I created this recipe for my mommies at my Le Leche League meeting in Brantford. I would say feedback was very positive so if you like chocolately goodness that has a high nutrition value this is for you. No guilt and all the pleasure!

Its an amazing dessert on all fronts, its easy, the dates are high in fiber, iron, and antioxidants, and the icing has your essential fatty acids and B vitamins. Gluten or dairy intolerant? It’s the perfect dessert. Its great for pregnant and new mommies needing iron, energy, and omegas, and perfect for your little ones that look for a treat but little do they know how nutritious it is! The best part no cooking involved!! All you need is a food proscessor to make life easier.

(You can also make a great version that isn’t raw and just as tasty)

Ingredients:

The base:

1 cup of ground pecans OR walnuts

1 cup of dates (madjool for taste but the smaller ones are good too)

3 tablespoons of cacao nibs (camino chocolate powder is also yummy but not raw)

2 tablespoons of coconut cream

1 teaspoon of raw organic virgin coconut oil (regular organic coconut oil is great too)

1 tablespoon of agave nectar or raw honey

For the Icing:

2 tablespoons of coconut cream

1/2 avocado (perfectly ripe)

1 tablespoon of raw honey

1 tablespoon of cacao nibs

How you do it:

In a food processor add the nuts, and nibs grind to a fine powder, then add the dates, cream, oil and nectar. Zip it up until a desired consistency can be smooth or slightly chunky your call.

Place wax paper on a baking cake dish and smooth the base onto it.

Icing:

Add your nibs to your processor grind to a powder, then add your avocado, cream and honey. Spread the icing on the base and refrigerate for 1 hour. Cut and serve with fresh berries.

Being a good chef means being adventureous trying new things, experiement and never follow a recipe 100 percent make it your own

Enjoy!

I have read many childbirth books and books about babies and their development. As a Doula I like to be up to date with current statistics and information. Some books I have loved and connected with and some not so much. As a very busy businesswomen and now new mother I don’t have a lot of time to read books. I must admit I really like the simplicity of the What to Expect series. There are three books available with a question and answer layout, which makes it nice, and simple for sleep deprived moms and moms to be. The books are very comprehensive and great for your night table for a read before bed

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

What to Expect the First Year

What to Expect the Second Year

What to Expect has generously teamed up with Simply Healthy Family to host a giveaway to celebrate the completely new and revised What to Expect book and new movie soon to be released we are giving away the whole series!

The lucky winner will receive all 3 books and includes the shipping!

To enter the giveaway:

Please “like” Simply Healthy Family facebook page and leave a comment telling me if you have shared any of the points.

Simply Healthy Family facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/simplyhealthyfamilydoula

For Extra Entries the better chances you will win!

Share this link on your Facebook page and let us know.

If you have Twitter please Tweet about this giveaway and let us know.

If you blog please post this giveaway on your blog and leave the link on your post and let us know.

To check out What to Expect social media please see the following links.

http://www.whattoexpect.com

twitter.com/@whattoexpect

http://www.facebook.com

WhatToExpectWhenYoureExpecting

This giveaway will end Thursday May 31^st Good luck everyone!

Today is my first Mothers Day, I knew this day would come but I didn’t know it would have taken so long. I have dreamed of being a mother since I was a wee one myself. My mom used to tell me I would mother all the little girls in kindergarten, I am a protector, a caregiver at heart. My friends would describe me as safe, and warm they feel comfortable with me, protected.

I have been a mother to so many children all around the world from Japan, South America, Africa, Australia and of course here at home, I have loved them like they were my own but didn’t realize how much you really do love your own. My heart is swollen with love for Ella, I have very few sad days I just look at her sleeping or her beautiful happy smile and any sadness is gone.

I have traveled the world looking for a home, looking for happiness, craving completeness. I didn’t have to go far, I didn’t have to leave the country, I created my home, I created my happiness, I created Ella. Ella is my home, my life, my joy I look at her and weep with happiness. Being a mother is me, it is my essence, I am complete.

