Cream of Mango: mmm, delicious!

I´m writing this article from Brazil, and one of the best desserts from this tropical country is Cream of Mango. Mmmm, not only it is delicious, but also very nutricious!

Cream of Mango

2 servings

-1 large mango (must be ripe).

-10 to 12oz of cold milk.

-Honey to sweeten (optional).

-1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Peel the mango and discard the skin and seed. Mix all ingredients using a blender. Serve immediately while still cold.

Nutritional value:

Rich in vitamins B, C, calcium and potassium

Note: Our reader Erin sent us a great suggestion for a non-dairy version. Use Vanilla Basmati Rice milk instead. Great tip Erin!

Get these Superfoods into Their Systems

Getting kids used to a diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains is very important. It can prevent diseases, and provides all nutrients necessary for a healthy development.

Try adding these superfoods to their meals, as suggested by nutritionist Leanne Cooper, from Organic Bubs. It may take a few attempts before they get used to the taste, but it is definitely worth it!

1. Veggies with vivid colors such as sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, broccoli and corn, provide loads of vitamins.
2. Berries and cherries are great anti-oxidants.
3. Other super-fruits are pomegranate, mango, banana, apple, apricot and white grapes.
4. Super-grains such as quinoa are loaded with proteins, carbs, vitamins, minerals and fiber.
5. Flaxseed meal mixed with fruits and yogurt is also a great snack. Make sure the flaxseed is crushed to a powder.
6. Avocado is very rich in oil and vitamins. The creamy consistency makes it easy and pleasant to eat.
7. Fish such as salmon is rich in omega-e oils.
8. Organic yogurt provides healthy bacteria for the little tummies.

First Bites: Tips for Getting Started

We stumbled across these great tips from Australian nutritionist Leanne Cooper about getting started on solids. We know it is a big transition for little ones, but we think these tips will make it a bit easier on you too!

1. All babies are different. They eat different amounts, and progress at different rates. Just to make parents' lives more exciting!

2. Stick to a routine, creating eating habits.

3. Initially, offer breastmilk or formula first to ensure they get all nutrients each day.

4. Don't push them to eat too much to avoid upset tummies.

5. Make and store the purees thicker than you need to so you can thin them down and warm them up with boiling water, breastmilk or formula.

6. Select quality organic ingredients with a variety of nutrients and colors. When buying baby food, read labels carefully. Stay away from additives, sweeteners, fillers and thickeners such as starches.

7. Use clean utensils.

8. Never place solids in your baby's bottle.

9. Most babies prefer food at room temperature. Be careful with microwaved food. Temperature may be uneven.

10. Expect a mess!

Check out our Homemade Baby Food Recipes page, developed by experienced moms! Delicious recipes with great nutritional values.

Finally an Easy-to-Use Chart for Solid Foods

We found this great guide, created by a nutritionist from Organic Bubs, about introducing solid foods to the little ones. It is printable and very useful. Check it out!

Transition from Solid to Finger Foods

Did you know that finger foods should be cut into pieces as small as the size of the end of baby's pinky? This is the size of his/her airway, and that would avoid chocking events.

Check out this very educational video from Dr. David Hill, a pediatrician from North Carolina, about the transition from solid to finger foods.

BPA-free Bake, Serve and Store Gadgets

Pirex has just launched a very useful container for BPA-free conscious mommas.
It can be used for baking and storage, and is cool enough for serving!
The container is made of glass, and comes with 2 lids, a glass version for heating and serving, and a BPA-free plastic lid for storage.

For more information, logon to pirexware.com.