Finding my HAPPY...and how you can too

It's no secret that I am the happiest that I have been in quite some time. Heck, I even changed my Instagram name to happywholeeats.RD because I want everyone to experience the peace, joy, and overall happiness I've felt. I am so thankful to God for this and for His direction and wisdom in this crazy ride called life! I hope this post helps someone out there find their own happy too, and know that I am always here to help!

I don't think people realize how important the foods we eat are, not only to our health but our overall quality of life. This post is about just that. How I've found my happy through the foods I'm eating and choosing, and hopefully, how you can too.

It’s been 1 month since I have gone 100% gluten free. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that my history with eating gluten free has been rocky. And if you just started following along, let me recap you so you are all caught up. It’s storytime, ladies and gentleman!

Back in 2012, I was diagnosed with a severe gluten intolerance after months of bloating, basically looking pregnant, and uncontrollable gas that kept me home most nights instead of out with friends because...embarrassing! Cutting out gluten eased these symptoms almost immediately, and I was grateful to finally find a way of eating that worked and didn't' send me running to the bathroom after each meal like I had done since I was a little girl.

All was fine and well until I started dating my then boyfriend, now hubby, Vasken. I didn’t want to be a high maintenance eater (even though he NEVER made me feel that way and even researched restaurants for gluten free options while planning our dates!) so I decided to slowly start incorporating gluten back into my diet. My stomach issues came back, but I wanted to ignore them, because I had missed all my gluten-containing foods SO much. I lived for bread baskets at restaurants, Panera cookies, and of course, my beloved Wetzel Preztel cinnamon bitz. I kept going back to my gluten free diet when I started feeling sick again, then hated the deprivation and went right back to binging on all of my favorite gluten-containing foods. It was years of this on again, off again routine with me, and I hated the inconsistency and the stomach issues that it was causing. I also wanted to be “free” with my food choices, but now I realized I was wanting this freedom as a way to binge on all of my favorite foods when times got tough, and at the expense of causing severe digestive distress, as well as brain fog, allergy symptoms, dark circles under my eyes, and constant anxiety. This went on for years and years, and the frustration with my health, stomach issues, and binging grew.

During pregnancy, I was also able to eat pretty much whatever I wanted, which I have heard happens with pregnant women and food sensitivities. Your body is so focused on the BABY, so those types of things take a backseat. And once Emma was born, with breastfeeding hunger and the craziness of life with a newborn, I didn’t really worry about what was going into my mouth. But I hated the fact that I had to cut some nursing sessions short because of my urgent need to use the restroom, or that I couldn't console Emma when she woke up because I was yet again, in the bathroom.

On top of that, going back to work was so hard on me, that I basically binged my way through work days on Oreos, crackers, and chips. This added to my stomach issues, stress, anxiety, and my waistline. At the end of October, I found myself 13 lbs heavier from when I had gone back to work back in August.

So, the morning of Emma’s 6 month birthday celebration, 10/29/17, I decided that enough was enough. I decided to start back up on my gluten free diet then and there. I KNEW that I would feel deprived, so I already had a plan of attack: finding the BEST gluten free and paleo recipes (Against all Grain has been my saving grace!) I could find for my favorite treats, so I would never feel deprived again.

And you know what the crazy part is? I saw improvements, not only in my health and weight, but in my anxiety and moods. I’ve been happier, less stressed out, I don’t cry at work anymore, I don’t binge at work anymore, and I have a more even temper (just ask my hubby). Yes, I lost the 13 lbs I gained, but to me, I’ve gained so much more:

• More restful sleep (which is hard with a baby!)
• More energy for my workouts
• Less anxiety/stress
• Less tears going to work
• Clearer skin
• Clearer mind
• A more positive outlook on life as a working mom
• Less urgent trips to the restroom
• Less bloat
• Trying on clothes I would “never” wear and actually feeling GOOD in them
• ...and my jeans fit again!

