Sweet Potatoes Scrub sweet potatoes and bake at 450 degrees F.

for 40 to 50 minutes, testing with a fork for desired softness. Allow to cool. Peel, then mash with a fork, adding vegetable cooking juices, milk, or a bit of apple juice. Acorn squash can be substituted for sweet potato. Squash (winter) 1. Cut acorn or butternut squash in half, scoop out seeds 2. Place halves face down in a pan and cover with an inch of water 3. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 40 minutes or until the shell/skin puckers and halves feel soft then scoop squash meat out of the shell 4. Place squash "meat" into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. 5. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency. 6. You can also peel the squash, scoop out the seeds and then cut into chunks and boil/steam until tender (like when boiling potatoes for mashed potatoes) then follow steps 4 and 5 Carrots Arrange carrots on a steamer rack in a large pan over 1 inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Steam until tender, about 12 minutes. Plunge carrots into cold water to stop the cooking. Pulse in a food processor, or pass though a food mill fitted with the medium disk. Add formula, breast milk, or boiled and cooled water as needed.
Mashed Avocado Peel and de-pit a ripe avocado Cut meat out and mash with a fork There should be no need to use a machine as just like bananas, avocados have a very soft consistency and texture. Avocados do not need to be cooked Bananas Mash banana with a fork and add a little breastmilk, juice, or water to adjust consistency if desired.

Apple Puree
Peel, core, and slice six small apples. Place in blender or food processor along with enough water to slightly cover apples. Puree apples until desired consistency is achieved. Poor pureed apples into mixing bowl. Pour apple mixture into ice cube trays or baby food containers and freeze. Makes one ice try or six small baby food jars.

Pears Peel, quarter and core fruit. Thinly slice and put into a small saucepan with water, formula or breast milk. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until soft. Use food processor/blender. Spoon into serving bowl and cool.

Green Beans (this method may be used for Peas as well)

1. If using Fresh Beans, snap the ends off the beans and wash the beans. If using Fresh Peas, open the pods and scrape out the peas from the pod 2. Place fresh beans into a steamer basket in a pan with a just enough water to slightly show through in the basket. 3. Steam until very tender; be sure to check on the water level. 4. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the beans. 5. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. It is best to use the setting that makes the finest liquid purees - green bean and pea skins are rather difficult to completely puree. Using a blender rather than a food processor or stick mixer might be better as well. 6. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency 7. You may wish to push the green beans (or peas) through a sieve or mesh strainer to get rid of any remaining skins.

BAKED PEACHES, NECTARINES and PLUMS Turn on the oven to 400(F), Halve the fruit if using peaches, pears, or nectarines and plums Do not peel Add 1-2 inches of water to a baking pan, Place fruits "face down" and bake at 400F for approx. 40 minutes or until skin puckers. If you use this method for pears, bake for 20 minutes or until skin puckers Once baked, slip off the skins if you desire and enjoy warm Zucchini Simply wash the zucchini, remove both ends, then slice. You can boil, steam or microwave them until tender, then puree them as usual. Apricots

Halve the fruit and remove pit, place "open" side down in a pan filled with 1 inch of water, bake at 400F until soft and tender or puckering of the skin appears. Halve the fruit, remove pit and steam in an open pan of water until soft and tender - remove skins Reserve any left over liquid to use for the puree Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. Add the reserved liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree or Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up Note: puree will not freeze solid, but into slightly soft/slightly frozen cubes. Plums Peel, pit and cut into chunks Steam until tender in a scant amount of water. Puree using the leftover cooking liquid. You may need to mix in another fruit as plum pur? has a e tendency to be rather tart and/or bitter

Broccoli Basic (8 months) 1. Wash broccoli under cool water. 2. Chop stems and florets into small pieces; using just the florets will many times yield a smoother puree. Steam until tender. 3. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. 4. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency Creamy Mango Puree** (8 months) Ingredients: 1 Ripe Mango Plain or Vanilla Yogurt OR Apple or Pear Juice Preparation Directions: Peel, Deseed and Mash Mango until smooth Add Yogurt or Juice until the proper consistency for Your Infant is achieved. **If your infant is currently not eating yogurt and/or you do not wish to use any juice, simply peel, deseed and mash the mango the proper consistency for your Infant*** Asparagus (8 months) Fill a large pot (large enough to accommodate a steamer basket) with about 3 inches of water - or until the water peeks through the holes of the steamer basket. Place asparagus, "flower" side up into a steamer basket.

