Strawberry Jam Toast for Breakfast

Good morning Dear Readers,

I hope you all had a wonderful night rest, and ready to start the day/weekend. 

This morning for breakfast, I thought of something really simple and quick.  The results were great, as baby Alexander enjoyed every bite of it.

Strawberry Jam Toast, grapes and milk

Preparation:

• Toast two slices of bread (brown or white);

• Spread two tsp of strawberry jam on slices of bread, then cut them into triangle shapes to add some fun;

• As a side, throw on some fruits; I used grapes;

• instead of fruit juice, I warm some 2% cow milk.

See for yourself how this simple, and delicious breakfast recipe was warmly enjoyed by my boy.

He ate all his grapes first before his toast, great digestion afterwards!

He didn't even bite his slice into pieces, put everything in his mouth:). I bet he just couldn't wait.

A day in your growing baby's diet

Here's a sample of what your baby may be eating in a normal day. Please remember that this is just a guide that can be flexible, based on baby's taste, and or appetite. 

Breakfast 

• Breast milk, formula or whole (3.25% M.F) cow's milk

• 4-6 tsp iron fortified infant cereal or toddler cereal bar

• 2-3 tbsp soft, fresh or canned fruit

Mid-morning snack

• undated cracker, 1/2 slice of toast or 1/4 cup dry or puffed unsweetened cereal

• 1-2 tbsp plain yogourt (3.25% M.F), cottage cheese or grated cheese

Lunch

• Breast milk, formula or whole (3.25% M.F) cow's milk

• 2-3 tbsp meat or alternative 

• 3-5 tbsp soft, mashed cooked vegetables

• 3-4 tbsp soft, fresh or canned fruit

Mid-afternoon snack 

• 1 unsalted cracker, 1/2 slice of toast or 1/4 cup dry unsweetened cereal

• 1-2 tbsp plain yogourt (3.25% M.F), cottage cheese or grated cheese

Dinner

• Breast milk, formula or whole (3.25% M.F) cow's milk

• 2-3 tbsp meat or alternative

• 3-5 tbsp soft, mashed cooked vegetables

• 3-4 tbsp soft, fresh or canned fruit

If you tried this guide, let me know how much of the guide you used, and the changes you made.

Have a good night,

Olivia

A day in your baby's diet "Crawler"

Good day readers,

Here's is a very simple guide of what your baby may be eating. Please keep in mind that this is just a guide, and each lovely baby is different. This guide is for the "Crawler" baby!

Waking up with baby

• breast milk or formula on the go

Breakfast 

• Breast milk or formula

• 2-3 tbsp iron-fortified infant cereal

• 2-3 tbsp puréed or mashed fruit

Mid-morning snack

• breast milk or formula

Lunch

• breast milk or formula

• 1-3 tbsp meat or alternative

• 2-3 tbsp puréed, cooked vegetables

• 2-3 tbsp puréed or mashed fruit

Dinner

• breast milk or formula

• 2-4 tbsp iron-fortified infant cereal

• 2-3 tbsp puréed cooked vegetables

• 2-3 tbsp puréed or mashed fruit

Before going to bed

• breast milk or formula

I hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day!

Take Care,

Olivia

Okra Stew and Semolina

Dear Readers,

I will like to apologise for my absence in this blog, but never mind, I am back to provide you with the best recipes for your child. Alexander will be 12 months old this month, and he is beginning to stand while using objects for support. He is very playful, and always happy. He gets very grumpy, when he is hungry or wants to sleep; you don't want to give him kisses when he is grumpy as he will fight.

I have a recipe for Alexander's grumpiness, especially when he is hungry. I always try to cook something, which I know he will immediately eat. My baby boy has reached a certain age, where he hates to have his food pureed ( he will intentionally spit it out). So I do not waste my time pureeing his food. There are times when Alexander prefers eating my kind of food than the one I cook for him. I later found that it was because I pureed his food. So what I do is to slightly match his food with a fork, and he likes that form of texture in his food.

Today, I will be sharing an African recipe with you all. This recipe is loved by all children, even adults. My boys are a living testimony, as they enjoyed eating it. They even asked for more, and finished the second portion of serving. It is delicious, and I was quite impressed (coming from my older son who is a little picky in his choice of food). Alexander likes this recipe that I cook it quite often.