And yes, not ALL of this may be attributed to cutting out gluten, but I know many people who have experienced similar benefits when they clean up their diet and start avoiding gluten. I know that I like this version of me way more than the anxious, stressed out, and teary one. I am more energetic, I am a happy healthy mama, I am a better wife, and I am enjoying the heck out of the foods I’ve been cooking and baking!

And the truth of the matter is, gluten is an inflammatory agent. So we know that eating less gluten is healthier for us all in general. Check out this post for more of the science on that.

All this to say, I feel the healthiest and happiest I have felt in a good long while. And I want everyone I know to experience this type of joy when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle! The fact that I have been happier has been more motivating for me to stick to it than anything else. And, these cookies have made it easier as well!

My wish is to work with my clients from now on with a more holistic approach, and really dive into which foods may be helping their health (mind, body, and soul), and which foods may be hurting their health. Not everyone will be sensitive to gluten, because we are all different. My aim is to help you INDIVIDUALLY assess your health and create a plan that works best for YOU.

And what better time than now to start? My 2018 packages are a great and affordable way to get the complete package of working 1:1 with me as your own personal dietitian. These packages will only be available until December 29th, so take advantage of them now!

You only have one life to live on this earth. So why not live it as your happiest, energetic, and most vibrant version of yourself? Make 2018 your BEST year and let’s figure out how you can find your own HAPPY when it comes to eating and living well!

My Nursing Snack Essentials

Did you know that breastfeeding burns 600-800 calories per day!? Which has made this mama hungry like no other! Pregnancy was nothing compared to the hunger I am experiencing now! It was so easy the first few weeks to lean on bread and cheese wraps, cookies, and quick foods to help me fuel up for my nursing sessions. But now that Emma is almost 5 weeks old (!!!), I feel like I've gotten a firmer grasp on which foods will fill me up and nourish me, while still enjoying the foods I'm eating! If there are other nursing mamas out there, comment below and let me know what your go-to snacks are too! I'd love to hear! 

One of the best snacks for me have been fruits and vegetables! I love having apples with peanut butter (bring on the healthy fats!) because it keeps me full and tastes ahhhh-mazing! 

EGGS! I love scrambling eggs with veggies (this is with arugula) because eggs taste delicious and they are full of good protein and fats. Good for me and good for baby! I also love boiling a bunch of eggs at the beginning of the week as a quick snack! 

Oatmeal! Oatmeal is a milk booster and makes for cozy and delicious breakfasts! I top mine with bananas and peanut butter because that's the best combo in my opinion and again, it is so important to get a good amount of healthy fats in your diet!  

I loveeee my shakeology! Bu since it's been hard to blend it up and actually drink it cold and not melted, these brownie superfood bites have been my life saver! And they are full of vitamins, minerals, probiotics, immune boosters, and they taste like fudge brownies...nuff said! Here's the recipe! 

1 cup oats

3 scoops shakeology

1/4 cup peanut butter (melted)

2 T coconut oil (melted)

1/4 cup water  

Combine, roll into balls, freeze for 2 hours, then store in the fridge! Easy peasy!  

Not gonna lie, it's been TOUGH to stay on track and eat healthfully while trying to also honor my raging hunger. But tracking my colors with my meal plan and making sure I'm eating a balance of all the food groups has helped me a ton! (want to follow the same plan as me? Message me!)

I've also found that the key to making this easy is having healthy foods on hand and ready to eat! If I have to think about it for too long, I dive head first into the unhealthy options! It can be hard to choose healthfully when we are oh so hungry, but the rewards are well worth it...feeling nourished, more energized, and less fluffy! This way, we enjoy the freedom in nourishing ourselves wholly so that we CAN enjoy the treats from time to time. And that, my friends, is BALANCE! 

Hope you all enjoy this beautiful weekend and kick off summer in a fun way!!  

