Surviving Dinner Out

With a little time and some prep work in the kitchen, you can make your own "fast food" meals. Just because  your baby eats solids now (table foods) does not mean that you can't continue to prepare healthy meals for your little one. The effort to make a healthy meal is worth every minute of time! 

Let's get started on the products that can make your life easier when headed out for dinner! 

Ziploc containers

These Ziploc containers are so convenient and easy to wash. I usually pack one up from leftovers each night for lunch the following day. The best part is if you have liquids the top seals each individual section so there's no leaking. I have another option below for a stainless steel option by Planet Box that I'm lusting over but haven't made the investment yet. 

Boon spoon and fork

Until recently I was using the infant spoons and the Take and Toss but these by Boon are great for when she wants to take a stab at feeding herself! They are even bendable so they fit her little chubby hands very well. We are not there yet but she needs the practice. 

Zoli Bot straw cup

This is the best cup ever! No leaks, no spills and very portable! Doll Baby had a hard time with a sippy so I went straight for a straw cup since that's the ultimate goal I just skipped a few steps. We started a sippy around 5ish months for fun and by 7 months she was proficient with the straw! Thanks to the Playtex mommy assisted straw cup for helping us learn to suck the straw. Since she would drink from the Zoli Bot she hasn't had a bottle since 7 months! Isn't that crazy? Since I breastfed she never really had many bottles anyway but I'm thankful we don't have to deal with getting rid of the bottle! God cares about the details! 

Disposable placemats

These are helpful so Doll Baby doesn't have to eat off the dirty table when we are out but if anyone has a better suggestion I'm open to trying something new. I'm sure there's a better product! 

Disposable bibs

I keep these in the diaper bag for emergencies when we forget the beloved Baby Bjorn bib (below)

Baby Bjorn bib

This bib saves my life! It may not be the most attractive thing but it does a great job acting as a trough for my little piggy who enjoys her food a little too much sometimes. Your waiter or waitress will love you too since it keeps a lot of food off the floor! 

Take and Toss spoon

I loved these for their convenience and the size of the spoon was perfect for Doll Baby's petite mouth.  

Neoprene Lunch Box was purchased at Swaddle located in Homewood, AL. 

Planet Box

I'd love to try this product out but haven't justified the $65 price tag. If anyone knows of another product like this I'd be willing to check it out! 

What products do you use to make life easier? Who uses a shopping cart cover? 

Fun Finger Foods

I'm excited to share some of Doll Baby's favorite finger foods with you today! We started finger foods shortly after she really picked up solids, around 7.5 months old. My healthy eater was becoming very impatient as mommy spoon fed her the homemade purees I had whipped up in the kitchen several months before we gave her the first bite of sweet potato. I couldn't shovel the homemade purees fast enough so I decided a little early pincer work would be good for her. I have a happy, healthy eater on my hands so I knew I better get busy finding more variety so she wouldn't get bored. 

I know how confusing starting solids can be and they wreck havoc on your "routine" especially the more kiddos you have (so I hear) but I'm here to help give you ideas to keep their diet as healthy as possible, still feel like you can go out to lunch and not order chicken fingers for every meal! It's such a blessing to have a great eater--I know many of you probably struggle with the opposite of what I'm describing here so my advice would be to not push food and offer LOTS of variety at the dinner table. Over the last 6 months I've eaten the almost exact same meal that I offer my baby unless it was too spicy or not soft enough. She realizes now that my plate has the same things and reaches for mine. It would be hard for her to understand that she can't eat off mommy's plate if I had a diet coke and pizza for dinner every night. Feeding my child has brought on a whole new level of responsibility for me-- Whew, I look at that piece of cake a LOT differently now!!! 

I make about 80% of what Doll Baby eats so I usually take meals with us everywhere since she started solids at 6 months so we have a pretty good routine down now. I'll share the products we use to make life easier when you go out to eat in another post. 

Now to the good stuff...

I've had many of you ask about the first finger foods I introduced to Doll Baby's diet so I've decided to share a list from my favorite baby site, Isis Parenting. 

http://blog.isisparenting.com/favorite-finger-foods-for-babies-to-self-feed/

Here are some of our favorite finger foods:

• Steamed Asparagus 

• Sauteed Mushrooms

• Avocado rolled in Cheerios for a better grip

• Cheerios

• Bell pepper slices

• Black Beans 

• Blueberries 

• Steamed Broccoli

• Roasted Carrots 

• Bag Cheese

• Chick peas

• Cucumber (diced)

• French toast strips

• Frozen peas

• Grapes (sliced)

• Mandarin oranges and Clementines

• Peaches

• Pears

• Raisins (hint: soak in hot water to soften)

• Roasted vegetables: Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips

• Egg Yolk

• Diced Strawberries 

• Roasted Sweet potatoes

• Turkey breast slices from deli (quality, Low sodium)

• Watermelon

Until next time...Happy Cooking!