Fit mama, Fit baby: baby food

One of my New Years resolutions was to become a little healthier... Isn't that one of everyone's resolutions? Well, I decided that if I am going to be healthier I want to start Cruz out healthy too. I want to let him explore lots of different, yummy flavors of foods so that when he is older he is more likely to hopefully try new things. 

So, yesterday I decided to just get some things out of my fridge and freezer and travel into the unexpected... Make homemade baby food! For one of Wes and I's wedding presents, we go a "Magic Bullet" blender. It is so small, easy to clean and most of all easy to use! I LOVE it. I always make yummy smoothies, shakes, salsa and sauces in it. So I was very excited to use it as something new. 

I started pulling things out of my fridge and setting them all on the counter so I could see what kind of fruits and veggies I had. I ended up with quite a bit of ingredients! I was so excited to get cooking. 

I started by washing all of my fruits and veggies, and steaming them on the stove. I ended up with lots of mixed veggies, peaches, berries, and bananas and just went from there. With my first batch of each flavor I went as simple as can be. I didn't want to overwhelm Cruz with so many different flavors in one sitting. So here are some of my recipes for the first batch of baby foods I made...

•mixed veggies•

1 c Peas

1 c Corn (off the cob)

1 c Baby Carrots (cut)

1 c Green Beans (cut)

1/4 c warm water

Combine all ingredients into one sauce pan, steam veggies until soft. While warn,  put ingredients into a blender or magic bullet and put on the "purée" setting for 2 minutes, or until all is puréed. 

Pour ingredients into air tight containers (I used breast milk containers first off I have never been able to breast feed and second they have never been used and I have been wondering what to use them all for) and either refrigerate or freeze. Make sure it is completely cooled before serving to your little ones.

•carrots•

1 bag of baby carrots

1/4 c water

1 pinch of salt

Combine, mix, purée for 2 minutes and distribute to containers.

Refrigerate or freeze.

•bananas and oatmeal•

2 bananas (peeled and cut)

8 Tsp of prepared Gerber Baby Oatmeal

Combine, mix, and purée for 2 minutes. 

Pour in air right containers and refrigerate or freeze.

•peaches•

2-3 medium size peaches (washed, peeled and cut) 

Purée in blender for 1 min.

I canned lots fresh peaches this fall, so I opened one of the jars, washed the slices  one more time, and put them in the magic bullet. Nothing more than peaches. And I gotta say, they were DELISH! 

•spiced applesauce•

2 red sweet apples (washed, peeled and cut) steam to soften the fruit for about 5 minutes. 

Pinch of cinnamon

Purée in blender for 1-2 minutes

This was such a fun afternoon activity for Cruz and I. And because I played it safe and simple, it really only took me about 1.5 hours to make 24-4oz baby foods. And I think it was well worth it! I tasted ALL of the foods, just because I don't want to feed him something I wouldn't eat, and by surprise all of the foods tasted absolutely delicious.

I will be making and exploring more flavors today and will post recipes, reviews and pictures as soon as I can.

enjoy!!!

-whit

Fresh & Pretty

Being a new mom, I realized there is not enough hours in the day. There is barely anytime in the day to get ready let alone, take the time and truly pamper yourself.

 Sometimes I go 3-4 days without washing my hair, my husband catches me wearing the same outfit 2-3 days a week.. and dont even get me started on makeup. These days, a little brush of bronzer and some lipgloss is as good as it gets. 

 (Thank goodness for spray tans from Amara Day Spa, and eyelash extensions 

by: Kim Jaynes owner of Borboleta Beauty)  

But, my husband keeps reminding me that I have got to pamper myself. "You deserve it!!!" He keeps saying. Working a full time job, catering events most weekends and being a mom/wife... It's hard work. I just don't have time to go to the salon and get pedicures and manicures or get my hair and makeup done most weeks. So I had to figure something out for those times I have a little extra time and just don't or can't leave the house.

One of my New Years Resolutions was to pamper myself at least once every week.

This afternoon, Cruz had a little nap in my bed and so I decided that if I was going to start working on this resolution, now would be the time.

Actually taking the time to pamper and take care of myself, felt amazing. I am very glad i did it. 

Soon after I finished self tanning I was once again reminded I was a mom to the sweetest kid out there by hearing him start blabbering, smiling and laughing while looking at his cute little toes that he lifted into the air. Being a mom is THE best. 

If you don't pamper yourself already, I highly recommend it. There is just something that feels so good when you look pretty and fresh but most importantly FEEL pretty and fresh.

enjoy!

-whit

For the love of baking...

Throughout my Modern Cake experience, I had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. They were clients at first, but turned into great friends. I had the opportunity to bake for the Sundance Film Festival, introduced my products to many celebrities and people from all over. LOTS of weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, showers, grand openings and so much more.

 A month before I had Cruz, me and my husband decided to close the shop until I knew how everything was going to go with being a new mom and all.  I basically ran a one man show. I did the business side and ALL of the baking and decorating. So you can say I was a little tired. Especially being pregnant. 

At my 20 week Routine Ultrasound appointment I was approached by my OBGYN doctor and he said he was needing someone else in the office to help out. So me being me, I accepted the job and started the next day. (by now, you can probably tell that I am a little ADD and love to keep busy).

I fell in love with the job and the friendships I had already made with all the employees within the first week, and decided I would stay throughout the pregnancy as well as post baby. 

I thought by closing my storefront, I wouldn't be approached to do events anymore. I was very wrong about that assumption. And I am so glad I was wrong. 

