More on Toddler Food

Now, there are many times when I just don't feel like cooking. I seem to go through stages with it - either I cook all the time or I can't be bothered with anything but the basics. It also depends on how my babies are eating. I am more motivated to cook when they are not going through superpicky phases. But for those days (weeks) when time or mood have me reaching for a convenience item, these are my healthy, everyday staples:

MEALS

Peas of Mind Puffets: These are like portable little casseroles, shaped like muffins. They make superhealthy, quick meals for those times when you need something on the run. Eva loves the Nanna Banana, Carrot Risotto and Eat Your Greens varieties.

Amy's Kitchen Kid's Meals: Healthy, frozen, quick and complete meals for those rare nights (like date nights) when we aren't eating with the kids.

Amy's Kitchen Frozen Pizzas: A friend of mine turned me on to these. The Spinach variety is a great way to sneak some veggies into resistant kids - they won't even know it's there. I love pulling out a whole one for playdates. The thin crust is really yummy, and it's the right size for two mommies and two kids. Amy's Kitchen also makes Cheese Pizza snacks that are always a hit!

Annie's Homegrown Mac 'n Cheese: Mac and cheese is, sadly, a staple in our house, so I get the organic version. I especially love the quick, microwavable version that comes in single servings for quick easy lunches and dinners.

Earth's Best Whole Grain Cheese Pizza: Mini, frozen personal pizzas with Elmo on the box. What could be more appealing?

Alexia Foods Mozzarella Sticks: Yummy, quick and super convenient.

Gerber Organic Pasta Pickups: 30 seconds in the microwave is all it takes to make these tiny ravioli cups that toddlers love!

CEREALS

Cascadian Farms Clifford Crunch: An absolute STAPLE in our house
Newman's Own Sweet Enough Flakes with Strawberries
Barbara's Bakery Organic Wild Puffs

Snacks and Treats
Back to Nature Cinnamon or Honey Graham Sticks: Kids love them and they're so easy to eat. These are great with fruit or cream cheese dips.

Earth's Best Snack Bars: Lola adores these fruit filled bars, and I keep them in my diaper bag for impromptu snacks and occasional bribes. : ))

Newman's Own Organic Raisins: My kids adore dried fruit, and raisins are so portable. I also like the Thompson's Brand.

Trail Mix: I make a supereasy, healthy trail mix by combining organic raisins, organic chopped nuts, organic chopped dates rolled in oat flour, organic whole grain cereal squares (like chex), and organic Cheerios. Sometimes I add sesame seeds or unsweetened shredded coconut, but these make it a bit messier. I always put these in the snack traps for the girls whenever we leave the house, and they both love it.

Newman-O's: Like Oreos, but organic. A lesser evil.

Barbara's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bars: Fig Newtons, only healthier. I also like Fig Newmans from Newman's Own.

Earth's Best Crunchin' Blocks: Vanilla shaped cookies shaped like alphabet blocks.

Beech Nut Let's Grow Fruit Nibbles Fruit Snacks: Kids love those fruit gummy snacks, but most of them are nothing but sugar. These have actual fruit, making them a much healthier option.

Horizon Organics String Cheese and Yogurt Tubes: Organic versions of toddler staples. I freeze the yogurt sticks and they make great teething treats!

Fruitabu: Fruitabu makes applesauce mixed with other fruit flavors in a convenient portable form, almost like yogurt tubes. (I also freeze these for teething treats). They also make fruit leathers are rolled up and really fun to eat!