Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

Freezer Friendly: Meal Planning Ahead of Delivery

Freezer Friendly Meals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Petit Organics founder Michelle Marinis shows us that with a little planning, meal time can be a breeze…even with a newborn.

You’ll hear close to a million pieces of advice throughout your pregnancy — you’ve probably heard more than enough already. One of the best bits of advice I received was to meal plan in advance of your delivery. When your little bundle of joy arrives, chaos will quickly follow. Your schedule no longer belongs to you, but rather revolves around a teeny tiny hungry, sleepy, poopy munchkin. Leisurely preparing your meals whenever you feel like it will be a thing of the past.

Freezing is a great make-ahead strategy and some recipes freeze better than others. Try to prepare your freezer-friendly meals at least two weeks in advance of your due date in case you have an early arrival. I recommend you double or triple the recipes and separate them out so you’ll instantly have three meals covered. One less thing on your “to do” list when you are sleep deprived can be incredibly helpful. Be sure to label and date each before you put them in the freezer.

Read on for my top three recipes for freezing. All recipes below will safely keep in your freezer for up to three months. Enjoy!

VEGETABLE CHILI

Ingredients:
· 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
· 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
· 1 orange bell pepper, seeded and diced
· 1 medium red onion, diced
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
· 2 cups kidney beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 2 cups black beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 2 cups pinto beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
· 1 large (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon cumin
· 1 teaspoon coriander
· 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
· 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional if you prefer less spice)
· ½ teaspoon sea salt
· Black pepper and paprika to taste

Preparation: In a large pot over low to medium heat, add the first five ingredients and sauté for 4 minutes. Next, add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove pot from heat and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to release more heat. Once the soup is room temperature, it is ready to be packaged for the freezer. You can use freezer-safe Ziploc bags that take up less freezer space when frozen flat. I personally prefer sturdy food storage containers with tight-fitting lids to minimize the chance for leaks and prevent the transfer of smell to other foods in your freezer. Label with the date and contents, and place in your freezer.

To reheat: The night before you plan to serve the soup, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. Thirty minutes prior to serving, place in a large pot over low to medium heat. Heat through stirring occasionally until the desired temperature is reached.

SWEET POTATO, BLACK BEAN & KALE ENCHILADAS

Ingredients:
· 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
· 1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
· 1 clove garlic, minced
· 1 medium sweet onion, diced
· 3 kale leaves, stems removed and chopped in 1” sections
· 1 tablespoon water
· 1 large sweet potato, baked and mashed or pureed
· 2 cups black beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 1 teaspoon cumin
· ½ teaspoon sea salt
· 3 grinds freshly cracked black pepper
· 10 non-GMO corn tortillas

Preparation:
In a skillet over low to medium heat, add the extra-virgin olive oil and poblano pepper. Sauté 5 minutes then add the garlic and onion. Sauté 5 more minutes. Remove from skillet and place in a large mixing bowl. Next, add the water to the same skillet over low to medium heat. When the water begins to sizzle, add the kale and sauté until just wilted (approximately 1-2 minutes). Strain off the water and add only the kale to the mixing bowl. Add the sweet potato, black beans, cumin, salt and pepper to the mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine. One at a time, place the black bean, sweet potato and kale filling into a corn tortilla. Wrap and place in a freezer and oven-safe baking dish. Repeat until the dish is filled. Cover the enchiladas with moisture and vapor-proof material such as freezer paper, heavy foil, plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Fix tape around the edges to make a tight seal. Label and date the contents and place in freezer.

To reheat: Place uncovered in a 400 degrees F until heated through (approximately 1- 1 ½ hours).

PASTA WITH HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE

Ingredients:
· 10-14 Roma tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
· 1 small onion, diced
· 2 cloves garlic, minced over low to medium heat. Heat through stirring occasionally until the desired temperature is reached.

