Tuesday

How Can Pregnancy Affect Your Body?

 


How Can Pregnancy Affect Your Body?

Being pregnant is a long 9 to 10 months, and that affects a woman's body in many positive and negative waysBeing pregnant puts lot of pressure on the body because you are physically growing another human in your body, and it is good to know what could happen and how you can potentially be helped.  

Changes That Can Happen 

 

Changes in the body when pregnant can affect your outward appearance as well as inward. One of the biggest changes during pregnancy that most women go through is hormonal changes because of the change in estrogen and progesterone, and this can transfer nutrients to the womb. Also, there is weight gain which can slow down the circulation of blood and bodily fluidsparticularly lower limbs, and this can sometimes result in swollen ankles and wrists. Another common change is taste and smellwhich can also be referred to as cravings. Pregnant women sometimes prefer saltier or sweeter foods than non-pregnant women, as well as potentially having metallic taste in the mouth at the beginning of the pregnancy. 

 

Many pregnant women struggle with certain odors that can make them feel nauseous and try to avoid them as much as possible. Also, changes can occur in hair and nails because of the different types of hormones during pregnancy.  

 

Not All Negative 

 

Bodily changes when pregnant don’t always have to be negative changes. A lot of women have something called ‘pregnancy glow’. This is when the mother has radiant and glowing skin which is caused by surging hormones and increased blood flow. This change doesn’t start or end at a certain point in the pregnancy, and the fluctuating hormone levels make you feel radiant and somewhat glowing. However, not all women experience this because each pregnancy is different, and some women don’t get the glowing feeling but get severe acne insteadso try to expect everything. 

 

What Can Help 

 

When it comes to certain changes, some specialists can help prevent or fix some of the issues. Another issue that a fair few pregnant women suffer from is varicose veins, and there are specialists that can help with medical conditions such as this. For example, a vein specialist at New York Metro Vein can offer professional vein treatment. Pregnancy can cause hormones to fluctuate, which can weaken the vein walls or produce more blood which can cause veins that are enlarged. This can affect women’s confidence, so if there are specialists that can help, then that is also positive. 

 

Conclusion

 

Pregnancy causes a lot of changes in the body, but it gives you the greatest gift of all, so some people would say it’s all worth it. However, some of these changes leave physical reminders that can affect your self-esteem and leave you feeling down, but there are specialists that can help with this, which gives pregnant women more options. Also, be sure to remember that change doesn’t mean danger, and most changes during pregnancy are common and perfectly normal.

 

 

Wednesday

6 Memorable Mother’s Day Gifts



With busy schedules, work, and social obligations, it can be easy to forget things and keep pushing things back until the last minute. A Mother’s Day gift is a great example of this. With it being so easy to forget to pick up a gift, it can also be easy to do panic buying and order something or go out and buy something that won’t be quite right.

With that in mind, you will find six items that can make great quick and easy Mother’s Day gifts below.

Sweet treats
Mothers Day chocolate gifts can be a great choice of gift. A box of chocolates never goes out of style and can be a classic gift that suits most people with a bit of a sweet tooth.

Cooking
A home-cooked meal can often be the best comforting gift that you can give. Have a look through some old, treasured recipe books or see if there is a family recipe that could be made for a perfect night. This gift is sure to be a thoughtful one.

Playlist
A love of music is universal, which is why making a playlist for someone can be a great way of demonstrating how well you know them and know what they like. It is a very thoughtful gift that shows you care in a kind gesture.

Necklace or jewelry using birthstone
Birthstones might not be the best gift option for everyone, with some people not being into that type of thing, but they can be a sweet, personalized way of showing someone that you really care about them. It’s important when buying a gift that has a birthstone in it that you are definitely sure which stone is the right one, so make sure you check and double-check the month that corresponds to the right stone.

