Review: Imperfect Produce

Before baby I actually enjoyed going to the grocery store. I’d bring my list and browse the aisles, you know, adding unnecessary things to my cart. But the one area of the grocery store I absolutely hated going through was the produce section. Not because I don’t like fruits and vegetables. I mean, c’mon, who do you think I am? I just hated looking at the insanely ridiculous prices.

Enter Imperfect Produce. This is the best discovery I’ve made since having a baby. Good looking fruits and veggies has never been a preference for me. Just give me the goods. Imperfect Produce takes the produce that grocery stores won’t purchase because it’s not pretty enough, and sells it at significantly lower prices. Here’s how it works:

You pick what size box you want based on your family size. They let you know how many a box can feed when you go through the process.
You can choose between regular produce, organic produce or a mix of both. I chose to do a mix of both in order to have the most options.
You can choose delivery frequency. I get mine every other week, but you have the options for weekly deliveries.
You can customize your box. Every week is different so while some are staples, you may see some new items. You’ll get an email notifying when it’s time to customize your box.
They always deliver when it’s cool out, so for me, it’s between 6 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday.

Even though they’re imperfect to put out at grocery stores, the produce is still fresh and tastes great. I was skeptical to sign up at first, but have yet to be disappointed (I mean, who doesn’t love purple cauliflower, right?!).

Currently, Imperfect Produce delivers to the entire Bay Area here in California, as well as Los Angeles, Orange County, Portland, Seattle and Chicago.

If you’re interested in trying Imperfect Produce, you can get a $10 credit when you sign up via this link.

Happy shopping!

Heading Back To Work: Bottle Feeding to the Rescue

This post originally appeared on RedTri.com.

There is nothing in the world like the smell of a newborn baby, especially when it’s your own (and your first!). Basking in the glory of your new bundle of love never gets old and as the days turn into weeks and those weeks turn into months before you know it, you have to get ready to go back to work.

As a breastfeeding mom who also works full time, I’ve needed to figure out how I can still give my little one my milk, all while still being able to maintain a successful career.

Since bottle feeding is my only choice when it comes to feeding my child while working, I didn’t want to use a bottle that would lead to nipple confusion. I still want my baby to latch and continue feeding at the breast when possible.

Finding bottles that wouldn’t result in nipple confusion is a trial and error experience. I’ve tried so many bottles from AVENT and Dr. Brown’s to Evenflo and Tommee Tippee.

Either my little one won’t take the bottle or she mimics bottle feeding on the breast, which is somewhat unpleasant. The nipples on the bottles I’ve tried are either too short, too thick, too thin or provides so much flow that my baby can overeat.

Enter nanobébé. Not only do these bottles mimic the breast, but are the first on the market to preserve the nutrients found in breastmilk, so you know your little one is still getting everything he or she needs. It’s nice to know that I can warm up stored breastmilk and not lose any of the antibodies and nutrients. (You can learn more about nanobébé here.)

Bottles Made for Pumping Moms Like Me

Like I said before, the shape of this bottle makes transitioning from breast to bottle and back super easy for my little one. There is little to no nipple confusion as the shape of the bottle mimics the breast.

What I also love about these bottles is that there is an attachment so you can pump directly into the bottle. Gone are the days of having to pump in separate bottles and then pour out the appropriate amount. It’s a one-stop-shop with these bottles.

Nanobébé also offers breastmilk storage bags and a little storage bin to go along with it, so keeping accurate amounts of breastmilk to then transfer to a bottle makes things easy when you’re working or on-the-go. This has been especially convenient when I’m having to have someone watch my little girl while I attend meetings or on a conference call.

Fast Warming

I’ve noticed the nanobébé bottles warm up so fast! It’s super convenient, especially when my baby is crying at night and I can’t feed her fast enough. With the way these bottles are shaped, overheating is prevented, making sure all the nutrients are maintained.

Before using these bottles, I had no idea that when you warm up breast milk in other bottles it depletes it of its nutrients! New mom brain, for sure on that one.

