Recipe: Almost Chicken Soup

It is perhaps the ultimate comfort food....chicken soup. After all, what other food has the ability to heal us from the despairs of the common cold? As it turns out, Chicken Soup is full of all the goodness that your little one's system craves. Packed with both protein and vitamin rich veggies, this recipe is a complete meal in and of itself and the way that we prepare it, it is minus the liquid that makes soup not-so-easy for those beginner eaters.

Almost Chicken Soup

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: The Sili Co. Test Kitchen (www.thesilisqueeze.com)

When to Introduce: Around 6 months - always check with your pediatrician if you have concerns about allergies or your little one's eating ability. Since this meal has multiple ingredients, it is always a good idea to be sure they have tried each one individually before combining.

Why We Love It: Protein is often a tough one to get your little ones to love...introducing it early and mixing it with classic favorites such as carrots and celery is sure to help. And, those yummy veggies give an extra boost of vitamins and nutrients essential to your baby's health!

Ingredients:

1 Carrot

1 Celery Stalk

1/4 yellow onion diced (optional)

1 boneless, skinless cooked chicken breast chopped

1 Bay Leaf

1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

4 cups of water (or enough to cover ingredients)

2 inches of one carrot
2 inches of one celery
1 thin slice of yellow onion (optional, not recommended for children under 18 months)
1/4 of one chicken breast, cooked – bones and skin removed, chopped into small 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 of one bay leaf
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 cups of water (or enough to cover the above ingredients)
Make a simple chicken stock for this recipe using all of the above ingredients, using a small sauce pot: Place all ingredients in the pot and cover with water plus an extra inch above the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Discard the bay leaf.  Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor and begin adding the liquid/stock.  Use only enough liquid to create a smooth, but thick puree.  Serve immediately (warm or room temperature) in your Sili Squeeze.  Comfort food for your little one is served
- See more at: http://www.thesilisqueeze.com/recipes3.html#sthash.bKwu9AAN.dpuf

Directions: 

1. Place all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil

2. Simmer about 15  minutes or until veggies are tender

3. Remove bay leaf and drain, reserving liquid 

  4. Add chicken and veggies to blender.

 5. Add reserved liquid to reach desired consistency.

Servings: Makes about 3 cups - PLENTY to freeze for meals down the road!

Now that's what I call true comfort food!
Comfort for their tummy, and comfort for you knowing you filled it with the best stuff on earth!

Chicken soup is satisfying to everyone – any age savors the sips of a traditional, simple chicken soup.  This recipe has all the wonderful flavors of a chicken soup boiled on the stove…minus all the liquid so that your little Sili Squeezer can enjoy this meal in their Squeeze.  If you multiply this recipe x 4 you can use whole portions of each ingredient (one whole carrot, one whole celery etc.) and reserve the extra in an airtight container in your freezer or refrigerator for additional meals.
Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze
2 inches of one carrot
2 inches of one celery
1 thin slice of yellow onion (optional, not recommended for children under 18 months)
1/4 of one chicken breast, cooked – bones and skin removed, chopped into small 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 of one bay leaf
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 cups of water (or enough to cover the above ingredients)
Make a simple chicken stock for this recipe using all of the above ingredients, using a small sauce pot: Place all ingredients in the pot and cover with water plus an extra inch above the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Discard the bay leaf.  Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor and begin adding the liquid/stock.  Use only enough liquid to create a smooth, but thick puree.  Serve immediately (warm or room temperature) in your Sili Squeeze.  Comfort food for your little one is served!
- See more at: http://www.thesilisqueeze.com/recipes3.html#sthash.bKwu9AAN.dpuf

Chicken soup is satisfying to everyone – any age savors the sips of a traditional, simple chicken soup.  This recipe has all the wonderful flavors of a chicken soup boiled on the stove…minus all the liquid so that your little Sili Squeezer can enjoy this meal in their Squeeze.  If you multiply this recipe x 4 you can use whole portions of each ingredient (one whole carrot, one whole celery etc.) and reserve the extra in an airtight container in your freezer or refrigerator for additional meals.
Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze
2 inches of one carrot
2 inches of one celery
1 thin slice of yellow onion (optional, not recommended for children under 18 months)
1/4 of one chicken breast, cooked – bones and skin removed, chopped into small 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 of one bay leaf
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 cups of water (or enough to cover the above ingredients)
Make a simple chicken stock for this recipe using all of the above ingredients, using a small sauce pot: Place all ingredients in the pot and cover with water plus an extra inch above the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Discard the bay leaf.  Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor and begin adding the liquid/stock.  Use only enough liquid to create a smooth, but thick puree.  Serve immediately (warm or room temperature) in your Sili Squeeze.  Comfort food for your little one is served!
- See more at: http://www.thesilisqueeze.com/recipes3.html#sthash.bKwu9AAN.dpuf

Chicken soup is satisfying to everyone – any age savors the sips of a traditional, simple chicken soup.  This recipe has all the wonderful flavors of a chicken soup boiled on the stove…minus all the liquid so that your little Sili Squeezer can enjoy this meal in their Squeeze.  If you multiply this recipe x 4 you can use whole portions of each ingredient (one whole carrot, one whole celery etc.) and reserve the extra in an airtight container in your freezer or refrigerator for additional meals.
Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze
2 inches of one carrot
2 inches of one celery
1 thin slice of yellow onion (optional, not recommended for children under 18 months)
1/4 of one chicken breast, cooked – bones and skin removed, chopped into small 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 of one bay leaf
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 cups of water (or enough to cover the above ingredients)
Make a simple chicken stock for this recipe using all of the above ingredients, using a small sauce pot: Place all ingredients in the pot and cover with water plus an extra inch above the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Discard the bay leaf.  Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor and begin adding the liquid/stock.  Use only enough liquid to create a smooth, but thick puree.  Serve immediately (warm or room temperature) in your Sili Squeeze.  Comfort food for your little one is served!
- See more at: http://www.thesilisqueeze.com/recipes3.html#sthash.bKwu9AAN.dpuf

