Today between nursing, cuddling and changing poopy diapers I have been working on taking stock of what we have stored up in our pantry. Since becoming a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom our budget has taken a little bit of a hit considering I now do not have a consistent monthly income and am only doing freelance work. As a result we have to make few changes when it comes to dining out and grocery shopping. Long gone are the days of leisurely dinners out ordering whatever we’d like and enjoying expensive beers. Also long gone are the days of filling my shopping cart with most anything that my heart desires.
So now it’s time to get back to meal planning and to do that it all starts with evaluating my pantry first. Here is what I found:
So now I need to figure out what to make with all these ingredients! We have our CSA coming today and although we are able to pick the 10 items that we want it doesn’t always workout that we get until it arrives (and honestly I forgot what we picked besides heirloom tomatoes and tomatillos).
So now I am looking for your help- what should I make with the ingredients we have?
I have never been one to pull all-nighters. I like to go to bed at a reasonable hour (ie. when I am tired) and get a goodnights rest. Well last night I was shit out of luck because while I wanted to sleep Edie wanted to cry, fuss, bounce, nurse, and repeat. Around 4 AM she finally decided to fall asleep while I side nursed her in our bed and since I was too exhausted and afraid that she would wake up again she slept by my side for the next two hours. Needless to say I am running on about three hours of sleep (thankfully my amazing husband took over bounce duty for a good hour while I slept) and am exhausted today.
Even though I am exhausted it’s hard not to smile at our beautiful baby and be thankful for a number of things today including:
A husband who makes dinner when you are exhausted (and makes enough for leftovers). Last night Neil took over in the kitchen and made us Alicia Silverstone’s Rustic Pasta from The Kind Diet. It was so delicious and he made the full recipe so today we have leftovers for lunch, which is a life saver considering he is back to working (from home–>another thing I am thankful for) and we are both running on no sleep.
I am thankful for water with electrolytes. I don’t know if it really makes a difference but Neil and I both had a bottle of resource® natural spring water* last night and if nothing else we were hydrated during our all-nighter. I like to think that the electrolytes in the water were beneficial for both of us especially after all the bouncing and breastfeeding that was being done.
Lastly, today (and everyday) I am thankful for a beautiful little girl who may have her fussy nights but is otherwise a happy baby.
*resource is a 100% natural spring water with natural electrolytes for taste, sustainably sourced and packaged in a bottle made of 50% recycled plastic.* resource water is good for you and mindful of the Earth. With natural electrolytes for taste, its recycled bottle helps you keep nature in mind too.
Disclaimer:resource® natural spring water provided me with these products at no cost. I was under no obligation to review them if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway.If you haven’t stop over to our family blog, Naturally Family, then head over now and Meet The Family. This week we have been discussing our diapering plans, Neil reviewed The Other F-Word and our Doula Sarah wrote about her perspective on Edith’s birth. We have also been featuring a photo of the day for our 365 days of photo project that you can check out here.
Interested in sponsoring on Naturally Family? Check out the details here.
This weekend we have been pretty busy a little more busy than we should have been but more on that in this weeks postpartum post. We had our doula over for our first postpartum appointment which consisted of us chatting about the birth, about how things are going so far and being new parents, among other things. We also had a few visitors over to meet Edie on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
One first we gad this weekend was trying out cloth diapering. Make sure to check out my post on Naturally Family tomorrow regarding our cloth diapering plans.
Saturday afternoon Neil and I attempted to venture out to the market to pick up lunch and a few things but upon arriving at the store Edie had a little bit of a break down so her and I stayed in the car while Neil picked up some things. I think she was a little over stimulated from all the new people and it was pretty hot out too. I calmed her down and nursed in the car while Neil picked up lunch, some groceries and a green lemonade for me (bless him).
Today we decided to try and go out for an early breakfast and we were pretty successful. I nursed right before we let in hopes that would fill her up so we could eat without much worry of needing to stop to nurse her. Breakfast went pretty smoothly minus the fact that I ate too fast because I was nervous that Edie would have a little bit of a breakdown and I wanted to be ready to take her outside. Well Neil and I were both able to enjoy our breakfast before the fussing started and I took Edie outside (where she calmed right down) and Neil paid.
Another first for us today was going for a walk with Edie in the Boba Wrap. It took a few tries and 30 minutes of nursing before we could finally go but it was great once we did. We didn’t go far, just about 20 minutes of walking but it was nice to get out.
I can’t believe that 10 days ago I gave birth to my beautiful little Edith. She is quickly getting bigger and more interactive everyday. It still amazes me that she is really here and she is our little girl. I often find myself just staring at her for hours, especially after she has just nursed and is passed out on my chest or lap.
