When I was younger I used to HATE tomato soup, like with a passion. But as I aged I began to enjoy it, truly I think it was less the actual soup and more the fact that it came from a can with questionable ingredients 😜 this recipe is a lot more fresh and has the added bonus of oils and a delicious dairy free sandwich to go along with it!
Ingredients:
Tomato Soup
- 3 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter (we use Miyokos)
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped (optional)
- 2 containers of (approx. 14oz each) whole peeled tomatoes (when you use canned tomatoes this can leach the BPA out of the cans due to their acidity)
- 1 cups veggie broth, chicken broth or chicken bone broth (we use broth from our local farm)
- 1 – 2 drops Cilantro essential oil (to taste)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, honey or coconut sugar (to taste)
- 1 tsp sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves (optional for serving)
Grilled Cheese
- 8 slices gluten free bread (if you have a bakery near by, go for that but if not schar is one of the most tasty Gf breads)
- Vegan mayonnaise or softened non-dairy butter (for spreading on the bread)
- 1 – 1½ cups non-dairy shredded cheddar and/or non-dairy mozzarella cheese or non-dairy slices (or 2 slices per sandwich) -we use violife
- 2 – 3 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter (for cooking)
Directions
Tomato Soup
1. In a large soup pot on medium-heat, add the olive oil and onions. Cook for 5 minutes stirring often. Add the garlic, stir and then add the canned tomatoes. Using a potato masher or large spoon break up the tomatoes into large chunks.
2. Pour in the broth and bring the heat to high until the soup starts to simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and simmer for approx. 15 – 20 minutes. Stir the soup every few minutes and continue cooking until the onion is soft and the tomatoes have broken down.
3. Once the soup is done you can carefully blend some or all of the soup with a stick blender depending on how chunky you like it. You may need to add a little more broth or water if the soup is a little too thick for your liking. While the soup is cooking, make the sandwiches.
Grilled Cheese
1. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise (or softened butter/vegan butter) on one side of each slice of bread. Then evenly sprinkle the shredded cheese (or place 2 slices of cheese) on the mayonnaise side of the 4 slices. Place the remaining 4 slices on top of each cheese covered slice with the mayonnaise side down and press gently on each sandwich to help them stick together.
2. In a large frying pan or on a griddle, melt 2 tbsp of butter on medium heat. Gently place the sandwiches in the pan being careful that the cheese stays in place. Cook on one side for 2 – 3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
3. Melt the remaining 1 tbsp of butter in the pan and carefully turn the sandwiches over with a spatula moving them around a little to coat them with the butter. Add more butter if desired. Cook for approx. 1 – 2 minutes longer until the other side is golden brown, and the cheese has melted. Turn heat to lowest setting to keep sandwiches warm until ready to serve.
4. Taste the soup and add a little more sea salt and pepper if desired and serve the soup in bowls. Garnish with a few cilantro (coriander) leaves, if you like. Set the bowls on plates. Place the sandwiches on a cutting board and cut then in quarters or diagonally and set them on the plates with the soup and serve immediately.
You might be like, what on Earth are these?! The first time I heard the word I thought they said Galápagos Islands!🤣
Galactagogues a group of foods and herbs that CAN help with your milk supply if you’re breastfeeding. There isn't one magic pill for regulating breast milk, but there are some different things that can help.
As a breastfeeding mom, one of the main things we worry about is our supply and if we have enough for our baby. There are many things that can contribute to a healthy supply, but food can be a great resource to try.
You’re going to be hungry constantly so finding ways to satiate you and support your supply are great! Making sure that you’re eating properly and taking care of yourself is equally important and staying hydrated too!
It's important to remember that every woman is different and can have different responses to these foods/herbs.
While these foods are generally considered safe to include in a balanced diet, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have allergies, medical conditions, or concerns about your milk supply. Additionally, focusing on a well-rounded and nutritious diet overall is key to supporting lactation and overall maternal health.
There are several different types of galactagogues, including:
✨ Oats
✨ Barley
✨ Fenugreek
✨ Fennell
✨ Brewer's Yeast
Certain foods and spices might not work for you, and that's okay! I don’t consume gluten so barley was out for me! Sometimes it's trial and error and that's how it goes. Introduce different foods into your diet slowly to determine which ones work the best for you.
I’ve created a free guide for breastfeeding moms to help you through your journey with tips and resources and join my waitlist for my breastfeeding guide PACKED with recipes!! GRAB IT HERE!
