My digestion has been a bit out of whack over the past few months. Actually, I’m feeling a bit out of whack as a whole. Maybe I was naïve, but I really didn’t anticipate the postpartum phase to be so challenging, on many different levels. The pregnancy seems to get the most attention while the period after having a baby seems to be all about getting back to your old self as soon as possible. At least in the media. I guess I expected that for myself too, but it’s not my personal reality nor is it for many other new moms I’ve talked to. We’re almost 5 months in and I still don’t feel like I have it together. I mostly blame the overnight waking hours and sugar cravings (the cravings result from lack of sleep – it’s a vicious cycle), but it’s everything really. Life has changed in so many weird and wonderful ways. I wonder if I ever will feel like my old self, or if I’d ever want to; what I have right now is great. I say it all the time but motherhood is amazing. I pinch myself so many times a day…like, do I actually get to witness this sweet baby discover the world? It’s the kind of thing that fills my heart with so much joy it keeps me up at night because I know that it could all be taken away in a second.
The intensity seems to be lifting as the months go on. We are laughing so much every day! I’m convinced Adriana is a 90 year old woman trapped in a baby’s body. Seriously…she does this lip-sucking in thing that makes her look like she forgot her dentures. I die every time. She is my number one priority and because of this I think I have let my own self fall to the wayside. It’s the cliché saying about motherhood, but it’s been so true. For me, this seemed necessary to get through the first months as a new parent, but I’m getting to that place now where I think I can find a balance for both of us. The fog is lifting. This is where a plant-based diet can help in so many great ways! I think I’ve done a good job of staying healthy this past year, but there are a few things I would like to improve upon.
The advice I often give to others is to make small changes when starting out, so that’s what I’ve been doing recently. Just a bunch of little tweaks that all contribute to the whole. Baby steps. Rather than having caffeine in the morning (which doesn’t seem to agree with my anxiety-prone nature), I’ve switched to a tea made with fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, and Rooibos tea. I drink it all day long. A few other things I’m doing (almost) everyday – green protein smoothie, exercise, probiotics (plus my other regular vitamin regime), and hitting the hay earlier. There’s nothing ground-breaking or gimmicky here, but they are things that just WORK time and time again. Sure there are days when none of these things happen, but for the most part it’s helping!
While this smoothie is different from my regular morning protein smoothie, it makes for a lovely afternoon snack. You could probably add some hemp hearts to this one if you wanted to boost the protein enough for a morning drink.
This smoothie combines the power of many digestion-friendly and immune-boosting foods:
// Pineapple // Digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits, immune support. One cup gives you 105% of your daily Vitamin C requirements. I use frozen pineapple chunks in smoothies to save time.
// Fresh ginger // Soothes the intestinal tract and helps with digestion. Awesome for all kinds of gastrointestinal relief, such as morning sickness. Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting.
// Fresh parsley // Rich in vitamins K, C, A, folate, and antioxidants. It’s a natural diuretic which can help release water retention. Opt for flat-leaf parsley as it’s less bitter than curly parsley. Cilantro would be a nice swap here too!
// Avocado // Major anti-inflammatory benefits + heart-healthy fats. High in fibre which aids with digestion.
// Banana // Rich in B6, manganese, Vitamin C, fibre, and potassium. Interesting to note – while bananas are high in sugar, they have a low glycemic index score which means that they won’t spike blood sugar levels. It’s soothing to the digestive track and thought to regulate the bowels and enhance friendly gut bacteria.
// Lemon // Rich in vitamin C. Aids digestion and helps flush out toxins.
[Source: The World’s Healthiest Foods]
I also add some coconut water and probiotic powder for an extra boost! Feel free to add a handful of spinach or kale too.
Happy Digestion Smoothie
Yield
2 1/4 cups (560 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This green smoothie is packed with digestion-enhancing and immune-boosting foods like pineapple, parsley, ginger, and avocado. Don't worry though; its sweet flavour makes it friendly for green smoothie newbies! If you are adverse to the spiciness of ginger, I recommend starting with half the amount and adding to taste from there. This smoothie also keeps well overnight. I will often make a double batch, save leftovers in a small mason jar in the fridge overnight, and enjoy it the next morning.
