Check out this morning's 30 DSLR post. All about challenges!

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Is it seriously already mid-day? Where has today gone?! I started off this morning like any other with some work on the computer before Makenzie woke up. Then a pumpkin infused breakfast, of course.

Apparently, this little concoction has been floating around blog land the past couple of days. I mixed up some pumpkin, Justin’s maple almond butter, and maple syrup as a topper for some waffles. It sounded good to me and I went for it, then read others doing the same thing while devouring my own. Great minds think alike! 😉

I spent the majority of the morning hours hanging out with fellow mom friends in Makenzie’s playgroup. Now, I have a bit of down time before spending the majority of my afternoon at the doctor’s office. I have my 6 month prenatal appointment today. Really?! I’m already that far along? I have only 4 months left?

Ohhh…didn’t you know pregnancy is closer to 10 months than the popularly stated 9 months? Fooling you into a shorter time span is part of the dark side of pregnancy. Check out some of the other dark sides of pregnancy.

Say hello to Pamela Anderson.

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Your boobs grow. It may sound appealing, but trust me its not. They get in the way and cause too much discomfort – like an achy back and boob sweat. Yep, I said boob sweat. Then, you get to look forward to them swelling up even more after the baby. I literally wore a size F bra the first 2 months after M. SIZE F!!!!! Only to have them deflate to floppy things later on. But you know? I prefer the floppy.

You consider buying stock in panty liners.

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Extra trips to the bathroom during pregnancy may not be breaking news. But did you know that sneezing, laughing, and coughing can cause leakage? Call me grandma!

You also consider buying stock in prunes.

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Even with all those trips to the bathroom, you don’t go go. Likely because a baby has your intestine pinned to your rib cage and unable to process anything. It makes for very pleasurable gas. And one thing to remember for when your time comes? Get the enema! It can save you from an embarrassing accident. Oh yes, that happens on the delivery table!

Why is there hair…there?!

Pregnancy may help give you more luscious locks on your head, but the hair growth extends elsewhere too. Like your stomach….lower back…your Pamela Anderson zone. Dang hormones! And get used to being hairy overall. Shaving becomes a near impossibility by the end. Welcome to France! Or the 70s. Pick your mental image.

Huff huff huff.

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With the baby pushing all your organs around the easiest tasks will wind you. I literally get out of breath going up the stairs. Physically, I don’t feel tired but my body just. can’t. breathe!

There is nothing you can do about stretch marks.

They’re genetic. Did your mom have stretch marks? Then, you likely will too. Save the $ on those fancy creams for something you really want. Like a massage. Just remember to verify they don’t rub you raw through a sheet first. 😉

The cruelest joke in the world.

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Say good-bye to quality sleep long before that baby comes. You would think mother nature would allow you to stockpile sleep in the last half of pregnancy to prepare for all the night waking a newborn brings. You would think. Potty breaks, painful hips, a limited number of sleeping positions, and just plain ole can’t sleep issues plague you like no other.

So, there you have it. If you have a kid – you likely got a chuckle. If you want a kid in the future – I gave you  some truth. If you aren’t sure – I apologize for scaring you from ever wanting children. 😉

What’s the dark side of something that you can share? Running? Your job? Being married? Living with roommates? Cooking? Anything!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you likely know I declare balance as an integral part of healthy living. Balance is hard though! Recently, I have learned just how exceptionally hard by trying to balance food as a pregnant lady. I still enjoy my favorite vegetables and lighter, healthier dishes, but it takes a lot more planning and effort to eat those meals. I desire hefty, savory dishes while pregnant. BBQ sandwiches, Mexican food, pizza, hearty casseroles. Sweets sound good too – cake, candy corn, icecream, and cookies. Even McDonalds manages to squeeze its way in as an undeniable craving despite its utter lack of appeal outside of these 9.5 months.

You know what else doesn’t help? The almost insatiable hunger of the 2nd trimester. The first one you feel like you spent the last night chugging tequila and have no desire to eat. The last one your stomach is basically in your throat thanks to the jabbing and kicking bundle of joy taking up any room where food could fit. The second trimester though? Ohhhh….bring it on! Hunger strikes sometimes mere minutes after putting your dish away. And the food tastes so insanely delicious. Unless its veggies. My normal beloved meals simply taste meh right now.

However, for the sake of balance and to keep from going overboard on the way my body wishes to eat, I do take some proactive measures.

1. Have reasonable portions of the foods I crave.

While my plates may include larger portions than the norm due to pregnancy, I still never eat to overfilled and try to eat when genuinely hungry instead of when a case of the munchies hit. I also try to keep treats to single serving sizes…like dividing up the oh so tempting candy corn pumpkins into baggies and being certain to eat no more than one handful baggy per day.

2. Make healthier versions of favorite meals.

I can make healthier chicken enchiladas, my favorite healthified sloppy joes, pulled pork tenderloin sandwiches, casseroles hiding containing veggies, veggie filled pasta dishes, etc. These satisfy me but still provide nutrition.

3. Allow for treats regularly.

Once a week we go out to dinner for me to get whatever I may be strongly craving. I order what I want and feel no guilt over it. Having that meal to look forward to makes it easier to actually prepare the healthier options during the week. We also have pizza Fridays where we make some pizza at home for a chill evening.

4. Keep meals that don’t have cravings lighter.

Since heftier meals call to me, I typically face the worst cravings at night. For that reason, it’s easier to stick to healthful staples for breakfast, lunches, and snacks. Things like oatmeal, green monsters, fruit, hummus, yummy sandwiches, leftovers of those veggie dishes I make myself cook at night still sound appealing at those times. I get in all the nutrition I can during those meals.

5. Don’t fret!

I know that within a month after delivery my old taste preferences and eating habits will return. I know guilt and stress over food does nothing positive for my body or the truly amazing experience of pregnancy. This will likely be the last pregnancy I experience and I will not dwell on not eating my absolute best. I may be in a 70/30 ratio instead of a typical 90/10 ratio of health to more indulgence, but it does not matter. I know I will have strong health practices and live as a healthy example to my children. And I know I still do my danged best now…even if it isn’t quite in line with my best ever.

• What situations make it hard for you to balance your eating?
• Any other tips or suggestions you would like to share?