Chicken soup is satisfying to everyone – any age savors the sips of a traditional, simple chicken soup.  This recipe has all the wonderful flavors of a chicken soup boiled on the stove…minus all the liquid so that your little Sili Squeezer can enjoy this meal in their Squeeze.  If you multiply this recipe x 4 you can use whole portions of each ingredient (one whole carrot, one whole celery etc.) and reserve the extra in an airtight container in your freezer or refrigerator for additional meals.
Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze
2 inches of one carrot
2 inches of one celery
1 thin slice of yellow onion (optional, not recommended for children under 18 months)
1/4 of one chicken breast, cooked – bones and skin removed, chopped into small 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 of one bay leaf
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 cups of water (or enough to cover the above ingredients)
Make a simple chicken stock for this recipe using all of the above ingredients, using a small sauce pot: Place all ingredients in the pot and cover with water plus an extra inch above the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Discard the bay leaf.  Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor and begin adding the liquid/stock.  Use only enough liquid to create a smooth, but thick puree.  Serve immediately (warm or room temperature) in your Sili Squeeze.  Comfort food for your little one is served!
- See more at: http://www.thesilisqueeze.com/recipes3.html#sthash.bKwu9AAN.dpuf

Chicken soup is satisfying to everyone – any age savors the sips of a traditional, simple chicken soup.  This recipe has all the wonderful flavors of a chicken soup boiled on the stove…minus all the liquid so that your little Sili Squeezer can enjoy this meal in their Squeeze.  If you multiply this recipe x 4 you can use whole portions of each ingredient (one whole carrot, one whole celery etc.) and reserve the extra in an airtight container in your freezer or refrigerator for additional meals.
Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze
2 inches of one carrot
2 inches of one celery
1 thin slice of yellow onion (optional, not recommended for children under 18 months)
1/4 of one chicken breast, cooked – bones and skin removed, chopped into small 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 of one bay leaf
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3 cups of water (or enough to cover the above ingredients)
Make a simple chicken stock for this recipe using all of the above ingredients, using a small sauce pot: Place all ingredients in the pot and cover with water plus an extra inch above the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until the vegetables are tender.  Discard the bay leaf.  Add the vegetables to a blender or food processor and begin adding the liquid/stock.  Use only enough liquid to create a smooth, but thick puree.  Serve immediately (warm or room temperature) in your Sili Squeeze.  Comfort food for your little one is served!
- See more at: http://www.thesilisqueeze.com/recipes3.html#sthash.bKwu9AAN.dpuf

My Dentist's Choice: Tooth Tissues

One of the questions I hear regularly among new parents has to do with the oral hygiene of their little ones....namely, "When and HOW do we start brushing her teeth?" Or, lack thereof in the case of my littles. Sweet R didn't get her first tooth until she was 14 months old and Little Man B, he was 11 months. Late bloomers here in this house. But one thing I learned was that just because they had no teeth yet, that didn't mean we could just forget about taking care of their tiny mouths. Health habits that start from birth, last a lifetime and boy do I wish I had known about Tooth Tissues almost 4 years ago!

Drs. Grace Lo and Jonathan Korn are practicing dentists....and parents! They know the importance of cleaning babies' teeth and gums after each meal....and even after bottles of milk or formula. Babies' gums, cheeks, and teeth build up plaque just like us adults. But getting your baby boo to brush their teeth (or even letting you in there to brush them) is not always an easy task. Enter, Tooth Tissues!

Tooth Tissues are disposable dental wipes that are designed with our little ones in mind. The wipes are made of bamboo and are all natural and unflavored....LOVE that!! I even tried them myself, and there really is NO flavor....a great thing for finicky babes! They are uniquely textured and designed for effective, safe, plaque removal from teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks. AND, they care super easy to toss in your diaper bag or purse for cleaning on the go! They are packaged as single use wipes, or 30 packs in a soft, resealable pouch.

Fluoride free and paraben free, these wipes contain no ingredients concerning to parents. But they do include aloe vera to soothe teething gums, and xylitol, a proven cavity fighter! A perfect combination!

Wanna give My Dentist's Choice Tooth Tissues a try??

Visit their website at www.toothtissues.com to learn more and even place an order!

This is definitely one of the things we LOVE!!!

To Lovie, or not to Lovie....That is the Question...

There is a new debate sparking a divide in our house these days...to "Lovie" or not to "Lovie." Next to whether or not syrup should be kept in the refrigerator after opening, this debate is pretty much the most impassioned in recent (or not so recent) history.

So, what is this "Lovie" I speak of? Oh, you know the one... For some it is a rag-tag blankie with various stains on it that you try not to think about being in the crib with your little one...much less them chewing on the corner of during nap-time. For some it is a long eared bunny blanket that was once pink and white, but these days is more a trendy pink and grey theme...she may or may not smell of various baby (or pet) aromas and she may or may not have all of her original appendages.

For Sweet R, the later has been our reality since she was about 9 months old. Our stellar creativity has resulted in her being named...wait for it..."Pink Bunny" and we live in fear of it going missing. I am talking Zombie Apocalypse level fear. We have had some close calls in the past...not limited to baby being dropped on train-tracks before an oncoming train and baby being stuck in a locked washing machine that we simply could not get open. Not to mention all the break-downs that have gone down when PB was simply taking a "bath" and mommy or daddy failed to time it appropriately for Sweet R's nap time. Big parenting fail... Seriously though, when we get in the car to go anywhere, I often look first to be sure we have PB....then I ensure that my children a buckled in appropriately (go ahead...judge away...)