Ingredients
- 1 heaping cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 large frozen banana
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) water
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) coconut water
- 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons avocado
- 1 teaspoon packed fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon probiotic powder, optional
- lemon or lime slice, for garnish
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend on the highest speed until super smooth.
Tip:
- Feel free to add a handful of baby spinach to boost the nutrient power even more.
- Fresh mint also gives this smoothie a nice digestion boost (not to mention a delicious minty flavour).
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
PS – I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Publisher’s Weekly recently – hop on over and read the interview here!
This looks amazing! I bet it would taste great with a little bit of mint added in too – plus added digestive benefits! I love pineapple and mint together.
Ohh my digestive is shocking so I need to give this a whirl, and I adore enjoy ginger!
Annabel ♥
Mascara & Maltesers
Some kind person told me the transformation in your body to make a baby takes 9 months and you should take 9 months at least to adjust to not being pregnant. It sounds like you are being gentle to yourself and coming up with positive ways to nurture your health. I hope it gets easier and easier for you!
I have been going through a wicked period of indigestion and uncomfortable bloating lately. I don’t know why. Sometimes I wonder if my mostly-vegan diet is to blame and wonder if this is common for people who eat a lot of fruits and veggies and legumes.
I love your ginger turmeric tea but can rarely find fresh turmeric-what could I do to substitute turmeric powder for the fresh? Also, do you have a vegan vitamin regime for non-pregnant or nursing women? – I would love to see what you recommend!
I bet it takes a long time to begin to feel normal again after having a baby. But you’re on a wonderful adventure with her. I love the sound of this smoothie! Soo delicious. I’ve actually never added ginger or coconut water to the many green smoothies I’ve made in my day, so I’ll need to try that! Hope it makes me glow!
Looks interesting. I don’t usually think about putting tropical fruit in smoothies but I should. I don’t know that you ever really get back to your “old self” after having a baby. My little one is almost 20 months now. I still have to make frequent bathroom trips, the baby bump never went away (probably never will :(), my belly button is gone forever, and I get nausea and dizziness worse than I ever did during pregnancy, although those last two get worse if I don’t get enough sleep, which is all the time. About 6 months ago I got laid off from my job. I walked into work on the last day feeling like a new me had just been born (it was a really exhausting job). I’m still figuring out what the new me looks like inside and out, but I feel like I’m making good progress towards putting the old me permanently in the past so that the new me can shine bright.
Great recipe! I love adding pineapple to my smoothies. The enzyme in pineapple, bromelain, is such a great anti-inflammatory.
http://www.getchaglowon.com
This looks and sounds amazing, yum!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Hi! First I want to say I am a huge fan. OhSheGlows helped me transition to veganism and gave me the inspiration to overcome an eating disorder and I’m eternally grateful. Your recipes are incredibly delicious and I make them all the team.
But I just wanted to inform people about probiotics. In the US (I don’t know about Canada) probiotics and other dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration). Unlike drugs, they are not always investigated by a reliable, unbiased third party that has the public’s best interest at heart. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), “The manufacturers [of dietary supplements] need not provide FDA with evidence that substantiates the safety or purported benefits of their products, either before or after marketing.” (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/16/11/10-0574_article) This is not to say that companies producing probiotics and dietary supplements do not care about the health of the consumer; this means that even if they do care, the science behind their products is not necessarily sound. By consuming dietary supplements and probiotics, you may be consuming substances that are unsafe for your body.
In addition, everyone’s gut microbiome (The ecosystem of microorganisms within one’s gut) is completely different from another person’s gut microbiome. What may be good for one person’s gut may harm another person’s. The microbiome is not at all well understood, even by the most accomplished microbiologists – what microbiologists do agree on is that it is extremely complex and puzzling.
