Vegan MoFo: Freezer Meals for After Childbirth (Or Whenever!)

I am 30 weeks and 3 days pregnant! Now is a good time for us to begin preparations for frozen foods to keep through at least a month after Baby Squiggles is born- into January or February.

We will store food in BPA-free tupperware type of containers and ziploc bags.

We will label each container on scotch tape with the type of food and the date made.

Containers go in the chest freezer in our laundry room (which is primarily for breastmilk) 

We will not have to cook or do any other food prep when we are busy and tired with our little son- cheaper and healthier than relying on take out!! 

We will re-heat using the microwave or toaster oven. 

Here are our ideas so far for yummy vegan foods that freeze well:


Meals:

Veggie and Mushroom Risotto
Butternut Squash Risotto 
Veggie Stir Fry
Variety of Soups: Split Pea Soup, Potato and Grains Soup, Black Bean Soup, hopefully more
Dahl
Indian Chickpeas
Curried Lentils
Tofu Gnocchi
Quinoa Burgers



Sides:
Mashed Potatoes
Plain Brown Rice (to add to some of these dishes or canned beans)


Other Ingredients:
Pesto (to throw on vegan pizzas or pasta)
Vegetable Broth
Frozen Bananas (for smoothies)


Desserts/Snacks:
Zucchini Bread
Banana Bread
Muffins
Cookies
Granola Bars/Energy Bars
Roasted Chickpeas (I eat these like candy!)


...and plenty of Vegan Ice Cream WITH Agave!!

What would you add to this list?

I also have an upcoming post on Smoothie Popsicles for Labor 

Vegan MoFo: Protein While Pregnant

My first prenatal appointment, I broached the subject of food with my provider. She cut me off immediately, before I could  mention anything about veganism, and said "Eat everything in sight! That's what I did." And that was the end of the conversation.

Needless to say, my knowledge of pregnancy nutrition, especially plant-based pregnancy nutrition, was got through my own research online and with books. One of my first and long-lasting concerns has been getting adequate protein. Normally, as a vegan, I am certain that I get enough protein, but I have read that during pregnancy one should ingest 80 grams a day. Unfortunately, there is no protein pill to take just in case you aren't getting enough, and it does not stay in your body, so it is important to ensure you are getting enough every day (pregnant or not!)


Here is my advice for getting enough protein while a pregnant vegan, just based on my experiences.


1. Try tracking your protein intake for a day or two to see where you stand. When I first found out I was pregnant, I typed everything I ate into livestrong.com just to check where my calories fell. You can manually add nutrients or find many foods pre-loaded and the page will show your protein in grams and how much of your diet is protein. I would not recommend doing this every day because at least for me it would be more stressful than beneficial.


2. Don't worry! If you eat a healthy balanced diet you are likely getting enough protein. Consciously make a few protein-heavy food choices every day, but do not obsess over it. Every little gram adds up- two from a granola bar here, one from almond milk there. For me, I got all the reassurance that I needed at our 20 week anatomy sonogram. I learned that Baby Squiggles is growing directly on target so I am definitely getting all the protein that we both need.


3. Protein Powder
I start every morning with a smoothie that is chocked full of nutrients, including protein from powder and nut or seed butter. I have experimented with a few powders- there a tons of varieties such as brown rice, pea, sprouts, just avoid whey!- but my favorite is hemp protein powder. One serving is four tablespoons and equates to 13 grams. Starting this way ensures that no matter how else my eating goes that day, I have a good base of protein (and potassium, leafy greens, and so on).

Previous Post on Raw Protein Powder
Preview Post on Morning Smoothies: Pregnancy-Safe, How-To, Recipe 


4. Nuts and Seeds
Nom these up! Almonds or sunflower seeds make great snacks for protein as well as healthy fat. I like to spread almond or sunflower seed butter on bagels or bananas if I feel like I've had a low-protein day.


5. Grain + Legume = Complete Protein
This is what I always had heard, because they together provide the necessary amino acids. However, lately I have been reading that it is not necessary to pair them up. As long as you are eating a good variety of each, you are more than likely getting the protein you need. You can find this combination, however, in so many kinds of food! Mexican beans and rice! Curried lentils with rice! And I have recently started using beans as snacks, as roasted chickpeas. Mmmm.


