/wonderfully-made/images/5-pd089.png)
Preparing for when your baby arrives can be overwhelming. There are tons of to do lists, books to read, names to pick, a nursery to decorate and don't forget, pregnancy takes a toll on your body making you way more tired than usual. Part of preparing for when your baby arrives is preparing to take care of yourself post-partum. There is a lot of healing that takes place, not only from actually giving birth, but there is also a plate-sized wound from where your placenta was that needs to heal. The common post-partum advice is to take it easy as that wound heals. Healing aside, your life will have changed drastically and whether it's your first baby or fourth baby, making meals should be the last thing on your mind! Enter meal prep. If you're like me, meal prep does not come naturally and other tasks typically take precedence.
I've seen the reels, TikToks and instagram posts of meal prepping. It looks so easy and even fun to do! For me, finding the time and the energy to batch-cook felt impossible, especially for the second and third pregnancies. While I highly recommend preparing a few freezer meals, if you can, I wanted to write a blog post highlighting some really great Ottawa businesses that offer some delicious pre-cooked meals you can store in your freezer! Check it out below!
Located in Nepean and Manotick, Take Another Bite has a range of frozen meals ready to go with an option for delivery! Lasagna, Meatloaf, Shepard's Pie are just a few of the options available! You can pre-order online and walk in and pick up. They have a few gluten-free options too. Don't forget dessert! They have an incredible selection of desserts to add on. My favourite? The Raspberry Bliss Bar!
2. Franks Catering & Baked Goods
Located on Greenbank Rd. and known for their delicious sandwiches, Frank's Catering & Baked Goods have a freezer stocked with frozen meals ready for you to take home. Lasagna, Cannelloni, Chicken Parm, are just a few of the options available! Don't forget to grab some of their famous butter tarts!
3. Red Apron
Located on Gladstone, this small catering business offers weekly menus and meals can be picked up or delivered. While I have never used their service, the Ottawa Birthing Centre (at the time in 2019) gave me a meal from there after having given birth and it was delicious!
4. FlavaDaddy
An Ottawa meal delivery service offering macro-nutrient meals! FlavaDaddy offers a one-time meal order or a weekly subscription. I haven't tried FlavaDaddy, but what stands out to me the most is that they offer nutritious meals. It can be easy post-partum to reach for each quick snacks and meals, so having a meal service that has a focus on macro-nutrient meals is a big plus in my books!
Thyme & Again, Located on Wellington St, is known for their tasty casseroles, pies and soups! You can order online and they have family meal packs! They also sell frozen scones which would be super easy to grab as a snack.
6.
Okay this isn't a meal service, but a site that allows you to create a meal train. Considering asking someone close to you (Mother, sister, close friend) to create one for you and share amongst friends and family. It can be hard to ask for help during these days so having someone else handle the meal train takes that weight off of you.
So there you have it! While I haven't tried all of these establishments, I wanted to create a list that new mamas could easily access. If I do try the ones I haven't tried yet I will update this blog post! If you have an Ottawa business to add to the list, please email me to let me know!
Take care of yourselves mamas!
xoxo Fareena