The countdown is on – we will be meeting the new addition to our family very soon (I hope!).
Now that I have officially started my maternity leave, my patients are temporarily in the very capable hands of Dr. Naomi Whelan, and I have turned my focus to preparing for our new arrival.
Quick and Easy Snacks and Meals
One of my main areas of focus is on quick and easy meals and snacks. Between recovery, caring for baby, chasing a toddler, and breastfeeding, I know I will need all the calories I can get.
One of my favorite quick and easy meals on the go is that old standby, the smoothie.
Smoothies are so versatile, and it’s so easy to pack a lot of nutrients and foods into them, especially if you have a really good blender that can pulverize those ingredients to a smooth finish. I do find myself occasionally experiencing smoothie fatigue, however, so I am always on the lookout for new flavors and recipes.
I came across this particular recipe on one of my favorite food blogs, detoxinista.com. It is labeled as a lactation smoothie, but I promise that this will not cause you to lactate if you are not already breastfeeding. You could easily enjoy this as an everyday smoothie. It is full of flavor, nutrients, and fresh ingredients. Give it a try, and if you happen to know any breastfeeding mamas, pass this green smoothie recipe along to them too!!
Green Smoothie (aka: Lactation Smoothie)
Serves 1
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup fresh young Thai coconut meat
2 tablespoons hemp protein powder
2-3 soft Medjool dates, pitted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavor
2 large handfuls of fresh spinach
1 cup frozen strawberries
handful of ice
Combine the almond milk, coconut meat, dates, spinach and vanilla in a blender, and blend until completely liquefied. Add in the frozen strawberries and ice, and blend again until smooth. Serve immediately!
NOTE: If you don’t have fresh coconut meat, feel free to use up to half an avocado for a creamy fat alternative. You could also substitute any other fruit of choice for the frozen strawberries.
