The War of the Quilt

The second most valuable thing to any mama is her sleep. First of course is her babies and family. But a very close second is sleep. When I was pregnant with Paige, I had a hard time sleeping. If my husband rolled over, breathed heavy or made any noise or movement of any kind for that matter, I would wake up. And of course that would make me mad. And so of course I would lash out.{Remember when I told my husband he "sleeps like an idiot!"? Not my finest moment... but I was prego. Blame the hormones! http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2009/10/pregos-saythe-darndest-things.html}

When I was prego with Deacon I could sleep - but only in a very specific set of parameters. I decided our mattress was the worst thing in the world, and so I could only sleep on the bed in the guest room. I also decided that every sheet, blanket and comforter we owned was terrible, uncomfortable, and I didn't want them anywhere near me. All except a single quilt my mom had given me.

And even though I delivered the Big D close to 9 months ago and have moved back into sleeping in the master bedroom on the mattress I used to refer to as "evil" - I haven't been able to kick my quilt habit. I cannot fall asleep at night unless I am under my most favorite quilt, with no other blankets touching me. A little OCD, I know. But if it means a good night's sleep, then I'll do whatever it takes. And because this particular quilt is the only thing that I can sleep under, it is understandable that I am extremely protective of it.

Well - understandable to me... not so understandable to my husband. The caveat is that he's not allowed to sleep under my quilt - I guess I forgot to mention that? : ) And it's not because I don't want him close to me - it's because he steals it during the middle of the night. At some point every single night since I've known him, he rolls over in this sleep, wrapping himself up like a eggroll in any blanket, sheet - or quilt - in reach. And there I'm left - exposed to the elements... up sleep's creek without my quilt. So he's been banned from touching my quilt. Lenni LuLu (the dog) has also been banned from sleeping in, on or under my quilt {Yes, we somehow got roped in to co-sleeping with the dog - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/whats-up-with-co-sleeping.html} For obvious reasons, the quilt has become a point of contention every single night - so much so that he one day said, "That quilt is the root of all evil!" LOL! That is how serious this quilt issue has become.

Except the other night when Daniel wasn't feeling good and he went up to bed early. When I went up a few hours later... lo and behold - Daniel was sleeping like a baby under none other than MY QUILT! The same quilt he referred to as "evil" just a few nights before. He must have heard me come into the bedroom and woke up a little bit. When I climbed in bed and tried to reclaim the quilt, he said the most unbelievable statement: "This is the most comfortable quilt I have ever slept under in my life! I have never slept so well as I do under this quilt! Now I understand your obsession with it... maybe it's not so evil after all..." and he fell back asleep. Curled up, with the quilt wrapped around him like a burrito.

So now I am forced to share my beloved quilt every night. But it's not without a few swift kicks and elbows to the ribs if he tries to take more than his fair share. All is fair in love and sleep.

Cranio Schmanio: D's Sagittal Synostosis Repair

The big guy 4 months after his surgery!

Quick update: I've created a page on Sweet Leigh Mama dedicated to D's craniosynostosis journey. I've talked (aka emailed) with a lot of families going through a similar circumstance, and I wanted to make sure it was easy for you all to find my posts on the topic. I made sure to include links to all my craniosynostosis posts (in chronological order), as well as before and after the sagittal synostosis repair surgery pictures and info on Deacon's fabulous doctors - Dr. Barun Brahma and Dr. Fernando Burstein.

http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/our-journey-into-craniosynostosis.html

If you'd like more details on the experience, feel free to email me at sweetleighmama@gmail.com

xoxo,
Erica (Deacon's proud mama and biggest fan)

Mama Bear Moment: Too Smart For Strangers with Winnie the Pooh

You've heard of a "wolf in sheep's clothing"? Well I'm a rabid wilderbeast/ mama bear / vigilante bounty hunter in a "normal mama's" clothing. By day I am the happy, smiley mama everyone knows and loves... but if provoked, this mama bear will not hesitate to go buck wild on your booty. And just like any mama bear, the one thing that will make me lose my mind in .2 seconds is if my children - or any child for that matter - is threatened or in danger. Remember these gems?

