Mum Life

It ain’t Christmas without a ham, amirite? There’s just something so quintessentially Kiwi about ham sandwiches on fresh white bread at Christmas time (the only time I actually eat white bread).

This year, we’re keeping it really simple and have asked my parents for a Christmas ham as our gift (my Mum does the best honey glazed ham with cloves – yum).

But what do you do when the sight of a ham sammie is just too much to bear? When you’re all hammed-out but can’t bear to waste any.

What is a mother to do with all the leftover ham taking up space in the fridge?

Never fear, KMM has a solution. Fire up your Instapot or Slow Cooker and try out these leftover ham recipes.

Leftover Ham Recipes

1. Southern Style Ham and Beans – By Reuse Grow Enjoy
2. Low-Carb Ham and Cauliflower Casserole au Gratin – By Kalyns Kitchen
3. Ham-ocado Egg Bites – By Mash Up mom
4. Ham Salad  – By Anns Entitled Life
5. Slow Cooker Ham and Northern Beans – By Simple Saving Savvy
6. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes & Ham – By Must Have Mom
7. Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup – By Dinner, Then Dessert
8. Broccoli and Ham Quiche – By Anns Entitled Life
9. Ham and Potato InstaPot Soup – By Mash Up Mom
10. Ham Fried Rice – By Coffee With Us 3
11. Broccoli, Ham, and Mozzarella Baked with Eggs – By Kalyns Kitchen
12. Bacon, Ham & Roasted Apple Grilled Cheese – By This Momma Loves
13. Cheesy Ham & Egg Sandwiches – By Thrifty Jinxy
14. Ham & Split Pea Soup – By Culinary Ginger
15. Ham & Cheese Tater Tot Casserole – By This Momma Loves

There’s no need to eat ham sandwiches for the next month (although I am partial to a good ham sammie).

With these Christmas leftover recipes, you can reduce waste, maximise the value you get from your Christmas ham and maybe add a few new recipes to your repertoire. It’s a win-win-win!

Happy Holidays!

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Toddlers. I don’t even need to say it really. You’re going to go to all this effort crafting the perfect make-ahead meal for your toddler and there is only a 50/50 chance they’ll actually eat it.

That’s why these pre-prepared toddler meal ideas are such winners. They look good, are easily managed with little hands and taste yummy!

Turkey Crescent Rolls| Make these up to serve for lunch or even dinner for a tasty snack. It offers meat and bread in a fun way to help lure in little fingers to want to grab and nibble.

Ham and Cheese Horns| These ham and cheese horns are similar to a Hot Pocket but a homemade version. Toss in the freezer and then thaw and reheat when you are wanting to serve them up.

Mini Muffin Corn Dogs | These are a tasty treat that can be made ahead of time and then reheated or even served cold. Pair with your favorite condiments and sides and you have a lunch or dinner any kid would love. 

Peanut Butter and Banana Yogurt Pops | When they won’t eat a regular meal, hand them one of these yoghurt pops. You can get in some dairy and protein in a tasty way. 

Homemade Uncrustables | Homemade is so much cheaper than buying Uncrustables in the store and they taste just as good. Pop in the freezer and then thaw when you are ready to serve. Pair with some fresh veggies, fruit, and lunch is ready. 

Healthy Fruit Snack Wraps | Make these up in the morning and have them for a snack or lunch. Colorful and fun which is a huge plus for little kiddos. 

Kid-Friendly Pasta Salad | A pasta salad is a fun way to serve up some veggies and kids will gobble it right up. This is a great recipe that is tasty, and kids love and you can make it ahead of time. 

Zucchini Pizza Bites | Have a pizza lover? These bites are a bit healthier and a great way to sneak in some veggies to any toddler who loves pizza. Top with your favorite toppings and heat up in the oven or microwave. 

Strawberry and Banana Muffins | Great to make for an on the go breakfast or to have something handy to offer your little one for breakfast or even snack time. 

Peanut Butter Energy Bites | These little bites are addictive and perfect for small hands. Give them a tasty treat that you can make and have on hand for when they want a snack. 

Mini Ham and Cheese Empanadas | Perfect for little fingers to grab and nibble on. You have your starch from the bread, with cheese and meat packed in and full of protein to help fuel them for the rest of the day. 

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats | Here is a night before prep idea for a breakfast option. Give them some fibre and protein to jumpstart the day. 

Pepperoni Pizza Dippers | What little kiddo doesn’t love a good pizza item? These dippers are easy to hold and you can munch on them alone or give them some sauce to learn how to dip properly. 

