Breakfast is such a hard meal to find yummy, filling recipes, so here's one just for you! There's nothing like a pancake on a chilly day (or any day really!).
Ingredients:
- ¾ cups oats (bonus for sprouted)
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ cup gluten free 1:1 flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ organic coconut milk
- ¼ cup organic coconut yogurt
- 1 banana, peeled and mashed
- 1 pasture raised egg (bonus from farmers markets or a local farm), slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon local raw honey
Syrup Topping:
- ½ cup pure organic maple syrup
- 2 drops cinnamon vitality
- 1 drop clove
Directions:
- In a large pan, combine the oats and water. Cook on a medium heat until the oats turn tender and creamy. Stir in your honey and coconut oil and set to one side to cool.
- In another bowl, sift together your flour, baking powder, baking soda and ground cinnamon.
- Add the milk, yogurt and banana to the cooled oats and mix until thoroughly blended. Then beat in the egg. Once this mixture has combined, add it to your dry ingredients and mix again.
- Gently fry in a pan using an oil of your choice. To make the syrup topping, warm maple syrup in a small saucepan and add oils. Then, simply pour over your freshly made pancakes.
As a parent this is something that can be sparse at times, but I want to share with you the importance of sleep for your overall health.
🤣I laugh because sleeping with a new baby is always interesting. We have been really blessed with our little one who sleeps really well plus with bed sharing, oils and a somewhat consistent bedtime, it has allowed us to get more sleep than I've heard other parents get.
Sleep is one of the most important things that we can do in terms of self-care for soooo many reasons.
Here's a few 👇
Sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and it plays a crucial role in various aspects of our physical, mental, and emotional functioning. Here are some reasons why sleep is important:
1. Restoration and Healing: Sleep is a time when the body can focus on repairing and rejuvenating itself especially in terms of tissues and muscles being repaired and the immune system being strengthened.
2. Cognitive Function: Sleep is vital for cognitive function, including memory consolidation, problem-solving, creativity, and learning.
3. Emotional Well-Being: Adequate sleep is crucial for emotional stability and mental health as a leep deprivation is linked to mood disturbances, irritability, increased stress levels, and a higher risk of developing mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
4. Physical Health: Lack of sleep is associated with a range of physical health problems, including an increased risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Sleep helps regulate hormones that control appetite and metabolism.
5. Immune Function: Sleep is important for a strong and resilient immune system. It helps the body produce immune cells, antibodies, and other substances needed to fight off infections and illnesses.
6. Energy and Alertness: Getting sufficient sleep enhances daytime alertness, energy, and overall performance. It reduces the likelihood of accidents and errors in daily activities, including driving.
7. Stress Reduction: Sleep is a natural stress reliever. It helps regulate stress hormones, allowing the body and mind to recover from daily stressors.
8. Physical Performance: Athletes and individuals engaged in physical activities benefit from adequate sleep as it contributes to better physical performance, muscle recovery, and coordination.
9. Hormonal Balance: Sleep plays a role in regulating various hormones, including those that control growth, stress response, and reproductive function. Hormonal imbalances can result from chronic sleep deprivation.
10. Longevity: Research suggests that consistent, quality sleep is associated with a longer lifespan and a reduced risk of premature mortality.
Did you know sleep could do all of this?!
P.S. These are benefits we can all benefit from, even if you are not a parent to a baby or young kiddo.
Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, can impact breastfeeding in various ways, both positively and negatively. Here are some considerations regarding the impact of dairy on breastfeeding:
- Some infants may be sensitive or allergic to proteins found in cow's milk that can lead to digestive issues, skin rashes, colic or other symptoms
- For mother, dairy products can sometimes cause GI issues such as gas, bloating or diarrhea
- Colic or fussiness may occur after dairy is consumed due to the high levels in the mother's diet that baby is then consuming
The most important thing is to monitor baby and yourself after dairy is consumed. Pay attention to your baby's behavior, feeding patterns, and any unusual symptoms (like spitting up more than usual or excessively). If you suspect an issue related to dairy, consult with a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant for guidance.
There are plenty of dairy free alternatives on the market, but be mindful of some of the additives present in certain brands. Options like almond milk, coconut milk and other plant choices can be great options. I actually make my own coconut milk using shredded coconut (this helps keep the additives out and only takes about 15 minutes). Here's the link if you'd like to check it out!
Cluster feeding is when your baby has a lot of feeds in a short amount of time. It can definitely feel taxing on your body and can cause you to feel a little overwhelmed.
I remember when my little guy had moments of eating non-stop for what felt like forever, of course it is not forever, but in the moment that’s how it felt. It’s normal to forget that cluster feeding is a thing (I know I did) and that in fact there isn’t anything wrong with him or me, it's just how babies do life!
So how can you make cluster feeding a little more manageable?
✨ keep water and snacks nearby
✨ have a station set up with things to entertain you (in reality this is multiple stations for me😜)
✨ change positions when you can (I like to alternate boobs, helps regulate flow plus keeps the boobs a bit more even 😆)
✨ plan ahead (go to the bathroom, make sure your water is filled)
✨ ASK FOR HELP
It’s so important to ask for help when your baby is cluster feeding because your focus is solely on feeding baby during this time. If you need someone to hold baby for a moment or two in-between feeds or someone to get you a snack or fill your water; that’s okay! You’re going to be so glad you asked for help.
I think of the most important things I've learned/been reminded of when it comes to caring for a baby is to just pay attention and think about what could be going on. This sweet little baby is so new and just getting used to life outside the womb! As new parents, we have a tendency to jump to the worst case scenario, when that isn't always the case. Definitely learning as we go!
Breastfeeding can be a little stressful at first, which is why I created a resource just for breastfeeding moms packed with tips and resources to support you along your journey! Grab it here!
The autoimmune mindset is something that can be complicated and depending how you look at it, can have certain effects on your overall health.
In fact for many people, when we believe our own body is attacking us we not only hinder our healing process, but often feel our body betrayed us and we become the scapegoat for this 'disease'.
So do we have a condition or not?
Let me ask you this…. does it really matter?
For me, it didn't. I realized that I definitely had something going on that needed healing. I needed to clean up my act and treat my body and mind with respect.
I wasn’t feeling well and knew that if I didn’t make a change and take care of myself that nothing was going to get better. Whether I wear that label of having an “autoimmune” or not, I want to prioritize and take care of myself.
The first few things I did were diet, movement and mindset related and to this day those are a daily focus in my day to day life (even as a mom!).
✨Wahls Protocol. This protocol has been life changing for thousands around the world in healing different autoimmune conditions.
✨ I make sure to get in movement, everyday. Even if it was a short walk, or a quick arms workout - it helped so much mentally and physically!
✨ The way we think about things really matters. It's not just, oh think positive and everything will be alright, but it's deeper than that. Truly deeply believing and knowing that your body can heal itself has been shown in many cases (think Joe Dispenza) to actually heal your body (I do believe along with food choices, toxin reduction, movement and more).
I’ve made many strides towards better health and changes in my life so that I’m able to feel good and at the end of the day, that’s what matters to me.