One of the reasons why I am this way is because of my Mother and her Mother, the mothers of all mothers. Women of such warmth, love, and reliability. The only women I truly can and could rely on, my mom has been my rock and now my crutch during my own journey of motherhood. My grandmother taught me about unconditional love, love that lasts forever. I wouldn’t be as wonderful a mother if I didn’t have them in my life. My mother adores Ella and gives me the wonderful gift of time which is hard to come by in this journey. We are so blessed to have my mother, Ella will be brought up with dancing, singing, giggles, cuddles and of course adventures, happy memories.

To all the mothers out there I am proud to be a part of your club, one I’ve been waiting to join for so many years, you amaze me it’s not an easy journey, it’s not an easy job but it sure is satisfying!

If I was only super wealthy I would have 10 more! Angelina is a lucky lady!

Happy Mothers Day! You deserve the best!

xx

Since becoming pregnant in May I have had some incredible support and I would love to share this with you.

Maya Pande is my chiropractor at the Pande Family Wellness Centre has been helping me through all of my aches and pains. Working as chef and doula I am often on my feet and my back is a pain with my growing belly and well boobs too  Not only has she helped relieve my discomfort she is just a fantastic woman, she always makes me giggle when I see her, Maya’s good people

This is how she can help you….

Maya provides chiropractic services for children in her clinic which I love!

• Not latching during breastfeeding/favouring one breast during feeding
• Persistent crying
• Constipation
• Colic
• Restricted movement to one side of neck (Torticollis)

Dr. Maya Pande is also trained in the Webster technique specific for pregnant women. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as soon as the 8th month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation. Please contact her Toronto office at 416-486-1234 to book an appointment or to speak with Dr. Maya.  http://www.pandechiropractic.ca

The next amazing lady is Joy Burlton she is a classical homeopath and let me just say I don’t know where I would be emotionally without her! All of the crazy ups and downs during pregnancy can be pretty exhausting, Joy and her homeopathy have been very helpful to keep me balanced, she is warm and nurturing a perfect combination for a pregnant woman.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is an ancient and natural system of medicinal healing. It is based upon two simple principles: ‘like cures like’ and the ‘minimum dose’.

Who and What Can Be Treated?

Homeopathy is safe and effective for everyone including the elderly, babies, children and expectant mothers. Homeopathy can be used in conjunction with other treatment modalities and will not interact harmfully with medication.

Homeopathy is particularly effective in a range of complaints including:

•    Anxiety, depression and stress-related illness
•    ADHD/ADD
•    Autism/ASD
•    Acne, eczema and psoriasis
•    Hormonal disorders, including PMS and menopause
•    Hay fever and allergies
•    Arthritis, repetitive strain and sports injuries
•    IBS, migraine and insomnia
•    Childhood complaints* from chronic ear infections to sleeping or behavioral problems.

*Children usually respond well to homeopathic treatment, and it also helps to support the development of a strong, healthy immune system.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Homeopathy is particularly suitable at this time when many women have concerns over the possible side effects of conventional medicines. There are many emotional, physical and hormonal changes which take place during pregnancy. Homeopathy can help with minor complaints such as morning sickness, heartburn, thrush and varicose veins, as well as more serious health problems. Homeopathy works with your body’s defenses to stimulate vitality, which benefits the baby too.

Please contact Joy at her Toronto office at 416-486-1234 to book an appointment or to speak with Joy Burlton http://www.joyspath.com.

photo by Carrie Duncan

I am offering a great incentive for new clients and Facebook fans who book doula services with me.  I have partnered with an amazing photographer in Toronto – Carrie Duncan. Carrie will offer any of my new clients a $75 discount on a prenatal or baby photo shoot with her.  Her package includes the photo shoot and one 8×10 for $150. With the $75 discount, it’s half price! Only $75 for a photo session of your baby or your pregnancy that you will cherish forever.  She can also offer a whole photo package with a DVD of all the images for $274 (reg. $349 less $75).

