While I was making dinner tonight I became inspired. I snapped a photo of my butternut balls and here are some tips related to them.

Freezing Foods for Babies and Toddlers

Freeze food in meal-size portions. Cook an entire butternut squash or sweet potato and then make them into balls. Freeze them in a large flat container and then move them to a bag to save space.

Making Fast Toddler Meals Healthier

You say you’re never going to do it, but then you cave in and you buy the cartoon-shaped canned noodles in tomato sauce (and, yes, that is LIQUID SUGAR listed in the ingredients). Thaw a butternut ball or two and stir it in. It’s like magic – it eases your guilt and also makes the sauce less runny (and messy). This works great in any kind of pasta sauce (even the homemade kind!) if you need to boost your child’s vegetable intake for the day.

You can also use it to adapt an adult version of a meal to a baby or toddler version, if necessary.

RECIPES

Chicken Caesar Wraps for the Grown Ups

Wholewheat and Flax Wraps
3 Chicken Breasts (sliced)
Caesar Salad Dressing
Romaine Lettuce
Bell Peppers (Red, Yellow, or Orange) (thin slices)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese or Crumbled Feta

Chicken Roll Ups for the Toddler

I try to feed the whole family the same meal, but sometimes things are not going to work with a 2 year old so then I serve her a variation… she is 2 1/2 now and just starting to eat lettuce so we’re on our way, but in the mean time…

1/3 of a Wholewheat or Flax wrap

1 ball butternut squash (warmed up)

Shredded Cheese

Thin strips chicken breast

Caesar Salad

Spread squash and sprinkle cheese over wrap, lay down chicken at one end. Roll up. Cut into slices. Serve with grape tomatoes, cheese, and small pieces of shredded lettuce. Provide dip (I use the salad dressing).

Baby Version

1/3 chicken
2/3 squash
Blend and serve.

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