Tag Archives: healthy

35 weeks

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cravings & such:  taking in a bunch of good stuff, one bite at a time.  i am trying to get the most nutrition packed into the smallest package since big meals can be a bit much these days.  bang for my caloric buck, people…sausages, hamburgers, and fries notwithstanding.  and i am really trying to steer clear of sugar since it makes me feel icky after i consume it.  but sometimes i just have to break down and indulge that sweet tooth because it does taste pretty darn good while i am consuming it.  think sour stuff and super rich chocolate and milkshakes.  yum. 

the bump:  it is just there.  my ball of baby.  enough said.

cool & cute things:  baby’s kidneys are fully developed and her liver can process some waste products.  yippee!  getting ready to fill those itty-bitty diapers.  basic physical development is now mostly complete.  her job in the coming weeks is to just put on weight.  home stretch.  quite literally.

new things:  things are getting tight in there. baby girl is over 18 inches long and weighs about 5 1/4 pounds.  because she is so snug in my belly, she doesn’t have as much space for those dramatic somersaults anymore.  but, as she gets bigger and stronger, those kicks and punches are feeling more intense.

meaningful moments:  this was one crazy week.  somehow, in my genius, pregnancy hormone-addled, placenta brain, i scheduled a whole lotta action for this week.  i mean, i crammed it all in.  we went on our hospital tour, we met with the pediatrician, and we had another doctor appointment complete with ultrasound.  ooohhh…she is a cute one!  a cute one who really likes to suck her thumb and nibble on her fingers.  she even blinked for us and we saw her eyelashes.  eyelashes!  but i must say, in spite of the crazy scheduling, we do feel much better after this week.  more settled and resolved.  a bit more a peace.  and more eager than ever to meet our little girl!

the countdown:  35 days.  woah, folks.  that is like, a month!

current size:  a honeydew melon.  awwhh…my little honeydew.

33 weeks

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cravings & such:  at this point, i am just trying to eat as much good food as possible.  i am sneaking in veggies whenever and wherever, upping my protein intake, consuming plenty of healthy fats, and trying to take it easy on those carbs…but i gotta have my granola and my super seeded, grainy bagel on the weekend.  yum.  in addition to the everyday menu, ben and i are scheduling out some fun date nights for the next few weeks leading up to elinor’s arrival.  we are going to hit all of our favorite spots to savor the flavors for a last time as just the two of us.  so crazy that the next time we visit those locations, it will be with our baby girl.  i plan to bring her to all of our haunts so she can get acclimated.

the bump:  oh yes, it is a-growin’.  and let me say, the belly veins are giant and blue and kinda freaky looking. hurray for preggo circulation!  the belly button still hasn’t popped yet, but it does look awfully goofy.

cool & cute things:  the little miss weighs a little over 4 pounds and has passed the 17 inch mark.  and according to my sources, she is also [quote] “losing that wrinkled, alien look”.  well, thank goodness!

new things:  her skeleton is hardening but the bones in the skull aren’t fused together which allows them to move and slightly overlap.  this makes it easier for baby girl to fit through the birth canal.  these bones don’t entirely fuse until early adulthood so they can grow as her brain and other tissues expand during infancy and childhood.

meaningful moments:  at 17 inches long, i’m pretty sure that she is awkwardly folded up in there so she violently flails about in a sassy act of aggression.  it is getting serious.  her favorite position seems to be curled up with her head in the lower-left portion of my belly, with her bottom in the lower-right.  this allows for her legs to curl upward and tuck in right under my ribs.  i think that she alternates between kicks and fist jabs, using my ribs and diaphragm as her target.  eek.  i must say that it feels pretty crazy…but i know i will miss that feeling once it is gone. so, i am savoring every kick-punch session with my wee little kung fu boxer.

the countdown:  49 days. gaaahhh!  under 50.  i can’t believe it.

current size:  a pineapple

shake it up baby

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as previously mentioned, i am loving smoothies these days.  it might be a combination of the lingering summer heat and my preggo body’s need for lots of nutrients.  baby girl loves a big, refreshing, tasty smoothie.  i get lots of kicks in response.

