Posts Tagged ‘Pregnancy’

Fill er up!

water bottles

Article Courtesy of Well Rounded NY

From the moment I got pregnant with Oliver, a thirst hit me like no other. Already an avid hydrator, I found myself revisiting the water cooler for more than just the office gossip. Drinking water for two is crucial for pregnancy. “Not only is it healthy for you and your baby, but you’re more likely to contract and go into pre-term labor when you’re dehydrated,” says New York City OB-GYN Meredith Halpern of Cityscape OB/GYN. Reason enough to stay hydrated.

I’m not a fan of buying overpriced and anything-but-green water bottles, so I started using reusable water bottles a few years ago. And unlike my reusable grocery bags, these get actual use. But not all water bottles are created equal. Just like the baby gear you’re currently stocking up on, you want to make sure the water you ingest on a daily basis is free of BPA and anything else you can’t pronounce. Glass is the safe choice…and the pretty one. Which we think is important if it’s going to be one of your accessories for the next few months and beyond. Because the hydrating does not stop once baby is here. One of the best nursing tips from my birth instructor was to set up a nursing station (or a few) in your home that always has a water bottle filled. So yes, you’ll continue pee’ing a lot for a little while longer, but you’ll also ensure both you and your baby stay hydrated.

Here are 5 glass water bottles to keep your thirst at bay.

  1. bkr: bkr’s philosophy is all about clean living. Which is exactly what you want from your drinking water, right? The founders of bkr thought out every detail in this usable piece of art. Each bkr bottle is dressed in a removable silicone sleeve, available in various gorgeous colors, and has an easy-to-drink-from mouth. Oh, and doesn’t bkr’s About Us page make you want to be a part of their club? $30
  2. Lifefactor: The first glass bottle I ever sipped from, Lifefactory remains a modern classic. Lifefactory’s bottles are always BPA/BPS-free and dishwasher safe, and the company is constantly revamping their colors and styles. Also, the wide mouth allows easy access for ice cubes and fresh fruit. The new Straw Cap style is designed for one-hand operation and upright, spillproof sipping (no tipping needed) making it perfect for hydrating on the go or while nursing. $26.99
  3. Bamboo: While most glass bottles ensure safe and clean drinking at all temperatures, Bamboo bottles add an extra level of strength and style. Offering three different styles of tops — classic, flip and hot tops — this bottle company strives to maintain a green earth by utilizing one of the renewable materials available: bamboo. So go ahead and fill’er up with cold or hot beverages — the bamboo can withstand the heat. $25
  4. Takeya: With its passion for beverages and drinkware, Takeya creates water bottles to carry both water and one of the delicious iced teas for which the company has become so known. Made with durable glass and covered in a silicone jacket, Takeya’s see-through window for checking fluid levels really makes this bottle unique. $17.99
  5. Aquasana: These Aquasana bottles leave you with the purest taste of water like only glass can. Aquasana, which can be purchased in a bundle of six, is a no-frills option that makes it easy for each family member to take a bottle on the go without having to worry about a few dirty ones in the sink. $31.11

This article is by Kaity Velez courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Snack Smart: Watermelon

Pregnancy Snack: Watermelon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article and Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Petit Organics founder Michelle Marinis cools down hot mamas with 3 hydrating watermelon recipes.

Pregnant mommies in the summer are so beautiful: sandals, flowing maxi dresses and comfy bathing suits at the beach showcasing those adorable growing bellies. However, if your due date happens to fall in August, September or October you may be feeling like one (temperature) HOT mama this summer!

Keeping cool during the dog days of summer is not only more comfortable for you, but it is also critical from a health standpoint. Expecting mothers should stay thoroughly hydrated and be careful not to overheat. There are some obvious measures you can easily take in order to beat the heat — soak your feet in ice water, stay in the air conditioning whenever possible, and substitute your regular gym workout for a swim instead. But another measure that we often forget about is staying cool from the inside out. Incorporating certain foods into your diet will naturally keep you hydrated.

So what is this perfect food for keeping cool? I polled about 50 pregnant moms, and the number one food they crave during warm summer months is….watermelon! Watermelon is made of 99 percent water so it is a super satisfying snack for hot mamas everywhere. It is also packed with Vitamins A, B6 and C and is the fresh fruit or vegetable with the highest content of lycopene. Lycopene is a very special and powerful antioxidant that helps prevent heart disease, cancer and even sunburns. If you aren’t exactly doing back flips to dig into swiss chard, spinach or lima beans (which are all great sources of potassium), consider having watermelon instead. Potassium is critical in electrolyte maintenance for the human body, especially pregnant mothers who burn an extraordinary amount of calories each day.

