• Want to Receive More Updates from Our Site?
• Frozen or Fresh Vegetables - Which Are Best?
• Visit our New Pages
• This month's winners
• Need a Laugh?
• Tip of the Month - Boost Baby's Brain Power
• Safety Recalls
• Our Featured Product Review
• Visit Our "Website of the Month"
• This Month's Recipe - Apple Pancakes

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2008!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that your little one enjoyed the festivities - it's hard to believe it's all over already!

We're looking forward to sharing even more recipes and tips with you this year - and we're continuing to enjoy all the messages, photographs and updates on your babies' progress that you send in to us.

Your questions and comments are always very welcome - it's YOUR feedback that helps us make this site as user-friendly as possible! You can contact us at any time using this simple form - and we aim to provide a personal response within 24-48 hours.

SPECIAL NOTE

We've had some reports that visitors have been unable to click on some of our links. Unfortunately, this is because some e-mail clients do not allow certain links to be clickable and is beyond our control. If this happens to you - and you can see the link - try copying and pasting it into your browser. If you can't see the link, then try forwarding the newsletter to a different e-mail address.

If you have any problems, please let us know and we'll do our best to help.

Another Way to Receive Updates From Our Site

If you're a new subscriber, you may not realize that - in addition to our monthly newsletter - we also have a blog! It's updated almost every day with

• news of important food or product recalls
• extra tips and ideas
• details of new features and articles as they're added to our site
• brand new recipes

There are two ways to subscribe to our blog. If you have an RSS reader, then you can just subscribe to the RSS feed. (Don't know what all this means? Then learn more about the benefits and 'how-to's' of using RSS here). Once you're ready to subscribe, you'll find the little orange 'XML' box you need at the bottom of any page on the blog . You may notice that there is also an orange box on the left hand side of the page - THAT feed will let you know about new pages ONLY. If you'd like to receive every blog post, then please use the feed at the bottom.

Alternatively, you can simply sign up to receive details of all new posts to our blog via e-mail. Just visit our blog page and you'll find the box to sign up right at the top of the page.

If you would like to make any comments about our blog, or have any suggestions for articles you'd like to see included, then just contact us here. We love to hear about other sites, too - so please let us know if you've found a site particularly useful and we'll share the details with our readers.

Frozen or Fresh Vegetables - Which Are Best?

So... you're at the supermarket, filling your basket with lots of colourful, fresh vegetables from the produce aisle. You feel confident that you'll be providing your baby with the very BEST nutrition.

But are those 'fresh' vegetables really as nutrient-rich as they should be? Are they even 'fresh' at all?

If the vegetables you're buying are locally grown and in season, the chances are that they're fresh - and therefore packed with nutrients!

Very often, however, this isn't the case.

Vegetables that are grown to be transported long distances are usually picked before they are fully ripe. This means that they have not had enough time for their vitamin and mineral content to completely develop. Although the vegetables may proceed to ripeness once picked, they will never be as nutritious as they would have been had they been allowed to ripen fully.

But that's just part of the problem.

Even after shipping (during which time they may have been exposed to heat), 'fresh' vegetables then sit on the shelves of the supermarket, fully exposed to light.

And the fact is that both heat and light cause the nutritional value of fresh vegetables to deteriorate.

Why frozen vegetables may be more nutritious

Yet, in some circumstances, they may be better than fresh!

The premises used for freezing vegetables are often located in or near to vegetable production areas. This means that the produce can be frozen within just hours of being picked - when their nutritional value is optimal.

Before freezing, the vegetables are blanched. This means that they are slightly cooked - a process necessary to stop them turning brown during freezing. This does cause some loss of vitamin C, vitamin B1 and folate - but, once the produce is frozen, no further loss of vitamins or minerals occurs. Additionally, the entire process of blanching, freezing and then cooking vegetables is considered to cause a similar vitamin loss as the normal loss associated with cooking 'fresh' vegetables.

Remember, too, that 'fresh' vegetables begin to deteriorate in nutritional value as soon as they are picked. With green vegetables, for example, the vitamin C content is generally higher in the frozen variety - it tends to deplete more rapidly from fresh green vegetables as they sit on supermarket shelves.

And freezing particularly benefits vegetables containing carotene (which the body converts to vitamin A). This is because the vegetables are protected from light... and light actually destroys carotene.

Another point to consider is that frozen veggies these days tend to be 'flash frozen' - meaning that they are frozen quickly, helping to retain their nutrients.

According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, many fresh vegetables stored in the refrigerator or pantry for more than three days have lost enough of their vitamins and minerals to make frozen vegetables MORE nutritious!

There is also evidence to suggest that fresh vegetables, bought out of season, may be higher in potentially harmful nitrates.

