Eating clean and healthy allows the body to perform better on all levels, including sex. Eating food that nourishes our body on a consistent basis literally gives you energy, puts you in a vibrant mood, and boosts sexual performance and pleasure. I’ve always been keen on the idea of foods that boost your libido becauseyou can eat them to elevate your sex life without having to worry about any weird side effects associated with sex-enhancement drugs. Plus, eating right and taking care of your body will just help you feel comfortable in your own skin which means more confidence and pleasure in the bedroom.
Today, Simone Farschi, a sex and intimacy coach recommends incorporating these nine powerful foods into your diet for a mind-blowing climax. Here goes-
1) Greens
Leafy green veggies facilitate the production of the female hormone estrogen. They are also loaded with zinc, which is known for its libido and sperm production qualities in men.
2) Seeds
Seeds such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, chickpeas, and sunflower seeds etc. are again friends of sexual hormones. These seeds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, a drop in which affects hormone levels leading to a plummeting sex drive. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in zinc which is a mineral needed to produce testosterone.
3) Seafood
Be it fish or raw oysters, they contain the wonder sex drug in them! It’s also found to boost the hormone dopamine that lights up the brain’s pleasure system. ⠀⠀
4) Nuts
All kinds of nuts provide one with energy that’s directly proportional to your stamina while having sex.
5) Fruits
All fruits, especially those rich in vitamin C such as pineapples, papayas and strawberries can be vital in sexual gratifications. The body needs vitamin C to keep the sexual organs fine-tuned. Vitamin C increases the number and quality of sperm produced. Not to mention, it makes you taste better 😉
Fruits such as Bananas are ideal to give you endurance in the bedroom as they are a rich source of vitamin B that converts carbohydrates into energy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
6) Spices
The right kind of spices not only spice up your palette but also your bedroom. “Chilli pepper, red chillies and ginger perk up blood circulation. ⠀⠀⠀
7) Dark Chocolate
A natural libido booster! Chocolate contains a chemical called phenethylamine that triggers feelings of relaxation, intoxication, and pleasure. releases mood-boosting, stress-reducing serotonin and stimulates physical contact desires and lowers inhibitions.
8) Olive Oil
Orgasm worries in women find an answer in olive oil, which triggers the production of the testosterone hormone.
9) Garlic
A wonder sex booster, regular consumption of garlic in food can bring a marked difference in your sexual prowess.
Hey, how’s your week going? This week I’ve been craving all things mangoes+ mango-flavoured desserts. While scrolling through endless mango desserts, I came across Mei Yee‘s refreshing mango key lime tart (vegan+plantbased) that looks like it would make all my problems go away with just one bite. I’ve never thought of mixing mango with key lime, but now that I think of it, the key lime would make the dessert so refreshing with its tartness. Here’s the full recipe:
Preheat oven to 180C. Grease a tart pan. Set aside.
In a food processor, process rolled oats, quinoa flakes, almonds until finely ground. Add the maple syrup, vanilla, coconut oil and pulse until well combined. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom and sides of the pan. Bake for 20 mins or until it turns golden brown. Let cool completely…
In a food processor, purée mangoes until smooth.
In a saucepan, combine the coconut milk, lime juice, key lime zest, bring up to a boil and add agar-agar powder. Whisk constantly until agar completely dissolved. Then add in maple syrup, whisking constantly. Allow boiling for approximately 30 seconds.
Remove from heat and pour the mixture into the food processor with the mango purée. Pulse until well combined. Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve. Then pour mango lime mixture into a cooled tart shell and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set.
Thank you, Mei! Check out Mei’s delightful food page with delicious vegan and plant-based recipes.
“This is the perfect recipe for when you want the silky, luxurious richness of bolognese but you want something lighter and quicker and no meat! It’s also very adaptable and you could use a mixture of vegetables (I used a tiny bit of cauliflower and lots of cabbage) and then top it with lots of parm and lots of freshly cracked black pepper and lemon zest.”