· ½ teaspoon dried oregano

· Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Preparation: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top of the pan. Slice each Roma tomato lengthwise and place cut side up on the rack. Roast the tomatoes in the oven for at least 2 but no more than 3 hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool. In a large pot over low to medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic in the olive oil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat to low and add the tomatoes, oregano, sea salt and pepper. Using an immersion blender, blend through until you reach your desired sauce consistency.

You can stop here by simply freezing the marinara sauce and cook the pasta just before mealtime or you can prepare your pasta of choice (I love buckwheat for the added protein) and add it into the sauce prior to freezing. If you are freezing the pasta with the sauce, only cook it to al dente. As the pasta is reheated, it will cook just a bit more and you don’t want overcooked, mushy pasta.

To reheat: The night before you plan to serve the pasta, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. 30 minutes prior to serving, place in a large pot.

Bon appétit to you and your bébés!

This article is by Michelle Marinis courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Raised in Texas with a down home Southern upbringing, Michelle Muller-Marinis grew up with a passion for food and cooking. After moving to NYC and beginning a family of her own, Michelle realized the importance of fresh, healthy baby food – she discovered her little ones were always happiest with a spoonful of homemade food in their mouths! She is the founder of Petit Organics and an NYC mom of three boys, Pearce, Rylan and Brandt. You can find Michelle on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Petit Organics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Nine Naturals + Preg Prep Make That Baby Series: Get Time On Your Side To Get Pregnant Faster

PregPrep Ovulation Chart

Article & Photo is courtesy of PregPrep.

Before even becoming pregnant, many women start taking steps to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. That is why Nine Naturals is excited to partner with PregPrep in the Make That Baby Series to help bring you helpful tips and information for preparing for pregnancy.

If you are ready to conceive and you want it to happen sooner rather than later the magic word is: TIMING.

If you don’t time your baby making to happen during the short window of opportunity each month, conception is impossible. That fertile window occurs on the five days leading up to and including the day of ovulation. The reason this window is wider than just the day of ovulation (when the egg is released from the ovary) is that unlike the egg, which only lives for 24 hours, the sperm can live for several days in the reproductive tract. But if you miss that period of time then you’ve missed your golden opportunity – until the next month, that is.

Some people handle the issue of timing by having sex every other day throughout their entire cycle when they are trying to conceive. But this can be exhausting and arduous for some couples. Those who opt to hone in on their fertile days and time sex to occur when they have the best odds may have a better shot. Here are a few ways women use to determine their ovulation date and fertile window.

Calculate the Date:

One of the easiest methods for pinpointing ovulation can be done with some simple math. First figure out the length of your cycle. For most women this is between 28-30 days. But some women have shorter or longer cycles. Once you have the length down, subtract 14 to determine your ovulation day. For example if your cycle is 29 days long, your ovulation day would be on day 15. (29-14) Count backwards an additional 5 days to determine the first day of your fertile window. (Days 10-15) Have sex at least once daily during this period for the best odds of conception.

Do a Temp Check:

It’s not for everyone, but some women have great success with charting their basal body temperature to determine when they ovulate. BBT method is based on the science of the body temperature increase that has been proven to occur right before the release of the egg. (Basal body temperature rises about half a degree.) It’s not the best method for timing sexual intercourse immediately, as it leaves little time left to conceive after you have figured out ovulation is occurring. But it does help pinpoint the date of ovulation in women with a regular cycle if you chart it for a few months, and can be used for future baby making scheduling. It does require the use of a special thermometer that is inexpensive and available in most drugstores.

Check In With Your CM

Cervical mucus may sound a bit unappealing, but changes in this important bodily fluid can help a woman determine ovulation, as well as enhance the success of conception. Some call it the “egg white” test, but when you notice your cervical discharge becoming stretchy and more abundant (like raw egg white), that’s a sign that ovulation is near.

Predict With A Kit

Most women have regular cycles, but some women don’t. For those with a more unusual rhythm, an over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit can be a great help. The kits can be found in family planning section of drugstores. Most of them use your morning urine to detect a surge in the lutenizing hormone that occurs just before ovulation. Less commonly found kits use saliva or sweat to pinpoint the date.