Learning what works for YOU

Warning: I have no idea where I'm going with this post, but I felt the need to write, which is why I started this blog in the first place. I feel like I am in a growing and learning phase of my life lately, and I am kind of LOVING it. And needing to process it. There is a season for everything, right? That's how I feel like life has been like for me the past couple years. You are always learning and growing as a person. I want to constantly be stretched and challenged and matured. Staying stagnant is not exciting, so I have been pushing myself to learn more about myself, what works for me, and how I can better serve others.

This pregnancy has definitely been a time of growth. I am learning how my body works, that my body is pretty awesome for supporting our baby girl, and that there is a fine balance between rest and activity. I have had so much nervous energy as we get closer and closer to Baby Emma's arrival (eeeek I am already 31 weeks today) and it's been hard to slow down. I want to clean the entire house and am constantly looking for things we can just get rid of or donate to relieve some of the clutter. Is this nesting? I don't know, but I feel like I am focusing so much on my surroundings and making them picture perfect for our little princess. Which I know isn't possible, because I'm tired come 4pm and am becoming a little more lax on how spick and span the house should be. And that's ok. 

As a dietitian, I am also constantly growing and stretching in my knowledge. It's hard nowadays, when basically everyone believes they are a nutrition expert and is dishing out nutrition advice for all to follow. But I've learned to keep an open mind towards nutrition, because it is an evolving field governed by science and research, but also about how a client FEELS and what works for them and their body.

That's why I LOVE doing what I do. I get to really KNOW my clients, tailor a plan that works for them, and watch them soar, stumble, learn, grow, and achieve. But what's cool is I get to do this for myself too! Being a nutrition nerd, I am always trying to figure out how to best nourish myself, as well as the clients I serve as a dietitian and as a health & fitness coach. And you know what I am learning more of? People don't need to be told what to eat, they need to understand the WHY behind their food choices. Why is it so important to get enough vegetables in your diet. Why are healthy fats NOT the reason you are getting fat? Why are some people sensitive to foods. Why is it a good decision to restrict yourself sometime, but indulge at other times? 

Asking yourself why is the key, because this question will help you understand what will work for you. Being on a health and fitness journey myself for the past few years, I've learned what works for me and what doesn't. Sometimes, I can indulge in a few fries or a treat and move on. Other times, I have to say no because I know one treat will turn into an all-day binge. I've learned a lot about myself and have become more aware of what works for me and what doesn't, even if those things change and evolve over time. 

Sometimes I can go out for breakfast and have pancakes, enjoy them, and be fine. Other times, I know that sugar rush will send me into a tailspin of other treats and leave me with a head and tummy ache for days. So I opt for yummy eggs and call it a day, because having eggs in that instance are more freeing than indulging in pancakes. 

I learned these things because I got CURIOUS about myself. I wanted to know what made me tick. I wanted to know what worked well for my body. For a while, that was eating mostly plant based foods. Right now, with baby coming, what's working is eating good quality animal proteins, veggies, and healthy carbs. And eating every 2 hours. And avoiding donuts because they give me heartburn. Speaking of which...

I also have a gluten sensitivity, which tends to feel like the elephant in the room that I love to ignore, but I realize I should probably acknowledge. So that's been a learning curve for me as well because I know avoiding gluten is better for me and my health, but I am also human and love bread and wetzels pretzels cinnamon sugar bites. And sometimes I avoid gluten-containing foods strictly and sometimes I treat myself and deal with the consequences. And this is NOT ideal because I know I have a sensitivity (and a doctor's note to prove it haha!), and I really want to eat gluten free and take care of me! But I make it into a bigger deal than it is and get all emotional about bread and pizza crust and confuse myself into oblivion. But to be honest, deep down, I just want to go with the flow, while taking care of myself as much as possible, body, mind, and soul. Pregnancy is probably not the time to figure all this out, but I'm working on it daily. It might seem silly to make this issue such a big deal (Tveen, you are sensitive to it, just don't eat it and move on!) but this is me. An overthinking, anxious, bread-lover!

