Making Your Own Baby Food

Here's a secret that the baby food companies don't want you to know, making your own baby food is really easy.  Think about it, our grandparents weren't eating baby food that came in jars with pictures of chubby little babies. 

The savings also add up quickly. By making baby food I was able to save $12- 15 dollars each week, $48-60 per month, or $480-600 in the ten months or so before my son was ready for regular food. Buying produce or frozen vegetables on sale will result in the biggest savings when making baby food.  

Here is an example- the supermarket runs a sale of frozen vegetables for $1.00 per bag. Making the equivalent of a store bought plastic tub of baby food costs .17 cents. Purchasing a tub of brand name baby food costs .67 cents. Each time my son ate frozen peas or green beans I saved .57 cents. 

If you have the time, or know someone with a green thumb, home grown fruits and vegetables can result in even greater savings. 

Making baby food is simple. 

1. Start with a clean kitchen, sanitize all food preparation surfaces and make sure all pans, bowls and utensils are clean. Clean all fresh fruits and vegetables with water and a produce brush. Even organic fruits and vegetables can have bacteria on the outside. 
2. Items that smash easily like bananas and avocados can be smashed with a fork. Ripe peaches and apricots can be pushed through a mesh strainer or pureed in a food mill. Firmer fruits and vegetables can be steamed in a pan with an inch of water in the bottom of the pan. Steam foods until they are just soft enough to puree. 
3. A blender or food processor will work well for this. I have found that an immersion blender or stick blender works extremely well. Dump both the food and the water used for steaming into the apparatus of choice and puree  
4. Freeze the pureed foods in ice cube trays covered with plastic wrap. 
5. After the food is frozen, remove the cubes and store them in labeled, dated freezer bags. 
6. Food will store for 1 month in a freezer attached to a refrigerator or 3 months in a free standing deep freezer. 

Homemade baby foods taste more like the real fruit or vegetable than their store bought counterparts, which can make transitioning to regular food easier later on. You can also serve your baby a wide variety of foods.  Look at the baby food aisle for ideas for combinations after introducing the fruits and vegetables separately. As your babies horizon's expand, plant based spices such as parsley, thyme and oregano can be added to foods. Just remember to never add salt, sugar or fats to baby food.  

One of my favorite recipe sites http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/

Baby Clothes

Baby clothes are adorable which may make this the most difficult place to keep the budget in check. Remember though, a baby is not aware of what he or she is wearing.

• First, resist the temptation to buy items until after you have had your baby shower. 
• Take any friend who offers to loan clothing up on the offer.  
• Then assess what you will need. 
• For most people one piece sleepers or snap crotch T-shirts are great for new babies. Sleepers with zippers are especially nice for quick diaper changes. 
• 8-10 sleepers and/ or T-shirts will get you through the newborn stage without having to do laundry daily, most days.
•  Buying basics such as T-shirts and socks in white or gender neutral colors can also help the clothing budget for future children. 
• Be sure to take the season your baby will be born in into account when shopping.  Fleece sleepers may be on sale in May, but a summer baby won't be needing them right away. Buy one in a bigger size and keep the tags on the item and pin the receipt to it.  Then you can return the item if your baby won't be wearing it.  
• As your baby gets older there are a few items that are good to snap up whenever they are on sale.  Jeans are a staple of most children's wardrobe in and can be worn in any season.  Depending on where you live, basic T-shits and a lightweight, hooded jacket may also be useful items to buy on sale.

Insurance Coverage for Pregnancy

When you are planning to become pregnant or find out that you are pregnangt, read your insurance policy to find out what is covered  and what is not.  

• Look for an in network obstetrician, hospital and pediatrician. Many policies cover a higher percentage of the services from providers in their networks. Check your insurance company's website for a list of coverages and providers.
• Review what amount your policy allows for well-baby care.  Some policies limit this amount each year.  If your pediatrician is giving your child immunizations and vaccinations, you may quickly use all of the amount allotted for well-baby care.  
• Many county health departments offer clinics for immunizations and vaccines at a low cost, regardless of income level.  You may also be able to get any vaccines you need for yourself such as an MMR booster or the adult whooping cough vaccine for a  reduced cost when you take your child in for immunizations.

Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake

Preheat oven to 350° Grease bottom and sides of a 13” x 9” pan.

Cake

1 yellow cake mix

2 large eggs

1 ¼ cup water

1/3 cup oil

4 oz. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. ground cardamom

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Mix with electric mixer on low for 30 seconds, then on medium for 2 minutes. Pour batter into greased pan.

Topping

6 Tbsp. melted butter

½ cup chopped walnuts

1 cup oats

1 cup packed brown sugar

Melt stick of butter (or margarine) in large microwave safe bowl. Add walnuts, oats and brown sugar. Mix to make a crumb topping for cake. Sprinkle evenly over top of cake. Bake in 350° oven for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean.

Ideas for variations:

·         Pecans could be substituted for walnuts

·         Make a Cinnamon Apple Walnut Coffee Cake by:

o   Substituting 1/3 cup of applesauce for the oil used in the cake recipe

o   Adding a shredded apple to the topping

* Disclaimer- I have not tried this recipe with any of the variations…yet, but thinking about it is making me hungry.

Maternity Clothes

If you know that you are planning to get pregnant, stratagize when shopping for clothing in the months before.  

• Buy clothes that will get you through the first few months before you are in maternity clothes.  Look for flowing tops, jeans that stretch, and dress pants or skirts with some elastic. 
• Borrow a few items from a friend or relative who wears a size or two larger than your normal size.  
• Rummage through your partner's wardrobe for items that may fit during this stage. 
•  Keep in mind these clothes will also come in handy after you have the baby.  
• You may also be able to get some extra inches out of your wardrobe by looping a rubber band through the button hole of pants and looping the other end around the button.  This will allow you to wear the pants unbuttoned and unzipped, just make sure to wear a long shirt.  
• You can also purchase an elastic band to go around the top of non-maternity pants.  

Maternity clothes will be your wardrobe for less than a year, so keep this in mind as you shop.  

• First, borrow any maternity clothes that you can.  
• Look for maternity clothes at second-hand stores.  
• If you are buying maternity clothes, try to buy classic items that will remain in style for a few years.  Hopefully you will be able to avoid buying new maternity clothes during future pregnancies. 
• Buy clothing in colors found in your non-pregnant wardrobe so you can accessorize without spending more money.