Balance

So it’s a little grey this weekend.

The flowers don’t mind.

We haven’t had rain in over 2 weeks.  Nope, just sunshine, lolly pops and butterflies for two weeks straight.  It’s time to sacrifice some bliss for a little grey.  The grey brings with it fresh rain for the flowers and their escape from the opposite of fresh pipe water that has to suffice while the barrels are dry.  It also brings with it a guilt free spell for us spent indoors doing things around the house without the sun screaming, “YOU SHOULD BE OUT HERE!!”.  No, the grey doesn’t scream, it gently allows you to go about your day.

It’s all about balance.  You have to take the good with the bad.  You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have The Facts of Life. I clearly watched too much t.v. growing up.  But you get what I’m saying.  If the universe was wonderful all the time our wonderful would become average.  The crappy days help to boost the otherwise average days to outstanding. 

I’ve just realized this is my 40^th post.  I began my quest of blogging baby food recipes last September to help generate the content for a baby food cook book I am writing in my spare time.  I’m happy to say the content is building up nicely, but I wish I had more time to start pulling everything together for the book.  Baby steps…all in due time. 

40 posts!?  Right from the beginning I vowed to try to make the blog interesting and more than just a diatribe on how to make baby food at home.  I would have never imagined I could come up with 40 things to talk about to entertain the masses.  And by masses I mean my husband, mom and dad, and friend’s great grandmother who read this blog.

Don’t worry, the book will be less about the history of Mr. Potato Head and the other tangents I run off on in this blog, and more about making amazing, fresh food for your baby at home.  However, I’m sure you will find hints of novelty throughout…it’s in my soul.  We’ll see.

That’s my cue for this week’s puree.  We’re going to do an Apple and Pear Puree with a hint of cinnamon for a little flavour experimentation for your older 8 month old baby.  If baby is 6-7 months you can leave the cinnamon out.  Spices are a nice way to add some flavour dimension to baby’s usual fare without adding salt.  Just wait until they are around 8 months, and you only need to add a tiny amount for baby to notice the flavour update.

Ready…Set…Evolve…

Apples, Pears and Everything Nice (cinnamon spice)

Age – 8 months +

Ingredients

·         4 Apples

·         4 Pears

·         ¼ tsp. Cinnamon Spice

Baby Steps

1.      Peel, core and slice apples and pears taking care to slice each fruit in pieces about the same size.

2.      Add apples to a large pot and add 3 tbsps. of water.  Turn heat on to medium high and cook for a few minutes until you start to hear a sizzling sound.  Turn heat down to medium, cover and cook for 10 minutes.

3.      Add pears to the pot along with cinnamon and stir together with the apples.  Cover and continue to cook for another 15 minutes stirring often until fruit is bubbly, tender and juicy.

4.      Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.  Transfer to a blender, food processor or bowl to use hand held blender to puree.

5.      Puree to a smooth consistency.

6.      Let cool for a few minutes then transfer to freezing trays in the freezer to use within 3 months, or to a food storage container in the fridge to use within 48 hrs.

Makes – 18 servings  (1 serving = 2 tbsps.)

Note:  This recipe makes a lot but don’t worry, the older kids will love it and it’s also great for adults as a condiment on pork chops.

When choosing the apples, make sure to use a sweet variety like Gala rather than sour like Granny Smith or the tartness will make baby’s face turn inside out.  It will be funny, but probably not the best flavour experience for baby.  You’re probably better to watch Seinfeld reruns for a laugh instead.

I’m off to embrace the grey and do some housework.  Oooh…I can’t wait to see how this blah day will transform my otherwise mediocre day tomorrow to fantastic!!