Ashling Drew, Author at Joyful Messes

Yummy Milk Boosting Green Lactation Smoothie Recipe

If you’ve been searching for a yummy, milk-boosting green lactation smoothie recipe, you’re in for a treat! I’m sharing my favorite healthy green protein lactation smoothie recipe that I use to boost my milk supply while still safely losing the baby weight. This healthy lactation smoothie is an absolute must in my breastfeeding diet plan and you should add it to yours too! What you’ll find in this green lactation recipe are breastfeeding food superpowers! I love this green lactation shake because it gives all the important nutrients to my body that support a healthy and healing postpartum recovery. And, if you’re looking to increase your milk supply, this will become your go-to lactation recipe! RELATED READ: How To Create a Healthy Breastfeeding Diet Plan Minty Green Lactation Smoothie Recipe Ingredients 13-15 cashews 1 scoop of protein powder (this is the only protein powder that’s great for breastfeeding moms!) Half…

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: A Family Recipe for Irish Soda Bread

St. Patrick’s Day Treat for the Whole Family Yup, that is me, as a wee one in my handmade ‘Erin Go Bragh’ jumper. My mom and her whole side of the family are from Ireland. As you can imagine St. Patrick’s Day is kind of a big deal. From decorating the house to the full Irish meal we celebrate in style. I’ve made green pancakes and green beer etc., but the thing that is a must is Irish Soda Bread. As a little treat, I’m sharing our family recipe for Irish Soda Bread which we make multiple loaves of every year. Ingredients: 6 cups flour ¾ cup sugar 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda ½ cup margarine or butter 3 cups dark seedless raisins, soaked in water for 30 minutes then drained) 2 ¼ cup Buttermilk 1 beaten egg Instructions: Blend flour,…

Free ebook: Breastfeeding Moms Tips to Staying Healthy and Stress Free (Including Recipes)

Motherhood is tough and breastfeeding can be stressful. I put together some tips to help you out. I hope you find it helpful. I wanted to give you some nutrition advice and recipes for yourself to help keep you and baby healthy and your milk flowing. Enjoy! Related posts: The Best Lactation Cookie List for Breastfeeding and Milk Supply The Best Breastfeeding Foods for Lactation Smoothies and Shakes to Increase Milk Supply

What Are Kegels and How To Do Them – From a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

By now, everyone has heard of Kegels. It’s a buzzword and everyone is getting in on the trend. But do you really know what they are?? I mean really?? I didn’t think so. I am a pelvic health Physical Therapist and let me tell you, you are not alone. It’s estimated that roughly 80% of women don’t know what the correct muscles are, where to find them, how to use them and if they are even using them correctly when they do find them. I see this day in and out in my practice. So let’s start at the beginning shall we?? Your Pelvic Floor Kegels are a fancy term for pelvic floor exercises. They are named after the American Gynecologist Arnold Kegel who discovered how working this group of muscles was so beneficial. The pelvic muscles basically form your undercarriage at the bottom of your pelvis. There are 15…

The Embrace: An Amazing Belly Band for Back Pain Relief

Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a challenging one, especially when it comes to physical discomfort. As your body changes and your baby grows, you may experience lower back and/or pelvic pain, which can make it difficult to go about your day-to-day activities. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to this problem – The Embrace, which is the newest maternity support belt on the market. The Embrace is specially designed to provide support to the lower back and pelvis during pregnancy. The Embrace is adjustable, so you can customize the level of support to suit your needs, and it is made from soft, breathable fabric that won’t irritate your skin. Why do you need The Embrace? As your baby grows and your body changes, your center of gravity shifts forward, putting pressure on your lower back and pelvis. This can lead to lower back pain, pelvic pain, and even…

The Benefits of Cooking Together as a Family

Food is more than just a source of nourishment; it brings people together and strengthens relationships. Families cooking together can profoundly impact the family’s health, relationship, and overall well-being. This article will explore the benefits of cooking together and how it can positively impact your life. What are the Benefits of Cooking Together as a Family Preparing food together is an excellent way to spend quality time with loved ones. It is a fun and interactive activity that encourages communication, cooperation, and creativity. Cooking together allows family members to bond over a shared interest and create positive memories that last a lifetime. Moreover, cooking together has many health benefits, such as better control over ingredients, improved nutrition, and increased consumption of vegetables. Health Benefits of Family Cooking One of the biggest benefits of cooking together is that it allows for better control over ingredients. Families can choose healthier ingredients and control portion sizes when they…

The Top Ways to Increase Milk Supply Before Baby Arrives

If you’re looking for ways to increase your milk supply before your baby arrives, you’re in luck. I’m sharing all of my best tips for boosting milk production during the last month of pregnancy. I have successfully breastfed all of my children and I think my success is because of what I do BEFORE the baby arrives. Yes, believe it or not – there are absolutely things you can start doing now that will set you up for breastfeeding success once your sweet bundle is here. Let’s learn how to increase your breast milk supply before your baby arrives, shall we? How To Increase Milk Supply Before Baby One goal you should have when it comes to increasing milk supply is ensuring your body has what it needs to produce as much colostrum as quickly as possible at birth. Pro Mama Tip: Make sure to nurse your baby right after birth…

Why You Should Meet with Your Lactation Consultant BEFORE Giving Birth

In all the excitement of pregnancy tests, gender reveals, childbirth classes, nursery decorations, and baby showers, it is easy to forget that after your birth you will immediately have a completely helpless tiny newborn to care for. And immediate does not mean a day or a week later, it means within minutes of enduring possibly one of the most physically challenging experiences of your life, you will have another person to care for. It is extremely important to be prepared for these first few moments, especially if you plan to breastfeed your baby. A good idea is to meet with a Lactation Consultant for a prenatal breastfeeding visit so that they can provide answers to questions, prep you for what you will need to know/do and be your support person for this journey especially if this is your first baby. Knowledge is power so here are some things that…

11 Reasons Why an Etsy Printables Side Hustle is the Best for Busy Moms

It can feel overwhelming to think about starting an online business when you have young kids. I started an Etsy shop selling printables just before my first daughter was born as a means to make extra money. In the last two years, I’ve averaged $10,000 each year in my shop while spending little time on this set-it-and-forget-it side hustle. I make the printable one time and hundreds of customers can buy it from me without any extra work on my part. I do answer customer questions from time to time and add new digital downloads to my shop occasionally. Compared to other ways to make money online that I’ve tried though, this one is the most hands-off. Here are 10 reasons why selling digital products on Etsy has been the best side hustle for a busy mom like me. 1 – You can work from home I have done my…

The Best Breastfeeding Tips for Increasing Milk Supply Naturally

If you’re looking for the best breastfeeding tips to boost and increase your milk supply, you’re in the right place. I’ve breastfed two babies now and I’ve collected all the best breastfeeding advice that I’ve learned on my journey that actually WORK to increase milk supply naturally. I took all the courses from this breastfeeding expert and what I learned helped me so much. Basically, I’ve become very versed in breastfeeding and the process of making enough milk to feed my babies. Mama, I know how stressful it can feel when your milk isn’t coming in or your breast milk supply is not enough to satisfy your baby. The best advice I can give you is that if you focus on the right healthy breastfeeding foods (yes, that’s a thing) and use the right tools, you can increase your milk supply naturally and have lots left over in storage. So,…

Ashling Drew