The Trader Joe's gluten free bread is THEEE best! My husband actually prefers it over regular bread!  

And I used to be a gym rat and now I workout at home because I save SOO much time and find that I actually stick to programs better when I can just do them at home. They work for me and make fitness fun and EASY to fit into my life. And with a baby coming, this is the only way I know I'll still get my workouts in! And that makes me happy! 

And I used to be a clean freak but pregnancy has made me a bit more accepting of leaving a few dishes in the sink or not dusting every few days. I'd rather focus on nourishing my body and working on my business. And cleaning once a week instead of daily. Because this is what's working for me right now. 

So I guess the point of all this rambling is to get curious about yourself. Figure out what makes you tick and what works for you. Accept where you struggle and ask for help.

What lifestyle helps you stay calm, work towards your goals, and be the best version of yourself? Then go do those things with all your heart and figure yourself out on this crazy journey called life. It's so freeing instead of trying to mold yourself into what works for others.  

So here I am, pregnant, embracing gluten free bread (the Trader Joe's one is the best actually!!) with 3 loads of laundry waiting for me at home, while I build a business and grow a human. Oh, and I had fries for lunch today. 

Ok, that's enough vulnerability for one day. Have a great Monday everyone! And thanks for reading my crazy pregnancy thoughts! Love you all! :)  

4 tips on How to Follow Through and Reach your Goals

How many times have you started off a new week, month, or year with a list of goals and intentions for your health, only to fall off the wagon in a few weeks? It's so easy to start programs isn't it? And yet it is the hardest thing to finish them and follow through.  I went through years and years of not finishing what I start, and still do from time to time! I'm the queen of self-sabotage, doubt, and fear. But I also know there is a strong woman inside of me that is capabale and determined! I believe all of us have these two sides and we have to pick every single day which version of ourselves we want to be. And for me? I want to be a person of integrity, strength, and determination. Over the years, here are some ways I've been able to stick to my goals and follow through on what I say I am going to do! Because we are what we do, not what we SAY we are going to do! ;) 

1. Accountability!

I never was someone who finished what she started until I became a Beachbody coach and started finishing workout programs from start to finish. I had never done that before!! But the motivation to stick with it, plus the inspiration from the team of coaches I am a part of, helped me follow through with what I was doing. Heck, that's one of the main reasons I joined back as a coach! I wanted the accountability for myself and the motivation I felt as part of this community! Plus, paying it forward to my clients is basically the best feeling in the world! If you need accountability, I'm your gal and host monthly accountability groups JUST to help others gain the confidence to stay on track! Click on the "work with me" button above for more info! 

2. Be aware of your excuses.

Most of the time, the reasons we tell ourselves that we "can't" workout or "can't" eat healthy are just excuses. Be aware of when you have legitimate reasons to not stick to your plan, or when you are making excuses and sabotaging your progress. If you are sick with the flu or have an injury, by all means, take care of yourself! But you CAN still put nourishing foods in your body, you don't have to throw in the towel completely! If you really want what you are working towards, you will find a way to make it happen. Wake up earlier to get your workout in, pack snacks with you instead of stopping at a drive-thru or bakery...plan ahead so you don't have a reason or excuse to fall off plan! 

3. Break up your goals! 

If you need to lose 50-75 lbs, that may seem overwhelming! Start small and break up your goals. For example, set a goal to lose 10 lbs in the first month instead of 50 lbs in 6 months.  If you want to workout in the mornings, start small by making it a goal to set your workout clothes out the night before. Plan your meals 3x/week instead of starting to cook gourmet dinners all of a sudden. These small baby steps will reap big rewards, and small positive actions will lead to bigger lasting change! 

