Some of the recipes I have tried so far. I will include the quantity of baby food produced for the recipes I remember the output on. Please remember that all quantities include liquid of formula or water introduced to produce the appropriate consistency for my baby. The size of the produce you choose to use and the amount of liquid you add will effect your total output. See previous post on how to prepare baby food using the Babycook.
The cost of store bought baby food (based on Plum Organics - my backup brand) in the store is 37 cents per ounce.
Bananas
Three bananas steamed on level 2 and pureed with formula (beware - banana will turn brown, but that doesnt mean its spoiled).
Output: 16 oz
Homemade Cost: 4 cents per ounce (does not include cost of formula)
Avocado
1 avocado steamed on level 2 and pureed with formula (avocado will turn brown - I was afraid to freeze the avocado so I tossed what we didnt eat in 2 days).
Output: 8 ounces
Homemade Cost: 13 cents per ounce
Apples (Using Pink Lady Apples)
2 apples steamed on level 2 and pureed with water. Feel free to try cinnamon (just a pinch) in the apples after you are sure that your baby is not allergic to apples.
Output: 10 ounces
Homemade Cost: 16 cents per ounce
Butternut Squash
Peel and seed 1 Butternut Squash and steam on level 3 and puree with water.
Output: 24 ounces
Homemade Cost: 17 cents per ounce
Sweet Potato
Peel 3 sweet potatoes and steam on level 3 and puree with water. Once you are sure baby is not allergic, consider added a pinch of cinnamon.
Output: 34 ounces
Homemade Cost: 6 cents per ounce
Baby's First Blend - Try mixing squash and apples in a 1:1 ratio! Yum!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Why chose to use the Beaba Babycook and how to use it
I purchased my Babycook when my daughter turned 6 months old because I wanted to make my own babyfood. I determined that this machine was cost effective for several reasons:
1.) Store bought babyfood costs $1 for every ounce to two ounces of babyfood
2.) I want to feed my daughter pure food without preservitives or chemical additives
3.) I want to know what my daughter is eating and control the flavors and seasonings she is exposed to
4.) I want to create a flavor palate experience that matches our general diet and provide a healthy foundation for my daughter's experience with food.
5.) This machine allows me to steam, puree, and reheat in one easy to clean device. No extra dishes to wash and I can easily make babyfood while cooking dinner.
About the Unit:
The Babycook includes instructions with indications on how much water is needed to cook the item you are planning to use.
The unit includes the base device which houses the water resoviour and the time/puree control,a cooking container, a steam basket, and a blade for pureeing, and a spatula for lifting the hot steam basket.
The cooking container looks like a blender pitcher. The blade connects to the bottom with a screw on the bottom on the unit. It is very easy to remove for cleaning. The cooking unit also has two sets of markings: measuring cup units on one side and water level measuring units on the other. The water level measuring units are marked: 1, 2, and 3. Level 1 is for reheating, level 2 is most fruits and vegtables, and level 3 is for denser procduce. The water is measured in the cooking unit and then it is poured into the base unit through a small hole at the top of the unit (under the lid hinge).
How to make your babyfood:
1.) Peel and chop produce (or meat) into small pieces - remove seeds and cores
2.) Measuse water and fill reserviour
3.) Snap cooking cointainer into base unit
4.) Put steam basket into cooking container
5.) Add food pieces into steam basket
6.) Close lit and press lock button
7.) Press the steam button (the machine times the cook based on the water level)
8.) When the steam button flashes and beeps - cooking is done
9.) Open lid and use spatula to lift steam basket
10.) Remove liquid from bottom of cooking unit (depending on what you cooked you may want to reuse the steam liquid for pureeing, but you may not) - reserve liquid if you want to reuse it
11.) Add cooked food to the cooking unit, place the lid cover on top of the cooking container, and the close the lid.
12.) Turn the puree control and puree food product. Add steam liquid, water, forumla, or breast milk. (If using breast milk, it must be fresh if you plan to freeze the babyfood. Breast milk should never be refrozen).
Storing:
I use silicone baby food trays for initial freezing and then remove and keep frozen in Zip Lock Freezer bags. Babyfood can be frozen for 3 months. All food used for babies should be cooked for the first year, including fruit.
1.) Store bought babyfood costs $1 for every ounce to two ounces of babyfood
2.) I want to feed my daughter pure food without preservitives or chemical additives
3.) I want to know what my daughter is eating and control the flavors and seasonings she is exposed to
4.) I want to create a flavor palate experience that matches our general diet and provide a healthy foundation for my daughter's experience with food.
5.) This machine allows me to steam, puree, and reheat in one easy to clean device. No extra dishes to wash and I can easily make babyfood while cooking dinner.
