My little sister isn’t so little anymore. She has a career that matches her degree, owns her home, has a rescue dog named Molly, and a husband of four years. And now they (including Molly) have decided to add a new member to their family–their first child! We are all so excited about this new addition! The only downside is that they live 3,000 miles away from the rest of the family. We can’t just swing by and watch the kid when she or the hubby need a shower or a nap. I can’t drop off casseroles and pasta for the week so they won’t have to cook.
Since I can’t physically be there to lend a hand, I wanted to show some gesture of support and love. First thought: care package. Because who doesn’t love getting gifts? Especially when they acknowledge something important like a new baby. I want to make sure both mom and dad are as rested and nourished as possible, and maybe even a little clean and put together, especially when friends start dropping by to meet the kid. I love adding baking mixes, gluten free granola, pre-made goodies and some other self care items into care packages.
To fuel their bodies and make eating a bit easier (since I know there probably won’t be “meal times” for a while–at least for the grownups), I settled on making some sweet and savory snacks that are healthy, full of filling protein, and tasty to boot! We have so many great bloggers that work with Bob’s Red Mill that I was able to find quite a few protein-packed snacks. The two I chose to send along both feature our Vanilla Protein Powder Nutritional Booster, chock full of protein, fiber, and probiotics.
The Free Spirited’s Vanilla Seed High-Protein Granola (above) makes awesomely large chunks of crispy, crunchy granola that are delicious with milk or yogurt, plus it is great as a snack on its own and easily held in the hand not holding the baby. For something a bit more toothsome, I was happy to find A Sassy Spoon’s No Bake Key Lime Pie Energy Bites (below). These protein balls are something you can really sink your teeth into when you are craving a chewy snack. The fact that they only use five ingredients and can be whipped up in a flash in the bowl of a food processor make this a great recipe for new parents to make during baby’s nap time.
In addition to the sweets, I wanted to include something savory and satisfying. If a trip to the grocery store is out of reach, a simple hummus mix that needs only oil and water is a great foil for a savory craving. While I recommend toasting the garbanzo bean flour to mellow out the flavor, this mix can be made tasty without that step.
Easy Hummus Mix
- 1 cup Garbanzo Bean Flour, toasted*
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds, ground
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp ground Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder, or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried Lemon Peel, or 1 1/2 tsp grated fresh lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp ground Sumac (optional)
- 1/4 tsp ground Black Pepper
Thoroughly combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container. This recipe can be doubled (or more) to make more servings.
To make hummus, combine mix (about 1 cup) with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/3-2/3 cup water, depending on desired consistency.
*To toast garbanzo bean flour, spread flour evenly onto a baking sheet. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until evenly toasted. Let cool.
In addition to these healthy and filling snacks (and some rooibos tea to substitute for coffee), I also included a few special beauty care items that should really help a new momma feel clean and presentable when she doesn’t have a chance to take a proper shower: dry shampoo, chewing gum, deodorant wipes, and baby-friendly lotion. For comfort, my mommy friends recommended nursing pads, nipple cream, and some Tylenol. And for coziness and ease, I sought out a nice big bathrobe with deep pockets: it's machine washable, easily wipeable, and a color that can hide some baby stains between launderings.
This is a big adventure my sister and brother-in-law are embarking on. Hopefully, this care package will help make the transition to family of four (don’t forget the dog!) a bit easier, and will let them know how much they are loved.
Signing off,
Auntie Sarah.
Follow up: My care package was received yesterday. To quote my sister, the package was “rocking,”, the robe “luxurious,” and the hubs “is a big fan of the granola.” Though no tears, there were lots of “oh cools” and “whoas.” Mission: Accomplished.
