Getting ready for baby.....a month of meals

I LOVE cooking.  It is one of my most favorite of creative outlets.  I do not, however, enjoy cooking when stressed or rushed.  Even in my day to day cooking, I do all that I can in terms of meal planning and prep to make it as relaxing as possible.  So, when staring down having to cook 3 squares a day for my family of 8, plus a newborn in tow....I can't help but think of how to streamline it to make sure we have delicious and healthy meals, but not at the cost of my sanity or the neglect of baby snuggles.

Since I have been feeding this crew for a while now, over the years I have discovered tricks that help, as well as family favorites.  I also now have children old enough to help in the kitchen.  Old enough to even take full meals on their own....especially if some of the prep is done for them....which is exactly my plan for when the new baby comes.

I am going to spend the next several weeks (with the help of my children) preparing and freezing meals (or portions thereof) to make mealtime a no-brainer when the baby arrives.  I am going to do 14 meals and double each one so that we have a month's supply and only get the same meal twice.  I am doing this for breakfasts and dinners.  My lunch options will be planned, but they don't require much or any prep, and the top 3-4 kids can make them without any assistance because they have helped me in the past, or done it themselves already.

Family favorites, crock pot meals, and meals that at least one portion can be prepped and frozen ahead of time are going to be the keys to my success.  My kids will be assigned a day for dinner and breakfast, and with the prep we do in the weeks before baby arrives, they should be able to do it without any assistance.  Which means we will have all the benefits of home cooked meals (healthy, delicious, and cost effective) without all the mess.  So its a double win....because that means less clean up too!!!!  WOOOHOOOOOOO!

Below is my list of meals (some with links to recipes) as well as what I am doing to prep ahead of time.  It is my hope that by putting this in print, I can refer back to it myself when times are crazy and I need to re-stock my freezer, as well as maybe give you some ideas to help you get food on the table for your crew with greater ease.

So without further adieu, here are the meals.  All the things I do to prepare is listed in italics  in parenthesis.

Breakfasts:
1. Baked French Toast http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/cinnamon-raisin-french-toast/
(prepare 2 in disposable aluminum pans and freeze)
2. Homemade Muffins ( make 4-6 dozen in a variety of flavors...pumpkin, oatmeal chocolate chip, blueberry, and bran are our favorites)
3. Croissant sandwiches http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/make-ahead-freeze-breakfast-sandwiches/
(prepare 16-24 depending on how many croissants come in each package wrap in foil and freeze.  Then I take them out to thaw overnight and throw them in the oven at 350 for 20-30 minutes)
4. Oatmeal Bites http://www.alagraham.com/2013/02/individual-baked-oatmeal-cups.html
(make 2 dozen in a variety of flavors.  I will let the kids help, so they will add what they like.  Raisins, blueberries and slivered almonds, diced apples are a few we have done in the past). I use silicon muffins liners so i bake and freeze them in the liners.  I thaw them on the counter overnight them place them one a baking sheet and warm them at 350 for 15-20 minutes  The kids eat them plain or toss them in a bowl and add a little milk and eat them like regular oatmeal.
5. Scrambled eggs with ham and home fried potatoes (dice and freeze the ham in baggies and bake several potatoes and then dice them up and flash freeze, then freeze in gallon size baggies)
6. Grands Biscuit Bake   http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/815375043/grands-biscuit-breakfast-casserole/?locale=en_US
(brown lump breakfast sausage and freeze in 1-2 pound portions. thaw meat overnight and just mix into the recipe and bake)
7. Breakfast burritos (these will use the same browned lump breakfast sausage from above. I will probably brown 4-6 pounds total)
8. Quiche (I will make 4 quiches, 2 different kinds and freeze)
9. Cereal and bananas
10Bagels and cream cheese
11. Oatmeal
12. Waffles with yogurt and fruit
13. English muffins with peanut butter and cinnamon
14. Let's be honest.....we will probably have cereal more than twice this month.  :)

