โœจ Lactation Cookies ( . )( . ) ๐Ÿชโ€™s โœจ

Ingredients ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ

  • 80g coconut sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg or chia egg
  • 1 cup gluten free flour
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 3 Tbsp. flax seed
  • ยฝ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 150g of choc chips, can use darkl
  • Optional by great for feeding – 2 Tbsp. @milky.mumma Chocolate BF smoothie blend.

๐Ÿช Preheat oven to 180degrees.
๐Ÿช Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
๐Ÿช Roll cookies dough into call and place on baking paper and into the oven for 15:20minutes.
๐Ÿช Store air tight container.

Peanut Butter + Cranberry Bliss Balls

Peanut Butter + Cranberry Bliss Balls

Ingredients ๐Ÿ˜‹


ยฝ cup 100% Peanut Butter
2 tbsp Peanut Butter Powder by @macr0mike
1 cup Oats
5 large Medjool Dates, presoaked in ยผ cup Boiling Water
ยผ cup Almond Meal
ยผ dried Cranberries
1 tsp coconut oil
1 tbsp Manuka Honey or Maple Syrup
ยผ tsp vanilla essence

Method ๐Ÿ˜‹

  1. Blitz all ingredients in a food processor until the mixture can rolled out into bliss balls. If you like them really smooth, blitz oats into a flour first.
  2. Roll into 10 large bliss balls or 20 small ones. Allow to set in fridge then store in a glass jar or container in the fridge.
  3. Enjoy ๐Ÿ˜‰
    .
    Thanks to my girl @wyldefolkstudio_ for taking these snaps ๐Ÿ“ท and letting your adorable pup โ€œTeddyโ€ (swipe ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿผ) join me in the kitchen.

Vegan Blueberry Pie.

Blueberry Pie ๐Ÿฅง

I was #gifted a few punnets of @australianblueberries and to be honest I was pumped as we eat a punnet every few days in our house. With smoothies, snack boxes, homemade jam and did I mention snack boxes ๐Ÿคช๐Ÿ™ˆ. I wanted to make up something different and get creative in the kitchen after we went to the shops. Iโ€™m craving ๐Ÿคฐ a blueberry pie with coyo yogurt so I thought why not make one up. It was so easy to make.
.


Ingredients ๐Ÿฅง


2 sheets of short crust pastry(we use a vegan one)
1 large punnet of @australianblueberries
1 small red apple, grated
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 drops of green mandarin essential oil (could totally squeeze a lemon though)
2/3 cup of warm filtered water
3 tbsp. maple syrup

Method ๐Ÿฅง

  1. Preheat the oven to 180degrees.
  2. Line a small Pyrex pie dish.
  3. Throw in the blueberries and the grated apple into the centre.
  4. In a bowl mix, warm water, maple, spices and citrus.
  5. Pour over the apple and blueberry mix.
  6. Pop some of the remaining pastry on top however you wish to style.
  7. Bake in oven for 45minutes on 180 degrees. Then turn down to 100 degrees and bake a further 15minutes.
    .
    Serve warm or cold. We are teaming this with coyo, but you could totally serve it up with ice cream, custard, cream. Your choice. โœŒ๐Ÿผ

Studio Pilates – My Personal Journey

 

I celebrated a win on Sunday! I did my 20th Studio Pilates class at the Wellington Point Studio. CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES COME ON!! Studio Pilates is a total body exercise, developed almost one hundred years ago by Joseph Pilates, to rehabilitate injured WW1 soldiers and later, for strength and conditioning of dancers, pretty cool right?

Studio Pilates is a total-body workout, with powerful cross-training benefits, focusing on strength, mobility, endurance, body alignment and breath control. 

I decided after having my third child via a C Section, that I wanted to give reformer  pilates a try. I had heard from one of my girl friends how much it had helped her with her postpartum recovery, plus I  wanted to re build my body, make it strong and allow it to recover safely before returning to my usual high-intensity workouts that I love and have done for years now. During this process though I feel in love with pilates. I have a Studio Pilates down the road from me, with 3 young children , this was so convenient as I could sneak off early morning when David (my husband) was not working and do a class.

