Happy Mothers Day UK Mamas! I can remember thinking about what my first Mothers Day would be like last year while I was pregnant. I think I still get moments of disbelief that I have an almost 7 month old son! I got a beautiful lily and a handmade Mothers Day card with his hand prints on it as a gift that I’ll treasure forever.
It’s been a pretty good week for me, the first in our new long term routine with Finley at nursery two days a week and one day a week with my Mam (but still in the flat with me). He’s got a terrible cold at the moment though so I haven’t had much great sleep, but he seems to be smiling through it thankfully.
Eat
I’ve definitely been a bit ‘eats on repeat’ this week with the three S’s of healthy meals: smoothies, salads and soups…
Choc cherry smoothie with spinach
Chicken, tahini and goji berry salad
Chicken and hummus salad
Soupologie Beetroot and Pomegranate Soup
Also thrown in have been porridge bowls, courgette bread and raw chocolate!
Gorgeous chocolate porridge with coyo and cacao nibs
Cherry porridge with avocado and tahini
Courgette matcha bread with almond butter and banana
That raw chocolate must be the best raw chocolate I’ve ever made! On Friday, after a really crap night’s sleep I just needed a chocolate fix so while Finley was napping I melted together some coconut oil, cacao paste, cacao butter, cacao powder, raw honey and coconut milk then added cacao nibs. I had some left after filling the moulds so made some bark and added gojis. SO good.
Move
- Monday – squat challenge, 20 minute power walk, gym: 10 minutes step machine, 20 minutes weights
- Tuesday – squat challenge, 20 minute yoga from Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube
- Wednesday – squat challenge, 1 hour walk
- Thursday – squat challenge, 20 minute power walk, 15 minute run
- Friday – squat challenge
- Saturday – squat challenge
- Sunday – squat challenge
One of the good things about Finley being cared for a couple of days is that I can get a couple of extra workouts in. I’ve been power walking him to nursery in the wrap (which is hard work as it is!) then walking to the gym or running the long way home. That little run was great, but although I didn’t have to stop the whole time, I felt pretty unfit! Last week I forgot to mention the races I’m doing, or hoping to do (!) this year. They are: Great North 10k, Great North Run, Newcastle Stampede 10K and The Color Run. I’m hoping to raise funds for the Children’s Heart Unit of course.
I’m still enjoying getting out for walks with him in the buggy, and really missed our walk on Friday as the weather was so rubbish we stayed home. Can’t wait for the summer months!
Wear
Biker jacket: Warehouse, scarf: Topshop, shirt dress: New Look, leggings: H&M, boots: New Look
Love love love that dress!
Love
Ok so part of me feels guilty and like a bad mother for this but here it goes. I’m loving having uninterrupted time to work. I really didn’t realise how stressful it’s been for me trying to keep on top of things on weekends, tapping away on the keyboard in the same room as James and Finley. Having a couple of days to myself so I can actually get shit done has felt so good. I’ve missed Finley like crazy, I actually get butterflies when I go to pick him up from nursery as I can’t wait until I see him, but that time for me and my work has been so needed. I’m always going to be a mother first, but I’ve realised that it’s ok to need to be the person I am when I’m working out, blogging and running my biz too. Also…
Catching up with my Sis // very positive chat with our Financial Advisor – look out for a post on healthy finances next week! // coffee with my mama friends // awesome coaching calls with my biz mentor // lovely feedback on my latest email newsletter // seeing my bestie // Finley getting two teeth come in! // Finding loads of clothes for Finley I’d stored away when he was too little // Chocolate Coconut Chot Shot! – available from 31st March in Holland and Barrett
Link
- Eating too much healthy food? Read this – a very popular post of mine from earlier this week!
- Recipe for Buckwheat, Banana and Almond Muffins
- New Moon Magic via Gala Darling – loving her posts on this kind of thing at the moment!
- Recipe for Buckwheat Chia Bread via The Healthy Chef, definitely need to try and make this sometime
- Belle Noir Loves – a new blog crush of mine! Love her mix of content
How has your week been? Are you doing anything for Mothers Day with your Mam / kiddies?
