This is a work in progress but I think today will begin with a series called Mommy Mondays. So my Monday posts will specifically be mom related. It is unlikely I will share pictures of my little one as I am just not comfortable with it at this point and I think I can create amazing content without any of those possible complications. Here goes.
Currently, Peanut is 7 months old and starting to eat solid foods (ish). Thus far, we have started out with homemade oatmeal cereal….three time. The first stab at it was not great. At first, I suspected that it was because I used steel cut oats. Turns out I accidentally did not lower the heat to a simmer after bringing the water to a boil. So things got a little gummy and she was NOT a fan. Therefore, some tweaking was done for the second helping, including but not limited to changing to rolled oats. Things progressed quite well and moderate success was cautiously celebrated. On the third try, I returned to steel cut oats with continued success and victory was obtained.
Before undergoing this project, I did a fair amount of research and it was found (for the most part) that the ratio was 1/4 cup of ground oats to 3/4 to 1 cup of water. I used my Ninja Master Prep Food Processor to grind up the oats with very little drama. Initially I ground up all of the steel cut oats I had and stored them in an airtight container in the pantry. When using the rolled oats, I only ground up the 1/4 cup that I was making for that feeding. It still seems like too much for her, but otherwise it is a lot of math and I’m not about that life.
The basic premise/specifics regarding making homemade oatmeal cereal goes like this: Boil 3/4 to 1 cup of water; add the oats (1/4 cup) while stirring; LOWER the heat to a simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently (probably with a whisk or fork). After pouring that into a bowl, formula can be added to make it as thin as your kiddo likes it. I will say the steel cut oats had more texture, which is not terribly surprising. I think she liked both once Mom (me) didn’t muck it all up and make it gummy. Lesson learned. Lowering the heat is essential.
Next week’s adventure will include trying her out with a vegetable. I anticipate that it will be easier to prepare but messier to eat. We shall see. The certainty of parenting is that every week, make that every day, is a new adventure. And I love it!