Infrared saunas can provide so many benefits for our health and wellbeing. Using an infrared sauna can help boost your heart health and even reduce blood pressure. Researchers have compared the physical response in your body to walking at a moderate pace. This means it can help improve blood circulation too and support muscle recovery after a workout.
This is something I recently started implementing into my routine again because when I was sick a few weeks ago (besides some awesome homeopathic remedies) - the infrared sauna was so key in helping me recover! Being a mother means I'm on duty all the time, so I don't have time to be sick (plus being sick just isn't fun either).
Even when you’re healthy, this is a great self care practice that you can add to your routine. The infrared sauna helps reduce oxidative stress on your body which is associated with many different types of diseases and even the common cold!
As a mother, this is one way I've found to take some time for myself. In the infrared I'm able to close my eyes, breathe and actually meditate - which when you have an infant isn't always easy to do!
Being that I have an autoimmune, I know the importance of making sure that my body (and yours!) is healed enough before using an infrared sauna. If not, your body may not be able to handle the effects of the sauna. As always, introduce slowly and see how your body responds to the experience.
I love finding simple ways that I can serve my body as a whole like this. Not only is it beneficial to my health, but my mind too! There’s something about sitting under the warmth that just relaxes my mind and allows me to just be still and quiet for a moment. If you haven’t tried it yet, you have to and then let me know what you think!
Breastfeeding can sometimes feel like a lonely and isolating experience. We as moms are doing the act of breastfeeding; it's our boobs, our time, our whole body and mind, but there are ways that dad can still help too!
In the beginning of our breastfeeding journey we were a bit confused, worried and just unsure! There were so many different voices in my head about what I 'should' do or what is 'right' and while figuring it all out, I was blessed enough to have my hubby right there with me working it all out so that our baby was well fed and I was taken care of. It can be really helpful to have that supportive dad who is there cheering you on when things might get a bit tough.
Ways that your significant other can support you:
✨Food! I didn't leave our bedroom for a week except for the bathroom. It became my eating area, my sleeping area and of course my baby caring for area.
✨Help with Tracking: We ended up writing down how often baby was eating (time was a blur) and for how long each time. Our lactation consultant recommended that, as we truly didn't have any idea since it was a day or two after my 32 hour labor.
✨Simply being there: Being next to you when you're questioning everything, when you're enjoying your baby's first snuggles, when you're getting used to your body again -everything.
Dad might want to help, but be unsure of what to do so the most important thing you can do is to ask for help. Tell him what you’re looking for and ways that he can help you during your breastfeeding journey. Just keep communication open during this sleep deprived stage!
If you're currently breastfeeding and looking for support and resources (I wish I had something like this when I was starting out!) here’s the link to grab my guide for nursing mamas!
Breastfeeding is such a beautiful experience, but it can certainly take a toll on your body in many different ways. It’s so important as breastfeeding moms that we nourish and take care of our bodies to be able to provide for our baby. Doing these stretches is an easy thing to add to your routine and can provide a lot of relief for you! Not only that, but it gives you a moment to just be quiet and focus on yourself.
These stretches are so helpful to help with any tension and discomfort that can result from holding your baby during feeding sessions. Sometimes we can catch ourselves hunching over or not in the most comfortable position while we nurse! Remember that everyone's body is different, so it's important to listen to your own comfort level and adjust the stretches accordingly.
Working out, whether while you're in the midst of your breastfeeding journey or after your little one is weened obviously looks different than before baby appeared (I have to keep reminding myself of this). But even if you choose to not workout right now, these are great stretches for your body.
Shoulder Rolls:
Sit or stand with your back straight.
Roll your shoulders forward in a circular motion, then roll them backward.
Repeat this motion several times to help relieve shoulder tension.
Neck Stretches:
Gently tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear toward your shoulder.
Hold the stretch for 15-20 seconds on each side.
You can also gently rotate your head in a circular motion, being mindful not to strain your neck.
Chest Opener Stretch:
Stand in a doorway with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle and your forearms resting on the door frame.
- Step forward slightly, feeling a gentle stretch in your chest and shoulders.
- Hold for about 20-30 seconds, breathing deeply.Don’t forget that it’s okay to take a moment and take care of yourself too! Finding little pockets of time during your day are going to be key when you are in this busier phase of life.
PS - if you’re breastfeeding and need a little extra support, download my free guide here full of tips and info for breastfeeding moms!
