How motherhood changed Nicole!

Nicole Richie has gone from Hollywood wild child to domestic diva! The reality star is talking all things in the kitchen -- including mashing her own baby food!

"Food tastes better coming from your mom because it's made with love," she tells People. She purees steamed vegetables to make homemade baby food for little Harlow, now nine months old.

"We talk about it all the time," adds daddy Joel Madden. "It's an energy thing. I know exactly what's going into [Harlow's] body."

"Her first food was sweet potatoes and she loved it," Nicole says. "She ate the whole thing and it was all over the place -- in her hair, on her nose, everywhere!"

Proud pappa Joel says he feeds her "all the time," but says his little Miss Independent "likes to do it on her own."