Every family no matter how big or small requires some type of planning and preparation to get meals on the table. I am a big advocate of meal planning to help get healthy family meals on the table. Eating healthy is important, but the less time I spend figuring out what to eat and actually getting it on the table, the more time we get to spend as a family. Meal planning for a week in advance is the only way I can be sure I have the ingredients I need for each meal, and that it doesn’t come down to trying to decide what to eat when everyone is hungry and unmotivated. Anytime I am able to simplify my life I choose that avenue.

Not only can meal planning save you time, it can also save you money. Planning meals in advance means that you can buy foods in bulk and be sure to use leftovers. Meal planning can also stop you from wasting food since you can be sure to use the same ingredients two meals in a row.

Meal planning can seem boring and rigid, however I would rather spend my extra time and money being spontaneous in other areas with my family.

Need help with planning your meals? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian.

This is another food I like starting with. Again, I like how it is easy to change the consistency and it does not require any prepping. Starting to feed your baby can be a really stressful time for parents. Listen to your intuition. You know your child best.

Remember that your child will get messy, as will your floor, walls, pets and even yourself. That is ok though, this is all part of the learning process for your baby. Start with using a fork to mash the avocado to the consistency that seems to work for your baby. Every baby is a little different with the textures that they are able to handle. If you find that your baby is not handling a fork-mashed texture just stop feeding solids and try again in a few days or weeks time. Remember that food is for learning and development for the first year and does not play a huge role in your baby’s nutrition. Work up to a place that you can be giving cube pieces of avocado to your baby. This is a great finger food and a wonderful food for them to gain some learning and development from. 



Do you have questions about starting your baby on solid food? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com 


Watch the video of a baby self feeding avocado

This is a quick and easy soup that is kid-friendly too. This soup is both Gluten free and vegan.

3 Leeks (white and light green parts)
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp Canola oil
4 cups Vegetable stock
2 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Curry powder
1 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp Herbamare
2 medium Red skin potatoes, diced
2 Carrots, grated
1/4 cup  Tomato sauce

1. Thinly slice leeks and rinse with cold water.
2. Put oil in large pot and heat on medium heat.
3. Add leeks and garlic and cook for 5 minutes until lightly browned.
4. Add vegetable stock, tomato sauce, cumin, curry powder, black pepper, herbamare and bring to boil.
5. Add potatoes, turn heat to simmer, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add grated carrots and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.

Interested in more kid- friendly recipes? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Registered Dietitian @ nf.nutrition@gmail.com

The food we started with was lentils. I like starting with a food like this because is a high fibre food that is also high in iron, and it is easy to change the consistency. Around 6 months it is important to feed your baby solid foods as their need for iron increases and their stores of iron start to decrease. Keep watching this blog as more about iron will be coming soon. I cooked the red split lentils until quite soft and used a fork to mash them slightly. I do not recommend pureeing foods, as it is good for babies to have different textures in the foods that they are eating.

Red lentils are a somewhat bland food so I would encourage you to add other flavours to them- for example ginger, garlic, spices, herbs. Using lentils as a base to add other foods such as garlic and ginger can also be helpful if your little one has a bit of an upset stomach or to help them boost up their immune system. I would not recommend adding salt, sauces or sugar to the foods your baby is eating. I encourage you to feed your baby what the family is eating- however I do recommend giving them the same food for 3-4 days consecutively before introducing a new food. If the family is adding salt, sugar or sauces to the foods add them after you have taken out the portions for the baby. 



Have more questions about starting solids with your baby? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future’s Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com 

Watch the video of a baby self feeding lentils as the first food