Because I Said So!!! Mom Knows Best!

I just bought some new plastic wear a few
days ago with Rowan in mind. These were little
lidded containers for she is well onto solid foods
now and I have to start carting snacks a long with
me where ever I go. As I was standing there waiting to
pay for my purchase and I started to wonder what I was going
to put in them. With Andrew the choice was easy for you
had no choice at all. There were Cheerios and Gold Fishes.
That was it, end of story, close the book. Now, wow, I am
undated with choices every where I go and I feel like
I am lost in a food tunnel with zillions of bite sized snack
foods taunting me and a giant finger going No, No, No,
when ever I think I am making the right choice. It is
a mad eat mad world out there and I am lost in the
middle of it.

Okay let's not forget the fact I am a busy Mom,
I do have a life outside the kitchen and hats off to
super Mom's of the past who could whip together
a 32 part meal from scratch while balancing 4 babies
and 2 loads of Hand Washed ( and Pressed, like that
would happen here) laundry and still have time for a
manicure AND wore heels while doing it all. I am not
that woman! Um, I am not even part of that woman. I am
the one screaming my feet hurt when I am wearing anything
but flats or sneakers and wearing a jogging suit and T-shirt
and tossing in a TV dinner that says it is good for you in
the microwave while turning the steam on in the shower
for I once again didn't pull my laundry out in time before
the wrinkles took hold and who knows where my iron is!
Now that is what I am working with! So here I am, an
underachiever by Donna Reed Standards, lost in a world
that is telling me 7,000 different ideas on what is good
for my kids and all I can focus on is good? That's nice,
but what is fast and fun for them to eat!
Annabel Karmel heard me scream, she must have
for she made a book filled with some great recipes for
Moms like me and also saved me from my own label
of bad food Mommy and made them good for my kids
too! I love how the book starts out with the all important
information on what is great for your child and what age
should you introduce it. The starter list is perfect for those
of us with questions and the handy reminder on what to do
for choking is extremely important. It not only lists finger
foods that could be a hazard it teaches you tips on how to
make even foods on the safe list a little bit safer yet!
Annabel takes these foods and turned them into tasty
treats even the fussiest baby is sure to enjoy. My son and
I spent some time making some of the recipes in the
book and I don't know how else to explain it then to
tell you, move over Baby, Mommy and the Brother are
Hungry! We made the French Toast with Caramelized
Bananas and this was a dream. SO Delicious I even tried
to hide the rest from my son but when went to do so I
caught him trying to do the same. I am posting that one
in the recipe section of the site for you because I really
don't want you to miss out! YUM. We also tried the Nachos
and the Potato Pizza Bites and both were also scrumptious
and perfect for a picky pallet.
Everything in the book is on the simple side to make
and each section gives an overview of not only what is
in it but helpful tips and guidelines to make it simple to
introduce and nutritional tips. Rowan is still on the little
side and I have been sticking to Pureed items and hard
biscuits and cookies but I found a recipe for the Welsh
Rabbit she loves. She didn't get to the veggie part but
did love the Cheesy Toasted English Muffin and I went
about it with the idea that even if she is too young to
eat the veggies that way if I at least show them they
are a part of a normal dinner plate she will understand
when she is old enough that they are a good thing and not
try to avoid them.The Soft boiled Eggs with Italian Soldiers
were adorable and right up her alley after Mommy ate the
ham. She had the best time dipping her bread stick into
the egg and I felt great knowing she was already on her
way to enjoying a balanced meal before she is even
off and running. Top 100 Finger Foods will not only give
you the top 100 but will leave you and your own creative
juices flowing and that 100 will turn into thousands of your
own ideas as well!

Make sure to check out the yummy French Toast
Recipe for I promise you will love it as much as your
kids and stay tuned for I promise to post more from her
book as well! Annabel Karmel and her Top 100 Finger
Foods is a must have addition to any cooking collection
and double that to serve six if you have kids! My final
review is a huge two Banana French Toast Pieces up!
YUM

Annabel Karmel