the next generation baby bottle - Twistshake

absolutely LOVE this illustration, don't you?! however we gotta get our little loves fed, we step up to the plate and get it done.  go mamas!

 Lord willing, we've got at least 5 months or less before our 3rd newborn graces our presence, but that didn't stop me from trying out one of the niftiest baby bottle systems i have ever come across!  tell me this short vid doesn't change your life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6vYlwKFOLQ

see!?  i'd say their 2015 Baby Product of the Year award was well deserved! they conducted research on what parents look for in a baby bottle and addressed those specific needs in the product's design. bravo. for now, i've been filling the storage containers with fruit or snacks, and the bottle portion (sans nipple) with water or juice for the boys when we're out and about.   if you're a formula mama, do me and yourself a huge favor and honestly compare whatever system you are using now to Twistshake.my prayer is to breastfeed for a third time for a year minimum.  once i eventually introduce bottle feedings so that i can get a quick break or travel for a few days, i trust that the anti-colic, natural nipple makes that transition extra smooth.  read more about the nipple benefits here.there are 8 colors and 3 sizes to choose from, and you can mix and match them to your outfit, diaper bag, whatever!

also, get 20% off the entire assortment including already discounted packages when you use: fitfoodiele20 at checkout!!

we've been testing out the 260 ml bottle in Starlight (yellow) and i would love to gift every mama i know with one of these! cannot wait to use it for baby #3!

 follow Twistshake via Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter for updates and info.

a lil' breastfeeding humor below.... bwhahahaahaha!!!!

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i received a free Twistshake baby bottle system in exchange for an honest review.  all opinions expressed are my very own.  

when you're pooped and can't poop #PreggoProbs

i sat here and laughed at my post title for waaaay too long. but uhhh, fit friends, there is absolutely nothing funny about constipation, preggo or not.  it can be incredibly painful, draining, and helloooo hemorrhoids :( .  if you're pregnant and experiencing sickness on top of that, double whammy, right!?  what's going on? your pregnancy hormones (progesterone) weaken your bowel muscles making them sluggish and slow to do their job, and your expanding uterus is taking up the room your bowel would normally use to do its thing. it's a lot going on in there! what makes this process easier on you?  start with adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, something you can totally control.  you don't want to go from 0 - 100 though as that could bring on bloating and gas;  you've got to pace yourself with fiber.  you can do it!  you need 25-35 grams of fiber daily, so quick, read these examples and tips of what you can eat to get you there.

• 1 cup of raspberries = 8 g fiber

• 1 cup split peas = 16g fiber

• 1/2 cup lentils = 8g fiber

• 1/2 cup black beans = 8g fiber 

• 1 cup cooked sweet potato = 6g fiber

• 1/2 cup rolled oats = 5g fiber

• 1 medium artichoke = 10g fiber

• 10oz of spinach = 8g fiber

• 1 medium pear = 6g fiber

• 1 cup sweet corn = 4g fiber

• 1/2 cup shredded wheat cereal = 6 grams fiber

• 3/4 cup bran flakes = 5g fiber

• 1/2 cup of edamame = 9g fiber & 11g protein!

• half an avocado = 5g fiber

• 1 cup cooked broccoli = 5g fiber

• 5 prunes = 3g fiber 

• 1 medium apple = 4g fiber

 here's a fiber rich snack i've been enjoying lately!  i don't even want to chance belly bloat by eating dairy, so unsweetened cultured coconut milk has been my go-to instead of plain, greek yogurt. i top it with fresh, sweet summer berries and *bran flakes.  it's a plus that the berries are on sale around this time of year, and the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present are wonderful for baby and i.there is always a hungry visitor lurking around my food shoots...always!no kisses, no fruit!! :)

