Family fun and paleo shakes

A fab little suggestion for healthy, family fun this weekend from Kendra Thornton, worldwide traveller, writer and mom:

Shamrock Shake – A Fabulous Treat to Share with your Family this St. Patrick’s Day!

There's nothing like a vacation to relax the mind while you recharge the senses.  I stayed at the magnificent Fontainebleau on Collins Avenue, amongst some of the top hotels in Miami, and relished my ocean front view. Sunbathing, shopping and of course, eating and drinking beautiful things was renewing me.  

I love trying new flavors when I travel, and the tropical trips always reveal astonishing surprises.  One of my favorite things that I tasted was a pale green shake advertised as healthy.  It was creamy, light, rich and refreshing all at once – reminiscent of the ice cream based Shamrock Shakes we all know, but much more depth of flavor.  I had to discover the recipe so that I could bring it back home to share with my friends and family in Chicago.


Miami bodies are famously fit.  So how could the locals be drinking shakes and still get into their tiny swimsuits?  I was impressed to discover the shake was a “Paleo” recipe, with no dairy, and only the very best super-foods the earth has to offer.  The recipe for this shake is filled with healthy rich flavors and can be easily adapted to any palate or preference.

For your very own “Signature Shamrock Shake - Healthy, Paleo Version” gather the following ingredients:

-1 can coconut milk (you could substitute 1 ¼ cups of any other type of milk here – I especially like almond milk)
-1 ripe avocado, peeled and seed removed
-2 ½ – 3 Tablespoons of pure raw honey (or other sweetener of your choice)
-1 cup of ice
-1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
-1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

(This recipe yields about 4 cups)

Directions:

Put all of these ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth.  Garnish with a coconut wedge, mint sprig or tiny tropical umbrella.  Enjoy!

The pale green color from the avocado is a decadent and natural treat, but if you would like a more festive dark green color, simply add a few drops of green food coloring.  Your friends will be transported to their own ocean front haven while enjoying the benefits of the Paleo health food trend. Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Busy Days and Babe Watching

Wednesdays. Usually Wednesdays mean for me, other than the usual early start courtesy of the baby-body-clock, doing some personal training client at CrossFit before dashing home, changing quicker than superman and sprinting to RhymeTime at the library with the Wriggly Man.

It's a busy, hustle bustle morning, but by the to,e we've claimed our place among the floor space filled with the herd of children, babies and mums, the manic pace seems worth it. RhymeTime, a short interlude of songs for kids at the library. Free, fun and under 30 min. Perfect for a little outing for the mum/mom and the not-so-baby-anymore.

Ethan lights up as soon he arrives. Songs, books, people to stare at. All his favourite things. He gets up on his knees and does a little dance, arms flinging wildly, and makes a screechy happy noise. It just says, "Lets rock,"!

He has his favourite tunes. 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' is always a winner, but as he begins to notice all the little actions that go with each song, he is finding new ones to dance for.

He also loves checking out the other children. He watches them walk and toddle with such fascination, open mouthed amazement. He looks at the little ones, the newborns, with wonder and a little nervousness. I start to think that really it would be nice sometimes to be able to do the same. To be able to look brazenly at people that interest me, without shame or fear of judgement.

Instead, all us sensible adults are casting sideways glances at each other. Our process of figuring out if we are friends or not seems more complicated, but really it just takes longer. I notice myself looking around and doing a little comparison, just like Ethan. I marvel at the mums who seem to be juggling about 3 kids, and looking serene. I look at the new mums, with the tiny bundles and get lost thinking of all the ways life changes so quickly.

Doubtlessly, others are looking at me and understandably coming to conclusions. I have just sprayed my sweaty body with a little nice smelling stuff, crammed my tangled hair into a bun and added a splash of mascara while stuffing a chicken breast and broccoli into my face. I could not blame them for thinking that I was a sloppy, scatty lady.

Yet, even with the broccoli in my teeth, I have made as many friends as Ethan at the RhymeTime. Lovely little world where we can all just grab a quick burst of quality time with the kids among what must be crazy-busy days for all of us.

tantrums

Tantrums.  The truth is, we all have 'em.  Its just at some ages, they are louder and we are less apologetic about them.  Ethan has discovered the power of his own voice and is practising exerting his will when he can.    He is super sweet about 95% of the time, but the tantrums are becoming a part of daily life.