Quick Cooling

According to nanobébé, “The FDA states that bacteria in fresh breastmilk doubles every 20 minutes that it does not reach storing temperature (fridge or freeze). nanobébé’s unique surface area is geometrically designed to spread the breastmilk into a thin layer allowing it to cool twice as fast as standard bottles on the market, which prevents bacterial growth.”

photo by Leigh Weinberg

Easy-Peezy Cleaning

You’d think that with constantly going back and forth between bottles and breastfeeding that the cleaning and sterilizing of the bottles would be a pain. I have found that the nanobébé bottles are actually really easy to clean. They come apart smoothly (and not many parts to them, thank goodness!) and fit easily on any drying rack.

I do have to say that the nanobébé Slim Drying Rack makes things even ten times easier since the bottles fit the rack like a glove. Perk: you can store it anywhere when not in use as it’s so skinny! Keeps my kitchen organized, for sure. They can also easily stack in your refrigerator or, when not in use, in your cabinet.

My Husband Loves It, Too!

When my husband is home and I need to get some work done, all he has to do is take one of the breastmilk storage bags out and put it in a bottle, heat it up and voila! Our baby will have her meal.

If you’re like me and have already transitioned back into work after having a baby and are looking for bottles to make your life easier when you have to catch a meeting or a conference call, don’t overlook the nanobébé bottles.

Or, if you know a new mom that would greatly benefit from these bottles (and other products), nanobébé has a whole starter kit just for newborns. I know I’ll be heading to Babies”R”Us or buybuy BABY to grab some more of these to keep a constant ready-to-go stash for my little nugget!

Head to nanobébé to purchase a Newborn Starter Set or a Starter Set and receive 20% off + free shipping when you use code RedTri20 at checkout!

–all photos courtesy of nanobébé

10 New Mom Must-Haves

While I was pregnant and creating my baby registry, I was browsing a few friends old registries to see if there was anything I needed or yearned for. After being a new mom for a month, I’ve come to learn what has been super useful and what hasn’t. Here are my top 10 new mom must-haves (in no particular order).

1. Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer

I cannot rave about this product enough. I love it so much I even bought a second one to keep in our bedroom since our little nugget will sleep with us till she’s around six months old. We use Water Wipes and this warmer works wonders on a baby’s tush. No crying because of a cold wipe and it also helps get the pee and poops off her legs faster since it’s warmer.

2. Arm’s Reach Concepts Inc. Clear-Vue in Natural

This bedside bassinet is everything. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner of the company when I attended the ABC Kids Expo back in October for Red Tricycle and got to see this in person before someone bought it for me from my registry. One side folds down so you can keep a close eye on your little one while they’re sleeping. Perk: it’s on wheels, meaning it goes everywhere I do around my house. Also, baby can sleep in it up to six months, which is great since we’ll be transitioning her to her crib at that point.

3. Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle in Green and Pink

Since our little one is having a hard time latching, I’ve been pumping and bottle feeding. Ultimately, I think this is the way we’re gonna go for a while, so I’m glad I discovered these. The slow-flow nipple is ideal so she doesn’t eat too quickly and with this bottle, she still attempts to latch to my breast, so there’s no confusion.

4. Little Martin’s Drawer Baby Nail File

courtesy of Amazon.com

This has been a lifesaver when it comes to “clipping” our little one’s nails. Instead of using actual baby nail clippers (which can nick their skin), it’s actually a nail buffer like what you see at nail salons. It truly doesn’t damage your baby’s skin if you accidentally touch their finger instead of their nail. Our little one loves getting her weekly manicures with this item. Note: it’s easier if you attempt while they’re dozing or asleep. They’ll be less likely to move!

5. Ubbi Odor Locking Steel Diaper Pail in Mint

If I could afford–and if it wouldn’t be stupid–two of these, I would. I’d keep one in my bedroom for those late night diaper changes and the other in the nursery. This thing is truly amazing. It does such a great job of hiding the odor from those dirty diapers and is easy to throw out once the bag is full. Just tie a knot at the top and toss it in your trash bin.

6. BEABA Babycook 4 in 1 Steam Cooker and Blender in Cloud

courtesy of Amazon.com

While I still have some time before I’ll be using this, I was able to see this product in person and get a walk through of it at the ABC Kids Expo this year. Once my little nugget will be introduced to blended solids, I’ll be using this like crazy to make my own blends.

7. Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer

As a new mom, you hear horror stories of bottles and pacifiers and other necessities for your newborn getting bacteria and other nasty things on them because they aren’t sterilized. Instead of having to boil water multiple times a day, I wanted to find something that could be really useful for bottles, my pump equipment, pacifiers and basically anything that needs sterilizing. I just put everything in this sterilizer, put in the microwave for around 4 minutes and voila! Everything is steam sterilized and ready for use (once it dries, of course).

8. Boon Grass Counter Top Drying Rack

This goes hand-in-hand with the AVENT Microwave Steam Sterilizer. Once I’ve sterilized all my goodies, I’ll just throw them on this rack to air dry and within about a half hour, I can use what I’ve cleaned. Plus, it keeps things separate from my other dishes.

9. TaoTronics Cool Mist Humidifer

My little one is a tad bit congested, so having a cool mist humidifier in our room has been really helpful. We turn it on at night and set the timer for 10 hours and it distributes a cool mist in our room, keeping our baby’s nose from drying out (although we’ve been using saline drops in her nose, too) and keeping the air not too dry. I highly recommend getting a humidifier for your little one during the winter months.

10. Metene Medical Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Since our nugget has been congested, I’ve been checking her temperature religiously to ensure that she doesn’t have a cold. This thermometer literally takes her temp in two seconds and can be used on the forehead or in the ear. It really looks like something out of Star Trek (nerdy pun!) and is truly a lifesaver.

What were your new mom must-haves? Even if you’re a second or third time mom, what are your go-to essentials. Let me know in the comments below!

Music: Your Labor & Delivery BFF

Music has been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. I have vivid memories of my dad turning up the radio in the car just to hear some oldies on the Bay Area’s KFRC station. This year marks 10 years since my dad’s passing (I am actually due on the same day he passed away), so I feel as though I need to pay homage to him and feel as though he’s with me during labor. What better way to do that than through music?

When it comes to genres, I love anything from Motown to Rock to modern day Pop and Hip Hop. Let’s just say my “Baby Time” Spotify playlist features a variety of genres to get me through any stage of labor that I’m in. I obviously didn’t want an entire playlist of just fist pumping, high intensity music, so I was sure to include a mixture of both.

At 39-weeks, our baby girl can arrive at any time, so I need to make sure this playlist is somewhat solid… I’m really feeling that new Imagine Dragons/Khalid mash-up of Young, Dumb & Broke and Thunder right now. >>>

Check out my playlist below to see what I’ll be listening to during labor. Note: it’s still evolving as I haven’t picked all my songs yet!

Did you play music while you were in labor? I’d love to know what your go-to songs were! Leave a note in the comments.

Classes During Pregnancy

One of the great things about my healthcare provider is that they encourage taking certain classes during pregnancy.

Last month, the hubby and I took a breastfeeding class, which was a little on the formal side, but super informative. It was nice to learn tips and tricks on latching and know that you can ask for help and the lactation consultants won’t make you feel silly for asking any question. The most informative, interesting and hands-on class we’ve taken so far is our preparing for childbirth class.

We took this class this past Friday night and yesterday and, while it was definitely overwhelming, the things we learned have stuck with us and we decided to implement some of what we learned into the labor and birthing process. Since my due date is only three weeks away, we were one of two couples who were delivering in December (I do have to say that I was slightly embarrassed because I kept thinking other couples thought we were procrastinators!!).

The Friday night portion of the class was only three hours and in those hours, we learned different techniques and positions that can help with the laboring process. There were different stations and my favorite was the massage station – especially having Max learn the double hip squeeze. The amount of pressure it relieves off the hips and lower back is AMAZING. We also learned different positions such as dancing, squatting and other methods using gravity that will help ease some of the pain during labor.

Saturday’s class was more traditional in the sense that we watched movies about the different stages of labor, what the 4-1-1 rule is, when to go to the hospital, how long you can potentially be at the hospital depending on what type of birthing process you have (natural, cesarean, induction) and even had a mock labor situation. We focused a bit more on the textbook (which is like a Cliffs Notes of What to Expect When You’re Expecting), but I’m glad we did because I’ll be taking it with me to the hospital just in case!

