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Baby Weight, Cleansing + A Breastfeeding Smoothie

livelovesimple.com

livelovesimple.com

Lately so many people that I know have been doing cleanses and I think that it’s awesome! It makes me so happy to know that people are starting to wake up to the horrors of the Standard American Diet (SAD), and become educated about the importance of nutrition, ethics & food.

Currently, I’m on my third day of a smoothie/clean-eating cleanse. Of course there are all sorts of reasons to do one, but at the moment I am doing it 100% for weight loss. For me, breastfeeding has been a double-edged sword in so many ways. A month after Roman was born, I lost thirty pounds (out of fifty total) of my pregnancy weight. I attributed a lot of that weight loss to breastfeeding and all of the calories that it burns. Additionally, Roman was born in spring and I spent all of spring, summer, and autumn as active as possible in the great outdoors burning even more calories. Fast forward to this horrendous winter that has plagued the northeast this year and everything changed.

Instead of speeding along my weight loss by burning extra calories, breastfeeding became an excuse for me to eat more (and more & more!). My appetite has gotten out of control. Even though we eat largely “healthy” at home, my portion sizes are too large, and when I eat out I make the worst possible choices. All of this topped by the fact that we’ve been virtually housebound since November has been a recipe for disaster. Finally, the “icing on the cake” has been the emotional shit that I’ve been wading through for the past several months. I’ve always been an emotional eater and I struggled with being overweight for the first half of my life. All of this leads me to the fact that, indeed, I got on the scale a couple of weeks ago to discover that I’d gained back some of the weight I’d lost after Roman was born. It was pretty devastating. However, like most negatives in my life, it was also a catalyst — a catalyst for positive change.

On Monday I started a smoothie “hybrid” cleanse (I’ll explain in a minute) and it’s been going well. One of my biggest weaknesses since Roman’s birth has been breakfast. I never used to be a breakfast person, but for the past ten months, I’ve been ravenous in the morning. I’m certain that it has to do with breastfeeding. Like many babies, Roman eats the most when he is sleepy and his largest meals of the day are before bed, during his midnight feeding, and when he wakes up. Needless to say, my body is working really hard through the night to make milk and when I wake up, I’m hungry and rightfully so.

The problem is the way that I’ve been handling that hunger — eating fried eggs and toast and anything else I can get my hands on. This is a huge problem because it sets me up on a bad path for the day. I crave what I eat — so, if I eat nutritious food, I crave nutritious food. But, if I eat bad food, I crave it even more. So starting every day with fried food and heavily processed carbs (i.e. eggs & toast) is a big setup for failure. At the same time, it is critical that I get a lot of calories in the morning because of what I mentioned about breastfeeding. The answer is simple, I’ve just been avoiding it. The answer is a big, healthy, calorie-packed, super-nutritious smoothie — and nothing else. I emphasize nothing else because I’ll often eat the eggs & a smoothie which would be fine if I was training for an Olympic race…

I’ve been wanting to do a weight loss cleanse for awhile. Originally, I wanted to do a juice cleanse but that didn’t work for a few reasons. First, I hate my juicer. It’s a pain in the ass to clean. Second, when I looked into purchasing a pre-made juice cleanse I almost fell over at the prices. And finally, I’m not certain that I could/should survive on juice alone at this point. I’ve done juice cleanses in the past, they’re awesome, but they do render me lethargic for the first few days. After some thought, I decided to do a smoothie/hybrid cleanse. Basically, I have the aforementioned big, healthy, calorie-packed, super-nutritious smoothie for breakfast. Then I listen to my body for the rest of the day and make appropriate food choices. I find that in addition to my smoothie, I need one other meal a day and a couple of small snacks. I still feel full, have energy, and my milk supply is not suffering at all. This is a stark contrast to the way that I’ve been eating recently — three big huge meals a day without much consideration as to what my body was actually telling me. After all, I had to eat a lot… I was breastfeeding… Right? Ugh! I’ve been very foolish. No sense dwelling on it.