Whatever method you use, be sure to take the time to get your timing right, and you’ll be well on your way to increasing your odds for conception success.

As you prepare yourself for pregnancy, Nine Naturals knows that you are thinking about everything that you put in and on your body. Nine Naturals is excited to offer the Nine Naturals + PregPrep Bundles, featuring Nine Naturals products of your choosing with the PregPrep Make that Baby Kit! Detoxify your beauty routine with luxurious all natural & sulfate-free products and get key nutritional support to bolster fertility and promote ideal reproductive health with physician-formulated natural supplements in the PregPrep Make That Baby Kit.

Cravings Made Healthy: Mac & Cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Janie’s Kitchen tweaks a few ingredients to create a creamy, gooey mac-and-cheese without a Lipitor chaser.

I am the mac-and-cheese fanatic. If it’s on the menu, I always order it. If it’s not and I think its an omission, I’ll request it. I might not always finish it, but will always indulge my inner child when a fix is available. Most of us crave mac-and-cheese but don’t eat as much as we’d like due to the high fat content. The béchamel sauce, which serves as the base for real macaroni and cheese, is one of the three mother sauces of French cuisine. Also referred to as a roux, it is comprised of butter and flour, which is then cooked in whole milk (note: we haven’t even talked about the cheese yet!). We all know that butter is high in fat, and not ideal for you in large concentrations to begin with, and flour (except the whole wheat kind) is likewise not nutritionally ideal. Adding this combination an already decadent treat is pushing it, especially if you’re pregnant. So how do we make healthy macaroni and cheese and still have it taste naughty and delicious?

My solution was substituting a secret ingredient that will change your views on mac-and-cheese forever: cottage cheese. Yes, you read it correctly – cottage cheese. Low-fat cottage cheese is your saving grace, especially when pregnant. Women need to consume 75 to 100 grams of protein per day when pregnant to properly care for growing mama and baby. One serving of low fat cottage cheese has 25 grams of protein, and nearly half of the four servings of calcium recommended daily.

Seriously, one 16-oz container of low fat cottage cheese puréed in a Cuisinart until creamy will provide a delicious béchamel substitute. The mac-and-cheese recipe below is my go-to anytime I have a craving. When complete, it serves four people the way mac was meant to be enjoyed — in big spoonfuls — or seven people on a diet. One serving of my mac-and-cheese has 42 of the 75-100g of protein and 100 percent of the 1200mg of the daily calcium recommended for expecting mothers. If you use whole wheat pasta, this recipe will also provide almost 100 percent of the whole grains needed daily. Talk about a gold medal winning mac-and-cheese!

Recipe courtesy of Janie’s Kitchen.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (16oz.) Container of Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
  • 1 Cup of Grated Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 Cup of Grated Reggiano Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of Black Pepper
  • 1 Package of Whole Wheat Pasta
  • 1 Tablespoon of Salt (for the pasta water)

Directions:
1. Place cottage cheese in a blender or mixer and pulse until the curds turn creamy.
2. Grate the cheeses and in batches add to the cottage cheese mixture.
3. Add apple cider vinegar and black pepper.
4. Meanwhile bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling add salt and follow the pasta instructions on the package.
5. Before draining the pasta save 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
6. Drain pasta and place back in the large pot.
7. Add ½ cup of the pasta water back into the pasta and 1 large scoop of the cheese mixture and stir. Add another scoop of the cheese mixture and more pasta water if needed. The starchy water allows the pasta and cheese to melt together to create creaminess without butter or milk.
8. Stir in the last cheese mixture and place pasta in a serving bowl.
9. Optional: Add breadcrumbs on top of pasta and place in the oven on broil until the crumbs turn golden brown.
10. Serve warm.

This article is by Janie Box courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Nine Naturals + Preg Prep Make That Baby Series: Cervical Mucus Can Help Conception

PregPrep Chart

Article & Photo is courtesy of PregPrep.

