Whenever I am making a crockpot recipe with both babies, it always a comical challenge. There is no other way to explain it! 1-month postpartum Rachel would get so frazzled. Six-months postpartum Rachel views it as hilarious. I’ve definitely learned to see the humor in it. That’s my best advice to any new mom reading this and wondering, “How the heck do I make a meal and keep my baby(ies) happy?” Most likely it will take longer than usual… but it’s doable as long as you stay positive and keep some humor!
Before I start off with my normal ramblings & story, I want to share the staple crockpot recipe that I make once a week. It’s EASY, semi-healthy, and delicious!
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies
Found on: https://damndelicious.net
Ingredients:
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 16 ounces baby red potatoes, halved
- 16 ounces baby carrots
- 16 ounces green beans, trimmed
- 2 TBS chopped parsley leaves (I forget to add this step every time!)
For the sauce:
- 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Directions:
1.) In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and pepper.
2.) Place chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots and soy sauce mixture into a 6-qt slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, basting every hour. Add green beans during the last hour-30 minutes of cooking time. I always add them in the last hour! Matthew and I like them very well done.
Truthfully, making meals got so much easier when Oliver and Olivia started to sit up! Hellooo high chairs! Let me share how making dinner went the other day. Because it ended in a big poopy mess. That’s right… POOPY… LITERALLY!
THE STORY:
Both babes started off content in their high chairs. They were entertained watching me prep for about ten minutes. After that, they started to get antsy, so I gave them their spoons. They love to nom on those things #teethingbabies. Once they got sick of their spoons, I gave them each a teething wafer. After a few minutes, they got tired off those so I started singing to them. Oliver found it hilarious when I mimicked an opera singer and Olivia just looked at me with these big eyes. They were probably wondering what is wrong with her mommy! I would do anything though to keep them happy while I throw everything in the crockpot!
*Side note: One thing that’s hilarious about Oliver and Olivia is that although they are twins, they have almost zero similarities. Completely different looking, different personalities, different sleeping styles. Everything is different. The only similarity I have found with these two babes is that they poop through their outfits… at the exact same time. Poop twin telepathy? Is that a thing? *
I was almost done measuring everything out when I smelled something… both babies pooped through their outfits. On the positive side, they looked super happy! I put dinner on hold to quick sink bathe them and then ended up letting them stay in just their diapers & play in their bouncies. Once they were happy, I quickly finished throwing everything in the crockpot and we were good to go!
I get asked all the time how do I manage to make healthy meals with two 6 month-olds. My best advice is this:
– Keep your sense of humor. You just have to roll with the punches because there is a lot out of your control. It might take twice as long to get anything done but who cares? It’s better than not doing it, period!
– Have several different ways to keep your babies happy and content. My current tricks are putting them in their high chairs with their favorite toys and teething snacks!
– Their bouncy seats save me! Another twin momma recommended I have two verses just one and I’m so glad I do now! It keeps them entertained and they love to look & laugh at each other!
– Don’t put pressure on yourself to make an elaborate meal every single day. I only make meals 3 times a week (4 on a good week). A lot of times, I’ll double the recipe and we will eat leftovers the next day! I keep it simple and it’s almost ALWAYS a crockpot recipe. I make the same things practically every week because, once I’m familiar with a recipe, it goes so much faster! Find a few staple meals that you and your family love and are happy with eating for weeks on end (or until you get sick of them!).
– When things start to get chaotic and I feel like the simplest acts (such as making dinner) seem challenging, I always remind myself it could be way harder. I think of the moms with 3,4,5+ kids that still manage to get a meal made. That’s important to keep in mind. Sure, someone out there has it easier but someone else has it harder!