I’ve heard one-year birthday parties are more for the parents than for the baby. I mean, after all, have you ever seen those photos of babies asleep in their cake? Cute, but we know that really parents are celebrating not only their child’s birthday but that they made it through that first year. Especially as a first time mom, I KNOW I am thinking “WOW – I made it!”
So, it might be nice to give a birthday present that might benefit the parents a little bit too – or maybe give as a side present to congratulate the parents on a year well-done! A book is always a good choice.
Since the one year mark is usually a time for switching to more solids, possibly weaning, trying new foods, the Great Expectations: Best Food for Your Baby & Toddler by Jeannette L. Bessinger would make a welcome addition to a parent’s library. What makes this book great is that it’s not one that a parent needs to read front to back. It’s a resource divided into three sections. Parents can find what they need when they need it.
First, a section on food – babies are what they eat. This section covers nutrition basics, even facts about raising a vegetarian toddler, if you’re so inclined. Did you know you should offer a new food FIFTEEN times before deciding your child really does not like that food? Learning this helped me get my baby to eat broccoli! It was like the ninth time I tried it and he finally accepted it!
Second, a short section on foods for children in different age groups: Birth to 4 months, 4 to 6 months, etc. Eating routines and nutritional guides are included.
Last, a large section of recipes grouped by age and then by category (veggie, fruit, etc). I found my baby likes a little of the Homemade Hummus dabbed on some diced whole wheat bread! Most of the recipes call for sugar substitutes like applesauce, Sucanat, honey, agave nectar or maple syrup. I think that is fantastic, because I try to limit the sugar I give my baby, especially since so much already naturally occurs in fruits.
Buy It: Great Expectations: Best Food for Your Baby & Toddler by Jeannette L. Bessinger is available on Amazon.com.
Win It: One reader will win a copy of Great Expectations: Best Food for Your Baby & Toddler free!
Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are 100% my own.
my favorite baby food recipe is Garden Vegetable Combo for babies 6 to 8 months +
Ingredients:
fresh or frozen green beans, peas, summer and/or zucchini squash, thinly sliced pieces of potato, and small pieces of chopped carrots
Directions:
1. Combine fresh or frozen green beans and peas, summer and/or zucchini squash and thinly sliced pieces of potato, and small pieces of chopped carrots.
2. Add enough water to just cover the vegetables.
3. Cook until tender, reserving water.
4. Puree vegetables in blender or food processor,
5. Adding reserved water from the vegetables until mixture is of the desired consistency.
my favorite baby food recipe is Garden Vegetable Combo for babies 6 to 8 months +
Ingredients:
fresh or frozen green beans, peas, summer and/or zucchini squash, thinly sliced pieces of potato, and small pieces of chopped carrots
Directions:
1. Combine fresh or frozen green beans and peas, summer and/or zucchini squash and thinly sliced pieces of potato, and small pieces of chopped carrots.
2. Add enough water to just cover the vegetables.
3. Cook until tender, reserving water.
4. Puree vegetables in blender or food processor,
5. Adding reserved water from the vegetables until mixture is of the desired consistency.
nothing that i can think of,boy do i need this book for the next one!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
nothing that i can think of,boy do i need this book for the next one!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite dish my sons seems to love was sweet potatoes mixed with apple sauce mashed up.
My favorite dish my sons seems to love was sweet potatoes mixed with apple sauce mashed up.
My favorite baby food recipe is simply mashed bananas with fresh mashed peach. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
My favorite baby food recipe is simply mashed bananas with fresh mashed peach. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
My son loves oatmeal with quinoa and dried cranberries added to it…weird but it’s good for him and he loves it!
Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
My son loves oatmeal with quinoa and dried cranberries added to it…weird but it’s good for him and he loves it!
Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail dot com
Posted to Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=181485325228397&id=100000922668816
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Posted to Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=181485325228397&id=100000922668816
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Google Friend
Nickolay
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
Google Friend
Nickolay
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I guess I don’t have a recipe. I am way behind the program
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I guess I don’t have a recipe. I am way behind the program
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I don’t know any recipes! I was just planning on using fruit or veggies and mashing them up!
I don’t know any recipes! I was just planning on using fruit or veggies and mashing them up!
