We now know that some fats, specifically the omega fatty acids (also known as Essential Fatty Acids-EFA’s) are vital for health.

Omega-3 Fats

The king of the EFA’s are the omega-3 fats: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic aicd (DHA). Unfortunately, although DHA is  also an omega-3 fatty acid, it is NOT found in the other fats, so you have to find it elsewhere. (see below)

Plant sources of omega-3′s include nuts and seeds, especially flaxseed oil or ground flaxseeds. they are also found in lesser amounts in legumes, whole grains and green leafy vegetables. Coldwater fish like wild salmon are a great source as well. The adequate intake guideline developed by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine recommends that men consume 1.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids a day, and that women consume 1.1 grams daily. (unless pregnant or lactating, see below)

DHA’s and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, developing babies rely on their mothers to get needed DHA. Since DHA is derived from the foods we eat, the content of DHA in a mother’s diet determines the amount of DHA passed on to her developing baby. Unfortunately, the majority of pregnant women in the U.S. fail to get the recommended amount of DHA in their diets and DHA is not found in most prenatal vitamins. The good news is leaders in maternal health are beginning to educate women about the importance of DHA and some food manufacturers are starting to come up with creative ways to help people – pregnant and non-pregnant- get the DHA they need.

Current research suggests adequate levels of DHA may help increase a developing baby’s cognitive functioning, reduce the risk of pre-term labor and decrease the risk of postpartum depression.

Why do pregnant and lactating women, who so critically need DHA, find it difficult to get the recommended amount of this crucial nutrient in their diets? There are two primary reasons. First, during pregnancy the daily requirements of DHA increase from 220 mg to somewhere between 300 and 1,000 mg (depending on which expert you consult). Second, DHA isn’t easy to get in your diet, especially when you are pregnant. Significant amounts of DHA are found in animal organ meats and fatty fish.

My advice? Get a good DHA supplement from your doctor or from a health foods store. According to Dr. Barbara Levine, associate professor of nutrition in medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, “the purest source of DHA is not the fish itself, but rather what fish consume: the ocean’s vegetarian plant algae.” Taking DHA supplements produced from marine algae is therefore a safe way for pregnant women to boost their fatty acid stores. (like the spirulina which is inside Green Dream powder!)

HERE is a smoothie recipe including coconut oil!

and the majority of my desserts contain coconut oil, check out those recipes, too!

references and for more info:

The Coconut Miracle, Bruce Fife, 2004

Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D: Health Oils From the Tree Of Life

The Coconut Research Center: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/

She Knows-Pregnancy Website

Starting today, I am beginning a sugar challenge. My buddy, Erin from Well in LA has started the process and I am piggy backing on this escapade! As most of you know, I am 5 months pregnant. It’s really easy to fall into the trap of eating poorly when pregnant because, “I’m getting fat anyway, why not indulge?” I truly do think it’s fine once in a while, everything in moderation (including moderation!).  BUT, when growing a HUMAN LIFE–now is not the time to eat low-nutrient foods just for kicks. I’ve been hearing and reading about the way Jessica Simpson was eating during her pregnancy and it makes me want to throw up. Jessica shared, “Kraft mac and cheese with Lawry’s seasoning salt is the breakfast for pregnant champions!!!” I couldn’t eat that way if I tried! My body would dispute!! It IS difficult when you have certain cravings that are indeed intensifies when pregnant, but I’m here to support you! I’ll post tricks, recipes and tips here.

Extreme doesn’t work for me!

Many people have the wrong idea that people who consume a diet of exclusively raw foods or vegan are extremists who deprive themselves of all things delicious and decadent, namely sweets and desserts. It can’t be too much fun having a bowl of chopped broccoli for dessert, can it? Some assume that those who insisted that they did not eat sugar were lying, weird, or had no fun eating. After being raw for several months at a time and vegan for years, I now understand completely why people would give up processed sugars and I also understand how we can give it up without sacrificing the fun! Read on to learn about a healthy substitute for sugar, no matter what your needs are-from baking to a sweetening a smoothie.

Sugar-what’s the big deal?

Over the last few years, there has been a worldwide explosion in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes – the third leading cause of death in the US. Type 2 diabetes occurs where there is sufficient insulin, but when insulin receptors become less sensitive.