Vegetarian Bolognese
1/4 cup olive oil
1 onion
2 stalks of celery
2 carrots
6 cloves of garlic
1/2 head of cauliflower or 1/2 head of cabbage
1 tbsp red pepper flakes (or less if spice sensitive)
4 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup red wine
1 cup whole milk
1 cup chicken stock
Orange or lemon peel
Cinnamon or nutmeg
Parmesan rind (optional)
Anchovies (optional)
Salt
Black pepper
Sugar
1lb pasta parmesan (for serving)
1. Finely chop the onion, and garlic and shred the carrots using a box grater or pulse everything in a food processor. Do the same with the cauliflower or cabbage.
2. In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil on medium heat. When shimmering, add the chopped veggies and cook until browned and starting to stick to the bottom of the pot.
3. If using, add in anchovies as well as the red pepper flakes and tomato paste and the wine, making sure to scrape any of the browned bits at the bottom of the pan and bring mixture to a simmer.
4. Once simmering, add in the milk, chicken stock, orange or lemon peel, and a sprinkling of cinnamon or nutmeg. Season with salt (2tsp) and black pepper and 1tsp of sugar. Add in the parmesan rind if using. Allow the sauce to simmer for 15-30 minutes and taste along the way. Add in more salt or pepper according to taste. You want the sauce to look meaty and thick.
5. Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
6. Add drained pasta to the sauce, as well as some of the pasta water and toss until the sauce is clinging to the noodles.
7. Serve pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese, more black pepper and extra red pepper flakes, if desired.
To be quite honest, I’ve been feeling so low this chilly week in Edmonton. I stayed indoors for the most part. That being said, now is the time for me to hop on to the whole charcuterie board rage. Can you believe I haven’t made one yet? So, I turned to my chef friend (aka the charcuterie board expert)Andrea and asked her to help out with a guide to the perfect charcuterie board at home. Here goes:
This is called a “guide,” but I would use that term lightly as I don’t think there should be strict rules about what can and cannot be on a charcuterie board, rather suggestions of how to build one that will have all your close friends on Instagram heart-reacting to your story.
Simplicity
The most important thing about the board is keeping it simple. A lot of the time, I see food bloggers or websites post pictures of huge wooden boards, filled to the brim with meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, glitter… you’ve seen these! I’ve even come across pictures on Pinterest of “charcuterie tables” where a whole table at a party is just covered in snacks? Especially during the pandemic, this makes me cringe— it’s just a table full of meat and cheese that people are continually touching???
How much?
So I think it’s important to try not to get carried away because that can get daunting. I usually like to go with 2 types of meats and cheeses per person. As for quantity, I would say it really depends because some people think of it as an appetizer, whereas sometimes I just like to set up a board as our dinner, and we can pick at it throughout the night. In an article by Epicurious, they suggest about 50g of meat per person for an appetizer and about 150g of meat if it’s the majority of the meal. Again, it really is dependent on the person, but getting too much shouldn’t be a problem since you can always make another board on a different occasion, or use the leftovers for a sandwich or to cook with.
The elements
Pre-quarantine when having people over, I would make a board for about three to four people most often. Thus I would include:
Once you have everything, you can arrange it as you please, paying attention to the contrasting colours, textures and flavours. This will create something that is visually appealing and is sure to impress whoever you’re sharing it with
Drink pairing
I don’t know if this is controversial, but I don’t really think you have to either drink red or white wine specifically with a charcuterie board. I enjoy drinking a cold sparkling dry white wine to pair with the lighter elements such as the cheeses, just as much as savouring a deep red with the rich meats.
A note about quality
Your board will only taste as good as the ingredients. Although cured meats and specialty cheeses are expensive. Going to a deli or cheese vendor and choosing (post-covid sampling) your own board elements will be more delicious, better quality, and cheaper per quantity than you would pay for a board at a restaurant.
If you just want to know what I would buy and put on a board….
– Prosciutto di parma (24 months)
– Rosemary porchetta
– Spicy salami or soppressata
– Pistachio mortadella
– Smoked Salmon or Gravlax
– terrine or pate
cheeses
– Triple cream brie
– Manchego (12 months)
– Truffle Pecorino
– Beemster
– Cave-aged gruyere
Thank you so much, Andrea. You can follow her food page for all the mouth-watering pictures on Instagram here.
