We're almost down to month NINE waiting for Baby M to arrive! I suppose I'm in full nesting mode, but I'm already a list/task person, so it doesn't feel that different than regular me, haha.
From friends and internet forums, I've heard a lot about being a new mom. Most of all, you will probably only want to eat things that are quick to grab (mostly one-handed). And, based on my experience of being pregnant so far, I REALLY don't feel too much like cooking, so I can't imagine wanting to cook once the baby is here...at least not right away.
My first mission was to make sure that my carnivore husband does not starve, so I bagged about 12 Crockpot freezer meals for him. I don't want him to get hangry. For myself, I made two tins of healthier mac and cheese and stuck them in the freezer. Chocolate Covered Katie has a few good recipes for this.
As for me, I'm planning to have a smoothie for at least one meal/snack per day. I'll share my favorite recipes with you!
Smoothie 1: Healthy Chocolate Smoothie
2 frozen bananas
1/2 of a ripe avocado
a few drops of liquid organic Stevia
2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder, like Sunwarrior
2 c. almond milk
Smoothie 2: Berry Spinach Smoothie
2 c. fresh organic spinach
1 c. frozen mixed berries, like Wyman's brand
a few drops of liquid organic Stevia
1.5 c. almond milk
add a scoop of protein or spirulina, if desired
Smoothie 3: Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
2 frozen bananas
1 scoop of protein powder, like Sunwarrior
liquid organic Stevia drops to taste
1.5 c. almond milk
2 T. old-fashioned oats
1 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
splash of vanilla
pinch of cinnamon
For smoothie prep, you can get a few things together ahead of time. I like to use sturdy, quart-sized freezer bags. For smoothie #1, I like to freeze the two bananas and the avocado half together. For smoothie #2, I like to fill half of the quart bag with spinach and then cover it with the cup of berries (and then freeze). For smoothie #3, you can freeze bananas two-by-two and then have other sandwich bags filled with the dry ingredients. And, although it may sound like over-kill, I usually write the recipes on each freezer bag so that I don't have to re-look up the recipes while I'm making them. We'll see if that actually saves time in the future!
Another easy recipe that can be kept in the freezer are truffles/energy balls. I plan to have my mom make a few batches of these when she comes to help. They're vegan, gluten-free, and have no refined sugar. My goal is to stay off of baked goods and refined sugar for the first month post-partum. If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you know that this will be a challenge! These truffle balls will serve as my dessert in the mean time!
Baby Bliss Balls - Adapted from my Pistachio Chocolate Truffle recipe
10 medjool dates, pitted
3-4 T. pure maple syrup
2 T. coconut oil, softened
1/2 c. unsweetened coconut, shredded
2 T. water or almond milk
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder, like Guittard
1/3 c. crushed pistachios or crushed almond slivers, for rolling
add protein powder or spirulina, if desired
These can be stored in the freezer and you can pop them in your mouth as needed. Click on the Pistachio Truffles link for a full description of how to make them.
As far as easy breakfasts go, I've been hooked on a quick bowl of granola with almond milk + a banana. It really fills me up nicely, and that's saying something for a 34 weeks-along preggo lady. Make your own granola ahead of time with this recipe:
Bourbon Spice Granola
3 1/2 c. whole oats
1 c. almond slices
1 c. raw cashew pieces (or walnuts)
1 c. unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 c. pepitas (or sunflower seeds)
1/2 c. chia seeds
1 T. cinnamon
2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. sea salt
6 T. coconut oil
1/2 c. pure maple syrup
2-3 T. vanilla-infused bourbon (learn more about infusing your own liquors!)
For the full recipe with all the steps, click here.
Since it's getting to be that time of the year, I may stray from my no-sugar rule to make some Eggless Eggnog Streusel Muffins...perhaps after my sugar sabbatical.
I hope these recipes inspire you during your baby prep or just everyday life :-)
Cheers!
-Aileen