Lunches:
1. Leftovers
2. Macaroni and cheese and hot dogs (boxed of course.....its all about ease people)
3. Sandwiches (meat and cheese)
4. Grilled cheese and tomato soup (there are several very good boxed soups....tomato bisque and a roasted red pepper flavor are our favorites over here and so good with grilled cheese)
5. Frozen pizza (Aldi's has huge ones for like 5 bucks.  We usually buy 2 every time we go to the grocery store)
6. Loaded nachos ( I chop up the leftover chicken after rotisserie chicken night and add a few seasonings and throw that, some black beans, refried beans, and cheese over tortilla chips and bake for 15-20 mins and serve with salsa and sour cream.  This is definitely a kid favorite)
7. Quesadillas (cheese or chicken.....depending on how much leftover chicken there is)
8. Crock pot chicken and red lentil soup (I throw this all in the crock pot while the kids are eating breakfast and it is done by lunch. It is a great dinner as well.)

Red Lentil & Chicken Soup
1 lb. skinless and boneless chicken thighs 1 onion, diced
1 c. carrots, peeled and chopped
2 c. fresh spinach, chopped small
2-3 celery stalks, chopped
1 c. red lentils
32 oz. organic, low-sodium chicken stock fresh basil, to taste, chopped
1 t. dried thyme
salt & pepper
Instructions:
Place all the vegetables in the bottom of the slow cooker and top with the herbs and lentils. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables and lentils. Season the vegetables and chicken with kosher salt and pepper. Pour in chicken broth. Set slow cooker to low for 5-6 hours. About 15 minutes before the timer goes off, remove chicken, shred with two forks. Put shredded chicken back into the slow cooker for the last few minutes of cooking. Garnish with dried thyme, fresh basil or fresh cracked pepper. 

9. Peanut butter, fruit, and granola wrap-ups http://hiddenponies.com/2012/09/fruit-granola-wraps/
10. Snacky (hard boiled eggs, fruit, cheese, etc)
11. Sandwiches (PB&J)
12. More sandwiches????
13. Leftovers again????
14. Do they really need 3 meals every single day?????

Dinners:
1. Maple Dijon Chicken https://www.pinterest.com/pin/434456695279249334/
(Put all the ingredients in a 2 gallon size freezer bags and freeze.  When Cooking I baste the chicken halfway through.  And I always line my baking dish with aluminum foil for super easy clean up.)
2. Taco Salad (brown ground beef or ground turkey with the taco seasonings, bag and freeze)
3. Lasagna Pasta (take the italian sausage out of its casing and brown.  put in freezer bags and freeze)... I will be honest I kind of just throw this together.  I usually use medium shells as my pasta; boil and set aside.  Mix about a pound or two of browned italian sausage with some ricotta shredded mozzarella and parmesan.  Add a few more seasonings (salt pepper garlic powder) and then mix the meat and cheese mixture with spaghetti sauce and with the noodles.  Top with a little more mozzarella and parmesan and bake for about 15-20 minutes until cheese are melted and sauce is bubbling.
4. Fajitas http://realmomkitchen.com/9318/oven-baked-chicken-fajitas/
(cut up chicken breasts into strips, bag and freeze)
5. Burgers (using ground turkey or lean ground beef, season the meat, form into patties and freeze)
6. BBQ chicken sliders (put 3-4 chicken breasts into a baggie and freeze)
These are something I just throw together but are a big hit.  Put 3-4 chicken breast into your crock pot and cover with BBQ sauce (they can be frozen if you forgot to pull the meat out the night before.  This feature makes this meal even better in my book).  Cook on low for 4-6 hours until easily shredded.  Serve on Kings Hawaiian Rolls ( I often throw my rolls in the oven on 350 for a few minutes to toast them a little so that the bread is able to hold all the juice from the bbq chicken better and not get too soggy).  I often serve this with applesauce and/or raw veggies as a side.
7. Pork Carnitas (cut pork shoulder and bag and freeze)

Carnitas Tacos (recipe from www.100daysofrealfood.com)
2-2.5 pork shoulder or Boston butt roast, cut into 5 or 6 pieces 3 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
1⁄2 tsp. ground cumin
1 onion, cut into 6 or 8 chunks 3 garlic cloves, whole
2 avocados, sliced
fresh cilantro
organic corn tortillas
Instructions:
Mix together oregano, pepper, salt, and cumin and rub on outside of pork pieces in bottom of slow cooker.
Throw onion and garlic on top of pork.
Slow cook on low for 6 – 8 hours or until meat is falling apart.
When finished discard the onion and garlic. Drain meat and shred with a fork.
Serve warm with tortillas, avocados and cilantro. 