What are your board must-haves? Let us know in the comments below.
Several weeks ago, Ellen took it to her Instagram to share her painful feelings of grief and loss after a missed miscarriage. She left isolated and lonely in her sadness and realized how difficult it was for her to talk to anyone.
Here, Ellen’s personal reflection captures the grief, loss and isolation she felt after her miscarriage and its impact on her mental health in the hopes that it will help others in talking about their lost pregnancy without feeling any shame or stigma.
Just three weeks ago, Alan and I sat in our ultrasound clinic and saw our unborn baby’s heartbeat through the screen.
It was only six weeks and two days old, but our little baby had a steady heartbeat, and the next time we will be able to hear the heartbeat and walk out with a printed ultrasound photo.
I would have never imagined that I would be that one in four, to step out of there with nothing but a broken heart.
Up to one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage- good odds that suddenly seem stacked against you when you find out you’re expecting and start to think every little twinge is an impending catastrophe.
I am one in four.
A statistic I never wanted to be a part of but found myself in.
The worst part is, I wasn’t even desperately trying to get pregnant…it just happened.
But upon seeing that heartbeat, it made me feel like the only thing in this world that mattered was this baby and that I was the luckiest person in the world to be blessed with a child so fast.
On December 09, 2020, I woke up early to get my lashes filled because I wanted to take pictures to announce it to the world.
I didn’t know that some time between these last three weeks, very soon after we saw our baby’s heartbeat, it stopped beating for good. And, I had no idea.
My body went cold as I watched the tech try desperately to locate a heartbeat or any movement, and my own heart stopped in that room.
I googled and googled…and I found out it’s called a missed miscarriage.
Your baby dies, but for some reason, your body isn’t aware of it, and there are no signs or symptoms.
I still felt pregnant.
When I didn’t become nauseous, I just assumed I was breezing through it. My jeans didn’t fit anymore, and I was still more exhausted than usual.
I’ve never felt grief like this.
Everything is just a statistic until it happens to you.
Somehow I just lost track of time, it just went from being that dreadful Tuesday to the end of a Friday for three full days without me noticing it.
I just wanted to stay in bed and hide from the world because I feel like I’ve failed everyone.
As much as I tried to be healthy and productive, all I could bring myself to do is eat dessert for dinner and binge watch Netflix.
I look at Alan, and I feel like I failed him. I couldn’t make him a dad that he was so excited to become.
Sharing this terrible news with our parents gave me the biggest anxiety I’ve ever felt my entire life, knowing they will be so disappointed and feeling like I have wasted their time and energy over the last few weeks.
I never thought that I would share a struggle that is so private, but now I know that this is something that so many women experience but so few talk about.
Not sure when or if ever I’ll be completely okay.
About two weeks after the miscarriage, I went back to work for the first time.
It felt good to talk to everyone; it felt right for my mental health to share this experience.
However, many things still triggered me despite me thinking that I was mentally ready to move on.
For instance- I hid in the corner when a pregnant coworker came in, unable to look her in the eye and join the excited conversation of her due date.
I felt like a terrible person but just had to learn to accept that I wasn’t ready to celebrate someone else’s pregnancy after just losing my own.
And you know that Frequency Illusion when you learn something new you start seeing it everywhere?
Well, Alan and I may have started our stroller shopping early and decided on one particular model, and all of a sudden, this stroller is now appearing everywhere I go.
To make things worse, I developed a terrible pelvic ache that lasted two weeks and kept me from doing any physical activity.
I’ve always been an active person, and when I felt like I was finally mentally ready to get back to my routine, the physical pain kept me in bed feeling too depressed and reliving everything that “could’ve been.”
When people say time heals, they are not lying.
More than one month after this happened, I am finally somewhat back on track to finding normalcy.
My pelvic pain disappeared, my usual routine resumed, and Alan and I are ready to try again when we can. I wanted to document my thoughts and this journey because, honestly, nobody talks about it enough.
When you learn that you are pregnant, nobody tells you, “Hey, congrats, but just heads up, 1/4 pregnancy ends in miscarriage.”
You always only learn this AFTER shit happens. I know that even if we prepare ourselves, nothing will ease the pain.
