Many new mothers should learn how to make easy organic baby food for their little ones. It can cut down on the food bill and is better for the baby. There are not any additives in the baby food and you know exactly what the ingredients are.

You can also make it match the tastes of your baby. Some little ones like a more robust flavor and some do not. Don’t worry, you’ll learn by trial and error as you go, and eventually you’ll hit on that perfect mix for your little one. In addition to all of the organic ingredients, one piece of equipment that is essential in making your own baby food is a blender.

Using A Blender

There are two different types of blenders you can use in order to make organic baby food. There is the standard jar type that sits on a stand with a container on top and the blades inside the container. You can also use an immersion blender, also called a hand blender or wand. A hand blender allows you to put the appliance right into the pot you are using to cook vegetables and blend them while they are hot. You can use a food processor but generally they do not puree the food smooth enough for a young baby.

Fruit Based Baby Food

Purchase ripe organic fruits like bananas. A banana can be just mashed up with a fork for an older baby learning to take in solids. It can be pureed easily with the best blender for a younger one. Mangoes are also great in the same manner. Some fruits, like apples, may have to be cooked down first for the child to eat. With apples, you should peel the fruit then core it and slice it into small slices. Put it in a pan with a little water or organic apple juice and turn on the heat. Continue heating until the slices become soft and mushy. You can add a little sweetener if you think the apples might be a little sour. Do not use honey as it could cause health problems (botulism, which is a type of food poisoning) in infants under one year. You can use just a tiny bit of sugar or add another sweet fruit like strawberries.

 

Vegetable Medleys

 

Organic vegetables make great baby food. You can steam different types of potatoes, carrots, or peas. Steam in a steaming basket until the vegetables are soft and getting mushy. Steaming the vegetables makes all the nutrients stay in instead of flowing away with the water you boil them in. Blend the vegetables adding a little bit of water if it needs to be thinned down.

Using Frozen Foods

If you cannot get fresh fruits or vegetables buy the organic frozen ones. You will have to either boil the vegetables or put them in a microwave until they become soft. Then puree them in a blender. Frozen fruits just need to be blended once they thaw and that’s it.

Meat Based Baby Food

If you eat meat you can also make meat product organic baby food by using organic meats. Take turkey or chicken and put it in a pan, bones and all. Then add water or, if you prefer, use a homemade stock to make it more flavorful. Boil until the meat becomes tender and falling off the bone. Remove it from the stove and let it cool a bit. Cut the meat into small chunks and add it to the blender. You can also add some of the water or stock to thin the mixture down. Simply repeat the same process if you want to use beef.

Flavoring

When the child gets older you can start adding some flavor to their foods. Use cinnamon or ginger with fruit based recipes. You can also add parsley, rosemary, thyme, and garlic with meats and vegetable based recipes.

Preservation

Here is a great way to preserve your organic baby food. Pour it in to ice cube trays and freeze it. Pop the cubes out and store them in freezer bags. Just take out what you need for the next day and defrost it. You can make large batches in your blender and just freeze it so you only have to make new batches every week or so.

How convenient, easy, and healthy! Your baby will love your homemade organic baby food!

 

Hello! I'm James from Chicago. I would like to share my know about best blender and fruit smoothie recipes for everyone.

“That’s mommy’s drink!” says your little one as you pass an Angry Orchard display at the grocery store. We get it: our kids aren’t the only fans of apple juice. Hard cider has come a long way in recent years, its popularity growing in this country faster than any other adult beverage. If you’re a fan of the tart, bubbly stuff, bring your family down to the Presidio on April 25 for the San Francisco Cider Summit. Especially since this year they have some extra-special treats for kids.

Photo: Henry Burrows via Flickr

Sip, Sip Away!
At this showcase of the world’s top cider producers (in styles ranging from dry and crisp to sweet and fruity), ticketholders are able to sip their way through their picks of over 120 different ciders. Each entry ticket (tickets are $35 in advance, $40, cash only, at the door) gives you a special commemorative glass as well as ten 4-ounce tasting tickets…and extra tastes can be purchased for $2 apiece. Designated drivers can join the party for $5, with a bottle of water included.

