Today at Momscape.com: Are you an Earth Mother or a Creative Rainbow Mother? Find out.
Coupons | Product Reviews | Contests | Articles | Forums | Search | Subscribe
Family Fun | Parenting Tips | Romance | Health & Fitness | Organic Living | Weight Loss | WAHMs
Welcome Momscapers!
Momscape.com is an award winning online magazine delivering
uplifting personal essays
from real parents - plus
practical guidance on parenting,
family fun,
romance,
travel,
health & fitness,
weight loss,
and more.
We invite you to share your
MamaWisdom and to help us
spotlight
products that make your life as a mom easier or better while you
enjoy our money-saving
online coupons and
family travel
discounts.
We want to help you enjoy the
simple (and fine) things life has to offer.
Subscribe to Momscape >
or
Get Our Daily Coupon Updates by Email
Bookmark and share Momscape with your friends:
Today:
Online Coupons
Today's
Favorite Coupons
All Online
Coupons by Store
All Online Coupons by
Category
Printable
Grocery Coupons
Product Reviews
Momscape's
Favorite Things (Blog)
Top-Rated
Mom Product Reviews
Family Fun
Activities & Crafts
Family Travel
Deals
Free Scrapbooking Ideas
Parenting Articles
Baby Tips
Toddler Tips
All Parenting Articles
Inspiration/Essays
Relationships
Marriage
Romance
Friendships
Health
and Fitness
Fitness Tips
Natural Living
Nurturing Your Spirit
Weight Loss
Professional
Family Manager Tips
Home-Based Business
Community
MamaWisdom Forums
About Momscape
Subscribe
Site Map
Links
Link to Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
About us
Contact Us
Healthier First Birthday Cake Ideas
by Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers,
www.FreshBaby.com
Parents are often looking for a healthy alternative to the standard, sugary,
preservative-filled birthday cake for their baby’s introduction to the wonderful
traditions of birthdays. We’ve heard from parents looking for ways to buy an
egg-free cake, to those seeking recipes for “healthy” cakes, or even whether to
make/buy two cakes (one for Baby, one for adults).
To answer the last question first – there is no reason to create extra work for
yourself, make or buy one cake, relax and congratulate yourself for making it
through the first year! Most people will be gracious guests and enjoy whatever
is served. And let’s not lose sight of the real reason for the birthday cake -
THE PHOTO. We do it all for the precious scrapbook shot of your cake-faced
little one delighting in being the life of the party!
Here are some ideas that keep the tradition of the birthday cake treat, but add
some healthy twists (you can use these ideas for any age!):
Egg-free: If your baby has not been introduced to whole eggs by their first
birthday, this is probably not the occasion to give them a try. Many egg
substitutes contain eggs, so to be safe, look for cake and frosting mixes
labeled “vegan” which are free of all animal products. You’ll need to go to a
health food store to find these products. Or jump on the Internet, Vegan Baker
is one company that offers cake and frosting mixes. If baking is not for you,
many urban cities also have vegan bakeries too – check the Yellow Pages or ask
someone at a vegetarian restaurant.
Healthier cake flavors: If you decided on a traditional layer cake or cupcakes,
there are healthier cakes choices over the standard white or chocolate layer
cake varieties. Some cake flavors to consider include banana cake, applesauce
cake or carrot cake. Cakes than contain fruit usually have less sugar. Made from
scratch, a mix or from a bakery, they are a step up on the healthy scale.
Frosting: You must have frosting for the photo! Healthier frosting choices can
include organic yogurt thickened with cream cheese or a traditional cream cheese
frosting. The ultimate substitute for sugar-laden buttercream is whipped cream.
Homemade whipped cream is pretty simple to make and just a couple tablespoons of
sugar will sweeten it.
Homemade Whipped Cream
· 1 cup of heavy cream
· 2 Tbsp sugar
· 1 tsp vanilla
Directions: Chill the heavy cream for 24 hours in your refrigerator. Pour heavy
cream in a chilled, large, deep bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat the cream on high
until it thickens. Add the vanilla and sugar, and continue beating until soft
peaks form. To test the whipped cream, stop the mixer and pull up the beaters,
if the cream forms little mountains that stand up, then the whipped cream is
done. Makes 2 cups and must be refrigerated.
Forego the frosting: You don’t really need frosting to have a good time. Make
an applesauce cake and dust it with powdered sugar. To jazz up the look, make or
buy a stencil and lay it on the top of the cake. Using powdered sugar and a
sifter, dust the top of the cake. Carefully remove the stencil – Viola! An
impressive presentation and low in sugar too!
Go for cool: While a Mississippi Mud Pie is not a healthy ice cream choice, you
can make or buy a frozen yogurt cake. Many ice cream shops also have wonderful
choices in fruit sorbets too. A cake made with frozen vanilla yogurt and mango
sorbet is a great treat for all ages.
About the authors:
Cheryl Tallman and Joan Ahlers are sisters, the mothers of five children and
founders of Fresh Baby. Creators of products that include the So Easy Baby Food
Kit and Good Clean Fun Placemats; Fresh Baby offers parents convenient and
practical support in raising healthy children. Visit them online at
www.FreshBaby.com and subscribe to
their Fresh Ideas newsletter to get monthly ideas, tips and activities for
developing your family's healthy eating habits! Fresh Baby products are
available at many fine specialty stores and national chains including Target,
Wild Oats, and Whole Foods Markets.
Other articles by Chery Tallman and Joan Ahlers
Budget
Organics
Healthier Halloween
Blueberries
Baby Food on
the Go
School
Lunches: Ideas and Recipes for Healthier School Lunches
Coupons for Momscape Readers:
Offers valid for a limited time.
Office Depot Coupons: $30 off $150
Target.com Coupons:
Free shipping on select baby gear
Overstock Coupons: $5 off $100
Weight Watchers Coupon: 25% off
Join Momscape today! It's easy and free.
More Top Coupons:
Click this link and the discount shown will be automatically activated.
Moms are Raving About
> Tae Bo Kicks Billy Blanks Workout for Kids
> Collectopia Wacktivity and A Friendship Scraptacular
> Micro Spy Kit X2 Toy
> Bugaboo Chameleon Stroller
> Burt's Bees Baby Bee Skin reme
> Perego Primo Viaggio Infant Car Seat
> Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskins
> Rocket Spanish
> NordicTrack 740 Stepper
> More Product Reviews