"Can you turn your back for a second so I can take your child?" http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2011/04/ill-snatch-your-kid.html

Anxiety-inducing Law and Order: SVU episodes and other movies/TV shows involving hurt children (including the missing baby panda on Wonder Pets) http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-just-may-be-turning-into-helicopter.html

Protecting our precious babies in a scary scary world http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2010/03/mama-bear-moment.html

So every once in a while something happens that makes me so scared, so panicked, so bat-poop crazy that it sticks with me forever and I feel nauseous every time I think at what could have happened. The other day Miss Paige made a jail-break from nana and papa's apartment. Six adults wrangling the four kids, and Miss Paige still managed to walk over to the front door, unlock the deadbolt, and walk into the breezeway - without any of us realizing it for a few seconds! At the time it was kind of funny that she did that. But after a few hours, it hit me how serious that could have been. How quickly things can go bad. How if the wrong person had been walking through that breezeway... I can't even go there... Those "what if's" can drive me nuts... but they are good reminders of the need to remain vigilant in keeping those precious kiddos in my sight at all times.

Growing up my sister and I were obsessed with watching Winnie the Pooh: Too Smart for Strangers. The VHS tapes seems to have disappeared, and according to Amazon the DVD of it costs close to $70 (it is considered vintage... REALLY?!). But lucky for all our cutie patooties, I was able to find the full movie of Winnie the Pooh: Too Smart for Strangers of YouTube. Yay for modern technology... and possible piracy? Hope it's legal : ) Sorry in advance if it's not...

So now.. for the viewing pleasure of all you mama bears and your precious cubs... I present Winnie the Pooh: Too Smart for Stranger (split into three parts). Dated? Yes. But we've got to start educating our children about staying safe at some point... and I think this is a good place to start. Enjoy!

In Memoriam: Moose A. Moose and Zee D. Bird

Moose and Zee heading to the
 unemployment line

Sniff. Sniff. It's a sad day.

After a quick Google search, I have found out that Moose A. Moose and Zee D. Bird (aka Moose and Zee) aren't on vacation nor are they holding out for contract negotiations. Nick Jr. gave Moose and Zee the axe. The ole' heave ho. The pink slip. On March 1 the beloved pair of woodland creatures who entertained Miss Paige and the Big D for the past few years were gone for good:

Bumpers, songs, and interstitial games featuring Moose A. Moose and Zee D. Bird were removed from Nick Jr. at 6:00 a.m. ET on March 1, 2012, following an update of the network’s image, produced by Troika Design Group. After that, Moose A. Moose and Zee D. Bird disappeared from Nick Jr. completely. Also, on that day, the “It’s like preschool on TV” slogan was abandoned and replaced with “The Smart Place to Play” (Wikepedia)

I'm not the only one saddened by the dissapearance of my fav moose and bird - someone created a petition to bring our pals back! http://www.change.org/petitions/nick-jr-bring-moose-and-zee-back  A little extreme, yes - but I much prefer the semi-educational info Moose and Zee provided vs. the new commercials that have replaced them. And to be honest, a few months ago our family's channel of choice became PBS - specifically for Sesame Street, Curious George and Dinosaur Train. Before anyone out there gets their panties in a knot over too much TV watching, my kids don't really "watch" the shows... it's more for background noise while we do other activities. The monotony of bings and beeps and CRASH (that's Legos beging thrown to the floor) has got to break at some point during the day, right? Right!