Okra Stew and Semolina

1. Place a deep cooking pan in a stove, and pour out half cup of olive oil;
2. once the oil is hot, toss in thinly sliced onions, grated garlic, and ginger, and let the onions fry until glazed;
3. Add three chopped tomatoes, and continue to fry until the tomatoes are ready;
4. Turn the stove to medium level, add in the two kg of chopped okra, and continue to stir until the okra is well fried;
5. Add half teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and one chicken cube in the pot.
6. Add in one kg of cooked beef or dried fish, or smoked chicken or smoked turkey;
7. Continue to stir the entire mixture, and let it cook for about 30 minutes or until the okra is well cooked, and you begin to see the olive oil texture in the stew.

To cook the semolina:

1. Bring to boil 2 cups of water;
2. Add 2 cups of semolina, and continuously stir until it begins to thicken;
3. Place a small portion of the cooked semolina in a plastic wrap, and serve with the okra stew;

P.S:

Please note that you can either use a fork to feed your baby with this recipe or feed your baby using your hands (make sure your hands are well watched). This recipe can also be made for adults, and it is one of my favorite meals

Do not forget to leave your comments on this sweet recipe.

Thanks,

Olivia

Mummy! Chicken Please

Dear Readers,

I hope you had a wonderful day today, and preparing for a beautiful weekend. I had a very busy day today, and after I picked my oldest son from his day care, I decided to cook something easy and creative for my youngest son. Now that my baby is 10 months old, I decided to introduce more protein in his diet, as I have been using chicken or beef broth to make his meals. Today I was able to create this delicious meal, and my baby loved it, and I hope your precious one will also enjoy this meal.

• In a medium saucepan bring;
• Two cups of water, olive oil, and beef broth to boil;
• Add one cup of cooked brown rice, one cup of cooked peas, one cup of cooked carrots.
• Add one spoon of grind celery;
• Add one cup of sliced chicken, and let cook until chicken is soft.
• Pour one cup of water into the saucepan.
• Add one cup of apples for some sweetness;
• let cook for 30 minutes;
• let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and then blend to favourable texture.
• This recipe makes 4 servings.

Enjoy, and do not forget to comment.

Have a great weekend.

Olivia

I can't belief it's beef

Dear Readers,

I hope you had a wonderful day today, and preparing for a beautiful weekend. I had a very busy day today, and after I picked my oldest son from his day care, I decided to cook something easy and creative for my youngest son.  Now that my baby is 10 months old, I decided to introduce more protein in his diet, as I have been using chicken or beef broth to make his meals. Today I was able to create this delicious meal, and my baby loved it, and I hope your precious one will also enjoy this meal.

• In a medium saucepan bring;
• Two cups of water, olive oil, and beef broth to boil;
• Add one cup of cooked brown rice, one cup of sliced squash, one spoon of grind celery;
• Add one cup of grind beef, and let cook until beef is not pink;
• Add one cup of mango for some sweetness;
• let cook for 30 minutes;;
• let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and then blend to favourable texture.
• This recipe makes 4 servings

Enjoy, and do not forget to comment.

Have a great weekend.

Olivia

I can't belief its vegetables

Dear Readers,

How are you doing today, I hope you had a wonderful day. I am sure some of you will be surprised by the title of this recipe--yes it is actually it. Even at a very young age babies can differentiate between fruits and veggies, so how to include veggies in your child's meal plan will be what I will like to share with you. I think it is now high time to do something creative for your child, and the solution is to blend fruits and vegetables. This recipe is extra yummy, I can testify because my youngest one loves it.

1. Wash,peel, and cut two medium size potatoes, two apples, and two carrots;
2. In a medium saucepan, pour 1  1/2 cups of water;
3. Pour the vegetables in the boiling water, and leave to cook for 25 minutes;
4. Add the cut apples in the saucepan for another 8 minutes to eliminate the sourness;
5. Once fruit and veggies are done, let it cool for another 25 minutes;
6. In a blender, pour the cooked veggies and fruits, and blend till desired texture;
7. This recipe makes two cups.

Tips:
You may add some breast milk or formula milk to this recipe, it taste extra yummy for your baby, and provides all the nutrients they need to grow.

I took the time to takes pictures of my baby, as proof that he enjoyed this recipe, and I hope your bundle of joy will also like this recipe. Please share your comments about this recipe.

Thanks,
Olivia