Before even becoming pregnant, many women start taking steps to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. That is why Nine Naturals is excited to partner with PregPrep in the Make That Baby Series to help bring you helpful tips and information for preparing for pregnancy.

Cervical mucus: it’s a sticky subject. Some women might find the idea of analyzing their bodily secretions unappealing. But when it comes to achieving pregnancy, understanding the slippery substance all women confront — in different forms — throughout their cycle can make all the difference. Cervical Mucus, or CM, was once thought of only as nature’s lubrication for intercourse. Now, we know it’s responsible for several important jobs that help facilitate conception.

Cervical mucus changes consistency to provide different assistance at different times. Depending on the stage in a woman’s cycle, the mucus can both serve as a barrier or a transporting medium for the sperm. It can protect sperm on its journey and help keep it alive prior to ovulation for up to 5 days. This constantly changing mucus, which is secreted from the cervix, is made up of 90% water. The percentage of water content fluctuates throughout the month to support the role it needs to play at various times.

Because the texture and volume of cervical mucus changes throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle, CM is often used as a good physical barometer of increased fertility and impending ovulation. Here is a brief overview of the CM changes that can help a woman determine where she is in her cycle and when she is most fertile.

Stage 1: Immediately following the bleeding experienced in menstruation, discharge is sticky and scant. This type of CM is neither abundant enough nor thin enough to allow conception. Most women cannot become pregnant during this stage of their cycle. It is also interesting to note that the vaginal environment, without the protective layer of cervical mucus, is actually hostile to sperm because of its high level of acidity.

Stage 2: Several days after menstruation, some women will notice the presence of a creamy mucus that has the consistency and look of lotion. This type of cervical mucus is actually quite useful to sperm as it protects the sperm that arrive before ovulation. Sperm can live up to five days in this warm, protective environment. This kind of mucus can be a sign that ovulation is less than 5 days away.

Stage 3: In the one or two days prior to ovulation, and throughout ovulation itself, cervical mucus thins itself further and become more slippery. During this stage, the CM will have the clear appearance and texture of raw egg white. This “egg white quality mucus” is considered to be the most ideal “fertile” substance for promoting conception. This type of cervical mucus allows the sperm to move easily to the egg and protects it on its journey. A recent study looked at the architecture of cervical mucus under a high powered microscope and showed perfectly sized openings built to allow sperm that is of a healthier “shape”, and block or impede sperm that is less ideal.

The role of cervical mucus in reproduction is still being studied, and new discoveries about its incredible conception enhancing properties continue to be revealed.

Sometimes cervical mucus may not be in an optimal state leading up to conception. This possible impediment to pregnancy can affect any woman and can be hard to pinpoint. The Make That Baby kit by PregPrep offers a proactive solution to this issue. It contains a bolstered mucolytic designed just for conception. FertilPrep is doctor-formulated and natural. It works to thin viscous cervical mucus and helps promote ideal CM to facilitate transport of sperm to egg.

As you prepare yourself for pregnancy, Nine Naturals knows that you are thinking about everything that you put in and on your body. Nine Naturals is excited to offer the Nine Naturals + PregPrep Bundles, featuring Nine Naturals products of your choosing with the PregPrep Make that Baby Kit! Detoxify your beauty routine with luxurious all natural & sulfate-free products and get key nutritional support to bolster fertility and promote ideal reproductive health with physician-formulated natural supplements in the PregPrep Make That Baby Kit.

Kickstart Conception with New Products from Nine Naturals!

Nine Naturals + PregPrep

Preparing For Pregnancy

As you prepare yourself for pregnancy, you are thinking about everything that you put in and on your body. In fact, 1 of every 4 women who use Nine Naturals is not yet pregnant but preparing for her pregnancy.

Nine Naturals wants to be with you from the beginning, as you prepare your body for fertility and pregnancy.

We want to help you feel beautiful and pampered with the best natural products that are safe for your body and the baby to come.Nine Naturals is thrilled to launch our partnership with PregPrep, a doctor and mom-led company that helps women promote ideal conditions for achieving conception. Their Make-that-Baby Kit offers physician-formulated natural supplements that provide key nutritional support to bolster fertility and promote ideal reproductive health.

