Well what a wonderfully marvellous week it has been! I know I’m generally happy and upbeat about things, but this week has been especially fabulous for many reasons. Before we came back from Brighton I was half looking forward to it and half dreading it as I thought it was going to be a bit stressful with having so much on. As it happens my organisation skills paid off and it wasn’t very stressful at all. I started the week running a stand at Sunderland University on the theme of Good Mood Food for their Mental Health Awareness week activities. I served almond stuffed dates and bircher muesli pots pictured above – all using ingredients that help to boost serotonin levels. It was a great success! Of course the biggest highlight of the week was finding out we are having a beautiful baby boy, and most importantly he’s healthy and happy inside me. I just can’t say how happy we both are about all of that! More on the good stuff this week in a minute.
Eat
Again, I had been concerned that a lack of time at the weekend would impact on my eating but I managed to get in a good shop and mostly stick to my meal plan. Some yummies this week include…
Smoothie made with kale, frozen cherries, grass fed whey protein, cocoa powder and almond milk topped with tahini, mixed seeds and cacao nibs
Strawberries and green smoothie with spinach, avocado and almond milk
Scrambled eggs, strawberries, almond butter
Strawberries (yes I’m loving strawberries!) nectarine, full fat organic yoghurt and almond butter
Lunch on the go – M&S whole food salad and juice with kale
Also on the go – a treat of a raspberry coconut chocolate smoothie from Fuel Juice Bar
Omelette with red onion and feta served with spinach
Courgette spaghetti with organic beef ragu and extra peppers
Full fat organic yoghurt topped with some of my aunts lemon curd – absolutely to die for!
Move
Workouts this week:
- Monday – Rest
- Tuesday – Rest
- Wednesday – Gym – 10 minutes step machine, 10 minutes bike, squats, seated chest presses, shoulder presses
- Thursday – Kristin McGee Prenatal Powder Yoga App
- Friday – Gym – 10 minutes step machine, 10 minutes bike, lunges, tricep extensions, bicep curls
- Saturday – Rest (unless you count walking around IKEA!)
- Sunday – Rest, although we might go out for a 2-3 mile walk later
It’s been great to get back to the gym after my hols, I’m looking forward to getting in 3 gym sessions next week hopefully!
Wear
1. scarf: H&M, black lose fit vest: H&M, white vest (worn underneath): H&M, maternity jeggings: Primark, sandals c/o Duo Boots // 2. denim shirt: M&S Autograph via charity shop, necklace: H&M, stripy maxi dress: Primark, gold sandals: Primark
My bump is getting massive! Luckily everything I’ve bought maternity wise should be good for a while, I just hope I can manage in the summer heat when the bump is even bigger. I have to say I felt really good in that maxi dress outfit, I had almost not bought the full length stripes, but I don’t think I look too bad in them!
Love
As I was saying this week really has been an excellent one, in addition to everything below it was really fun to get my first organic box delivery in a while. I had stopped getting them as it was turning out a little pricey, but I managed to secure a return deal getting 10% off everything for 12 months, including meat and diary. I thought that made it worth it indeed! Today I am making some bone broth with the organic bones they sell and cooking up a lot of that veg into a lovely stew. Also…
sharing our baby boy news with everyone! // getting a surprise cheque from the bank! // making lots of plans for how we are going to rearrange / redecorate the flat for the baby coming // looking at baby clothes and equipment and planning what to purchase // excellent sessions with health coaching clients and the loveliest testimonial from one of them // my Grandmas 85th birthday // catching up with my best friend // seeing the transformation of a former client, she is looking amazing! // my chicken curry going down very well at one of my community projects // listening to new music from Lykke Li, London Grammar and Kelis
Link
- How to De Stress
- Coconut and Lime Chia Pudding Recipe
- Things I bought in Brighton
- 20 Weeks Pregnant: Gender reveal and belly shot
- You Don’t Have to be Perfect to Inspire Others from the fabulous Gala Darling
- 6 Tips to Make Healthy Eating a No-Brainer from Mind Body Green
- Ruled by the Scales a great post from Eat, Jog, Glow about no longer obsessing over the scales
- Tips for creating a clean eating home from Dr Junger via The Chalkboard Mag
Ooh I’ve been all over the strawbs this week myself! I do certainly love getting organic produce – but the price can put me off. I usually try and get the ‘dirty dozen’ (or is it the terrible 20 by now!?) from my farmers market, and chance it with budget stuff on the rest!
