When you’re expecting, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement. The baby shower! The first ultrasound! The endless stream of advice from well-meaning friends and family members. But as your belly grows and your body changes, you may find that some of your old friends have also grown—and not in a good way. While these days are exciting for most new moms (and dads), it can be hard for single parents who don’t have other people to hang out with and help out with things like cooking dinner or picking kids up from school on time. But even if you’re still working on getting back into shape after giving birth, there are plenty of ways to enjoy holiday events while spending time with yourself. Here are ten foods your new mom friends will love this holiday season:
Avocado pudding
Avocado pudding is a great vegan option for holiday guests. Mix avocado with lemon juice and almond milk or coconut milk to make it. Add sugar to taste if you want it sweeter (I like mine on the salty side)
You can use ripe avocados instead of green ones—they’re even better! If you’re not sure if your avocado is ripe enough, squeeze it: If it feels firm when you squeeze it, then it’s ready to go in your recipe. Think outside the box: Use different nuts or seeds instead of chocolate chips; experiment with fruits other than pineapples; try adding some fresh mint leaves right before serving!
Infused Water & Beverages
Infused water is the new matcha. It’s also the new cold brew. On the other hand, Moms are still in love with plain-old H20, now with a sprig of mint to make it seem more festive.If you’re looking to keep new mom friends in the spirit of the holiday season, we suggest gifting water bottles that can be filled with fruit, herbs, and flavor enhancers like coconut oil and agave syrup (but please, no salt). Visit this page for these festive options for stocking stuffers — or keeping yourself hydrated during crafting sessions
Strawberry avocado soup
Ingredients:
● 1 avocado, cubed
● 2 cups of strawberries, sliced and diced
● 1/2 cup of cashews (optional) Instructions: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to one day.
Gingerbread muffins
These are a great addition to the holiday table and can be made and frozen before you need them. If you’re looking for something festive, consider making them in mini muffin tins instead of one big one, like traditional gingerbread cookies.
If you want to make these gluten-free, swap out regular flour with all-purpose gluten-free flour (or any other type).
Crab stuffed mushrooms
Ingredients:
● 1 pound wild-caught blue crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage (or substitute with cooked crab meat)
● 1 cup cooked rice
● 3 tablespoons lemon juice, from 1 lemon (you can use more if you like it tangy) * How To:
● Prepare the filling by mixing all ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside until ready to stuff mushrooms.
● Wash your hands well before handling raw seafood or poultry. If necessary, pat dry with paper towels and then rub them on all surfaces of your work area that would come into contact with food or utensils used during cooking (e.g., countertops).
● Do not use soap; this will remove natural oils from hands that may be needed later when cooking fish or poultry dishes such as this recipe!
Mashed potatoes with sauteed garlic spinach
Mashed potatoes are great comfort food. They can be made in advance and reheated easily, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored with them before the holidays. You will need the following ingredients:
● 1 pound of Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 large)
● 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil divided
● Salt and pepper to taste
Spaghetti squash with roasted tomatoes and spinach
You can’t go wrong with spaghetti squash. It’s low in calories, high in protein and fibre, and it’s much easier to eat than other pasta substitutes. Spaghetti squash has a mild flavor that works well with other ingredients like roasted tomatoes and spinach. This dish is also easy to make ahead of time—all you need is some olive oil or butter (or both) for sautéing the spaghetti squash before adding the other ingredients. You can make this recipe vegetarian by substituting Daiya cheese for the parmesan cheese (if using).
Strawberry and avocado salad
This salad is a great way to use ripe avocados. It’s easy, healthy and delicious.
Ingredients:
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 avocado, peeled and cubed (about 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar, to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon minced garlic or 2 cloves garlic crushed with salt and pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
Mexican stuffed peppers
Stuffed peppers are a great way to get veggies into kids. They’re easy to make ahead of time, and they reheat well. Use any pepper you want (or leave them plain). Your new mom friends will love this dish because it’s vegetarian but still full of flavor! To make this recipe vegan and gluten-free: Use ground turkey instead of beef or pork in the filling ingredients list below.
Eggplant boats with zucchini and kale salad
Eggplant boats are an easy way to get more vegetables into your diet. This recipe uses eggplant, zucchini and kale for a filling meal that will keep you full until dinner time. The salad is packed with vitamin A and Vitamin C for lasting energy boosts—and it has plenty of fiber to help maintain a healthy digestive system!
Beef stew with pearl onions and butternut squash puree
In a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and onions. Saute until softened, then add the beef cubes and salt to season.
Add water or stock if necessary to cover the meat in an even layer (about 1/4-inch thick). Cover and simmer for 2 hours or until tender (if using homemade broth). Cool briefly before transferring to a large bowl for shredding with 2 forks. Reserve about 2 cups of the braising liquid for later use in this recipe; discard any excess that doesn’t pan out into your soup bowls!
Final words
These foods are sure to please any new mom friend and are perfect for all sorts of occasions. If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to ease into the holiday season, look no further than these recipes!