Nine Naturals + PregPrep are offering 3 exclusive packages to prepare for pregnancy through body and beauty:

Hospital Bound. Pack some style into your delivery.

Hospital Bags

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Pajamas? Check. Toothbrush? Check! Baby outfit? Check! You have all of your essentials ready for the big day when you race off to the hospital, but there’s no reason to forget about style on this trip. Why not get that weekender bag you’ve had your eye on? You’ll definitely use it again. Here are the ones we’re eyeing at the moment…

  • Painter Tote from Clare Vivier: A trip to the hospital does not mean you must let go of your effortlessly chic ways. This Painter Tote from Clare Vivier combines a French sensibility with no-fuss practicality, and is ethically made in Los Angeles. $278.00
  • Rail and Wharf duffel from J.Crew: Everything is about to go into cute-overload with your new arrival. Keep it classic with this nautical duffel from J.Crew. $118.00
  • Happy Daze Bobby tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs: This is such a joyful time in your life, and there are smiles everywhere. With the Happy Daze Bobby tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs, even your hospital bag is giddy for you. $178.00
  • Deena & Ozzy Acid Stonewash Weekender Bag: This relaxed stonewashed denim weekender bag from Deena & Ozzy is super-spacious with plenty of pockets for easy access. $39.00
  • O’Neill Saturday Bag: Already thinking about toting baby from the borough to the beach? The Saturday Bag from O’Neill will hold all of your new one’s essentials with room for yours as well. $59.50

This article is by Jenni Lee courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Battle of the Bumps: Expectant Mom Groups

Expectant Mom Groups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Find out when an online community is all you need and whether it pays to show up in person.

Regardless of how you get it, support is essential when expecting a baby (especially your first). Lucky for us, it is readily available not only online, but often right in your own neighborhood — especially when you live in NYC. The battle royale? The support group, a meetup of a group of women sharing the same experiences, led by one or more experts in the given field. The worthy contender? The online mom community, such as Facebook groups, sites like BabyCenter or Circle of Moms, and invitation-only listservs.

GUIDANCE

Online Mom Community: You’re relying on the knowledge of other moms, not experts. You will hear valuable feedback on everything from heartburn to breast pumps, but it is based on experience and opinion, not fact.
Support Group: A support group leader is most often a mother, but always a trained professional, either a RN, teacher, lactation consultant or social worker. The instruction is backed by knowledge of various fields. Leaders are often educators and can provide evidence-based resources for expectant moms.
Winner: Support Group. If I don’t know what to do when I can’t feel my baby kicking, I want to ask a pro, not mommytobe23.

CONNECTION
Online Mom Community: You are hearing from pregnant women with similar experiences and asking those same women for help, but one element is lacking: face time. The exchanges are through your computer. Faces are replaced by a photo, and words with text. Most often you are conversing with women that you don’t know by name.
Support Group: Your support group meets weekly: same time, same place, same expectant moms. You are sharing your highs and lows, learning what to expect, and venting together. Many women who meet in support groups often remain friends and stay in touch long after their babies arrive. They experience pregnancy together and become moms together with children of similar ages.
Winner: Support Group. A good playdate pal is hard to find.

PRICE
Online Mom Community: Free. Unlimited. Did I mention free?
Support Group: Many groups require paying the leader, paying for space and resources. They can range from $15 to $30 per meeting and often you must commit to the entire session.
Winner: Online Mom Community. Free always wins, doesn’t it? It is nice to not have to pay for support, but if you find the right group, it is usually worth the investment.

ACCESSIBILITY
Online Mom Community: Social media is available 24/7, which certainly caters to our impulsivity and impatience when wanting answers.
Support Group: Groups are usually offered only once per week, which in the land of pregnant women means a dozen new questions and concerns. Some group leaders, however, offer email access in between sessions to provide additional support for the more anxious.
Winner: Draw. You can’t argue with the fast food drive-thru support offered online, but it is good to know that some support groups extend their help well beyond the actual meetups.

