Meal Time!

For some reason, Aubrey LOVES eating lunch from a ice cube tray.  I got this idea awhile ago when I was searching around the web and a LOT of people were doing this with their little ones.  I thought I'd give it a try, and it was a huge success!  Everyday, I am asked to please put her lunch in a kid's tray.  I have been trying really hard to come up with different things to put into these small sections, and it has been a challenge to not repeat myself too much.  Here are some of my ideas:






Hot dogs, tater tots, corn, strawberries, ketchup, and milk

Pancakes w/ syrup, canteloupe, cheese, peas and carrots, and milk



Hot dogs with ketchup, string cheese, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and milk


Deli Turkey, Apples, String Cheese, Carrots and Ranch, Strawberries, and Milk

Homemade Baby Food

I never thought that I would be making my baby's food for her.  With Aubrey, I bought all jarred baby food.  After Lena was born, I still didn't think that I would be making food for her.  Then I talked to her nutritionist and GI doctor.  They both were adament about homemade baby food for Lena.  Since she needs foods that are dairy free, soy free, wheat free, and preservative free, there wasn't much of an option. 

Advantages to making homemade baby food: 

*I have found that I take pride in making all her food myself.

*Peace of mind that everything is made of fresh quality ingredients.

*I can choose to use organic foods.

*I know exactly what is going into my baby.  I don't have to worry about ingredients I can't pronounce.

*It is VERY cost effective.  I save a lot of money doing it myself!

*I can get creative.  This week Lena is going to try papaya, I can't find that on a shelf in the baby food aisle.

My favorite site for making baby food is:

http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/

She has experimented with all sorts of foods for her baby (some I have never heard of).  She is also a creative source for ideas to keep foods fresh and new.

The biggest part of saving time and money is to make enough and freeze it.

Lena's New Food This Week:

Papaya & Banana

Cost of Papaya:  $2.79

Cost of Banana:  $.49

Total:  $3.28

Cost per 3 oz serving:  $.41

The rest of the food:

Eggplant & Organic Carrot Puree:  $.30 per 3 oz serving

Organic Applesauce:  $ $.31 per 3 oz serving

Organic Carrot Puree:  $.20 per 3 oz serving

What's already in the freezer:

Organic Avocado Puree

Organic Pear Puree

Banana Puree

Cauliflower Puree (Lena doesn't like, but I keep trying)

You can clearly see the savings, since a jar of organic baby food cost about $1.49 in the store.  If you feed your child 2 jars at each meal that is $5.96 a day.  My mostly organic homemade baby food will cost about $1.22 each day.  That is a savings of $4.74 a day, $33.18 a week! 

When you do that math, it is incredible! 

Going Gluten-Free

Well, after a short hospital stay and some tests, I found out today that I have Celiac's Disease.  This came as a huge surprise, because it wasn't what the doctor had been looking for in the first place:  my symptoms were pointing to Chrone's.  I am glad that it isn't Chrone's, but I am not looking forward to following a gluten-free diet.  I'm going to do it, of course, because I really want to feel better.  Before I start my new diet I have to say "I LOVE PASTA!"  The common joke around this house is "What are we having for dinner?  Pasta or chicken?  Or chicken with pasta?"  I just know that any kind of pasta is super easy to make, and pretty hard to screw up.  But after looking on the internet today, I have found that there are gluten-free pastas for sale out there, and have found plenty of recipes to make my own.  So no worries for my family, pasta can still be served around here!  LOL!

The biggest concern I have is how I will adjust to the different taste and texture of gluten-free foods.  As anyone who knows me can attest to:  I am a really picky eater!  Not only does the food have to taste good, it also has to smell good and have the right texture.  Gluten-free bread and pasta will be a challenge to get used to for me. 

I am encouraged, though.  I have spent the day looking at gluten-free recipes, and have found some good ones to try.  I have also ordered some books on Amazon.com.  These include:  "The G-Free Diet:  A Gluten-Free Survival Guide" by Elisabeth Hasselbeck and "Gluten-Free on a Shoestring" by Nicole Hunn.  I look forward to seeing what they have to offer. 

I was advised to just eat as I normally would until I meet with the doctor in a couple weeks, so I will be able to have the BBQ ribs I asked for on my birthday!!!  And I still get to eat some delicious Christmas cookies, but I also plan to try out some gluten-free cookies too!

So good luck to me as I set out on a new journey!  Once I get going, I know I will start feeling better and it will all be worth it!

BTW:  Anyone who is already gluten-free, feel free to send me a message with a recipe to try!