Weeks 22 and 23: Baby Bump Alert!

The past couple of weeks have been quite hectic with the new puppy settling in and going from newborn to toddler in just two weeks. I’m chasing him around, getting him out of trouble, and constantly correcting him when he does something inappropriate, like climbing right out of his playpen. He’s a mess but we love him none the less and he’s definitely giving me some serious training for when the baby comes. Not only will I have managed to learn to once again multi-task while trying to watch an attention needing baby, but I’m also getting used to waking up in the middle of the night, spending all my free-time cleaning and doing chores, and most importantly, walking around and doing tasks as quietly as possible so I don’t wake up the sleeping pup. It’s actually quite hilarious HOW similar having a puppy is to having a very young child and HOW similar my responsibilities and actions are. To all pet ONLY owners whom for years I disregarded as being “parents”, I apologize. You ARE a parent. It’s hard work!

See his face!? Full of food!

Aside from puppy duty, I have been trying my best to take it easy in order to prevent the aching pelvic and back pains I encounter at the end of every day. Unfortunately, the  moment I get home I tend to get into this must-get-things-done-now mode and completely forget to take a break every 30 minutes or so until it’s too late and my body is screaming for rest. By 8:30pm everything from my waist down hurts; my tummy is contracting; my feet are swollen; and I’m straight up exhausted to the point I usually crash around 9:00pm. I’ve realized resting is a must, along with drinking more water. Haven’t been too good at that either… Oh the woes of a pregnant mother!

Other than that the pregnancy has been going well! Wohoo!

Ready for an update!?

DIET

Breakfast: For the past two weeks I have had a serious crush on yogurt parfaits. Fresh fruit, creamy plain coconut yogurt and nutty, crunchy nuts and seeds make the perfect hearty breakfast for the morning time. My favorite combinations include peaches and cream and strawberry banana. What I am a bit disappointed about though is the lack of protein in coconut yogurt. It contains a ton of fiber and some really good for you carbs (sans the sugar), but it lacks the protein you may find in regular greek yogurt. So now I’m on a search for high protein vegan yogurt that doesn’t contain soy. Any brands you know of?

I’m also starting to crave creamy, delicious green smoothies again so I’m sure I’ll be posting about those next week!

Lunch: I’m surprisingly doing very well on having one salad a day. This delicious recipe for Avocado Hummus by The Veggie Indian definitely helps! Mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, green onions and a huge dollop of hummus makes the perfect salad.  Yummy!

On my days home, I sometimes make a warm, cooked meal for lunch as opposed to a salad. My go to has been a spinach/greens and chickpea curry! Onions, garlic, spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, bell peppers, and LOTS of curry powder with a splash of milk makes me smile every single time. The warming spices are just perfect for this time year as fall is slowly settling in to place. Mmm mmm!

Dinner: Speaking of fall, for the first time in my life, I am soooooo happy it is here! About a month prior to fall hitting, I was craving for everything fall like: pumpkin spice, apples, winter squash, cooler weather, etc and now that it’s here, I honestly couldn’t be more happy! With fall produce slowly hitting the shelves of the farmer’s market, I have been getting my fill whenever I possibly can! Apples are a daily snack and dinner is either a sweet potato or winter squash. Hearty, filling and oh so yummy!!! I’m sure I’ll eventually be sick of fall produce but until then, eat on I say!

Snacks and Cravings: Still enjoying my weekly growler fill of local kombucha. It’s my go to every single morning! Apples are a snacking staple, especially when combined with some sort of nut butter, which I consume a jar of per week. Yes, you read that right; one jar per week. I also love snacking on trail mixes. My favorite is Living Intention’s Sprouted Mixed BerryTrail Mix which I buy by the bulk at WholeFoods. That stuff is nature’s candy and trust me, I consume it like candy! It’s addicting. Thank goodness it’s loaded with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

As for cravings, every time I smell popcorn I want popcorn. However, I have been trying my best to NOT cave in to that craving since corn is a common food allergy. It’s been hard! I also want all things chocolate - no surprise there - and fresh bread! The worse craving I have had is for cheese. Yes, cheese and NO, vegan cheese does not do…except when it’s on pizza. I’ll admit I take a nibble here and there of my daughter raw, local cheddar cheese but I haven’t caved in and eaten an entire bowl of mac n cheese or anything of that sort. Will power is key, but man is the struggle real!

