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Recipe, Thoughts, Weekend

5 Thoughts [including a chocolate peppermint smoothie recipe and a gift for you!]

November 19, 2018 By Robyn 12 Comments

It’s Thanksgiving week! I know this time can be really wonderful for many of you, but also very challenging for others of you. Either way, it’s okay to be right where you’re at. I know for me, it wasn’t always how it is now. No matter where you’re at, I do hope you take good care of yourself and get some good rest this week!

1. Day Trip to Portsmouth, NH

Last weekend we drove an hour north since Nick and some of our friends were running a half marathon. I love Portsmouth so much and love it even more that it’s so close to Boston. The last time we were there was the end of March so it was fun to be back during a different time of year. It was a chilly (wind chill was in the 20s), but beautiful day for a race. The sun was out and leaves were still on the trees. Although I was certainly not running myself, I felt like I raced after walking around cheering the whole time and moving around to stay warm ha.

Afterward, we got brunch at Dolphin Striker. The inside was so cozy! I ordered the caprese omelet that came with homefries cooked in duck fat (so good) and a biscuit. I had planned to take pictures and then went to edit this post and had nothing to share. Oops. Total fail.

2. What if You Changed the Way You View Self-Destructive Behaviors?

Jennifer Rollin is an amazing ED and HAES aligned therapist based in Maryland that I know online, but unfortunately have not been able to meet in person yet. I came across this article she wrote where she walks you through some steps to shifting behaviors. I think it would be incredibly helpful no matter where you’re at with your relationship with food/body/exercise/yourself. I love this compassionate line from the beginning of the article.

You are not ‘crazy,’ or broken, or screwed up, rather you are in pain and trying desperately to cope.

3. Drinking This Smoothie Everyday

There is published research showing eating dates (about 7 dates/day or 70-80g) from 36 weeks onward in pregnancy can increase the likelihood of spontaneous labor, decrease the need for pitocin, shorten the length of the early phase of labor, increase cervical ripening and dilation, increase the likelihood of vaginal birth after induction (vs cesarean) and decrease blood loss after birth. The studies were small so more research is needed, but I think the research we do have is encouraging. Although, it’s important to know there isn’t research on date consumption in women with gestational diabetes. If you don’t have GD, the “risk” of eating dates is quite minimal so I’m all for it. But GD could present other risk factors that would be important to discuss with your health care provider. If you’re interested in reading more, I’ve linked the studies to the bottom of this post. And a great website if you’re ever interested in evidence-based information on both pregnancy and childbirth is Evidence Based Birth which is run by a nurse with a PhD. Lots of non-biased, fantastic info there!

So with that said, after a couple days of eating dates I was over them. So I had to get creative. I’ve been craving peppermint all the time since it tastes refreshing to me so I made a chocolate peppermint smoothie. Also, even though it’s obvious, drink this smoothie anytime (pregnant or not) because it’s tasty and delicious. The below ingredient amounts are really just estimates so play around with them until you get the smoothie consistency you enjoy!

1 cupish almond milk or coconut milk (or any milk you like – soy, cow’s milk, goat milk, whatever)

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 tablespoon chia seeds

7-10 deglet noor dates (you can use medjool dates too, but they are bigger so use about 4-5)

**make sure your dates are soft too so they blend well! soak in warm water for a few minutes if needed

1/2 frozen banana (you can use a whole, but then you might taste the banana flavor)

1/2 tsp of peppermint extract

Blend it all up, add a 4-5 ice cubes and then continue blending until smooth.

4. Black Friday

Are you a black Friday person?? I am fascinated with people who go stand in lines for hours or rush to the stores. I commend you. Because I would have a full blown anxiety attack or lose all patience and end up crying in line. Really though…that would not work out well for me. So I’m not a black Friday person. But I am an online shopping person so Cyber Monday is my jam if I want to buy anything on these big shopping days. I can sit in my PJs on my calm, quite and cozy couch and not have to deal with crowds. People can get quite aggressive on black Friday! I’m also an impulsive person so if I actually made it into the stores to shop without getting overwhelmed by the crowds I would see deals and sales and think “that’s such a good deal!” and come home with a bunch of stuff I didn’t actually need to buy… ha.

Even though I won’t be out shopping, I will be offering 30% off all online courses starting Black Friday (11/23) through Cyber Monday (11/26) using code RLRD30OFF. So if you’ve been on the fence about purchasing one of my online courses – now is the perfect time. This will be the biggest discount offered! If you have hormonal issues, body image struggles or are a clinician wanting to incorporate IE and HAES into your practice there is a course for you! These courses would make a great gift for a loved one too! Enroll here!