 January – Garnet
 February- Amethyst
 March- Aquamarine
 April- Diamond
 May- Emerald
 June- Pearl or Alexandrite
 July- Ruby
 August- Peridot
 September- Sapphire
 October- Opal or Tourmaline
 November- Topaz or Citrine
 December-Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon

Flowers or plants
Flowers are a lovely, colorful addition to any room; they brighten up any corner and bring nature into any home. Grabbing some flowers from a local grocery store or florist is a great way of ensuring your gift is both wanted and beautiful. For a more stand-out gift, a good alternative option is a plant. Indoor plants have been growing in popularity, with more and more people choosing to decorate their homes with bursts of nature throughout different rooms. The most popular indoor house plants are:

 Monstera Deliciosa
 Snake plant
 Pothos plant
 Bird’s Nest Fern
 Rubber tree
 Spider plant
 Ivy (this can look especially good if you have it hanging)
 Dracaena plant
 Peace lily plant
 Philodendron Green plant

Pictures
A picture is (as they say) worth a thousand words, so why not frame a photo of a great family memory? Taking pictures might be common practice, but with everyone using smartphones, it’s becoming less and less common to actually have the photos printed. This unique gift can then be given to commemorate a memory of whatever the image might be.

Sunday

Super Secret Sunday Sale! This is the Day you Save MONEY!

Hi Friends!

I have a few questions for you. Do you still send out cards for birthdays, anniversaries  or even congrats on the new baby? Card sending seemed to be a dying art but I will tell you that since all the COVID-19 business more people are sending and receiving mail that isn't junk mail.

I love making cards and sending them. I decided to start making more to send. Then I had people wanting to buy my cards so I opened my ETSY shop to make that easier. 


Some of you knew already that I opened my ETSY Shop, SusieQsCraftyCafe. I started it last month to sell handmade greeting cards and other gift ideas. Right now my shop is full of cards for all occasions and some gift stickers & magnets.



On Sundays I have a secret sale for my followers. I do hope you check it out.

What type of cards do you mail out the most? The least? What type of cards are you looking for? Check out my shop and let me know if you don't see something you need. 

Oh and all my cards are custom made. So when you order you get to pick your color choice and if you want writing inside the card.


Thank you my friends!


Tuesday

Healthy Green Goddess Dressing and Cobb Salad Recipe

Who loves a good Cobb salad? Hands up here because I do! I actually LOVE salads made anywhere and by anyone but myself. I just have a few salad recipes I have ever loved over the years made by my own hands. Other than that I love salads made by others and from restaurants. I'm not sure why they always taste better elsewhere.

Sunday

Super Easy Chicken Lime Fiesta Bowl Recipe

Get it while it's HOT! One-bowl recipes are IN right now! They are easy to make and perfect for quick summer meals. This meal takes 30 minutes to make. I will share the recipe if you do me a HUGE favor? Please don't let my husband know how easy this recipe is to make.




Chicken Lime Fiesta Bowl
Servings 6


Ingredients
1 box of Zatarain's® Cilantro Lime Rice Mix
1 Tbsp butter for rice mix
1 can black beans
4-6 avocados
1 batch Pico de Gallo (my easy recipe) or salsa
1 bunch cilantro
2 limes
2 jalapeños
1 lb. chicken breast
2 cans Rotel Tomatoes (diced tomatoes with chilies)


Directions
1. Cook rice according to the box. It takes 25 minutes so start this first.
-Follow cooking instructions.


2. Next immediately start chicken. Put chicken in a pan with a lid.
-Dump in both cans of Rotel tomatoes with 1/2 cup of water. Let simmer with lid on.
-After 15 minutes turn chicken over. Let cook another 10-15 minutes.
-Then shred chicken and keep in pan with lid on until ready to serve. You keep on low
if done before ready to serve.


3. While food cooking prep rest of ingredients. I put all in separate containers.
-Open can of beans, rinse with water and let drain.
-Coarse chop up avocado. Each serving gets 1 avocado or 1/2 if you prefer.
Only cut what you need for this meal.
-Coarse chop cilantro.
-Cut lime into wedges.
-Coarse chop jalapeños

4. Make Pico de Gallo or use salsa. If you are making mine, make sure to get the
ingredients, too! It is super easy.

5. Put it all together. I love this part of bowl recipes. Everyone can make their own.
Just so you know, the rice & chicken do not need to be hot to serve this. I keep all
ingredients separate and put away in fridge for next meal.

6. Kitchen Tips: Make it quicker by cooking chicken in the Instant Pot.
Same ingredients. Time will be 10-12 minutes. Or I've been known to grab cooked
chicken from the store. Do whatever works for you. Switch up any of the ingredients
that suits your family. No black beans in the pantry but you have refried beans or
great northern? Use them. Make it your way!



ENJOY! 

Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy, too!







Wednesday

DIY Tutorial: Turn Stained-Glass Windows into Printable to Color

Hello Friends!

For almost 4 years I have wanted to turn our church stained-glass windows into printable black and white sheets for our school & church kids to color. When this was originally on my mind I didn't give a thought to it that adults would want to color as well. I also didn't think that anyone else would want a lesson on how to do this! Boy have a learned a lot the past two months! Everyone wants to color and do this with their church windows. So here goes a small tutorial.
make printables

Instead of writing all of this out I made a video and uploaded it to YouTube. It is very basic. For you to make your own black and white printables you will need an iPad, Apple Pencil, and Procreate App. Can you use a Surface? Can you use Android? Please check into that. I do not have those devices. These instructions are for Apple products. I'm sure you can even use other apps. Feel free to use the basic design tips I'm sharing and make it work for your devices.

In the video I roughly show you how to turn your stained-glass windows into printables. I do not go into deep detail. It is more of a quick overview. I will gladly share more in-depth videos if it is needed. It is highly recommend by me that you get the Procreate app and start playing with it using my first tutorial. It took me 3 windows to get my stride. Once I'm done with all of our windows I plan on going back and redoing the first 5 because I learned a lot of new tricks just by doing them.

Feel free to follow me on YouTube (where I have this video and a few others. I will keep adding more.) Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to ask me questions about this process. I will be doing more post and sharing links to the printables I've already made so you can print & color! Watch my video and ask questions. By doing that I will know what specific videos I need to make. I can also have you join in a ZOOM meeting or Facebook LIVE event to show you more.

With being separated from our Church for the past few months I feel as though this was the perfect time to create these black & white printables for my church. What a great way for everyone to connect with their church while being separated from weekly Church Services.

While creating these printables and coloring them on the iPad I have found this as a great way to connect with scripture. Each window has a scripture verse. I also prayed for the families who donated the windows. Now it is time for you to connect with your church family by creating your own stained-glass window printables!

Here is one of the free printables.


free printable
Matthew 11:28





Friday

3 Ways to Treat Your Skin

Your skin puts up with quite a bit daily. From sun damage to pollutants in the air, there are so many things that are seemingly out to get your skin. Due to this, it is a good idea to treat your skin from time to time. Not only can certain things help keep your pores clean and your skin fresh, but you might be able to lessen some of the key signs of aging that generally appear on your face.



Here are three ways you can treat yourself and spoil your skin.

1. Laser Skin Care


It might sound overly extravagant, but laser skincare is one of the best ways in which you can spoil your skin. Not only can specific treatments reduce wrinkle appearance, but others will leave your skin rejuvenated and illuminated. 

When you choose to treat yourself in this way, you trust the expertise of a qualified physician who can no doubt help you reach your skincare goals. Because of the nature of these procedures, you will want to go with a physician who can back their knowledge of skincare with plenty of experience. YLSC, for instance, is a clinic that specializes in these treatments and is trusted by clients for all their skincare needs.

2. Eat Right


One thing that you can do to spoil your skin every single day is to eat the right foods for optimal skin cell protection and regeneration. Furthermore, stay far away from foods that are known to result in damage to your skin from the inside out. Too much salt can make your skin dehydrated and rough, while too much sugar can result in a dull and listless appearance. 

Instead, opt for foods right in omega-3 fatty acids, which help your skin cells to regenerate faster. Because omega-3s don’t naturally occur in the body, your only chances of reaping the skincare benefits they bring are to consume them through the foods you eat. Go for fish like salmon and mackerel that are full of omega-3s. Certain nuts and seeds like walnuts and chia seeds are also excellent sources of this super supplement.

3. Exfoliate


Exfoliating your skin is an excellent and easy way to rid the surface of your skin from dead cells and debris. When you leave such things on your skin’s surface, the result can be a dull look. Moreover, when dead skin cells settle in the fine lines of your face, it can highlight their appearance. You can always treat yourself to an exfoliating facial, but for the best results, it is a good idea to add an exfoliation product to your weekly skincare routine.