Perhaps, it would prevent that first question from popping into your head, which is “What did I do wrong?”
Thank you so much Ellen for sharing such a personal experience with us. After listening to Ellen’s story I hope that we can continue to change the stigmas around miscarriage so that so many women don’t have to feel isolated through this gut-wrenching type of grief.
Sending warm hugs and lots of love to those out there who have lost pregnancies. I want you to know that you’re not alone!
Hoorayyy! You’ve made it to the third trimester. The third trimester is from week 27 to the end of pregnancy. While you may be ready to have your little one in your arms by this point but your baby still has growing to do. While you patiently wait to move on to the next stage, this post outlines tips for a healthier and relaxed third trimester.
What does the third trimester feel like?
When asked to describe her experience of the third trimester, a pregnant mom describes it by saying, “The third trimester feels similar to the first trimester because the exhaustion and constant peeing come back. You’re experiencing a huge discomfort as your belly gets bigger; you have to re-strategize how to do your daily routine. Like, shaving your legs is a whole workout, and the process and prep for switching sides when laying down is a struggle.”
Despite all the physical and emotional challenges, most moms would never trade this magical feeling for anything in the world. The biggest reward, one mom adds, is “when you feel your baby kick and move around to the sound of your voice or your touch. The feeling and sensation inside honestly feel like magic. Like every single time, it’s like, whoa, you’re alive inside of me.”
With a few more months to go, I have a few tips to make your last stretch a bit more easy and comfortable:
1) Support team of new/experienced moms:
Moms know the best. The quote ” life doesn’t come with a manual. It comes with a mother,” isn’t just said for no reason. They magically have cure to every problem you have. I’ll never know their secrets. So, now would be a good time to pick their brains. A pregnant mom shares, “there have been multiple times where my thoughts almost eat me alive, talking to experienced moms eased up all of my worries and anxieties about a lot of things.”
2) Belly butter for the stretch marks:
Pregnancy and stretch marks go hand-in-hand. As the baby grows in your womb, naturally, your skin would get some stretch marks that should otherwise be called your badge of honour.
Recalling how she sought relief to her stretch marks, a mama states, “my stretch marks happened so fast and so quickly, so that’s another thing that’s been hard to cope with considering stretch marks was a huge insecurity of mine. Loading up on body butter is going to be a lifesaver for you. ” I alternate between bio-oil, shea butter,coconut oil, and almond oil,” she adds. So, load up on the belly butter!!!
3) To breastfeed or to not breastfeed:
The decision to breastfeed or not to for your baby is a very personal one. The best way to decide would be to learn more about this process by reading books, we recommend this one or proactively speaking to different moms on online facebook groups or on quora.
There’s still a lot of stigma with the need to breastfeed, and it may look like something easy and natural to do. But, the reality is that it’s not a breeze. One mama mentions, “I am under pressure by the older female generation in my family to breastfeed successfully, but the reality is that for a lot of women, it’s challenging than you can imagine. So, do your research.”
4) Excercise:
Feeling tired and exhausted most of the time is entirely normal during the third trimester of pregnancy, and rightly so. But, encourage yourself to do light exercise daily. A long walk, swimming or yoga class will make for a healthier pregnancy and help you sleep at night. Additionally, adding a few gentle leg stretches may help to reduce leg cramping at night.
5) Keep track of baby’s movements:
As the baby grows bigger, there is little room for movement due to your uterus being crowded. It’s always good to keep track of your baby’s movements. And, contact your doctor immediately if you notice a decrease in the baby’s movements.
Kick Counter app is the most highly recommended one from a few different people and articles. It’s good to start maybe once a day when you know the baby is awake, but as you progress, count more often because, by that time, your baby should have a more consistent period of when they’re awake.
6) Create a birth plan:
It’s always best to make one so that there is a general idea of how you want things to go in case of an emergency. For instance- what kind of delivery do you want: C-section, natural or water. Decide on whether you want an epidural or not. And, finally, who you want in the room with you.
7) Pick a hospital to give birth in:
If you have a specific doctor you are comfortable with, ask for their professional advice on the hospitals they recommend. Research your local hospitals that are close in proximity, have top-quality doctors and medical staff, or even get reviews and feedback from other mothers to help you make this decision.