And here is a link from a story CBS did: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/07/parents-rip-nick-jr-for-firing-moose-and-zee/  "It’s like to Occupy Wall Streeters grew up, had kids and turned their wrath on children’s television."  Some parents are taking it pretty hard... please don't camp outside Nickelodeon Studios folks... remember you have the kiddos to take care of  : )

In memoriam, I have included some of my fav Moose A. Moose and Zee D. Bird moments... you will be missed, my furry and feathered friends!

http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-southern-belle-says-dawg-and-cawll.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Purees - FAQs

New to the world of homemade baby food and purees? Here are a few frequently asked questions that I had myself, and have been asked many times! Email me at sweetleighmama@gmail.com with any additional questions that I can help with! I'm not an expert per se, but I've made homemade baby food and purees for both my children and have done a lot of research on the subject! I guess that's as close to an expert on the subject as you can get, right? : )

• When is the best time to start feeding my baby solids? Pediatricians recommend to start introducing babies to solid foods (purees) between 4 and 6 months of age. I started my daughter at 4 months old because she was ready. My son didn’t seem ready until nearly 5 months old. Some parents decided to feed a strict liquid diet until 6 months of age. All of it is ok – it really depends on your preference and your child’s interest.

• I’m confused – should I start with a single-grain cereal, fruit or veggies? I’ve heard so many different things! Every person you speak to on this topic will have a different answer. One person will start strictly with single grain cereal. Another will skip the cereal and start with pureed bananas. And a third person will start with pureed carrots. What that tells me is that it doesn’t really matter. As long as all three – single grain cereal, fruits and vegetables – are a part of your baby’s diet, it doesn’t really matter in which order you introduce them. My daughter wanted nothing to do with plain rice cereal, so I decided to mix some pea puree into it and she gobbled it up. My son on the other hand LOVED the oatmeal cereal and still eats it plain some days. The key is to get a good variety and try to include an iron-fortified single grain cereal (i.e. rice, oatmeal, barley) into their meals at least once each day – either mixed with a puree or served separately.

• My four/five month old pushes the puree out of his mouth – does he not like the flavor? Not necessarily. At four months old, some infants still regain their tongue reflex and automatically push solids out of their mouth as a safety mechanism of sorts. You may need to hold off on solids for a week or two and then try again. Another possibility is that your purees are too chunky. At 4-5 months, purees need to be soupy and thin – almost like water – with no chunks. Flavor doesn’t really become a factor until 9 – 12 months of age.

• Do I need to alternate green and orange foods? There is no hard and fast rule about this, but I do try and introduce a variety of foods of all different colors – both fruits and vegetables. Some say too much orange food will turn your child’s skin orange – luckily I’ve never seen this happen to either of my children!

• What are signs my baby is allergic to one of the purees? Common signs of an allergic reaction include (but are not limited to): Rash, hives, diarrhea, gassiness, vomiting, wheezing, difficulty breathing. Stage 1 of introducing solids is all about determining if your child has any allergies or sensitivities to a particular food. It’s important to introduce only one food at a time, so that if in fact your child has an allergic reaction, you can immediately pinpoint the culprit. Some food allergies may not show up immediately – be sure to wait at least three days in between introducing new foods to allow for a delayed allergic reaction.

• What if my baby has an allergic reaction? If your child appears to be having an allergic reaction after one of his feedings, call your pediatrician immediately. If it is a severe reaction, call 911.

• How big is a serving size? Does it differ in each stage? An average serving size in approximately ¼ cup (or 4 tablespoons) of puree.  When you infants first begins eating solids, don’t be surprised if he only eats a single tablespoon at a sitting. At this point solids are a supplement to his regular liquid feedings (breast or bottle) and not a substitute. By the time he is 8 months old, he may be eating 2-3 servings of puree at a single sitting. At this point, solids have replaced a liquid feeding – approximately 2-3 less liquid feedings (6 oz each) per day at 8 months vs. 4 months.

• How much puree should I feed my baby in one sitting? Let your baby be the judge and use your instincts. Start off slow with 1 tablespoon at 4 months, then build based on what he ate the day before. There is no harm in taking a break after a few tablespoons to let your baby digest a bit and determine if he is still hungry.  At 6 months, my son was eating 1 serving (4 tablespoons) at one sitting – once per day. Now, at 8 months, he is eating 2 servings (8 tablespoons) at one sitting – 2 times per day.