Steam asparagus until very tender and mushy or baby food puree. Puree the asparagus when finished steaming. Add liquid as needed to make a puree your baby will tolerate. (For adults, you want to steam it more "al dente" Beans - Dried (Lentils, split peas etc) 8-10 months+ 2. Follow basic cooking directions on the package many choose not to soak the beans and the beans cook fine 3. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the beans if you wish to puree them 4. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. 5. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree 6. Add veggies such as carrots, squash etc if desired. Eggplant 8 months 1. Wash and peel eggplant. 2. Cut into 1 inch pieces and steam until tender and mushy. 3. OR slice eggplant in quarters and bake in a 375 degree oven for approx. 30 minutes or until tender. 4. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. 5. Add water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency Potato (White) 8-10 months+ 1. Peel potatoes and cut into small chunks 2. OR bake in the oven 3. Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato 4. Boil until tender, be sure to check on the water level. 5. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the potatoes 6. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing. 7. Keep a close watch on the potatoes while you are pureeing as they may turn into wallpaper paste if pureed too much 8. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin consistency. You may also use breast milk or formula to make the puree if you wish. Blueberries** 8 months

1. 1/2 pint of blueberries (fresh or frozen) 2. 4 c. water 3. Bring water to a boil. Add blueberries and simmer for 15 minutes until soft. 4. Reserve liquid and use a slotted spoon to transfer blueberries to blender/processor/mixer and puree. 5. If needed, add some of the liquid to blueberries. 6. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up *You can save the liquid to serve as juice or to blend in with cereals etc.. Kiwi 8 months 1. Peel ripe kiwi 2. Puree or mash with a fork - add cereal (if desired) to thicken and achieve a smooth, thin consistency. Kiwi does not need to be cooked and it should not need to be de-seeded as it is typically introduced at an age where baby can tolerate raw fruits and a bit of texture. Melons (cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon) 8 months 1. 1/4 cup sliced, soft, seedless melon, rind removed 2. Puree or mash with a fork - add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the melon achieve a smooth, thin consistency. **Melon does not need to be cooked as it is typically introduced at an age where baby can tolerate raw fruits. Melon may be steamed to tender and then mashed if you prefer without harming it. Papaya 6-8months To prepare a papaya (ensure it is fully ripened!), peel, de-seed and then mash into a consistency your baby will tolerate. Some parents who have infants with sensitive tummies will give fruits a gentle steaming to help break down the sugars and fibers for easier digestion. If you feel this is the case for your infant, chunk the papaya and then steam for 5-10 minutes until very soft. Prunes 6-8months+ 1. Soak dried prunes in warm water until they plump up or steam gently.

2. Once plump and tender, toss into food processor or blender and begin to puree. 3. Add liquid without sparing any. Prunes tend to become a pasty gluey consistency when pureed and the more water you add, the easier it is to puree to a texture your baby will tolerate.

What is the best way to puree meat(s)?

Make sure the cooked meat is COLD and is in no bigger than 1-2 inch chunks when you puree. Grind up the meat first until it's almost like a clumpy powder. Add water/natural juices as the liquid. If you use the juices when first giving meats, the taste may be too strong. Using water to begin with might be best. You can combine a fruit/veggie with the water as well. You'll have to experiment because all babies have different tolerances/preferences for tastes and textures. Dont forget that breast milk or formula may also available be used for pureeing

Yogurt:

You can buy Plain Whole Milk Yogurts made by such companies as Stonyfield Farm, Cascade Fresh and Brown Cow. You can also Make Your Own Homemade Yogurt! Stonyfield Farm makes the YoBaby brand that many parents know and love! However, using a large container of Plain Whole Milk yogurt will save you money (and save on added sugar) and give you the flexibility of adding your own flavourings to baby's yogurt. As regards yogurts marketed for for infants (between the ages of 8 months and 12 months old), the YoBaby brand does contain natural organic sugars. Yogurt with applesauce and a dash of cinnamon Yogurt and Blueberries Yogurt with peaches and bananas together (and separate) Yogurt with Wheat Germ and no other addition Yogurt and mashed avocado Yogurt blended with any fruit and water to create a baby-smoothie (using water makes for a thin mix that may slide through a Sippy Cup with ease) Yogurt mixed with veggies - sounds yucky to grown-ups but many babies love yogurt mixed with a veggie!

(4) 6-8 month menu sample BREAKFAS T BREASTMI LK and/or FORMULA MOND AY Breast Milk and/o r Formu la TUESD AY Breast Milk and/or Formu la WEDNES DAY Breast Milk and/or Formula THURS DAY Breast Milk and/or Formul a Barley FRIDA Y Breast Milk and/o r Formu la Oatme al ,Rice, Barley Cereal Mix Pears

