Banana and Peaches Smoothie

I'm having a blast trying new and interesting food ideas for Max.  I found this recipe in a baby food cookbook and was pleasantly surprised that this turned out to be more like a frozen yogurt than a smoothie.  Max loved it, of course (there hasn't been a single thing that I've introduced that he has not inhaled) and it made a little over 2 cups so we have extra in the freezer and fridge.  If you have a toddler at home, this is a great snack right out of the freezer...you can tell them it's ice cream!  :)  Also, if your baby is at an age where he or she is using a sippy cup, let this melt a little after you first make it and put it in a cup...then it truly is a fruit smoothie (this way it's also not so cold for them).  Or if it's easier, just use room temperature fruits.    

Makes 2 cups

1 frozen banana, sliced into 1/2 slices

1 cup frozen peaches, peeled and sliced 

1/2 cup whole-milk yogurt (not low fat or fat free)

1 tablespoon wheat germ

Put bananas, peaches, yogurt and wheat germ in a blender and blend until smooth.  Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, or the freezer for up to 3 months.  

   

Baby's Oatmeal

I love having this in the fridge for Jules so she and daddy can have their oatmeal together in the morning...it's seriously the cutest. She loves to feed herself (we almost never use a baby spoon with her anymore!) and this is thick enough that she can grab chunks of it off of her high chair tray. I love introducing new spices and flavors to her, like the cinnamon and vanilla in this oatmeal.

Makes about 2 cups

Baby's Oatmeal

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine 2 cups of water, cinnamon and vanilla and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and stir in oats.

When mixture begins to simmer, cover, turn off heat and let stand until thick and creamy, about 15 minutes. Serve with breast milk, formula or throw in some of your own add-ins. Jules loves mashed bananas in hers!