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Hi, I'm Brenna, welcome to my adventures.

Starting Solids

2/22/2019

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Like so many things baby, starting solids has not gone as I had envisioned.  After learning about baby lead weaning, I totally thought that by simply offering Fredrik pieces of food he would figure out what to do with it. Other than gnawing on a bell pepper strip this hasn't been the case. Since he isn't 6 months old yet (that's next week) I have not been too concerned with getting him to actually eat; and didn't want to push him to eat if he wasn't ready. He can't sit up on his own yet, his tongue thrust reflex was still pretty strong, and he really did not seem interested in anything Ryan and I put in our mouths.  However, it seemed like all the other babies around us were eating solids; and some of them started at 4 months! Ohh well, I would just be patient.  Then one afternoon earlier this month I had the bright idea of offering Fredrik some of the banana goop that was leftover from making banana muffins. He went nuts! He loved it and started grabbing the spoon trying to get more in his mouth. Since then we have been offering him foods that are naturally soft and/or easily mashed. I have no desire to make gobs of pureed baby food; and with so many organic, single ingredient brands on the market I plan on utilizing some of them to supplement in until Fredrik figures out how to eat actual 'solid' food on his own.  However, I did make liver pate which he absolutely loves, and blended up some ground beef with homemade chicken broth to help ensure an increase in iron consumption.
High protein and high fat foods are much more nutrient dense compared to typical "baby" foods such as rice cereal, oatmeal, and pureed fruits. For more information on when and what foods to start infants on, check out these posts by Noelle of Coconuts and Kettlebells:
When to Start solids

Best First Foods
If you are past this stage and have a toddler around, Lily Nichols who wrote 'Real Food for Pregnancy' has a wonderful post on helping these little ones learn to eat mindfully. With a focus on real foods of course.

Here is what Fredrik has tried so far
banana mush
baked and mashed sweet potato + breast milk 
goat milk yogurt + fruit puree 
homemade beef liver pate (LOVES IT)
hard boiled egg yolks + Haine mayonnaise
pineapple bits and a green bean at Big Bowl
​mashed avocado + rice wine vinegar
Beech Nut veggie puree + butter
pureed ground beef

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Paleo Cajun Turkey Pot Pie

2/19/2019

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Inspired by 2-3 recipes from the Primal Cravings cookbook. This recipe is similar to a tamale pie, but with cajun flavors and a grain free biscuit topping.  It could be made keto with a different topping recipe such as these, as well as omitting the carrots from the mirepoix. Need it to be vegetarian? Replace the turkey with a combination of canned beans, rice, and meat crumbles. ENJOY!!

Ingredients:
1 Tbs Butter/Lard/Coconut oil 
1 container Mirepoix from Trader Joe (or diced onion, carrot, celery)
1.5-2# ground turkey
1 cup diced tomatoes or salsa
3 Tbs Penzey's Cajun seasoning
2 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbs Hot sauce (optional)
1 tsp dried thyme or 1 Tbs fresh, minced
1 Tbs Lemon Juice
Salt and Pepper to taste

For the topping:
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup arrow root or tapioca starch
2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 cup butter at room temp
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup water or broth
4-8oz shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a large dutch oven or skillet, melt your fat of choice and sauté the mirepoix. 
3. Add the ground turkey and continue to cook until it is browned and crumbly.
4. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened. Set aside.

5. In a medium to large bowl, combine the dry biscuit ingredients.
6. cut the butter in using a fork.
7. Stir in the egg and water.
​8. Spoon the biscuit batter over the filling and spread it out to cover the dish.
** Cheddar cheese can be mixed into batter or sprinkled over the top.
8. Bake until golden brown and bubbly.  About 30 minutes.

Serves 4-6
Calories: 430, Total Carb: 21g, Net Carb: 15g, Fat: 23g Protein: 32g

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Gone Fishing

2/15/2019

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For the past several years Ryan has planned a fishing trip up on Lake of the Woods for him and 2-3 friends. Despite having a 5mo old I told him to cary on with his usual plans, it's good to get away and de-stress! So what does one eat while trapped in an ice house for 3 days? I'm not saying that what these guys eat for 3 days is "healthy," but compared to what other folks bring, I think they are doing pretty good. No frozen Jacks pizza for these guys! After doing this for several years we have come up with a fairly standard menu, and do all the cooking/prep ahead time to keep things simple and easy for them.  
Here's the menu  
Breakfasts: Eggbeaters (don't need to worry about breaking or freezing) + sausage or bacon 
Lunch: Ham or turkey or PB&J sandwiches 
Suppers: 
  •  Brats (no buns) and baked beans
  • Fried fish (if they catch any) using MSG free coating and peanut oil + frozen french fries 
  • Chicken Tacos: 3# shredded chicken made with Trader Joes taco seasoning in the instant pot and then frozen. flour tortillas, sautéed peppers, salsa, and shredded cheese
  • If the fishing is bad,(which it was this year) homemade Beef and bean Chili that we make ahead of time and freeze.

Snacks: Goldfish crackers, trail mix, beef jerky. I also make a batch of cookies each year and put them in individual bags for each guy.  In the past I have made Paula Deen's PB monster cookies. They are super tasty. This year I made a  batch of plain chocolate chip cookies. 
Drinks: Coffee, Zevia, Bottled water, beer (lots of beer)

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Tuna-chovie Salad

2/1/2019

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If you read my post on Foods 4 Focus, you know that iron and zinc are two important minerals for brain health, and many people/kids are deficient in them. But how to get them? Add anchovies! And I don't mean to your pizza. These briny, fatty, little fish are full of nutrients.
"A portion of five anchovy fillets (canned in oil and drained; about 20g) has 42 calories, 5.8g protein, 1.9g of fat, and no carbohydrates. Anchovies are an excellent source of calcium, iron, and zinc."
If you are scared of adding these tiny fish to your diet, but enjoy eating tuna, or salmon, or other canned fish try mashing them into a tuna salad; you'll never know they are there. Personally, I buy skipjack tuna since it is lower in mercury than albacore, or yellow fin. This 'recipe' could also be done with chicken or egg salad if you are not a fan of  fish.  The anchovies just add a little salty flavor.
Ingredients:
1, 5oz can tuna, drained
1, 2oz can anchovies, drained
2-3Tbs Mayonnaise
1 Tbs Mustard
1 Tbs lemon/lime juice or apple cider vinegar
1tsp dried dill
1/4 cup diced celery
2 small dill pickles diced
Ground Black pepper

Steps:
1. Combine and mash all ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Serve on a bed of lettuce, wrap, sandwich, crackers, cucumber slices, whatever works for you and your family.  Use fresh lemon/lime wedges or vinegar for extra moisture on your salad.
Serves 1-2.

Want another delicious recipe using anchovies, try my crockpot Chicken Puttanesca.
For more info on anchovies, the difference between oil packed, and salt cured, check out Precision Nutrition's post.

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    Brenna

    I'm a dietitian with a passion for good nutrition, bold flavors, playing in the dirt, and being with my family.

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