Need a Cookbook for Family + Baby Recipes

Updated on September 29, 2008
A.R. asks from San Francisco, CA
15 answers

My 10-month-old daughter is starting to eat table foods & now often refuses the special baby foods I give her, preferring what's on my plate.... so I think it's time to integrate her into our family meals. The problem is that our meals need a bit of an overhaul. I'd like to feed my daughter healthier foods than what we eat! My husband and I are "foodies" and into gourmet and ethnic foods. Can anyone recommend cookbooks/websites with healthy, easy, interesting recipes that work for parents and baby?

4 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Try Semi Homemade by Sandra Lee, she has a geat slow cooker cookbook. Also use www.foodnetwork.com, She has great recipes there as well as Rachael Ray. All easy to prepare, loaded with great healthy options, and flavors! Whole Foods alos has a great website with lots of delicious recipes, to include a section for kids! All healthy, and full of variety (snacks, appetizers, breakfasts, lunch, dinner, salads, side dishes, etc.), just go to www.wholefoods.com

I hope this helps! I have found through the years that my 4 boys have eaten what ever I've made at the table. I've just been careful with the spices (as far as heat) that I've used. I never skimped on the flavor though, it's good for them to experience different sweet and savory tastes. As long as it's healthy whole foods going in, being a FOODIE is very much ok!

A little about me:
I am a happily married stay at home mama to 4 beautiful boys ages 9,6, and twins that are 4.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.T.

answers from San Francisco on

123, Cook for Me, by Karin Knight, RN
Someone gave this to our family when my daughter was born and it has gotten heavy use...almost 2 and a half years later I still am using it, and I have a LOT of cookbooks.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I would recommend "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon. It is a wonderful resource all about nutrient dense food and a wonderful cookbook.

M. S.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Moosewood Cookbook, Eating for Life and I love Rachael Ray!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.E.

answers from Sacramento on

For healthier eating for my family, we discovered Wildtree (www.wildtree.com). It's a company founded on helping people make delicious, healthy food without breaking the bank or lose hours of time cooking. Basically, it is all natural, gourmet spice blends, sauces, rubs, and other cooking products, meant to be paired with just a few ingredients, to make cooking easier, delicious, and better for you. No preservatives, food dyes, or msg. Check them out, and if you request more information, be sure to ask for Trudy Anderson. She is our rep and is very knowledgeable about the products.

A.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Have her eat whatever you are eating. That's what I was told with my daughter. She's a very healthy eater now and will try anything. Some things we'd alter based on dr recommendations. Such as no honey and no raw fish. So when we'd go out for sushi I'd order her an avocado roll. Also she was petite so our dr had us add extra butter to her food & she had to drink whole milk.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.F.

answers from Chico on

im not sure if this comes in handy,but try googling healthy childrens reccipes,I hope maybe that helps.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Modesto on

Not sure about the recipes being gourmet enough for your taste, but one book I've been reading is "Feeding the Whole Family - Recipes for Babies, Young Children and Their Parents" by Cynthia Lair and focuses on integrating meals for the whole family - with whole foods (not processed).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.G.

answers from San Francisco on

In the book "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron, there are baby food recipes, toddler food recipes, and family recipes. Maybe check it out at the library and see if it has anything you like.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Stockton on

My son ate everything we ate by about 7 months, i just put it in a food processor at first. For first foods i mashed or steamed and mashed then we just move on to the food processor. I gave him larger portions of the good stuff like veggies. He will eat anything that is offered to him! The only think we have found that he does not like is cantelope. I will do the same with my daughter when she starts solids.

When it was time to start solids, i actually compared baby food labels to adult food labels. Baby food had more sodium and other bad stuff in most cases...things that i had no clue what they were. Plus it cost's 3 times as much, perfect ploy for the baby food industry to make lots of money!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.H.

answers from Stockton on

my mom just got me- "deceptively delicious" by J. seinfeld. it talks about using veggie purees and incorporating them into other foods- like cheese sticks, etc. I haven't used it too much yet, because my little guy is still eating his purees. It seems like an interesting idea though. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from San Francisco on

A R
She can eat whatever you are eating as long as it's not spicey hot. Baby food is made for convience and to make the food industry money!
The more you include her in your dining experiences the easier life will be for all of you. She does not need special food. just remember to avoid the foods associated with choking, raw carrot rounds, hot dogs, no nuts or nut better until age 3 years, and no raw honey until after age 1 year.
You all will have a blast!
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.A.

answers from Sacramento on

I think gourmet and ethnic foods would be awesome things to introduce to your little one! Babies have more taste buds than we do and are more sensitive to flavor; that's why so many baby foods are so terribly bland. But if she likes what you are eating, more power to her! Since babies are growing so fast, a little more fat than is good for adults is actually good for babies. They need fat for brain development too. That's why they recommend whole milk until age 2. Anyway, if she'll eat it, I'd just give her what you're eating (as long as it's in, or put in, a form she can handle). Good luck and have fun. I have SUPER PICKY eaters and dinner is always hard.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Try the cookbook by Jerry Seinfeld's wife...can't remember the name but looked like a good "feed the whole family" deal.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches