Friday, March 29, 2013

Paleo Chili

It was extremely cold over here in Florida today...well, in the high 40s at least at night time (yeah...I've lived in California and Florida my entire life..that's cold!)

Nothing is better on a cold night than warming up by the fire, drinking a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoying a nice hot soup for dinner. Unfortunately, I live in Florida...no fireplace. Hot chocolate is not my favorite, unless made from scratch. So, I went for the hot soup.

As you know, the Fiance is still on his Paleo diet. But I really wanted to make a chili, so I made up a bean-less version of it! Now, this isn't spicy, I do no spice right now since I'm breastfeeding, but it was still delicious!


Paleo Chili
serves 6-8 



Ingredients:

1lb ground turkey
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2tbsp. butter
2tbsp. garlic, minced or powder
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 orange/yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 large sweet potato, chopped
4 tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1 container chicken stock
1c. water
4tbsp. chili powder
4tsp. cinnamon
2tbsp. salt


Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, mix your tomato paste and chicken stock together, until smooth. Chop the tomatoes, and add to the pot. Set it to simmer.
2. In a large pan, melt your butter on medium-high heat, and sauté onion for a minute. Add ground turkey, and brown it. Once browned, add your turkey and onion to the pot, as well as the rest of your ingredients. Let simmer for at least 30 minutes. (The longer it cooks, the better the flavor).

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Keeping Thin During Pregnancy

Many of women's biggest fear during pregnancy (besides the fear of actually giving birth!), is weight gain. I know that right when I found out I was pregnant, I started watching everything that I was eating even more carefully, and weighing myself night and day. I was pretty disappointed when I realized that I was going to gain weight no matter what, because I had been on such a healthy track, and shedding pounds like it was nothing.

During my 41 week pregnancy, I managed to gain 38 pounds, most of that happening at the very end of the 2nd trimester and the 3rd. Here's me at 40weeks pregnant, and then me at 2 weeks postpartum. I've lost 25 pounds so far!



I think the trick to not having gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, and then losing so much weight so fast, boils down to a couple of things...

1. You are NOT eating for 2.
     It drove me crazy when people complained that I wasn't eating enough. No, I was eating just the right amount for me. When you get pregnant, this is not an allowance to just eat whatever you want... I've read that you can eat up to 300 calories more than you normally eat. And think about it...at the beginning, you're feeding a baby that's the size of a blueberry...and at the end, you're feeding a baby that's the size of a small pumpkin. He/She does NOT need all that much. They will get the nutrients they need from you no matter what, just make sure you're eating well for yourself.

2. SPLURGE...every once in a while.
     I was so careful about watching what I ate, but I would still get the every now and then craving for chocolate, or ice cream. My go to favorite snack was Publix Sorbet, it didn't matter what flavor. But when I tried to hold myself off from eating those cravings, all I found was that I thought about that craving more than ever! So splurge, you soon to be mommy. Don't deny yourself those goodies every now and then.

3. Eat what you want! 
    The key to this is moderation! Now, I'm not saying eat only Little Debbie snacks, or pizza all the time. But I never calorie counted throughout my pregnancy, I just ate what I felt like eating, but listened to my body. One of the tricks to eating in moderation, is to eat slowly. Listen to your stomach, your body will let you know when you're full, but when you scarf your food down, it's harder to hear what your stomach is saying until it's too late...we've all had those nights, where after we eat, we need a wheelchair to even get around ;)

Now for losing the weight after baby....


4. Remember to Eat!
    Mom...you're going to be tired. Way tired than you've ever been in your entire life. Of course, it's all worth it when you get that little smile at 4am after your baby feeds...
My little booger smiling after his 4am feeding..
But one of the most important things to remember is to eat, even if it's something you grab on your trip around the house while you rock your baby to sleep. When you're reaching in the fridge though, grab an apple, or a handful of nuts. If you go for a cinnamon roll or a quick cookie, you won't lose that weight, your body will hang on to those calories because it doesn't know when it's going to eat again. Having a baby is stressful, but you've got to remember to take care of your body :)

5. Walk!
     As soon as you can, start going for walks. It's one of the easiest exercises, and it feels AMAZING to get out of your house! Even if it's just a 20-30 minute stroll around the neighborhood, anything is better than sitting on the couch. And it always gives me that boost of energy that I need at 2 in the afternoon.

6. Breastfeed.
    Now, I completely understand that it doesn't work for everyone...it's hard as crap! Sometimes I feel like there isn't enough lanolin in the world to keep my nipples from constantly feeling so sore (sorry, maybe TMI?), but if you can, do it. Breastfeeding can burn up to 600 calories a day. I've read online (I found it online, so it MUST be true, haha), that you burn about 3 calories a minute breastfeeding. And it's so good for your baby! Also, I feel extremely close to my baby boy while breastfeeding him, it's our own special time that he doesn't get with anyone else....


So these are just a few tricks that I used. Of course, I'm not perfect, and I'm not doctor, but these are just what I've tested and what has worked for me. Good luck, and congratulations on becoming a new mom :)



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Thursday, March 14, 2013

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

So I haven't posted in over a month...and this is why :))



This is Oliver, the new love of my life. But having this beautiful new addition to our lives leaves little time for anything else...and leaves me extremely tired!!

Ever since he was born, my cravings for foods have been slightly odd. In the hospital, I wouldn't even eat any room service. Instead, I ate the free graham crackers they offered, day and night. Lately, I've had a craving for chocolate and peanut butter. I'm not a fan of chocolate candies, but thoughts of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups have been floating in my head for days, and I knew I had to do something about it before I sank my teeth into one of those 210 calorie, articifical preservative laden, delicious treats....so I made my own!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
makes 6 peanut butter cups




Ingredients:
2c. dark chocolate
4tbsp. milk
1.5tbsp. peanut butter
1tsp. honey
1 crushed graham cracker


Directions:

1. Place chocolate chips and milk into a microwave safe bowl, and heat for 30 seconds, stirring after the first 15seconds. Chocolate may not be melted all the way, but stir continuously, and it will melt perfectly.

2. Pour a thin layer of chocolate into muffin/cupcake tins in a cupcake or muffin pan. Refrigerate to let the chocolate harden.

3. While chocolate cools, mix peanut butter, graham cracker and honey together. Spoon peanut butter on top of chocolate, and spread. Add the rest of the chocolate on top of the peanut butter (you may need to melt chocolate for another 15 seconds). Let cool for at least 10-15 minutes, then serve.


I used dark chocolate because it's much better for you than milk chocolate. These are amazing though, not super sweet, but enough to fill that chocolate craving. Enjoy :))