In the past, we have tried to provide a stunt-double PB for things like pre-school naptime or long flights, but we were quickly met with protest....silly us. Surely we know better than to try and fool a 15 month old. She knew the difference instantaneously and as she literally threw the imposter back in our face, she shook her head as if to say, "How insulting...."

With R nearing 4 years old,  we ask ourselves daily when the magic age is that PB will be placed in a nice decorative box and packed away for future grandchildren. Occasionally, we ask R the same question and are met with a look that simply says, "You best be prepared to pay room and board for my floppy eared friend when college comes calling..." Awesome. Nonetheless, PB, has been there for us and made many a day easier with her magical ability to soothe our tiny dancer on the roughest of toddler days. She has been worth her weight (times 1000) in gold or yen or bouillon (whatever is more valuable these days)!

Just last week, Little Dude B has decided that he too has found his first true love. It's name is "Night Night" (a few more creativity points?). NN is the blanket that has been in his crib for the past 3 months or so and like a reality TV Bachelor, he has fallen hard and fast for this particular textile. We're talkin' won't sit at the table without it, dragging it around like Charlie Brown's friend, sleeps with his body curled around it, kind of love. And only if I manage to hide it from him at least 20 minutes before we leave the house, can we get into the car without this cotton-blend friend coming with us.

Did I mention, it is a LOT bigger than R's floppy eared friend? Even more surface area to pick up the filth of the outside world.

My love/hate with NN tends to lean more toward love....after all, it is adorable when he calls for "Night Night" and let's face it, it has stopped more than one melt-down dead in its tracks. My husband however, has yet to find the "love" component of the relationship. He sees the constant washing that will be needed, the prying it out of his hands when we need to make him presentable in public, and the inevitable disaster mode that will ensue when we accidentally leave it somewhere out of our grasp. I totally get it....I do.

But what do you do? The security of a "lovie" is something that every child deserves, but there truly is no reasoning with them when their material friend is in question. I can see "Night Night" now...sprawled carelessly across Little Dude's extra-long twin in his college dorm beneath a few ramen wrappers and energy drink cans....(at least those are the "college life" artifacts that I choose to envision in my son's room....). And then carefully tucked away in his honeymoon luggage when he heads off the Bora Bora with the 2nd true love of his life....

Do your kiddos have a "lovie"? Have you already managed to ease them away from it? At what age? Tell me more...lord knows I am gonna need some help on this one!

Squooshi Refillable Pouch GIVEAWAY!!

A few weeks ago, we featured the Squooshi Refillable Food Pouches on The Stuff We Love Tuesday! You all fell just as head-over-heels in love with its cuteness as I did! Which means you all have excellent taste! Kudos to you! The perfect combination of function, convenience, and irresistable adorableness is a WIN all around. And now you can WIN too!! The good folks over at Squooshi were kind enough to provide us with a 4 pack of Squooshies to give away to our loyal fans!!

Pssst...that's YOU!

 

So, go ahead and enter....then show off your new baby swag to all your friends! Nothing more fun than new baby swag right? Unless of course, it is FREE baby swag!!

Wanna get in on the giveaway?? It's simple and you can earn up to 5 entries with the simple steps below! Contest runs until midnight 3/1/13 and winner will be selected at random and announced on our Facebook page!!!

Here is how you can earn your 5 entries:

1. "Like" our Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know! If you already "like" us, Thank You, please leave a comment below letting us know that and you can have an entry too! 
2. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know that you did so!
3. Become a follower of the blog!! To do so, simply click "Join This Site" in the right hand toolbar and become a member....that way you never miss out on the Yumminess! Oh, and be sure to leave a comment below letting us know you did so! If you are already a follower, just leave us a comment letting us know that you already follow us!
4. Follow us on Pinterest! We are always posting great recipes and fun kiddo stuff that we adore! You can follow us from the "Pinterest" tab at the top of our FB page, or you  can look us up by our username "atfirstbite". Then, you guessed it, leave a comment here letting us know!
5. Visit the Squooshi Facebook page and give them a "Like" as well! Gotta show some love to the people making this all possible! And of course...leave a comment here letting us know you did!

Recipe: Chicken, Brown Rice & Peaches

I get many mamas (and papas) who ask about how and when to introduce lean proteins to their little one's daily meals. It can be a tough one for some of our little loves to, well, love. In general, lean proteins are perfectly safe to introduce around 6 months of age and I personally, recommend that you do as as soon as possible. The sooner those tiny tummies discover the taste of protein, the more likely it is that you will face less of a battle later on when they start to really get "picky". And I am pretty sure that less of a battle is ALWAYS a good thing!

One easy way to ease them into lean proteins, is to combine the flavors with some that may already be familiar favorites. In this recipe, we take lean chicken and combine it with the sweet goodness of peaches and the familiar taste of brown rice. A classic way to help baby build their fondness for protein!

 

Chicken, Brown Rice, and Peaches

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: Chef Maggie from Little Green Pouch Test Kitchen (www.littlegreenpouch.com)

When to Introduce: Around 6 months - always check with your pediatrician if you have concerns about allergies or your little one's eating ability. Since this meal has multiple ingredients, it is always a good idea to be sure they have tried each one individually before combining.

Why We Love It: Peaches are high in Vitamins A and C and contain a good amount of fiber. Chicken is a lean source of protein that is so valuable in baby's early meals.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup boneless chicken
1/4 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup chopped peach, frozen (thawed) or fresh
~ 2 tbl juice or water
2 tsp wheat germ

Directions: 

1. Place chicken in cold water and bring to a boil. 

2. Cover, remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes.

3. Remove chicken from water, cool and chop.  

  4. Add chicken, rice, peaches and wheat germ to blender. 

 5. Add liquid to reach desired consistency.

Servings: Makes about 12 ounces 

Now, pat yourself on the back mama and enjoy! 

