Snacks for Pregnant and Nursing Moms

Staying healthy and energized during pregnancy is tough! 

You have a little baby peanut siphoning all your nutrients and will power, all day every day. 

I ran into big problems with keeping my blood sugar up, and would often get fainty, dizzy, and nauseous. I ended up eating small meals and snacks several times a day. Better for energy and better for digestion!

Here are a few examples of my go-to snacks for pregnancy. High in protein, healthy, and delicious!

1. Apples and Almond Butter: Easy and portable!

 2. Smoothies: So many different combinations and easy to maximize protein and other nutrients. Add lots of kale, spinach, swiss chard! I personally love adding a scoop or two of vanilla protein powder and a couple scoops of flax seed. 

 3. Yogurt with granola and fruit: Almost tastes like a desert but so healthy!

 4. Veggies and hummus: Another quick and portable snack!

5. Ezekiel bread with avocado and hardboiled eggs. PROTEIN!

 6. Oatmeal with fruit: I also add a scoop of protein powder, maybe a few walnuts. 

Taco and Lime Chicken

Grilled Taco and Lime Chicken 

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika works too)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 3-4 medium to large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 limes, split

Directions

1. Preheat indoor or outdoor grill to medium high heat.
2. Place cumin, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic salt into a bowl. Stir to combine.
3. Place chicken breast into a large bowl or large ziploc bag. Pour seasonings over chicken then squeeze the juice of one whole lime over chicken and seasonings. Stir chicken around with seasonings and lime. You can marinate up 1-5 hours if desired. Can be grilled immediately as well.
4. Spray grill lightly with cooking spray then carefully place chicken onto grill. Let grill 5-6 minutes each side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer chicken to a large plate and let rest for 10 minutes. Thinly slice chicken and squeeze with juice of last lime over tops. Thinly sliced chicken goes great inside tacos. Top with your favorite toppings.

Makes 6-8 Servings
Note: Creamy sauce shown in photograph is equal parts prepared Ranch Dressing and mild salsa

I found this recipe on Pinterest - it's from The Picky Palette and is phenomenal! I highly suggest perusing her blog entirely. It has some amazing recipes!

What to Bring to the Hospital

What does this mama of (almost) 6 put in the hospital bag?

Check it out, you don't need much! You will be surprised at how much the hospital provides and how much you really don't need in your stay there. 

Bump Fashion

 35 weeks!

Or somewhere around there...

;)

Dress: Old Navy Maternity

Vest: LC Lauren Conrad

Sandals: Target

Necklaces: Forever 21

Feeling AMAZING today and yesterday. No heartburn, no contractions, plenty of sleep! 

Not sure if baby dropped or if it's just a fluke, but I am loving this. I was even able to eat nearly a full meal yesterday. MIRACLE, I tell you!

This is the same dress from my date night post several weeks ago. It is so unbelievably comfortable! Soft, stretchy, and flattering too. 

I added layered necklaces, the vest, and sandals to make the whole look casual. 

MAKE UP

I was feeling the fall colors today!

Lorac Pro Palette 1 on the eyes

NYX Soft Cream Matte Lip in Tokyo on the lips.

Anastasia Beverly Hills aka EYEBROW QUEEN on the brows

ACCESSORIES

Chains and my fave midi rings from Forever 21

Sandals are ancient from Target

Search "Bump Wardrobe" for more maternity styles! 

Bump Fashion

34 Weeks! (Give or take, I never keep track)

Outfit Deets:

Hat: My fave Old Navy fedora

Shirt: H&M mama

Chambray: American Eagle

Pants: H&M mama

Sandals: Target

Bag: Nordstrom BP

I'm in shock that we're already this far along. Doesn't seem possible! I gave birth to Roman at 36 weeks gestation - that's only TWO WEEKS from now! 

Can't wait to meet our little nugget!

Feeling: Pretty dang good! Easiest pregnancy by a long shot. 

Craving: Nothing really. Appetite just doesn't seem to be there

Gained: No idea. I avoid scales lol. 

Biggest complaints: heartburn and some killer Braxton Hicks the last week or so. 

Bump Style

Here are a few of my recent mama outfits :) 

And don't forget to check out the previous Bump Style (under the Fashion tab) posts for more ideas!

Kimono: Hollister (similar HERE)

Jeans: H&M mama jeans (similar HERE)

Shoes: Tom's

Kimono: Forever 21 (similar HERE)

Dress: Liz Lange at Target (HERE)

Shoes: Steve Madden yellow braided wedges

Necklace: Forever 21

Blazer: LC Lauren Conrad at Kohl's (HERE)

Jeans: American Eagle boyfriend jeans (similar HERE)

Shoes: Steve Madden Leopard Elusional (HERE)

Necklace: Target

Dress: LC Lauren Conrad at Kohl's

Necklace: LC Lauren Conrad

Hat: Old Navy 

Shirt: Motherhood Maternity

Pants: H&M mama black pants (HERE)

Shoes: Target