Too Late! This Deal is Over.

Santa’s merry elves may be working overtime, but that doesn’t mean you have to. To ease your holiday shopping, we partnered with some of our favorite brands to offer you amazing deals and steals this season on products and gear you actually want (or want to give). From meal delivery to oh-so-cozy clothing and must-have toys, get your shopping done in a flash without breaking the bank.

Check out the entire 10 days of deals by clicking here

Today’s Deal: Too Late! This Deal is Over.

The Scoop:
Baby deserves the best when he starts solids, but if you’re like most parents, time is precious. Save time—and with this deal, money—on Tommee Tippee’s Quick Cook Baby Food Maker. Here’s a few reasons you (or the lucky recipient) will love it:

• It’s a customer favorite with 4.6+ star ratings
Allows you to be an amazing chef for your baby. Steam and blend homemade baby food in minutes with less stress and less mess.
• Steam blend fruit, vegetables and meat for your weaning baby in puree or chunky texture
• It’s easy to clean. 

Check out what this amazing baby food maker can do below:

Check out the entire 10 days of deals by clicking here

If you’re already growing weary of the PSL, you can up your Starbucks Halloween game with two Nightmare Before Christmas frappucinos. You just have to know how to order them because these delightful drinks are not on the menu.

Instagram users have been sharing their unique Nightmare Before Christmas inspired concoctions and they are the perfect drinks to get you into the Halloween mood. The Jack frappuccino is 100 percent befitting of the Pumpkin King! To order this spiced mixture ask for a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino with a shot of Chai Syrup and a shot of espresso. Ask for a mocha drizzle in the cup and have it topped with whipped cream and java chips.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B24AILMB9sQ/

The sweet, dreamy counterpart is of course the Sally frappuccino. To order this strawberry-infused treat, ask for a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with Matcha Powder. Add a caramel syrup drizzle in the cup and top it with whipped cream, strawberry puree and strawberry inclusions (slices of freeze-dried strawberries).

https://www.instagram.com/p/B21hhBWlR8w/

Both of these drinks are not available on the menu so you’ll want to follow these directions specifically or your barista may not know what you’re asking for.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Glow_13 via Instagram

 

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Every baby has that moment when they finally discover that there is food outside of bottles and puree and when they see you eating, they want it all. That’s exactly the case with Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade’s daughter Kaavia in the adorable video below.

Union shared the video of Wade eating with Kaavia seated in his lap watching his every move. Of course with every forkful he raises to his mouth Kaavia can’t help but hilariously demand a bite.

Dad tries to explain that it’s his food saying, “Um, ma’am this is my food,” but clearly that argument doesn’t work with a curious baby and he finally gives in.

Clearly Kaavia is keeping mom and dad on their toes and well entertained, but after their long road to parenthood they are obviously relishing every bit. Union also shared some super cute pics of their little one turning nine-months-old.

“Insane how fast this precious time with you has flown by. Everyday my (heart) soars, melts, breaks, expands, wouldn’t change a second,” Union captioned the photos.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Gabrielle Union via Instagram

 

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Flying as an enjoyable experience rather than simply a mode of transportation is seemingly a thing of the past––until now. Delta Airlines is rolling out some very exciting services and no First Class ticket is needed.

Delta is introducing a complete overhaul to its passenger experience with the addition of several new services including revamped dining options, welcome aboard drinks and hot towels.

Main cabin passengers traveling on international flights will be welcomed with hot towel service and complimentary drink shortly after departure. Options will include Bellinis made with sparkling wine and peach puree. The flights will also feature a menu selection of larger entrees, like grilled shrimp in Harissa. Dishes will be served on new custom-designed dinnerware and upgraded cutlery.

After the meal, passengers will be offered a second hot towel service, as well as farewell chocolates as a goodbye treat.

The new elevated flight service, which also includes upgraded amenity kits featuring cleansing towelettes and a dental kit, will roll out on international Delta flights starting in November.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of Delta

 

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When can babies have peanut butter and tree nuts? We worry about choking hazards and hear horror stories about peanut and tree nut allergies. But with recent studies suggesting that introducing peanuts early on (at 6 months when babies start solid foods) can help prevent peanut allergies, it’s bound to make a new mom feel a bit nutty about how and when to give these protein powerhouses to our little ones.

If you have food allergies in your family or are concerned about introducing nuts, talk to your pediatrician first. And if you’re ready to whip up some easy, deliciously nutty treats, read on for 10 recipes for purees, muffins and more, packed with peanuts, walnuts, almonds and other nuts.

