Tag Archives: pregnancy

Pickles and Ice Cream Cookbook

Cover

Pickles and Ice Cream is a cookbook featuring bizarre pregnancy cravings. It contains random recipes like “Oreos and Toothpaste” or “Tomato Soup with M&Ms.” The finished food creations were then  photographed like gourmet meals and feature short stories about the women who craved them. Hungry much?

TOOTHPASTE OREOS®

Now, I never had any crazy cravings during either of my two pregnancies, but I certainly know some women who have…. So I love that this book takes a look at some of the most bizarre and brings them to life. The book is beautifully done with vibrant photos and honest, funny reviews on the various “dishes.” And — no, I’m not pregnant, but there must be something in the water because, I’ve recently had more than a handful of finds announce their pregnancies! At any rate, it’s a fun cookbook that would be the perfect addition to a home that’s expecting…or can relate.

BACON MARS BAR® BURGER

Written by award-winning copywriter Vicky Jacob-Ebbinghaus and RPA art director Juarez Rodrigues, the strangely unique book contains a collection of 70 of the most outlandish things moms-to-be have craved during their pregnancy. During their research, they looked at around 50,000 pregnancy cravings from all over the world. They then created a list of the best, worst and most random pregnancy cravings and began shopping for the recipes, which proved challenging, such as when they needed to get cement from a condemned building or a pickled pig’s foot or lamb’s eyes. Press play below to check out some brave souls who dared to take a taste!!

ENTER TO WIN!! I’m giving away 2 copies of this bizarre pregnancy cravings cookbook!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shedding the Baby Weight

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A fellow blogger in my media bloggers group recently wrote a post offering her tips and tricks for how she lost the baby weight (without exercising), and it inspired me to share my story, and  how I have managed weight loss, body shape and (attempted) fitness after delivering 2 baby boys in 2 years.

I’ve never been a fitness fanatic or enthusiast, yes I’ve danced professionally – but the fitness part for me “was part of the job,” so I participated because it was mandatory. I am “lucky” that genetically, my build is thin and the only time I have truly struggled with weight is when I wanted to gain it.

When it comes to food, I am one of those people who could pretty much eat what I wanted and feast on desserts too…but of course that has slowed and changed with age. I had a pretty good run, but once the mid-30’s sneak up on ya, so do the cookies, cakes and carbs!

So all that being said, as I reflect back on my pregnancies and the weight gain…then striving to be at my pre-baby shape, several thoughts cross my mind. I often hear first time mother’s worry about how they will lose the weight after the baby and the the truth is, it just happens. If you don’t give the weight a reason to stick around, it won’t.

I stopped stepping the scale or paying attention to what it said when I hit 180 lbs. at 36 weeks. I’m someone who struggled to even hit 130, the rest of my adult life I have been at a solid 127, give or take a couple pounds. So yeah, picking up at least 50 extra pounds while I was with child just seemed AMAZING! And — it was the same for both of my pregnancies, it’s almost like I delivered the same baby twice…everything was so, so similar.

All in all, as much as weight loss can be about what you do after baby arrives, I believe it’s how you treat, care and maintain your body before the pregnancy that will make the difference and make it easier on you.

Get out and walk. My first word of advice for women who are concerned about the post-prego pounds is to walk. We can all walk, it’s easy. Make it part of your routine while you’re expecting, and if you already have an exercise regimen, stick to it and then modify or scale back as needed, but keep walking. Walking is a simple act of physical activity that will condition your body and satisfy your cardio needs. Go outside, hit a treadmill, whatever it is and get in a mile or 2. And — then post-baby continue to walk while pushing baby in the stroller, fresh air is a good thing, in the months after delivery!

Stay in shape. Another reason I think my body has (for the most part) returned to it’s original weight, is because it knew what to do. My days from dancing and the working out that went with that activity, have “programmed” my muscles and body to know what to do, if you will…I credit MUSCLE MEMORY! If you’re not “in shape” prior to the birth event, you can’t expect your body to know what to do after it.

Breastfeeding. I know so many women swear by that method (breastfeeding), to lose weight… and some have even had to stop because they were losing too much weight. I agree, all the calories burned will certainly help new Moms shed the pounds…but for me, I didn’t, I couldn’t breastfeed. Sure, I tried and I pumped. I even saw a lactation consultant (because I was so determined), and it never happened. In fact with my second son, the consultant boldly commented that my newborn was the worst she had ever seen! So for me, this wasn’t an option… It may help many Moms get rid of the weight, but I can’t attest to it.

