I love cooking and creating healthy meals for Hailey. But let’s be honest, life happens. Sometimes we run in the door at 10 minutes past dinnertime with a hungry baby on our hands. In moments like this, there is no time to prep. Hailey is like me and if you wait to long between meals, she gets hAngry. So I like to make sure I’m well stocked on quick meals that are healthy, wholesome and put a smile on Hailey’s face. Like Chobani.
At times like these, I hug my freezer because it always saves me. My favorite freezer staples are organic vegetables. Here are my favorites:
Organic green peas. Hailey eats them frozen, or I’ll nuke them for 15 seconds in 2 tbsp of water and they’re ready to go.
These Alexis organic frozen carrots are already pre-chopped into munchkin-sized pieces. Same as peas, a few seconds in a little water in the microwave and they’re ready to go.
I always keep an eye out for variety, like butternut squash. Pre-chopped and ready to serve.
When there is no time to make eggs, I love these small sweet potato pancakes (found them at Fresh Market). The heat up in less than 60 seconds. I smear them with peanut butter and Hailey inhales them.
Frozen ravioli. I think I’ve sung the praises of frozen pasta before, but I’ve been really impressed with Rising Moon Organic raviolis (found in the freezer section). I can boil a few at a time and save the rest. We’ve tried all their flavors and haven’t met one yet Hailey didn’t like, including this strongly flavored garlic gorgonzola.
These individual guacamoles from Wholly Guacamole are awesome! They freeze well (though I don’t usually get spicy for Hailey). When she needs some healthy fat, I stick a frozen pack in warm water to let in thaw, then mix it into brown rice, smear it on a tortilla… or even let Hailey suck it straight out of the package.
Cheese sticks are our go-to afternoon snack. I found these Horizon organic sticks at Harris Teeter and Hailey LOVES them. As soon as I pull one out of the fridge she starts bouncing up and down, anxious to get her hands on it. I can’t blame her; they’re delicious.
You’re turn!
Parker loves frozen pancakes and waffles – thanks for the tip on the sweet potato pancakes – I will look for them!
He loves the Trader Joe’s Homestyle Pancakes made with rice flour – nice and chewy. Also, Van’s or Nature’s Path organic waffles.
Okay, I want the pancakes and the ravioli. The Pete must have them. He must have them soon. We buy those same frozen veggies (wish I could ship the rest of the peas to H, cause the boy won’t eat them for anything!)
Spinach pasta or spinach ravioli is not something we often find here in SA. You need to really lookout for them.
Really tasty and healthy meals you have prepared for her. Great.
Interesting that *I* want to eat all these things. Especially those sweet potato pancakes. Oh my!
Yes! Frozen peas are still a big hit here, at 2 1/2. 🙂 I love stashing everything in the freezer- extra oat muffins, banana “cookies”, veggie burger patties, whatever. Sweet potato pancakes sound amazing, I’d inhale it with pb, too!
Oh yes, veggie burger patties! I just discovered the convenience of them for babies last night when mine was hungry and our fridge was almost empty. I made veggie wraps with a frozen veggie medley, veggie patty, a little hummus and cheese. They were delicious and easy and still healthy. 🙂
I love this post THANK YOU! I work full time and have a 10 month old and when I get home right before dinner I feel like a Mom fail when I don’t know what to do for dinner quickly. Thanks for the suggestions. I buy the butternut squash cubed in the local produce section at Teeter, but I forgot I could probably freeze what I don’t use right away. Thanks!
I have to say, I absolutely love it when people keep healthy staples in their freezer for busy times like this. It’s so sad when people are forced to eat unhealthy foods because they just didn’t have anything at all (and I’m guilty of it as well, we literally had NO food until yesterday but we managed).
I love that Hailey can usually eat what you guys eat!
bookmarking for down the road. good frozen tips! i always feel like i deserve a pat on the back when i have good things to choose from at home when there’s no time to cook!
I love this! We are currently trying for our final baby and this time I want to do more baby led instead of what I did in the past.
My son tried meatballs this week and loves them. We got them at Sam’s but I would like to make my own and freeze them.
The frozen peas aren’t chokin hazards? My daughter is 11 mths & I’m looking for new meal/snack ideas for her.