FYI: I was not paid to write this review. This is my honest-to-golly opinion. Oh, and you should also know that at the end of this review is an opportunity for you to win a free package of Square One Organic Baby Food, so you can form your own opinion and see if it matches mine. (And if it doesn't you can be all like, "Um, that Claire Bidwell Smith is soo crazy," and I won't mind at all.)
Although my mom was a serious cook, always making everything from scratch and refusing to allow me much coveted treats like Kraft singles and fruit roll-ups, she couldn't cook ALL the time. Case in point: on our refrigerator hung a big sign that read LET'S EAT OUT! and once a week or so my mother would throw up her hands in exasperation, point to the sign and declare that my father take us out to dinner.
My point is that while I'm committed to making most of my baby food, I just can't do it all the time. Even the most determined of us moms need a break now and then, right?
Enter Square One Organics Baby Food. There are tons of baby food brands out there, and tons of good-sounding organic stuff, but there are several reasons why I particularly like Square One Organics.
First, it's made right here in Chicago by an actual mom. Second, all the ingredients are simple and whole and made from only organic fruits, vegetables and grains. And third (and this is a good one), Square One Foods are organized into a color-coded system so that you can ease your baby into solids in a safe and nutritious way. This is seriously helpful when you've got a million other things to do as a mom and you just don't have time to read all the books about integrating food into your baby's life.
Square One is organized into three categories of food, 6 Months & Up, 8 Months & Up and 10 Months & Up. Since Veronica is still in the first category we tried peas, papaya and pumpkin, all of which she liked, especially the peas. I love that I don't have to think about what kinds of food to try and can just give her the stuff in her category.
Next month we'll try mango, broccoli, butternut squash and quinoa. And until then all the cute little packages of Square One will wait in the freezer. Square One is available via their website, PeaPod and select stores in Chicago. If you order it directly from the website it comes in a handy, little cooling box to keep everything fresh until you have time to get the mail. Because seriously, sometimes as a mom there isn't even time to get the MAIL.
Square One Organics are also organized into nutrition categories, like if they're a good source of green (which V's doctor keeps saying she needs more of) they're in a green package. Or if they're a good source of Vitamin A then they're in an orange pack, and so on. If this sounds confusing then you can relax because Square One also has Food Journals and a Superfood Guide to help you figure it out.
Other things I like about Square One Organics:
- All of the purees cost under $2
- Like I said, the company offers food journals and advice for how to integrate solids
- The purees were created by a mom with twins who have food allergies so she's extra-diligent about helping you introduce safe foods to your baby
- They're made right here in Chicago!
- One of the company's main goals is to make the food affordable
- Each pack has two cups, the perfect amount every time
- All the purees are developed with the help of a registered pediatric dietitian to ensure appropriate nutrition for each age group
- Even if you do make your own baby food, a few packs of these are great to have on hand for those nights when all you can say, "Let's Eat Out!"
Anyway, I'm really glad to have come across this company and would highly recommend this product!
Giveaway Details: Square One Organics would like to offer one of my lucky readers a Square One gift set including 16 packs of food, a cd and 30 food journals for
a $50 value.
To win simply leave a comment below telling me which Square One puree sounds the yummiest.
Here are some rules:
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive an additional entry by linking on Twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
- You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
- This giveaway is open to US Residents.
- Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
- You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
- Contest ends January 29, 2010 at 8AM, CST.
Good luck!
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