Baby Food into Toddler Food

So as a Green Mommy I think about 3 main principles when caring for my son, healthiness for my baby, cost, and Earth friendliness. Earlier in the spring I posted about making my own baby food and freezing it so my son could eat fresh healthy baby foods made fresh at home for a fraction of the cost of baby food from the store. Recently though my son decided he was ready for more whole food and started to refuse pureed baby foods. So I had three or four meals left in the freezer and didn't want them to go to waste. I also didn't know what to start feeding him. For a few weeks now we have just been feeding him yogurt, dry cereal (chex, cherrios) and small pieces of our meals (shredded chicken, peas...ect ect). Recently though I found the Gerber meals for toddlers in the grocery store. Some looked healthy but most were macaroni and cheese or spaghetti-ohs. To me that is just not what I want to feed my son. Not to mention the price is 2.00 per meal. That would be about $50 a week. Which is about $200 a month.
So I thought... "Hey I can do that!". So I bought a few boxes of fun pasta (tri-colored rotini, wagon wheels, ect.) I took fresh peas, the pasta and the pureed baby foods and made a few different kinds of baby meals. I made "rotini, sweet potatoes, peas and chicken", "rotini, shredded corned beef and carrots", and "rotini and peas in a pureed peas sauce". I was able to make enough meals for about a week and a half for $3.60. They are healthy, earth friendly and cost effective!
Here are some pics of the end result!

My Bike!

Ok so one thing I haven't really touched on on here.. is something I hold near and dear to my heart. MY BIKE! As a Green Mommy... and long before the Mommy part came along I have been riding a bike. Now I don't mean I ride a bike recreationly or for fun. Yes it is fun but my bicycle is my mode of transportation. My husband and I do not own a car. Partly because we don't have the money to afford upkeep and gas and partly because of the environment.
I ride everywhere! I love my bike like it's an extension of me. I could not imagine a day without it! There is something so amazing about riding. The wind in your hair, splashing through shallow puddles, the smell of fresh cut grass and flowers in the air, the adrenaline as you peddle faster and faster!
My bike is for our family a way to walk our dog, take our son places, get groceries...ect. When we knew we were having a baby one of the first things I did was look into bike carts. As soon as I could I bought one. I love it. Not only is it a great way to get out of the house with my son but it can haul quite a few groceries home too!
I really can not express the enjoyment I get from my trips around town on my bike with my little guy in tow. If you read this blog and enjoy the green tips I really must say, at least during the summer try putting your car in the garage and biking your little guy or girl around town. It's good for you, your baby, and the environment!
Here is a little how to on bike carts. There are many kinds, most are pretty similar. find one that's right for your needs. Mine is an "Instep Take 2".

It holds 2 children or with slight adjustments 1 child. It has five point harnesses and even trunk space. The passenger area is big enough for two children to play easily. Most bike carts state not to use before the child is one year old. My son is about 9 months now and we started using ours when he turned 8 months. However he is quite large for his age. He wears a size 18 months and weighs about 21 lbs. I believe it is up to the parent. If you have a child who is the size of a 2 year old and he is only 7 or 8 months old and you feel it is safe... go ahead. Just be careful. Don't use a helmet unless it is small enough for a 1 yr old. A helmet that is too heavy can severely hurt a small babies neck and head.
As far as the bike goes it doesn't matter much although I personally recommend cruisers. I am much more comfortable with foot brakes and the wide tires make for a smoother ride for baby. You don't want to use a bike built for speed when you are towing a small child. You want a bike built for transport and comfort and a cruiser is both of those. I personally own the Schwinn Windwood. It is a great bike!


Happy Biking!!!!!!!

Baby Pops

My son has been trying for the past few days to whenever me or his father have a Popsicle, to eat it. I don't want him to be eating pure sugar water but I also don't want to deny my son a way to stay cool in summer heat.
So I bought a watermelon and pureed the fruit, then poured it into a Popsicle maker and 3 hrs later he had healthy, 100% fruit popsicles. He loves them!
I am going to try it with all kinds of fruit.