Slow Cooker Suppers For Busy Moms and Pregnant Mothers
I’m a mom of a two year old and carrying a baby in my womb. Making a healthy meal could be a huge task when you have to juggle between business, home and being pregnant.
Who wants to labor in the kitchen after working, taking care of kids’ activities, laundry, cleaning everyday? One of the most convenient, least time consuming and easy ways to create a healthy meal for the whole family is through slow cooking.
Picture this: putting all the healthy ingredients in a pot, set the timer and temperature and the aroma fills your home all day. Mouth-watering stews are ready for you when you are up from a nap, walk or work, your supper is waiting for you. No cold food, but warm comfort food waiting for you to devour with your family.
Here are four reasons why slow cooker suppers are the best ways to cook for busy moms:
One: Save time
All you need is the preparation time of rinsing, cutting and chopping the ingredients and adding them all in the slow cooker. Select the number of hours for cook time and dinner will be ready before you know it.
Two: Save energy
It definitely uses less electricity than the conventional oven or stovetop.
Three: No spilling or burnt food
Have you seen my burnt toast lately? Even toasted bread gets burnt sometimes with busy moms who need to attend to little kid’s needs. Your food will not spill or burn when you use a slow cooker.
Four: Less cleaning
You are only using one pot, chopping board and a knife. There is less cleaning to do like several pots, utensils, plates and bowls to hold cut meat and vegetables. Slow cooking allows you to place all your ingredients into the cooker without the need for multiple plates and bowls to hold raw meat and uncooked vegetables.
Most importantly, the whole family gets a healthy meal without compromising on time and effort. I’ve got a healthy Butternut Squash Barley Risotto recipe from GoodHousekeeping.com that I would like to share with you.
The preparation time is only 15 minutes and 235 calories per serving. Here are the ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter (can be substituted)
2 shallots, thinly sliced
2 fresh thyme sprigs (can be substituted with dried thyme)
2 cups pearl barley
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 large butternut squash about 2 ½ pounds, peeled, seeded, cut into ½ inch cubes
Salt and pepper
1 oz. Parmesan cheese grated about 2/3 cups
2 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
Please get the entire recipe from the website.
A slow cooker could be a busy mom’s secret weapon for healthy homemade food. We have control on the type of ingredients we add into the pot and watch what we eat everyday. Do you have a slow cooking recipe to share? We would love to hear from you.
The Best Slow Cooker recipe wins a TOTAL WELLNESS special gift! Send us your recipe from November 8th – November 28th and the best tasting and healthiest recipe wins.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
Lessons and Blessings of Another Miscarriage
We all have highs and lows in our life. It is inevitable and it is life. The lows of life are sad, tragic, depressing, and awful, right? What if the lows of your life were actually blessings in disguise or experiences to help you grow?
My 2011 Christmas Holiday was spent in one of those blessings and lessons. On December 25th 2011 while everyone else was celebrating Christmas, I was learning that I needed immediate surgery.
The Highs
It all started with our 5-day vacation to Austin, Texas. I was 12 weeks pregnant and besides a lot of fatigue, nothing was abnormal. It was an awesome vacation and Saturday December 17th was one of the top 12 days of my life. Starting with a morning walk to a delicious Mexican Diner, followed by a trip to Zilker Park and a ride on the Zilker train, then off to the Austin Nature Center. Austin was beautiful, but it was the family time that made it so special.
Then that afternoon my husband and I set out on a 90 minute journey in the Hill Country of Texas where we saw hundreds of little deer and spent quality time talking. We arrived at the beautiful Meyer Bed and Breakfast, got ready and headed to one of the most special and beautiful weddings I had ever been too. A day of family, fun, friends, and romance who could ask for more?
The Lows
The next morning, I had breakfast with some of my favorite people including my spiritual mentors Dr. Jack and Lavonne Atnip. We laughed and joked and shared stories of how much our lives have been blessed by this couple. But somewhere, something inside of me wasn’t feeling right. I was really tired and thought maybe I just ate too much cake. As I kissed Dr. Lavonne goodbye she said, “you take care of yourself and get some rest.” A normal, typical thing that someone would say to a pregnant woman, but something inside of me just didn’t feel right.
On the drive back to Austin, this once beautiful terrain made me nauseous and irritable. We arrived home and I laid down to rest for a while, but I just couldn’t get comfortable. My back ached, my legs felt weird, and then all of sudden I felt something coming out of me. I rushed to the bathroom to see bright red blood. OH NO not again. Am I having a miscarriage?
