One look at my Instagram feed, and it’s pretty obvious that green smoothies are my top pick for breakfast. I probably rock one of these puppies 5 out of 7 days a week in the warmer months, and only slightly less often when the weather cools. My green smoothies have a whole huge salad’s worth of greens, loading my body up with iron and folate, lots of healthy fats in the form of coconut oil and almond butter, omegas in the form of chia seeds, antioxidants and tons of vitamins in the form of berries, and a heaping dose of protein in powder form. Naturally, I’m always on the hunt for the best protein powders and get super pumped when I discover a new one.
About: Natasha Uspensky, CHHC
Recent Posts by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC
How To Lose The Baby Weight, But Not Your Mind
Baby weight has been a topic du jour among my mommy friends these days, and understandably so. On top of the occasional stressors of life with a new babe, we can often feel out of control of our bodies, as they take their time bouncing back to pre-baby form. Add to that photos of Gisele and Gwyneth in their size 2 bods five seconds after popping out their little ones, and the pressure to get back in our skinny jeans can feel overwhelming.
Luckily, it’s totally doable. It may not happen as quickly as Hollywood starlets and supermodels, but it will definitely happen, as long as you commit to taking some important steps. I’m certainly not back to my pre-baby size 4, but it’s been amazing watching my body return to form gradually and healthfully over the last three months. And the confidence that the rest of the way is soon to come certainly does a lot to relieve the pressure. Here’s what has worked for my clients and is working for me:
Miraculous Lactation Smoothie
When you’re a breastfeeding mom, your supply can become a bit of an obsession. So many things can impact it, and when your baby is 100% dependent on that liquid gold for nourishment, it can definitely send you into a panic when your supply takes a hit. I got sick with the flu a month ago, and my supply dwindled to scary levels. Thankfully I had a nice supply of frozen milk to get us through the rough patch, but it was still harrowing.
To get my supply back up, and to keep it flowing, I take Motherlove More Milk Blend, Shatavari, and Malunggay, and I drink this smoothie at least 4 times a week. You guys, this stuff is no joke. After a week of taking the supplements 3 times a day and drinking this smoothie, I was pumping 5 oz. per breast, which is crazy for having a 3 month old. I actually cut back the supplements to even things out, but still drink the smoothie regularly.
Maty’s: Effective and Safe Products for Baby’s Skin
Both as a holistic health practitioner and now as a new mom, I get so infuriated when reading the ingredients of common baby products found in drugstores, and unfortunately, the medicine cabinets of most American families. Petrolatum, mineral oil, parabens, tetrasodium EDTA. Just one glance at the ingredient list of popular baby brands like Johnson and Johnson’s, Desitin, and A+D read like a list of who’s who of toxic, carcinogenic chemicals. And yet, many parents don’t think twice about applying these products to their baby’s delicate skin, exposing them to harmful toxins when they are most vulnerable.
Holistic 3rd Trimester Must-Have’s
Now that I’m a few months away from pregnancy, I realize that the specific tools I used throughout each trimester were key to feeling and looking great until the end. I shared with you my must-haves for a healthy holistic 1st trimester and 2nd trimester, both of which set the stage for the final stretch, the 3rd trimester and subsequent delivery. Keeping yourself comfortable, energized, toned, and preparing your body for birth are the name of the game in the third trimester. These holistic tools, resources and remedies worked wonders for me, and I hope they help you feel awesome as well!
Perfect Pregnancy Smoothie
This smoothie is a delicious a super healthy way to get a bunch of nutrients vital in pregnancy, as well as some added goodies that are particularly awesome for a shorter labor and healthier baby. This smoothie is particularly beneficial in the third trimester. Here’s why it works:
Nourish Your Skin with Nourish Organic + Mega Giveaway!
The biggest complaint I hear from my readers about switching over to healthier, natural products is the cost. I get it! Sometimes you have other things to spend that money on, and your beauty products just aren’t that high a priority. So I get really excited when I discover effective, organic beauty products that are also affordable and accessible.
Our Birth Story
A couple of months ago, I gave birth to the most sweet and adorable little creature I’ve ever encountered. It was a trying, intense, and at times scary experience that taught me so much about acceptance, flexibility, and trust. I’ve been holding off on sharing our birth story until I had time to process it, but by now, I’m eager to share what I learned.
Powerful Botanical Skincare for Nourished Skin
It’s a pretty powerful thing when you encounter a beauty line that you are just drawn to, top to bottom. One that you feel great about using and are compelled to share with your friends. That’s how I feel about Grateful Body. From the beautiful packaging, to the story behind the brand, to the ingredient list that reads like a who’s who of organic beauty — this line is for real.
Gluten-free Cranberry Oat Protein Cookies
Since little Margaux came into the world two weeks ago, I’ve definitely been on hiatus from all things cooking. But the perfect combination of my mom napping with the little babe and a sudden burst of energy on my part (probably due to my placenta pills… But more on that later!) led to my first venture back into the kitchen to make a super yummy adaptation of a recipe I saw on Greatist.
Recent Comments by Natasha Uspensky, CHHC
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