Adventures in Baby Food Making: Just Getting Started

Well friends, at Claire's 6-month check-up this week we got the clear from our pediatrician to begin solids! More than any milestones thus far, starting solids is the one I've been looking forward to most. Is that strange?  I'm chalking it up to my passion to give Claire the best, healthiest start possible that's been driving my giddy excitement over making her first foods!

Homemade baby food has been something I've thought about since pre-baby planning! I had always assumed I would just use my trusty Vita-Mix for this, but then I was generously given the awesome Beaba Babycook at my baby shower! It's a steamer, blender, warmer and defroster in one, making the process so simple! While it's certainly not necessary to have something like the Beaba, I am really glad I decided to keep it, as having an appliance designated specifically for this purpose is wonderful!

Since Claire is now well-versed on rice cereal, we decided to start her off with carrots, a vegetable I've been told that babies really love because of their natural sweetness. With the expectation that we would start them this week, I purchased a bunch of organic baby carrots from the farmers market last week. After getting home from our appointment and putting Claire down for her nap, I was so excited that I immediately got to work on pureeing the carrots.

The Beaba made it very simple! Once they were washed thoroughly and diced, I placed all the carrots in the steamer basket. Once steamed, I used the handy little spatula to pull out the steamer basket and pour them into the processor. Pulse until desired consistency and scoop into individual jars. Voila, easy as pie!

 Once my carrots were portioned and stored away, I went and got my happy, rested baby girl. Since we've made this a routine, she knew (or at least she thought she knew) what was coming when I strapped her in her high chair and snapped on her bib. She gave me a big smile and I just couldn't wait to give her the first bite of this new food!

 Unfortunately, she was not such a willing recipient. She excitedly took the first bite, mulled it around in her mouth and then looked at me as if I had offended her! Uh, break my heart, I remember feeling the exact same way when my mom first made me try canned green beans (bleh!). But I pressed on, hoping she just needed to get used to a new flavor. Sadly, after several bites (and several sour faces), we called it a day. 

Now I've been told that babies can take a few tries to like certain things, so I'm hoping she changes her mind since we are currently on day four of carrots and she's now learned that I can't get the spoon in her mouth if she purses her lips real tight. That sweet child has got a mind of her own! And I am quickly learning that this journey is going to take a lot of patience as Claire is learning about this whole new world of food.

This weekend I plan to give sweet potatoes a try! Fingers crossed she has a better taste for those. Stay tuned as we make our way through this exciting, messy new adventure!

My Green Challenge

Happy Monday, friends! Can you believe it is already March?

For whatever reason, March seems to be a month I like to challenge myself. The past two years this challenge had to do with sweets. More specifically, eliminating them for the entire month. But these past few weeks I'm realizing what I really need is more diversity when it comes to the produce I eat regularly and I would really love to shake it up a bit! After all, Spring and Summer have so many wonderful offerings when it comes to great produce!

This month I have decided to increase my green smoothies from one to two a day. I am hoping to inspire some great new combinations and also to make the second smoothie of the day include more veggies than fruit. I technically started this morning after a rather lovely trip to Whole Foods yesterday, where I filled up on tasty fruits and greens!

I'm really excited to discover new flavors and I am hoping that some of you could pass on some delicious smoothie combos you have tried and loved!

Here's what I enjoyed this morning:

1 Bunch Green Grapes
1 Banana
1/3 Cucumber
1 Blood Orange
3 Stalks Kale
1 Pouch Sol Bliss Papaya Puree

The result: unbelievably tasty! I think I could have even doubled the kale and hardly noticed. I'm deeply looking forward to what tasty offerings this month will bring!

Guest Blogger at Bushel and a Peck!

Happy Thursday, friends! Join me today over at Bushel and a Peck! I am a guest blogger for Christie who has been doing a challenge throughout the month of January to kick unhealthy habits! She's awesome and her challenges rock, so be sure to pop on over there!

{Challenge}: October Unprocessed

All right friends, I've decided to take part in a challenge with Eating Rules and would love for you to join along!  For some of you, this may seem like an impossible task, for some this may be something you already practice, and for others, I suspect it will be an opportunity to simply refine your current eating habits. Wherever your current diet falls, let this be a chance to clean it up and get on track with real food!

The challenge is this: Going the entire month of October with no processed foods

Of course, this poses the question: What defines processed? So here is a simple explanation taken directly from EatingRules:

Obviously there’s a wide range of implications in that word, and we will probably each define it slightly differently for ourselves.  My definition is this:

Unprocessed food is any food that could be made by a person with reasonable skill in a home kitchen with readily available, whole-food ingredients.

