Feeling Healthy and Strong as a New Mom
As a new mom, I was inundated with information about how to keep my baby healthy. Making the best nutritional choices became a major focus of my existence, but I often felt overwhelmed by all of the advice out there. And, as is almost always the case with babies, things were always changing! The moment I thought I had mastered the nutritional differences between breast milk and formula, it was time to again unscramble complex information as my baby began solids. My head was spinning – organic, free range, whole grain, omega-3s, whole milk, hormones, super foods, and so on!
Having a baby is beyond exhausting – we’ve all learned this. My first child was colicky and cried for 3 months straight. I don’t think I ever slept, let alone ate healthfully. A few years flew by, and, before I knew it, I was the mother of 3 children under the age of 4. It’s no surprise that I was always exhausted and often feeling under the weather. It was then that I realized that yes, my children’s nutrition is important, but so is my own! And, although I’ve not yet found a solution to the exhaustion of motherhood, I have found that keeping myself fueled with energizing super-foods allow me to better enjoy the intense but rewarding job of being a mom.
Unless you are lucky enough to have someone else making you smart, delicious, healthy meals to eat on the run, you’ll need to have a few tricks up your sleeve for those times when there is no time. Here are a few surprisingly delicious and quick ways to keep you feeling strong, satisfied, energized AND – best of all — don’t involve oven mitts!
1.Turn Green. Start your day with a green juice. I make mine in a juicer with kale, celery, cucumber, ginger, apple, and a squeeze of lemon. But really, you can throw in any greens left over in your fridge – from spinach to parsley – to create a healthy and super energizing morning drink. And I take mine to go – it’s perfect to sip while taking a morning walk with your baby. There are many great resources online with green drink recipes, SheKnows.com has some really yummy combinations.
2. Go Nuts. Always keep a ziploc of raw almonds, cashews, or the nut of your choice in your handbag. Nuts are satisfying, delicious, and have so many health benefits – from lowering “bad cholesterol” to building strong bones and teeth. Plus, it will help prevent you from grabbing a bag of chips at the local deli when you’re out and about.
3. Mix It Up. My new obsession is the Vitamix blender. In just minutes, you can make everything from smoothies to soups, sauces to spreads. Many of the recipes I’ve been making are great because you can feed them to your baby, too. The Vitamix preserves also all that healthy fiber from fruits and veggies, unlike traditional juicers – a super bonus!
My favorite recipe right now is a delicious smoothie that both you and your baby (depending on their age) can enjoy. Also, if you don’t have a Vitamix, a blender works well too.
2 cups frozen or fresh berries
1 banana
1 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon flax seeds or acai
1 cup coconut water
For a savory option, I love this easy hummus:
1 can of chickpeas
1/3 cup of tahini
Juice of 2 lemons
Or give this nutrient packed kale-basil pesto a try:
2 big bunches of kale
2 big bunches of basil
1 cup olive oil
4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons pine nuts
2 cloves of garlic
With these tips, I hope you keep yourself feeling vibrant and strong – the best way to enjoy the wonderful ride of motherhood. And always remember: be good to yourself.
