Mommies Rock!

Happy Mother's Day! 

Me and my little man Maxwell

Ok, ok I know it was yesterday. Hence the reason I didn't write my blog. I was busy with family celebrating my first Mother's Day!! Yay!!  

I have done a lot in my life, but I have to say, my first Mother's Day is something I have anticipated my whole life. And waking up to my little man's face and dimples smiling up at me....yup, I cried, so worth waiting all these years for. Everything I have accomplished in my life pales in comparison to him. Being his Mommy is what I was destined for. So yes, tears of joy is how I woke up on my first Mother's Day. 

Grateful and so blessed! 

So this blog I am going to share one of my favorite things about being a Mom. Making fresh food for Maxwell. Seriously. I love seeing him discover tastes and textures. I love seeing him love something and not care for something else. 
Every day he is learning about food and I love it. 

So the following recipes are what he LOVES! Along with some helpful tips from one new Mom to others. ;) 

Sweet Potato Puree (4 months)

My Sweet Potato!

• 1 pound (2 medium) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot with a steamer insert or collapsible basket. Reduce the heat to a brisk simmer, add the potatoes and steam for 12-15 min until tender when pierced with a fork. Transfer the potato chunks to a blender and puree until very smooth, adding some steaming liquid to thin to the consistency needed. 

My Maxwell LOVED and still loves his sweet potatoes. As he got older, I started baking them in foil and cutting them into small bite sized pieces for him to pick up. Yum Yum Yum! 


Green Bean, Potato and Kale Puree (6-8 months)

Kale is known as a "super food" packed with beta carotene and vitamins C and K and a really great source of iron. But, giving it to a baby can be hard as its a little bitter and a tough texture. But blended with potatoes, green beans, organic chicken stock and parmesean is the perfect puree, incredibly healthy and with a very deep delicious flavor! 

• 1/4 lb of green beans
• 1 large russet baking potato, peeled and sliced
• 4 large kale leaves, stems removed and coarsely chopped
• 1 cup of organic chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons of freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

In a saucepan, combine beans, potato, kale, and stock and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat. Cook uncovered until potatoes are fork tender, about 10 min. Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender and add the parmesan and olive oil. Puree until as smooth as you prefer. Serve warm. 

NEW MOMMY TIP

So being a Mom is different for everyone because every baby is different. Some are very easy, some are a nightmare. It doesn't mean you as a Mom have anything to do with that. 

This is a tip my own Mother gave me. I always think of when I'm trying to do too much or feeling overwhelmed. Which can be often. ;) 

• What babies want, more than any toy, is your time. Your undivided attention. In order to give them that? You have to have "Mommy Time". Meaning you have to give yourself some time just for you to recharge......so you can then give time to your baby. 

Makes sense right? Simple right? But so hard to remember to do. 

One of the ways I give myself "Mommy Time" is to take Sea Salt Detox Soaks in the bath tub at least once a week. 

When Max goes to sleep at around 7:30, I begin my bath time ritual. 

I light candles, put on some soothing music, and close the bathroom door. I have nice fluffy towels ready, and truly make it a spa in my home. 

I make the bath water pretty hot so the steam is inhaled when I'm soaking and the hot water, and its healing and detoxifying principles, seep into my tired muscles. 

Best product? The Sea Source Detox Soak is something Arbonne makes and its magical. This video says it all (and she's got a relaxing english accent to boot!) 
Order @ www.merie.myarbonne.com 

So my beautiful friends, new Mom's (and new Dad's).....take care of you. Happy Mother's Day and here's to your continued health! 

Namaste, my friends

Meredith