How I am healing: I am healing slowly but surely. Unfortunately I had a 2nd degree tear which required stitches and 2 skid marks from giving birth so my healing time is a little slow. I find at times, especially if I am on my feet for too long that I tend to get really sore down there.
Activity: My activity level is pretty limited right now due to my healing. Last Saturday I thought I was super woman and decided to head out to the farmers market with Neil only to find that the walk from the car to the market (about 1/2 mile) I was super sore and spent my time sitting on a bench while Neil ran around and picked up veggies, bread and fresh squeezed juices. I also ended up having my first public nursing session (thank goodness for Aden & Anais blankets). Otherwise my activity includes kegels and a few standing crunches per my midwives recommendations.
Weight: At 39 Weeks 4 Day I had gained 34lbs and since giving birth I have lost 16lbs. At this point I am not focusing on my weight but rather on healing and spending time bonding with my baby. Would I like to get back to my per-pregnancy weight? Of course I would but I am not dwelling on it and I’m not rushing myself to get back to physical activity until my body is good and ready.
This is a guest post from Erin at Creative Soul in Motion. Erin is a yoga-loving, whole-food eating Warrior Goddess empowering people of all ages to find growth + happiness through active living.
For most of us, our jobs require us to sit in front of a computer typing away all day. There’s no movement, no spontaneity, no openness in our work days and instead our bodies are wound up and stressed out.
Every email can make your shoulders scrunch up just a bit more
Every phone call can cause jaw muscles to tighten
Every request makes your breath shallow and fast
For many, work causes stress not only to the mind but to the body and the spirit, which is one reason why taking your yoga practice off of the mat and to your desk chair can be so rewarding and uplifting.
The foundation of yoga – connecting breath and movement – can help you de-stress, unwind and open up even during the most stressful days.
So here are 7 simple yoga moves that you can do at the office, next to your desk and without much fanfare. Move through this at your own pace. These poses can help you wake up your body, wring out tension, bring fresh oxygen into your body and organs, alleviate tightness and generate new energy!
Mountain Pose – Reconnects you to your breath and realigns your body and posture
This will help you line up your body from your toes to your head. First, step away from your desk and ground your feet into the floor creating a connection between you and the Earth. Inhale your shoulders up and back and roll your neck. Take a deep breath as you let your shoulders slide down your back and your hands gently shake out next to your sides. Take 3 more deep breaths.
Eagle Arms – Helps dissolve tension in your neck, shoulders and upper back area
Inhale your arms out to the side palms up, exhale and bring your right arm up top crossing your elbows. Inhale and bring the backs of the arms together bringing your arms up and shoulders down. Breathe into your upper back and exhale your arms back to your sides. Repeat with your left arm on the top.
Standing Thigh Stretch – Opens your hips and leg muscles which get tight from sitting all day
Hold the desk in front of you with your left hand and press your feet into the floor. Lift your right foot and hold your right foot while pulling your abdomen in. Inhale and gently guide your right heel and your right knee towards the floor. Try to keep your knees close together.
To take this a bit farther float your left hand up towards the sky and stretch your fingers towards the sun.
Forward Bend – Releases the spine and allows new energy move throughout your back and your hamstrings to lengthen
Ground your feet firmly into the floor, take a deep breath in and let your arms float above you. Bring your hands together and allow yourself to fold over at your hips slowly moving your hands down your body and onto the floor in front of you. Inhale and lengthen your body to stretch out your spine and then fold forward. Just let go of everything and breathe deeply.
If you can’t touch the floor simply let your hands fall towards the floor and maybe hold opposite elbows and sway a bit.
Sitting Cat and Cow Pose – Opens your shoulders, chest and back and can cleanse your body and your mind
Sit towards the front of your chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground and your knees at a 90 degree angle. Have your spine long and your shoulders soft. Inhale as you puff your chest out and roll your shoulders down and away from your ears. Exhale pull your stomach in and let your shoulders roll forward and your head drop down. Repeat at least 5 times moving slowly with your breath.
This short and simple series re-connects you with your breath, your core and your body. It helps awaken your senses, open your mind and lets your stress just melt away. It brings you back to the present and renews your energy and focus.
Try doing this everyday around 2 PM and I bet you’ll notice your days don’t feel as frantic and overwhelming. Just a few minutes of yoga is all it takes to connect and find clarity.
Namaste.
You can read more about Erin’s journey towards balance, joy and connection at Creative Soul in Motion.
This summer we are sticking close to home since we now have a baby and Neil took a large chunk of vacation as paternity leave. This is new for us as most summers we fill our time with various short getaways. Since we won’t be getting away this summer I thought I’d take a moment to reminisce about my favorite summer getaways.
