Baby Food and Nutrition

Becoming a Mom in a town of less than 5,000 has been by far my greatest challenge. The nearest city is over an hour away. And we only have one grocery store in town. And I have had to change my lifelong mentality of doing what is best for me to doing what is best for my family. Although tricky at times, I have so enjoyed making all of Ella's food from scratch. And if trying to achieve a balanced diet for your toddler wasn't hard enough, the nutrients your baby needs is continually changing. Since most babies love their carbs I've started making baby food as a veggie-protein combo and then add a carbohydrate at meal time. This method also allows for your little one to have a more versatile diet. Some of her favorite "main dishes" are: - Tomato Tofu Pasta - Broccoli Mac 'n Cheese - Mushroom Spinach Quinoa with Parmesan - Southwestern Chicken with Rice - Beginner Quesadillas like my Peas 'n Cheese Quesadilla Side Dishes: - Carrot and Banana Puree - Chunky Sweet Pea Puree - Chunky Sweet Corn Puree Awesome Breakfast Fruit Combos: - prune, banana, and apple - peach, banana, and tofu - mixed berry and apple - strawberry and mango - blueberry and pear TOFU There are two basic types of tofu out there: silken and extra firm.  I prefer using silken tofu because it is easy to blend. Try pureeing it into a red sauce next time you have pasta. Or blend it with berries and/or banana for a nutrient-packed breakfast for you and your little one! PEARS - high in fiber and great at relieving constipation. SPINACH - good for brain function; it's anti-inflammatory; and it's great for bone health. Spinach is packed with nutrients, including high amounts of vitamin K, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and iron.