Here are three watermelon recipes to keep you and your foodie-on-the-way cool and comfortable during these last few toasty summer weeks. Bon appetit to you and your bébés!

WATERMELON JUICE

Ingredients:
• 1 seedless organic watermelon (a small 5 – 6 pound watermelon works well)
• juice of 1 lime

Preparation:
1. Slice the watermelon in half and again into strips. Using a wooden spoon, scoop the flesh away from the rind and place in a blender. Discard the rind.
2. Blend the watermelon until completely pureed (approximately 1 minute).
3. Add the lime juice and blend another 5 seconds.
4. Pour into a glass and serve. Alternately, pour into a pitcher and place in fridge to chill. The juice will separate over time, so simply stir to combine prior to serving. The juice will last 3 days safely in your refrigerator.
Yields 5-6 servings.
Petit Pointer: Pour the juice into popsicle molds and voilà: watermelon ice pops!

FRESH WATERMELON & MINT SALAD

Ingredients:
· 1 medium (preferably seedless) watermelon, sliced into 1/2″ to 1″ cubes
· 8 fresh mint leaves, rolled and sliced into slivers
· 1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
· 1 small pinch of sea salt
· 1 turn of freshly cracked black pepper
· 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Preparation:
1. In a large bowl, mix the watermelon slices, mint slivers, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper.
2. Roll in the feta cheese if desired.
3. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Yields 4 servings.
Petit Pointer: Let the salad sit overnight so the flavors meld. It makes a perfect lunch the next day!

WATERMELON & CHIA SEED SORBET

Ingredients:
· 4 cups watermelon juice (puree a small, seedless watermelon)
· Juice of 2 limes
· 4 teaspoons chia seeds
· 8 fresh mint leaves, finely minced
· Coconut nectar (optional)

Preparation:
1. In a large jug, add the watermelon puree, chia seeds, lime juice and mint. With the lid on, shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.
2. Place in your refrigerator to allow for the chia seeds to thicken to a jelly consistency (1 hour up to overnight).
3. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container, close the lid and freeze for at least four hours.
4. Scoop into bowls and serve with coconut nectar drizzled on top (optional).
Yields 5 servings.
Petit Pointer: Sorbet will stay fresh in your freezer up to two weeks safely.

This article is by Michelle Marinis courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Raised in Texas with a down home Southern upbringing, Michelle Muller-Marinis grew up with a passion for food and cooking. After moving to NYC and beginning a family of her own, Michelle realized the importance of fresh, healthy baby food – she discovered her little ones were always happiest with a spoonful of homemade food in their mouths! She is the founder of Petit Organics and an NYC mom of three boys, Pearce, Rylan and Brandt. You can find Michelle on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Petit Organics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

DIY: Miffy Wall Art

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Shop Sweet Things founder Jeanne Chan dresses up our nursery walls with everyone’s favorite bunny. Hello everyone, this is Jeanne Chan from Shop Sweet Things.

I’m sure if you’re a parent, you’re familiar with Miffy (soon-to-be parents: get comfy). My girls and I love that little bunny, and so I decided to create a wall art on it. It’s super easy and it took me about 15 minutes to make!

Here’s what you’ll need:
Duct Tape
Canvas (9 x 12)
Scissors
White Poster Board

Step 1: Draw and cut out bunny ears. I made mine to be about 8 inches long.

miffy wall art 2

Step 2: Cut out color duct tape for the inside of ears and then circles for the cheeks. Cut out small circles for the eyes and two small strips for the mouth.

miffy wall art 3

Step 3: Tape the bunny ears to the back of the canvas.

Processed with VSCOcam

Step 4: Stick on the rest like the example here. It’s ok if it’s not perfect. Since it’s on canvas, you can always peel it off and rearrange. Also, I really like the rough cut of these shapes, so no worries about making perfect circles and bunny ears. I think it brings out the fun and quirkiness of this art.

miffy wall art 1

And there you have it: a cute DIY Miffy wall art for the littles. Hope you enjoy!

This article is by Jeanne Chan courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Freezer Friendly: Meal Planning Ahead of Delivery

Freezer Friendly Meals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Petit Organics founder Michelle Marinis shows us that with a little planning, meal time can be a breeze…even with a newborn.