• Can I mix fruits and vegetables together, or should I keep the two separate? After you move past Stage 1 and determine your child’s food sensitivities or allergies, you can mix and match however you’d like. I often mix fruits and vegetables into one puree to vary flavors and textures.

• When can I introduce meats? How would I puree them? Meats are typically introduced after 9 months of age. Proteins – like beans – can be introduced at early as 7 months. But meats – like chicken, turkey, lamb – should only be introduced once the baby’s digestive system has matured a bit and they are able to eat chunkier foods. All meat should be cooked until they are opaque throughout – no pink! Some parents choose to cut meat into tiny pieces that can be picked up and chewed vs. pureeing. I prefer to puree to avoid a choking hazard. To puree meat, cook thoroughly and cut into bite-sized pieces. Place in blender with a few tablespoons of liquid such as chicken or vegetable stock. Puree on high until no chunks of meat are present. Meat tends to be a bit dry – even as a puree – so I recommend mixing it with a fruit or vegetable puree to make it easier to eat.

• What about eggs? Fully-cooked egg yolks can typically be introduced at 9 months of age. However, it is recommended to hold off on feeding your infant egg whites due to risk of common egg allergies. Fully cooked egg yolks can be added to a puree mixture, or served separately in small pieces. Be sure to monitor your child closely to avoid choking.

• Should I be adding seasoning to my purees – like salt, pepper, sugar, cinnamon or oregano? The first two stages of purees should not be seasoned. You want to be able to judge a child’s sensitivities to a single food vs. a food with seasoning. At nine months, you can begin experimenting with seasonings, but not too much. An infant doesn’t have the same tastes or tolerance for salty, spicy and sweet stuff as we do. A tiny sprinkle of cinnamon, cumin or other mild spice is ok – but stay away from salt, sugar and spicy additives.

• What are signs that my baby is full? I don’t want to feed him too much! Use your best judgment – every child is unique.  Keep in mind that a child’s appetite may change from day to day – what fills him up on Monday may leave him wanting more on Tuesday. General signs of fullness in infants include: refusing to open his mouth, turning his head or leaning away from the spoon, or playing with his food.

• I’m traveling and won’t be able to bring along my purees – is it ok to your store bought baby food? Of course it’s ok! Do what you need to do, mama! I try to bring my purees along with me when I travel, but if I happen to be planning a long trip or staying somewhere without the appropriate cooling/heating utilities, I pick up some pre-made baby food that doesn’t require refrigeration or heating. I actually always have one or two servings on hand in case of emergency!

 

Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!

Or follow the links below to all previous posts on making homemade baby food and purees:

Easy-Peezy Purees - What You Need to Get Started:
http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and.html

The Basics of Making Homemade Baby Food - How to Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and_02.html

Easy-Peezy Purees - The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-essential-17-fruits.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Purees - Foods to Avoid: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and-puree.html

The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Little One to Solids: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-whys-and-hows-of.html

Easy-Peezy Purees: The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Little One to Solids

The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Baby to Solids

Stage 1: 4-6 months – Start off Slowly



Homemade Pea and Carrot Puree - YUMMY!



When? There is really no rush in introducing solids to your baby’s diet. I’ve found it’s better to let your child guide you as to when they are ready. I know with my first baby, I was always anxiously awaiting the next stage in her development. It was exciting to see her grow up. So as soon as she turned 4 months old, I was ready – spoon in hand – to start. I quickly found out she was not ready, and I had to put it off for another week or two. There are three signs your baby may be ready for solids:

1. They are interested in what you are eating. They begin to notice when you are eating, and stare down your plate of food. They become curious as to what it could be, and are interested in trying it for themselves.
2. They lose their “tongue thrust” reflex. All babies are born with a reflex to push things out of their mouth using their tongue. It’s to protect them from choking hazards. Think about the first time you gave a pacifier to your baby – they pushed it right out of their mouth. The tongue thrust reflex tends to disappear between 4 and 5 months of age.
3. They can hold their head up. They aren’t expected to sit up on their own yet, but they should be able to support the weight of their heads.