The preparing for childbirth class was the most beneficial class we’ve taken so far and I think the most interesting for Max. As a partner, sometimes these classes can be a little nonsensical as they can think “do I need to be here?” but in reality, yes… at least for me. It’s been super helpful having Max attend these classes with me since he retains so much information and recall it almost instantly and will be a great source when I forget something I learned once we’re actually going through the motions and baby girl decides to arrive.

Next class will be newborn care which I’m actually really excited about and hoping to get some hands-on experience (of course on a doll!).

Did you take any classes while you were pregnant? I’d love to know which were most beneficial to you. Leave a note in the comments section.

Nursery Inspo: Kick Start Designing Your Nursery with Curated Nest

This post is sponsored by and in partnership with Curated Nest

At 34-weeks pregnant you would think that my little girl’s nursery would be completely set up and ready to go for when she arrives this December. Guess again. While my nesting instinct has kicked in in terms of getting the house cleaned up and organized for her winter arrival, my little one’s nursery is still very, very bare. The only thing I have in there right now is a full length mirror that has a frame I need to repaint, a desk lamp and and canvas art that reads “Spread the Sparkle.” With working full-time and being really tired at night, finding the time to actually sit down and order my nursery decor is surprisingly difficult for this soon-to-be millennial mama.

Enter Curated Nest. When interior designers – and recent first-time moms – Erin Coren and Lina Galvao were designing nurseries for the bundles of joy, they realized that new parents needed an easier way to shop and design their own nurseries. They needed a one-stop-shop. So Erin and Lina took their interior design talents and started Curated Nest, a website where soon-to-be and new parents can go to browse their creative nursery styles, purchase all the furniture and décor they need, or use their online interior design services for something truly custom.

Perfect for millennial parents who love to do everything online, Curated Nest’s online interior design service is an option not to miss if you’re waiting until closer to delivery to design your nursery. You can purchase the Petite Nest ($149) or the Dream Nest ($349) where you can have your nursery, toddler room or playroom custom designed for you by Lina and Erin.

The Petite Nest option is more of a kick start to designing your nursery. If you’re the creative type who just needs some guidance, this is probably the option for you. Here’s what you’ll get:

Complete a brief questionnaire and send back to Curated Nest so they can gauge your style.
Send Lina and Erin links to your Pinterest or Houzz boards, as well as any registries you have open as well as any photos of the room you can provide.
One week after you send them the questionnaire, links and photos, Curated Nest will send you a custom nursery style board with products tailored for your lifestyle and design.
You can purchase anything you like straight from your personalized link on their website.
While there are no revisions at the Petite Nest level, you can upgrade to the full online interior design service, Dream Nest, to reap those benefits, a complete personalized experience.

As for the Dream Nest, you can choose to design your nursery (toddler room or play room) and you’ll get everything in the Petite Nest package plus:

Revisions
Access to Curated Nest’s secret designer vendors
Floorplan showing exactly where every item will go
Personal shopping and checkout page
Detailed designer’s style notes and setup guide
Registry concierge where Curated Nest will help you share your custom design on your registry, build your registry and offer a 10% discount (Baby Nest option)

I had the fantastic opportunity to try out Curated Nest’s

After completing my questionnaire and sending links to my Pinterest board, Amazon and Babies ‘R’ Us registries, Erin and Lina scheduled a 30-minute call with me a few days later. We were able to get to know each other a little more (which is SO important) and they were able to gauge my style a bit better while I was able to see how well our personalities would mesh and how well they understood my vision for my little girl’s room.

One-week after that phone call, I received my style board. I have to say that Lina and Erin nailed it on the head with my style. I consider myself a classy-chic-subtle glam type and have a vision of greys, pinks, golds and whites for my baby’s nursery. My style board from Curated Nest was spot on. Here is my style board:

So in love with what they suggested, I ended up purchasing a few things right away: the rocking chair (the beige wasn’t calling my name, but the chair in grey was) and a fitted crib sheet they recommended with a floral, watercolor pattern. I’m considering buying a few more items as well, including the cat pillow, which they selected in honor on my original baby, my black and white cat! Perk: Lina and Erin only suggest products they’d buy for their own kids. That is a definite plus!