You’ll hear close to a million pieces of advice throughout your pregnancy — you’ve probably heard more than enough already. One of the best bits of advice I received was to meal plan in advance of your delivery. When your little bundle of joy arrives, chaos will quickly follow. Your schedule no longer belongs to you, but rather revolves around a teeny tiny hungry, sleepy, poopy munchkin. Leisurely preparing your meals whenever you feel like it will be a thing of the past.

Freezing is a great make-ahead strategy and some recipes freeze better than others. Try to prepare your freezer-friendly meals at least two weeks in advance of your due date in case you have an early arrival. I recommend you double or triple the recipes and separate them out so you’ll instantly have three meals covered. One less thing on your “to do” list when you are sleep deprived can be incredibly helpful. Be sure to label and date each before you put them in the freezer.

Read on for my top three recipes for freezing. All recipes below will safely keep in your freezer for up to three months. Enjoy!

VEGETABLE CHILI

Ingredients:
· 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
· 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
· 1 orange bell pepper, seeded and diced
· 1 medium red onion, diced
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
· 2 cups kidney beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 2 cups black beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 2 cups pinto beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
· 1 large (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon cumin
· 1 teaspoon coriander
· 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
· 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional if you prefer less spice)
· ½ teaspoon sea salt
· Black pepper and paprika to taste

Preparation: In a large pot over low to medium heat, add the first five ingredients and sauté for 4 minutes. Next, add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove pot from heat and allow to cool, stirring occasionally to release more heat. Once the soup is room temperature, it is ready to be packaged for the freezer. You can use freezer-safe Ziploc bags that take up less freezer space when frozen flat. I personally prefer sturdy food storage containers with tight-fitting lids to minimize the chance for leaks and prevent the transfer of smell to other foods in your freezer. Label with the date and contents, and place in your freezer.

To reheat: The night before you plan to serve the soup, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. Thirty minutes prior to serving, place in a large pot over low to medium heat. Heat through stirring occasionally until the desired temperature is reached.

SWEET POTATO, BLACK BEAN & KALE ENCHILADAS

Ingredients:
· 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
· 1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
· 1 clove garlic, minced
· 1 medium sweet onion, diced
· 3 kale leaves, stems removed and chopped in 1” sections
· 1 tablespoon water
· 1 large sweet potato, baked and mashed or pureed
· 2 cups black beans (or one can, drained and rinsed)
· 1 teaspoon cumin
· ½ teaspoon sea salt
· 3 grinds freshly cracked black pepper
· 10 non-GMO corn tortillas

Preparation:
In a skillet over low to medium heat, add the extra-virgin olive oil and poblano pepper. Sauté 5 minutes then add the garlic and onion. Sauté 5 more minutes. Remove from skillet and place in a large mixing bowl. Next, add the water to the same skillet over low to medium heat. When the water begins to sizzle, add the kale and sauté until just wilted (approximately 1-2 minutes). Strain off the water and add only the kale to the mixing bowl. Add the sweet potato, black beans, cumin, salt and pepper to the mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon, stir to combine. One at a time, place the black bean, sweet potato and kale filling into a corn tortilla. Wrap and place in a freezer and oven-safe baking dish. Repeat until the dish is filled. Cover the enchiladas with moisture and vapor-proof material such as freezer paper, heavy foil, plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid. Fix tape around the edges to make a tight seal. Label and date the contents and place in freezer.

To reheat: Place uncovered in a 400 degrees F until heated through (approximately 1- 1 ½ hours).

PASTA WITH HOMEMADE MARINARA SAUCE

Ingredients:
· 10-14 Roma tomatoes
· 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
· 1 small onion, diced
· 2 cloves garlic, minced over low to medium heat. Heat through stirring occasionally until the desired temperature is reached.

· ½ teaspoon dried oregano

· Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Preparation: Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a cooling rack on top of the pan. Slice each Roma tomato lengthwise and place cut side up on the rack. Roast the tomatoes in the oven for at least 2 but no more than 3 hours. Remove from oven and allow to cool. In a large pot over low to medium heat, sauté the onions and garlic in the olive oil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn the heat to low and add the tomatoes, oregano, sea salt and pepper. Using an immersion blender, blend through until you reach your desired sauce consistency.

You can stop here by simply freezing the marinara sauce and cook the pasta just before mealtime or you can prepare your pasta of choice (I love buckwheat for the added protein) and add it into the sauce prior to freezing. If you are freezing the pasta with the sauce, only cook it to al dente. As the pasta is reheated, it will cook just a bit more and you don’t want overcooked, mushy pasta.