4 more ways to keep things moving along:hydration. keep chugging water and don't let up.  it's no secret that i've never been great in this area but this pregnancy has given me no choice but to keep water bottles everywhere!  i wake up in the middle of the night sometimes craaaaazy thirsty. i fill up my tumbler above before heading to workout and i've started adding fruit to my sparkling water again; it helps.  upping my water keeps me running to the bathroom twice as much, but it's worth the sacrifice.  whatever i can do to escape constipation, i will.  down 8 full glasses per day, and more if needed if you're active and moving.  also, a little 100% prune juice in your sparkling water works as a great, mild laxative, as well as real prunes. keep moving.  regular exercise encourages regular bowel movements.  even a 10 minute walk counts; just do something, mamas.  prenatal yoga, step aerobics, water aerobics, zumba, spinning...just go!  if you're not moving around, chances are your system ain't either!  i'm currently 15 weeks and counting and feeling GREAT again, thank God.keep it clean.  your diet of course!  now, my 1st tri definitely wasn't the cleanest. most days started with a breakfast of eggs and toast, but everything after that? crackers, sparkling water, and a 5pm bed time.  i was just trying to get through the day without making my evening sickness worse or come faster and literally nothing sounded or looked appealing.  except Mexican food, haha.  do your best and realize the cleaner (low-no process foods) you eat though, the smoother your system will run. it's that simple. your 'plumbing' is already being reworked to house your baby; don't make it have to work so much harder.pace yourself.  not only should you eat slower, you should also eat more frequently.  at one point in my first trimester if i ate too little, i made myself sicker.  if i ate too much, i was completely miserable. you gotta get it just right but one thing you do not want to do is overeat.  as i stated above, the pregnancy hormones slow our digestive systems way down so it takes even longer for our food to travel on through.  i repeat, do not overeat!  overloading your system is not cool at a time like this! plus, if you're ingesting a ton of highly processed food at that? trust me on this one.  don't do it.  5 to 6 meals a day with plenty of water in between is your best bet, not 2 or 3 large ones.  remember, this too shall pass. :)  

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 thank you for weighing in on some of your favorite Trader Joe's finds via Instagram recently! i find a new, cool, must have item every single time i go.  this mini haul we got:Tandoori Naan - i pay upwards of 3 dollars for 2 pieces of naan elsewhere but found 4 in a pack for 1.99 at TJ's! super STOKED about that!  my boys love them with cheese and turkey pepperoni on top. cooks right up in 8 minutes under the broiler (these come frozen so thaw them first).

Cookie Butter Ice Cream - this was aaaaaall Chiso (5) yall, lol!  instead of stopping by Chick-Fil-a like i planned for a single serving, a pint seemed like a better idea.  i told him to pick out a flavor and this is what he chose. that's my boy, hahahaha

Sunflower Seed Butter - ever tried it?  if your kids have nut allergies, then this, my friends, is their 'peanut' butter right here!  it's simply roasted sunflower seeds blended up until super smooth and creamy.  we are allergy free over here; we just love this stuff though. 

*Bran Flakes - i go to TJ's JUST for this cereal!  inside is exactly what you expect-- bran flakes. nothing more, nothing less. no bells or whistles needed. it has a pinch of sweetness and the crunchiness of the flakes paired with some cold, unsweetened vanilla almond milk? a 1st trimester woman's dream breakfast, lol. i used to eat it dry after first waking up to keep sickness at bay for a while and it helped a ton. 5g of fiber per 3/4 cup serving, remember!

Mac and Cheese - guys, i picked up the wrong box of mac and cheese!!! i meant to get their Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese instead, whoops. next time, next time. anyway, Dego and i still killed this entire box in one sitting.  

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk - a dairy-free staple in our home.  i enjoy this variety and Silk the most. 

Roasted Plantain Chips - what can i say... Grazers R US :P 

Q: keep it going! what other TJ's items are so awesome you have to tell somebody else about them?? i overheard a woman basically command and shout at her friend to, 'get the orange chicken!!!' while in the frozen foods aisle, ha.  it must be that good; have you tried it?

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breakfast in 3! w/ Modern Oats

fall is basically here and it's back to school time, parents!  we are all busy. we are all often scrambling to get ourselves and our kids together and out the door in the mornings. been there!  actually i'm there every day.  now that Chiso has started preschool (no tears from either of us, yay), i make sure he is focused and ready to learn before he leaves the house. how? some brefus! yes, breakfast.  it's incredibly important for everybody, so don't downplay it or sweep it under the rug.  statistics don't lie, peeps.  easy, to-go options in the form of healthy carbs are the way to go, not unhealthy, sugary, prepackaged, instant, frozen junk.  they need good, wholesome, nutrient dense foods that their bodies recognize so they can perform at their very best.  start this with your kiddos NOW!  they will only get busier and busier as each year passes; by the time they are teens and beyond breakfast will be second nature (and hopefully non-negotiable).  parents, we must send our babies off right and set them up for success.

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if ya follow my blog or my Insta account then you'd already know how much Chiso (4 yrs) despises all vegetables.  however, he still loves oatmeal something serious!  so when this very special delivery hit our doorstep,  Chiso went BANANAS and could not wait to crack it open.

'yummy oatmeal, mommy!!!' yep, Modern Oats was officially in the building. look at all the pretty colors and tasty flavor combos!

• 5 Berry
• Mango Blackberry
• Apple Walnut
• Goji Blueberry
• Nuts & Seeds
• Chocolate Cherry

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Chiso is nowhere near as indecisive as i am and chose 5 berry immediately.