EXERCISE

I can’t even…. The puppy gives me enough exercise. I do go on walks with my pup and chase him around continuously. I probably need to restart my yoga considering I’m in more pain now than I was before. I just need to find the motivation…

MY PREGNANCY

23 Weeks and 4 Days!

I had my very last 2 week appointment on Friday (*sniff*) and everything looked well. The baby’s head, while still measuring small in comparison to the rest of her body, is proving to be growing at a normal rate. It hasn’t caught up to her body but it hasn’t gotten smaller either so the concern of hindered growth is now behind us…at least for now. She’s gotten big that is for sure and so has momma!

22 Weeks: Thinking I may need to retire that dress soon.

If you recall from my very first post, I had lost a significant amount of weight, almost 15 pounds to be exact, due to severe nausea and vomiting. Eating was impossible and so my body suffered. After the 15^th week I began feeling better and started consuming whole foods and meals again. At first I didn’t gain any weight but I didn’t lose any either. Then slowly I gained my weight back. Last month I had gained 4 pounds and weighed in at 119. This past Friday I weighed in at a whopping 127! Yes, I am back at my pre-pregnancy weight, and trust me you can tell! My belly has gone from adorably small to this huge soccer ball sized belly that is always tight and uncomfortable to carry around. The weight gain definitely explains why I’ve been having so much back and pelvic pain. It also explains why I’ve had to start putting away some of my clothes for post-pregnancy use. Waaaaahhhh! BUT I’m still happy because I know I’m healthy and my body is just growing like it’s supposed to. Now, instead of looking questionably pregnant, I look officially pregnant! Wohoo!

23 Weeks!

As for symptoms, I haven’t dealt with much except for the evening pelvic, back, and leg pains and well, gas. I actually have really HORRIBLE gas. I know that may be too much information for some of you but seriously I haven’t dealt with chronic gas this funky since I was eating gluten and beans. I mean it’s bad and every day! I can’t escape it! No matter what I eat, I get it. Must be a pregnancy thing. I feel so bad though because it’s so unpleasant that my puppy runs away from me when he smells it. HAHA! Anyways, other than those two things, no other weird or funky symptoms, thank goodness. I’m actually feeling normal sans the giant belly I’m carrying around nowadays. Can’t complain.

GOALS

Seeing as I’m past the half-way point I feel like now is a better time than never to really start prepping for this baby and to prep my body for labor and delivery. In order for that to happen, Mrs. Procrastinator needs a goal list. So here we go.

1. Workout at least 5 days a week for at least 10 minutes – walking, yoga, etc
2. Drink more than 3 bottles of water
3. Begin drinking pregnancy tea
4. Research and start practicing hypnobirthing techniques
5. Start Registry

Let’s see how well I do this week before I add any more than 5.

Until then I'm  going to enjoy this beautiful FALL weather and honestly, so should you!

Beth

Weeks 20 and 21: Celebrating the Half Way Mark!

I’m so excited that I finally made it to the half way mark!! I’ve been anxiously waiting for this moment and it has finally arrived. I can now “relax” considering things are going well. The baby is doing well and so am I. We’ve made it this far and that deserves a celebration!

For most women, celebrating the half way mark means pedicures, massages or new wardrobes but for me, well, I did something a bit out of the ordinary. Okay, it was WAY out of the ordinary. Momma adopted herself a new puppy!