6. EVERY plant contains protein. If you are eating vegetables and fruits, you are ingesting protein! So don't worry, my pregnant vegan friend! Eat a wide variety of all plants and you will put into your body what you and your growing baby need. 

Pregnancy Update

(from http://maybebabylaf.blogspot.com)

How far along? 28 weeks

Due Date:  December 30- back on target via fundal height!

Total weight gain/loss: 

9/7 Prenatal Appt.: +11, 164 lbs., Total +21 

9/22 Prenatal Appt.: -1, 163 lbs., Total +20
10/5 Prenatal Appt.: +1, 164 lbs., Total +21

Maternity clothes?: Some of those pants are even too tight. I'm loving full panels! I try to get away with some non-maternity tops but they do show some belly. 

Sleep: I hate waking up on my back- it's terrifying! Generally sleep is the same but I have a cold now which makes it harder to breathe. I am also napping a little more often, I think because I am working more. <3Sleep<3

Best moment this week: Just being so big that everyone comments and asks about it :o) Fun now, annoying later probably.

Movement: Lots of kicks and some things that feel like flips or rotations. Still waiting to feel hiccups!

Food cravings: Chocolate! (Yes, I ate some Oreos. They are vegan but not healthy.)

Food aversions: None

Symptoms: 

9/7 Prenatal Appt.: Elevated blood pressure! 132/78

9/22 Prenatal Appt.: Blood pressure 116/64 
10/5 Prenatal Appt.: Blood pressure 118/64 
We learned the trick- the tech needs to take my blood pressure twice and use the second reading.

• More stretch marks everyday 
• Sciatic pain is getting worse 
• I have had congestion the entire pregnancy and it is persistent 
• Still doing the sneeze + pee

Gender:  Hopefully still a boy! 

Labor Signs: No! But my body is getting ready for labor. I have had some hip pains and some shooting pains behind my vagina which I read is cervical. 

Belly Button in or out? Closer to out every day.

What I miss: I love being pregnant :o) Nothing too good has been left behind. 

What I am looking forward to: Feeling more prepared....I hope that feeling is forthcoming!

  Milestones: In the Third Trimester! 

• 
  

Vegan MoFo: Quick Green Salad

Being preggers, I am hungry way more often than I used to be and have to eat less at a time because my stomach is being compressed. There is no waiting for dinner- I have to eat while cooking dinner to tide me over until it's ready. True life.

Salad is great for eating standing up over the counter while stirring what's in the pot or pan and healthy! I throw in whatever I have on hand, but here is a combination I've been loving lately. 

1. Whatever greens you have- I have been loving arugula + baby spinach! 

2. Carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, whatever is already cut up and ready to be thrown in.

3. Frontier Bac'Uns. These are amazing!!! Savory and crunchy zing. Main ingredient is TVP.

4. Lime Tahini Dressing from Peas and Thank You cookbook - I love it! I will write more about this in a Cooking Through Peas and Thank You post. 

Vegan MoFo: Vegan Pregnancy Supplements

I started taking prenatal vitamins months before I became pregnant, and not to prepare for pregnancy, but to supplement for anything that I might lack eating plant-based day to day. I wrote about it here. I have made some changes due to pregnancy safety.

Below are the three supplements I take on a daily basis to support my pregnancy: 


1. Prenatal Vitamin- make sure it includes good amounts of vitamins that are typically lacking in vegan diets such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and iodine. Watch that it does NOT include stool softener!
2. Omega-3 Capsules- make sure it includes both DHA and EPA. ALA may not convert to the other types with the efficiency that you need. 
3. Probiotic Capsule (not necessary, but beneficial) 


You can fulfill those requirements with a variety of brands but these are my favorite:

SuperNutrition PreNatal Blend

• Vegan, whole foods, raw supplement with all botanical ingredients such as papaya and spirulina.
• 100% or more of daily recommended value of all vitamins and minerals (except potassium- need to supplement in your diet. I eat a lot of bananas, potatoes, cantaloupe, and other potassium-rich foods).
• Daily serving size is six pills so I take three in the morning and three at night. 
• These do not smell bad at all! They have a vanilla-flavored coating. 
• There is a one-a-day variety but it does not have 100% of daily requirements.

