Nutritious Snack Ideas for Pregnancy

   A good snack will rescue you from a poor craving choice during pregnancy. It comes in like a knight in shining armor, taking away your hunger, balancing your blood sugar levels, and giving you the reward of a battle won!

   I have to make sure I have snacks on hand everywhere I go. I'll keep a couple in my purse. I have a filing cabinet drawer at work full of nonperishable snacks. I take some with me to keep in the car. Going on a road trip, I make sure to bring a cooler full of healthy choices.

   Sam's Club or Costco is great for buying good snacks in bulk! I highly recommend this.

My Office Snacks!

Here's a list of snack ideas that I'm using during my pregnancy:

1. Nuts, about 2-4oz; mixed nuts, peanuts, almonds, switch it up to keep it interesting.

2. String Cheese/Cheese cubes with a low sodium V8. One of my favorites!

3. Cup of Greek Yogurt

4. High Protein Granola Bar

5. Apple/Banana/Piece of fruit, I like to pair this with the granola bar, nuts or cheese

6. Raisins/Apricots/Craisins paired with the granola bar, nuts or cheese

7. Celery with peanut butter for dipping. Grab travel containers from the Dollar Tree

8. Veggies (Snap Peas, Broccoli, Carrots, Cherry Toms) w/Hummus/Greek yogurt dip

9. Beef Jerky Stick (Sam's Club sells a bulk pack)

10. Flavored Tuna packet with Cheez-its/Pita Chips/Some type of Chip or cracker


   This list is about all I do. It's simple but diverse as well. Usually, I'll pair a fruit or vegetable with a protein of some sort so I'm getting a filling snack that'll keep me satisfied until my next meal. With the Tuna, I usually eat it when I'm feeling light headed or "off" which I've learned is a sign I need some protein!

   Snack time is also a great opportunity to sneak a serving of fruits or veggies in, so take advantage of it! I usually do fruit in the morning and veggies after noon. 

   These snacks are also great for postpartum recovery! Eating smaller portions 5-6 times a day increases metabolism, and when they're high in protein, they also help burn fat which is awesome for getting back in shape after pregnancy. During pregnancy, eating frequent smaller meals will help with discomfort and heartburn. Sooo you can see how forming good snack eating habits now will benefit you after the baby is born!

  Here's to a healthy pregnancy and quick recovery!

~~Caroleena

Week 19-22 of My Pregnancy

I knew I wasn't going to be able to get to blogging through the holidays! I am back though, and I've mostly adjusted to the normal non-vacation work and home routine, with some difficulty I will confess.

22 weeks pregnant, clothes from Khols
because I refuse to pay $$ for maternity!

I mostly sat around during my vacation--which was much needed! I didn't end up eating as much as I thought I would, mostly because I got so uncomfortable after eating. This probably helped save me from gorging and blowing up like a balloon, but made it super hard to relax and just sit after a meal.

My baby is now the size of a spaghetti squash! I've noticed significant growth in the last 3 1/2 weeks, plus I feel him moving in the morning when I wake up, and at night when I'm trying to sleep, as well as sometimes throughout the day. I can't really feel movement from outside my belly...unless I focus and gently poke at him!

His eyes are developing, he's got hair on his body and he looks like a newborn instead of a creature from the Alien movies! I have another appointment scheduled for later this month.

It's getting harder to roll over in bed from side to side....

I have to pee more frequently because of the added pressure from the baby...I'm carrying a lot lower this time around.

I have to remind myself to walk normally and resist the urge to walk pregnant! I believe the "pregnant waddle" puts strain on the back and abdomen, which I think can cause back pain and possibly abdomenal separation. So far I haven't had abdomenal separation or more than some occassional back pain sooo...my theory is it helps. Plus it's a boost of energy to feel more like myself, unto the end.

Heartburn is attacking a lot more! I can't eat before bed, have to watch what I eat during the day, and be sure to get plenty of water throughout the day in order to keep this monster at bay.

I absolutely need the military maternity ACU's, I've had several people comment on my belly starting to poke out. I will be going to the Central Issuing Facility to "borrow" 2-4 sets hopefully in the next week or so. I will be taking pictures of my shame! Lol I'm being dramatic.

And to wrap this up, I'm still moisturizing daily! My skin looks great so far, no stretch marks. Check out my link for How I Prevent Stretch Marks to see what I use.

Happy to be back in the flow of things....

~~Caroleena

Homemade Orange Sugar Scrub Recipe

This simple homemade orange sugar scrub I'm going to reveal to you is packed with amazingness. It's super cheap and has been my go to for years when I'm looking for a pick-me-up for my skin.

At one point or another, I'm sure we've all heard the benefits of vitamin C for the skin exclaimed and highly praised...but there is a dark side to it that most people don't realize.

Once Vitamin C is exposed to oxygen or light, it immediately starts to degrade and becomes less potent with time and not much of it.

Cosmetic companies use a stabilizer ingredient or ingredients, to keep vitamin C from going bad too quickly in their products, but there's no guarentees that it works or keeps the vitamin C from doing more harm than good. Plus, all it does is slow down the degrading process...it doesn't actually stop it.

That's the gyst of the cosmetic side of vitamin C, so why am I telling you this?

Because the best way to get these benefits: Real, homemade orange sugar scrub recipe!