 

Yes, we added a new member to the family. Our Rex boy is a beautiful blend of purebred Golden Retriever and Black Lab Mix. He’s spunky and energetic with tons of love to give. We love him to death,.but boy has he been giving us some serious training! Right now, at only 7 weeks old, he needs to be taken out every two hours at night. Yes, my husband and I get up every two hours. He needs to be fed, pooped picked up, bathed, etc. Sound familiar!? Yes, Rex is our little baby. He’s a handful but hey, we figured, might as well get some training in before our baby girl comes right!?

 

What have you done or purchased to celebrate your half way mark!?

My Pregnancy: Weeks 20 and 21

My Diet

Breakfast – I’m still chowing down on chia/yogurt/fruit parfaits. An occasional apple and nut butter or smoothie or even a grapefruit gets thrown in from time to time but yogurt is hitting the spot right now. Creamy, sweet goodness. Mmmm!

Lunch – I’m still eating salads every day although I’m starting to get a bit sick of them. I haven’t been very creative with them, but even so, salads are becoming….eh. Time to start finding something new to enjoy! Any ideas?

Dinner – Dinner is still usually something cooked. I’m in love with winter squash or sweet potatoes right now slathered in vegan butter and sprinkled with salt. Some green onions is a fun addition every now and then.

Snacks  - Still drinking kombucha for a morning boost. I’m also craving and enjoying organic vegetable juice. There’s something about cold tomato juice that just hits the spot for me. Yumm! So does chocolate :P Oh and roasted seeds, especially pumpkin seeds, are another addiction of mine right now. Love crackin’ and chewin’ on them!

My diet right now is a bit bland and boring. I’ve been so busy taking care of the new pup and creating lunches for my daughter that my food has sort of been pushed to the back burner. No worries though. My focus is healthy foods…whether or not they hit the spot.

Exercise

Sooooo I was doing great with my daily prenatal yoga until the pup came. However, the exercise didn’t end there. No, actually I’m more active (and more exhausted!) than before! I’m constantly up and down two flights of stairs since the pup sleeps downstairs in the basement, and I’m always running around the house and outside keeping the pup active.  It’s an exhausting task but at least my heart stays pumping. I’m hoping to get back into prenatal yoga this week. Wish me luck!

My Pregnancy

The last two weeks have been pretty smooth sailing. The baby has been moving around A LOT and I feel every flutter, kick and punch. She’s an active one and I am quite okay with that. I love it actually!

On the unfortunate side, my clothes are beginning to get a bit snug or straight up not fitting at all. I’m down to one pair of capri style yoga pants and white capris for the summer. Some of my dresses are still working for me, but that won’t last long. Fall is definitely coming as the mornings have been getting quite chilly. Thank goodness for the long sleeve maternity shirts I found at all of these consignment shops I have been going to these past couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to attending a few more within the next few months. Whatever I can do to find cheap maternity clothes, I will do. Why spend hundreds on clothes I’ll only be wearing for a couple of months?

21 weeks with one of my consignment shop Ts. Sorry for the mess!

 

As for the baby, this past Friday, my husband and I attended my 20 week scan. This was my hubby’s first time going to an appointment and it was long, yet fun to watch. They viewed everything, from the uterine arteries to the baby’s bottom. We had to confirm just one more time that it was a girl. Hehe! As I mentioned, she was a serious mover. She moved around a lot during the appointment and made it a bit difficult to get every shot that the docs needed. We did happily get some good photos this go around which totally made my day. She’s grown so much!

 

 

The results of the test, so far, have been positive minus a few minor concerns. First, the baby was measuring 4 days behind schedule. Seeing as this was the first time they measured her via head circumference as opposed to crown-to-rump, it’s no surprise that her age is a bit off. However, because she’s measuring over 3 days behind, the doctors want to continue measuring her every 2 weeks to make sure she’s growing normally and to make sure that the bicornuate uterus isn’t hindering her growth. The other concern they have is with my heartbeat.