8. Meatball Subs (buy frozen meatballs from BJ's)  I always just throw these in my crock pt and dump sauce on top.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours and serve on rolls with provolone cheese and a side salad or raw veggies.
9. Cheesesteaks (Cook a large roast, slice, separate with wax paper, flash freeze, then bag and freeze. We also use some of this meat for lunchmeat sandwiches......my brother and sister-in-law bought me a slicer for Christmas and I must say, it is a game changer).  When ready to cook sauté up sliced peppers and onion in one pan and in another pan cook up the meat chopping it as it cooks.  Serve on rolls with provolone cheese. Applesauce or potato chips are a quick and easy side for this meal
10. French Bread Pizza (buy a few loaves of french bread and freeze.  Have sauce and cheese on hand) We don't always make them this fancy but Pioneer Woman has some great ideas if you wanted to put bit more effort into a variety of toppings for your pizza night http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/french-bread-pizzas/
11. Paninis (buy loaves of sourdough and freeze until ready to use.  Have other ingredients on hand.  We like mozzarella, sliced tomato, and pesto from the Barefoot Contessa.  Because let's be honest...who doesn't need a little Ina in their lineup???  YUMMY)
12. Chicken tortilla soup (This can either be made ahead of time and then frozen, or just Freeze the chicken thighs  in proper portions and make sure you have the other ingredients on hand and have the kids throw it all in the crock pot in the morning.  This is an family favorite, and oh, so easy)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

•  1 pkg. (6-7) organic chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
  
•  1 lg. jar (16 oz.)  salsa
  
•  1, 32 oz. carton of low-sodium organic chicken broth
  
•  1 T. chili powder
  
•  1 t. oregano
  
•  1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  
•  2 c. frozen  corn
  
•  Avocado, Whole Milk Yogurt, Raw Cheddar, Cilantro, and of
  COURSE,  crunchy tortillas – for topping!
  Instructions:
  Place the chicken thigh directly in the bottom of a lightly oiled (I use coconut oil) crockpot, and then sprinkle the seasonings (above) on top of the chicken. Then, pour the jar of salsa right on top! Once the beans are rinsed and drained, dump those in as well and then pour the chicken stock in the crockpot too. Set the crockpot on low for 8 hours and go about your biz! Then, towards the end of the 8 hours (or honestly, even when the crockpot has turned off and is on the "warm" setting), use two forks to shred the chicken and then dump in the 2 c. of frozen corn, and wait about 10 minutes until it is heated through. Then, ta-da! Dinner!
  Top with your favorite toppings (above) and enjoy! Serves about 6-8. 
  

13. Rotisserie Chicken, macaroni and cheese, and Broccoli (buy a few rotisserie chickens and freeze. they thaw beautifully and then you just pop them in the oven to warm them up.  LIFE SAVER)
14. Balsamic Pork Loin http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/crockpot-brown-sugar-and-balsamic-glazed-pork-loin/321587
(Season pork and freeze.  Thaw it ahead of time and just pop it in the crock pot.  The glaze can be made ahead of time and refrigerated if needed.  But my kids or I can also make it quick and easy that day)
15. Cheeseburger Wraps  http://myrecipemagic.com/recipe/recipedetail/cheeseburger-wraps-recipe
(brown the ground beef and freeze.  Then day of just add the extra ingredients from the recipe and make the wraps.  So easy)


I think that is everything.  If you have any questions or comments please share!  I love getting more ideas and if anything is unclear I want to know.  This is all supposed to make things easier.  May God Bless your kitchens and your families.  Thanks for stopping by.