Uncategorized – Joyful Messes

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Kids 8-12 Christmas Gift Guide

As we get closer to the holidays, we start putting our Christmas lists together. It’s important to make sure that everyone is covered. For me, buying for the preteen kids is always the hardest. They are just old enough to be starting to have definite ideas about what’s cool and what’s not. They don’t have that wide-eyed excitement about Christmas anymore, and they are already educated consumers! When you’re shopping for savvy preteens, you need to think outside of the box. Let’s face it; you’re old and out of touch. If you’re trying to buy the latest music release on CD, you’re already doing it wrong; preteens are going to want streaming music. And sometimes, you want to put a little more thought into a gift than just buying a gift card…again. So for Christmas this year, I decided to put together this educational gift guide, focused on kids who…

DIY

How to Reuse Christmas Decorations

Now that we have finally wrapped up from the holiday season, we have officially transitioned our home decor from the holiday explosion that it was, to a serene winter escape. But, not only is it incredibly time consuming to redecorate your home every season, but it also can become financially straining over the years. In such a modern and fast-paced society, it can feel as if we need to keep up with the rest of the world on essentially everything, even our home decor. Unfortunately, many of us may not have the money to drop on brand new decor each time the season changes, especially after the Christmas season. Instead, many people have been adopting a “Do it Yourself” attitude, and finding small hacks to save money and make use of what they already have lying around the house. So, as we make our way into the new year, hold…

Breastfeeding Diet Plan

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…

Fitmom

Your Free Postpartum Workout Plan No Equipment Necessary

Working out postpartum is really important to healing, yet many mamas are fearful and confused on 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 without any equipment! But first, let’s go over some important questions on postpartum workouts: When can I start working out postpartum? It is really important that you 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 developing and a slower healing process. 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 workout time. I know with…

Food & Recipes

Simple Summer Entertaining With A Pizza Board

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreschettaFresh #CollectiveBias Cheeseboards are all the rage for entertaining throughout the year, but they don’t work well for the warm summer months. Cheese go soft and lose their texture in the warm weather, so I have another simple entertaining idea for you – A Pizza Board! These are so simple and fun, yet they offer an awesome way to entertain for the summer. I’m going to go over my essentials for a good pizza board, which includes a frozen pizza because that is so simple! From there, I doctor up the board with snacks, dips, veggies and fruit to allow for lots of different sampling and munching. As a mom of three boys, entertaining has to be simple, easy and yummy. Freschetta is an awesome problem solver when it comes to fresh, yummy…

Breastfeeding

The Best Whey Protein Powder for Breastfeeding Mamas

This post is sponsored by WOW MOMS, where I received the product to try, and I was blown away with the quality and taste, so here are the details! Of course, as always, all opinions are my own. Whey protein powder can be very safe and beneficial for breastfeeding mamas. Protein is essential for postpartum mamas to heal properly, as well as produce breast milk. Breastfeeding mamas need protein, and whey protein powder can be a great choice to help you consume enough protein, as well as make some delicious recipes. How is whey protein powder beneficial for breastfeeding mamas? Whey protein is a complete amino acid protein because it comes from animals. Our bodies do not create protein, we need to consume it for our muscles, hair, skin, cells and for baby. Protein is going to help with cell growth, and the amino acids pass through to baby, who…

Fitmom

Mango Mama Protein Shake for Lactation and Weight Loss

This mango mama protein shake is so yummy and full of milk-boosting ingredients! I LOVE this protein shake because it is super creamy. My favorite protein powder for breastfeeding mamas is a big part of why it tastes so good, is so creamy, and has so much milk-boosting ingredients. I originally made this protein shake with the Ora Organics protein powder, but now Milk Dust is here and getting the best reviews! It is a protein powder specifically made for increasing milk supply, helping reduce sugar cravings, promoting weight loss and nourishing postpartum mamas. I HIGHLY recommend you try it, and feel free to use code: LACTATION for 10% off your first order! Here are the ingredients: 1 Scoops of my all-time favorite protein powder 1 Fresh Mango cut up 1/2 – 2/3 cup Frozen mango, pineapple and peach blend. I bought mine at the store, you can substitute for…

Breastfeeding

The 5 Best Milk Supply Boosters for Richer Milk

Breast milk production is so important because as a breastfeeding mama, that’s how your baby is surviving! We worry about the amount they are getting, the nutrients we are providing, and if we are producing enough to keep them full and happy. With my first baby, I researched everything on milk production, and I even started working on my milk supply before my baby arrived. I found so much information, as well as some products that actually work really well, I decided to write the ultimate guide to milk boosters. The one I wish I could’ve read when I was 9 months pregnant and obsessing about breastfeeding. I also WISH I would’ve found this gem of a resource! SO MUCH HELPFUL INFORMATION! I also stumbled upon this guide for pumping, if you are struggling like I did. I hated pumping, and I avoided it at all costs in the beginning.…

Breastfeeding

Protein Powder Recipes For Milk Supply and Postpartum Weight Loss

Protein powder is one of the biggest tools I use for postpartum weight loss, as well as keeping up my milk supply. Lots of mamas worry that when they start losing weight, they will lose your milk supply. But, that’s not true. Your body wants to use the stored calories and nutrients in our fat cells to produce milk, and if you continue to supply your body with great nutrients, your body will have everything it needs to produce lots of milk. I’ve become a pro at breastfeeding, and I am just weaning my third baby now. If you need to increase your milk supply, check out these 5 foods (which also help with weight loss!), and save this post for later. It’s all the tips and tricks my sister and I (she pumped and nursed twins over a year while working part time!!) have learned. Moving into protein powder…

Uncategorized

Fancy + Simple Football Party Cheeseboard

This shop/post has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #ServeWithACoke #BowlGames #CollectiveBias Well, football season is the new holiday season, and I am someone who loves a football party for pure gathering aspect. As a busy mom, I don’t get to enjoy football games as often as I’d like, but I can put together a fun and fancy cheeseboard that keep all my football fans super happy! I have a cheeseboard today that is full of items kids and adults love, while also being very simple to put together. I put a little fanciness to it with some fun glasses and cranberries in our Coca-Cola™. Makes my guests feel special with a little extra touch to our beverages. Coca-Cola is our favorite special drink for game days because it’s so good, and makes the cheese, crackers and finger-food taste even better.…