Showing posts with label products I love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label products I love. Show all posts

Monday, December 1, 2014

5 Fun Stocking Stuffers For The Foodie In Your Family

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    Well, here we are December 1st! Yikes how did we already get to the last month of the year? If you are like me I always try to give gifts that are thoughtful. Sometimes I get stumped and I just can't help but buy the basic sweater for someone. I just cross my fingers I will think of something better the next year. (insert shrug) 

   So over the next couple of weeks I hope to put together some fun gift ideas for you or someone you love. I love stockings so I thought this is a good place to start. 

1. Cheese Knives- We love cheese plates in our house. It honestly does make a difference when you have nice knives. You can always pair with a fun Cheese board that you wrap and put under your tree. 

2. Clip and Drain Strainer- I have one of these and love it. It is easy to clean and doesn't take up lots of room like your colander does. This is a great gift for the pasta lover in your family! 

3. A Face Mug- How fun is this mug? My hubby loves cookies and milk, so when I found this it was a must buy. I like to give silly gifts that serve a purpose and this is both of those. 

4. Odor Rub Away Bar- This is on my list this year! I hate having hands that stink. Especially if I have to go to work after putting dinner in the crock pot. Who wants to get their hair done by someone who smells like onions? The reviews also say it makes great deodorant, I will let you decide that for yourself. 

5. Classic Zester- This is the most practical choice on my list. I use ours all of the time so if you don't already have this you need it! Not only do we use it for lemons and limes, but for cheese too. 


     Happy shopping everyone! 

xo, 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Most Helpful Kitchen Tools

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     Hi everyone, I hope you all had an awesome weekend! Yesterday I finally got back into the kitchen and Chris joined me. We had a nice afternoon while Bennett napped, we got to cook and chat! We really got a lot done and it felt great. We also started talking about how far I've come learning to cook and what the most helpful kitchen tools have been. So I put together a list of my top 8 favorite kitchen tools that have helped me learn to cook for my family. Hopefully this will help you as you begin to cook more for your family.

1. Vitamix- I literally use mine everyday! Sometimes multiple times in a day. I've made everything from baby food to ice cream in it. I've never had a blender that makes food so smooth. None of Bennett's baby food came out chunky and none of our smoothies are anything less than smooth! This is a splurge for sure, but totally worth it. 

2. Oxo Food Chopper- This was something I wanted but didn't want to buy, however chopping onions burns my eyes and I don't always want to use my Food Processor. This is VERY easy to clean and will chop or dice something perfectly. A real time saver in my opinion. 

3. Cheese Grater-  When we decided to steer away from packaged processed food that includes buying pre sliced or pre shredded cheese. I have to say I really enjoy grading cheese. (very odd I know!) It really doesn't take that long to be honest and maybe I just feel good about it because I know it's really the best choice. So now we only buy blocks of cheese. (If you eat lots of cheese I recommend buying 2 or 3, so you don't have to wash them by hand) 

4.Crock Pot/Dutch Oven- These both get a lot of use in our house. Since Chris and I both work we are busy. So being able to set it and forget it really helpful. Food always comes out tender and moist. It's also nice to come home to a house that smells like a freshly cooked meal. So dinner is warm and ready when we get here! 


5.Scanpans- Seriously these are the best pans you guys! We actually are replacing pots and pans we got for our wedding with these. We have only been married 6 years and our fancy All-Clad has not held up. Yes we take VERY good care of them and they are still a let down. I'm sure it's user error but I need something I don't need to worry about so much. The non-stick on these is awesome and you can put them in the dishwasher! Woohoo, dishes just got a little easier. 

6.Parchment Paper- I NEVER knew something existed that made clean up so much easier. Before Bennett was born we stayed with friends for a few days and I noticed she lined all of her baking sheets when this paper looking stuff. I've never been so happy I asked about something. Yes I still wipe my baking sheets off after every use, but it's a lot easier. A little confession: I hate doing dishes! 

7.Mixing Bowls- This seems so obvious but you really do need some good glass or stainless steel ones. While plastic ones are typically less expensive they don't usually hold up that well. 

     So the good news is that the holidays are right around the corner and these are all good ideas to put on your list. They also make great gifts!! Have an awesome week everyone. 


