Short and Sweet

October 13, 2014

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Indulge with these 3 decadent chocolate recipes from Sweet Brooklyn Truffle Co. founder Lisa Rapaport.

So you want to make chocolates to give somebody you love a little treat for Valentine’s Day? Or you need a quick fix just because it’s Tuesday? Even if you’re feeling too pregnant to be on your feet in a hot kitchen, or too tired from feeding a new baby round the clock, don’t let that stop you from indulging!

Here are three recipes so simple your kid could help make them, and so delicious you won’t want to share. Stash these recipes away for later… I promise your bump will one day walk and talk. Once they do, they can absolutely join the fun with these easy recipes that are all about mixing, scooping and licking the bowl!

A word about chocolate: I like Guittard chocolate chips, but another brand is fine as long as it’s made with cocoa butter. Each of these recipes starts with tempered chocolate, which is heated and then cooled to create shiny, crisp confections. You can do it in the microwave, or on the stove.

Here’s how:

TEMPERING CHOCOLATE:

What you’ll need:
1.5 cups chocolate chips (dark, milk or white)
1 rubber spatula
1 oven/microwave safe glass bowl
1 small sauce pan (for stove top option)

Place 1 cup of chocolate in glass bowl, set remaining half cup aside
MICROWAVE: heat on low heat for 30 seconds, stir, repeat until totally melted. OR STOVE: put 1 inch water in small sauce pan on low heat, fit glass bowl with chocolate on top of pan to make a double boiler, stir constantly until totally melted
Remove melted chocolate from microwave or stove, set glass bowl on top of dish towel on counter. Gradually add in remaining half cup of chocolate, stirring until it totally melts.

WARNING: Whatever you do, don’t get the chocolate wet. On the stove top, make sure your double boiler has the glass bowl completely cover the pot so no water escapes over the sides. And whether you temper on the stove or in the microwave, it’s really important to place the bowl on a dish towel when you’re done. This absorbs any moisture on the outside of the bowl and keeps water from getting in there while you mix the rest of the chocolate in.

Now, you’re ready to add ingredients! Each of the recipes are one-bowl wonders. You’ll need parchment paper, a cutting board, a sharp knife and the same spoons you use to eat cereal. For the last recipe, you’ll also need an immersion blender or food processor. Each recipe makes two to three dozen pieces, depending on how large you make each piece.

PEANUT PRETZEL CRUNCH

Ingredients:
1 batch tempered milk chocolate (instructions above)
5 ounces peanut butter pretzels (prefer salted but your call) diced
1 handful of salted roasted peanut halves

Mix diced peanut butter pretzels into tempered milk chocolate
Place parchment paper on the counter or table, use books to hold down the sides if it curls
Scoop small dollops on to the parchment, making circles about 1.5 inches across
Place one half peanut in center
Let cool 2 hours on counter, then stick in fridge if not eating right away

APRICOT GINGER SAND DOLLARS

Ingredients:
1 batch tempered milk chocolate (instructions above)
3/4 cup dried apricots, diced very small
3/4 cup crystalized ginger, diced very small
1/2 cup almond slivers (or slices)

Mix diced apricots and crystalized ginger into tempered milk chocolate
Scoop small dollops on to parchment, making circles about 1.5 inches in diameter
Place 3 to 5 almond slivers on top, fanned out from center of circle
Let cool 2 hours on counter, then store in fridge if not eating immediately

ALMOST ALMOND JOY

Ingredients:
1 batch tempered white chocolate (instructions above)
1 batch tempered semisweet chocolate (instructions above)
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup almond slivers (whole almonds fine)

Using immersion blender or food processor, pulse coconut flakes into fine powder, set aside
Using immersion blender or food processor, pulse almonds, set aside
Temper semisweet chocolate, mix in ground almonds, and scoop on to parchment to form circles about 1.5 inches in diameter. Let cool one hour
Temper white chocolate, mix in coconut, and scoop on top of the cooled semisweet chocolate circles
Let cool 2 hours, then store in fridge if not eating immediately

For more information about Sweet Brooklyn Truffle Co., contact: [email protected]

This article is by Lisa Rapaport 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.