Portland, ME
Head out and visit the lighthouses in the evening and watch the sunset and then stop into Silly’s to enjoy some tasty buffalo fries with spicy vegan dip or try one of these vegan friendly restaurants.
Pick up breakfast and lunch at Whole Foods and then take a day trip up to Freeport to do a little shopping at L.L. Bean and the outlets.
Call Allagash Brewery and make a reservation to do one of their tours and sample their tasty brews.
Run the Old Pork 5k or Half Marathon and then celebrate at Novare Res Beir Cafe where they have an extensive beer menu. Not a beer fan? Then stop into Local 188 and try one of their amazing cocktails (okay so I haven’t had an alcoholic one but the virgin versions were amazing).
Head down to the Fore River Sanctuary Trail and go for a walk or a run through the beautiful, well groomed trails.
Oh and my number one must do in Portland, ME is to schedule a foot soak at Soakology <– favorite thing ever.
New Haven, CT
My first to-do in New Haven is to make a reservation at Miya’s Sushi – trust me you need a reservation this place is always packed when we go there.
Stroll around the Yale Campus and stop into Blue State Coffee for a tasty beverage or snack.
Head to Claire’s Cornercopia for vegan pancakes (service here is lacking but the pancakes are tasty).
We always make a stop into Ikea because it’s the closest one to us.
Stop into Edge of The Woods Market and pick up a vegan baked good (I recommend the cupcakes and danishes) and while you’re there pick yourself up a jar of Biscoff Spread <–speaking of Biscoff anyone want to send me a jar?
If you are a beer lover head to Brü Rm. at BAR for a beer and if you’re hungry pizza.
Backpacking on The Long Trail
Pick a part of the trail to hike and either leave one car at each end or arrange a pickup.
Make sure you pack a good amount of food but nothing too heavy; my favorites are crackers, oatmeal, Backpackers Pantry pouches and of course a few cans of beer.
Don’t forget to pack extra socks, something warm to wear at night and all the other essentials (see here).
Camp in a lean-to at Underhill State Park a small Vermont state park (one of my favorites) and then take a morning hike on Mount Mansfield.
Camp at Little River State Park in Waterbury, VT. This is one of Neil and my favorite state parks because it has great hiking and nature paths, kayaking and canoeing and a beach area for relaxing and swimming. Tip: the best site (in my opinion) is site number 21 so make sure you reserve it ahead of time!
Where are your favorite summer getaways? I can’t wait for camping and summer getaways with Edith next year.
A Healthy Lentil Soup with Veggies
It is often considered challenging to cook a healthy and tasty vegan recipe. But, with a little innovation and experimentation, one can churn out interesting, wholesome recipes like this one. The lentils give a huge burst of protein and the veggies provide the minerals and vitamins. The rice in the recipe provides the carbohydrates. Thus, this is a balanced, one-dish meal. Eat it as a soup or a small meal. It is very simple to prepare if you have all ingredients at hand. You can use any veggies of your choice or what is there in your house.
Ingredients:
1 cup orange lentils (they cook faster)
¼ cup rice
1 onion chopped
2 large tomatoes chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic chopped
2 green chilies finely chopped (optional if you don’t want the heat)
½ cup chopped and steamed vegetables (beans, carrots, mushroom, green pepper, corn, peas)
¼ tsp. cumin seeds
½ tsp. cumin powder
½ tsp. coriander powder
¼ tsp. black pepper powder
Salt to taste
1 tbsp. Chopped cilantro for garnish
3 cups veg stock or water
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. oil
Method:
Wash the lentils and the rice well and soak for 15 minutes. Add oil in a pan or pressure cooker. Add the cumin seeds. Once they sputter, add in the chopped garlic and onion and fry till transparent which should take around 2-3 minutes. Now add the tomatoes and fry for another couple of minutes. Add the lentils and the rice along with the stock. Cover and cook till the lentils and rice are cooked. If you use a pressure cooker, you can cook faster. That is what I normally do. But, you can cook on the stovetop as well. Orange lentils cook faster, and soaking expedites the cooking time.
Now add in the vegetables and salt with all the other seasonings. Add more water if necessary. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Turn off the heat and add the lime juice. Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and serve hot. I like my soup a little thin, but you can have it thick and chunky as per your preference.
Your tasty soup is ready. Enjoy with your family.
Rachna Parmar, an ardent blogger, enthusiastic cook and mom of two, is an editor at Livesnet.com, a site offering tips on baby safety products and parenting skills. Please visit Livesnet and read her wonderful articles on top rated food processors and best juicers to buy.
If you haven’t stop over to our family blog, 
Eagle Arms – Helps dissolve tension in your neck, shoulders and upper back area
Forward Bend – Releases the spine and allows new energy move throughout your back and your hamstrings to lengthen