His Opa and Oma (my parents) have been visiting over the past week, and Ethan has become used to the attention.  His favourite thing - Oma's iPad.  So much so, that he expects to be able to have peek at it whenever he sees it in use.  At first, really cute.  His little techno-fingers seem to be find new ways of getting things done on the touchscreen that our adult fingers can't figure out how to do.

But then there are times when an email has to be sent, or his fingers are covered in mashed banana and not very iPad friendly.  We have witnessed some amazing displays of anger and will when we try to keep him from tapping his way into Elmo's world on the gizmo.  Back arches, mouth wide in full scream, face red with anger.  Wow.

It easy to see how parents get tempted into giving in and setting patterns that become cemented.  He seems to have suddenly arrived at a stage where he thinks he can decide to do whatever he wants and there's nothing we should do to get in his way.  But then again, maybe that's childhood generally.  I'll ask the parents, but I imagine that these stages just keep cropping up and the ways we throw our weight about to get what we want changes.

Possibly even beyond childhood.  Adult tantrums, of sorts.  I can think of times when Thom doesn't do what I'd like and I exert my will by childish means like silence and strops.  I might have learned to control my desire to scream and cry, but not  getting what you want still burns.

So I try to be compassionate while he loses it, appreciating that we all hate to be kept from what we want.  His little will is his personality and has to be loved along with the sweet sides that are thankfully far more frequent.

What's in a name

Naming a baby.  Pretty big deal, right?  The name is like a gift, a wish, a legacy.  There is also the asshole-factor to consider.  This is the certain, sad knowledge that some people are mean and will look for ways to pick on someone with a name this is unusual or rhymes with anything embarrassing  toilet related or sexual.  So you want a name that conveys the idea of the kind of person you imagine or wish your child to be, as well as help them out in avoiding unnecessary bullying.

We had a list of possibles leading up to the big day.  There were some that I kept on the list despite Thom's disapproval   I thought, 'We'll see on the day, and if I think the name is right, he might be too elated to care'.  I'm sneaky, eh?

much earlier days

As my readers will know, that day was a tough day for all, but especially for my two little guys.  As I laid in the recovery room, numb from the waist down, Thom rushed away to go see them on the Special Care Unit.  He reported back with photos of Twin 1 and 2 and we named them.  I knew that one had enormous difficulties breathing, while the other had a slightly easier time.  One of Thom's photos showed a little body with tubes and needles attached to every limb, hand and foot.  The other had less.  Assuming that the one with more equipment was the twin who suffered greater injury, I named him Ethan, meaning 'strong'.  The other I called Noah, meaning 'comfort'.  I wanted the one who suffered to be strong and the other was a great comfort for me and Thom when he was briefly passed to us after delivery. It just seemed right.  

It was only later that I discovered Noah was the one who needed strength.  In the following weeks, as we battled the tribulations that came to our new little family, I would often blame myself for naming them the wrong way around.  I thought, if only I had named Noah differently, he might have lived.  I guess I was searching for some reason to why this had happened and grasping at any solution I could think of to make it better.    

In naming them I had intended to give them the character of the name.  Hoped that something of the meaning of the name would sink into them and carry them through that dark time.  Ethan did indeed turn out to be strong.  He very quickly started letting the nurses know who was running the show by pulling out his feeding tube and cannulars, as if demanding to be released from hospital.  He even urinated all over the consultant's suit as we waited to be discharged.  

Despite my initial regret, he did end up with the right name.  What I want to share today is that I am starting to think that Noah had the right name, too.  Undoubtedly, Noah's death changed us.  Although it is impossible to know how we would feel and be if he stayed with us, Thom and I are consistently trying to be in the present in the short time we have together in this life.  In those last hours with him, we promised Noah to love Ethan, appreciate life and never forget.  Noah taught us so much in his short life.  

In the aftermath, as we have tried to figure out what caused the problem that lead to Noah's death, the possibility of a placental abruption has been thrown into doubt.  It could be a placental failure or a rare occurrence where the cord becomes trapped and constricted.  But in any case, he suffered more, and it seems to me, absorbed a lot of the trauma, leaving Ethan more protected.  I felt I knew some of their personalities in the womb.  Noah seemed rambuncious, energetic but also caring towards Ethan.  Ethan moved less and seemed to prefer to snuggle, curled up at the bottom.  But when he did move, Noah responded, like he was playing with his brother.