CEREAL/G RAIN (Optional) **

Oatme Rice al Cereal Cereal

Oatmeal & Rice Cereal

FRUIT or VEGETABL E (Optional) **

Avoca do

Banan as

Applesau Peache ce s

LUNCH BREASTM ILK and/or FORMUL A

MONDA Y Breast Milk and/or Formul a

TUES DAY Breas t Milk and/o r Form ula

WEDNES DAY Breast Milk and/or Formula

THURS DAY Breast Milk and/or Formul a Split Peas or Lentils * or Rice Cereal

FRIDAY Breast Milk and/or Formul a Chicke n and Rice* or Barley Cereal

INFANT Rice CEREAL Cereal (Optional )**

Barley Tofu Cereal (mashed ) with Wheat Germ* or Oatmeal

, Rice, Barley Cereal Mix FRUIT and/or VEGETAB LE (Optional )** * Protein and Meat Foods should be given only with the recomme ndation of your Pediatrici an and/or when baby is 8 months or older Sweet Potato or Applesa uce Acorn Squas h or Pears Peas or Bananas Green Beans or Avocad o Pumpki n or Sweet Potato es

DINNER/S NACK BREASTMI LK and/or FORMULA

MON DAY Breas t Milk and/ or Form ula

TUESD WEDNES AY DAY Breast Milk and/o r Formu la Breast Milk and/or Formula

THURS DAY Breast Milk and/or Formul a

FRID AY Brea st Milk and/ or Form ula

INFANT

CEREAL (Optional) ** FRUIT and/or VEGETABL E (Optional) ** Pear Sauc e Veget able Mix Peaches Applesa Squas uce h

Remember the "4 day wait rule"! The menu suggestions assume that you have introduced the stated foods and that you have waited the proper time period to detect an allergic reaction. Juice Don't introduce fruit or vegetable juice until your baby is at least 6 months old. Offer it in a cup, not a bottle, and limit juice intake to no more than 4 ounces per day. If you choose to give your child juice, make sure you offer it after she finishes her solid foods or formula so she won't fill up on juice and miss out on the more nutritious foods and formula. If she develops diarrhea (sudden, frequent loose stools), then give her less juice and call her healthcare provider. For some babies the sippy simply replaces the bottle and presents you with another weaning challenge. Still, many parents find it more acceptable to see their growing child with a sippy than a bottle in hand. And if used properly, a sippy cup can be less damaging to your baby's teeth than a bottle. 8-12 month old menu sample

BREAKFA ST BREAST MILK

MOND TUESD WEDNES AY AY DAY Breast Milk Breast Milk Breast Milk and/or

THURS DAY Breast Milk

FRID AY Breast Milk

and/orForm ula INFANT PROTEIN and/or CEREAL/G RAIN FRUIT and/or VEGETAB LE

and/or Formul a

and/or Formul a

Formula

and/or Formula

and/or Formul a

Oatmea Rice Oatmeal & l Cereal Cereal Rice Cereal or Baby Cereal Pancake s Blueber Banana ries s Applesauce

Egg Oatme Yolks and al Cheese Rice, Barley Cereal Mix Peaches Bluebe rry, Apples & Banan a Mush Yogurt

DAIRY (Optional)* *

Yogurt

Yogurt

LUNCH BREAST MILKand/or Formula INFANT PROTEIN and/or CEREAL/GR AIN

MONDAY TUESDA Y Breast Milk and/or Formula Chicken and Rice Breast Milk and/or Formula Beef and Barley

WEDNESDA Y

THURSDAY

FRID AY Breast Milk and/or Formul a Turkey and Rice

Breast Milk Breast Milk and/or Formula and/or Formula

Tofu (mashed) with Wheat Germ

Split Peas or Lentils

FRUIT and/or VEGETABL E

Avocado and/or Applesauc e

Baked Squash and/or Pears

Sweet Potatoes Green Beans and/or Bananas and/or Peaches

Peas and Carrots and/or Apricot s Yogurt or Cheese

DAIRY (Optional)** * Protein and Meat Foods should be given only with the recommendat ion of your Pediatrician and/or when baby is 8 months or older

Yogurt or Cheese

Yogurt or Cheese

Yogurt or Cheese

Yogurt or Cheese

DINNER or SNACK BREAST MILKand/or Formula INFANT PROTEIN and/or CEREAL/G RAIN (Optional)**

MOND AY Breast Milk and/or Formul a Tofu Cubes

TUESD AY Breast Milk and/or Formula Rice Cereal or Chicken & Peach Delight

WEDNESD AY Breast Milk and/or Formula

THURSD FRID AY AY Breast Milk and/or Formula Barley Cereal Breast Milk and/or Formul a Lentil Baby Soup

Oatmeal Cereal & Yogurt or Turkey

FRUIT and/or VEGETABL E

Pear Sauce and/or Baked Squash Teethin g Biscuits or Yogurt & Fruit

Mixed Vegetab les

Sweet Avocado Potato Dices & Tofu Coated w/ Mush Wheat Germ & a Dash of Cinnamon Apples on Toast or Peaches & Cream Cheese on Toast Soft Cooked Apple Chunks, Pear Dices

Carrot Dices and Smoos hed Peas Banana Slices Coated w/ Wheat Germ

DAIRY (Optional)** and OTHER

Fruits or Veggies in a Baby Safe Feeder