Purees

I recently read an article about a new fad celebrity diet that consisted of basically eating nothing but baby food.  In conversation with my co-workers, I began to divulge that while I am not believer in an adult person living solely off of baby food, I am a believer in the added benefits of using purees in your cooking.  I was shocked to learn that many of my co-workers kids don't eat any fruits or veggies, or very minimal amounts at that.  The excuse, "They refuse to eat them and I can't make them."   It wasn't a big shocker to find out that most of them didn't eat them either.  Impossible challenge? I beg to differ.

During my pregnancy with my daughter I could barely eat.  Not only did I have nausea 24/7, but the thought of 90% of foods disgusted me.  Things I once loved were horrid.  The worst of it all was I could not stomach a single vegetable.  I started to loose weight, and my doctor made it very clear that she was not happy about that at all.  So, I sought out some solutions.  Milkshakes just weren't cutting it for me.  Although very tasty, I didn't feel that it was enough nutrition for me and my growing baby.  So I went out and bought a popular book for kids cooking that incorporates purees.  I tried various recipes in the book and created variations of them to better suit my taste.  It worked!  I was able to incorporate over 5 servings of veggies into my meals daily and ate things that I enjoyed like banana bread, fruit smoothies, baked potatoes, pasta, etc.

Now that my daughter is going into the toddler stage I dusted off my old cookbook and am putting it to good use once again.  My daughter loves starchy food, I mean who doesn't. I am able to incorporate a lot of various fruits and veggies into her daily meals without hassle.  I always include a visible side of veggies or fruit to slowly encourage her to eat them without pressure, and surprisingly she has started to take a few bites of those as well.   Just the other day she inhaled a small baked potato, with pureed cauliflower, ground flax seed, and a small dollop of smart balance butter.  She followed that with mini berry smoothie that I blended with a handful of fresh spinach.  She wasn't the wiser.  The fruit out powers the spinach and you can't taste it at all.   I have also taken these ideas and incorporated them into our family dinners.  The goal is to incorporate at least one veggie into every single meal, and 2-3 fruits throughout the day.

There is some pre-planning involved, yes, but it's not that difficult.  I put aside an hour in the evening, once a week, to steam up a few selected veggies for pureeing.  I use a magic bullet blender, and store the purees in one cup and 1/2 cup servings in the freezer in small freezer bags.  I just pull one out when I need it and it only takes a minute to thaw in warm water. The trick is to select veggies that blend well with the meal that you are making.  I personally don't recommend using broccoli in any dish that is not overpowered with flavor and seasoning.  Broccoli is the one puree that I've found to have an overwhelming flavor, so I usually mix it with another.  You can even incorporate these purees in place of water in many recipes.  Another added bonus is it cuts back on food expenses.  Often times you can buy a fresh bushel of cauliflower for cheap, a lot cheaper than frozen in most places, and with the purees it doesn't go bad because you don't eat it in two days.

We all feel the benefits of these added nutrients and it is a huge help in my health transition.  So even if your not a believer, just try it, and you will see even the pickiest kids, and adults alike, can be tricked!

My Second Mothers Day

In the midst of all the curve balls, I realized I forgot to actually take a moment to savor in the very sweet mothers day I had.  It was my second official mothers day.  My fabulous honey made me a delicious breakfast with all the fixings.  I actually got to sleep in a little and he got our little princess up and fed in the early morning.  Of course I had to cash in on the kindness and milk it for all it was worth.  But being the good partner that he is, he so kindly obliged and waited on my hand and foot.  It was great!  I got a little emotional over a sweet home made card that he and my baby made together.  It included a tracing of her tiny little hand that said "So you will never forget how little I was...".  It made me choke up, because I realized how fast she is growing and how much I want to slow time down so I can enjoy her just a little bit more.  The thought of her growing up is a bit much to bear right now.  She's my baby and I know that she will always be my baby, but as a working mom sometimes I feel like I miss out on so much and there is just no way for me to get those moments back.  I can only wipe the tears, and focus on the quality time we do get together and come up with ways to squeeze every last drop out of those moments.  Those are the memories that will fill our hearts.  One day I want her to say to me "Mom, remember when we used to....I really loved that."    My daughter is my world and every time she hugs me it melts my heart all over again.  I wouldn't trade being her mommy for anything in the world! 

Curve Ball

It has been a while since I have posted anything.  As you can probably guess, life has thrown a curve ball, or two, or three, all at the same time...  Anyhow, last week was a rough week.  Received bad news about an immediate family members health, which out of respect for those being affected by this I will not presently discuss without their permission.  My  little princess also came down with a bad virus a few days later and is still slowly recovering from that. She's been clinging to me like a little monkey and is bossier and crankier than ever. So, I haven't slept in days and it shows. You know looking at myself in the mirror this morning reminded me how much I am in desperate need of a makeover, starting with a haircut.   I didn't get to spend much time exercising (not that I really mind that part), and I didn't eat as good as I should have.  By Saturday I was in desperate need of some "me" time.  All I wanted to do was have a cup of coffee and read a book all by myself, with no one bothering me.  Even being in a busy, crowded book store with a bunch of total strangers would have sufficed.  But as we all know a mommy's job never ends, so in times of need and crisis there is not always time for "me time".  But this is a new week. Tonight, some exercise and at least 15 minutes of "me time"...wish me luck! 

Back on the Wagon

I survived one full week of eating healthy.  Nothing but healthy, mostly organic, foods and snacks.  And yes, I cheated.  I did.  I had a moment of weakness and gave into some teriyaki take out and a delicious Ice Blended Dark Chocolate Mocha from Coffee Bean!  It was so delicious. Perfect chocolaty sweet bold coffee flavor.  Ahhh.  It's my vice.  But you know, in my book "Body for Life for Women", it says that it is ok to give in every now and again to temptation.  It's good for us, mentally at least.  It's part of the healing process. So, after half a day of self-pity for failing, I picked myself up wiped the left over chocolaty goodness off my face and jumped back on the wagon. 

I'm still not seeing any big results yet, but then again it has only been one week.  Scale says I'm about 5lbs down.  Yay!  I'll take it.