So, as Ethan moved from strength to strength, fulfilling his name, I also became more aware of how Noah had fulfilled his.  Comforting his brother in their most terrible time.  Giving us the time he had with us to appreciate his beauty.  The lessons he taught about love will continue to give hope and comfort to Thom, Ethan and I.  And most comforting is that as long as I carry the love he taught me, he will never be far from my heart.

Mamma-body update

Long before I got pregnant, maybe like a lot of women, I worried about what would be left of my body afterwards. Now, a year after, it seems to me that there's a whole bunch of negative stereotypes about post-pregnancy bodies that were unjustified. I think these come from the frustrated women out there who can't get back to their former glory once baby's come and turned the world upside down. And while I agree that post-pregnancy, getting fit and staying that way is a totally different ball game than before, I don't think it's because of our bodies. It's because of our habits, our minds and our moods.

After the caesarean  and the multiple infections the wound had for 5 months, I started to think that my lower tum would always be a lumpy mess with a Frankenstein-scar at the bottom. I also found workouts I'd done before pregnancy were now super challenging, bordering on impossible! The air just wasn't getting to my lungs quick enough and my legs lost a lot of strength.

seems so long ago...

Add onto this the factors that make post-pregnancy fitness most difficult - tiredness and demands of baby - and I felt like it would be a losing battle. Where to find the time? To make it happen, I had to think about what was important to me, accept that there will never be enough time, and commit to find a balance between pushing myself and caring for myself and my family.

I got off to a good start by doing short, intense bursts of exercise when Ethan was napping. I moved onto jogging with the pram, and later with added squats, press ups and burpees. Eventually, 9+ months after birth, I was back in a gym. And then things really took off. Now I find myself in the best shape ever, even daring to compete in CrossFit throwdowns and opens and entering a bikini fitness competition.

you can do it!

Mums/Moms, the biggest things to overcome if you want to regain your body and your confidence are:

1. Guilt - being away from baby to do something for yourself is a challenge in itself. It's natural to feel like you should be there for your baby always, but its not realistic and ultimately it's not helpful for baby or for you. Get past the guilt by reminding yourself about setting a good example of healthy lifestyle for your baby and planning special time for you to dedicate to them regularly in the week.

2. Nutrition - we all like to think we eat healthily enough, but take stock. Keep a food diary. Your body always tells the story of your diet. For the first 4-5 months after birth, I was just surviving. Emotionally I was up and down, and physically I was in pain. Add in some sleep deprivation and suddenly a quick price of toast seemed the best option for a fast meal. And with all the changes and stresses that brings, willpower was at an all time low. Sweet treats felt deserved and my diet was very unbalanced and lacking nutrients. While all good diets take planning, even more so with a baby in the house. Think ahead of time what you are going to need, prepare the night before and don't get trapped by the biscuit with tea at play group.

3. Imbalance - too much of anything makes you dull and drains you. So whether its being devoted to the role of motherhood or my task of being fit, balance is key. It's strange now to think that I ever had thoughts about life that didn't include being a mamma. But I have to allow time when I can just be me to be fit. The key is to not feel bad about it. I'm human and thoughts creep in about guilt and how being away from my little man so I can do some squats is un-motherly. But in fact, balance makes me a better mamma, more ready to really be with Ethan when we have time together, instead of distracted. At the same time, I need to strike a realistic balance between too much and too little rest - which means finding that point where you're pushing yourself enough, but not too much. For everyone it'll be different but balance is vital for anyone to truly be healthy.

Babies on a plane

Now I've survived it, I feel quite proud.  Travel with babies is one of those things that you hear can happen, and people assure you it does happen, but you can't believe it possible until it's done.  As a survivor, I can now assure you that it can happen.  It just won't happen in the way you're used to. 

I used to spend a day packing for myself before a trip.  Getting all the clothes out on the and undergoing a narrowing-down process always seemed better than choosing outright.  It also gave the opportunity to drag out old favourites that I'd never wear at home, but somehow would pass for holiday wear.  Kinda crazy, yes, but mostly really time-consuming. 

Then I'd hop on a train to the airport, pausing for a cappuccino at Liverpool Street, before heading to the tube and eventually the terminal.  Check-in, dump bags, browse duty-free perfumes before settling on a giant Toblerone, drink a glass of bubbly and sleep the whole way after take-off.

