Pregnancy Diet

I never put myself on a diet with my other pregnancies.... I just kind of ate what I wanted when I wanted. I tried to eat healthy but I wasn't really committed. That is probably why I always gained 60+ pounds. This pregnancy I am committed and I want to prove to myself that I can have a enjoyable, healthy pregnancy and I don't have to gain as much weight.

So here is my Pregnancy menu Plan....

Breakfast - Oatmeal with skim milk and berries.  A protein shake and my vitamins.

Snacks - Apple, protein bar, almonds

Lunch - Egg Burrito with lots of veggies.

Snack - 1 string cheese, carrots and hummus

Dinner -  What i make with lots of veggies.

Snack - 100 calorie kettle corn.

Now I am not strict. I try to stay on the diet but I do add things in so my calorie intake is 1800 - 2000 a day. I feel like I am eating plenty and healthy. I am not trying to starve myself just make better choices so losing this weight after won't be as hard.

This past week...

Last week was depressing and oh so very long! It was only nice on Monday last week and rainy or cold the rest of the week. I was feeling cooped up in the house and going crazy!!! I only walked 2 times last week and that is unacceptable.

So the first thing I did this morning was pack up my stroller and kids and lots of blankets and jackets and we headed to the greenbelt. It was COLD!!!! and windy! but my kids were troopers and we made it the 5 miles. I feel so much better and the weather is only going to get better the rest of the week!!! YAY! I am so excited to get my walking in this week!

Applesauce Muffins

I am not much of a baker but once in a while I want a yummy fattening muffin.
This is not a recipe for that, but it still is yummy and filling.

I got the Recipe here. 

What You Will Need:

1 cup oats (not instant)

1 cup skim milk

½ cup unsweetened applesauce 

2 egg whites

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

¾ c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with muffin liners.

Combine oats, milk, applesauce and egg whites in a medium bowl and mix well.

In a separate larger bowl mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon.

Fold in the oat mixture, but do not over mix because the muffins will turn out tough.  Add in walnuts.

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups (this recipe makes 12), and bake in the oven for twenty minutes.

My kids really enjoyed them and I ate about 5!

Cuban Black Beans and Rice

So after 8 1/2 years of marriage, I just learned that my husband loves beans and rice. Go figure. So I am trying to find recipes that my family enjoys that are beans and rice. My oldest doesn't really like beans so he will probably just have to get over that.

Beans and rice are Healthy and Cheap!

Here is a recipe that I tried yesterday and everyone liked (well except Jacob, but he did eat it!)

I got the recipe here.

Cuban Black Beans and Coconut Rice

Ingredients  

1 c. sweetened flaked coconut

1 cup rice

3 1/2-4 cups vegetable or chicken broth, divided

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

4 Tbsp. butter, divided (or olive oil, for vegan version)

1/2 large onion, chopped

1 cup chopped carrots

2 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed

2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (skip if desired)

1 lime

3 green onions, sliced

approximately 3/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro (I usually use 1 whole bunch)

sour cream (optional)

easy mango salsa

Cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out coconut on baking sheet and bake until toasted, 5-10 minutes.
2. Bring 2 1/2 cups of the broth, salt, pepper, and 2 Tbsp. butter to a boil in large saucepan. Stir in rice. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook about 20 minutes until water is absorbed.
3. Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions and carrots 5-7 minutes, or until tender. Stir in black beans, spices, and 1 cup of broth. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. If bean mixture begins to look too dry, add a little more broth.
4. Roll the lime around on the counter, pressing down with your palm as you roll to loosen the juices. Remove rice from heat. Cut lime in half, then squeeze in juice from both halves. Stir in toasted coconut and cilantro.
5. To serve, spoon rice onto plate. Top with beans, and then garnish with sour cream, cheese and salsa.

Preparation time: 25 minute(s)

Cooking time: 15 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 6

exercising while pregnant

When I am pregnant I gain a lot a weight. Mainly because I quit exercising. So when I got pregnant with this baby, I made a goal, promise or commitment to myself that I will exercise this entire pregnancy. Now I know my limits and what I can do so walking is what I have chosen to work on. For this summer until the end of my pregnancy, I will be walking 2 hours 5 times a week..I am hoping and praying because of this I will.......

                    1. Not gain as much weight.

                    2. Feel better about myself and my body.

                    3. Recover faster from giving birth

                    4. Get my body back faster.

                    5. Just be happier!

why this blog?

I am starting this blog about my journey to find myself and in turn be a better mother.
Growing up I hated exercise of any kind. I would only move my body if I had to.... with that said I wasn't always at the weight that I wanted to be at. I would run or workout here and there but nothing constant and nothing that I would commit to. After I got married and started having babies, I began to understand how important exercise was to my sanity and my health. It wasn't until after I had my third when I made it a priority in my life.

Now that I am pregnant with my fourth, exercise is something that I have to make time for, something I have to put ahead of other things. I have to put it ahead of having an amazingly decorated house, or a perfectly clean house. I have to put it ahead of cute clothes and having my hair done everyday. I put it ahead of crafting and baking. I just can't do it all and I have made exercise to be near the top of my list.

So this blog is just my thoughts on my journey, recipes, goals and ideas. Mostly a journal.