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 Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:14 pm
This space will be for the mommies (and daddies) to come and post fun recipes or home remedies that they like/use. Whether it's a recipe for homemade baby food, or a home remedy for when baby is teething! I'll start off with a few to get the ball rolling..
Home Remedies:
Problem: Teething Baby
Solution: Let them chew/suck on a clean/cold/wet cloth.
(Freezeable teethers are ok, BUT only if they are chilled, completely frozen teethers can damage a babies gums!)
Problem: Congestion
Solution: Mix Camphor/Lavender oil with a little warm Olive Oil and rub on babies chest.
Recipes:
Organic Brown Rice Cereal: (4-6 Months)
1/4 c. rice powder (organic brown rice ground in blender or food processor)
1 cup water
1. Bring liquid to boil in saucepan. Add the rice powder while stirring constantly.
3. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking constantly, mix in formula or breast milk and fruits if desired
Serve warm.
Avocado: (4-6 Months)
1. Peel and take out the pit of a ripe avocado - do not cook
2. Cut “meat” out and mash with a fork
3. There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked
4. Add formula/breast milk or water to thin or add cereal (if desired) to thicken up.
**Those are just a few examples..More to come, and please, add more!**
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:15 pm
Avocado Baby Food Facts
With its smooth and creamy consistency and delicate, nutty flavour, the avocado should be given the title of 'Nature's Baby Food'. Not only is the taste and texture ideal for a baby food beginner, the avocado is an unrivalled, all-round, complete food for infants - with an impressive list of health-giving properties.
The avocado - also known as avocado pear, alligator pear (thanks to the appearance of the skin of some varieties) or butter pear - is, indeed, a fruit. In fact, according to Wikipedia, its botanical classification is a berry!
Although it is treated as a vegetable by many people, it is eaten with milk and sugar in some cultures and is considered a 'sweet' item.
Clearly, the avocado is an extremely versatile food.
The avocado is native to tropical and subtropical parts of south and central America, but it's also grown in warmer regions of America, including Hawaii, Florida and California. The type of avocado most commonly found in your local store - the rich and creamy Hass - is mainly grown in Mexico.
Avocado Baby Food - Nutritional Benefits
Monounsaturated fats
Dieters often shy away from avocados. They have a reputation as being 'full of fat' and - therefore - bad for you!
Although avocados have a higher fat content than most other fruits (around 20 times the amount, on average), they actually contain health-promoting monounsaturated fats.
These fats are needed by your baby's body for the healthy development of his brain and central nervous system.
One of these fats, oleic acid, is believed to help lower cholesterol.
Potassium
Avocado is an excellent source of potassium, containing around 60% more of this valuable mineral than bananas!
Potassium plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and, in later life, can help prevent heart disease, strokes and hypertension (high blood pressure).
Lutein
Lutein is a carotenoid (a nutrient in the pigment that gives certain fruits and vegetables their colour). A natural anti-oxidant, lutein is responsible for promoting healthy skin and eyes.
Avocados also contain the following important nutrients...
* folate
* fibre
* vitamin E
* iron
* copper
* beta-carotene
* vitamin K
* B vitamins
Avocado Baby Food - Hidden Benefits
Not only is avocado baby food highly nutritious in its own right, avocado actually helps your baby's body more efficiently absorb the nutrients from OTHER fruits and veggies he eats them with!
Back in 2005, an interesting article about avocado was published in the Journal of Nutrition. It revealed that tests had shown how adding avocado to salad and salsa
"...significantly enhances carotenoid absorption"
and that
"...adding avocado fruit to carotenoid-containing meals as a lipid* source can facilitate carotenoid absorption while offering additional nutritional benefits"
*Lipids - organic compounds that are necessary for healthy cell growth.
Carotenoids are soluble in fat. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, so it is believed that eating carotenoid-rich foods along with them makes the carotenoids more 'bioavailable' (which means that the body is able to absorb them more easily).
What more could you ask from a baby food?
No wonder the Guinness Book of Records lists avocados as the most nutritious fruit in the world!
