Roasted Veggies for Hungry Toddlers

Baby food is a bit of a tricky subject. You have countless options, stacks of books, and plenty of opinions. I have told you before that I generally ascribe to a moderate philosophy of several approaches. Nina Plank being one of my favorite theorists on the subject. At the end of the day, two factors became really important for our family.

First, baby food shouldn't be hard.

In order for homemade baby food to work for our family, it needs to be easy. With Behr we made a fair number of purees and paired these with a baby led weaning approach. However, the purees we did make were often a simpler form of a meal we were already cooking, or a few of the same ingredients pulled aside for his meal. For Hudson, purees did not go over well. (Its likely time to clean them out of my freezer). Ever the independent child, he much prefers to feed himself even if the process takes longer and results in less food.

I have adapted to his preferences and our family food likes by roasting vegetables. Once or twice a week, generally when I am already planning to use the oven, I wash, peel, and dice a few root vegetables, fill a tray and toss with olive or coconut oil and sometimes salt and fresh herbs. This root vegetable toss accompanies all of our meals and are easy to reheat for Hudson's tiny pincer grasp.

Second, rules shouldn't confine us.

When we travel, we don't always get square meals and we use mostly pre-packaged pouches for things like apple sauce and yogurt. While we prefer to limit process foods and package waste, I don't like carrying a lot of extra stuff when we travel. At home we make our own apple sauce. When we travel, our boys love the GoGo Squeez (there is no E on the end, drives me crazy) pouches which we get at Costco. With only two ingredients, I am pretty happy about them too.

We also eat a lot of bananas, raisins, peanut butter crackers, cheese sticks, apples and gold fish. While these aren't top of the list of our every day foods, our kids enjoy them. When we are on the road or at a restaurant, I would rather break my rules of what they eat than create a potential food battle. I appreciate the portability of these foods and that they are low mess. Since they are less likely to get food stains, we are more likely to re-wear clothes on our trip. Bringing foods I know my kids like to eat always makes our jam packed travel weekends run smoother. There is not need to have hunger tantrums because of an artificial rule I am trying to uphold in extraordinary circumstances.

When I originally wrote this post, I didn't have a second point. However, our recent trip to Boston reminded me of how we like to be flexible and eat differently to accommodate that when we travel.

What are some of your go-to foods for kids? 

And do you have rules that guide what you feed them?

 Disclaimer: compensated affiliate links may be used in this post.

Flights + Food

Last year, after a few plane trips with an infant in tow, I felt like an expert. This past weekend launched us into flight count double digits and also a new phase of travel, flying-with-a-toddler-that-wants-to-feed-themselves-solid-foods-and-trying-not-to-make-a-mess. While I cannot make any promises on the mess front, I can share with you a few of my new favorite airport food stops. This past weekend we flew at dinner time on both ends of our flight - a great test run for out cross-country flights next month. I quickly learned a few things. Once we get through security, I now make a bee-line for the following eateries to stock up for the flight:

Starbucks - if you have a Starbucks post-security, get excited. These are also a great kid-friendly stop when you are on the road. Our two top picks are peeled dried apple rings and Horizon organic, shelf-stable milk. This is a must have when flying.

Sandwich Shop - typically you can find a fruit cup. This is a big win for my little family. I also hunt for veggie cups, and anywhere that sells soup and is typically willing to fork over a few packs of saltines. I also try to buy at least two water bottles for all of us to stay hydrated on the flight.

Third choice are the souvenir shops - chex mix, gold fish, water bottles, these are a great stop for pre-packaged goods if the fresher options aren't available.

Finally, I learned that bringing an extra small tupperware and or ziplock bag is extremely helpful to make these over priced purchases last, without spilling all over my carryon.

How about the other traveling mommas out there? I would love to know what you do for meals on the road. I am linking up with MiniMeals on with two cats. Join us!

A love affair with my freezer.

