How I’m Feeding the Freezer for Postpartum Recovery, with W2 Beef Co.
I love to feed the freezer! On any typical day, I like to use the freezer as the staging area for my regular meal planning, But with Baby #3 on the way (39 weeks today!!) I knew I needed to stock it a little more full than usual.
I’m so glad to be partnering with W2 Beef Co. again for this post! Their beef has been a staple in our home for about a year, and I love partnering with believers (and supporting farmers). Especially when their product is so high quality! It’s grass fed, and grain finished, which means it has all the good stuff plus it lacks the typical grass-fed off-putting flavor (the “grain finished” part is what makes it taste so good)!
With a shipment from them of ground beef, steak, and stew meat, I’ve been squirelling away meals for the past four weeks. As I’ve cooked dinner for our family, I’ve doubled or tripped the recipe, and put a batch or two in the freezer for after baby arrives. This means that I’ve only put in the freezer meals that my family is currently enjoying (instead of stocking it with “freezer meals” from the internet that we just don’t like to eat). The last thing I need postpartum is for my girls to have to try a new dish, reject it, and then feel as though I need to make something else so that they sleep through the night (I’ll already be up with a baby!).
Postpartum recovery is such a crucial period where new mothers need to replenish their bodies with nutrient-rich foods to support healing. And this is something I failed to do when Elliot was born. I’m committed to doing it differently this time! From lactation to overall well-being, beef is an excellent source of iron, protein, and essential vitamins, making it an ideal ingredient for postpartum meals.
How I keep track of my meat and meal inventory:
Just a quick tip. I keep track of my meat inventory so that I know what I have to cook with. And then I also keep track of my meal inventory so that I know what is ready to go! I use this magnetic dry erase board in my garage fridge and deep freezer (yes, we have both, and they’re a blessing!), and when I add meat or a meal I add it to the white board. When we use something, we erase it from the white board. Pretty simple! If I have multiple of a meat or a meal, I’ll use tally marks to keep track of how many of that item I have; when I use one of them, I’ll just erase a single tally mark to help myself keep track. Look how full these freezers are! Look at all that W2 beef! 🙂
Here are 15 beef-based recipes that are perfect for new moms:
1. Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
This dish is packed with colorful vegetables, lean beef strips, and a savory sauce. The high iron content in beef helps combat postpartum anemia, while the vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals to aid in recovery.
2. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
A comforting and hearty stew, perfect for busy new moms. The slow-cooked beef becomes tender and flavorful, providing a great source of protein and iron. Plus, the slow cooker does most of the work, giving moms more time to rest.
3. Beef and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers are filled with a mixture of beef, quinoa, and vegetables. Quinoa is a superfood rich in protein and fiber, making this a balanced meal that supports digestion and energy levels.
4. Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet
A one-pan dish combining ground beef, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A, which is essential for postpartum healing and immune function.
5. Beef and Barley Soup
This nourishing soup is loaded with tender beef, barley, and vegetables. Barley is a whole grain that provides fiber and helps regulate blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for postpartum recovery. Made even better with homemade beef bone broth with W2 Beef Co. soup bones!
6. Beef and Black Bean Chili
A protein-packed chili made with ground beef and black beans. Beans are rich in fiber and iron, complementing the beef’s nutrients and supporting overall recovery and energy.
7. Beef and Broccoli
A classic dish that pairs tender beef with nutrient-rich broccoli. Broccoli is high in vitamins C and K, which support wound healing and bone health, essential for postpartum recovery. PS: I love this recipe blog!
8. Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff
A creamy and comforting dish with beef and mushrooms. Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, which helps improve mood and energy levels, crucial for new moms adjusting to postpartum life.
9. Beef and Lentil Soup
A hearty soup featuring beef and lentils. Lentils are high in protein, fiber, and iron, making this a nutritious and filling meal that supports overall postpartum health.
10. Beef and Spinach Lasagna
A delicious lasagna layered with beef, spinach, and cheese. Spinach is rich in folate, iron, and calcium, all vital nutrients for postpartum recovery and breastfeeding.
11. Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
A quick and easy stir-fry with beef and cabbage. Cabbage is packed with vitamins C and K, which aid in healing and bone health, while beef provides protein and iron.
12. Beef and Zucchini Boats
Zucchini boats filled with a savory beef mixture. Zucchini is low in calories and high in nutrients, making this a light yet satisfying meal perfect for postpartum recovery. Even if you don’t go through the work of making the boats, you can chop your zucchini and mix it all together.
13. Beef and Cauliflower Rice Taco Bowls
A low-carb meal with ground beef and cauliflower rice. Cauliflower is rich in antioxidants and fiber, which support digestion and overall health, while beef provides essential protein and iron. Sub regular rice if you want!
14. Beef and Tomato Basil Pasta
A simple and flavorful pasta dish with beef and a fresh tomato basil sauce. Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which help boost the immune system and promote healing.
15. Beef and Eggplant Casserole
A comforting casserole with layers of beef and eggplant. Eggplant is high in fiber and vitamins, and when paired with beef, it creates a nutrient-dense meal that supports postpartum recovery.
These are just a few of the recipes that you’ll find in our freezer using W2 Beef Co. beef. You’ll also find oatmeal cookie dough balls, lactation balls, and plain beef bone broth for sipping (you might think it’s gross, but I love the energy it gives)! Tell me in the comments, what is your favorite postpartum meal to prep?
A giveaway!
W2 Beef Co has a giveaway going on, and you should definitely check it out! They are giving away 30 lbs of beef, which is a $450 value! I’ve loved working with Stephanie and her husband, and I’m sure you will too!! Here is what they have to say about the giveaway:
Your 30 pounds of beef includes….
🍔 15 lbs of individually packaged ground beef
🥩 Premium Dry-Aged Steaks (7-8 pounds)
🍖 Savory Cuts: 2-3 Roast (Round, Chuck, Brisket, etc.) and 1-2 stew meat packages
🎁 1 of the following BONUSES: Flank or skirt steak
