Making Baby Food!

Beaba Babycook

I just started feeding my 2nd solids. This baby food maker makes it a breeze.  It steams, purees, and reheats all-in-one, so no need to use several appliances which means less dishes. :)

Even though I knew about it a few years ago, I heard it had BPA.  So I went the steamer and cuisinart route instead. First I steamed, then pureed, then froze the left overs and I don't like using the microwave for baby so to reheat I used another dish and steamed again.  Yikes! Seems like a lot of work and it was, but my baby was worth it right?  I wanted to keep him BPA-free.  Well turns out the Cuisinart may have BPA in it afterall.  Great? But now a few years have passed and the research I found says The Beaba Babycook is BPA Free and even says so on the box. 

So this time around I'm using the Babycook.  

How To Use 

There's level 1, 2 or, 3 which measures how much water you use.  For example pears are 2, squash is 3.  You fill it up to the line and pour the water into the other side.   Put your fruit or veggie in the basket.  Twist the lid shut and put it on the steam icon.  The light goes on, when it's done the light will go off.  Turn off the steamer, open the lid, remove the basket and put the food in the mixer, shut the lid and put it on the blend icon.  Voila-baby food!

It takes roughly about 10-15 minutes to cook something and about 7 minutes to reheat a frozen cube so I've found I've been making more fresh food each meal rather than freezing large batches.  When you reheat food it needs to go in another container that you place in the basket.

Observations about Starting Solids

-There's no rush.  (I couldn't wait to feed my first, second time around I wasn't so anxious.  Who needs more to do and clean with 2 kids. She was fine on just breastmilk.  I waited until 6 months.)

-Rice Cereal is constipating.  (Even though it was both my kids first food, I think if I were to do it again I'd start with veggies.)  

-Make sure you have bibs and supplies ready.

Here's what I used:

-Washable Bibs,

-Take and Toss Disposable Spoons,

-First Food Serving Bowl-I love this serving bowl-it comes with 2 sections for puree and cereal and a soft spoon.

Here's more about starting solids and homemade baby food.

Giving Back!

I know most of us have the best intentions to donate our time or to give back, but sometimes we get so caught up in our daily mom lives we forget or just run out of energy and it gets pushed to the bottom of our "to do" list.

But now it's time to take action. What do you believe in? How can you make a difference?

This week I asked myself that question. I have been meaning to donate to a charity, not just going to some fundraiser, but actually finding out about the organization, its mission and then help.

I decided to dedicate my energy to Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. An organization that provides free reconstructive and plastic surgery to children and young adults in San Diego. Giving them a Fresh Start.

My son was born with a cleft lip.  He had surgery at 3 months. 

He is now a healthy, happy, active 2 year old and I am grateful for that.  It was hard in the beginning, first discovering he had a cleft when I was in my third trimester, then going through the surgery and the healing process. But imagine looking at your child and not being able to give them what they need. We had insurance and were able to give him the surgery, but many kids don't have that chance.  Everytime I go to Rady Children's Hospital  I get emotional.  I see children and their families, each one has their own story.  I hope each one will get their own happy ending.

All the money donated to Fresh Start goes towards helping kids during surgery weekends, which happens about 7 times a year. The next one is in a few weeks and will give more than 80 kids what my son got, a fresh start, a chance to be himself, not affected by what he looks like.

So that is why I chose this organization.  But there are hundreds of organizations that need your help.  Take a little time today and give back.