This insulin resistance is the common factor in a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors known as metabolic syndrome. 20% of adult Americans have it, and it affects up to 40% of those over 60.

Eating sugar shoots our blood sugar levels up and triggers a spike in the hormone insulin, which is needed to prep our cells to absorb the sugar. If there are no other nutrients to sustain our blood sugar level, it crashes as quickly as it rises — and we crave another hit. This is how sugar addiction begins.

Moreover, sugar floods us with pleasure by stimulating the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, and probably other mood-elevating substances. Scientists report that eating chocolate initiates a brain response similar to falling in love.

And so our brains have learned over time to equate the taste of “sweet” with a rapid infusion of energy and pleasure — a good thing when food was hard-won and life a battle to survive. Even now when we eat sweet foods, special taste buds trigger enzymes that prime our brain to anticipate this extra boost. With a balanced diet and a healthy metabolism, a calorie–control mechanism kicks in after a few minutes to regulate the desire for more food, including the satiety hormone leptin. But with too much sugar, we eat and eat and can’t get satisfied.

Another big difference between prehistoric times and now is that sugar back then came solely from complex natural sources that had other nutritional qualities, such as fruit, honey, bark, and leaves. And because naturally sweet food is seasonal, ripening with the sun in the summer or growing almost exclusively in warm climates, it was relatively rare in past times.

Sugar Alternatives

what is glycemic index? GI only measures glucose, so numbers don’t tell us the whole story; it isn’t measuring calories or other substances that impact blood sugar like sucrose or fructose.

Agave nectar: this golden or dark brown liquid is derived from the blue agave plant. It’s glycemic index (GI) is low-15. it contains slightly more calories than white sugar.  It’s best in soft-textured foods such as smoothies, drinks, salad dressings, pies and cheesecake. Can also be used in breads, cakes and cookies. Substitute 2/3 cup agave nectar for 1 cup white sugar; in baking, reduce other liquid by about one-third.

Brown Rice Syrup: This dense liquid is made by fermenting brown rice with enzymes to convert starches to sugars. Thick, creamy texture, pale golden color and mild sweetness is reminiscent of butterscotch. It has a relatively low GI of 25. Same calories as sugar but only half as sweet, so you may need ot use more. This sweetener is best in soft textured dishes such as pie fillings, hot cereals, and sauces. Butter for crunchy items like granola or cookies versus baked goods because it makes them heavy and hard. Substitute 1 212 cups brown rice syrup for 1 cup sugar; reduce other liquid by 2 tablespoons.

Splenda: avoid this sweetener. Once it gets to the gut, sucralose goes largely unrecognized in the body as food — that’s why it has no calories. The majority of people don’t absorb a significant amount of Splenda in their small intestine — about 15% by some accounts. some side effects: Sucralose has been implicated as a possible migraine trigger.  Self-reported adverse reactions to Splenda or sucralose collected by the Sucralose Toxicity Information Center include skin rashes/flushing, panic-like agitation, dizziness and numbness, diarrhea, swelling, muscle aches, headaches, intestinal cramping, bladder issues, and stomach pain.

Organic granulated sugar: Unbleached, less processed granulated sugar cane. Not made from genetically modified sugar beets. Turbinado organic sugar (“raw sugar”) is slightly browner, with larger crystals. Essentially the same calories and GI as white sugar, but retains some of the mineral-rich molasses. This is best in anything that uses regular sugar; similar texture and adds no color. Substitute 1:1 for regular sugar.

Stevia: Derived from a shrub; now available in leaf form (ground or whole leaf) and as a refined liquid or powder concentrate. Usually sold in the supplement section. The raw leaf is 60 times sweeter than sugar; in concentrated form, stevia is 150 to 300 times sweeter than sugar. In South America and Asia, people have used raw leaf stevia safely for centuries. with zero calories, it exerts no impact on insulin levels (some studies suggest stevia may help control insulin levels). Late last year the FDA granted “no objection” status to Cocoa-Cola and PepsiCo to use stevia based products in beverages. Ideal for sweetening tea, lemonade or other liquids. Lacks bulk so it’s tricker for baking-works in cookies, granola and pies but not well in breads, cakes or anything where texture matters. In baking, replace 1 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon stevia powder (or liquid), plus 1/3 cup of a bulking agent such as egg whites, applesauce, mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, or yogurt; increase liquid by 2 tablespoon May add a bitter aftertaste so go easy!

