SuperBowl 2012; Grandma love.

I did want to note that my appetite still needs fed every 2-3 hours. [...]]]> I am now in my 4th month of pregnancy and feeling much better. My only gripes as of late are being TIRED (where is my energy jolt?), occasional heartburn, and headaches. Other than that I feel pretty wonderful!

SuperBowl 2012; Grandma love.

I did want to note that my appetite still needs fed every 2-3 hours. This hasn’t changed much from pre-pregnancy but where I used to be able to ignore the occasional stomach growls, now I absolutely cannot. My body knows best! So I am the ultimate snack-er. I wanted to share my top 5 favorite snack combinations as of late because they’re nutritious and great for everyone!

Here’s what I’ve been noshing:

1. Veggies and dip! I always have lots of veggies in stock, but carrot sticks, grape tomatoes, and cucumber have been calling my name as of late. I typically choose hummus as my “dip of choice,” but just yesterday I made an organic French Onion Dip that was phenomenal! I’m so happy to have leftovers for the next few days!

I love veggie + protein combinations because the vegetables are low in calories but high in nutrition and the protein from things like hummus, yogurt dips, and nut butters will leave you feeling satisfied! Nosh ON my friends!

Super Bowl Fav: Yogurt French Onion Dip

2 cups organic plain yogurt (I would use Greek yogurt next time for thicker consistency) and THIS organic dip mix.

2. Fruit and nuts. I LOVE fruit. Maybe I love fruit more than vegetables, but it’s hard to say because they come pretty close to one another. Fruit makes an excellent snack but without a protein pairing, it’s not going to leave your belly full for very long. So I choose to pair my fruit with nuts or nut butter!

I love almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, you name it! Loaded with nutrition like vitamin E, magnesium, fiber, and essential fatty acids, nuts are a great snack selection! Just don’t go overboard! A tiny handful will run you about 100-180 calories!

source

source

3. Cereal and yogurt. In the early stages of my pregnancy, cereal was one of the foods that always sounded good. While I couldn’t handle yogurt at the time, now it’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy cereal! Cereal makes an excellent evening snack too, especially for preggers who might find their belly grumbling a few hours after dinner. Choosing a cereal that’s high in fiber and low in sugar will help stave off hunger all the way through the morning. My only recommendation is to watch your portions. The healthier cereals are typically higher in calories per serving, so bust out those measuring cups if you need to!

Read up on How to Pick a Healthy Cereal and How to Pick a Healthy Yogurt, if you have more questions!

4. Smoothies! These are not only nutritious, but smoothies are just so darn delicious! In my early stages of pregnancy, when I could barely stomach a fruit or veggie, I opted to make smoothies. My favorite combination included plain Greek yogurt (for extra protein), blueberries, banana, spinach, chia seeds, and a splash of orange juice. But by all means, play with any combination of fruits or greens you can think of! Even your kids will love these fruity drinks! Just be aware that I speak of homemade smoothies, not something you would pick up at your local Jamba Juice. By making them yourself you save your body calories and lots of sugar! Hmmm, I think I’m going to make a smoothie right now!

5. SALADS! I know most people don’t think of salads as a “snack” food, but I say? WHY NOT? I adore salads of any and all combinations! The best thing to do is grab a bowl and some lettuce and then raid your fridge and pantry for new things to try or add! My favorite salad additions; raisins, nuts, seeds, hard-boiled eggs, feta, berries, hummus, and my homemade agave-mustard vinaigrette! Salads can be packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and much much more! Just get creative and start snacking!

source

QUESTION: What are YOUR top favorite snack combinations??

source

This morning I read an article that was incredibly thought provoking. Images, like the one pictured above, have been popping up all over facebook.  While they definitely seem to have good intentions, what is this message REALLY telling us? That we have to be [...]]]> 1. The Marilyn Meme Article. (Please read by clicking on the title)

source

This morning I read an article that was incredibly thought provoking. Images, like the one pictured above, have been popping up all over facebook.  While they definitely seem to have good intentions, what is this message REALLY telling us? That we have to be adored by THOUSANDS of men?  Well, I personally enjoyed how Heather Cromarty, author of said article, worded it, “you are worth more than what men think of you.” I highly recommend giving The Marilyn Meme a read today. It will re-emphasize for all of us that we should be more focused on health, rather than how we look.