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there's an oatmeal cookie recipe on the back of the carton that i'm totally going to try!  anyway, if you don't/can't whip out a pot to boil water, then don't.

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microwave a mug of water (enough to cover the top of the dry oats) until it's pretty darn hot (bout 2.5 min),

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carefully pour it into the carton, put the top on,

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and in 3 minutes you've got a nutritious, power-packed, start to your busy day.

i love that:

• i can pronounce and recognize every single ingredient
• gluten-free & non-GMO
• small & portable w/ a lid
• it's naturally sweetened from the antioxidant rich fruit
• filling & hearty
• incredible flavor combos
• my kids ate it ALL!

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toddler tested, fit mom approved.

and dad!

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i whipped up the apple walnut flavor for Dego.  there were chunks of apple, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, raisins and walnuts in each bite.... delish.  

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aaaand i ate my brekky right along side them. so exciting. lol. if you haven't seen my IG posts, my wedding anniversary is coming up and my hubby hasn't told me exactly what we're doing, but that i should pack a bikini!!!!!  so, i wanted to tighten up a lil' bit these last few weeks and get serious with my nutrition.  sure i eat oat bran and egg whites every morning anyway, but i miss being able to snack in moderation (quest bars, arctic zero, wheat thins, goldfish crackers, fig bars, dark chocolate covered raisins, kettle corn) whenever i please!  maintenance mode (concerning my calorie intake / body fat percentage) is fun and where i belong right now, but i just want to bring my best package to the beach, hahaha.  master trainer and 1/3 of the 6 Pack USA team, Brian Egwuatu quickly drew up a customized meal and workout plan for me that has got me wondering if i ever want to compete in a bikini competition again LOL!  it's been 3 years or so of not having this many restrictions, but hey, the more change you desire, the more restrictions you must make.  it is what it is.  plus i'm working on an outrageous 2 week timeline so just know ya girl is over here STRUGGLIN' for the cause!  once we are done frolicking and celebrating i will happily return to maintenance beast mode. 

i HATE leg extensions!!!!!!!! that is all.

anyway, if you'd like your very own Modern Oats variety pack, you can order them right here via my FFL Store!

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we did a Modern Oats Periscope yesterday too; check it out via katch.me along with all my other past scopes if you're interested.

Q: you're rushing outta the house and have not eaten breakfast yet.... what do you do? be honest!

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**this post contains an affiliate link; this means i will receive a commission if you purchase this item through my link.  you will not pay more when buying a product through my link. thank you for your continued support!**

all things PREGGO fitness classes!

welp, it happened!  right there in that very room.  my very first prenatal class went down this past saturday!  i slowly circled that room a handful of times while saying a prayer of thanks to God before the ladies began to arrive.  this feels GOOD.  this feels right. i don't know why the sight of a preggo woman working out makes me smile uncontrollably but it just does.  i remember what physical activity and healthy eating did for both my pregnancies and i want other mamas-to-be to experience those same benefits throughout their pregnancy journey, labor & delivery, and postpartum recovery.  there are still so many misconceptions and old wives tales about prenatal fitness that just won't go away!  my purpose is to prove how safe and beneficial prenatal fitness is for mom and baby.

before i headed out to teach, i took a pic of my new tank i couldn't wait to wear!

don't you love it?! 'because you know i'm all about the BUMP.' ha! this will be available on my blog for purchase very soon, along with this one:

one lucky mama-to-be won the 'Lifting for TWO' tank which is totally my fave.  taking pre-orders NOW!  email me at le@fitfoodiele.com if you'd like to rock one or know a Preggo Patty who would wear it proudly!

friday evening, Chiso and i had a blast picking out some healthy snacks for the class courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market Katy.  what a true HONOR!  grocery shopping is a passion/hobby of mine (i know, i'm the envy of all my friends lol) so i was beyond grateful for their sponsorship, assistance, and helpfulness.  i blog about SFM often, so partnering up with them was a dream come true.

as we wrapped up our trip, we stopped through the bulk aisle to get some gummy bears.  keeping tradition ;)

what snack did we chose in addition to water & fresh fruit? Bobo's Oat Bars!  i was sold as soon as i saw them!  one, because my childhood nickname was Bobo, and two, they are portable, filling, and when you don't have time to cook a pot of oatmeal on the stove, this bar is the perfect swap.

they are all 170-190 cals, 6-8g fat, 9-10g sugar, 27g carbs, 3g protein, 3g fiber. no artificial ANYTHING and are made with non-GMO, natural & organic ingredients.  there are gluten-free options and over 10 flavors available!  Coconut's got the top spot IMO but i've only had those 4 flavors up there so far.  have you tried these?

i also took plenty of h2o. gotta stay hydrated. (preggo or not)all set up and ready to rock!  while you may already be taking vitamin supplements, it's important to remember that getting the vitamins you need from fresh foods is always a better idea.

 her hubby came in right by her side, holding her bag and everything. i had to get a picture; they were so cute!

