Raw Baby Foods

 While  mothers milk is the preferred baby's source of nutrition for a baby, eventually your baby starts to grow and becomes interested in what you are eating. So what are the best foods to transition to?  Well, I will tell you that when the weaning time, (after a year) came for my now 3 year old we didn't give him cows milk, goats milk, soy milk, rice milk or even almond milk. We gave him whole foods. Delicious whole foods with an abundance of their own nutrients. Whole foods and green smoothies. What happened to him? He has grown just the same as his older 3 siblings and is now a happy healthy kid. He has no idea what the yellow arches are, what sugared fruit snacks taste like, or even cheesy gold fish...and he doesn't even desire them, BUT he can tell you almost every fruit and vegetable in the grocery store and he will almost convince strangers at the park to only eat fruits and vegetables as he plays his "healthy store." :) Well, now his little sister is 10 months and has no teeth and and while she is still benefitting from her Mamma she is OH SO interested in everything that goes into our mouths!
 So, I thought I would post some of our favorite Raw Baby Foods.  They are just right for those little pincher fingers and soft enough to be mashed with gums.

1. Ripe Pears, skinned and diced
2. Blended Apples, (without the core and seeds)
3. Small chunks of grapefruit and soft dates
4. Chopped Strawberries
5. Blueberries, cut in half  (but watch for the skins, sometimes they get stuck on the roof of their mouth)
6. Chopped up Bananas
7. Frozen and slightly thawed or fresh Raspberries
8. Softened oatmeal (in warm water, then drained) with tiny chopped raisins
9. Ripe Peaches, skinned and diced
10. Ripe Avocadoes - this has to be our favorite. I consider it one of the most perfect baby foods because it is soft, easy to cut open and spoon right out of the shell, or to put chunks of on baby's tray and it is full of good fats!

*If you need something for your baby to suck on try dried papaya sticks, an instant fave!

 These are our top ten. I hope they help you and your baby. It's nice to know exactly what your baby is eating and that they are not fake foods from a jar or box. You're baby deserves the best, fresh is best!

Raw Honey Almond Butter Taffy

This is a simple delicious "candy" that we made up a few weeks ago. My kids say it has the texture of taffy. It's gooey and has a melt in your mouth sweet flavor.

2 C Raw Almonds
2 T Melted Coconut Oil
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 C Honey (the more raw the better)

In the blender, blend the almonds until they are starting to release the oils then slowly add the coconut oil while blending on low, add the salt then pour in the honey. If you can keep the blender going that's great. It will start to make one big gooey ball. Stop when it's all mixed together but not too oily. My blender did warm up quite a bit during the process.

Transfer to a sheet of wax paper and roll into long "snakes" (this part was fun for my 2 year old:)
Score into 1 inch pieces. Roll it up and chill in the fridge.

*I also made a chocolate version by splitting the batch and adding 2 T Cocoa to half and blending  until mixed. Think Raw tootsie rolls:)
*Also great made with Hazelnuts!

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

 It's October and with it comes the crispness in the air,  my birthday, and excitement of the Holidays right around the corner. I love the fresh smells of the leaves and in my house the smell of cinnamon!

3 C Oats
Set aside in a mixing bowl

In the blender
1 Gala Apple, chopped
1 C Almonds
10 Medjool Dates
1/8 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Blend together and slowly add in 3/4 C Agave

Add blender mixture to the dry oats.
Stir in 1/2 C Raisins

I used my 1 in. cookie scoop to get a good size and put the scooped mixture into my hands and flattened them down.
Set in dehydrator about 1-2 hours at 115 degrees. Eat warm!
 Makes about 32 cookies.

Cinnamon Apples

I don't know why I never thought of this. We put cinnamon on applesauce, so why not on apple slices? It's just a different texture. Cinnamon is a warming spice like cayenne and is great as the weather turns colder.
Here is a simple healthy kids snack,  and great for adults too. Sweet and Cinnamon yum.

Sliced apples
Sprinkle Cinnamon generously
Enjoy.

Raw Dessert Chocolate Shake/Ice Cream

I use to love Dairy Queens blizzards. I don't even remember what those tasted like when I eat this! This is also a great choice for healthy kids ice cream, we often add cups of spinach and no one can even taste or see the difference!

2 C Almond Milk (or water)
3 Frozen Bananas, sliced
1 C Almonds
1 C+ Ice
1/4 C Raw Cocoa Powder
1/4 C Agave
1 tsp Pure Vanilla

Blend all until thick and creamy. If you have a blender with an ice cream button, that works well.

Top with, or mix in pieces of Raw Milk Chocolate Fudge, Strawberries, and Pecans.