Let us be!

How We Winter -- Be Your Own Dopamine Daddy

Today we're chatting about Seasonal Affective Disorder — Seasonal Depression. Gabrielle Coffey on TikTok mapped out our days and told us we need a plan. 5hahem on Instagram cleared it up,  SAD is seasonal depression.  Some Symptoms — Persistent low mood, lacking energy, harder to get up in the morning, difficulty concentrating, change in appetite and more. How are we handling it? Routines, Supplements - Vitamin D, Movement, Exercise, get as much Sunlight as possible, Music — Dance, Journaling, Therapy, Stay Hydrated, Avoid too much takeout, Got to Sleep — not too much though, Hot showers, baths and saunas, Be Comfortable and Cozy — Hot and spicy foods and beverages, Hobbies, Remember your Friends, ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS — lean into the celebration... make the most of the celebration season, Do some of those winter checklists on Pinterest and Create and Incredible Home you love... make it your favorite place to be!! xoxoxoxoxo, Ashlee'

Remembering Who TF You Are

Remembering who TF you are…  Baby, we been through some things and we have forgotten our joy. We are forgotten how important it is to take up some space!! In this episode we discuss some areas of importance to getting yourself back. We talk about people, our appearance and environment; we discuss getting up and getting out, as well as enjoying time with yourself. And then there are a few things that may me feel great and you can incorporate them too.  The grief, the move, the breakup happened... we're on the other side of it and we've got to stop looking and feeling like what we been through. Cheers to a fresh start and remembering yourself! Ashlee'

Gestational Diabetes... baby, it's okay. I promise.

Hey y'all!! Quick disclaimer: this is not medical advice. You can find all of this information yourself in a textbook, from your care practitioner and on the internet. Here, we're talking about it though. What is Gestational Diabetes? When — different question — do you want to screen? (Accepting the risks of undiagnosed gestational diabetes.) If you screen positive, will you do the diagnostic test? How — using a 50 gram glucose load (Fresh Test, jelly beans, meal, glucola), continuous glucose monitor, or finger prick for 2 weeks.        One hour screening and        Three hour test - Lab - fasted.... take 100g glucose load... tested every hour for three hours. Must pass two of the tests for the amount of glucose that should have cleared your bloodstream in that one hour. Foods to help and foods that hurt - not about blame and eating too much sugar… unexpected foods like oats, bread, pasta. Focus on low glycemic index foods. What does this mean for you and your pregnancy? Birth Complications: Prolonger labor, Hemorrhage, Birth injury, Shoulder dystocia, 3rd and 4th degree tearing. Other complications:Stillbirth,Pre-eclampsia,Hypertension,Polyhydramnios, Preterm birth. — not necessarily a dietary condition though as Lily Nichols wrote in Real Food for Pregnancy, “blood sugar is highly responsive to lifestyle changes.” — “carbohydrate intolerance in pregnancy.” Management        Early nutrition conversation        Great focus on fiber first and protein to fill yourself…        High protein breakfast and add healthy fat — is going to be your best friend!! — rather than filling on simple carbs like breads and pasta.        Eating more than 3 meals a day… some of us wait and will only eat when we’re really hungry and then we binge. I’m encouraging you to eat every two hours… it will also help with your indigestion.        Exercise - I love a 30 minute walk after a meal — 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back. Sleep - hopefully 9 hours each night — naps... whenever you like. Reducing stress (get help with other children, cooking cleaning, therapy, laughing and fun activities). Working with a nutritionist. Working with a maternal fetal medicine specialist.  Vitamin & Nutrient deficiency - Vitamin D, Magnesium  Daily kick counts in the 3rd trimester. Thanks for listening!  xoxoxox, Ashlee'

Let us be!

Random...put it in the air chat: Breakfast coffee with a friend Watching Wednesday  Halle Berry — WE LOVE YOU Amanda Seales' debate Child marriage & the Age of consent I finally saw The Notebook for the first time!! xoxoxoxox, Ashlee

I'm Bleeding but You're Mad

Tips for Healthier Menstruation In American society, we have normalized painful periods. Normalizing discomfort over HEALTHY MENSTRUATION. It's not normal -- it's common. And we're are working to arrive at healthy. In this week's episode, I share a quick Reddit AITA, discuss some of the below discomforts of menstruation, and what can help. Recommended Read: The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack  Some Red Flags:  * Longer days of  bleeding * Sleepiness & fatigue  * Mood Swings * Bloating and constipation *  Headache * Breast tenderness * Nausea and vomiting  * Pain: abdomen, lower back, asshole * Changes in sleep * Changes in appetite * Weight gain  * Acne * Irritability and anxiety * PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) -- trouble concentrating, feeling overwhelmed, easily irritated, falling into a "just before your period specific" depression - suicidal ideation, reduced interest in interacting with others Some Kindnesses Just for Us: * Allow yourself to slow down - GO TO SLEEP * Warm feet, warm womb * Give in to your food cravings after you have had a meal  * Bananas the week before menstruation * Menstrual discs, underwear, cups, organic sanitary products - avoid toxic tampons and pads * Sexual intercourse and self pleasure * Increase oral magnesium - consider magnesium cream and epsom salt baths * Good to the bathroom… consistently after ovulation - increased fiber, watching water, bananas, liquid fiber, castor oil on the abdomen * Red raspberry leaf tea * Elix * Oil of oregano and Black seed oil * Wild yam cream * Movement throughout the month - give yourself grace before menstruation… please take it easy * Get your *Go into yourself* care basket together… food (real meals), snacks, feel good blanket or stuffy, great show to watch, pet or loved one We got this boo!  xoxoxox, Ashlee'