The classes go for a total of 45 minutes, you only have to arrive 5 minutes early and you just need light workout clothes and some grippy socks. Because I’m used to high-intensity workouts or home work outs using weights, I found it took a while to get out of the mindset that you really have to be dripping with sweat to get a workout. NOT TRUE BY THE WAY! Although I do still love to sweat a few days a week at home, these Studio Pilates classes were really something my body was loving. I found it helped to sculpt my body in places I have always struggled with. I mentally felt strong too, as I feel I was also practicing mindfulness in the class. I would concentrate so hard on the movements that my mind would only focus on one thing and that was PILATES!! I would also be so proud of my body and what it could achieve each class.

The class starts with a stretch, while you do that, the instructor comes and personally greats each individual. They also check in on how you are feeling and if you have any injuries. I loved this as I could explain about my scar and how I was feeling that morning after a night of breastfeeding haha. They were really supportive of each client and their individual journey. They also are there to modify the exercise if need be for you if you do have injuries or if you are more experienced. I find it very personalised.

I feel my body is starting to feel stronger, look more sculpted and my T Zone area and Pelvic floor muscles are improving with each class. I love what it is doing for my posture too, I have a natural arch in my back, so I have found that these classes are helping me to switch my abdominal muscles, pull them in and support my body when I am holding my babies or doing simple daily tasks. I look forward to working hard in future classes to continue to improve my strength too. I will be adding in some more cardio and weighted classes in the next month along side my Studio Pilates classes. So I look forward to seeing more progress and how Studio Pilates can compliment that too. I have made some new friends, found a new passion and I love that I am seeing improvement every class. From the moment I finished the orientation class I have been hooked, I will defiantly be continuing. Will keep you updated!

To find your local Studio Pilates Studio visit here – HERE

Want to know more about Studio Pilates?

Website –www.studiopilates.com

Instagram – @studio_pilates

Hair @c_ba_hair

Photographer @wyldefolkstudio_

Alice In Pregnancyland #32weeks-38weeks

Pregnancy Emotions. Pregnancy Eating. Pregnancy Exercise. Pregnancy Style.

I actually cannot believe I am typing the last blog of the Alice In Pregnancyland series. (for now haha) I remember chatting To Tahlia about collaborating with me for the #bumpstyle shoots and now here we are at 37 nearly 38 weeks finishing off the bump series. I have really loved building a friendship with Tahlia from @wyldefolkstudio_ย while we did the photoshoots she is such a kind hearted person. I now have a friendship for life with her. Not to mention how blessed I was to collaborate with so many gorgeous labels and maternity brands. throughout the 9 months. A huge thank you to everyone that followed the series and continued to send through such beautiful feedback. Big Love to you all.


Pregnancy Emotions

The last few weeks I have been on a emotional roller coaster. I have been so excited to meet the little one, I have had mum guilt with my one on one time with Cruzie, I have cried happy tears and I have cried god knows what tears. To me having a good cry really does help me just let it all out, breathe and then let it go. Allย these new emotions feel like it’s my heart is expanding and I am ready to meet our new little one now.

I finished up work at 36 weeks. Best decision as I was going to work to 37 weeks, the heaviness of nursing and being on my feet got to me a little. So I am so glad to be on maternity leave. It feels so different not having to go to work again.ย 

I have been making the most of my time with Cruzie too. I have been taking him to singing and reading at the library, reading and extra snuggles at night time, park hangs and babycino dates. I am loving being off work with him again.ย 

Everyone has been asking how Cruzie has been? Does he know? I think he knows a change is coming. He won’t let anyone rub my belly but David, he pushes their hand away or pulls my top down. We brought him a little dolly and he has been kissing it, changing its nappy, pushing it around in a pram. It’s so cute to watch. I think he will be a great big brother.ย 

I keep telling myself that I need to slow down as my body is tired, but its true “nesting” is a real thing. I keep thinking of new things to do and clean. I forget to rest and I am on the go all day. Then I have the worse braxton hicks and back ache in the evening. So I should listen to all the adviceย and just put my feet up. Haha easier said than done though. Plus entertaining my little man. He sleeps well in the afternoon so I should just lay down then and watch some Offspring on tv. Maybe tomorrow? haha.