Keep in mind that exfoliation is something that should be done every day. You don’t want to completely rid your skin of its natural oils, and you certainly don’t want to damage the new skin cells that form on the surface. Instead, once a week seems to be the right frequency with which to exfoliate your skin.

Tuesday

5 Steps Towards Combining Exercise With Healthy Eating

When deciding to diet or take part in a healthier lifestyle, many people aim to eat healthier as the first step to a beneficial way of living. However, exercise is just as important for your body as dieting, and it has many health benefits, such as reducing the risk of serious illnesses like cancer and strokes, as well as helping you sleep and controlling your weight.


 Invest in Sporting Equipment

Changing your food habits isn’t enough to lead a healthy lifestyle. If you decide to diet through exercise as well as food, you need to make sure that you have the right sporting equipment to enable you to  exercise appropriately. Not only this, but many sports that you may be thinking about taking up require certain items of equipment in order to exercise efficiently and or even participate at all. 
Clothing is one of the most vital aspects in this as clothing can protect you from the sun, and give you the comfort and flexibility that you need to play well. For instance, high-quality womens golf apparel such as you’ll find on this site can really benefit women interested in taking up the sport in order to diet or have a healthy lifestyle.

Exercising Regularly

In order to combine exercise with healthy eating, you need to find a way of exercising that is right for you. There are many great methods of exercising, and these range from taking power walks, visiting the gym, to taking up a sport. Practicing a new sport, or even an old one that you have enjoyed in the past, can be a great way to engage in exercise as it allows you to exercise in a fun manner if you find a sport that you enjoy. Not only this, but sports can usually be played in a team, meaning that you will also have the opportunity to socialize and meet new people. As well as exercise’s health benefits, exercising regularly as means that you are able to eat more of the yummy foods you love and include a few treats in your diet, as you will be better equipped to maintain your weight and lifestyle.

Eat a Diet that Benefits Your Exercise

However, the food that you eat can complement your exercise regime, and it is important to consider the amount of exercise you are doing when preparing your meals. For instance, lean beef, tuna, whole grains, and dairy products are filled with protein which can help to promote muscle mass and help your body’s recovery after a workout, adding to the hard work that you have just put into your exercise regime.

Eat Before and After Exercise

It is also important not to forget about your diet when you start to exercise as eating before and after exercise is vital to ensure that you remain at your best health and allow your body to recover. For instance, fruit and vegetables such as bananas are perfect for snacks before or throughout the workout as they contain slow releasing carbohydrates that are able to give you the energy that you need to continue.

Create a Diet Plan

You should also create a diet plan if you are thinking about establishing a healthy lifestyle as this will help you to stay on track and even follow your progress throughout your diet. You should plan your meals on a daily basis and ensure that you have the right ingredients to make these, as well as setting targets for you to aim towards if you are eating well and exercising with the aim of dieting.

healthy foods

Cheesy Onion Garlic Bread Recipe is Oooey Gooey Delish!

Do you need to bring something to a potluck but not sure what to bring? Are you tired of bringing the same old thing? Kick up any potluck with a loaf of this Cheesy Onion Garlic Bread. It will be the hit of the party! 

cheesy garlic bread

This bread is fantastic. At home I make it with heavy meat dishes like ribs or a roast. It also goes perfect with pasta dishes. Well to tell you the truth, this bread is just oooey gooey good anytime you are in the mood for it. I haven't done this but it would be perfect as just an appetizer served with pizza sauce (meaty pizza sauce). It goes great with beer, too! Make it and Enjoy! 


Cheesy Onion Garlic Bread Recipe

Ingredients

1 loaf of French Bread
1 and 1/2 sticks of butter
2 teaspoons garlic powder (or minced fresh garlic)
1 medium to large onion, sliced paper thin and some randomly chopped into smaller bits
10-12 oz. swiss OR mozzarella cheese slices or a combo of both (which I do)
1 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions

1. Sauté onions in butter until almost transparent on low-medium heat. Add garlic powder, poppy seeds and mustard. This can take 5-7 minutes. 

2. While onions are sautéing, score (use a bread knife and cut into the bread almost to the bottom) bread diagonally on a cutting board. Then turn bread and score diagonally again so you have a diamond pattern. Place on top of a large piece of aluminum foil.