5 Best City Strollers

October 6, 2014

Article and Photos courtesy of Well Rounded NY

5 great city strollers that 5 former Bump Envy beauties are hitting the city with this summer.

This week, we’ve shared some of the best strollers for real life in the city. And it doesn’t get any more real than by using our former Bump Envy beauties as test drivers. We captured their pregnancies on our site back when, and now they’re some of the newest baby experts on the streets of NYC. Since we like keeping our site, ahem, Well Rounded, we wanted these very different women to tell us how 5 of these very different strollers matched up with their lifestyles.

So in case you missed it we wrapped the 5 best city strollers into one nice package for you to dive into and share with your friends. Each has a full story (and photos!) so click on through to get a good look at how it would fit into your city life.

And as always, we want to hear what you think! Tell us about your favorite stroller for city life below.

THE BABYZEN YOYO

Mom says: “We do a ton of traveling, since both our families live a plane ride away, and I’m always trying to find space-savers that we can take on the road. The BabyZen is luxe enough to be my city stroller too, meaning one less baby product taking up space that I don’t have.”

THE BUGABOO BUFFALO

Mom says: “As a mom constantly on the go, I look for a stroller that’s lightweight and comfortable to push around all day, a stroller that can roll smoothly onto the ferry to Dumbo and not squeak as we stroll through the Impressionist wing at the Met. This stroller moves smoothly while allowing your wrists and back to be comfortable–and best of all, your baby is pampered in a beautiful, roomy and shaded, cushioned bassinet. I’d go so far as to say this stroller is ergonomic perfection. Who wouldn’t want their baby to have the smoothest ride possible? It’s just an added plus that all your groceries can fit underneath.”

THE BRITAX AFFINITY

Mom says: “The air-filled tires made for a super smooth ride and was incredibly easy to maneuver. I also loved the leather-like trim on the handle–it reminded me of a chic sports car!”

THE MACLAREN MARK II

Mom says: “The generous sunshade on this stroller really impressed me, and it was super lightweight. I could definitely see myself running around town with this stroller. I also loved the bright orange color!”

THE ORBIT G3

Mom says: “The orbit was such a luxurious ride. I loved taking my newborn out in it. What most impressed me was how intuitive the Orbit’s design was. Wondering how to turn the seat around, I put my hands where I felt they should go, and lo and behold, a click and it was done. Joy! When I wanted to remove the belly bar, my hands instinctively went to a certain spot, and there was the mechanism. Click. Done. The design is so smart that way, and the execution of each function is so easy. That easy organic nature is the greatest luxury of all for a busy mom on the go.”

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.

Swaddling 101

September 29, 2014

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

No need to worry about wrapping up your little burrito — it’s easier than you think.

Affectionately known as the baby burrito, swaddling is a great way to soothe your baby’s existential pains during the first few months.

The compact environment created by swaddling suggests the snugness of the womb, helping babies gain their worldly bearing while holding on to the in utero sensation they are so comfortable with. Swaddling also helps babies — and you! — sleep more soundly and for longer stretches by decreasing startle-reflex awakenings.

These are 3 methods of swaddling that I recommend to clients:

The Traditional
The key to executing this ancient method is finding a blanket with a with a fair bit of stretch. My go-to blanket is Woombie’s Old Fashioned AirWrap Blanket. These blankets are stretchy and vented (keeping babes cooler), they come in great colors, and hold up in the dryer. Swaddle Designs and aden + anais also make nice swaddling blankets.

The traditional swaddling method is as follows:

1. Spread the blanket out flat, with one corner folded down.
2. Lay the baby face-up on the blanket, with her head above the folded corner.
3. Straighten the left arm, and wrap the left corner of the blanket over the body, tucking the blanket between the right arm and the right side of the body.
4. Then tuck the right arm down and bring bottom corner of the blanket up and over the body/right arm pulling the blanket snug behind the right side of the the body.
5. Finally, wrap the right corner of the blanket over your baby’s body, until only a small bit of the blanket remains.
6. Tuck any remaining blanket fabric behind the back.

