Let’s talk about one of my favorite things in the world today– how to eat healthy, even when you’re low on time. Or energy. Or sleep… or creativity, or resources, or hands to cook it all. Maybe I’m just describing my life these days? (But I also have a feeling I’m not the only one. ?)

We welcomed our littlest love June Adler Doherty at the end of August, and we are beyond in love. We’re also officially in the thick of postpartum life over here as we adjust to being a family of four and caring for two babes instead of just one. Which means digging into allllll my favorite healthy food options when we don’t feel like (or have the capacity for) cooking.

This time is such a blessing in literally every way, even the hard times, but as any new mama knows…. these first few weeks and months at home with a newborn can also be a LOT.

A lot of feelings and emotions. A lot of ups and downs. A lot of figuring out a new rhythm to life at home.

A lot of liquids– coming from both of us. The sweat, tears, breastmilk, blood, and you know…. more. (My doula called this time the “wet weeks” and there couldn’t be a better description of it.)

A lot of newborn kisses, snuggles, and a million moments I want to remember forever. Just, not a lot of time to be in the kitchen cooking beautiful meals all day. Especially so with a toddler running around.

If you’re in a phase of limited time or bandwidth too, just know you’re not alone. And, there are still ways to nourish your body intentionally…. without spending hours prepping and cooking, or a fortune to eat well and feed your family vibrant, nutrient-rich, real food.

Because I’m a BIG believer that in times of stress or change, that’s when we deserve and need to give ourselves the gift of simple, real food the most. It impacts everything else that’s going on, and is the root of how we feel, show up, and care for others.

The truth: we need to be taken care of and nourished, in order to extend that love and care to our families. 

Woo. Okay, stepping off my soapbox now to share our 3 FAVORITE healthy food options when you don’t feel like or have time for cooking. These have been God-sends during this time, and I hope they fill your kitchen, hearts and bellies with some goodness, too!

1. Daily Harvest smoothies and harvest bowls.

I fell in love with these during my first postpartum experience with Noah and have been a superfan ever since. Cooking one-handed gets a whole lot easier when you have everything for your smoothie or bowl pre-measured and packed & all you have to do is throw it in the blender (smoothies) or heat it up in a pan (harvest bowls).

The best part is, the ingredients are all ACTUALLY clean. It’s not just great marketing– these healthy delivery meals and snacks are made of real, whole foods, enriching ingredients, and fun flavors that come from the earth… aka, come. to. mama.

I’m a sucker for the Mint + Cacao and Carrot + Cinnamon smoothies, the Butternut Squash + Kale Shakshuka bowl (sooo good for fall), and the Mint + Cacao Chip “scoops” vegan ice cream. SO GOOD. But you really can’t go wrong with any of it, promise.

Get up to $40 off your first box with code SIMPLYREALHEALTH.

2. Sakara life plant-based meal delivery.

This is the other meal delivery program that I truly just can’t get enough of. The meals feel super gourmet and they’re all plant-based, gluten-free and SO creative. Think: things like buckwheat and shaved brussels salad with chickpeas, fresh herbs and cucumber vinaigrette, or a sweet potato coconut dream parfait with nutmeg, dehydrated green apple and hemp seed crunch.

See what I mean? YUM. And sooo gourmet. They focus heavily on super foods and combining plant-rich flavors, textures and ingredients that naturally boost your energy, balance your gut, keep you full, and provide your palate with a wide range of necessary nutrients.

I am just in love with each and everything I’ve tried, even more so in this physically demanding postpartum time.

Get 20% off your first Meal Program, 10-Day Reset, or Clean Boutique products with code XOSRH.

3. Pre-prepped freezer meals.

Postpartum or not, getting into the habit of making freezer meals is a GAME CHANGER. No more “we don’t have anything to eat” or “I don’t feel like cooking” when you have a few handy, dandy, pop-in-the-oven-and-go meals stockpiled and ready to roll in your freezer.

Check out this blog post for 3 healthy, easy recipes to double and freeze half for later on. They are SO good, and such a no-brainer to do when you’re already making dinner anyway… might as well prep two and keep one for another time, right?

We also have so many amazing options inside the SRH Cooking Club for how to prep and utilize Freezer to Grill packs on your busiest nights of the week! And, if it’s not a grilling time of year where you are, you can always throw the ingredients onto a sheet pan in the oven or straight into your instant pot/crock pot instead.

Easy and less than 10 minutes of time to get dinner on the table. Count me in.

Learn more and join the Cooking Club HERE!

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