i have been blending these up on an almost daily basis.  here is my recipe of choice…

1 cup [plus extra to blend] of unsweetened coconut milk

high quality, no sugar whey protein powder [i like mercola's]

2 tablespoons ground chia seeds

a big handful of spinach and/or kale

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen peaches

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

add the milk, protein, chia, and greens to a blender and wazz it up!

then, once that is all blended together, add the frozen fruit to the blender and use the ice crush setting to get it all mixed up and smooth.  serve it up in a large glass with a big straw.

dear peanut

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hi baby girl.  would you look at that cute little corner of your room?!  we are going to spend so many hours there.  your papa lovingly placed that rocking chair in the corner for you.  it is a pretty special place.  this week, we are adding nesting tables [tout à fait approprié, oui?] and a sparkling little chandelier lamp.  that should make the nook complete.  and then…we wait for your arrival.  have i mentioned that we can’t wait?

let me tell you, little one, you are growing.  a lot.  my little bump is becoming a full-on preggo belly.  and my belly button is so itchy! i know that things must be getting cramped for you in there.  according to all the pregnancy resources, you are 16 inches long.  that is a lot of length to squish inside my belly.  at least you are bendy.  i hope that you are comfortable all balled up in there.  but, don’t get too comfy.  we have a nice place all ready for you.  with plenty of space for stretching, soft outfits for cuddling, and blankets for swaddling.  i think you will prefer it on the outside.  no rush – keep growing and getting healthy.  but, promptness is appreciated.  and, a bit early is on time.  no need to linger for too long.

oh!  we have another doctor appointment this week.  this one will trigger the “final countdown” schedule.  every two weeks from here on out.  and, we might just throw in one more ultrasound for good measure.  just to check in and see how much chub you have put on since we last saw you.  it will be fun to see you again.  and even better when we get to meet you in a couple months.

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

snaps & snippets & blurbs

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what a lazy and lovely weekend we had!  filled with good food, family get-togethers, birthday celebration, some bourne action, baby room decorating, and much-needed do-nothingness.  ahhh…lovely.

happy faces + happy birthday balloons for mark’s b-day + mushroom, onion, prosciutto, goat cheese tart + smoked salmon toasts with lemon horseradish creme and fresh dill + sassy family faces + some post-grocery shopping shakes from whole foods…kale, strawberries, acai, spirulina, flax, almond milk, and dark chocolate + the fantasmagorical wall o’ prints for miss elinor’s room + yummiest cream cheese EVER + a random plate of deliciousness for lunch + my hubby’s plate of heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and balsamic drizzle + grabbing some lush burger after bourne legacy + cookies and cream shake + basket of fries + the dogpile.  coco likes to sleep on charlie’s lap.  those buddies… + the most amazing ice cream sandwich in the land!  chocolate chips cookies with brown butter candied bacon ice cream from cool haus.  just. so. good.  thank you, whole foods frozen department for bringing this into our life.

earthy-crunchy-granola

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i am not exactly what you would call an earthy-crunchy gal.  but i do love me some granola.  i can eat it by the fist-full.  okay, closer to giant bowl-full.  it is the perfect little snack on the go.  i like it dry, right out of a baggie, mixed with yogurt, sprinkled on oatmeal, baked into cookies, formed into bars, or covered in coconut milk.  yum.  i am especially in the mood for granola this week since we are doing a lot of outdoor activities and i need to keep healthy and tasty snacks handy.  this preggo lady needs to eat.

my favorite store-bought brands are kind healthy grains vanilla blueberry clusters with flaxseed and bakery on main apple raisin walnut granola.  really, you can’t go wrong with any of the varieties from either of these brands.  so good and flavorful and healthy and crunchy and yummy.  and, gluten-free.  these are my go-to bags of granola.  but sometimes, a girl just wants it homemade.  when the mood strikes, i will whip up a batch of some crunchy granola at home.  here is how i like to create crunchy granola using some of my favorite ingredients that i can easily swap out depending on my mood.  throw in whatever you like!