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

7 Tips for Helping You Eat Healthier

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     Let me start by saying, I'm exhausted most of the time. Having a wonderful little 18 month old to chase after, being pregnant, having a husband that travels, working a full schedule & running my own business. Most days I feel like falling over!! I love my life, I'm very happy and grateful for everything I have but I'm really tired. When I decided I would learn how to cook it didn't take very long to figure out it is a lot of work. Really it is a commitment, and sometimes we slip but are very quick to get back on track. Honestly staying on top of things for Bennett isn't hard, where I slip is when it comes to Chris and I. So this is my list of tips that I use to help me eat healthier. Hopefully these will be helpful to you too.

1. Wash and cut your fruits and veggies first thing- When I get home from the store, I wash and cut my berries and veggies when I get home. I lay fruit out to dry and then store in tupperware containers. Pineapple stores really nicely too.  I usually soak carrots in water in tupperware. All other veggies get their own tupperware containers. If you plan on roasting any veggies go ahead and season them as well. I find these will keep for 3-5 days. This only takes about 30 minutes and seems like it saves hours! 

2. Keeping an Apple and Water with me-  This sounds so simple and well, it is. When I get hungry I get cranky! This is when I will just swing by somewhere to get a snack. It's hardly ever healthy, and usually is more than a snack.  I also find that most of us stay dehydrated, so that is where the water comes in. When we are dehydrated we can actually feel hungry and are more likely to crave sugar and fattening junk food. So the apple will raise my blood sugar and keeps me full enough until I get home to make something. Drinking a bottle of water also helps fill me up too. 

3. Skipping Most Aisles in the Store-  You can also say, shop the perimeter of your grocery store. We do buy a few things out of the aisles, but we try and stick to the rule of no more than 5 ingredients, I must know what they all are, and be able to pronounce them. Produce is usually what we buy the most of, either fresh or frozen. 

4. Cooking and Packing Lunch Ahead of Time- Usually on Sunday night we will grill a couple of chicken breast, or make a tuna salad for my lunchtime protein. You can also boil and peel a few  eggs. That way most nights I make a sandwich or salad, toss in a yogurt, and add a few sliced fruits and veggies. Each lunch usually takes less than 10 minutes at night while I clean up dinner and then I can just grab it out of the fridge and go. Easy Peasy!! 

5. STOP Counting carbs, fat, sugars, proteins and all the other things your count!- Pay attention to the ingredients that are in what you buy. Why are we eating things that aren't food? Kind of hard to ignore once you really start to think about how odd it is we eat more chemicals than real food! Make fresh food for you and your family, use fresh whole ingredients. When you are using real food to cook with all the nutrition will balance out! To learn more on this topic check out these movies Forks over Knives, and Fed Up. Also try reading In Defense of Food. 

6. Allow yourself a night out- It's okay to eat out, we do and everyone needs to. Just allow yourself to be picky and ask lots of questions. When we eat out it is to give Chris and I a break from cooking and planning not to fill out of grease and sugar. Remember that ordering off the kids meal for your kids is usually going to result in them eating junk. Put together a plate of sides for them. 

7. Find Joy and Peace In Cooking- How silly does that sound? I was so overwhelmed and stressed out by cooking before nothing ever really got accomplished. Now that I have started planning, and researching I have really started to like cooking. Grating cheese is somehow a place I find peace?!? I still have a lot more learning and researching to do, but this is one of many ways I provide for myself and my family. It is a really good feeling. I remember how at home my grandmother always seemed to be in the kitchen and I hope that one day I will be that way. I still have my days where I am more like a fish out of water. 

     I hope you are all having a wonderful week! Please let us know any tips you have found helpful for eating healthy.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Allergy free treats for Halloween

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     It never dawned on my until recently how much candy kids actually get on Halloween, and also what kind of candy they get. Until this year when Bennett will be trick or treating. It makes me bite my nails just thinking about it. I won't get started on how much sugar is in the candy and how bad it is for you, it really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out it's awful. I am most nervous about all the products that contain peanuts and dairy. The list is VERY long. So yes we will be traveling with our Epi-pen and Benedryl that evening. (Just in case)

     What we have decided to do is pass out allergy friendly treats for Halloween. That way we won't be passing out all the processed sugary junk, and our house will be a safe place for kids with allergies. I learned about The Teal Pumpkin Project through a good friend, and I think it is such a great idea. Keep in mind you can still have sugary treats and just keep a seperate basket of non-food treats for the allergic kids.

