Workin' It Out

I’m typically a regular exerciser, but in the last 14 weeks, I was just too tired to do much of anything outside of work. The good news is the energy has returned in the second trimester, and I am once again back on the water and trails.

After your doctor, the best resource for information on exercising during pregnancy is probably the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). They are used as a reference for most writings you’ll find on the subject.

The ACOG is highly supportive of women exercising during pregnancy, and states the many benefits of doing so, including reducing backaches, constipation, and swelling; increasing energy; improving mood and posture; promoting strength and endurance; and helping you sleep better.

I don’t know about you, but that’s a long list of motivators for me.

For more, go to: www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/141

Cleaning Your Atmosphere

Whew, I’ve made it through my first trimester and my nausea is dying down. Things are looking up! I also have more energy, which means I can go back to helping out around the house.

I am sticking with chemical-free cleaning products to keep my pregnancy as free from toxins as possible. Fortunately for me, VT just did an article on natural cleaning products in our May/June issue. We found some really wonderful stuff out there that not only works great, but smells nice too. You can check out these brands we mentioned: ECover, Method, Biokleen, Earth Friendly Products, Dr. Bronner’s, Mountain Green, and Eco-Me, and if you have any faves of your own, by all means share.

The Preg Veg: Speaking of Stuff

My sister-in-law is a great bargain hunter, so when she told me about the book Baby Bargains I knew it was worth looking into. She promised that it had all kinds of ways to save on everything I needed for my baby, including advice on what I may not need, as well as how to get the most bang for my buck when I did buy.

Well, I did get the book, and I have to say I was impressed. For less than $20 you get a well-organized guide that covers a wide range of must-haves from cribs to diapers to strollers...

for the rest of the low down on Baby Bargains go to: www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/137

The Preg Veg: Go Green with Maternity Clothes

Most of my pants have started feeling too tight for comfort, and as much as I’d like to, I can’t avoid the inevitable topic: maternity clothes.

With all the other stuff I’ll need to buy, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend beaucoup bucks on a wardrobe that I’ll only be using a handful of months. The solution: used clothes. They will not only save me money, they’re also the greenest choice around

First, I’ll hit up my friends and family for anything I can use, then I’ll check out some sites on the internet. Like eMommie, which is nicely organized and has a good selection. I may require a more upscale look for my sister’s wedding,...

read on at www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/136

To Cook or Not to Cook: That is the FIrst Trimester Question

5/8/09

I normally love to cook, finding it artistic and rewarding (especially when it’s delicious!), but with my current fatigue and nausea, motivation to plan and prepare food has pretty much gone out the window. I fall even deeper into cooking lethargy when I spend time making something, only to find out afterwards that I can’t eat it (not because it’s bad, mind you, just because it doesn’t suit my pregnant palate). Hopefully, my mistakes will save you some time.

Through trial and error, I’ve come to find truth in TB2 (the blander the better) for guaranteed pregnant edibility. And the easier the recipe, the more doable it is (considering the energy factor). Meals like plain rice and black beans; vegetable broth with noodles and broccoli; hummus with carrots and pita bread; avocado and tomato salad; and lentils and rice, maybe cooked with a bouillon cube for a little flavor, are just what the doctor ordered.

For more ideas on preg-friendly munchies, check out the Vegetarian Resource Group’s advice...

read the rest at: www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/134

The Prenatal Vitamin Thing

The echo I heard during my initial doctor visits and disclosures of my motherly state to friends and family was, “You’re on a prenatal, right?!”

“Ah… of course,” I would utter.

My first try was Country Life’s Maxi Pre-Natal Veggie Capsules, which packs in all the essential vegetarian prenatal elements, including DHA; however, the fact that you have to take six pills three times a day, didn’t mesh with my bouts of nausea.

Next I looked into...

for the rest go to www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/132

The Preg Veg: Tips, Trials, and Tribulations (Installment #1)

Welcome to my pregnancy! I’m still feeling it out, but two things are certain: It’s going to be completely veg and as green as broccoli. I hope you join me on my journey, and that it makes yours a little easier!

First Things First

I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 15 years, through which time I’ve had to hear (on numerous occasions) about the perils of vegetarian pregnancy from my omnivorous family and friends. This is why, when I saw those two pink lines staring back at me on the pee stick, I felt compelled to find a good resource to back me up.

A bit of internet research lead me to Dr. Holly Roberts’s book Your Vegetarian Pregnancy. It covers vegetarian health and nutrition, starting even before the pregnancy begins, and ending with post-birth advice like nursing. Roberts addresses every key nutritional element needed during pregnancy, including giving a rating of how vegetarians fare compare to meat-eaters, and giving examples of food sources for each one (as well as talking about what to look for in a vegetarian prenatal vitamin).

For the rest of the blog go to www.vegetariantimes.com/features/editors_blog/131