Reggie's First Birthday Party and the Recipes.

We celebrated (a little early) Reggie's first birthday. Reggie is Oliver's good friend. Since they were going to be out of town for his official birthday this was his pre-birthday celebration with local friends. We had a great time at Eppleman Park.

Here are the mommies with babies.

Here are the daddies with babies. 

So here are the recipes for the food....

                             

Tahini Dressing:                                           1/2 cup of Tahini, 3 tbsp Soy Sauce, 3 tbsp lemon juice,  3 tbsp vinegar, 2 garlic gloves, handful of parsley, 2 tbsp agave syrup, salt to taste, 1/4 cup olive oil, and water to thin. Blend everything and serve with various vegetables. 

                                                                                         Fruit Skewers: Slice various fruits and use cookie cutter to make assorted shapes.

Open Face Sandwich #1: Typical Czech Style Spread: Cream cheese, minced Gouda (left over from making heart shapes), paprika, garlic powder, dried mustard, salt and pepper. Whip in standing mixer.                                        Top with salami, hard boiled egg, dill pickle, and garnish with parsley

Open Face Sandwich #2: Turkey/Guacamole Spread: 2 avocados, stick of butter (room temp), minced garlic, mince onion, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Whip in standing mixer.                                        Top with cheese, turkey breast, barbecue sauce, and garnish with cilantro

 Open Face Sandwich #3: Smoked Salmon Spread: Cream cheese, minced dill, minced capers, dijon mustard and salt/pepper. Whip in standing mixer.                                        

Top with smoke salmon and cucumber, garnish with dill. 

These were made with the left over cucumber, salmon, egg and dill spread. 

These were made with the left over salami, cheese and guacamole spread.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Beets! (No Food coloring!)

Ingredients

• FOR THE CUPCAKES:
• 1 whole Large Raw Beet
• 2-½ cups Cake Flour Plus 5 Tablespoons
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 3 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cream Of Tartar
• 2 sticks Butter, Softened
• 2 cups Sugar
• 4 whole Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 teaspoon Vinegar (white Or Apple Cider)
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• FOR THE FROSTING:
• 1 stick Butter
• 4 ounces, weight Plus 1 Tablespoon, Cream Cheese, Softened,
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Preparation Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F.

2. It’s beet time. Note: this will stain your hands, clothes and anything it touches. You can hold the beet with a paper towel, get some food safe gloves, or just have light pink hands for a day. Be sure to wash your beet well, they’re pretty muddy. Peel the beet and then grate it (using the really small holes on your box grater) until you have about a cup. Then add the grated beet into a food processor and blend a bit longer until ground into even smaller pieces. The beet will add coloring and you’ll see specks in the batter, but you don’t really want the taste. Set aside.

3. Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder, and cream of tartar in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.

4. In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar together. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix. Now add the beets, vinegar, and buttermilk. At this point mine looked like a curdled mess, ignore your urge to throw it all out and keep going!

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the sides and the bottom of the bowl.

6. Put your cupcake liners in a 12-count muffin pan and fill the batter to the top. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 2 minutes and then remove cupcakes from pan and let them cool on a wire rack.

For the frosting:

Cream the butter and cream cheese together in a large bowl. It helps to soften the cream cheese a bit with the butter. You can either set it out beforehand or pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Add the sugar and vanilla and mix well on high.

Scoop frosting into a piping bag, using whatever tip design you like and ice those cupcakes!

Oliver's First Year of Life

My little 7 pound and 2 ounce boy is one year old today...my how time flies literally. I still remember my labor and delivery like yesterday. So here is my letter to my one year old son on our magical journey through our first year as a 3 person family...

