5 Essentials for the breast feeding Mommy

The Boppy Pillow

This helps hold your baby while you're breastfeeding.  I couldn't use it for the first couple of weeks because my stomach was more of a ski slop, but after that this pillow became my best friend.

 

Tip: Get a pillow that matches your bedroom so you can just put it in with your other pillows on your bed.You can also use your Boppy to help your little one sit.

Breast feeding tank tops
These are SO much easier to wear than regular shirts because of the easy access.  Target has a great selection and I suggest getting basic colors.  I have one in white, black and gray so they match most of my clothes.

Feeding app. for your smart phone


By using this app, you can track what time and how long you feed your baby for.  This was my saving grace at 3 am feedings because I was so tired at first. 

Feed Baby-FREE

Other feeding apps: Baby Feeding Tracker by Sprout $2.99

Tip: If you don't have a smart phone you can put a hair tie on your wrist and switch it to which breast you last fed from.



Electric Breast Pump
I own a Medela Advanced Breastpump Starter Set.  Trust me on this one...HAVE IT READY!  When my milk came in I looked like Pamela Anderson in her Baywatch days (sorry, I'm not posting a pic of this one) and felt like she did the day after she married Kid Rock!  It's painful, and one of the only ways to relieve the pain is to feed your new born baby and to pump.

Through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) most insurance companies will now give you a free breast pump!   Here are the steps you need to take to get one:

1.) Get a prescription from your doctor.

2.) Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. 

3.) Tell them that you are (fill in the blank) weeks pregnant and you need to order your breast pump.  I ordered mine a month before I was due.  Also, make sure you know ahead of time how much they are going to cover.  Mine was 100%

4.) My insurance company then provided me with a phone number to a separate company called Edgepark.  Here is a link to their website. Edgepark

5.) Call them and order your pump.  You can look at their website before you call and decide which one you are going to order.  They will not offer any opinion, so do your research.

6.) You will have to email/mail them your doctors signed prescription, and they will send you any further paper work in the mail.

Medela hands free pumping bra
Yep!  Go right ahead and try to convince yourself that you wouldn't be caught DEAD wearing this!  Let me tell you, this bra is a game changer!  You can thank me later ;)  I purchased mine at Target for $34.99 and use it every day.  Medela Hands Free Pumping Bra

I hope this helps you ladies!  If you have any questions please feel free to email us at theeinspiredmommy@gmail.com

XOXO,

Thee Inspired Mommy

Happy Boob Month

October is Breast Cancer Awarness Month:
First of all,  take this time to recognize all the women in your life that are survivors, still fighting, or have lost the battle to breast cancer. These women should all be referred to as "LEGENDS"

Here are some random tips & factoids that may prevent breast cancer from coming your way!

Consider breast-feeding

Women who consistently breast-feed for the first 6 months have a 10% reduced risk of death from cancer, compared with those who don't, found a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. One reason: Because a woman doesn't menstruate while breast-feeding, it limits the number of cycles she has over a lifetime, which lowers the amount of estrogen to which her body is exposed. Bottom line: There is significant data that suggests that breast-feeding lowers risk. If a mom can do it, it's worth trying. In other words, you've heard experts say that "breast is best" for babies, and now there's extra proof that it's best for moms, too.

Eat the right foods—Every Day

I know this is difficult to do as a mom on the go, however it is a must! Research continues to produce promising evidence that what you eat can affect your risk. For example, Harvard researchers recently found that women who had the highest carotenoid levels in their blood had a 19% lower risk of breast cancer than those with the lowest levels. Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables such as leafy greens, carrots, and red peppers. Women who consumed more carotenoids had an even lower risk of developing estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer (which is often more aggressive). 

Trade your morning Coffee for Green Tea

We love COFFEE as well, but tea drinkers likely have the upper hand—especially when their beverage is green. New findings out of Columbia University's Medical Center suggest that when women with breast cancer take oral green tea extract and their conditions improve. Bonus! It also gives you a slimmer bod. Catechins, the antioxidants present in green tea, are pros at blasting belly fat. And studies suggest that caffeine frees fatty acids so you can burn calories (and fat) more easily.