To reheat: The night before you plan to serve the pasta, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. 30 minutes prior to serving, place in a large pot.

Bon appétit to you and your bébés!

This article is by Michelle Marinis courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

Raised in Texas with a down home Southern upbringing, Michelle Muller-Marinis grew up with a passion for food and cooking. After moving to NYC and beginning a family of her own, Michelle realized the importance of fresh, healthy baby food – she discovered her little ones were always happiest with a spoonful of homemade food in their mouths! She is the founder of Petit Organics and an NYC mom of three boys, Pearce, Rylan and Brandt. You can find Michelle on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Petit Organics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Battle of the Bumps: Expectant Mom Groups

Expectant Mom Groups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article & Photo Courtesy of Well Rounded NY.

Find out when an online community is all you need and whether it pays to show up in person.

Regardless of how you get it, support is essential when expecting a baby (especially your first). Lucky for us, it is readily available not only online, but often right in your own neighborhood — especially when you live in NYC. The battle royale? The support group, a meetup of a group of women sharing the same experiences, led by one or more experts in the given field. The worthy contender? The online mom community, such as Facebook groups, sites like BabyCenter or Circle of Moms, and invitation-only listservs.

GUIDANCE

Online Mom Community: You’re relying on the knowledge of other moms, not experts. You will hear valuable feedback on everything from heartburn to breast pumps, but it is based on experience and opinion, not fact.
Support Group: A support group leader is most often a mother, but always a trained professional, either a RN, teacher, lactation consultant or social worker. The instruction is backed by knowledge of various fields. Leaders are often educators and can provide evidence-based resources for expectant moms.
Winner: Support Group. If I don’t know what to do when I can’t feel my baby kicking, I want to ask a pro, not mommytobe23.

CONNECTION
Online Mom Community: You are hearing from pregnant women with similar experiences and asking those same women for help, but one element is lacking: face time. The exchanges are through your computer. Faces are replaced by a photo, and words with text. Most often you are conversing with women that you don’t know by name.
Support Group: Your support group meets weekly: same time, same place, same expectant moms. You are sharing your highs and lows, learning what to expect, and venting together. Many women who meet in support groups often remain friends and stay in touch long after their babies arrive. They experience pregnancy together and become moms together with children of similar ages.
Winner: Support Group. A good playdate pal is hard to find.

PRICE
Online Mom Community: Free. Unlimited. Did I mention free?
Support Group: Many groups require paying the leader, paying for space and resources. They can range from $15 to $30 per meeting and often you must commit to the entire session.
Winner: Online Mom Community. Free always wins, doesn’t it? It is nice to not have to pay for support, but if you find the right group, it is usually worth the investment.

ACCESSIBILITY
Online Mom Community: Social media is available 24/7, which certainly caters to our impulsivity and impatience when wanting answers.
Support Group: Groups are usually offered only once per week, which in the land of pregnant women means a dozen new questions and concerns. Some group leaders, however, offer email access in between sessions to provide additional support for the more anxious.
Winner: Draw. You can’t argue with the fast food drive-thru support offered online, but it is good to know that some support groups extend their help well beyond the actual meetups.

KNOWLEDGE
Online Mom Community: With online groups and listservs, you are gaining knowledge, but that information only pertains to the actual queries posted. For example, you can gain insight into “How many ounces does your three-month old drink?” according to a) who responds and b) how quickly they respond. The community board does not run the gamut of all things pregnancy-related. Knowledge is based on your audience.
Support Group: Groups are more comprehensive. The facilitator has a lesson plan of sorts, ranging from labor to breastfeeding to newborn care. You walk away with an immense amount of knowledge on which you can rely and use towards being a confident parent.
Winner: Support Group. It arms you with comprehensive understanding versus immediate answers.

When it comes down to it, as women we support each other, and different moms have different needs. Support is something you can never have enough of and having people to share your experiences: the good, the bad, and the ugly is invaluable.

This article is by Laura Deneroff courtesy of Well Rounded NY. Conceived with love by former magazine editors Jessica Pallay and Kaity Velez, Well Rounded NY aims to be the singular pregnancy resource for city-savvy moms-to-be. Through reviews, profiles, expert Q&As, local guides and more, Well Rounded curates the New York City pregnancy and helps its readers come to terms – and term! – with pregnancy in the city.

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