Organic Baby; Super Chunk

Lil’ man is now an active food participant. He’s graduated to thicker and chunkier foods and trying to feed himself. Even though he only has four little teeth, he mashes his gums and sends me signals that puree just ain’t cutting it.

Favorite finger foods; soft for baby to mash

well cooked ground turkey, grass-fed beef or lamb

small chunks of organic banana, peach, nectarine, melon, mango, papaya or plum; pieces of baked apple or pear; blueberries (not too many blueberries or it could cause constipation)

Cooked pieces of organic sweet potato, broccoli, carrots, beets, butternut squash, or asparagus sprinkled with grated Parmesan

Scrambled eggs (finely chopped)

pieces of pancakes, waffles or french toast finely chopped

small shapes of cooked pasta or cut-up noodles, tossed with shredded mozzarella

TIP: Coat slippery foods like banana or ripe avocado in toasted wheat germ or crushed graham crackers to make them easier for baby to pick up.

Finger foods to avoid

raisins and other dried fruit

whole grapes

cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes

raw hard vegetables and fruits like carrots, celery, and apple

sausages, including hot dogs

white bread

popcorn

hard cheese

Oven Baked Salmon

Small 4oz Wild Sockeye Salmon, brush with olive oil, a pinch of fine grain sea salt, dried thyme and ginger. Wrap salmon in parchment or foil pouch, place on cookie sheet and cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  Tail part of the salmon is usually bone free, which makes it an easy and worry free choice for mama or daddy.

Lean Chicken Breast

Whole Foods and in Sonoma County specifically, Oliver’s Market has organic Rocky’s Roaster Chicken cooked fresh each day. Baby get’s the lean white chicken breast, skin peeled and diced into tiny pieces.  Lil’ man was able to grab a piece, chew and swallow. It was a big day.

Quinoa Pudding

Similar to rice pudding, quinoa pudding is both more delicate and more substantial. This whole-grain, wheat-free dish is so healthy and satisfying it makes a perfect breakfast to start the day.

Ingredients

1/4 cup grade b maple syrup (Trader Joe’s carries grade b maple syrup regularly)

2 tbsp unsalted butter

1 egg

1/2 cup whole organic milk

1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of fine grain sea salt

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the sugar and butter. Stir in the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until blended.

Add the quinoa and diced cranberries and mix thoroughly. Butter individual ramekins.

Pour the custard mixture into the ramekins and grate a little nutmeg over it. Place ramekins in baking pan filled half way with water. Bake for 40 minutes or until they are just set.

Remove from oven and let cool. Serve.

Apple Saucey

Ingredients

7 medium large Jonagold or Pink Lady (tart), or Braeburn, cored and cut into bite size pieces

Sonoma North Coast Apple Cider, or water, or half and half

1/2 cup grade b maple syrup

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cinnamon stick

1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Directions

Place the apples in a small saucepan and add enough juice or water, or combination of juice and water to almost cover the apples. Add cinnamon stick and cook over medium heat until the apple pieces are tender (remove cinnamon stick).

Sweeten to taste with maple syrup, cinnamon and add salt.

Puree in a blender or food processor if desired, or leave chunky.