I keep meaning to post a few things that have been great food ideas in our house. I know a lot of you make your own baby food. I did some, especially veggies, but not all. Here are a few things that went over really well in our house!

Charlie LOVES vegetable soup. When he was little I would heat it up, puree it and then serve it to him thick. Now he can have the broth and eat the big pieces of veggies.

Charlie also like Ramen noodles without the broth. I cook the soup according to the package directions and then drain most of the water and add the seasoning and serve him the noodles on his tray. He loves to pick them up and feed himself. Such a quick last minute thing.

Also, he is really getting into sandwiches because he loves bread. So soft spreads like pimento cheese and ham/pepper/onion spread are perfect on wheat bread. I can hold the sandwich and he will bite it or I can tear it up.

And for little snacks he is constantly tiring of the same ones so I try to mix it up so that he gets lots of different flavors. He has had: Cheerios, Kix, rice Chex, Goldfish, Gerber Crunchies (Tomato and Veggie), Teddy Grahams, Graham crackers, Club crackers, Saltines, freeze dried fruit, Gerber yogurt melts, etc..

I know some of those things seem a bit strange but I thought it might give some people new ideas when they need something quick or portable!

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Great ideas Chirstie here are some of mine
What is ham/pepper/onion spread? I am looking for something besides meat and cheese for him to have on pita or bread. I might make some apple butter in the fall.
I also would like a good whole grain cracker for him. Any ideas?

Dried fruit - Raisins, dried plums, apricots, cranberries
Canned fruit in own juice - peaches, pears
Cheese - String, sandwich
Deli Meat - turkey ham
Meat - I will make extra fish chicken, turkey and give that to him.
Pasta - Make batch for 3 or 4 meals, toss with purred veggies/pesto/cheese. or pasta salad with dressing olives, ham, veggies
Cereal - Cheerios and puffed rice or puffed Kamut or rice cakes, Baby Mum Mum
Bread - pita, sandwich,
Rice - Freeze leftovers, easy to heat and serve
He loves plain whole yogurt, sometimes I put some fresh fruit in.
Frozen veggies - Ebamame (soy bean, so be careful of allergies), corn, peas, carrots

Last night he took a big hunk jicama off my plate and tried so hard to chew it up. It was too hard for him

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great thread. Here are some of the ideas we use:

freeze dried fruits/vegs. are huge in my home(like the gerber one's but I buy in bulk sizes)
breads-pita, wheat
pasta-I cook extra early in the week and use this for lunches with a meat and fruits/vegs.
snacks-freeze dried products, wheat crackers, yogurt bites are a favorite these days for Ethan, Kix, Cheeros. Rice cakes
meats-I cook and cut up extra from the meals from dinner to use for lunches.
sandwiches-occasionally natural pb&j, grilled cheese, cream cheese & jam.
cheese-string cheese

I make mini egg cups once a week with spinach or brocolli, cheese and serve these with breakfast for the kiddos. They love these.

Frozen mix veggies are an easy way to quickly get the amount of vegs. you need without waste or work. I add a handful to anything whenever I need a quick veggie boost to a meal.

My last big help, is we have homemade pizza once a week. The kids LOVE leftover pizza cold. Since I make it I control what is in there and it is a quick a easy lunch meal.

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Vicki- For the egg cups do you use the same recipe as the mini quiches that Lauren posted or is that a different one?

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Laura - MIL bought some whole wheat crackers yesterday b/c of FIL's heart problems. I think they are called sociables whole grain. She got them at Albertsons. I don't shop there, but I'm going to look for them next time I go to a store.

EDIT:
They are called Ritz Simply Socials
RITZ IT UP! - NabiscoWorld

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Kelly - Those look good, not too hard so he could eat that. Thanks.

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Hey guys, this will be a good thread for me in a few months!

My kindercare e-newsletter had hummus for kids on there so I will give the details below. Also, chicken salad (finely chopped) is another soft spread you can make a sandwich out of.

This is from my e-newsletter:

HUMMUS DIP

Summer time is the perfect occasion for a field trip to your local farmers market. It is a great opportunity to introduce the young children to a variety of fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains - nature's fast food! The meal and snack opportunities are endless. Balance convenience and Healthy snacking with the following recipe and snack suggestions:
td {padding:5px; border: 1px solid #ccc;} table {border-collapse: collapse; width:490px;}Ingredients:Directions:

• 12.5 oz can Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas) - drained & rinsed
• 1 cup Plain Yogurt
• 1/8 cup Lemon Juice
• 1.5 tsp Olive Oil
• 3 drops Hot Pepper Sauce (optional)

Blend beans, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil and hot pepper sauce (optional) in blender until smooth.

Cover & Refrigerate. Resource: Montana CACFP Nutrition News


Serving Suggestions:

DIP IT!

Fresh Carrots, Bell Pepper & Cucumber Slices, Broccoli & Cauliflower Florets and even Apple Slices make great dipping partners.
STUFF IT!

Stuff Celery Sticks with Hummus and top with raisins and shredded carrots
WRAP IT!

Wraps offer endless creation possibilities. Spread your favorite whole grain wrap with Hummus and fill with a variety of wholesome ingredients including shredded & sliced fruits & vegetables, lean deli meats and low fat cheese.

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I have to find Lauren's post to see if it is the same.

edit: where was Lauren's post.

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Quesadillas are a big hit over here so I always keep shredded cheese & tortillas in the fridge. I'll either just make them plain, or if I have a bag of frozen veggies on hand(i usually get the california mix that has cauliflower, brocolli and carrots), I'll thaw them, cut em up & throw them in the quesadilla. I also use refried beans if i have them or lunch meat just to mix it up a bit-Caleb will eat them now matter what. Makes for a quick snack or a quick dinner

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