Brrr! It certainly feels like winter out – which makes me want to eat something nice and warm for breakfast. I posted awhile back about the Oatmeal that Cameron likes to eat that I make with Bananas. Now that he is drinking cow’s milk I make it with whole milk instead of water and we share it (he ends up eating most of it though!) I just thought I would highlight the post for my newer visitors in case you might have missed it. Stay warm out there!
Check it out : What’s Cameron Eating? – Oatmeal with Bananas and Cinnamon!
If you want to try something different, add applesauce, pureed pears, or pureed pumpkin to the oatmeal. It’s a great way to get some extra fruits or veggies in there. Also, oatmeal is an excellent source of protein – so this really makes a great breakfast!
The other day I was at the playground and a mom got out some pretzel sticks as a snack for her little girl, who is the same age as Cameron (12 months). She asked me if he would like to try one. I was sure with his limited teeth it would be too hard for him, but I gave him one anyways, and boy did he prove me wrong. He loves chomping on them! I ordered some from Fresh Direct, but perhaps you can find them at your local market. The only thing to be careful of is when you get down to the last bite – sometimes Cameron shoves the last big chunk in his mouth, and it can be a little big!
Snyder's Organic Oat Bran Sticks Pretzels
Lately Cameron has really been digging Applegate Farms Chicken Nuggets that I have been ordering from Fresh Direct. I know it’s not the healthiest thing on the planet, but at least the chicken has no Antibiotics, so I can feel a little bit good about that. Plus he is getting some protein! They are easy for him to mash up in his mouth, and easy for me to make. I throw a few in the microwave to defrost for a couple seconds (usually with some sweet potato fries) and then finish them off in the toaster oven.
Yummy Chicken Nuggets
It’s no secret that Cameron (and mom) love the sweet potato fries at 67 Burger here in Fort Greene. But we can’t be eating out there all the time, plus all that frying – though delicious – isn’t good for us. So I was trying to think of a way to make these at home, and make them a bit healthier too. Chatting with some moms one day at the park, I mentioned that I had bought some sweet potatoes that I was going to cut them up into sticks and bake in the oven. Someone commented that this was “awfully ambitious.” I thought to myself that they were right, and then a light bulb went off.
My husband and I order frozen fries all the time from Fresh Direct that we bake in the oven, and I knew there were sweet potato ones too made by the same brand – they are called Alexia Sweet Potato Julienne Fries with Sea Salt. I defrost them for a few seconds in the microwave and then finish heating them in the toaster oven. Cameron really loves them, and they are easy for me to make a few at a time.
Cameron isn’t exactly the world’s biggest eater, so I am always struggling to think of new things for him to try. Last week I ordered some Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars from Fresh Direct, and he loved them so much he ate the entire one AFTER eating a whole container of yogurt. For Cameron, this is a HUGE meal! After reading the ingredients list, I figured I should try and find a better option, so this week I ordered some Earth’s Best Organic Strawberry Banana Cereal Bars. Yum! They are a hit.
Yummy Yummy in Cameron's Tummy
As I mentioned before I am always searching for things that Cameron and I both like to eat. I’ve started making instant oatmeal for him (it seems a little less labor intensive than Cream of Wheat). I get the Arrowhead Mills Organic Original Instant Oatmeal from Fresh Direct because its just plain oatmeal with no sugar added.
Yummy Yummy!
Before I microwave it I add some mashed bananas and a dash of cinnamon. The bananas and cinnamon sweeten it up without adding any sugar – so it tastes great! The idea of adding cinnamon was given to me by Celia, who had originally suggested adding it to pureed pears or apples (also, super tasty!) I think it makes anything taste like apple pie, and totally delicious. Cameron agrees!
I admit that quite often in my first time mommy experiences someone tells me something which, upon hearing it I think,” Oh right – that makes perfect sense. Duh!” I had one of these moments at Cameron’s 9 month check up. I was talking to his pediatrician about food. She asked me if Cameron was feeding himself (finger foods) and I said “no,” and that he “wasn’t very good at it.” She suggested that every meal time I put the tray on his high chair and let him practice picking up some finger foods. Ah – Practice! This had never occurred to me (duh!) I guess I sort of figured it would just come to him…. Anyways, after a week or so of practice with his Organic Puffs Cameron has really improved!
Banana Puffs
I first heard about these puffs from another mom. They dissolve in baby’s mouth easily and they come in 3 “flavors” (I think they all taste the same) – banana, apple, and veggie. You can get them from Fresh Direct, at Elly’s on Dekalb, and at the Associated on Myrtle. If you aren’t in Fort Greene / Clinton hill check your local grocery in the baby section or get them from Amazon (the price is better than local, and they come with free shipping – you can even get 15% off if you subscribe and save making them only about $2.60 each). They are made by Happy Baby, and boy, do they make my baby happy!
Cameron has decided that he is most interested in eating whatever I’m eating, and has been pretty sassy about eating the pureed foods I was used to giving him. So, per Celia’s suggestion I tried giving him veggie burger patties. He LOVES them, and they make a nice lunch for me as well. I’ve been giving him Dr. Praeger’s, although I might try a few brands to see what his preference is. I get mine from Fresh Direct, but I’ve been told they have them at Elly’s Market on Dekalb, and at Fairway for the adventuresome types!
