Mail Delivery: Sprout Foods Review

Little Sister B likes to eat. Let's just say that she is a tad above average in weight than other baby girls her age (it's not entirely her fault, she was barely shy of 10 pounds at birth), but whatever. That just means more cheek and thigh to munch on, NOM NOM.

How embarrassing, Mom! What's wrong with a little extra chunk?

However, even though she may eat a lot, it doesn't mean that Little Sister B isn't still a little picky. I would love to say that I make her food myself, but it doesn't happen too often. Back when Big Sister E was starting to eat I had a little more time and would spend it blending up peas or carrots and making perfect little ice cube trays filled with tasty frozen foods... that she wouldn't eat.

I don't know what made my peas taste different from That Certain Company's, but she could tell the difference. Combine the time and work and a baby not really digging my cooking with the fact that homemade baby food really isn't all that convenient to use on-the-go (refrigerate it? Heat it?) with a great sale/coupon deal at Target, and I just stocked up with That Certain Company and was set until she moved past pureed foods. I knew there had to be a better way, but seemed to not be able to find it at the time.

Fortunately for Little Sister B, I have now been introduced to Sprout Foods baby food.

Made completely from organic ingredients (and without a bunch of preservatives, sugar, starches or fillers) this stuff tastes GOOD. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the food That Certain Company makes, but it just sort of tastes like... baby food. Pretty bland, not too flavorful, something you're not too excited to lick off your baby's arm when it spills off the spoon... you know what I'm talking about, right? I'm sure I'm not the only one to do that. Sprout Foods baby food, on the other hand, combines things like sweet baby carrots, apples and mangoes and their sweet potatoes don't taste like orange mush, they are baked and actually pretty delicious.

Sprout Foods baby food has both fruits and vegetables in two categories, Stage 1 one for babies six months and older and Stage 2 for babies seven months and older, which have a little more variety and multiple ingredients mixed in them. Watch the Food Network? Tyler Florence, chef and father, helped create this line, so you know it's going to taste more like FOOD and less BLECH than most. Plus, even though I am fortunate that neither of my children have shown any signs of food allergies, I have friends that have to scrutinize every label and ingredient. Sprout Foods baby food would be great for them, as most do not contain milk, nuts, egg, soy, wheat, gluten, fish or shellfish.

Perfect for a complete breakfast, Sister B's first sample was Oatmeal with Roasted Cinnamon Applesauce. Just opening the pouch made me pleased, because this food not only had a scent, it smelled... tasty. Figuring it couldn't really taste that great - it is pureed baby food, after all - I tried a tiny amount and was amazed. Yum! Suddenly my own bowl of soggy cereal wasn't looking so appetizing.

Stop hogging it and let me have some already!

You're right, this is GOOD!

As well as the flavor, something noticeably different about Sprout Foods baby food is that it comes in pouches instead of jars or plastic containers. On the one hand, I applaud Sprout Foods for their attempt to reduce waste and energy consumption in the manufacturing and transportation of their products while still providing the customer with a high-quality product that is really convenient. Tossing these in the diaper bag is SO much easier than toting around bulky containers or jars that could break. Plus, Sprout is working to find a manufacturer that can produce a pouch that can be recycled, which is really great.

On the other hand, getting the food out from the depths of the pouch is a little difficult and, no matter what I tried, the spoon ended up sticky and so did my fingers. This was a small price to pay, however, to not have to deal with peeling back a traditional plastic container and having the food spray onto my shirt.

One more convenience that Sprout offers is their SproutBaby Club, a customizable delivery program where you receive a monthly shipment of Sprout Foods organic baby food in quantities that make sense for your family. This is not only convenient (hello? Someone else making sure I don't open the cupboard and find that we're down to the last container of baby food and then delivering it right to my door free of shipping charges? Yes, please) but you save money by ordering larger quantities. Depending on whether you order 60, 90 or 120 pouches, you save between 10 to 20 percent off of the standard prices, which is nice because they are a little higher than normal baby food.

Not looking for organic baby food right now? SproutBaby offers much more than just that. Whether you are in the market for bottles, diaper rash cream, lotion, colic relief, a pregnancy pampering kit (a great gift idea), books, DVDs... the list is endless. Personally, I'd love to pack my daughter's picnic lunch in their To-Go Ware 3-Tier Stainless Steel Tiffin Set.

If I pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in here...

...will it come out looking like this when we get to the park?

Another SproutBaby product high on my list of things to try is Lafe's Organic Baby Insect Repellent because it's definitely a downer when we try to enjoy time outdoors but are surrounded by bugs. There are so many chemicals in normal bug spray that I cringe thinking about spraying it on my toddler, let alone my baby, and this repellent is mild enough even for infants’ skin.

My husband and I are done having children, as we're beyond happy with our two girls. But if I were considering having another, I think I would find the time to watch The Business of Being Born and read Your Best Birth because I've heard a lot about Ricki Lake's questioning whether giving birth should be treated as a natural part of life or a medical procedure. Actually, even though I'm not going to have more kids, I still think I might like to see this DVD and read the book.

Like all moms, the health and well-being of my children is important to me. When I can find a high-quality product that is not only good for them but tastes like real food, it makes me happy. When that product is from an online resource that is committed to children, the planet and the future, that's even better. Thanks, Sprout Foods, for allowing me and Little Sister B to test and review your organic foods, they are delicious. And, for leaving us a box of something this tasty waiting on my doorstep, thanks, Mail Carrier.

Stop typing Mom, can't you see my bowl is empty?

(Other than the six pouches of Sprout Foods baby food that I was sent, I was not provided with anything or enticed to do this review in any way. This review is solely my opinion of this healthy and yummy product.)