GROCERY HAUL ——> MAKING BABY FOOD
So excited to start making all these purées!
Our daughter started on solids about a month ago and we have just been buying the Gerber’s baby food which she has been loving but it’s pretty expensive and I wanted to get her on organic purées which would have been even more expensive so I figured I would learn to make her food myself! Plus you really just never know what additives & chemicals might be in those things so I just want to be on the safe side. Not that there is anything wrong with normal baby food, I am just an over-thinker so it gives me peace of mind 😅
I also got a Magic Bullet to blend stuff which was only like $25- it can definitely be done in a normal blender through! Also, I know the meat and bone broth seem like odd ingredients for purée, but I discovered while doing some research that meat purée with bone broth is supposed to be super nutritious for babies so we’ll see how that goes/ if she will eat it 😂. Also hoping prune purée will help her when she’s a little… backed up 🫠
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Okay, mamas! Since I just shared my exciting journey into making homemade baby food, I wanted to dive a little deeper into my recent grocery haul and share some of the practical tips I've picked up. It’s all about making this process as smooth and budget-friendly as possible, because let’s be real, parenting is expensive enough! My biggest tip when planning your baby food grocery haul is to always look for sales on organic items. I managed to stock up on so much vibrant organic produce this trip! I grabbed beautiful sweet potatoes, crisp green beans, leafy spinach, versatile cauliflower, sweet carrots, and colorful bell peppers. These aren't just pretty to look at; they're fantastic bases for a variety of purées, offering a spectrum of vitamins and minerals for your little one. I usually buy a mix of seasonal produce to keep things interesting and cost-effective. For protein and healthy fats, I focused on essentials. I picked up lean chicken breasts – which blend surprisingly well with a little liquid – and a good supply of organic chicken bone broth. The bone broth is truly a game-changer; it adds such a nutritional boost and a lovely savory flavor that babies often enjoy. Don't forget healthy fats and fruits! I made sure to get creamy avocados for brain development, juicy blackberries for antioxidants, and even some organic coconut chunks for a unique, tropical-inspired purée. And for those times when things get a little… backed up, a bag of pitted prunes is a must-have in my pantry! When it comes to processing all these goodies, batch cooking is honestly my secret weapon. Instead of making small portions daily, I dedicate one afternoon a week to cooking, blending, and portioning. After steaming or roasting my chosen veggies like sweet potatoes or carrots until they're super soft, I pop them into my Magic Bullet (or any blender works!) with a bit of breast milk, formula, or even some of that amazing organic chicken bone broth to get the perfect consistency. For fruits like blackberries or prunes, a quick steam usually does the trick before blending. I also wanted to mention some of the other staples I always keep on hand. Plain whole milk yogurt is excellent mixed with fruit purées for a creamy, probiotic-rich meal. And once your little one is ready for more textures, well-cooked and blended sweet peas and chickpeas are wonderful sources of plant-based protein. Just make sure they're super smooth to start! Making baby food at home from my grocery haul has given me such peace of mind. Not only am I saving money compared to buying pre-made organic options, but I also know exactly what ingredients my daughter is getting – no hidden additives or preservatives. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch her enjoy something I’ve prepared with love. It's a journey, and sometimes it's messy, but seeing my little one thrive on healthy, homemade meals makes every minute of that grocery trip and blending session totally worth it! It’s all part of this wonderful mom-and-daughter adventure.