What Kind of Food? You have options on what to start your baby out with first. The key is that it is extremely smooth in texture, and pretty runny. No course or chunky purees or food! In regard to what category of food to start with – single grain cereal vs. fruit vs. vegetable - every person you speak to on this topic will have a different answer. One person will start strictly with single grain cereal. Another will skip the cereal and start with pureed bananas. And a third person will start with pureed carrots. What that tells me is that it doesn’t really matter. As long as all three – single grain cereal, fruits and vegetables – are a part of your baby’s diet, it doesn’t really matter in which order you introduce them. My daughter wanted nothing to do with plain rice cereal, so I decided to mix some pea puree into it and she gobbled it up. My son on the other hand LOVED the oatmeal cereal and still eats it plain some days. The key is to get a good variety and try to include an iron-fortified single grain cereal (i.e. rice, oatmeal, barley) into their meals at least once each day – either mixed with a puree or served separately.

Keep in Mind:

* Any of the Essential 17 foods are fine to feed your baby in Stage 1 (Read about the Essential 17 here: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-essential-17-fruits.html )

* Introduce one food at a time – no mixtures until you have established your child’s sensitivities and/or allergies.

* Stay with the same food for at least 3 days in a row (i.e. carrots). Then, you can switch to another food (i.e. bananas) for three days. Then the next (i.e. peas). And you can always go back to previous foods that passed the “three day test”.
* Once they have a good base of allergy-free foods and have gotten down the idea of eating, you can begin mixing flavors (i.e. carrots and peas). I gave it a month of single foods before I tried any combos.

 
How Much and How Often? In Stage 1, solids are a supplement to a liquid diet (either breast milk or formula). Solids shouldn’t be replacing a meal at this point. It’s more about the baby getting used to the idea of eating than actually taking in much nourishment from the food. Nourishment is a bonus. The majority of their calories should still be coming from the breast milk or bottle. With that said, don’t expect your baby to eat a bowl full of puree right off the bat. The first few times you feed him solids, he may only eat a teaspoon or two. And most of that may end up on his bib. Since it’s not replacing a meal, it’s not a big deal. He is still getting all the nourishment he needs from his liquid feedings. Slowly build up the amount he is eating. A single serving of 4 tablespoons should be adequate, but if your child seems to want more, go ahead and offer an additional tablespoon or two. During Stage 1, solids once a day is fine. Near the end of Stage 1, your baby may be eating close to 2 servings (approximately 6-8 tablespoons) in one sitting. At that point, you’ve probably noticed he wants to drop a liquid feeding as well. Now that he is eating more solids and getting calories from the delicious purees you are making, it is normal that he would need to consume less breast milk or formula.

What Time of Day? The exact timeframe is up to you and your baby, but I recommend two things to make your life a lot easier:

1. Don’t try and feed him solids when he is starving, like right after a nap. Give him a bit of breast milk or formula to help fill his tummy a bit. Then try a few bites of solids. Then finish up his liquid meal.

2. Don’t try and feed him solids during a typically fussy time of day. You want your baby in the best mood possible. Forcing him to try the food when he’s in a bad mood is going to end with you both in tears. Trust me on this one : )

With both my children, I added solids to their 10:00 a.m. liquid feeding. They were happy, alert and interested in trying something new. It was after their morning nap, so they were well rested. It also helps to establish a pattern – they look forward to this new experience! When it’s time to add in another feeding (Stage 2: 7-8 mos), you can add it in the evening (I chose the 5:00 p.m. feeding). And then once they are ready for 3 meals a day (Stage 3: 9-12 mos), you can add in a lunch-time meal and you’re all set with a regular schedule.