2. Cute Maternity Tees.

One thing I am totally in love with are adorable maternity tees, with cute little sayings. These are a few that I hope to acquire:

story of my pregnant life.

www.2chix.com

only sometimes...

www.2chix.com

I want this one SO bad!

www.fortwofitness.com

This is why I get so tired!

cafepress.com

Thanks for all the sweet comments and congratulations from yesterday’s post! Sorry it took me so long to spill the beans! I’m glad it’s finally out in the open though! Now I know I have lots of ladies to count on through my ups and downs!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! We are expecting my in-laws for the weekend! I can’t wait but I have lots to do between today and tomorrow! Toodles!

QUESTION: What are you serving up for the Superbowl? I’ve got veggie chili, shredded pork wraps, greek salad, and hummus/veggies lined up!

After I did a quadruple check, my heart started beating out of my chest! No wonder I was CONSTANTLY going to the bathroom, suddenly in need of an afternoon nap, and craving junk food like nobody’s business! Ultimately, Brandon and I were thrilled. We were dancing up and down, [...]]]> On November 16th, 2011, I saw this:

After I did a quadruple check, my heart started beating out of my chest! No wonder I was CONSTANTLY going to the bathroom, suddenly in need of an afternoon nap, and craving junk food like nobody’s business! Ultimately, Brandon and I were thrilled. We were dancing up and down, hugging, and tearing up. What a moment.

I immediately wanted to document my belly progress. This was around 4-6 weeks. This was the point that I was still feeling well.

In the weeks that followed things got pretty miserable. I felt some form of nausea 24/7. Who created the term ‘morning sickness’ anyway? It should be ALL day sickness! My only mild relief was eating and I didn’t want healthy foods.  What did I want? Junk; white bread, pizza, pretzels, and the like. If I didn’t eat, I was unbelievably nauseous. I would even have to get up in the middle of the night to eat! I sent Brandon to get me bowls of cereal or clementines (the one healthy item I could handle). Poor guy, he really loves me.

I was also incredibly moody. My Dad started questioning my sanity (we hadn’t told him yet) and so did I! I was up, I was down, and everything in between. Restless sleep, constant hunger, digestive issues, and mood swings were the story of my life.

Between weeks 9-12, I developed a severe case of the flu. I went practically 10 years without the flu and suddenly I was bombarded with illness. I couldn’t even drink water without throwing up. I almost went to the ER, but thankfully the nurses prescribed a pill (you didn’t swallow) that prevented me from throwing up. After 14 1/2 hours straight of puke, I was finally able to hold down a little water. The next 5 days were torture though. I still didn’t feel right, barely ate, threw up, and just laid around all day. I felt so useless. It was a very trying time for sure.

Thankfully, there was a clearing, and although I was still getting my most nauseous at night, the severity was becoming less and less, with just a few more incidents of losing my cookies. Phew.

The best part? Around week 11-12 I started to only want healthy foods!! I loved feeling healthy again!

This is week 10 or 11? Showing off the belly bloat that creeps up as the day goes on!

13 1/2 weeks! Starting to pooch out a bit! Don't mind the PJs.

14 1/2 weeks! Finally out of the first trimester!!

Body image:

I wish I could say that body changes and gaining weight have been easy for me. I wish I could say that from day 1 I embraced the fact that I would be gaining weight to grow a life. I wish I could say that.

Instead, I have to be honest. I cried A LOT. After months without the scale, I suddenly yearned to weigh myself again. I HAD to know. I HAD to be in control. I mean, you’re bloated 24/7, suddenly your clothes start feeling snug, I wasn’t eating as healthy as I was used to, and I just felt bad about it! I always thought I would be one of those girls that gains the perfect amount of weight but suddenly I was questioning myself. Could I do this? Could I live up to my own expectations and everyone else’s expectations of how much weight I will gain? The answer is no.

The smartest thing I did was confide in my blogger friend Laury, who just had a gorgeous baby girl in May. She saved my sanity. Even though Brandon was there for me, he just didn’t quite get it like a fellow momma/health nut would.

Having struggled with body image issues herself post-partum, feeling pressure to look a certain way after she delivered just because she was a health and fitness professional, Laury totally got how I was feeling. However, she told me that I would regret feeling this way. That I needed to stop thinking about the weight gain as some horrible curse and realize that I was growing a life! Every body responds differently to pregnancy and I needed to STOP comparing myself to others. Now is not the time to be selfishly wrapped up in how my jeans fit…GO OUT AND BUY BIGGER CLOTHES, she told me! This was the best advice. As soon as I stopped trying to squeeze in to my old size 4′s, 6′s, and tight tops, I immediately felt my self confidence grow. Mid-way through week 13, I bought my first pairs of maternity pants and a couple tops.

