I love soup, especially in this cold weather, but I never know if I’m choosing a healthy option. Should I stay away from soups with words like “bisque” or “cream of..”? What are some of your favorite soups?
Soups can be tricky because we often think of soup as being a “light” and “healthier” option and sometimes that just is not the case. You want to either check the ingredient label or ask the waiter what the base of the soup is…cream or broth. If cream based (heavy cream and milk is used) it will be a heavier soup. Soups can also be loaded with sodium, so check the label if there is one. I typically look for soups that are broth based and packed with veggies and protein (split pea, minestrone, lentil, carrot-ginger, and any bean soup are some favs) I like this, this, and this soup recipe if you’re wanting to make your own! Lastly, there is nothing wrong with having a yummy heavier soup every once in a while..like a bowl of clam chowder in SF…go for it!
My little boy is one and refusing to nap twice a day like he used to and it’s messing with bed time routine and driving me crazy! Is it normal that he is getting only one nap a day now or is he too young to miss a nap?
I (Heather) can only speak from experience with my two boys because I am no expert in the sleep department. My oldest didn’t drop his morning nap until he was 16-18 months old and my youngest, who is 14 months old, still does two a day. He definitely has days where he fights his second nap and we cut it short because he just doesn’t want to sleep but he still consistently goes down enough that I am not quite ready to do away with it. Plus, I find it REALLY hard to keep him up past 9 am so I definitely don’t think I could push him to a later nap yet. However, I have plenty of friends who had 1 year olds who dropped their first nap at 12 months and never looked back. If you think you can push your little one to 12 pm for his first nap, then do it! It doesn’t make sense to fight it if it’s a battle every single day. Some kids just don’t need two naps anymore and that’s ok! I definitely think it’s normal. He’s just transitioning a little sooner than most. And maybe if you push to one nap, he’ll sleep in later the next day?! WISHFUL THINKING.
I’m newly pregnant and super nauseous. Any natural remedies that helped you during your pregnancies?
Ugh the worst! I (Alix) drank ginger and peppermint tea, popped these ginger chews 24/7, and tried to eat frequent small meals/snacks. An empty stomach makes the nausea worse…so try dosing about 15 grams of carbs with 5-10 grams protein every 1-3 hours. I lived on cheese and crackers for a few weeks. It will hopefully pass in the 2nd trimester so hang in there!!
I’m going to a baby shower in May and will be about 5 months pregnant so kind of showing, kind of not and need a flattering yet appropriate dress. Any suggestions?
Ugh the awkward “I don’t know if I should show off my bump or still conceal it cuz I haven’t quite popped” phase… I remember it all too well. I feel like showing off the bump is always the best policy because when else can you feel super confident rocking a tight dress with a belly?! When you’re pregnant. So these are my picks: This bow tie pencil dress in blush (and on sale!), this off the shoulder pastel pencil option or this off the shoulder blush version. Can you tell I’m obsessed with ASOS maternity and blush tones? So classic and so perfect for baby showers. Here’s a brighter option if you’re feeling frisky 😉
I want to know more about ways to burn fat. I’ve been doing cardio/yoga/weight training and can’t get the last couple of inches of flab to go away. Is cardio best? My muscle is toned and I’m stronger but those last few stubborn pounds are so annoying. Help!
Sounds like you’re working super hard! A few thoughts come to mind…I obviously don’t know the whole story here but I would encourage you to not get too attached to the scale- it will make you crazy! I would say focus on other factors to track your progress..like strength, energy levels, and how clothes are fitting. The scale doesn’t show the whole story. Strength training and building muscle is what I would focus on and doing interval training for cardio. Diet will also play a significant role. Making sure your pre/post workout snacks are properly fueling you. Also stress is going to cause you to hold onto extra weight…so if you’re too stressed about the scale, not getting enough sleep, or stressing your body with overexercising or inadequate nutrition you may not be getting the results you want. Few things to think about 🙂
Heather-I love your lip colors in your selfies on Instagram. Can you share your favorite shades?
I admit, my lip gloss collection has gotten a little cray. But I have 5 shades that will always be my tried and true, ride or die B’s. Three drug store and two department store. I buy this NYX from Target in “Vanilla Cream Pie,” “Creme Brûlée,” and “Tres Leches.” I wear them interchangeably, whichever one I grab first I wear. They’re all that good. I’ve always been a fan of NARS Turkish Delight (old faithful..she’ll be with me till the end) and my splurge that I get so many compliments on is Marc Jacobs Sugar Sugar.
How did you lose the baby weight and how long did it take you?
Heather: With my first, the weight melted off. Truly. I didn’t have to do much besides breastfeed which I know was very lucky. I was back to pre-baby weight by 6 months PP with light exercise and being somewhat mindful of my eating habits. But with Cam, oh boy… Cam was a different story. Second time around is just harder all around. I don’t think I was pre-baby weight until 8 or 9 months PP and I still have a lot of toning to do. I’m not sure my lower abs will ever be the same. The answer: good old fashion diet and exercise. Yawn. After Cam, I really had to step up my workout game (Orange Theory was a serious game changer for me and helped SO much) but even still, I can’t just eat whatever I want even though I feel like I’m working out like a beast. Diet is such a major factor and if I’m eating like crap, the weight hangs on and I just feel sluggish. So I’ve definitely changed my eating habits for the better (but I still get DOWN with my burgers and fries when I’m feelin myself). Luckily, I know a girl who’s a dietitian and keeps my sh*t in check. See her answer below 😉
Alix: So it took 10 months to grow a baby and your body composition changes dramatically during that time. It’s going to take some time to lose the weight and spoiler alert…your body will never be EXACTLY the same as it was pre baby and it shouldn’t be! The first month or so I was just slowly getting into walking and increasing my distance (things are still healing!) Once cleared by my doctor I got back into Pure Barre, Orange Theory, and yoga with a lot of modifications. Read this HH answer about working out PP. Once I stopped breastfeeding and my hormones regulated a bit… my body started feeling somewhat normal again. Diet plays a significant role as well…you’re tired…you’re homebound…you’re probably a little bored…you might be breastfeeding and starving…so it’s so important to be fueling up properly and aware of mindless eating/snacking.
Thanks for sending in your questions this week. Email us at champagnetheory@gmail.com with subject Happy Hour for next week!