Apple Walnut Puree no text

photo: Weelicious

1. Apple Walnut Puree: You can mix finely chopped nuts into any baby puree, but this recipe comes out particularly nice. Steam apples and walnuts, and then puree in a food processor with cinnamon. Get the recipe from Weelicious.

2. Chia Almond Butter Overnight Oats: Make this protein-packed breakfast treat from Kristine’s Kitchen the night before or a few days ahead to simplify your mornings. The recipe combines healthy oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, almond butter and milk into a creamy dish you can top with finely chopped berries or banana for sweetness and additional nutrients.

3. Nut Butter Baby Cereal: Mix 1/2 teaspoon nut butter (peanut, almond or cashew work well) with baby rice or oatmeal cereal to add more flavor and nutrition to this basic first food.

4. Creamy Dreamy Peanut Milk Smoothie: Bananas and peanut butter make for a classic smoothie. This variation from the National Peanut Board uses peanut milk and ups the nutritional value with wheat germ and frozen cauliflower.

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Photo: Smart Nutrition

5. Almond Flour Homemade Baby Biscuits: These small cookies are easy for babies to pick up and nibble on. They contain nutrient-rich ingredients such as banana (or applesauce), egg yolks, iron-fortified infant cereal and almond flour. Get the recipe from Smart Nutrition.

6. Peanut Butter Banana Muffins: Give your baby a yummy, peanut-y finger food with this muffin recipe featuring peanut butter, carrot puree, mashed bananas and whole wheat flour. Get the recipe from The Tasty Cheapskate.

asian-peanut-sauce-crop

photo: Your Kids Table

7. Asian Peanut Sauce: Create a non-spicy peanut sauce you can drizzle on rice or noodles. And when your child gets older, use it as a dip for veggies like carrot sticks, celery or steamed broccoli. Get the recipe at Your Kids Table.

8. Super Nutty Butternut Squash Puree: Walnuts add healthy fats and rich flavor to squash puree. Steam and puree 1 cup chopped butternut squash, 3 peeled and chopped carrots and 1 chopped apple. Then, blend in 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.

oatmeal cookies

photo: Feel Great in 8

9. 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Cookies: This easy-peasy recipe combines bananas, oats and natural peanut butter (or peanut butter powder) for a delicious, healthy cookie. Add chocolate chips, raisins, cinnamon or coconut for additional flavor. Get the recipe from Feel Great in 8.

10. Paleo Cashew Pancakes: Grain free and filled with goodness, these pancakes are sure to be a hit with a list of ingredients including cashew meal, cinnamon, eggs, coconut milk and coconut oil. Find the full recipe on Everyday Maven.

Julie Seguss

featured photo: piviso via Pixabay

 

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It doesn’t feel like fall without a pumpkin spice latte and a pile of pumpkin goodies from Trader Joe’s. Introduce your baby to this fabulous autumn flavor with these recipes featuring pumpkin as the star ingredient. Read on for sweet and savory dishes including smoothies, soft pretzels, soups, risotto balls, purees and more.

photo: Baby Led Weaning Ideas

1. No Sugar Added Pumpkin Pancakes: Pumpkin puree, unsweetened applesauce, oats, spices and a few other ingredients come together to make a delicious short stack of fluffy pancakes perfect for babies who love finger foods. Get the recipe at Baby Led Weaning Ideas.

2. Pumpkin Oatmeal Smoothies: Nutritious for baby and delicious for you too, this smoothie is packed with almond milk, Greek yogurt, oats, bananas and, of course, pumpkin puree. Find the blender-ready recipe on A Happy Food Dance.

3. Pumpkin Bacon Risotto: Here’s a five-star dining experience for your toddler. Turn a delicious risotto into finger food by adding cheese and rolling into small balls. This recipe, available at One Handed Cooks, is also easy to freeze in portions for a future meal.

4. Banana Sweet Potato Pumpkin Bread: Cold and flu season starts right around pumpkin season. This yummy bread recipe boasts immune-boosting powers—and a high fiber content to keep those little bellies feeling full longer. Get the recipe at Your Kids Table.

5. Pumpkin and Red Lentil Soup: Soups are easy for babies to eat and an easy way to introduce them to new flavors. This soup pairs pumpkin with protein-rich red lentils and creamy coconut milk. Plus, it’s thick enough that baby can practice eating it with a spoon. Tone down or skip the red curry paste if baby doesn’t like spicy foods. Scrummy Lane has the recipe.

photo: Fun at Home with the Kids

6. Low Sugar Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins: Muffins are great when you’re on the go, and they’re a sneaky way to get veggies into kids’ diets. This recipe uses brown sugar and maple sugar to add sweetness, but the cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice gives the muffins big flavor. Bonus: This recipe is easy enough for siblings to help prepare. Get the instructions at Fun at Home with the Kids.