When measuring the pulses of the uterine arteries, the doctors discovered that my heartbeat is irregular. I recalled having this same issue when I was in the hospital getting ready to deliver my first daughter. While being poked, prodded and what not the doctors learned my heartbeat was irregular and ordered an EKG. From what I remember, it was nothing to be concerned about. A heart murmur or palpitation I think. I’m assuming the case is the same this go around as well. I never had any heart issues before being pregnant so I’m guessing this is just another pregnancy symptom. I mean my body is working overtime to pump blood. However, the doc recommends an EKG. Whether or not I will get one is another story.

Other than that, everything is going well with the baby and well, that’s all I really want!!

Have you or someone you know dealt with similar pregnancy complications, major or minor? If so, how did you or she deal with it? It can be quite stressful at times!

Beth

19 Weeks: Feeling Overwhelmed + Thoughts on Food Safety

I can’t believe that tomorrow I will have hit the halfway mark of my pregnancy! The first half was quite a journey full of new experiences, but I am looking forward to finishing the second leg of this amazing race. So far everything has been going really well and I pray it stays that way for the remainder of this pregnancy! However, one thing I never expected to feel was so overwhelmed with all the choices I have to make.

For some reason this go around I am more aware of the decisions I have to make about myself and my baby. From doctors, to vaccines, to baby equipment, to birth plans I couldn’t be more overwhelmed with the number of things that have to be done, phone calls that have to be made, decisions that have to be decided. I know I still have at least 16 weeks to go, but I feel the need to be prepared this go around. And what about baby stuff? There are so many consignment shops and used goods being sold right now. Do I buy now or wait? Not sure why I’m so anxious - maybe it’s the perfectionist in me currently in overdrive - but I am trying my best to just take it slow and enjoy my pregnancy. After all, I only have 20 weeks max left.

During your pregnancy were you as anxious as I am to be prepared or did you just go with the flow?

This Week’s Update:

Diet

Breakfast: This week I have been enjoying this awesome new breakfast parfait by Food Matters. It’s loaded with protein, carbs and healthy fats to keep anyone happy and satisfied throughout the morning. The bottom half is a combo of chia seeds, coconut, mixed nuts and seeds and oats soaked overnight in almond milk and flavored with maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. It is topped off with plain greek coconut yogurt, berries and some cacao nibs for a crunch and served with an extra drizzle of raw honey or maple syrup to give you a sweet, hearty, creamy breakfast that will you make you crave for more. Seriously, it’s that good.

High Protein, Superfood Breakfast Parfait

Serves One

 

 

• 2 Tbsp whole oats
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 Tbsp raw nuts and seeds
• ¾ cup almond milk
• Drizzle of maple syrup (about ½ Tbsp), plus more to top
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• 4 ounces of plain, greek coconut yogurt
• ¼ cup berries or preferred fruit
• Cacao nibs, bee pollen, hemp seeds, goji berries, etc to top (optional)

1. In a 16 ounce jar, combine the oats, chia seeds, coconut, nuts and almond milk. Stir well and soak overnight in the fridge.
2. The following morning, mix in the maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla.
3. Top the chia mix with yogurt, berries and preferred toppings.
4. Serve with an extra drizzle of maple syrup or raw honey, to taste.

Lunch/Dinner: Nothing special here. More salads, more olives, more tahini, more goodness! I’ve been enjoying some delicious grilled veggies at dinner time. Whatever is in season goes into my belly J

Snacks: Still drowning myself in local kombucha! This week’s flavor is strawberry mint!! Yummy! I do have to take it easy though. I feel energized and a bit “buzzy” after having a small glass (even though that’s from the Vitamin Bs NOT alcohol) and the probiotics, well, seem to be running through me. That whole constipation when you’re pregnant stuff…yeah, I never have that issue, especially when drinking kombucha.

Is it safe to drink kombucha while pregnant? Haha that is the number one question I have been asking for practically everything I consume. From cacao powder, to maca, to kombucha, to herbal teas, every product purchased or consumed has been through that question. Is it safe?

