This blog is about to undergo some major changes! Due to the impending arrival of a new little person in our lives, Adventures in... Life, Love, and Health is gearing up to take on a new mission and personality; it will now be a healthy lifestyle blog dedicated to food, family & baby, and my journey back into a healthier life following (and beyond) pregnancy.
We will focus on eating healthy, flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dishes on a small budget; raising the happiest, healthiest child; and staying fit (and grounded) in this stressful, hectic world of ours.
I haven't been around for a good while, but I'm aching to write again, and hope to take my blogging to a new level. I hope you'll join me on this journey!
Love,
Jess
Friday, July 11, 2014
Monday, November 4, 2013
This Little Piggy Cried Weee, Weeee, Weeee, All the Way Home
None of my clothes seem to want to fit anymore. No, it's not because I've gone down a size; I've gone up. Almost two dress sizes now. But, ya' know what? I'm ok with that. Because I'm ok with why my clothes are too tight. I'm excited by what's going on with my body.
I'm pregnant! So yeah, I'm excited. Please see also: ecstatic, nervous, worried, neurotic, moody (volatile). Plus, I haven't told very many folks yet, and there are some people in particular who I hope to avoid telling, period. But that's an entirely different story, and one I'd imagine you don't care to hear about.
It's been quite difficult since I found out for me to eat as healthy as I want to and should be for the health of my little one. I tried to limit my intake of grains and sugars, but it only stressed me out, and caused me to eat more than I intended, and then some. So I let myself go for awhile, just eating what I needed (or wanted) when I needed to eat. Which is always. Um? Is that normal for the first few months? I feel like I'm really out of whack right now, and that I'm consuming way more than I actually should. I'm nervous that I might give myself gestational diabetes, or that it will affect the baby. Any mothers out there reading my little blog, here? What was the first trimester like for you? Did you feel like you wanted to eat everything?
I'm hoping to get on a healthier track by my second trimester. I kinda worked out a deal with myself/promised myself some time to relax and become comfortable with the pregnancy. I've been dealing with an abundance of stress lately, and I didn't want anything to go wrong, or to harm my growing baby, so I've made a concerted effort to keep calm and relaxed as much as possible; to ask for help when I need it, especially when lifting boxes or bags of groceries; and not to beat myself up (too much) over how quickly I've outgrown my clothes. I had a miscarriage a few years ago, and I'm convinced I caused it by not taking good enough care of myself. I must admit, though, it has been a struggle. I went up a dress size over the summer, most likely because my body was preparing itself and adjusting for what it knew was happening, but then, once I found out, it was like overnight I jumped up two more sizes...and it bothered the bejeezus out of me. Irrational, I know. I'm trying to deal it. I know my body is going through some beautiful amazing changes, and I want to embrace them. (The tatas are larger, which is kinda nice for a B cup girl, lol...but then they're also sensitive, which is not nice for anyone!)
So, anyhow. What I'm trying to say, basically, is: I need your help. I really do. I need your encouragement, but I also need you to help me stay accountable. I have a few changes, for the better, that I have to adopt by my second trimester, which is coming up pretty soon: I've gotten start eating better (as in, stop eating chocolate and pizza just because I'm craving it, because it isn't best for baby), and -- this is a big one, and I know I'm going to get a lot of grief for it, and I'm prepared, and do understand the gravity of it -- I have to stop smoking cigarettes. My excuse (reason? can I call it a reason, instead) for not having already quit? The stress thing. Not wanting to traumatize my body by suddenly quitting, and thus putting the baby in any more danger than I already am in smoking. Please do forgive me?
So, you see? I need you.
Until next time, thanks for reading! -- xoxo Jess
How did your diet change during pregnancy, or what kinds of changes have you observed in others during their pregnancies? Did you or someone you know find it difficult to kick a nasty vice once they discovered they were pregnant? If so, what kind of tips can you offer to other pregnant ladies who may be struggling with the same habits?
I'm pregnant! So yeah, I'm excited. Please see also: ecstatic, nervous, worried, neurotic, moody (volatile). Plus, I haven't told very many folks yet, and there are some people in particular who I hope to avoid telling, period. But that's an entirely different story, and one I'd imagine you don't care to hear about.
