MyWellnest

Happy Friday!!! *Long weekend dance*

We have ten very important things to go over today. Let’s dive right in!

1. I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who reads and comments on my blog. You all make my day :-) Pug Hugs!!!

2. I reunited with an old friend after work yesterday…my beloved green monster! I hadn’t been into them much during my first trimester, however when I tasted mine last night I asked myself why? It was sooo good.

This was a sort of “everything but the kitchen sink” green monster. Spinach, frozen bananas, frozen black raspberries, two strawberries and some white cranberry juice.

3. Speaking of friends, have you checked out Tina’s 30 Days of Self Love Reflection? Or Heather’s Faces of Beauty? Two amazing and inspiring movements!

4. I’m happy to report I’m currently headache free! I focused on staying hydrated yesterday and so far, so good!

5. I LOVE Project Runway. It’s by far my favorite show on right now. Does anyone else watch Project Runway?

6. Yesterday after work I was being super lazy and making excuses to not go for a walk. Personal trainer Matt got me off the couch and onto the pavement for a two mile walk. I was so glad he did.

7. Check out this NEAT Swigz water bottle Matt just ordered. I’ll be honest at first I was thinking seriously Matt another thing to clutter our cabinets, awesome…but upon further inspection realized it’s a dual chamber water bottle. So you could put water in one side, protein shake in the other, or cranberry juice one side, vodka on the other! Ha…imagine the possibilities!

8. What is your favorite show on TV right now?

9. What combo would you put in a dual chamber water bottle?

10. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

September 3rd, 2010 | Tags: green (and sometimes purple) monsters, Project Runway, Swigz, water | Category: Friday 1-10 | Comments (3)

September 2nd, 2010 | Tags: headaches, water | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (8)

With Matt out of town for a quick business trip I was on my own last night. This gave me the opportunity to have one of those dinners that really isn’t a dinner. You know, like cereal or toast…

Being on my own also opens the door for potential emotional eating. For some reason, of which I’ve not completely explored, when I’m alone I tend to find comfort in eating. Last year for example, when Matt was away for a week I spent the entire time on the couch watching television and eating. Lovely huh?

I felt myself slipping into a downward emotional eating spiral almost as soon as I got home. Down the hatch went crackers and cheese, a few sips of  orange juice and a pudding cup before I caught myself and put the brakes on!

Here is what I did…

I got off the couch!

I picked up a few things around the house

I drank some water – turns out I was super thirsty!

I gave the pugs some attention (which they never tire of)

And before I knew it my “hunger” dissipated completely!

When I was genuinely hungry for dinner I wanted something with tomato. Tomato, tomato, tomato.

No frills tomato soup in a mug.

Exactly what I wanted and very filling.

What is your favorite meal that really isn’t a meal?

September 1st, 2010 | Tags: Emotional Eating | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (9)

Lately I’m into apples, especially red delicous :-)

Did you know the top U.S. apple varieties are: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji and McIntosh. (Source)

What is your favorite kind of apple?

Fun fact: my baby is about the size of an apple this week! Coinsidence?

The timing is great considering it’s almost apple season in Vermont! The apple is even our state fruit! Does your state have a fruit? If so, what is it?

I’ve talked a lot about fruit this summer…

Banana Rambles

Snack Time

Fruit and Flavor Preference

…just to name a few! What can I say? I love me some fruit.

Vegetables are a different story. Early on in my pregnancy (around week 6 or 7) I developed an aversion to vegetables. I stopped making green monsters, stopped eating even my favorite vegetables (broccoli, carrots, peppers, cauliflower, spinach). I just couldn’t stomach the thought of them.

I have heard some women do develop an aversion to vegetables in their first trimester and  I can now say, I was one of those women!

However, as the weeks have ticked on I’ve started to incorporate vegetables back into my diet. So far it’s been a slow, yet amicable reunion. I’m glad we’re getting back together though, it feels healthy!

30 Days of Self Reflection Starts tomorrow! Check out Tina’s blog for more info!

August 31st, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (6)

I turned 29 on Saturday and had the most relaxing Birthday weekend.

Friday night we visited with my family.

Saturday morning we took the pugs for a short walk, dropped them off at home and continued on for a three mile walk.

I read and napped.

I got my strawberry cupcake + buttercream frosting fix in.

Visited with Matt’s family.

Sunday morning I went to prenatal yoga…and after had my favorite multigrain bagel with garlic and herb cream cheese.

All in all, the perfect Birthday weekend :-)

How was your weekend?

August 30th, 2010 | Tags: Birthday | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (3)

Happy Happy Friday! Tomorrow is my Birthday and as an early Birthday treat to myself I’m taking a half day today!

Birthday or not, how can you treat yourself today? It’s Friday, you earned it!

Snacks. Love them. Need them. My current snacking trend is mostly inspired by mini-meals. I’m finding that lately these micro meals keep me full and satiated much longer than say…a pudding cup or a granola bar.

Because lately my hunger seems to sneak up on me a bit unexpectedly, I need my snacks to be quick and easy. I compiled a list of snacks I’m into lately that are also quick, easy and filling. And, I thought today would be a good day to share.

1. Grilled Cheese – Depending on my hunger level I either use two slices of bread and one slice of cheese or one slice or bread and one slice of cheese (doubled) for an extra cheesy half sandwich. I guess if you wanted to get fancy you could throw a tomato slice in there.

2. Fruit Bowl – To my surprise (somewhat) I find a mixture of fruit very filling! What I love about this snack is you can always change it up with different fruit. It never gets boring!

