Adventures in Baby Food Making

Some time ago we discovered some of our friends made their own baby food and we thought to ourselves, "hmmm...what a novel idea" and decided to do so ourselves.

It's been a good experience for us. Life has calmed down dramatically since we moved to the Salt Lake Valley (we're not on the road as much), which makes it easier to do this.

I gleaned some information off of a variety of websites and blogs and then we started our adventures in baby food making.

It's really just as easy as:

1. Peel and dice (if needed).

2. Boil.

3. Puree.

4. Place in ice-cube trays for perfect to-go sizes and quick-freeze. Then place ice-cube sized food in freezer bags labeled with food and date.

Since W. started eating solids around Thanksgiving, we've done this to: sweet potatoes, peas, pears, apples, carrots, acorn and butternut squash, peaches, green beans, etc. They easily combine together or with oatmeal, rice, wheat, or noodles.

We've saved a lot of money by just cooking and pureeing food we have (or can easily get). For example, we spent less than $1.50 on a couple of sweet potatoes, and made 2 ice-cube trays worth, which will last weeks, rotated with other foods.

Another benefits is that when I lick his spoon when he's done and there's only a teensy bit left, it actually has a good flavor and texture, rather than bland guck that comes in a baby food jar. I've had a good share of funny looks when people see me licking baby food off my fingers or the spoons and bowls. It's funny.

I read just the other day that making your own baby food helps babies get used to eating your family's variety of foods, so hopefully it will ease him into our diet smoothly.

It is really quite easy and not at all time consuming. The only side effect is calming Winston before, during and after the ruckus of the food processor. Poor little one.

Who Knew?

Little Dude was just minding his own business the other day while I was putting toys, dishes, etc. away. I turned around to do something, and saw him sitting on the floor like this:

and my heart just melted. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, but I just paused at the cute-ness of him and wondered, "Who knew that my heart would melt, simply because I looked down and saw a bright blue-eyed boy looking up at me? Who knew?"

And in all seriousness--who can resist THOSE EYES?! They are too amazing.

I'm Going Green (with envy, perhaps)

Okay, I'll admit it: I'm obsessing with color and ideas for our soon-to-be home. I dream about colors, and all day long I'm thinking about how to incorporate colorful ideas without having to spend lots of money.

I checked out a few books from the library on decorating with color and it's just made my obsession worse (err...better? Either way you look at it, I guess). I have learned a few things, though. For one thing, I thought I was going to be more in love with yellows, reds and dark browns, but I've discovered I am more attracted to fresh greens and bright, bold, and turquoise-ish blues.

I'm also loving the idea of a black wall, like this: (I actually like the ceiling idea, too, but I'll save that for another time...perhaps another home).

We'll see how my ideas change when I get some sample paint and actually start testing the ideas with the lighting in the home. Oooo---I can hardly handle my excitement!

As a bonus, I went to Target today, and spent only $30 on 6 (six!) sets of window curtains/sheers and a couple of toss pillows. Only $30! Target ROCKS (in case I've never said that before), and Target clearance double ROCKS!

The Evolution of the Scoot

Winston has figured out a way to avoid being on his tummy, but he is still using his left leg to push forward.

Earlier this week we took him to get some photos taken and he took a face-dive landing right smack-dab on his nose. After crying on my shoulder for a while, he pulled away with blood smeared all over his face, my shoulder and his cute little suit.

His first bloody nose; poor little guy. Good thing we got a bunch of cute shots before that.

Clutter and Junk and Junk and Clutter

A friend recommended to read a book called Clutter's Last Stand by Don Aslett. I ended up skimming through it, as it was all very familiar to me. I've moved 7 (going on 8) times in the last 7 or so years. Moving that many times into smaller-than-the-amount-of-stuff-we-have spaces practically cured us of our clutter and junk bug.

Here are some points Aslett brought up that I feel are worth mentioning:

- The Economy of Clutter: 80/20 Rule. "if all of a given category of items are sorted in order of value, 80% of the value will come from only 20% of the items" (p. 41).

Example: 80% of the space on our shelves is occupied by stuff we never use. 80% of beauty/hygiene routine makes use of only 20% of the cosmetics/potions we have stacked around. How much of the remaining 80% could be junked and we wouldn't miss it?

- Make no excuse just because you "own it." "Use is the only value a thing has" (p. 47). If it isn't used, or doesn't bring enjoyment or personal value--why keep it?

- Don't keep those things that are "too nice to use." "Something that is too nice to use is undoubtedly about the most ridiculous kind of junk one can own" (p. 68). I know I have things I've been saving to use until later because they are "too nice," but I've rethought that. Why wait? It reminds me of a talk I heard Pres. Monson (I think) tell about how his wife saved a blouse to wear for a "special occasion" but it was never worn. Why wait for the special day? Make every day special.

- Surplus society. We, as a society, have a ton of stuff. "Most of us have more of everything than we need: food, money, possessions, time, and attention. And after we've used what we need, we foolishly spend our time trying to use the surplus" (p. 204).

- "Simplicity doesn't mean hard times; luxury doesn't mean good times. But we too often think of more as better, convenience as comfort--and that isn't so" (p. 209).

- How to determine if something is NOT junk: it generates love and good feelings, it helps you make a living, it will do something you need done, it has significant cash value, it gives you more than it takes, it will enrich or delight the coming generation. If it is ALL these things, it is probably not junk.

- Avoid places that tempt you into getting more junk. I can attest to this--one of the ways Sam & I have been able to pay off our debts and save quickly is by avoiding shopping just for fun.

- "De-junking is the cheapest, fastest and most effective way to become physically and financially sound, emotionally and intellectually happy" (p. 269).

This book is probably worth skimming, at least. He provides good stories and examples of why we hold on to stuff, and how it adds stress and emotional fatigue unnecessarily to our lives.

While skimming it, I got rid of about 2-3 boxes of stuff (books, clothing, old magazines), and have a list of many other items, that we won't have to box up and move into our new place. Hooray!

It really is exhilarating to de-junk. Try it and see!

Let's Play a Game of "Keep or Toss": Round 1

The home we are in the process of buying has some interesting things. Including this glued-to-the-wall dolphin puzzle above the front door/entry way.

What do you think? Should we keep it or toss it?

I'm sure we could build and/or paint an interesting frame around it to make it look like an aquarium...(haha).

Haven't You Always Wanted a Monkey?

Once again, I'm certain we have a cute little monkey baby.