Alright folks, I gotta be honest. If you told me that I could only have one major kitchen appliance, I would definitely choose a freezer. It might sound crazy, but it is totally true. Give me a pile a wood to make fire if I ever loose my stove or oven. But with my freezer, I would be lost. When I have no idea what to feed Behr, my freezer always holds the answer. Frozen raviolis, waffles, farm share veggies like peas, corn, and green beans, and our family favorite, frozen fruit. We consume a high percentage of our fruit frozen in this household. Frozen raspberries or blueberries tossed into a glass of seltzer, frozen bananas or strawberries in a smoothie, and frozen grapes in the hight of summer. More recently, frozen fruit has become a staple for Behr. We are hooked on mango right now. Secretly, I hope my kids (assuming Behr isn't an only child) opt for frozen fruit over ice cream or popsicles some day. Wouldn't that be quite the victory!

Behr's Breakfast:

Fresh strawberries and frozen mango, cut in bite size chunks.

The perfect for the summer like weather we are having here in DC.

Even better on Behr's gums, sore from teething.

Here's the happy boy, himself.

Donning his new camera ready smile, complete squinted eyes.

+ + +

We are linking up with mini meals on with two cats. 

Hope you will hope over and check out how other moms are getting creative with meal time.

+ + +

And since we are talking about my love of my freezer, I would be remiss not to mention my favorite freezer ready meals:

1. Whole Family Italian Soup - I have frozen this with and without the pasta added. For ultimate texture, don't add the pasta until after you defrost.

2. Kentucky Style BBQ Chicken - This is a double bonus! A crockpot meal that you can also freeze. Plus you can freeze the rolls too!

3. The Best Chicken Tacos - The tortillas and shredded cheese can go in the freezer along with this chicken filling.

4. Lentil Soup - Just realized that I only ever included this is a baby meal planning guide! Must get a full recipe up with pictures, asap.

5. Bridget's Black Bean Soup - I have to steal this one from Bridget, because her recipe is the best!

6. Cookie Pie - The only part of this that uses the freezer is the cool whip, which you have to let soften...so it doesn't really need the freezer, but what would freezer meals be without dessert? And it is only three ingredients, so it is about as easy as a freezer meal!

Now go hug your freezer!

And if you are lucky enough to have an extra freezer, 

not just a rinky dink on top of a standard fridge freezer, 

I am insanely jealous of you.

Behr + Spinach

Behr seriously loves spinach...when it is in a quesadilla. In fact, he will eat most food when it is easy for him to pick up and fun shaped. (we consider triangles fun shapes in this house!) Once a week or so, I dedicate time to making a big batch of quesadillas to serve as a quick meal when he Behr needs to be fed stat. We have a short window when we get home around 6:00 and bedtime between 7:30 and 8:00, especially on bath nights.

So here is the drill that has been working for us:

I get a package of 10 tortillas and begin to shred cheese. I like finishing things, so this is typically a mix of whatever is open. All the while, I have a box of frozen chopped spinach cooking on the stove top. I also tend to throw in other left overs like this chicken from my tacos. The first batch of quesadillas takes the longest to cook, so I tend to prep the rest of the tortillas with filling, fold them over and stack them on the cutting board. By the time we get to the end, they cook much faster. (professional mommas, am I simply not letting the pan heat long enough?) After they cooked, I lay the quesadillas on the cutting board and let them cool before cutting. All of the cooled, cut, triangle quesadillas go in a container for easy access all week. The trick to making these work, is to understuff. I put far less filling in Behr's quesadillas than I would if I were making them for adults.

 

Behr's slightly pissed face, mauling his quesadilla.

If Behr is in the room, it is a mad dash to get some ready for him to eat...immediately! He loves these so much, he goes bonkers when he sees me start to prep! I couldn't get a single picture of the quesadillas on his tray before he went at 'em like a banchee. Oh, and see that casualy quesadilla under his elbow? That was stufffed with chicken. He's no fool, he wanted his green veggies. What can I say? My kid loves spinach.

joining mini meals on with two cats

E-A-T your brussels sprouts

I originally posted this recipe in 2008, and tweet about it every once in a while. It became a quick family favorite, and we were thrilled when Behr loved it too. My affinity for these green beauties has grown with time, but this is still my favorite recipe.

