Make your own Baby food!!!

Many of you know that Jeremy and I are trying to be as self sufficient as possible, especially when it comes to what we eat.  Jeremy has recently gone to a virtually meat free diet, wouldn't call him a vegetarian, but he as close as it can get.  I still eat meat, but I have cut back tremendously.  We decided early on in my pregnancy that we would like to make our own baby food.  Because of school and other obligations, we haven't really made much for her so far.  BUT... that is no more! So moms... if you are interested... here are some simple and healthy recipes for making your own baby food... key word = SIMPLE.

Bananas:

1. Peel banana
2. Add water - (use your judgement...you can make it as thick or thin as you would like)
3. Put in blender, food processor, magic bullet, etc.
4. Blend
5. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

Avocado:

1. Peel avocado
2. Mash up
3. Add water (again...however much you like)
4. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So... do you get the picture??? You can do this with any type of food pretty much... some other easy options are carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, green beans, butter beans, squash, and sweet peas (Gray's favorite).  For the veggies, just boil until soft  and blend!

Moms... this is an easy and healthy way for your child to enjoy baby food.   What I love about it is that you know EXACTLY what goes into the food.  For us, we try to buy all organic fruits and veggies and use distilled water.  Of course we don't ALWAYS have the organic option, but we try to buy it when we can!

And just because I think I have quite possibly the cutest child alive... here are some updated pics of sweet Gray...

Sweet Baby with milk all over her face... bless her

Tidbit Tuesday: Ice Packs... The Good Ones

So... this might be the physical therapist coming out in me, but... if you have ever had physical therapy or played any type of sport then you more than likely have had an ice pack applied to some part of your body.  So... you would also know how AWESOME these ice packs are because they are soft, mailable, and you don't have to deal with the dripping cold water that you get when you use actual ice cubes in a bag!  Here is a pic just in case you don't know what I am talking about...

So...often patients ask us if they can purchase these ice packs... well... they can be kinda pricey, BUT... there is an awesome alternative that costs around $2.00 - $3.00 depending on the kind of Ziploc bags and alcohol you buy.  So how do you do it???????

Step One:  Purchase a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a box of gallon size freezer bags.
Step Two:  Pour the alcohol in the bag, then, using the same container the alcohol was in, fill the container with water and pour it in the same bag.  You will do this twice.  So that is 2 parts water to 1 part alcohol. 
Step Three:  Seal bag and place it in another Ziploc bag - SEAL that bag
Step Four:  Lay flat in freezer and freeze for 3 hours.

The alcohol doesn't allow the mixture to freeze all the way - so you get a nice slushy mix!  When it starts to loose it's icy freshness - just refreeze! :)

CAUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

According to WebMD... Always keep a cloth between your skin and the ice pack, and press firmly against all the curves of the affected area. Do not apply ice for longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time, and do not fall asleep with the ice on your skin.

Tidbit Tuesday #1: SAY NO TO GMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to try to start a "Tidbit Tuesday" blog on here...I promise I will try to update it weekly, but that MAY not happen! :) 

For my first tidbit...

I read an interesting article on a friend's facebook page today about how to know which fruit in the grocery store is organic, genetically modified/enhanced, or just plain ole regular (non-organic, but not GM).  I have posted the link to the article at the bottom of this blog if you are interested - but to sum it all up, this is how you tell...

First... look at the sticker on the fruit... you know the one you ALWAYS have to pull off before you eat it.  If the fruit is:

Organic - there will be a 5 digit number on the sticker that starts with 9, ex. 94521

Genetically Modified - there will be a 5 digit number on the sticker beginning with an 8, ex. 85641

Non Organic/Non GM - there will be a 4 digit number on the sticker, ex. 4568

Why is this important?  Well obviously you want to eat organic if possible, but a good second option is the non GM option.  Never, ever, ever, ever, ever get the genetically modified version (which I am sad to say is the cheaper more cost efficient version normally seen on every isle at grocery stores). 

SAY NO TO GMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the article:
http://www.curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=980568