The Perfect Postpartum Meal || A Great Way To Help & Feed Your New Mom Friends!
If you're looking for a hearty postpartum meal to make for a recently postpartum mother and her family, I have the perfect meal for you!
One of my favorite dishes to make and bring new moms and dads after babies arrival is lasagna soup. I typically make a double batch in my large stock pot so I have enough for both my family and my friends or family members family. This recipe is great re-heated as leftovers as well.
What you’ll need for the soup:
4 cloves garlic minced
(14.5 ounce) cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
cups chicken stock
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1-2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
What you’ll need for the toppings:
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add olive oil in a large stock pot, then add the italian sausage meat to the pot. Brown the sausage for about 5 minutes, over medium-high heat, breaking it up with your spoon as you go along.
- Add the chopped onions, and continue cooking for 4-5 minutes until it is softened.
- Add garlic and dried oregano and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add tomato paste and stir well until it's incorporated. Cook for about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the fire roasted diced tomatoes, bay leaves, chicken stock, Italian seasoning, and noodles. Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce the heat so it's gently boiling, and let it simmer (covered, with the lid slightly ajar) for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Make sure to stir the pot periodically to ensure the noodles aren't sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- While the soup's cooking, prep your toppings.
- Stir in the basil and season with salt & pepper as needed. Dish the soup up and top each bowl with a dollop of your choice of toppings.
Calories: 496kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 57mg, Sodium: 1328mg, Potassium: 791mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 302IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 89mg, Iron: 4mg
This dish is so seriously so delicious and tasty for postpartum moms and contains all the necessary protein and carbs needed to help maintain a healthy breastmilk production for those that struggle.
I also love to bring a batch of lactation brownies for the family as a snack. These are a favorite of mine and my husband and kids think they are just as tasty.
What you'll need for the lactation brownies:
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line an 8x8 glass baking pan with parchment paper. Make sure to leave overhang on all four sides.
- In a small bowl, stir ground flaxseed and water together and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together all the oat flour, cocoa powder, brewer's yeast and salt and set them aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid), beat together melted coconut oil and granulated sugar.
- Beat in melted chocolate.
- Pour in flax egg mixture and vanilla extract and beat for 1 minute.
- Add in dry ingredients and use a spoon to gently stir them in, just until no streaks of flour remain.
- Pour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 30-40 minutes. Let pan cool to room temperature before cutting.
A friendly reminder... If possible, bring disposable trays and dishes when delivering the meal to help the new mom avoid extra dishes and the pressure/responsibility of getting pans back to you. Another options is to transfer the leftovers into her food storage dishes before you leave and bring your dirty pots/pans home to clean. It might seem overkill, but these little things add up and are a huge help for postpartum moms in the early days. As always you rock for helping out your new mom friend!
XXX Jessie