Oliver, My Dearest Treasured Gift From God,

 The day you came into my life was a magical one, I had no idea what I was in for, however I loved you before I even met you my son. You were the most precious living creature I had ever laid eyes on even though you came out purple (that freaked out your dad a little). I was in awe of you from the moment I looked into your eyes. The first night was surreal...after being in labor all day and then coming home in the middle of the night we were all exhausted. I couldn't believe I was a mother and you were really here with us. We didn't plan on you sleeping in the bed with us...but it was the most natural thing for me to do and so I did what felt right, and you sir were in our bed snuggled up with mommy from day one. I also had a bumpy road trying to breastfeed you...you did not want to latch lazy boy. You came out of the womb so calm and chill. So mommy had to get lots of support in order to get you on your way to become a super sucker :) . I remember the first month all you did was nurse. I felt like such a useless couch potato at times...since all I was doing was sitting/laying with you and nursing you. I had to remind my self constantly that I am sustaining life with my body...and that in itself is a SUPER POWER. I remember that the first 3 months you wanted to be held always. I wore you in a wrap most of the time just like I do now at a year. I had a terrible fear that I would never be able to put you down...that I would have to hold you forever, but that changed after 3 months.  You slowly were gaining your independence.  I also started to go back to Crossfit and you came with us and loved it there. You slept through all the noise and loved all the attention from the coaches and athletes. You were the center of attention everywhere.We also started to exclusively cloth diaper you on your 3 month birthday as well, which was my goal from the beginning since your mamma is kind of a hippie go-green kind of gal. I just remember that I could stare at you for hours and your little extremities and features always took my breath away. I don't know how you managed but every day you seemed to be getting cuter and cuter. Your smiles melted my heart and every little sound you made turned me into mush...by the way most of the sounds you made sounded like dinosaur sounds lol, You had many experiences with us. I took you out wrapped up in a baby wrap from the start.

After 3 months you didn't like driving in the car, so I couldn't take you many places unless someone drove with us. It was the only thing that you did that drove me a little crazy...You didn't like the stroller either. There were many times I had to carry you back on our walks. Your personality started to really shine at around 4 months...you became so much more interactive with us. You started to play with toys and recognize us so much more. At five months you loved sitting in the bouncy chair and started to sit very well by yourself. I started spending more time with you outdoors as well. You loved sitting outside in the fresh air looking at the trees, birds and our dog Zippo at the time. At six months you loved being in the jumping chair we hung from the door frame...you would bounce for quite a while there. We also started to introduce solids to you at this point and bought you your first high chair from Ikea. We started you out with egg yolks, avocado and bananas...and slowly tried different fruits and veggies with you. You even were chewing on kale. You had your first Halloween, we dressed you up as a baby dragon at the birth center and were seduced by a cute little bumble bee named Isabella. At the end of your sixth month your bottom two teeth emerged. Thanks to the amber necklace you have on 24/7 momma didn't know until I decided to rub your gums and I felt the first one. We also started to put you in the nursery during church services at Calvary Chapel Hollywood so that daddy and I could pay more attention and you could play with the other babies. You did well even though daddy and I were a nervous wreck leaving you. Month seven was lively, you were eating more and growing so quickly. You had your first Thanksgiving and were munching on a whole turkey leg followed by a bowl full of whipped cream thanks to babicka. We also found out that you LOVE LOVE LOVE oranges. I took you to vote for the 2012 presidential election, you stood in line with me and then one of the poll workers watched you while I filled out my ballot ( I did not vote for Obama, just saying in case you were curious). After voting we went to eat sushi and of course you couldn't eat sushi at 7 months...so I gave you some veggies to play with and a piece of orange on my plate as decoration ..and that was it...your addiction began. Still today you love your oranges.