I’ve been feeling awesome ever since. I realize that I don’t want to regret ONE MOMENT of any day in my pregnancy or my baby’s life. I can truly say I am excited for the baby belly that has slowly been creeping out this week. Wow. I never thought I would say that. I feel great since my e-chats with Laury and I’m SO so thankful for her advice. Oh and my husband telling me I’m beautiful about 80 times a day helps too.

The bottom line is I’ve finally accepted this new body of mine and realize that as long as I eat healthy and continue to exercise, my body will be healthy, no matter how much weight I gain. I can’t live up to anyone else’s expectations except my own. If I gain a little more weight than I anticipated, so what! All that will really matter in the end, is having a beautiful little baby.

QUESTION: Any other mom’s out there struggle with body image in the first trimester or throughout their pregnancy?

 source

I bet many if you hear the word ‘natural’ and have an immediate association to things that are in their ‘natural,’ God given state. You may envision animals frolicking in green pastures and think, “OH! It’s natural! That means it’s healthy.”

This would [...]]]> When you hear the word ‘natural,’ what are some things that come to mind?

 source

I bet many if you hear the word ‘natural’ and have an immediate association to things that are in their ‘natural,’ God given state. You may envision animals frolicking in green pastures and think, “OH! It’s natural! That means it’s healthy.”

This would be an excellent thought, but it’s sadly mistaken. The truth is, the term “natural” may just be the farthest thing from “natural,” so it’s important to keep your guard up. Businesses know what consumers are looking for these days. Consumers WANT to make healthier choices and are more concerned about what is in their foods and other household products. I personally think this heightened awareness is wonderful, but businesses don’t make it easy for you.

Businesses realize the money that can be made from labeling a product as “natural.” It appeals to all those looking to lead a healthier lifestyle but who aren’t quite ready to go organic. Unfortunately, since there is no legal definition of the word, many of the most unnatural products can be labeled as “natural!” Excuse me, but what exactly are “natural” cheese puffs?

source

I mean, it’s a nice thought, but they are still processed Cheetos. Not much nutrition.

With no laws to prevent manufacturers from claiming products “natural,” I suggest ignoring the term all together while out shopping. Just because a product says it is “natural” or “Earth-friendly,” or has trees and butterflies plastering the cover, doesn’t mean that it’s healthy OR “natural” at all! Read ingredient and nutrition fact labels to make your own informed decision, instead of just blindly following what the front of the package tells you.

If you want a label to trust, the label “organic” is a term strictly defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

source

Organic - “any product that was grown or created without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizer, hormones, antibiotics, or artificially-derived chemical additives. Organic plant products do not allow for genetic engineering or the use of radiation. Organic wines do not have added sulfites, only naturally-occuring, trace amounts. (Wines from Europe are, by nature, organic). When the term “organic” is found on food products, at least 95% of the product uses organic ingredients.” (source)

Certified organic - “Labeling used with organic products which have met the following standards: 1) the land on which organic food or fibers (e.g. cotton) are grown must be free of chemical additives/pesticides for three years prior to being certified; 2) farmers and processors must keep detailed records of methods and materials used in the production process, particularly those which replenish soil fertility; 3) all methods and materials are inspected annually by a third-party certifying agency (under the jurisdiction of the USDA); 4) as indicated above, products must be free of chemical additives, such as pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hormones, and antibiotics.” (source)

Made with organic ingredients – “Must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Does not contain any added sulfites.” (source)

100% organic – These products cannot contain any non-organic ingredients. (source)

With that said, there are still “organic” junk foods out there as well. An organic cookie is going to have the same calories and fat as a regular cookie, it just might have better quality ingredients.

The moral of this story is to inform yourself. Learn what some key ingredients are to avoid and start reading labels for yourself! A little effort…goes a LONG way!

Since I’ve always LOVED Greek salads; [...]]]> Lately, all I seem to want to eat are salads. I realize this isn’t a bad thing, but the same old salads, with the same old dressings can get old pretty quickly. So I’ve been playing around with lots of different ingredients and homemade dressings to keep my palate pleased.