Tips for using and storing frozen veggies

• Avoid vegetables frozen in some type of sauce. These will likely contain some degree of salt.

• Feel the vegetables within their packaging! If they are frozen together in one big lump, then they have probably thawed and refrozen at some point and their nutritive value may have been affected. They should all move around freely within the bag.

• Keep your frozen veggies cold on the way home from the supermarket, then put them straight into the freezer, which should always run at 0 deg F (-18 deg C) - you'll find more tips about refrigerating and freezing foods here.

• Don't keep frozen vegetables for longer than 6 months. The taste, appearance and nutritive quality may all deteriorate after this.

• For maximum nutritional value, it is recommended that you cook frozen vegetables by steaming or microwaving them.

• If you DO choose to boil your veggies, then drop them into a pot of water that is ALREADY boiling. Bring them back to a rapid boil, then serve them. Frozen vegetables do not need to simmer (remember, they were blanched before they were frozen)!

To sum up...

• they are in season and locally grown
• they are from a local farmers' market
• you are sure they will be used withing three days

• they are out of season and the fresh varieties will probably have been shipped long distances
• you only shop once a week - you can, of course, buy enough fresh vegetables to last the first few days, but - after that - frozen would be more nutritious
• the fresh varieties are simply unavailable

New and updated pages

• We all know that adding salt to baby food can be dangerous - but do you know why? And are you aware that there are ways in which you may already be unwittingly introducing salt into your little one's diet?

  Find out more about adding salt to baby food

• Is your baby's first birthday approaching? Then you may be thinking about that all-important highlight of his special day... the cake! This month, we have three great recipes for you for baby's first birthday cake that call for NO ADDED SUGAR at all - and you can find them here.

• If you'd like to add the finishing touch to baby's cake, then you may also like to check out our yummy sugar free frosting recipes and ideas!

Did You Win?

Thank you to all those of you who - in spite of the extra work that Christmas brings - still found time to send in your photographs and recipes for our competitions!

Come and visit January's Baby of the Month here - what a wonderful way to start the New Year! You'll find some of our other favourite photographs here, too - plus the simple online form you need to send in YOUR baby's photograph.

We also have three delicious new recipes for you, sent in by our readers. The winning recipe, for Barley and Turkey for Two, was sent in by Nancy from the US. Nancy wins our monthly prize of a $20 Amazon voucher. Our runners-up this month were Carmen from the Republic of Ireland and Brenda from Canada, with their tempting recipes for Apricot and Raisin Flapjacks and Cheesy Chicken.

If YOU'D like to submit a recipe for a chance to win, then please visit this page to send in your entry.

Misleading Labelling!

Kaye from the UK sent us a joke she received, that had been 'doing the rounds' via e-mail! She thought we'd enjoy it (which we did!), so we decided to share it with you here!

One day, shortly after the birth of their new baby, the mother had to go out to do some errands, so the proud father stayed home to watch his wonderful new son.

Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry. The father did everything he could think of, but the baby just wouldn't stop crying. Finally, the dad got so worried he decided to take the infant to the doctor.

After the doctor listened to all the father had done to get the baby to stop crying, the doctor began to examine the baby's ears, chest and then down to the diaper area. When he opened the diaper, he found was indeed full.

"Here's the problem," the doctor explained. "He just needs to be changed."

The perplexed father remarked, "But the diaper package specifically says it's good for up to 10 pounds!"

Sound like anyone you know??!

Tip of the month - Boost Your Baby's Brain Power!

Around 60% of the human brain is composed of fat - which is one of the reasons why whole milk and fats are so important in your baby's diet. The most abundant fatty acid in the brain is docosahexaenoic acid (or DHA for short) - so it's essential that your baby receives plenty of it!

Nursing mothers actually pass DHA to their babies via their breast milk and many infant formulas are fortified with this valuable nutrient.

But once your baby is enjoying a range of solid foods, then it is important to ensure that plenty of sources of DHA are included in his diet.

Other elements crucial for the healthy development and function of your baby's brain include protein, complex carbohydrates (like cereals and grains), iron - and vitamins C, B12 and B6.

The foods shown below are those considered to be the most beneficial to healthy brain development. Please bear in mind, of course, that not all of these foods are suitable at all stages throughout your baby's first year and should be separately introduced (with your doctor's consent) at the appropriate time.

Baby brain foods

• fish (salmon, tuna and sardines are great sources of DHA, although it is important to speak to your doctor about the guidelines for introducing these types of fish in your area)
• eggs
• lean, red meats
• chicken and turkey
• green leafy vegetables
• broccoli
• potatoes (particularly sweet potatoes)
• peas
• avocados
• bananas
• cantaloupe melons
• oranges (1 year+)
• legumes
• soybeans
• flax seeds
• brown rice
• porridge oats/oatmeal
• wheat germ
• milk
• cheese
• natural yogurt

Safety Recalls

Here's a summary of the food/product recalls we have posted to our blog since our last newsletter. 2007 must go down as the worst year ever for toy recalls - let's hope that tougher regulations are put into place to ensure the safety of the items designed for our children in the future.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone else you know who may be affected by any of the recalls listed below...