Portion Control. There’s this “idea” that you’re eating for 2. Sure, I had my moments where I wanted to eat the house down before, during and after a pregnancy, but ladies, don’t use a pregnancy as a reason to overeat. Sure, it’s okay to give into cravings and treat yourself, but it’s important to still maintain healthy and nutritious food choices and avoid stuffing your face because you’re carrying a new life inside of you. That growing baby will surely let you know when they are lacking..and I’m pretty sure they don’t need to eat an entire cheesecake every week!

Relax. When I had my first baby, I was super determined to get back in the swing of things and hit the gym. A few months into it I just couldn’t shake the last 10 pounds…come to find out I was pregnant again! However, I also felt that my jump to get back in shape, also affected the way my c-section scar healed, like I probably should’ve taken it a little easier for a little while longer. Anyway, after my second son arrived, I didn’t stress. I adhered to the notion above and let my body do what it needed to do, and I was careful not to over exert myself, although looking back, chasing a new-toddler while toting a newborn was exercise enough!

Patience. I guess the last thought I wanted to share is that we need patience. Be patient with your body, it has just performed nothing short of a miracle. I may be back at my pre-pregnancy weight, but my shape is ALL NEW! I’ve done a few stints of juice diets, eating clean and have tried to ramp up my fitness routines…but at the end of the day I’m okay with me. Every woman is different and while I can stand on my soapbox and tell you what worked for me along with all the other Mommy Bloggers who have their own stories, the truth is there is no one right way to lose the weight. So I encourage you to be patient, don’t compare and give yourself some credit, because having a baby is no easy task.

It’s crazy for me to look back and realize it’s been almost 2 years since I was last pregnant, time really does fly. I still have weight and fitness goals and my tummy sure isn’t as toned as I want it to be, but it gives me something to work on. And — if you surround yourself with like-minded people to walk, workout and get fit with, it makes the journey (before and after) even more special.

Bundle Organics #PregnancyTruths Giveaway

Bundle Organics just reached their “40 weeks” since conception and wanted to share with you their list of what really happens during pregnancy. Enter here to win a 12-pack of Bundle Organics juices and a $250 Diapers.com gift certificate – a little something to help you get through your 40 weeks! And, share your #PregnancyTruths with us on Facebook, Instagram, or TwitterGiveaway Dates: Tuesday 11/11/14 – Friday 11/21/14.

PregnancyTruths_Bundle


 

Pregnancy Gingivitis

gingivitis

When I became pregnant with my first born, my gums freaked out! I went to the dentist for a routine checkup and cleaning, and from the look on my hygienist’s face, I knew something was going on, inside my mouth. 🙁 After the cleaning, she, along with my dentist explained to me that along with all the other symptoms associated with pregnancy, oral health can be affected too…and in my case, I had developed pregnancy gingivitis, and it could very well turn into permanent gum disease! All I knew is that THAT sounded horrible. I had developed deep pockets in my gums that were causing them to bleed, you know the part of your dental visit when they are measuring the spaces between your teeth and gums… My gums were inflamed and they were concerned I could develop periodontal disease! WOW! My hormones were clearly having an affect on my teeth and gums and it was NO BUENO!!!

Expectant mothers (and women who take some oral contraceptives) experience-elevated levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This causes the gums to react differently to the bacteria found in plaque, and in many cases can cause a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis.”

The normal course of action when a person is having these types of gum issues is to get a “deep cleaning,” but because I was pregnant, it wasn’t an option. So, they sent me home with all these natural hygiene products…toothpaste, mouth rinse, etc… Believe me when I tell you I get so paranoid about my teeth, especially after having braces (twice), oral surgery, retainers, lots of fillings as a kid…eek! I used all the products they gave me, religiously and began to floss like there was no tomorrow. I also went in every 3 months (instead of the standard 6), to get my teeth cleaned. We then decided I would come back after the hormones subsided a little to re-assess the gum “issues.”

Well, lucky for me, everything in my mouth returned to normal post-pregnancy. The frequent visits to my hygienist and my “anal” oral care routine at home made the difference! And — I never want to be a possible candidate for gum disease ever again, so those “anal” habits have stuck with me, and that’s a good thing! 😉 So, if you are pregnant, a visit to the dentist should be on your “to-do” list. We only get one set of teeth, so be SURE to take care of them..pregnant or not! On a side note, if you use bleaching trays, my hygienist told me that can actually help kill the bacteria that causes plaque! YAY!

