Monday, 5 December 2011

Pretty Pink Oats

This morning I made one of my baby girl's favourite breakfasts: rolled oats with apple and strawberry. I feel like a seasonal cheat with this dish, as apples really are a winter fruit. However, I do have a big batch of pre-cooked apple puree frozen down, so maybe it's not too bad. I love watching her little face light up when she realises what I made for her, and she even protested when I took too long to get her the next mouthful! I thought I would share this super simple recipe with you all.

Oats are such a wonderful food for babies. They are easy to digest for little stomachs, they are a calming food that nourishes the nervous system and they are low GI, ensuring a slow release of energy for exploring the world. They are also easy and quick for me to make! The apple adds some extra fibre and the strawberries are high in vitamin C. I also add coconut oil. When bub was little she had a bout of thrush that still rears its ugly head from time to time. Coconut oil is a natural antifungal, so I started using it in her food with good results. It's also a healthy fat source, and given that babies require most of their energy from fats, its great for all babies - especially formula feed bubs.

So the recipe...

2tbs rolled oats
1/3 cup of filtered water
2-3tbs apple puree
4-5 strawberries (organic strawberries tend to be small. You would only need 2-3 lge ones)
1 tsp coconut oil

Cook the oats with the water over a low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a little more water if it gets too thick. Once the oats are mushy, stir in the apple puree and coconut oil and remove from heat. Toss in the strawberries and puree. Serve with a joyous heart, knowing you made beautiful, healthy food for your baby.

This amount gives 2-3 serves for my 10mth old, depending on how hungry she is. I reheat it by placing in a glass jar in a bowl of hot water. Never microwave any food for your baby.

I would love to hear what your kids think!

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