Photo: Cider Summit PDX

And For Little Apple Juice Lovers…
The second annual event is opening its doors to families this year, with accompanied minors able to attend free of charge. They can even sip on some fresh-pressed apple juice and play a round of apple bowling courtesy of Gowan Orchards. For once, it’s perfectly fine for them to play with their food! Other snacks, such as KIND bars, as well as grub from the Whole Foods Market truck, will keep little tummies from grumbling as the grownups make the tasting rounds. And even furry friends can get into the spirit at the Dog Lounge sponsored by Berkeley Humane.

Photo: Site of this year’s festival, the Parade Ground at the Presidio

Party in the Park
We highly recommend hopping on a PresidiGo shuttle bus to get to and from the event, which is being held at the Civil War Parade Ground, adjacent to the Main Post. These free shuttle buses depart frequently from downtown. Once you’re in the Presidio, why not make a day of it in this national park? Kids and adults alike love the Walt Disney Museum, which is hosting special programming for Earth Day. And don’t forget about the Presidio Officers’ Club, with their popular Creative Family Fun weekend activities—this weekend they’ll be recycling all those Easter egg cartons to make egg animals. The Cider Festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. and will benefit The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research, Berkeley Humane, and the California Cider Association.

San Francisco Cider Summit
Saturday, April 25, noon-6 p.m.
Civil War Parade Ground, Presidio
San Francisco, Ca
Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 (cash only, if tickets available) at the door; $5 or designated drivers (includes bottled water); accompanied minors FREE.
Online: cidersummitnw.com/sfeventinfo

Are you a cider lover? Will you be attending this year? 

—Sarah Bossenbroek

In a restaurant that produces 200 pounds of honey per year (from their own bees housed on the roof), and an organic garden that grows some of the world’s hottest peppers, kids don’t traditionally come to mind when you think of Härth restaurant. But because of the new Foodie-in-Training menu, dedicated to making sure the littlest diners have healthy and tasty plates that also tantalize their tastebuds, a brunch date with your brood at this hot spot is now a reservation must.

Palate Pleasing Choices
Even if your kiddo’s palate only chooses staples like mac and cheese, noodles or bread, they might just be convinced to join the F.I.T. Club with choices like Creamy Tomato Soup, Margherita Flatbread, and Truffled Mac and Cheese. Our little taste tester devoured the soup, and couldn’t get enough of the flatbread—that we lied and told her was pizza (so it wasn’t really a lie!). The Truffled Mac and Cheese was also a hit, especially after our date dissolved into giggles when she was told that pigs sniffed out her truffles!

Still Hungry?
Kiddos with bigger appetites—aka bottomless pits—who adore chicken nuggets might change their tune when they taste the Roasted Chicken Breast with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes. Adventurous fish lovers may refuse to eat fish sticks ever again once they eat the Fish of the Day with spinach. They’ll never know it’s good for them. Promise. Fans of noodles will love the Pork and Veal Meatballs because they come set like a flower next to a delicious pile of angel hair pasta so that little ones can mix away, or eat in pairs

Grown Up Mocktails
For anyone that ever ordered a Shirley Temple as a kid, and wondered as an adult, how they drank it, they might want to try a sip of their kiddo’s Apple Snap or No-Jito mocktail. Homemade ginger beer (our taste tester grinned when she thought she was having beer like Daddy) and apple cider are spiced with fresh lemon for a taste of fall that even grownups will want to sip. The No-Jito is made with white cranberry and apple juice, muddled mint, lime and soda. It is so tasty you’ll want to double check that it is indeed for kids!

Dazzling Desserts
Most kids would rather skip dinner—or any meal—and head straight to dessert. After sampling some of härth’s desserts you’ll be tempted too. Our mini taste tester couldn’t shovel in the Little Apple Pie fast enough. Puff pastry, custard and local apples formed an apple pie that might rival all the apple tartlets in Paris – and Grandma’s Apple Pie we’ll devour in a few weeks (Shhh). Berry lovers can tuck into a bowl of marinated strawberries with vanilla ice cream, and chocolate lovers will go crazy for Chef Luc’s Chocolate Mousse Cake. Don’t be surprised if Junior asks for it when his birthday rolls around.

Härth
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
7920 Jones Branch Rd. (McLean, Va)
703-847-5000
Online: hiltonmclean.com

Have you been to Härth with kids? What were your favorite dishes? Tell us in the Comments section below.  