Here are the things on our shopping list:

1. Glow Bands

2. Slinkys

3.Crayons

4. Halloween Tattoos

5. Bouncy Balls


     I hope all of you will consider painting a pumpkin teal this year and offering a non-food treat! It will make moms like myself feel so good, and it will be a fun craft project for you and your little one.   We hope everyone's Halloween season is off to spooktacular start!








*all photos are courtesy of amazon.com

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

The Best Dairy Substitutes

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     Hi all! I hope everyone has had a great start to their week, we are over half way to the weekend. YAHOO!!!!

     This week for my "allergy post" I thought I would tell you all some great substitutes we have found for milk. I always smile when I think about how confused I was when I found out that literally almost everything seemed to contain dairy. (I smile because I think I almost pulled my hair out) Anyways, not it all kind of seems second nature to us. We are lucky that we can now bake with butter for Bennett but honestly other than that my child is Dairy (cow's milk) free!

     Milk ~ Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Goat's milk (if you aren't allergic), & Hemp Milk are all what have worked for us. An Almond/coconut Blend is something Bennett really loves and is also a good balance of nutrients. (And yes, I have learned you can cook with breast milk if you are cooking for a child you are currently breast feeding)

     Butter ~  Earth's Balance, Nutiva Buttery Spread (This is my favorite), Coconut Oil

     Cheese~  to be honest this one is a bummer. The only real food option that I have found is goat milk or sheep's milk cheese. I have found the people at the cheese counter at our local Whole Foods or Earth Fare are very knowledgable. Drunken Goat seems to be a household favorite!

     Yogurt~ So far our favorite has been homemade Chia Pods, and you can also buy them in the store. There is also great goat milk yogurt that you can add fresh fruit to. You can also find many dairy free yogurts but I am aways a little hesitant  since they seem to have a long list of ingredients.

     I am also so grateful that in Charlotte we have Luna's Living Kitchen, they are a vegan cafe that I really trust. They make delicious "yogurt" cups that they sell togo. If you live here locally I suggest you pay them a visit.

     For those of you looking for ways to cut out dairy I hope you will find some of these helpful. It takes a little while but eventually it's your new normal!


     


*we always use organic options if possible

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

What to do if a guest has allergies?

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     With more people than ever seeming to have allergies I think it is important to know what to do when guests are coming over that have allergies. I know this can be anxiety producing for both the host and the guest.

     I usually bring Bennett's food when we go to people's houses. When he is a little older and when we know more about his allergies, I'm sure that will change. My point to this is always make people feel comfortable bringing their own food if it makes them feel safe. So this is my short list of helpful tips in the kitchen when entertaining guests with food allergies.

1. Talk to your guest about their allergies, which foods they are allergic to and make sure to ask if they will be affected by other people eating those foods near them. Some people can't be in the same room as their allergen so this is important to know. Once you have an idea of your menu run it by your guest, this will only make them more comfortable. You can also ask them for ideas. 

2. Keep your hands washed and kitchen surfaces very clean.

3. Prepare food containing the allergens separately, use clean pots pans and cutting boards. 

4. If baking use Parchment Paper to line baking sheets or cake pans. This is an awesome way to help avoid cross contact. 

5. Make guest feel comfortable about bringing their own food, and if they are staying with you for a weekend take them to the store with you to stock up on food they can enjoy. It will also be a great learning experience! 

6. Try to avoid their allergen all together. If you can leave nuts or shellfish off of your menu for an evening or weekend that is great. Some common allergens are harder to avoid. 


     I hope that you all are having a great start to the fall, and this list will help with your entertaining!!!


   
   

Friday, September 19, 2014

Belgian Waffle Recipe

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     I'm not sure if any of you have caught onto this but I love brunch foods! When I say it is my favorite meal of the week I'm not kidding, I wish it was an everyday thing. Who doesn't love a 4 course breakfast served in the middle of the day? The wonderful thing about waffles is that you can also serve them for dinner with Fried Chicken. I have not attempted Fried Chicken but when I do I will let your know!

     We have used mixes in the past and I have to say none compare to homemade. These freeze very well, and are easily reheated in the toaster or your oven. You can also prepare the batter the night before, just cover and store in the fridge.