I call it “The Kitchen Test.” If you pick up something with a label (and if it doesn’t have a label, it’s probably unprocessed), and find an ingredient you’d never use in your kitchen and couldn’t possibly make yourself from the whole form, it’s processed.

It doesn’t mean you actually have to make it yourself, it just means that for it to be considered “unprocessed” that you could, in theory, do so.

Here’s the discussion from last year on the definition, and we’ll continue exploring it as October approaches.

So what do you say? Are you ready to commit to a healthier you? Let me know by leaving a comment (either here of via Facebook) that you're going to participate. And be sure to check out EatingRules for daily posts, tips and encouragement throughout the month! Remember, these things are always easier with support from others!

Of course I will also be posting updates and recipes, so visit frequently! Best of luck!!

Currently Craving

Have you guys tried coconut water lately? It is being widely talked about in the health/fitness realm and is being touted for it's numerous health benefits. But the truth is, it really is a wonderful product! It's rich source of electrolytes makes it a perfect beverage to hydrate your body. Plus it's really tasty-like a tropical little treat!

I have recently been indulging in what I call an Orange Dream Machine smoothie. And yes, it is every bit as delectable as it sounds! The addition of coconut water to my daily green smoothies have taken my morning meal to a whole new level of awesome!

Try it for yourself and be amazed at the creamy texture it adds, along with the energy boost it offers!

Orange Dream Machine
1 orange, sectioned and peeled
1/2 banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 large handful of spinach
1 cup coconut water
ice

Toss all ingredients in blender, in order listed. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth.

image/via

Kickin' Sweets to the Curb

Well peeps, I have temporarily kicked sweets to the curb...again. (remember this, this and this?) It's good, really. It gives me a chance to re-focus my clean eating efforts and purge the indulgences for a bit. But it almost feels like cheating when I have guiltless pleasures like the Jocalat bars around! I've been loving on Larabars for a long time (more on that here), but until last week, I had never tried the Jocalat line. Where have I been?

There is something very liberating about eating something so pure that still tastes so sinful. Almost like I've beaten that nasty little sweet tooth:)

From my recent experience I can tell you, the chocolate hazelnut is good, the chocolate coffee is okay, but the chocolate mint is outofthisworld fantastic! Like eating a mint brownie!

But just in case you look at the nutrition facts and think you would rather have an actual mint brownie, hear this: yes, there are 20 grams of sugar in this bar. However, the ingredient list is this: dates, almonds, unsweetened chocolate, cocoa powder, vanilla and peppermint extract-that's it! No added sugars or preservatives, just good ol' wholesome foods. So the sugar is coming from fruit, ya know, the natural kind. Plus you've got all the beneficial healthy fats, fiber, protein and vitamins in there. Thanks larabar, for giving my sweet tooth a healthy fix!

Happy snacking!

Comfort in Familiarity

I know I've been seriously slacking in the recipe department these past weeks, but have some patience as moving and the holidays have me cooking tried-and-true meals rather than experimenting as much as usual.

I promise that with the new year I will have plenty to share in the way of recipes. But for now, I wanted to share {again} my favorite granola recipe that comes from my lovely friend Lael. It has been a great comfort of familiarity these past weeks and never gets old in my book!

Blessings Granola
Makes 4 cups

Combine:
¼ c. honey or agave nectar
¼ c. canola oil
2 T. orange juice
2 T. brown sugar (I consider this optional-it increases the sweetness and chewiness only slightly)
¼ t. vanilla

Separately mix:
½ c. pecans
1 ½ c. rolled oats
¼ c. slivered almonds
¼ c. pumpkin seeds

Mix both together. Thinly spread onto rimmed baking sheet. Bake until toasted in 325°oven.

Remove from oven. Stir in:
¼ c. coconut flakes
¼ c. golden raisins
7 dried apricots, chopped
¼ c. dried cranberries

Let cool before transferring to storage jar or container.

Autumn Oats

Happy September! We're officially just a few weeks away from Fall and my breakfast this morning represented the many reasons I love the season. Instead of my typical oatmeal with berries, I switched it up with some fresh, seasonal pear slices and cinnamon. An exquisite combo I might add and just what I needed to get me going this Wednesday morning!

*Cooks note-this pears very nicely with a tall nonfat PUMPKIN SPICE latte! Yep, they're back!!

