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How To Make Baby Food At Home

So your baby is showing all the signs of wanting to eat, and you are excited to get started with baby food making but have NO IDEA how to go about it.

First you need to know what are the “right” foods for your baby’s age and not introduce too many foods at once.

It’s so important to follow a guide and follow the 4-5 day rule so that you know that your baby is ready for those foods.

What happens when you serve your baby foods that he is not ready to eat? The short answer: it can be hard on their digestive system and could be a source of food allergies later on.

How do you know if your baby is ready for solid foods?More than likely, your pediatrician has already suggested introduction of baby cereal or solid foods. If not, some of the signs are:

• The baby is able to sit up with support, reaches and grabs things and tries to put them in her mouth.
• Try to reach the food that it’s on your plate
• Mimics eating with their mouth when you eat

 Basic First Foods:*Note, there is no significant difference wether you introduce fruits or cereals first.

• Mashed bananas
• Peaches
• Barley and rice cereal
• Carrots
• Pears
• Squash
• Sweet potatoes
• Apples
• Peas

Food Making Supplies
In recent years, there have been some all-in-one food steamers and blenders that make baby food making a snap. Know, that for hundreds of years people have used traditional methods and things typically found in your kitchen to make baby food. Therefore, you don’t really need any special equipment to make your own food. 

• Pot and a steamer basket, or
• Electric steamer
• Cutting board
• Good knife
• Immersion blender
• Water
• Ice cube trays or small storage cups
• Freezer baggies
• Sharpie Marker
• Organic fruit or vegetables

You have done your research, got all the materials and foods you need so you are ready to get started. The main thing you need to remember is to make your food smooth and thin for those beginner babies and as they get older you can make it a bit thicker and with more texture. To make your food smooth and thin you need to add a little bit of water at a time.

Fruit Purees

***NOTE – If you choose to start feeding your baby before the age of 6mos old you will need to steam all fruits. Steaming or light cooking these foods makes it easier to digest. After the age of 6 months you do not need to good fruits unless it’s a harder fruit such as apples. Also depending on the fruit and how much natural liquid the fruit has in it you may not need to add water. For instance pears have a TON of natural juices so you may not need to add any water.

Directions

1. In a pot fill it about 1/3 of the way up and place a steamer inside of the pot.
2. Add the fruit and bring to a gentle boil
3. Once it starts to boil, turn down to low and let simmer until fork tender
4. Remove from heat and place in a glass bowl
5. Once cool then with your immersion blender blend until you get the consistently that is right for your baby. Again, you may need to add water to make it smooth enough.

Vegetable Purees

The only other material that you would need when doing vegetables is a baby pan.  When steaming you would do the same type of thing as you did for the fruit. When blending this is when you will add water. I suggest using the steam water for extra nutrients and then add additional water if necessary. Remember to always add water a teaspoon at a time so you can control the consistency.

I like to roast many of my vegetables such as sweet potatoes, acorn squash, butternut squash or any type of winter squash. Check out these easy vegetable roasting instructions. Once your fruits and vegetables are made into puree’s then you can spoon that mixture into a BPA FREE ice cube trays and place into the freezer up to 24 hrs. Place on the counter and let defrost just enough until you can easily take them out. Once all the cubes are out place them into a labeled freezer baggie and put back into the freezer.

Your homemade baby food can last in the freezer for up to 6 months. When serving remember that each ice cube is 1 ounce. Follow the guides as to how much your baby should be eating at their age.

Selecting and Caring for a Poinsettia

The Poinsettia’s Colorful History

Choosing Your Poinsettia

• Dark green, dense and plentiful foliage.
• Tightly clustered buds to last throughout the holiday season.
• The smallest leaves surrounding the yellow buds to be fully colored. If they're still partially green, your plant will quickly lose its color.
• If the yellow buds in the center of the flower have started to drop off or have already shed pollen (look for tiny yellow grains), the plant isn't fresh.
• Avoid plants with yellow, greenish-white or sagging leaves. Plants with faded, torn or discolored bracts (leaves beneath the flower) aren't the best choice either.
• As with any plant, make sure your poinsettia is free from insects and diseases.

Caring for Your Poinsettia

• Light: Poinsettias need a minimum of six hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight each day.
• Temperature: These plants prefer temperatures from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with a drop from 60 to 65 degrees at night. The lower night temperatures help the poinsettias keep their brilliant color. Protect the plants from both cold and hot drafts from outside doors, heat registers or appliances. Never let the plant be exposed to temperatures less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Water: Poinsettias like moist, but not wet, soil. When the top of the soil becomes dry, add room temperature water to the plant. Allow the water to drain through the pot when watering, and then discard any excess water in the saucer. If the plant's container was wrapped with decorative foil, be sure to remove the foil from the bottom of the container to allow water to drain through the plant.

• Water less (about once a week) after the blooms and leaves drop or shrivel. The plant needs this rest period after its blooming season.
• Cut back the stems to half their size in March or April. When new growth begins to appear, it's safe to resume a more normal watering and feeding schedule. Use regular houseplant food, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Move the plant outdoors when the outside nighttime temperatures rise above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Provide light but avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
• Plant the poinsettia in the ground, or leave it in the pot if you wish. Repotting may be necessary at the end of summer after the plant has grown. If the poinsettia is planted in the ground, you can expect a shrub-like plant during the summer.
• Pinch back new growth in June, July or August to promote a bushier plant.

Tips to Make Your Poinsettia Bloom

Poinsettias and Their Poisonous Reputation

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