Week 26: Vegan Pregnancy

  I learned a valuable lesson at the close of my 26th week: there is a certain posture required for eating while pregnant. I had made the most amazing vegan enchiladas and mango-green smoothie. Unfortunately, I ate them while sitting slightly hunched over. They were never even digested for a moment. Now, I make sure to eat sitting straight up--preferably at a table, not on the couch. The good thing is that this will teach me not to multitask while eating. Dinner is not the time for book editing, movie watching, or facebooking. Lesson noted. This may be connected to the hellish heartburn I've been having, a common symptom of pregnancy. I've tried aloe, papaya, eating tiny snacks--nothing has helped. I've heard that calcium helps (it's the main ingredient in Tums). Anyone have a great vegan calcium supplement they would like to recommend?

Beautiful dinner. Ugly digestive system.

  This week was trying for my fur-baby, Pandora. She had a pretty major health scare, one that seemed to suggest kidney trouble. All cat parents know that kidney problems are serious and terrifying to consider. Pandora is definitely my first baby and the thought of losing her was more than I could handle. I know that stress is bad for those incubating in the womb--but how do you remain zen when there's the possibility of losing Pandora. Luckily, her blood work just showed a bad UTI and some tummy issues. She was sent a plethora of medication, including B12 shots that I have to inject at home. I didn't get the hang of that until now (which is week 27). All is going well with that--and Pandora will be the healthiest big cat-sister ever!

Healing my other child. She's pretty stoked to be on a two-can diet now. 

  Unavoidable stress seemed to be the theme of Week 26. We are preparing to move--which is quite an experience while expecting a child. I can't do much, which drives me crazy. No painting, no lifting--ugh, it's so frustrating. I can pack, just can't move the boxes around. Which is also quite frustrating. Although, moving does mean one more change for this year--and, I can't wait for baby to be in the new place, in her room. Decorating details to come.

See you at the end of Week 27.

Week 25: Vegans Test Better

  I had my glucose test during my 24th week, and never received a phone call with the results. When I called inquiring about my missing results, they informed me that they were perfect. They don't just test for glucose; they do a whole panel and look to check iron levels. Most pregnant women are recommended to take extra iron--in fact, every pregnant woman I seem to encounter is on an iron supplement. Me, the vegan, is on none. Just more proof that this diet is the way to go--not only for the benefit of animals, but for yourself, too.


  One dietary concern that I do have is protein. Oh, the irony. The one thing that I hate to have non-vegans question or worry about with me is the one thing that I find myself worrying about. Pregnancy makes things strange. Everything I've read recommends 70 grams of protein--for development and to make a natural birth run more smoothly. I'm all for healthy babies that come out easily--however, 70 grams?!!? That's A LOT. I've been adding protein smoothies to my daily regimen; my favorite brand is Vega. I prefer the Vega One, but as I've been buying a glut of supplements--I've been going for the Vega protein smoothie. I also love the Vega bars.

  Beans are an excellent source for protein, too--and iron! We have been going bean crazy in this house: enchiladas, spicy beans and rice, burritos, mock tuna made from garbanzo. One recipe that I made last week was amazing, and so healthy. I'm not one for specific measurements, but here's the recipe in a gist:

One poblano

One head of kale

One roll of polenta

A jar of salsa

Two cans of beans 

Some garlic, some onion

****Saute this all up in a pan, pour into a casserole dish, top with vegan cheese and bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. We like to top it with vegan sour cream and avocado.****

  Other than bragging about my perfect blood and glucose, I've been feeling tons of baby movement. It feels like a fish with tiny hands maneuvering through my muscles. Kinda strange and totally miraculous. 

Looking more pregnant. Huge, as many have said. 

Vegan Pregnancy: May 2014 (weeks 13-16)

May was a huge month for us. We went to Portland--which is vegan mecca if you haven't been. We hadn't been out to see my dad since 2011, and we were pretty overdue. The trip became even better with Eric's mom and brother meeting us out there--oh, and telling everyone about our mini-vegan, of course.

Our trip was a perfect blend of sightseeing and eating. Always eating on trips. We went to Paradox cafe for vegan breakfast, ate awesome donuts at Voodoo Donuts, revisited Native Foods (I can't believe how far they have expanded), went to the vegan strip mall, and found vegan sundaes on Alberta Street. All vegans must go to Portland. Now.

We were able to announce the baby at a family gathering, where all of my family made their own vegan dishes--including my 82 year old grandmother. The food was delicious, but it was great to be able to share such big news in person. We didn't get to do that with our parents, but at least we had the chance with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother. After we told family, we were ready to tell everyone. With social media, obviously. Pregnancy brain interfered with me choosing any specific date to tell the world, but it worked out. I apparently posted the ultrasound photo on the eve of my "first" Mother's Day. Although, in my world, I've been having Mother's Day since 2002 when I found my Pandora.

I ended my first trimester in May, and decided to start gearing myself up for delivery. You can never be too prepared, right? I started seeking out every natural birth video I could find. I thought the images and videos were be either kinda icky, or terrifying--but, instead I found myself crying. Ah, hormones.

Parodox Cafe. Vegan breakfast does exist, and it's fabulous.

A whole section of vegan donuts!!

                                           Native Foods!!

Sweet Pea Bakery. More vegan donuts.