Organically Raised: Conscious Cooking for Babies and Toddlers: A Cookbook

by Anni Daulter, Shante Lanay

A cookbook with a conscience, Organically Raised  shows parents how to replace bland processed shelf staples with flavorful, pesticide-free meals that babies will love, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good nutrition and enthusiastic eating.

Organically Raised shows families how easy it is to make safe, wholesome food at home and create lasting family mealtime rituals. The simple, seasonal purées for new babies and inventive recipes from around the world for toddlers and young children provide parents with all of the tools they need to raise adventurous eaters.

The cookbook also includes important information about nutrition for children, common food allergies, a handy feeding journal, and inspiring "Mama Mantras" to help parents prepare meals that nurture their children's bodies, minds, and spirits. With photographs featuring delicious, healthy baby food and recipes that focus on a few basic fresh ingredients, Organically Raised makes cooking for babies and young toddlers easy and appealing to even the most inexperienced cook.

Genres: Cookbooks, Parenting

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite baby cookbooks advocating ogranic and natural ingredients. It contains helpful guides for rainbow eating and seasonal produce. The book also lists ingredients to keep in the pantry and equipment needed for cooking. The recipes are designed as spring, summer, fall, winter, and year-round depending upon the ingredients. Sidebars with information about nutrients accompany each recipe.

The book is divided into three sections by age group: 6 to 9 months, 8 to 12 months, and 12 months and older, which includes toddlers, preschoolers, and adults. And the recipes for 12 months and up look so good that I am looking forward to making them as family meals. Each recipe also includes a number of servings produced but does not exactly define the size of the serving.

The one negatives is that the authors are against freezing primarily because the food does lose nutritional value and doesn't taste as good. Although this is true, many many mothers don't have the luxury of staying home and being able to cook fresh food for their babies every day. So, not having information about freezing and preserving makes this cookbook less helpful than many others.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want a great cookbook that will get you from toddler to middle school, this is the book you should read.

I've tried almost every recipe and I can tell you that if your kiddo won't finish his plate, you will have no problem eating it yourself! In fact, I often choose something from this book when I go to a potluck at my kids' school or family event where I don't want to have anything too "out there" but I still want to bring something healthy. The dishes have excellent flavor, many (but not all) are simple enough you can make them with your children, and they encompass all kinds of healthy eating- most, but not all of the recipes are vegan/vegetarian and low-sugar.

Highly recommended for families who care about health and cook at home!

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this while eating cheetos, if that gives you any indication of my diet. I liked some of the recipes but this felt like a very "privileged" food book sprinkled with pseudo-mindfulness. One of the "mantras" even talked about taking the child to Italy one day to experience true Italian cuisine. I'm sure that's EXACTLY what mantras are for. Expensive vacations.

[Suki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has made it on my "seriously consider purchasing" list. Good basics. Good mix-ins. Good stuff.

The concept of conscious cooking and mantras was weird for my husband. It all made sense to me and reminded me of our birthing class which I loved.

[Meryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was a wee bit off-putting in its tone, but the recipes more than make up for it. There are a few that I'll probably make for myself, even though the baby's not due for five months still.

[Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the time I read this book it did not apply to me as much since Rhys eats table food that the rest of the family eats, but I wish I had it when Rhys was an infant. It has great natural baby food ideas. I would recommend it to all Moms to be and Moms of infants who are beginning to eat.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the seasonal produce list and all the different recipe ideas!