Ruth's Blog

Finger Foods For Baby and Toddler: Everything you ever wanted to know

By: Ruth | January 28, 2012 | Comment

Dr Greene.com recently asked Ruth to be a special guest perspectives blogger on their informational website. Ruth was more than happy to provide 5 terrific blog posts sharing all kinds of great, detailed information on finger foods and tips for getting started with finger foods for babies and toddlers. In case you missed it, here is a description and a link to each fantastic blog post.

Finger Foods: What They Are And Why They Are Important To Your Baby’s Diet

Getting Started With Finger Foods

Finger Food Ideas For Baby and Toddler: Fruits, Whole Grains, and Vegetables

Baby and Toddler Finger Food Ideas Galore: Proteins, Dairy, Omega 3 Healthy Fats

Baby and Toddler Finger Food Ideas Galore: Seeds and Dips

Super Baby Food is happy to be a part of the Dr. Greene team! Be sure to check out some of the other terrific information on Dr. Greene’s website.

Happy Halloween: Super Baby Food Pumpkin Toddler Recipes To Celebrate

By: Ruth | October 26, 2011 | Comment

It’s that time of year where everything seems to turn orange. Celebrate Halloween with your little one with these Pumpkin themed toddler recipes from Super Baby Food!

Great Pumpkin Pancakes

1 beaten egg

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses

1/2 cup Super Flour*

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients in bowl and cook. Top with a mixture of yogurt and orange juice concentrate

Pumpkin Custard

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Combine:

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 cup honey

3 beaten eggs

1 1/3 cups milk

1 tablespoon arrowroot or cornstarch

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pour into greased baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes or until set. Refrigerate, covered well, and eat within 2-3 days. Serve cool.

Pumpkin Hors d’oeuvres

Mix together:

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 beaten egg

2 tablespoons milk

Form balls and roll in

1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (or wheat germ) mixed with

1/2 teaspoon fresh finely minced parsley.

Bake or fry, making sure that egg gets thoroughly cooked.

We hope these Super Baby Food Halloween Toddler Recipes will help you and your family to celebrate! Have a happy and delicious Halloween!

Moms Are Talking About: Feeding Raw Milk and Cheese to Baby

By: Ruth | June 5, 2011 | Comment

Moms Are Talking About…

Raw Dairy Products for Their Baby. We asked Ruth, Are raw dairy products safe to feed to baby?

Ruth says:

In a word – “Nope”

Here’s why:

Milk and cheese made from raw milk have not been pasteurized–heated sufficiently to kill dangerous bacteria. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association say to NOT feed any baby milk, cheese, or any dairy products that are raw (have not been pasteurized). Babies’ immune systems are not mature enough to fight bacteria that might have contaminated them and some bacteria could be lethal. Anyone who is “immunocompromised” should not eat raw dairy products, including babies and young children, the elderly, and those with an illness. And I believe the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that NO ONE, even very healthy adults, should eat raw dairy products, especially those who are immunocompromised.

What To Do When Your Baby Won’t Eat a Certain Food?

By: Ruth | May 19, 2011 | Comment(1)

What to do when your baby won’t eat a certain food?

It’s a worry for parents. The first thing to remember is not to push it. Put the food away and try again in a few weeks. Sometimes your baby will not eat something that is sweet and tastes good to you. With my baby, it was applesauce. I was surprised (but not upset!) that he simply would not eat it. A few months later, he began eating it with gusto and has loved it ever since.

If you’re afraid a toddler will not like a particularly healthy new food, such as kale, use a little reverse psychology to get her interested. Don’t give her any and eat it in front of her. She will want some. Be hesitant, but agree to give her some. If you’re lucky, she will love to eat it because it makes her feel like a big girl who fits in with the rest of the adults in the family.

Remember, too, babies will almost always make a face when offered a new food, especially if it has a strong flavor. Do not go by her facial expression. Offer her another spoonful and if her little mouth opens to accept a refill, continue feeding!

For more baby food tips check out Super Baby Food or right back her at the Super Baby Food blog!

Moms Are Talking About: Feeding Radishes to Their Baby

By: Ruth | May 12, 2011 | Comment(1)

A mom had a question on the Super Baby Food Facebook Page about feeding a baby radishes!

Are radishes OK to feed a baby?

Here is what Ruth had to say:

Radishes technically are OK to give to a 9 month old, but I would suggest giving very little and very well diced – use a garlic press and knife to get it into the smallest pieces. Radishes might cause stomach upset and may be difficult for your baby’s immature system to digest. Try just a little tiny pea-sized bit and wait a day or so to see if your baby has any reaction.

Use only organic radishes and herbs and spices.

You can add herbs and spices anytime after 6 months, but I would first start with spices that are not hot. Try a little cinnamon, or ginger first, then move on to turmeric (a SUPER spice loaded with good stuff), cumin, and others. Stay away from the hot ones, such as cayenne pepper and garlic, for a while. Introduce in very small quantities and, as always for new foods, use the 4-day wait rule. Spices are loaded with antioxidants and are super foods, however, do NOT use imported spices, as they may have heavy metals (lead, mercury) in them.

I like the Frontier brand. All their spices are organic and you can find them at the natural foods store or large grocery stores like Wegman’s.
http://www.frontiercoop.com/products/spices.php

TIP: If your mouth gets too hot from hot or peppery spices, cool it down with milk, which cools better than water or juice.

Thanks for writing!

Does anyone else have a question regarding a vegetable? Send them to Ruth!

Fun, Healthy Toddler Recipe, for Your Super Toddler

By: Ruth | April 13, 2011 | Comment

If you make eating healthy foods fun, healthy eaters will be created. Kids think it’s lots of fun when you make playful, decorative food. Decorating only takes a few seconds, but it makes your child feel very special. For the older than 1 child, try creating a recipe like Apple Smiley Face (recipe below) and then decorating with fruits and vegetables. Once the recipe is completed and placed on your child’s plate in a pancake-shaped face, use decorative touches to add eyes (cooked egg slices or halved grapes), a nose (raisin or carob chip), mouth (orange section) and hair (curly carrot peel). This recipe is healthy all around and fun! Any healthy food can go through the same decorative transformation.

Here’s the Apple Smiley face recipe:

To make a “pancake,” grate a well-scrubbed organic apple with peel in a processor (or use organic no-sugar-added applesauce). Mix with 1-2 tablespoons natural peanut butter or other nut butter to make a slightly thick “dough.” Optionally add 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar (a healthy sweetener that can be found in natural foods stores) and a pinch of cinnamon and/or some flax seed oil or freshly ground flax seeds. Grate an apple in a processor.

Enjoy your toddler’s enjoyment of this Super Snack!

Super Baby Food Super Snacks, Plus a Toddler Snack Recipe

By: Ruth | March 21, 2011 | Comment

With regard to a baby’s or toddler’s diet, the word “snacks” is a misnomer. We adults tend to think of snacks as sweet little bits of foods that we eat for enjoyment more than to assuage hunger or to provide nutrition. This is not true for your baby or toddler. Super Baby Food “Super Snacks” are not extras, but a necessary part of your baby or toddler’s daily diet that adds calories and nutrition! Of course, baby’s and toddler’s are different. Below is a simple, nutritious Super Snack recipe for a Toddler. The Super Baby Food Blog will be sharing many more Toddler and Baby Super Snack information and recipes, so come back and visit often!