Month eighth was a biggy, you became mobile. You started to crawl on my birthday and boy were you happy to be on the move. You celebrated your first Christmas, and we bought you some WOD Toys. These were the only plastic toys I approved of...lol  I only wanted natural toys for you. Most of your toys were wood. The idea was for you to use your imagination and become a thinker with out all the excess stimuli from the electronic toys. Your daddy and I took you to take pictures with Santa at Bass Pro Shops...you were a good boy and started exploring Santa's beard. We also got a new member of our family, Toby a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy. At this point you were standing pretty well with the assistance of furniture and other large stable objects. You  also had your two top teeth come through at this point. Month nine you became quite the independent explorer...and mess maker. You began ripping and eating paper, chewing on books and cardboard, and your meals were now much messier. I started to give you many different food using baby led weaning. Good thing we had dogs to clean up your scraps from the floor. Unfortunately we lost one... We had to put Zippo down due to cancer even thought you loved him so much. Month ten was great. You started to do your morning poops and pees in the potty. You love sitting on the potty as long as I entertain you with all the wonders of the bathroom (hair rollers, brushes, bottles...). You also started climbing stairs like crazy at the park...totally on your own. The bottom right incisor came through too, then the two top ones followed. Month eleven was crazy. You started to get into everything...all the cabinets, draws...everything. Keeping me busy all day long. Took you to your first petting zoo, you go crazy for animals of all shorts. The last incisor on the bottom popped threw. You are standing strong and ready to walk soon. You walk with a walker and can stand by yourself. You have a great squat from a Crossfit perspective lol. You are eating everything in sight including dirt and anything else you can get your hands on.  I have been letting you get dirty and muddy a lot lately...keeping you naked more too so I don't have to do so much laundry. You are addicted to blueberries, egg yolks and oranges at this point in time, but you eat almost everything with a preference for meats. I can't get you to eat the egg whites...tried omelet style, scramble and plain... and you will not touch it. You are so funny and your personality is great. You have a little bit of a temper when things don't go your way. You point everywhere and say "deh" at everything. You are so smart and can identify a lot of things already. We never gave you a bottle which was my goal and I am so happy with the bond we have on our journey in breastfeeding. You are quite fond of my boobies and as embarrassing as this might be when you get older, you love playing with my nipples (as do most breastfed babies, so it is not a weird thing, it is actually instinctual). You say mama but I think you are referring to my boobs. If you even see them in sight you jump on them like a zombie on fresh flesh. You sleep well and still with us in the bed. You love the out doors, you want to be out all the time. You are completely covered in bug bites and that doesn't stop you. You make every morning worth waking up to. You are the joy of my life and even the hardest craziest day with you is worth it because you are in my life. You have many friends and life is good.

I pray for many years that I can spend with you and watch you grow. I love you so very much and want you to know that what ever I do as a mom I am doing to the best of my ability, knowledge and an abundance of love and sacrifice. No parent is perfect and by no means am I...but I want you to know that I am trying my very best to be the mother you deserve. I apologize for not understanding your every need. You are quite mischievous at times and require some discipline, just know it is for your own good so you don't hurt yourself or others.


Loving you Unconditionally Now and Forever, Your Maminka

Oliver's First Play Foods

      I was not planning on starting Oliver on solid food until closer to one year of age, however the little stinker has been reaching for and initiating interest in food since a week before he turned 6 months. So I gave in and started to offer play foods on our baby led weaning adventure.
In case you have no idea what baby led weaning is, here is a link to the basics http://www.babyledweaning.com/some-tips-to-get-you-started/.

     Just for the record he is still pretty much exclusively breast fed (no bottle ever) and I offer him a few solid foods once or twice a day to play with. Some does end up in his mouth but not enough to consider it a meal.

     In case you are the type that believes what people tell you and do not do your own research... this is straight from the WHO's (World Health Organization) website under infant nutrition: "Adequate nutrition during infancy is essential for lifelong health and well-being  Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or more." 

If you haven't noticed there is no mention of formula or of starting cereals at 4 months of age like most pediatricians like to push. Also FYI the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) also states to exclusively breast feed for the first 6 months... In case your pediatrician tells you otherwise.