Oatmeal with Pears and Cinnamon

1/2 cup oats (not instant)
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup light vanilla soymillk
1/2 sliced pear
1 tbsp sliced almonds
dash cinnamon
2 tsp agave nectar (optional)

Heat water over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Add oatmeal and cook about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through. Add soymilk, sliced pear, almonds and sprinkle with cinnamon. For a bit of added sweetness, add 2 tsp agave nectar. Enjoy!

image/fitness

Larabar Love

Let me start by saying I am a big fan of simplicity when it comes to what I put in my body. I like to know what is in my food, which is why I prefer to to make most of our meals at home. But lets be honest, on days I am working from 6am to 8:30pm, I need some easy snacks that I can throw in my bag and eat on the go (especially when I only have a minute between clients!).

I am generally a big fan of portable fruit like apples and bananas, but sometimes I need something more. Something that tastes like a treat, yet has a lot to offer nutritionally, which is why I am LOVING Larabars. They come in the most delicious flavors (lemon bar, chocolate coconut, apple pie and cinnamon roll) and yet, they're gluten free and only contain pure and simple ingredients.

Take the Peanut Butter Cookie for example, the only ingredients: prunes, peanuts, salt. And you would have no idea! It seriously tastes like a little baked treat!

Bottom line - you need to go get yourself some Larabars today! You'll thank me later!

image/abeautifulmess

Sick Me Out!

I am generally an extremely clean person. Though I must admit, I completely shocked myself when the other day during yoga class I realized I have never actually cleaned my yoga mat. This realization came to me as I was in what should be a relaxing child's pose and it hit me, "Hmm, my sweaty feet touch the same surface I am resting my forehead on." {Insert intense shudder!}

I immediately went searching for the best way to clean my mat and found it to be suprisingly simple! Thank goodness because I don't have time to mess around with timely cleaning techniques! It turns out yoga mats are machine washable, as long as they don't go through the spin cycle. Though for routine cleanings you can simply make a mixture of one part warm water and three parts gentle cleaner such as Woolite. After applying the solution to your mat, gently rub with a soft cloth or sponge, rinse and hang to dry. And voila, you've got a clean and appropriately sticky mat!

Needless to say, I will be making this a regular part of my yoga practice!

image/wellbeingdawn

A Sweet {Potato} Twist

I recently came across this tasty looking Sweet Potato Hummus. Doesn't it sound intriguing? I love finding a new twist on this old favorite. Can't wait to test it out next week! Well done Martha, well done.

image/wholeliving

Clean Eating Snack Ideas

As I explained here, Clean Eating entails eating 5-6 small meals a day. Which means you should be eating about every 2-3 hours. Great news, right?! This will keep a constant flow of energy to your body and help you feel full and satisfied all day long.

I realize to most people this sounds like a whole lot of food, but trust me, when you begin to feel the benefits of steady energy throughout the day, you won't want it any other way!

I wanted to share some quick and easy clean eating snack ideas. The important thing to remember with your meals and snacks is to pair quality protein with a complex carbohydrate. This will ensure you stay full until your next meal!

Here are some of my favorite combos:

greek yogurt + fresh berries
cottage cheese + a few dries apricots
veggies + spicy hummus
apple slices + 2 tbsp natural peanut butter
tuna + Wasa crackers
almonds + grapes
air popped popcorn + 1 serving fruit
vanilla protein powder + blueberries + skim milk = smoothie
ww tortilla + 1 tbsp natural peanut butter + banana sliced
ww tortilla + grilled chicken (sliced) + shredded carrots and lettuce + hummus
hard boiled egg whites + old fashioned oats

As you can see, the options are endless and portable, making it easy to take them with you throughout the day!

Creating Healthy Habits

Well, June is over and it's time for a fresh new challenge! Sweating once a day served as a wonderful motivation booster for many of us, but why stop there? If you decided to take it on, good for you! You should now be in a habit of doing some type of exercise on a regular basis!

The funny thing about good habits is this: they always seem easier to break than they were to begin. So let's keep it up!

And why not add to it? Through the month of July I want to put another challenge out there. Let's create another healthy habit! This will be different for everyone, whether it's getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, flossing every day, eating breakfast regularly or getting to the gym in the mornings, let's make the month of July about creating healthy habits!

Let me know what you want to tackle this month. I love to hear from you!

Eating Well on the Run

A question I get quite a bit from clients as well as friends and family is this: "What do I eat if I am on the run and don't have healthy food with me?"

Over the years I have done a lot of research and taste testing to be able to answer this question as well as I possibly can.

Obviously, I believe that preparation is of utmost importance when it comes to keeping a healthy diet. Grocery shopping with a list, having your meals planned for the week and bringing along enough clean meals and snacks to last you throughout your day are key. But I also understand that things happen and it's hard to always be 100% prepared.

In situations such as this, it is important to have a back up plan. Notice I say back up plan and not a go-to when you are feeling lazy or too tired to pack your lunch!

