How I lost 1.5 Pounds per Week

Breakfast:

* Black Tea or Coffee with artificial sweetener

* Half a Packet of Instant Oatmeal or 1 Banana 

 

Snack:

* 1 Cup Raw Carrots

 

Lunch:

* Salad with 1 ounce of Beans, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Broccoli, Onions with 1 tablespoon of Fat Free/Light Dressing

* 1 Fruit

 

Snack:

String Cheese and unsalted Almonds

 

Dinner:

* Boiled Vegetables with Oregano, Garlic, Red Chili Flakes, Lemon. NO Salt

* Salad with lots of vegetables, 1 tablespoon of dressing. Add Boiled Chicken or Fish

* 1 Fruit

 

Bed Time Snack:

Tea with half teaspoon of Artificial Sweetener

 

How I got my 22 Month Old Toddler to Eat

As parents we all struggle to get all the nutrients and vitamins into our little ones. Let's face it, we try our best but we can't always be successful.  My son has been a poor eater since he was born and when he is teething it gets worse.  After about 20 months, I had enough of it because he just wouldn't eat no matter what I put on his plate.  So, after reading many things online, talking to doctors, nutritionist and other parents here are the tips and tricks that worked for me. I hope they work for you as they have worked for me.

• Be prepared mentally. Put your foot down and get strong for about a week.
• Offer Breakfast, Snack, Lunch, Snack, Dinner, Snack.
• Do not offer any meals or snacks in between.
• Put a plate of food with 3 options.  For Example, Lunch put whatever you want them to eat, veggies and 1 thing they enjoy.
• If they don't eat any of it, ask if they are done with the meal. If done, take the plate away.
• DO NOT OFFER any other foods if they did not eat their meal or snack.
• Distract them if they skipped their meal/snack because you want them to feel  and understand the hungry feeling. 
• Eat same foods yourself that you want them to eat.
• Eat Together as family. 
• BEING STRICT FOR FEW DAYS WITH A STRICT ROUTINE WILL REALLY HELP. The goal of this is to change their behavior towards eating.
• THEY WILL EAT when they are HUNGRY.  It's harder for us to see them not eat for 2,3 hours than it is for them.   

I hope these tips help you. Good Luck

Best Toys for 1 Year Baby and Younger

There are way too many toys for little ones out there.  It's super overwhelming and you give into buying everything.  But here are few toys that my son loved since he was a baby. These are great for getting their motor skills running and for development.  I hope your little one loves them as much as my son loved them. 

Quick: 7 Day Breakfast Ideas for your Family

7 Day Breakfast Ideas for you and your little one .............

Basic Types of Car Seats

Infant Car Seat

Convertible Car Seat

Toddler Car Seat

Father's Day Gift Ideas

A very Happy Father's Day to all the amazing DADS out there. Fathers deserve just as much as mothers.  It is so hard to shop for fathers so here are few ideas running through my head for the Special Father in your LIFE.

1. Pictures collage of father and child.

2. Photo Album or story book of all the places child and father have visited together so far. 

3. Customized T shirt, cuff links, sunglasses, ties, shoes or any materialistic items father may like.

4. Coupon book that will list out things such as, Day off from kids, Day at the sports game, Daddy and me day, Date night with mommy, Day off from doing chores,  Just Daddy and his Friends Day.

5. Cookbook with customized apron.

6. Health Tracking Watch.

7. Toiletries customized bag.

8. Gift card.

9. Sports Game Tickets.

10. Dinner Date with Mommy.

Ways to help shed Pregnancy Weight

I gained almost over 50 pounds during my pregnancy and I really thought it was going to reduce because of constant breastfeeding.  However,  its not easy and weight doesn't just come off. But I wish I had followed just few of these steps to help shed some of my weight. I knew I wasn't going to go back to my pre-pregnancy weight however it would of helped me feel lighter, refreshed, and helped not gain additional weight. I was constantly hungry, probably more than while I was pregnant.  Anyways,  lets get to it.

 

¤ Drink water and lots if it.  This will help not eat junk food. Drink up while you are breastfeeding

¤ Eat Salad at least as your 1 meal

¤ Eat More often. Don't just inhale lots of food at once

¤ Eat actual food instead of junk. Just because you are breastfeeding doesn't mean you need more food or junk. Everything you eat passes to the baby so why not eat the best. Eat fruits, drink smoothies, salads, and lots of protein

¤ Sleep when your baby sleeps and get help to watch your baby so you can rest. If you are tired and sleep deprived you will lean on food to make you feel better

¤ Go for a walk for at least 15 minutes everyday. Seriously, walking helps. Walking will get you away from everything especially baby blues

¤ You will crave junk food so eat whatever you want but instead of eating 2 chocolates eat one. Portion Control is the key

¤ Wear SPANXs, Tummy belt  or any sort of clothing that will tighten your stomach muscles. This will help extremely tighten up your stomach muscles

¤ Exclusively Breastfeed. The more you breastfeed along with pumping the more calories you'll burn

 

¤ NO Soda and No Alcohol

 

¤ Don't try to wear your old clothes. It's depressing and it will make you cry. Focus on your baby, your own health instead of fitting into your old clothes. Not everyone has super model body or has resources to get into shape. So by taking small steps you will see results.

 

Even if you do nothing and just take small baby steps to get healthy.  Yes, it would be nice to go back to pre pregnancy weight over night but the reality is you had a baby. Your body has completely changed physically, emotionally and mentally.  You are going through a lot so focus on your baby, your health and last focus on your weight.