You just filled that tiny tummy with the best stuff around!

A little sappy....but oh so true!

Fair warning.... I am about to go all sappy mama on you.....

I had one of those moments today where I looked back at my daughter in her car seat and she looked like a kid. Not a baby, not a toddler, a real honest to goodness kid. I am not sure if it was the way the sunshine was highlighting her cheekbones or the look in her eyes at that very moment, but it took my breath away. At just a few months shy of four years old, she is a far cry from all-grown-up, but in that instant, I caught a glimpse into the future. . I didn't say a word to her and I am certain that she had no idea that I was having such a "mom moment", but there was simply something beautiful about that exchange. I stared at her a little longer than usual, and she let me do so...a rarity these days without her saying "What are you looking at mama?"

I know this is a far sappier post that most, but as parents, I think we are often pulled in about 15 different directions at any given time. And sometimes I think we are so caught up in the fire-fighting and the "how on earth are we going to survive this situation" moments, that we often look right past those "take your breath away" opportunities The ones that make this whole utterly exhausting in every sense of the word,  adventure, so incredible. I actually had my camera right next to me, and for a fleeting moment, I considered grabbing it and trying to capture on film, what would be forever imprinted on my mind, and heart. But at that same instant, I know that no photo could do justice to this moment.

Fast forward just 5 minutes, and I was back to my reality and was reminding that "grown up" little girl not to push her baby brother and steal his toys. And it never felt so good to reprimand her. A reminder that my job as a mama is far from done. A reminder in fact, that no matter how many times I look at her ever changing face and body and think "what did THAT happen?", there will always be lessons to share, guidance to offer, tears to wipe, games to play, and moments to share.

My husband often scoffs at me when I say that I am still looking for a way to banzai my babies. They can do it to plants....certainly there must be a way to do it with humans right? I get all misty eyed and weepy each time one of my littles moves from one phase of childhood to the next. I always say "that is the last time I will ever seem them do _____________" and then he always says, "Don't you know that the best stuff is still to come?" And my answer is always "No, this is the best stuff."

Recently, a light bulb went off when I made this comment.  Little did I know I have been talking myself into a corner all along. For each time I make that argument, I admit that each phase is even better than the last and this adventure is not one with a beginning and an end, but one that will last a lifetime. Sure, some years will be better than others....I hear middle school is AWESOME. And I can tell you without a doubt that that beautiful little "all grown up" girl and I will have many a door-slamming-I-hate-you-mom arguments. But I can also tell you that on the other side of those rough patches, is always a stronger love. Tis the relationship between parent and child....and even more so  between mother and daughter. Trust me, I have been there once already....

I never said my "random mama thoughts Monday" posts wouldn't be sappy...just random. So, thank you for indulging in my mama moment for the day.... Peas. Love. Yumminess. friends!

Preschool Teacher Speak.....

With Sweet R in preschool 2 days a week, I am starting to get familiar with how the next 20+ years are going to go.... I LOVE seeing how much she is learning and growing each day at school. Not just "book smarts" but the social graces that come with hanging out with kiddos her own age each day. There are already little cliques and groups and she has her friends that she talks about long after we leave the school yard. It's adorable, it really is.

Alas, she is not the only one who is gaining an education....

Though my days of formal education are long past, this whole parenthood thing is a doctoral thesis waiting to happen. The research is ongoing, the edits are frequent, and the interpretation is well, hazy at times. But, we learn as we go...and we try to sound like we know what we are doing along the way!

My current area of parental study, is "Teacher Speak". More specifically, "Pre-School Teacher Speak". Miss R has been fortunate enough to have a streak of great, caring, involved, dedicated teachers in her education thus far. I have no complaints about any of them (honestly!). In fact, some of them may be reading this and if they are....KUDOS for what you do on a daily basis...I know I wouldn't last a day! But I must say, I think there is a special section of the pre-school teacher handbook that is dedicated to "How to sugar coat the children's behavior to the parents". Ya'll are fabulous at it! Typically, it is only after the kiddos are loaded into the family-wagon and we are halfway home that I think to myself....."Ahh, so THAT's what she really meant by that...."

Below are some of the translations I have been able to decipher thus far. I provide them as a P.S.A. for all of you parents of pre-schoolers out there (or those who will eventually be)....

"Your daughter/son was SOOOO funny today...."
Translation: "For the love of all that is holy, your child told me the same knock-knock joke no less than 34 times. They got it right twice. Teach them some new material"

"She/he is so creative...." (as you are examining the day's "art" project)
Translation: "Maybe you should steer her more toward a career in physics....or math..."

"She/he was so energetic today...."
Translation: "You may want to stop on the way home for some children's Benedryl..."

"Fill-in-the-blank brought in cupcakes today for their birthday...."
Translation: "You may want to stop on the way home for some children's Benedryl..."

"She/he really took a light nap today..."
Translation: "The wall is near....and they are running at top speed right toward it. Good luck with that."

"Look who's here _________! It's mommy!!!" (In an overly enthusiastic voice...)
Translation: "Not it! Black out forever!!" (fist to chin motion....)

Alright preschool warriors, I am sure there are plenty of inferences that I am missing here. Hey, I still have another year and a half of my preschool education to go! Let's help each other out here....whatcha got?

Valentine's Day Smoothies!!

Whether or not you consider today to be a "real" holiday or one created by the retail giants of the world, chances are there will be plenty of treats lying around for the whole family to enjoy! Go ahead and treat yourself...a little. But when it is time to pack in some wholesome freshness, why not keep it festive with some Valentine's Day inspired smoothies??

