Baby’s first Thanksgiving – making it special

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many of us are planning our menus. What will it be this year – traditional fare or something new? Whatever it may be, effort and care will often go into the preparation. After all, it’s a special day that centers around a special meal.

So why not also make it just as special for your little one? Which would you prefer on Thanksgiving Day – a meal processed months ahead of time or one that was made from fresh vegetables and produce? If you’ve never made your own baby food, please take a look at an earlier post I did on how easy it really is, not to mention a lot less expensive than what you buy in stores.

Did you know that so many fruits and vegetables can be made easily by just steaming them in a steamer basket and then pureeing them? Why not consider giving your baby any of these listed below on Thanksgiving Day? (Remember to always give your baby a new food for 3-4 days in a row to test for allergies – this will mean planning ahead if your child has not had any of these foods yet.)

Simple steamed vegetables:

• sweet peas
• sweet potato
• broccoli
• green beans
• carrots
• cauliflower
• corn
• parsnips
• pumpkin

Or, make some combinations:

• carrots and squash
• apples and squash
• carrots and parsnips
• corn and sweet potatoes
• cranberries and apple juice

To make turkey:

• Saute 1/2 cup of chopped carrots and onions in olive oil.  Brown 6 ounces of boneless, skinless turkey breast in the same pot along with a little bit of low-sodium chicken broth. Simmer until the turkey is cooked. Puree to the consistency you want.

If your baby is a vegetarian, for protein sources, you can serve any of these:

• tofu
• egg yolk
• quinoa
• cheese
• beans
• yogurt

For dessert, how about some:

• steamed apples and cranberries
• steamed apples
• rhubarb and apples
• pumpkin and apples

So consider a home-made meal for your baby’s first Thanksgiving – you just may end up sticking with it long after the holiday is over.