peachy berry smoothie

Hi there,
here is another smoothies that I made for my baby. This time I diluted it with water with the ratio 2:1 (2 parts of juice and 1 part of water).

It is very difficult to find organic berries in the area I live so I got  pack of frozen organic berries for my baby and used them in this drink. I am fully aware that these kinds of berries lost some of their goodness while frozen. Nevertheless they're still good and yummy in this smoothie.
All these ingredients separately can be given from 6 months onward, so I believe it is quite safe to give this smoothie to your little one if they are around 8-9 months. (I would still wait a bit before giving complex thick mixes like this one).
For this yumminess you will need:

• 1 and 1/2 peaches (mine were quite small, so I believe 1 big is enough), although the skin is delicate I still remove it (maybe I shouldn't next time it also has some good nutrients). Cut peaches into quarters and then each piece in halves across.
• about 2 tbsp organic berry mix (to be more precise I got 4 raspberries, 3 blackberries, 4 red currants and 3 black currants)
• segments of 2 oranges

Preparation:

Let the berries thaw in a small sieve, then press them through it to extract the juice. Remember to put some bowl under the sieve not to end up with the juice in the sink or a table top. Set aside.

In a blender process peaches and orange segments to smooth consistency. Add berry juice and stir until well mixed.

As I already mentioned I diluted it with some water otherwise you can serve it as it is.

I gave it to my baby in a cup and kept the rest in the fridge (if there is any left) for her to finish it later. She was walking holding her cup and sipping it from times to times. She definitely liked it.

That's all for now...

take care there.

sunny citrus healthy smoothie

It's been quite a few days I haven't posted anything, My husband decided to change the router and of course didn't remember for his account password so instead of improving the connection, we ended up with no internet for several days.
Anyways hi there. Last week I was shopping in the grocery store and saw some really cute pouches with some baby smoothies. And of course I thought why not making something like that but fresher at home. So I just got some fruit and berries and started mixing and matching.
Fruit smoothies and juices are great for babies and kids. They love drinking juices, the latter are packed with vitamins and nutrients, and at the same time it's a great way to give this 5-a-day portion to your little ones. They don't even have to chew it.
My daughter will not eat pears or pineapples just like that, I guess she just thinks they are too grainy and sour but once in smoothie she can sip it with her meals or after a walk, whenever she wants. You can hide veggies or fruit your baby doesn't like.
You can start giving simple one or two ingredients juices to your baby from 6 months. I started with small portions of diluted in water juice. I guess by the age of 8-9 months I was giving my little one simple juices as well as mixed juices which were made specially for babies. Later smoothies joined our diet.
This recipe contains 3 ingredients.
You'll need:

• segments of 3 oranges ( once I cut out all the segments I squeeze the rest of pulp not to waste juice)
• 6 medium ripe strawberries, cut in halves (make sure you wash them thoroughly)
• about 2 tbsps carrot juice (I finely grated one medium carrot and squeezed the juice out of the pulp - I added the pulp to my baby turkey soup later)

Preparation:
Put the orange segments and strawberries in blender and process to a smooth consistency. Once it's done, add carrot juice, give  a stir and voila your simple smoothies is ready.

Put in a sippy cup and give it to your baby or dilute with some water first if you'd like. I discovered that non-spil cup that my baby usually has gets clogged very fast. So I removed the rubber membrane from the straw to make it easy to drink. If you can;t do it I advise to get a simple cup with medium size holes otherwise, try to either make a smoothie less thick or strain it to remove the pulp (I never tries it myself and don't know if it will work though).

TIP:
When choosing strawberries as well as most of other berries or some fruit like peaches, nectarines or pears, make sure they don't have dark spots and are fragrant. Try not to press on soft fruit as you can easily damage them causing bruising to begin a while later.

That's all for now...
take care there.

these precious moments

Hi there,

for those whose chilrenare growing so fast and all the rest, just wanted to remind you that use every single chance to save those precious moments as they pass by so quickly. Who knows maybe it will never happen again the way it just did.

Last evening I was singing a song to my daughter right before herbedtimeand suddenly she started laughing sooo hard that she even got hick ups. I showed it to my husband and he asked me to make a video but it was too late and I didn't want to. I just replied she would doit the next day again and we would make a video. He was insisting andfinally my dd was starring in one more video laughing like crazy.

Well the next day came and I thought I would make another clip as previously I forgot somewords and messed up the song and to my surprise and dismay while Iwas singingexactlythe same song in the same way my baby didn't even smile. She looked at me as if I've gone crazy.And then I remembered my husband's words: " Tomorrow she childwill hange her mind and will not do it."