Today, we bring you a delicious trio of recipes to help you share the love today and all year round! Enjoy!!

As always, you know your little love best, so make sure to puree/mash to the consistency that is best for them and always, consult your pediatrician with any concerns or questions about ingredient readiness! 

***All recipes adapted from those created by our friends over at The Sili Squeeze Co. (www.thesilisqueeze.com)***

I Heart You Breakfast
A delightful pink smoothie that is especially good at breakfast time...but we think you can enjoy round the clock!

3 oz vanilla or honey Greek yogurt
1 oz raspberries and/or strawberries
zest of half a lemon
optional: drizzle of flax or hempseed oil

Puree all the ingredients together until smooth. Serve this adorably pink breakfast chilled.

Makes one 4 ounce serving (feel free to multiply for the whole family to enjoy!)

Love Mash
This hearty mash (get it?? I crack myself up....) will fill your little love's tiny tummy with warm yumminess! And, the beets make it...you guessed it....PINK! 

2 oz carrots
1 oz beets
1 oz potatoes

Steam the vegetables until fork tender. Puree or mash until well combined. Serve warm. Try optional seasoning/spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, salt or clove – But only a tiny dusting will be needed! When introducing such healthful spices as these, go easy and mild to start.

Makes one 4 ounce serving 

Valentine Smoothie
Yumm....just yum!!! That is really all we have to say about this one....oh yes, and it is PINK!!! Two thumbs up for Valentine's Day!!!

2 oz vanilla or honey Greek yogurt
2 oz milk of your choice
1 oz frozen peaches (hey, fruit is tough to find in February!)
.5 oz frozen strawberries
.5 oz beets
optional: freshly grated orange zest

Use a fresh beet, cooked until tender to make this the sweetest and most palatable. Allow the beet to cool. Puree all the ingredients together until smooth. Serve this Valentine’s Day smoothie chilled…With love.

Makes one 6 ounce serving

Epiphany Tutoring

They say that having the right teacher makes all the difference. Today's "Working Girl" proves once again that that is indeed, a true statement. A certified teacher, Kara , found her passion in helping teach students how to learn. She found that while there were plenty of services in the Valley for older students and those seeking college/test prep services, there was a true need for services geared to the younger students, those in elementary and middle school. Thus, Epiphany Tutoring was born!

Kara understood that if academic concerns were caught early on and corrected, it was a platform that would set students up for ongoing success and positive self-esteem. She also knew that so many young students feel they are “bad” at a particular subject, and it doesn’t take long for a student to mentally give up, setting him or her up for struggle and distaste for that subject, possibly for life. Kara has made it the goal at Epiphany to help students and their families see that difficult subject (or school in general) in a different, more enjoyable way, so he or she will break the cycle of disliking and failing. She has made it her mission to make learning fun!

It is my pleasure to introduce you all to Kara!

Tell us about your business...

"When parents notice their child is struggling in school, but they don't know why or exactly how to help; when they've tried what they can but are limited by time, resources, or experience.... they turn to Epiphany Tutoring, because an experienced, certified teacher who comes to their home can make all the difference in their child's education."

 

 What did you do in your past life...before you launched your business?

"I have taught all grades PreK-8 over 7 years. I left teaching to work in finance for 3 years to make a decent living, then returned, using what I learned in corporate business to start an educational tutoring company."

 

What made you decide to take the leap into being a business owner?

"I love teaching, but I won't accept the pathetic amount of pay. I feel it is unethical what we pay teachers, so I won't stand for it. I had to find a way to teach, but be able to make a fair living. No one goes into teaching for the money, but unless we start to say no, the low pay will continue."

 

What has been your greatest professional success to date?

"It's hard to pick out a singular event; being a teacher gives you so many little successes to celebrate all the time. I guess I'm pretty proud that I survived being a financial advisor for 4 years during the recession, and then took that business knowledge to do what I really wanted to do."

 

 How about the biggest "lesson learned"?

"A huge lesson I've learned is that you don't have to take everyone as a client. You need to do business with people who are a good fit for your business. If you say yes to everyone with a heartbeat, some of those clients will turn out to be a poor decision later, and cost you in time, money, or stress."

 

What is next on the horizon for your business?

"This summer, we will be hiring more employees to grow the business. We're excited to have a waiting list of potential clients and we need more certified, experienced teachers to help!"

 

Where can we find you when you are not being Super Business Owner Woman??

"Sometimes it's hard to pin me down! On the weekends I love to enjoy the outdoors with my husband, Ryan and our dog, Spud. We like baseball games, the park, outdoor events, etc."

When someone asks you to tell a joke, what is your "go-to" one-liner?

""Math is like love; a simple idea, but it can get complicated." I LOVE math jokes :)"

 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 18 year-old self?www.etphx.com

"Enjoy your butt while it is that size! :) "

 

Inspired? Want to learn more about Epiphany Tutoring? 
Check out their website at www.etphx.com

 

Mealtime Ideas for "Light" Eaters

(I originally wrote this post for a feature on West Valley Moms Blog, www.westvalleymomsblog.com, but it was just too appropriate not to share here as well!)

I can’t tell you how excited my husband and I were when we got to the stage with our oldest where all foods were fair game. We are a family who likes to cook, bake, and eat, so we couldn’t wait to have her try all of the lovely treats that exist in this world! We had agreed that we wanted her to more or less, eat what we eat. Some “kid food” would be fine every now and then, but we were determined to cultivate a sophisticated palate from an early age. And for the most part, she was on board. That is, until she discovered just how cool it was to do just about anything other than sit in her high-chair.