My first trip to the Emergency since a car accident in 1997, confirmed that the baby inside of me had no fetal heartbeat and was only the size of a 6-week fetus even though now I was about 13 weeks pregnant. They said you are having a miscarriage. Then they sent me home to mis-carry my baby.
My husband and I were heart broken as we had gone through this in June of 2011 as well. Our baby Rachel would have been born January 2012 and now our baby Jesse who would have been born June 30th 2012 was going to heaven too.
But as I said before, I trusted God completely and knew He had His reasons. So although sad, I started to see the blessings in it.
The Blessings
God had given me one of the most amazing days of my life.
He gave our family time to be “on vacation” for 3 weeks.
He ordained 2 weeks with my aunt and uncle who cared and nurtured me, my husband and our 22 month old son Joshua in a wonderful and loving way.
God blessed us with 3 weeks of sun and springtime weather.
I got to go heal for a week at Jones Health Essentials in Florida where I got to spend quality time with our in-laws, nieces and nephews.
We had excellent health insurance for the first time in 15 years.
We were 5 minutes away from one of the best hospitals I had ever been to.
I spent several days in the bathroom bleeding and what I thought was miscarrying my baby. Me, being a strong willed and natural Doctor, I sometimes think I know everything. I thought I was fine… but I wasn’t. It’s not that I didn’t listen to my body which I am known to do… but I didn’t follow the doctor’s directions… right away… and had I waited much longer, I might have lost my life.
The Lessons and more Blessings:
My Ego for natural medicine was so big, I would brag all the time that I haven’t needed to take any drug or even an aspirin in 11 years. A part of me thought “I will never need medical care”, “I will never need drugs.” “essential oils can take care of everything”.
Well I sure learned my lesson.
A second emergency room visit on Christmas day showed that I would need immediate surgery or I would risk never having babies again or worse.
I would need anesthesia for this surgery and the thought of surgery and drugs scared me a lot at first. I was very frightened and then like a blanket of snow, this PEACE fell over me like you can’t imagine. (more on that in another blog)
The Blessings and Lessons of St. David’s South Austin Medical Center
For more than 13 years I have interned, taught and/or assisted clients at more than 17 hospitals all over the United States, including top ranked hospitals like Stanford. Out of 17 hospitals, I have never seen the excellent care and outstanding service that St. David’s South Austin Medical Center had. In all areas, they were excellent from registration to wheeling you out the door.
Have you ever been to an ER that was beautiful and clean, quick, comfortable, and had courteous staff? St. David’s did.
But it was my experience with the Doctors and Nurses who blessed me the most.
Dr. Glen, the ER doc, was compassionate and kind.
Joyce, my hospital room nurse was attentive, listened, and even let me put some essential oils on to relax.
Nancy, my OR nurse, talked with me while I had a 20 minute wait before being wheeled into surgery.
I was blessed with one of the best anesthesiologist in the state who listened to me and respected my wishes.
But the most outstanding doctor I have had the privilege to work with was Dr. Hemkumar, a female OBGYN who performed the surgery. She spent time talking with us, explaining the procedure, answering our questions. She had been a doctor in India delivering hundreds of babies and then went back to school here in the US for medicine again. She had 2 of her own children and really understood motherhood. She was compassionate, personable and really connected with her patients. I was blessed by her skill and person and St. David’s is highly blessed to have her on staff.
The Lesson I Learned Through the Blessing of St David’s Hospital is that we all are needed. Nature’s medicine as well as traditional medical intervention. Had I not had my medical intervention on December 25th 2011 and the excellent care of St. David’s Hospital, I may not be here to talk to you now.
After spending a day and a half at St. David’s hospital, I checked out okay to go back to my aunt’s to rest and heal. But before we left, a wonderful volunteer named Francesca came to wheel me downstairs. She was an elderly woman who had lost her husband and daughter, yet was one of the most pleasant person you have ever met. I realized then that life would be filled with highs and lows. But even with hurting hearts, we can choose happy.
Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.
We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.
Protected: Physically and Emotionally Preparing and Healing Before and After a C-Section
How I Got Pregnant After a Miscarriage
How I got Pregnant after a Miscarriage
By Dr. Mary Starr Carter
I have heard many clients say that their sickness, health challenge or even cancer was the best thing that ever happened to them. For me it was my miscarriage. It woke me up to the years that I neglected some fundamental things in my health. Years that I would say starting next month I will get in shape, tomorrow I will go to the gym. I just couldn’t get into a consistent rhythm.
My miscarriage gave me a desire to get my body fit again. To take off years of build up I call it. And when I started walking down that path to Total Wellness that’s when I got pregnant again.
