Stock your freezer

Well, I haven't decided if it's embarrassing to share this or not, but I'm going for it.

There have been lots of things that are different about this pregnancy in comparison with Ellen's pregnancy: cinnamon raisin bread vs. smores, swollen feet vs. really swollen feet, and NESTING.

I undertook a number of projects with her, and in particular was recovering furniture just days before she was born, but this time it seems different. I've been working on house projects for over a year, so that doesn't really count in my mind. We already have virtually every "baby" thing we'll need, so there has been less planning and shopping. We have oodles of clothes and blankets, yet to be washed, but I know there is time for that. I guess I feel slightly less worried about bringing baby home and better prepared for what it will really be like.

I do, however, have a compulsion about stocking our freezer.

Our friends and family were so nice last time and we had tons of meals delivered. I'm not expecting the same this time, but I know there will probably be some food, and our parents are sure to step in, too. I didn't put anything in my freezer before Ellen was born (in truth, it might have been on the to-do list and I just didn't get to it because she came early), but this time I just feel like I can't shove enough food in there.

I was always able to scrounge up something to eat for myself during my last maternity leave, but this time I'll have Ellen to feed, too. We often each lunch out while we're running errands on our "home days", but that won't be happening near as much. Erik and I could always eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich if we didn't have time for anything else, but I hope I can have something more healthy on our dinner table, at least most of the time.

So ... I'll link here to what I've made / what's on my list to make. A few of the things I've made before and several are grand experiments, which I won't know the outcome of until I  make them at some point. Fall / winter is a great time for "freezer meals" - lots of cozy food. I'm trying to use my crockpot more, but it is sort of hard to find crockpot meals that fit with how I usually cook - few processed ingredients, lots of veggies, low-ish fat/calories.

Generally speaking, Pinterest is a good resource to find recipes. This is my freezer / make-ahead board. Blonde designs is a design blog, but they have a few good lists of freezer meals. You can Google "Martha Stewart freezer meals" or "Everyday Food freezer meals" and get good suggestions. I also came across The Yummy Life and she has some great suggestions for healthy freezer options, breakfast in particular. I've been freezing most everything in ziploc freezer bags laid flat, then I can stand them up in the freezer and they take up less room.

Ina's Lentil Vegetable Soup - makes a ton
Morning Glory Muffins -  to be made this week, lots of good reviews of these
Martha's Salmon Cakes - doubled the batch and used salmon filets from Costco. I'm sure you could use canned salmon, but it kind of gives me the heebies.
Mini Meatballs - I've made these several times before, doubled the batch. Nice to have in the freezer - very flexible. I freeze the bacon before chopping and take out some of the fat.
Spicy Orange Chicken Stirfry - an old Everyday Food recipe that I've made before. Makes quite a bit. This links to a similar version of the recipe, but I use a red pepper instead of water chestnuts. Undercook the veggies if you plan on freezing it - they'll cook more when you reheat. To freeze, cool mixture to room temp and freeze in about 2-3 cup portions. To cook from frozen, put in medium saucepan with water or chicken stock as needed to thin. Or thaw overnight in fridge and reheat in saucepan. Serve over rice.
Tamale Pie - good, made several times. There is a typo in the header - this makes TWO 8x8 pans. Particularly good to make to eat one night and then freeze the second for another time.
Chicken and Artichoke Stew - an Everyday Food recipe. Haven't made it before, but it looked really good. I just used the chicken from one (large) rotisserie chicken from Costco.
Chicken Taco Soup, Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew - both on this gal's list. Haven't tried yet. No cook, freezer to crockpot meals.
Shredded Tex Mex Crockpot Chicken - made this, tasty and flexible to have on hand. I doubled it and used all chicken breast, but you could do some breast, some thigh. If you double the recipe you could probably add even more chicken - there was tons of juice leftover. Doubling it made about 3, 2-cup ziploc containers.
Healthy Egg McMuffins - made these today! How bad could they be? I used a microwave egg poacher I got from Erik's mom and the eggs were the exact right size for the english muffins. I made 17 - the number of slices of Canadian bacon in the package I got.
Make-ahead Oatmeal Smoothies (various flavors) - haven't made these yet, but will soon. For freezing, I think I will double the recipe and then split it in 3 jars. I got wide-mouth pint size Ball jars and separately bought the plastic lids - easier to wash and deal with.
Martha's Vegetable Chowder - I've made this before. It's not outstanding, but it is tasty and healthy and a good way to get some veggies in, with a side of grilled cheese. This time I subbed some cauliflower for some of the potatoes and added some butternut squash I had leftover - pretty flexible recipe. Add green beans just at end - they'll cook more with reheating.
Thick, Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - I make these all the time - delicious! It's a half-recipe, which is generally the perfect amount. I doubled it this time and just froze the dough to bake whenever. (Or, let's be honest, eat raw and frozen). I use chocolate chips, but like the raisin/nut version, too. 
Baked Penne with Sausage and Creamy Ricotta - to be made still
Fig Balsamic Chicken - to be made still (lots of recipes on this site)
Slow cooker Chicken Curry - to be made still, lots of recipes on this gal's site
Crockpot Mongolian Beef - made, in the freezer. I doubled it because the flank steak comes 2 per package at Costco. I used more ginger, more carrots and quite a bit less sugar. 
Korean Shredded Beef Tacos - made one recipe, but split the meat and other ingredients into 2 bags.

I also found that pancakes freeze really well for an easy microwave breakfast. Just cool to room temp, layer between wax paper and put in freezer bag. I have a healthy oatmeal pancake recipe that's good if anyone is interested, but there are a gajillion options.

Ok ... I have 3 weeks left ... what else should I add to my list?
And, it goes without saying, I know this is WAY TOO MUCH FOOD. Just roll with it, OK?

** edited to add this link to Crockpot Meals for Parents via Clementine's Produce via Dinner: A Love Story **