Keep that Bod in Motion!

Grab your babies and your jogging stroller because research suggests that increased physical activity reduces overall breast-cancer risk by about 10 percent to 30 percent. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk five days a week to get this protective effect.More than two dozen studies have shown that women who exercise have a 30 percent to 40 percent lower risk of breast cancer than their sedentary peers. The female hormone estrogen seems to play a key role. Women with high estrogen levels in their blood have increased risk for breast cancer. Since exercise lowers blood estrogen, it helps lower a woman’s breast-cancer risk.

Trade White For Red Wine
If you already were an avid Red Wine Drinker like we are you are in luck! Regular alcohol consumption raises breast cancer risk, except for red wine, which has the opposite effect when consumed in moderation. Studies show that the chemicals in the seeds and skins of red grapes slightly reduce estrogen levels and raise testosterone among premenopausal females - thus reducing their breast cancer risk.

XOXO,

TheeInspiredMommy

Milk Makin Mommas

Lactation Cookies to BOOST Your Milk Supply

If your a milk making momma and feeling low on your milk supply or need those extra calories, try these yummy lactation cookies that have worked for me.

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 c. butter (softened)
• 16 oz  REAL peanut butter (not the fructose corn syrup enhanced stuff)
• 1 1/2 c. Brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 T. real Maple syrup - optional (I did not add this)
• 2 t. Vanilla

Dry Ingredients

• 1/2 t. salt maybe 1/4 if you're using really salty butter
• 3. T Brewer's yeast
• 1 c. Flax seed meal (Grind the flax seeds in a coffee grinder for fresh taste.)
• 3 1/2 c. Oats
• 2 t. Baking Soda
• 1 c. Dark chocolate chips (or toffee, butterscotch etc.  I used dark chocolate chips.)
• 1 c. Almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degree F

1. Stir together butter, peanut butter and brown sugar till throughly mixed.

2. Add eggs and beat till mixed.

3. Stir in vanilla and maple syrup.

4. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

5. Use an ice cream scoop to shape cookies (because the recipe is flourless they are sticky and harder to from.). Press flat on cookie sheet before baking.

6.  Bake for 14-17 minutes (I like my cookies soft so I bake them for 14 1/2 min.)

7.  Pour yourself a glass of milk and enjoy!

*This recipe made 3 dozen cookies so instead of making them all at once I put them in plastic baggies and make 4-6 at a time.

Thank you OrganicMamaCafe for this wonderful recipe.

XOXO,

Thee Inspired Mommy

Honest Hearts Produce Honest Actions

     I'm SUPER excited to use our new products from The Honest Company. The Honest Company is an ecofriendly company that sells baby/toddler supplies such as diapers as well as cleaning supplies.  The company was started by actress Jessica Alba and part of your purchase will help women and children in need. 

Baby William loves having tummy time on his soft and cozy organic blanket. I sugguest purchasing straight from their website; however I did see that Target is now selling select items but they are generally more expensive.

Check out their website for a free starter kit.  https://www.honest.com/diaper-trial?sid=10002&cid=yahoo_bing&mid=search&aid=Diapers_Top:Diapers_Organic:_diapers_organic:Broad

Why We Are Obsessed with Avocado Oil

   A few weeks ago I was making my monthly adventure to Costco with my sister and stumbled upon my latest obsession, Avocado Oil. It was so worth the eleven dollars! Not only is it great for cooking but you can also use it as a beauty product. My husband makes fun of me because I literally use it for everything. I cook with it, wash my hair with it and use it as a face and body moisturizer.Unlike the well-known tea tree oil, olive oil and lavender oil, avocado oil has yet to be discovered by most people.  If your preggo this is perfect to moisturize your growing belly, and if you already have a precious little baby you can use it for healing diaper rash. You can even mix Avocado Oil and Organic Sugar and make an amazing sugar scrub exfoliant that will make your skin as soft as a baby's bottom. Im officially hooked on this stuff check out all the health benefits.