Letting go of the emotional re-addiction to food that I have developed over the past year and a half (during pregnancy and since Roman’s birth) is not easy. I am on the third day of completely altering my relationship with food. I have a long way to go. The fact that I am completely aware and no longer in denial is huge. The fact that I am writing all of this out — and sharing it — is also huge. I am now accountable. Wish me luck. 🙂

Here is the smoothie recipe. Take note that this recipe produces two smoothies! I make one for myself and one for M. Additionally, it might take you awhile to drink it. I am only on the third day of my cleanse and my stomach is clearly shrinking. I now find that I am drinking half of the smoothie shortly after waking and then half of the smoothie closer to lunchtime.

The Breastfeeding Smoothie (aka The Big, Healthy, Calorie-packed, Super-nutritious Smoothie)

  • small handful of raw baby spinach
  • small handful of raw kale
  • two tablespoons of raw, shelled sunflower seeds
  • two tablespoons of raw cashew pieces
  • one tablespoon of Maca powder
  • 5 large frozen strawberries
  • one banana
  • almond milk (enough to reach your desired consistency)

*Note: The smoothie pictured in this post is different than the one I am writing about. The one in the picture contains all of the same ingredients except it leaves out kale and spinach and adds in one whole, peeled orange. It is an excellent smoothie, but I haven’t tested it out as a meal replacement, so it might not contain all of the elements necessary as a meal replacement for a breastfeeding mom.

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    3 Simple Changes That Will Save Your Life

    This post could save your life. These 3 simple lifestyle changes saved mine. Today I am going to simply share facts with you. These facts (if you let them) will dramatically improve your quality of life. Making these changes can even increase your life span.

    1. Stop Smoking

    FACTS: According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States, accounting for 440,000 of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths.

    Cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. In fact, smoking tobacco is the major risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, about 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and almost 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are due to smoking. People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. The longer a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, the more risk goes up.

    Smoking also causes cancer of the voice box (larynx), mouth and throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, and stomach, and causes acute myeloid leukemia. Source.

    FACTS: One year after passing smoking bans, communities in North America and Europe had 17 percent fewer heart attacks compared to communities without smoking restrictions, and the number of heart attacks kept decreasing with time, according to a report in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Source.

    FACTS: If you quit smoking, you will:

    1. Prolong your life. According to the American Heart Association, smokers who quit between ages 35-39 add an average of 6-9 years to their lives. Smokers who quit between ages 65-69 increase their life expectancy by 1 – 4 years.

    2. Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50 percent or more. Quitting smoking also reduces your risk of high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease and stroke.

    3. Reduce your risk of developing a variety of other conditions including diabetes, lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, ulcers, gum disease and many other conditions.

    4. Feel healthier. After quitting, you won’t cough as much, have as many sore throats and you will increase your energy.

    5. Look and feel better. Quitting can help you prevent face wrinkles, get rid of stained teeth, improve your skin and even get rid of the stale smell in your clothes and hair.

    6. Improve your sense of taste and smell.

    7. Save money. Source.

    FACTS: What Happens When You Quit:

    After 20 minutes
    o You stop polluting the air
    o Your blood pressure and pulse decrease
    o The temperature of your hands and feet increases

    After 8 hours
    o The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal
    o Oxygen levels in your blood increase

    After 24 hours
    o Your risk of heart attack decreases

    After 48 hours
    o Nerve endings adjust to the absence of nicotine
    o Your ability to taste and smell begin to return

    After 2 weeks to 3 months
    o Your circulation improves
    o Your exercise tolerance improves

    After 1 – 9 months
    o Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease
    o Your overall energy level increases

    After 1 year
    o Your risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a current smoker

    After 5 – 15 years
    o Your risk of stroke is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

    After 10 years
    o Your risk of dying from lung cancer drops to almost the same rate as a lifelong non- smoker
    o You decrease the incidence of other cancers — of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas

    After 15 years
    o Your risk of heart disease is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

    If you smoke again (called a relapse) do not lose hope. Seventy-five percent of those who quit relapse. Most smokers quit three times before they are successful. If you relapse, don’t give up! Review the reasons why you wanted to become a nonsmoker. Plan ahead and think about what you will do next time you get the urge to smoke. Source.

    2. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

    QUESTION: How many people get cancer by being overweight or obese? How many die?

