Baby Led Feeding / Baby Led Weaning

Since there is some interest, I am going to start posting some of my baby-led feeding recipes.  The proper name is Baby Led Weaning, but since "weaning" in the U.S. implies stopping breastfeeding, I prefer the term Baby Led Feeding.  If you are new to the term, BLW/BLF just refers to teaching your child to eat solids without using purees.  The child feeds him/herself and since there is more control over eating, often becomes a much less picky eater.  Also, it teaches the child to manage bits of food.  Please do not try this method without learning all about it and the difference between choking and gagging. BLF should teach your child to manage his food and will very rarely actually choke on something.  For more info, go here to http://www.babyledweaning.com/ & also purchase or read a book on the subject.
I stay away from too many fruits because of the high sugar content, although I like to give him organic berries.  Recently though, I noticed too many strawberries cause him to have trouble going to sleep.  He also seemed hyper so, strawberries are out. I should know better, I know strawberries are not a low-sugar berry like blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries! I give him pears occasionally, but I gave up on apples because he choked on them a few times.  Anytime I feed him fruit or a higher sugar vegetable, I always feed it with a protein such as chicken, or a fat such as an avocado.
Also keep in mind that pesticide loads on foods take a higher toll on smaller livers.  The only un-organic foods my little boy gets are the lowest on the pesticide scale: onions, avocados, and asparagus. Pineapples, mangoes,  and bananas are also very low, but are pretty sweet so he would rarely get a little of these.
Here's an added bonus for feeding your child this way, besides that you can all eat together: If you don't have time to eat yourself and steal some of his food, you won't be eating bad-for-you mac & cheese and all those other "kid's foods" that end up putting weight on the parent!

Let's start with some vegetables & fruits that I feed him:
Organic broccoli - boiled in bone broth (I throw bones and filtered water in a crockpot overnight, that's it)
Organic peas - boiled in bone broth, served with protein.  Peas have a lot of starch but they are so good for his motor skills so I make this exception, but always fee with meat.
Organic colored bell peppers - I cut them open, cut out the whites and seeds, and cut them into three larger pieces.  Then, I slather them with coconut oil (high quality!) and roast, open side down on 400˚F until soft.  They will turn brown, that is ok.  If the middle is brown and soft but the edges are not, just flip them over for a few minutes (5-10) to even it out.  IMPORTANT: then I peel off the skin, it comes off easily. Cut in small chunks, or however you like to BLF.  These are so good, it's hard not to eat them all myself!
Avocados
Organic cauliflower
Sauteed onions
Organic blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries  - watch for seeds on the last two, wait until he's an accomplished eater first.
Organic Pink Grapefruit - we have a huge tree!
Raw or cooked organic tomatoes

Some citrus fruits can cause a little face rash from the acid.  If this happens, discontinue fruit for a while, and try again later.

I stay away from green beans, because he is sensitive to soy (even in breastmilk) and I hear they can create the same reaction.  In Robby's case, that would mean a severe stomach ache.

Here he is, eating avocados!