I was a good traveller.  But baby-on-board is a whole 'nother world.  The airport is no longer just a high-security shopping mall, but an obstacle course of temptations, unpleasant changing facilities and people for me to avoid with my huge pack of baby-supplies.  Even with my new improved packing technique, which is basically forgetting to pack my stuff and employing the narrow-down strategy to Ethan's clothes, we had tons to carry.  Milk, bottles, diapers  wipes, toys, snacks, blanket, change of clothes, extra change of clothes - well that was the small bag, anyways.  We packed whatever we imagined would save us from a horrid transatlantic adventure   

                                   'This toy?'  'Yes, one time it kept him occupied for 5 whole minutes.' 

                                   'How many wipes?'  'A pack?'  'We'll bring 2!

 

And don't other baby-carriers know it!  We would get anything from the sympathetic half smile to the full-out 'save-me!' grimace from other parents.  Babies are instant conversation starters, as always.  So we could even exchange survival techniques with out fellow baby-trekkers in the passport control queue.  Some unpleasantness out there, like giving the baby a dose of anti-histamine before hand.  But also some nice tips, like get them to eat something during take-off to combat the pain of popping ears.   

And then the flight itself.  The poor little fella was so tired with getting up early to get to the airport and disrupted nap schedule  but he was such a sweetie.  Smiling at other babies and the flight attendant.  He managed to sleep briefly, after some crying that I'm sure was more than the other travellers wanted to hear.  I had worried that his crying would be hard on my cabin-fellows.  Those lucky travellers who have had their duty-free and their bubbly and their Toblerone.  I had visions of a kind of airplane disaster film, a kind of Snakes on a Plane, but with babies.  Screaming.  Puking.  Unhappy and just generally causing an international incident.  But it was ok because I - and everyone else in the plane - just cared less than I thought.  No dirty looks over the seat.  So, all in all, tiring but do-able.  

Ethan liked the cartoons.  We made it safe.  Had a great time away.  And although I missed my bubbly, we did manage a celebratory in-flight wine on the way home.

Where have you been?

It's been so long since I've written. Over the past year, I have oftenthought about blogging, but life took over. Then after a while, so much happensand changes that I didn't know where to begin.

Now everyone around me is blogging away and so I return, kind ofembarrassed, I suppose, for not keeping it up. Also kind of excited to tell youall the news!

Ethan is 1 year old! Where did that time go? He's such a little mister now,crawling, walking sideways along tables, chattering away in near words,clapping and waving. We have come to visit my parents in Texas over Christmasand stayed for while into the New Year. He has been Lord of Manor, demandingall of his Opa and Oma's attention; directing them around like a little slavemaster. They give into him, offering him ice cream and whatever non-deadly bitsof household stuff he sets his heart on.

We are discovering new things about this little emerging person every day.And it's the most exciting journey. He recently informed us that he loves TexasBBQ probably better than any other food on the planet. We went to the SwingingDoor, a local place serving simple smokey BBQ foods. Paper menus and plastictable cloths all surrounded by the smell of the smokehouse out back. Signs ofgood BBQ.

On the evening we went, he was being a little crabby. Didn't want his toys.Wasn't interested in the bread served while we waited for our order. But oncethe food arrived, his eyes got wide and his little grabby hands went for everybit of meat within his reach. He was stuffing in green beans, rib meat anddirty rice like we'd starved him for a day. He smelled like BBQ sauce until Ishampooed him later that evening before bed.

Thom and I are trucking along. Having a baby takes its toll on anyrelationship. But we have also had a year of grief to contend with, and in casethat wasn't enough, we've both started businesses this year. Thom is followinga long-time dream and tattooing. His artwork has always been great, but now hemakes it all permanent and even gets paid. It's been an ambition for a longtime and it's wonderful to see him do it.

I am confining my psychology work to one day a week and have been luckyenough to work as a personal trainer around Thom and Ethan's schedules the restof the time. It keeps me busy, but also healthy and happy. Nothing beats beingaround fitness-minded people for positivity. I've lost the mum-tum and gained asix pack. In the next few months, I'll be preparing for a body building competition.Yummy-mummy category! Keep an eye out for my posts about my progress. Promise Iwon't leave it so long!