Welcome to our Peas & Carrots podcast and blog. We know parents and caregivers are pressed for time, but want to know what they can do to promote healthy eating habits for their baby. Our goal is to make it SO EASY for parents to raise a healthy eater!
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Happy Parenting!
The people of Japan enjoy a long, healthy life. So much so, that according to research, Japan has the longest lifespan of any country in the world. The Japanese diet has been shown to play a big role in this long, healthy life.
Here are some delicious Japanese recipes from our April newsletter your family is sure to enjoy!
Shitake and Edamame Puree for Baby
Grilled Salmon with Red Miso Sauce
It’s grilling time! We thought we would share some of our favorite burger toppers with you.
Sauteed onions – Angela Ferrigno, warehouse and order fulfillment
Avocado (or guacamole) and tomato – Cheryl Tallman, Fresh Baby founder
Loaded with mushrooms, onions and bacon – Roger Tallman, photo/video director
Grilled mushrooms and onions – Rose Straebel, marketing and sales
American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions – Nannette Melamed, marketing and social media
Here are some additional ideas:
Cheddar, bacon and bleu cheese crumbles
BBQ sauce and grilled onions
Jalapenos and pepper jack cheese
Grilled pineapple and smoked Gruyère cheese
Enjoy!
A great tossed salad is nothing without a delicious dressing. Homemade salad dressings are simple to make, taste better, and are much healthier than the store-bought bottles.
To make homemade salad dressing, simply start with a container that has a tight-fitting lid. Add the dressing ingredients from one of the recipes below to the container, cover it and give it a good shake. It's that easy!
Classic French Dijon:
Creamy Dill:
Sweet Balsamic:
Sesame:
Lemon Garlic:
As the first vegetable of spring, asparagus is ready to harvest weeks before most vegetables even begin to sprout. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable, which means you plant it once and it will come back every year. An asparagus plant can continue to produce tasty shoots for up to 20 years. How is that for low maintenance vegetable gardening?
Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Nutrients include Vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, zinc, dietary fiber, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and Vitamins A, C, E and K.
Asparagus plants do require some patience. It can take up to three years to produce an edible crop. However, all good things do come to those who wait. You will still have 17 years of edible asparagus as a reward for patience. I planted asparagus in my garden two years ago and I am getting ready to harvest my first edible crop in a few weeks. As someone who is new to gardening, I decided asparagus is my favorite crop. Anything that continues to grow for 20 years is A-Okay with me.
If you prefer to gather your asparagus at the local market, look for asparagus that is displayed upright in water. If you are not going to eat it right away, store asparagus in the refrigerator upright in a cup with about an inch of water covering the ends, or wrap the ends in a damp paper towel. You will find fresh asparagus in the markets as early as February, and it will be at its lowest price in April and May. Buying asparagus when it is in season at a good price and freezing it for later use is a great idea.
Trim the base end of asparagus before cooking. The best way to do this is to hold the stalk between your thumb and index finger and bend it until it snaps. This is a fun job to give your kids.
Asparagus can be grilled, steamed, boiled, stir-fried, sautéed, roasted, and pureed in soups, added to eggs, pasta, casseroles… the possibilities are endless with this amazing, nutrient packed first vegetable of spring!
Cream of Asparagus Soup
(From the Fresh Baby So Easy Toddler Cookbook)
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus, cleaned and chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 medium potato, peeled and cubed (to save time use 1 cup uncooked frozen hash browns)
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup milk
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Over medium heat, put oil, onions, and garlic in a large soup pot. Sauté until soft (about 5 minutes). Add the asparagus, potato, and soup stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Puree the soup until smooth with a hand blender, food processor, or blender. Stir in the milk. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Makes 8-10 toddler servings or 4-5 adult servings
-- Rose Straebel
Rose is a member of the Fresh Baby Marketing Team. She contributes to the Fresh Ideas Newsletter and manages reviews for Fresh Baby's newest products.
City: Charlevoix, Michigan
Family: husband, Rob, 2 horses - Sky & Buddy, 1 dog - Abbie
Food favorites:
Drink: Hot green tea with milk
Vegetable: I cannot pick just one. I like all vegetables, except Brussels sprouts.
Fruit: I eat an apple every day, just for the health of it.
Cuisine: I love Italian food!
Meal: Pasta, pasta, pasta. Red sauce, olive oil, cream sauce… it’s all great!
Downtime: If I can call my commute downtime, I like listening to NPR while driving.
Hobbies: I am the office "Health Nut." I have an awesome vegetable garden and I really enjoy sowing, growing, harvesting and eating what I plant. I also ride horses, run, bike, and cross country ski.
How would you spend your ideal day? Someone would cook, clean and do chores for me. I would sleep late, do yoga, eat healthy food and spend the day riding horses with my gal pals.
Top tip for healthy eating: Eat lots of vegetables and fruit every day. Remember you are what you eat. Too many processed, high fat, high salt, or high sugar foods will take a toll on your health.
