Baby Food

Well believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve tried my hand at making baby food.  I know, I know, how is that possible!? I have legit-ish reasons… With kid #1, I bought Gerber Organics baby food for the most part, and saved all the containers intending on making my own and freezing it.  I still have all those mirco-tupperwares, but I never used them for that purpose, and Spencer would have no part in purees after 7 months.

With kid #2 I bought Earth’s Best organic baby food.  That’s right- I wanted those containers again!  These are tiny glass jars that happen to make wonderful spice containers.  I bring them to the store to buy cheap bulk spices.  I figured I could spend $1 a piece on real spice jars, or I could spend $.69 a piece on a baby food jar and feed my kid in the process.  Now I have 10 or so, so it’s time Try It.

First off, if you like my Facebook page than you know that I made Elizabeth some applesauce the other day.  She loves that stuff!  Just blend it very smoothly, you’re set.  Today I made some sweet potato for her.  Also a big hit!

You will need

1 organic sweet potato ($1.49 per lb, $1.49/16oz = $.09 x 12oz = $1.12)

Water

Some small containers or an ice cube tray

Oozy.

Preheat the oven to 375. Poke a sweet potato all over and place it on the oven rack.  Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until very tender.  Allow to cool completely.  Peel the skin off the sweet potato, and cut into chunks.  Put the chunks in the food processor or blender until smooth, adding water until it reaches the desired consistency.  

A single potato was a little difficult in this processor, it wanted a larger batch.

Sleepy baby with a sweet potato beard.

If it'll be a while before you use it, stick the jars in the freezer (just don't fill them to the brim), or fill an ice cube tray and just take them out a cube at a time.

Try It

 $1.12 for 2 ½ jars of puree, or $.45/jar.

Buy It

$.69 for 2.5oz jar.

Verdict

Try It.  This took very little effort, and even if the savings seem small, they really add up!  That’s a 35% savings per jar.

Two notes: 1- I am fully aware that babies don't NEED baby food, but my kids lap it up, so I use it in the beginning.  2- While I was writing this I remembered a post my friend Em wrote a while back, so I went back and re-read it. It's a helpful post, go check it out (and then go check out her sewing because it's amazing!).