The most unusual baby food I can think of that we’ve made is butternut squash cooked with dried apricots and then pureed.
The most unusual baby food I can think of that we’ve made is butternut squash cooked with dried apricots and then pureed.
we just started feeding solids… so far we have tried avocado, sweet potato and banannas with breast milk
missanneperry at gmail dot com
we just started feeding solids… so far we have tried avocado, sweet potato and banannas with breast milk
missanneperry at gmail dot com
It’s not unusual but both my boys loved avocado and banana puree as babies!
It’s not unusual but both my boys loved avocado and banana puree as babies!
We really don’t do anything too unusual however I guess the most different food our little one likes is sweet potato.
We really don’t do anything too unusual however I guess the most different food our little one likes is sweet potato.
Shared on FB
tvpg at aol dot com
Shared on FB
tvpg at aol dot com
My favorite recipe for baby food is squash. It’s easy to make and dd loved it when she was a baby.
tvpg at aol dot com
My favorite recipe for baby food is squash. It’s easy to make and dd loved it when she was a baby.
tvpg at aol dot com
I’d say the Beets were the most unusual baby food I made for my daughter 🙂 ngiraldi @ gmail . com
I’d say the Beets were the most unusual baby food I made for my daughter 🙂 ngiraldi @ gmail . com
my kids love a cottage cheese/spinach pasta… you basically take cooked noodles, sauteed spinach with garlic and toss it with a cup of cottage cheese(it melts!) nutritious and delicious and easy!!
hancoci_s at msn dot com
my kids love a cottage cheese/spinach pasta… you basically take cooked noodles, sauteed spinach with garlic and toss it with a cup of cottage cheese(it melts!) nutritious and delicious and easy!!
hancoci_s at msn dot com
I like you on Facebook
I like you on Facebook
My baby does not eat food just yet which is why I would love this book. But I look forward to giving her avocado, hopefully she loves it. I know I do!
My baby does not eat food just yet which is why I would love this book. But I look forward to giving her avocado, hopefully she loves it. I know I do!
I am just starting out and using only one item per meal. Can’t wait to get more [email protected]!
I am just starting out and using only one item per meal. Can’t wait to get more [email protected]!
apples and bananas
KDSyrjala at gmail dot com
apples and bananas
KDSyrjala at gmail dot com
My 9 month old is just starting solids and so far like applesauce, bananas, and pears.
ktiegen at yahoo dot com
My 9 month old is just starting solids and so far like applesauce, bananas, and pears.
ktiegen at yahoo dot com
…Her Favorite is just plain Carrots…we just started I found out she Hates Beans but loves Carrots and Squash! 🙂
n.snaer at gmail dot com
…Her Favorite is just plain Carrots…we just started I found out she Hates Beans but loves Carrots and Squash! 🙂
n.snaer at gmail dot com
The most unusual thing I made for my nephew was Sweet potato and melon mash with sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and yogurt!
The most unusual thing I made for my nephew was Sweet potato and melon mash with sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and yogurt!
I don’t know a lot about toddler food but I heard they love avocado, which surprised me a bit.
I don’t know a lot about toddler food but I heard they love avocado, which surprised me a bit.
I am a grandmother. My husband is a vegan. He fed our grandson mashed potatoes with pureed spinach and Jadon loved it. He’s really a well rounded eater. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
I am a grandmother. My husband is a vegan. He fed our grandson mashed potatoes with pureed spinach and Jadon loved it. He’s really a well rounded eater. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway
My favorite recipe to make for my son is a potato, leek and pea soup. 🙂 Yum! He just loves it, especially if I add pepper to it!
My favorite recipe to make for my son is a potato, leek and pea soup. 🙂 Yum! He just loves it, especially if I add pepper to it!
I honestly have no baby food recipes. I just use one fruit or veggie. Gosh, I must get with the program! I must need to win this book!
I honestly have no baby food recipes. I just use one fruit or veggie. Gosh, I must get with the program! I must need to win this book!
I shared on FB with the share button
Liz Bee
I shared on FB with the share button
Liz Bee
My son oddly loves blueberries and jasmine rice with a dash of cinnamon. It looks strange but he goggles it up!
My son oddly loves blueberries and jasmine rice with a dash of cinnamon. It looks strange but he goggles it up!