Feeding my Family

Hi, we just had a baby.

Grocery shopping.  Woof.  When our fridge starts looking bare, I cringe at the thought of going to the grocery store.  It's always so busy, my shopping list is lengthy, and you can bet I will forget something on that list.  I should have the list memorized by now and yet I always manage to space going down a certain aisle.

Now that I'm no longer working 40 hours a week in an office, I do feel as if I have more time to compile a list of what we need, meal plan, and get organized.  When I shop, it's only for my husband and me (okay, so there's three of us if you count the human I'm growing)...but it still feels like we need a good amount to get through the week.  My husband eats so damn much.  I don't feel bad about sharing this with you because he knows it's true, too.  Earlier on in our relationship, he looked at me during dinner one night and said, "Babe, you know how much you need to eat to feel full?  Well, I'm bigger than you and I need like..three times that amount."  Fair enough.  I married the man and promised to support him always, even when he cleans out the pantry.   

I often think about how our lives will change in these coming months.  As much as I daydream about our labor and birth experience, I think about the postpartum period even more.  When I talk to expectant folks as a doula and childbirth educator, there is a lot of focus on birth.  I get it-- it's the unknown that is captivating, exciting, and maybe even a bit anxiety-inducing.  But what about parenting?  Labor and birth is a short amount of time compared to the rest of our lives.  Raising a child is big stuff and incorporating a new person into your life *forever* seems a bit more overwhelming to me.

When you have a baby, even the simplest tasks get put off because...well, it's just hard to squeeze it all in.  It's challenging to take care of ourselves and take care of another human 24/7.  As a new mama, even feeding yourself can be a challenge!  And when you're running low on sleep, haven't showered in a day (or 2 or 3? Not judging.. this will be me soon.  We're in this boat together, sister), and have only eaten a bowl of cereal and a banana in the last 24 hours...you're going to feel pretty shitty. Plain and simple.

So...when this new person is born, promise me this one thing:  that you will eat!  Even better:  promise me that NOW, when you're still pregnant, you will start planning for the postpartum period, not just for labor and birth.  As new parents, it's hard to focus on your needs, but ya gotta give yourself some TLC so that you can be there for your babe.  The laundry, the baby shower thank you cards...those things can wait.  Nourishing your body is more important!

Keep in mind that two of the most amazing things you can stick on your baby shower registry are a meal train and a postpartum doula.  Your doula can help with cooking, remind you to eat a little something, and even run errands for you (like that shopping trip you've been dreading!).  There are great websites out there that can help you start up a meal train (to name a few:  Take Them a Meal, MealBaby, Meal Train).  Send the link to your meal train via email to family and friends prenatally.  Folks can sign up to bring over a meal as often as you'd like (every other day, three times a week, etc.).  You can include food allergies and limitations, your time frame for dinner, and even how you'd prefer the food be delivered ("If the front door is shut, please leave the food in the color on our porch.").

Aside from meal trains and postpartum doulas, you can also prep your meals ahead of time.  Freezer and crockpot meals are a smart option for the postpartum period, and Pinterest makes it easy to collect yummy recipes without aimlessly surfing the web.  Below I've listed some of the best recipes I've found on this genius website.  I say "the best" because they are healthy, relatively easy, and for some of 'em, you can even eat with one hand. :)

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Egg White Breakfast Bites 
I've been on an egg kick for most of my pregnancy.  Eggs and toast is what I eat in the mornings if I have enough time to make the eggs.  This recipe looked easy and flavorful. 

Toast for Everyone! 
There's more to it than just butter and jam.

Healthy Snack Drawer
This just seems like a really great idea.  Stocking up every week and dedicating a drawer for go-to snacks would be ideal for when you're in a pinch. 

20 Healthy Snacks to Have on Hand
A nice, simple list to compliment the snack drawer.

Homemade Hamburger Helper 
We made this at our house one night when I was stumped on dinner ideas.  Turned out great and we had leftovers for lunch the next day.  We made this on the stove top so creating a meal for the freezer or crockpot would be an experiment. 

Easy Crockpot Potato Soup
I'll be trying this one out soon! 

Cheesy Tortellini Crockpot Soup
I love this meal.  It's really my go-to if I'm ever cooking a postpartum meal for a new family.  Super easy and affordable.  Like the recipe states, keep an eye on how long you cook in the crockpot.  I've made this on days when I'm away from the house 8+ hours only to come home to super soft noodles…yuck.  Other than that, I give it an A+! 

6 Slower Cooker Chicken Freezer Meals 
Author, Kelly, says she can make these meals in 30 minutes (including clean up time!)  Ok, I can dig it. 

90+ Freezer Meals 
If you're looking for a variety of options, Fabulously Frugal nailed it. 

Booby Bites
I've heard of lactation cookies-- how delicious and helpful they can be-- though I've never made them myself .  This recipe is quite tempting!  I'm a sucker for sweets.

Thanks, Buzzfeed!!

Photo Cred: Little Penelope Lane Blog

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Do you have any quick, simple meals/snacks you love and would like to share?  Please post in the 'Comments' section below!