Rise and Sunday

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Before I tell you about my morning, I need a favor.  I want to make a few freezable meals for my neighbors, a husband and wife with two little boys who are two and three years old.  I love children but aren’t sure what little boys eat!  Obviously, I’d like it to be healthy; it doesn’t have to be vegetarian though. 

 

Here are some suggestions from friends on Twitter!

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Comment with recipe links, please!  I would love some freezable meal ideas.

 

So – What else is going on today?  Well, today is the Adrenal Stress Index test day.  That means no coffee.  I’m dying over here. I went through a very dramatic mini-withdrawal around 10 AM.  Help.

 

Breakfast temporarily distracted me from a major caffeine headache:

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Two whole grain waffles with 1/2 a banana and some strawberries.  And a glob of maple syrup.

 

Then, the Husband joined me for a training ride.  This was my first time actually on the bike on the street in… months.  Maybe 6 months?  It took me a while to find all my gear!

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We rode for 45 minutes in the city.  I remember this Tips for Cycling in the Street post and your advice made me much more comfortable around cars.  We didn’t try to squeeze uncomfortably next to the curb and opted to just to ride in the lanes (traffic wasn’t that heavy, anyway).  Cyclists have a right to use the road when there are no bike lanes!  It was much less scary to be more of a defensive cyclist. 

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I was planning to swim after, but instead, I weeded the garden for 2 hours.  I pulled out TONS of overgrown plants.

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And since I’m doing the ASI test today, I can’t eat a few of my normal foods – chocolate, onion, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower, or broccoli.  I also had to specifically eat two slices of toast (I added Italian herbs) and a glass of orange juice before the afternoon test (this all has something to do with your adrenal production and saliva).

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I ended up going back for a three slice of toast post gardening, but now it’s time to rummage up a meal. 

 

Thanks in advance for your kid-friendly, freezable recipe suggestions!

{ 44 comments }

 

  • Rachel @ EatMoreMeatLess May 29, 2011, 2:12 pm

    Love that I made it on your blog post today! After understanding that you are needing to freeze it for afterwards – try making one of your casseroles for the kids, you are always great with that. For example…Mac and cheese, mexican-themed bean,cheese and rice.

  • Marina May 29, 2011, 2:27 pm

    Huh, cooking for 2 and 3 year olds…I really have no idea what they eat! But I suppose that some kind of pasta casserole would be pretty good! Maybe some stew with that also, like red lentil/veggie thick soup.
    Good luck with the stress test!

  • Mary May 29, 2011, 2:29 pm

    I agree with the Mexican-themed ideas, particularly for the little guys. I’ve found that enchiladas freeze well (if you freeze the sauce separately). My 3yo nephews loves ANYTHING with cheese.

  • Carolyn May 29, 2011, 2:29 pm

    This recipe is a combination of one on Oh She Glows and YOUR
    Blog. 🙂 My favorite, easy meal! It also freezes well! Enjoy. http://eatlivebewell.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/mexican-corn-tortilla-casserole/

    Be well
    Carolyn

  • Wendy May 29, 2011, 2:33 pm

    You are so incredibly thoughtful! I’ve only had people bring me meals when my kids were newborns. I now have a 6yo and a 4yo…I’d second the lasagna suggestion, mac and cheese, or chili. Also, didn’t you have good luck with freezing pizzas? My kids LOVE pizza, as long as the toppings are simple. Maybe make a few plain cheese, then the parents could pull them out of the freezer, add the toppings they like, and bake them.

    • Caitlin May 30, 2011, 10:08 am

      Great suggestion for chili – I’ll try that.

  • Emma May 29, 2011, 2:41 pm

    I love the taco bar ideas. That way everyone can kind of do their own thing. And who doesn’t love tacos?

  • Emily May 29, 2011, 2:51 pm

    Soups freeze really well. As do curries – you could even do a couple of different ones (including a mild dahl type thing). Casseroles are good too.

    Mousaka – veggie, soya mince or lamb – freezes really good too.

    As for something that suits little ones: kids can be pretty open to new tastes. It really depends if they are used to a limited diet or like trying things. The only real rules about feeding children are on sodium and portion size.

  • Maria @ Oh Healthy Day May 29, 2011, 2:53 pm

    Soups and stews always freeze well and I don’t know a kid that doesn’t like a noodle soup of some sort. You could do a tomato based one and a veggie broth soup. Then they can heat up some toast on the side.

