There are different thoughts around whether or not you should exercise when you're breastfeeding, but I think it’s important to have the knowledge and make an informed decision for yourself! I truly believe that every mom is different and it’s important to do what serves you and your body.
A study caught my eye this morning, it was the "Effect of energy restriction and exercise on vitamin B-6 status of women during lactation"
After birth we're often nutrient depleted, working hard at feeding our little ones often on very little sleep, not to mention the actual experience of birthing your baby!
So some say that initiating a weight loss and exercise program could put women at further risk for these nutrient deficiencies. Which if you've seen anything I've shared in the last many months, it is an important thing to pay attention to for not only yourself but for your growing baby.
This particular study focused on vitamin B6, as many lactating women were below the recommended daily allowance of 2.0mg. B6 is needed for linear growth as well as behavior development and other brain related activity. Bonus points: vitamin B-6 also helps to make antibodies (these help stave off infections and disease) AND helps with the production of serotonin and norepinephrine, the chemicals which help with nerve function and the transmission of signals within your brain.
B6 is found in:
✨ Wild Salmon: has higher concentrations of B6 (and most of the nutrients)
✨Eggs also have B6, but same thing, go for local/pasture raised eggs to have the most nutrients available.
✨Spinach is high in B-6, as well as in vitamins A and C, plus iron.
✨Sweet Potato: About 18% of the Daily Value
✨Chickpeas: 1 cup has 65% of the DV
✨Bananas: One medium-sized banana can provide up to 33% of the DV
Bottom line, taking a B vitamin supplement can be really helpful, whether you're breastfeeding or not! I take Super B from Young Living for more of the bioavailable Bs and focus on getting a variety of foods too!
Someone asked me why I don't talk as much about autoimmune conditions compared to motherhood and frankly there are a lot of reasons. The first one that came to mind though was the thoughts around whether or not these types of diagnoses are what they say they are.
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'.
That's not to say that what those with autoimmune conditions don't experience big symptoms, in fact that's kind of the point. When you're experiencing some of the big symptoms that can show up, finding a diagnosis can be a sense of relief and yet there is the question-is my body really attacking itself?
Some say yes, some say no. Either way, I choose to focus more on feeling good and healing whatever may or may not be going on.
Here's a list of some of the top foods that I incorporate and a little bit about why:
🥦Sulfur containing veggies: onions, garlic and cruciferous veggies like cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts.
✨Sulfur-rich foods nourish cells and mitochondria, helps the body remove toxins, and synthesizes protein to produce collagen (which helps with connective tissues). Sulfur also helps with hair, skin and nails as well as joint health.
🥒Greens: Leafy greens have many different vitamins and minerals that can be helpful like Folate, (pre-formed) Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K1 just to name a few. So each of these nutrients do things like support your immune system, increasing elasticity of your skin, eye health, and nerve insolation.
🍓Colors: Similarly to leafy greens, consuming fruits and vegetables of varying colors throughout your day or week can have many benefits like; healthier brain cells, immune system health, reproductive health, skin health, better cognition, eye health (another big one!), DNA protection, healthier overall cells, anticancer properties and anti-inflammatory properties.
(this is based on the Wahls Protocol for Autoimmune)
If eating good foods is something you struggle with, click here to grab my meal plans!
There's just something about having hearty, yummy vegetables to pair with a cozy dinner on a winter's night! This dish is completely customizable so feel free to change up or add any vegetables you'd like.
Ingredients:
Vegetables
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and sliced
- 1 medium turnip, halved and cut into six wedges
- 1 large parsnip, peeled, cut lengthwise
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup water
Seasoning
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 10 drops YL Black Pepper Vitality Oil
- 2 drops Nutmeg Vitality Oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- fresh parsley
Instructions:
Vegetables: Place all vegetables into a glass baking dish. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt over all, add water and tent with foil. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to one hour until veggies are fork tender. Remove from oven, drain water and transfer to a serving bowl.
Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine all other ingredients except parsley and mix well. Add to baked veggies and gently toss. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Makes 3-4 servings.
Becoming a mom has truly been one of the most amazing experiences, but it had a few surprises that I wasn't prepared for. I think there's so much value sharing your experience and things you've learned, so I wanted to share this with you today! I don't want you to view any of these as negative, but rather just changes you might not know!
🎈The way you used to do things will change.
I had heard this before but didn't really want to put much stock into it, as I thought I could control the majority of post baby life - and some of that is still true. However, things really do change. Sometimes it's things like the fact that you can't really get in the same amount of working out that you used to or that you can't just hop on a plane without really thinking about it.
🎈Motherhood might not always be easy to describe.
It's not that you can't find some words to describe how it is to have a baby or care for a baby, but often none of them really do it justice. You all of a sudden would do anything for this other human and you literally can't stop staring at how cute they are 😜yet you do still want to do things for yourself too - sometimes it’s hard to find the balance.
🎈There is a death and rebirth that not everyone talks about.
Some look at it like the death of the maiden self into the matron. And maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But regardless your life is different, you’re not the same woman you were before you gave birth, you’re just not - and that’s okay (in fact it’s more than okay)❤️
🎈You might not need some of the baby gear your friends got for their kiddos.
Take the time to look a little deeper and be open to the fact that this may change as your baby comes earthside and grows. Do you need that fancy x,y,x that so and so got, that costs $$$ and isn’t actually all that great for your baby? Nahhh I’ll go simple over here❤️
🎈Your body will change.
Seriously it will. I kind of thought that although my body would be different I could go about working out (after appropriate healing time for my body) and eating the same way as before pregnancy and be able to get back to my pre-baby body. Nope. Not the case for me, hormones do funny things to the body and are differently set up for each person.
If you're a new mom, it's going to experience all the emotions and things that come along with it! Becoming a mom is a HUGE transition, but truly in the best way!
Autoimmune isn’t a word I really like to use when it comes to describing different conditions. In fact there are so many different thoughts and feelings around the word autoimmune. Some define it as your immune system mistaking parts of your body as foreign and therefore attacking healthy cells by releasing proteins known as autoantibodies.
Others say, not so much. In fact, 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'.
When the medical industry cannot seem to figure out what is causing symptoms like fatigue, inflammation, dizziness, aches & pains it gets labeled as an autoimmune condition.
I know that because of my autoimmune (and the fact that I breastfeed too!) my body needs some extra TLC and that's my focus. I take care of myself for my son and I attempt to ignore what anyone else thinks or says and you should do the same!
The #1 concern as someone who has an autoimmune is to take the extra measures needed to take care of you.
Here's three ways I make sure to give my body some TLC:
✨FOOD
If you know anything about me, you know that food is my number one thing I go to when it comes to healing anything or simply feeling better. I truly believe that there is not one particular diet that literally works for everyone, however there are some overall ideas that typically help us all.
✨Oils
I never, ever, ever leave home without them. There are many uses for each one but some of the ones I carry with me for that extra TLC are lavender, believe blend, RC, lemon and white angelica.
✨Water
Hydration is super key for every single person. There is the balance of electrolytes when drinking water (I used LMNT) and you can drink too much water (yup this does happen), but for many people they're not getting enough. The general guideline for most is to take half your body weight, and drink that amount in ounces of water.
PS: these are things we can all benefit from; even if you don't have an autoimmune!
