Growing "MY" Zaida Baby

Recently I came across a book that I purchased last summer at a used book shop.  It's called "wonderfoods for kids" by Natalie Savona.  I knew then, that when I did have children, it was very important to me that my family lived a healthy lifestyle.  

Well, I've been excitedly discovering recipes that make children passionate about food.  I have been very thoughtful about introducing diverse fruits and vegetables already, but this book takes an approach to educating with every recipe.  For example, it discuses the importance of eating spinach, and then suggests pairing it with a Vitamin C rich food to help increase absorption (apparently we don't easily absorb the iron we get from eating spinach.  Huh).  I feel like this takes my commitment to healthy eating to a whole new level.  I can't believe how excited this book makes me.  haha. 

One thing that I am very curious to see...is if I introduce these wonderfoods now, will my child grow up to crave healthy fruits and veggies??  

This comes from my partners LOVE for fast food.  Although he deserves so much credit here as he's made some remarkable changes to his diet.  One being a daily greens plus shake (we started together, but it is not approved for pregnancy) the other that he quit smoking, 11 days ago now.  Not wanting to be a dad who smokes and recognizing the important change for his and his families health, he chose to quit 'now' instead of 'later'.  I love this.  These changes make me SO proud.  But I found myself still puzzled by his addiction to cola and how easily he can talk himself into a Big Mac combo.  So, I had a conversation with his mother (love her to pieces) and she shared with me that she ate junk food through her entire pregnancy.  Huh.  Is there a connection here?  Well, I've decided to check it out.  I am going to start introducing these wonderfood recipes, with a focus on what nutrients I am passing on to my baby. 

*This idea is also inspired from a co-worker.  She said "I wish I could afford to shop at "Goodness Me" ( a new natural food market that just opened around the corner that I've been raving about).  And I thought to myself, "how can you afford NOT to".  

Zaida Baby - My First Pregnancy

At just over 13 weeks, I am experiencing pregnancy for the first time.  I love my baby bump...although I swear it looks like I'm having twins!  And I love how it's changed me.  Some would tell you that it's made me more direct and less patient...but when you see dreams coming true for yourself, you only naturally want to push others to their best.  This dream come true for me....so what's YOUR dream?

One of the things that I have been super aware of, of course, is the food that I am putting into my body.  If it has no nutritional value, what is it doing for my baby?  My favourite snack is an organic apple with cheese and almonds, and my biggest pregnancy craving...Kiju's apple juice.  So refreshing!  (I wake up in the middle of the night for a glass!)  And here's a breakfast smoothie that I love...courtesy of Baby Gaga....ENJOY!!

Quick healthy breakfast

The breakfast smoothie (prep time: 5 - 10 min)

The easiest way to increase your morning nutrients is to blend fruits, veggies, nuts and cream together. Blending breaks down the vitamins and minerals for quicker absorption into your blood stream via your gut.

Directions: Blend 2 bananas, 1 cup plain yogurt, a celery stalk, a handful of baby spinach or kale leaves, 1 cup almonds, 1 cup full fat milk or cream, 2 oranges, a handful of grapes, two carrots and a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup… be creative and add other fruits or veggies if you have them.

What you get: Vitamin A, C, D, E, B12, K, potassium, magnesium, antioxidants, folic acid, iron, protein, calcium, long-term energy, eased digestion & bowel movements, plus plenty of fluids.