Of course, many people enjoy shopping, and even do it

for pleasure, but few of those people include grocery shopping in that category. That's why many new parents look for ways to avoid stocking their pantry with those tiny little jars of baby food; opting instead for healthy, affordable and yummy homemade baby food.

The top three reasons to make your own baby food (other than not having to run out to the store again!) are:

1. It is more affordable

A jar of (non-organic) peas, sweet potatoes or carrots will cost at least $0.20 per ounce, while if you purchase fresh or frozen organic ingredients and prepare them yourself you will spend less than $0.04 per ounce. Also, many of the foods available on the baby food aisle (e.g. applesauce) are exactly the same as those sold on the canned food aisle, but can be twice the price.

2. It is healthier for your baby

Although it is very surprising, some of the most trusted brands of baby food are not as healthy as we would expect them to be. In addition to the natural ingredients shown on their label, manufacturers may add thickening agents such as flours and chemically modified starches. These fillers can reduce the nutrient level of the food by up to 50%.

3. It takes less of a toll on the environment

For every bottle, jar or package of prepared baby food that you buy, you are adding to the Earth's trash burden. Even glass jars, which can be easily recycled, still take fossil-fuel energy to create, sterilize and label. Then there is the cost of transporting the goods to the supermarket. While you may not be able to give up disposable diapers, giving up packaged baby food is a low-stress way to be green.

There are lots of reasons to make your own baby food, but the best part is that it's really easy! In fact, I never even considered buying prepared foods because it just seemed easier to take things that I already had in my freezer, refrigerator and pantry, and convert them into yummy and good-for-you foods that my baby devoured.

Here are three simple (and I mean really, really simple!) baby food recipes. Actually, calling them recipes might be an overstatement, but I'll do it anyway!

1. Smashed peas

Step 1: Take a bag of frozen peas out of the freezer

Step 2: Measure out about 1 cup into a microwaveable bowl

Step 3: Place the bowl in the microwave and cook until defrosted

Step 4: Place the defrosted peas in your blender, add a little bit of water, and blend

Step 5: Feed the peas to your baby; store the extra in the refrigerator or freeze for later

2. Extra Special Cereal

Step 1: Following the directions on the box, make about 1 cup of Cream of Wheat

Step 2: Take a 16 oz tub of sour cream or plain yogurt out of the refrigerator

Step 3: Take 2 4 oz containers of applesauce out of the pantry

Step 4: Mix everything together and feed it to your baby; store the extra in the refrigerator or freeze for later

3. Yummy Yams

Step 1: Clean one yam or sweet potato thoroughly and put it in the microwave to cook

Step 2: Once fully cooked, smash the yam with a fork or put it in the blender

Step 3: Feed the yam to your baby; store the extra in the refrigerator or freeze for later

Copyright (c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg