Top 3 Lactation Smoothies

Whether to support lactation or increase supply, I think most breastfeeding mamas explore the internet for lactation recipes.  I personally prefer making my own lactation cookies but I have been known to make a smoothie here or there.  Below I have listed the three that I enjoy.

THE ONE THAT SERVES TWO

• 1 handful of Cashews (Sometimes, I sub almonds.)
• 1/2 cup frozen berries (I prefer strawberries, but mango could be fun and different right?)
• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 tray ice

*blitz on high for 30 seconds*

ADD

• 1/2 – 1 tbsp brewer’s yeast
• 1 tbs cacao powder (I skip this ingredient.)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp coconut oil (If you don’t like the taste of coconut oil, skip this one.  Coconut oil, at least in my opinion, has a very powerful taste.)

*blitz on higher than high for 1 minute*

The original recipe calls to top this with buckinis & bee pollen. Now, I’m all about the health but when I called the closest Whole Foods to inquire about bee pollen, the sweet girl told me “Like from actual Bees? Ma’am, we don’t sell Bees at this location.” I give up Whole Foods, I give up.

**Also, and this is SOOOO important, remember to cut THEN freeze the bananas! Cutting a frozen banana is near impossible and if you are at all uncoordinated like I am, you will hurt yourself.

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THE ONE WITH THE YOGURT OPTION

• 1 frozen banana 
• 1 apple (optional)
• 2 or so tbsp brewer’s yeast
• 1 or so tbsp ground flax seed
• 2 tbsp whey powder (optional)
• Dash of cinnamon and/or vanilla
• 3/4 cup almond, cow, rice or soy milk or yogurt

Ice cubes. Blend. Enjoy.

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THE ONE WITH OATS

• 1/2 cup milk (4oz) ((I like to sub almond milk.)
• 1/3 cup oats
• 1/2 tbsp brewer’s yeast
• 1/2 tbsp flaxseed
• 1/2 banana ( frozen, unfrozen… your choice)
• 1/2 cup yogurt of choice ( frozen in ice cube trays)

Blend well. Enjoy boost in milk supply.

REMEMBER:  No two people are the same.  Some women see results with brewer’s yeast right away, some see a boost in supply with just adding oatmeal to their diet; others take fenugreek for weeks before reaping any benefits.  The important thing is to find what works for you.

Happy Experimenting!

A Bit of Holiday Reflecting

   This month we celebrated Jean-Luc turning 6 months!  He is the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received.   He is such a smart and curious baby.  His laughs capture the hearts of everyone he meets.  I am so blessed to call him my son.

This past year has been an emotional roller coaster but when he looks at me, it gives me hope.

2014 has been a tough year for us; but also quite wonderful.  So much has happened since last Christmas; most of the time, I don’t know how to feel.  I’m so lucky to be surrounded by my wonderful family, who always put each other before themselves.

My family has given so much to me and Jean-Luc; especially my mother.  She supports my decisions.   She reminds me that I deserve better but continues to back me up because she knows I’m trying to give Jean-Luc the best of everything.  She picks me up when I feel hopeless and reminds me of what is truly important.

I am also thankful for my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother, and friends who have become family.  The people in my life are so supportive, I don’t know what I would do without them.  They don’t judge my anxiety.  They don’t tell me my fears/worries are ridiculous.  They just hold my hand and remind me that no matter what the obstacle, they will be there with me.

This Christmas, Jean-Luc received so many material things but the gift I want him to know is and will always be the best, is his family.  He is such a blessed little boy to have so many people in his life that make him a priority in their everyday lives, rather than an obligation.  And to those people, words cannot convey how truly grateful I am.

Okay, end of sappy.  :)

Happy Holidays everyone!

I think I made felt.

Today I accidentally turned a beautiful crochet blanket into something that can only be described as giant felt.

I was helping a friend of mine to gather baby items to bring to Goodwill and I confiscated a beautiful yellow crocheted car-seat blanket out of her stash.  The only “defect” it possessed was that the boarder had begun to unravel.  An instant need to up-cycle this blanket came over me.

So I quickly formulated a plan:  rip the border, add a blue single crochet around, then rope stitch either a darker blue/green/ or brown to give this old blanket a new feel.  I even had a person in mind to give this creation to.

Sounds like the easiest project ever, right? Wrong.

I figured it needed a good wash so not thinking at all, I threw it into our new machine for what I thought was “Quick Wash”.  No.  Side note on this washer: it’s digital and technically (if I ever figure it out) we can control it with our phones.  It’s high tech, and I struggle with multiplication.  Therefore, most of the time, I have no idea what I’m doing.

When removing the load from the washer, I realized not only was the washer set to super hot but I washed the blanket with Jean-Luc’s clothes.  So I shrunk the blanket along with a few of Luc’s outfits.  So bummed.

Mom convinced me to stitch a border anyway and we found a use for it.  The cats are now enjoying it in the garage.

Sorry Baby Gabe, but at least now you have more of Luc’s practically new outfits to wear.

Holiday on A Budget

December is a busy month for us.  We live so close to one another that I see each member of my family at least once a week.  Our family is a prime example of a Louisiana family.  Yes, people really do get family together like the Duck Dynasty folks every week (often more!) to eat and just be a family.  Having a large family is awesome but holidays are super intense.

My mom is currently running around, throwing different recipes together in hopes of coming up with the perfect Christmas menu.  The menu theme (sounds strange but yes, we have themes lol) for this year is Breakfast Foods, so every Sunday since September she’s concocted some newfangled mix of pancakes, biscuits, french toast, bacon, etc.  I’m not complaining, its delicious; but

My grandmother is cleaning and reorganizing everything in sight.  Oh yes, I mean EVERYTHING.  I walked into the kitchen last week to find her attempting to label the silver ware slots in the dishwasher.  It was intense.

So what are my holiday duties? Ha, during holiday season I am The Crafter.  Dun Dun Dunnnnn.  No seriously though, any time anyone needs anything made, wrapped, fancy-fied, etc I’m the girl for the job.  Party favors, cards, Christmas crafts with the kids, crocheting a table runner, making/creating gifts for everyone’s work friends, attempting to stitch Jean-Luc’s first Christmas Stocking all while carrying around a baby that has decided he wants to be held ALL DAY and keeping up with work is an accurate description of my life these past few weeks.

Its a sweet gig.  I enjoy making my family smile and I think the best gift is a hand-made gift.  So what’s my latest DIY Christmas craft?!? fancy wrapping on a budget!

What I used:

• Brown Packing Paper (found at our local dollar store)
• Twine in Green & Brown ( also found at the dollar store)
• Stamps & Black Ink Pad
• Paint Swatches

I’ve used the same stamps for years (since my sorority crafting days actually!).  The lettering stamps used for this project are clear clings and as for the brand: I have no clue.  I have also used the same stamp pad for almost two years now and the ink is fantastic!  I use Stazon solvent ink pad in Black.  You can use it on all sorts of surfaces and is highly pigmented.  These items were originally purchased to do some snazzy scrap-booking but I have found countless uses since.  Its wonderful!

I lucked out with the paint swatches as well.  My aunt found these cutesy paint swatches at Sherwin Williams and my first thought when seeing them was “GIFT TAGS”, haha!

This project was super easy and not time consuming at all.  Once the supplies were gathered, wrapping was a breeze.  After I wrapped one gift per child, I set them up for display on top of a shelf in the living room.  The kids loved seeing their names all fancy on their gifts; really got them into the Christmas spirit!