    FACTS: In 2002, about 41,000 new cases of cancer in the United States were estimated to be due to obesity. This means that about 3.2 percent of all new cancers are linked to obesity.

    A recent report estimated that, in the United States, 14 percent of deaths from cancer in men and 20 percent of deaths in women were due to overweight and obesity.

    Colon cancer occurs more frequently in people who are obese than in those of a healthy weight. An increased risk of colon cancer has been consistently reported for men with high BMIs.
    Source.

    FACTS: Research has shown that as weight increases to reach the levels referred to as “overweight” and “obesity,” the risks for the following conditions also increases:

    * Coronary heart disease
    * Type 2 diabetes
    * Cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
    * Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    * Dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides)
    * Stroke
    * Liver and Gallbladder disease
    * Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
    * Osteoarthritis (a degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint)
    * Gynecological problems (abnormal menses, infertility) Source.

    3. Eat Whole Foods, Not Processed

    FACTS: The statistics are alarming:

    – One in three people will get cancer at some time in their life

    – Heart disease is the leading cause of death

    – Poor nutrition and physical inactivity together are the second
    actual cause of preventable death in the United States

    On the other hand new evidence shows that:

    – Eating five or more fruits and vegetables per day cuts cancer
    risk in half

    – People who eat more fruits and vegetables have a 30% lower risk
    of premature heart attack than people who eat a few

    – About 25% fewer strokes are projected for adults who eat 8 or
    more servings of fruits and vegetables per day

    – Fruits and vegetables may help keep blood sugar down and control diabetes.” Source.

    FACTS: Processed meat consumption results in 67% increase in pancreatic cancer risk.
    Source.

    FACTS: Inorganic phosphates are found in a variety of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages and bakery products. They are added to increase water retention and improve food texture. Studies suggests a diet high in inorganic phosphates could speed growth of cancerous tumors and contribute to the development of tumors in those predisposed to the disease. Source.

    FACTS: Carcinogens in foods that may be naturally-occurring, caused by preparing or cooking certain foods, or added to it, include safrole, estragole and benzene. Processed foods such as sausages, bacon and canned meats contain high amounts of the preservative nitrite, another known carcinogen. Other carcinogens to look for in food products include:

    * acetaldehyde
    * acetamide
    * azo color and compounds
    * benzidine
    * bis (2-Chloromethyl) ether
    * cadmium
    * chlorinated parraffin waxes
    * 3,3-dichlorobenzidine
    * dichloromethane
    * hexachlorobenzene
    * polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
    * polychlorinated dibenzodioxins
    * polychlorinated dibenzofurans
    * sillica
    * trichloroethylene

    Though it is impossible to avoid every known carcinogen, to decrease risk of cancers and other illnesses, a balanced diet with more unprocessed, whole foods can decrease risk of some cancers and other diseases such as type two diabetes and heart disease. Source.

    FACTS: Nutrients in Whole Foods that Protect Against Cancer:

    1. Vitamin A: Strengthens the immune system. Essential for mineral metabolism and endocrine function. Helps detoxify. True vitamin A is found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil; fish and shellfish; and liver, butter and egg yolks from pasture-fed animals. Traditional diets contained ten times more vitamin A than the typical modern American diet.

    2. Vitamin C: An important antioxidant that prevents damage by free radicals. Found in many fruits and vegetables but also in certain organ meats valued by primitive peoples.

    3. Vitamin B6: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Contributes to the function of over 100 enzymes. Most available from animal foods.

    4. Vitamin B12: Deficiencies are associated with cancer. Found only in animal foods.

    5. Vitamin B17: Protects against cancer. Found in a variety of organically grown grains, legumes, nuts and berries.

    6. Vitamin D: Required for mineral absorption. Strongly protective against breast and colon cancer. Found only in animal foods such as cod liver oil, lard, shellfish and butterfat, organ meats and egg yolks from grass-fed animals. Traditional diets contained ten times more vitamin D than the typical modern American diet.

    7. Vitamin E: Works as an antioxidant at the cellular level. Found in unprocessed oils as well as in animal fats like butter and egg yolks.

    8. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Strongly protective against breast cancer. Found in the butterfat and meat fat of grass-fed ruminant animals.

    9. Cholesterol: A potent antioxidant that protects against free radicals in cell membranes. Found only in animal foods.

    10. Minerals: The body needs generous amounts of a wide variety of minerals to protect itself against cancer. Minerals like zinc, magnesium and selenium are vital components of enzymes that help the body fight carcinogens. Minerals are more easily absorbed from animal foods.

    11. Lactic Acid and Friendly Bacteria: Contribute to the health of the digestive tract. Found in old fashioned lacto-fermented foods.

    12. Saturated Fats: Strengthen the immune system. Needed for proper use of the essential fatty acids. The lungs cannot function without saturated fats. Found mostly in animal foods.

    13. Long-Chain Fatty Acids: Arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) help fight cancer on the cellular level. They are found mostly in animal foods such as butter, organ meats, cod liver oil and seafood.

    14. Co-enzyme Q10: Highly protective against cancer. Found only in animal foods. Source.

    In closing: I truly hope that you will begin living these simple lifestyle changes. If you are non-smoker, not obese, and already eating whole foods, then I challenge you to help to spread this message to as many people as you can. All of the suffering and the disease mentioned above is not necessary. It can be prevented.

9 Comments

  1. I’ve been dying to do smoothies again, but my body does not like being so cold when it’s cold outside. Such a great way to get good stuff in first thing in the morning.

    But seriously, this mommy weight loss thing is just bananas. It seems that women have a super easy time or a super hard time. I’m still struggling myself! At this point, I think I’ll be happy and done if I can lose 4 more pounds and not try to get to my old weight.

    Are we having such a mental struggle with it because we’ve been there before? I know I know I’m not the same person I was when I was heavy, but I got heavy in the first place through unhealthy habits and thinking. And somewhere deep inside I’m scared that if I don’t lose this baby weight, I never will and I’ll get heavy again. Ha ha, I can keep going on this! Also, this topic is fresh on my mind cuz I just weighed myself on Monday and was sad I only saw 2 lbs less even though I’ve been working out a lot and eating.

    But, warm weather = being outside = happier times = staying healthy! Good luck!!

    Reply

  2. Wow, that smoothie looks AMAZING and I love those photos! I used to really enjoy making smoothies but I have become sooo lazy! Same thing with my eating. I used to be very interested in eating healthy; I worked at a health food store and eating healthy was very important to me. But having two children, one with very high needs (Asher!) has just put everything on the back burner for me. I am looking forward to the day when I start eating right again! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  3. you know what keeps me from making delicious smoothies for the husband and i for breakfast in the morning? prepare to hate me….here it is…Mia sleeps in until 9:30am-ish. YUP!!! And we eat before then, especially now that we’re cleansing too and I make Dom’s breakfast before work around 7:30am. we’re saving smoothie time for the weekends when we can “eat breakfast” whenever the heck we want. how funny that we started a cleanse on the same day (Monday) and didn’t even know it. very cool, super good luck to you! don’t get me started on losing baby weight. ugh, is all i have to say. throw in a couple of tears, too. here’s to new health!

    Reply

  4. oh, oops…in case i wasn’t clear before, we don’t make smoothies because the blender would wake her up and i like my personal quiet time in the mornings, thank you very much 🙂

    Reply

  5. I love this! I too really feel like America is finally waking up and getting healthier! We have a long way to go but I feel like we are all trying!! I went through this last year, not with the breastfeeding but just letting myself eat big portions sizes, I got depressed and lazy! We did the slow carb diet cutting out bread and dairy and it has done wonders. I hate calling it a diet because it’s really just eating healthy. I feel a million times better now and managing my weight has been a lot easier. I would love to try a cleanse sometime! Keep it up mama! You are doing a great job and your body will thank you for putting nothing but good healthy foods in it! Great post!

    Reply

  8. We are on the same wavelength sister! I love eating clean and am so disgusted at the American diet. I wonder if you could add some brewers yeast to this smoothie for milk supply? It might taste funny, though. We love smoothies here, and so does my toddler!

    Reply

  9. I am trying this tomorrow morning! Your post couldn’t have been more timely for me. I’m struggling with similar issues. I’ll be interested to follow how it goes for you.

    Reply

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