What you need:
2c Whole Wheat Flour
2/3c organic cane sugar
3 1/1tsp baking powder
1 1/2c whole milk
2  eggs separated
2 sticks butter
1tsp vanilla extract

What to do:
1. in a large bowl combine flour, sugar & baking powder. Whisk together
2. In another bowl beat eggs yolks until creamy. Add milk, butter and vanilla 
what creamy egg yolks look like 
3. add wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir together until just combined 
4. in another bowl beat egg whites on high until stiff. Fold into mixture
Stiff and foamy egg whites
5. spread onto preheated waffle iron, cook until golden brown. Serve warm with your favorite topping! 



Our Favorite Toppings
*fresh fruit
*almond butter
*peanut butter
*pure maple syrup
*use waffles as bread and make a breakfast sandwich 
with egg bacon and a little syrup

Allergy Information
I can honestly say I have used quite a few substitutes on this recipe. For dairy I have used almond milk and breast milk, both worked wonderfully. For butter I have used earth balance buttery spread, it also worked well. 


     I would love to hear all of your ideas for toppings! I hope everyone makes time for an awesome brunch this weekend. 

Happy Friday Everyone, 



*please remember to pin or share this recipe with your friends!
*waffle iron I love Click Here!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Adding In Probiotics

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     What are probiotics?
  1. a probiotic substance or preparation.
    • a microorganism introduced into the body for its beneficial qualities.

     
     So as many of you parents to allergic kids may or may not have read a new study has come out saying taking certain probiotics can help with allergies. Click here to read more on the new study. We went to see Bennett's allergist yesterday and his opinion made sense, it's only going to help maybe not with allergies, but it's not going to hurt. Maybe this is why Bennett's allergies are getting better? Who know but I'm taking an extra dose everyday to help the baby on the way.

     We have been taking probiotics for years but we have now started adding them to Bennett's diet. I work in close quarters and there are a lot of people in and out of the salon during the day. (that is a lot chances to catch a virus or two) That is why I started taking probiotics, I wanted a better immune system and to not miss work. A girlfriend's son was diagnosed with a peanut allergy around the same time as Bennett and her doctor recommended add probiotics to her son's diet. So to me it was a no brainer since he was no longer getting my antibodies through nursing.
Good for baby!!

     There are many ways you can add probiotics to your diet. The most common way is yogurt. I use plain yogurt (to avoid added sugar) and fresh fruit. Very simple, easy and healthy!!! I would also recommend stopping into your local Whole Foods or Earth Fare and they can tell you  more about what is the best probiotic option for you.
 There are many benefits of probiotics, a few of which are:
  *Helps boost immune system
  * prevents and fights against diarrhea 
  *puts good bacteria back in your body that ahi-biotics take out
  *could prevent and treat allergies
  
What we currently give Bennett
This is a great daily "shot" of probiotics that I enjoy everyday! 

     I hope that you will all consider (and talk to your doctor) adding probiotics to your family's diet!

    

Monday, August 11, 2014

Where have we been??

Pin It Now!      Well I should start by telling everyone that the Ridberg house has big news..... we have a new baby on the way! So I have been sick, sick, sick. I'm now 16 weeks and I am assuming I will be better by 20 weeks just like last time. The good news is my energy is coming back and so is my taste for food!!
Due 1/24/15

     Cooking has been HARD, and thank goodness I have a wonderful husband who has stepped up and made Bennett food. I'm also very thankful that I've stored most of our favorite recipes on this blog. We have been buying lots of Larabars (we buy the ones without peanuts), and getting take out from Luna's Living Kitchen. I'm so grateful for a place like Luna's they are a vegan organic cafe here in Charlotte. They also offer delicious take home products and since they make everything in house they can tell you exactly what's in it!!


     So now we are getting back into the grove of things. I'm done surviving on cinnamon raisin bagels with plain cream cheese (the bagel is bad I know) and fresh fruit. Our eating has not been perfect the last 10 weeks, and I will be the first to confess. I hope you will all keep reading about our adventures and try out new recipes with me. I was having so much fun and hope to continue with it.


     We don't really have food pictures to share but we do have some summer fun to share. Stay cool and I will post some yummy recipes later this week!

    ~Brooke


B and his buddy Lachlyn

Cheese!

Dad just couldn't hold off on a set of clubs

Carolina Panther's Fan Fest with friends!

Happy 4th of July! 