7. Pumpkin Soft Pretzels: Soft pretzels are nice for teething tots to gum on and fun for toddlers to help roll out. This recipe adds pumpkin puree and a dash of brown sugar to a traditional recipe to create one of our new fall favorites. Find out how to make them at Oh Lady Cakes.

8. Pumpkin Overnight Oatmeal: Once baby has graduated from baby oatmeal, try this spiced-up overnight oatmeal. Combine canned pumpkin with rolled oats, Greek yogurt and other ingredients, let sit overnight, and wake up to a flavorful breakfast for that hungry baby’s belly (and yours too)! Find the recipe on Simply Shellie.

9. Soaked Banana Pumpkin Baby Biscuits: When your little one is teething, having a healthy treat like these gluten-free biscuits to gnaw on is helpful. While the recipe has quite a few ingredients and requires the batter to sit overnight, once you’re done, you’ll have 45 cookies ready for teething emergencies. Freeze some for the next tooth cutting. Get the recipe at Simple Foody.

10. Pumpkin Molasses Cookies: What do you get when you cross snickerdoodles with pumpkin cookies and molasses cookies? These delicious treats. They’re fluffy, chewy and filled with autumn flavors — and calcium, magnesium and iron, thanks to the molasses. You’ll find the recipe at A Taste of Madness.

11. Pumpkin Waffles: What’s better on a chilly autumn morning than waffles? The pumpkin, ginger and cinnamon make these delicious without maple syrupand perfect for little hands to pick up and nibble on—but a little drizzle of the sweet stuff makes them even better. Kristine’s Kitchen has the recipe.

photo: Baby Foode

12. Pumpkin + Yogurt + Prune Baby Food Puree: Mix pumpkin, Greek yogurt and prunes together to make a creamy and nutritious puree for your solid-food newbie. Get the recipe at Baby Foode.

13. Homemade Pumpkin Puree: Want to turn that pumpkin you picked from the patch into baby food? Follow the how-to at Six Figures Under.

14. Sweet Pumpkin-Apple Baby & Toddler Puree: While you have that farm-fresh pumpkin puree, mix it with some apples. Naturally Mindful shares a recipe that also includes maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg for a yummy fall treat.

15. Pumpkin Banana Puree: If your baby is loving those two-ingredient blends, try mixing a can of organic pumpkin with 3 ripe bananas for an easy-to-prepare puree. Get the details at Baby Food Doctor.

16. Pumpkin + Chicken + Parsnip + Ginger Puree: Get the protein benefits of chicken in easy-to-spoon-feed form along with a flavorful mix of ginger, parsnip and, of course, pumpkin. Find out how to make this blend at Baby Foode.

What are your baby’s favorite fall flavors? Tell us in a comment.

— Julie Seguss & Eva Ingvarson Cerise

Great news! Summertime’s favorite drink also comes in cupcake form. These sweet and just-a-bit tart cupcakes are perfect for summer birthdays, BBQs or any time you want to treat the littles. Garnish with lemon wedges or fresh raspberries and a tiny straw to get that uber-cute vibe right before you stuff them into your mouth. Scroll down to see our editor’s secrets to making the perfect batch.

You will need:

Your fave lemon cake recipe (see ours below)

Red food coloring or fresh (pureed raspberries)

The perfect buttercream frosting (click here) + lemon extract + zest

Garnish (lemon wedges, raspberries, sprinkles, cute straws…you decide!)

The cake:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate

3 egg whites

1/4 cup canola or coconut oil

1-2 tsp. lemon juice

1-2 tsp. lemon zest

1/2 cup milk

3 tbsp. raspberry puree (for the coloring)*

*You can also use red food coloring, about 3 drops, but reduce flour to 1 cup only

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2: Grease a 12-cupcake pan (or line with cupcake liners).

Step 3: Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Set aside.

Step 4: Whisk together egg whites, lemonade concentrate, oil, and lemon juice. Add milk. (Adding the lemon mix to the milk may cause curdling, which is okay because most recipes call for buttermilk. Adding the milk last helps cut down on this a bit). Add lemon zest.

Step 5: In a stand mixer alternate the wet mix and dry mix until well blended. (About 1 minute on medium speed).

Step 6: Add raspberry puree and blend for 2 minutes at medium speed until batter is smooth.