***
Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!
Or follow the links below to all my other posts on making homemade baby food and purees:
Easy-Peezy Purees - What You Need to Get Started:
http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and.html

The Basics of Making Homemade Baby Food - How to Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and_02.html
Easy-Peezy Purees - The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-essential-17-fruits.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Purees - Foods to Avoid: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and-puree.html
The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Little One to Solids: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-whys-and-hows-of.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Puree: Foods to Avoid

Steer clear of these foods when making your own baby food and purees...

• Great but Gassy: Broccoli, Cauliflower – Introduce slowly, a little bit at a time to test your baby’s tolerance to gas-inducing foods

• A Little Too Spicy: Kiwi (when pureed, the seeds release a black pepper-like spice), Peppers

• Avoid Acidic: Pineapple, Oranges, Papaya, Tomatoes – Fruits high in acidity can cause upset tummies and irritable bowels leading to diaper rash 

• Allergy Inducing:  Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries (high in nitrates that a baby’s developing digestive track may not be able to handle)  and Honey (may contain trace amounts of botulism which can harm an infant)

***

Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!

Or follow the links below to all my other posts on making homemade baby food and purees:
Easy-Peezy Purees - What You Need to Get Started:
http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and.html

The Basics of Making Homemade Baby Food - How to Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and_02.html

Easy-Peezy Purees - The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-essential-17-fruits.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Purees - Foods to Avoid: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and-puree.html

The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Little One to Solids: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-whys-and-hows-of.html

Easy-Peezy Purees: The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know

So what are the fruits and veggies you should use to make your homemade baby food and purees? I call them the Essential 17. These fruits and veggies will be at the core of your baby’s puree menu based on their nutritional value and effects on your baby's developing digestive track. Check out the nutrient scoop of each of the Essential 17 below! The take a peek at the list at the very bottom which explains the benefits of each of these nutrients.

The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies

• Apples: antioxidants, soluble fiber
• Avocados: monosaturated “healthy” fat, soluble fiber, Vitamin E
• Bananas: potassium, Vitamin B6
• Beans (Black, Pinto, Navy): potassium, folate, fiber
• Beets: antioxidants, folic acid and potassium
• Carrots: beta carotene, insoluble fiber
• Cucumber: vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, potassium
• Green Beans: vitamin B6,  protein, folic acid, potassium 
• Melon (Cantaloupe, Honeydew): beta carotene, Vitamin C
• Peaches: niacin, thiamine, potassium , calcium, beta carotene
• Pears: soluble fiber, vitamins B2, C, E, and potassium
• Peas: folate, soluble and insoluble fiber
• Plums: soluble fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene
• Pumpkin: potassium, beta carotene, Vitamin A
• Squash (Summer, Yellow, Butternut): Beta carotene, potassium, vitamin C, lutein
• Sweet Potato: soluble fiber, beta carotene, antioxidants, Vitamin A
• Zucchini: vitamin C, lutein, vitamin B6, riboflavin

Glossary of Vitamins and Minerals

• Antioxidants: Protect healthy cells against damage; Shown to fight off certain cancers and sharpen memory
• Beta Carotene: Helps keep the skin and eyes healthy
• Calcium: Helps keep bones and teeth strong
• Folate: Promotes heart health
• Folic Acid: Promotes healthy growth and function of cells
• Insoluble Fiber: Prevents constipation and keeps bowels moving properly
• Lutein: Promotes eye health
• Magnesium: Helps in the contraction and relaxation of muscles; Promotes production of protein and energy
• Monosaturated Fat: The “healthy” fat, Helps to lower cholesterol and keep your heart healthy
• Niacin: See Vitamin B3
• Potassium: Good for heart health and regulating blood pressure
• Riboflavin: See Vitamin B2
• Soluble Fiber: Helps to stabilize blood sugar levels
• Thiamine: See Vitamin B1
• Vitamin A: Promotes good vision; Helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin
• Vitamin B1 (aka Thiamine): Helps break down sugars in the blood and reduce inflamation
• Vitamin B2 (aka Riboflavin): Important for growth and red blood cell production, Also a great source of energy
• Vitamin B3 (aka Niacin): Helps lower cholesterol and promotes blood circulation
• Vitamin B6: Promotes brain health and function, Supports production of certain hormones and enzymes
• Vitamin C: Promotes healing and healthy cell growth
• Vitamin E: Promotes healthy cell growth, including healing cuts and scrapes

***

Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!

