Just add Ricotta

Hi All!

I found the hardest thing with a new baby was managing my time.

Before Tyler and Flynn I had it down pat. I had a list and things were ticked off and completed in a day. Now.... well lets just say, I'm happy if I actually tick anything off (usually I'm just ticking off my husband - ha ha ha - sorry, bad joke!).

And I guess when you're trying to keep the house in a semi state of neatness (if you want to visit me, come anytime but if you want to visit the house, please give me a month's notice) and look after a new baby while trying to do all the 'other stuff', it can be crazy. If you don't have time to create home made baby food with lots of ingredients there is still lots of things you can do that are easy, nutritious and really quick.

Last last baby food recipe was just adding fruit to natural yoghurt - easy and super yum.

Today I've got another super easy one to share!

Ricotta and Vegies
suitable for babies 8 months and above

1 pre-prepared cube of vegies (Flynn loves sweet potato)
1 tablespoon of smooth ricotta.

Defrost the vegie cube (the sweet vegetables I think work the best eg carrot / pumpkin) and add to ricotta. Serve warm.

How easy is that!!!! Let me know what your babies thinks.

Pop your Qubies baby food containers back into the cupboard as this isn't suitable to freeze.

Chat later!

Home made baby food is soooooo easy! Just add yoghurt

Hi all!

Get ready I'm on my soap box this morning!

A few days ago while out with a few friends, I was introduced to a new mum with a 7 month old girl. Needless to say the baby was just gorgeous, all chubby and cuddly. The stay at home mum was proudly explaining that her little girl was a big eater and it was costing her a fortune (jokingly of course). "She eats 2 of those (brought) baby food containers at each meal!" I couldn't believe I just heard that. I subtly asked why she was eating brought processed food rather than good old home made baby food and the response was "I'm just too busy!". Honestly, what a ridiculous excuse! Diplomacy took over and I didn't say a word....

When you consider the time and money aspect, I think it's quicker to whip up a big batch of baby food and freeze the left overs. Then you have food ready to go in a second. In this 'economic climate' it's also soooooo much cheaper. Come on, grab a whole pumpkin, steam it, puree it and Viola, healthy, preservative/additive free food for Flynn for a month!

Okay, got that off my chest! Let me know what you think? Am I just ranting and raving???

Well this brings me to one of the easiest meals you can introduce to baby after plain old fruit and vegetables.

Natural yoghurt and fruit (suitable from 8 months)

3 tablespoons natural yoghurt
1 or 2 baby cubes of fruit puree

Simply mix the fruit puree with the yoghurt and serve - easy!

As I made "Jenny's Fruit Medley" a few days ago, this is perfect for Flynn to add a little variety.
The guidelines I have do say to introduce cow's milk from 8 months however I have found Flynn is fine with dairy.

This is not suitable to freeze, so pop your Qubies away!

Qubies! Once you've finished with your boobies... or so I thought....

Hi all

I thought today I'd do a product review on Qubies . Some of you may know about Qubies but if you don't, well hold on to your hats. This is a brilliant product, designed by an Aussie mum (me) to help other mums & Dads!

There are a few "challenges" when it comes to storing and freezing baby food. How do I store baby purees so I can get to it easily, how will I actually get the baby food out of the container once it's frozen without breaking the container, can I combine foods to make interesting and nutritious meals for my baby, does the ice cube tray have a lid so there is no freezer burn or freezer smells? The list goes on and these were the things that drove me crazy - my huge lack of sleep probably didn't help. In my desperation I created what is now being described as the "best baby food container on the market!" Qubies!

What's the difference? It's quite simple really. Qubies has a lid made from silicon which means that it's non stick. Secondly, the dividers are now on the lid. This means you can place your puree into the base without having to spoon food into little compartments making a mess. Once the food is in, simply pop on the lid and freeze. Once the food is frozen, give the container a twist which releases the cubes. Then you simple remove the lid and "VIOLA" 30ml cubes ready to use for baby.What I like to do for Flynn is make a big batch of food. For example lamb shanks. I pour the pureed shanks into the Qubies then I freeze. Once frozen I transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. At meal times I then mix and match my cubes. For example 1 lamb shank cube plus 1 potato cube plus one broccoli cube. Then the next meal I change the combination. This way I know I'm introducing Flynn to lots of different foods, giving him lots of variety and nutrients.