3. Check onions. If onions are soft. Turn off heat and just let pan sit on stovetop. If not done, let it continue to cook on low. 

4. Stuff cheese slices into EVERY little slit on the bread. Feel free to add more if you want. Some slits can even have double cheese.

5. Drizzle the hot onion mixture over top of the bread. Make sure to cover everything!

6. Wrap in foil and bake at 375 F. for 15 minutes. Unwrap slightly and bake another 10 minutes to crisp the top...serve and love!

Kitchen Tips: 

1- I listed many up above so if you still have questions feel free to message me on social media where you found this recipe or email me at cafescrapper @ gmail . com

2- I've made this bread without onions (not the same but it tasted great). So if you don't want the onions just melt butter really well and add spices and just continue rest of the recipe as is. 

3- Have fun with the recipe and make it yours. Try different cheese, try different seasonings, use different breads, etc! Modify this recipe and make it suit your dietary needs being gluten free, dairy free, vegan, etc. Don't look at a recipe and say I can't eat that...make it into something you can eat. Have fun cooking. 

4- Again it is great with a heavy meat meal like ribs. But we've been loving it as an appetizer and goes great with beer! 

Easy Bread recipes

Need more bread recipes? Click the link or photo below. Do you have a bread recipe you want featured on my blog? Message me and I will feature you. 

Monday

Paprika Glazed Chicken Recipe

I love the combination of chicken and paprika. My mother-in-law is Hungarian and she has several recipes our family LOVES and we make them over and over using Hungarian paprika.
Take a look at this Paprika Glazed Chicken! I'm totally drooling, aren't you? This recipe uses Pereg Spanish Paprika which I plan on trying out soon. Have you tried Spanish Paprika? 

Paprika Glazed Chicken Recipe (Recipe Courtesy The Set Table, Amit Women/Albert Einstein School of Medicine)
Ingredients
One whole chicken cut into eights
1 egg, beaten
Cornflake crumbs 
Glaze
4 Tablespoons lemon juice
¼ cup sugar
¼ tsp Pereg Spanish Paprika
¼ tsp Pereg course grind black pepper

Directions
1- Dip chicken into egg, then cornflake crumbs. Place in pan in a single layer.  Bake 30 minutes at 400 F. 
2- Pour glaze over chicken. Baste several times and bake 30 minutes more.

Are you going to try this recipe? Please let me know if you do and how much you loved it. What sides did you serve with it? 

Pereg, a leading producer of all-natural spices from around the world, offers more than 60 spices and spice blends sourced from the best places on earth. Read up on Paprika! It is a fascinating spice!

Paprika – The fourth most consumed spice in the world, paprika often appears in rubs, marinades, stews, chilies, and as a garnish. It’s a key an ingredient in numerous cuisines, from Mexican rices to classic Hungarian goulash to Italian sausages.
All paprika starts life as a type of red Caspicum annum, otherwise known as the bell pepper. Paprika can be smoked, sweet, hot, Hungarian, or Spanish style, depending on the variety of the peppers used and how they are processed. They range in color from bright red to brown, each with its own flavor profile, from mild to spicy. Along with new Spanish paprika, Pereg Natural Foods offers five other varieties: hot, hot oil, smoked, sweet, and sweet oil paprika types to choose from.
Spanish cuisine being a huge trend these days, you may have come across Spanish paprika on a recipe's ingredient list. Also known as pimentón, this spice is becoming very popular in the United States. But what exactly is Spanish paprika and what makes it so special?
There are two types of Spanish paprika: smoked and non-smoked. Spanish paprika is commonly made with smoked peppers, which brings a deeper, smokier flavor to the table. That earthy essence comes from smoke-drying the peppers with oak wood for two weeks before they are ground.
Whether smoked or non-smoked, Spanish paprika is available in three varieties: sweet (dulce), semi-sweet (agridulce), and spicy (picante). The levels of heat and sweetness vary based on the blend of peppers used. Spanish paprika is generally less intense than Hungarian paprika, so it can be used in a multitude of ways
“Spanish paprika can be your best secret ingredient!” says Joy. “It has just enough spiciness to be interesting, and its array of flavors – from sweet to spicy - gives depth to a variety of recipes. We use it in baked eggs, potato casseroles, sprinkled on roasted tomatoes, and in beef stews. Sometimes we use just a hint — not so much that it defines a dish, but just enough to give it a smoky or sweet note in the background.
It's a great spice for adding flavor and depth to vegetarian and vegan dishes, she says, and to dishes that are light on fat. “It’s a must for everyone’s spice cabinet.” Pereg offer six varieties of paprika in all - find them at www.pereg-gourmet.com.