So if your baby or babies do something extraordinary and funny don't wait for a better setting, catch these moments and document them right here and now, later they DO change their little minds. 

see ya later,

take care there..

berrylicious sauce

Hi there,
I usually make some porridge for my little precious one for breakfast but oats in milk are a bit boring if you eat them just like this.
So I made this easy berry sauce you can add to porridge or some other dishes.
(6 months onward)

You will need:

4-5 strawberries
half a peach, skin off
3-4 orange segments

Put everything in a mixing cup and blend until smooth. If your strawberries are not sweet you might end up with a bit too tart taste in that case I would recommend to add a squeeze of maple syrup. (you can add honey for children of 1 year or older)
Enjoy and let me know what you think.

That's all for now...
take care there.

very berry apple drink

Since I was a small girl I remember my mom making some easy, quick and tasty drinks out of berries and fruit. Summer season is full of this vitamin goodness but even in winter it is possible to get some frozen berries and fresh fruit like apples to make some yummy and light drinks. My baby enjoys having some of it to quench her thirst.
Here is one of the recipes.
You'll need:

peels and core from one thoroughly washed apple (make sure it is not waxed - no shine when you buy it)
5-6 strawberries
a handful of blueberries (or organic berry mix)
4 rose hips (optional but very healthy and good for you)
2 prunes (especially good if a baby has some constipation)

Preparation:

Fill a deep pot with about 1 liter of water, put all the berries and fruit inside. Bring to boil and simmer on low to medium heat for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, let it cool. Strain in a clean bottle and keep in the fridge.
So now the drink is very slightly sweet and I love drinking it like this, however, if you are on a sweet side or for my baby I would add some sugar or honey. (* Remember honey is recommended for babies older than 1 year.)
Hope you will enjoy this refreshing and simple drink.
That's all for now...
take care there.

which dish for which age???

It just occurred to me that I never mention the age my dishes are appropriate for well actually all the dishes can be given to babies from 6-9 months. It simply depends on the consistency. The older the baby the coarser the consistency I make. Sometimes I mention certain ingredients that can be given to baby at certain age only in that case I do explain it. I usually use full creme milk in my dishes, I started using it when my baby was about 9 months old. Before if I cooked any porridge I would use my baby's usual formula milk.
Anyway from now on I will try to mention the age this or that food can be given from.
:)

baby yummy veggie meat ball lunch

Here is one recipe that I often make for my baby that she loves.
I can actually add different combinations of vegetables but the process is more or less the same.

For this version I took:
2 small parsnips
1 medium to small potato
a small onion
1 garlic clove
one baby special meatball (I made them myself beforehand and I'll try to post the recipe but you can easily substitute it with half a small or 1/4 big chicken breast).
a pinch of salt (for babies older than 1 year)
a cup or so full fat milk

Preparation:
Peel all the veggies and chop quite finely.
Put all vegetables in a small pot, cover with milk, add salt (if used) and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, until vegetables are half cooked.
Add chicken breast cut to cubes and simmer about 15 minutes more till everything is soft. The longest things to cook is parsnip. You can put it to cook a bit earlier than all other ingredients, I didn't bother just kept it on simmer while being busy with my baby's games. Well of course coming and stirring once in a while.
When you see it is ready, take off and let it cool for a few minutes. Use a blender to achieve the desired consistency, as my baby is already 13 months I try to make it quite chunky but make sure that meat pieces are still not too big for her to choke.
I get 3 average portions for my baby, one of which I use right away and the other two go to the freezer.
I will try to post some variations a bit later.
Hope you and your baby will enjoy this yummy lunch or dinner.

Breakfast for baby

Every morning before my baby gets awake I have the same thought...
What should I make for breakfast for my little cutie????
She is not a real picky eater but I guess your food choice often depends on your mood.
So apart from various grains and porridge, here is one dish she always welcomes.
The original recipe belongs to Annabel Karmel. I bought her book on recipes for babies and it is really good, apart from many different recipes for your baby and you (some out there know how difficult it is to cook a healthy nourishing meal for yourself after you just got this tiny bundle of joy), it also has meal planners that can be quite handy.
If you don't want to spend any money just visit the site you will still find a lot of great information there.
Anyway here is my version of the recipe.
Morning scrambles eggs with tomato:
Take half a small tomato, skin and seeds removed, dice it really finely.
In a small pot or frying pan add a small nob of butter about 1/3 teaspoon, add tomatoes and cook over medium to low heat for a couple of minutes until tomatoes start giving juice. Make sure not to burn it, you don't want your baby eat something bitter (and neither do they ;)).
Meanwhile in a bowl mix an egg with a tablespoon of full fat milk and a pinch of salt (omit salt if your baby is younger than 1 year).
Once you see the tomato is soft and juicy pour the egg mixture in. I usually put the heat on high at this stage and start constantly stirring the mixture so that it gets scrambled with tiny pieces. It only take a few minuted more your baby breakfast is ready.
Make sure that it is the right temperature when you give it to your baby not too hot. You don't want any burns or half-an-hour cry.
I sometimes add a tiny sprinkle of rosemary just for a change.
Would love to post a picture but she ate it all. Maybe next time. :)
Hope you and your baby will enjoy the recipe.
See ya!