4. Celebrate victories!

Celebrate every victory you experience on your journey! If you worked out before your family got up, give yourself a pat on the back! If weight loss is your goal and you lost weight, no matter how much, celebrate that. I'm a firm believer in celebrating our wins. You can even reward yourself with a mani/pedi or new outfit, but please don't reward yourself with food! You don't "deserve" a donut or junk food, you deserve to feel nourished and healthy! Rewarding with food will just set you back, but celebrating your wins will give you more confidence to keep pushing towards your goals! 

As we enter the second month of the year, stay strong with your resolutions and intentions for 2017! I hope these tips and tricks will help you realize that you CAN follow through on your goals and live a healthier, happier life! 

Pregnancy: Weeks 21-23

The weeks are flying by over here, and both my husband and I are in shock of how quickly my belly is growing lately!  

 How far along are you?

23 weeks and 3 days! 

Gender:

GIRL!! 

How big is the baby?

This week, our sweet baby is the size of a bunch of grapes! 

Total weight gain:

I'm finally at my pre-pregnancy weight! I was 137 when we got pregnant, then went down to 130, now back up to 137! Finally eating again and enjoying my food! 

How am I feeling?

I'm feeling pretty good! I have a lot more energy now and almost forget that I am pregnant except when my belly gets in the way! 

Maternity clothes?

Yup!!! The pants are a lifesaver! 

Favorite workouts:

I actually just started a brand new program, Country Heat! The doctor wants me to do walking and light exercise, and this is a line dancing program that is perfect for my pregnancy right now! 

Stretch marks:

None and I hope it stays that way! I’ve been using bio oil and a “bump cream” I found on Amazon. Hopefully they continue to help! 

Cravings:

No cravings lately just HUNGER! And then getting full too fast :( for a while my big craving was goldfish crackers but it isn't as strong now! I've been following my old meal plan (the 21 day fix container system, just increased in calories!) and I've been feeling so much healthier and craving healthier things! 

Food aversions:

I still have aversions sometimes to red meat, but everything else is sounding good to me! 

Sleep:

Terrible! I have no comments about this haha 

What I miss:

Energy, working out, and more than 1 cup of coffee/day!

What I am looking forward to:

Our next ultrasound is Tuesday where the will measure her and make sure she is growing on track since we have a velementous cord insertion. We will be checking on her growth every 2 weeks which I'm actually looking forward to because we will get to see her and make sure she is on track with her growth! Grow baby grow! 

We are so thankful to God for this sweet baby and praying she keeps growing big and strong and keeps kicking mommy! 

Why I returned to Beachbody Coaching!

I am bursting at the seams (literally since I'm pregnant haha) to share with you all that I am BACK to being a Beachbody coach as of last week!  This decision was a LONG time coming, and I'm so happy I was brave enough to join back into the community that I love so much. 

As many of you know, I became a Beachbody coach back in 2015 and loved it! I was helping people lose weight, get healthy, and find the strength within themselves to finally live the healthy life they've always wanted. But by summer of 2016, I let life and other stresses get in the way. I also wanted to focus more on my private practice as a dietitian (which I'm still doing!) so I decided to step back from Beachbody. Within a month, I immediately regretted that decision! There is just something about the community I am a part of (shout out to Team Inspire Joy!) that I loved and missed. Those ladies strove to be better people, and encouraged me to a be a better person as well. ​We were all still friends outside of coaching, but I missed doing Beachbody life with them (i.e. workouts, shakeology, motivational talks, inspiring books, and business trainings). 

I thought long and hard for MONTHS about joining back, and then got pregnant (wooo!) and has a rough first trimester of pregnancy. My hubby and I made a deal that I'd wait till I was feeling better to make a final decision. And on January 4th, 2017, I rejoined my teamof  Beachbody coaches and am officially ​open for business again! 

Being back in the beach body world has taught me two things: one, that I have so much potential inside me that I should not waste. God has gifted us all with special abilities and I firmly believe that my career as a dietitian plus my passion for health and fitness have brought me to the very place. I won't let fear or anything else hold me back from my bigger purpose! 

