Hi Gorgeouses! Guess who’s back? Our resident holistic nutritionist, Lori Kennedy — here to motivate and inform us! Enjoy! And, congratulations, Lori, on the birth of your baby girl! Love, all us Gorgeouses!

So I had my baby 7 weeks ago today. Let’s just say that, no matter how much you plan, things never go the way you want them to. I had a pretty traumatic birth experience where I ended up having an emergency C Section. I had midwives because I wanted a natural birth –- the exact opposite happened. The baby and I are fine and healthy, which is all that matters –- EXCEPT that I am left with a stomach that resembles the face of a walrus!

SO today I will start writing about how I plan to lose the 20 pounds I have leftover from 9 ½ months of eating whatever I wanted. (Yes, I know I am a nutritionist but I was pregnant and all my nutritionist ways went out the window –- I am human after all!) My pre-baby body was hot, if I do say so myself. It was hard work to get it and keep it, and I am determined to feel good about my body again or at least good enough to be naked in front of my husband without covering my walrus stomach with my hands.

I am sure a lot of you moms can relate. You want your body back! I am with you in your struggle. I am still wearing my maternity pants because I refuse to buy pants in bigger sizes and my pre preggo-pants don’t fit …YET!

I invite you to dedicate the next 12 weeks to getting your body back. It doesn’t matter whether you had your baby 7 weeks ago or 7 years ago –- there is no time like the present to regain your health and your self-confidence.

Here are some things that have helped me over the last 7 weeks to avoid eating the chips that my husband keeps buying.

1. Apple and 1 tablespoon of raw or roasted almond butter – BEST SNACK EVER!!! Almond butter can be quite expensive. I get mine from Costco.

2. Berries shake – fastest breakfast and portable, can drink it with one hand. All you of moms can appreciate something that only uses 1 hand.

Recipe:
1 cup mixed frozen berries
1 cup soy milk or whatever milk you want
1 cup water
1 tsp oil – I use extra virgin; you can’t taste it, use whatever oil you want – Flaxseed, hemp, canola
1 scoop protein powder – I use hemp but whey is fine too
Blend on high. Enjoy!

3. 70% Dark Chocolate –- 1 square per day

4. Cucumber, salsa and hummus — my husband came up with this
Cut up cucumber. Mix 2 tablespoons of salsa with 1 tablespoon of hummus. Use the cucumber instead of pita or bread. I keep cut up cucumber in my fridge at all times.

5. Grapes — great to munch on when you want something sweet

Goal for the week — pick 1 day to cheat and eat whatever you want. This has really helped me. My day is Saturday. I literally eat whatever I want on Saturdays. If I want crappy food during the week, I force myself to wait until Saturday. If I still want it…I eat — GUILT FREE!!!

Another tip: Have a dinner plate full of salad before you eat your dinner. Salad fills you up so you don’t eat so much at dinner.

What are some of your tips for losing your baby weight?

Lori

CHECK OUT LORI’S BIO HERE!

Got a nutrition question of your own, Gorgeouses? Ask LORI (click here to ask your question). LOVE!

I’ve decided to start my 2008 weight loss resolution early. Like, right after Josh-O brings me my chai and loaf FOR THE LAST TIME. Oh, and whad’ya know. In the space of those few sentences, my chai came and went. Yeah, I scarfed it ALL — and the little loaf, too. And, I feel like CARP now. No, I feel like CARP-OLA.

See, it’s not worth the calories. It’s just not. But, WE NEEEEEDS it. And, you know what that tells me? I’m ADDICTED. I’m addicted to the IDEA of the chai. That beautiful cup, with SLEEVE-GLORIOUS- SLEEVE! (Need sleeve.)

In the morning, I wake up. What do I think of? How, when, where, with kids or without kids, via it’sgrandma, Josh-O, etc., WILL I GET MY CHAI!? Before preschool pick-up? After? Stay there? Have it in car? Then, there are the countless other important questions of my day: tall? or grande? soy (is soy good while nursing? but OH it tastes so good in the chai!)? with water? without water? The possibilities are ENDLESS! And, I’m so pathetically indecisive!

…And, I’m feeling fluffyfat, and my skin’s inflamed with… with… DOTS — teeny dots on legs and arms.

(And, my esthetician has recommended a LOVELY organic spearmint body wash for this….)

I know it’s partly hormones from the nursing. This happened last time. Like, the dots and all.

But, it’s also diet.

Must. detox.

Am now officially in detox mode. As of a few minutes ago when Josh-O brought me my LAST CHAI — the last chai that came and went like all the others. In a flash. Leaving me WANTING MORE. And, full and miserable because it went TOO FAST.

Do I sound like an addict? Or, do I sound like an addict?

So, New Year’s Resolution 2008 (among many): CLEAN UP DARN DIET. Not just for weight loss but for attitude and overall well-being. One must not be emotionally dependent on food and drink. Food and drink must not be the CENTRE AROUND WHICH WORLD REVOLVES.

We’s done widdit. Done. Done. DUNZO.