I have battled time and time again with this question and I have concluded that as long as I consume these foods in small amounts or in moderation, then they are safe to consume as long as my body accepts them. For example, I have realized I need to slow it down a bit on the kombucha. My portions have been cut from 8 ounces to 4 ounces in order for my body to adjust. If or when I feel I’m okay consuming more I will. The same goes for cacao, maca, cilantro, tea, etc. Now those foods that doctors and nutritionists say avoid, I avoid. I won’t take the risk if there is one. But I don’t see a huge risk in enjoying wholesome, raw foods. As long as I research, listen to my body and consume in moderation, my baby will be just fine.

Other snacks I’ve been munching on include trail mixes, celery and hummus or nut butter, apples, and nutritional bars from Go Raw, Vega, etc.  Nom nommy!

Exercise

Hahahaha!!!! I have been doing MORE than just sitting on my tush! I have been exercising! Not just walks or biking either, but yoga! Yep, free prenatal yoga thanks to YouTube. I’m currently only doing 10-12 minutes a day in order for my body to adjust. Having not worked out for several weeks now, my body needs to adjust to the stretching and strength training that comes with yoga. So far I have been loving it and so has my body. My body doesn’t feel as sore or as tight, and my back doesn’t hurt as bad. I definitely plan on continuing yoga throughout the rest of my pregnancy, increasing the time as I regain my strength and balance. I may throw in some pilates too J

My Pregnancy

19 Weeks Wearing Shirt I Bought At Consignment Shop

 

This week hasn’t been too eventful. I did have a regular appointment with my new OBGYN which was fun. I decided to switch from a large practice to a small practice located in my own county for several reasons. I have to say I am very proud of my decision to switch. Not only do I feel more important and cared for at this practice, but the doctors are awesome, and our local hospital has an amazing birthing center focused around mother-baby connection. They also seem to have a very natural approach to birthing, seeing as the birth and stay all takes place in one room. and they have a Jacuzzi tub you can relax in while laboring. I’m super excited to be birthing at this hospital and I pray my experience is as good as I’m expecting it to be.

At my appointment I finally learned I have gained some good weight; five (5lbs) pounds to be exact…in one month! Not a whole lot in terms of numbers, but my clothes beg to differ. A majority of my clothes are quite snug and some don’t even fit anymore L It’s a bit depressing, but every time I look in the mirror I realize I look pregnant and not just fat anymore!! Wohoo!! I’ll take that! In terms of clothes, maternity sweaters, yoga pants and dresses have all become my go-to for pregnancy wardrobe. Whatever makes me feel sexy J

Speaking of clothes, I did hit up a consignment shop this past weekend and I have to say I am quite obsessed. I have come to realize over the years that used clothes and items are aye okay. I used to be that shallow, germaphobic individual who would try her best to purchase everything new, but I have come to realize used is cheaper and just as good (as long as it doesn’t deal with the continuous contact with any kind of bodily fluids like breast pumps…those I still by new. Still a germaphobe).  I bought a few things for my 7-year old as well a few maternity clothes for me. Unfortunately I bought nothing for the baby. The moment I stepped in and looked around I became extremely overwhelmed. What do I buy? Do I really need it? Will this work in our planned nursery? Finally I called it quits and just searched for goodies for me and my daughter. I came to terms that now was not the time to buy baby stuff. I am just not ready yet.

As for symptoms, only back pain and TONS of baby movement! I feel her movements all day long and they are getting stronger as well as higher. As for the back pain, the pillow in between the knees has really been helping. I seem to be sleeping better too ever since I started it. Thank goodness!

This week I have to say has been busy but fabulous. I feel great, look great and I’m eating great! It’s about time! J

Beth

 

17 Weeks: Resources, Tools and Supplements for a Successful Plant Based Pregnancy

I can’t believe I’m 2 weeks away from the halfway mark! I feel like it wasn’t so long ago that I discovered I was not only pregnant, but 2 weeks behind my expected schedule. I thought to myself that day, this is going to be the longest pregnancy ever. While time has seemed to slow down a bit, realizing that I’m almost 18 weeks is sort of scary. Where did the last 10 weeks go? The realization has definitely set me in panic mode as I start thinking about all the decisions I have to make. As a chronic procrastinator, for the first time in my life, I’m actually well ahead of the game. I’ve already been reading, researching and writing down all the decisions I have to make. From cord blood banking to how I want my baby to be handled in the delivery room to the dreaded decision of pediatricians and such. I’m very thankful I started early because it’s taking some time to figure it all out. Of course, I couldn’t have gotten through without some useful resources. From books to sites, I’m going to share with you everything I have found helpful so far.