This method takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be set. The trick is to roll your baby gently from side to side as you tuck the blanket over and underneath their back. Make sure not too wrap your baby too tightly, allowing her hips to move somewhat freely. Wrapping the hips too tightly can lead to hip dysplasia.

The Structured Swaddle
If you are struggling with the traditional method, the a structured swaddle is a good alternative. Pre-fabricated swaddles, such as The Miracle Blanket, perform the same function as a swaddle but has only two basic steps, making it fail proof. Babies also have a harder time wriggling out of them.

The Sleep Pod
One of the newest additions the market is a sleep pod consisting of a pod-shaped piece of fabric with a zipper, which runs along the length of the pod. To use the sleep pod, just unzip it and place your baby inside. Swaddling, done. Woombie, makes a great sleep pod with an opposable zip, making changing diapers without waking your baby a breeze. One side note about sleep pods: they aren’t as taut as the other two swaddling options, so if your baby is a mover, I recommend sleep pods for naps during the daytime and structured swaddle or traditional swaddle for the nighttime.

However you decide to bundle up your little one, safety should be a top priority. The American Academy Of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you place your baby on their back to sleep, and monitor them to be sure they doesn’t roll over while swaddled.

Swaddling is effective up until about two to three months of age. After that, babies intentionally start to roll over in their sleep. At this stage swaddling should be discontinued, allowing their hands to be free so they can roll back over and support themselves. A sleep sack, like The Halo SleepSack, is a great interim option when you graduate from swaddling. Essentially a wearable blanket, it’s similar to a sleep pod, but it allows the arms to be free, so they can support themselves. It’s a great alternative as the AAP recommends keeping blankets out of your baby’s crib until their at least 12 months old.

Happy Sleeping!

This article is by Erica Chidi 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.

Ingredient Story: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

September 23, 2014

At Nine Naturals, we’re on a mission to make beauty simple, smart and safe for moms and moms-to-be. Integral to that is understanding our ingredients’ science and benefits. Today’s Nine Naturals Ingredient Story Series featuring Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is part of an ongoing series featuring the natural, plant-based ingredients behind our high performance beauty products.

Aloe barbadensis, more commonly known as Aloe vera, has been used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as far back as 4th century BC. In fact, historians have suggested that it was once a part of the beauty routines of Egyptian royalty. Today the extract of aloe barbadensis is widely used therapeutically to treat various skin conditions and cosmetically as a moisturizer for skin and hair.

The Science & Extraction of Aloe Barbadensis

Extracting the pulp from the aloe barbandensis plant simply entails separating the gelatinous inner material of the leaf from the outer husk. Once separated the extract can be concentrated to increase the potency and dried to allow for long term storage. That said, the gel extracted from Aloe leaves can actually be used for many applications even in its crude form. This aloe extract has a number of active ingredients that contribute to its effectiveness. For instance it contains vitamin E and salicylic acid, both of which are commonly used in acne washes. Aloe extract also includes an array of poly-saccharides that play a role in healing and have anti-inflammatory properties.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract’s Benefits for Skin and Hair Care

Aloe barbadensis extract is one of the few moisturizing agents on the market that has been scientifically proven to be effective. This is why it’s so well suited to use in both conditioners and lotions. Aloe extract not only moisturizes, but also reduces skin irritation and erythema. Additionally, a recent clinical trial showed that topical application of aloe extract significantly increased the effectiveness of acne treatments. As if that wasn’t enough, aloe barbadensis extract has also been shown to help with skin repair during wound healing.

We would like to note that while topical use of aloe extract is a safe and effective, oral consumption should be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because of potential complications with contractions and infant gastrointestinal distress respectively.

Why Nine Naturals Loves Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Cosmetic use of Aloe barbadensis is both pregnancy-safe and highly effective, which is why we’ve made it a star ingredient in many of our products. We’ve taken advantage of its moisturizing properties in our conditioner and body cream, its acne fighting activity in our bodywash, and its ability to speed healing in our regenerative belly butter cream. Although aloe barbadensis extract does so much on its own, it is just one component of these products and you can learn more about all our great ingredients in our Ingredient Glossary.

Finding the Right Shade of Grey

September 22, 2014

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

5 post-baby work options you might not have thought of.