Pure One Omega 3 Capsules

• Made from algae-that's where the fish get their essential fatty acids!
• Each pill is 300 mg. I take two a day, so 600 mg. I have read some conflicting ideas about limiting levels of DHA/EPA so do your research when decided on dosage. 
• Definitely has a "from the sea" aftertaste. 

Udo's Choice Adult Probiotic

• Refrigerated
• Safe for pregnancy, research before deciding on dosage. 
• These were especially helpful when I had to take antibiotics of a UTI at the beginning of my pregnancy.
• A lot of exciting studies coming out lately show the potential for probiotics to prevent preeclampsia in pregnancy and healthy brains and immune systems in anyone! Try this instead of yogurt.

What I take each day to keep myself and my preborn baby healthy!

Naughty Vegan Treats

Since I found out I passed my glucose test... 

Photo from http://thekrazycouponlady.com

This is basically sugar disolved in water
but it is soo good and organic
so I don't let myself feel too bad.

I am contemplating indulging in a sugary treat.

Photo from http://moneysavingmom.com

Damn the vegan blog that
informed me these are vegan!
That is dangerous information.

(I have already started enjoying one of these. Shhhhhhh)

Pregnancy Update

(from http://maybebabylaf.blogspot.com)

How far along? 26 weeks, 4 days

Due Date:  December 30- though at my last appointment, my fundal height measured a week ahead.

Total weight gain/loss: 

9/7 Prenatal Appt.: +11, 164 lbs., Total +21 
(My doctors think it was water retention)
9/22 Prenatal Appt.: -1, 163 lbs., Total +20
(Back to normal!)

Maternity clothes?: All of the time and I have only bought a couple of items, the rest were gifts or handed down.

Sleep: Same as before.

Best moment this week: 

• Met with an amazing pediatrician! 
• Hubby feeling and seeing kicks
• My seeing kicks (even my parents have now!)
• PASSED MY GLUCOSE TEST!
• Blood pressure and weight gain back to normal 

Movement: Still not as often as I would like but YES! Certain times of day and certain positions of mine do increase movement or at least allow me to feel it more. Eating sweet/cold or both increases kicking. 

Food cravings: Hot dense soups, bready things, soft pretzels (anyone made these homemade?)

Food aversions: None

Symptoms: 

9/7 Prenatal Appt.: Elevated blood pressure! 132/78

9/22 Prenatal Appt.: Blood pressure 116/64 

Back in the healthy range...it was a very scary fluke before!

• Stretch marks!! All over my breasts, under my belly, top of buttocks, and around the belly button
• I got sick one night, not sure if this was pregnancy or food poisoning.
• Really difficult to get up and down
• Dry hands!

Gender:  Our 20 week scan showed a penis! 

Labor Signs: No- I read that some women have Braxton Hicks by now, but not me.

Belly Button in or out? At first I was the one going on about this but hubby is really commenting how much my belly button is sticking out! It has not 'popped' all of the way.

What I miss: I am adjusting to changes in relationships with friends and family and realizing how different they will be soon.

What I am looking forward to: Labor and delivery!

  Milestones: 

• Hubby feels the kicks!
• We both see the kicks, though he sees more because they mostly occur below my belly button which I can't see.
• Don't know if this is a milestone, but I cannot see "down there" anymore!

Note the mutant cat at my feet!

Meal Plan, Farmer's Market Haul, Baby Bump

Great news! The internet is back on in our apartment. We did fine without it (lots of cooking, cleaning, reading, baby bonding) but it did limit our productivity. Now we can do many more baby preparations like reading consumer reports, adding to our registry, figuring out the legal matters we need to attend to, and more. Plus, back to Netflix streaming, YouTube, and blogs :o) 

I promise that we were meal planning although I did not post them here! This week we ate/are eating:

Saturday: Black Bean Soup with Broccoli

Sunday: Tofu Gnocchi, Salad, Sauteed Squash

Monday: Portabella Burgers, Salad

Tuesday: Zucchini Casserole 

Wednesday: Potato Leek Soup

Thursday: Zucchini Cakes or Latkes

Friday: Early leftovers, then hitting the road!

