Grains have such a bad rap these days. Every where you look people are demonizing carbs and wheat, which leaves us wondering if we should be feeding baby any cereals at all. I mean the rice is so easy to start with but now that they are eating so many fruits and veggies isn’t the cereal just empty calories?
Nope! When you add grains to baby’s diet they stay full longer and sleep better. They have more energy to do things like crawl and bounce and observe! Now me on the other hand, I need to put down the garlic knots… I mean I have a desk job! I have to actively try to burn every calorie I eat!
But does baby need to stick to rice and oatmeal made by giant corporations, unnamed companies that also try to sell you baby life insurance, and filled with supplementary vitamins and DHA? Nope. I think we can all agree that a baby still on the bottle or breast is getting plenty of those “building blocks” without feeding into the corporate marketing giants. We are trying to introduce a healthy eating plan for life here, filled with options and widening baby’s palate for a long life of healthy eating! (falls off soap box….ouch!)
So a quick stroll down the organic section of my grocery store led me to a couple of amazing options for baby cereals that I actually missed while my son was little.
Buckwheat cereal! Organic and gluten free, even people with a family history of celiac disease can try this grain out on baby knowing they are not risking baby’ s health or a good nights sleep!
For this recipe we are going to introduce a spice as well. There is no rule that says everything you feed baby should be bland and completely unseasoned. Ginger has been known to be a great digestive aid and will go nicely with the pears even in a tiny amount! We are also adding a tablespoon of brown sugar sugar. Don’t freak out, you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but it really brings out the flavor of the pears and ginger in a sea of ancient grains.
4 Pears
1/2 cup Buckwheat cereal
1 1/4 cup water
1 tbs Powdered Ginger
1 tbsp brown sugar optional
1- Start a small sauce pan on the stove. Add the 1 and 1/4 cup of water and bring to a boil.

2- Wash the pears well, we are leaving the skins on for added fiber.
3- Slice the pears into chuncks only removing the seeded core and stem. Pears do not have the hard inside pieces apples do, so you can use much more of it.

4- Add the buckwheat cereal to the water and cook until tender.

5- Add the Pears and remaining 1/4 cup of water. Stir in the brown sugar and powdered ginger. Reduce heat and simmer for 4 minutes more.

6- Once the mixture is cooked remove from heat, stir and allow to cool before blending. The pear chunks will be mostly whole still.

7- Blend after cooled and portion into your Kiinde Foodii bags for easy storage and feeeding! Enjoy.