It’s often the second or third question on any early awkward mommy date: “So, are you going back?” i.e.: Are you worth investing in? Or are you going to disappear the second that the clock strikes 12 weeks?

That question doesn’t have to be as intimidatingly black and white as it may seem–mommies are, after all, officially recognized as the world’s most resourceful species. There are many work gradients in between “all” (head back to work and relish the quiet at your desk–there’s a lot to be said for that), and “nothing” (100% mommy all the time, don’t miss a smile…or a tantrum–which there’s a lot to be said for too.)

Be creative and inventive. A few of the modern evolutions of working mommy life might not be so readily apparent but are absolutely worth pursuing. Here are five.

Your first line of defense:

1) Extend your maternity leave. Postpone reality–and any major decision-making–past 12 weeks. The world looks very different at four or five months than it does at three months. (For one thing, you may actually be getting some sleep.)
How to plan: Ask for the most time possible upfront. A mother who calls to ask to return a few weeks early starts off post-baby work life on a much better foot than one who calls begging for more time at the last moment. Once you’ve verified your company’s official maternity leave policy, explore other options. Can you extend it with sick, personal or vacation days? If it’s financially feasible on your end, is unpaid leave an option? Plan for the most, and cut back later.

2) Ease back in. Many mothers find the return to work less daunting if they can re-enter at least somewhat gradually. At a minimum, try to come back on a Wednesday or Thursday so that the weekend with your baby doesn’t feel quite so far away. Or arrange to work two or three days a week for the last month of your maternity leave.
How to plan: Schedule your return date accordingly, and talk to HR or your boss about a part-time ramp-up period (either at a decreased percentage of pay or by spreading out your remaining days of maternity leave).

3) Find flexibility at your current job. This is the easiest place to seek a flexible arrangement of some sort. You have goodwill and knowledge built up, and the cost of replacing you is much higher than the cost of letting you work an 80% schedule or at home on Tuesdays. In other words, you’re Beyoncé and the rose-scented candles in your dressing room are yours for the asking.
How to plan: No one will know you want those roses if you don’t ask. Most mothers who have been through it recommend asking during your maternity leave, once you have a sense of what you want, but before you return to work. Others highlight making sure that you proactively schedule a trial period or regular check-ins with your boss from the get-go to ensure that the arrangement is working on both sides.

Other options:

4) Look for a new job with an element of flexibility. You work at Bank of Overachievers with long hours and lots of face time, and you just don’t see the flexibility thing happening. The stories of Fridays from home and job-sharing from your friends at Bank of Highly Rational People are just too tempting. It’s time to find something else that suits you a bit more now that you’re a mom.
How to plan: Be wary of the grass being greener on the other side. Your friends may only have those great arrangements because of the goodwill that they built up, and you will be putting in plenty of face time at any new place at the start, regardless of the culture. Head back to your old job and give the whole thing a bit of rational thought from your desk. If it still seems to make sense, MomCorps or MayBrooks can be great resources–these companies help connect moms with jobs that have some flexibility. It’s much easier to interview for something that’s clearly understood to be flexible upfront than it is to ask for flexibility when you’re accepting a job offer.

5) Freelance, consult or take on project work. This is the holy grail for many mothers. Work when you want to. Make it to that morning music class, and head downtown for a meeting in the afternoon. Work at night after bedtime. Don’t accept any projects in August so you can lie on the beach with your baby and rub Butt Paste on sandy diaper rashes. Stay just engaged enough in the workforce that fully on-ramping when Tinkerbell heads off to kindergarten isn’t an issue. There are some downsides, however, that any mother excited to whip out her MacBook at the local Starbucks should be well aware of. Half of the job of any freelancer is looking for the next job. This becomes less of an issue over time as you develop a stream of recurring clients, but networking to find clients early on is time-consuming, and often not at the best times for a new mom (industry happy hours at 5pm anyone?).
How to plan: Again, the devil you know–would your old company be interested in using you in a project-based or consulting capacity? If you’ve been in a client service business, is there an opportunity to work directly for some former clients? (And–a shameless plug–consider Prokanga, which does the time-consuming networking for you, and helps connect qualified mothers with project work.)