Ingredients:

2-3 medium sweet potatos, peeled and cubed
1 pound brussels sprouts, halved
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons curry powder
4 green onions or shallots, thinly sliced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 can light coconut milk
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup of rice or quinoa

Directions: Heat the canola oil in a dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Leave them alone to brown, 2-4 minutes. Add the curry powder and green onions/shallots to the pan and stir for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and coconut milk, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the Brussels sprouts are almost tender, 10-15 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic, and stir. Cook a few more minutes. Serve over rice or quinoa and garnish with lime juice and cilantro.

Note: I scoop the sweet potatoes and brussles sprouts out so Behr can eat these as finger foods.

Joining Lauren of With Two Cats for Mini Meals:

Whole Family Italian Soup

When I posted this photo on instagram, I claimed that it is a meal the whole family enjoys! And the request for the recipe began flooding in. Let's just say that meal time can be a challenge and recently we have been struggling. Making separate food for Behr is no longer an option, because he only wants to eat what we are eating. So I have begun a new adventure of transforming recipes to be Behr friendly. It is so exciting to join Lauren of With Two Cats for  Mini Meals and hopefully bring smiles all around the table.

Original Recipe via Pioneer Woman tweaked to be whole family friendly in our household 

The main changes: 
I omitted the jalapeno to reduce the intensity of the flavor

Replaced the fryer chicken with chicken breasts (because I don't know what a fryer chicken is, gasp!)

And added a can of cannelloni beans, because Behr loves them. 

Ingredients:
1 box mini shells - pasta small enough for little fingers
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Oregano
3 Chicken Breasts
8 cups Chicken Broth
1/2 Medium Onion, Diced
2 Green Bell Peppers, Diced
2 stalks Celery, Diced
1 can Cannelloni Beans
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 cans, Diced Tomatoes (don't drain)
2 cups Heavy Cream
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt And Freshly Ground Pepper, To Taste


Directions: reworked to use less pots! My kitchen is far too small for the original directions.

Cook pasta according to package directions, being sure not to overcook it. Drain and rinse in cold water to cool. Toss in 1 tablespoon olive oil and set aside in a separate bowl. (see note below)

Place chicken in the pasta pot and cover in chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer chicken, covered, for 30 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for 30 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and shred meat.

Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add olive oil and oregano and turn off heat, stirring over the next minute to keep oregano from burning. Set this aside in a small prep bowl.

In the oregano pot, saute onion, green pepper, celery, and cannelloni beans in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until tender and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken broth, shredded chicken, and tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add cream. Finish by stirring in the oregano and olive oil

Note: This recipe made 3+ dinners for our little family of three, so I left the pasta to the side. When I reheated each evening's serving, I added in the pasta to keep from getting soggy. This recipe also freezes well, pre-pasta.

Once I put the food on Behr's tray,

I couldn't keep him still long enough to get a good picture.

Whole Family Italian Soup was gone in a matter of minutes!

Baby Meal Planning: 10-12 Months

As I wrote before, the world of baby food has left me with more questions than straight answers.  Every book, website, doctor and mom you meet on the play ground has a different answer and a different set of rules. Each kid likes different foods, different amounts, and at different stages.  But that doesn't help a frantic mom figure out what food to introduce next.  I was in search of someone to layout a guide of no-fail meals that I could feed Behr, but ended up in a frustrating cycle of trial and error. Here is what worked for our family. Hopefully it can help you.

You may also want to read our 7-9 month meal plan. The biggest changes over the past two months, is Behr's interest in feeding himself and eating what we eat. This has lead to even more strategic planning of dinner.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this meal plan is to provide you with ideas that may work for your baby.  

As with all recommendations, please follow the advice and guidance of your pediatrician.  

{breakfast}

Pancakes - we started a special Sunday morning tradition of homemade pancakes. Behr loves them and can feed these to himself.

Plain Whole Milk Yogurt - (this one carried over from before, and is still Behr's favorite food) we currently buy stonyfield, but I hope to make my own someday.  Keep the yogurt plain to teach that not all food has to be sweet and sugary.

Blueberry Waffles - Another food baby can feed themselves. We feed Behr Earth's Best and he loves them. However, I have to admit the giant picture of cookie monster on the front kept me from getting these for a few weeks, and then I finally buckled down and read the ingredients.

Sliced Fruit - bananas, apples and kiwis are favorites in our house, and help satisfy Behr while I get my act together in the morning.

