Ashling Drew, Author at Joyful Messes

15-Minute Fat Blast Workout for Busy Mamas

I am partnering with 1915TM Organic to share this sponsored post. As a busy mama, I know how difficult it can be to get a workout in. I am just now able to grab some more time for workouts as my little ones are getting older. When they were all 4 and under, it was almost impossible unless I strapped them all in the stroller and just ran as far as they would let me. As a Pre/Post Natal Fitness Specialist, I have learned some super quick and effective moves that will get your heart rate up and help you burn some fat, even if all you can spare is 15 minutes. Most of us can grab 15 minutes here or there, and I don’t feel as guilty about letting my children watch their favorite show for 15 minutes. Sometimes, staying healthy as a mama means taking advantage of fast…

5 Health Challenges For The Whole Family To Try This Fall

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurinaONEPets #CollectiveBias There is something about a health challenge that is so motivating and exciting. I believe in not only setting health challenges for yourself, but also the whole family. Many mamas attempt to follow health challenges on their own, but forget their family can totally get involved as well, and may even enjoy doing the health challenge too! I put together 5 challenges for the whole family to try this fall to encourage better eating and activity habits. Sometimes all you need are a few small steps, to add up to big steps, which then turn into changing habits. I also love a challenge to get myself, and family, out of a funk, which happens easily soon after school starts. With the onset of little colds, darker and colder weather, and busier…

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake with All The Feels of Fall

Pumpkin pie starts coming on my mind as soon as Starbucks releases the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I love pumpkin pie, and a pumpkin pie protein shake is such a delicious, healthy way to get in your pumpkin pie cravings! The protein powder I use is super clean, safe and full of extra nutrients and vitamins. I discovered the company and fell in love with them. I also suggest this protein powder for all my mamas in my postpartum weight loss and recovery plan. The meal plan incorporates protein smoothies as a super quick and efficient way for mamas to get nutrients in that are so necessary for breastfeeding! Since I created this recipe, I’ve launched Milk Dust, a breastfeeding protein powder that helps with weight loss and lactation. So many mamas are loving it because they are increasing their milk supply, and not craving so much sugar! I highly recommend…

How to Find Balance with a New Baby

This post is sponsored by AZO and SheKnows Media. All opinions and thoughts are my own. Finding balance with a new baby can be totally overwhelming at first. Believe me, I’ve had three babies and each time I’ve found myself feeling anxious as I attempted to adjust to the new, unexpected chaos of post-baby life. However, with each baby, I’ve learned some tricks that have really helped me balance my life with a new baby. The adjustment period is one of the most difficult, but also most precious times, so balancing yourself emotionally is so very important! I have some tips and tricks that have really helped me deal with a new baby postpartum, which have helped me feel more like I am thriving rather than sinking in a puddle of dirty diapers and milky rags. Finding Balance Tip 1: Take Care of Your Health One of the best tips…

5 Simple Tricks For Moms To Boost Their Immunity Before Cold Season

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadeWellness #CollectiveBias Cold season approaches as we start the back-to-rush and the weather gets colder. There are some simple ways to support your immune system to help prepare for cold season. Your immune system health is an important place to start to stay healthy, which is why I have some awesome tricks to support your immune system this season. First, ensuring sleep: One if the biggest struggles that happens with starting school is having to get up early for both parents and kids. Adjusting from the late summer nights and mornings, into the early evenings and mornings during the fall and winter can create a gap in sleep for quite some time. Like a lot of parents, we have trouble falling asleep earlier, which can really take toll on our general health and well being. When your sleep schedule…

The Truth on Exercise and Milk Supply for Breastfeeding Mamas

Exercise can affect your milk supply as a breastfeeding mama, but not with the gravity you might expect. Many breastfeeding mamas worry that exercising postpartum will negatively affect milk supply, and cause a drop that will affect their babies. This isn’t entirely true, and it is definitely not a main cause for milk supply to drop. The truth is, many mamas start dieting while they are exercising, so there is a nutrition factor going on at the same time as the exercise. Your milk supply could appear to be dropping, but exercising isn’t the cause. If a mama reduces calories, but does not maintain a highly nutritious diet, then we have a recipe for your body to struggle making enough milk. Lose the Baby Weight While Breastfeeding with this FREE 5-Day Jump Start! In reality, most postpartum mamas entering into a fitness plan aren’t burning as many calories as they…

13 Adorable + Easy Halloween Crafts For Toddlers

These are 13 adorable and easy halloween crafts you can make with your toddlers. They are super cute, and not too spooky, so even little ones can enjoy them! My favorite are the pumpkin dioramas. I think they spur the imagination like a story, only better! I hope to make a few of them this year, and create a story behind them for my boys! Mummy Mason Jar Luminaries by A Little Claireification Stand Alone Ghosts by Modern Parents Messy Kids Pet Ghost in a Jar by Penny Wise Blog Spooky Pillow tutorial at Joanne Fabrics Mini Mummy Pinata by DIY Candy Halloween Handsoap and Sanitizer by Little Bins for Little Hands Eat Drink and Be Scary Sign by Home Heart Craft Halloween Glitter Slime Monsters by The 36th Avenue Toilet Roll Cats by Family Maven Pumpkin Dioramas by The Paper Mama DIY Pumpkin Diaoramas by A Pumpkin and A…

How We Are Training Our Dog To Be A Service Dog

This post is sponsored by Big Heart Pet, Inc. All opinions are my own. We are training our dog to be a service dog ourselves, because I think the experience for the kiddos and myself is wonderful, and we want to give our time and energy to those in need. I consider it my responsibility to teach my boys to serve others, and we have been blessed with amazing health and a wonderful, friendly puppy, which we can share with other children who are sick. There is a children’s hospital not too far from our house, and I can’t wait to go visit the children with my boys and our dog to make their day just a little better! I’ve seen the pure joy of children when they meet our dog, Theodore, at parks, and my heart goes out to all those children who are stuck in hospital beds, without…

5 Ways To Make PB+J Just A Little Better

#ad This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine. Peanut butter and jelly is an all-time favorite here. As in, almost-daily staple because my kids love it, and I actually love feeding it to them. Fat and protein in the peanut butter is amazing for growing brains. It keeps them satiated, helps build muscle and brain power, and the little bit of sugar from the jam gives them immediate energy! It also tastes amazing, and there are no negotiations when it comes to eating. Sometimes I get bored making peanut butter and jelly, so to spice things up for back to school and make things just a little bit better, I came up with 5 ways to improve the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, plus I have a recipe for peanut butter and jelly bars!! They…

Two Week Clean-Eating Challenge For A Belly-Only Pregnancy

Eating clean during pregnancy is so important, and it will do wonders for managing your weight gain and cravings. Eating a healthier diet while pregnant also has major benefits on your new baby because they will be given lots of nutrients to grow and thrive. I find that a clean-eating challenge is a great way to jump start better eating habits. There’s something about a time-frame, so I know I get to eat foods I love again, yet I can practice more self control, and develop better habits. I have a very popular eating clean challenge for breastfeeding mamas, and in light of my new Belly-Only Pregnancy Fitness program, I wanted to create a clean eating challenge for my pregnant mamas too. I’ve been requested more than I can count to create a program like this, and now that I am almost done with my certification to become a Pre/Post…

Ashling Drew