I find joy in feeding others. A full belly equals a happy heart, right? Lucky for me, I’m in a baby boom with my friends these days: some delivering, some on bed rest and others juggling demands of life while pregnant and could just use an extra helping hand. This is a great opportunity to be hospitable and cook for others. Something that fills my heart! This ‘baby boom’ prompted me to think a little more about what I would take each family that would be delicious, convenient, comforting and helpful.

I was on bed rest with Miss Maven for several weeks and hospital-to-home bed rest with Sweet Sylvie for several months. I am so blessed to have had a tribe of amazing people who cooked for me, brought me snacks, to-go meals and even provided for my family and support system when I wasn’t able to myself.

Seriously, I’m majorly hooked on way too many Trader Joe’s products and goodies thanks to that time in my life. Every meal and snack was so helpful and greatly appreciated (!), yet sometimes I desperately craved some “healthy normal” in my life. I wasn’t getting any activity, so I had to rely heavily on my diet to keep me (and my baby-to-be) healthy. That experience in my life has helped me create some parameters for when I take meals to others. Though sometimes my urge is to cook something so yummy and comforting where I nearly forget most of my friends are health conscious and may be concerned with the calorie and fat content of their food, at the very least, I often opt to think through the person or family I am specifically cooking for to determine a plan.

Some of my meal considerations include:

How many people are in the family? Will there be extra guests? Are there any food allergies, preferences or special diets? What are the ages of the children and will they eat this too? Will this transport and save well if not consumed right away? How much do I need to cook to ensure there are some leftovers for extra meals or lunch the next day? What do I know they will enjoy eating while providing some sense of a balanced diet? No question: Always a sweet treat. Always.

Delivering Meals:

While I do cook and take a variety of food to friends and family in need of a meal or help, I’ve come up with a few go-to ideas that typically have a positive response. I’ll run through each meal with some tips and thoughts. If you’re looking for a specific recipe, please do not hesitate to ask.

Option 1: Soup, salad, homemade bread and brownies.

Tips:

• Invest in disposable containers that you do not need or want back. The last thing you want is a poor momma chasing around with a Gladware container!
• Check out my Pinterest board and scroll through the soups if you’re looking for ideas (or ask me for my favorites!). There are SO many delicious and hearty, healthy options.
• As for salad, take dressing on the side. Feel free to get creative here by adding lots of veggies, sweeten it up with some fruit or dried fruit and sesame sticks or nuts (if there isn’t an allergy). Salad always tastes better when someone else makes it for you, doesn’t it?
• Are you short on time? Just make a box mix of brownies.
• If you can time the bread to be warm upon delivery, you are a rockstar. If homemade bread is a stretch, pick up a loaf at a local bakery, or even simply opt for a box of gourmet crackers.

Option 2: Chicken enchiladas with salad and cookies.

Tips:

• These can be putsy. Cook your chicken in a crockpot ahead of prep time to save some hassle, then shred it when you put together the ingredients. The nice thing is this dish is very easily frozen for later consumption.
• Don’t forget to share baking instructions. I like to buy disposable pans and tape a sticky note to the top with the directions – how to freeze or bake immediately.
• I usually also take a bag of tortilla chips, because why not?

Option 3: Banana bread with fruit salad.

Tips:

• This is great for breakfast and snacks. It’s easy to grab for those new mommas short on time and kids love it. I’ve played with lots of substitutes when baking banana bread, so come up with your own healthy, tasty version. Some substitutes you could consider include applesauce in place of butter and less sugar with the addition of vanilla yogurt.
• Fruit salad: Again, this is another item that always tastes better when someone else cuts it up and prepares it for you. 🙂

Do it in love.

Fundamentally, hospitality is simply love in action. It has much more to do with the resources of a generous heart than with sufficiency of food or space. (credit: Living As Apprentices) Don’t get caught up in the details. Just lend a hand. And make someone smile today.

What do you like to cook or take to others?

 

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