I've listed two great options to keep you on track as much as possible when on the run, traveling, or as happened to me this week, getting home late from vacation and having no food in the house and zero desire to cook! So if you must...

Subway's new breakfast sandwiches, which I just tried for the first time last week. It was suprisingly tasty and resembled what I might make at home on a Saturday morning. I tried the Western ham and cheese which consists of a wheat english muffin, egg or egg white (I chose the egg white), black forest ham, bell peppers and onion and a touch of cheddar cheese, toasted to melty goodness. At only 180 calories, you would want to pair it with some fresh fruit and a bit of non-fat yogurt to fuel you throughout the morning, but in my opinion, a no-brainer alternative to Dunkin Doughnuts or McD's for an on-the-run option.


Chik-fil-a's Grilled Chicken Sandwich, which also conveniently comes on a whole grain bun! And unlike other places with a "healthy" chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-a serves their sandwiches with suprisingly plump tomato slices and a few crisp pieces of romaine. The first time I tasted this chicken sandwich I was impressed! It contains 300 calories, but resist the urge to splurge on their waffle fries and avoid the additional 350 calories (in a medium fries)! Instead, order the side salad at a modest 50 calories.


There are certainly descent options out there, we just need to be conscious about the choices we make while eating out. And please feel free to shoot me any questions!

Dressing It Up

I'll be the first to admit I've never been one of those girls who fills up on salad and calls it a meal...though I can get on board with a well put together side salad. It can be the perfect compliment to a lovely meal and get you closer to your daily quota of veggies. What could be better?

I think my problem is that I frequently find myself in a salad rut and can't seem to think beyond the old roasted veggies or dried fruit and nut combo with some kind of vinaigrette...boring! At least after you've had it a few times that week.

Fortunately, I recently came across this fabulous article on Whole Foods blog. Even though the ideas weren't necessarily new to me, it was a delightful reminder of ways to spruce up my greens. And just in time for Summer!

I can't wait to try these lovely looking combos!


Carrot Dressing

1 carrot, grated
2 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon agave nectar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root

Put all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.

Per serving (about 2 Tablespoons/23g-wt.): 25 calories (0 from fat), 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 5g total carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 0g protein

Low-Fat "Caesar" Dressing

2/3 cup (about 5 ounces) firm silken tofu
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons light soy or chickpea miso
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
1/4 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire (optional)
2 cloves garlic
Ground black pepper, to taste

Put all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.

Per serving (about 2 Tablespoons/44g-wt.): 30 calories (5 from fat), 0.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 5g total carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 2g protein

Creamy Orange-Avocado Dressing

3 green onions, trimmed
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
1/2 cup orange juice
Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Put all ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.

Per serving (about 11oz/307g-wt.): 120 calories (35 from fat), 4g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 20g total carbohydrate (7g dietary fiber, 11g sugar), 4g protein

What is Clean Eating Anyway?

It has occurred to me that I talk a lot about eating clean, but maybe haven't been too specific about what exactly that means. I simply believe it is the best way to obtain a balanced and healthy life. Most importantly, it is a lifestyle, not a diet. With that said, I live by Dr. Cooper's philosophy of 80%/20%, meaning I try to eat clean 80% of the time with a 20% "cushion" for more indulgent foods. Because if it's not already abundantly clear, I have a soft spot for making and sharing dessert!

So what are the basic principals of clean eating? Below is an exerpt from Clean Eating magazine. I included a few of the points I felt most important to highlight.

Borrowed from the July/August issue of Clean Eating Magazine:

How to eat and live clean: The soul of clean eating is consuming food in its most natural state, or as close as possible. It is not a diet; it's a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation, leading to an improved life-one meal at a time.

*Eat five to six times a day- three meals and two to three small snacks. Include a protein, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal. This keeps your body energized and burning calories efficiently all day long.

*Get label savvy- clean foods include one or two ingredients. Any products with a long ingredient list is human-made and not considered clean.

*Learn about portion sizes- and work toward eating within them.

*Slow down and savor- Never rush through a meal. Food tastes best when savored. Enjoy every bite!

For more information about clean eating, check out The Eat Clean Diet, Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Cookbook (my absolute favorite!!) and Clean Eating magazine!

Clumpy and Crisp Applesauce Granola

A few months ago I jumped into the granola making world head on. And I fell in love. Granola always seemed far too time consuming and quite honestly, there were endless options out there. Much too confusing to a granola virgin. That is until it occured to me to use the tried and true formula of my good friend Lael, which is quite amazing (check it out here)! That recipe and I have gotten along quite nicely these past several months.