I am not claiming to be a health or microbiology expert. I am not trying to scare anyone. I am an engineering student who happens to enjoy reading about microbiology and I want to dispel misconceptions about probiotics. I highly encourage everyone to do research on probiotics and other dietary supplements on their own, and/or consult with medical professionals. If you read on your own, please remember to verify your sources are reliable. Even reputable news sources like the New York Times often exaggerate health claims. (Actually, even many professors and researchers exaggerate health claims.)
That is all. Happy Blending!
I love reading your posts with “mommy thoughts” in them. Our little one is 2.5 months old, and it’s nice to get a glimpse of what’s ahead (and sometimes affirmation of what we’re going through now… like major sugar cravings!) Also, on the note of “things no one tells you,” I am infinitely more hungry now (breastfeeding) than when I was pregnant. I seriously feel like I stay hungry all day, and cannot consume enough protein (definitely add protein powder to smoothies, and eat about a jar of PB and almond butter every couple weeks… yikes!) I love smoothies, since I can make ’em fast (our little guy doesn’t like long naps), so I’ll look forward to trying this one.
Looking forward to more baby stories along with the delicious recipes :)
No one talks about post partum recovery! I felt like I was dying after my first, it was awful. And I know what you mean about anxiety. But yeah it does get better! It took me until maybe 7/8 months so to get enough of a handle on baby life that I could return to starting to think about myself. (In a nice way) Second baby took me more like ten months..but that’s just because I knew what to expect and didn’t put anywhere near as much pressure on myself. I think the whole ‘baby stage’ really does take a good year, its hard but you can’t really rush it.
But then you get a toddler! Not sure which stage is better haha ;) at least then you both get some independence back. And eventually you can have a cup of tea without without worrying about scalding anyone!
Love the tea idea! I make something similar.. Just heat up some almond milk and then add turmeric, cinnamon, fresh grated ginger, vanilla, and maple syrup or stevia. It’s a very soothing drink and takes away my cravings for coffee!
What beautiful pics, they convey all that healthy goodness!
This is right on time! I’m only two months in and between lack of sleep and terrible eating habits (both what and how often I eat) I need to get back to eating more healthy foods. Adding these ingredients to my grocery list.
Hi! I didn’t know where to ask this, so I just thought I’d leave a comment. Have you ever done anything with topinambur? I’d be very interested in what your ideas for it would be.
Thanks for posting all these amazing recipes, the warm salad bowl and the Thai inspired cucumber salad are my very favorite recipes ever!
Totally made this for breakfast – it was amazing. Thanks for all the inspiration! xx
Hi. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on new motherhood. I think it takes 9 months to make a baby and two years to recover! :) Anyway, thank you for sharing your knowledge and thoughts on your blog. I am trying to get healthy and recover from a c-section delivery…my recovery is slow. Your blog gives me a lot of hope for eating better for myself. Thanks thanks thanks!!!
Angela
I commend you for your brave discussion of motherhood! When I had my daughter I was taken aback by how “off” I felt and it wasn’t until she was 5 that I realized how stressful the whole thing was. What I now realize is that the process is about letting go of your old self rather than trying to find it again. With new motherhood comes a complete identity transition that takes a few years to “gel” (at least for me). Like you, I needed a lot of exercise and smoothies to feel normal, yet I found that I pushed the exercise too much and all my hips went out of whack in year two. What saved me was a gentle approach with building the small muscles and everything came back together doing the Tracy Anderson Method. It took about a year to feel like all the little muscles in the hips and back re-aligned. (You just have to ignore all her weird comments about being teeny tiny and perfect and put her on mute – some times these messages triggered me emotionally but the exercises worked and I am now on year 3 and feel awesome). I love your work. Thank you for being so brave on your journey! Natalie
I needed this today – the post more than the smoothie but will try that too- thank you! I laughed out loud about the “forgot dentures look”, my daughter does the same thing and I could never quite describe it until now!
Wow! This sounds so delicious! I have two-year-old daughter and I have a lot of work at home with her and with the whole maintenance of the house. I don’t sleep well and drink a lot of coffee. I think that these smoothies are good alternative of the energy drinks because they give real energy from the vitamins in it. Thanks a lot for sharing! Brondesbury Carpet Cleaners Ltd.