3. Peanut Butter Sandwich – One slice of bread and about a tablespoon of peanut butter “sticks to my ribs” so to speak. Banana slices would make a good addition as well.

4. Black Beans & Cheese – Left over black beans are my best friend. Sprinkle a little cheese on them and throw them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds and it’s a dream snack for me.

5. English Muffin Pizza - A classic. I’ve also used a sandwich flat as pictured below. This is an easy snack to add veggies to as well.

6. Breakfast Sandwich/Wrap – Speaking of english muffins! I’m currently very into egg and cheese on any grain! To keep this more snack than meal I’ve used one slice of bread rather than two.

7. Vegetables and Dip – Like fruit I wasn’t sure that vegetables could fill me up, silly Kara. They sure can! Carrots and peppers with Cabot French Onion dip are my current favorite. If you’re a hummus person that’s another option to go with the vegetables.

8. Crackers and Cheese - I’ve loved crackers and cheese for as long as I can remember. I’m actually wondering if anyone out there has any cracker recommendations? I’ve seen Dr. Kracker on a few blogs, any opinions of them?

9. Crackers and Peanut Butter -  I don’t find this the same as a peanut butter sandwich. Peanut butter spread on a cracker with a banana slice garnish. How lovely. Or strawberry slice :-)

10. Apple Slices with Peanut Butter – another classic. I also just to dip strawberries in peanut butter!

What are you favorite snacks these days?

Have a great day!

August 27th, 2010 | Category: Friday 1-10, Snacks | Comments (6)

Does anyone here watch the Rachel Zoe Project? Bananas. I die. Major.

Sometimes when I think of bananas, I think of Rachel Zoe (and my friend Jenica who is also fluent in Zoebot).

I’m getting off topic here…

I had this random idea to pay homage to the banana today. Whoever, (I believe Angela) called it the “little black dress of fruit” was right on. It’s truly a staple food.

• I love bananas plain, especially sliced
• I love bananas in green monsters
• I love bananas in…bread :-)

With all this banana talk, I had to make banana bread! I used a recipe from Simply Recipes (the picture is currently being held hostage)

Do you love bananas?

I like bananas best when they are completely yellow right before the brown spots hit, even though I’ve read a banana is at its peak when the brown spots begin to appear.

What’s your favorite stage of banana ripeness?

Did you know if you google “banana” Banana Republic comes up BEFORE the actual fruit….

What are your favorite ways to eat bananas?

P.S. Thanks for the amazing comments yesterday, I heart all of you!!!

August 26th, 2010 | Tags: bananas, Rachel Zoe | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (8)

Even though I’m only 14 weeks pregnant, multiple people have already asked me how much weight I’ve gained. Color me sensitive, but I find that a somewhat rude question. I understand people are probably asking out of an interested place, but I’m sorry, put on your filter and ask me an appropriate question!  And futher more, does it matter how much I’ve gained or will gain?

Defensive much Kara? Yeah probably a little…

You see, weight is a sort of a two sided issue for me. On the one hand I really don’t think it matters how much I weigh or how much I’ll gain. It’s a number. Big deal.  However, on the other hand I know myself well enough to know that numbers get in my head and mess with me. So, while logically I know it doesn’t matter, emotionally I’m not as sound. I’ve found what is best for me is to simply not weigh myself.

Additionally, I feel so fortunate to even be pregnant I refuse to let weight gain get in the way of my happiness.

My “head in the sand” method makes it easy to answer the question “how much have you gained?” because I can honestly say…I don’t know!

Well, that was the honest answer up until my last doctors appointment anyway…..

Because weigh ins are mandatory at my prenatal check ups I usually avert my eyes while being weighed.  My tactic was working beautifully until my last visit when out of no where the midwife running my visit mentions I’d gained nine pounds in the last month and that it was “a little bit of jump”. “We certainly don’t want to gain that much every visit”.

I wish I could say that I let it roll right off, but I’d be lying. I felt bad. We talked about what could cause a jump like that and I honestly assessed how I’d been eating. On the ride home Matt and I even discussed how we could make some better choices.  Then, later that day I decided to let it go. I gained nine pounds, so what? There are far greater problems in this world and the last thing I want is to be unhappy with myself during the happiest time of my life.

Being able to tell this story, tells me that I’ve come along way!

Do you bury your head in the sand about anything?

Wishing you a beautiful Wednesday!!!

August 25th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (15)

Ever since I saw Heather (of Heather’s Dish) make taco salad I could not get it out of my head! So, that’s exactly what we had for dinner last night! Which also gave me the chance to make Heather’s (of Where’s the Beach) taco bowls!

Matt’s taco bowl salad

I opted for a regular taco salad in a bowl…

and black beans with cheese on the side…

Fun Fact: I don’t typically like cheese in salad, but melted cheese on black beans is one of my favorite snacks!

Question: What would your dream taco salad consist of?

Next topic, energy!

I am cautiously optimistic that my energy is returning! Around week seven I began to lose steam and by week ten I was toast. Every day after work Matt would find me laying on the couch and have to drag me outside to get a walk in. My bedtime went from 11 to 10 and sometimes 9:30, and I went from waking up before the alarm to sleeping through a few “snoozes” and then forcing myself out of bed. And naps! Oh, me and naps became really great friends, especially on weekends!

I had heard I would get my energy back and I’ve been patiently waiting. Yesterday when I got home I cleaned our two bathrooms, went for a walk, made dinner and cleaned the kitchen with Matt..and then realized … wait…is it back?!?!

Have a great day!

August 24th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (4)