https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:42:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-problems-do-you-face-with-meal-planning-and-how-do-you-solve-them#post-2928449 Sun, 23 Jun 2024 10:11:38 +0000 adam 2928449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll go first 😁I have two main issues with meal planning:</p> <p>1. It becomes repetative very fast, since I don't know a lot of recipes.<br /> 2. It is hard to prep for everyone in the house, since tastes could greatly vary.</p> <p>I was constantly looking for new recepies, but it is also time consuming so now I'm looking into how to automate it (maybe with some app or smth) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddler-party-how-many-people#post-2928065 Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:42:52 +0000 azbaby 2928065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter's 3rd birthday is coming up and I'm struggling to figure out how large of a party to have. We live in an amazing neighborhood with 14 kids she plays with on a regular basis. She also has about 6 kids at preschool that she loves and a few friends kids. I don't want to hurt anyone's feeling but am wondering how many kids is too many? She's incredibly extroverted and is used to playing with a ton of kids at once..I'm thinking of having a bouncy house and pizza to keep it simple. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/a-just-for-fun-question-how-do-you-prefer-your-coffee-at-home#post-2927938 Wed, 08 Feb 2023 08:03:12 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For those of you who drink coffee, how do you make it at home? I think it’s fun hearing about everyone’s different preferences!</p> <p>I’ll go first. :) I like dark roasts. We have a Cuisinart drip maker that’s held up well over the years and just use that to make it. If I’m not drinking it black, I like a splash of extra creamy Chobani oat milk. Sometimes we buy creamer — I like Starbucks white mocha, Chobani vanilla or sweet cream, or the Silk oat creamer. I usually have 1-3 cups each morning depending on how long I have to sit before the day begins. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/air-fryer-recipes#post-2927784 Thu, 15 Dec 2022 11:38:55 +0000 LadyDi 2927784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I received a ninja foodi air fryer/indoor grill as an early Christmas gift. Send me your favorite air fryer recipes, even better if your kids eat it. I've already used it for chicken nuggets, roasting some veggies, and dehydrating oranges for cocktail garnishes, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/thermos-12-hrs#post-2927749 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 06:50:24 +0000 meadow 2927749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 6yo recently decided he wants hot lunches at school....like mac &amp; cheese....currently I pack lunches at night (often around 11pm) and I really dont want to give up thst routine because I leave for work at 6am and my DH is not a morning person &amp; I dont want him to try to coordinate making lunch...Haha </p> <p>Are there thermoses that can keep food hot for 12 hours? All I'm finding on google are drink thermoses that are like over 12 inches tall meant for coffee or something..... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/new-dinner-ideas-1#post-2926933 Fri, 29 Apr 2022 08:54:44 +0000 oldschooolmama 2926933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like we are in a rut and need some new dinner ideas. We did homemade cobb salads this week and that was a big hit. What has your family been loving lately? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-regularly-eat-vegan#post-2925843 Tue, 21 Dec 2021 13:41:43 +0000 Clementine12 2925843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm trying to figure out a breakfast option option Christmas that is vegan - I regularly cook vegan meals but rarely breakfast and I want to (hopefully) make it special. Anyone have any good recipes? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dinner-party-menu-help#post-2925426 Mon, 08 Nov 2021 21:07:46 +0000 erinbaderin 2925426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stupidly invited two families (4 adults, 6 kids) over for dinner one day, and then another family (2 adults 2 kids) over for dinner the next day, for pre-Christmas dinner parties, and now I don’t know what to serve. Anybody have any suggestions for dinners that seem fancy but don’t involve me spending a lot of time in the kitchen while my company is over? I don’t mind prep-work in advance. I was thinking about maybe lasagna but it seems kind of boring? I’m almost certainly overthinking this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-i-need-an-air-fryer#post-2923489 Wed, 21 Apr 2021 19:48:02 +0000 erinbaderin 2923489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep deciding to buy one and the talking myself out of it. I like the idea of not needing a half hour to preheat my oven. On the other hand, I tend to buy appliances and then never use them - my instant pot is basically just a hard boiled egg maker. </p> <p>Do you have one? Do you love it? What do you make with it? Or do you have one and you never use it and it’s just gathering dust and taking up space? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-after-a-year-at-home-everyone-is-sick-of-my-cooking-and-our-eating-has-gone-down-the-drain#post-2923663 Thu, 06 May 2021 15:38:39 +0000 periwinklebee 2923663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now the meal situation at our house is not good, and I feel a ton of guilt that my family is not eating healthy. However, I'm not really sure sustainable ways to fix it and hoping for some tips. </p> <p>There are a few challenges. One of my kids has a lot of food allergies (to over a dozen common foods), so all his food has to be cooked from scratch. For most of the pandemic, I've just been doing cooking for the week on weekends, making large batches of stuff that's easy and everyone can eat. However, I think my DH doesn't care much for what I cook/gets tired of it given we eat all meals at home, so he eats a bunch of snacks and has gained a fair amount of weight. Honestly I am super sick of my cooking too, especially given all the limits placed if we want meals that adhere to everyone's allergy restrictions. But anyways, I am concerned about his health. </p> <p>Second challenge is my 3 yo has become insanely picky. It takes a ridiculous amount of effort to get him to eat anything of nutritional value (beyond fruit) and when I send healthy stuff in his lunch, he doesn't eat it and just fills up on school provided snacks. Do I chalk this up as a toddler phase that will pass before too much damage is done, or take a hard line (if you don't eat it for dinner, you get it for breakfast, etc...)? </p> <p>Things really went south when I got pregnant recently. Cooking nauseates me and I have bad MS/can barely eat, my DH doesn't cook. I have been relying more on takeout for DH and I, which is super unhealthy. </p> <p>I think what I need is some ideas for finding things that are easy, healthy, and diverse. What are healthy things I can put in the fridge that my husband can easily use to make his own food? Beyond giant pots of soup, what are healthy things that can be made in large quantity and easily reheated? Thanks :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-will-you-grow-this-year#post-2922863 Wed, 10 Mar 2021 23:00:43 +0000 Chuckles 2922863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For any gardeners, or aspiring gardeners, what will you grow this year? We can't plant anything outside here until mid May usually, but I'm getting antsy to plan. I just pre-ordered a bunch of seedlings from a local farm - 5 different kinds of tomatoes, spaghetti squash, brussels sprouts, cucumber, broccoli, some herbs, and nasturtiums. We also have some carrot seeds to plant and will hopefully do some green beans. We have one 4x8 raised bed and will be getting another this spring. I usually do the herbs in pots. What are your plans? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/suggestion-of-an-app-to-use-to-keep-track-of-freezer-and-pantry-contents#post-2922893 Fri, 12 Mar 2021 13:40:34 +0000 Mommy Finger 2922893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a self proclaimed food hoarder. I can't pass up a good deal and love my Costco card. I technically have 3 freezers (the one in my kitchen, a deep freezer and a small one attached to my overflow 2nd fridge. For my freezers, I usually buy meat in bulk at a great deal and then use a vacuum sealer to freeze it in small portions and I also am huge on batch cooking to make weeknight dinners easier. </p> <p>What I don't have is a great system to keep track of everything in my freezers (and my overflow pantry in the basement) and this sometimes leads me to buy things we already have a ton of or losing things in the freezer until they are too freezer burned to use. I absolutely HATE food waste. I tried keeping track of things in Excel or even directly on the deep freezer with a dry erase marker but DH would never add or delete things so the system fell apart.</p> <p>Does anyone know of an app that would help keep track of everything with the following features?</p> <p>-sharable so that DH and I both have it on our phones<br /> -can break the list into separate groups so I could keep track of what's in the deep freezer, upstairs freezer, downstairs pantry, etc. and have separate lists for each<br /> -be able to track the quantity of a single item and be able to increase or decrease it as necessary. Like if I have 5 packages of prepared taco meat, it would show a quantity of 5 and not that I would have to list taco meat 5 separate times<br /> -a super awesome bonus would be if it connected to Alexa and I could just yell at her to add or delete something off the list.</p> <p>I should note that we're an android family. I don't need this to suggest recipes or create shopping lists. I just need to keep track of what I have on hand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/immersion-blender-recipe#post-2921558 Sat, 19 Dec 2020 07:04:34 +0000 meadow 2921558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you like to make with your immersion blender? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/christmas-cookies#post-2921215 Tue, 01 Dec 2020 15:01:35 +0000 LadyDi 2921215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whatcha planning on baking? Bonus if you have links! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lets-talk-about-pie#post-2920788 Fri, 13 Nov 2020 09:59:12 +0000 MamaintheValley 2920788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In case I’m not the only one who is distracting herself from current events with Thanksgiving recipes!</p> <p>I know this year won’t be the same with just our little crew at home, but one thing I can’t live without during this particular holiday is pie. So, I’d like to go all out with my pie baking this year and make something special.</p> <p>What are some delicious ideas that go beyond the classic blueberry, apple, and pumpkin varieties? I’d love a variation on a pecan pie but am open to hearing what else you love! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recipescookbooks-for-vegetable-forward-ideas#post-2919982 Sat, 24 Oct 2020 13:06:42 +0000 gotkimchi 2919982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m looking for some recommendations for vegetable forward cooking. We’re not vegetarian but I’d like to increase the amount of vegetables we eat and reduce our meat. Any recs for recipes or cookbooks like this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/individually-wrapped-halloween-oreos#post-2919832 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 14:30:21 +0000 winter_wonder 2919832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is desperate to take halloween oreos to her preschool Halloween party, but I can't find the orange cream oreos anywhere! Target/Wal-Mart have "halloween oreos" but they're just regular white cream with a Halloween design on outside. I've looked at Sam's Club too, no luck.</p> <p>Has anyone seen these?!</p> <p>Ridiculous thread, I know😂 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/food-intolerances-how-were-you-diagnosed#post-2914979 Tue, 05 May 2020 13:47:31 +0000 josina 2914979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the process of trying to figure out what is causing my digestive issues and I'm curious as to how it went for others diagnosed with gluten, lactose, or fructose intolerance?</p> <p>Did you get an official diagnosis? Just process of elimination? How is the changed diet going? Any tips? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/super-quick-dinners#post-2918304 Mon, 17 Aug 2020 08:43:17 +0000 erinbaderin 2918304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son's soccer has started back up (it's somewhat hilarious - it's like 40 minutes of eight 6 year olds bonking into each other and then at the end they tell them they're not allowed to high five because of COVID) so that means that we're back to, on Monday nights, having to leave the house by 6:10 and so we need some quick dinners. I know I could do it pretty easily since I'm home all day if I did some prep work or just started cooking earlier but between work and the kids wanting to be outside all day and just not being able to psych myself up to it it just isn't happening, and I can only feed them my go-to "cheese between carbs" (grilled cheese sandwich, cheese roll-ups, quesedillas) so many times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/whats-on-your-menu-this-week-2#post-2918163 Tue, 11 Aug 2020 18:53:04 +0000 bhbee 2918163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hellllllllllp. I’m so over everything! Every week I’m just over it. </p> <p>So far I have:<br /> Peanut noodles with green beans and tofu<br /> Creamy salsa chicken skillet with quesadillas for kids<br /> Hummus wraps<br /> Homemade bread with caprese salad<br /> Smoked sausage with broccoli and pasta </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/restaurant-gift-cards#post-2917974 Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:58:12 +0000 Mommy Finger 2917974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Random question: what is your gut feeling on using gift cards at a restaurant right now? We have 2 $100 gift cards to a local restaurant and a rare childless night next week. </p> <p>One on hand, obviously restaurants are clearly struggling so it just seems wrong. However, I don't see us going to this restaurant without using these gift cards. It's just not one that we usually frequent. My thought was maybe using one of the gift cards, ordering big and tipping bigger b/c otherwise they wouldn't have our business at all. </p> <p>Either way, just curious what people's view are on this in general. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-ideas#post-2917704 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 11:07:54 +0000 LemonJack 2917704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We’re spending next week with my sister’s family at our parents’ cabin. I’m super excited. My kids adore their cousins, but we haven’t been able to see them. Both of our families are self isolating at the moment, to make it as safe as possible. We also are planning our meals ahead of time and bringing up all of our food so we don’t have to to go to the grocery store.