Step 7: Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes (or until cupcake tops spring back when touched lightly)

Step 8: Make the frosting while the cupcakes cool.

The frosting: 

Use the recipe found here, but add:

1 tbsp. lemon zest

1/8 tsp. lemon extract

1 tbsp. raspberry puree* or 2 drops red food coloring

*You may need to add a little bit of extra powdered sugar to thicken the frosting once you’ve added the puree.

Step 9: Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost each cupcake. If you want it to look fancy, use a piping bag or Ziplock bag to add the frosting in a spiral. Or invest in a cupcake decorating tip-set, so you can look like you know what you are doing!

Step 10: Garnish with lemon wedges, sprinkles or a single raspberry and/or a small straw (just cut a paper straw in half) to make it look more “lemonade-y.”

Step 11: Eat a cupcake! Great job!

What’s your go-to lemon cake recipe? Tell us in a comment below. 

Introducing solids to your baby for the first time can be a tricky territory. Feeling overwhelmed by taking on the time-consuming task of cooking homemade purees? Or not fond of buying pre-made baby food? There’s another way to introduce solids. Some parents skip the puree stage all together. How? By embarking on the feeding approach called baby-led weaning (BLW), a trend that’s gaining speed, probably because it makes feeding easier. Here are some of the basics.

Photo: Gail via Flickr

What is Baby-Led Weaning? (BLW)
In a nutshell, BLW means that you skip the spoon-feeding and puree stage of feeding first foods and instead let your baby feed themselves with finger foods. Since ‘food before one is mostly for fun!’, since babies are still getting most of their calories from formula or breast milk. So here, mealtime is more about your baby getting used to eating and trying different textures, than it is about providing all the essential nutrients in solid foods alone. Note: BLW should only be tried after 6 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests starting solids around 6 months anyway, but some parents start as early as 3 to 4 months, which isn’t appropriate for the BLW style.

Why Some People Choose It
For many, BLW is all about simplicity. If you have more than one child, you might feel like you have less and less time to focus on making, storing, freezing and thawing out baby food. So opting to feed your littlest eater some of the same table food that the rest of your family is eating is nice and easy.

It’s also helpful when you don’t have to spoon-feed your baby at every single meal. By giving your little one a spoon and letting her attempt to give it a go, she has a great chance to practice those motor skills.

Some babies also seem to hate being spoon-fed. It comes down to personality. So if your baby refuses to let you feed him, or puts up a big fight when you get the spoon out, he may be an independent little soul and BLW may be worth a try.

You Don’t Have to Follow It Strictly

While true BLW advocates stick to the program exclusively, never giving a puree or spoon-feeding their baby. There is no reason you have to restrict yourself. Do what you feel is right at each meal. If you want to start breakfast by giving your baby a large spear of melon to gum and follow it up with spoon-fed oatmeal, go for it. You can create your own mash-up feeding style.

Photo: Nicole Abalde via Flickr

Types of Foods to Try
Steamed veggies and fruits (cut into strips so babies can hold them) are a great way to start. One favorite is steamed broccoli because it’s perfectly shaped for little hands to hold it and nibble on the top. Keep in mind that babies with no teeth should have very soft foods. So a steamer will likely become your best friend.

Some veggies to start with (always steamed and cut into strips), include:

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Zucchini
  • Carrots
  • Asparagus tips

Cold cucumber strips are also awesome for chewing on when babies are teething.

Some soft fruits you can start with include:

  • Banana (you can give Baby the whole thing!)
  • Peach
  • Nectarine
  • Mango
  • Avocado
  • Melon
  • Baked apple

After a while, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, soft pastas or a soft piece of toast to nibble on are great options, too!

Photo: Kelly McCarthy via Flickr


Foods to Avoid

There are a few foods that most everyone will tell you to avoid before baby is one. Those include:

  • Honey
  • Cow’s milk
  • Foods high in salt or sugar
  • Nuts, popcorn, whole grapes, hot dogs, raisins, dried cranberries, and globs of PB (because these could all be considered choking hazards)

Speaking of Choking…
This is generally scary territory when it comes to kids – so BLW can seem strange or nerve-wracking. You’ll want to look into proper choking rescue procedures, consider an infant CPR certification (which many pediatrician offices offer and encourage anyway0 and consult with experts about what foods to avoid. But for the most part, choking is not a huge concern when babies feed themselves. Babies may gag when eating, whether through BLW or spoon-fed techniques, and this is a normal and healthy way for newbie eaters to handle the problem on their own. However, if your baby looks panicked or if his lips start turning blue, you know he’s choking.

