Pretty and Pregnant

This beaut is my cousin. Blonde hair? Freckles? Thin even while pregnant? Hard to believe we are related except when it comes down to our dietary beliefs. While raiding her fridge well and to be honest her house in search for her secret to looking so good while pregnant I found that, that wasn’t even close to what impresses me the most about her. What colors me impressed is how calm and sane she is while having a bun in the oven and 3 little boys 5 and under running around.

These little guys have the cutest!

Ashton 5

Brisbane 4

Emmett Almost 2.. So already terrible yet adorable!

Ashton was a big help while the youngest pulls off his pants yelling poopy. He wasn’t poopy but being a little poop himself. It’s safe to say she has her hands full. When stress like this hits me I myself want to curl up in the fetal position with a pint of coconut milk ice cream but no she keeps going and her cravings seem to be a less calorie laden than mine.

Courtney’s Cravings!

While most are running for a candy bar and ice cream she’s running to a raw concoction of goodness that will feed not just her but the budding baby inside. It’s crucial to get proper nutrition while being pregnant and Courtney does that by drinking a “green” smoothie every morning on an empty stomach.

Green Smoothie For Pregnancy

Her Throw Together Concoction

Spinach 

Kale or Dandelion

Coconut water

Chia Seeds

Bananas

She says the bananas are super important it masks the “green” taste

I broke down her smoothie into the key nutrients you need while being pregnant!

ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR PREGNANCY

FOLIC ACID

Pumping up your intake of folic acid is good for healthy cell production. It is really important during the first month of pregnancy.

Leafy greens (especially spinach and collard greens), Strawberries, Beets

CALCIUM

Dairy is not a good source for optimal calcium absorption. Plant based calcium sources are better absorbed and assimilated into you and your babies body. Calcium helps create healthy bones and a healthy heart.

Leafy greens, Almonds/Almond milk, Flax Seeds

FIBER

The fiber is good for your baby, but even better for you! Fiber will keep you regular during pregnancy and will help lower your blood pressure.

Leafy greens, Raspberries, Cinnamon, Chia Seeds, Beets, Carrots, Oranges, Strawberries

IRON

Iron is one of the best ways to keep your blood healthy, and aids in boosting your immune system–Keeping your blood clean helps it do its job of cleansing out other organs.

Leafy greens are loaded with iron (especially spinach and swiss chard)

PROTEIN

Protein not only helps your body stay healthy but it also builds your baby’s body. That little tyke does a ton of growing during the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

Leafy greens (especially spinach, swiss chard, and mustard greens), Almonds/Almond milk, Nuts, Organic grass fed meat, New Zealand Whey protein powders

OMEGA 3S

Hey fat head! That statement is usually taken as rude but our head well our brains are made out of fatty acids. It’s super important for babies to develop healthy brains while in the womb. Salmon oil is packed with DHA and EPA which aid in cognitive health.

Chia seeds, Flax seeds, Walnuts, Salmon

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is necessary for tissue growth and repair, and both your bodies’ tissues are working overtime during your term.

Leafy greens (especially spinach and swiss chard), Coconut water

POTASSIUM

Potassium maintains electrolyte balance,  helps muscles to contract, and capitalizes on energy provided from fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Stimulant free energy? Uh even I as a barren women would like some stimulant free natural energy!

Leafy greens (especially spinach and swiss chard), Beets, Carrots, Banana, Avocado, Coconut water

VITAMIN B6

Many B vitamins are helpful during pregnancy, but vitamin B6 is one of our favorites! The two most important things it does for your baby are creating new red blood cells and antibodies, and aiding in healthy brain development.

Leafy greens (especially spinach and turnip greens), banana, avocado, pineapple, cantaloupe

Children Veggie Tray

When her boys say they are hungry she busts out the veggie tray. If she so much as puts the veggies next to other food they won’t touch them but when they are highlighted front and center her cute little nuggets will devour them. Below is a link to a veggie tray I found that has a lid and can be used for both in fridge storage and party hosting or this one pictured is from the dollar store.

http://www.kitchenemporium.com/Prodyne-Appetizers-On-Ice-Revolving-Tray-w-Lids-_p_1217.html

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected]

Xoxo,

Chanelle