With all three of my pregnancies it was important to me that I felt as prepared as I could, understanding that things don’t always go as planned. I am the person that wants the baby’s room ready, even though they aren’t sleeping in there for awhile. I want to make sure my house is in order and I have a plan for things I need to accomplish before the baby comes. I want to feel my ‘to do list’ is done by week 37/38, even though both of my first two sweet boys stayed tight until week 41!
I also want to make sure we are prepared with nourishing meals to get us through those first few weeks. When I am thinking about food, I also make a list of things that aren’t necessarily prepped, but could be quickly handled by my husband! To add to the list this year, I needed to make sure my other two boys had food.
If you are expecting, thinking of expecting or simply just want some ideas of things you can prep for your family to eat – keep reading. You may notice I am not much of a casserole person, but that is another popular option of something to consider making ahead of time. Keep in mind, we have a stand up deep freeze that I honestly couldn’t live without. I depend on my freezer heavily and most all of these things end up in our freezer!
So to start the day: Breakfast
What I made sure I had enough already made and frozen:
- Breakfast Cookies
- Gluten free waffles (we eat with almond butter)
- Gluten free pancakes (boys eat with plain yogurt, cinnamon and fruit on top usually)
- Gluten free mini bagels
What I made sure I have on hand:
- Gluten free bread (eat with almond butter)
- Rice cakes (eat with almond butter)
- Yogurt / kefir
- Eggs
- Frozen veggies and fruits for smoothies
Other easy options I can do in the moment:
- Overnight chia oats (recipe coming soon on these)
- Yogurt parfait (plain yogurt, sugar free granola and fruit)
- Smoothie
- Kitchen Sink Belly Bowl
- Hard boiled eggs (to eat with veggies, avocado and sauerkraut)
If I am feeling up to it, I will consider making:
- Baked egg frittata (make once a week to eat on all week)
Dinner (with lunch leftovers)
What I make sure I have on hand (my husband can likely help make with little direction):
- Taco shells
- Pizza crusts
- Canned salmon
- Canned tuna
- Gluten free pasta
- Pre-packaged bone broth soup
- Some store bought Costco convenience options: quinoa packs, various patties
- Eggs
- Various frozen proteins
- Pork
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Beans (I always have these made and froze in individual portions)
What I made to store in the freezer:
- Falafel
- Lamb meatballs (will share recipe on these at some point)
- Beef hamburgers with added veggies (no real recipe used)
- Mung beans and rice (I add sautéed bok choy when I serve, and usually a little yogurt)
- Lemon chicken chickpea soup (I added swiss chard and use bone broth)
- Ribs (husband made)
Quick options to consider / prepare in the slow cooker:
- Whole chicken
- Fajitas
- Indian chicken
- Roast
- Beef and broccoli
Sides
- Frozen veggies
- Frozen Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi
- Gluten free cheddar biscuits (made ahead and froze)
- Cauliflower corn muffins (made ahead and froze)
- Rice (I always have these made and froze in individual portions)
- Fries (store bought)
- Millet tots (store bought)
- Hopeful to have bagged salad, fresh veggies and fruit just purchased
Snacks
- Nuts
- Meat sticks (code EMBRACEWELLNESS15 for 15% off)
- Hopeful to have fresh veggies and fruit just purchased
- Guacamole (from Costco)
- Hummus (from Costco)
- Almond butter
- Simple mills crackers
This sounds like a lot, but really didn’t take me much time. I think I devoted maybe 3-4 days over the course of the last few weeks.
What are some of your favorite freezer friendly options?
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