She started walking on her first birthday, and was off to the races from day one. Along with her increased curiosity about the world around her, came a decreased desire to spend time eating. I began to spend many meals in tears (literally…) trying to get her to eat even just a few bites. The pediatrician assured us that she would eat when she was hungry and intellectually, I knew this was true. Emotionally however, I was a wreck. I though for sure she was just going to disappear. Some called her a “picky eater” – a accusation which made me very defensive. She would try just about anything, and enjoy them. She just wouldn’t eat more than a bite or two at a time. She wasn’t a picky eater, just a light one.

From this point on, I was a mama on a mission. I wanted to make sure that each bite that eventually did make it to her tiny tummy, was as nutritionally dense as possible and had enough healthy calories in it, to make me feel comfortable. There are some AWESOME natural snacks lines out there for kiddos and we certainly tried some of those. But the cost of many high-quality kids foods, can be a little steep. Not to mention the fact that I liked the idea of knowing exactly what was going into her tummy (OK, maybe I have a little streak of control-freak in me…). Regardless, I spent many an hour perusing the aisles of the grocery store searching for snack and meal items that were higher in calories, but not packed full of preservatives, sodium, empty calories, or “bad” fat. These items have since become staples in my fridge and pantry! Listed below are my top 10 items (no particular order) that the kiddos seem to love, and help get some calories into their “too busy to eat” little bodies!

(One disclaimer, do keep in mind your little one’s chewing ability when considering these foods. You know them best and some of these suggestions are for slightly more “advanced” eaters.)

1.  Avocado – Yummm….just yum…..
2. Full-fat Yogurt – this can be tougher to find than you think, but you can usually find it in the larger multi-serving containers
3. Raw Nuts – almonds, pistachios, cashews
4. Dried Fruit – apricots, dates, pineapple, cherries, blueberries (just be careful not to over do it on there….LOTS of fiber )
5. Yogurt Covered Raisins – oh come on….these are pretty much candy but with some nutrients
6. Banana Chips – who would have guessed it? These babies pack a fairly high calorie count, and they are always a fan favorite
7. Edamame – In the shell or out, these little green gems are packed with protein (soy) and are just FUN to eat!
8. Nut Butters – move over peanut butter…almond butter, sunflower butter and others are moving in! You can even find them in single -serve squeeze packs at specialty stores and on-line
9. Hummus – made with healthy oils and tahini (sesame paste), this is a great option! Little ones love to dip just about anything in it
10. Smoothies – made at home from fresh ingredients, not the sugar laden ones at the local shops! With my kiddos, if it can go through a straw, it must be good!

So there you have it, some ideas that have worked for us in this house of “light eaters”. My little guy, now 18 months, is in this stage again, and while it is like deja vu all over again, I am not nearly as stressed out as I was with my daughter. I have a proven plan of attack and it is true what they say….the will eat when they are hungry. I promise mama.

But in the meantime, it’s time to stock the pantry!

What other ideas do you have to add to the list? Any proven favorites in your house? Do share!

KidCo Healthy Snack Feeder GIVEAWAY!!

Last week, we featured the KidCo Healthy Snack Feeder Kit on The Stuff We Love Tuesday! It really is a multi-use product that is great for so many infant and toddler needs....self-feeding, teething, healthy snacking, etc. And the good people at KidCo were kind enough to send us a set to giveaway to one of our very deserving followers....YOU!

So, go ahead and enter....then show off your new baby swag to all your friends! Nothing more fun than new baby swag right? Unless of course, it is FREE baby swag!!

Wanna get in on the giveaway?? It's simple and you can earn up to 5 entries with the simple steps below! Contests runs until midnight 2/15/13 and winner will be selected at random and announced on our Facebook page!!!

Here is how you can earn your 5 entries:

1. "Like" our Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know! If you already "like" us, Thank You, please leave a comment below letting us know that and you can have an entry too!
2. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know that you did so!
3. Become a follower of the blog!! To do so, simply click "Join This Site" in the right hand toolbar and become a member....that way you never miss out on the Yumminess! Oh, and be sure to leave a comment below letting us know you did so! If you are already a follower, just leave us a comment letting us know that you already follow us!
4. Follow us on Pinterest! We are always posting great recipes and fun kiddo stuff that we adore! You can follow us from the "Pinterest" tab at the top of our FB page, or you  can look us up by our username "atfirstbite". Then, you guessed it, leave a comment here letting us know!
5. Visit the KidCo Facebook page and give them a "Like" as well! Gotta show some love to the people making this all possible! And of course...leave a comment here letting us know you did!

Recipe: Mainer Breakfast

Mmmmm....berries. Who doesn't love berries? Especially in the winter. There is something about the sweet freshness of a berry that just screams SUMMERTIME! And the beautiful thing about them, is that they freeze amazingly well and are typically frozen at the peak of freshness. That means that even in these colder winter months, you can enjoy a little slice of summer with a quick trip to the freezer section in your grocer....or if you can find them fresh, even better!

In this recipe, we feature the berries, but we also manage to sneak in some extra goodness and nutrients with some leafy greens! I can almost guarantee, your little loves won't even notice! And if they do, they will be super pleased that their Popeye food, tastes just like berries! Yummm...

Mainer Breakfast

  

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: Liz Grimm, Copperas Cove, TX (www.littlegreenpouch.com)

When to Introduce: Sometimes berries can raise some eyebrows when it comes to potential allergens, so we recommend waiting until 12 months (always check with your pediatrician)

Why we Love It:  Berries are high in antioxidants (not to mention SUPER yummy) and as an added bonus they also contain fiber, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Mother Nature really knew what she was doing when she created these beauties! Adding spinach/kale to the mix gives us  an amazing source of Calcium.  I call that a mama SCORE!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup strawberries
1/4 blackberries
1/2 cup frozen spinach or 2 big kale leaves
Add yogurt as needed for texture (optional)
1 tsp Maple Syrup (optional)

Directions: 

1. Steam the spinach or kale until warm and wilted.

2. Puree all fruits and spinach together.  

3. (optional) Add in the yogurt and syrup for those who like things a bit sweeter or need a few extra calories.

