Shakeology and Pregnancy

When I first became pregnant I was questioning whether or not it was a good decision to take Shakeology while pregnant.

I mean you usually would stop taking any supplements during this time, however shakeology is not like a normal supplement!

Shakeology is an all natural drink, no artificial sweeteners, flavoring, dyes... it truly is the purest source of nutrients made up of over 70 super foods.  so why question it.... Well if you haven't been pregnant yet... YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU BECOME PREGNANT!
YOU QUESTION EVVVVVVEERRRRRYYYTHINGGGG!!!

There are so many things on the **DO NOT EAT** list-- so you always want to be safe!

SO.... for me, and my lovely morning ... cough cough... ALL DAY... Sickness, I was not really able to even stomach shakeology for a good three to four months anyways.  So the question of taking it, really wasn't an option.

However as I started to feel better, I really missed my shakes and all the energy they gave me.  So I decided I needed to look a little bit more into this!

I was torn, because Shakeology is ALL NATURAL! I mean you really don't have anything to worry about if you eat things all natural, so I kind of thought it was silly of me to put so much concern on taking it.  However with babies you have to just be so cautious, so I decided to look into it a little bit more and then speak with my doctor.

**PRINT OUT THE INGREDIENT LIST AND BRING IT ON IN TO THE DOCS!**


After speaking with my doc and getting back to reality(pre pregnancy brain) and re-realizing that shakeology truly is THE BEST nutrients your body can get- EVEN WHILE PREGNANT, I just tweaked a few things here and there and decided to get back on shakeology train!

Doc said STOP TAKING PRENATAL WHILE ON SHAKEOLOGY AND DRINK YOUR SHAKE WITH A FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENT!

It was that easy!!!  No more HUGE HORSE PILLS to take every day!!  Just simple easy nutrition in a glass a day!  Not to mention IT TASTES LIKE DESSERT!
and what PREGNANT mama doesn't like to have some dessert !

So why no prenatal and adding in the folic acid???
When you are pregnant however, you do not want to over load your body with vitamins because certain vitamins like Vitamin A in access can harm your baby- so you cannot be on both the prenatal vitamin and shakeology.  You need to choose which one to be on.
You can alternate days, or just take your prenatal on those days you don't feel like a shake.





On the days you drink your shakeology, you do need to pair it with a folic acid.  Folic Acid helps to protect your beautiful bundle from a serious birth defect that affects the brain and spinal cord.

I would also recommend EATING your folic acids as well!

Here is a great chart of natural sources of folic acids to add into your diet as well!

SO WHY SHAKEOLOGY??

This is my third pregnancy and first go around being on Shakeology.  I can tell you that I have never felt better throughout my pregnancies.  

I was so fatigued throughout my other pregnancies, many times sick, I suffered from acne, migraines and other various sicknesses (since your immune system is down).  

Not to mention I had way more cravings for that lovely CHOCOLATE AND ICE CREAM!! 

**don't get me wrong, I still have some.... and yes still eat it in moderation, But its nothing like it was!**

This time around..... I have been feeling great! (minus the first 3 months or so with morning sickness)

I have had the energy to keep up with my workouts and actually STAY FIT throughout my pregnancy! 

I have barely been sick at all! No migraines! Much clearer skin and barely any cravings.  

I'd say that is a TOTAL WIN on the Pregnancy scale!!! 

I am now only 2 weeks away from delivery and I have gained 22lbs.  I am still working out (while listening to my body) and still have great energy! 

I am so thankful I decided to keep Shakeology in my routine this pregnancy!

If your a pregnant Mama and want to know more about this please contact me! 

I always recommend speaking with your doctor FIRST as I did and then I can get you some Samples to try out! 

Wishing you a healthy pregnancy!! 

CHEERS TO YOU AND YOUR BUMP !

Apple and Oats Pancakes

I love playing up fall with pumpkin and apple flavored everything!!!

So I decided to create these

They are super easy to make! 

I first made my homemade apple sauce.  

