twosmallcones

Food is such a big event in our house. We love mixing ingredients, creating new meals, trying new seasonings and spices, and learning new techniques – even when utilizing the simplest of ingredients. We look forward to dinner together every night and breakfast each morning. This passion and devotion to food applies to making and feeding Arco, too.

Summertime spread: banana, avocado, toast, cantaloupe and puffs/cheerios.

Even before Arco was born, I imagined mixing and puréeing a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and meats, and adding my own twist with herbs and spices. Ambitious, maybe. Mostly though, I want to expose Arco to ample flavors, textures and ingredients. Like other parents, I also want to set him up with a solid foundation. Proper nutrition has a profound impact on how babies develop. How Arco eats now will influence his overall health, cognitive development and growth for years to come.

All of that, plus, it’s much more economical.

Those pouches and jars quickly add up, especially when the little one is eating two, three, or more per day. It too, is comforting to know exactly which ingredients are in Arco’s food. Homemade baby food is also customizable, which I love. I get to mix all of those yummy plants, fruits and meats together, and add breastmilk to alter the consistency, if need be.

Final plug, it’s simple to do and it’s fun!

A picnic in the front yard: ginger peaches, onion and potatoes, and cinnamon tofu.

For ease, I usually purée a bit of each food item and add them to these nifty silicone ice-cube trays. Once frozen, I transfer the one-to-two ounce cubes to a freezable container, wash the silicone trays and plan for the next big food day. By spending an hour or two cooking, roasting and puréeing food, Arco has enough meal combinations to last him a few weeks. The time and investment are definitely worth it, and, like I mentioned above, it’s easier on our wallets.

Here are a few combinations that Arco loves (all as chunky purées):

• tofu, banana and avocado with a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon
• ground and cooked oats with apricot or banana
• sweet potato with any other vegetable or fruit – Arco loves his potatoes!
• melons: watermelon and cantaloupe with a dash of mint
• avocado, avocado, avocado! with basil, lime, lemon or cinnamon
• asparagus with tuna or salmon
• banana and unsweetened cocoa smoothies – with a dollop of peanut butter!

Here are some solid food combinations I’ve been sending to daycare with Arco (along with breastmilk and chunky purées):

• cooked spinach with lime
• chicken sausage cut into small squares
• tofu squares with garlic and onion
• peaches and cinnamon or ginger
• avocado chunks
• small pieces of tortilla or bread with peanut butter
• rosemary peas

These days, more often than not, Arco won’t eat his chunky purée combinations. He would much rather enjoy the food on our plate! Now that he is older (hello, ten months!), can sit on his own, showcases his strong pincer grasp, and is able to swallow with ease, I’ve been listening to his cues. If he wants food from our plate, we welcome the opportunity. If he chooses to drink only milk, we follow his lead. In the end, I do believe this baby-led weaning will be a much more natural progression to eating healthy meals, chock-full of flavor and variety.

the happiest boy! rice, lemon spinach and peas, oh my!

What are some fun food combinations you’ve tried with your little ones? Any suggestions on what to try next, now that Arco is comfortable eating both puréed food and bites from our plates?