Favorite Mother’s Day activity? Take my mom out for a delicious brunch and spend the day with her laughing and creating great memories.
Favorite Fresh Baby product and why? My favorite product is the So Easy Freezer Storage Trays. Using the trays and making homemade baby food helps set the stage for providing a healthy diet from the first bite.
Mother’s Day is May 13! Just around the corner! Why not have a spa day with your mom, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company using some of our favorite homemade spa treatments? Here are some of our favorites.
Moisturizing face mask -- Apply honey to your face and relax in the bath. If you want to make it exfoliating, add a little milk powder and scrub away.
Exfoliate-- Combine 1 tsp. honey and 1 tsp. olive oil. Separately, prepare a packet of plain oatmeal, using less water than called for so it forms a thick paste. Next, add the honey and olive oil mixture to the cooked oatmeal. Apply as a scrub, gently rubbing it in small circles over your skin, avoiding the eye area. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. This mask can be done twice weekly. The oatmeal in this scrub exfoliates, while the honey and olive oil moisturize.
Tired eyes –- Remove the puffy eyes with a slice of fresh cucumber over your eyes.
Body scrub -- Use a base of coconut oil and then add in the following as you like: milk powder, honey for moisturizing, coffee grounds, brown sugar or for a microdermabrasion effect try cake sugar (i.e. super fine sugar).
Coconut Oil can be used as a daily moisturizer for face and body.
Avocado hand treatment -- Rub avocado on your hands for a little mini spa treatment. Alternately when cooking with olive oil you can do the same.
Spa water -- Add lemon, mint, ginger, limes, berries, etc for a refreshing water that is a sure "pick me up."
Olive oil hair treatment -- For a deep condition, warm up 1/4 cup of olive oil in the microwave. Pour the oil over dry hair. Massage the oil into the scalp and throughout the hair. Wrap your hair in a towel for 15 minutes. Then shampoo twice and condition with your favorite products.
Photo Credit: Dominik Gwarek
-- Spa ideas from Rose Straebel and Nannette Melamed
Let's celebrate! Here are a few simple recipes that will make your family say "Muy Bueno"!
Breakfast Burrito
Start your toddler’s day with a little tex-mex punch! A breakfast burrito is made with a flour tortilla, a scrambled egg, and a little cha-cha-cha! Add a glass of milk and it’s a great start to the day.
Ingredients:
Directions: Crack the egg into a small bowl. Add water. Using a fork, beat the egg until it is well mixed. Stir in the corn. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Spray with non-stick spray or melt a small amount of butter or margarine to make a thin coating on the pan. Pour the egg mixture into the pan. Stir with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon until the egg is cooked (about 2 minutes). Place the egg in a line down the middle of the flour tortilla, sprinkle with cheese and salsa. Fold in the two sides of the tortilla and roll it up. Serve.
Makes 2 toddler servings or 1 adult serving.
Ingredients:
Directions: Sprinkle cheese, beans, corn, and tomatoes over one of the flour tortillas. Leave a ½ inch edge empty all the way around the tortilla. Place the other tortilla on top of the cheese mixture, making a sandwich. Brush the top of the tortilla lightly with oil. Place the tortilla sandwich with the oiled side down in a non- stick frying pan over medium heat. Brush the top of the tortilla lightly with oil. Using a spatula, turn the tortilla over when it is golden brown (about 2 minutes). Brown the other side (about 2 minutes). Remove from pan and slice into pieces like a pie.
Makes 2 toddler servings or 1 adult serving
Other fillings: Quesadilla can be made with many foods. They are a terrific way to use leftovers. Here are some ideas:
Are you ready to watch the most exciting two minutes in sports? Since 1875, thousands have gathered on the first Saturday in May watch 3-year-old thoroughbred horses run the one-and-one-quarter mile race.
The Kentucky Derby is steeped in tradition, from food to fashion. We thought it only appropriate to bring you a selection of traditional Derby Day favorites, perfect for any three year-old that spends every day racing around! As always, the entire family can enjoy these delicious favorites.
Benedictine Dip
Peel the cucumber, slice in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Either chop or grate cucumber. Combine cucumber with remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. If the dip is too thick, add additional yogurt. (Note: A blender or food processor can also be used to make a smooth texture).
Serve as a dip with fresh vegetables or spread on sandwiches.
Hot Browns
Reheat oven to broil. Slice crusts off the toasted bread and place in an oven-safe dish. Cover with turkey, place tomato slices on top. Pour classic cheese sauce over each slice. Place dish in oven, on top rack, broil until cheese begins to brown and bubble. Remove from oven, cross two slices of bacon over each piece. Sprinkle paprika (optional) and serve immediately.
Classic Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, sauté for two minutes. Continue to stir and slowly pour in milk. Add cheese. Continue to stir until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Idea: Leftover cheese sauce can be used with cooked pasta for a delicious macaroni and cheese.
