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Vegan Babies and Toddlers
Baby Food on a Budget
By Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers
When it comes time to feeding your baby solid foods, your initial
vision might be dipping a spoon into a little jar of pureed peas,
carrots or bananas. Did you know that your baby will eat about 600 of
these cute little jars of baby food? And that the cost of all these
jars can add up $400-$600?
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If you are interested in making a HUGE dent in this baby budget line
item, we recommend you make your own baby food. Now don't laugh, roll
your eyes or start trembling at the thought of cooking - most people
find it surprisingly simple and quick to make baby food.
Homemade baby food will cost less than $100, saving your family up to
a whopping $500! And before you say" but who has the time", think
about using the tried n' true ice cube tray method of making baby
food. It will take only 30 minutes per week! There are not many things
you can do in 30 minutes a week to save hundreds of dollars.
Here are the four basic steps to making baby food:
Step 1: Start with fresh fruits or vegetables. Depending on the type
of food, you will need to wash, chop, and peel the fruits and
vegetables. If you are using frozen produce, simply open the package.
Step 2: Cook the food in the microwave or steam the food on the stove.
Foods are done when the can be pierced or mashed easily with a fork.
Step 3: Pour the food and cooking juices into a food processor or a
blender and puree to a soft and velvety texture. You may need to add
water to get the right texture.
Step 4: Spoon the food puree into ice cube trays. Cover and place them
in the freezer. When frozen, pop the baby food cubes out into a
freezer storage bag. Baby food cubes stay fresh for up to two months
in the freezer.
When it comes time to feed your baby, simply select baby food cubes
from the freezer, defrost and the rest is YUM!
There are few more money saving secrets to making baby food:
Buy fresh produce that is on sale or in season
Use coupons for frozen fruits and vegetables
Make baby food in large quantities and freeze it in single servings
Who knew, with a blender, some fruits and vegetables, and a few
minutes in the kitchen would save hundreds of dollars?
Now - you do.
Happy Parenting!
Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers are sisters, the mothers of five children and founders of Fresh Baby. Creators of products that include the So Easy Baby Food Kit and Good Clean Fun Placemats; Fresh Baby offers parents convenient and practical support in raising healthy children. Visit them online at www.FreshBaby.com and subscribe to their Fresh Ideas newsletter to get monthly ideas, tips and activities for developing your family's healthy eating habits! Fresh Baby products are available at many fine specialty stores and national chains including Target, Wild Oats, and Whole Foods Markets.
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