Happy first Mother’s Day! It’s suchlike special time – enjoy it! I can totally relate to your feelings about uninterrupted work – I felt exactly the same returning to work too! And I think I am a better mummy because of it and I’m sure you are too. it’s not Mother’s Day here in NZ till May but I became an Aunt for the first time today! So it’s been pretty special :-) have a lovely Sunday! Xx
Thanks Bron, congrats on becoming an Aunt! Glad I’m not the only one that feels like that, I know for a fact I’m a much better Mother when I have my shit together!
Happy Mother’s Day!
That shirt dress looks amazing on you!
How much cocoa do you put in your chocolate porridge? It looks so dark and inviting…
Obviously I’m no mother but I am a daughter and to me balance is the most important thing, it’s inspirational to have a parent who is doing their own thing too whilst still being there for you :)
Thanks Pip! I must put about 1-2 tablespoons in, I like it super chocolately! I think you are right, balance is so important isn’t it :-)
Enjoy your first mothers’ day! That macha bread looks so good – I’m obsessed with all things macha-flavoured at the moment. x
Thanks Lily, I need to do more matcha experimenting!
The matcha bread looks so good! What’s the recipe?! Topped with banana and nut butter too – so good! Hope you have a lovely first mother’s day :)
You know I think I forgot to write it down! I’ll have to make it again and see if I can recreate it!
Glad you have had a lovely week. You are not a bad mother for needing some balance in your life- probably over the week you will spend more time with FInley as when he is home you can be with him more instead of doing bits of work here and there.
My work has just been tiring really- I am now very much looking forward to when marathon training finishes as I feel like I am not even running that far but am totally shattered.
Thanks Maria :-) Hope that you get a bit more energy soon, it must be hard work!
Happy Mother’s Day Laura! What a lovely gift to have received from Finley. Sometimes you’ve just got to keep things simple with your food – soups, salads and smoothies are great as they just happen to be super quick and easy to make anyway so good choices. I’ve been loving Yoga with Adreinne too, I always feel ultra calm and chilled out afterwards.
Unfortunately I was working all day so was unable to see my Mum. I sent her a card with a picture from when I was tiny of us both laughing which she said she got very emotional over!
Hope you have a fab week next week!
She’s So Lucy
Thanks Lucy! I love yoga with Adrienne, she is so funny too! Glad your Mum loved that photo it sounds lovely :-)
Happy belated mothers day! Lovely post all the food looks yummy and that little boy is just soooooo cute! X
Thanks Tamzin, he’s a cutie pie alright!
Happy Mother’s Day Laura, hope you had a fabulous time and that lily looks gorgeous. I’m sure the hand print is more beautiful though :)
I think it’s great to have time to yourself. I know it is completely on another level but James and I find it hard enough when we dog sit over the weekend – and Rufus likes to sleep! So you, as always, have my greatest respect for doing such an awesome job with everything and staying sane!
Thanks Claire, yep I definitely need that time so I can be the best mother I can be the rest of the time I think. And some dogs are just as challenging as babies sometimes I’m sure!
I have been having a lot of smoothies recently too. They are just son quick and easy to make, and you can pack in a lot of calories too.
Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you got spoilt rotten. How lovely to have your first one!! I don’t think you should feel guilty about having you time as then you’re in a mentally more refreshed place and can be a better mother to Finley when you are with him. Rather than driving yourself physically and mentally into the ground and then letting your mood take over.
Oooooh all those races sound fantastic! I really want to do a Colour Run at some point as they look like so much fun.
Thanks Anna! Yep I know that definitely makes sense, I’m not the best person when tired and stressed that’s for sure! I’m so looking forward to those runs, I have to catch up to my Dad’s training, he’s already doing 5k runs!
Hope Finley is feeling a bit better. Smoothie, salad, soup is my rotation almost every day, it’s just so easy and I like the routine.
I would love to try the chocolate porridge. Do you have the recipe, or did I miss it in the post?
Laura, thank-you for mentioning me in your post. I am so very flattered ; ) you know how I feel about your blog, I LOVE it! Have a great week hun.
p.s Don’t ever feel guilty about uninterrupted work time, it is a must, well deserved and all part of the balance that you do so well to achieve. X x