My overall experience working with Curated Nest was fantastic. Erin and Lina really listened to what I had to say during our phone call and I could tell they referenced my questionnaire, links and photos while creating my style board as it features products I would have picked myself. As a soon-to-be millennial mom, this is a service I highly recommend. I didn’t have to leave my house or get changed out of my comfy sweats and it keeps things simple and easy.

Check out the slideshow below for a close up of some of the products in my style board.

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Have you tried Curated Nest’s online interior design services before? I’d love to know in the comments below!

ABC Kids Expo 2017

One of the perks of working for a company like Red Tricycle is that I get to attend really cool conferences and last week I went to the 2017 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. I went with Red Tricycle’s editorial director and bump + baby account director and we met with some great companies. It was also a fabulous experience seeing so many baby and kid companies displaying their 2018 gear for everyone to test out and learn more information about.

I do have to admit that there was a bit of sensory overload since I’m an expecting mom, but it was all worth it in the end. Walking around 5 miles per day and talking with all these amazing vendors was a great experience.

There are so many products coming down the line in 2018 for companies and I just have to share some of my favorites that I saw.

What’s New

Three companies that caught my eye by either being new or offering new products this year were Bink Modern Safety, HNY Baby (pronounced honey baby) and Lulujo Baby.

Bink Modern Safety has the most stylish baby and kid proofing products I have seen in a long time. Their chic pastel-colored dot outlet covers will fit any room’s decor and are muted enough not to attract little ones to it. What’s new for the company this year and in 2018 is their magnetic blind cord. This keeps blind cords up and away from children (and animals!). Learn more >>

Along with their new products, Bink was showcasing their edge and corner covers called Bumpy. Bumpy is the first furniture bumper to be made from baby-friendly rubber instead of the normal foam or PVC. You can purchase in black or white, and like the dot outlet covers, they blend in well and wont attract your little one. Learn more >>

bink DOTS outlet child protectors

Bink Up & Away magnetic blind cord holder (upper right hand corner is the actual product)

The other new exhibitor at the ABC Kids Expo this year that caught my eye was HNY Baby. Based in Canada, HNY Baby sells their own brand of bandana bibs, multi-use nursing covers, sippy cup clips, pacifier clips and much more. Made from organic cotton, the bandana bibs will grow with your child from their newborn stage all the way into their toddlerhood. What drew me to their collection was the versatility of the products and the bright colors! How can you not love bright colors when you’re expecting a bundle of joy? I can’t wait to try out their products when our little girl finally arrives.

While walking around and admiring the displays, one that caught my eye for creativity and overall design was Lulujo Baby. Offering a vast array of baby swaddles, blankets, bath products, stroller clips and more, Lulujo Baby’s latest product is the “Baby’s First Year” blanket and card set. Each blanket is made from muslin and features a cute saying and wonderful design. Perk: they come with cards to capture your little one’s latest age! The one that stuck out to me the most is the “Isn’t She Lovely” blanket – obviously because I’m having a girl! Here are some pics of Lulujo’s fab display.

Other Favorite Finds

Like I said earlier, walking around was definitely sensory overload, but I’m excited I went. There are so many new products launching in 2018 including the Minu stroller from Uppababy, new macron color line for the Béaba Babycook (OBSESSED with the Rose Gold), a new pram from Silver Cross, new pacifier animals and Lovey’s from Wubbanub, new products from Graco, Nuk and Babyjogger and much more. I am so excited to see what’s in store for the baby-sphere in 2018 and I hope I get my hands on some of these products to fully review for all of you!

Browse the slideshow below for more of my photos from this year’s ABC Kids Expo.

