Chocolate Coconut Protein Pancakes

Need a protein boost that's not boring as a protein shake? Try these out. I totally defiled mine by putting butter on them. These are pretty dense, but can be lightened up by subbing almond meal, or flour if desired. These babies have 20 grams of protein, 40 if you eat the whole batch. Again, it's is a very dense meal, so be careful with the coconut flour/protein powder ratios.

On to the recipe:

Ingredients:

2 eggs
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup of water/choice of milk
2 tablespoons coconut flakes
1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I used Optimum Nutrition)
1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Heat griddle, or pan on medium low, about 200 degrees. These take a little bit to cook, so just be patient. 
Mix all ingredients for pancakes
Pour onto pan, wait until firm, then flip to cook other side

Top with your favorite toppings!

Workout Wednesdays!

I managed to squeeze out a quick 20 minute workout. I was just not feeling it today. My belly really felt like it was weighing me down with every move. So, I skipped the weights. I just went through a quick session of cardio.Somehow I got through it. 

Here was the workout for today:

Cardio Fun!

• 25 Jumping Jacks
• 5 squat jumps
• Rest 30 sec
• 25 Jumping Jacks
• 5 squat jumps
• Rest 30 sec

2nd Set

• 25 squats
• 10 side lunges- per side
• Rest 30 sec
• 25 squats
• 10 side lunges- per side

3rd Set

• 10 push-ups
• 30 sec march in place
• 10 push-ups
• 30 sec march in place

Workout Wednesdays!

 I've been trying to get a workout in for at least 6 days a week. I try to get in at least 30 minutes. This can be a bit challenging with a 10-month old, but I've found a trick that works for me. I just turn on my favorite song playlist and let it go until I'm all done with my daily challenge. Baby starts to bounce along with me! 

Here is today's workout:

I do the cardio, then weights and repeat this 3 times 

25 Jumping jacks

15 Squats

30 Second Mountain climber

15 High Knees

30 Seconds run in place

                                                           

12 Shoulder presses with 10 lb dumbbells

12 Lateral raises with 10 lb dumbbells

12 Bent over rows with 10 lb dumbbell

Creamy-Dreamy Vegetable Soup

Lately, I have been making this soup a lot, almost every week. It's so easy to make! I just play around with the ingredients to keep it fresh. I get bored easily. When I first started my diet, I got hungry between lunches, and dinners. I would go rummaging through my pantry, and munch on granola bars, crackers, or other goodies. However, that was counter-intuitive to my weight loss journey because I would still feel unsatisfied, and continue to eat. This fit the bill. It is the perfect snack for in-between meals, or even as meal when paired with a protein, or salad. 

This recipe makes a delicious bowl of rich, guilt-free soup, that warms you to the core.

Ingredients:

1/2 white onion chopped 

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 cups cut cauliflower

1/2 cup chopped celery 

1/2 cup peeled and chopped potatoes 

4 cups water or broth

Salt and pepper taste 

Directions:

In a large sized pan, melt the coconut oil on medium heat. Saute the onions on medium heat until clear about 3-4 minutes. Now, add chopped potatoes, cauliflower. and celery. Let those cook for a few minutes. When the vegetables have wilted a little bit, pour in the water or broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup come to a boil. Cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes. Use an immersion blender, or let cool, and use a blender until smooth. 

Enjoy!

Serves 4 - 1 cup each

Calories: 153 per serving

Exercise During Pregnancy

Before you embark on your fitness journey, watch this.  Here are a few tips from the March of Dimes on types of pregnancy exercises to avoid. Keep it safe ladies!

You can eat anything you want!

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I could eat anything whilst being pregnant, I would have like a million dollars. Well, maybe more like seventeen dollars. But, still, it didn't take much convincing to get sucked into the eat as much as you can, as fast as you can vortex. I ate, and I ate, and I ate until I had ballooned into an edemic mess. 

By week 34 of my pregnancy, I weighed fifty pounds more than I had started! Aside from my feet having edema, somehow, my face had it too. It had become puffy, and sallow. Luckily, I had just started my maternity leave, so I was able to lounge around all day in my pajamas. I wouldn't have to lug myself around work all day. I spent the rest of my days watching Netflix, and eating Swiss rolls on my sofa. I certainly had lost that pregnancy glow, and had turned it to pregnancy slow. 

 At this point, I had no idea of the amount of calories I was consuming. I figured, I can eat anything I want since I am pregnant.

I was so wrong. 

All this statement provides is a sense of false entitlement. It says I can throw my understanding of nutrition, health, and caloric consumption out the window. I can eat with wild abandon. I thought there was a direct correlation between food consumption and baby birth weight.  I justified my actions by telling myself that my baby would grow more if I grew more. My doctor even clarified, that we only need to consume anywhere from 150-500 calories extra per day throughout the pregnancy. If I was to guess, I think I was taking in an extra 1,000 calories a day. Now, I am talking about myself here, so ask your doctor about your caloric needs during pregnancy. Heck, you might need a 1,000 extra calories depending on your current health. 

I have since given birth, and can now postulate the reasons for my digressions. I think I can understand what happened.  I was trekking through unknown territory. I had first time mom anxiety. I don't know if there is such a thing, but I had it. I was worried about the baby, about my health, labor, about whether or not I would be good parent. Just everything. I used food as comfort. I would feel better after some gooey, fudgey brownies, or some delicious rocky road ice cream. 

I can tell you from experience, it all works it self out. 

Ultimately, it's about balance. 

I think we should shy away from encouraging pregnant women to just eat, but rather, focus on healthy weight gain. Gaining sustenance from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables rather than hot cheetos, twinkies, and fries. Maybe, not all moms-to-be approach their pregnancy this way, but for me, it was an excuse; to eat what I wanted. It took me a while to get back on track with exercising regularly, and eating right. I'll share with you how.I have since lost most of the weight I put on, I am just seven pounds away from my starting weight. I am hoping this time around I can eat for health, and not for comfort. I'll keep you updated...

I would love to hear your stories about pregnancy weight gain