Baked Macaroni and Cheese | Move over boxed mac and cheese! Make this homemade macaroni and cheese that you can reheat and serve. You could even make it in muffin tins for single servings. 

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins | What little tike doesn’t love a good donut? These muffins are easy to make and serve with some fruits or a protein! 

Breakfast Casserole Cups | These breakfast cups are a fun way to get your toddler to get some protein and veggies in. They are a nice serving and easy for them to grab and munch on. 

Sausage Pancake Bites | Here is another make-ahead toddler breakfast that is great. Give them the sweet and savory mix with the pancakes and bite of sausage in the center. 

Pastry Wheels | Pastry wheels offer a sweet and savoury element plus they can play a little with their food. Test out the different layers of flavours to see what taste the best!

Strawberry Shortcake Bites | Give them one of these balls to offer a source of fruit but in a tasty way. They taste like strawberry shortcake and have freeze-dried strawberries, oats and more.

Tortilla Pizza Roll-Ups | These are great because you customise to fit your picky eaters. Maybe you just do sauce and cheese or toss in some pepperoni. The choice is yours.

If these toddler make-ahead meals don’t go down a treat, at least you’ll enjoy finishing them off. After fishing them out from behind the couch cushions. Aah #mumlife, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Read next: 15 Hearty and Cheap Family Meals for Winter

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Breastfeeding – that natural and simple process that just happens so easily when you have a baby – ha!

Well, that may be the case for some, but not for me.

I so desperately wanted to breastfeed and honestly did not think I’d struggle with it as bad as I did.

I remember sitting in my room with a midwife squeezing the life out of my boob trying to get something to come out while my newborn screamed the house down (I really HATED sharing a room at that point and wished we had private healthcare, just for a moment).

I begged and begged for some formula so I could give my baby a bottle just to calm him down but the nurses and midwives were having none of it. So persist I did. And eventually, breastfeeding became simpler.

The second time around I knew what I was in for, so I searched far and wide for the best lactation recipes to make breastfeeding easier.

I’m pleased to share them with you below.

11 Tasty Lactation Recipes To Boost Your Milk Supply

Click on the title to see the recipe.

Oat Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies | A simple recipe that is jam-packed full of ingredients that will help give your milk supply a boost! 

Peanut Butter Apple Pie Lactation Smoothie | Whip up this tasty smoothie that will help you to keep your milk up supply up, help try and boost your supply if you feel you are low. 

Oatmeal Raisin Lactation Cookies | Another cookie that gives you that oat and raisin flavour with a hint of cinnamon, just like grandma used to make.

No Bake Protein Bar | Crunchy, chewy, flavorful is what you will find in these protein bars that are packed full of vitamins and nutrients any new mamma needs.

Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies | Nothing beats homemade cookies, and these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are a great snack to help your milk. Don’t feel guilty, eat a cookie for the sake of your milk.

Brewers Yeast No Bakes | The brewer’s yeast in these no-bake cookies helps tremendously with aiding in milk supply. Tasty and easy cookies.

Sunrise Smoothie Lactation Recipe| Jump start your day with a powerful superfood packed smoothie for the new mums! This smoothie is easy to make and super fruity and tasty. 

Lactation Cookies with Flaxseed | A super easy recipe that gives you soft and chewy cookies. Make these as a gift for a mum-to-be or make for yourself to help with your milk supply

Lactation Energy Bites | Here are little bite-size energy bites to give you a boost of energy as well as keep your milk supply up or help give it a kick. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake | This shake is one tasty creation that is a fun treat to have for an afternoon pick me up. 

No Bake Lactation Cookies | Looking for a no-bake option? Here are some cookies that require no oven time, that are packed full of nutrients your body needs to help support your milk.

If you liked this be sure to check out 20 Make Ahead Meals For Toddlers They Might Just Eat and 15 Hearty and Cheap Family Meals for Winter. 

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Brrr – it’s really starting to get chilly out there. I’ve had the slow cooker out for the past week which I love because it’s such an easy way to cook, and it makes my freezing cold kitchen feel cosy.

BUT I’m starting to run out of hearty meal ideas for my hungry tribe. With a husband who works an uber-physical job and 2 growing kids, I need filling yet budget-friendly meal ideas.

So when I put a call out to some of my blogging buddies to share their best budget-friendly winter warmer recipes to warm the cockles for us poor sods in the antipodes, I was overwhelmed with some fantastic winter recipe ideas.