Adieu, le chai. I now drink only BORING drinks. Like water.

Tell me, GORGEOUSES! What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Got any diet resolutions? Any you want to recommend?

Rent Ratatouille. It’s A-MA-ZING. We bought it and have watched 5 times. The animation is INCREDIBLE. Love the music. Have newfound adoration for rats.

Go check zee gossip!

Are you loving your holidays!? LOVE! xo Haley-O

I bought a nightgown. Because my belly’s getting too big to wear pants when I don’t have to. Pants hurt right now. ‘Specially at the end of a hot summer day…. And, I was at the mall buying humongous bras and I saw nighties there and I thought to myself “wouldn’t it be great to have a nightgown to wear around the house all HOT summer long? But I don’t want anything too nightgowny. No, it has to be something I could answer the door in and maybe even walk down the street in. I mean, aren’t dresses that look like lingerie SO, like, IN right now? Aren’t all the celebs wearing them?”

I asked Josh, and he said he didn’t think I could really wear this out of the house — I’m thinking he just doesn’t want any men ogling and drooling over his HOTT-MAMA wifey…. What do you think?

WHOA!!! Doesn’t it just SCREAM hott-mama wifey? Ummm…, not-so-much. I know. But, I could probably answer the door in this…, no? (Oh, by the way, it goes just down to my knees….) And, YES, I am wearing a bra. One of the humongous bras I bought with the nightie. Maybe I should be wearing two bras…. And, yes, my face is a big PUFF — especially with this DANG cold — I am aware, yes. And, yes, my belly button has POPPED…. And, no, I’m not lactating out of my left breast in this pic. It’s just water. I was cooking…. YOU try cooking with that big belly and MASSIVE boobage without getting ANYTHING on yourself. Impossible.

Here’s what I was cooking in my sexy-hott nightie….

Penne with turkey-and-vegetable sauce! And, I made enough for THE WEEK! Awesome.

I also made this Israeli salad — cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers and avocado with oil and vinegar dressing. A big hit, and EASY (i.e., no salad spinner required! Yess!).

The monkey had her own “picky-eater” version of the dinner….

I put Canola oil and Parmesan cheese on the penne, and left the turkey plain — told her it was “hamburger” — and drizzled ketchup on it. Much to my and Josh’s AMAZEMENT, she GOBBLED up the pasta and turkey: “Mmmm! Noolels! Hambagah!” …So THIS is what Heaven feels like! LOVE it when that little monkey eats!

Speaking of that little monkey…. EVERYONE tells me how GORJ her hair is….

I always say “thank you!” to them. But, can’t I just say “I KNOOOOWWWW” already? Because, really, it’s not MY hair; it’s HER hair. But, everyone says you’re supposed to say “thank you” when someone compliments your kid. I just find it awkward. This one time?, someone told me how awesome her hair was, and I said, “yeah, but you should see it in the morning…outta control, I tell you!” I’m such a geek.

Oh, by the way? I’m still sick. It’s BRUTAL. I can hardly breathe. And, honestly? I’m, like, crying about it. Just, please don’t tell me what I MIGHT have. People do that in comments. It’s JUST a cold. When preggers, it takes FOREVER to get rid of a cold — everyone tells me this. And, everyone knows everything, so there you have it.

It’s the monkey’s first day of camp tomorrow! I go with her ‘cuz it’s a mommy-toddler camp. Exciting stuff. Wish me luck getting her into the splash pool! And, don’t worry, I don’t have to get in with her — mind you, it would save them a lot of water if I went in ‘cuz the second I’d plop my big self in there, even the littlest amount of water would overflow out the sides. Later Loves….

I NEVER watch Oprah. EVER. ‘Cept the other day. Was it yesterday? I think it was yesterday. I turned on the TV, and there it was: one of my least favourite shows on TV. She had that Dr. Oz heart surgeon on, and this life coach, and, as usual, a bunch of depressing stories that turned happy because of an “aha moment.” I was, of course, blogging as the show was droning on. But, one segment made my ears perk up: How To Raise Happy Kids.

I consider my little monkey extremely happy. She’s usually smiling, laughs all the time, loves life, pretty clothes, Diego, baby dolls, her mommy, her daddy, her “gawamma,” her kitties, etc., etc.. And, she LOVES her lil’ SELF!!! She even understands the concept of self: whenever I offer her yogurt, for example, she actually says “SEWF” — meaning she wants to feed herself…. Soooo ‘dorable.

Anyway, anyway. It’s so natural for children to love themselves. And, it’s essential to their lifelong happiness and success in life for us parents to cultivate this natural self-love. I really think so. Having lived through almost every eating disorder ON EARTH growing up, I KNOW how important self-love and self-esteem are. So, cultivate cultivate cultivate your child/ren’s self-love.

So, here’s what that life-coach said on Oprah — my very own “aha moment”: in order for your children to love themselves, you need to teach them BY EXAMPLE; in other words, you have to show them you love YOURself. Most women, the life coach said, are experts at loving others and TERRIBLE at loving and caring for themselves. So, come on guys — this is your chance to start showing YOURSELF the compassion and love you show your children. Could be fun!