About the Unit:
The Babycook includes instructions with indications on how much water is needed to cook the item you are planning to use.
The unit includes the base device which houses the water resoviour and the time/puree control,a cooking container, a steam basket, and a blade for pureeing, and a spatula for lifting the hot steam basket.
The cooking container looks like a blender pitcher. The blade connects to the bottom with a screw on the bottom on the unit. It is very easy to remove for cleaning. The cooking unit also has two sets of markings: measuring cup units on one side and water level measuring units on the other. The water level measuring units are marked: 1, 2, and 3. Level 1 is for reheating, level 2 is most fruits and vegtables, and level 3 is for denser procduce. The water is measured in the cooking unit and then it is poured into the base unit through a small hole at the top of the unit (under the lid hinge).
How to make your babyfood:
1.) Peel and chop produce (or meat) into small pieces - remove seeds and cores
2.) Measuse water and fill reserviour
3.) Snap cooking cointainer into base unit
4.) Put steam basket into cooking container
5.) Add food pieces into steam basket
6.) Close lit and press lock button
7.) Press the steam button (the machine times the cook based on the water level)
8.) When the steam button flashes and beeps - cooking is done
9.) Open lid and use spatula to lift steam basket
10.) Remove liquid from bottom of cooking unit (depending on what you cooked you may want to reuse the steam liquid for pureeing, but you may not) - reserve liquid if you want to reuse it
11.) Add cooked food to the cooking unit, place the lid cover on top of the cooking container, and the close the lid.
12.) Turn the puree control and puree food product. Add steam liquid, water, forumla, or breast milk. (If using breast milk, it must be fresh if you plan to freeze the babyfood. Breast milk should never be refrozen).
Storing:
I use silicone baby food trays for initial freezing and then remove and keep frozen in Zip Lock Freezer bags. Babyfood can be frozen for 3 months. All food used for babies should be cooked for the first year, including fruit.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Nursery Tour - pre baby's arrival
The nursery wasnt 100% finished at this point, but it was mostly finished. Since I made this video we added a valance, changing pad, picture collage and large canvas print of G's newborn picture. We also replaced the bookshelf with a custom one my husband made. I will try to remember to post updated pictures.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Trialing a new skincare routine
I have recently started to really show interest in a true skincare routine. Before I only washed my face in the shower and only used a moisturizer about 50% of the time. After reading some good articles and discussion boards I decided to really bite the bullet and go from no routine to a variant of the Korean 10 step routine.
I bought a few things based on reviews and I bought the Sephora "The Great Cleanse" sampler. I also have acquired several deluxe size samples.
So I read several articles about the Korean 10 Step routine and then I dumbed it down for my newbie uses.
Morning:
1.) Cleanse - Purity Made Simple
2.) Exfoliate - Sometimes I use Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, but mostly I combine this step with #3.
3.) Tone - Bliss Steep Clean Mattifying Toner Pads
4.) Serum - Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector (I will try their Truth Serum when I run out because its easier to find)
5.) Eye Cream - Nurish Organic Renewing Eye Cream (I am currently using a sample and I am not sure that I will repurchase it. Its a good cream, but I want to try other options)
6.) Moisturizer - Hope Oil Free SPF 30
I follow this with a primer, Dr. Jart Black Label cream and the rest of my makeup routine
Evening:
1.) Remove Makeup - Mary Kay Eye Makeup Remover
2.) Cleansing Oil - Boscia Makeup Breakup Oil
3.) Cleanse - Ole Henriksen African Tea Foaming Cleanser
4.) Exfoliate- FAB Facial Radiance Pads
5.) Tone - Combined with step 4
6.) Serum - Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector
7.) Eye Cream - Nurish Organic Renewing Eye Cream
8,) Facial Oil - Josie Maran Argan Oil Light
9.) Moisturizer - Hope Oil Free SPF 30
10.) Night Cream - Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation
Weekly - Boscia Luminizing Black Mask
Notes on process and products:
Overall I really like this routine. I can definitely tell a difference in my skin tone, texture, color, and my pore size. My favorite products (that I will definitely buy again) are Boscia Makeup Break up Oil, Ole Henriksen African Tea Foaming Cleanser, Bliss Toner Pads, and the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. My favorite brands so far are Boscia and Ole Henriksen. I will be replacing the FAB pads with an additional application of the Bliss pads when I run out. I hate the way the FAB pads smell. The facial oil seems to help my moisturizer absorb better, but I dont think its a necessary step and I dont like the smell on the Josie Maran. I am not sure if I will keep this step or if I will keep it and try a different product.
