thinking of changing my Tasty Tuesday to recipes from my toddler feeding adventures.

One morning I couldn't figure out how to keep the banana bits from slipping between her fingers. Then I saw the box of Cheerios on the counter and decided to make her some Cereal Covered Banana Bits! It was a huge hit and she could finally get a hold of those slippery bananas! Did I forget to mention how fun it is to smash Cheerios with a rolling pin! woo hoo The things that get my motor revving these days.

YUMM-O

What? Do I have something on my face?

Mommy's Rockin Sweet Potatoes!

I always said I would make Eliza's baby food when it came time for her to eat solids. Well that time came VERY quickly and I just didn't seem to have time. Maybe it wasn't so much the time as it was the fact that I was living at my mom's and didn't want to make a mess of her kitchen. I felt guilty about not making her food but did my best to give her organic baby food. However, I kept thinking that making baby food myself was be the most cost effective and healthiest way to feed my lil' angel. So I finally invested in some BPA free containers to store my food. They are called baby cubes and I read about them on The Soft Landing. What attracted me to the cubes was that they are separate unlike traditional ice cube style containers. Don't get me wrong- I would love some of those too- but I went with the individual cubes to start. That way I could freeze some and refrigerate some.

I figured I would start by making sweet potatoes for little E. So here are my three little organic sweet potatoes sitting on their cookie sheet after being scrubbed. I wrapped them in foil and cooked them for a little over an hour. I think I actually forgot they were in the oven.

I pulled them out and let them cool on the counter. I have ZERO patience so when they were pretty cool I slit them down the middle and took off the skins.

Then I put the potatoes into a bowl and mashed them with a fork.

Next I popped them into the food processor and gave them a whirl. I added some water to smooth them out a bit. The I filled my little baby cubes with the creamy mixture. I am thinking I could have mixed them with something besides water (juice?) but I wasn't too sure so I stuck with water.

Here are my cubes filled with Yumm-O sweet potatoes. I did a taste test and they were quite delicious. I put some in the freezer and some in the fridge.

The next day Eliza had her sweet potatoes. She ate them for me like a champ. Unfortunately, the next day she gagged when daddy fed them to her. I was so upset I wanted to cry. I told Pete to mix them with her apples and she gobbled them right down. Problem solved! Although my ego is a little crushed as I thought they were scrumptious! Overall, it was super easy and I had fun. I have also started mashing up banana for her and putting it in her oatmeal. I can't wait to venture into more interesting combinations. I am using Wholesomebabyfood.com to help me get ideas.

I do have to admit that not all has been peachy keen on the home made food front. Today at Dana's mom's house I mashed up a little avocado and gave it to lil E. She gagged. Of course I gave her more. She gagged again and then threw up the few ounces of water she had just drank from her sippy cup. EW! NO FEAR! I will not be deterred. I have plans for making her some Banana ‘Cado Puree! Wish me luck. Next time I will wear a poncho.

Catch up!

I feel like I haven't written a real post in forever. I guess I have been kinda busy. Here is what I have been doing.

• I have been packing up and moving on out of my classroom. It is kind of weird to be leaving after five years. My aide says she still hopes I decide to stay. haha. Well, unless I win the lottery and can hire a nanny or by a house next to the school or something I am leaving. It is really very sad.
• Trying to think of a way to bring in some money. I put up an ad on Craig's list but only heard back from one person. I guess I need to kick it up into high gear.
• I have been chasing Eliza around the house. Since she discovered how to crawl she is nonstop. Her new favorite thing is to chase the cats around the house. Poor Kitties.
• Tending to Eliza and her red eyes. Her eyes are a nightmare. They get a little better and then get much worse. Last night at dinner she kept rubbing them and at the same time rubbing oatmeal into them. We are debating about whether or not we should take her to the Pediatric Opthamologist or maybe to an allergist.
• I have spent some time researching cloth diapers. I have been meaning to make the switch for a while. I decided to purchase a sampler pack of pocket diapers to see which brand I like the best. I will be reviewing each diaper in the very near future.
• I have been whipping up some homemade baby food. OK! I only made sweet potatoes but it is surely a start. I have pictures so I will be doing a post on this venture shortly. I have big plans for making her food this summer.

So that is what has been up with me. Later today I need to go pick up my bridesmaid dress (with Dana) for my friend Erika's wedding. I am thinking I need to invest in some of those booby cutlets so I don't look flat as a pancake.

It is Everything Educational Thursday but I am left feeling a little uninspired with the end of school approaching. Hopefully, something will come to me on what is should post.