by Mary B

Created on: May 01, 2009   Last Updated: May 11, 2009

In this day and age, do-it-yourself baby food can prove itself to be economical as well as more healthy for your baby. No more containers to clutter your kitchen or fill your waste basket. No chemicals or preservatives; no unwanted salt or sugar added. It's easy! It's economical. It's rewarding.

All the tools you'll need are probably already in your kitchen. This would include sauce pans, food processor, hand blender, potato masher or whichever tool you decide to use to mash the foods you are going to serve to your baby. It is best to puree the foods you prepare, making it easier for baby to swallow.

Here are some ideas to get you started. The list can go on...but the sky's the limit!

Peas: You can use fresh, frozen, canned, organic. Cook fresh peas by simmering until they are soft. Mash with a fork or use hand blender or food processor. Water can be added to make a smooth consistency. Canned peas can be pureed as is. Note that any time you use canned vegetables, salt and sugar as well as preservatives may be present.

Green beans: Prepare in the same manner as peas; fresh, frozen, canned, organic. Simmer until beans are easily mashed. Again, water can be added to make smooth. Use a hand blender to puree.

Other vegetables that can be prepared in the same manner as above: Carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, brussel sprouts, pumpkins, beets...just about any vegetable that you can cook into a soft state. Boiling gently keeps the flavor of the vegetables. Steaming them also works well and retains more nutrients. Once vegetables are pureed, they can be placed into ice cube trays and frozen for individual servings later. Putting a piece of plastic wrap over the tray keeps other flavors from mingling with the frozen baby food.

Fruits can be prepared along the same lines. Applesauce is a great way to start introducing fruits to baby. It's a good idea to peel and core all fruits before cooking. With any fruit you decide to use, cut into chunks and prepare using the method you desire. Spices can be added during cooking. Water can also be added but fruit tends to reduce with a lot of excess juice. This can be pureed into the fruit instead of adding water. Proper washing of any fruits or vegetables is important too.

If you are using canned fruits there is no need to cook them. Although, if using canned fruits, there is the possibility of added ingredients such as sugar or salt. You can puree and serve them as needed. Fruits that you are using fresh that need to be cooked

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