KNOWLEDGE
Online Mom Community: With online groups and listservs, you are gaining knowledge, but that information only pertains to the actual queries posted. For example, you can gain insight into “How many ounces does your three-month old drink?” according to a) who responds and b) how quickly they respond. The community board does not run the gamut of all things pregnancy-related. Knowledge is based on your audience.
Support Group: Groups are more comprehensive. The facilitator has a lesson plan of sorts, ranging from labor to breastfeeding to newborn care. You walk away with an immense amount of knowledge on which you can rely and use towards being a confident parent.
Winner: Support Group. It arms you with comprehensive understanding versus immediate answers.

When it comes down to it, as women we support each other, and different moms have different needs. Support is something you can never have enough of and having people to share your experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly is invaluable.

This article is by Laura Deneroff courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Essential Prenatal Nutrients & Vitamins During Pregnancy

Bundle Organics Prenatal VitaminsA healthy diet and good nutrition during pregnancy ensures that your baby gets the best start possible. After all, your intake is your baby’s main source of nutrition! Most women take a prenatal vitamin or mineral supplement during their pregnancy to make sure they are getting the right amount of crucial nutrients they need. This is particularly important for women with nausea who are vomiting during the first few months of pregnancy, or those certain dietary constraints, such as vegetarians, vegans, and those who are lactose-intolerant.

In addition to providing for your own health during pregnancy, you also need to take in extra amounts of minerals and vitamins that are required to grow a healthy baby. Here is why these nutrients are so important:

Folic Acid: Folic acid is a vitamin B-complex group and is important for baby’s cell division and blood formation. It has been shown to prevent spina bifida (also known as neural tube defects) and related birth defects that occur during early pregnancy. It is often recommended that women start taking 400 mg of folic acid at least two to three months before conception and 600 mg of folic acid throughout their pregnancy. There can be a considerable loss of vitamins due to oxidation when food has been stored for more than a few days, making it difficult to obtain a large amount of folic acid through food sources alone. Therefore, women should look into taking a folic acid supplement or drinking product like Bundle Organics to complement their nutrition.

Calcium: Calcium is necessary for the developing baby’s bones and teeth, and teeth, and is most needed in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy when bone formation occurs. A daily total of 1,200 mg re probably getting at least 150 to 200 mg of calcium, whereas, 8 oz. of skim milk provides about 300 mg of calcium. Therefore, many women end up having to take a separate calcium supplement or look to get calcium from other sources, such as broccoli and dark, leafy greens.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D works with calcium to help develop the baby’s bones and teeth and is essential for calcium to be absorbed into the body. It also plays a role in mineralizing the baby’s skeletal system. Exposure to sunlight activates vitamin D, but if you are pregnant during the winter months, this exposure is often limited and you may be advised to take a vitamin supplement or to increase your dietary intake. Women who are pregnant need 600 IUs of Vitamin D a day.

Iron: Iron is necessary for making hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the other cells. Many women are iron deficient, before, during and after they have children. Since blood is lost during childbirth and every month during menstruation, many women have reduced iron stores throughout their childbearing years. During your pregnancy, you need 27 mg of iron, which is double the amount of iron that a non-pregnant woman needs. This extra iron helps your body make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby. Some iron rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, and dried beans and peas.

Essential Fatty Acids: Prenatal vitamins don’t usually contain essential fatty acids, such as Omega- 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which help develop the baby’s brain, nerve, and eye tissues. Fish is a good source of DHA and EPA, but you have to be careful about not eating too much fish that are high in mercury during your pregnancy.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and well-balanced diet is so important for expecting moms and their growing babies. That is why we created Bundle Organics, a line of prenatal juices made with USDA organic fruits and veggies and fortified with OBGYN-recommended nutrients that complement your daily prenatal vitamins. Our juices include just the right amount of nutrients that pregnant women are already getting from a prenatal vitamin, like folic acid, while also providing those that might be more difficult to obtain, such as calcium, iron, and vitamin D. For moms who are looking for ways to supplement their nutritional intake during pregnancy, we hope you’ll give Bundle Organics a try. All the nutrients we have in our juices are good for pre-conception and breastfeeding too!