—Hilary Riedemann

Photos: Hilary Riedemann

Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – begins at sundown September 24, 2014. With themes of hope, renewal and a sweet new year, there are so many ways to get kids involved in the Rosh Hashanah holiday. There are lots of ways to get the kiddos involved in the holiday if you’re celebrating at home. But if you prefer to take the holiday outside your kitchen and living room, check out one of these Southern California Rosh Hashanah events.

Photo credit: Pretend City

Celebrate Around Town

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah — Shofar Factory
Sound the Shofar! It’s time to celebrate the festival of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, with a Shofar Factory. With unique media and innovative presentation methods, children will gain insight into the significance of the Shofar in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. All senses will be engaged as children see and hear a demonstration of the traditional blasts, while learning to blow the Shofar. Kids will also learn and participate in the process involved in making a shofar from a kosher animal. Sept. 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Pretend City. More info.

Rosh Hashanah Tot Service
Even the youngest of kiddos can observe Rosh Hashanah at this special service just for “tots.” Kids will listen to the rabbi read a story about the Jewish new year and participate in a short service and shofar sounding. Afterwards, join friends and family for apple juice and graham crackers. Sept. 25, 4 p.m., Congregation Beth Israel. More info.

Rosh Hashanah Family Service
Your family is invited to join Congregation Dor Hadash for a family-friendly service to celebrate the Jewish New Year. Kiddos ages 4 and older are welcome to stay after the Family Service for crafts, snacks, and discussions, while parents can join the main service. Kids will join their parents in the main service to hear the shofar! Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m., Congregation Dor Hadash. More info.

Photo credit: Leah Singer

Celebrate at Home
Here are a few tips for getting the kiddos involved to assure you’ll have a kid-friendly Jewish New Year.

  • Create New Years Cards — Encourage the kiddos to pick a friend or two and create a hand-made card with them in mind. It’s as easy as folding a sheet of white construction paper in half and then sticking on some apple stickers or draw apples on the cover. Then have your little on practice writing his name on the inside.
  • Apple and Honey Tasting — Apples and honey are hallmarks of the Rosh Hashanah holiday, signifying a sweet new year. Use the holiday and the symbols to teach kids about different varieties of apples and honey. Cut up red, green and yellow apples for an apple tasting and have the kiddos draw the color apple they like best.
  • Happy Birthday to the World — Since Rosh Hashanah does celebrate another year for the earth, why not create a simple birthday party for the world activity. Check out a Happy Birthday to the world book from the library and read it as a family. Then celebrate the earth by making cupcakes or a cake and singing Happy Birthday.

How do you celebrate Rosh Hashanah with your family?

– Leah R. Singer

Whether you choose to watch your weekly football game in the comfort of your living room, or from the back of your car in the stadium parking lot, our friends at Seattle Magazine have rounded up 5 awesome drink recipes to compliment your game-watching party. A.J. Rathbun of Seattle Magazine writes:

One of the most important seasons is upon us: tailgating. I believe football has also started. I’ve never turned down a beer served from the bed of a pickup truck, but I think it’s not a bad idea to serve a beverage that’ll set your pre-stadium experience above the rest. With that in mind, here are five fan-tastic drink recipes for pre-game parties.

Football Punch
My favorite football-watching beverage, this can turn a run-of-the-mill pigskin wing-ding into a memorable evening. It’s easy to make, super tasty, and serves a bunch of fellow fans. Heck, I like it so much I made a Football Punch video. This recipe is from Dark Spirits and serves about 10: Fill a large punch bowl halfway full with ice cubes. Add a 750-milliliter bottle of dark rum, 10 ounces sweet vermouth, 5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice, 5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice, and 16 ounces apple juice. Stir with a pennant from your team of choice. Add two 25-1/2 ounce bottles sparkling apple cider, carefully, and then 2 apples cut into slices. Stir well. Serve in punch glasses, mugs, or little plastic footballs.

Check out the other cocktail concoctions over at Seattle Magazine…

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.


For a camping trip that combines NorCal roughing it with a dose of Bay Area-style indulgence, we’re big fans of the Anderson Valley. Located northwest of Healdsburg, and east of Mendocino (about a 2.5-to-3-hour drive from the Bay Area), this wine-growing region along the Navarro River provides a respite from the fog found at the socked-in coast, but mornings amongst big the trees are still cool and shaded.