5. Don’t miss out on…

We have our next virtual Intuitive Eating Support Group starting on January 15th! I know this is a couple months away, but with the craziness of the holidays coming it’s easy to forget. And what better time to protect yourself from all the New Year diet noise and instead cocoon yourself in a supportive community of women who know what you’re going through? If this says anything about the group, we are now adding on more sessions after the 10 week group ends because the women want to continue with the group – and their wish is our command! Just saying. And don’t miss out on the new lower pricing for the New Year. You can read more here!

And lastly. If you have PCOS or are a clinician helping women with PCOS, but are sick of hearing about treatment options that only include birth control, other medications, weight loss and dieting – this webinar could be just what you’re looking for. I’m talking about evidence-based treatment and management of PCOS through an Intuitive Eating/Health At Every Size framework. The thing is, weight loss and dieting is actually harmful, not evidence based and can worsen PCOS. The optimal treatment approach for PCOS in multifactorial – lifestyle modifications, psychological treatment, supplements, and medications all play a role. If you’re interested in learning more you can sign up here for just $39! With the $39 monthly membership you get access to the PCOS webinar (earn 1 CPE as an RD) in addition to past webinar videos (worth 6 CPEs)  – you can cancel membership at any time. If you’d like to upgrade to the lifetime WellSeek membership, you can use the promo code: ROBYN10 for 10% off, which will be good through November 30th.

I hope you have a great week – share your thoughts for the week in the comments!

 

 

Al-Kuran, O., et al. (2011). “The effect of late pregnancy consumption of date fruit on labour and delivery.” J Obstet Gynaecol 31(1): 29-31.

Khadem N, Sharaphy A, Latifnejad R, Hammod N, I R. 2007. Comparing the efficacy of dates and oxytocin in the management of postpartum hemorrhage. Shiraz E-Medical Journal 8:64–71.

Kordi M, Meybodi FA, Tara F, Shakeri MT. (2014). “The effect of late pregnancy consumption of date fruit on cervical ripening in nulliparous women.” Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health 2:150–156.

Razali, N., et al. (2017). “Date fruit consumption at term: Effect on length of gestation, labour and delivery.” J Obstet Gynaecol: 1-6.


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Comments

  1. flower says

    November 12, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Such an interesting read! As a frequent traveler to the middle east, I was so happy to see some research from Iran, Jordan etc. Gosh, if you already enjoy the dates they sell in the US from these countries, you would loooove the wonderful markets in Iran, where they sell so many different kind of dates and the sweetest ones I have ever eaten. You wouldnt get bored with dates there because you could just eat different types every day. I know there are persian shops in CA and NY, but there is probably not as much in Boston. I found some good reviews for a persian market called Super Hero’s in Watertown, you might want to check it out to try some different dates. I would assume they have a variety and I found those persian dates to be the best, even compared to dates in Saudia Arabia or Oman.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      November 20, 2018 at 7:26 pm

      I’ve been to the farmers market in San Francisco where they had SO many varieties of dates and it was amazing!! I’ll have to check out Super Hero’s when I’m out in Watertown again – was just there today actually visiting a friend!

      Reply
  2. Amy says

    November 12, 2018 at 2:52 pm

    I ate all the dates leading up to my due date with baby #2. They didn’t work for me and I was induced at 41 weeks! Hopefully they work for you! An approaching due date is so exciting. I still think about the days and weeks leading up to both of my boys’ arrivals…each 8 days late!! Best of luck for a healthy baby and a healthy mama.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      November 20, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      There is no guarantee in labor + birth – that’s for sure! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words Amy!

      Reply
  3. emily vardy says

    November 19, 2018 at 7:00 am

    mmm, dates…I’d never think to put them in a smoothie though! This one looks super yummy.

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      November 20, 2018 at 7:27 pm

      They really just make things sweet (like if you were to add honey or maple syrup) so think of it like that and you can really add them to any smoothie!

      Reply
  4. Aleisha says

    November 19, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    I was wondering if you could do a post of foods that help breast milk production? Thanks so much either way 😊

    Reply
    • ANna says

      November 19, 2018 at 7:55 pm

      Yes! I would like this as well!

      Reply
    • Robyn says

      November 20, 2018 at 7:28 pm

      I’ll add this to my list of topics for after maternity leave 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jen says

    November 20, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    Are dates safe if you’re early in pregnancy then?

    Reply
    • Robyn says

      November 20, 2018 at 7:29 pm

      Eating them whenever is totally safe – but I probably wouldn’t eat them is this quantity until the final month. 70 grams of dates was much more than I thought it would be when I actually started eating them! I’d guess a Larabar or Rxbar only has about 1/3 of that amount in it

      Reply
  6. Trista Johnson says

    November 26, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    I think we may have been in Portsmouth at the same time! I went to the Dolphin Striker for dinner… So cozy and so delicious! It was my first time visiting that town and I loved it… will definitely be making day trips there in the future!