 

Books

When I first discovered I was pregnant, my desire was to follow a fully raw diet. Being new to the whole concept of eating healthy and plant based while pregnant, I wanted to find some helpful resources that could guide me through my pregnancy. I wanted to make sure I was getting all the nutrients I needed for me and baby.

The one book I have found most helpful so far is called “Well-Rounded:The Ultimate Guide to a Raw Food Pregnancy” by Joanna Stevens. I had purchased the book along with her other book, “The Milk Way: The Ultimate Guide to Breastfeeding on a Raw Food Diet”.  “Well-Rounded” has served me well so far. Not only does it contain valuable information about the nutrients necessary for a growing baby, but it also contains information on caring for your body and preparing for birth, along with helpful tips on how to make living with a newborn a bit easier for mom. I use her book very often as a reference as I continue to figure out what to eat and what decisions to make.

 

I do want to note, Joanna’s book is not just for the rawsies; it’s for vegans and vegetarians too! As you will learn, Joanna didn’t follow a 100% raw food diet. She also included some kefir as well as cooked foods when she so desired. I have learned in the past few weeks that it’s all about balance and listening to your body, pregnant or not.

If you’re new to a plant based diet and/or pregnancy all together, then some other helpful books include “The Everything Vegan PregnancyBook” and “Your Vegetarian Pregnancy”.  I have both and each one is loaded with information from A to Z about both veganism and pregnancy. They also contain some delicious, nutritious, easy to make recipes as well.

Last, my sister just lent me a book called “Pregnancy Sucks” by Joanne Kimes. I have yet to fully dive into it, but from reading a page or so I can already tell this book is a must read. Not only is it humorous but it sheds some light on the not-so-glamorous side of pregnancy. It’ll make mommas like me who have been head over the toilet bowl feel much better about not being alone in the miserable pregnant woman department.

Websites

Besides the oh-so-famous Babycenter website, here are a few others you may find helpful, especially when following a predominantly plant-based pregnancy.

Joanna Steven’s Blog: The author of the “Well-Rounded” book also has an extremely informative blog. I love reading her articles about pregnancy and parenting seeing as her ideals seems to match up well with mine. She also shares some great info on nutrition as well as recipes that are healthy and delicious.

Oh She Glows: Angela, author of the “Oh She Glows” blog is currently in her third trimester and has been blogging about her pregnancy along with the all the delicious foods she loves to make and eat while pregnant. I find her website helpful when it comes to making delicious, complete, vegan meals that will not only satisfy, but provide the nutrients my baby and I need. Her growing section, “baby” is also full of helpful resources as well!

The Detoxinista: Megan, author of  “The Detoxinista” blog, just had a beautiful baby a little less than a year ago and has been sharing with the world her pregnancy as well as her life as a new mother. Her site is also full of helpful resources, product reviews as well as good-for-you recipes to satisfy both the pregnant and nursing momma.  

BabyCenter App: Okay, this isn’t a site, but it’s the one and only app at this moment that I have been using to track my pregnancy. What I love about the BabyCenter App is that it gives you little tidbits of info as well as an activity to do daily. For example, today they shared a little baby joke and gave me the task of trying a relaxation technique to help me sleep better. I find the app fun and it keeps me on track.

Supplements

I know that supplements are not exactly a resource, but I feel they belong in this post considering it’s one of the first things you research and purchase, along with books and sites, when you first discover you’re pregnant.