Mini Racing Helmets were recalled in the US due to excessive lead levels.

Entertainment Centers by Ameriwood were recalled in the US because the units can collapse.

TKS Children’s Pants were recalled in the US because they pose entrapment and strangulation hazards to children.

Various styles of children's sunglasses were recalled in the US because surface paints contain lead.

Potty Seats were recalled in the US because a decorative plaque on the product is high in lead.

The First Years Children's Feeding Seats were recalled in the US because they pose a fall hazard.

Night light bears were recalled in Australia because small parts may pose a choking hazard to children.

Certain Xplory® Strollers were recalled because there is a danger that the front wheels can detach from the stroller.

Little Rider Cowboy, Little Rider Knight and Lovely Horse toys were recalled in Australia because they pose lead and choking hazards to children.

Fishing Games were recalled in the US because they contain too much lead.

Around 1.2 million doses of the Hib vaccine and a combination vaccine for Hib and hepatitis B were recalled in the US, due to a potential contamination problem.

Bunk beds were recalled in the US because they pose possible entrapment and strangulation hazards.

Codeena Princess Children’s Jewelry was recalled because it contains too much lead.

Various Dollar Tree Stores Toys were recalled in the US because they violate lead paint standards.

Infantino® Lion Teethers were recalled in the US because they pose a potential choking hazard to babies.

Soldier Bear Toys were recalled in the US because they contain excessive lead.

Sterling Silver Teething Rings were recalled because they may pose a choking hazard to children.

Super Magnet Toys were recalled in the US because they pose choking and aspiration hazards to children.

Woodward's Gripe Water was recalled in the UK due to fears of contamination.

Tot Tower Blocks were recalled in the US because they may pose a choking hazard.

Baby Gourmet baby food was recalled in Calgary because certain products may contain peanut or sulphites.

Although not officially recalled, CSI Fingerprint Examination Kits were removed from stores in the US because - unbelievably - they contain asbestos.

Our featured product review - 1st Year of Precious Expressions Frame

Two of the newest pages on our site this month are associated with 'Baby's First Birthday' - so we were delighted to find this month's featured product! We think it's the perfect way to mark this VERY special day!

The 1st Year of Precious Expressions Frame helps you organize those special moments from your baby's first year into an attractive and unique frame. It makes it easy to simultaneously display 12 of your favourite shots of your little one - and you can personalize the frame even more by adding your baby's name (up to 10 letters - various colours are available). And there's even space for baby's hand and footprint (a child-safe ink pad is included, too).

This frame was voted one of the 'Top Ten Toys' by Child Magazine - and no wonder! Baby's first year goes by so quickly that this is a great way to remind yourself of all those wonderful stages! It would also makes a precious keepsake for grandparents - or the perfect baby gift for new Mums and Dads!

The 1st Year of Precious Expressions Frame is available from One Step Ahead.

Website of the Month

This month's featured site is a great resource for those of you looking to effectively manage the family finances and learn some simple ways to cut back on your day to day expenses.

Moms living debt free helps you achieve just what the title suggests and you'll find loads of great advice about

• paying off credit card debt (including how to avoid the credit card companies 'sneaky tricks')
• establishing a savings account
• consolidating debts
• budget cooking, traveling and baby shopping

So if one of your New Year's resolutions is to clear up any lingering debts and learn how to save money in the future, why not pay Moms living debt free a visit?

Recipe of the Month - Apple Pancakes

This month, we have a delicious pancake recipe for you - and the good news is that it doesn't call for sugar! What's more, this finger food recipe is also egg-free, meaning it's suitable for younger babies or those with an allergy to eggs.

Here's what you'll need

4oz (1/2 cup) whole wheat flour
4oz (1/2 cup) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1tsp cinnamon
8 fl oz (1 cup) milk (you can use breast milk/formula if you prefer - or even substitute soy milk)
2tbsp oil
1 1/2 tbsp water
a combination of 1tsp baking powder and 1 1/2 tbsp oil, stirred together
1 apple

• Peel and core the apple, then dice finely.
• In a bowl, combine both types of flour with the baking soda and cinnamon.
• In another bowl, mix the milk, oil, water and oil/baking powder combination.
• Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until the mixture is nice and smooth, then add the diced apples and mix well.
• Lightly grease a non-stick frying pan/skillet, then pour in approximately 2tbsp of the batter per pancake.
• Fry until lightly golden on each side.