Clara's favorite foods on simplebites.net

Clara’s current favorite eats and a toddler food Q&A

In those first early months with a baby, we are all obsessed with what they are eating. Is she (or he) getting enough milk? Is it time for solids? What should (or shouldn’t ) be those early foods?

It took me three tries to find my way, and still, feeding our Clara took time and care to ensure she was getting the best of the best. She is a tall, lean baby, and so of course I always get asked a lot of detailed questions about her diet at her doctor’s visits. What do I tell them?

She eats more than her brothers.

Clara's favorite foods on simplebites.netPhoto by Tim Chin.

Well, at least half the time anyway. At fifteen months old, Clara is a well-rounded, voracious eater. We’ve barreled past the cautious, exploratory stage and have settled into easy: easy to please, at ease to chew and swallow foods, and easy to serve from the dishes on the diner table.

Today I thought I’d share some of her favorite foods and how I prepare them, then we can open up the questions in the comments.

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Build-your-own salad on simplebites.net

Build-a-salad bar for kids and how my five-year-old made dinner

My Mother’s Day was lovely and relaxing, but the week leading up to it was a trying one, and my main support system, Danny, was traveling for work. We’ve all had those days as parents where we are pushed to the limits; I had a few in a row.

I managed to stay on top of the big things, but I failed miserably at a few of the little things. Emails went unanswered, school uniforms were re-worn without washing, and the hens, well, they had to scrounge a little more than usual.

Then there was the time my five year old Mateo made us dinner. What started out as another shortcoming of mine – failing to menu plan – turned into a proud moment for Mateo and a enormous blessing for me.

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9 photos that show my culinary journey

Aimee & Mateo with chickens

I‘ve just returned from a motivating and inspiring food blogging conference where I had the fortunate opportunity to speak on a panel and briefly share my culinary journey. It was such fun to dig up old photos and reminisce about my youth that I though I should share the images with you here.

Over the years I have alluded to my background in food, recounting stories about my bucolic back-to-the-land upbringing or hectic restaurant days; today you’ll have more of a visual narrative. These images are a really quick look at how my journey has shaped who I am today and why topics such as kids in the kitchen or urban homesteading are such a big part of this blog.

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Let your (school-aged) kids loose in the kitchen and eat the benefits

Kids can cook on simplebites.net
Ever since Noah caught onto reading, he’s showed a renewed interest for cooking like a match to flame. Often I’ll find him ensconced in the sofa, a cookbook opened on his lap and a thoughtful expression on his face.

What is ‘polenta’, Mom? Do we have everything for this? Can I make breakfast tomorrow?

He’s bookmarked about 20 recipes in the Weelicious cookbook, and his interest in The Complete Book of Knife Skills has his grandmother concerned, but I take it as a further sign of my seven-year-old’s piqued curiosity for food and cooking.

For years, I’ve been an advocate of getting kids in the kitchen, insisting that teaching kids about food can begin in the grocery store or the garden, but the real magic happens alongside you, in the kitchen.

Now, this whole recipe-reading, second-grader competence is new to me. And I like it. It seems I’m really starting to reap the benefits of starting the boys young, and they are well on their way to a long life of cooking from scratch.

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Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

On Apples and Fall {Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Crisp}


All photos by Kristen Doyle of Dine & Dish

As I sit by my window, watching the vibrant-colored leaves slowly drift to the ground, I feel completely wrapped in fall. The aroma of apple crisp, simmering away in my slow cooker, enhances the experience. To me, fall equals apples and pumpkin…warm fragrances and aromas… orange, yellow and reds. Most of all, fall equals comfort.

There is something about this time of year that pulls me to wrap up in a light blanket, with candles burning around me, and a great book in my lap. More comfort. [Read more...]