Julie Jones, Author at Mama Bird Box Blog

5 Dishes to Cook for New Parents

5 Dishes to Cook for New Parents - Mama Bird Box Blog - Gifts for Pregnancy

Looking for the perfect dish to cook for new parents? Sandwiches, takeout, and snack food can only cut it for a little while – you can wear on on that stuff so easily! Why not surprise the mom and dad with a home cooked meal instead?

We’ve rounded up three delicious, tried-and-true meals below that are sure to wow! Plus… we’ve included additional tips for how to go above and beyond when pampering new parents with food!

1. Pancetta, white bean and chard pot pies (Smitten Kitchen)

3 Dishes to Cook for New Parents - Mama Bird Box Blog - Gifts for Pregnancy - Smitten Kitchen — photo: smitten kitchen

This is one of our favorites! Not to mention the crust is the most delicious. Be sure to make some extra for yourself! Get the recipe here.

2. Fettuccine with asparagus and smoked salmon

3 Dishes to Cook for New Parents - Mama Bird Box Blog - Gifts for Pregnancy - Cooking NY Times — photo: Andrew Scrivani for the New York Times

Another absolutely delicious option. Creamy and filling the smoked salmon is the perfect addition! Get the recipe here.

3. Portuguese chicken and crispy potatoes (feasting at home)

3 Dishes to Cook for New Parents - Mama Bird Box Blog - Gifts for Pregnancy - Feasting at Home — photo: feasting at home

Goodness. This one has yet to disappoint. While this recipe calls for a whole chicken you could also use skin on pieces for a little more ease. It really is incredible! Get the recipe here.

4.Slow Cooker Lentil and Brown Rice Tacos (melanie makes)

Crock pot recipes are so easy for new parents. Either bring the ingredients and make it in their crock pot while you visit or bring yours to get another day. Lentils and brown rice offer iron and energy for a sluggish, tired mom. Get the recipe here.

5. Lasagna with Slow Roasted Mushrooms and Goat Cheese

Lasagna is a classic post baby meal. Make yours spectacular! Ellie from Kitchen Wench has the recipe here!

When you’re dropping off food for new parents be sure to bring all things in disposable pans. That way mom and dad won’t have to remember who to give items back to and clean up is a snap! We also suggest including a bottle of wine or a dessert of some sort of sweet. A little decadence goes a long way to new parents.

After you gain permission to hold the little one be sure to wash your hands before you reach for baby. A new mom will probably ask you to, but it’s awfully nice to not have to ask!

3 Summer Mocktail Recipes You Will Be Sipping on All Summer

3 delicious summer mocktails for pregnant mom | mama bird box blog | forage and fodder | gifts for pregnancy

Summer is here with in all it’s hot, sun-blazing, glory. Now that the temperatures are on the rise we’re reaching for these cool and refreshing summer mommy mocktails!

Danielle of Forage and Fodder is a top-notch cocktail maker who, during her pregnancy, developed some mocktail recipes that could put any regular cocktail to the test. Not only that – they’re packed full of ingredients positively perfect for you in pregnancy.

Complex yet easy to make – scroll down for the video recipes and get shakin’!

Cucumber Mint Collins

This refreshing mocktail is sure to get you through those first trimester queasies.It features fresh ginger root, which is an excellent remedy for digestive troubles, plus the bubbles of the Topo Chico are wonderful for settling an upset stomach.

Cucumber Mint Collins

3 slices fresh ginger
2 oz fresh cucumber juice
1/2 oz mint simple syrup (recipe below)
juice of 1/2 a lime
topo chico

In a cocktail shaker muddle ginger until well juiced and fragrant. Add in cucumber juice, mint syrup, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake vigorously until shaker begins to condensate. Using a collins strainer, strain into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with Topo Chico and garnish with a cucumber slice & fresh mint sprig.

Mint Simple Syrup
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2-3 fresh mint leavesBring sugar & water to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until sugar has dissolved, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and add mint leaves, allow to cool. The longer the mint sits in the syrup, the stronger the flavor. We recommend waiting at least 20 minutes before removing the mint leaves. Pour into a mason jar and cover. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Turmeric Citrus Twist

This cocktail sounds almost savory, but it’s actually quite balanced. It features turmeric spice, which has anti-inflammatory properties and has been known to help with digestion, and just enough of a hint of pepper to leave a tingle on your tongue.

Turmeric Citrus Twist

2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
1 oz turmeric syrup (recipe below)
1 oz water
3 cloves
5 shakes of course ground black pepper
splash of lemon

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously until shaker begins to condensate. Using a collins strainer & a mesh strainer, pour into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon slice

Turmeric Simple Syrup
– 1/4 cup sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 3/4 ts ground turmericBring all ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until sugar has dissolved, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool. Strain into a mason jar and cover. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Blueberry Green Tea Cooler

This cooler features a superfood duo: green tea & blueberries. Green tea is an excellent alternative for those mamas-to-be who find themselves with an aversion to coffee. And blueberries are rich in antioxidants, not to mention high in potassium and Vitamin C.

Blueberry Green Tea Cooler

10 blueberries
5 mint leaves
3/4 oz mint simple syrup

1 oz green tea
juice of 1/2 lime
club soda

In a cocktail shaker muddle blueberries and mint until well juiced and fragrant. Add in mint syrup, green tea, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake vigorously until shaker begins to condensate. Using a collins strainer & a mesh strainer, pour into a collins glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a blueberry skewer.

Our Favorite Father’s Day Gifts for the New (or Expecting) Dad

With Father’s Day just around the corner we wrapped up a few gifts we think would be fantastic for the new or expecting dad. Being in the business of treating mamas doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about treating dads. Below are our tried and true favorites!

1.A Stylish Backpack

With a new baby (or a baby on the way) a stylish and modern backpack can be the perfect gift for dad. A fancy backpack can double as a diaper bag in manly incognito!

Everlane, $68.

2. A Bag of Specialty Coffee

For those bleary eyed mornings when dad didn’t get enough sleep.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters, $19

3. 3D Shape Cocktail Chiller Set

To make his evening cocktail a little more fun and interesting.

Uncommon Goods, $35

4. Tickets to a Baseball Game

Or his favorite sport. A night out with his friends can be so relaxing when in the throes of new parenthood.

5. Travel Shave Box Set

Man Ready Mercantile, $48

6. A Flight Lesson

When one of Mama Bird Box’s founders wanted to treat her husband to a unique Father’s Day gift she found the perfect present in a flight lesson! We’re big fans of gifting experiences and memories and imagine this one with a sweet note that says “so you don’t feel tied down”! Flying not his thing? Choose a hobby he loves!

7. Beer Club Membership

This is a fun one for the dad who loves a nice beer and is interested in finding new favorites. With boxes delivered however often you decide he’s guaranteed to find plenty he loves!

Craft Beer Club, starting at $39

What will you be getting dad this year? Tell us in the comments!