WHERE TO STAY:
There are a few popular places to camp in these parts, but the biggest sites, least road noise and best facilities are found at Hendy Woods State Park. There are tent sites, RV sites, even rustic cabins (great if you go during the rainier months). You wouldn’t want to miss out on visiting this park anyway, with its groves of magnificent redwoods. The trails through these groves are flat and windy, perfect for wearing out little legs, and you can take the kids down for some wading in the mellow Navarro River (bring good water shoes, as the bottom is rocky).
There are also campsites at Paul M. Dimmick campground (part of Navarro River Redwoods State Park), located further west on Hwy 128, and at Indian Creek County Park, located in the town of Philo, just east of Hendy Woods. Dimmick provides access to the river for those interested in swimming, and there are also swimming holes at Indian Wells, along the creek that runs through the campground. There are also hikes that extend from the trails at Indian Creek, though locals caution against any off-trail hiking–you don’t want to end up on someone’s “farm” (grapes aren’t the only cash crop grown around these parts).

WHAT TO DO:
A must-stop for those with kids is the Philo Apple Farm,  located just before the entrance to Hendy Woods. Even if there’s no one manning the stand in front, feel free to wander the grounds, visiting with the resident hens, roosters, ponies and more, and meandering along the orchard’s rows. Year-round you can pick up delicious apple juice, jams, and chutneys, and in the fall you can stock up on varieties of heirloom apples that’ll ruin you on Red Delicious forever. You may also want to inquire about the cabins for rent available at the farm for your next getaway: the stylish A-frames boast big bathrooms, queen beds, and expansive orchard and valley views.

Parentals, we know that a good glass of wine in front of the campfire at the end of a long day of hiking can be the best muscle relaxant, so we recommend you make a stop at one of the local wineries for a tour, tasting, and to pick up a bottle of grapey goodness for yourselves (leave the apple juice for the kiddies). Though this region is most famed for its pinot noirs, there are also some great gewurtzraminer and muscat grapes grown up here as well. Toulouse winery is kid- and dog-friendly, and offers up a sampling of interesting wines, including muscat, vin gris, and of course the pinots. Husch and Navarro also offer room for kids to roam and a family-friendly atmosphere while you sip, and Goldeneye has a more formal, sit-down pinot tasting, with nibbles for pairing (Just keep your littles out of the tempting fountain).

WHAT TO EAT:
Stop in the town of Boonville on the way up north. This former one-horse town is still teeny and quaint, but recent changes include downtown tasting rooms, a spiffed-up hotel (with a family suite), and several places to grab good grub.

If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, the Boonville Hotel’s restaurant offers up fresh and seasonal choices on a family-style, prix fixe menu. Check the website for the daily specials like local rabbit with creamy polenta, or roast Fulton Farms chicken.’

The tiny Mosswood Market offers up satisfying café fare, like soups and sandwiches, in a casual setting. Either eat in, or grab stuff for a picnic in one of the parks or the nearby Anderson Valley Brewing Company.

For camping supplies, sandwiches and more, Boonville General Store has a tempting deli case and plenty of Anderson Valley beers by the bottle.

—Sarah Bossenbroek

credit: photo by Avi Hesterman

Ugh. Your stroller just got the leaky diaper treatment. And that car seat? Well, it’s never been the same since the little miss got car sick. Fret no more, or should we say, stink no more, as CleanBeeBaby will come to your rescue and clean your baby gear! CEO & Founder Jennifer Beall started the company as a project in Kellogg Grad School and is now bringing her quick and handy cleaning service to life here in Los Angeles.

One quick phone call and Beall’s team will arrive at your home ready to quick steam car seats and strollers or any other items you need freshened up. It’s a perfect fix for that stroller or play yard that’s been stored away in anticipation of another child. And they do the messy work as well, cleaning up vomit, poop and that lovely paste of apple juice and O’s that adheres to every surface! CleanBeeBaby uses the organic line Babyganics as their primary cleaning agent, though it’s the steam that does most of the hard work getting out the germs, goo and grime.

In addition, CleanBeeBaby offers stroller repairs and tune-ups, with Bugaboo as their specialty. They are a trained Bugaboo team  and their staff will replace broken parts and do a tune-up (check the brakes, grease hinges and more.). They will also help you switch it from bassinet to seat mode, so all of your Bugaboo biz can be taken care of in one go.

Check their website to schedule an appointment at a location near you. Prices range from $19-$90 depending on the service.

—Lara Burnap