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) May 29, 2011, 2:55 pm

    cheesy taco casserole.

    Easy to make, freezes, a crowd pleaser, even with kids.

    Vegetarian and naturally gluten free.
    http://www.loveveggiesandyoga.com/2011/05/cheesy-taco-casserole.html

    Anything really that you make will be awesome…trust me, I never had anyone make me anything, even right after i gave birth, so 12 hrs after having a baby, I was standing in the kitchen. You are awesome for thinking of your neighbors, for whatever the reason you’re doing this 🙂

  • Janelle May 29, 2011, 2:56 pm

    I have a one-year old and an (almost) three year-old, and we do a lot of quiches and frittatas – they are easy to make, freeze well, and can be filled with veggies.
    I also have a “lentilada” lentil enchilada recipe – that they both love:
    http://lifelessseriously.wordpress.com/recipes/dinners/lentiladas/
    I think it would freeze well.
    Also, anything the resembles a Shepard’s pie goes over well and freezes well.
    Kids will really eat a lot of different flavors if exposed to them – I think you will have an easier time finding something to please those young ones than you would with older kids!

  • DadHTP May 29, 2011, 2:56 pm

    hahaha! Salvia? Don’t you mean saliva? What kind of clinic are you running???

    • Carolyn May 29, 2011, 11:41 pm

      ROFL Your Dad is cool.

  • Cindy May 29, 2011, 2:59 pm

    My nieces are 5 and 7 and are the pickiest eaters ever. (They take after their auntie.) They pretty much live on pizza and chicken nuggets and French fries. Perhaps you could veggie-fy the nuggets and make healthy fries?

    I hope your bike ride went well!

  • Amy May 29, 2011, 3:09 pm

    What about the frozen pizzas you keep on hand?

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife May 29, 2011, 3:17 pm

    I would say maccaroni and cheese (made with cauliflower), pizza, tacos, or grilled fish sticks?

    Love your idea of a great breakfast!

  • Victoria (District Chocoholic) May 29, 2011, 3:24 pm

    Chili, dude. Crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beans of all types, and salt/cumin/chili powder. All canned goods and you can’t screw it up.

  • postcollegecook May 29, 2011, 3:25 pm

    Mexican lasagna might be a good freezable option that kids would like. Just use tortillas instead of noodles, salsa instead of red sauce, Mexican cheese, tomatoes, chicken, corn and other taco ingredients.

  • Katherine May 29, 2011, 3:26 pm

    Any kind of mock chicken thing or otherwise is always a safe choice.

  • Cindy May 29, 2011, 3:32 pm

    This is delicious, freezes wonderfully and makes 2pans. I use jarred sauce & it still tastes great! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/four-cheese-stuffed-shells-with-smoky-marinara-10000000428921/

  • Rachel May 29, 2011, 3:57 pm

    as a mother of a 2 yr old, i can tell you DO NOT make any sort of tempeh or mushroom item. kids like simple things, pasta, cheese etc. mini turkey burgers (i use onion soup mix for flavoring) lasagna, mac & cheese, risotto w/ veggies, tacos, that type of stuff. think of a kids menu at a restaurant. it doesn’t have to be “junk” food, but if kids think it is they always gobble it up 😉

    • Clare May 29, 2011, 8:37 pm

      Agreed….Tempeh and mushrooms are two of my favourites but my kids will not touch them, despite having PLENTY of exposure to these items in various forms. Keep it simple.

  • Anne Weber-Falk May 29, 2011, 4:18 pm

    The simpler the better and nothing that looks “weird” to a child. Mac and cheese with tiny broccoli or peas and diced carrots mixed in is good. Breaded chicken tenders and fish portions are easy. You can put them on a pan and freeze then dump them into a bag so they can pull out what they want. Lasagna rolls or stuffed shells can be done the same way. Freeze some sauce on the side. Broth based soups and chili is good too with some bisquits or rolls on the side. Shepherd’s pie is another good thing.

  • lightlygildedlily May 29, 2011, 4:30 pm

    I think frozen whole grain pizzas would work great!

  • Carol May 29, 2011, 4:56 pm

    How about stuffed shells? We always have tons left over:) I put spinach with the ricotta. Place in a single layer in a 9×13 pan, top with sauce and cheese. I think the kiddos would love it:)
    Hope all went well with your test and your bike ride!