Avocado Baby Food - Choosing The Perfect Fruit
Many parents prefer to buy the Hass variety when preparing avocado baby food, because it is so rich and creamy. The Florida (Fuerte) variety is larger, with a smooth, dark green skin. It is sometimes called the 'dieter's avocado' because it is lower in fat and calories than other varieties - subsequently, it is also less rich in taste!
Avocados mature ON the tree, but ripen OFF the tree - you can test for ripeness by gently pressing the skin with your finger. If it leaves a little 'dent', then the fruit is ripe.
Unless you are going to be preparing the avocado for your baby very soon after purchasing it, you might prefer to buy a slightly unripe fruit and allow it to ripen at home.
Avocados move from ripe to overripe very quickly.
On the other hand, you may have bought an unripe avocado, but then be in a hurry to have it ripen!
So how can you encourage an avocado to ripen more quickly?
Well, you can certainly speed up the process by storing it in a paper bag. This is because fresh produce releases a gas called 'ethylene' into the atmosphere. If you place an avocado into a bag, it re-absorbs the ethylene it has produced... and this acts as a stimulant to produce even MORE ethylene. This then hastens the ripenening process - and you can speed things up further still by placing ANOTHER ethylene-producing item (like a banana) in the bag, too!
Avocado Baby Food - Basic Preparation and Storage Tips
You can store a ripe, uncut avocado in your refrigerator for up to a week - but don't put it in the refrigerator BEFORE it's ripe, or it will fail to ripen properly.
To cut an avocado, slice it in half lengthwise and twist the two halves apart. A sharp tap with a heavy knife should help loosen the pit, making it easy to remove.
Cut avocado oxidizes and turns brown very quickly. If you have some of the fruit left over after preparing your avocado baby food recipe, then you have a few options!
Why not pamper yourself with a face mask - avocado is great for the skin! Just mash the leftovers with a little sour cream and apply to the skin (avoiding the eye area). Leave for 15 mins, then rinse!
* Store the rest of the avocado, cut side down, on a plate in the refrigerator.
* Wrap the remaining piece in food-safe plastic wrap, or a sealed Zip-Loc bag.
* Mash the avocado with a little lemon juice - please be aware that citrus juices may cause allergic reactions in some children.
* Adopt the method traditionally used in Mexico and store the avocado WITH the pit (although we find a little oxidization still occurs with this method).
* Mash or puree the leftover avocado, then freeze it in a special baby food freezer tray, or in a regular ice cube tray, covered in foil. Frozen avocado seems to retain its bright colour quite well!
* Eat it yourself (in fact, the Aztecs used to believe avocado to be a great aphrodisiac!).
Although the discolouration of an avocado is visually unappealing, it's not harmful to eat. If oxidization DOES occur, you can just scrape off the brown part with a knife.
Avocado Baby Food - When Can My Baby Eat Avocado?
Did you know...
...that, because they are so high in protein, avocados make an excellent alternative to meat in a vegetarian diet.
For many years, infant rice cereal has been the main 'first food' recommended for babies.
But recommendations are beginning to change.
Many parents and some pediatricians question the nutritional value of infant rice cereal - and parents often find that it leads to constipation in their babies. It is now being recognized that there are other nutritious foods that may be better suited to the role of 'baby's first food'.
Read more - is rice cereal the best first food for baby?
Without a doubt, the avocado fits that role perfectly - and can be introduced to your baby from 6 months of age.
In addition to the wide range of nutritive benefits we mentioned earlier, avocados are highly digestible, rarely responsible for any type of allergic reaction and do not cause constipation.
Due to their high calorie content, avocados are an excellent food for babies with feeding difficulties (infant reflux, for example). Babies such as these will benefit from a generous amount of calories in a small quantity of food.
Avocado Baby Food Recipes - First Foods
For a nutritionally complete and tasty meal for your baby food beginner - with an ideal consistency, too - you need do no more than slice open an avocado and spoon its creamy flesh straight into your baby's mouth!
Yes, it's as easy as that... you do not need to cook the fruit or add anything to it!
To make it more manageable for baby's very first meal, spoon it into a bowl and mash it with a fork. For a smoother texture still, you can puree it in a food processor.