Two: being a part of a community of women that are striving to make themselves better physically, spiritually, and emotionally is what I need. I needed that boost of motivation to choose healthier foods for me and my baby, to work hard at my business, and to surround myself with women that I know will empower me to just be BETTER...to be ME. Life is short and we only get one, so why not do the things that make us happy? 

So what ​does life look like right now for me? Well; I am still taking private clients through my practice as a dietitian (see above for more info!) BUT I will also be starting up my free accountability groups and longer challenge groups (my bootcamps!) that I ranmonthly  as a Beachbody coach! To kick off my business, I am hosting a FREE 5 day healthy eating challenge staring next Monday, the 16th! This is what it entails and all you will receive, for free! 

If you are interested in joining; or have any questions on how you can work with me, fill out the form below and I'll get back to you! I'm planning on making 2017 an amazing year and I'm hoping you will do the same! Don't sell yourself short on what you are capable of or what you are worth! Fill out the form below and we can start brainstorming ways to help you reach your goals and get healthier and happier! 

Pregnancy: Week 17-20

Happy New Year everyone!!!  2017 is finally here! I haven't posted for a while, life has been crazy! But I thought I'd do another pregnancy update since I hadn't done one in a while...and we finally know our baby is a girl!! 

 How far along are you?

21 weeks today! 

Gender:

GIRL!! Pink everything!! 

How big is the baby?

This week, the baby is the size of a large carrot! I can't believe how fast she is growing! 

Total weight gain:

I am still 2 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight. But my appetite is improving so I'm hoping to start gaining weight soon! And the baby is right on track with her growth, so that was exciting to see! 

 How am I feeling?

I'm feeling pretty good! I had a bout of sciatica a few weeks ago but a few trips to the chiropractor and I'm much better! Now it's just those good ol digestive issues (TMI sorry!) 

Maternity clothes?

Ohhhh yes! Loving my maternity pants and flowy tops! 

Favorite workouts:

I've been told to lay off the workouts because of some minor complications, so that's what I'm doing. Just some light walking. I definitely wanted to workout during this pregnancy, but I'm listening to the doctor and doing what's best for my baby! 

Stretch marks:

None and I hope it stays that way! I’ve been using bio oil and a “bump cream” I found on Amazon. Hopefully they help!

Cravings:

None lately...just getting hungrier which is good! I'm trying to stick to healthy foods, but I'm really liking sweets too! 

Food aversions:

I still have aversions to meat, but I'm trying to fill up on beans and fish for protein! 

Sleep:

No change here! Still sleeping terribly and tossing and turning. My OB says this is normal, so I guess I’ll just have to deal!

What I miss:

Energy, working out, and more than 1 cup of coffee/day! 

What I am looking forward to:

Our next ultrasound so we can see our baby again! Also I am feeling her move so much and I am looking forward to more of that! 

I can't believe I am over halfway through this pregnancy! It's been so exciting to watch our baby (and my belly) grow! 

Food & Fitness Plan: December 12-18

Hello there! Is it just me, or is December flying by? I feel like we are going to blink and 2017 will be here! There are so many "new" things happening soon, a new year, new life as a mama in May 2017, and a new job starting tomorrow! I'm so excited for this new phase of my life! God is so so good :)  

With that said, I don't really know what this week will look like. My hours will be later than usual, which means slower mornings but less free time in the evenings. I'll be training for about 2 weeks and I'm not sure what my exact schedule will be! But I'm hoping that my meals will still stay on point and I'll be able to balance it all out. I know I'll be more tired come dinner time, so I'm going to try to make it as easy on us as possible to have quick and easy meals on hand! 

So, on to the menu for this week!  

Breakfast:

* Eggs: I've been digging eggs lately, so my plan is to scramble up eggs every morning to start the day off with protein!  

* Oatmeal: warm oats have been hitting the spot on cold mornings so I may have my eggs with a side of oats or wrapped up in a tortilla. My favorite way to eat eggs! 