{snack}

Granola Bars - I have been experimenting with homemade, but haven't found the perfect recipe. Once I do, I will be sure to share.

Veggie Booty - Behr loves this stuff, and a piece or two will keep him happy for quite a while, whereas with other prepackaged finger foods he tends to plow through the serving size and still want more.

{lunch}

Quesadillas - spinach and cheese quesadillas can be made in a large batch (a whole 6-8 tortilla package), and can be served at room temp. This makes them super easy to have on hand and can be lunch all week.

Veggie Burgers - our favorites are Sunshine Original Burgers, but they are hit or miss with Behr. I want to make my own with a chick pea base and will let you know how it goes, once I give it a shot.

Finger Friendly Veggies - cooked and cooled these veggies make lunch time fun. Recent favorites: cauliflower, carrots, and sweet potatoes. When chopping food, I make sure there is room to hold it and chew on the end, think baby carrots.  This allows baby to pick up their food before complete control of the pincer grasp.

Mac and Cheese with Peas - this is a bit messy, but mac and cheese with a few peas thrown in is our fall back when we are short on time and we have nothing else ready.

{dinner}

Sweet Potato and Brussels Sprout Curry - The diced sweet potato is already perfect size for baby, all you have to do is chop the brussels sprouts a bit more and it is a meal that everyone can enjoy.

Squash Soup - We use a new recipe almost every time, but recently, this one has done the trick. Tip, when Behr gets bread from the table, he gets the end. It lasts longer and doubles as a teething tool.

Veggie Soup or Chili - Anything you have, throw it in the pot! The good news is that during prep, you can make sure the size of all of the veggies is baby friendly, so once you are finished, you are set for a few pint sized meals.

Potato Soup - This might be Behr's favorite meal to share with us.

Clearly, these are a bit seasonal, as every dinner in our rotation is soup, but they are simple and make multiple meals. A time-saving bonus for any mom!

Do you have any favorite foods for baby?  

Recipes I should try?  

Questions about how I prepare food?  

Ask away.

Baby Meal Planning: 7-9 Months

Behr eating at six months.

These pictures are old, but I love the intensity of his expression. 

After recently seeing them again, I have been dying to use them in a post!

Stepping into the world of baby food has left me with more questions than straight answers.  After hours of internet searching, ending up in dead ends and more confusion, I finally realized that the answers I was looking for aren't searchable.

Each kid likes different foods, different amounts, and at different stages.  But that doesn't help a frantic mom figure out what food to introduce next.  So before I dive into a meal plan, here is a little bit about my food philosophy, and the first foods Behr ate (minus the lamb...we balked at introducing meat).

The purpose of this meal plan is to provide you with ideas that may work for your baby.  

As with all recommendations, please follow the advice and guidance of your pediatrician.  

{breakfast}

Steel Cut Oats - serve plain, or add purred mango, mashed bananas, or apple sauce.  When serving these plain, I let Behr eat them with his hands, teaching texture and self-feeding.

Plain Whole Milk Yogurt - we currently buy stonyfield, but I hope to make my own someday.  Keep the yogurt plain to teach that not all food has to be sweet and sugary.

Blueberry Smoothie - blend 2/3 cup of frozen blueberries, a peach or nectarine, banana and homemade concord grape juice.  Occasionally we mix in apple sauce or mango.  When making this smoothie, add fruits you would like with blueberries

Sliced Fruit - bananas, apples and kiwis are favorites in our house, and help satisfy Behr while I get my act together in the morning.

{lunch}

Mashed Mint Peas - steam frozen peas and gently pulse through a blender adding mint and parmesan for a delicious mash.

Quinoa - commonly mistaken for a grain, this seed is an excellent source of protein.  Quinoa can be dry and fluffy when prepared, making it hard to eat/swallow at first.  Add cooked/pureed spinach, sweet potato, or beets and olive oil to make a mini casserole that is easier to eat.

Roasted Acorn Squash - left-overs from mom and dad's dinner.  Blend cubed squash with apple sauce and cinnamon to sweeten the deal.