8) Eat healthy food:
Now more than ever, it’s essential you eat well balanced and healthy meals because the baby gets all its nutrients from you directly.
a) Eat small frequent meals:
“Everything feels so squished up in your body, so you can’t eat much at once. So eat small meals but increase the number of meals. Also, you continuously eat because you’re incredibly hungry all the time”, adds another new mom.
b) Be cautious of the sugar content:
Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of nutrients for pregnant women. But, one has to consider the portions of the fruits. “I failed my first diabetes test, and it was because of eating too many fruits. I was shocked to learn the sugar content of fruits, and it’s been a challenge trying to minimize the number of fruits,” advises a mother. When it comes to your diet, eat everything in moderation.
9) Getting good sleep:
Your body has grown so much in so little time; the discomfort during this stage of pregnancy can break up a woman’s sleep cycle. Recalling the last few weeks of pregnancy, a mama reveals, “sleeping is so hard I would have to find the one position that was comfortable and then stay there, but not too long because I would get these killer leg cramps.”
If sleep is something you (like all pregnant moms) struggling with, try these easy fixes-
a) Pillows: If you have trouble getting comfy in bed, get creative with your pillows. Use them to support your body parts that feel uncomfortable. Pro tip: many women find folding a pillow over, and placing between the legs can help. We recommend using a pregnancy pillow.
b) Environment: Make sure your environment is right for sleeping. Please switch off the TV or laptop, turn the lights off and make sure the window is open for fresh air. Pregnant women tend to feel hotter, so make sure the room is cool enough.
Finally, If you still have trouble falling asleep, try reading a book for a while and have a warm glass of milk with turmeric.
10) Stay hydrated:
It is essential to stay hydrated as your kidneys are now ‘peeing for two’ and will be filtering up more blood than usual. So, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Like most mothers, if you need to track your water intake, we recommend buying this super cute water bottle that exactly does that.
11) Relax and self-care:
While it’s completely normal to be stressed and feel anxious during pregnancy, you must keep your calm and stay relaxed. If you’re feeling tense, take a warm bath just before bed and try a few deep breathing or relaxation exercises.
Moms start to experience a lot of stress as they mentally prepare for this new role and chapter of life. Self-care is so essential during this time. “I’ve been journaling my journey and doing the paint by number canvases,” states a mom. Stretching and yoga are other super useful things, especially with all the back pain you feel due to pregnancy.
12) Enjoy some alone time:
This is the only time you’re going to have for yourself before the baby arrives, so enjoy it as much as possible.
I hope this helps. All the best! Most of all, sending you all virtual kisses and pats on your beautiful pregnant bellies. Take gentle care of yourselves during this magical time of your life.
What pregnancy tips would you share? Did you have any unusual cravings? Anything else that you would like to share? I’d love to know in the comments below.
Last week, I shared the first-trimester checklist with you. Continuing this week is again, Henna’s second-trimester checklist and why this was her favourite part of the pregnancy.
Here goes…
The second trimester was my favourite part of being pregnant.
The horrendous nausea of the firsttrimester has passed, and the vastness of the third trimester is yet to come. This is the glowy part.
Your hair looks amazing, the skin is glowing, you can feel the baby move, and you float around on the bliss of making a new person. I was beaming, glowing, all things awesome.
Keeping that in mind, this second-trimester checklist has got you and your little one covered:
1) Find Out the Gender: As the days passed by, I just knew it in my heart; it was a boy. My husband, Vic, was sure it was going to be a girl. I was right (mamas know the best). He is now over the moon about having a basketball buddy for life.
2) Go for a 20-week anatomy scan: One of the highlights for my pregnancy was this scan. For the very first time, we could see the tiny arms and legs, hands and feet and everything else of the baby. To experience our little jelly bean, grow from a peanut to full human with bones melted our hearts.
3) Plan the gender reveal: Due to COVID, we planned a virtual gender reveal over video call to our friends and family. It wasn’t exactly the way we had hoped it would be. Regardless, we can’t wait to meet our BABY BOY!!!