Now there's one more reason to splurge on an orange and do the "hippie" thing and take a shower with it! Once you cut into an orange, the vitamin C begins going bad. This is why I wait to slice it open until right before I shower.

Here's the super easy and super cheap homemade orange sugar scrub recipe:

* One whole orange, cut in 1/2, unpeeled except for the top half inch or so (see pic)

* 1-2 cups white sugar

* A plastic bowl

* Hot shower

*Your bod

  Place sugar in plastic container. Rinse your skin in a hot shower to warm everything up. I usually turn the shower off and start using the orange like a scrub sponge, dipping into the sugar and exfoliating skin while slightly sqeezing the orange.

  I like to let it sit on my skin for a few minutes, so I usually attack the spots I want to benefit the most, like my stomach and boobs (any place with stretch marks or the potential for getting them). 

   By the time I get done with my whole body, it's been about 5 minutes, so I rinse.  

   I recommend shaving after this...or you'll feel the sting of the acid, ouch!!

   Your skin will feel amazing! To me, the softness I feel after doing this is much different than using store products. You'll love it.

Enjoy!

~~Caroleena Kay
  


  

5 Day List of My Pregnancy Nutrition

Here is a 5 day list of what I eat while I'm pregnant. I didn't plan this out like a menu, I just kept track of what I was eating and wrote it down for you to give you an idea...and as you'll see, I'm definitely not diet perfect!


DAY 1 Meal List

Breakfast:
1 Cup coffee with 2tbsp white chocolate raspberry creamer
1 Strawberry Greek Yogurt
1 Apple
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1 1.75oz bag Salted Peanuts

Lunch:
1/2 cup Pine Nut Hummus
1 cup Cucumber Slices
1/2 cup Red & Yellow Peppers
2 6" Quesadillas w/1/2 cup cheese total
1/2 cup Homemade Fresh Guacamole
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1 6oz bag White Cheddar Popcorn
1 Apple

Dinner:
1 100% Angus Burger w/cheese
1 Whole Wheat Bun
Coleslaw, Pickles, Ketchup, Onion (condiments)
1 cup Waffle Fries, baked with Olive Oil, Sea Salt & Pepper

DAY 2:

Breakfast:
1 Cup coffee with 2tbsp white chocolate raspberry creamer
1 1/2 cups Raisin Bran
1 cup Milk
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1 Fiber One Trail Mix Bar
1 Apple

Lunch:
3 Scrambled Eggs
1/2 cup Cheese
Mushrooms, Onion, Spinach/Kale Mix
Hot Sauce
Part of 1 Bagel with Strawberry Jam
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1 Pouch Ranch flavored Tuna
1 1.5oz bag White Cheddar Cheez-its

Dinner:
3 slices Dominos Canadian Bacon & Pineapple Pizza
3 Parmesan Cheesey Bites

DAY 3:

Breakfast:
1 Cup coffee with 2tbsp white chocolate raspberry creamer
1 Apple
1 Nutrigrain Bar
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1oz beef jerky

Lunch:
1 6" Spicy Italian Sub (from Subway)
Lettuce, Tomato, Cucumber, Peppers, Olives, S&P, Provolone Cheese, Chipotle Southwest Ranch

Snack:
2oz Turkey Bites
1 Apple
0.75oz White Cheddar Cheez-its
1 cup Popcorn

Dinner:
1 cup Orange Chicken /Bejing Beef (Panda Express)
1 cup Veggie Fried Rice


DAY 4:

Breakfast:
1 Cup coffee with 1 tsp sugar + 1tbsp powder creamer
1 Pineapple Greek Yogurt
1 Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage breakfast sandwich
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1 Apple

Lunch:

Parmesan Fish

Salad, homemade w/kale & spinach + 1 tomato + 1/2 cucumber
1/4 cup Honey Roasted Sunflower Seeds
1/4 cup Grated Cheddar
2 oz Chicken Breast
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
2 oz Smoked Almonds

Dinner:
1 Parmesan Tilapia filet
1/2 cup Lemon Basil Rice
1 cup chopped cucumber/tomato salad w/basil vinegarette

Dessert:
2 homemade Peanut Butter Cookies
8 oz glass milk

DAY 5:

Breakfast:
1 Cup coffee with 1 tsp sugar + 1tbsp powder creamer
3/4 cup Oatmeal + milk + honey
1/4 cup Raisins
**2 Vitanatal Vitamins

Snack:
1 large orange

Lunch:
Scrambled Egg Sandwich: 2 pieces healthy bread, 3 scrambled eggs, 2oz cheese
1 8oz Low Sodium V8

Dinner:
4 oz Garlic Chicken Breast, baked
1/2 Sweet Potato, light cinnamon & sugar
1 cup Garlic & Chive Green Beans


   As you can see, I have cheats in a sample 5 day menu during pregnancy! I'm in no ways spot on perfect. A lot of my food choices depend on what I can afford or when I have time or if I'm going out on a date or just tired as hell. I have pizza cravings and sometimes just want a McDonalds McDouble! The goal is to form good daily habits for the majority of the time.

We can always benefit from making healthier choices, but just remember, babysteps of progress are way better than making no changes at all!

When you find it hard to stick to a healthy diet, just remember that there are a good many pregnancy problems that can be prevented just by diet alone! Instead of looking at turning down a box of doughnuts as denying yourself something you think you deserve, think of it as actively protecting your baby with the choices you make.


Fit N Fancy 4 Life,

~~Caroleena