So why have I decided to venture any further? Well, because I love experimenting and I happened to have every ingredient on hand for this recipe.

And let me tell you, I am so glad I did! This recipe has some subtle differences from my dear friends. It is wonderfully clumpy, not too sweet and perfect atop some Greek yogurt with a few banana slices or fresh berries. Honestly, I love how healthy this version is. Though let me say, I did add a pinch of raw sugar for a bit of added sweetness. Either way, it turned out exceptionally well!

The result: this girl now has two fantastic granola recipes to go to!


Clumpy & Crisp Applesauce Granola
recipe from Everybody Likes Sandwiches

6 c large flake oats
1/4 c flax meal
1/2 c wheat germ
1 T cinnamon
large pinch of nutmeg
1/2 t kosher salt
3 c whole almonds (I substituted for pecans)
1 c unsweetened shredded coconut
3 T olive oil
2 c applesauce
1/3 c honey or agave syrup (increase if you like a sweeter granola)
2 c dried cranberries or raisins or dried apple bits

Preheat oven to 300F. In a large bowl, mix together the first 8 ingredients. Add in the oil, applesauce and honey or agave syrup and mix well using your hands until everything is well coated. Spread mixture between two baking sheets lined with silpat or parchment paper and bake, turning mixture frequently and rotating pans until the mixture is dry and golden. For me, this took about 1 hour or a bit more. Add the dried fruit as soon as it comes out of the oven. Let cool and then store in a sealed container.

On Jillian

Just a few short months ago I became a fan of The Biggest Loser. I know, I know, a little late in the game! But after watching the show only once or twice, I was hooked. How can you not love a television show where people are getting their lives back and inspiring our ever-growing nation to get healthy?! Drama set aside, it really is a great show!

Anyway, what started out as a sheer annoyance of Jillian Michaels has actually grown into a fondness for her. I suppose because I have come to learn that everyone is motivated in different ways and all types of trainers are needed, I've learned to tolerate Jillian's drill sargeant techniques (obviously not a style I am inclined to). And somewhere over the last few episodes of Biggest Loser, I actually decided to watch her new show that premeired last night, Losing it with Jillian.

To be honest, I haven't decided if I like it or not. It might take me a few more hours to mull it over.

While on her website last night during the show (clever advertising!) I came across the Wellness Cruise sponsored by Jillian. Imagine going on a cruise that is not focused on completely indulging yourself (and inevitably gaining 5 pounds), but on renewing your health while getting in fun fitness classes, healthy seminars and tons of delicious cuisine that is actually good for you! Now that is the kind of cruise I could get on board with!

And on that note, I plan on reading her book, Master Your Metabolism, since I've heard such great things about it

Are you a Jillian Michaels fan?

Once a Day

Is it really June already!?! I am beside myself that this year is almost halfway over. To be honest, earlier today I had a mild mid-year crisis, feeling as if I needed to evaluate my 2010 goals and see how well I have done thus far. How are you doing on those New Year's resolutions?

If you're feeling the need for some fresh motivation, read on!

While finishing up a cardio session with my husband tonight, the light bulb went off. For the next 30 days I will be heading up a challenge to Sweat Once a Day. After all, everybody loves a challenge! It doesn't matter how you accomplish this, as long as it is an intentional act of physical exercise such as running, cycling, yoga, weight lifting, hiking, etc.

The point is to move! Regular sweat sessions are proven to help create a healthy mind and body, relieve stress and increase your overall mood. Why is it when life gets the best of us we shrug off the most important practices, like regular exercise?

So if you are looking for fresh motivation or just need to beat some daily stress, jump on board with me and sweat once a day through the month of June!

Every time you exercise, post what you did on the "Lose Weight With Kate" Facebook page. And if you're really feeling eager, post a photo!

Happy sweating!

Drink Up!

The biggest excuse I hear for skipping breakfast is not having enough time in the morning. Even after giving my long saga about how it is the most important meal of the day, there are still those who skip it! So I wanted to share a quick, portable breakfast for those of you on the run (it literally takes 3 minutes from start to finish!). Believe me, it is as simple as it is delicious and full of rib-sticking ingredients that will stay with you until your next meal.

Keep in mind, this makes two servings so you can drink half as your first meal of the day and bring the rest for an afternoon pick-me-up!

Oatmeal may seem like a strange component to a smoothie, but I promise you can't even taste it and it adds a creamy, thick texture while giving you some added fiber! Feel free to play with different fruit in this recipe.

Oatmeal Smoothie
1 cup nonfat milk
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries and blueberries
1 medium banana
1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1 T flax seed oil

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings.

image via/mybodyzone