   

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Making My Own Chia Pods

Pin It Now!    So I found these great yummy treats at Whole Foods a few months back, Chia Pods. They are a very quick convenient and seems to be healthy snack. They are dairy free, gluten free, vegan and only contain 3-4 ingredients. Coconut milk is one of their ingredients and I'm always worried about which coconut milk was used. The other downside to these treats are they are about $3.50 each which is pretty expensive.
    This past week we got some yummy champagne mangoes in our produce delivery box. I noticed last night they were SUPER ripe and would be great to puree so my idea for homemade Chia Cups came about. I have only made Mango flavor so far but Bennett loved them so I'm planning on trying more flavors later in the week!

Mango Chia Cup
what you need:
*1c almond milk
*1/3c culinary coconut cream
*2 small mangoes or 1 large mango
*3Tbsp chia seeds
To Make:
Peel and slice mangoes and put into blender. Add coconut cream and almond milk. Blend until smooth. 
Looking Yummy Already!!!

Place 1Tbsp of Chia Seeds in each container and then pour mango mixture over the seeds. I distribute  mixture evenly between the 3 containers. Whisk the seeds and mixture together really well then seal and place in the fridge. The Chia Seeds will cause the mixture to turn into a nice jello like texture. It will keep sealed for 3-5 days. 


     I hope everyone is thinking about what yummy fruit they can use in their Chia Cups! I'm thinking about trying plum next. 

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers and step-fathers! What's everyone making for their someone special today?? 

~Brooke


Thursday, June 12, 2014

Reuseable Pouch Update

Pin It Now!      Good News.... these are awesome! I was a little worried about the filling and cleaning of our new reusable pouches and as it turns out they are super easy. I was also a little nervous about the "zipper" since Bennett doesn't just suck the food out he likes to squeeze the life out of them.

     I like preparing the puree in advance and freezing that way you can just throw 3 food cubes in and allow them to melt on their own. SUPER EASY! I have filled them with a fresh puree straight out of the blender  and that was fine also. I just wipe any spills on the zipper away. These guys have made it through many car rides, trips to the pool, and playground time!



All Sealed and Ready ToGo! 



     To clean just fill with HOT soapy water shake it up and then empty. I do use a small brush on the top and zipper to make sure there is nothing left in any nook or crannie. To dry I keep the top of and stand them up on my bottle rack. They are usually dry within an hour and I store them in our "baby cabinet".

                                                                 Squash and Zucchini 
*1 Fresh Yellow Squash
*1 Fresh Zucchini
(organic when possible) 

Cut squash and zucchini into chunks and place into a medium size microwave safe bowl. Cover bowl with a CLEAN towel or paper towel and cook for 2 minutes. Take out and place contents of the bowl into blender and blend. (If you don't have a super strong blender you might need to microwave for 3-5 min) 
This is super easy and freezes very well! 















     Another awesome idea I tried this weekend was to put plain yogurt with 1 frozen cube of fruit puree. The frozen cube will add flavor to the yogurt all the while keeping the yogurt cold and fresh. I do recommend eating within an hour. We buy plain goat yogurt in a 32oz. tub since Bennett has a dairy allergy. I am sure that you could use any type of yogurt though. 

     Sending sweet kisses from our family to yours on this rainy spring day! 
~Brooke

Monday, May 26, 2014

I LOVE White Vinegar

Pin It Now!      Have any of you ever seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Remember how the dad uses windex to fix EVERYTHING? Well Chris (my husband) tells me white vinegar is my windex. You can honestly replace some harsh chemical cleaners with vinegar. You and your whole house will NOT smell like vinegar, promise.
What to use Vinegar for

    * Leave out the fabric softener of your next load of laundry and cut your detergent in half. Using a detergent cap (I have one saved from many moons ago) fill it with white vinegar and pour it into the fabric softener slot of the washing machine. Your towels will be fluffy, your workout clothes fresh smelling, and your sheets will breath again! This was the first and best white vinegar tip I got.



    *Veggie & Fruit Wash is our newest use. Pour vinegar into a measuring cup and then pour over fruits/veggies. Doing this will cut down on waste that will come from pouring it straight out of the bottle. Rinse throughly with cool water and your food will taste fresh and yummy. The vinegar will naturally kill any mold or gross things that might be growing on your food that you can't see yet. I have noticed that if I do this when I get home from the store my berries will last for at least 5 days. Just allow them to dry in the strainer before putting them in a storage container.