I went and seen my midwife for a 36 week scan and check up. The cheeky bubbas legs are sitting frog legged but the head is right down there. I keep thinking in my head that the baby will be here early because Cruz came early but I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I discussed my birth plan and what I wanted. My birth plan is to have a natural birth, hopefully not be on the monitor like last time, have a bath or hot shower, use essential oils and just have David in there. David is my rock and he really did help me through the breathing techniques last time. I do still feel anxious about the birth experienceย andย labour but I am just trying not to think about it, what will be will be.

Pregnancy Eating.

With eating I have been a bit all over the place.

I wake up so hungry and have to eat before I go for a walk. For breakfast I normally have smoothies or protein pancakes. Thats its the I just swap it up between the two.

Then for snacks I have almonds, nuts, apple or a bliss ball. Sipping on so much raspberry leaf tea to ha.

Lunch is lots of greens and a source of protein or a chia sourdough with cheese, figs and cucumber sandwichย or the same combo on rice cakes.

I am obsessedย with Bolognese at the moment with zoodles (zucchini pasta), I am addicted love it. I also love white fish or salmon with greens for dinner, I have gone off all brown rice and sweet potato probably because my belly already fills so fall at night.

Cravings – organic milk chocolate from Flannerys Health Shop … YUM!!!!

Pregnancy Exercise

Walking 30-45minutes around the block (filled with hills) but very slowly as I get pelvic pressure. I put my podcast on and enjoy the metime I love it. Makes me feel better. I love doing about 20-40 push ups daily on the kitchen bench and 20 squats on the shower too. About 3 times a week I use my little 2kg weights and do a little arm workout too. If I have having an exhaustingย day I just don’t exercise at all. Maybe just do a stretch. The last week I have really slowed down, but thats okay, my body needs the rest.

Pregnancy Style

So besides loose boho styles and a few tight comfortable maternity dresses I have been living in maternity leggings and a jumper. Argh so comfy. I do love dressing up the bump, but I feel my wardrobe has become very limited and don’t really want to add to it till the baby is here.ย 

For this #bumpstye shoot I wore a dress I purchased for a hens day a few months back. Its called the FAWN WRAP DRESS and I brought it from theย @theselfstylerย online. Guess what they just restocked it too. You can buy it HERE. Its perfect to take you through your pregnancy journey and will be great for breastfeeding too. Its not actuallyย a maternity dress but it should be its so comfortable.

Tahlia and I decided for the last bump photoshoot we would find a beautiful spot with long grass (secret location) and invite David and Cruz to come along for some family photos. We had a lovely afternoon watching the sunset and Tahlia came with her family too, so nice. I hope you all enjoy the photos.



Thank you again for reading.ย 

Big Love,

Alice (in healthyland) xoxo

#showtherealyou Rebecca Carr AKA @becbodymindsoul

So excited to introduce to you all Rebecca Carr. 

I first met Bec at White Bohemian when I was working in store. She used to come in store as a customer and one day we really got chatting about her passion and that is naturopathy, yoga and meditation. This naturally beautiful woman glowed health to me, and I was always so interested to know more about her lifestyle. 

When Bec decided to start her Instagram I was so pleased as she shares so many useful holistic health and wellbeing tips, her knowledge about yoga and meditation and some delicious nourishing recipes with her followers. 

I was so over the moon when she said yes to being apart of my #showtherealyou feature as I know you will love knowing more about this holistic goddess too. 

Sit down and put your feet up. Enjoy the interview with Rebecca Carr AKA @becbodymindspirit

Alice In Pregnancyland #week12-16

Pregnancy Emotions. Pregnancy Style. Pregnancy Exercise. Pregnancy Eating.

These four weeks I have seen my mood pick up dramatically. My energy has returned, and the tears have died down. David is a little relieved about that hahaha. I’m happy for cuddles again from Dave and the”don’t touch me” feelings have subsided for now.

I do however still get slightly offended with the “wow you’re so massive” comments. I mean come on people!! Could you maybe re word your terminology? Do you think that I don’t already know that my bump and ass is growing on the daily… I do look in the mirror! It’s silly that I take offence to it sometimes, but I think it’s due to all these new body changes that I am dealing with the underneath my clothes. I am not self conscious all the time it’s just when people make petty little comments like that. I am very grateful that I get to experience this as a woman and at the end of this journey I get to meet our tribes newest member.

This pregnancy feels like it is going so fast the second time round, working in emergency and recovery, running round after Cruz and running my blog. Life is crazy!  I am loving this journey so much but sometimes I have to stop and take a breath and remember I am pregnant and think about my new little one on the way.

