My very first blog...

Blogging is new to me. For a while, I didn't know when, where or why a person would blog something. Personally, I couldn't see any reason behind it, and then I started thinking more and more about it. I realized its a great way to share what you are passionate about, thinking about or just what's on your mind, and share it in a unique way.

Then I really, really, really wanted to blog, but I didn't think I had anything to say. I have finally decided on what I would blog about...kids and cooking. It's what I know best. Atleast, that will be my main point of view.

Me: I am 33, happily married for 8 years, and we have one daughter who is 6, Maia, and have another one on the way. She is due at the end of August.

First Discussion: Freezing and Preparing meals for when the baby arrives

Today, I decided this was the best idea ever! I have heard of it, thought about it, and even considered it a waste of my time. I wondered will I ever use the food I prepared? Well, the more I thought back to the first two weeks of being home with Maia, I realized I wish I had this then. Especially since my husband, Danny, can't cook. If it were up to him we would have hamburger helper every night. I have started my mission: plan and be prepared for the first two weeks of being home with the baby.

Background about me: I like to cook. Actually, I LOVE to cook. I love to cook anything from attempting a "gourmet" meal, to a quick and easy meal that comes mostly from a box with a few added things to kick it up.

My favorite weeks are when I have made a meal plan for 5 out of 7 days, shopped for everything I need ahead of time, and stick to it. I usually only make 5 meals because there is always leftovers, or an obligation that throws off the plan. I typically try to have the first 3-4 meals "fresh" and then have a 4th or 5th meal that can carry over to the next week if we don't use it (frozen, boxed, etc).

I try to be frugal, but it doesn't always work out that way. I want to be a lot better at managing what we throw away. I am the worst at using leftovers, its my downfall, FOR SURE! I have recently started to repurpose the leftovers into something else, and I am always pretty happy when I do that. So, if that happens, I'll let you know. I will also try to post what I spent, and how many servings I think it will make.

Here's how I started this evening:

A quick Google search was a great way to start thinking about ideas of what I would want in the freezer. It also made me aware of a few things I may have not thought about...the "been there done that" Moms were a great resource. I Googled "meals to freeze before baby". Read a few of the sites, and started making a list of the meals I think we would enjoy the most. Here is what I came up with:

1. Lasagna
2. Beef Stew
3. Chicken and Bean Enchiladas
4. Spaghetti Sauce with meat (hamburger and sausage) w/ veggies
5. Chicken Noodle Soup
6. Chili
7. Baked Ziti with Meatballs
8. Chicken Mexican Casserole
9. Chicken and Dumplings
10. Pulled Pork with BBQ Sauce

When reading about how other Moms have done this, a few things stood out to me that I want to keep in mind. I want to make sure that the portions aren't too big. If they are huge portions, I won't be able to defrost a smaller amout, if its just me, or if need more because we have company, etc. Also, I want to make sure that the meals are "nursing friendly." I want to make sure that the foods aren't too spicy, or have to many gassy vegetables that could cause stomach upset for the baby.

Others things I haven't fully explored are storage options, and easy clean up. I think my best bet will be to make the meals in aluminum pans that we can easily put in the fridge if there are leftovers, but also just dispose of when done. I don't want to have to heat the food in one pan, and cook it in another, and serve it in another, etc. Otherwise, I would just end up with a lot of dishes.

Sides dishes are another thing I will be adding to some of the meals. For the italian dishes, I will probably have some garlic bread. For the Chili, I will have some cornbread. I might make corn bread muffins that I can freeze, and easily defrost when we have that meal.

My next step is going to be cleaning out the pantry and the freezer. We have stuff in there that's probably expired or that we won't ever eat. I want to make enough space in there for when everything is ready. After they are cleaned out I will make a plan of what to cook next, and when to cook it. I have 10 meals planned, and I have about 9 weeks left until the baby gets here. I hope to cook two extra meals during the week (or weekend) SO I can have everything ready pretty quickly. Since this upcoming weekend is a long weekend, I might be able to squeeze in 3 meals. I am going to try to tackle the hardest things first. I am not too familiar with pulled pork, but I have made it once, and can make it again...its just the "low and slow" cooking method that bothers me. But in the end we will end up with some delicious food.

I have a meal plan ready for this week, but I haven't shopped for it yet. I guess I will be doing that tomorrow, oops. I should have planned ahead, but it was a busy weekend.

Lastly, I am not afraid of advice. If you have done this and can offer any ideas please let me know. What meals have you had success in freezing? Anything that didn't work out? I hope that if this works out as well as I think it will, I can make a meal or two for some friends when they have babies. I think its such a neat idea, and shouldn't be too hard to add to my regular weekly plan.

I will post again once I clean out the freezer and pantry. Hopefully in 2-3 days.