If you are introducing avocado to your baby after the recommended age of 6 months, you shouldn't really need to add anything to thin the consistency. But if you DO feel the need to make it a bit more 'soupy', just add a little breast milk or formula as you mash or puree the fruit.
First Avocado Baby Food - Creamy Fruit Mash
1 apple or pear, peeled, cored and diced
1/2 avocado, peeled
little water
Place the prepared apple or pear into a small saucepan and add a little water.
Simmer gently until the fruit is tender.
Transfer the apple or pear to a food processor and puree until smooth.
Mash the avocado with the fruit puree and serve.
First Avocado Baby Food - Melon Delight
1 small slice Cantaloupe melon
1/2 avocado, peeled
Remove the skin from the melon, then simply mash the avocado and melon together.
This tastes wonderful with a touch of ground ginger!
More melon baby food ideas, recipes and information
First Avocado Baby Food - Sweet Potato and Avocado Dinner
1 small sweet potato
1 avocado, peeled
Bake the sweet potato in its skin for 45 mins - 1 hour until tender.
Cool, then remove the flesh from the skin and mash with the avocado.
Avocado also tastes delicious mashed with cooked butternut squash.
First Avocado Baby Food - No-Cook Fruity Treat
1 small, ripe banana
1 avocado
Peel both fruits and mash together for a creamy treat for your baby that's ready in a flash!
You may also like to try mashing avocado with cooked egg yolk for a simple meal brimming with goodness (click here for more information about including eggs in your baby's diet).
NOTE: We highly recommend avocado as an ideal food to take when you're travelling with your baby. An unpeeled avocado doesn't need to be kept cool and you can just slice it and serve it to your baby when you're out and about. You don't even need a bowl!
Avocado Baby Food Recipes - Finger Food Ideas
Avocado makes a wonderful finger food for baby. It's soft enough to be easily gummed by a toothless infant and needs very little preparation - just cut it into manageable slices.
The only problem with avocado as a finger food is that it can be VERY slippery - almost like soap!
Try coating pieces of avocado with crushed cereal (like Cheerios) or wheat germ (which will add extra nutrients). Both will help your baby get a better grip!
Parent's tip!
One of our visitors told us that she likes to cut slippery fruits and veggies for her little one with a Crinkle Cutter. The ridges help him hold on to the foods more easily! We think this is a great idea!
More Finger Food Ideas
* Mash a nice, ripe avocado and offer it as a dip to accompany veggies or fruits.
* Mash egg yolks with avocado and use as a sandwich filling.
* Mash it thoroughly and spread it straight on to a lightly toasted bagel or toasted bread strips. Avocado makes a VERY healthy alternative to mayonnaise as your child grows, so it's a good idea to introduce the concept of avocado as a sandwich spread as early as you can.
* Add diced avocado to scrambled eggs (yolks only, before one year of age) and give to your baby in a bowl to eat with his fingers.
Moving On - More Advanced Avocado Recipes
Here are some more ways in which you can prepare avocado for baby - please note that the tannin in avocado can cause it to become a little bitter when cooked. If you wish to include avocado in a cooked dish, add it right before serving.
Avocado Baby Food - Tropical Treat (6 months+)
1/2 avocado, diced
1/2 small banana, sliced
1/2 papaya, peeled and diced
1/2 kiwi, peeled and sliced
2oz (1/4 cup) unflavoured natural yogurt
drop of pure Maple Syrup (optional)
Combine all the fruits in a bowl. (If this recipe is to be used for a young baby, you can puree the fruit at this stage).
Top the fruit with the yogurt (you can stir in a little Maple Syrup if you wish) and serve.
Avocado Baby Food - Baby Guacamole (8 months+)
1 avocado
1/2 fl oz tomato juice
little fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
little ground cumin
Mash the avocado, then stir in the remaining ingredients and serve as a dip.
Avocado Baby Food - Tofu and Avocado Cream (8 months+)
This recipe makes a great dip to accompany finger foods, or can be used as a nutritious spread.
1 avocado, diced
4oz (1/2 cup) silken tofu
4oz (1/2 cup) natural yogurt
1 tbsp chopped, fresh chives
Simply mash and puree all the ingredients together, chill... and serve!
