When it comes to making baby food, I’m a moderate. As a full-time working mom, I often don’t have the energy to complete one more task at home – the piles and piles of laundry, the mildewing shower and the dog poop in the yard are enough.

However, when I’m feeling extra domesticated I will whip up a small batch of homemade baby food with leftover veggies from dinner, ripe fruit, or some chicken broth and rice and a veggie.

What I’ve found that works for me is to concentrate on spicing up store bought baby food with a variety of flavorings and then focusing my homemade efforts on those fruits and veggies not commonly produced by baby-food makers.

Baby food recipe tips:

Add zeal to morning cereal.

I use oatmeal baby cereal, mixed with formula, every morning. But I switch things up for my little one by adding cinnamon one day, store bought apple or banana baby food another day, or pureed blueberries made at home.

Make fruits not found on the baby aisle.

My favorites include a strawberries and bananas combo; and blending up blueberries, raspberries and blackberries (especially since they have such great antioxidant power).

Nutmeg and cinnamon are fun add-ins.

I add them to blended sweet potatoes, applesauce, bananas, rice cereal, etc. (What doesn’t work? Garlic and parmesan seasoning – too pungent for sensitive baby taste buds.)

Avocado gets a thumbs up.

And why not? It’s creamy, filled with the good-for-you-fat, and has loads of important nutrients. I give my baby small, soft pieces of it or mash it up with cilantro and/or a little chicken broth.

Introduce baby to new veggies.

I couldn’t easily find vegetables like zucchini, potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli pre-made so I will concoct these in my kitchen, making them creamier by adding in chicken broth.

What are your baby’s favorite foods? What add-ins or tricks do you use that other time-strapped moms could benefit from?