Lunch: 

* Veggie & hummus sandwiches: I've been craving some good hummus sammies so I plan on making sandwiches for lunch with some cheese, veggies, and hummus! 

* leftovers from dinner...which brings us to...

Dinner:

* Roast: my mom made us a delicious roast lunch after church so we will be having the leftovers of that! Thanks Mama! 

* Spicy peanut chicken, brown rice, broccoli: this will just be chicken marinated in the Spicy peanut dressing from TJ's! 

* Chicken tortilla roll ups: recipe coming soon!  

* Tilapia, potatoes, broccoli: our go-to easy dinner!  

 * I'm hoping to also pair most of these meals with some broccoli to get my veggies in! 

Snacks will consist of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and crackers!  

Yum, I am SO excited for all these eats! I strongly encourage you to pick foods and meals you love for the week so you get excited about following your meal plan. That way you actually stick to it! And as always, if you need help making a healthy meal plan for you or your family, my door is always open! Click on "work with me" above to see how we can start working together to make your life healthier and happier! 

Have a fantastic week everyone!  

Pregnancy: Weeks 13-16

How far along are you?

16 weeks and 2 days

Gender:

We will find out for sure on December 27th!  

How big is the baby?

This week, the baby is the size of a pickle! So cool to see how fast this baby is growing week by week. It really is amazing!

Total weight gain:

Initially, I lost 7 lbs in the first trimester, and so far I have gained back 2. Hopefully I will get back up to my pre-pregnancy weight soon and go on from there! My doctor wants me to gain 25 lbs by the end the pregnancy, so that is my goal as well. Healthy weight gain is so important in pregnancy!

How am I feeling?

I'm feeling a little better since the first trimester! The nausea comes and goes instead of being an all-day affair, which is a relief! I'm still pretty exhausted but my sleep has been terrible so that is probably why. I'd say the biggest change I've seen in the past few weeks is that I am getting massive migraines. The only thing that seems to help is about 1/2-1 cup of coffee/day. So that's what I've been doing!

Maternity clothes?

I've been having fun buying a few outfits from Pink Blush Maternity, I absolutely love their clothes! I also got maternity leggings which are life savers, and a few flowy tops! 

Favorite workouts:

I'm sticking to walking for now; my doctor told me to put my feet up frequently and take it easy. So that's what I'm doing! This baby is worth it :) 

Stretch marks:

None and I hope it stays that way! I’ve been using bio oil and a “bump cream” I found on Amazon. Hopefully they help! 

Cravings:

BROWNIES, cinnamon rolls, and all kinds of beans. I have been craving brownies like crazy lately. I finally got my craving fulfilled last week, and I thought the cravings would have disappeared, but they came back a few days later so off I went to bake another batch, just in time for my Gilmore Girls party! Luckily, I've been able to just have a square and stop. Moderation has been easier during pregnancy than before pregnancy, which is weird! Another craving I've had are Cinnabon cinnamon rolls...yummy! And the beans...I don't even know where this craving is coming from but all I want are bean soups and stews and beans and rice! My hubby is joking that it is the 1/4 Mexican in him coming out! Our baby is going to love beans!

Food aversions:

I still have an aversion to Mexican food (minus beans), tomato-y things, meats. I am trying to force myself to eat more vegetables lately. I'm definitely doing better than a few weeks ago, so it can only go up from here!

Sleep:

No change here! Still sleeping terribly and tossing and turning. My OB says this is normal, so I guess I’ll just have to deal! 

What I miss: 

Energy, working out 100%, more than 1 cup of coffee, and my clear skin. The acne has been crazy and really getting to my self-esteem, but thank God for make up! 

What I am looking forward to:

I live for ultrasounds and  being able to see our sweet baby! Also can't wait till my bump gets bigger, I'm so curious as to what it will look like since this is my first pregnancy!

That's all for now! We had our 16 weeks check up yesterday and baby is moving and kicking like crazy! We love our little pickle already!  