Finger Friendly Veggies - cooked and cooled these veggies make lunch time fun: green beans, sweet potato fries, avocado slivers.  When cutting food, I make sure there is room to hold it and chew on the end, think short green beans.  This allows baby to pick up their food before complete control of the pincer grasp.

{dinner}

Sweet Potato and Pear - Make a pear sauce, similar to apple sauce (but with the opposite effect on the digestive system) add cinnamon.

Lentil Soup - cook lentils with finely diced carrots and tomatoes in a veggie stock until all bits are soft.  We life to add curry powder to taste - but not salt or pepper yet.

Carrots and Cauliflower - Steam and blend these two veggies and as the baby gets older, add grated cheddar cheese and fresh basil to expand horizons.

Spinach and Lima Beans - When blended, these two veggies have opposite consistencies.  Together, they are ideal for baby learning to spoon feed.




Do you have any favorite foods for baby?  Recipes I should try?  Questions about how I prepare food?  Ask away.  We are moving along to more finger and self-fed foods, but have not yet figured out a consistent rotation.  

Food Wars: Mom Freak Out + Movies

Almost as fast as hit publish on my breastfeeding post, I had an crazy mom moment and freaked out about Behr's feeding routine.

I wrote this frantic email:

Ladies,

I don't know where to go with Behr's food and I have reached a point where I can't get a straight answer about what is next. I feel like I have created this black hole by being particular. Any advice/wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

I am having trouble pumping these days. I can sit for 45 minutes and get less than 2 ounces. Behr begins daycare at my work in 3 weeks, so I can breast feed him again during the day, but my freezer supply is gone and I can't make enough bottles for the next day. He is taking two 6 ounce bottles while I am gone. But when I am home he still eats every three hours, perhaps because I am not producing enough?

He will be 7 months on Friday. Do I start formula? If so what kind? I feel like formula is evil. Am I crazy? Can I introduce milk? Goats milk perhaps? If so, when?

Food: We started introducing it at 6 months and are trying omitting grains for the first year. Behr loves all of the food we have introduced. Info from our doctor was conflicting about when to introduce meat. What have you done? We are "making" our own food but largely skipping purees - trying to give him food as close to table consistency as possible. This includes: Mashed foods: (bananas, avocadoes, beets, sweet potato, carrots, green beans, plums) and sliced foods that he sucks/gnaws on (pear, cantaloupe, cucumber). What do I add next? Can I give Behr applesauce that isn't specifically made for baby? How did you introduce meat and when?

I am totally stressing out, and I am not quite sure why. I have been reading books and trying to find info on line, but nothing is very clear. I wish there was a step by step guide to follow. I like following rules.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Shannon

Bonus, Behr doesn't seem to be bothered one bit by my frantic obsession over the ba-jillion choices you have to make when feeding a baby.  He just loves eating:

I received a tremendous amount of helpful feedback.  Thank you dear friends!  After implementing many of the suggestions, I realized that you all might also freak out like me, or just maybe I can share some info before you reach that point.

pumping vs. formula vs. milk answers:

1. Milk, even goats milk needs to wait.  Most advice says 12 months, but dear Casey is among the many mommas who have assured me that 11 months is a-okay.  I will let you know when we get there!

2. Remember when Behr was born and Julie wrote a don't judge post?  Well, that is where I need to be in the formula camp.  I promise you, I am trying my best to produce milk for Behr, but sometimes he needs formula.  Right now we are using Wegman's Organic Formula, thanks to Julie's recommendations, and once again assurance that feeding Behr formal will not ruin him.  After all, I got fed formula at three weeks old, and look at how great I am!  just kidding  Seriously, though, huge thanks to Julie, Faith, Rebecca, and Liz for talking me off the edge of a cliff.


3. Check your pump parts! Duh. Mine were in good working order, but it never occurred to me.  Kate is pretty smart.

4. Kate also told me to pump in the morning.  This has been my lifesaver.  I pump every morning, and easily get 2-3 times as much as if I pumped at night.  Genius!

5. Friends also recommended hospital grade pumps.  If Behr hadn't moved into daycare in my building, where I can nurse throughout the day, it would have become a serious option.  I am convinced it is worth the cost for working moms.


For more on formula and little eaters in general, read what Lauren has to say here.  It is good stuff.