Derby Pie Parfaits
Grind pecans in spice grinder or blender. Crush graham cracker in a plastic bag. Using skinny glasses, layer each ingredient (1-2 Tbsp each) in the glass for a toddler-friendly version of the beloved Derby Pie. Pudding – Pecans – Pudding - Graham Crackers - Pudding!
Mint Limeade
Start by making a mint-infuse simple syrup (can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in airtight container in the refrigerator): Mash mint leaves in a saucepan using a wooden spoon until fragrant. Add the sugar and water to the pan and bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Turn down the heat and simmer for two minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Once cooled, either strain the mint leaves or place the mixture in the blender to chop the leaves and include them in the final beverage.
To make drinks:
Fill a tall glass with ice and add 1 tablespoon mint simple syrup and lime juice. Top off with 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of club soda. Stir gently. Garnish with a fresh mint spring or lime wedge and serve.
With your meal and beverages ready. It time to prepare yourself for race time…
Pull out the floppiest, most ornate hat from your closet and a grab a copy of the lyrics to My Old Kentucky Home (we provided them for you just in case you didn’t have your copy handy), and get ready to watch The Run for the Roses.
Here’s hoping that your favorite three year-old can sit still for two minutes and enjoy the race and a Derby Day feast fit for anyone on Millionaire’s Row!
Lyrics to My Old Kentucky Home
Verse 1
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
'Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy and bright;
By 'n' by Hard Times comes a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Chorus
Weep no more my lady
Oh! Weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the Old Kentucky home far away.
Verse 2
They hunt no more for the possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by the old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow, where all was delight,
The time has come when the darkies have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Chorus
Verse 3
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the darky may go;
A few more days, and the trouble all will end,
In the field where the sugar-canes grow;
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light;
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Chorus
By Rose Straebel
The best thing about planting a vegetable garden with your kids is that they get to eat what they plant. Teaching kids how to take a plant from seed or seedling stage to the dinner table is a great way to help them learn where food comes from. It can also help them discover a lifelong healthy hobby.
My dad had a small garden in our backyard when I was growing up, and now I am a gardener too. One of my favorite childhood activities was picking cherry tomatoes off the vine with my dad and popping them directly in my mouth. This yummy experience has stayed with me throughout my life.
You’ll need a few basics to start a garden such as good gardening soil, a sturdy container or small patch of ground, some seeds or seedlings, a watering can and a few gardening tools. Starting small is an ideal way to keep gardening with kids fun and easy. Container gardening using an old sandbox, window box, or flower pot is a good option. Containers provide plenty of room for a kid-sized harvest. Allow your kids to choose the container so the garden really feels like their own project. Choose seeds or seedlings that are low maintenance and have short growing seasons. Some good options are strawberries, cherry tomatoes, lettuce and radishes.
Kids are natural gardeners because they love to play in the dirt. Let them have fun with planting the seeds and seedlings. If you are using a container, be sure to have some extra gardening soil available to replenish the pot. Play time could lead to having more soil around the container than in it. If you choose to start the garden in the ground, help kids pick a spot that can accommodate a small fence. You may want to keep rabbits and squirrels from reaping the harvest. Containers and ground plots will need a spot with lots of sunshine and not too much wind.
Once the seeds are in the ground, a daily routine of watering and checking the plants for new shoots will help stir curiosity and get kids excited about their future crop. It’s almost a guarantee that you will see a big smile spread across your child’s face when they see the first shoot popping up from the dirt. Keeping a daily garden journal can be a fun way to track plant growth. Taking photos of the plants is also good way to help kids show off their gardening adventure.
Be sure to make gardening fun for kids, not work. Help with weeding and watering, and encourage your kids by showing them how to plant, grow and harvest. With a little basic care, a vegetable garden can provide lots of enjoyment, memories and good eating.
About the author: Rose Straebel is one of the team members at FreshBaby.com.
Becky Doan is the an account manager for Fresh Baby. She lives in Charlevoix, Michigan with her two daughers, Hannah, 18, and Makenna, 15.
Food favorites:
Drink (nonalcoholic): Coke or water
Vegetable: Asparagus
Fruit: Raspberries and strawberries
Meal: Chicken Divan or Salmon with rice
Downtime: I’m usually on the go enjoying life.
Hobbies: I’d like to get back into dirt biking, hanging with friends, swimming, playing cards, long walks and anything electronic.
How would you spend your ideal day? Anything outside in the sun
What is your favorite springtime activity? Getting the yard ready for summer!
Top tip for healthy eating: It starts in the grocery store. I only buy in small quantities sizes and try to stock up on fruit.
Best part of the being a mom: Watching them develop into happy productive young adults with a positive attitude.
Favorite Fresh Baby product: All of Fresh Baby’s Products are unique but I am very excited about our new line of MyPlate products. It teaches portion control in fun ways with our Four-Section Children’s MyPlate, and our Adult Portion MyPlate is a great way to role model. Fresh Baby just launched our MyPlate Children’s 6 Piece Dinnerware Set. It combines healthy eating and being active for mealtime fun!