It's been quite difficult since I found out for me to eat as healthy as I want to and should be for the health of my little one. I tried to limit my intake of grains and sugars, but it only stressed me out, and caused me to eat more than I intended, and then some. So I let myself go for awhile, just eating what I needed (or wanted) when I needed to eat. Which is always. Um? Is that normal for the first few months? I feel like I'm really out of whack right now, and that I'm consuming way more than I actually should. I'm nervous that I might give myself gestational diabetes, or that it will affect the baby. Any mothers out there reading my little blog, here? What was the first trimester like for you? Did you feel like you wanted to eat everything?
I'm hoping to get on a healthier track by my second trimester. I kinda worked out a deal with myself/promised myself some time to relax and become comfortable with the pregnancy. I've been dealing with an abundance of stress lately, and I didn't want anything to go wrong, or to harm my growing baby, so I've made a concerted effort to keep calm and relaxed as much as possible; to ask for help when I need it, especially when lifting boxes or bags of groceries; and not to beat myself up (too much) over how quickly I've outgrown my clothes. I had a miscarriage a few years ago, and I'm convinced I caused it by not taking good enough care of myself. I must admit, though, it has been a struggle. I went up a dress size over the summer, most likely because my body was preparing itself and adjusting for what it knew was happening, but then, once I found out, it was like overnight I jumped up two more sizes...and it bothered the bejeezus out of me. Irrational, I know. I'm trying to deal it. I know my body is going through some beautiful amazing changes, and I want to embrace them. (The tatas are larger, which is kinda nice for a B cup girl, lol...but then they're also sensitive, which is not nice for anyone!)
So, anyhow. What I'm trying to say, basically, is: I need your help. I really do. I need your encouragement, but I also need you to help me stay accountable. I have a few changes, for the better, that I have to adopt by my second trimester, which is coming up pretty soon: I've gotten start eating better (as in, stop eating chocolate and pizza just because I'm craving it, because it isn't best for baby), and -- this is a big one, and I know I'm going to get a lot of grief for it, and I'm prepared, and do understand the gravity of it -- I have to stop smoking cigarettes. My excuse (reason? can I call it a reason, instead) for not having already quit? The stress thing. Not wanting to traumatize my body by suddenly quitting, and thus putting the baby in any more danger than I already am in smoking. Please do forgive me?
So, you see? I need you.
Until next time, thanks for reading! -- xoxo Jess
How did your diet change during pregnancy, or what kinds of changes have you observed in others during their pregnancies? Did you or someone you know find it difficult to kick a nasty vice once they discovered they were pregnant? If so, what kind of tips can you offer to other pregnant ladies who may be struggling with the same habits?
Monday, October 21, 2013
Fall Traditions Around the World: Fun Facts
Hey there, here's a short list of fun facts from Fall Traditions around the world.
Did you know...
- In Japan, where ancestor-worship has been practiced for thousands of years, a special celebration called the Obon Festival occurs during July or August. While not a typical Fall festival, special foods are prepared, and lanterns are set afloat on rivers and in the sea. Fires are lit every night of the festival to guide departed souls to their families. This is just one occasion during the Japanese year when souls are believed to return home.
- In Austria it is believed that on Halloween night, due to the enormous amount of cosmic energy brewing, if bread, water, and a lighted lamp are left out it will attract and encourage the spirits of loved ones to return home.
- In Many Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos, or the day of the dead is celebrated to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. Rather than being a somber occasion, it is a time of great joy in honor of the dead.
- France didn't celebrate Halloween, or a dedicated "day of the dead" until the 1990's once it adopted the "American" practice.
Have any fun or interesting facts about Fall Traditions around the world? Share 'em in the comments!
Did you know...
- In Japan, where ancestor-worship has been practiced for thousands of years, a special celebration called the Obon Festival occurs during July or August. While not a typical Fall festival, special foods are prepared, and lanterns are set afloat on rivers and in the sea. Fires are lit every night of the festival to guide departed souls to their families. This is just one occasion during the Japanese year when souls are believed to return home.
Lanterns are set afloat to honor the dead during Japan's Obon Festival
- In Austria it is believed that on Halloween night, due to the enormous amount of cosmic energy brewing, if bread, water, and a lighted lamp are left out it will attract and encourage the spirits of loved ones to return home.
- In Many Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, El Dia de los Muertos, or the day of the dead is celebrated to commemorate loved ones who have passed away. Rather than being a somber occasion, it is a time of great joy in honor of the dead.
During El Dia de los Muertos families set up altars and dress up in traditional
costumes and face paint to honor their deceased loved ones.
Have any fun or interesting facts about Fall Traditions around the world? Share 'em in the comments!
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