I didn’t do too much research on which prenatal to purchase. I figured with a well-balanced, nutrient dense diet, my prenatal would serve as a supplement and nothing else. I was partially right. After reading Joanna’s book, I realized I needed to make sure my parental multi-vitamin contained all the necessary nutrients, in its correct form. Thankfully my prenatal is pretty good. I personally chose to take the Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal by Garden ofLife due to the fact that it’s raw, plant-based, and predominantly organic.

 

I also take an Omega-3 supplement, Algae Omega, by NordicNaturals. The Omega-3s are sourced from algae as opposed to fish making it 100% plant based as well. I do not take a Vitamin B-12 supplement at this moment. Since my multi-vitamin contains 100% B-12 already, I don’t want to overdo it. I know that our bodies do not absorb all of the nutrients from supplements and food, but as long as I’m not deficient, I’m good.  

I know there are several other brands of vegan/raw prenatals and omega supplements out there to choose from. It can get overwhelming to decide which one is best. Take your time to research before deciding. Just know that anything is always better than nothing.

Do you have any go-to resources for pregnancy and/or parenting?

This week:

My Diet

I’m still stuck on protein milkshakes for breakfast. They seem to hit the spot every time and they keep me well satisfied. I noticed that if I don’t have one in the morning time, I snack like the Cookie Monster at a cookie shop; it never ends.

My new obsession has been raw kale salads for lunch. I honestly can’t get enough of them. The weird thing is, I have been eating the same salad everyday for over a week! If you have been following us for a while you know I rarely eat the same thing twice; especially not in the same week! I don’t know what it is, but the earthiness of the kale combined with the tangy creaminess of the dressing and the briney saltiness of olives just makes every kale salad I have consumed the best freakin’ think I have ever tasted. It’s crazy I know.

My go to recipe has been the Weekend Glow Salad by Angela from “Oh She Glows”. The dressing is so good, I swear to you, you’ll lick the bowl clean.

 

As for dinner, I’m still whipping up extras of whatever cooked sides my family eats. This past week I got to indulge on crunchy black bean tacos with lettuce, tomatoes and fresh guac as well as a bowl cilantro-lime rice, fajita veggies and guac to top it off. Yeah, we’re Mexican food lovers.

Ooh and snacks! Oh man I’m a horrible product purchaser when it comes to snacks. My favorite find this week are the new, organic trail mixes by Peeled Snacks! I am currently in love with the Coco Nosh flavor: bananas, mango, coconut , peanut, cashews and dark chocolate! Even though the bag says 6 servings, it usually only lasts two! Soooo good! You must find and grab ASAP!

 

In other news, I have been venturing out a bit and enjoying some wild caught seafood. I’m not sure why I am so drawn to seafood, but it’s the one, non-vegan food that I have been really wanting most during this pregnancy. As a person who believes in listening to her body and not being a food perfectionist, I have decided to give into these desires. I have enjoyed crabs, fish as well as mussels on very rare occasions. I do not consume them daily, not even weekly. Just once in a while. I have found consuming seafood once in a while to not only satisfy the craving, but I usually feel very nourished. The healthy omegas combined with the multiple vitamins and minerals does not make me feel guilty at all about feeding my body or my baby this food.

My Exercise Routine

Yep, haven’t been doing well in this department, I have been walking more often, which is a plus, but I still need to get some stretching in. My body is aching all over!

My Pregnancy

17 weeks, shrunken belly

This week has been pretty uneventful in terms of symptoms. Nothing new at least. Sleeping has been less than restful as I continue to toss, turn, and wake up multiple times in the middle of the night. Only having two sleep position options is no fun; especially when you’re not used to them. I’m hoping the purchase of a whole body pillow does the trick.

I have been feeling the baby move more now that my uterus has moved up and out a bit. I seem to feel the movements most in the evening time when I’m lounging on the couch or at night when I’m lying in bed.  I think we may have a night owl on our hands. Either way, I love the new feeling. It not only confirms my baby is doing well, but there’s something about it that just makes me smile and feel so wonderful and blessed.

Next week I should know the sex of our baby! Wish us luck and pray, boy, boy, boy!

Beth