Top 10 Things to Do with Toddlers on a HOT Summer Day

Photo Credit: www.wjla.com

For the past few weeks there has been a excessive heat warning in the DC Metro Area.  The actual temperature is 94 degrees Fahrenheit, yet due to high humidity it feels like 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  Get this -- they say this heat is deadly and it is so bad that they even threatened to close the pools - I never heard of such! 

With 2 kids under the age of 3, I have been desperate to come up with ideas of what activities we can safely do since it seems to be this hot day and night.  

Below are the top ten things that I came up with:

1. Bake some cookies from scratch - kids love to cook and this is a safe way that they can get involved (1 hour)
2. Do some chores - I learned that kids love to dust! My house has never been so clean (40 minutes)
3. Turn up the music and just dance - it is a great way to get that energy out so that they will nap (30 minutes)
4. Skype and FaceTime friends and relatives - easy entertainment for the kids and Grandma and Grandpa will love it (30 minutes)
5. Lay on the floor and let them crawl all over you - effortless for you and the best thing in the world to them - you are on their level (30 minutes)
6. Fill up a wading pool outside and let them splash around - don't forget water to keep them hydrated as well as sunscreen.  Limit the time outside to 20-30 minutes (25 minutes)
7. Turn off the lights and get some flashlights, turn them on and give them to the kids.  They will think that it is the best thing since sliced bread (20 minutes)
8. Grab 3 books each and read (30 minutes)
9. Make a tent - use two chairs for the ends of the tent and drape an oversized blanket over the backs of the chairs (45 min)
10. When all else fails, sing all of the kid songs that you know to keep them entertained (30 min)

Add your suggestions in the comment section of this blog :)

Baby Food Recipe :: Carrots

Pureed Carrots

The vibrant orange color in carrots can be attributed to the high amounts of beta-carotene present in this vegetable.  This along with other nutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium, coupled with their naturally pleasing taste make them a great first food for babies.  A bonus is that they are also easy for young babies to digest.

Follow this simple recipe to make a quick carrot puree for your little one.

Ingredients:
2 cups of carrots
2 cups of water

Instructions:

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil
Peel and cut carrots into chunks (note: you may use full carrots or baby carrots)
Place a steamer pan over the boiling water and steam the carrots until they are tender (you should be able to push a fork through the thickest point of the carrot chunk with ease)

Transfer carrots to blender/food processor/hand mixer and reserve 1/4 cups of water

Puree carrots and add reserved water to achieve desired consistency

*Using the water from the pot enables you to return the nutrients from corn to the puree

Storage:

Option 1: Store the carrot puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the carrot puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe :: Sweet Potato, Carrot and Corn Medley

Sweet Potato, Carrot, Corn Medley

Looking to add some variety to your baby's diet? Try mixing foods that you already offered to create a unique baby blend.  By now you have likely already offered sweet potatoes, carrots and corn as a first food.  

Try this recipe below which incorporates all three in a brand new baby blend:

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 cup of corn
• Water

Instructions:

1. Peel, core and cube sweet potato and carrot 
2. Place 1/2 cup of corn, sweet potato and carrot cubes in a pot and fill with just enough water to cover the vegetables
3. Boil the corn, sweet potatoes and carrots until tender
4. Place corn, sweet potatoes and carrots in a blender/food processor/hand mixer bowl and reserve water
5. Blend/process/mix and add reserved water until desired consistency is reached

** Ensure that baby has tried all three foods before offering this medley to avoid food allergies**

Storage:

Option 1: Store the sweet potato, carrot and corn medley in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the sweet potato, carrot and corn medley in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipes :: Applesauce

Applesauce

Apples are packed with fiber and vitamin C (great for the immune system).  Their sweetness makes them an awesome choice for a first fruit and they are useful for improving digestive and dental health.

Follow this basic applesauce recipe for your baby's first applesauce puree:

Ingredients:

• 4 large apples (of your choice - my suggestion is to try the sweeter ones e.g. gala [my favorite], red delicious, golden delicious, braeburn, or honey crisp)
• Water

Instructions:

1. Peel, core and cube apples (you can make large cubes maybe 6-8 pieces for each apple)
2. Place apple pieces in a pot and fill with just enough water to cover the apples
3. Boil the apples until tender
4. Place apples in a blender/food processor/hand mixer bowl and reserve water
5. Blend/process/mix and add reserved water until desired consistency is reached

**As a first food make the applesauce more on the soupy side **
**As your baby becomes comfortable with food add cinnamon to the applesauce to add variety**

Storage:

Option 1: Store the applesauce in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the applesauce in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe :: Green Bean Puree

Pureed Green Beans

Green beans mild flavor and nutritional benefits make them a great first food for babies 4-6 months and older.  They are rich in Calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and maganese.  To ensure a smooth consistency for young babies (below 8 months) use frozen green beans -- it's less work to break down the skins in comparison to raw green beans.

Below is the recipe...

Ingredients:

1 cup of cut green beans

Water

Instructions:

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil

Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen french cut green beans to the boiling water

Boil or steam for 15 minutes or until tender

Drain green beans in a colander and reserve water

Puree green beans using a blender/food processor/ or hand blender 

Add reserved water until desired consistency is reached

**As a first food make the green beans more on the soupy side **

Storage:

Option 1: Store the green bean puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the green bean puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)

Baby Food Recipe :: Sweet Potato Puree

Sweet Potato Puree

Sweet potatoes are an AWESOME first food for your baby (4 months and older).  The sweet and mushy nature of them often makes them a certified baby pleaser in terms of their budding palate. For mommies they are a great vegetable to use for your first try at making baby food and later serve as the go-to-vegetable of choice.

The bright orange color serves as assurance that they are high in beta-carotene.  They also are full of vitamin A and potassium and are a good source for vitamin E, folate and calcium. 

I recommend baking the sweet potatoes to retain the nutrients while also bringing out their natural sweetness.  

Ingredients:

1 medium sweet potato

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
2. Wash the sweet potato under cold water
3. Wrap the sweet potato in aluminum foil 
4. Place the potato in the oven and cook for 40-60 minutes
5. Check the potato with a fork (the potato is done when you can drive the prongs of the fork easily through the potato)
6. Let the potato cool for about a half hour
7. Peel the potato (on a well cooked potato the skin should peel easily)
8. Place the potato in a blender/food processor/hand mixer bowl and blend (for older babies 8+ months mash the potato with a fork to provide a chunkier texture)
9. Add water/breast milk/formula to reach desired consistency

**As a first food make the potatoes more on the soupy side **

Storage:

Option 1: Store the sweet potato puree in air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days

Option 2: Place the sweet potato puree in ice cube trays and freeze overnight, then empty frozen cubes into a freezer safe air-tight container/bag and save for 3 months (each ice cube equals 1 ounce)