Got Milk?

My little guy will be 5 months (did I just say 5 months?!) on the first of June! Since before I even became pregnant I always knew that I wanted to breastfeed my baby.  Thankfully with an extremely supporting and loving husband, family and friends I was, and have been able to breastfeed with success!  Sure, we've had our rough spots and hiccups along the way, but each time something would happen I would consult this awesome book that my brother-in-law's wife got for me: The Nursing Mother's Companion (I call it the Bible for breastfeeding momma's!)

This book is WONDERFUL!!  Anytime I have an issue or a question about something I can look in this book and usually find the answer :o)

Another thing that I have found to be EXTREMELY helpful are the lactation supplements that I bought at Whole Foods.

A couple of weeks ago I had been noticing when I pumped that my supply was getting lower.  This pretty much freaked me out because my goal is to try and breastfeed Hunter until he is at least a year old and we're a loooong way from that.

So, I did some research online about what I could do to help boost my supply back up.  All of my research concluded that Fenugreek seed was the miracle herb that I needed.  So the next time I went to Whole Foods I looked for Fenugreek supplements.  They didn't have just straight Fenugreek, but they did have Lactation Support supplements that included Fenugreek and Red Raspberry Leaf which is really good for women in general.

You're supposed to take 1 pill 3 x's a day and preferably in between meals.  I started taking the pills and I could tell a difference instantly!  I felt fuller like I had back a few weeks ago and I knew that little pill was doing the trick!  When I pumped later that night, instead of the normal barely 3 oz I had been getting, I got more than 6 oz!

My research also told me about a strange side effect that you'll get from taking the supplements ...you will smell like maple syrup!  I told you it was weird, but completely TRUE!!!  After a day of taking the supplements I started smelling like maple syrup!  My husband said he can't smell it, so I guess I'm the only one that it really affects.  On another note, I've been craving pancakes for the past week ;o)

If any of you other breastfeeding momma's out there are worried about your supply and need a boost, this is the ticket!  Is there anything that you guys have tried and seems to work for you?  I'd love to know! 

I hope you all are having a great week and happy Friday eve!!

Stork Stack {May Review}

Ok, so I'm a total slacker and just now writing a review of the May Stork Stack that we got.  But, I didn't want to skip it because this month had some really cute things in it!

This month marks the one year anniversary of Stork Stack!  To make this stack super special they included some of they're favorite past partners, as well as a few new partners and products that they've been admiring over the past several months.

What's Inside:

Wee Willie Winkie

This is a classic children's story, with a modern twist from Child's Play International.  This award winning series has been specifically designed for babies and is a great introduction to books through classic nursery rhymes and interactive text.

Reusable Snack Bags

These cute reusable snack bags are from Stephen Joseph.  The great thing about these snack bags (besides the fact that you can reuse them) is that they're non-toxic and BPA free!  You should really go check out their website.  They have so many other cute things for your little ones and are very reasonably priced!

Educational Ball

This super cool ball from Rubbabu is made from natural rubber foam in an eco-friendly process!  This ball is strong and durable and also encourages imaginative play!

Two-Dees Animal

This was by far my favorite (and Hunter's too) thing in this stack.  This adorable stuffed animal comes from the North America Bear Company and is made of fluffy fleece and contrasting jersey knit with embroidered facial features and quirky 2-dimensional charm. Added bonus ...it's machine washable!! :o)

Oatmeal Cranberry Bar

This tasty treat comes from Credible Cravings and is the first organic whole food bar developed collaboratively with obstetricians, midwives and nutritionists to support the nutritional needs of women before, during and after pregnancy!!!  

And that concludes another awesome delivery from the Stork!  In addition, I received an e-mail today from the Stork Stack Co. telling me about their referral program. With each referral, I can receive $10 in "Stork Bills" to be used towards future stacks.  And even better news: each person that I refer will also receive $10 off of their membership!!  How cool is that?!

And because it's their anniversary, they're feeling SUPER generous by offering these discount codes which you can use to either open up a new membership or upgrade your existing one!