4) Buy a pregnancy pillow: My little one was growing so big so fast as the days passed. I found it increasingly difficult to walk or sleep comfortably. To that, my friend recommended me a pregnancy pillow. Luckily, I had soft cushiony pillows at home, so I didn’t need to buy any special ones. However, my friend swears by this pregnancy pillow.
5) Buy nursing bras: As my pregnancy progressed, so did my discomfort for anything underwire. My friend has been using this comfortable nursing bra. I found these bras to be reasonably priced as well as insanely comfortable and supportive. Definitely, worth it.
6) Daily Stretches/Prenatal Yoga: My doctor recommended me prenatal yoga as he rightly predicted that it would help ease my pelvic pain that women very commonly tend to experience as the baby grows. Prenatal yoga also helped me a great deal to stay calm and relaxed throughout my pregnancy.
7)Get Started on the Nursery: From nursery themes to decor ideas, a lot went into getting my nursery ready. By my third trimester, I had very little to no energy. Having started this early was a pretty good idea.
8) Sign up for a breastfeeding course: Many breastfeeding mamas swear by Milkology. This site includes a massive FREE library that includes checklists, guides, cheatsheets and high-quality breastfeeding courses.
9)Switch to natural cleaning methods: I switched to these and have been loving them. Stock up!!
Henna’s final tip on the second trimester is, “do as much as you can during the first two trimesters of your pregnancy. That way, you can ease and relax during the third trimester, which can be extremely uncomfortable.”
What pregnancy tips would you share? Any cravings? Anything that made you feel better?
The sun-kissed afternoons, the crisp fresh air, the laughter of your closest friends, ice-cream dates, the light warm breeze and endless fun. I am referring to the joy that comes with summer. However, these hot days are incomplete without a drink to cool you down. Now, I present to you five best wines to upgrade your summer. Here goes:
1) True Colours Cava
True Colours Cava, is a lot more wine with a dramatic bottle. This dry sparkling wine supports the “social movements for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) communities.” “Love is Sparkling…and Social!”
What it tastes like:
Subtle richness, bread dough, nose tickling bubbles, fresh and fruity. Hints of pear, apple and soft notes of lemon and orange without being too sweet. The perfect amount of yeast and bubble. A pleasant sipper! Goes down a little too easy! Perfect for a hot summer day.
Pairs well with:
Appetizers and snacks, aperitif, cured meat, lean fish and shellfish.
2) Piquette Rose
A 2019 bestseller, this wine is a perfect summer afternoon banger. One of the best wines to cool you down this summer.
What it tastes like:
Super juicy, light fizz, notes of pineapple, tangerine, grapefruit. Nice crisp acidity that makes this wine super refreshing. Super easy to drink!
Pairs well with:
Charcuterie, fresh salad, soft cheeses, feta, spinach, mint and quinoa tartelettes.
3) Kindeli
Kindeli is one of the rare natural wines. Made with organically farmed fruit, sans sulphur makes it one of a kind. All the flavours, blending in perfect harmony, takes you down to a metaphorical tour of a splendid garden.
What it tastes like:
This kindeli is easy to drink and perfect for a hot summery day. The raspberry tones and a very earthy wine to drink makes it one of the highly recommended wines from Kindeli. Undoubtedly, one of the best summer wines.
Pairs well with:
beef, lamb, rich fish (salmon and tuna), spicy food and hard cheese.
4) Progetto Calcarius Ca 40.08 ‘Nu Litr’ Orange Puglia
This sparkling fresh and youthful wine is one of the most famous wines amongst the wine fanatics. It has been a consistent best-seller for the past few years.
What it tastes like:
It tastes a bit like a melted popsicle. Not as funky as other orange wines, its refreshing taste has medium to low acidity. Very fun, super easy to drink and tastes like orange peels dashed with a hint of salt. With rich aroma of apricot, and hints of peach in it. It is super dry with a bitter ending. Calcarius is a beautiful, refreshing summer packed in a bottle. Now, money does buy happiness.
Pairs well with: shellfish, crab, lobster and vegetarian meals.
