Healthy vs non healthy pregnancy

          I cannot even begin to explain the lessons I have learned this pregnancy. Even with starting at a much heavier weight I have enjoyed this pregnancy leaps and bounds more than my last. With healthier eating, exercise and more moving around in general I am so pleased with the results. After my 1st pregnancy I stayed on all my vitamins including prenatal, exercised daily, and clean eating. I wish I could say I buy all organic vegetables and meat but I don't! But!!!!! It is by far better than yummy tasty cinnamon bagels, loaded with creamy honey walnut cream cheese in the morning and bbq chicken with baked beans for dinner.

    I still eat eggs and smoothie or fruit for breakfast and for the first time in my life I realized a healthy breakfast gets me through my day way better than a random breakfast. It definitely holds back those ravenous cravings, which are the worst for me. I am staying steady with my weight at 30 weeks I've gained 10lbs which I really couldn't be happier. I do eat more fruits but hey devouring a cutie clementine versus 5 Hershey Kisses is an improvement, for sure! I haven't worked out every day but at least 4x per week- just a light 10 minute prenatal workout does the job for me.

   At 30 weeks with babe #1 I was already weighing more than I do at this point, full of water weight, barely walking since my legs/feet killed if I walked more than 5 minutes, probably (most definitely) still working on my Christmas candy, stairs were my biggest enemy,really just a mess by this point! I am now quite active, no leg pains, stairs are no problem, and just happier in general. I rarely asked to be dropped off at the door vs. Walking from the parking place (if I do its usually due to weather conditions)

   I'm already excited just to have this baby just to be healthy again which should take care of the double chin also... I won't miss it at all! Below is a comparison photo almost exactly the same point in both pregnancies #1 and #2. There may not be a huge difference weight wise but I feel so much happier and not exhausted all. Day. Long. Every. Day!!
  

Anti Candida Week 2- A Few Anti-Candida meals

Week 2 has been MUCH better and actually doable! I found having the berries were a lifesaver, I'm not sure I'd still be on the diet if it weren't for them. I am feeling a little tired and actually more symptoms of candida but Bizzy told me there is a low before a high, so I'm waiting for that. As of  July 18th I was down 5lbs which was super!

Here are are couple of meals I've made which were a success.

Baked eggplant for Friday

I sliced the eggplant (would slice them much thicker next time) soaked them in olive oil added thyme, basil, s&p, and baked them for about 20 minutes. I added salsa for extra taste

 Lemon Basil chicken

lemon juice, olive oil, basil, s&p, baked for 40 mins

 LOL Sunday, yes we ate guacamole for our "dinner snack"

3 avocados, 1 small tomato, lime, s&p, 1/4 onion, and a tad of garlic salt

 This was Maarten's wonderful concoction zucchini stuffed with ground beef 

 Michael loved this! I just lifted up the skin and added salsa and baked it

A Pre, During or Post Baby workout and videos

  

I have been doing this work out since 8 weeks PP. It is simple and manageable.  On days I have to do cardio I either bike/jog or play tennis. I have 5lb weights and they are the perfect size for me.

Weekly Routine:

[  ] Monday: 20 to 30 minutes of cardio activity, such as walking, light jogging (if performed prior to pregnancy), or swimming
[  ] Tuesday: Core and pelvic floor work*
[  ] Wednesday: 20 to 30 minutes of cardio activity
[  ] Thursday: Upper and lower body strength training*
[  ] Friday: 20 to 30 minutes of cardio activity
[  ] Saturday: Core and pelvic floor work, upper and lower strength training

*See exercises below

Core and Pelvic Floor Exercises

Core (Abdominal) Exercises

Clams
Start by lying on your side with your hips stacked and both legs bent, knees pointing forward. Place your left arm on the floor with your left ear resting on your biceps. With your toes together, lift your right knee without changing your hip position, and exhale, drawing your abs toward your spine. Slowly return to starting position. Do 10 to 15 reps; then switch sides.

Dipping the Toes
If you’re in your first trimester, start by lying on your back. Otherwise, sit in a chair or lie on the floor with two pillows elevating your upper body. Bend your legs into a tabletop position with your shins parallel to the ceiling (if you’re in a chair, keep them parallel to the wall, feet lifted) and your arms at your sides. Exhale, drawing in your abs, and gently dip the right foot toward the floor; then repeat with the left foot. Do 10 reps per leg.

Pelvic Floor (Kegel) Exercises

Kegel exercises (named after the gynecologist who created them) strengthen the muscles in the base of the pelvis. They can be done sitting, standing, or lying down -- and you can do them in your car, at a meeting, or over coffee with a friend because no one can tell!  

To do them, imagine you’re contracting the muscles to stop yourself from peeing. Just pull these muscles up, taking care not to use other muscles, like your butt, belly, or inner thighs, to compensate (these areas should remain relaxed and your pelvis should stay still). Then, slowly relax your pelvic floor.