Yacon Root Syrup: a specialty sweetener made from an Andean root which has many health-promoting qualities. It’s rich in potassium, phosphorus, chromium, calcium, iron and other trace minerals. It contains a whole B complex profile and important antioxidants. The root can also be found in dried powder or snackable “chip” form. Has been shown to be helpful for diabetics with a neglible effect on insulin. It improves digestive health because of the Fructans (FOS) that allow the body to use yacon as a prebiotic “food” for the digestive tract. Similar in consistency to maple syrup.

Xylitol: white crystalline alcohol powder once commonly derived from birch bark, now mostly refined from corn, berries and plums. Similar in appearance and sweetness to white sugar. This sweetener doesn’t metabolize as sugar, so has no effect on insulin levels. Contains 9 calories per teaspoon, about half that of sugar.  Shown to be effective in preventing tooth decay; may have positive effects on bone health. Note: EXTREMELY toxic to dogs. Xylitol dissolves easily in liquid; idea for beverages, smoothies, sauces and ice creams. Not suitable for yeast-based baked goods but works well in quick breads. A direct substitute for sugar. In recipes calling for high quantities, use equal parts xylitol and another natural sweetener to reduce xylitol’s potential bloating or laxative effects.

Fresh Ripe Fruits from Your Kitchen: This is the simplest way to get some sweet flavor into your foods. Ripe bananas in particular are very sweet and are commonly used in smoothies and blended foods. You may also want to chop or rehydrate some fruits you may have dehydrated in your own kitchen, or purchased in bulk at the natural foods market. Feel free to experiment. I freeze bananas once they ripen and keep them in the freezer to pop into a smoothie when needed.

I challenge you to go even a week without processed sugars. You’ll not only notice a difference in your energy levels, but you’ll notice how addicted you actually are!! Explore these different options above and figure out what works for you and your body. Let me know how it goes, I am here to support you!

——–> click here for VIDEO RECIPE!!! <———-

This is good for ANYONE and EVERYONE… moms, dads, nanny’s, and just about any person trying to get more energy and feel good…in a natural way! If you aren’t getting the sleep you wish you were, this is for you! Lots of superfoods and healing herbs will  deeply satisfy your system so that you don’t need anything else. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!!!

make an epic Superfood Smoothie! Recipe:

1 tsp Tumeric (healing, antibacterial, anticancer)
1 tsp Holy Basil (stress relief, immune stimulator, powerful antioxidants/vitamins)
1 cup Kale (powerful superfood vegetable full of chlorophyll and nutrients!)
1 tsp Spirulina (protein, cleansing, B vitamins, happy food!)
1 Banana (frozen preferably, add more for sweetness)
1 tablespoon Hemp Protein (excellent source of vegetarian/vegan protein)
8 oz Coconut Milk (or almond/rice) (good source of healthy fats!)
Agave to taste
Ice to temp!

Coconut juice is the thin liquid found in young coconuts; it is not coconut milk, which is squeezed from coconut meat. Coconut juice, more commonly called coconut water, has a mild flavor and is a clear liquid. Coconut juice provides various health benefits, as it is high in potassium and magnesium, promotes hydration and replacement of electrolytes, and can even be used as an intravenous fluid. (a common myth amongst health foodies is that it was used as a blood transfusion: this is NOT TRUE, but it could be used for hydration through IV if necessary)

Nutrients

Coconut juice has no cholesterol or fat, is low in carbohydrates and calories, and contains more electrolytes than other fruit and vegetable juices. It is full of various vitamins and minerals that are essential for the body, including copper, phosphorous, sulfur and vitamin C. Coconut juice also contains niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, riboflavin, folic acid and thiamin. The juice helps carry these nutrients and oxygen to different cells and parts of the body, making it an important resource for nutrient absorption.

Keep in mind that every body is different and unique. Listen to your body, the signs it sends you. The take home message for diet is to eat for nutrients, not to worry so much about calories. If you eat nutrient dense foods, you will be full and satiated for longer.

I’m not saying calories don’t matter. They do. Calories in have to be less than calories out to lose weight. My point is that if you chose more nutrient-dense foods, your body will be more satiated and you won’t have as many cravings or be as hungry.