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Ubbi Blanket Buddies Review

One of the perks about working for a company like Red Tricycle is that we get to review products! Whether they’re for kids ages 3+ or even babies, companies rely on Red Tricycle to provide authentic information about a product.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to review Ubbi’s latest addition to their product line: the blanket buddies. These 100% cotton muslin blankets are so adorable! They come in pairs, ideal for any messy situation (so you always have a clean one on hand!) and they can be used as a blanket for nap time and a stuffed animal for when your little one wants to strut around town with a bestie. Here’s my full review for Red Tricycle:

I am also really excited to share that Red Tricycle is giving away a set of these blankets on Facebook! All you have to do is enter your email and you’re in the running to win a set.

I cannot wait to get my hands on these blanket buddies for when our little one makes their debut this winter.

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! Good luck.

What’s your favorite Ubbi product? I’d love to know! Share in the comments below.

What to Expect Part 1

Here I go with another series. I know, I know… but I figured this one might be a little more beneficial than the Do’s and Don’ts of Pregnancy. Now, I’m not copying the What to Expect When You’re Expecting best-seller. My series is more along the lines of what you should expect at doctor’s appointments and what tests you need to think about.

The reason I started this series is because a) a friend of mine asked about it and b) it can be a really overwhelming experience if it’s your first child.

The only thing I knew to do after finding out I was pregnant was to email my OBGYN and start the process. Not even a week after I emailed my doctor did her staff call me and start asking questions and giving me a plethora of information. The phone nurse asked when my last menstrual cycle was and calculated my due date that way (I’m due this December) and then proceeded to tell me about all these videos I need to watch before my first ultrasound and doctor’s appointment. I should also expect links to review about what I can and can’t do or eat, as well as tips for a healthy pregnancy in my inbox. Then was I able to ask questions. Learning all these pieces of information, I didn’t have many questions to ask on the phone. My first ultrasound was scheduled around 2 weeks after my phone call with the nurse.

Oh, can’t forget to mention the mountain of paperwork that was sent to me that needed to be filled out before my first appointment. It went through my whole family history – and my husband’s – to help rule out certain genetic testing (if you decide to do that, which we did). We filled out all the paperwork and put it aside until we needed to bring it to our appointment.

Fast forward two weeks and my husband and I are sitting in the exam room, waiting for the nurse practitioner. My healthcare provider calls this first ultrasound the “confirmation” ultrasound to confirm pregnancy and to calculate whether your due date is accurate or not. They do the standard weight check-in and blood pressure readings and then go in for the full exam. Now, I’m going to get a little TMI here, but your first two ultrasounds are done vaginally, so it’s really uncomfortable, but not painful. Think of it as a pap smear with a thick tool. I’m just grateful that I didn’t need a full bladder as sound waves tend to travel better with one.

Then we saw the baby: our little kidney bean at the time. So small that it would have harmed the baby to turn on the doppler and hear the heartbeat, but boy was it beating! The nurse took some measurements and made sure everything was kosher and then she printed out some pictures, let me get re-dressed and came back into the room to start asking and answering questions (check out my pregnancy do’s and don’ts post for more info).

While the paperwork we filled out gave our nurse practitioner a guideline, she wanted to go into more detail about what we can expect during this whole process. A slew of blood tests for me, and my husband not needing to be at every single appointment (lucky him!!). We then had to decide whether we wanted to start our genetic testing, which we did, and I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork for that. My nurse practitioner also put in an order for other prenatal tests that would tell me my blood type, if I have a cold, how my glucose levels are, etc. Lots of pricking, for sure! Fun fact: genetic testing is done through the State of California and not in your local lab, so while you can get your blood drawn at your local lab, they send it off to the State and it takes three weeks to get your results.

After discussing everything, they scheduled my next appointment for around four weeks later and I made my way down to the lab to get my first set of blood tests done. Stay tuned for Part Two of the series.

Fast Facts:

Length of appointment: 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What is done: Confirmation of pregnancy ultrasound (vaginal) and questions.

Next steps: First trimester genetic testing and prenatal workup blood tests.

What was your first experience like after finding out you were pregnant? I’d love to know. Leave a comment below.

Pregnancy Do’s and Don’ts: Part 1

After finding out I was pregnant the first thing I did (aside from telling my husband, of course) was go straight to Google. What can I eat? What should I avoid? Are manicures and pedicures okay? What about wearing makeup? Can I have feta cheese in my salads?