Here are good FACTS to know about “Pregnancy Gingivitis”

  • 65-70% of pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis
  • Research suggest a link between pre-term, low birth weight babies and gingivitis
  • It is most common between the second to eighth months of pregnancy
  • If you already have gingivitis it will likely become worse during pregnancy, especially without treatment
  • Symptoms include swollen, red gums and bleeding of the gum when you brush

Up Close and Personal – Miscarriage

Repost from CBS Sacramento, Credit: Audrey Asistio

Credit: Audrey Asistio

“About a quarter of pregnant women will miscarry,” my doctor said to me, back in May 2013. I just learned my pregnancy was “abnormal” and my baby wasn’t going to make it. I was two months along. As you could imagine, I was devastated.

Let me take you back. Several years ago, my husband Mark and I tried to get pregnant for more than a year but didn’t have any luck. It was a difficult time for me.August 2012, I decided to take a break from “trying” just to get my emotions back in order. It was convenient timing because I was also getting ready to make another career move. Mark respected my decision. I got back on birth control, landed my dream job at KOVR January 2013 and stopped thinking about getting pregnant for a while.

One early morning in May 2013, I started feeling sharp abdominal pain while anchoring the CBS13 This Morning show. I left during the middle of the newscast and rushed to an urgent care center. Several tests were conducted. About 20 minutes later, the doctor came back into the room. The words that came out of his mouth shocked me, “You’re pregnant.”

What? That’s impossible! Mark and I were already told by another doctor we were likely going to need “extra help” when we begin trying again. Then, fear quickly took over. The doctor told me to go to the emergency room immediately. Several more tests were conducted including an ultrasound. The nurse couldn’t find a heartbeat. I went to my OB/GYN for more tests. The next day, my doctor confirmed I had a miscarriage.

The pregnancy was unexpected, but I was miserable. So many questions were running through my mind. Was there something I could have done differently to save my unborn baby? What’s wrong with me? Is my body not capable of carrying a pregnancy? I cried myself to sleep for weeks.

My doctor told me it was going to take my body 3 months to heal and get back to normal. August 2013, my doctor gave Mark and me the okay to start trying again, if we’d like. One month later, I found out I was pregnant and now, I’m 6 months along! I couldn’t be happier.

If you’re trying to get pregnant but aren’t having any luck, please don’t be discouraged. Two of my good friends tried for 8 years before conceiving. Their baby boy is due in just weeks!

For information on abnormal pregnancies and miscarriage www.webmd.com and www.babycenter.com are just a couple of many good websites to visit. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Xoxo, Audrey

Pregnant with Edema: Compression Socks to the Rescue

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One of my unexpected battles during my first pregnancy was extreme swelling in my feet and ankles..and now that I think about it, my legs in general got a lot bigger, especially my calves (which have always been far from skinny)! The swelling condition is also referred to as edema and I had it BAD. I was probably carrying an extra 20 pounds in water weight around my feet and ankles… And — not that I really wanted to share a photo of my feet and ankles, toes too…but the above photo is just that, the day I checked into the hospital to give birth. My ankles and calves all sort of started to blend into one and I seriously was thinking I had more than “cankles,” more like elephantiasis! All jokes aside, I didn’t feel too cute and it was very uncomfortable. Thankfully I didn’t experience anywhere near this amount of swelling in my second pregnancy, but my shoe size did increase in both pregnancies.

Okay, so the point of this post…what saved me were compression stockings! The support hose or socks, whatever you want to call them were nothing short of amazing. You may associate them with little old ladies, but the truth of the matter is athletes use them, as well as lots of professionals who are on their feet all day. My baby sister who is an RN gave me a pair of hers after observing how puffy my lower extremities were and as soon as I started wearing them I noticed a real difference. The swelling started to go down tremendously, my circulation improved and I could again make out the bones in my feet – my “regular” feet are quite skinny and boney!

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So, if you are pregnant and experiencing issues with swelling and circulation, I recommend getting some of these ASAP! They have a variety of styles and compression levels available, I used a knee-high version with the open toe. These are also great if you’re not pregnant, but spend a lot of time on your feet, as they help with circulation and can possibly help fight the appearance of varicose veins!