Archive for the ‘Baby Weight’ Category

Cookie Dough For Breakfast

July 10, 2011

In my continuing efforts to keep the baby weight at bay, I’m always on the lookout for ways to treat myself without consuming a gazillion calories, or filling up on foods that have little to no nutritional value.

Enter healthy cookie dough!  I found the recipe here, and made a few modifications to suit my tastes.

It sounds weird.  You must try it, and tell me what you think.  I think it’s a revelation.

Healthy Cookie Dough

The players.

  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 Tablespoons almond butter
  • 1 Tablespoon light butter
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients into a food processor (I used my Ninja), and blend until VERY smooth.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Devour.

The whole recipe is 720 calories, so I ate half and called it breakfast.  What? Chickpeas have 12 grams of fiber, 15 grams of protein, and 26% of your daily iron requirement per serving! Bow down.

Bowl 'O Dough.

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Brownie Dough Oat Bran

June 11, 2011

Dessert for breakfast. Works for me!

 

 

1/2 cup oat bran

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1/4 cup water

1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

pinch salt

vanilla stevia to taste

200 calories for the whole darn bowl (minus the Luna Bar)!

Combine oat bran, almond milk, water and cocoa powder in small pot over medium heat. Whisking frequently, bring to a boil and cook for one minute, or until desired consistency.

Oh my heart this was so good. Reminded me of eating brownie dough as a kid.  I added a peanut butter cookie Luna bar, which was amaze balls.  I think when I make this for husband tomorrow, because he’s not eating sugar these days I will add a tablespoon of almond butter and some sliced almonds for crunch.  If you wanted to be more decadent, which you totally can, I would add a pat of light butter and some chocolate chips…guess who’s having oat bran for lunch?

Posted in Baby Weight, Mama Mandy Meals, Recipe | 1 Comment »

Lose The Baby Weight With Oat Bran

June 7, 2011

Love in a bowl.

I am a volume eater. Me feeling satisfied eating one cookie (unless it’s the size of my head) is about as likely as me getting a suntan.  During this postpartum “wanna get my body back but know I need to eat healthy and plentifully in order to keep my strength (and milk) up yet I have no time or free hands to feed myself” time, food can be a tricky business.  I will admit this personal chef has had way too many protein bars for “meals” because anything else seemed like too much trouble. Then I’m hungry and cranky, which is not a good recipe for a happy mama and therefore, a happy baby.

I believe I’ve found the solution:  Oat bran!

It’s quick and easy to prepare, it’s a completely versatile ingredient, it’s healthy, it’s excellent for milk production, and most importantly, it gives me a big bowl of comfort for 150 calories.

Make you some oat bran today!

Oat Bran Basics

Serves One Hungry Mama (or PS, your babe would probably dig this, too!)

1/2 cup dry oat bran

1 1/4 cups water

pinch salt (do not skip this, just like pasta, all grains are bland bland bland on their own. Adding this salt will enhance the oatey goodness).

Put oat bran, water, and salt in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk frequently and bring to a boil, then cook for one minute. It will get thick, that’s how you’ll know it’s done.

Now the fun begins!

I always add cinnamon, almond milk and a few drops of liquid vanilla stevia to taste.  Then, I want some crunch.  Yesterday, I crumbled up a granola bar. I’ve also added cereal, fruit, dried fruit, cookies, yogurt, nuts, nut butter…with 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup serving, you will be doing your body a huge favor. Now go forth in fullness, mamas! xoxo

Posted in Baby Weight, Mama Mandy Meals, Recipe | 2 Comments »

Working Out Again

February 20, 2011

Yogaing (I'm about 2 weeks prego here and have no clue).

18 weeks. I think I look pregnant. Ha.

22 weeks. Now we're getting somewhere!

Seven months. There's definitely a baby in there.

The day my water broke. 37 weeks and 2 days.

I’m back in my “skinny” jeans (translation: The only pair of pants I own that actually fit my body pre-pregnancy…I buy everything too big, hence not having to buy maternity clothes).  I was gonna have a picture of me in said jeans, but Ian can’t hold a camera yet.  I’m very happy about this at 7 weeks postpartum, although the bod is still different (read:  Jiggly, especially tummy, duh, butt and thighs) and yes, the skinny jeans have lycra in them.  It still counts.

I do not know how much I weigh now.  I don’t know how much weight I gained during the pregnancy.  I think, given my history of disordered eating, that this is for the best.  My first priority is nourishing my child, so how/what/when/where I eat and how I move my body is based on what is best for Ian.

I do not have a secret to healthy weight gain while pregnant or zippy weight loss postpartum.  I can tell you that I (loosely) monitored my caloric intake during pregnancy, making sure I got 300 extra calories per day, and now that I’m breastfeeding, I’ve upped those calories to 500.  I’m not stringent about this, just try to stay aware.  And I eat WHATEVER I want. Pepperoni pizza, cookies, cake, fried things…bring it.

