Cooking for your baby

does have to be a chore, but is so important to their development. Here are some simple ways to create nutrient- rich, organic meals for your growing kiddos.

Feed your child only breast milk until 6 months of age. Then you can begin adding in food but be sure to add only one at a time, feeding them that one type of food for several days to make sure there is no allergic reaction.

Peel the fruit or vegetable and cut it into cubes. Steam the pieces until they are very tender. Put the soft food in a baby food grinder, blender or food processor to make the food as smooth as possible. You can mix it with a little breast milk or goat’s milk to get a smoother consistency. Bananas, avocado, and other naturally soft foods will probably not need to be steamed; just mash with a fork.

Some foods to try for the beginner are:

• Apples
• Pears
• Bananas
• Avocado
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Winter squash
• Green beans
• Brown rice
• Barley

Mixing Foods

Once you have introduced these foods and there has not been a reaction, you can feel free to mix them. Mix these ingredients in equal proportions, adding breast milk as needed to thin the consistency. Consider:

• Sweet potatoes and apples
• Brown rice and banana
• Pears and acorn squash
• Green beans and barley
• Green beans, barley, and carrots
• Bananas and kiwi
• Oatmeal and peaches
• Apple and pumpkin
• Avocado and banana
• Avocado and brown rice

Organic Baby Food Recipes for Older Babies

Once your baby has become an experienced eater you can add foods a little at a time. Always introduce one new food at a time. This way if there is a reaction you can be sure what caused it. Salt is unnecessary for your baby. You may use spices like cinnamon for a gentle touch. Remember, food is a new sensation for your baby and she is not used to strong flavors.

Any meat you use should be certified organic, hormone, and antibiotic free.

For each of these recipes the ingredients should be steamed until tender. Mix in equal amounts and process in blender, food processor, or baby food grinder.

By the time baby is eight months old, she is ready for some protein.

Apple, Chicken, and Sweet Potato Casserole

• Apple
• Chicken
• Sweet potato
• Pinch of cinnamon

Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice

• Chicken
• Broccoli
• Brown rice
• Pinch of tarragon

Tropical Pork and Rice Dinner

• Cooked pork
• Mango
• Brown rice

Southwestern Chicken

• Avocado
• Brown Rice
• Chicken
• Pinch of cilantro

Lentils and Rice

• Lentils
• Brown rice
• Chicken broth
• Carrots

Do Not Feed These Foods the First Year

• Honey
• Egg whites
• Cow's milk
• Nuts (including peanuts and peanut butter )
• Shellfish