See my Facebook page Simply Healthy Family for the contest post and “Like” us and “Share” with your friends!

Check out Carrie’s work at carrieduncanphotography.ca or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CarrieDuncanPhotography.

If you’d like to book doula services with me and take advantage of this great offer, you can either email me at kelly@simplyhealthyfamily.com or call me at 416-912-0754.

There is always concern when you are pregnant to be sure to eat the right foods, and to know which foods to avoid during pregnancy.  The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that pregnant women avoid the following foods because of either a high potential for disease-causing bacteria or potential risks to the fetus:

•    Raw fish such as clams, oysters and sushi.  Avoid smoked fish that is kept in the fridge such as smoked salmon.
•    Undercooked/rare meat, poultry and seafood
•    Non-dried deli meats including cold cuts, hot dogs, refrigerated pate, meat spreads and refrigerated smoked seafood and fish
•    Unpasteurized milk products and foods made from them such as raw milk cheese, particularly soft or semi-soft cheeses including Camembert and Brie.  All unpasteurized cheeses could possibly contain the Listeria bacteria. Listeria can cause listeriosis which may be harmful to your baby.
•    Raw or undercooked eggs, including foods made with raw eggs, such as Caesar salad dressing (however, storebought salad dressings are usually made with pasteurized egg and are fine to eat). Raw eggs can contain salmonella.
•    Unpasteurized juices, such as unpasteurized apple cider
•    Raw sprouts, especially alfalfa sprouts
•    Liver
•    Fresh caught fish, such as tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy which may contain unsafe levels of mercury.  Limit your intake to 150 grams once a month.  Canned white or albacore tuna also contains some mercury , so limit your consumption to 300 grams per week.
•    Caffeine – limit your consumption to 0-1 cup of coffee, tea or cola per day.  Caffeine has been linked to low birthweight and miscarriage.
•    Herbal tea, such as Chamomile tea, sage  tea, parsley tea, teas with aloe, coltsfoot, juniper berries, pennyroyal, buckthorn bark, comfrey, labrador tea, sassafras, duck roots, lobelia and senna leaves should be avoided during pregnancy.
•    Alcohol

I have created a new community Facebook page for my clients, and interested readers. In this page I will have up to date research on pregnancy, and birth articles. Community is very important when raising a child, I hope to bring parents together, provide support and education so we can all feel prepared for our new family. You are welcome to join the page link is below.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Healthy-Family/112948105462041

I am also excited to announce that I am 3 months pregnant! I feel truly blessed as this is my first child and I have been waiting for this beautiful little spirit for many years.  I will be sharing first hand my pregnancy and postpartum experiences, I have been in the birth industry for years but I am learning all over again! So far it has been an interesting adventure!

I look forward to sharing my experiences with you, your comments are welcome for all my blogs, comments can further help our readers.

Happy birthing!

The last thing a new parent wants to do when they bring their newborn home is to take the time necessary to prepare healthy meals.  Most new moms are tired, sleep deprived and just want to spend time with their new baby.  They don’t want to be in the kitchen planning the week’s menu.

My Personal Chef services are a great option for new parents.  I will come into the home (yours or the home of a mom for whom you’d like to purchase a gift) and will prepare delicious, energy promoting meals, for both parents.  This enables the new parents to spend the precious time needed with their newborn. They won’t have to spend time shopping finding parking in busy grocery stores, thinking of healthy food to prepare, and cleaning up after that! I will prepare everything needed for optimal energy and I clean up so you’ll never know I was even in the kitchen!

Food allergies are not a problem. I can create a meal plan that is personally developed for people with food intolerances such as gluten, dairy, yeast, and sugar.

If you know a new mom who could use a break – forget the sleepers or cute little outfit.  Make your gift one that truly makes a difference in the life of a new parent.  It’s a great gift idea for a co-worker, neighbour or shower gift from a group of friends.  A gift that truly shows you care.

To inquire about prices, please contact Kelly by email or phone at 416 912-0754 or kelly@simplyhealthyfamily.com