All my photos organised and easy to find..
Shared some of my favorite shots taken in the last twelve months. These may not be the best shots I’ve taken but they are a small selection of my favorite ones. Got more photos in the external hard drive, will continue to update them. Click on “Eat Well, Travel Better – Photo Gallery” for the photos.
Xoxo
Ten Toddler Breakfast Ideas to inspire your busy mornings! Mix and match these kid favorites below with milk for a great start to the day.
As the mother of a toddler and, most recently, a 3-week-old infant, breakfast is without question The Most Important Meal of the Day.
For all of us.
Breakfast time is the only time that is certain: I know where we will be and when, and now I know what we will eat. If lunch is sometimes a question mark, if dinner is an unknown, breakfast is my rock.
I cannot predict what my toddler will eat (or not eat) the rest of the day, but I know I can get him to eat a solid breakfast. Mix and match these 10 Toddler Breakfast Ideas to guarantee a nourishing start to your child’s day. And a bit of sanity to yours.
Some foods shown below have to be prepared separately, while others are as simple as peeling and banana and slicing it up. Whenever possible, I have provided links to recipes when items could be homemade (or you may substitute a store-bought version).
While you may not have all of these components on hand at all times, I hope you are able to find some inspiration here to help answer that eternal question: What the heck am I going to feed my toddler today???
Turkey sausage is one of the rare poultry options that I like as much as the full-fat version (turkey pepperoni is another favorite). I added clementine slices (or substitute mandarin oranges) for sweetness and some toasted oat cereal. If your child is coordinated enough, pour the milk into the bowl to enjoy the cereal the traditional way! Running behind? Toss the cereal into a bag and take it on the road for a quick snack.
If you cannot find the energy to mix up a batch of pancakes from scratch in the morning (and if you’re reading this post, you probably have a toddler, and therefore you definitely DON’T have the energy), give yourself a head start with a Healthy Homemade Pancake Mix. Top with butter and pure maple syrup and serve with a side of fresh strawberries and a glass of milk for an easy, toddler-pleasing morning.
In my house, pancakes = fewer tantrums.
Everything is better with cheese (says the girl from America’s Dairyland) and your toddler thinks so, too. Even a tiny sprinkle of shredded cheese might be all it takes to convince your toddler that eggs are a good idea in the morning (my recipe for Simple Scrambled Eggs is below). As for the grape tomato halves… my toddler loves these. Yours might not. That’s okay. Serve with a small piece of toasted English muffin and strawberry jam and – you guessed it – a glass of milk.
This is a favorite snack in my house but it doubles as a quick breakfast idea, too. Blend some 1/2 banana and 4 fresh or frozen strawberries into 6 ounces of milk for a sweet and satisfying toddler-sized smoothie. Then call it dessert!
Peanut butter toast with bananas on top is an obvious breakfast idea for anyone – except a toddler. The banana slices must be on the side – always on the side! No questions asked! If you start your child off eating wheat toast from the beginning, they won’t even want squishy white bread as they grow up. Hey, it worked for me when my mom did it! Don’t forget the milk to wash down all that peanut butter.
I find that turkey bacon often tastes a look like a ham slice. Which is definitely a good thing! The pumpkin muffins can be made on a weekend for an easy breakfast or snacking idea all week long. I added 1 Tablespoon of chia seeds to my recipe. It doesn’t sound like much, but with chia seeds, a little goes a long way! Applesauce and milk on the side complete this breakfast of champions.
This is another “assembly” breakfast idea that requires no actual cooking. Keep the components separate at first in case your toddler doesn’t like everything mixed together (mine doesn’t). Either homemade or store-bought granola works here (although you’ll want to make the granola in advance, not in the morning while you are trying to get out the door to preschool). Substitute your child’s favorite berry of choice if blueberries aren’t preferred, and don’t forget the milk!
Possibly the easiest breakfast idea yet, and that’s saying something! (None of these are rocket science). I tend to keep almond butter on hand for those fleeting moments when my husband suddenly goes Paleo. It’s also the easiest thing ever to make at home if you have a food processor or a good blender. Almond butter is surprisingly delicious when you spread it on apple slices (my toddler prefers a cup for dipping). Wash it down with a glass of milk and add a piece of string cheese on the side. Super simple, and it also makes a great snack idea!
Obviously regular bagels work just as well here, you may just end up using half a bagel instead of the whole thing. Depending on the size of your toddler’s tummy. Spread the bagel with thick petals of cream cheese and serve with grapes (halved lengthwise if necessary) and a glass of milk on the side.