5) Willamette Valley Syrah
Willamette Valley Syrah is an all-natural wine. It comes in white, rosé, and red. Made in Dion vineyard, it is made of wild yeast, neutral oak and no additives except for a negligible amount of sulphites. Unfined and unfiltered.
What it tastes like:
A party of delicious red fruits. With an extremely vibrant acidity. Crisp and refreshing with a pleasant bouquet and fruity finish. Best ice cold. You don’t want to miss out on this one.
Pairs well with:
Pork, shellfish, vegetarian and poultry. Bon appétit!
Have you tried these before? Do you have any favourites? (If yes, I’d love to know).
Are any of you pregnant right now? We have talked about dating, ghosting and self-care. Today, I figured I would share a pregnancy survival guide with you, starting off with the first-trimester checklist.
Henna is due with a baby boy in September. They were over the moon about the good news. This being her first pregnancy, Henna said, “I had no idea what to buy or what we really need or what where even to start.” She was extremely anxious and overwhelmed with the excess information on the topic.
In the beginning, she would follow her doctor’s advice (moderate-intensity exercise, no wine, get a flu shot, etc). If she had any specific question, she would call her mom or a friend. As her pregnancy progressed, she leaned towards her natural instincts and got more comfortable in deciding for herself.
Henna did not read any specific book on the topic. Did you find a book that you really loved? If yes, I’d love to hear in the comments below.
Inspired by my Henna’s super detailed first-trimester pregnancy checklist, I decided it would be a huge disservice to not share the checklist with you. She has put in endless hours of research into this guide so that you never have to. Here it goes…
Start taking prenatal vitamins. My favourite is Materna.
Make a list of questions for your doctor.
Create a Pinterest board. Here’s mine.
Download a pregnancy app.The app that I have been using is this.
Get a belly oil. This one is my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE.
If you are sick around the clock, and can’t get the sickness and dizziness under control, my friend Janelle recommends eating ginger anything. Chimes Ginger Chews are god sent. You’re welcome.
What pregnancy tips would you share? Any cravings? Any pregnancy books that you loved? Things that make you feel better?
P.S.
Up next: What to register for your new baby, second-trimester and third-trimester checklist.
“ I started Cravings because I wanted something for myself. I wanted something John didn’t buy.”
I love Chrissy Teigen for a lot of reasons. She has consistently been hilarious, brutally honest and very relatable about a ton of issues on her social media. But, the newest reason to love her? Her tweet about the reason she started her cookbook, Cravings.
Teigen reveals the reason she started Cravings was she wanted to have something that John didn’t buy for her. And honestly, is there a more honest and vulnerable statement?
That statement could have come from every “housewife” who started their own side business to feel validated and it disheartened me.
This statement was just another reminder for me, that as humans we have a burning desire for validation and approval. Regardless of one’s social status.
And, then I was reminded that everything that we do in our lives is a direct result of a type of approval that we look for from it. We look for approval from the people around us. Friends. Family. Spouse.
And, on the off chance that we don’t get that validation, we crumble.
Then, this reminded me of my own need for validation.
Up until I was 20, I relied solely on my parents to buy me everything. And, I mean LITERALLY everything.
It wasn’t until I got my first pay cheque working that something inside me started to change.
I remember feeling proud. It was the first time I “earned” something in life. It felt like I had accomplished something to earn my family’s validation.Being able to make my own money meant everything to me from then. It was a self- validation that I didn’t even know I needed. Until, I got it.
In fact, I started this blog because I needed to be something more than a corporate sell out. I remember having sleepless nights trying to wrap my mind around the idea that my day job was all that I amounted to. I felt small. I needed to prove to myself and others that I was more than what I did for a living.
I needed to feel happy again.
And, happy is exactly how I feel, every time I am ‘working’ on my blog. It’s meditative for me.To have this blog, to get to be a part of the process from start to finish, to see something go from an idea to a reality, I love that.
And, knowing that ANYONE reads my blog, brings a HUGE smile on my face. It makes me happy. I feel validated.
…And, this is what I imagine Teigen meant when she said, that she wanted something just for herself.
Her passion project.
For her, it was Cravings. For me, it’s my blog.
What’s yours?
I would love to hear your stories in the comments below.
