Here are some tips on managing the high cost of baby food, while providing baby with a healthier diet. When you have a baby in the household, there’s no question that the cost of baby food has a huge impact on the family food budget. The baby food available in the one or two serving jars ranges from about $0.65 to $1 per jar. This can add up fast. Moms have a built-in guilt complex when it comes to taking the best care of their babies and this feeling permeates everything that concerns the health and well being of baby. So it’s not surprising that many Moms assume that the baby food companies offer a superior nutritional product over a homemade baby food. However, many others are embracing the idea of making some of their own baby foods. Why? Let’s take a look at some of the facts to help you make the best choice for your child.

A recent government sponsored study compared the merits of commercial baby foods, including the newer organic baby foods. The criteria covered nutritional value and the cost of baby food, comparing the cost per pound and nutritional merit for home made foods versus commercial products. What they found may surprise you.

The commercial brands of pureed fruits and vegetables were found to be diluted, with water and ‘fillers’ by as much as 50%! Thus, the nutritive value was similarly diluted. This also therefore increases the cost of baby food, on a per pound basis against a similar quantity of the fresh produce, cooked and pureed. Applesauce was one fruit they made particular note of – they found that adult applesauce products were differentiated from baby food applesauce only by a slightly finer consistency and the dilution – resulting in less nutritive value – found in the baby food. The study concluded that feeding baby adult applesauce was less costly, nutritionally superior and that many babies preferred the adult product! Similar conclusions were reached on baby fruit juices.

Using fresh organic produce to puree in a blender is the most cost effective and nutritionally superior solution. One good solution to managing the cost of baby food is to puree a large batch at once and then freeze in ice cube trays. Once frozen, you put the cubes in a zipper freezer bag and use as needed. This method also allows you to have several fruits and vegetables on hand for a variety of menus ready to go. You can do the same thing with bananas. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to each pureed banana, freeze in trays and bag. The lemon juices prevents discoloration.

If you have a food processor, you can use the same strategy with meats. If you’re cooking chicken tonight, just puree a portion for baby. Some parents feel that they cannot achieve the same fineness of texture as the commercial products and therefore feel it’s safer to just buy the meats, despite the cost of baby food meat products. Others choose to make their own.

Some people find that the convenience of baby food in ready-to-serve portions suits their circumstances best. Talk to your pediatrician for advice and you’ll be able to confidently reach a mix of how to best nurture your child, manage your food budget and the cost of baby food.

Don’t throw those empty baby food jars away! Five ways to use them to organize your home

We’re all aware of the general movement to produce less household waste and so improve the environment. Recycling programs are available in almost every community. Just about everything, from newspaper to plastic bottles can be recycled and used to reduce waste of resources. However, when you recycle cans or whatever, some energy, time and labor is necessary to produce the ‘renewable’ item.

So, in many cases, it makes sense to cut out the middle man, so to speak. For example, plastic milk jugs can be cleaned out and used to store cleaning agents. You might also cut off the tops and use them to start next year’s garden plants or vegetables. Likewise, empty baby food jars can be used for handy, neat storage solutions in your home. After all, you paid a pretty penny for each one of those baby food jars. Why not give them a new life, save some money and clean up some of the clutter? Here are five ways to use them to good purpose throughout your home.

Most people buy the little spice jars at the supermarket, which are quite costly. Next time you run out of a spice, instead of purchasing a replacement jar at the grocery, visit an herb shop and buy the loose herb or spice in bulk. These shops usually package them in a little plastic bag, closed with a twist-tie. A half ounce of dried parsley will cost about 25 cents. You refresh your supply, using the clean baby food jar to store the herb. Slap a folder file label on it and put it in your usual herb and spice storage space. You’ve saved a couple of bucks over the fancy supermarket product and contributed to an improved environment! Continue your program until all of your herbs and spices reside in baby food jars. You’ll find the savings remarkable. You may find yourself able to afford a larger spice choice.

Everyone has at least a minimal sewing repair kit. Avid sewers often have extensive supplies of sewing notions. Why spend hard earned cash buying a ready-made storage cabinet for these items? Items like pins, needles, buttons and beads fit perfectly in a baby food jar. Use a combination of the small and large sizes to store these supplies in a neat and accessible space.

How about all of those nuts, bolts, washers, picture hangers and cup hooks? Instead of cluttering up a ‘junk drawer’ with paper or plastic packages, that eventually fall apart, leaving a disorganized mess, separate and organize such items in – yes – empty baby food jars. Oh, my, your home is getting neater by the minute!

You can make good use of these versatile jars in the frig as well. The larger jars are perfect to mix up a marinade or an oil and vinegar dressing. They’re also great for that bit of leftover corn from tonight’s dinner. Why buy clarified butter, at a premium price, when you can make your own? Label your jars and save space in that cramped frig.

People who take vitamins on a daily basis can take good advantage of empty baby food jars. With just seven jars, you can put your daily assortment in order. Attach a label, identifying which supplements are in the jar, along with the day of the week. You no longer have to sift through and open a dozen bottles each day. You just grab Monday’s jar and take them. At the end of the week, you replenish your supply in one effort. You’ll save time and frustration. When you refill for the coming week, you’ll certainly notice if you’re running low on one or another.

