Hi Mamas!
A dear friend of mine is headed to the hospital tonight to be induced. This will be her first baby and I remember when I first had my daughter, food was always greatly appreciated. The things I remember liking to receive were fresh fruit, things like lasagna or spaghetti that could be easily warmed up or thrown in the freezer until a later date. If it were winter time, I'd make her stews or soups, but I'd like some other ideas for what I could make her. I saw this adorable gift idea on Pinterest where you stack several different tupperware containers with different food items in them. Like muffins, fruit, an entree of some sort, a dessert...you know, like four or five things that would be helpful.
Do you have any thoughts on what I should make her? What did you appreciate eating the most when you were a new mom?
Thanks for your help!
Hilary
Thanks, ladies! These are some great ideas. The baby is finally here (and she's so gorgeous!) and I'm so excited to put some of these ideas into action. I really appreciate your feedback! <3
I usually make an Italian meal for my friends who have babies: either lasagna or chicken parm, plus salad, garlic bread and something for dessert (brownies or cookies). Other people I know make enchiladas, a pasta dish with meat and veggies mixed in, chicken casseroles, etc. I was so grateful to get meals it didn't matter whether it was my favorite stuff or not.
Well, no offense to the men out there but since it will probably be the men (and it should be!) fixing the food, I would suggest something very easy. When I had my babies, casseroles were the best!! They were easy, didn't require a lot of dishes, and were always delicious.
I would make sure there are no food allergies, etc., and whip up a casserole. Also, fixing up a crock pot full of something is also easy; chicken always is great. (Toss in a jar of salsa with six to eight pieces of boneless, skinless chicken and cook on low a few hours. Pull it apart, stir it up real well and serve on tortillas. Yummy!!) Just be sure you attach directions to whatever you make.
Good luck!!!
Meatballs, sauce, rolls and some pasta.
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy and broccoli.
Breaded baked boneless chicken tenderloins, salad, noodles.
Chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, onion in the crockpot.
BBQ meatballs, salad, rolls and veggie.
Chili and bread.
Homemade chicken pastina, barley or noodle soup.
(These are things I make for us, as well as meals I take to people.)
Mini Meatloaves!!!!!!!!!!
They freeze great, it's easy to take out however many you need and leave the rest for later and with some green beans or a salad and a potato you have something quick and easy that's hearty enough for even new nursing mom hunger!!!!
Before Isaac was born I made regular meatloaf in muffin tins and then Italian meatloaf (with ground pork) that I free handed and baked on a cookie sheet, froze them individually so they wouldn't stick, then put in big ziplocks. It was awesome!
I love the idea of mini-meatloaves, but we're meatloaf lovers at my house. Not everyone is. Lasagna and Italian food in general area always a good go-to. But I know I didn't like eating heavy food when it was getting warm outside like it is here (in Texas). But I did love that someone made me a big container of pasta salad with grilled chicken in it that didn't have to be heated up. I could just scoop some out when I had time. And my mom went to our local wholesale club and stocked me up on fruit cups, granola bars, yogurt, and cracker sandwiches. Those were the best thing for me because I rarely got time to eat an actual meal. I have a summer-time salad that I love love LOVE but it's not for everyone. Get thick sliced turkey breast from the deli and cube it. Add it to some light mayo or strained plain yogurt, add chopped Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, and walnuts. Then serve over mixed greens and top with sliced avocado. I can eat this by the bucketful! Lots of protein for energy for the new mama!
Good luck to your friend and her baby!!!!
I've got a recipe for an Asian Chicken salad that's fairly healthy and doesn't need any particular serving prep. It's just boiled chicken cubed in a dressing of sesame oil, soy sauce and OJ with asparagus (or we sub steamed broccoli for $ and taste), roasted and skinned red peppers (I buy them in a jar), green onions--sliced and steamed rice. Just mix it all up and let it sit in the fridge a couple hours. It's fresh, delicious when it's hot outside, gets better after sitting a couple days and takes very little work.
Wanted to suggest www.mealbaby.com as an organized way to get other family and friends involved too. We have done this for friends and it's so great! The recipients can even create a little blurb on food preferences, any allergies etc.
Otherwise, for recipe ideas try doing a "make-ahead/freezer" search. My favorite sites with "advanced search" options that have the make-ahead search option are:
www.myrecipes.com
www.epicurious.com
www.marthastewart.com
You're a good friend :)
Just make sure she has enough fridge room for it all.
You have good ideas.
What a great question! I actually just logged on to ask the same question! My sister in law is scheduled Friday for her c-section and I wanted to know what I could make her for when she is home. It is her first baby as well! I don't have any other suggestions, just thought it was awesome that you posted the same thing I was about to :-) Thank you!
Also, thanks to all the mamas that answer her question, it will also be helping me out!!
your tuperwares could include:
- veggies already sliced and ready to grab a couple here and there
- fruit (grapes) rinsed and ready to eat with no stems or anything
- cubed cheese
- triscuits or other crackers
- hummus - it's easy enough to grab a bite here, grab a bite there, and toss back into the fridge
- crackers to go with the hummus like Pita Chips
I also think something that can sit in the fridge for a day or two and she can throw it in the oven (don't forget to print instructions for her!) would be super-easy. Prep it in a foil pan so she can bake it and then trash it (no washing, no returning your casserole dish....) I made enchiladas for a friend of mine. My pregnant friend now I think I may do both ideas - a meal for her family PLUS a few easy tupperware snack-type foods for when she's home with baby alone.
i would do things she can easily eat while holding a baby. maybe some granola bars, fruit, or even offerring to come cook a couple days of food for her.
The gift I appreciated the most when my son was born was the Edible Arrangement my MIL brought to the hospital that first day. It was so nice to have fresh, pre-cut, grab anytime fruit during that 24 hours prior to his birth. We had a fridge in our room, so just dismantled the arrangement and put it in to-go boxes from the cafeteria. Even if you take it to get after they come home, it's still a convenient, yummy, healthy, and beautiful gift. Besides, every new mom deserves chocolate-covered strawberries after childbirth. Congrats to your friend!
I would do fruits ,veggies,crockpot meals, Alfredo noodles
we made these Rye Bread Pizzas and froze them. they are so easy to pop in the toaster oven and super yummy.