Or follow the links below to all my other posts on making homemade baby food and purees:

Easy-Peezy Purees - What You Need to Get Started:
http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and.html

The Basics of Making Homemade Baby Food - How to Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and_02.html

Easy-Peezy Purees - The Essential 17 Fruits and Veggies Every Mama Needs to Know: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-essential-17-fruits.html

Easy-Peezy Homemade Baby Food and Purees - Foods to Avoid: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and-puree.html

The Whys and Hows of Transitioning Your Little One to Solids: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/easy-peezy-purees-whys-and-hows-of.html

The Basics of Making Your Own Baby Food and Purees: How to Puree

The Basics of Making Your Own Baby Food and Purees: How to Puree

Wash: When using fresh fruits and veggies, be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any pesticides, dirt and other unmentionables that may have latched onto your food.

Chop: Cut into small chunks in preparation for steaming - or in the case of fruits that don’t need to be cooked – to throw right into the blender. Be sure to remove all seeds, cores and rinds. No need to peel apples, zucchinis, pears, etc – the skin adds fiber and virtually disappears in the puree.

{Cheat Sheet: No time to wash and chop fresh fruits and veggies? No worries. Bagged frozen vegetables are a lifesaver and work just as well. Most are “flash frozen” to keep in the nutrients, and they are already the right size to steam, and then puree. Canned can also work if you’re in a jam – just make sure you avoid additives like salt, sugar, preservatives, and high-sugar juices or syrups.}

Steam: Most vegetables need to be cooked prior to pureeing (with the exception of avocados and cucumbers). Steaming gets the job done while keeping the lion’s share of nutrients in place. Fill a pot with about ½ cup of water. Place chopped vegetables in pot with water, cover and turn on stove top to medium heat. Then, let the steam go to work. But don’t overdo it – about 10 minutes of steaming is enough to get the job done. 

Puree: Now the fun part. Throw your steamed veggies (along with the remaining water from the pot) into the blender or food processor and puree away. Uncooked fruits may need a bit of water (a tablespoon at a time to avoid overdoing it) to keep the blades from getting stuck or the fruit from getting jammed. Puree on high until you reach desired consistency – Stage 1: extra smooth/fine; Stage 2: smooth but thicker; Stage 3: thick and a little bit chunky; Stage 4: chunky and coarse. Puree a bit too thin? Add a tablespoon of single grain cereal before serving. Too thick? Stir in an ounce of breast milk or formula immediately before serving.

Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!

Or follow the links below to all previous posts on making homemade baby food and purees:

Why I Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-peezy-guide-for-making-homemade.html

The Basics: What You Need to Get Started: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/03/basics-of-making-your-own-baby-food-and.html

The Basics of Making Your Own Baby Food and Purees: What You Need to Get Started

The Basics: What You Need to Get Started

• A pot for cooking and steaming
• A spoon for stirring
• A fork for mashing
• A can-opener
• A knife for chopping
• A bowl for mixing
• A blender or food processor for pureeing
• Ice-cube trays for freezing

{I told you it was easy-peezy!} Of course you can get fancy with your supplies and invest in a specialized baby-food steamer and puree maker, custom food storage trays, etc. but I’ve found it’s not necessary. It complicates things. You have enough on your plate - don’t make things harder than they need to be!

Be sure to click here - http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/p/easy-peezy-homemade-baby-food-and.html - to read all the posts on making your own baby food and purees! It will be an easy way to keep track and look for new updates!

Why I Puree: http://sweetleighmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-peezy-guide-for-making-homemade.html