Baby Meal Prep: Intro
I don’t know why everyone lumps the entirety of the third trimester into one book. It really should be broken up into smaller subsections: the first month can be “Second Trimester: Chapter Two.” The second month can be: “The One With The Whale In It.” And the final month can just be simply labeled “UUURRRRrGGGGggghhhh (sob).”
Now that I’m rounding the milestone that is month nine, I am cranky, tired, and cranky. And also, I’m cranky.
We all know the world is a massive wreck right now, people are at each other’s throats, some over stupid crap like wearing a mask (just do it, people. It’s not that hard.), and others with much much more valid topics. It’s obnoxious, and I have zero patience for it.
I also have zero patience for the heat. And cooking. And the whirring sound our air conditioner makes.
See? Crankypants.
I’m really grateful I got started early on my baby meal prep. I had so much more planned than I actually got to, but we ran out of room in the freezer, because I’m also stocking up on meat from Butcherbox for postpartum recovery recipes, and smoothies from Daily Harvest.
What is also on my agenda is reading up on postpartum health and recovery. You can read that again if you need to, because you heard me right. Initially, I was prepping meals for lactation support – you know, the standard oatmeal, flaxseed, chia seed, etc. Then I started reading up on postpartum support, and started paying more attention to stocking up on bone broths, gummy candy, tough meats, colorful veg, and ingredients to whip up some quick soups. I’ll definitely update you guys on that process as I read more – it’s truly fascinating stuff.
But, for now, here’s what I’ve got shoveled into my freezer:
1.French Toast Casserole, Two Ways – made with whole wheat bread, fruit, and traditional custard, split up into four containers for a total of 16 easy oven-baked meals.
2. Lactation Bulk Bake – a riff on my Banana Bread Recipe, with Pumpkin Oat Bars and Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, both packed with flaxseed and whole oats for lactation assistance, as well as the beautiful healing fiber of blueberries or pumpkin to relieve postpartum tummy trouble, individually wrapped and frozen for a quick microwavable treat.
3. Breakfast Burritos, Two Ways – A little bit time-consuming, but so worth it when it’s breakfast time and I just don’t have it in me to cook up some eggs, packed with protein and vitamin-rich veggies tucked into a whole wheat tortilla with fiber-punch black beans. Salsa not included.
4. Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole – So easy. Make two, eat one, freeze the other.
5. Chia Seed Energy Bites, Two Ways – Dark Chocolate Coconut, and Almond Butter, a whole slew of fatty boob-juice-worthy ingredients, rolled into bite-size balls.
6. Cauliflower Mac N Cheese – Hidden veg in a cheesy sauce and tossed with whole grain pasta, it’ll be a comfort food must.
7. Almost Clean Banana Bread – the tummy tamer. Add your fav mix-ins and freeze if you can stand to not sample it first. Very easy to make gluten or dairy free if you’re trying to avoid those things for your healing process.
8. Chia Seed Jam – Chia seeds are packed with fatty acids (happy lactation, happy healing), and the honey in this jam helps avoid those gross refined sugars in other jams. Plus, the fruit is whole, but cooked so you can get the fiber and vitamins without the whole “it’s raw” ordeal that may not be great for postpartum recovery.
What else I’m stocked up on:
- Shelf-stable non-dairy milk (for overnight oats and oatmeal, as well as lactation supporting smoothies)
- Oats (see above)
- Meatloaf
- Grilled Chicken (for quick wraps and salads)
- Cheese Crisps (salty snack)
- Crackers (salty snack)
- Pickles (salty snack, electrolytes)
- Gummy Bears (for tissue repair and healing)
- Collagen Protein Powder (for tissue repair, healing, and preventing hair loss)
- Dark Chocolate (for gut health)
- Trail Mixes (I elected for Thrive’s paleo mixes in different flavors, a mix of nuts for salty snack and healthy fats)
- Beans (for fiber)
- Brown Rice and Whole Wheat Pastas
- Frozen Fruit (for smoothies, I packed these with carrot greens from our garden)
- Dried Fruits (especially blueberries, raisins, cranberries, figs, prunes, and dates, for smoothies and oat bowls)
- Teas (Green, mint, chamomile and lavender, ginger, lemon, and I’m giving this Pink Stork stuff a shot)
- Birch Bender’s Paleo Pancake Mix (because pancakes are life)
- Almond Butter and Peanut Butter (smoothies, snacks)
- Chia Jam (I’m officially a convert)
- Bone Broths (for warming hydration and internal healing)
- Canned Tuna and Salmon (healthy fats)
- Frozen shellfish (zinc and magnesium)
- Electrolyte Drinks (My favorite is NOOMA)
A lot of this stuff doesn’t really comply with postpartum recovery nutrition advice (the gluten and dairy), so I’ll probably use it sparingly while I focus most of my efforts on soups, stews, and slow cooked meats that my mom can toss in the crockpot for me. Hopefully I’ll be able to update you guys on that process as I get through it.