Avocado Baby Food - Banana and Kiwi With Creamy Fruit Dressing (6 months+)
1/2 ripe banana, sliced
1/2 ripe kiwi, sliced
1/2 avocado, diced
1oz (1/8 cup) cream cheese
pineapple juice
Arrange the sliced banana and kiwi in a bowl (or puree together for younger babies).
Combine the avocado and cream cheese, then add enough pineapple juice to achieve a spoonable consistency.
Top the fruit with the creamy avocado dressing.
Avocado Baby Food - Baked Potato With Avocado Topping (6 months+)
1 medium white potato
1/2 avocado, mashed
2oz (1/4 cup) natural yogurt
1tsp fresh chives, chopped
Bake the potato in its skin for 1 - 1 1/2 hours at 375 deg F (don't forget to p***k it first).
Mix the avocado with the yogurt.
Split the potato and top with the avocado mixture.
Sprinkle with the chives, allow to cool... and serve!
Avocado Baby Food - Gourmet Sandwich Spread (6 months+)
1/2 avocado
1/2 small roasted red pepper
1oz (1/8 cup) hummus (check the baby-friendly hummus recipe on our blog)
Combine all ingredients for a divine sandwich spread that will please not just your discerning little diner... but the rest of the family, too!
Avocado Baby Food - Simple Avocado Soup (6 months+)
6 fl oz (3/4 cup) homemade vegetable stock
1 ripe, peeled avocado
2 fl oz (1/4 cup) milk (you can use breast milk or formula)
a little fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
Warm the vegetable stock, then stir into the mashed avocado.
Add the milk and stir well, then sprinkle with the coriander.
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m0th3r n4tur3 Vice Captain
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m0th3r n4tur3 Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:17 pm
Easy veggie and lentil baby food puree
1 tbsp red lentils
2oz (1/4 cup) sweet potato, peeled and diced
2oz (1/4 cup) chopped cauliflower
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
roughly 6 fl oz (3/4 cup) milk - (use breast milk or formula if you prefer)
Rinse the lentils, then put all the ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring to the boil.
Next, lower the heat and simmer the mixture until the lentils are cooked and the veggies are tender (about 20-30 mins). You can always add a little more milk if the mixture begins to dry out.
Put the mixture into a food processor and blend until smooth!
This dish freezes well - but remember, you should NOT freeze any dishes containing previously frozen breast milk.
Mmmm, Healthy AND cruelty-free. NOM! lol
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:42 am
m0th3r n4tur3 Easy veggie and lentil baby food puree 1 tbsp red lentils 2oz (1/4 cup) sweet potato, peeled and diced 2oz (1/4 cup) chopped cauliflower 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced roughly 6 fl oz (3/4 cup) milk - (use breast milk or formula if you prefer) Rinse the lentils, then put all the ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring to the boil. Next, lower the heat and simmer the mixture until the lentils are cooked and the veggies are tender (about 20-30 mins). You can always add a little more milk if the mixture begins to dry out. Put the mixture into a food processor and blend until smooth! This dish freezes well - but remember, you should NOT freeze any dishes containing previously frozen breast milk. Mmmm, Healthy AND cruelty-free. NOM! lol i'm glad you're an avocado fan as well! haha..i remember mentioning it to people with babies before and they just look at me like..umm what? haha
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Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:35 am
holy moly. i'm going to go buy some avocado's today.
anyway for pregnant mommy's with lots of swelling. take a water bottle and fill about an inch with cranberry juice and the rest with water. not proven or anything but helped my swelling. drink all day. also good for you.
morning sickness : about a tablespoon of vinegar to 8 oz of warm water. add honey to taste. sip.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:06 am
morning sickness : about a tablespoon of vinegar to 8 oz of warm water. add honey to taste. sip.
i tried that and it really worked 4 me. but i am back to taking some pill that they gave me 4 mine.
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Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:07 am
anyway for pregnant mommy's with lots of swelling. take a water bottle and fill about an inch with cranberry juice and the rest with water. not proven or anything but helped my swelling. drink all day. also good for you.
i will try to keep that in mind in case i have swelling. i havent had it yet though.
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