I'm in the final stretch! Actually wonder if I might not be in early labor as I'm sitting here writing this post (probably only wishful thinking but who knows?!) with some looming mid back pain that isn't exactly that bad but it's there, and it's messing with my concentration. I've been experiencing some Braxton Hicks the last few weeks already so any contraction could also only just be one of those. Agghh first time pregnancies are so confusing! I mean, I've done my research and know every possible sign of labor( you might say I'm obsessed) but still find myself wondering about every little thing. Earlier I had a light cramp and for sure went into a total new mom craze just to realize that I was only a bit gassy and the position I was in was not really, how would you say, gas friendly?

Enough about the weird TMI things. I decided to write this post about things I'm doing to prepare myself for labor so that after the birth I can come back to this post and give my honest opinions about it all.

Mental Preparation

There's a lot of fear around the unknown of what happens to our bodies during pregnancy and labor. The more fear that we have, the more we become anxious and the more stress hormones are released, thus making labor, in itself, more painful.For this reason I decided to educate myself as much as I can. I've been watching home birth videos, hospital birth videos and basically anything I could handle. I've done way more antenatal classes than I think is normal and the suggested videos on my YouTube has now become x rated. I'm now expecting a three day labor and the most intense pain ever. I feel that when expecting the worst and accepting it ( aka no fear) you can only be pleasantly surprised if labor is different than expected.

Physical preparation

 

Nutritional Preparation

 I've been drinking one cup of Raspberry Leaf tea every day since week 32 and ever since week 37 I've been drinking it at least 3 times per day. I buy the loose leaves and prefer to let it cool down before I drink it. Ive also added Motherwort herb to my raspberry leaf tea since week 38, but can I just give out a warning that motherwort is probably the most bitter tasting thing I've ever tasted.

Studies have also shown that dates makes your body produce the same hormones you produce when in labor or breastfeeding. It is apparently really good at preparing you for labor. So I've been eating about 6 dates per day since I read the study, which was at about 36 weeks. This is either with my soaked oats in the morning for breakfast, a date-o-raid snack or just munching on them during the day.

 

Spiritual Preparation

Our mind is a very powerful tool in pain management. Through specific mantras and sayings, we can decrease our pain. Here is my favorite 3 labor mantras.


I would love to know what you have done or are doing to prepare for labor.

xx

So I'm finally getting around to posting this recipe, sorry to everyone that was waiting. My excuse is that I'm pregnant and believe that is reason enough. HAHA

A while ago, the hubs and myself decided to start eating more healthy. Please note that we are already considered "extreme health freaks" by most who know us, but with baby on the way there is no such thing as too healthy. We decided to just cut out the majority of our wheat consumption, you know the processed and refined stuff. After quite a few tantrums and some really harsh language coming from our kitchen I realized that gluten free baking is hard, even harder when you are  plant based eaters like we are. Gluten free AP flour sucks, and I did try just about every brand on the market except the Orgran Brand ( I'm still testing out this sucker as soon as I get the chance). My Pancakes, which are a breakfast staple in our house, was just not as light and fluffy as it should be. Instead I was left with dense pancakes that made me wonder if they were under baked. In short, I was about to give up.


Then it happened. We were in the local Dischem picking up some of our kitchen staples when I saw it. There was an enormous bag of rice flour on special. I decided to chuck it into the basket without even thinking twice, because hey, Why not? I got home and put it in the cupboard and that is to moment I completely forgot about it. Now my hubs has the idea this was due to me being a bit afraid of trying rice flour for the first time and although that could very likely have been the reason, I'm sticking to "pregnancy brain" as my excuse.

I finally got around to making us pancakes using my go to recipe, with the normal flour replaced with rice flour and I also needed to add some extra water because rice flour sucks up liquid like a sucker (see what I did there?).  They turned out perfect! If you are trying these out make sure to follow the method

Ingredients:
Dry
1 cup Rice Flour
1 tbsp Sweetener of choice ( I used some fructose)
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/8 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cinnamon ( this is completely optional, I add it because Jacques absolutely LOVES cinnamon.)
1 tsp Ground Flax seed Powder
Wet
1 cup Milk Alternative ( I find soy works best.  You can also use normal dairy milk if you want to. )
1 tbsp White Vinegar
2 tbsp oil of choice ( if using coconut oil, like me, make sure to melt it first)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (also completely optional)