I have found I love baking even more than I did when I had my store front because I can focus all of my attention on one project at a time and that means more time into each dessert. 

Since Cruz, I have been able to do lots of fun events and weddings and I am so grateful I have such loyal clients. 

This is one of my most recent weddings. Such a fun textured design of cakes. 

(and they didn't just look good. they smelt divine and tasted DELICIOUS!)

Can't wait for my next baking adventure!!! 

If you would like a quote on a cake, dessert or catering email me: Whitney.berge@gmail.com. 

I would LOVE to be part of your next event.

Enjoy!!!

-whit

Lean it, Tone it

I am so dang excited about starting out a new year. I have high hopes, dreams and goals for this year. 2013 will be a hard year to beat, but I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me and my little family. 

So what better than to start the new year off with a killer workout?! 

Equipment you will need is: 

A 10 lb kettle bell.

2- 2lb weights

And a stop watch/fitness watch

Once you have all of your equipment ready, find a wide open space to set the equipment, stretch out a bit and let's get to it!

LEAN IT, TONE IT!

1 min jumping jacks

1 min wood chops with kettle bell 

1 min alternating lunges

30 sec high knee runs in place 

30 sec tuck jumps

1 min REST

1 min right side plank

1 min center plank

1 min left side plank

100 crunches

1 min Russian twists

30 sec REST

1 minute plank

100 crunches

1 min 6" abs

30 sec REST

1 min speed skaters

1 min sumo squats

30 sec tuck jumps

30 sec REST

1 minute jumping jacks

1 min V-Ups

1 minute mountain climbers

100 crunches

And to get a higher calorie burn, add an extra 30 minute jog or cycle ride

Enjoy!!!

-whit

New year... 2014 resolutions

It's kind of crazy that we are starting a new year...A new chapter of our lives. When I woke up this morning and walked into the kitchen and saw my little calendar blocks say: 'January 1' by instinct, I had to get a pen and paper and write down my goals for this year. 

I want you all to do the same thing. really think about what you want to accomplish this year. Whether it be something big, or a lot of small things.. Just make some goals and stick to them. 

Some of my goals are: 

-Workout more

-Run at least 1 half marathon

-Show Cruz the beach

-Spoil my boys

-Serve others as often as possible

cheers to a new year!

-whit

Something about giving

I have felt very blessed this year. I have been able to experience the miracle of life by having our first baby, signing on another house, meeting amazing people, having a healthy, beautiful family, starting my own business, and just all in all having an incredible, busy year.

So I decided that I wanted to spoil my family, friends and neighbors. I wanted to give something sweet, but also something healthy. So I made French Macarons, boxed those up, and I also went and purchased LOTS of delicious Freshly pressed juices and milks from Mend Juicery and wrapped those all up cute. And of course, I had to make and buy extras of each so I could enjoy all of the goodness as well!

I hope your holidays were filled with as much love and joy as mine were. Nothing beats snuggling next   to the fire with a sweet smelling, cuddly baby and a handsome man I am lucky enough to call my husband.

-whit

Winter Workouts: Skiing

Skiing has been one of my favorite things to do since I was 4 years old. I learned very young and have looked forward to every winter ski season since. The peace and serenity of the environment, the deliciously fresh and brisk air, the sound of your ski's making the first marks in the snow, the feeling you get bee-lining down your favorite run, the feeling of not having to think about anything but what run you want to do next, and I can't forget... the AMAZING, DEEP burn you get after a great ski day. 

Well, that awesome deep burning sensation means you are or have burnt a lot of calories.. And we all know how good that feels. 

Being the winter season and just getting back from our Annual Ski Trip, I just want you to go out and explore, enjoy the beautiful white, fluffy snow, and feel for yourself how awesome skiing really can be.  Whether you're an avid skier like me, or have never even touched a pair of ski's... GO. Go to the closest resort to you, and try it for yourself. 

Enjoy!

-whit

Grapefruit: delicious and nutritious

Grapefruits have always been one of my favorite fruits. Growing up, for breakfast or a little snack, my grandma would always slice a grapefruit and sprinkle it with sugar. 

Now, years later, come to find out, the tart and tangy fruit has SO many health benefits. 

Health Benefits of Grapefruit:

#1- LOADED with Vitamin C (73% of your Daily Value)

Vitamin C has been proven to help fight colds and inflammation. Vitamin C has also been shown to promote Cardiovascular Health. 

#2- Lycopene

Lycopene is found in the dark pink and red grapefruits.  Lycopene has the highest capacity to fight off oxygen free radicals which are compounds that damage cells.

#3- Lowers Cholesterol

Grapefruit has been shown to help reduce blood levels of "LDL" (the bad cholesterol)

and the red grapefruits have been shown to also help lower triglycerides as well.

#4- DETOX

Grapefruits are ranked amongst the HIGHEST antioxidants.

#5- Prevents Arthritis

Grapefruit contains salicylic acid that helps break down the bodies inorganic calcium which builds up in the cartilage of joints and causes arthritis.

One of my favorite seasons is Winter, just because of the delicious fruits and veggies that ripen this time of year. If you can't do the tart and tangy taste of a grapefruit, get one anyway and on your way out, go down the baking isle in the store and grab Nature's Calorie Free Sweetener... TRUVIA. Slice your grapefruit and sprinkle the sweetener over it and enjoy. It will lighten up the tanginess and make it more enjoyable for you. 

Once you are done eating the delicious fruit, don't throw it away just yet. Get each halve and squeeze the juice into a bowl or cup. Remove any seeds left over, and enjoy the delicious freshly squeezed juice. 

Hope you enjoy!

-whit