Baby food jars are recyclable in so many ways, without ever leaving your home for re-processing. Save money as well, always a good thing, these days!

Making homemade baby food recipes assures baby gets off to a good start in life!

When you have a baby, there’s no greater joy in life. Every parent wants to give their child the best possible start to life. Whether you choose to breastfeed or give your baby formula, at about 3 months of age, baby needs to start on some solid foods. Pediatricians usually recommend just a few foods to begin with, giving their stomach and digestive system a chance to ramp up to the regular three squares. Once baby’s passed the rice cereal and applesauce stage, he’s ready to branch out to some of the other food groups. This is when you suddenly experience sticker shock at the grocery store, all in the baby food aisle! You had no idea! Well, don’t despair. While diapers and car seats are unavoidable expenses, there is a nutritious and inexpensive alternative to those pricey little jars of baby food. Making homemade baby food recipes not only saves you a ton of money, but you know exactly what your baby’s eating.

You’ve probably noticed that there are the regular, national baby foods, as well as the organic, ‘all natural’ baby food brands. Have you checked the differences in price? Yikes! Stocking up on a single week’s worth is enough to give your wallet a heart attack! For pennies on the dollar, homemade baby food recipes are fresher and more nutritious than anything you’ll find in a jar.

Besides savings at the check stand, another advantage to making your own homemade baby food recipes is that your baby is eating pure food. No additives, dyes, extra sugar or salt. With overweight kids now more the norm than the exception, this aspect should be of particular interest. Food manufacturers add both salt and sugar to processed foods for the simple purpose of taste appeal. The regular baby food is no exception. Once baby gets used to this added sugar and salt, he’s less likely to enjoy food that is not salted or contains no added sugar. With your own homemade baby food recipe, you control exactly how much salt or sugar goes into his cute little mouth. His future tastes will depend on what he eats now.

Be sure to follow your pediatrician’s recommendations on which foods should be introduced, at what age. Beyond that, baby’s meals can be pretty much the same as what the rest of the family is eating. Let’s say you’re serving boneless, skinless chicken breasts for dinner. While the rest of the family may indulge in that yummy salsa topping, let baby have the ‘unedited’ chicken. Your homemade baby food recipe is simple: dice up a couple of ounces of chicken and run it through a mini food processor. A coffee or spice grinder will do the trick.

However, there are special products made just for grinding baby’s food, which are a bit easier to clean and won’t flavor baby’s food with strong tastes that can upset his stomach. Go online and search for ‘baby food mill’ or ‘baby food grinder’.

A homemade baby food recipe produces a superior tasting product as well. While processed peas have an unappealing color and are seriously lacking in the taste department, freshly ground peas may become a favorite, simply because it tastes good! This means your child is getting maximum nutrition, usually becomes a more well-rounded diner and doesn’t develop a distaste for his veggies.

All in all, homemade baby food recipes provide the best start for baby’s future eating patterns and overall health. Plus, with the savings you realize, the cost of diapers won’t be such a problem!

Parents have become increasingly concerned about the quality of food they buy for their children. Many have pursued the organic path and it’s never too early to start. Organic baby food is much in demand and nutritionists agree that the early months and years of diet play a significant role in the well being of children.

Processed, mass produced food contains preservatives, nitrates, artificial pesticides, additives and coloring. In order to avoid this, organic baby food is the best alternative. The positive aspects are that baby is eating wholesome food that tastes great too and they become accustomed to the color and texture of naturally produced food and drinks. It’s easy to see what goes into organically produced food and parents can avoid buying produce that is high in salt and sugar. Another concern is the introduction of genetically modified food (GM), something which can also be avoided.

There is a very wide choice of organic produce, starting with milk formula. Of course, baby’s meals can be prepared from scratch but many parents go out to work and have limited time. Going organic doesn’t have to be hard work as supermarkets cater well for this market. Stores and farmer’s markets are also good sources and it’s easy to order produce online. There are organic ready meals and frozen foods. Gluten free organic baby food and vegetarian and vegan options are also freely available.

Fruit purees are very popular and come in a variety of flavors, including combinations of apple, blueberry, banana, peach and strawberry. There are also organic teething biscuits and finger food, such as sweetcorn rings and carrot sticks. Babies love rusks and these are sold in plain or orange flavor. Cereal also forms a part of organic baby food with tasty options, including banana porridge, fig and apple, apple and raspberry and muesli. Rice Cakes come in plain, apple or orange flavors.

There are lots of savory meal choices too, such as Potatoes, Corn and Beef and Orange Pumpkin and Chicken. Butternut Squash and Carrot and Salmon and Broccoli |Pie will make Mom and Dad wish it was for them! Dessert could be a delicious rice pudding or fruit salad. All babies get wind at some time and there is a herbal organic tea designed to help babies relieve the problem. The organic lifestyle doesn’t have to stop at organic baby food. Other organic products include nappies, baby clothes, bedding and wooden toys.