Exercise for loving yourself (created by life coach on Oprah):
1. Close your eyes;
2. Imagine yourself looking at your sleeping child, or your sleeping pet, older parent, or whatever pertains to you;
3. Really experience that love you feel for him/her;
4. Now transfer that love to yourself — i.e., imagine that sleeping child is YOU!

Cool, huh? Soooo important.

My exercise in loving myself today was BUYING MESELF THIS NEW LIP GLOSS!

It’s my FAVE brand: Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics — as natural as you can get with makeup. And, I wanted a virtually clear gloss that would add a little polish to my look, you know?

Magic wand….

Sparkle me….

MMMWAH! Glam on the phone….

I also exercised self-love by cooking (second day in a row!) delicious healthy meals for moi and the fam….

Chicken fingers and a mishmash of “tapas” for the monkey, including ketchup, wild rice mixed with (her favourite) “CRABEARS!” — aka cranberries — a multigrain roll, cooked veggies, and a taste of the turkey chili, wild rice and salad I made for Josh-O and me….

Chili chili chili!!!

Not exactly summery, but healthy, hearty and fast….

Oh yeah. I love my kitties. They had this for dinner….

Mmm…kibble.

The problem with having ginormous breasts when your preggers (i.e., not particularly used to being THIS buxom): crumbs in my cleavage. It’s nuts, and it’s inevitable. Every POSSIBLE flying object gets in there — especially when you have a food-flinging toddler. You wouldn’t believe the stuff I find in there by the end of the day….

Want gossip? CHECK IT — AT CHEATY’S CELEBRITY GOSSIP!!!!! (And, don’t forget to vote for me! The Blogger’s Choice Awards contest’s still on — check my sidebar for the voting links! Thank you!)

Yeah, so I’m still TOTALLY excited and nervous about the new gig and the TV pics! And, yes, of course, I will tell you and show you all MORE as soon as I can. In the meantime….

Josh-O: The hats! You forgot to talk about the hat I got you for Mother’s Day.
Haley-O: Nope, didn’t. Today’s post. I gotta save up some of the good stuff, you know…? Why do you care, anyway?
JO: I dunno [half-smiles]. Just saying….
HO [singing]: You like the BLO-OG! You LOVE the BLO-OG!

Why does he care about my posting about the hats? Because he’s loving it. Don’t tell him I said so. He loves being on the blog. I can tell. So obvious. So FAB! (I am SO embarrassing him right now….) Anyway, check his new hat….

Umm, yeah. He was intent on the hat no matter what I thought. He’s been channeling his inner Brad Pit, I guess:

Actually, I really am loving it. Because Josh loves it. He’s really developing his own sense of style. One that’s VERY motivated by his new LOVE of poker. Do not ASK me about the gold chain and that OTHER hat he had on when came home from Vegas last month. Just…don’t.

At least he bought me a nice Mother’s Day hat, too! From FCUK…. It’s a bit big, but methinks melikes it….

I’m still practicing my modeling, see…even though the photo shoot’s done. I STILL have to get used to having my pics out there. I look like I’m missing a tooth in that second pic for some reason. I am not missing any teeth — just FYI.

I tried to be the best wife EVAH today. Cuz Josh’s been REALLY busy at work. I ACTUALLY cleaned the house. And, I made him his favourite dinner — Shepherd’s Pie. Well, I bought it….because I DON’T TOUCH MEAT. But, it tasted home-made, said he. AND, I made a superb salad to go with it. I even put avocado in it. The monkey LOVES salad (I know, weird!).

While Josh enjoyed his shepherd’s pie (the monkey wouldn’t TOUCH it), I enjoyed the fresh, homemade salad and made LENTILS FROM SCRATCH! How healthy am I?

Usually I buy lentils in the can. But, I was feeling ambitious. Here’s the LOVELY end product….

All it is is lentils, rice, sunflower seeds, and olive oil mixed up. SO delish and HEALTHY! Cleansing! I poured some lite tamari (aka soy) sauce on top and chowed down. And, of course, I have lots of leftovers for all y’all! LOVE!

Many of you asked about the monkey’s new coat! Here’s the front of it, as promised….

And, BONUS, check out the “NOO SOOS! NOO SOOS!” She LOVES them. She won’t wear ANY other shoes now. Ahem.

And, finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for….

WHAT HAPPENS IN MY BEDROOM WHILE YOU’RE AT WORK….

Check it!:

That bump in the middle there is not me, nor is it ANOTHER cat. It’s my body pillow — which I MUST sleep with when I’m preggers. I know, it shouldn’t be under the covers like that all day…. I was a great WIFE today, but I did a crappy job on the bed….

Look at those lazy little……… Lounging on my bed ALL DAY.

Look who’s OBSESSED with his mommy….BIG TIME. See, this is a photo of ME — of ME about to be attacked with kisses…. Sandpapery, wet, stinky kitty kisses. Awesome kisses. I love you, too, MINDEN! MEOWWW.