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 this is a TRUE clip, right? hahaha!  thanks to my bro Brian for catching a few seconds of class before he had to run next door and teach his saturday boot campers.  if you want more, come check this out for yourself! new music, new moves, new snacks, every saturday.

 i thank these ladies sincerely for coming and having some sweaty FUN with me and look forward to seeing those bellies grow!

here's a question that was asked during Q & A that i'll share with you:

Q: can we still work abs while pregnant?

A: YES.  it's an important time to do so and it will definitely help you in the delivery room.  you just need to adjust the way you work them.  you can still work your core without ever doing a traditional ab exercise (e.g. crunches).  planks are a preggo woman's best friend! check out and try the plank variations i did in this post.

if you are not local to Houston but would still like to make your pregnancy as fit as possible like my client Dominique up there, email me for your very own pre/postnatal meal/workout plan!  doesn't matter how far along you are nor how many months/years postpartum you are.

 le@fitfoodiele.com

if you are local, come see me! postpartum moms just getting back into the workout game are welcome too!

i'll leave you with this monday motivational scripture from Psalms 37:5: commit your future to the Lord!  trust in Him and he will act on his behalf.

le 

Gluten-free Strawberry Shortcake Muffins + GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

 it's monday baybaaaaay!

 i spent mine up in the gym gettin' my sweat on and preparing for a busy day ahead.

Houston Sprouts Farmers Markets are having a gigantic strawberry sale this week!!!  the 16 oz crates are 88 CENTS each right now.  all i could think of was how much homemade berry-beet applesauce i was gonna make Dego. and myself. it is SO good, y'all.

thanks for passing on the sale info, mom! <3

so i still had tons of berries left after making applesauce and wanted to bake a healthy treat.  i got a little help from Dashing Dish to create this one and it's pretty tasty! low-fat, gluten-free goodness that can be a great to-go breakfast, a snack, or definitely a dessert.  just add cool whip!

Low-Fat Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake Muffins

the stuff:

• 2.5 cups Gluten-Free oat flour (i make my own using rolled oats in the Ninja Blender)
• 1 cup 0% or 2% greek yogurt (i used Fage)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup Stevia for baking
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• .5 tsp baking soda
• 1.5 cups diced strawberries
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla
• dash sea salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

do this:

1. set your oven to 350 degrees and coat a 24 count mini muffin pan with no stick cooking spray very well. NO LINERS NEEDED because they will stick to the muffin. #spoileralert
2. i combined everything except the strawberries in my Ninja Blender! then i folded in 1 cup of the berries afterwards into a large mixing bowl. ***if no blender or food processor, combine wet w/ wet & dry w/ dry. mix together. fold in 1 cup of the diced berries last. 
3. spoon the mixture 3/4th of the way full into each muffin slot.
4. take the 1/2 cup of berries left and top your muffin batter with the pieces.
5. OPTIONAL: mix a little granulated stevia and cinnamon in a small bowl, then dust the tops of your muffins with the sugar mixture. nice touch!
6. bake 20-25 min or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

--->stats per muffin: 32 calories, 1g fat, 4 carbs, 1g sugar, 2g protein<---

i tweeted about the muffins and tagged Sprouts Farmers Market and was elated to receive a reply from those guys!

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OK. GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

i am so excited to be partnering with one of my fave companies: Arctic Zero! check out the post i did for more information on these Fit Frozen Desserts. they always satisfy my sweet tooth while sparing my waistline. LOVE!

WHO wants to experience a chunky pint flavor of their choice in all its chunky pint gloriousness?!!? i'm tryin' to hook 4 lucky Fitfoodiele readers and/or followers up with some goodies! they'll each be sent a voucher to go pick up some of this Fit Frozen Dessert free of charge from their nearest grocery store. sharing will be totally optional!  which flava would you like.....?

what are the rules?  like this post on IG, tag an Arctic Zero lover AND someone who has been wanting to try AZ in the comments and answer my blog questions below. simple!  don't have IG?  just answer the question below to qualify. if nothin' else, ya gotta do that step.  y'all know i keep it simple though. as usual, i count all entries myself, and i will select (at random) four lucky winners bright and early on Friday morning, April 3rd.

we survived another monday lol!  i wonder who Dego gets his hunger attitude from.......  :)

Q: how do you eat your strawberries? solo? in a smoothie?  over yogurt? which chunky pint flavor would you get if you won?  YouTube vid suggestions for me?

le