Diet: what did I eat?

lots of veggies!

Here’s what I do as far as eating goes. The proof is in the raw-pudding! Remember that when you’re breastfeeding, you need to get at least 500 extra calories per day to support your milk production and the health of your baby. Don’t worry, you burn it during breast feeding! (about 500 calories/day) The rule of thumb when you’re eating is to think about NUTRIENTS not just energy/calories. Ask yourself what NUTRIENTS are in your meal, not just putting empty calories into your body. For example, when reaching for a snack, don’t eat 5 rice crackers because they are low in calories, eat an apple and a handful of almonds because then you’re getting vitamins, fiber, protein and good fats. (and you’ll stay fuller longer!)

Some bullet points of what I’ve been doing in any given day:

*Every day I get some raw juice or smoothie. 4-5 days a week I get a green vegetable juice, and every single day I make a Super-Mommy-Power smoothie. I also have 1-2 coconut waters per day-I feel so dehydrated from breastfeeding that coconut water is really the only thing that quenches that thirst.

Here’s a recipe I make variations of just about every day:

Super-Mommy-Power Smoothie

• 1 Cup Almond, Rice or Hemp Milk/Coconut Water
• 2 teaspoons maca (excellent for energy and to balance crazy mommy hormones!)
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder (chocolate in it’s most raw form, super high in antioxidants!)
• 1 tablespoon coconut butter or almond butter (both have GOOD fats and are good for skin, nails, etc)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (speeds up metabolism) or flax oil (omega-3)
• 1 scoop raw protein powder (keeps me full for longer, no soy or whey)
• 1 banana (tip: after bananas get ripe, put them in Tupperware or a Ziploc in the freezer for easy smoothie access!)
• 2 teaspoons spirulina (blue-green algae, great for iron and protein)
• 1 tablespoon agave or 2 drops of chocolate stevia
• 1 handful of ice

top with goji berries and granola! (this smoothie also satisfies my cravings for sugar and  chocolate… only this is all the right stuff!)

*once or twice a week I get animal protein. Free range, Hormone-Free, Organic steak or fish. I’m not much of a chicken/turkey person but I learned to really like steak during my pregnancy. I’ve always loved fish. I add greens and veggies to every meal. Make sure you get double the veggies vs quantity of protein. We eat sushi A LOT, but make sure if you’re going this route that you don’t just get rolls-lots of white rice/empty calories. Try and get some sushi or sashimi so you get more protein and less rice. Use the green lid soy sauce (lower in sodium) and don’t use a lot of that either! you only need a little bit, especially if the fish is fresh! I also always get a seaweed salad which is excellent for digestion, iron and calcium.

sprout salad with veggie buger

*I eat a huge spinach or mixed green salad for lunch almost every day-lots of sprouted seeds, nuts and beans to get as much protein as possible. I add a veggie burger to the salad also and use lots of flax oil and/or olive oil for the good fats. (tip: good fats get rid of bad fats, we NEED good fats for our brain and body functioning!)

*I always have snacks with me in the diaper bag or in my purse, I usually snack on 1 protein bar every day and some type of trail mix I make. My favorite blend is a trail mix with: cashews, goji berries, dark chocolate covered cacao nibs, soaked almonds, sprouted pumpkin seeds, sprouted sunflowers seeds.

I found during these months that I would get FAMISHED If i didn’t eat every 2-3 hours. If I waited more than 3 I thought I would die. DON’T get to this point! You are exerting so much energy taking care of the baby, nursing, etc… never mind if you get an exercise in TOO! Besides, when you let your blood sugar drop this low it does crazy things to your metabolism and your body goes into starvation-fat-protection mode, aka something you don’t want.

Exercise/Body/Fitness

The first 2 weeks I was very gentle with my body and focused on bonding with my baby.I was eating very healthy and nourishing foods and was wiped out from the surgery.

The 3rd and 4th week I got to WORK! I worked with a friend of mine who’s also a personal trainer twice a week to start building strength, but mostly to build my confidence. I was scared at first to do anything ab related (since I had a c-section) but he quickly and safely helped conquer this fear as well.

Each session I felt stronger and stronger. We mostly used resistance bands or exercises using my own body weight (like plank, pushups, yoga) so you don’t need a gym to lose weight! Here’s a great workout you can do at home in place of the training session I did.