Method:

1. Combine the milk and vinegar in a mug and set aside for at least 5 min.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl, making sure everything is mixed well.
3. Pour your milk and vinegar mixture into your bowl with the dry ingredient, add the remaining wet ingredients and mix until everything is mixed well.
4. Add a tbsp of water at a time and mix well until you get the desired consistency. AKA you can pour it easy enough but not so runny that you have crepe batter.  Depending on the brand of rice flour this can be between 2 and 4 tbsp.
5. Cook about 1/4 cup of batter at a time over medium high heat.  Flip when the bubbles start popping or until the batter has slightly set up a bit.  Cook on the other side until brown and voila! You have a pancake.


I really hope that you enjoy these as much as we do. Please let me know if you have any other cool recipes with rice flour that I can try out.

xx

I've noticed it has become such a normal thing for women to only look at the negative side of pregnancy, and I'd like to be a change to that. Yes, pregnancy can be quite bad at times but come on. Look at the positive. Besides, how amazing is it that you are growing an actual human?!

So here are my top 10 favorite things about being pregnant:

"I'm just not feeling up to it' is a valid excuse to get out of just about anything. 

Getting out of any social situation has never been easier. I mean, No one can seriously expect you to go to that one weird friend's stand up comedy night...You are GROWING a BABY and all.

People are friendlier.

I can honestly say that going to the Traffic Department has never been this tolerable. People want to help you faster just because you have a bump. And who knew that the lady at the information desk could even smile?

People offer to carry things for you.

This is one of my favorite things. Although I honestly have not made complete use of this, it still feels good when people offer.

You have a reason to 'cry for no reason'

As a very emotional person, this is awesome! I am one of those that would generally just cry because I'm a little tired and maybe even because I was slightly overwhelmed. BUT these days I have an excuse. "Its the pregnancy hormones!"

People want you to sit down.

Although this could be slightly annoying at times, especially when you get into contact with one of those older people who believe that being upright is so incredibly bad for the health of you and your baby. But finding a seat in a crowded place has never been easier.

You don't have to suck it in.

Stretchy pants.  That is simply all I have to say about it.

You are expected to eat a lot.

 My portion sizes are bigger than my husband's and guess what... no one is looking at me weirdly! WIN! It makes the orders that the main character in Two Weeks Notice places seem absolutely normal!

People smile at you.

 This pretty much goes hand in hand with people being friendlier, but I decided to give it a point on it's own for the following reason. Whenever we are in public people would always stare at the bump. It's like they have a natural instinct to 'spot the pregnant lady' and hopefully protect her in the face of danger? But back to my point, when those people realize you have seen them staring they quickly flash a smile and look away. Non of that awkward looking away frantically and hoping I didn't see them.
 

You can blame forgetfulness on the pregnancy.

 Although this is a great excuse I have to admit that most of the time I do forget things because of 'pregnancy brain'. The struggle is real. I ended up looking for my phone in the fridge the other day because i had forgotten what I was looking for... scary thing is that I actually found it there and then proceeded to search for whatever I was searching for until my Hubs came to the rescue and told me of my absolute fail. 

You can have some fun with strangers.

This should be done at least once during your pregnancy! When some stranger asks you how far along you are, just reply with absolute astonishment and then tell them you are not pregnant. Enjoy them trying to gather their words but don't forget to put them out of their misery before it gets too uncomfortable.



So what are your favorite things about being pregnant?

xx

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Ingredients For the Vanilla Cupcakes

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fructose sugar
• 11/2  teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Water
• ½ cup Grapeseed Oil / Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Preparation For the Vanilla Cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Line 1 (12-cup) cupcake pans with 12 cupcake liners or if you prefer not to use liners you can just grease the cupcake pan lightly.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy milk, oil, vanilla, and vinegar. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and whisk until just combined. Do not over mix.
4. Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds full with batter. Bake standard sized cupcakes for 15 to 18 minutes (or mini cupcakes for 8-10 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean with a few crumbs clinging to it. Cool the cupcakes completely before frosting.

Variations:
Chocolate cupcakes: Just Add - 2 Tbsp Cocoa powder + 1 Tbsp Water

Coconut and Blueberry: Just Add - 2 Tbsp Desiccated Coconut + 1 Tbsp Blueberry Jam or a handful of fresh Blueberries.