TGIF!!

We're wrapping up another week, and we are looking forward to an eventful weekend! This week we've had 2 playdates, tried summer squash and zucchini and blueberries, had a few upsets and blow outs, Mac and Paisley have opened their first (one year) birthday gift, and gotten ready for this weekend! 

On Wednesday we went for a run and had a picnic with our "twin friends" Presley and Kensley and their mom Sheena (who forced me to keep running when I was ready to quit... It was actually a good thing because we ran 45 minutes!)

 

When we got home, we found two big boxes on the front porch... Mac and Paisley's birthday presents! I had planned to order these for their first birthday, and when I saw that they were on sale this weekend, I couldn't pass them up! Plus I had an extra 15% off code and a gift card (thank you, Uncle Scott and Aunt Deb).

Here they are in their new furniture, and they are so proud :o) 

 They weren't crazy about the summer squash and zucchini combination, but when I served the squash by itself, they seemed to enjoy it. Of course I add some rice cereal because in my mind it makes it more like a casserole, and who doesn't love a casserole??! In my opinion, just about any veggie tastes good in a casserole! That's how those of us in the South do it... veggies in a casserole and fruit in a cobbler :o)

Yesterday we tried blueberries. P doesn't look like she enjoyed it, but she did-- promise! She wouldn't smile for anything... And look at Mac's sweet smile.

Yesterday's playdate was with Emory. I love watching a "singleton" with Mac and Paisley. M and P are so used to another baby, but when we are around an only child, it's very fascinating to see them react to one another. Pretty cute :o) Emory's mom, Mary, is behind me being silly so they'll look at us and not each other, ha!

Mary, and I have been friends for about 4 years. We've had SO many fun memories together, and raising our babies is also a special bond we're sharing. We've traveled a lot with Mary and Zack in the past, and we look forward to our future adventures.

 

 As always, THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY! 

-ashley

Making Baby Food

I have become more domestic in motherhood than I ever imagined I'd be. I've never thought of myself as a domestic person, and quite honestly, I had no desire to fall into this category. Besides, it took a lot of work and will. Now that I am feeding a family, it is important to me to provide the best that I can. While it takes time- most quality things do, hence the definition of quality- I have found it to be quite easy and certainly cost effective. 

So here is a step by step- with pictures- process of making baby food. On the menu: sweet potatoes. 

I started with fresh, organic sweet potatoes. (Click here for a list of fruits and vegetables that should be purchased organically.) I soak them in water so they are easier to peel and to get off any stuck on dirt.

I use a pot on the stove that is made for steaming. The pot with holes in the bottom fits into the pot where I put water. 

Then I peel them and cut them into cubed pieces. The potatoes cook much faster when they are sliced.

 

 After the potatoes are cooked/soft, I put them back into a mixing bowl and mash them. Then I puree them with a Cuisinart Smart Stick. Save the water used during steaming because vitamins are in the liquid. You will use the water to help get the puree consistency. More water = more runny/ stage 1... I usually use all of the water and make the consistency pretty thick.

 

I had about 6 potatoes, and this makes plenty for us... here is how we store our fresh food. On the left are my Mumi & Bubi freezer trays. (Green beans are also going in the freezer.) 

On the right are my containers ready for the fridge.

 Each 4 oz jar of Earth's Best baby food is about $.88. I made roughly 25 jars of food for about $10.  

I hope this helps on your venture to make baby foods!!

-ashley