Organic Baby Food to Get Your Child in the Mood (To Eat)

Q: My baby is nine months old, and I’d like to start feeding him organic baby food (although I’m not sure why it’s better than canned). I’d also love a few recipes incorporating baby food for when he’s a little older.

A: I introduced my daughter to baby food when she was six months old. We started with the fruit and veggie jars (which went over well), but she hated the meat, and after trying it myself, I agreed. The stuff tasted vile! Eventually, we found our way to organic baby food, and quickly got hooked on the fresh, delicious taste.

Whether you plan to make the baby food yourself (try the website "Homemade Baby Food Recipes") or buy it online or from the supermarket, these tips from the experts will get you cooking.

Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE, registered dietitian; founder of Super Kids Nutrition 

(Organic) Information is Power: If you buy organic baby food or make your own meals from organic ingredients you are ensuring that the food your child gets is preservative- and chemical-free. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that have not been given antibiotics or growth hormones.

Eating Organic Boosts Immunity: Organic foods contain a lower amount of pesticides. Since a child’s immune system does not fully develop until age six, it’s more vulnerable to damage from toxins in pesticides, which are linked to Parkinson’s disease, increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects and cancer.

Follow the Seasons: Frozen or fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season retain key nutrients that would be lost by shipping them. Use, cook and puree the fruits and veggies, and freeze in sealed ice cube trays. Then thaw out and serve as needed.

Leslie Gracz, Fort-Lee-based marketing representative for Happy Mama Northern NJ 

Shop Wisely: When buying baby food, look at the ingredients on the label. Avoid additives-such as preservatives, sugar and genetically modified ingredients. Check nutritional information, such as vitamin content to make sure your baby isn’t just getting empty calories. Beneficial ingredients include probiotics for immunity, choline for brain development and Salba, a nutritious super grain.

Try this taco recipe for toddlers from HAPPYBABY, part of the HAPPYFAMILY Brand

Orange Veggies Vegetarian Tacos

1 cup HAPPYBABY pureed carrots, sweet potatoes or squash
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb. tofu “ground beef” (you can substitute ground organic chicken,
turkey or beef)
12 6-inch taco shells
Shredded cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack
Sour cream or guacamole

Mix puree with taco seasoning.

Heat oil over medium-high heat; add the tofu “ground meat” and seasoning mix.

Stir until heated; remove from heat.

Place meat in taco shells and top with cheese. Let your toddler add the sour cream or guacamole

Caroline Freedman, owner and co-founder of NurturMe 

Phytochemical Attraction Reaction: The nutrients and phytochemicals provided by organic foods are essential for your baby’s health.

Dried Foods Rule: Dried foods preserve more nutrients and phytochemicals keep more flavor, vitamins and minerals than that retained by cooked fruits and vegetables, because they are subject to less heat during processing.

Check out the following recipes for toddlers from NurturMe (baby food sealed in flat, single-serve pouches that weigh less than an ounce; to which you stir in water or milk).

Froggy Pasta

Cook pasta and mix in 1 tbsp. of butter.

Combine 1 to 2 pouches of NurturMe Plump Peas with a half to 1 cup of whole milk; and pour over the pasta.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Prepare pancake mix.

Mix 2 pouches of NurturMe Hearty Sweet Potatoes into pancake mix.

Add 2/3 cup water and stir.

Prepare pancakes on a hot griddle, and serve topped with fresh fruit slices.

Exposing Kids to Counter (to the City) Culture

Q: Before having kids, every summer I would travel into New York City to enjoy “Opera in the Park” or “Shakespeare in the Park,” but I just can’t summon the energy to do that anymore. Are there any local programs I can share with my children?

A: Why drag your family into the city when you can experience free, family-friendly cultural events in your neighborhood? On July 24 at 2 p.m. the will host an opera performance from . Also, on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm (from July 26 to Aug. 23) the Fort Lee Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is offering “Shakespeare in the Park” by the Hudson Shakespeare Company at in Fort Lee (Palisade Avenue and Angioletti Place). The next performance will be .

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Editor’s note: If you have questions related to parenting, raising kids or just generally being a mom, feel free to submit them to the author at estellewriter@aol.com, like the author at http://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus or email the editor at erik.wander@patch.com. Your question might just be featured in a future column.