Quick Flicks
Squeeze the pelvic floor quickly and as hard as you can for one second, rest for one second. Do two sets of 10 each day.

Long Holds
Squeeze the pelvic floor as hard as you can and hold for five seconds. Start with two sets of five, two to three times per day. Progress slowly to 10 reps of 10-second holds, two to three times per day. Ultimately, to keep up your pelvic floor strength, work up to 30 to 45 10-second contractions.

Upper and Lower Body Exercise

Squats With Triceps ExtensionStart by holding a pair of 5- to 8-pound dumbbells with your arms at your sides and feet shoulder-width apart. Squat, keeping your weight centered over your heels, and simultaneously do biceps curls with both arms. Do 10 reps.

Lunges With Shoulder Rises
Start with the right leg in front and the left leg back, balancing on the ball of your left foot, hips facing forward. Keep your arms bent at your sides with your body slightly pitched forward at the hips. Bend both knees into a lunge and extend the elbows at the same time. Do 10 to 15 reps; then switch legs and repeat.

Plies With Reverse Fly
Start with your legs turned out at the hips, your feet pointing away from each other. Keep your elbows bent with your arms in front of your chest and your palms facing. Slightly pitch your body forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and drawing in your abs. Bend both knees into a plie and pull back the arms leading with the elbows as your draw your shoulder blades together. Extend the legs and lower your arms back to start position. Do 10 to 15 reps.

  I also have started adding these to the workout.

 With the side crunches I did have some pain and the chiropractor told me to lie on my back with my knees bent. Put a tennis ball between your knees and squeeze for 5 seconds. 3 reps of 10

 

           

If you are a visual person and want to follow a video these two videos are great and the LEAST stupid workout LOL! Since I didn't have dumbbells at the time I used water bottles.

LEG AND BUM WORKOUT

ARM WORKOUT

  

Healthy Cookbook

         

  I think this cookbook is the answer,maybe! I saw this at the big house and thought it was great!

Better Home and Garden Eat Well Lose Weight

  

So when we get off our 6 week cleanse this is a great way to ease back into "regular food" and have no fear there are several desserts! 

How to Make Water Kefir

                                                   

    To make your own water kefir you will need:

*Grains

* Mason jar

* organic sugar

* Purified water  

You can get grains from Cultures for Health. 

Directions:

  For every quart of water (4 cups) add 3 tablespoon of sugar and kefir grains.

This is the best sugar to use  Organic Whole Cane Sugar- unbleached and unrefined

There are a few grocery stores that have it or you can buy it on Amazon or use the most organic, unbleached, unrefined sugar.

To start, I  add 3T of sugar to 4 cups of room temp water stir very well with a wooden spoon until all the sugar has dissolved. I then add 3 T of water kefir grains.

I use RO water or you can get water from Walmart or Target using their machine. but if you have tap water you will want to boil your water first. Just make sure that your water is cooled back down to room temperature before adding your grains.

Next, secure a coffee filter or something else breathable with a rubber band.

Let it culture for 24 to 72 hours depending on your preferred taste. Our favorite is 36 hours. The longer you let it sit the less sugary it will taste. You can taste test over these days to see which you prefer.

Then you just have to strain. You can use your grains to start the process again on another batch Just make sure the water and sugar are stirred before adding the grains, NEVER add water to the grains, you don't want to upset the grains. You can store your grains in a glass container, just every couple days add some sugar to continue feeding the grains. When trying to find out if your grains are still alive take a spoon and move the grains around, if you hear a crackling noise they are still good.  Now drink!

Candida Free Diet

                                                        Week One


I have been told the first week is the hardest  as your body is trying to adjust without sugar. But I'm going to give it a try! This video is really what motivated me to give it a shot- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkvCYV2LBtg

 I have based the diet using foods from this list- http://www.thecandidadiet.com/foodstoeat.htm

Menu-
Every morning 3-4 eggs with 1/2 an avocado 

Monday

lunch- piece of meat with salad 

Dinner burger patties with grilled asparagus (I'm going to make my patties adding onions and garlic)

Tuesday 

Lunch- salad with tomatoes and cucumbers 

dinner- Taco Veggie Cups with guacamole

Wednesday 

Lunch- Piece of meat with celery

Dinner- Grilled chicken and grilled zucchini
       

Thursday

 Lunch- any leftovers

Dinner- Stuffed Peppers ans salad

Lunch- salad w/ tomatoes and cucumbers

Dinner- Grilled eggplant 

Saturday 

Grilled chicken and grilled Broccoli 

Sunday- Cross that bridge when we get there ;)

   Here have been the best snacks

1. Quinoa 

2 1/2 large tomatoes

apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper

2 cucumbers

1/2 green pepper

parsley

and 2 cups of quinoa

Homemade pickles were great! Just sliced cucumbers and poured apple cider vinegar over them.

I was so desperate on the second day I wanted something sweet so badly. Bizzy told me that green apples and berries are allowed (WHEW)! She said about a serving a day, so I only pop a berry in when I am craving sweets like nuts!