    Reply

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A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

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I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

Postpartum Hormones: what’s happening in your body and how to care for yourself

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We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!
I am not a craft mom. My version of crafts is baki I am not a craft mom. My version of crafts is baking because 1) my toddler actually engages with it and 2) we have tasty things to eat in the end.  Wanna know how long crafts last in our house? Approximately 23 seconds. Maybe 51 on a good day. So we just stopped crafting a long time ago and instead started baking.  And when I need my toddler to stay in one place, I turn on the faucet. I am still utterly amazed at how long water can entertain a small human. And it’s FREE. 🙌🏻 well, mostly..  Send me all your favorite baking recipes because we are on a roll over here 👩🏻‍🍳
Just left my mom vacation. 💆🏻‍♀️ I do Just left my mom vacation. 💆🏻‍♀️  I don’t know what this says about me. Anybody else find the dentist weirdly relaxing? For the most part, I love being with my two tiny humans all day, but BLESS does it feel good to lay in a chair for 60 minutes with my eyes closed and do nothing except hold my mouth open.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 two babies are asleep at the same time in their beds (and not on me) for the FIRST TIME IN 7657 DAYS and dear lord I could cry tears of relief straight into this latte and bowl of chocolate chips bc I woke up this morning exhausted and weary and told Nick I didn’t want to parent today 🤣 Not even calling this self care. It’s sanity right now. And even if it lasts 5 minutes it will be 5 minutes of freaking glory. p.s. yes that brick is crooked bc v uneven floors are part of the charmed package of this old house
Learning over and over again in this season that f Learning over and over again in this season that feels unsettled and chaotic and longgggggg that sometimes, you just need the viewpoint of a toddler to remind you that the seemingly insignificant things & moments really are....straight up magical. And that yes, these mundane days are packed full of goodness & beauty if I keep my eyes fixed on what actually matters.
Spent two hours at Lowe’s this morning and wow, Spent two hours at Lowe’s this morning and wow, wowww 🤯 Asked at least six people where to find something and their opinion on all the options bc holy decision fatigue. Nursed my newborn on the floor of the paint aisle. And BLESS my new contractor friend Matt I found in the lumber section that pushed my cart around and helped me avoid the mistake of buying exterior wood for some DIY bathroom shelves.
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I’m giving all our bathrooms a DIY makeover and I couldn’t be more of a rookie. So shoutout to all my Lowe’s buddies and YouTube 😜 You’re making this happen.
We are now officially homeowners. WUT? We didn’t We are now officially homeowners. WUT? We didn’t plan to close on a house 10 weeks after having a baby, but here we are. And we are so, so grateful.  And I’m also terrified. We’ve moved three times and lived in three different states since we got married three years ago. After six years spent living in New York City and Boston, moving back to Charlottesville was really, really hard for me. I cried a lot those first six months because my heart ached for the northeast and for city life. I wanted to pack up and go back to Boston ASAP. It felt so different and so quiet here and at times, very lonely. Even though it felt like the next right step, I second guessed our decision A LOT.
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But here we are 10 months later ready to continue investing in this neighborhood we’ve come to love. And this community of people that have become so dear. Ten months later and it feels so, so right. And although committing to settling down here for a good bit feels really scary to me, it also brings so much peace to know we aren’t moving again anytime soon. We are here to plant and grow. And raise our babies in this house as we make it a home. It’s also really fun to have one of your best friends be your realtor. We love you @kelli.teter.nesting 🤗
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Now, to see if we make it out of this kitchen renovation all in one piece 🤪
my go-to breakfast these days is two fried eggs in my go-to breakfast these days is two fried eggs in ghee with sautéed spinach (also in ghee) and an english muffin with more ghee + some sort of jam on half for that sweet & savory combo. we discovered these local english muffins (from The Bread Basket) and they are doughy and delicious and we are obsessed.
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I’ve had many thoughts rolling around in my brai I’ve had many thoughts rolling around in my brain of if/how to use this platform in a way that aligns with how I want to live my life. I’m finding it tricky to discern that when 90% of my use on this app is for professional purposes. But I’m not sure if even professionally, it makes sense for me. Because I feel more aligned with what matters to me when I’m not regularly present here.  I’m not really sure what things will look like moving forward, but for right now I’m here to share with you that I somehow found some spare minutes between newborn & toddler life to write a post with some semi-coherent thoughts on life lately. 🤪 You can head there by clicking the link in my profile.
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Very grateful to be carrying another baby past his Very grateful to be carrying another baby past his due date, but also....LET’S GO DUDE. Still over here eating dates (check out the @ebbirth article on the research showing dates can help ripen (aka soften) your cervix, reduce the need for medical intervention in labor and can overall, improve birth outcomes) drinking red raspberry leaf tea and sleeping as much as possible with a 19 month old running around. And also trying to survive July in VA without public pools or splash pads bc it is BLAZIN HERE (and I’m a wuss with the heat 🤪)

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