     *Hardwood Floor Cleaner. In a large bucket mix 2 cups of vinegar per 1/2 gallon of hot water. Use this to clean your hardwares with a mop or rag of your choice. This will help harden the top coat of poly on your floors and will help keep the shine.

     *Jean Refresher  Fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way with warm water, fill it the rest of the way with vinegar. Shake well. Mist your day old jeans front and back and hang them up. Once dry they will be fresh and ready to wear. This will keep your jeans from fading since you won't be washing them as often. Plus who doesn't want a little less laundry???

     *Face Toner Use apple cider vinegar for this one ladies. Put a little apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and rub on your clean face after you wash and before you moisturize. (disclaimer is I like this and witch hazel equally)

     *Breast Feeding Mom's Cure To Thrush So honestly this worked very well for me. I couldn't get rid of my thrush for what felt like forever. I even took an oral medicine. Put a little vinegar on a clean cotton ball and apply vinegar to your nipples before and after each time you nurse or pump. This sounds crazy I know but it works!

     *Ringworm Apply vinegar to clean cotton ball and apply to face 4-6 times daily. Try to leave ringworm spot exposed to air so it will dry out faster. The more moisture the ringworm has the larger it will grow.

     *Diaper Rash A chemical free way to rid your baby of a nasty rash. This doesn't work for all rashes but it is worth a shot! Just put vinegar on a clean cotton ball and apply to diaper rash.  

     *Smelly Spaces  Are your yogi toes starting to smell from all the hot yoga? Add a little extra vinegar next time you wash your yoga gear and the smell will go away. Dishwasher smelling funky? Run it with vinegar. Front load washer stinky? clean it with vinegar and leave front door open to allow air to circulate.

       Okay everyone I hope you will give at least one of these a try. All of these are tried and true little home remedies. If anyone has more suggestions please leave them in the comments below. It is so fun to me that a $3 bottle of vinegar can replace so many costly chemicals.

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!!
Brooke

Friday, May 23, 2014

Benefits of Homemade Purees

Pin It Now!      Did you know..... that the ingredient ascorbic acid in most baby foods is in fact a synthetic ingredient that they list as  vitamin c and it's really a preservative? Baby food sometimes also contains citric acid, I thought that was like a squirt of lemon juice.... WRONG! It would be very expensive for companies to juice fresh fruit and use that as a preservative so instead most citric acid is made of a corn based starch or sugar beet molasses. When I look this ingredient up on the FDA website is lists it as safe. My feeling is if eating solids is optional before age 1 why are we adding junk to our children's food??

     I'm sharing all of this information because until a few days ago I didn't know those ingredients are not good and not real food. Bennett has had his fair share of pouches,(about 95% of his purees were homemade and they were all organic) and we still have pouches in our house. So I got to thinking about how to replace that convenience for when we are running errands or traveling? So last night these are what I ordered. Reusable Baby Food Pouches, and some extra OXO Snack Dish. I have been using the snack dishes to carry around fresh fruit and cheese chunks (we use goat cheese because of the dairy allergy) or Sweet Potato Chunks. I'm really excited to get our pouches in the mail and will be sure to post about them!



More Benefits of Homemade Purees
*higher nutritional value 
*know exactly what's in your baby's food
*make fun new combos
*EASY to batch cook and freeze
*no artificial ingredients
*no preservatives 
*saves money
(when I did the math on that I was able to feed homemade organic for about 1/2 the cost of store bought baby food) 
*It tastes like real food just pureed!



So my plan is to make my baby food like normal, freeze and store. Then when we need a pouch I'm going to put a few frozen cubes in the reusable pouches and by the time they thaw Bennett will be ready to eat them. That way they will stay fresh for about 4 hours. If you thaw the food and then put it in the pouch it is good for about an hour. 

Bennett's Favorite Puree
*1lb frozen organic peas
*1lb organic broccoli (frozen or fresh) cut into chunks
*4 organic apples (sliced)

Place all ingredients in a large pot and cover cook on low/medium stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until soft. Turn off heat and allow to cool with the cover still on the pot. Once cool place food into blender and blend until smooth! 






So this is where I will leave off my creating convenience project. I will update you all soon, and of course give more of my favorite puree recipes. 

~Brooke