Some people don’t think exercise makes a difference. What I know is that I feel better when I exercise than when I don’t, and I’m more mindful of the food I’m putting into my body when I do. Also, when you look at the calories in vs calories out rule, it means you have more wiggle room in the calories in.  Works for me!

Here’s what my work-out/exercise schedule basically looked like:

Monday-walk outside with baby/hubby/doggy for 30 minutes, baby squats and baby abs (see pics below) for 10 minutes

Tuesday-30-45 min with my trainer, Trent (resistance bands, kettlebells, light weights, light cardio, ab work)

Wednesday- Yoga class 60-90 minutes

Thursday- 30-45 min with my trainer, Trent (resistance bands, kettlebells, light weights, light cardio, ab work)

Friday- off day, maybe some baby exercises while holding him and/or some stretching/yoga while watching tv

Saturday-walk outside with baby/hubby/doggy for 30 minutes, baby squats and baby abs for 10 minutes -or- Yoga class

Sunday-walk outside with baby/hubby/doggy for 30 minutes, baby squats and baby abs for 10 minutes

baby sit ups!

On the days I’d walk outside with Kai in the stroller I usually took the dog too. Sometimes my hubby would join. But those were days I set out with an intention to be out for 30 minutes for exercise, so I’d walk a little faster than a normal walk. On other days I still would walk the dog but I didn’t count it as exercise.

I also didn’t count walking around in general, carrying the car seat everywhere, carrying 3 bags around plus baby, cleaning, standing, etc. I considered all of this stuff bonus, plus it speeds up your metabolism to be active.

It’s been so much fun using Kai in my exercises, especially because he LOVES IT! (see pics and video to come!)

I’ve now lost ALL MY BABY WEIGHT, and it took 3 months! This

3 months post-pregnancy

is definitely something I wanted to share with you, since many moms are nervous it will take them a whole year to lose their weight. Some people say “give it a year, they were in your body for 9 months it should take that long to lose it.” I don’t agree. I definitely worked hard, but in my opinion, if you worked half as hard as I did you should lose your baby weight in 6 months, tops. I think a huge factor in my ability to jump back into a workout routine was that I exercised up until the last possible second in pregnancy, so my “off time” was only about 4-5 weeks total, not 9 months. If you ARE pregnant, check out my article about pregnancy and exercise. Thanks for reading and GOOD LUCK! let me know how it goes, share your stories with me!

A few clients and friends have asked what my “secret” is to my speedy recovery and weight loss. All I can do is share advice on what I did/do and hopefully it helps others in their journey.

Healthy Eating=Healthy Mind and Healthy Body

green juice!

Throughout my pregnancy and especially post-pregnancy, I really stressed getting organic, healthy, REAL food into my body. I stay away from anything processed, steer clear of sugar and anything unnatural. If I am craving something sweet I reach for fruit, dark chocolate or vegan ice cream. As soon as I had the baby (the DAY after) I had my mom bring me fresh green vegetable juice to obtain the energy from the chlorophyll and the rejuvenating properties of the nutrients in the veggies. I ate omega-3 rich salmon and brown rice for the protein and fiber.  By getting back into this routine of eating healthy, beautiful, nutrient-dense foods, it allowed me to quickly gain energy and strength.

I made sure to get in a lot of warming foods postpartum, like ginger, coconut water and cooked foods like quinoa and sauteed veggies.  In Chinese medicine it is thought that pregnancy is a time you are very warm internally and need to balance it with cooling foods (like raw fruits and veggies), and postpartum is a time your body is very cold and needs to be warmed. Staying hydrated is VERY important for recovery, especially when breastfeeding. Drinking room temperature water rather than cold water can help keep the balance of warm vs cold in your body as well.

Yoga and Exercise for a Speedy Recovery

walking 9 months pregnant

During my pregnancy I worked out 4-5 times per week. In the beginning I did all the same workouts: running, jogging, swimming, stair stepper, cross training, cross-fit, power yoga, jump roping, weight lifting and spinning (check out my post on exercise and pregnancy for more details). After my belly got larger, I didn’t feel comfortable doing high-intensity workouts or anything that required jumping. I continued doing yoga and light cardio (swimming, walking and stairs) as often as I could. 3 days before having Kai, I was at a power yoga class. There were weeks I didn’t feel like doing anything, but I made sure to walk uphill and do a modified yoga practice. After wards without fail, I felt better. This was key. In the immediate, I had more energy. In the long term, I’m convinced it’s what is ensuring my speedy recovery.