I noticeably left out two of the Korean Skin Routine steps: essence and sheet masks, There are not many US brands of essence in the US and the ones I found were really expensive. I didnt think this step was worth the cost. I like the idea of sheet masks, but I havent decided which ones I want to try. Its recommended to use from every day to twice a week. If I decide to use this step it would be once or twice a week.
Do you have any favorites you would like to recommend? What does your skincare routine look like?
I bought a few things based on reviews and I bought the Sephora "The Great Cleanse" sampler. I also have acquired several deluxe size samples.
So I read several articles about the Korean 10 Step routine and then I dumbed it down for my newbie uses.
Morning:
1.) Cleanse - Purity Made Simple
2.) Exfoliate - Sometimes I use Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, but mostly I combine this step with #3.
3.) Tone - Bliss Steep Clean Mattifying Toner Pads
4.) Serum - Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector (I will try their Truth Serum when I run out because its easier to find)
5.) Eye Cream - Nurish Organic Renewing Eye Cream (I am currently using a sample and I am not sure that I will repurchase it. Its a good cream, but I want to try other options)
6.) Moisturizer - Hope Oil Free SPF 30
I follow this with a primer, Dr. Jart Black Label cream and the rest of my makeup routine
Evening:
1.) Remove Makeup - Mary Kay Eye Makeup Remover
2.) Cleansing Oil - Boscia Makeup Breakup Oil
3.) Cleanse - Ole Henriksen African Tea Foaming Cleanser
4.) Exfoliate- FAB Facial Radiance Pads
5.) Tone - Combined with step 4
6.) Serum - Ole Henriksen Enlighten Me Skin Tone Corrector
7.) Eye Cream - Nurish Organic Renewing Eye Cream
8,) Facial Oil - Josie Maran Argan Oil Light
9.) Moisturizer - Hope Oil Free SPF 30
10.) Night Cream - Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation
Weekly - Boscia Luminizing Black Mask
Notes on process and products:
Overall I really like this routine. I can definitely tell a difference in my skin tone, texture, color, and my pore size. My favorite products (that I will definitely buy again) are Boscia Makeup Break up Oil, Ole Henriksen African Tea Foaming Cleanser, Bliss Toner Pads, and the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. My favorite brands so far are Boscia and Ole Henriksen. I will be replacing the FAB pads with an additional application of the Bliss pads when I run out. I hate the way the FAB pads smell. The facial oil seems to help my moisturizer absorb better, but I dont think its a necessary step and I dont like the smell on the Josie Maran. I am not sure if I will keep this step or if I will keep it and try a different product.
I noticeably left out two of the Korean Skin Routine steps: essence and sheet masks, There are not many US brands of essence in the US and the ones I found were really expensive. I didnt think this step was worth the cost. I like the idea of sheet masks, but I havent decided which ones I want to try. Its recommended to use from every day to twice a week. If I decide to use this step it would be once or twice a week.
Do you have any favorites you would like to recommend? What does your skincare routine look like?
Friday, January 23, 2015
Diapers: My choice
When I was pregnant I did a ton of research and read lots of mommy blogs and reviews about diapers. After all this reading I knew that I was 100% going to use Pamper's Swaddlers, but consider other options when my daughter outgrew Swaddlers because I wanted to avoid Pamper's Dry Max product.
When G was born we used Pamper's Swaddlers in the Newborn size for about a month and we LOVED them! I knew my choice had been correct! Then came the time to switch to size 1s and boy were we in trouble! The Pampers Swaddlers size 1s were huge on G! You could see straight through the leg holes! Its almost like they were 1 1/2s...lol. Pampers just weren't going to work for us anymore.
We used Huggies Little Snugglers for awhile and during the time we were using them, they had a product change. I noticed the inside of the newer huggies seemed kind of quilted. I like the newer version of the Huggies much better than the old ones.
Diaper Sizing
(I meant to take a picture comparing diaper sizes by brand, but in the craziness that is new motherhood, I never made the time. I look a bit around the web and couldn't really find a picture that really showed the size differences in the diaper brands.)
At one point I had Pamper's Swaddlers, Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, Up and Up (Target), Huggies Little Snugglers, and Honest Company diapers in Size one. This would have made a great photo, so I am sorry I didnt take the time to make one.
Since I dont have a photo, I will do my best with a description.
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive are slightly larger than regular Pamper's Swaddlers. Up and Up, Huggies, and Honest Company are similar in size, but are different in shape. The Up and Up brand are more rounded in the bottom area, almost U shapped, while Huggies and Honest Company diapers are more rectangular. Up and Up are fluffier feeling, Huggies are the softest, and Honest Company seem kind of stiff.