Since I’ve always LOVED Greek salads; the feta, the kalamata olives, the dressing…I knew that was going to be my next salad to conquer. Such simple ingredients, but when you combine them all together? Purely magic.

I would highly recommend sharing this one with your friends, that is, if you don’t eat it all first! I just can’t get enough!!

A little olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt/pepper, parsley, and olives.

And don’t panic! Although this salad tastes like it couldn’t possibly be healthy for you...it is!

Another quirk about me? I eat about 90-95% of my diet organic. This salad is no exception. I’ve spoken about the importance of organic in the past, but I can’t help reiterate over and over again how truly important it is to choose organic, especially organic fruits and vegetables.

Plus, since organic is becoming more mainstream, it’s easier to find at your local grocery store! YAY! Another bonus? The more organic we request, the cheaper organic is going to get! YAY!

In any case, all the ingredients in this salad are organic. I encourage you to search for the same or pick a few ingredients to be organic; lettuce, green peppers, cucumber. It’s a step in the right direction at least.

It’s GREEK! Salad (and it’s organic!)

Serves 8

Salad

• Organic romaine lettuce (~16 leaves or fill a large bowl 3/4 full)
• 1/2 organic green pepper, diced
• 2 organic tomatoes, diced/wedged
• ~3 oz organic kalamata olives (extra for the dressing), chopped
• 1 organic cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 a small organic red onion ( I left this out because Brandon hates red onion…pity)
• ~3 oz organic crumbled feta

Prep all ingredients and add to a large serving or mixing bowl.

Dressing:

• 1/4 c. organic olive oil
• 2 T organic red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp of organic sugar (optional)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 3-4 chopped kalamata olives
• ~1/4 c. organic parsley
• 1-2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Whisk all ingredients together, leaving out the lemon juice. Pour over salad, tossing until mixed well. Drizzle with lemon juice and give the salad another good toss.  Chill or serve immediately, sprinkling with a little more feta on top.

Nutritional Profile: 148 calories, 11.2 g fat (0.9 g sat.), 11.7 g carbohydrate, 4.1 g fiber, 1.4 g sugar, 2.4 g protein, 334 mg sodium, 152 mg potassium, 0 mg cholesterol

1. Trader Joe’s Olive Oil Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.

source

My husband is a total chip lover (and I can’t say I mind them either) and I’ve seriously struggled in the past finding a chip that I felt happy packing in his lunch a couple times [...]]]> Happy Friday folks! Here’s an installation in my “I’m Lovin’ It” series!

1. Trader Joe’s Olive Oil Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.

source

My husband is a total chip lover (and I can’t say I mind them either) and I’ve seriously struggled in the past finding a chip that I felt happy packing in his lunch a couple times a week. If you have been following the theme of my blog, you understand that I enjoy a simple ingredient list and there are numerous chip brands out there that just have too many questionable additives. Although I’ve tried several organic brands from health food stores, they just haven’t passed my husband’s taste test.

However, recently I discovered these Trader Joe’s Olive Oil Kettle Cooked Potato Chips! It was love at first taste. If you’re looking for a DELICIOUS brand of kettle cooked chips with a super simple ingredient list, I highly recommend checking out Trader Joe’s chip aisle. For just $1.99, you’ll have yourself a tasty, occasional snack, for just 140 calories per serving. I’m LOVIN’ it!

2. Our Bathroom!

After lots of requests, I decided to include another finished room in our new house. We were lucky enough to find a house with 2 updated bathrooms, so all we really had to do was add a few small touches. This is the upstairs bathroom. The downstairs bathroom is still unfinished, so those pictures are to come! Behind the camera there is also a full length mirror and a nice big closet for toiletries and such. I’m LOVIN’ it!

3. Pinterest!

source

I have recently fallen in LOVE with Pinterest. There are SO many ideas for home, fashion, food, and more! It’s quite a handy little website and dare I say, addicting? If you have yet to join the Pinterest bandwagon…what are you waiting for!? GET PINNING! I’m LOVIN’ it!

WATCH ME! If you happen to be in the Toledo area, catch me tomorrow morning at 8:30 am on news channel WTOL. I’ll be giving a few tips on how to cope with a picky toddler! My first television appearance! Wish me luck! Happy weekend!

*Revision: Due to weather, the segment has been cancelled. We are currently trying to re-schedule for another weekend.