</p> <p>Give me some of your best meal ideas, please! We’ll have 10 people, although the youngest is a baby so he doesn’t eat much. No dietary restrictions, and we can grill. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/2-3-weeks-without-appliances#post-2917621 Thu, 23 Jul 2020 22:29:43 +0000 Shybee23 2917621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just bought a new house but all our appliances are back ordered due to the pandemic. We’ll have 2.5 weeks without a fridge or stove. We’ll have a microwave, toaster oven, a grill, and a decent cooler. </p> <p>Any suggestions for meal planning without blowing our budget on takeout every night? Normally I’d plan to grocery shop most days to get something to grill that night - but with Covid, not crazy about making excessive grocery runs. (I’m 6 months pregnant.)</p> <p>(We also have a crockpot we can use but most of our crockpot recipes result in leftovers, which we can’t store...)</p> <p>Thanks for any suggestions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/backpack-coolers#post-2917757 Tue, 28 Jul 2020 09:29:12 +0000 Mommy Finger 2917757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Spin off from another post....we're going to do a day trip to a beach. I think we have a beach bag that will fit all of the towels and toys but it would probably be helpful to find a cooler that is more of a backpack style. It just needs to hold snacks, drinks and lunch for 4. Does anyone have one of these they would recommend? I figure that our beach bag, bag chairs and tent all would go on our arms and this would be one way to maybe make it a bit easier to carry at least one part. Our fold-able wagon doesn't do well in the sand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-idea-for-new-baby#post-2917119 Fri, 10 Jul 2020 10:10:56 +0000 Mommy Finger 2917119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My neighbor is about to have her 3rd baby in about a week and a half and I want to bring over dinner or something. I have gotten into baking during quarantine so I was definitely going to bake them some sourdough but am having a hard time coming up with something that would go with it. I keep going to a soup but it's HOT here so that's not going to work. So not sure if there is anything that actually goes with it or if it's best to come up with another meal and tack on the bread on the side. I mean, who doesn't love bread? I'm also baking them some of my banana bread b/c they have loved that in the past.</p> <p>So would love some ideas for what you've have really enjoyed giving or receiving in the past. The other kids are 5 and 6 and there are no other allergies to consider other than the normal breastfeeding considerations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dutch-oven-recipes-1#post-2915453 Fri, 15 May 2020 21:55:39 +0000 LadyDi 2915453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH got me a Dutch oven for Mother’s Day which I’m so excited about but I have no recipes for! Does anyone have anything they make regularly? Bonus points if it involves short ribs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/small-wine-fridge#post-2915576 Mon, 18 May 2020 21:46:45 +0000 Portboston 2915576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have a small wine fridge they love and can recommend? I’m looking for 8-12 bottle capacity and less than $200 preferable. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/meal-plans-this-week-1#post-2915480 Sun, 17 May 2020 13:35:20 +0000 bhbee 2915480@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>share your ideas with me! I feel like I'm in a food rut and nothing sounds good.</p> <p>last night I made taquitos and guacamole, tonight we're having caprese with no-knead bread, and on next week's plan I have breakfast for dinner one night and then the Budget Bytes creamy salsa skillet one night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/buying-chicken-from-local-farm#post-2915154 Sat, 09 May 2020 10:52:15 +0000 winter_wonder 2915154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This might be a dumb question, but I'm asking anyway! When you buy chicken from local farmers does it usually come as a whole chicken? I assume it's not typical that you could get specific parts like thighs or breasts? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/quarantine-baking#post-2914870 Sat, 02 May 2020 15:12:49 +0000 erinbaderin 2914870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are you making? Share pictures and recipes!</p> <p>I’ve been making various breads - a yummy Dutch-oven crusty loaf that we basically eat in one sitting, and a sandwich-type bread that’s pretty good. And today I made bagels from this recipe: <a href="https://thewoksoflife.com/montreal-bagels/" rel="nofollow">https://thewoksoflife.com/montreal-bagels/</a></p> <p>[attach=6329/20/q9q05d.450x600.1CB5AD50-1193-441F-8042-8D7B01FBC364.jpeg]</p> <p>The first weekend I made my first layer cake, and it was good, but then I stress-are a whole cake over the next week, so I’m trying to stay away from too much sweet stuff. </p>