Daily Manna & why I'm back to blogging HERE

Well, what can I say, I'm a woman and I'm pregnant so I guess indeciveness comes with the package? I've decided to switch back to this blog with my name. Let me give a little background:  

I started blogging at thejoyfulharvest.com almost 5 years ago. I wanted to hide under that name so people wouldn't know who I was. I was embarrassed and shy about blogging, but I had a yearning to write and share my story. Then, I got the courage to start a website with my real name (this one!) and ran with it. Blame it on hormones, but I felt nostalgic last month and wanted to go back to my old site (the joyful harvest). But now, I know that, as great as that site was, this site is more ME. I mean it has my name after all, and there is no reason to hide anymore. I love what I do as an RD, and I want to share it with the world. When God places a passion on your heart, don't hide from it. Embrace it head-on and trust that He will be there for you every step of the way. 

Ok, enough about that! I thought I'd do a daily eats post since I AM pregnant and my eats have shifted throughout the last couple months. Nausea had gripped me from weeks 5-12 but now at week 14 I am doing SO much, with just a few nauseous moments here and there instead of them being all-day affairs. Hallelujah!  My appetite has grown and expanded...I'm trying to still stick to healthy, whole foods because I want a healthy pregnancy and baby! But I am also listening to my body and cravings and showing myself some grace! Which we should all do, by the way ;) 

So on this particular day, I was planning a morning workout and woke up at 4:30. After some quiet time, I did my second trimester maternity workout from Beachbody on demand. It's 25 mins and hits every major muscle, which I loved!  

After my workout and a nice relaxing shower, I ate something. I have to make sure I eat something after working out because then the nausea will hit again! I had a couple of my banana nut muffins smeared with peanut butter and they hit the spot! These muffins were made with spelt flour, one of my favorite high protein, lower in gluten, whole grain flours! 

I had a hard time figuring out what to wear. It's getting colder here in Cali (finally!!) so I wanted to bundle up, but my sweaters are a bit tight on my little bump. I feel like I'm at the "is she pregnant or is she fat" stage. Guess I have to go shopping soon! :)

Work was crazy today, and I went from meeting to meeting and then ran errands for the thanksgiving meal we are providing for our patients! In the morning, I snacked on an apple and some crackers but since I was in a meeting, I couldn't snap a pic! 

I had brought lunch from home to eat, but there was a pot luck and someone had made homemade chicken curry which I could NOT pass up! So I'm saving my packed lunch for tomorrow! 

And then there was cake, and I just had to have a sliver...full disclosure over here!  

The funny thing about sugar though, is that it doesn't really satisfy you. I still felt hungry an hour later, so I snacked on some carrots. They are full of fiber, nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants! I felt such a difference between snacking on a sweet vs. snacking on food that sustains! 

After work, I stopped by Trader Joe's to pick up a couple boxes of cornbread mix. My husband and I absolutely adore their mix and they always run out this time of year! One day, I want to experiment with a recipe from scratch. But for now, TJ's to the rescue! 

After grabbing the cornbread, I made it to my long overdue mani/pedi appointment! It had been so long since I'd gotten my nails done and it felt amazing!!! Self care is awesome, folks. Try it sometime! 

The night ended with a fun and delicious dinner with my friend Hanna! We went to our favorite Thai spot and both ordered drunken noodles with chicken. The chicken was meh but the noodles were AMAZING and totally hit the spot! Baby liked this dish too! ;)  

And now I'm at Panera, typing this up and waiting for traffic to die down before heading home! I have another early day tomorrow so I'm excited to get home and rest!  

Being pregnant has changed the way I eat in many ways...unfortunately I'm getting way less vegetables than I want to be getting into my diet! But I'm hopeful that as the weeks pass, my taste buds will like my salads and veggies again and I can give this baby a healthy and strong mama :) I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday night, cheers to it being almost the weekend!!