Servings: This will make about 12 ounces or so of Yumminess! (just enough to share a snack with your little love!)

Why Not Girl!

Today it is my pleasure to introduce you all to Why Not Girl! - a business inspired by this little journey we are all on called "life." For so many of us, there is something about approaching that magical age of "30-ish" that causes us to really take stock of our lives. Where we have been, what we are doing, and where we want to be. Some of our achievements can be measured quantitatively, while others are a little harder to define. Some of our dream and goals have been realized, while others have been placed on the indefinite back-burner. Some of us are fortunate enough to be living our passions, while still others of us are still searching for them.

It was as founder, Lauren McCabe Herpich, was approaching the magical three-oh, that she she started to really evaluate what it was in her life that made her happy, and what it was that made her proud of what she had become so far. She realized that it was not just the material things, or the titles she had earned along the way, but more the experiences and the journey as a whole that had molded her into who she was today. It was a realization that Lauren knew immediately that she wanted to share with other women not only in her own life, but around the world. In 2012, the Why Not Girl! website was launched and today, it is empowering women everywhere to take a step back and say, "Why Not!"

It is my pleasure to introduce you all to a friend of mine since college, Lauren McCabe Herpich!

 Tell us about your business...

"Why Not Girl! (www.whynotgirl.com) is a website empowering women to try new things, live life as an adventure and say Why Not!. Why Not Girl! currently shares stories of women who are expanding their horizons across multiple facets of life: career, love & relationships, health & fitness, travel and everyday adventures like trying a new food or playing new games with their kids. Since launching the site last year, Why Not Girl! has featured over 50 amazing women as part of our Why Not Girl! of the Week program and has had close to 10,000 visitors and hundreds of fans and followers across Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest."

 

What did you do in your past life...before you launched your business?

"Prior to deciding to make Why Not Girl! my full-time job, I worked in the digital marketing and brand communications fields for many notable companies such as CNBC, Discovery Communications, PBS and Sears. What's been great is that my new life is not a far stretch from what I was doing before. That definitely helps make this venture not as scary."

 

 What made you decide to take the leap into being a business owner?

"I have had the idea for Why Not Girl! for a number of years when my boyfriend (now husband) asked me what my ideal job would be. Encouraged by a bottle of wine during an evening full of tears (it had been a really bad day at work) I told him that I had purchased the URL for Why Not Girl! back in 2009 when I was in grad school with the hopes of one day creating "the Girl Scouts for adult women." I felt like what was lost as we got older was this notion of learning and just experiencing all of the amazing journeys and everyday adventures that life can bring. I realized that for so many people just the idea of traveling somewhere new or learning a new hobby could have such a profound impact on someone's life. It was about having fun and feeling that sense of accomplishment. I told him that I felt like there was nothing out there celebrating this. Since Chris is the most amazing man in the world, he encouraged me to start blogging to see if this idea resonated with people. It did. So flash forward a year later; Chris and I get married and decide that along with a move to the west coast, I should say Why Not! in trying to make Why Not Girl! a full-time business. We felt that there was no better time than the present."

 

What has been your greatest professional success to date?

"It gives me such great pleasure to feel like I am making a positive impact on someone's life. Through the stories that we publish on Why Not Girl! to the fun conversation and challenges we share on our Facebook page and Twitter feed, I get so elated to hear that someone tried sushi or Indian food for the first time or that they are motivated to start training for their first 5K. This gives me so much more gratification in what I am doing. No mid-year review could ever do that!"

 

 How about the biggest "lesson learned"?

"Time management. While I have always been someone who has been highly involved or had multiple projects going at the same time, when you work for yourself (and by yourself) out of your home it is easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of items on the to-do list, including the laundry and unpacking boxes (my husband and I just relocated to Berkeley, CA). Why Not Girl! has certainly been a test in self-motivation and organization."

 

What is next on the horizon for your business?

"Coming up in early 2013, Why Not Girl! will start hosting experiential events in the San Francisco Bay Area that will give women the opportunity to say Why Not!. The plan is to expand to other cities in the near future."

 

 Where can we find you when you are not being Super Business Owner Woman??

"What I love about Why Not Girl! is that I feel like it really is a true reflection of who I am. I've always loved being a jill-of-all-trades who is constantly learning and doing new things. You can find me trying out new restaurants, watching independent and foreign language files and going on a run or a bike ride with my husband. While I'm not the fastest runner on the course, I absolutely love challenging myself to do longer distance runs. I'm currently training for a 10 mile race in Washington, DC with a good friend. That being said, I love any excuse to travel and be with friends and family."

 

If we were to run into you at a cocktail party, what would be your "party trick"?

"Hmmm ... that's a good question. Ok, this may seem weird, but I can pick up things with my toes. What's so funny about it is that almost everyone in my family can do it, too. Who knew this was a genetic trait?!"

 

When someone asks you to tell a joke, what is your "go-to" one-liner?

"This has been my favorite joke since I was five years old: Q: Why do vampires have no friends? A: Because they're a pain in the neck! (Come on, you've got to love it!)"

 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 18 year-old self?

"Be true to yourself. Sometimes I think we are so busy trying to live up to being someone we think we should be that we forget to just be ourselves. Even though it took me a while to realize that I had a Why Not Girl! in me, I am so glad that I was able to find the courage to recognize it and embrace it."

  

Inspired? Want to learn more about Why Not Girl!? 
Check out their website at www.whynotgirl.com

Turns out, this is kinda hard....