  • Elizabeth May 29, 2011, 5:43 pm
  • Holly @ The Runny Egg May 29, 2011, 6:04 pm

    Sorry no links, but I would think a lasagna or mac and cheese bake would work out great!

    Good job getting out on the road! I actually prefer when cyclists ride in the lane versus on the side — I can see them much better!

  • Molly @ RDexposed May 29, 2011, 6:57 pm

    The few times that I find myself tired and going for more coffee I always apologize to my adrenal glands.

  • Abby May 29, 2011, 7:01 pm

    I think your little personal pizzas would be a great idea.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin May 29, 2011, 7:24 pm

    I think mac and cheese or lasagna would be perfect! What kid doesn’t love pasta?

  • Kris May 29, 2011, 8:17 pm

    Lots of great suggestions already, and I have 3 kids, so I echo, baked pasta, baked mac & cheese, chili, enchiladas, and homemade pizza. I keep my freezer full of stuff like this all the time.

  • Clare May 29, 2011, 8:40 pm

    Are all those things that you’re having to avoid stressors to the adrenal glands? If so, I’m in deep trouble 🙂

  • Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet May 29, 2011, 8:47 pm

    I definitely loved mac n’ cheese as a kid! And probably some kind of cheesy casserole would work too. That’s so nice of you to make meals for your neighbor 🙂

    I just got out on my bike for the 1st time this year, too! I’m always a little nervous, since drivers in NJ are pretty aggressive, and there are very few bike lanes. I survived, though!

  • Katie May 29, 2011, 11:27 pm

    Do you know the site, dinneralovestory.com?
    Great blog for family meal ideas. It keeps in mind busy families and picky eaters. There are tons of great recipes and simple ideas for a family dinner. But your request mad me think of this post:
    http://www.dinneralovestory.com/tortilla-pie/
    you are so thoughtful!

    • CaitlinHTP May 30, 2011, 9:48 am

      Thank you for this blog suggestion!

  • Khushboo May 30, 2011, 1:33 am

    You got me cravin a waffle sandwich now! Those kids are lucky to have you cooking for them 🙂

  • Becky May 30, 2011, 6:48 am

    I know I’m late to this, but I love chili and it freezes well. You could make this one, and just leave out some of the spicy bits for kids- I think it’s absolutely delicious. I like it with beer instead of veggie stock, but you could of course use veggie stock for the little ones.

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/veg-head-three-bean-chili-recipe/index.html

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) May 30, 2011, 7:42 am

    It’s so sweet of you to take something to them. My suggestion would be pot pie. My boys love chicken pot pie, but sometimes I use chickpeas or no meat at all and if you didn’t want to handle chicken that’s an option too. It’s really easy to make and loaded with good stuff! Now I’m hungry for pot pie…

    http://www.thenondairyqueen.com/search?q=pot+pie

    • CaitlinHTP May 30, 2011, 10:03 am

      Oh thanks for this suggestion. I love pot pie too.

  • Amber K May 30, 2011, 12:15 pm

    Wow, I really like all of the suggestions. Chili, lasagna, pizza, macaroni & cheese with kid-friendly vegetables.

    Those waffles look so pillowy, yum!

  • Amykinz @ Foodie 4 Healing May 30, 2011, 11:43 pm

    My hubby & I love Let’s Dish (freezer meals store) when we need freezer meals. However, they aren’t always friendly to my diet, so I take the ideas from the website & make my own! Or find a similar recipe on http://allrecipes.com or somewhere else on the www. There is a store in NC, but I don’t know how close it is to you. Anyway, here’s a link to their menu for inspiration: http://www.letsdish.com/menus/storemenu.aspx. If you click on the “View Nutrition & Details” link under each meal idea, it will give you the nutrition facts, plus ideas for what to serve the meal with. Hope it helps!

  • amyjogo May 31, 2011, 11:39 pm

    Are you opposed to cooking meat or poultry even though you are vegetarians?

    If not, I suggest chicken and rice.

    Sloppy/Snobby Joes (freeze the mix and deliver with buns which can also be frozen).

    Breakfast for dinner is great. Make breakfast burritos, wrap individually and freeze.

    Quiche also freezes well. I recommend ham and cheddar quiche for kids.

    Stir fry is also a great option.

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