The most important thing to remember: there is no right answer. ‘Leaning in’ isn’t for everyone…and neither is ‘reclining’. Explore a few options, and find what works for you. Then tune out the peanut gallery.

This article is by Jamie Cheney 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.

Cravings Made Healthy: Strata

September 15, 2014

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Nourish your pregnant or new mama body with teeny tiny foodie’s easy recipe for a comfort food fave.

There are few dishes I love more than a strata. A strata is basically a frittata but with a layer of bread, which makes it a complete dish of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables all in one. It is a really easy and healthy meal to prepare and it is a perfect choice for a pregnant mama-to-be, nursing mama or a star-struck, busy family just bringing baby home from the hospital.

For a pregnant mama-to-be, not only is a strata a healthy way to nourish your growing body and baby bump, but by using fresh vegetables, lower-fat cheeses and whole grain bread, this meal gives baby a super nutritious start and helps to lay the foundation for a lifetime of choosing healthier food options. The same benefits apply to a nursing mama trying to help her body heal while maintaining optimal health for nursing her baby. For a family just bringing baby home, this meal gives everybody in the family healthy energy to keep going during round-the-clock feedings and days and nights that seem to have no beginning or end.

To make a strata, you can use whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand or prefer. If you are able to use vegetables that are local and in season, you will get the most nutritional bang for your buck. I like to use carrots, parsnips or zucchini because, when grated, you don’t need to cook them before adding them to the egg mixture. They will cook in the oven while the strata bakes and save you time on food preparation. Many recipes call for creating a few layers of bread, then the egg and vegetable mixture, and then the cheese, before repeating the steps. Or, you can cut down on the preparation time even more by creating one layer of bread and one layer of the eggs, vegetable and cheese mixed together as I’ve suggested below.

Additionally, you can freeze the strata to enjoy later by wrapping individual cooled pieces in plastic wrap and storing them in an airtight zipper-topped bag for up to 4 months. So this is a great meal to make if you’re thinking ahead to your own bun coming out of the oven.

Simple Strata
Serves 6-8 adults

Ingredients:
8-10 slices of day-old bread or ¾ baguette, cut into ¼ inch chunks (You want enough to fill the bottom of a 9×12-inch baking dish)
6 egg whites and 6 whole eggs, whisked
¼ cup milk
3 raw carrots, peeled and grated OR 3 raw parsnips, peeled and grated OR 2 zucchini, grated
1½ cups of shredded cheese (I like to use 2 parts mozzarella to 1 part parmesan, but use whatever you prefer)
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Chili powder and/or cumin, to taste

Preparation:
1. Heat the oven to 325° and grease a 9×12-inch baking dish.
2. Slice the bread chunks and spread them in an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper and spices.
4. Grate the carrots, parsnips or zucchini. If using zucchini, it is a very wet vegetable so you want to get rid of the excess water after grating it. Do this by placing the grated zucchini into a clean kitchen towel, cheesecloth or a few paper towels and squeezing out the excess water.
5. Stir the vegetables and cheese into the egg mixture and mix well.
6. Pour mixture into the baking dish and bake for 45-55 minutes or until set.
7. Let rest around 5 minutes before enjoying.

Happy Cooking!

This article is by Jory Lieber 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.

Things We’ve Read: Week of September 8th

September 14, 2014

NYFW Street Style, Day Five: The Bump is the Best Accessory (Refinery29): Pregnant & stylish women rocking the baby bump all over New York Fashion Week.

Bored Kid At The White House Really Can’t Be Bothered With The President (HuffPost): Sorry, Mr. President!

The New York Times’ Irresponsible Look at Antidepressants During Pregnancy (HuffPost): The New York Times’ article “Pills May Put Babies at Risk” failed to include expert views on reproductive mental health and the research they stated is rather limited.

What Is Hyperemesis Gravidarum? (International Business Times): Facts about hyperemesis gravidarum, also known as acute morning sickness.

Longer breastfeeding linked to better nutrition (Ob Gyn News): Study has shown that a longer breastfeeding leads to less likelihood that children will suffer from ear, throat or sinus infections.