• Protein and Fats. Avocado oil contains a high amount of proteins and unsaturated fats, both of which are strong skin agents. Avocado oil actually contains omega-3 fatty acids – those very same fatty acids as found in fish oil. Thus, not only can this oil be used as a beneficial lotion, but also as healthy cooking oil!
• Sterolin. Avocado oil is high in a substance called sterolin, which studies have shown to facilitate the softening of the skin and to reduce the incidence of age spots;
• Antioxidants. Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, making it useful for healing sun-damaged skin. Antioxidants like vitamins A, D and E in avocado cause the skin to be suppler, and are thus particularly good for dry or aged skin.
• Lecithin and Potassium. Avocado oil contains lecithin and potassium, which are all highly beneficial for the skin as well as the hair;
• Moisturize the Skin. Avocado oil applied topically helps relieve dry and itchy skin. Once applied, avocado oil is deeply absorbed by the skin, thus making it an ideal moisturizer and skin care agent.
• Boost Scalp Health. In addition to helping clear scaly skin, it can also relieve itchy scalp symptoms. Avocado oil, when regularly applied to the scalp, can stimulate hair growth.
• Increase Collagen Production. When applied, avocado oil increases the production of collagen, which helps keep the skin plump and decreases the effects of aging.
• Treat Skin Conditions. Avocado oil is useful in the treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
• Others. Avocado oil facilitates the healing of wounds and burns to the skin. It also helps to relieve and heal diaper rash.

Facial Moisturizing

When using the avocado, instead of throwing away the peel sections, save them for your facials. The peel has a hidden reservoir of oil containing a substance called humectant that acts to retain moisture. To use the peel, gently swipe it over your skin in upward massaging motions until you have covered your whole face. XOXO, TheeInspiredMommy

A Beautiful Body Project- The Bodies of Mothers

I stumbled across A Beautiful Body Project which is the work of photographer Jade Beall and felt so empowered by her perception of beauty, and we praise her un-photoshopped photography of mommies around the world.  "Jade's dream is to inspire future generations of women to be free from the unnecessary self-suffering and embrace their beauty just as they are."  In her work she shows every curve, smile line and stretch mark of her subject to help tell their beautiful story of motherhood.  She helps woman wear her stripes like the badge of honor that they are and WE LOVE EVERY LAST BIT OF IT!  I hope her work opens your eyes to the natural beauty that we all posses and learn how good it feels to walk confidently in the skin you're in!  "I have come to drag you out of yourself, and take you in my heart. I have come to bring out the beauty you never knew you had and lift you like a prayer to the sky” ~Rumi. You can check out more of Jade's work at www.abeautifulbodyproject.com

Mommy Mocktails

              4th of July Celebrations are right around the corner so why not indulge in a Mocktail moms to be!?  You can be pregnant and  still have that pretty delicious tasting drink minus the alcohol! So this weekend, enjoy yourselves Moms and Moms to be! Here are some amazing tasting cocktail recipe ideas from some Inspired Moms!

Cotton Candy Mocktini

This was an amazing Mocktail idea! My Best friends made this drink for my Baby Shower and it was a hit! They had alcohol that could be added at the end of the bar for the non-preggo ladies!~ 

Ingrediants

-Cotton Candy 

-Colored Sugar (use on the rim of the glass)

-Sparkling Water or Sprite

GrapeFruit Mojito 

Ingredients:

1/4 ruby or pink grapefruit, cut into small chunks and seeds removed

2 tbs. agave syrup or honey

12 fresh mint leaves, roughly torn

1/2 cup pink grapefruit soda or flavored mineral water, plus more as needed

mint sprigs, for garnish

Directions:Put the grapefruit pieces, agave and mint in a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler, smash the fruit until the juice is released. Add one cup small ice cubes to the shaker with the half cup soda; attach the lid and shake furiously until combined. Divide between two rocks glasses, add more ice if desired, and top off with additional soda. Stir, garnish with mint sprigs and serve. 

