Ashling Drew, Author at Joyful Messes

How To Maintain, Not Gain Weight Over The Holidays

Many mamas just accept weight gain during the holiday season and plan on losing that way once January hits. It is much easier to enjoy the holidays if you want to be able to eat all the cookies, and all the comfort food and just live in stretchy pants. If that works for you, then go for it! But, you don’t have to go one way or the other. If you aren’t losing weight, you don’t need to be gaining weight, you can just maintain your current weight! And, it isn’t that hard because you are already set at that weight, so if you kinda stay in your routine and caloric intake, you don’t have to go through the weight gain and weight loss roller coaster! If you are a breastfeeding mama, it can get super easy to binge on all the cookies, chocolates, and sweets because we know breastfeeding…

The Best Holiday Decor On Amazon Prime

I’ve been doing a lot of online shopping these days, and I WISH I would have stumbled upon Minted earlier. Seriously kicking myself. I could’ve let you all know about their beautiful pieces with FREE Shipping. Here are some of the best holiday decor options I’ve found on Amazon Prime: Holiday Pillow Covers: These are classic, farm-style I love the truck in this set! This set is a bit ligther, still with a super cute truck! Christmas Blankets: I’m obsessed with a brand-new, fuzzy blanket for the holidays! Here are some of the best frinds on Amazon Prime. Holiday Signs: Holiday Wreaths: Holiday Stockings: This one isn’t elligible for Prime because it is personalized, but thought it was super cute anyways! I was looking for more personalized stockings, and I found these, which are not on Amazon, but I think they are adorable! I am in love with this fawn-themed…

Breastfeeding Soups For Healing, Milk Supply + Weight Loss

Soup season is here, and soups are an amazing meal for breastfeeding mamas because they offer a lot of nutrients. Soup is also so simple to make and throw together, as well as being cozy and comforting on those long, tired days with a newborn. I had all my babies in the fall or winter and lived in the Seattle area during that time. I LOVED soups in the fall and winter because of the comforting, delicious meal that makes the whole house smell good. I also eat most of my soups out of a mug, so it was an easy, one-handed option while breastfeeding. If you make your soup with bone broth, the healing benefits after birth are AMAZING! I equate my quick weight loss while breastfeeding to the protein shakes I drank and all the soup I drank! I LOVE both, and both are amazing for nourishing postpartum…

Hidden Reasons Your Morning Coffee Habit is Benefiting Your Health

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Peet’s Coffee. The opinions and text are all mine. Coffee is seriously one of the most important relationships I have right now as a busy mom of three boys. As soon as I wake up, coffee is on my mind. My day starts with coffee and my mid-afternoons continue with a little more coffee. Coffee can be considered a vice because of the extra caffeine boost, but there are many health benefits to drinking coffee according to science. Lately I’ve been choosing Peet’s Coffee Big Bang™ and Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend® from Publix for my morning cup. Peet’s sources the finest beans from across the globe, chosen for their quality, and roasted by hand in small batches. Peet’s hand-delivers their coffee to grocery stores to ensure you get the freshest, roasted cup of coffee every time. The fresher…

Nutritious Spins Of Foods Both Kids + Moms Love

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Conagra Brands#ad #goodeats Staying healthy can be more difficult as the fall and winter approach, and all the cravings for the best comfort foods start hitting us. Pumpkin spice is already here before September! It is also a busy time of year with school, drop offs and pick ups, after school activities and home work. I am new to the school schedule, after homeschooling, and I thought with the kids gone a few hours I would be in HEAVEN! But, there is a lot to do, with a less time after school. We are still struggling with getting our reading and writing practice in, as well as some computer work, so quick and nutritious dinner or meal options for myself and the kids are a lifesavers! Frozen food options have come a LONG way from TV dinners. I am personally a…

Why This High-Protein Pizza Is My Go-To Lunch Staple For Picky Eaters

This post is sponsored by Sweet Earth, but all opinions and thoughts are my own! #ad #SweetEarth #ConsciousbyChoice Back-to-school season is officially here in Florida, which being a Pacific Northwestern, it seems a little crazy to be starting school the beginning of August. This means I have to wake up early, pack food and get everyone dressed in one, quick swoop. In order to accomplish this with all three of my boys, I HAVE to have lunches and snacks packed the night before. My children are also not big eaters and very picky. This makes packing a lunch they will actually eat very challenging. I made the mistake of packing two cookies for dessert, and of course he ATE NOTHING but the cookies. That was a fail on the first day, so I needed to get smarter. My first-grader also won’t eat a tuna or turkey sandwich because it gets…

The Most Important Abdominal Exercises You Can Do Postpartum

Abdominal exercises are very important postpartum, especially in the early stages when your uterus and abdominal muscles are contracting. If you are breastfeeding, your body is getting some extra help to get back to normal because the breastfeeding hormones also signal uterus contractions. There are some ways you can help your uterus contract and go back to normal size, and there are also some exercises that will help your abs to the same! The first stage is the uterus contracting and decreasing in size, followed by your abs repairing and recovering from being stretched out. There are some very important exercises I can go over to help your core come back. Just because your uterus is back to normal, doesn’t mean your abs should be too. In the early weeks and month or so postpartum, your uterus is contracting and shrinking. The more you breastfeed, the more uncomfortable contractions you…

Your Free Postpartum Workout Plan No Equipment Necessary

Working out postpartum is important to healing, yet many mamas are fearful and confused about what postpartum workouts they should start with. I am super excited to have Amber Nash from Fit Healthy Best here to give us a free postpartum workout you can do, and the good news is it is without any equipment! But first, let’s go over some important questions on postpartum workouts: When can I start working out postpartum? You must get clearance from your doctor before you start your workout program because they will check to make sure you are healed. If you begin working out too early, this can cause issues with wounds, scar tissue development, and a slower healing process in those weeks postpartum. Rather than initiating your workout plan early on your own, chat with your doctor before the six-week mark, and see if they agree that your birth process warrants an earlier…

The Best Protein Powder For Breastfeeding Moms

I’ve been discussing protein powder for breastfeeding mamas for years now. I’ve gotten a chance to review many different protein powders over the years. However, I always felt like breastfeeding mamas were missing out on what we need: a protein powder that increases milk supply, helps with sugar cravings, nourishes our bodies, and ultimately aids in weight loss. Of course I have a 10% off code for you: LACTATION So, I set out to create, Milk Dust, the best protein powder for breastfeeding mamas. I’ve been advising new, breastfeeding mommies on weight loss while breastfeeding for years. I offer a full program, diet and app that new mommies can use to help them eat the right breastfeeding diet, heal their core and pelvic floor, and get to their pre-baby weight again. In those years, the same struggles were repeated to me by many mamas. Struggles such as the sugar cravings,…

6 Easy Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe During Summer Adventures

Thank you Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® for sponsoring this post. Complete and trusted flea and tick prevention starts with Hartz! Summer adventures create the best memories, and now that we have our dog, Theodore, he gets to spend a lot of our adventures with us. We decided to adventure in the Pacific Northwest this summer, where most of our family is. There are hikes, beaches, parks and lots of mountains to climb (literally). There are many off-leash dog parts, pet-friendly trails and out door seating and concerts we can bring Theodore to, but there are also some safety and precautions that are important to consider when traveling and adventuring with your pet. I thought it would be helpful to go over some of those that I’ve learned along the way! 6 Easy Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe During Summer Adventures: Extra Protection Against Ticks, Fleas, Mosquitoes: With the added hikes,…

Ashling Drew