The Mother's Apron, ever heard of it?

Let me start by saying that I’ve been in a funk. I haven’t felt like myself for over a year now. My second pregnancy was rough. I ended up giving birth to my daughter three weeks early 5 days before Thanksgiving and she was healthy – I was thankful.

It was the holidays, which meant lots of food and Christmas cookies. When New Years came around and I realized that I only had 9 months before my 30th birthday to shed my pregnancy (and now holiday) lbs. I tried not to panic. Each day, I told myself: “this is the day….....but first I need a nap”.

It's now June (June people!) which means it’s bikini season. I thought I might find the motivation to workout by trying to find a really cute bathing suit. Didn’t work. I started walking, but I’m pretty sure I actually gained a pound. Frustrating!

Let me also point out that I am a petite girl; I do not necessarily want to loose much weight, but I do want to get rid of my super deluxe muffin top. I decided to look into some things that will specifically target belly fat.

There are a number of natural healthy solutions - none of which require me to go under the knife (for now). I was surprised by these findings and want to share this info with the world! Now you too can avoid the dreaded Mother's Apron effect - even if you are not a mother.

• So there’s Green Tea: While green tea is known for its antioxidant properties, it's also touted for its calorie-burning abilities. Research has shown that the catechins in green tea help boost the metabolism and specifically target belly fat. (I’m trying to drink this instead of coffee and I also drink one cup mid-afternoon for an additional energy boost.)

• Omega-3’s: Including these types of fats into your daily diet can help trigger your body's fat-burning abilities. Opt for high-quality omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in flaxseed, walnuts, salmon and fish oils. (I am taking one 1,000mg of fish oil with DHa, good for the skin too, in the morning and at night.)

• Triphala: Translated as "three fruits" (harada, amla and bihara), triphala is an Indian herb that's known for being a strong antioxidant and also helpful in regulating the digestive tract. It's part of the Ayurvedic herb family, and a three month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed  that Ayurvedic ingredients produced significant weight loss, as well as improvements in cholesterol levels. This might be something to look into to flatten your tummy, says Dr. Enos. (I haven't tried this yet, but I plan on looking for it at my local Whole Foods.)

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Commonly called CLA, this amino acid exists in animal foods like beef and dairy products. It plays a role in the health of your muscles and tissues and may help you lose abdominal fat. Have 3.4 grams daily. (I am eating yogurt, skim milk & eggs.)

P.S. I am not medically trained in anyway and I hope you will please check with a Doctor before taking any supplements or starting a diet. I'm looking forward to the results!

Squeal!
I just came across these prints at Fawn&Forest.com from artist Matthew Carden who is a commercial food photographer. These prints and many more like it are from his "Small World" project. And as the site explains:
His photographs juxtapose figures with seemingly colossal broccoli, macaroons, chicken wings and the like, and speak of abundance and the ultimate waste produced on a daily basis in our land of plenty. Despite looming issues, the blurry, dreamy quality of Carden's work allows the viewer a whimsical space to enjoy the pure pleasures of food.
I just love these photographs and I hope you do too. Check out more of Mr. Carden's work here.

    I am generally not a mushy person; I hate chick flicks and I’m fascinated with all manner of gun paraphernalia. But when it comes to these tiny replicas of yummy deliciousness, I get all sappy and nostalgic. Some of my favorite items from my list are featured above. The sprinkles charm from WithSugarOnTop's etsy shop is encased in a resin capsule which reminds me of a pill, and is very fitting since sugar can be so addicting! The artistry and skill used to make these itty bitty delectable's is obvious and also part of their charm.

    You have to be able to appreciate the whimsy in these creations and not take yourself too seriously while wearing them, because there is something so delightfully absurd about wearing a custom scented peanut butter and jelly sandwich charm (where you can choose between grape or strawberry jelly, with or without a bite taken out!).

    There are several candy & junk food inspired lists filled with more then just jewelry (including decor, stationary etc.). Here are three that have caught my eye:
Sarebear's Theme: Pastries: Donut, Cookie, Cake etc.!
Naominh's sweets list.
Chaystarz's too cute for words list.

So tell me: playful, childish or a little bit of both?

  

Our little girl is due in December and I can already tell you that she's going to be so cute that I'll want to take a bite out of her! That's because I've already bought her several cupcake accessories for her (pacifier holders, toys, bibs & onesies)  oh and also because of my fetching good looks. =)
My next purchase will be one of these adorable knit hats. She'll be a winter baby so I HAVE to get her a cupcake hat too, right!?