You can also use your Qubies to freeze Breast milk! This was a godsend for me. When Flynn was born as he was readmitted to hospital with Bronciolitis. Sadly I had to express all of his milk but I was able to freeze it and give it to him as 30ml cubes initially. As he grew I increased it to 60mls and so on.

Once you've finished using your Qubies for baby you can then use them for "grown up" endeavours such as freezing: lemon juice, stock, herbs, pestos, gravy, tomato paste, coconut milk, lime juice, condensed milk, egg whites, ice cubes and more!

Check out the Testimonials and see what other mums are saying about Qubies.

And don't worry if you are from overseas, Qubies are posted all over the world!

Chat again soon, Alex

Wonderful Weeties

Do you find that sometimes you keep giving your babies the same baby food puree? I do. It's great to chat to other mums/dads/grandparents to see what they are giving their babies.

I was having a great old chat with my Mother-in-law Cath a few days ago. She was having a wonderful time reminiscing about how much my husband Pj ate as a baby. He was a right old guts. Apparently breakfast time consisted of 3 Weetbix! Now, I think this may be a slight exaggeration or... if you knew my husband, maybe it's not. Anyway, it got me to thinking, why haven't I given Flynn Weetbix????????? Once warm milk is added, the Weeties become all soft and squishy - perfect for a baby!

So guess what Flynn's now having for breakfast...

I'm not sure if Weetbix are a worldwide phenomenon. In Australia, they are little rectangular biscuits made of wheat which you have for breakfast. IF there are any Aussie Ex-pats reading this, could you please let me know if Weetbix are sold overseas!


Wonderful Weetbix

1 Weetbix, crushed by hand
warm Milk, formula or breast milk.

Add enough milk to soak into the Weeties until they are soft and a little runny.

This is not suitable to freeze in your Qubies

Babies first lamb shanks

It's funny how I have 2 totally different sons! Tyler my first (nearly 3 years old) would have a little taste of anything offered then turn away. In fact he is still the same. If it's the choice between playing or eating, playing always wins! Flynn on the other hand, LOVES TO EAT. So far we've mastered the cereals, fruits and veggies so I figure it's time to bring in the big boys. The one food Tyler did love was my shanks. So time for Flynn to give it a go.

Shanks are a great meat to introduce to babies because once cooked the meat is so soft and sweet and it will provide a ton of nutrients including iron to bub. The best part from babies perspective is he/she can have a great munch on the shank bone at the end! I think this is Flynn's favorite part!?

See how you go with this recipe. Feel free to add more vegies...

Easy Peesy Lamb Shanks with Vegies

1 small frenched lamb shank
1 tbs flour
1 tbs oil
½ small onion, diced
1/2 zucchini, diced
1 small carrot, diced
200gm can crushed tomatoes
1 cups water or vegetable stock
2 Qubies containers (http://www.qubies.com.au/)

Turn on oven to 100 Degrees.
Dust the shank with the flour.
Place oil in a large oven proof saucepan and turn to medium.
Brown shank. Remove from saucepan and place aside for now.
Place onions in saucepan on a low heat till softened, then add the zucchini and carrots.
Continue cooking for another 10 mins or until all the veggies are soft.
Add crushed tomatoes, stock and the shank. Bring to the boil.
Place lid on saucepan and move to oven.
Cook for approx 2 hours, or until meat falls away easily from the bone.
Remove from oven and let cool a little. Remove bones and puree to the desired texture.
Pour puree in to your Qubies Tray and freeze ready to use.

At meal time I will use 1 or 2 cubes of shanks and I will add another cube of vegetable such as sweet potato or pumpkin.

Good luck and please, let me know how you go!