One of a Kind Designs! (Teacher)

One of a Kind Designs By Nicole

She does all kinds of pretty things!! But since school will be ending in a couple of months and some parents like to buy their kids teacher a little something I thought I would share! How cute?? Everyone should go take a look at her items!!

I Pledge to....

Ok guys, its been a while since I have had a computer! Finally got my laptop!! YAY! I know its know handmade =] But it helps me out with helping ya'll out when finding great handmade products!!! =] I hope everyone takes this pledge, because instead of helping major companies we are helping out the "small" people! Which I <3 to do!!! Ok so I am putting links to everyone on this page! I will do a review on a seperate page for everything but this will just be a long list!! =]

TuTu's

Darling Diva Tutus

Nicki's Diapers (Nursing Cover)

copied from site!

Ready for your chance to win a Hooter Hiders Nursing Cover in Mini? There are a few ways you can enter. You can do each one of the entries however you must post back here to our blog and tell us WHAT you did. Be sure you follow the Nicki’s Diapers blog - publicly for your chance to win! 

We will post our winner on Wednesday, January 12th. 

Enter HERE for Nicki's Blog

Added Ingredient Is love...Sweet Potato

Introduce ages 4-6 months

• Making your own baby food with fresh fruit and veggies preserves color and taste.
• Processed baby food is developed for the mass market and can be limited in variety.
• The average baby in the U.S. consumes about 600 jars of baby food a year, which can cost up to $600 compared to the lower cost of preparing food at home.
• It's easier than you think–and because you can freeze it in single servings, you only need to make food once or twice a week. See recipes below.

Having control over what your baby eats

Processed baby foods may have added water, sugars or starchy fillers that could dilute the nutrient content of the actual food. The foods are also cooked at high temperatures to kill bacteria so they can be stored in jars at room temperature. This process can also destroy vitamins and nutrients, which then need to be re-added by the manufacturer. When you make baby food at home, you can cook it quickly. This process not only preserves the color and taste of the food, but maximizes the foods' nutrient content.

Elimination of additives

Homemade baby food is pure, wholesome food with nothing added that you did not add yourself. And buying certified organic produce (fresh or frozen) and preparing food at home eliminates agricultural chemicals from your baby's diet. (If you can't make your own baby food, freeze-dried organic varieties are a good option for nutrition and taste.)

Improved freshness

Have you compared fresh green peas to a jar of pea baby food? Even though they are the same food, they don't look, smell or taste similar. Serving fresh food from the very beginning will help your baby be more open to tasting new flavors and types of food.

Additional variety

Processed baby food is developed for the mass market and, as a result, is limited in variety. Variety is key to a balanced diet and healthy living. Today's grocery stores offer a tremendous variety of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables. And preparing baby food at home enables you to add herbs, combine flavors, and easily introduce new textures, making your baby's mealtime a pleasurable, gourmet experience.

Lower costs

Processed baby foods are expensive. The average baby in the United States will consume 600 jars of baby food. Parents who use processed baby food spend an average of $300 to $600 on baby food during their infant's first year of life. Making baby food at home is extremely cost-effective, as foods may be purchased either in season or on sale.

Making homemade baby food

Using fresh produce, a blender and set of ice cube trays, you can make food in quantity and freeze it in single servings. This means you only need to make food once or twice a week. Bottom line, it takes about 30 minutes a week.

Boiling/Steaming Sweet Potatoes for Baby Food:

1. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into small chunks
2. Place chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover potato
3. "Steam" boil until tender, be sure to check on the water level.
4. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the sweet potatoes if desired

Foods Good to Mix With Sweet Potatoes

Baby Cereal
Apples
Peaches
Carrots
Green Beans
Parsnip
Peas
Pumpkin
Summer Squash - zucchini or yellow/crooked necked
Winter Squash - butternut, acorn rtc.
Brown Rice
Lentils
Chicken
Beef
Pork
Yogurt

.

Baby's First Cereal

Rice is easily digested and has low allergen aspects, so it is commonly recommended as the first food you introduce to your baby. This recipe is perfect for infants, but by adding a few "extras" it will tempt the taste buds of kids and adults.

Ingredients:
3 cups of brown rice, cooked according to package directions
12 ounces breast milk, water, or infant formula

Directions:
Place the cooked brown rice in a blender with the breast milk/water/formula. Purée until completely smooth–you can't make it too smooth. Pour the cereal into ice trays, cover and freeze overnight. Once frozen, pop the cubes out of the trays, place in a freezer bag or container labeled with the date and return to the freezer. Lasts up to two months.

To serve:
Defrost the cubes, and add breast milk or formula to develop a smooth consistency. For babies just starting solids, thin the cereal to a semi-liquid consistency. Warm the cereal, if desired. You can also change the flavor by adding fruit or veggie baby food, once your baby has started to eat those foods.

Located On...

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Parent Reviewers' Directory Listing

Darling Diva Tutu's

My baby's first tutu & headband!

Perfect, really the word for the tutu & headband! Exactly what I had asked for but better! It stretches so she will be able to use it for a little while! Very fluffy! Adorable! If you are wanting to order tutus please go to her site!! Oh let her know we sent you!! ♥

Darling Diva Tutu's

Layla in her new tutu!

What we will be sharing on this blog!!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! This is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and special times in your life

-Creating a Green Environment for Baby

With so much in the news about what is safe for baby, how do you really know? We are not only up-to-date on all the latest product recalls, but we can recommend all the best "green" products for your baby -- from pacifiers to blankets to lotions to toys. We know what is best for the environment and for your little miracle.

-Essential Items Research

Do I need a cradle? Do all babies need swaddling blankets? Which types of bottles are safe? Which stroller is best for me? We will help you answer these types of questions and many more. We will help you compare baby items and will go through each essential to make sure you buy the ones that fit your needs, budget, and lifestyle.

-Healthy Baby Food

We will help you learn all you need to know about making your own baby food, from start to finish. We'll help you find the right tools, learn to prepare and freeze fruits and vegetables, make your own rice cereal, and more. We also know which feeding products are safe to use and which are not. Did you know many jarred baby foods contain BPA in their containers?  They also have added preservatives and chemicals. We'll show you how easy it can be to make your own food where the only added ingredient is love.

-Product Recommendations and Evaluations

Even after baby's arrival you will have more purchases and more questions. Time to get a high chair? Baby's ready for a convertible car seat? We have a recommendation for everything based on your needs and desires.

If you are wanting your product reviewed please send us an email at
reviewshandmade@gmail.com