(**Oh look I did find a picture. This picture is from the miny-moe.com website. I am not endorsing the site, because I have never used them, but I want to give them credit for the picture.)
Choosing a new diaper:
When G was born we used Pamper's Swaddlers in the Newborn size for about a month and we LOVED them! I knew my choice had been correct! Then came the time to switch to size 1s and boy were we in trouble! The Pampers Swaddlers size 1s were huge on G! You could see straight through the leg holes! Its almost like they were 1 1/2s...lol. Pampers just weren't going to work for us anymore.
We used Huggies Little Snugglers for awhile and during the time we were using them, they had a product change. I noticed the inside of the newer huggies seemed kind of quilted. I like the newer version of the Huggies much better than the old ones.
Diaper Sizing
(I meant to take a picture comparing diaper sizes by brand, but in the craziness that is new motherhood, I never made the time. I look a bit around the web and couldn't really find a picture that really showed the size differences in the diaper brands.)
At one point I had Pamper's Swaddlers, Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, Up and Up (Target), Huggies Little Snugglers, and Honest Company diapers in Size one. This would have made a great photo, so I am sorry I didnt take the time to make one.
Since I dont have a photo, I will do my best with a description.
Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive are slightly larger than regular Pamper's Swaddlers. Up and Up, Huggies, and Honest Company are similar in size, but are different in shape. The Up and Up brand are more rounded in the bottom area, almost U shapped, while Huggies and Honest Company diapers are more rectangular. Up and Up are fluffier feeling, Huggies are the softest, and Honest Company seem kind of stiff.
(**Oh look I did find a picture. This picture is from the miny-moe.com website. I am not endorsing the site, because I have never used them, but I want to give them credit for the picture.)
 |
| Honest Company, Pampers Swaddlers, Huggies Little Snugglers, Up and Up, Parent's Choice, and Luvs |
During our Size 1 days I received an email from Honest Company offering me 50% off of up to 3 subscriptions. I believe I received this email because I had signed up for the trial to get samples and then immediately canceled because we had a ton of diapers in the closest. I redeemed the coupon for 1 month of Size 1s and 1 month of Size 2s and then canceled the subscriptions again.
When we ran out of the Huggies we started using the Honest Company and it was love at first diapering! The prints are so cute, they fit G great (she is tall and skinny), and they after figuring up the cost utilizing a subscription, they weren't any more costly than Pampers or Huggies.
We used Honest Company with no complaint until we went up a size to the Size 2s and then ran out of our Honest Company stockpile. We had some Huggies in the closet so my husband wanted to use them up before we reordered our Honest Company subscription. After 1 day of using the Huggies my husband was adamant we find a store and go by more Honest Company diapers right then! He hated the Huggies! I dont know why they worked so well for us when G was wearing Size 1s, but not that she is wearing Size 2s she keeps exploding out of and peeing through the Huggies diapers. Some days twice!!! We have now used Huggies for a week and I am so glad our new subscription of Honest Company has arrived!
The Cost: Do Pretty and Awesome diapers cost more than the others? (*based on Sz 2)
Target
Pampers Swaddlers 92 pack - $24.99 - 27 cents each
Huggies Little Snugglers 92 Pack - $24.99 - 27 cents each
Honest Company 34 pack - 35 cents each
Honest Company Subscription
240 diapers, 4 packs of wipes - $79.95 (delivered to your door - Free shipping)
- If you subtract the cost of the wipes $4.99 each (same price as target) then you are looking at a base price of $59.99 which is 25 cents per diaper.
Its clear! Honest Company diapers are cheaper!!!! Plus you get to pick your designs and you dont have to go to the store! I also really like that they are Chlorine free, plant based, and fragrance free! Its a bonus that Honest Company wipes were already our favorite (our second favorites are Water Wipes). You can also earn rewards at towards your Honest Company account (click here to order yours and help me earn rewards!), you can cancel your subscription at any time, and you can decide how often you want your order shipped!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Obsessed with Reds
I seem to be loving red lippies lately! This is my collection of reds as of December 14, minus a Mary Kay Tinted Balm in Poppy.
My favorites are Bite Scarlett, Hourglass Icon, Fresh Sugar Passion, Mary Kay Gloss Rock N Red, and Sephora Rouge Infusion Red Essence.
My favorites are Bite Scarlett, Hourglass Icon, Fresh Sugar Passion, Mary Kay Gloss Rock N Red, and Sephora Rouge Infusion Red Essence.
Getting back into the swing of things
I resolve that in 2015 I will catch up on my past promised blogs and write on a much more regular basis. I have so many things I want to say and it will be my goal to get my thoughts "on paper" to my blog at least twice a month.
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