I’m excited to bring you these 15 delicious, winter-warmer meal ideas. Some are vegetarian which is great for staying on-budget. I definitely recommend eating more vegetarian meals if you can.

All of these recipes are delicious, easy to make and kid-friendly.

(Quick note: lots of these recipes use the imperial measurements. For conversion to metric go here.)

15 Cheap Winter Meals The Whole Family Will Devour

Finding family meals that are budget-friendly but delicious is a constant challenge. These winter meal ideas won’t disappoint.

1. Vegetable Cheddar Chowder

Image: Wanna Bite

A creative take on regular old chunky veg soup, the cheddar makes this one of those hearty winter recipes you’ll keep coming back to. Check out the recipe here: Vegetable Cheddar Chowder / Wanna Bite

2. Chef Boyardee Beefaroni

Image: Eat Thrive Glow

Mince and macaroni in the same dish! My kids are going to love this. As budget family meals go, this one is right up there. I pretty much always have a spare packet of pasta in the cupboard and mince in the freezer. Looks delish! Check out the recipe here: Chef Boyardee Beefaroni  / Eat Thrive Glow

3. Cheeseburger Pasta

Image: Two Kids and a Coupon

Mention the words cheese and burger and my boys are in. This is one of those kid friendly meals for cold weather I’ll be coming back to often. Check out the recipe here: One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe / Two Kids and a Coupon

4. Beef or Veggie Casserole

Image: Snapshots and Snippets

When it comes to cheap family meals, you can’t go past a casserole. This simple recipe is easily adapted to use up any leftover veg in the fridge. See the recipe here: Tummy-Warming Beef or Veggie Casserole  / Snapshots and Snippets

5. French Onion Soup

Soup is one of the easiest winter meals for kids and this recipe won’t disappoint. Check it out here: Simple Homemade French Onion Soup / Theresa’s Reviews

6. Beef Goulash

Image: Savory Tooth

Think ‘winter dinner ideas’ and goulash is right up there. This Hungarian beef goulash will warm cockles and fill tummies. See the recipe here: Hungarian Beef Goulash / Savory Tooth

7. Cuban Beef Stew

Image: Savory Beef Stew

One of our favourite family meals on a budget is stew,because it’s easy, cheap and lasts at least 2 meals. This Cuban beef stew makes a delicious next-day meal, too. Recipe here: Cuban Beef Stew  / Savory Tooth

8. Delicious Mujaddara

Image: Living Sweet Moments

I just love it when I find winter meals using lentils because they are super cheap and healthy. Check it out here: Delicious Mujaddara / Living Sweet Moments

9. Macaroni Pizza Casserole

Image: Ann’s Entitled Life

This casserole rates highly on the budget meals for family scale. Plus it contains the word ‘pizza’, so I know I’m not gonna struggle to get my kids to eat it. Full recipe here: Macaroni Pizza Casserole  / Ann’s Entitled Life

10. Cheesy Burrito Casserole

Image: Ann’s Entitled Life

Another casserole because you just can beat them for cheap winter meals the kids will actually eat. This time, Mexican inspired. Andale! Recipe here: Cheesy Burrito Casserole  / Ann’s Entitled Life

11. Chickpea Sweet Potato and Peanut Curry

Image: Rhian’s Recipes

Hearty family meals aren’t just for carnivores. This beautiful vegetarian curry will delight the whole family. Make it here: Chickpea Sweet Potato Peanut Curry   / Rhian’s Recipes

12. Slow Cooker Vegan Barley Stew

Image: Mama Likes to Cook

The best winter family meals are the ones I can chuck in the slow cooker and forget about until dinner time. And it’s vegan, so all goodness here. Click here for the full recipe: Slow Cooker Vegan Barley Stew / Mama Likes to Cook

13. Asian Marinated Chicken Legs

Image: Fearless Dining

Marinated chicken is a winner when it comes to winter recipes for kids. Recipe here: Asian Marinated Chicken Legs / Fearless Dining

14. Persian Creamy Barley Soup

Image: The Delicious Crescent

Hearty winter meals using barley are a great way to keep costs down and boost nutrition at the same time. Check out the recipe here: Persian Creamy Barley Soup / The Delicious Crescent

15. Persian Noodle Soup

My kids and hubby adore noodles so I’m looking forward to adding this to my repertoire of hearty winter recipes. Go here for more: Persian Noodle Soup with Beans and Herbs /  The Delicious Crescent

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