Stay Classy this weekend!

XOXO TheeInspiredMommy

"Yoga Your Way Through a Hard Day"

YOGA YOUR WAY THROUGH A HARD DAY.

After an exhausting night of my little dude not feeling well and having an extremely hard time waking up to the groove this morning I decided that I had to do something in order to be alert for my baby.  Instead of gulping a cup of coffee to avoid upsetting little Williams belly since I'm breast feeding, I decided to so some yoga to chill out and boost my energy for the day.  The great thing about yoga is that I can do it right next to baby William while he's sleeping and he doesn't move an inch.  All you need is a yoga video or just go on to YouTube and do a quick search.  I use a yoga mat and blocks in class but don't have my own and am perfectly fine on the carpet.  

Yoga is a gentle and effective way to strengthen your body and because of the breathing it will also help calm you.  Now keep calm and yoga your way through the day.

BENEFITS OF POSTNATAL YOGA

1.) Boost your mood by increasing the levels of feel-good chemicals (endorphins) in your brain.
2.) Help you to lose weight and regain your pre-baby figure!
3.) Give you more energy, if you are feeling tired and you just pooped out a baby so yes you are TIRED!
4.) Improve your strength and stamina! your going to need it!

"That Mom"

Okay I know I am not the only one who has been in this exact position? Eating junk food while reading a fitness magazine.  Dunkin Donuts motto is “America Runs on Dunkin” and if I keep on dunkin these donuts in my mouth I am going to be running A LOT more and be no where near where I want to be after I give birth to my twins.  Most of us know how to eat right and are constantly reading magazines on how to get where we want to be but why do we still end up in this position?   I will tell you why for me the top 2 reasons is EXCUSES and AVAILABILTY.

  What motivated me to change my bad habits was seeing the long term effects of my short term excuses.  When I found out I was pregnant with my son I had quite a few moms tell me I should just say goodbye to my body and that I am going to get frumpy.  Really encouraging right?  I had so many moms come up to me and say they used to be able to eat whatever they wanted like me and then one day BOOM everything they ate went straight to their hips and thighs.  I would be lying if I told you that did not boost my motivation.  I saw how easy it was for these beautiful moms who once had these beautiful bodies to fall into this routine of taking care of their families and their priorities shifted. Eating fast food on the go because of there daily  hectic schedules and putting healthy eating and exercise  completely off the list of priorities.  The excuses stem from how “busy” you are and that junk food is just more “available”.   I am blessed because at my present office environment all my co-workers are health nuts.  I am surrounded by fresh fruits and veggies and most of my co-workers idea of a chocolate is usually 99.9% cocoa.  I am surrounded by a healthy “lifestyle”.  A year ago when I worked on the construction site, for lunch we would always go to fast food restaurants and 7-11 for snacks on our breaks.  I  cannot begin to tell you how much better I feel and so much natural energy when I eat right.  I want to share one of my favorite smoothie recipes that I have for lunch while being pregnant and my advice to keep that donut out of your mouth? Don’t buy the donuts! Prepare healthy snacks in advanced and keep them available to you and your kids.  Am I saying don’t indulge??? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The key is to maintain and create a healthy routine and that way the indulgence will feel even better. Here is a recipe for a my favorite shake that I make 5 days a week.


Note: The Smoothie will look Green and Gross but I promise you it tastes Delicious and it has so many health benefits for you and your growing baby! I drink this instead of coffee and it gives me so much natural energy! Who doesn't want to have more energy and radiant skin? Also, Unless stained teeth is becoming a trend soon USE A STRAW! I learned the hard way that kale stains your teeth.

Tacey's Recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to SNACK ALL DAY!