PBfit Healthy Power Balls with George Washington Carver

February is Black History Month. PBfit is recognizing George Washington Carver and his contributions to the peanut industry. Even though he isn't the direct inventor of peanut butter, he helped establish peanut butter as the nutritious staple ingredient found in 94 percent of American households today! Say what? Isn't that insane? No way would I have guessed 94 percent. If only Mr. Carver could see his impact on our world today.


Read this excerpt from my friends at PBfit:

"Born an African-American slave a year before the practice was outlawed, Carver left home at a young age to pursue education and would eventually earn a master’s degree in agricultural science from Iowa State University. As an agricultural scientist and inventor, he learned that years of growing cotton had depleted the nutrients from soil, resulting in low yields. But by growing nitrogen-fixing plants like peanuts, soybeans and sweet potatoes, the soil could be restored, allowing yield to increase dramatically when the land is reverted to cotton use a few years later. Farmers, of course, loved the high yields of cotton they were now getting from Carver’s crop rotation technique. But the method had an unintended consequence: A surplus of peanuts and other non-cotton products.


In all, he developed more than 300 food, industrial and commercial products from peanuts, including milk, Worcestershire sauce, punches, cooking oils and salad oil, paper, cosmetics, soaps and wood stains. He also experimented with peanut-based medicines, such as antiseptics, laxatives and goiter medications.
In 1921, Carver appeared before the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of the peanut industry, which was seeking tariff protection. He described the wide range of products that could be made from peanuts, which not only earned him a standing ovation but also convinced the committee to approve a high protective tariff for the common legume.
He then became known as “The Peanut Man.”

Succeeding Carver and these other innovators, PBfit is proud to bring peanut butter into the next century so those can enjoy this long-standing pantry pleaser made healthier and in more delicious ways. PBfit is peanut butter powder made with gently pressed roasted peanuts, coconut palm sugar, and a pinch of salt. The result is a delicious, nutritious product that leaves the fat and calories of traditional peanut butter behind. In comparison, it contains 87% less fat and 1/3 the calories.

The versatility of powdered peanut butter adds to the long list of benefits that make PBfit a must have product for every kitchen. Mix with water for that satisfying, creamy peanut butter texture, easily add it to smoothies for a nutrient boost, or use in any recipe where peanut butter is an ingredient.

Experience the next innovation in the peanut butter industry that’s already popular with households. PBfit is the number one selling peanut butter product on Amazon!"

WOW! Thank you Mr. Carver aka "The Peanut Man" and all the others involved in the peanut process the past 100 years. 

Have you ever tried PBfit? We LOVE it! Not only is it great for our morning Shakeology but it rocks in other healthy recipes. Below is a recipe for Super Healthy Power Balls. The recipe is from one of our little friends at school. Instead of sandwiches, this little guy brings 3 Kids & adults both love them. Enjoy!


Super Healthy Power Balls

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (We like Enjoy Life Brand)
1/2 cup ground flax seed (I like the chia, flax & hemp mix)
1/2 cup crunchy or smooth peanut butter (we use smooth)
1/4 cup honey 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 scoop Shakeology (chocolate, vanilla or cafe latte)
2 Tablespoons of PBfit (any flavor)

Directions

1-Combine oats, chocolate chips, Shakeology, flax seed, peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract together in a bowl.
2-Form into balls with your hand or use a small cookie dough scoop. 
3-Roll or sprinkle balls with PBfit. 
4-Arrange balls onto a cookie sheet and put in freezer to set for 30 minutes. 
4-Store in fridge or freezer in a freezer safe container/bag. They are also great at room temp.

These are great for lunch, too. There is plenty of healthy protein in these little power balls to go along with your healthy lifestyle. 





Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Blog Archive

Blogging tips