Low Dose Aspirin Effective To Prevent Dangerous Pregnancy-Related Condition (Forbes): A panel of medical experts found that women at high risk for preeclampsia can reduce their risk by taking a low dosage of aspirin after the 12th week of pregnancy.

Pilot Intervention Eliminates Autism Symptoms in Babies (HuffPost): A preliminary pilot study sought to locate children younger than 12 months with autism symptoms and develop an intervention by changing the way parents interact with the babies.

New Autism ‘Cure’ for Babies Sounds Way Too Good To Be True (CafeStir): The results of the pilot study showing that therapy can eliminate delays for children with early signs of autism may be promising but needs more basis and more conclusive data.

 

Labor + Delivery Options: Give The Birth You Want

September 10, 2014

You will make a series of important decisions during your pregnancy, but none greater than choosing where and how you’ll welcome your child into the world. Sure, family members, friends and even strangers will want to share their childbirth stories and opinions with you, but remember that every childbirth experience is different. Here’s a brief guide to educate you on typical locations to deliver, as well as common childbirth options:

Where To Deliver Your Baby

Hospital: A hospital, the most common place to deliver a child in the United States, will provide you with standardized care led by an OBGYN and/or a midwife. You will deliver your baby and then be placed in the hands of a team of caregivers for, on average, a period of one to five days, depending on your childbirth experience and insurance coverage.

Birthing Center: Led by a midwife, your labor and delivery experience at a birthing center will include more personalized care, including coaching both during and after childbirth. The use of interventions and anesthesia are not commonplace, and most birthing centers cannot provide for emergency care, so it is vital that you have a back-up hospital notified, in case a transfer is necessary.

Home: The least common of all three locations, but rising in popularity, is within the home. Similar to a birthing center, your labor and delivery will be led by a midwife, who will provide you with specific, personalized care. Delivering at home appeals to expectant mothers who seek a comfortable labor and delivery experience, in addition to a natural transition for baby from womb to world. Again, it is essential to have a back-up hospital notified, for neither medication nor emergency care can be given within the home.

How To Deliver Your Baby

Natural Birth: Free of all pain medication, a natural, vaginal birth is achievable with the support of a physician, labor coach and/or partner. You will power through the discomfort by focusing on deep breathing, visualization and body positioning learned during prenatal childbirth classes, thus making you an active participant in your labor and delivery experience.

Medicated Birth: Given during labor, an epidural is regional anesthesia injected into the lower back to provide pain relief from contractions and delivery. While many expectant moms plan for a natural birth, some laboring moms will ultimately decide that anesthesia is necessary. You will have the option to change your mind up to a certain point in your labor; so don’t feel bound to what is documented in your birth plan.

Water Birth: For a planned water birth within a hospital or birthing center to be approved, expectant moms must meet specific medical criteria. Once approved and when the times comes, you’ll labor in a large tub of warm water to help reduce contraction pain. When the urge to push begins, you will remain in the water allowing your baby to experience a gentle, calm transition as he or she enters the world. A physician and/or a mid-wife will be present to aid in the process, especially after childbirth to ensure that your baby is healthy.

Cesarean Section: Although sometimes planned, most C-sections are recommended as a solution to an emergency situation where either mother and/or child(ren) are in distress. A C-section is a surgical procedure used to deliver your baby through a primary incision in your lower abdomen and a secondary incision in your uterus. If no complications arise for either you or your baby, you can expect to stay in the hospital for at least three days post surgery. You’ll feel discomfort at the incision site for many days and/or weeks following your C-section, so try to avoid heavy lifting and bending.

To make the best childbirth decision for you and your child, you must be informed. Keep this information with you as you interview caregivers, visit potential locations for delivery, and create your birth plan. As always, remember to consult with your healthcare provider before making any final decisions!

Indoor Action

September 8, 2014

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

One new mama puts 6 at-home postpartum workouts to the test.

Call me crazy or naïve, but I thought squeezing in a solid workout after having my first baby was going to be a breeze. Man, was I mistaken. Not only is it a major challenge to find 30 minutes in a row where you can get your burn on, but uncovering what feels good after the ultimate workout — giving birth — takes many trials and even more errors.