 

KwanyLui Guest contributor: Kwany Lui is the co-founder of Bundle Organics, a new line of organic prenatal juices that are pasteurized and specially designed to address the unique nutritional needs of expecting and new moms. The juices are made with organic fruits and veggies, plus an extra bump of essential vitamins like iron, calcium, vitamin D, omega 3, and folic acid to support a baby’s healthy development. Bundle Organics is available at www.bundleorganics.com or www.amazon.com.

 

 

Body Odor Causes and Natural Remedies

It happens to all of us at some point: the unfortunate realization that in this moment we kind of stink. As we dug into the root causes behind body odor, we realized that it’s quite a misunderstood process. Below is some information to demystify body odor and suggestions about how to safely and effectively prevent it.

What causes body odor?

Contrary to popular belief sweat itself isn’t smelly. Body odor is actually driven by bacteria on your skin. These bacteria break down your natural oils causing odors – particularly around the armpits where most of the oils are produced. So while wetness caused by sweating might help bacteria grow, it’s not responsible for the odor. This means the solution isn’t to stop sweating, but rather to find a hygiene routine that works for your body.

Body odor is to some extent genetic – in fact, identical twins will have similar smells even when living apart – but it by no means remains constant throughout a person’s life. Diet can also be a major factor in determining smell. Ingredients like garlic, curry and caffeine, as well as the balance of meat and vegetables a person consumes, have all been linked to changes in body odor.

Body odor and pregnancy

Many pregnant women report an increase in body odor, a heightened sense of smell (which can give the impression of increased body odor), or often both. Science hasn’t come up with an explanation for this, but it‘s quite common and nothing to be ashamed of! There are some theories as to why this occurs, including changes in hormone levels, diet or body temperature, all of which are perfectly natural parts of pregnancy. If you need to change your beauty routine to accommodate new smells though, it’s important to remember to do so safely. Not all odor care products are created equal!

Antiperspirant vs Deodorant

One of the biggest sources of confusion for consumers is whether to buy antiperspirant or deodorant. Put simply, antiperspirant prevents sweating while deodorant addresses smell.

It’s often advised that pregnant women avoid antiperspirant if possible. Antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds, which haven’t been proven safe for developing babies. The cautious route is to opt for a pregnancy safe, all-natural deodorant.

Sweat is our natural method for controlling body temperature. It’s a completely normal process; by choosing the right deodorant, you can embrace sweat as well as odor protection.

A Safe and Natural Solution

A great first step to safely addressing body odor is finding a deodorant that is safe for pregnancy. This means choosing a product that is aluminum-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free, among other things. Nine Naturals’ pregnancy safe deodorant meets these requirements; it is made with natural, organic ingredients and uses a non-nano zinc oxide formulation to prevent odor.

We specifically selected zinc oxide for its natural qualities and effectiveness in controlling the bacteria that cause odor. It’s also a great ingredient for odor protection because it’s an astringent that tightens the skin and reduces oil secretion. Non-nano zinc oxide sits on the surface of the skin and does not get absorbed into the bloodstream, which makes it both a safe and long lasting choice.

Go Time: Fitting in Fitness

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Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Fitness instructor Jessica Watkins helps us find time to workout, even if you have more than one baby in tow.

Now I get it. I totally get it. I never quite understood the “I have no time to exercise” excuse. I always replied, “just prioritize and find the time.” I happen to be a personal trainer so fitness is my job, and it is ingrained into my lifestyle. And as a mother to one, I managed to keep exercise part of my daily routine. But now that I’m a mom of two, the story changes. That popular “excuse,” as I see it, became all too familiar in my own life – yes, coming from the mouth of a fitness guru.

