Baby food goodness

I started on the bandwagon to clean up what we eat at the Robertson house.  Some may argue what constitutes "healthy", I say, we are a work in progress so cut me some slack!

The easiest start was with Annabelle.  They say the first 5 years of eating habits will dictate the rest of her life... eek!  No pressure here, ha!  I started making her baby food.  To my utter shock, she liked it more than canned baby food.  I liked it because I know exactly what is going in her mouth and if she had an allergic reaction, I would know what I gave her.  

So people have been asking me and Cynthia how I do it.  It started in Cynthia's kitchen, so really, she should be writing this and taking all the credit!  But anyhow, this is the easy way that I do it!

1.  Go the store, farmers market, etc and pick out what you want to try.  This week I made/am making acorn squash, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, carrots, apples and bananas.  I have not done the bananas or the peaches yet.  They are a first, but will post that soon!
Also, while you are at target spending all your money on diapers and other random things, get a bunch of these:

Make sure that they are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe!

2.  Get your loot out and start peeling!

*don't but produce that is not in season by the bulk.  I made this mistake and had to cut off lots of bad parts.  

3.  Peel those jokers and put the yumminess in a steamer:

4.  Set the timer and go do something else, like peel more or empty the dishwasher or fold that never ending laundry.  Also, change the water out after each veggie or fruit that you cook.  You don't want apples with a hint of carrot.

When they are done, it should be really soft.

5.  Put the contents in the blender or the magic bullet and rock and roll.

6.  Store the goodness in those little containers.  I put about 2 tablespoons in each one.  That is about a serving size for my babe!

Okay, let's do the math here for a second.  I spend about $3 on the apples.  I am not including the cost of the containers because I will reuse them in the months to come.  It made 11 servings ( I had fed AB one already when I took this picture).  Gerber food is $1.39 for 2 packages at Harris Teeter.  A savings of around $6

Other produce:

Acorn squash

Carrots!  

*The carrots had the best savings. I got a bag of the small "ready to eat" carrots for just $1.37.  It made over 11 servings!!!

Some tips while making it:

• On thicker food, like carrots, sweet potatoes and acorn squash, you will need to add some water.  I use the water that is in the bottom of the steamer.  If you are baking or using the oven, use the water that is in the pan.  Just a little water goes a long way.  So be conservative and add it as needed.
• Make sure that you sterilize the containers.  Using the small ones as you can use them "per serving" it makes it soooo much easier.  
• I put a few containers in the fridge at a time and the rest stay in the freezer.
• Make sure that you label those jokers.  Apples and acorn squash look simpler in color and when they are frozen... Lord help us!
• Make sure that you have a good helper, it gets really messy sometimes.  Here's my "oh so faithfully" helper:  

• Mostly, have fun!  You are feeding your sweet babe these yummy foods and it's suppose to be fun for you guys.  AB woke up in the middle of the process, so I just fed her and left her in the high chair and dragged it over to where I was cooking and she loved watching me.  

If you have any questions, call me or email me.  I would love to help!  I don't know much, but do know I love making this stuff!