3 Yummy Toddler Meals They Won't Refuse

It can be incredibly frustrating to get a toddler to eat, let alone be sure that they are getting an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. Their little bodies are going through big changes that have a monumental effect on their appetite. Sometimes, my little one will ask for more, and sometimes he only takes 3 bites and he's done. 

The key is preparing foods that he can enjoy, that have nutrients packed into every single bite. 

 One of the things I learned not to do is give him what I know he likes just because I know he will eat it. French fries may be tasty, but they are certainly not an everyday thing. 

 

The following meals are colorful and healthy, and they have Nico running to the dinner table every night!

Salami and Swiss Cheese Sandwich with Mustard and Margarine, and Carrot Sticks and low fat Ranch dip

 Kielbasa Sausage with Carbonara Elbow Macaroni, and Juicy Cucumbers

Homemade Fish Sticks, White Rice & Black Beans w/ Fresh Chopped Spinach, and Juicy Cucumbers

**BONUS**

For a delicious and nutritious dessert, Apple Slices with Vanilla Yogurt!

Sunday Dinner

This week for dinner I decided to try a new recipe, Pink Bean chili with Shrimp and Beef. This meal took about half an hour to make since I cooked everything simultaneously.

To make it into a baby food, after meal is cooked add 1 cup of water and blend to desired consistency. 

That way every one can enjoy the same meal as you sit together sharing and enjoying the company of one another! 

Ingredients

1/2 pound of ground beef

1 cup of rice

1/4 cup frozen spinach

1 8oz can of corn

2 garlic cloves

1/4 cup of onions

Directions

Season ground beef.

Brown the seasoned ground beef with the onions and garlic.

Warm beans in separate pot along with the frozen spinach and add 1/3 cup of water (do not drain the beans) 

• Season beans with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt to taste with a dash of lemon zest. 

When the meat is about half way browned add the shrimp so that it can soak up the yummy juices of the beef.

When the meat is brown drain it and add it to the beans. 

Cook for 10 minutes on low, then add corn. 

Meanwhile cook a pot of white rice until soft. 

When it is almost ready (maybe has 2 minutes left) add it to the chili mixture. 

Mix and cover, cook on low for 5 - 7 minutes and serve in bowls.

I also served this yummy mean with a side of honey biscuits! 

BUEN PROVECHO! =)

DIY Baby Food

As a young mother, I know better than anyone how difficult in can be to save money. Kids are their own people, and they come with their own needs and expenses. One way Pedro and I have managed to save HUNDREDS of dollars is by making our own baby food!

What I do is make our regular meals (lunch and dinner), I add about a cup of each dish, then I add a cup and a half of water and I blend it up in the Magic Bullet to the desired consistency.  I have been using the regular spices that the meal calls for ever since Nico started on mashed solids at about 6 months, and I have had no health problems (food allergies, upset stomach, etc.) with it at all! 

Best of all is that Nico loves it just as much as he likes Gerber. He has tried a variety of different meals which helped me avoid encouraging picky eating habits, and allows him to get all kinds of vitamins and minerals from diverse sources! 

Today for lunch he enjoyed Parmesan Crab Cake Bites with Cheddar Pasta and Beats! For dessert he had Cinnamon Banana Puree!

The recipes are simple:

Parmesan Crab Cake Bites with Cheddar Pasta and Beats

1 cup cheddar pasta

5 crab cake bites

1 half can of beats

1 1/2 cups of water

Mix all ingredients together and blend to desired consistency. 

Cinnamon Banana Puree

1 1/2 table spoons of cinnamon

3 bananas 

1 cup of milk

Mix all ingredients together and blend to desired consistency.