When I first started to learn about making baby food, I was concerned about having to spend so much extra time cooking. I quickly learned some shortcuts to making the baby food without compromising the nutrition. Here are some of the shortcuts that I used.

• Use fresh frozen fruits and vegetables.  
  

Fresh frozen fruits and vegetables are often less expensive then the ones in the produce isle. Also, the fruits and vegetables are frozen within hours of being picked, which mean they have not lost any nutrients in transport.

• Use natural unsweetened applesauce.

You can spend the time to make your own applesauce if you want, but it is a long process. If you buy the natural unsweetened applesauce in the jar, it is the same as if you made it yourself and freezes just as well.

•  Use canned pumpkin.

Libby’s brand pure pumpkin is just that, pure pumpkin. When picking canned pumpkin, make sure that you are not buying pumpkin pie mix.

• Use a microwave steamer.

These usually work in less time then it takes to boil water on the stove. Also, you are not heating up your kitchen as much.

• Use a baby food mill.

If you do not have your baby foods cubes on hand, or are out to eat, use a baby food mill. They cost about $15 and have a carrying case so you can put it in your diaper bag and go. Then you can mix up a serving of baby food right there at the table.