Bring Them a Meal

Having a baby is hard work, bringing one home and having your life turned upside down is even harder.  Between feeding, diapering, cuddling, and frantic attempts at calming a screaming baby, there's not always time to cook. However, mom and dad need to be well fed to keep up their stamina for that constant care giving. (Even when that's just snuggling on the couch-See picture)  Living on coffee and dry cereal just won't cut it.  The same could be said for people going through any major life change such as moving, home renovation, divorce. Or other stressors such as the death of a loved one, a miscarriage, someone having major surgery that impacts their mobility, chemotherapy and other medical treatments.   
If you know someone who could use several meals I highly recommend starting a meal train. My MOMs club members used this takethemameal.com to organize a meal train and brought us 2 meals a week for 3 weeks. The website has great ideas for meals specific to different diets, but I've also listed some yummy links and ideas below. It was so nice to not have to think about going to the store, let alone cook a meal.  Our favorite meals where ones that required very little assembly and could be easily re-heated in the microwave or pot/skillet.  Leftovers were also HIGHLY appreciated, so consider doubling the recipe. Something else to consider is if the family has kids or food allergies/sensitivities, or other dietary requirements such as being Kosher or Vegan.  Example: After my grandparents died several people brought lasagna or spaghetti to my parents house where we were staying.  My sister is very lactose intolerant and canned tomato products also give her digestive issues, so she couldn't partake from any of these offerings. 

Crock Pot or Instant Pot:
Buffalo Chicken + tortillas +ranch or blue cheese + carrots & celery sticks
Indian Butter Chicken + sliced cucumbers + Rice/Cauliflower Rice
Beef Roast + Fresh Veggies 
Pulled Pork + Buns + Slaw 
Chicken Puttanesca (with vegan option)
Vegan White Bean Soup

Skillet:
Beef Stroganoff
Picadillo + Rice/Cauliflower Rice + Plantain Chips
Eggroll in a Bowl + Sriracha Mayo
Sloppy Joes or Maidrite + Buns or Baked potatoes + Cole Slaw  
Curried Lentils + Rice/Quinoa/Naan + Cucumber Salad

Oven:
Egg Bake + Fruit +  Salad
Meatloaf + Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Spaghetti Squash Pizza Pie
Salmon Cakes + Green Beans (frozen or fresh) + Winter Squash
Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

No Cook/Store Bought:
Rotisserie Chicken + Bag Salad/Dressing, Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
Gyro Meat + Pitas + Tzaziki & Hummus + Fresh Cut Veggies or big salad 
Smoked Salmon Salad (just buy pre cooked/peeled hard boiled eggs)
Canned or Store-Made soup + Baguette + Really Good Cheese
Sushi + Seaweed Salad + Frozen Edemame
Tuna Salad from the deli + Crackers + Fresh Fruit

Desert
Brownies, black bean brownies, keto brownies, vegan brownies
PB Cookies
Fruit + Dip
​Strawberry Fluff
Coconut Macaroons
Chocolate Bar
Canned Cold Brew Coffee
Bottle of Wine or 6pk Beer
Kombucha

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