This post is getting "birth-story long" so I will stop and share food advice next week.  But here is one more video of Behr, for good measure.

there was water everywhere.

are you surprised?

First Foods

Behr started eating solid food last week.

We are making our own baby food from our CSA farm share.

Most of the food is organic and we are skipping grains. 

...in other words rice cereal and cheerios are on hold for now

Check out Nina Planck for our reasoning.

We puree some food and serve others whole.

Behr loves gnawing on a cool cuke.  

It might have something to do with teething.

We have received grief for some of these decisions, but we are sticking to our guns.

That is, unless Behr shows us otherwise.

Clearly he is enjoying his first taste:

What is on the list for our next foods?  

Why, I am so glad you asked:

Real Food

It is no secret that I am a wanna be foodie who promotes the likes of eating local and supporting my CSA. 

I have professed my expectations of parenting are high and my willingness to let these expectations fall to reality,  best explained by Julie here.

This book is right up there with everything I hope to be and more!  Perhaps that is slightly overstated.  Let me rephrase.  Nina Planck provides information in a frank manner and weighs an ideal circumstance with the practicality mandated by real life. 

Nina Planck

The book is broken down into the basics of eating healthy.  The same truth about food applies when you are trying to conceive, pregnant, breast feeding, and introducing food to your baby. {Note: I promptly skipped the conceiving and pregnancy chapters.}  However, as many momma know, living through this time of life raises questions that never would have been obvious before.  Nina addresses these questions    However, the parts of this book I did read left me motivated and excited about our relationships with food. 

If the rules of the food revolution scare you, have no fear.  There is no one more practical than Nina and her cheese monger husband.  Their family really loves dairy.  {Bonus!}  Here is her take on seasonal vegtables:

Good as local, seasonal, and ecological vegetables are, it’s more important for your family to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Lots of studies show that people who eat more fruit and vegetables are healthier than those who don’t. I’d bet my last carrot that these studies weren’t conducted with local, seasonal, and ecological peas. In deepest winter, when local produce is scarce and expensive here in New York City, I go directly to the supermarket or local greengrocer, head held high, to buy greens. I have no idea what the carbon footprint of this choice is. But I know the price and convenience calculation without thinking.

This book gives you the freedom of living within your lifestyle.  I cannot emphasize enough the no-nonsense approach that Nina takes to serving her family be best available without the restrictions that much of the food movement holds high.  If you are looking for a book to read, pick this one up or her first book, Real Food.  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

Can you tell I liked the book?

Guest Blogger: Baby Food

Hi everyone! This is Bec, Mark's cousin. Mark as in baby Behr's daddy and hubby to Shannon. First off-a BIG congratulations to the proud parents on the birth of Behr. Don't you love the picture of him with the mini lacrosse stick?

I wanted to post about something baby-related and decided on homemade baby-food. My little guy is almost six months old and he's been on solids for a few weeks, so this topic is fresh on my mind. Now, I am not anti- jarred food. In fact, there's a stash of it in the cabinet, but I always thought it would be fun to make my own. This website and this book have been helpful resources. I have found that homemade baby food is not only simple to make, but it saves money which is always a plus! 

The most recent vegetable I have prepared is a rutabaga, which is the sweeter cousin to the turnip. The rutabaga clearly illustrates that popular saying, "It's what is on the inside that counts". Take a look:

Once the veggie has been peeled, chop it up into chunks and toss it into a big pot. 

Cover with water and boil until soft, about 15-20 minutes depending on size of chunks.

Drain rutabaga and place in large mixing bowl.

Add breast milk (or formula) to thin out to desired consistency.

Spoon mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until it is used. 

While some fruits and veggies need to be boiled, baked, or steamed, others can be served without being cooked. Among these no-cook foods are banana, avocado, and papaya. Just peel off the skin and mash up with a spoon.

Yum!

Disclaimer: (written by Shannon) Bec and Mark, being cousins, apparently have the same palate.  Mark's favorite foods include turnips, beets, and brussels sprouts - by choice!  And what do I get from Bec?  A blog about rutabaga.  Another veggie "they" would venture to eat and I would gladly pass.  :-)  The trouble is "they" are growing on me and these foods are starting to taste good...we will see if baby agrees...