In the days following my surgery I would walk around the hospital hallways doing laps. I would hold onto my husband or a family member while hobbling up and down the halls. It made a huge difference and with each lap I felt stronger than the last. When I got home I’d deliberately make several trips up and down the stairs, slowly and carefully, to get a glass of water or whatever I needed. This helped train my body and let it know it was time to get moving. Of course, I listened to my body and what it needed. I didn’t push anything. But I was ready to start recovering very quickly: both mentally and physically.

Mind over matter

In the first few days, you almost have to force yourself to create healthy habits. Begin walking as soon as you possibly can. Find the healthiest things on your hospital menu to order, and if there isn’t anything, have someone bring you food. Make sure you get adequate water immediately, more than you think you need. Try and ween yourself off the pain killers as soon as you can. This is doing nothing for your recovery because you can’t even feel what’s happening in your body. Take Motrin instead: it’s an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce the swelling from your surgery and also reduce pain in your body. Keep your body “warm” with warming foods from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Here’s a complete list. Finally, be sure to exercise throughout your entire pregnancy, no matter how much you don’t want to. It will help with weight loss on the other side. I highly recommend yoga, in case I haven’t mentioned that before. (ha!) 

See Part Two of this Journey-3 months post-pregnancy!

Just because you’re a waddling woman with a big belly and back pain doesn’t entitle you to skip this healthy regiment. Being active doesn’t mean going to a gym necessarily, but you must get your butt moving for at least 30 minutes almost every single day. This can be walking for 30 minutes with your dog in the afternoon or breaking it up- 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes after dinner. You can go on a bike ride, go swimming or participate in a yoga class.

What Not to Do…for a safe pregnancy

Obviously be smart about what type of exercise you choose. Clearly, football, soccer, softball, horseback riding, gymnastics, kickboxing, downhill skiing, hockey, cross fit, plyometrics and the like should be avoided for a safe pregnancy. Use your head-nothing that will hurt the baby by hitting your stomach, shaking the baby or risking injury of falling.

Benefits to Exercise During Pregnancy

Exercise can be invaluable in making your pregnancy healthy and happy. For starters, it can help with constipation, backache, fatigue, and varicose veins. And not only can it aid in improving your sleep, but it also reduces the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and anxiety. (“Why Exercise During Pregnancy?” womenshealth.gov)

As if that all wasn’t enough, Active women have shorter labors, easier deliveries, quicker recovery times, and can be into shape faster postpartum. (Snuggs, Exercise and Pregnancy, suite101.com) And of course, what’s good for mom is good for baby. Exercise gets the blood circulating, which positively affects the placenta (which gives baby oxygen and nutrients). (Booth and Alpino, Exercise during pregnancy helps you stay healthy” babyfit.com)

Talk to you Doctor before

No matter what your activity preference may be, just be sure to verify whatever you chose with your midwife or doctor before starting. There are a few cases when it could be unsafe including: carrying twins or more, risk of premature labor, heart or lung disease, bleeding, ruptured membranes, placenta previa, (“Why exercise during pregnancy” womenshealth.com) complications with past pregnancies, severe diabetes, seizure disorders, asthma, anemia, muscle or joint problems, repeated C sections, previous miscarriage, a sedentary lifestyle or if you’re extremely over or underweight. (“exercising while you’re pregnant” babyfit.com)

HYDRATION!

Assuming you’re in the clear with your doc, remember to drink plenty of water before, during, and after working out. You’ll need more water than you think you need. It’s also more difficult to manage your body now with your big belly, big boobs and your imbalance! So be cautious and go slower than you think you need to until you get used to this new body. Patience is key here (biggest lesson I’ve learned during this process!)

FLEXIBILITY

All of your ligaments and joints are looser than ever, allowing your body to expand for the growing baby and uterus. Overstretching will not do you any good. And neither will lying flat on your back. After sixteen weeks, avoid doing any exercise that has you in that position. The weight of your newly heavy uterus on a major blood vessel can affect blood flow to the placenta. Not cool. Be careful when stretching and doing yoga!