You will need :

two apples cores, and peeled 

1 Tbs cinnamon 

1 tsp coconut sugar (if you like it sweeter you may need to add more) 

Some water 

I cut apart 2 apples,

skinned them, diced them and put then in a bowl with some water at the bottom.  I microwaved them for 4 minutes or until soft.  I then pored about 1 tbs of cinnamon to top along with 1 tsp or coconut sugar and mixed together.

I then threw them in my little baby bullet and blended until smooth. 

Once that is blended I mix the rest together : 

about 2 egg whites (1/2 cup) 

1/4 cup apple sauce 

1/3 oats (quick oats)

1Tbs ground flax and chia seeds

Mix well, then cook on the stove like normal pancakes 

When I serve them, I layer and stack the pancakes with the extra apple sauce left over - to get the added apple taste in every bite! :) 

Enjoy the taste of fall!!  

......

I sure did! 

Egg white oatmeal

Whenever eating, I always try to pair a complex carb with a protein.  So when I heard of egg white oatmeal, I knew I had to give it a shot, because its the perfect combination of the two!

There are so many health benefits to Oatmeal it is unreal!

Here are 10!
1. Low calorie food; stops cravings.
A cup is only 130 calories!  It also stays in your stomach longer, making you feel full longer.  You will have less hunger and cravings.
2. Provides high levels of fiber, low levels of fat, and high levels of protein.
It’s on the short list for the highest protein levels of any grain.
3. Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces risk of diabetes (type 2)
The high fiber and complex carbohydrates slow down the conversion of this whole food to simple sugars. The high levels of magnesium nourish the body’s proper use of glucose and insulin secretion.
4. Removes your bad cholesterol (without affecting your good cholesterol).
Many studies have shown that the unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-glucan, has beneficial effects on cholesterol levels
5. Gluten Free safe.
I am gluten sensitive and have no problem with oatmeal.  If you are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease there is some cause for concern. Oats lack many of the prolamines (proteins) found in wheat (gluten) but oats do contain avenin.  Avenin is a prolamine that is considered toxic to the intestinal mucosa of avenin-sensitive individuals.  Oats can also contain gluten from nearby wheat field contamination and processing facilities.  Many studies have shown that many celiacs can consume wheat free oats with no problems.
6. Contains lignans which protect against heart disease and cancer.
Oatmeal, like many whole grains, contains plant lignans, which are converted by intestinal flora into mammalian lignans.  One lignan, called enterolactone, is thought to protect against breast and other hormone-dependent cancers as well as heart disease.
7. Contains unique antioxidants beneficial for heart disease.
A study at Tufts University shows that the unique antioxidants in oatmeal called called avenanthramides, help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
8. Protects against heart failure.
A Harvard  study on 21,000 participants over 19 years showed that found that men who enjoyed a daily morning bowl of whole grain (but not refined) cereal had a 29 percent lower risk of heart failure.
Guess what grain is most easily found and prepared unrefined – oats.
9.  Enhances immune response to disease. The unique fiber in oatmeal called beta-gluten also has been shown to helps neutrophils travel to the site of an infection more quickly and  it also enhances their ability to eliminate the bacteria they find there
10. It tastes good!
All oats whether in flakes or groats form have gone through a heat process which gives them their rich nutty flavor.  This keeps them from spoiling. They have also been hulled.  This process does not strip away all the bran and germ allowing them to retain a concentrated source of  fiber and nutrients .

Now you know why I love Oats so much..... Here is the recipe

Because peaches are in season, I decided to create a Maple and Peaches version.  You can add whatever spices, fruit or nut to the top if you do not like peaches


 You will need:
(serves 1 1/2 to 2 people) :

2 cups water
2/3 cup oatmeal
4 egg whites
cinnamon or other spices
100% pure, natural (organic) maple syrup
1 peach cut up
(other fruit and/or nuts if you wish)


Bring 2 cups to boil in small pot

and add in oatmeal.  Cook for a bout 8 minutes, or until oats look soft (will still look watery)

Separate eggs and beat egg whites with a fork until fluffy 

reduce heat, slowly add in the eggs and quickly stir in egg whites

Once the mixture looks creamy, take off the heat and poor into a bowl

Add in spices, maples syrup, fruit and nuts

I added in about 3 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp maple syrup 

serve and ENJOY!!!

I know I did....