For the past couple months I've been doing some research on baby food businesses. There are a lot of choices in other countries, but here in the US we just don't have enough options.
Consumers like options- that's why I'm doing some research for a business plan for a homemade baby food company (but this company will have a special and unique twist like no other). Stay tuned for the twist...
What are your thoughts on this? What are you looking for as a mother who wants to provide the best for your child? What convenience factors would you want? What price point would you pay?
Help me out with some of the research, please? From one mother to another...
(PHOTO: Caston enjoying some of mama's homemade ghetti and meatballs. )
August 3, 2010
Baby Business Venture
Posted by
Lane
at
8/03/2010
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Labels: Baby Foods, Caston, Take a look
July 10, 2010
More Baby Food Recipes
I've been experimenting in my kitchen with homemade baby foods. I decided before Caston was born that I wanted to make his food, but didn't know how fun it would be! And I've had a lot of response for me to post more on the subject and more recipes.
All you really need is a food processor or food mill, ice cube trays and a little bit of creativity!
I read about how good salmon is for babies because of the natural DHA and Omega 3 fatty acids in the tasty fish, so I thought how could I incorporate it in a baby food.
Sweet potatoes, olive oil and a few other ingredients make this baby food very tasty! I taste test all Caston's homemade foods. If I wouldn't eat it (and I'm not a picky eater) I won't feed it to him! I've tasted the prepared foods in the jars- NO Thank You- I'll pass on that!
Don't be afraid to put in some seasonings in your homemade baby foods as well. Just as long as you don't include sugar or salt in the food.
The older your baby gets the less finely pureed the food will become. Follow your babies reaction though- all babies are different and are ready for chunkier and more dense foods at different times. By the time most babies are 8 months old they can have some table food that the family eats, like potatoes, beans, carrots, cottage cheese (which Caston loves), yogurt (we buy YoBaby- it's easier on their bellies), and many other items. See more here.
Try to buy vegetables that are in season and local. Much of the produce we buy in stores is at least 14 days old by the time your purchase it in the stores and has traveled over 1,500 miles from farm to the store. If you can't find it local and fresh- choose frozen.
When pureeing foods, reserve the water the vegetables or fruit was cooked in to add back a little in the puree to mix easier. The water holds many of the nutrients your baby needs.
Also, just because you don't like something doesn't mean your baby won't. Be adventurous when making baby's food- he/she will thank you!
Here are some of the recipes that Caston loves (and they are mommy approved as well):
Fancy Salmon
2 (3 oz) salmon filets, poached and fully cooked
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 medium white potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp. onion powder
Cook salmon fully and set aside. Boil potatoes until soft. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree to desired texture.
Asparagus Delight
1 lb. of fresh asparagus, trimmed
1 head of fresh broccoli, cut
1 tsp. olive oil
1 clove of garlic
1/2 tsp. onion powder
After washing and trimming the vegetables- stem until tender. Add all ingredients in a processor and puree.
Spinach and Cauliflower Oh My
1 lb of spinach leaves (or use 1 bag of frozen spinach), cooked
1 head of cauliflower, steamed
1 clove of garlic
2 apples, peeled and cooked
Place all cooked items in a food processor and puree.
Red Cabbage Fun
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cups of red cabbage
3 T. of golden raisins
1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup water
Place all ingredients in a pan and boil for 10 minutes and then puree.
Berry Bounty
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup of blackberries
1 cup of strawberries
2 bananas
Simmer the berries in water for 6 minutes, then strain. Place berries and bananas in food processor and puree. When you serve this, you might have to add some cereal to thicken it up. Cereal is great to thicken up fruit purees.
Posted by
Lane
at
7/10/2010
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Labels: Baby Foods, Caston, Take a look, Tips You can Use, Vegetables
July 3, 2010
Spinach Baby Food
So, it begins...our son is crawling! And, he's fast- too fast. Life is getting ready to get real interesting I can already tell. Baby gate installed- check. Outlet covers in- check. Breakables put away- check. Bring it on!
Here's one of his new tricks to please his parents or anyone that will watch. He even displayed his clapping skills to all the vendors today at the farmers' market. We bought some produce, meat and bread today. Some of the produce will be used for Caston's homemade baby foods.
I've been experimenting with baby food purees the past couple months. I wanted to make Caston's food - making his food is healthier and better for him, not to mention- EASY. Plus, it's farmers' market season and I'm able to shop local and make foods that are freshly picked from local farmers I know. What more could a mother ask for?
Caston's favorite foods are asparagus, spinach, salmon, avocado and blueberries. He has some blueberries from Persimmon Hill Farm the other night when we went out to do some picking.
Here's a great puree that is packed full of nutrients for your growing baby!
Spinach and Sweet Potato Puree
1 bag of spinach, cooked
1 sweet potato, cooked, peeled and cubed
1 clove of garlic
1 tsp of olive oil
Cook spinach and sweet potatoes. Place in a food processor along with garlic and olive oil and puree. Spoon into ice cube trays, cover with plastic wrap and freeze. After frozen place in freezer bag and use within 1 month.
Posted by
Lane
at
7/03/2010
1 comments
Labels: Baby Foods, Caston
