Dinners for moms Archives

Speak up, Your Choice Matters

We recently welcomed our second child into the world. Sweet little girl came with a quick and relatively easy birth process lasting just under 5 hours. I was blessed with two almost textbook perfect unmedicated natural childbirths. As a working mom I am constantly learning and looking for sources to help make our lives simpler, healthier and more enjoyable. I share this post from a more personal level as I want mothers to be aware of their options when it comes to pain management and childbirth.

Although my birth experience so far has been without unexpected problems, I am aware that this is not common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the national percent of all deliveries by Cesarean is 31.9% that is 1 in 3 women and overall, 1 in 5 women have had unplanned C-sections. As a first time mom I was lost in all the information and found the only comfort in my amazing birth doula who instead of asking if I had any questions asked me questions about how I wanted the birth to go. She kindly helped educate me on some of the standard process of the medical field that are there for my safety but also completely optional. Learn more about what a birth doula is and how they can support you here.

For most of my life I did and still do follow Doctor recommendations. Please note that I am not a medical expert and I am not telling you to disregard your Doctor’s advice I just want you to be aware and simply ask about other alternatives before accepting the first recommendation. We often read reviews and do our “research” when purchasing new appliances, electronics or items for recreational activities but seldom do we ask or inquire about our own personal health options. Speak up about your concerns, what you would like to have happen and ask questions.

Many prescription opioids are commonly used to help manage pain after surgery and birth. Opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive. Did you know that even short-term use of opioids to treat pain after surgery is leading to high rates of addiction and dependence? In fact, one-in-10 patients prescribed an opioid to manage post-surgical pain report becoming addicted to or dependent on the drug. Based on the number of patients receiving opioid prescriptions after an operation, upwards of 7 million Americans could develop an addiction or dependence following a surgical procedure.

Some possible effects of prescription opioids are:

drowsiness
confusion
nausea
constipation
euphoria
slowed breathing which can have short- and long-term psychological and neurological effects, including coma, permanent brain damage, or death.

For more information visit https://www.planagainstpain.com/build-a-plan/womens-health/

Today we can so easily and sometimes blindly follow the “experts” advice without taking into account what is really best for me the patient. With this being my second child I am continually learning that I have more options and although the doctor is smart and well trained their best option may not be the best fit for our families needs and desires. What is suggested is not the only path and there are often many ways to reach a desired solution. There are many benefits to non-opiod pain relief. Know your pain treatment options for more information and support check out the Choices Matter Campaign and visit PlanAgainstPain.com

Not sure where to start check out the Discussion Guide to help guide a positive outcomes for the care you desire from from doctor. Before surgery check out these recommended recovery tips to help set you, your home and your caregivers up for success.

Full Disclosure:

Sometimes I receive sample products to test and share my honest opinions about. I will ONLY promote products that I love and currently use myself. I feature these products as they have made my life simpler or more enjoyable in some way. I share them with you only as a resource to better support you in enjoying a simply delicious happy and healthy life. Educational information for this post was provided by Moms Meet to help support moms in making conscious choices for themselves. All reviews are my own words and my own opinions. I share them and hope these products and services work for you and bring as much joy to your life as they have to mine.

I will occasionally link to specific sites or include affiliate links to help you purchase similar or recommend products. Again, I will only feature items I currently use and think will truly benefit you and your family. As always it is my true effort to serve you please contact me if you have questions about this process, products I mention or would like me to consider your product for a feature highlight. I am happy to help.

Other Resources:

https://www.planagainstpain.com/build-a-plan/womens-health/

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids

Baby on the way? Make dinner today!

Brooke says, “I am due to have a baby soon. Can you point me in the direction of a few good meal options to make now and freeze for later when the baby arrives?”

Of course I can help you. If your tired the last thing you want to be worrying about with a new baby at home is what to serve for dinner. Here are two well loved favorites. I make these in large batches and freeze them in easy to serve portions to make thawing faster. This weeks Impressions at Home Newsletter is also on this topic as well. You can sign up by sending a email to info@impressionsathome.com if you don’t already receive it.

This is a family favorite make a head meal — This is a family favorite make ahead meal

Stuffed Shells

This is the basic cheese recipe but feel free to add 1lb of cooked italian sausage or 16oz cooked and drained spinach to the cheese mixture for more interesting flavor combinations.

2 box jumbo pasta shells

2 16oz ricotta

4 cups grated mozzarella

4 cups grated cheddar

3 eggs beaten

2 cups Parmesan

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 Jar of your favorite marinara sauce

Cook the pasta shells to the package directions.

In a large bowl mix the ricotta, 3 cheeses and eggs together, season with salt, pepper and onion powder.

Cool the cooked shells by running them under cold water. Stuff cooked shells with cheese mixture by using a tablespoon.

Place stuffed shells in pan cover with marinara sauce

Bake 350 for about 30 min till hot, or 45min-1 hour if frozen

To freeze stuff shells as directed and place in a freezer zip lock bag without sauce. To serve take as many as you need out, cover with sauce in pan and bake till warm.

Sweet Potato Walnut burritos

These take a bit of time to make so go for at least a double batch or invite some friends over and make it a party. Wrap and freeze them in sets of two for easy freezing and eating. They are a wonderful vegetarian option that even your meat lovers will enjoy.

1/2 cup green lentils sorted, rinsed well and drained

1 large sweet potato about one pound peeled and cut into 1 in cubes

2 T Olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

salt and pepper to taste

2 garlic cloves minced

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 c grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese

3/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped

3/4 can crushed tomatoes

6 (8in) flour tortillas

1/2 cup grated cheddar or monterey jack cheese

chopped fresh cilantro

Place lentils or peas in 1 1/3 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender yet firm 25-35 min for lentils, 1 hour 15 min for peas. Drain and set aside.

Please sweet potato in a medium saucepan with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until cubes are soft but still hold shape about 20 min, Drain and mash them into a large bowl. set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion salt/pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally until the inion begins to soften about 2 min. reduce heat and stir in garlic and all spices. Saute till onion is translucent about 6 min more

Add the onion mixture, lentils/peas, 1/2 cup cheese, walnuts, crushed tomatoes to the mashed sweet potatoes and mix well.

Pre heat oven to 350. In a 9×13 pan fill a tortilla with about 1 sixth of the filling and roll it securely. Place it seam side down in the baking dish. Continue until tortillas and filling are gone. Cover dish tightly with foil bake for 30 min until heated through. remove foil from pan place 1 -2 sliced tomatoes on top of each burrito and sprinkle with cheese. Return to oven to melt cheese and garnish with cilantro. Serve with salsa and sour cream if desired.