I would love to take that approach as well, typically all the stuff I eat the most of like strawberries and spinach are some of the dirty dozen I think! I don’t get the organic fruit boxes though as they always include bananas which I wouldn’t bother getting organic with their skins.
Loving the green smoothie pics as always – I can’t believe M&S do one with kale now (!) They must be becoming mainstream. I’m going to have to look for that one now…I wonder whether it’s predominantly greens or mostly fruit juice (I’m just thinking about sugars etc.)
The weather is very nice first thing in the morning, but way too hot for me later in the day. I just wilt in temperatures above 20 degrees.
Happy Birthday to your Grandma :)
xxx
Haha I know, there is definitely a shift coming about, although I do think that is still a sugar packed one for the general populations taste buds. Usually I love the heat but I was exhausted yesterday I can’t even imagine running in it!
I found some lemon curd in a shop the other, a rare occurrence in these parts, but talked myself out of buying it. Really regretting that now! I might have to go back and see if it is still there! All of your smoothies always look so delicious!
Oh it is one of fave treats! I want to try and make a healthier version if I can, although a bit of sugar and butter is no problem!
That is the only trouble of going away when you are self-employed, the stress of coming back to so much work. But you are right, being organised pays off.
You’re not wrong there but I guess it is just one small negative in a sea of positives!
Lemon curd is so good :) I bet home-made is just wonderful.
I have been loving the sunshine :) It was Andrew’s other brothers wedding yesterday so it was fantastic to have such beautiful weather for it.
Oh how lovely! What a great weekend for a wedding :-)
Great news to hear that your little boy is happy and healthy inside, a bundle of joy in the making!
Glad to hear the rest of the week has also been a success, here’s to hoping the next one is too!
Thanks Fran :-) Hope you have a great week ahead too!
Yay for a fabulous week! Mine has been pretty good too a little down which turned into an up and the weather has been awesome so happy days!
That’s great to hear Tam, hope you have a great week ahead!
You look great in that maxi dress – love the stripes! Congratulations on finding out the baby’s gender – so exciting! x
Thanks Lily, you know I love my stripes :-)
Looking awesome by the way:) I am trying to find best organic veg and meat box – when I lived down South I loved abel and cole but the don’t deliver to Scottish lands:(
Thanks Kezia, have you tried Riverford? That’s who I’m getting mine from x
Looks like you are in a good groove, and very organised for a busy week. I’m struggling to get organised at the minute, and I haven’t had any time to cook lately which has left me all out of routine. The weather has been amazing, I can’t believe how hot it was today.
Thanks Lauren, yeah I always feel a bit ‘off’ when I don’t have time for my usual prep. Let’s hope this weather lasts!
Thanks for the link, Laura! It’s amazing to have a mention on such an amazing blog!
Love both of the outfits – you look fab :) And that lemon curd looks to die for!
E xxx
My pleasure Emma! It was a great post and a message a lot of us need reminding of!
Lemon curd is delicious, homemade must be so tasty (especially from a family recipe!). Amazing that M&S are selling kale juices, did it taste good?! I’m on a huge strawb kick too!
I would love to buy organic everything but it just costs so much more. I buy half organic apples and half normal (I’d bankrupt us if I bought all organic apples the amount I go through!), organic mushrooms and other bits and pieces. And I try to stick to free range meat. It’s tough though.
Glad to hear you’re not stressing and your organisation skills are paying off!
I’m loving strawberries at the moment. There’s something about them this time of year!
That maxi dress looks great on you. It must be so exciting when your bump really starts to grow and show.