Finger Foods - Berwick,ME

Little pizzas have been a hit with my boys.

Just add hot water to a quick pizza mix, press a small amount of dough into the bottom of muffin pan. Bake the dough for about 10 minutes at 425 and freeze for later. Or add the small amount of pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese and bake. The frozen "crusts" make a quick lunch. Pop them in the oven with the sauce and cheese and bake until cheese is melted. You can add whatever you would like to the toppings.

Hi A.,
I have a one year old and I've found some wonderful healthy foods that are wholesome and easy.

Whole grain pancakes w/ blueberry jelly is a hit.

Annies Mac and cheese with broccoli.

Homemade soups with egg noodles or pasta (chicken, bean, lentil)

Avocado on toast.

I've found that healthy muffins/cookies have been a life saver- every kind of wholesome fruit in a healthy muffin batter. You could freeze them too. They make great snacks and wholesome breakfast with a cup of milk.

Organic blueberry waffles with honey and bananas on the side. The freezer aisle at most nay supermarket.

Here are a few recipes:
1. Carrot Cake Muffins
INGREDIENTS:
1 box carrot cake mix
½ Cup Mill's oat or wheat bran
1 to 1½ Cups water
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together well, should be a thick batter. Spray tine with Pam or line with paper liners. Fill each tin with about 1/3 Cup of mixture.
Bake for 16 to 18 minutes at 350 degrees.

2.Carrot Zuchinni cookies
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup margarine ( I used ½ butter half applesauce)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour ( I used wheat)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
Directions
1. 1
Cream the margarine and sugar.
2. 2
Add the egg and vanilla; mix well.
3. 3
Add shredded vegetables and mix.
4. 4
Combine the dry ingredients into a bowl.
5. 5
Then add to the creamed mixture; mix well.
6. 6
Drop the dough by teaspoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet.
7. 7
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

3. Banana Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter, very soft
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana (1 small/medium)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oats

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking sodaand salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugars. Beat in egg and banana, followed by the vanilla extract. Gradually, on low speed or by hand, add in the flour mixture. Stir in the oats (either whole rolled oats or "quick cooking").
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 11-14 minutes at 350F, until set and lightly browned.
Let cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the pan before transfering them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 2 dozen cookies

I try to replace the white refined sugar with Pure Cane which is healthier for the little bellies.
Good luck and have fun, I personally love cooking for her and watching her try new things and saying "mmmm" "num num".

Best,
D.

i just posted to another 'feeding' request- but wanted to suggest this book/website. I was nervous about foods too- and have had a blast with this cookbook! my son also loves to feed himself and i am always looking for more ideas. i like this book, bc its creative and easy and goes according to kids development. (i SWEAR i get no cut, just really liked it!)

http://www.petitappetit.com/
also on amazon..

best, A.

My daughter just turned 11 months old and she's protesting her baby food for finger foods now, too!

This thread has been helpful, thanks for the ideas on the finger foods. I was lacking in ideas, too!

A.-
My daughter is almost 4 now but we had the same situation a few years ago, here is a website I fould that sells baby safe feeders, you cal put almost anything in them, but fruits and veggies work best, the baby sucks and naws on the net and the food is smushed up enough to come through the small holes. Your daughter can help you put the food in the holder and then hold it herself. It really helps when it come to the "I want to do it" stage. My 4 year old still loves to use it with frozen fruit in the summer, not as sticky she says! and its a great snack
http://www.babysafefeeder.com/

HI A., I have a 1 yr. old girl and she's eats solid food now. It's been touch and go with this though, not easy. One day she likes chicken nuggets next spits them out. Been struggling with this one. Breadfast: soft fruit, dry cheerios, dry pancakes, bagel, baby cereal heated up in micro. and muffins. Lunch/Dinner: grilled cheese (her fav.), chicken&cheese quesadilla, pasta with butter, turkey&cheese, fish, cooked veggies (except corn) chicken (I buy a cooked Rotisserie at market), soup, chicken pot pie, etc. It's trial and error and every child is different. Usually she wants to try whatever we're eating within reason of course, chocolate, no. Popcorn,chips, pretzels, no way. Just use your common sense, youcan do it. Good luck. And remember, do you like to eat the same thing everyday, not really, Emma is a "little person".

My babies love avacado. Just give it to her sliced, and it is so soft that there no concern about choking, and it has lots of good stuff for baby.