The breakfast sandwiches can be customized based on what you like (click here for a make-ahead freezer option using deli ham, cheddar cheese, and eggs). My son is a melon fanatic, so cantaloupe (or honey dew, or watermelon) was an obvious pairing for me. A foamy glass of milk on the side completes this fun and nutritious breakfast idea!
As you choose foods for your toddler, for breakfast and the rest of the day, consider involving them in the process so they start to understand how to compose a plate at mealtime.
First smile to first friend: Imitating facial expressions is just one of the ways babies learn how to get along with others. And what a gift it is!!
Social skills are hugely important in family life. Babies & toddlers learn about relationships through all their senses: they notice the way you look into their eyes; see expressions on your face, hear you cooing, singing, talking & reading. And just as milk nourishes their bodies, social interactions help feed children’s emotional & intellectual growth!
Stressing out on what you should prepare for baby’s Annaprashan? Don’t sweat it, mum. From the ceremony to the menu, my tips will help get you through.
The Annaprashan Menu
In Bengal it is a tradition to feed a baby his/her first grain of rice around 6 months before the tooth shows..it is an initiation into solid foods. There is however a rule, it is performed during the even months for boys, generally in the child’s sixth or the eighth month. For girls, it is performed during the odd months, usually fifth or the seventh month, so we performed our daughter Aarvi’s on her fifth month. I have been curious why this is followed in different months..do the food pipes differ for girls and boys..anyways it doesn’t matter..the rice eating ceremony is just a custom and is quite cute.
The Annaprashan cake
The rice eating ceremony is called “Annaprashan” or “Mukhebhaat” in Bangla meaning “entry of grain” and “rice in mouth” respectively.
Paa feeding Aarvi her first grain of rice
Traditionally this ceremony is carried out in the child’s paternal home where the maternal uncle is invited to feed the child his/her first grain of rice. In our case, we were living abroad, so we had to do it without the uncle and her father had to play the role of her uncle in feeding her.
The morning Puja
The morning started off with Puja to seek the blessings of God and to mark the beginning of the auspicious day.
The spa bath included milk, rose petals, leaves and cucumber
We had also arranged a spa bath for her. She had an awesome first spa bath experience, she seemed to have enjoyed the process very much.
All decked out for the vidhi
Followed by the spa bath, she was dressed in traditional attire which was followed by the symbolic feeding of the rice pudding (kheer/payash) that was prepared by her father. This vidhi was then followed by a grand feast and cake cutting ceremony.
The Annaprashan feast may include a variety of items, but the sweetened rice pudding (payash/kheer) is the star dish.
The mandatory rice pudding (payash/kheer)
Apart from the kheer, salad, fried vegetables (potato, brinjal, bitter guard), dals, curries and flavored rice were some of the food items served. I included chicken, prawns, raaita (yoghurt mixed with spices and fruits), tomato sweet and sour chutney, sweets, dates, dry fruits, Belgian chocolates on the menu.
The religious feast was then followed by a fun game where a number of symbolic objects were placed on a plate which she had to pick up. The objects included:
1. Books symbolizing learning.
2. A pen symbolizing wisdom.
3. Money/Jewels symbolizing wealth.
4. Clay symbolizing land/property.
5. Knife symbolizing dignity of a king.
The Annaprashan game plate
It is believed that the object a baby picks up from the plate represents his/her area of interest in future. In our case, she picked the book and pen at the same time with both her hands.
With so much to arrange and a little baby to take care of, here are some handy and delightful tips for a hassle-free event:
-Send a colourful, well-worded invite with your baby’s picture to all the guests.
-Plan ahead of the event. Select your child’s traditional outfit, call the priest and arrange for the puja articles much in advance.
-Arrange for adequate space and decorations in your house or at the banquet hall for the guests.
-Make sure your baby is well rested before the ceremony. Carry a stocked up diaper bag if the venue of the event is not home.
-Keep few familiar toys handy to distract the baby if he gets overwhelmed by the crowd.
-Ensure the fabric of your baby’s outfit does not discomfort her. If you are planning to use any jewellery on your baby, make sure it doesn’t hurt him/her.
-Share your plans in detail with your spouse or a family member. In case you disappear to feed your baby or calm her down, someone can take over the show!
-Hire a photographer or take charge to capture all the precious moments of your baby’s big day.
Maa and Aarvi’s precious and memorable moment
Whether conducted on a big or small scale, any parent would love to make their child’s Annaprashan ceremony memorable. So go ahead, make this occasion of your baby’s life, a momentous one.
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the Annaprashan ceremony, please share them in the Comment box below.
Photography By Sanchali 