Photo: Nadia Phaneuf via Flickr

What Some Parents Said
We asked around and found other parents who’ve tried BLW. Here are some of the things they had to say about why they chose it and how they did it.

“I had friends who did it and I liked that they didn’t have the hassle of cooking, pureeing, freezing and warming baby food.”

“I did it with both my girls. I started with zucchini, steamed so that it was pretty much mush when they put it in their mouth. It helps them to learn coordination and also saves money by not having to buy (as much) baby food!”

“Part of the reason I did it was to get her used to different textures so she wouldn’t end up a picky eater. And that totally didn’t work because she’s mega picky now. So you never know! But it was still easier for us.”

As always, be sure to consult with your pediatrician before starting solids and discuss your interests in trying Baby Led Weaning. 

If you’ve tried it, what has your experience been? Share a comment with us!

–Heather Dixon

Serve your little one holiday treats they’ll love to eat. These easy-to-make recipes are filled with the smells and tastes of the season, and you’ll find dishes for kids who are new to solids and those a bit older who can help decorate. From gingerbread teething biscuits to sweet potato latkes, read on for baby’s new favorites in these 12 recipes that celebrate winter and its wonderful holidays.

Thanksgiving Dinner Baby Food

Our favorite kid-friendly chef at Weelicious knows how to whip up a nutritious Thanksgiving Day puree that will have your baby feeling grateful and satisfied. Ingredients include turkey, sweet potato, cranberries, apple and cinnamon. And, since the meal is full of protein, beta carotene and vitamin C, you can treat your babe to pumpkin pie for dessert.

photo: Weelicious

What’s your favorite holiday-themed baby food recipe? Share it in a comment.

–Aimee Della Bitta

Feeding a baby new to the solid-food scene? Trying to nourish an on-the-move toddler? If you’re not already hooked on pouches, here are five reasons why you should try them.

Convenience

If you’ve taken on the task of handcrafting your baby’s meals – chopping, steaming and pureeing every veggie and fruit under the sun – you’ll love how easy it is to grab a pouch. Sure, you didn’t make it fresh from your garden-grown organic crop, but there are many organic brands with little to no added ingredients that offer a very healthy supplement. So when you’re short on time or on-the-go, pouches are the best.

At the beginning, you’ll probably need to help your newbie eater get the good stuff out of the pouch. You can either squeeze the puree out onto a spoon, or buy a special spoon attachment that universally fits on the end of the pouch. Try Munchkin Click Lock Food Pouch Spoons (pictured above) that come with covers for the spoons, just in case your baby doesn’t finish it all in one sitting.

Later, your baby will be able to feed himself the pouch making it a generally mess-free (aside from the occasional time your baby decides to squeeze it before placing it in her mouth) and beyond easy snack or meal.

Speed

Before your baby can use a spoon to feed himself, he can hold a pouch and suck all of the goodness out of it all by himself. That’s right, your babe can eat sweet potato puree solo. This is a miracle. Now, while he chows down, you can be pushing the stroller, feeding your older child, making yourself a well-deserved meal, or whatever you need to do. And, most babies slurp these down fast. In a matter of seconds he can have polished off a serving of healthy, organic veggies and all you had to do was pop the top.

Portability

While you need to keep any homemade purees cold on the go, pouches are shelf stable, meaning you can toss them in your diaper bag without a cold pack. That said, once opened, they do need to be refrigerated and consumed within 24 hours.

Nutrition

Pouches can add new foods and nutrients to your baby’s diet. You might not puree beets yourself, or make a mix with kale and chick peas, but you can find these ingredients mixed together in baby food pouches. This means you can serve a greater variety of flavors and produce. Plus, some pouches, like Plum Organics Mighty Veggie and Happy Family’s Love My Veggies (part of the Made to Matter Handpicked by Target line) boast a full serving of vegetables.

DIY Ability

Love making your own baby food and knowing exactly what’s inside? You can make your own pouches too! You can fill these adorable, reusable Squooshi pouches (pictured above)with your own purees or smoothies – get creative with your own healthy and yummy blends featuring your baby’s favorite flavors. Cleaning isn’t as tough as you might think, thanks to a bottom zipper that opens the pouch up wide. While you could use a funnel, pastry bag or steady hand and pouring from a pitcher, to make things easier, a special pouch filling station is offered. Another option is to go with the Infantino Fresh Squeezed Station, which helps you quickly fill BPA-free one-time-use plastic pouches.

What’s your baby’s favorite pouch? Tell us in a Comment.

–Julie Seguss