The Magic Bullet!
Yes yes, I know... It sounds like some amazing mini-vibrator or something... But no, not this one. This is a mini-blender used for spices, nuts, coffee...etc. And can (and is) often used to make small portions of babyfood. My sister got one from a friend a while back and was using it to make mashed peas for Cooper (her 10 mth old). It was so quick and easy I couldn't believe it. It's also a 'rinse and wash' &/or dishwasher safe dealio... It's so simple. (I'm gonna keep saying that through-out this post.)
So I got one and use it to make Natty's babyfood... Yes, I've become one of those tree hugging hippies who makes her own babyfood... But not for the reasons you'd think. It's great for the baby too, but I don't really do it primarily for that reason. I do it because it's SO CHEAP! Babyfood averages between $0.79 - $1.50 per mini-jar... EACH. Can you imagine how fast that adds up? Geez! So instead, I use my counter-top hot water pot and pour boiling water over some frozen peas to cook them (we're talking a 3 minute process from start to finish) and then put the peas in the Magic Bullet and spin... Viola! And you can make a bunch in advance and keep it in the fridge. I also boil mini-carrots until they are soft and blend them up... Today I sliced up a pear and as I was eating a piece I let Natty take a lick to see her reaction and she seemed to like it so I threw some into my bullet and let it whirrrrrr.... Each veggie &/or fruit I typically mix in with some baby oatmeal cereal to give it some thicker consistency and to ensure multiple vitamins & stuff are in each feeding. It also stretches the portions out a few feedings... And it fills her up more. Seriously folks... I might spend $0.10 per feeding... It's awesome.
Before today, Natty didn't seem to like fruit. Pears are the first thing she has cooperated with... We tried bananas and apple sauces. Oh well. I'm realizing now that I gave Natty raw pear... Hmmm... i wonder if I should have cooked it first.? I'll boil them next time. Dunno. We'll see how she reacts to this. Anyway... Eventually when her tastebuds and tummy are ready, I'll start boiling chicken breasts, cubing them and keeping them in the fridge for the day when I pull them out to Whirrrrrrr in my bullet with some boiled carrots and other stuff. I'm thrilled with this little wonder. Every mommy should have one.