I also tried to do some sort of exercise each day during pregnancy (mainly walking, prenatal yoga and this DVD).  Before I was expecting, my workouts were definitely more intense, and honestly it felt good to just focus on moving my body and doing things that felt GOOD, rather than pushing myself to the limit.

My current exercise challenge is FINDING TIME.  So far, husband and I have gone for several walk/runs and done a few cheesy DVD workouts with husband. He has Ian in the Ergo during these workouts (hilarious, and he gets the carrier nice and sweaty…) so I can focus on squeezing my ass form.

Today I got some “me” time which meant I could try the Tracy Anderson post pregnancy workout and shower by myself (usually I put Ian on the floor on his changing pad, take my shower, then bring him in with me and hose him down). I know, it’s a glamorous life.

I liked the video. It’s hard. You don’t need any equipment except a mat and 3 pound weights. There’s no jumping. And she’s really pretty. My plan is to do this at least once a week, and hopefully start jogging again as soon as it stops feeling like my bladder’s gonna fall out.

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Posted in Baby, Baby Weight, Parenthood | Leave a Comment »

Fried Eggs are the new Tuna Salad

July 20, 2010

My cravings are rebellious.  Pre bun in the oven days, I could have cared less about tuna salad.  I ate it maybe twice a year.  Post bun, I dream of tuna salad.  Tuna salad on crackers, tuna melts, tuna salad salad…but tuna is a preggo no-no.  I can have it once a week at the most, due to Mercury levels in most fish.

Monday is tuna day.  I wait for it.  The last Monday tuna day was “kitchen sink” tuna:  Celery, Persian cucumber, grape tomatoes, pickles and onions all chopped into tiny pieces, mixed with tuna and Trader Joe’s Cilantro Chive Yogurt Dip (instead of mayo).  Gorgeous!

I think part of the reason the tuna craving is so strong is because it’s one of the only protein sources that sounds good.  Right now the majority of my protein comes from yogurt and cheese.

However, I’ve found a new protein love.  Fried eggs!  I’m limiting myself to two a day (cholesterol), and am sure this craving will pass (we’ve already been through the cheese, cracker and pickle sandwich phase and the bagel with cream cheese phase).

The picture you see above are Western Eggs, made by my wonderful husband.  Western Eggs and pancakes are my dad’s signature dishes, and I’ve been eating them since I can remember.  Husband, dad would be VERY proud, and a little threatened.

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Posted in Baby Weight, Mama Mandy Meals, Pregnancy | 6 Comments »

The Hunger

May 25, 2010

First of all, I cannot believe I cooked this:

Onions, garlic and bacon for collard greens and baked beans.  Hurl.

Ribs.  Hurl.

Baked beans.  Hurl.

Rigitoni with ricotta, basil and Italian sausage.  Woah.

Stir-fried veggies in hoisin sauce.

Seriously, cooking is completely an act of will at this point.  I have discovered, however, that the key to feeling almost human is to stuff my face.

Smoothies are my new best friend.  Mango and pineapple.

True story.  On our way to get me my first smoothie of the day, we pass by Amandine and I say “Omelet baguette.  Turn around.”  Husband parks, I go inside and to my dismay, they’re not serving the baguette until 10:30am (it’s 9:45am).  We go to Jamba and what’s next door?  Noah’s Bagels.  I say “bagels”, and we head inside.  Bagel egg sandwich.  So not Amandine (I will get that tomorrow) but it staved off my nausea for 4 whole hours!

For dinner, Mexican food.  I remembered to take a picture of my albondigas soup, but not my chicken burrito.  It tasted amazing, but I got full really fast and took most of it home.  It will most likely get consumed at 3am.

The lesson:  LISTEN TO MY BODY!  It seems the only way to keep the crippling nausea at bay is to eat A LOT.

I’ve been trolling the internet and reading things like “women don’t need to increase their caloric intake during the first trimester” and “many women gain no weight or even lose weight during the first trimester”.  I wanted to be the chick who still works out everyday and eats well balanced, small meals throughout the day.  And I know I shouldn’t be judging myself less one week into this incredible adventure, but there you go.

What I do know is that I don’t know how much food or exercise my body needs.  What it is so busy creating is beyond my ken and the best I can do is listen to what it’s telling me.  Watermelon?  Fabulous.  Del Taco fries with spicy ketchup?  Right on.  Walking and yoga for nine months?  Okey doke!

I think I’m getting hungry again…

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Posted in Baby Weight, Mama Mandy Meals, Pregnancy | Leave a Comment »

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