Moms Backing Moms
A supportive resource for new moms to expedite the parent learning curve!
Food Prep Before Baby Arrives
Even though the last trimester is exhausting, really try and push yourself to do as much cooking and baking beforehand, believe me you'll be so thankful you did! Below are some dinner recipes that you can freeze that will make left overs and a couple of my go to breastfeeding snacks. In your third trimester it's recommended to consumer an additional 450 calories, and when solely breastfeeding you need to consume an additional 650 calories! So stock up on extra healthy freezable snacks, because if you don't consume enough your body can have trouble producing milk!
Healthy Freezer Meals for New Moms
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TIP: As a precaution, don't eat broccoli or onions when breastfeeding, it's very common to lead to bad baby gas! This makes little ones super bloated and is another barrier to sleeping...
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Slow cooker meals are delicious and easy! Look in the "Mom" family meal prep section for a couple more recipes! If you don't have a slow cooker, the basic 4 qt size is well worth the investment...
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Another good investment is glass cookware that is freeze friendly with a sealing lid. No worries about toxins with glass, plus it can go right from the freezer to the oven, and it's dishwasher safe!
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Lastly stock up on frozen peas, green beans, and edamame beans, they make a great side dish and are super easy!
Photo source: http://www.playbuzz.co
Makes 4 Lasagnas (each serves 6 adults)
Make Ahead Delicious Lasagna
Ingredients:
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3 lbs ground beef
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1 kg cottage cheese
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2 eggs
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250 g shredded Parmesan cheese (fresh)
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2 - 700 ml jars spagehetti sauce
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5.5 oz can tomato paste
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2 - 15 oz cans of tomato sauce
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1 box oven ready lasagna noodles
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450 g grated mozzarella cheese
Cooking Instructions:
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Meat Sauce: Brown beef with sauces and paste in a large pot
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In a separate bowl combine cottage cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese
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In rectangular glass cooking pan layer:
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meat sauce
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fine layer of uncooked noodles
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cheese sauce (step 2)
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fine layer of uncooked noodles
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Thin layer of meat sauce
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Top with grated mozza cheese
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BAKE:
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350F for 1 hour
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OR If freezing: 350F for 50min... Allow to cool, then cover and freeze
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Post Frozen:
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Thaw 12 hours
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Cook 350F for 30 min, check the middle is no longer cold, and then ready to serve
Not Your Mama's Meat Loaf
Makes 3 Meat Loafs
(each serves 4 adults)
Ingredients:
Meat Loaf
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3 lbs ground beef
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1 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
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2 cups tomato soup
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4 beaten eggs
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1/2 cup grated red onion (leave out if breast feeding)
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1/2 cup minced celery
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1 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp pepper
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1 tsp sage
Piquant Sauce
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6 tbsp brown sugar
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1/2 tsp nutmeg
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2 tsp dry mustard
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1/2 cup ketchup
Cooking Instructions:
Piquant Sauce: Mix all ingredients well
Meat Loaf:
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Soak bread crumbs in tomato soup
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Mix well: meat, spices, eggs, onions (optional), and celery
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Combine steps 1 and 2 well
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Place in greased pans (round option from amazon)
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Greasing with coconut oil is healthy and delicious
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Cover with piquant sauce
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BAKE:
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350F for 1 hour (check meat is cooked to bottom)
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OR If freezing: 350F for 45 min... Allow to cool, then cover and freeze
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Post Frozen:
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Thaw 12 hours
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Cook 350F for 30 min, check meat is cooked to bottom
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You wont even believe how many snacks you will consumer breast feeding. I lined ziplock bags with wax paper (because I was crazy about plastic)and filled my deep freeze! Then just took out about a dozen snacks at a time to fill a container in the fridge.
Breastfeeding Snacks
Outstanding Oatmeal Cookies
Cooking Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 375F and cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper
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In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt
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In another bowl, cream coconut oil and sugar until smooth, then blend in water and vanilla
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Beat eggs and add to wet mixture
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Stir flour mixture into wet mixture
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Add oats and all remaining ingredients, mix well
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Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets
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Bake 12 minutes, when done edges should be lightly brown
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Freeze or keep in fridge for up to 4 days
Makes 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
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1 1/2 cups oats
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1 cup whole wheat flour
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1/2 tsp baking soda
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1/2 tsp sea salt
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1/2 cup coconut oil
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1/2 cup brown sugar
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1/2 tsp vanilla
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1/2 cup water
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2 eggs
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1/2 cup pecan pieces
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1/2 cup walnut pieces
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1/2 cup coconut flakes
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1/2 cup chocolate chips
The Best Banana Bread Muffins
Ingredients:
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3 brown bananas
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1/3 cup melted coconut oil
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1 tbsp coco powder
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1 tsp baking soda
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Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 egg
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1 tsp vanilla
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1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
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1 cup walnut pieces
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1/3 cup chocolate chips
Cooking Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350F
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Mash bananas with a fork, then stir in coconut butter, and coco powder
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Mix in baking soda and salt, then sugar, egg, vanilla
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Mix in flour
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Mix in walnuts and chocolate chips
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Bake 35 minutes
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Freeze or keep in the fridge for up to 4 days
Makes 2 dozen cookies
Kananaskis Muffins
Ingredients:
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1 cup almond milk
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1/4 cup canola oil
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 egg beaten
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1tsp vanilla
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1/2 cup blueberries
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1/2 cup cranberries
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1/4 cup chocolate chips
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2 cups Highwood Crossing Mix
Cooking Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 400F
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Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl
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In a separate bowl toss fruit and chocolate chips with dry mix then combine, if using frozen fruit thaw first
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Combine both mixtures until moist
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Bake 20 minutes
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Freeze or keep in the fridge for up to 4 days
Makes 1 dozen cookies