I feel like I have a better handle on my emotions than I did 4 weeks ago and just letting it go has been alot easier. Thank you hormones for calming the eff down a littke so I can enjoy the ride or wait I am the ride for the baby really?

I have been using the Basik Organics pregnancy range to help relieve some pregnancy symptoms I have been having. Loving the bath soak to help relax my achey muscles and the essential oil blend to enhance my mood and nausea.
My varicose veins have been out on show and have even been asked a few times why the bruising is so bad on my legs. NOT BRUISES they are veins! I actually think that I have one “down below” because the pelvic pressure has started from 13 weeks not 27 weeks this time. I am trying my best to do pelvic exercises to help strengthen and relive the pressure. Yep I am doing them as I type haha. Are you? 

Okay so my cravings are plain corn chips and cashew cheese, to keep it healthier I buy the organic chips with only 4 ingredients in them as I still want to try my best to feed this bub the goods.

For breakfast I am still loving cold fruity smoothies. I add spinach to them too. Lunch I am addicted to tuna, brown rice and vegetables ohhh and peanut butter. I love salad rolls too. Snacks I am still loving the Franjos Kitchen Pregnancy Charcoal Crackers or Rice Cakes.. ooohh and apples I LOVE apples, especially red ones. Dinners I have been having Fish. Love it. I hated it when I was pregnant with Cruzie Poozie. Hmmm could this be a girl? 


I do have one confession though… NUTELLA seriously I cannot stop craving it at 2am! WHHHHHHYYYY? Haha my mother in law brought David and I a jar with our name on for Christmas. I do wish I could throw it out but David would kick my but if I did. I need it out the house! I only want it at 2am too.. Anyone else experience sugar cravings for midnight snacks?


Exercise, this is important to me as I feel so dayyyyam good after it. Plus I need to work off that dam Nutella too! I have been doing about 4 30minute walks a week. 2 Hiit Australia strength classes and still loving my youtube at home pregnancy yoga. I have also started to have a personal trainer once a week Miss Hannah Dales that is making sure I use correct technique when lifting weights too. Her sessions her a killer but I love them.

A funny thing happened the other day, I put on my maternity nursing work uniform and walked out of the room. David burst out laughing, I burst out laughing and then Cruz starting laughing. Why are my maternity work uniforms so old fashioned and unflattering? I wish I could style my own. I look like a great big balloon hiding under a large pair of pants and a smook dress that is meant to be a shirt, its hilarious! Lucky I only have to wear it a few days a week. haha! That is probably why the patients are commenting on how big I am?

I have been loving styling my bump this month, I have found some great maternity styles, ones that you can wear post pregnancy and breastfeeding too. Tahlia from @wyldefolkstudio_ and I shoot some gorgeous pieces in this months bump style shoot. Thank you Tahlia, I am blessed to have these memories captured and my little man Cruz decided to join in too. The two labels we  have shot this month are Maive & Bo and Cabo Gypsy. Both brands have stunning boho or basic easy to wear pieces that are comfortable, feminine and so on trend right now. 

I love that I can still be myself in this photoshoot and wear clothing that I love. 

Thank you to the gorgeous Emma from @c_ba_hair for styling my hair for the feminine photoshoot. I love it. Wish you could live with me and do my hair on the daily!

Maive & Bo  Floral Harlow Dress

Connies are the ultimate comfort for my feet!
Cruz 15 months
I just love motherhood!

16 week bump

Cabo Gypsy Maxi

Thank you again for reading this blog piece I am truly blessed to have you all supporting me on this journey. Let me know if there is anything I can I can add or answer for you on future blogs! 
Big love, Alice x

How I started my day.ย 

Morning walks with this babe and Evie.   
 

Today we went for a walk through the bush. We seen some kangaroos, lizards and birds. Nice to get out and see Mother Nature.

Everyday I always do a fat burner walk, I walk on a empty stomach straight after I wake up. I take my puppy Evie and my baby Cruz. 
I love wearing my Ergo baby 360 I use it everyday. I would highly recommend it to everyone. It supports your back correctly, while it is safe for baby’s spine also. 
Happy Sunday everyone! Today I’m off to meet with my bridesmaids to plan my wedding! #showmehowyouhealthy