Before having my first child Emory, finding time to workout was a breeze! I often commuted via bike or ran from the subway stop to the gym, and if I had a spare half hour in between training sessions, I used that time to hop on an elliptical or lift weights. But after having my first child and becoming a full time mom with a few hours training clients each week, I was forced to find new ways to incorporate my workouts.

Between all the hours spent feeding, changing and frantically calming my new baby, I still prioritized working out. How? I put Emory in her bouncy seat right in front of me as I jumped around the living room and lifted my free weights. I usually could squeeze out a minimum of 30 minutes before she grew tired of the bouncy seat. As she got a bit older, the jump-a-roo became her new workout station. The more I jumped, the more she jumped with hysterical laughter, almost catapulting out of it on numerous occasions.

Probably the best way I incorporated a workout into my day was putting her in my City Mini stroller and running. Although that stroller isn’t intended to be a jogging stroller, I used it as one. Living in Brooklyn at the time, I ran everywhere: to the nearest park, to meet a friend for coffee, to run all my errands. That City Mini stroller has many hard-earned miles on those wheels. This worked for me – I had it figured out. And I expected the same out of every other parent who wanted to workout but couldn’t “find the time.”

And then, there was the birth of my second child Clayton. Suddenly taking care of two children and maintaining my workout regimen seemed flat-out impossible. Working out was just not going to happen. From the very second my eyes open in the morning, its go time! At ages 3 months and 2 years, my kids demand so much out of me that finding a spare second to run a brush through my hair is quite an accomplishment. These are the days when having the ability to shower with the curtain fully closed and no one crying for mama is a glimpse of heaven, even if it only lasts 30 seconds. So the question always runs through my head, do I shower or do I workout? But after a couple weeks of this nonsense, I was tired of feeling defeated. The days of me starting the day in workout clothes and ending the day in workout clothes, only to not have worked out at all, had to end.

Here is how I have conquered the “I have no time to exercise” struggle:

Workout before the kids get up. And yes, that means well before the sun gets up too. After one of Clayton’s early morning feedings, I get my workout out of the way. I let my husband know that I’m going for a run around the neighborhood or I host my own workout in my living room with cardio exercises and free weights. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a chance to shower before the kids get up too!

Workout after the kids go to sleep at night. This option isn’t my ideal time to workout because it’s after the mealtime, bathtime, bedtime marathon, which leaves me wanting nothing more than to be comatose on the couch. But at the same time, working out at the end of the day gives me a sense of renewed energy and allows me to focus on myself. And I finish with one of those heavenly, silent, closed-curtain showers to wind down.

Give the kids an adventure. I load them into the double stroller and run. I’ve tried a few and The Summit X3 jogging stroller by Baby Jogger is my personal choice. Its all-wheel suspension allows my infant to ride without getting tossed about, and the swivel front wheel makes this stroller easy to maneuver. The seats are side-by-side and adjustable, so I can recline my infant’s seat while my toddler’s seat sits up. Another big feature is the extra-long adjustable canopy over each seat that does a fantastic job of protecting the kids from the sun. Each canopy also has clear view windows on top so I can check on them without disrupting my run to go around to the front of the stroller. This stroller has made my workout attempts so much easier.

Alternate running with interval and strength training to keep things fresh and different. On the days I do interval training, I use my living room as my gym. I usually fit it in when Clayton is down for a morning nap or seems content chilling in his swing or bouncy seat. As for Emory, she exercises with me copying everything from lunges and pushups to downward dogs and butterfly stretches. By making exercise an activity we both can do, it allows me to workout while spending quality time with her (still assuming Clayton is snoozing or chilling).

So here I admit it – finding time to workout is easier said than done. Even as a personal trainer, I thought my fit days were squashed with the birth of my second child. But after going through the challenge myself, I still stand saying “just prioritize and find the time.” Gain control of your schedule and your well-being, and you will certainly feel more accomplished, happier and healthier.

This article is by Jessica Watkins courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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