New Mama Care Package

When I was just home from the hospital and friends started coming over to see us and meet the new baby, we received so many thoughtful presents. One of the best things people brought was definitely FOOD. There is something so meaningful about the gift of sustenance, made with love to give you strength in those first few days, something easy that you can just put in your tired face when your hands are too full of squirmy baby to do much beyond microwave. 

Through the miracle of Facebook, I recently reconnected with someone I worked with YEARS ago who now happens to live near me in NC and just had a baby herself, so I felt it was time I returned the favor that so many others helpfully granted me. Last night I whipped up a big batch of Lasagna Soup to bring over to her today (the very same that I made in advance of Graham's arrival), with all parts labeled for easy assembly and reheating. I also got her a couple bars of nice chocolate as well as a book for her baby because chocolate and books always make the best gifts. 

I can't wait to see her again and meet little baby Juniper for the first time! 

- Cathleen 

Nesting in My Freezer

I'm officially in nest mode. All I want to do is hunker down and cook and organize our apartment in advance of the little one's big arrival. My plan is to make double batches of hearty meals once a week until I've tried them all and my freezer is full of delicious, fortifying food to defrost with one hand while juggling a wriggly baby with the other. Pinterest is helping me dream big. Here are the six meals on my menu:

Lasagna Soup from A Farm Girl's Dabbles

[Not Pictured]

Mom's Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes from my mom

Karen's Zucchini Bread from Micky's mom 

+ the added high fiber ingredients from a Whole Food's recipe

Mac & Cheese with Spinach (Instead of Kale) & Bacon from Good Life Eats

French Beef Stew with Red Wine from Katie at the Kitchen Door

Mushroom Soup from Season with Spice

I wanted a bunch of comfort foods with healthy ingredients that would do a recent-birth-giving body good. Lots of whole grains, protein, dairy, leafy greens, and fruits and vegetables are all important for that. I'll be sure to share my mom's meatloaf recipe when the time comes, along with Micky's mom's zucchini bread (if she'll let me give up her secrets), plus a review of how the rest of them turn out, including which dishes freeze/reheat the best. Yes, a follow-up will be forthcoming! 

- Cathleen 

[Images courtesy of merchantcircle.com, A Farm Girl's Dabbles, Whole Foods, Good Life Eats, Katie at the Kitchen Door, and Season with Spice]