Let's Do Research: Homemade Baby Food Part I

I really have been wanting to make my own baby food since I was pregnant. I didn't know that I would have time for it since I work full time but being that I'm now only going to be part time...I'm hoping to learn how to make homemade baby food. My baby girl is only 2 months old so I have a little while to research, learn how to, and experiement. I don't cook alot so hopefully it will be relatively easy! You can follow along if your a new mom and thinking about possibly making your own baby food and follow the whole journey from researching to actually putting it in action!

Randi is planning on doing a blog post on homemade baby food soon also! I can't wait to read what she has to say! Her baby is older than Kaley so she'll be making her own food before I am, so hopefully she have some great tips for me and other new moms!

Links 

 

 

This site has recipes categorized by age group. It also has a section called "techniques" and it includes links on equipment you need, preparation, cooking methods, pureeing, storing, freezing, traveling with homemade baby food, and foods you should avoid in their first year. Very informative site!
 

 

 

She writes a monthly baby food menu and shares the recipes for each. She sets it up so you cook the baby food once a month and it lasts the entire month hence "once a month mom"

 

 

This website by Dr Brown's has a chart that shows you when your baby is ready for solids and also the signs that your baby is ready for the next stages of solids. The website also has recipes and other information.

 

  

Tons of information on this site! There is also a printable chart on different foods and what age group they are ok for! ClickHere for chart. There is a quick start guide with instructions on how to begin making baby food, recipes, step by step instructions, and information galore. This is great website!

 

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So there are some websites to get both me and you started on our way to making homemade baby food!

 

If you have any experience making your own baby food I'd love to hear from you! Any information, tips, or instructions would be great!

Part II Coming Soon...Exploring/Researching the Equipment Needed

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fast Food Friday: Pulled Pork...Soooo Good in just 3 minutes!

 Super fast main course, great for new moms! The potatoes take a little more time but if I fixed them...they are still very easy!

Jack Daniels Pulled Pork

 

We bought this at a reduced price at food lion just to try....and I absolutely loved it!! It took only 3 minutes in the microwave and it was ready but it tasted like pulled pork I ate a long time ago at Sonny's restaurant in georgia! Mmmm it was very tasty! My husband put it on bread to make a sandwich and I just ate it straight. Just talking about it makes me want some right now!!

 

Highly Recommend If You Like Pulled Pork!

Fast! And No Cleanup!

 

12 Weight Watcher Points for half of container

 My Very Own WW Oven Potatoes

 

I was trying to come up with a healthier way to cook potatoes that wouldn't be many points.

 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. I cut up 2 small potatoes in chunks but you can do however many you want.

3. Spray your pan lightly with cooking spray.

4. I didn't want to put oil on the potatoes because it was high fat so I sprinkled just a little bit of cooking white wine on them. About 1 cap full. You could just use olive oil or anything else if your not on WW.

5. Spray potatoes with butter.

6. Then I sprinkled seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1tbsp of parmesean cheese!

7. Cook 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are softened.

8. Spray butter on them after removing from oven!

 

4 Weight Watcher Points for Half of recipe if you cook 2 potatoes

 

Serve with toast

 



Fast Food Friday: Bacon Ranch Chicken. 2-3 Meals in one!

Here is finally a recipe instead of just pop it in the microwave. It's still a very easy recipe that would be great for new moms. All you have to do is stick everything in the crockpot and let it go....well besides cooking the noodles. It also made us 3 meals altogether. I will show you how to turn it in to a different second meal.

I guess the picture doesn't look appetizine but it looks different in person. It's a good recipe :-)

Bacon Ranch Crock Pot Chicken

Ingredients

4 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Packets of Ranch Dressing Mix
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
4 Tbs of Bacon Bits (I used more)
1 Cup Sour Cream (I used light sour cream)

Instructions
Place 4 Chicken Breasts in crockpot
Mix all other ingredients in a separate bowl
Pour on top of chicken. Make sure it covers all pieces of chicken.
Let cook 3-4 hours on high. (mine cooked 4 to 4.5 hours)
After it's finished shred and break up the chicken with a fork.
Serve over noodles such as egg noddles or any shaped pasta (cook pasta separately)

The Next Night...

 

 

We cooked some more noodles because I didn't have enough left over from the first night.

Placed a layer of noodles in the bottom of the casserole dish.

Sprinkled some cheddar cheese.

Spread out all the bacon ranch chicken we had left over for the next layer.

Then spread more cheese over the top layer.

Place in the oven and just heat it up until the cheese melts...and voila! If you want the top a little more done, turn on the broil for a few minutes after it heats up.

New Meal with a slightly different taste. I think it was actually more flavorful and ranch tasting the second night!

 

 

 

 

 

Fast Food Friday: Beef Roast Au jus

Ahhh that title sounds fancy don't it...Beef roast au jus. Well sorry to disappoint you but it's once again a fast and simple meal that only takes the microwave, so it is perfect for new moms that have a newborn! I'm not claiming it's the healthiest being that it is a prepackaged meal but I will say it is good! I've ate it multiple times and I really enjoy it!

Hormel Beef Roast Au Jus

 

Only takes a few minutes in the microwave and voila! it's done. You can also cook it in the over but it takes a lot longer!

 

1 Serving = 180 calories

1/2 of package = 270 calories

 

 

Steamfresh Brown Rice

 

It was terrible! ahh I will never buy it again. Very simple to cook, pop in the microwave a few minutes. Not appetizing though. So you can try it but I would suggest you pick another side such as Steamfresh Super Sweet Corn...that does taste good!

 

1 Serving = 150 calories

 

 

Mott's Natural Applesauce

 

 

1 Cup = 50 calories

 

Toast

1 Slice = 60 calories

 

 

 

Total Calories: 530

 

 

**Fast Food Friday is geared towards brand new moms! I know with a newborn that first month it's sometimes hard to get much done besides caring for your baby! And if your like me, you are tired, worn out and don't feel like doing much besides taking care of your baby anyways! You need some fast meals with little clean up. The meals I share are meals I've eaten myself and they are truly proven fast!

 

Fast Food Friday

When your a new mom you need fast food...and I don't mean burger king! I mean food you can get ready very quickly...let's say less than 10 minutes! Especially in the first 2 weeks! You sure don't feel like doing alot and this meal is super easy! So here is an idea for new moms!

 

Jack Daniels Beef Brisket

Very Tasty! I would definitely eat again! It's not a 5 Star meal or anything but for popping it in the microwave to heat it up. It was pretty good and I definitely enjoyed it :-) It comes fully cooked so that is why it is so quick to get ready! You can find it in the refridgerated section at Food Lion.

Green Giant Broccoli & Cheese Sauce

 

 

My Meal

 

Jack Daniels Beef Brisket (2-3 Minutes in the Microwave to heat)

1 Serving =220 Calories

Green Giant Broccoli & Cheese (5 1/2 minutes in the Microwave)

1 Serving = 60 Calories

Toast with Parkay Spray Butter

1 Serving = 60

 

Total Calories = 340

 

Me and my husband split the brisket and I ate about half of the broccoli so my total calories were 465 calories. Still great and I was full by the end of the meal!

 

I know most people probably aren't wild over meals like this, they want home cooked meals and something that has been slaved over in the kitchen. But right now...for me, this is what works! With a newborn your time is limited. I never knew how limited until I had one! I want something fast and easy. Everytime we eat it always seems that's when Kaley wants to start getting upset lol.

 

Do you have any super fast meals? I'd love to hear about them!