By: Amanda Froelich,
It’s interesting how the movement to convenience everything has included the food of the cleanest, purest individuals on the planet. Babies, whom enter this sphere relatively healthy if their parents have taken necessary guidelines with their own health, grow at a rapid rate their first 3 years of life and desire nourishing and vitality-giving food. Unfortunately, options in the super markets are not much more than pasteurized, preservative food options and powders designed to give basic nourishment.
An important aspect is forgotten when any food is high heated or made to withstand a long shelf life; it loses the life force which makes it a live, healing food. Not to mention canning methods destroy a lot of the baby’s essential vitamins and minerals, they’re sources of food that are sub-optimal, and for those that wish to feed their babies the best, there are easy home-made alternatives available.
If your child has moved on to puree from breast milk, the following 10 recipes will no doubt delight your child’s taste buds and positively influence their future decisions to like fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s shown that started young on a healthy diet, children have enhanced IQ’s, better moods (from balanced blood sugars), and have stronger immune systems. (New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind)
With all of the following recipes, all one needs is a bowl and a fork to mash, or a food processor to easiest combine all ingredients. Store any left overs in an air-tight container for 1-2 days, and always opt for organic produce to ensure your baby is the healthiest possible!
**Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing solid foods to your baby and specifically discuss any foods that may pose allergy risk for your child.**
1. Avocado Peas ‘n’ More
Avocado is a wonderful addition for young children that thrive with the right balance of essential fatty acids and love creamy textures. Peas, high in protein are very nourishing, and mashed with lemon juice and Sweet Potato is a wonderful meal.
Ingredients
- ½ Avocado
- 1 Cup Peas
- ½ medium Sweet Potato
- Squeeze of Lime Juice
Directions:
1) Combine sweet potato and peas in a food processor, mix in mashed avocado in a medium bowl and add a squeeze of lime juice.
2. Pumpkin Baby
Pumpkin, high in Vitamins A, C, and other beneficial phyto-nutrients is fun to create with. Baking is the easiest way to prepare, and once its cooled, utilize it in some of these reicpes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Pumpkin
- 1 Pear, peeled
- (Optional): dash of Cinnamon
Directions:
1) Mash ingredients together and serve with love.
3. Pumpkin, Banana, and Peaches
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Pumpkin or ½ Cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 Banana
- 1 Peach
Directions:
1) Mash all ingredients together.
4. Papaya Raspberry Goodness
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Papaya
- ½ Cup Raspberries
- (Optional): Juice from ½ Orange
Directions:
1) Mash all ingredients together and serve.
5. Minty Peas and Rice
Include whole grains like rice (gluten free preferred) when properly food combining with vegetables to make meals for your baby.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cup vegetable broth
- ¾ cup brown rice
- 1 ½ cups frozen peas or fresh
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- fresh pepper to taste
Directions:
1) Bring broth to a boil in a large sauce pan over high heat. Add rice and bring to a simmer, cover. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 4 minutes if instant.
2) Stir in peas and return to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until peas are warm-hot and rice has absorbed most of the liquid, about 6 minutes.
3) Remove from heat and stir in fresh mint. Cover and let stand for 3-5 minutes. When warm to touch, it’s suitable to feed your child.
6. Apple-Pumpkin Breakfast
Ingredients:
- 1 cup apples, diced
- 1 cup Pumpkin
- 1 ½ cup Oatmeal, pre-cooked
- dash of Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and/or Ginger
Directions:
1) Mix spices, pumpkin, apple sauce, and oatmeal together to form a puree.
7. Apple Berry Baby
Apples are full of easy to digest fiber and are soothing to baby’s digestive tract, not to mention high in Vitamin A and C!
Ingredients:
- 3 Apples
- 1 Cup Blueberries
- (Optional): 2 drops of Vanilla Stevia
Directions:
1) Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
8. Savory Pumpkin Puree
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- ¼ cup diced Onion
- 1-2 cups Pumpkin, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
- 2 cups Vegetable stock
- Rosemary and Basil
- dash of raw honey or maple syrup if desired
Directions:
1) Heat the oil in a medium sauce pot then add the onion and squash/pumpkin cubes. Saute until the onions are translucent then add vegetable stock.
2) Bring the mixture to a slow simmer and simmer until squash is tender enough to puree. Add basil and rosemary.
3) After pureeing, you may optionally toss with cooked brown rice or quinoa for a heartier meal for your child.
9. Steamed Vegetable Medley
Sometimes steamed vegetables when pureed together can add all the nutrition and flavor one needs; many forget a baby’s taste buds are much purer and refined therefore simplicity may be best.
Ingredients:
Any combination of the following:
- Carrots
- Peas
- Green Beans and/or
- Summer Squash
Directions:
1) Steam all ingredients and combine until mashed and smooth.
10. Mixed Mango Tango
Ingredients:
- ½ cup Mango
- ½ cup Banana
- 1 ripe Peach
Directions:
1) Mash all ingredients or food process until smooth.
With hand held mixers, one can even prepare food for their baby at a nice restaurant or mix food in minutes at home. Fresh is best, and there should be no short cuts when it comes to your child’s health. A great website for more recipes and further information on raising your baby with wholesome, nourishing food can be found here.