Who knew that being your own boss could be so difficult? After a number of years in the corporate world with some amazing, inspiring bosses and some....well, to be kind....not so amazing and not so inspiring ones, I dreamed many a long and detailed dream about what it would be like to be THE head honcho. The one who calls the shots, makes the hours, and gets it done HER way. Having been at this seriously almost a year now...geez....I can say with gusto, that it is tougher than I thought. And right now, I am still just a party of one, making some baby food, blogging some blogs, and trying to build a brand. I don't even have anyone to compromise with, negotiate with, or go head to head with.

Well, no one that is, that works for me...or is over 3ish feet tall.

As it turns out, I still have 2 tiny humans that I work FOR....Sweet R and Mr B.

When I decided to go after At First Bite officially, one of the primary drawing points, was that I would be able to be a "work at home" mama, spending valuable hours at home with my littles while still having a project to keep me challenged (as if raising two littles isn't challenge enough....) and to be very honest, so that I wouldn't have a big old honking blank spot on my resume when/if I choose to return to the corporate world sometime down the road. And yes, these motivations are still critical to what I am doing here, but the balancing act is a bit more difficult that I had envisioned in my mental business plan.

Each day in the shower....you all know that is where we do our best thinking....I plan out my day, hour by hour. I divide up the business time, the kiddo-only time, the multi-tasking time, and if I am particularly ambitious, some "domestic goddess" time (please note the use of sarcastic quotations here...). In my mind, each segment of time is divided off in a different color with a solid bold line around it. In reality, the segments are varying shades of gray (no...not quite 50 shades...) with blurry dotted lines around them. Inevitably, I slap my own hand when I pick up my iPhone when it should be "kiddo-only" time and flick my own fingers when I find my browser magically ended up on my personal Facebook page when I should be planning the puree menu for the week. For someone who has always prided herself on being intrinsically motivated (how bout those vocabulary words?), I kinda suck sometimes at keeping on task.

Also, I have always known that I was a competitive person, but this whole small business ownership thing, has taken that to a whole new level. I look at other mamas who are out there doing the same thing I am (not necessarily pimping baby food, but you know what I mean....), and for every success I hear about, I am thrilled for a moment, and then I start to kick myself. Why did I not do that? How do I reach that point? What opportunity did I miss out on? Constantly assessing what I am doing right....what I am doing wrong....where my priorities lie.

And admittedly, I am a product of the "I want it NOW" generation. The mentality that seems to be so rampant in our society is hard to get away from when you are building a small business. Success takes a LONG time. I have watched enough "Shark Tank" to know that successful enterprises are not built over night. Or even over a year....or five. Growth is growth no matter how small and setbacks happen. This has been the hardest for me for sure....by a mile. I get antsy real quick when it comes to making things happen so this whole "one step at a time" thing,  and I, we are still working on becoming friends.

Funny how life works....So often the things we are most passionate about and the things that give us the most energy are  also the things that completely drain us. Mentally, emotionally, intellectually. But the way I see it, that is a good thing. It means we care enough to fight for their success.

I have no way of knowing where At First Bite will be a year from now....5 years from now. And by all means, I am stoked for the ride. But as difficult as this has been  in so many ways, I feel we are already a success. In my eyes, I have made a dream come to life. We may not yet be a household name, but we have a name. We may not yet be worth beans in the scope of big business, but it has been worth it. We may not yet have made our big move, but we are on the move. And those are ALL good things.

I promise not to use this blog as a venting board, but whether you are in small business mode or not, I feel like my sentiments can apply to so many things in this life, so I wanted to share. So, keep swimming, keep working, and keep dreaming my friends. We only get one shot at this...

"Freaked me out of my business...."

Every once in awhile, your little one is going to say something that just about causes you to keel over in painful, side-splitting laughter....if it hasn't happened yet, it will. I guarantee it will. And it seems as though 3 1/2 is just about prime time for hilarity. Sweet R is full of them these days....

The latest came during a routing shopping trip to our very favorite store, rhymes with Scmarget. Yeah, you know the place....

I was cruising the store with just one offspring in tow, feeling pretty hip, so I decided to take a rare cruise through the clothing that is larger than 5T. I believe they call it "Adult Clothing"....I don't venture there too often these days. As we were emerging from between the racks of  "Really, neon green and gold zippers are stylish?" and "Dear God please tell me I have at least another 30 years before I consider that to be "cute"", we hear a familiar voice say "Hiiiii R" (well, it was her whole name, but you get the picture).

R, who we generally have to remind to take a breath between her endless chatter, immediately went silent and went into "I am all confused right now so I am just going to play shy" mode. It was her preschool teacher Miss A. R was deer in the headlights stunned. It was her first time seeing one of her teachers out in the "real world" and I honestly think that she thought her teachers sleep on those tiny little nap mats every night and eat from the ginormous cans of fruit cocktail and goldfish crackers. Surely, they don't venture beyond the keypad controlled doors. That would just be ridiculous.

Miss A went out of her way to make R feel like it was super special to see her, but I could tell the wheels were turning in her little head as to the absurdity of the whole situation.

We proceeded to check out, load ourselves into the car, and head towards home. R was unusually silent...undoubtedly still processing the events of 10 minutes prior. About 2/3 of the way home, R draws in a deep breath and says, wait for it....

"Mama! I saw Miss A at "Scmarget" and it freaked me out of my business!"

Cue near car accident causing laughter from mama here. She was dead serious, but I think it may be the most hilarious thing she has said to date. I mean really? "Freaked me out of my business"? Clearly she has been taking lessons from someone WAY cooler than me when it comes to her street lingo!  Did I mention she is 3???

Oh, the teen years shall be interesting. Something tells me, I just may be "freaked out of my business" more than once in the years to come!