Thanks to Cuisinart for sponsoring today’s discussion. When I was pregnant with Zac, I made a list in my head of all of the things I was going to do differently than I did with my first. Don’t get me wrong, I think Shane has turned out pretty great so far, but there are things that I know now that would have made things easier or better if I knew them the first time around.
One of the main things I decided to do was make my own homemade baby food. There are a lot of great baby food brands out there now {with many more organic and natural varieties than when Shane was a baby} and I do plan to use them sometimes. But for us, homemade baby food is preferable in so many ways- I can control the ingredients and give him nothing but the best, save money, and even be more eco-friendly by not using all of that packaging.
Even though there are a ton of benefits, making your own baby food can be a huge pain without the right tools. We recently received the Cuisinart Baby Food Maker and Bottle Warmer and it makes food prep as easy as a few pushes of a button! Once Zac is a little older, I’ll be able to put pretty much anything we’re eating for dinner directly into the baby food maker and just puree it for him to eat- I won’t even have to make him a separate meal! For now, though, he’s just beginning solids so he has to have one or two ingredient only meals. I made him some banana baby food in the Cuisinart Baby Food Maker and it was so easy! 1. Take one ripe banana 2. Tear it into 3 even pieces. 3. Place it into the baby food maker and pulse three times. Continue to puree until it is the desired consistency. 4. Remove from bowl and serve!
Now, bananas are a super easy food to prepare, but even those that take a little more work are so much easier with the Cuisinart Baby Food Maker. You can easily steam foods using the same appliance- saving on time as well as dishes! If your little one takes bottles, you can even use the unit as a bottle warmer.
Of course, the ultimate test is what baby thinks- and clearly, he’s a fan! Zac is just starting out on solids, so he hasn’t tried many different foods yet since we have to wait between new foods to watch for reactions. As his list of “safe foods” grows, though, we’ll be using the Cuisinart website to search for yummy recipes- from the purees in Stage 1 to the combination foods in Stage 2 and 3. I can’t wait to make the Peaches with Bananas and Rice this weekend! The site even has a Menu Planner so you can make sure baby is getting a good variety.
Win It: Want your own Cuisinart Baby Food Maker? One lucky reader will win their own! Just enter below! *Please note that this giveaway has concluded.*
Tina Marie says
Wow, that does look easy. Homemade food is so much better for baby too. Thanks for sharing!
RICHARD HICKS says
Homemade baby food is the way to go. At least you know for sure what is in it and this device makes it easier to prepare,
nicole dz says
This would really come in handy and great way to nourish your baby with knowing the exact ingredients going into there baby food. Love this!
April Brenay says
I love that it gives you step by step support, I found a great step 2 recipe that I make make! http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/7763.html
Karen T Gonyea says
This makes baby food making easy !!
Linda Bradshaw says
This would be perfect for my grandbaby. Instead of purchasing baby food, my daughter can make it. She can start with this. http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/285.html
latanya says
I like that you can use it for three stages.
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_3/9541.html
Danielle @ We Have It All says
OMGosh he’s adorable, I love that picture! This would really come in handy for us. Jack is so so behind with foods and getting therapy to teach him how to eat – so we’re still doing pureed foods… I’d love to try this. I love that it has 3 stages. Jack is probably still at the 1st or 2nd stage though. I’d love to try the teething biscuits recipe: http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/279.html
RICHARD HICKS says
forgot recipe
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/276.html
Jammie says
I like how easy it is to use, and I would love to try the peaches with banans and rice http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/273.html
Whitney @ Momma Knows Best says
I would like to try this recipe: Oven Baked Butternut Squash Risotto
I like how easy this makes food prep!
gayle gildehaus says
I like the convenience and being able to make healthy foods.I would try the Oven Baked Butternut Squash Risotto recipe.
Melissa M says
I would make banana apricot oatmeal http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/285.html
amy rouse says
leave a comment below telling me something you like about the baby food maker – love the three stages feature
and linking to a recipe you’d like to try!* http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/277.html
ALPA says
cuisinart is a great product as its very easy to use and safe too. its a very user friendly product. i like the fact that it makes things look so much easier and i have made tons of recipes using Cuisinart.
Nancy Lustri (StyleDecor) says
Oh my goodness what a cutie pie! Looks like a great baby food maker too! 🙂
Stephanie Douglas says
I like how quick and easy it is to make homemade baby food. And it’s super simple to clean up! I would try the very veggie: http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/275.html
Natalie Perry says
I like that its not only limited to baby food, we can use it even when they grow up
I would love to try the Butternut squash risotto.
Shannon says
These pops sound great, thank you for sharing with us.
Mihaela Day says
I would love to try the Oven Baked Butternut Squash Risotto 🙂
danielle Marie says
i love how much cheaper and healthier it is than canned baby food! http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/285.html looks amazing!
Ann B. says
I like that it holds 4 cups at a time and you have plenty of leftovers.
Stephanie Galbraith says
I like that you can make baby food at home for cheaper and healthier meals. I like this recipe: http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/277.html
Sarah L says
40 years ago I didn’t know about making my own baby food. Wish I’d had this back then.
Brittney House says
Its cool that it holds 4 cups at once.
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_3/9541.html
tina reynolds says
I love how healthy I would like to make http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/279.html
Katherine says
Thhis looks yummy http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/285.html banana apricot oatmeal
Lorena Keech says
I think it is cool that the leftovers can be left in the bowl and refrigerated or even frozen. I’d make http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_3/9540.html
Jill Myrick says
I love that the Cuisinart Baby Food Maker makes it so easy to make fresh, nutritious baby food for my son. I would love to try the Broccoli, Chicken and Rice recipe located here for my son :
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/299.html
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Erica B. says
I love that I can control what’s in the food!
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/277.html
flooderette says
This one:
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/273.html
Swathi says
He is really cute, enjoying every bit of it, thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop. Pinning it.
Heather Dawn says
I like that it has a powerful motor for quick steaming and precise chopping.
I want to try the Peachy Plums recipe
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/274.html
Joy Q says
I like that it has a Bladelock System that holds the blade in place while pouring.
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/278.html
Joy Q says
joyq19135(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)
susan smoaks says
i would like to try the Banana-Apricot Oatmeal recipe!
Sand says
I would love to make the Banana-Apricot Oatmeal.
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/285.html
Nellie C says
Would like to try most of them but especially the apples http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_1/276.html
Laurie Emerson says
I love that it is a baby warmer and a night light at the same time. Here is the recipe I would love to try
http://www.cuisinart.com/baby/recipes/stage_2/289.html
CR Williams says
I wish I had this for my baby. Maybe when I have another
christine j says
i love that this doubles as a bottle warmer and I would love to try the butternut squash recipe
shaunie says
Would love to have this … this would be great to make food on your own
RICHARD HICKS says
Great gadget for making baby food. I am firm believer in making your own baby food because you know what is in it