It’s been incredibly difficult to eat healthy food since I’ve been pregnant. I don’t crave anything uber healthy and the thought of going into the kitchen to make a green smoothie makes me want to vomit. I don’t want any of my staple foods: nothing raw, no ginger tea, no chocolate? It’s the strangest thing.

First Trimester

The 2nd month of pregnancy was the most difficult for me. I wanted the classic “I’m sick/hungover” foods.. anything to take the nausea away. This downward spiral began with sweet potato fries, and then slipped into zucchini fries, which then stumbled into regular french fries as long as they were from somewhere that claimed anything somewhat related to health like In and Out (made from real potatoes! cooked in Cholesterol free oil!) or Astro Burger (unlike McDonald’s: the devil). For weeks all I craved was fries, squishy challah bread, matzoh ball soup from a local deli, and eggs. I later discovered that potatoes and eggs are both high in folic acid, which is my pretend reasoning behind it being okay.

guilt?

To be honest, I stopped feeling guilty very early on about this stuff. Yes, I would prefer to eat raw beautiful organic foods. Yes, I would prefer to have a green juice or smoothie at least once a day, and be as vegan as possible. However, this baby is in control, not me. This is the baby’s body, I am purely a vessel. I am obviously being as healthy as I can possibly be, choking down veggies, taking my iron and folic acid, and getting enough protein and fats.

Cool things about being preggers

A really interesting thing has happened in this pregnancy: my lactose intolerance has vanished. I can eat any type of cheese or dairy i want: NO STOMACH ACHE!!!!! I still don’t drink regular milk, always rice, coconut or almond milk, but i can eat CHEESE! It’s been pretty awesome. My favorite snack is Caprese Salad–organic mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and heirloom tomatoes with ground pepper and balsamic. Delish! I’m sure my lactose intolerance will return, and that’s fine with me. All of this is somewhat dreamy anyway. I read about another woman whose asthma completely disappeared while pregnant (but returned, unfortunately, a few months after the baby came). It’s truly amazing how different our bodies are in this state. Amazing what our hormones control and have the power to alter!

Moderation! Organic! Use your head.

My point of this babbling is this: whatever is happening with your body when your preggers is completely fine and normal. If you’re craving random foods, don’t feel guilt. Everything in moderation. Make sure you get enough veggies and fresh fruit. If you’re going to eat meat, make sure it’s organic and grass-fed. ENJOY THIS PROCESS it will be over before you know it, and wallowing or obsessing over how many calories you’re eating is an absolute joke. No worries, the baby feels EVERYTHING! Try not to stress out…laugh at yourself, I crack up the entire time I’m in the drive thru line getting a breakfast sandwich or denying a vegetable.

Also, in no time you’ll be back to yourself. I’m already working out practically like I used to and today I was completely raw until about 4p… it’s happening quickly. Cherish every moment (pregnant or not!)

In my opinion, Iron is absolutely the MOST important supplement/nutrient to get into your body when you’re pregnant.

This metal carries oxygen from the lungs to every cell in the body. Its other big role is to make blood. Blood volume increases by 50% during pregnancy. Blood feeds the placenta and uterine lining. Without large members of oxygen-rich red blood cells, your baby won’t grow.

For a straight hit of iron, eating red meat or liver is a sure bet. Clams, chicken liver, duck and oysters are excellent sources. (if you’re vegan or vegetarian, look below for an awesome option) Fish, poultry, spinach, dried apricots and unsulphered or black-strap molasses are decent sources. Grains and dairy foods are not.

It’s also wise to eat iron-friendly foods, including fresh produce for folate and vitamin C, banans for B5 and any meat, milk or eggs for B12.

I highly recommended Floradix, a liquid supplement with organic iron in an absorbable form (ferrous gluconate) instead of inorganic iron, which can cause constipation. I take this almost every day. I love the way it tastes and I instantly have more energy after consuming it. I don’t eat red meat and haven’t for almost 10 years, so it’s vital to get it from a supplement source. I’ve taken it for years, (I’m slightly anemic) usually every day when I’m on my period and here and there when I’m not.

Another option is taking ground liver capsules. If you’re not anemic, don’t take iron. The body doesn’t excrete iron easily, and too much can be toxic.