Great thing about Google is that you can typically find answers to most questions. Bad thing about Google is that you can also scare yourself just by reading the comments other moms or moms-to-be have left on certain sites. That’s when I stopped the researching and made a list to ask my doctor at my first appointment two weeks later.

While there isn’t a lot I’ve had to give up there are a few things I have had to completely cut out of my life for the meantime (list to expand per series):

Soda. I am the person that enjoys a mini-can of Coke Zero at dinner almost every night. Giving up soda or only limiting it to when I feel really sick has been somewhat difficult.
3-cups of coffee. I’d usually have three cups of coffee per day. Now I’m only allowing my self either one cup of freshly brewed coffee or a cappuccino from my local Starbucks or Peet’s. Why cappuccino? Less caffeine content than in a brewed cup of coffee. Or, if I’m feeling really excited about not drinking coffee (said no one ever), I go for a cup or two of decaf.
Tuna salad. I absolutely love albacore tuna. Tuna salad sandwiches and tuna melts have been a hard thing to give up.
Moldy cheeses. Yes, this means blue cheese, goat cheese, any unprocessed cheeses… But what about feta? It’s my favorite of the cheeses and can be considered a moldy cheese since it’s crumbly. I asked my doctor and she said that as long as it has been pasteurized (as all milk and cheese products should be while you’re pregnant), then I’m OK to have small amounts. Phew! That was a close one.
Wine. Duh. Need I say more? I’m counting down the months to when I can bust out a big glass of red wine and truly enjoy it. That being said, it probably won’t be as exciting as I’m imagining, since I’ll be breastfeeding for as long as possible, and I’d hate to “pump and dump.”
High-heeled shoes. Sticking to flats and chucks. Why? Because I can be somewhat of a klutz when I’m not pregnant and I want to avoid any chance of falling.
Certain body washes & face washes. I was using Dove body wash for the longest time mainly because I love the way my skin feels afterwards. I then started reading the ingredients and realized they aren’t the best for your skin when you’re pregnant. So, I’ve since switched to Aveeno and I’ve been loving it! The oatmeal wash is absolutely amazing and smells divine. As for face wash, I was using Proactiv for my acne breakouts and have since had to stop due to the Retin-A-like chemicals in it. I’ll go back eventually, but cutting out a majority of processed sugars (except for the occasional Oreo or ice cream binge), my skin is looking pretty good. I’m sticking to natural products as much as I can.

Now, if you know me, you know that I absolutely love makeup. I love watching YouTube tutorials, I have my own makeup blog and it’s a collection I keep up-to-date (my husband collects Lego, I collect makeup of all shapes, kinds and sizes). Makeup – and mani/pedis – were two things I really couldn’t bare to part with. Parting with my acrylic nails was hard enough (due to the acetone nail techs use to remove them), so having to give up my favorite makeup brands was something I wasn’t willing to do.

Lucky for me, since I 99.9% wear cruelty-free and/or vegan makeup brands, I didn’t have to part with any of my makeup products (with the exception of my MAC Russian Red lipstick – which I only wear during winter anyway). The brands I wear most often are tarte cosmetics, Too Faced Cosmetics, Urban Decay and ColourPop. When pregnant, one must steer clear of parabens and phthalates, which thankfully, these brands don’t put in their products! At least, I haven’t found these chemicals when reading the ingredients label.

Manicures and pedicures are also something that I’ve struggled to do less of. I love a good pedicure and miss my acrylic nails, so when I’m able to schedule a mani/pedi, I’m excited. I’ve had to watch out for nail polishes, too. Most nail polish brands feature toluene, phthalate and formaldehyde, so when I was trying to find a subtle pink color, I was looking for brands that carry nail polishes that are 7-free. 7-free nail polishes mean that they don’t have seven harmful chemicals (toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP and xylene). The best brand I’ve found that actually lasts a long time and has great color payoff is Zoya. Check them out.

I know this is a lot of information, but I’m curious to learn about what you have had to give up or didn’t give up when you were pregnant! Leave a comment below.