Ok so what foods did I start Oliver on? Probably not the ones you are familiar with giving babies... at least that is the response from most people. We definitely did not give him any rice cereal (or other baby cereals). WHY? Well because:

"White rice is a refined carbohydrate, a group of highly processed, nutritionally devoid foods that have been linked to increased rates of heart disease, insulin resistance, eye damage and cancer in adults, and are worthless nutritionally for infants as well.

Feeding infants cereal has been associated with an increased risk of type 1 diabetes and may prime your baby's appetite for a lifetime of processed carbs in the form of white bread, cookies and cakes.

A diet based on these types of refined carbs is responsible for many bulging stomachs and fat rolls in thighs and chins, and even worse, high insulin levels that lead to diabetes and suppress two other important hormones -- glucagons and growth hormones -- that are responsible for burning fat and sugar and promoting muscle development, respectively.

Insulin from excess carbohydrates promotes fat, and then wards off your body's ability to lose that fat. Excess weight and obesity not only lead to heart disease but also a wide variety of other diseases later in life.


You can easily cross any form of grain-based infant cereal off of this list. When flour is refined to make cereal, the most nutritious part of the grain is removed, so the flour essentially becomes a form of sugar.

When you feed your baby a bowl of infant cereal, picture yourself dipping directly into your sugar bowl and feeding baby a spoon or two, because that's essentially what it amounts to.

" (http://www.mercola.com/)


Instead we offer whole, organic, nutrient dense food optimal for brain development and growth.

1. Egg Yolks - According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, egg yolk should be your baby's first solid food, starting as early as 4 months, whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed. Egg yolks from free-range hens will contain the special long-chain fatty acids so critical for the optimal development of your child's brain and nervous system.

Looking Cute eating Egg Yolks! :)

I make over medium fried organic eggs for myself with goat butter. I peel open up the yolks and offer them to Oliver and he loves it! Egg whites may cause allergies so no egg whites until he turns one year.

2. Avocado - They are often called one of nature's perfect foods because they are said to contain everything a person needs to survive. A wonderful "good fat" food for baby's brain and physical development, try an avocado as baby's first food instead of refined cereals.

"Sodium- and cholesterol- free, avocados contain valuable nutrients including 8% of the recommended Daily Value (DV) for folate; 4% DV for fiber and potassium, 4% DV for vitamin E; and 2% DV for iron. A serving of avocado also contains 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein and 19 micrograms of beta-carotene. Per serving, avocados have 3.5 grams of unsaturated fats, which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain."

Oliver mashing avocado! 

 I usually just scrape a little with a spoon and offer or give him pieces to mash up himself which is fun and messy!

3. Grass Fed Calf/Beef Liver - Very little on occasion for iron and other benefits... but not too much since it has a lot of vitamin A that could cause problems in high quantities.

I grate it frozen into a pan and warm it until brown and offer it to Oliver.

4. Raw Organic Fruits - we have offered apples, bananas, melons, kiwi, mamey, pineapple, and plums up to now. Some just big chunks to suck on and others scrapped with a spoon. I offer him frozen slices of apples for teething and will sometimes give him a core to suck on as well.

Mamey Mouth! :)

Sugar Plum Baby!

Core Workout!

5. Veggies - We have offer Raw Organic Greens (chard, kale, spinach) and Carrot or Celery sticks to chew on for teething. We also have offered steamed sweat potato, potato, chard, and squash (all organic).

At Whole Foods munching on kale!

6. We have also recently offered organic plain Greek yogurt and some plain frozen yogurt. I have given him some licks of Organic molasses as well. He has also been given a few piece of Ezekiel Bread with goat butter (not interested in eating it just sucking on it and then giving it to our dog). 

     Overall Our Experience has been extremely fun and messy. We love it. It is fun to watch him play with different textures. His reactions to the different tastes are priceless! Our dog Zippo couldn't be more supportive since he gets the food that makes it to the floor.  We are currently taking this as an experience and not as a diet change just yet. His diet still consists of 99% breastmilk and I want to keep it like that for as long as I can...