Good Morning!

Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

I've been reading a lot about making steel cut oats in the crock pot. I am in love with this site: Weelicious here is her post about Crock Pot Oatmeal. So I made it for the girls. They loved it. The end.

Just kidding.


I used Whole Foods brand of steel cut oats 1 cup, like 4 cups of water, too much cinnamon, and a few huge squirts of agave nectar (which is a mix between syrup and honey-but o'natural) and cooked it on low all night (about 8 hours). It was ready for my hungry little girls Raigan in the morning, and Riley ate some too haha.

I did have a picture from the next morning when they were done, but I lost it, so you'll just have to believe me that it was good.

Edemame

You may have heard these yummy little green things be referred to as soy beans. They have a Nu Val score of 91!There is even a website dedicated entirely to them: http://www.edamame.com/. They are packed with nutrients and minerals that you can read about on that site, or here. I bought these from Trader Joe's. They are really fun for kids too, because they have to open up the pod to get the soybeans out! Riley loved the novelty of it all.

They are super easy too for Moms. All you have to do is thaw them (if frozen) and serve. I love that kind of food!

That green blob is a soy bean. Raigan didn't know what to make of them first, but she continued with mmMMmmms so I'm assuming she enjoyed them too, since she ate all of her's.

Star Fruit aka Carambola

Star fruit is new to our house. 

I have been seeing it at the grocery, and decided last night to give it a try. 

You don't peel it, just wash it with cold water, slice it, and enjoy.

Reading more about it in my free time (ha!) turns out it's a great choice too! 

It's a tropical fruit that is rich in Vitamin C, A, fiber, and potassium.

It has a Nu Val score of 100!

(let me just say, I thought an idea just like Nu Val a few years ago, and then these nutritionist and doctors come up with the same thought! Great minds must think alike)

Riley gave it a thumbs up!

Although Raigan's face looks like she could have taken it or left it, she did eat a lot, so I'm assuming that she enjoyed it too!

It's so fun for kids because it's in the shape of a star!

Avocado & Banana

Avocados are nutritionally dense and have 20! essential nutrients and they taste like a thick creamy butter. I mean could there be any better food? They are full of healthy fats that keep our bad cholesterol down and our good up! When I was younger I had no idea what an avocado even was, and just found out 6 months ago that it was a fruit, who knew? I've been missing out though, I know that.

I got the following nutritional information from http://www.avocado.org

Do avocados offer nutrients beneficial to babies?

Avocados can be an important part of your baby's growth and development. Fresh avocados are sodium and cholesterol-free. They contribute valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. A serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. One serving also contains 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain.

Not only are avocados nutritionally great for babies, they are a great first food for babies and mom's too! They are soft and creamy with no cooking involved- all you have to do is peel them and mush/cut them up. When Raigan was just starting solids I would smash the chunks up very well, but now that she sports two teeth and gums food like a champ, I just slice them and she uses her pincer grasp to feed herself. Makes breakfast time super easy.

Bananas are another great first food for baby and so easy too. I love buying baby food, but jared bananas are just gross, they don't even taste, look, or smell like the real deal. Again, like an avocado, you just peel, mash, and serve. Raigan LOVES bananas, but who doesn't?

Bananas are a great source of fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and B6. They are low in sodium, saturated fats, and have no cholesterol. Oh, and they taste great!

Raigan seems to think so anyway. Oh, and these foods are great for toddlers too! The Go Gurt isn't the  super healthiest choice, but life's a compromise right?