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ingredients

6 cups rolled oats [amaranth, millet, quinoa are nice additions too]

2 cups mixed nuts and seeds: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds or cashews

1/4 cup flax seeds

1/4 cup finely diced crystallized ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (i like a lot more)

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 tablespoons melted butter

celtic sea salt

1/2 to 1 cup honey, maple syrup, or molasses

1 cup  dried unsweetened shredded coconut, optional

1 cup of dried fruit, i like a mix of cherries and blueberries

method

preheat oven to 350 degrees. in a bowl, combine oats, nuts and seeds, coconut, cinnamon, vanilla, butter, and sweetener. place on a sheet pan and put in oven. bake for 30 minutes or a little longer, stirring occasionally. mixture should brown evenly; the browner it gets without burning, the crunchier the granola will be.  remove pan from oven and stir in dried fruit and ginger. sprinkle with salt to taste.  cool on a rack, stirring once in a while until granola reaches room temperature. transfer to a sealed container and store in refrigerator.

munch and crunch away!

dear peanut

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you and me.  all dressed up.

it is fun getting to know you better every day.  i am trying to pay more attention to your schedule, mood swings, and preferred activities.  so far, you like to stretch in the morning.  you like when i eat.  you have a little burst of energy in the afternoon.  you like when i play the piano [pretty sure you are the only one, little girl.  i just started tickling the ivories about a week ago].  and you like to have a little dance party before bedtime.

last weekend, we took a road trip to california to attend a wedding.  we stopped a few extra times on the way for a bathroom break since you seem to think my bladder is either a trampoline, mattress, or squeeze toy.  your papa was very accommodating.  it was a pretty fun weekend because you started moving in more noticeable ways.  your papa even felt your little movement once!  we are looking forward to much more of that…

i will say that you were quite active while we sat in church waiting for the ceremony to begin.  i snapped that little picture while you were making a big fuss inside my belly.  i can only guess that you, a) were super-duper excited about the wedding, b) were very impatient as the ceremony was delayed by about 45 minutes, or c) were giddy about the fact that we were all dressed up and wearing fancy shoes.  really, any of the above means that’s my girl!

things are moving along quite well.  i am trying to stay hydrated and cool [thanks for all these 110 + degree days, AZ].  and your papa and i continue to learn more about you as we read and continue to prepare for your arrival with lots of prayer.  oh!  and your grandma ridley has AMAZINGLY completed the front of your quilt!  i hope you get her dedication and determination… it is so lovely and we are pretty excited to display it in your room.

keep up the good growth, little girl.  and try to throw in a few more kicks for your papa…

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

20 weeks

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banana = half way mark

cravings & such:  meat.  big, yummy burgers.  bun not necessary…we are all about the meat here, folks.  oh yes, and anything asian.  if i could eat teppanyaki or sushi every day, i would be pretty happy.  well, teppanyaki and a burger.

the bump:  getting bigger every day!  well, at least every week.  those little belly tendons are getting a workout. and speaking of workouts…the yoga folding is getting kinda awkward.  i guess i am pregnant and might need to adjust my poses a bit to accommodate a growing bump.

cool & cute things:  baby is swallowing more these days to practice using the digestive system.  which means the first bowel movement is in the works!  we will be seeing that meconium in a diaper very soon!  the baby is about 6.5 inches long, crown to rump and 10 inches from head to heel.  baby weighs in at 10.5 ounces.

new things:  we know the gender!  hurray for our baby girl!  girl, girl, girl!

meaningful moments:  seeing HER again during the ultrasound and taking home some cute pictures of tiny feet and a big belly.  finding out that we are having a little girl and sharing the news with family and friends.  calling her by name.  hearing that she is healthy and VERY active…and feeling that activity more and more.  so much fun.

the countdown:  140 days to go!

current size: length of a banana

i heart…cruciferous veggies

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aren’t they just the yummiest?  whenever i think about my very favorite veggie spreads or dishes, they seem to all have one thing in common: cruciferous veggies.  i love these guys!  brussels sprouts, chard, greens, bok choy, cabbage, kale, radishes, broccoli, and cauliflower.  goo-ood.