• $25 off 6-months with code Shape6
• $55 off 12-months with code Shape12

Honesty Is The Best Policy

As if Jessica Alba wasn't already beautiful and talented she also decided to start up a new company for us momma's!  It's called The Honest Company.  The Honest Company offers diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, household cleaners, lotions, soaps. shampoo and conditioner!

When I heard about this I went to the website to see what all the hype was about.  I found out that all of their products are completely free of all of those nasty chemicals that come in all the other big name brand products.  As a mom that likes to keep a lot of harmful chemicals away from my baby boy, this sounded great!  And what's even better is that you can sign up for a FREE TRIAL of goodies!!!!

 I'm a sucker for pretty boxes and packaging.  I mean, c'mon ...what mom isn't?!

 (Warning: What's inside this box may cause spontaneous delight.)

With the free trial membership you can receive 6 diapers, wipes and a collection of their travel sized lotion, soap, detergent, shampoo and conditioner.  Now you do have to pay a S&H fee of $5.95, but that was completely worth it to me :o)

Now these aren't your momma's diapers.  They come in super cute custom patterns and designs both for boys and girls!!!

Now I do have to tell you that when you sign up for the free trial you are signing up for a membership!!  As soon as you receive your free trial package you can cancel your membership.  Unfortunately you can't click a button or send an e-mail, you actually have to call the company and cancel your membership!  If you do not want to get charged for a membership make sure to call within 7 days of receiving your free trial kit!!

To sign up for the free trial just go to The Honest Co.'s website and give them your info.  Don't you just love getting free goodies?!?!  

I'd love to hear from you and know what  kind of free trials and goodies you've found out there!

Canvas Crafts

Ok, so life has been somewhat hectic and it's been a while since my last post.  But, I'm baaaaaaack now :o)

So, I hope all of you Momma's and Grandmomma's had a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!  I wanted to do something personalized and special for both of Hunter's Grandmomma's.  Two nights before Mother's Day I was lying awake unable to fall asleep (shocker) and started thinking of ideas for crafts that I could do as presents for my mom and mother-in-law.  I had remembered seeing a craft on Pinterest where you use a babies footprints as a heart and then I remembered that I had two blank canvases just sitting in the closet and waiting to be used.  My brain started working and I started getting excited ...and itching to get crafty!

Here's what I came up with :o)

 (Of course my obsession love of chevron played a part in this craft)

Here's what you're going to need for this craft:

• 12x12 canvas
• Sponge brush
• Small pencil tipped paint brush
• Painter's tape
• Your choices of favorite acrylic based paint color
• A super cute pair of baby feet :o)

What you'll want to do first is tape off the pattern of the background that you want.  You don't have to do a chevron pattern.  You could do stripes, squares, circles ...the possibilities are endless!

Taping off your pattern will be the longest/hardest part of this craft, but after this it's easy sailing :o)

After you've finished taping off your pattern take your sponge brush and paint over your canvas.

Allow the canvas to dry for about 5-10 minutes and then carefully remove the tape.

Now take your small pencil tipped brush and write your message.  I typed out my message in the fonts I wanted to use in Microsoft Word and then practiced painting it on a blank piece of paper a couple of times to make sure I liked the way it looked before I painted it on my canvas.

To make it extra special and customized I wrote the occasion and who the gift was from on the sides of the canvas.

**Disclaimer: This next part could get messy!!!**

Now go ahead and grab the cutest pair of baby feet you can find and dip them in paint!!  Make sure to have a few wet wipes handy for when you're done for quick and easy clean up ;o)

And now you have a beautiful and original customized piece of art!!

This is the first craft I've done since Hunter was born and I have to say that I forgot how much I LOVE to craft!!!  Now that I've gotten my creative juices flowing again, be on the lookout for more crafting posts ;o)

Balsamic Cheese Tortellini

Last night's dinner was super yummy, fast and easy to make!  A few people have asked for the recipe, so here it is :o)

Balsamic Cheese Tortellini

Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 package of baby portobello  mushrooms, sliced

1 (9 oz) package of cheese filled tortellini

2 handfuls of spinach

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, mushrooms, spinach and garlic until onions are translucent, mushrooms are soft and spinach is wilted.

