Ivy Mae has been eating solids for a few months now, and eating is one of the most joyful moments we share, and her father feels the same way. We both love food, and are big supporters of buying fresh and local. Of course, when you're the manager of a Byerly's like her dad, you have tons of access to gorgeous food! He DOES spend a larger proportion of money on high-quality food. But by cutting out packaged, sugary foods that don't offer much in the way of taste, nutrition, or the "soul" factor, the grocery bill isn't that much bigger. We don't have sugary cereals, packaged meals, a ton of meat, soda (sometimes I get it, though! As Laura O. says, "Ah, Diet Coke...my dark mistress!") or sweets. Not that I don't like those things! I eat what I like, but it's not on the regular grocery list. (I have a pie addiction!)
As for Ivy, we've had a great time giving her whole foods that I mill in a baby food mill. I steam the fruit or veggies in the microwave, then mill it and add it to oatmeal (instant but plain.) Yeah, sounds really hippy-dippy and time-consuming, right? Not so. Ivy only eats about one fruit and one vegetable a day. Milling takes about two minutes, and it takes ten minutes to steam the veggies if needed. I give her a bottle in that time. I make a lot at once, and we have her food for two or three days! I also add some breastmilk to it before I give it to her. Just in case anyone is interested in saving money and giving your baby some healthy food! Life is too short to eat crappy food...and cost is no excuse, because packaged baby food is pricey. (And yes, fries and pizza is still a requirement sometimes!)
Here's a link to the food mill, which you can find or order from PeaPods, as well as a million other places online!
Ivy also crawled over to the DVD shelf today and pulled them out one by one, tossing them behind her! Yesterday I caught her right as she was reaching for the powerstrip under the TV...anyone have any good tips for child-proofing?! She's way faster than I imagined!
Happy Wednesday!