With NYC temperatures below freezing levels, walking outside with your little one for exercise may be put on hiatus. Here is roundup of workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home during the different phases of your postpartum recovery.

6 Weeks Out from Birth
A few workouts to try out once your doctor gives you the green light to workout.

Ballet Beautiful Total Body Workout
What I love about this workout is it is divided up by body parts, and each section is approximately 10 minutes – which is perfect if that is all you have before your baby starts crying, or if you fall asleep on the mat after a sleepless night. No equipment is needed, and the soothing music relaxes you (and may even lull your baby to sleep) as you begin to rediscover your body (hello long-lost abs).

Tracy Anderson The Pregnancy Project
Tracy Anderson begins the video by talking about her own experience of getting back into shape after baby, which is inspiring and at times, a bit intimidating…how does she look like that?! She eases you into the workout and includes a great stretching sequence that feels amazing.

3 Months After Birth
Although probably still sleep-deprived, you are starting to feel like your old self and may be ready to take your workouts up a notch.

Physique 57 Cardio Sculpt
A high-energy workout that helps strengthen your entire body. The 30 minutes go by in a flash, and muscles you have not felt in a while burn a bit to remind you that they are still there. Plus, you can download this (along with a variety of other great workouts) to do anywhere – perfect for when you are on the go.

Mom and Baby Fitness
Working out with your baby is a sure way to get some adorable smiles in from your 3-month-old. The only challenge is he also has to be in the mood for working out…otherwise it may be cut short. This edition includes two DVDs: one for a young baby and another to use with a toddler. At times it may seem a bit slow paced, but I woke up sore the next morning and had a blast with my lil’ one.

6 Months
You may be ready to go full force with your workouts, so you can keep up with your baby as she starts to get ready to move on their own!

Focus T25
Although only 25 minutes, you will feel like you worked out for an hour. This high-intensity video series provides you with a 5-day program that challenges your entire body. You may find that you prefer certain videos over others, but whatever you choose, you will end the workout feeling accomplished and maybe even brave enough to try on your pre-pregnancy jeans.

YogaDownload.com – HardCORE Yoga with Weights
You may not be able to do all of the poses and have to put down the weights during certain points, but this workout helps to open and tone your entire body. I had never done yoga with weights before and loved the challenge – perfect for strengthening your upper body as you baby gets heavier to pick up!

This article is by Kori Peters 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.

Cravings Made Healthy: Sweet Potato Falafel

September 1, 2014

Article & Photo courtesy of Well Rounded NY

Vegan chef Jenné Clairborne shares a simple recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.

We should always be nourishing our bodies with nutritious food, good sleep, exercise, and love, but it’s even more important during pregnancy. Fitting it all in can seem daunting, especially for the modern pregnant New Yorker. Sometimes what you need is a shortcut to nourishment––I must admit, I’m not aware of any shortcuts for sleep, exercise, or love. However, limiting your time in the kitchen, and sitting down to a fantastic meal is totally doable––as you’ll see with my yummy sweet potato falafel recipe!

This sweet potato falafel is perfect for lunch or dinner. For maximum pregnancy appeal, serve the falafel in a romaine or lacinato kale leaf, or over chopped greens, with tahini sauce, and your favorite falafel fixin’s. Sweet potato falafel are one of my favorite recipes. You’ll want to make these over and over again!

Sweet Potato Falafel
Optional expansions: add 1 tsp of smoked paprika, 1 tsp lemon zest, topping the falafel with sesame seeds before baking.
serves 2-4
1 medium sweet potato, baked or steamed in the skin
14 oz can chickpeas, rinsed
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor, and pulse until the ingredients are combined. Be careful not to over blend or puree. The ingredients should hold together, but maintain their texture. Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tbsp) to scoop falafel balls and place directly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Also, check out my new digital book 5 Ingredient Vegan which was written with women like myself in mind. We want to eat healthy, but aren’t willing to sacrifice on flavor, and spending hours in the kitchen is just not going to happen. The book is also for the woman who wants to cook amazing plant-based dishes, but would rather not start by making complicated 20 ingredient recipes.

This article is by Jenné Clairborne 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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