Saturday: No idea! We are camping with my parents out of town! Possibly many granola bars, bananas, and trail mix. 

...all with as little salt as possible. At my last prenatal appointment, my blood pressure was elevated and I had excessive weight gain possibly from water retention so I was told to watch sodium. Pretty easy when you homecook almost everything you eat!

We also made it to the farmer's market for the first time in a month for the last of the summer produce:

Zucchinis, Garlic, Arugula, some type of Pepper, Trombone Squash

Meanwhile, I am growing away :o) Many strangers approach me about having twins are/or being due any minute now. Yeah.....single baby, end of December. 

25 weeks, 1 day 

Updated Morning Smoothie Recipe- Safe for Pregnancy

Adjustments to Smoothie Ingredients

*Original ingredients in black.

*Changes in purple.

*Original smoothie recipe posted here.

• Half of a banana
• 1/2 c. non-animal milk (I've used hemp, almond, soy, rice, and coconut water)
• 1-2 tbsp. flax oil
• Not anymore
• 1 tbsp. raw maca powder
• Not anymore (this may be unsafe for pregnancy) 
• 1 tbsp. raw cacao powder
• Not anymore. Instead, I use a squirt of Santa Cruz's organic vegan chocolate sauce. This doubles as a sweetener, which comes from invert sugar. 
• 2 tbsp. protein powder (This is half a serving. I use Hemp.)
• Why did I ever use half a serving?! I am using 4 tablespoons, the full serving, now. 
• 1 tbsp. agave
• Not anymore! (Could cause contractions) I have used a few drops of stevia or just the Santa Cruz chocolate sauce. 
• 1/2 tbsp. coconut oil
• I have stopped using any coconut oil. I decided I want to get those calories from elsewhere in my diet. 
• 1 tbsp. nut butter (sunflower, almond, whatever)
• Sometimes 2 tbsp. if I feel I need a protein boost.
• Bunch of greens! (Kale, spinach)
• When kale is out of season, I can only buy it in these big bags that go bad before I can use it all. So, when kale is out of season, I stick to organic baby spinach in those little containers. 
• At least three ice cubes. I use seven, thick like a milkshake.
• I have been using 6 ice cubes for a while now
• Optional: ground flax, Spirulina
• I usually put in 1/4 teaspoon of Spirulina, no ground flax

Pregnancy Update

(from http://maybebabylaf.blogspot.com)

How far along? 23 weeks

Due Date:  December 30, definitely! This was confirmed by our 20 week sonogram. HE (yes, he!) is measuring exactly on target!

Total weight gain/loss: 10 lbs as of 8/12 (20 weeks)

Maternity clothes? Totally maternity clothes. I had been getting away with normal tee-shirts for working out but they don't cover my stomach now and I'm flashing my belly to school children waiting for buses while I run. I also am still stretching out and loving these regular yoga capris I've been wearing the whole time.

Sleep: Actually starting to get used to sleeping only on my left side, though it's still uncomfortable and painful. The bad thing is I keep waking up on my back. Putting pillows behind it has not helped. I bought a preggle pillow for between my knees and have been loving it! 

Best moment this week: 

Let's say best moment since I last blogged was seeing the baby BOY in a 20 week ultrasound for which we both got a clean bill of health!

Movement: 

Bunches of movement! I had two scary days last week with little movement but then he came back strong. 

Food cravings: Ice cream, crepes with nutella

Food aversions: None

Symptoms: Really nothing new but the sneeze-and-pee is getting very aggravating.

Gender: 

BOY for sure!

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out? Partly in, partly out, When I stand profile the belly button does stick out at the top.

What I miss: This is very superficial but I miss not have a face, back, and chest covered in acne. I miss stress-free sleep and traveling without worrying about bathrooms and accessing healthy food!

What I am looking forward to: 

Getting in better shape- I need to get my endurance up for labor and practice birthing squats especially!

  

Milestones: 

I felt the baby move outside the belly but my hubby has not. I have an anterior placenta so it may be awhile.