this week, i packed my lunch with a baggie-full of cauliflower to munch on as a snack.  it has been most enjoyable.  radishes and broccoli and cauliflower are my personal favorite dip-ables.  and i love brussels sprouts and greens when they are roasted.  oh yeah…and a deliciously crunchy slaw is definitely up there on the list.  i just love it all, no matter how you slice it.  plus, this veg family has major health benefits…see here and here.  join me in crunching on some cruciferousness.  and make sure to share any of your favorite recipes…

you say you want a revolution

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jamie oliver is one of my mostest favoritest chefs/cooks.  his cooking shows are a hoot to watch and his cookbooks are dreamy.  well, he does more than just write recipes and speak with a british accent [love].  jamie oliver has a passion for healthy food, healthy families, and a healthy system.  he founded jamie oliver’s food revolution.  it is a great cause.  here’s what he has to say about the revolution…

We’re losing the war against obesity in the US. It’s sad, but true. Our kids are growing up overweight and malnourished from a diet of processed foods, and today’s children will be the first generation ever to live shorter lives than their parents. It’s time for change. It’s time for a Food Revolution.

“Since I’ve been working in America, I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people who have come out to support the Food Revolution. More than 630,000 people have signed the petition, over 300,000 of you subscribe to our newsletter and thousands of you have written to me.  The only message I keep hearing is that you believe your kids need better food, and that you want help to keep cooking skills alive.  That’s why this Food Revolution matters.”

The problem stems from the loss of cooking skills at home and the availability of processed foods at every turn, from the school cafeteria to church function halls, factories and offices. This Food Revolution is about saving lives by inspiring everyone: moms, dads, kids, teens and cafeteria workers to get back to basics and start cooking good food from scratch.

Jamie’s ambition?  A national movement to change the way America eats.

Jamie wants to mobilize the huge response to the Food Revolution so far and turn it into a movement for change in which America leads the world.  It will bring together millions of people and inspire the nation to fight obesity with better food.  At its heart is a powerful strategy to get people cooking again. Here are some of the ways we’ll be doing that:

More cooking at home

  • A nationwide network of community kitchens where anyone can go to learn basic home cooking
  • Jamie’s home cooking course

Freshly cooked meals at school

  • An activist program to support parents who want better food in their child’s school
  • A community website to encourage grass-roots activities for change all over the US

Cooking in the community

  • The Food Revolution truck, a mobile food classroom and flagship center for the Food Revolution
  • A cooking course available in church halls, community and healthcare centers and the workplace

Schools and Communities – to inspire and educate parents, young adults and children through:

  • Freshly cooked meals in schools and colleges
  • Cooking lessons for kids at school
  • Lessons teaching basic food skills to healthcare and social care professionals
  • Cooking classes for the public in the community

Corporations – to promote culture change and encourage community investment on several levels:

  • Food  industry – help to tackle obesity by producing better food products and labeling products in a more honest way
  • Healthcare sector – investing in future health means cost savings down the line
  • Employee health – provide better food for employees in company canteens and provide cooking classes for employees to give them the skills they need to be healthy

May 19th is FOOD REVOLUTION DAY.  “This is Jamie’s first day of action and inaugural global food festival to mark our commitment to food education for a better life.
As we all know, we are amidst an epidemic – obesity and diet related diseases are defining the health of the next generation. We want food education back in schools, universities, homes, communities and businesses. Food Revolution Day aims to educate, empower and inspire people everywhere to stand up for real food. Let’s start a conversation about global and local food issues, ask people to consider their food choices and provide a platform for those with the skills and knowledge about food to pass that along through local events.”

i love what Jamie Oliver is doing.  we need it.  if you want to see how you can get plugged in to your local community effort, make sure to check out his site for more info.  you can also go here to check out his picks for bloggers of the month.  it is a cool assortment of people who write about food, nutrition and life.  here’s to good food and good health.