Here is what I did to get my body back to Health and pregnant again.
My Immune System
About several days after the miscarriage my body went into full-blown allergic state. I was having some really severe allergies for weeks afterwards. I had to pull out the big guns of what I knew of nutritional wellness, eating and drinking water like never before. I know it was foundational for my recovery. I talk more about what I did specifically for my allergies in my Ebook Natural Remedies for Allergies located at The Total Wellness Library.
There are many theories that Fibromyalgia starts from a traumatic event in a person’s life. Fibromyalgia is usually a breakdown of the immune system along with debilitating pain. I believe had I not recovered myself properly from my miscarriage I could have ended up with Fibromyalgia symptoms down the road.
Nutrition and Food:
The second week after my miscarriage I got out the old juicer and started juicing everything from cherries to veggies and even some special liver support veggie blends. I know this started to re-fortify and heal my body. I was also on a juice fast the week after I conceived so this baby started with some mega doses of natural vitamins and minerals.
I also started to eat very regularly having a shake within an hour of waking up and another healthy breakfast a few hours later. A light lunch and sensible dinner and if I needed it some healthy snacks or another shake throughout the day. I wasn’t so concerned with losing weight as of getting my blood sugar and body back in balance.
Rest:
I didn’t rest enough during my first pregnancy with my son Joshua and that led to some poor health physically and emotionally for almost a year. After my miscarriage I allowed my body to rest every day. Sleeping until I woke up, and taking a nap most days.
When I found out I was pregnant I also let myself rest extra. My body was tired from the changes and growing a baby. This time I am doing my best to listen to it and rest when I feel I need it. This also means I have slowed my pace some, got extremely focused in what I do, and I am not taking on anything new.
So many times we just go on with life when we get a cold, have a set back or even have a miscarriage. Resting and allowing the body to recover is important.
But with that said too much rest can be harmful. With my first son I was sitting or lying down a lot in the last trimester. It was winter I could work from home on the computer but all that sedentary living I lost a lot of muscle, which was replaced with fat.
Because I spent over a month on mostly bed rest before my miscarriage I lost a lot more strength. I couldn’t even carry my 25lb son up and down the stairs afterwards. That loss of strength not only weakened me physically but emotionally as well. You can fall into a very dark place where you just don’t have the strength to get going to do anything.
Exercise and Building Strength:
If I could say the one thing that was life changing after my miscarriage was the Strength building exercises I did. Chalene Extreme it is called and it kicked my butt back into shape. In 30 days I lost over 20 % body fat. It pushed me farther than I had pushed myself in years. I was stronger than I had ever been and the endorphins really knocked me out of a depression.
I let it go for a while after finding out I was pregnant but found myself losing muscle again. So I am absolutely going to make Strength Training part of this pregnancy no excuses.
Sunshine & Heat Therapy:
Since it was the summer I got to go outside and take my naps in the sun while getting some much needed vitamin D. In September I got to do some consistent heat therapy sessions with the Biomat and Infrared Sauna. I know this was not only cleansing to my body but also strengthening.
Counseling, Vacations and Family Support:
I think for my husband and I it was about two weeks before it really hit us what we had lost. Rachel we named our child after reading the book “Heaven is Real” by Todd Burpo . Ironically I finished that book the day before Rachel our baby went back to see Jesus.
My counselor Dr. Lavonne Atnip was very helpful, in helping me deal with my emotions, deal with other people sharing their stories (which at one point didn’t really make me feel any better), help me help my husband, and just how to move forward. Counseling made things better for sure.
My family and friends came forward to help me with making me my favorite meals, (like Grandma Vita’s chicken cutlets or Aunt Shirley Turkey Breast); they took care of my son, and let me have some alone time. My colleagues were very generous by taking some of my Teleclasses, sending me cards and gifts and just being encouraging.
We got to go on vacation to my mother in laws “Jones Health Essentials” where it is just a wonderful time of family, garden fresh foods, and enjoying the healing modalities there. Ironically I got pregnant right after that vacation. So I would tell any women when you are ready to conceive again go on a vacation. It will do your body good!
God:
Because of my faith I never blamed God or was angry with Him. I think I questioned Him a few times but I know He ordained that experience for me. I learned so much; I strengthened my health, my relationship with my husband and my son.
I think strong faith has carried me through this with a peace that passes all understanding. I wish that same peace that I found through Jesus Christ for all those who suffer, because it will bring you healing.
Thank you for reading my story, for sharing this experience with me and for sharing my story with those who have gone through miscarriage, are struggling to get pregnant or are just thinking about getting pregnant. Please comment below or send me an email.
Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.
We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.