Bring a medium sized pot of salted water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Add cooked tortellini to onion/mushroom mixture in skillet.  Toss with remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and heat through.  Place in serving dish or bowl, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, grate parmesan cheese over meal and ENJOY!!

This meal is so delicious, easy and fast to make what's not to love about it?!  I hope you all enjoy this meal as much as I did :o)

What's For Dinner?

I don't want to brag, but we had the absolute most DELICIOUS dinner last night!!!  I have to say that the husband and I make a pretty good team in the kitchen ;o)

For our Honeymoon we went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  One thing we couldn't get enough of while we were there was the yummy Jamaican cuisine!!!  I swear, we were probably eating every 2 hours! Besides, when you go to an all inclusive resort the goal is to eat and drink as much as you possibly can to get your money's worth right?! 

I mean seriously ...the food was AMAZING!!

So last night for dinner we decided to whip up a little Jamaican dish of our own.  Grilled Jamaican Jerk Curried Pork (Yes, we're still having delicious meals from those little piggies we caught on our property) with cilantro lime rice (chipotle style) with black beans and onions and steamed asparagus on the grill.  All I can say is YUUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!!! Oh, and as a treat my awesome husband decided we needed awesome drinks to go with this awesome meal.  So he made marbeeritas ...it was a very good night :o)

 

As you can tell I pretty much licked my plate clean!  I have to give props to my husband for grilling.  The meat was so tasty and cooked to perfection!

So here's how we did it...

Jamaican Jerk Curried Pork

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp salt

2 tsp ground black pepper

2 tbsp curry powder

2 tbsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground red pepper

2 c coarsely chopped green onions

1/2 onion coarsely chopped

2 tbsp white vinegar

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp kosher salt

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 to 4 habenero or jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

1 pork tenderloin

Preparation

First we put a rub on the pork loin.  Put the first 6 ingredients on the loin. Combine all the other ingredients above and put into a blender or food processor. Combine pre-seasoned pork and green onion mixture in a dish, cover and let marinade for 3-24 hrs.  Remove pork from dish and discard remaining marinade

Prepare Grill.

Place pork on grill rack coated with cooking spray and grill on each side for 8 min or until meat thermometer register 160 degrees (slightly pink)

Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans and Onions

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil

1 c brown rice

1 bunch of fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1/2 freshly squeezed lime

1 can black beans

1/2 onion coarsely chopped

salt to taste

Preparation

Take olive oil and coat bottom of the bowl in your rice cooker, add the rice and put in 2 1/2 c water (should yield 2 c rice).  After the rice has finished cooking, add the cilantro and lime and stir.  Close the lid back on your rice cooker and let steam for about 15-20 min.

While your rice is steaming, open the black beans and drain half of the juice from the can.  Put beans in a medium sized pot, add your onion and cook on medium high heat.  While beans are cooking take a wooden spoon and slightly mash the beans to give it more texture.  Cook beans for about 10 min or until onions have softened.  

Once everything is done cooking add your beans and onions on top of your rice and you're done!

Steamed Asparagus

Take about 2 handfuls of asparagus and cut off the ends (about an inch).  Lay asparagus on foil, coat with olive oil and season with salt, freshly ground pepper and garlic powder.  Fold foil in half and seal on both sides making a foil pouch.  Place on grill for about 8 min or until tender.  Take off grill and let cool.

Marbeeritas

Ingredients

1/2 c sugar

1 c water

1 c fresh squeezed lime juice

12 fl oz tequila

12 fl oz beer

ice

1 lime, cut into wedges

Preparation

Heat water and sugar in a small sauce pan until completely dissolved and the water is clear.  Let cool.  Pour into a pitcher with lime juice.  Add tequila (we only had wild turkey so we used that instead of tequila and I couldn't even tell the difference!) and beer into the pitcher and stir.  Add plenty of ice and garnish with lime wedges.  Adjust recipe with additional water, if needed.

After writing it out it sounds like a lot of work, but I promise it's not at all!

Let me know if you tried this recipe, how it turned out and if it needed any alterations.

ENJOY!!