My “Zen Baby Food” Method: Cooking What Adults Eat

Keeping a minimalistic fridge is key to my sanity and efficiency! I hate rummaging through a cluttered refrigerator to find what I need. In the mornings, my meals typically consist of eggs and root vegetables like pumpkin, sweet potatoes, corn, taro, and yam. Naturally, I make sure my baby enjoys these same wholesome foods, mixed up to keep things interesting. 🥚🥔

Easy Meal Prep for Little Ones

When it comes to proteins, I prepare meat for the entire week, dividing ground meat—like salmon, beef, and pork—into portioned packs and freezing them. A quick steaming session brings a nutritious meal to the table in no time! 🥩✨

For carbs, I make simple steamed buns ahead of time. I skip the complicated pastries and stick with the basics, as my baby enjoys the chewy texture! 🥯💖

Get Creative with Vegetables!

For veggies, I believe in “whatever is available” philosophy. Mixing different types is fun; I often cut veggies into sticks for easy handling. After steaming, I let my baby explore them safely—though I’m cautious with peas to avoid any choking hazards, so I smash them up before serving. 🥦🥕

Keep It Simple for Lasting Habits

Don’t stress over expensive, exotic ingredients. Finding simplicity makes it easier to maintain your routine. There’s no need to venture far to import groceries just for baby food. I find that the less demanding the preparation, the more likely I’ll keep at it. If my baby spills or only takes a bite, it won’t deter me from trying again! After all, these meals are just “for fun” and “on the side.” 🍽️💫

Staple Foods: Porridge and Noodles

My go-to staples are congee and small noodles. When I’m feeling lazy or out, I often resort to instant rice noodles. For breakfast, I prepare a simple two-grain porridge (millet + rice) which I’ll share with my baby for lunch by mixing in some ground meat and a crushed egg yolk. Sometimes, I leave chunks of vegetables uncut to let my baby explore with their hands. Most of the time, they just enjoy grabbing and squishing food! 🍜🌾

Three Key Rules for Baby Food Success

• Balance is Key: Don’t stress about every meal. As long as milk is the main source of nutrition during the first year, matching meat and veggies with carbohydrates is all that’s needed. It’s okay if today’s meal is heavy on carbs and tomorrow’s is packed with veggies! 🥕📈
• Allow Exploration: If your baby is grabbing food everywhere, it shows they’re exploring! Playing with food is an essential step for brain development. Just put a bib on them and clean up after—simple and stress-free! 🧠🧼
• Focus on Enjoyment: Keeping mealtime pleasant is crucial! Forcing food can create negative associations with eating. Just because other babies finish a full bowl doesn’t mean yours should too. Every child has their unique pace! 🎉🍽️

Embrace Minimal Parenting

By adopting a simple approach to food preparation, I feel more relaxed and enjoy my journey as a mother. Let’s all strive to become cheerful, easy-going moms together! #NewMom #BabyFood #SimpleBabyFood #OneYearOlds #FoodJourney #BabyFoodPreparation #MinimalistParenting