Jarhead

Have you ever considered making your own babyfood? I know, I know... There will be those of you out there reading who will think what I am proposing is bordering on fanatical. It may sound contradictory, but I promise, there is great freedom that comes with thinking outside of the jar. It is much easier to have extra frozen veggies on hand than it is to maintain a mountain of tiny containers taking up valuable real estate in your pantry, and, Starbucks habit aside, it is also nice to know you are not contributing to extra pollution caused in the manufacture, distribution, and disposal of babyfood containers (hey, it all makes a difference). Not to mention the economical advantage- organic babyfood (the only acceptable option) is teetering on $1.20 a jar. When you realize how inexpensive it is to simply purchase a sack of carrots, a pack of peas, or a bag of spinach, and how far those things all go, you will never look back (and hey, you might even be able to afford another baby with the money you save)! There are a few things required upfront to get going, but any of these options have a myriad of uses beyond babyhood. The mother of all potential puree-ers would be the food processor, and while it is a bit of an investment, it is the cornerstone of a foodie's kitchen (I swear it changed my life). It can also be found in a mini version (less expensive) which is actually what I started out with when Isabella was born 5 years ago. Another option is a food mill, which is a non-electronic devise that requires some arm work, but will get you that perfectly smooth consistency comparable to the jarred stuff. The new kid on the block is the Beaba, a self contained babyfood factory which does everything but actually eat for you- it is a steamer, chopper puree-er, all in one. While this is a great gadget, it's price tag would be better put toward a food processor, which has a much larger capacity and will get much more use. Beaba however, does make some fantastic feeding accessories (yes, there are such things) that are super handy and very well made. Their food storage containers are a must have for portioning out and freezing. The most convincing reason of all however, for making your own babyfood, is how much more your baby will get out of the arrangement. Homemade babyfood tastes far superior to the store bought stuff, and packs a bigger nutritional punch. Fresh fruits and veggies are going to trump overly cooked and processed factory food (for that is what it is) hands down. Just view "Exhibit A" below...
One dish contains a jar of leading brand organic "Baby Sweet Peas", the other dish containing freshly cooked and pureed frozen peas with a little lemon and butter... Which one would YOU rather eat? Controlling your own ingredient list insures you are able to introduce your little one to a larger array of flavors and textures which will continue into toddlerhood. I am constantly asked how I get my children to eat the more "grown-up" foods that I serve, and the answer is simple- they have been eating "grown-up" foods from the start. Once your baby is pushing 1 year, you can simply puree whatever you are serving the rest of your family (providing it is not overly spicy), which simplifies life even further. Samuel is the best fed baby around, no doubt, and he LOVES to eat, which I take as a compliment. Make the switch, your baby will thank you. After all, a foodie is a foodie no matter how small.

For more information on purchasing kitchenware, read the Confections & Confessions post Made In China, Broken In America- A Lesson In Quality