Snacking Healthy

I've been wanting to write this post for awhile now. Once and awhile I instagram  some of my favorite snacks and am always looking for new items to add to my afternoon cravings. After my announcement yesterday I will admit, yes, snacking has always been a thing of mine but during my pregnancy, I am ALWAYS reaching for a mid morning and afternoon snack. Just because I am expecting, I am really trying not to over use that excuse and eat whatever I want. It isn't healthy for me or for the baby. Same goes when I'm not pregnant, a snack is a great thing, but in a healthy portion and not a slice of cake every afternoon, that is not a snack! Below are a few of my favorite snack ideas. I would love to hear any of yours, send them my way!   

 Almond Butter. Yum! I have LONG been a fan of Justin's Almond Butter, the honey and vanilla are my favorites! It is only available on Amazon in the UK, but I often stock up when I'm home in the States. I just discovered this delicious brand Wild Friends that have some amazing flavors; cinnamon, espresso, yum. My local UK favorite is the Pip & Nut brand, the coconut almond is pretty delicious. I like to eat it plain, on some melba toast, or on an apple. You can buy all of these brands in a larger jar but I prefer the individual packet size so they are easy to eat on the go or at my desk. High protein, good fats, perfect. 

I've always been a fan of healthy granola bars and snack bars. Some of these can be absolutely awful for you to eat, more like a candy bar! However if I had a smaller breakfast, I don't mind eating one of these yummy quick healthy options. My favorite US brand are the Luna Bars; lemon, blueberry, smore's and honey salted peanut are all delicious. Gluten free, high fiber, high protein, organic, yum. The Bounce Energy Balls are a UK favorite of mine. I love the peanut and the coconut flavor. I almost feel like it is a dessert in the afternoon! 

 Recently I try to keep a bag of snacks in my purse, I never know when I feel a little queasy and need a quick bite. Almonds are healthy and delicious but can get a little boring. I have been baking some sweet almond treats that are easy and not the worst thing for you to snack on. Cinnamon toasted almonds {I use this recipe} are easy, inexpensive and along with an apple or alone, a great snack. 

 

An afternoon treat/snack to me is a bit of chocolate. Yes, I will be honest, pregnant me wants to dive into a whole pint of ice cream or grab some macarons, but I know that its not the best for me. I am pretty obsessed with the Oh So mini chocolate bars. Thank goodness they come in individual portions or I would eat way to many of them. No sugar added, low calorie and a variety of flavors. I love the original dark chocolate or the orange. The other option are the dark chocolate covered rice cakes at Itsu, my treat. Each cake is only 80 calories, I try to eat one or two and put the last one away for the next day but you know how that works sometimes, I said I try. You can also get them at Pret, love love love these! 

I would love to hear how you switch it up. Are you a big snacker like me? A few more "healthy me" ideas are over on Pinterest. Do let me know if you try any of these! 

xoxo Rebecca

Fun Changes!

Hi everyone! I know I've been a little quiet on the blog front. Well, hey, I'm back now! In case you missed my little announcement over on Instagram, I've got some fun and big changes happening in my life. Me and Mr. Beau are having a baby! Yep, correct, a little bebe. I am currently 17 weeks along and our little one is due at the end of the summer in August. I can't even begin to say how lucky we are and how lucky I am that so far, I have been feeling absolutely fine. I feel terrible when I speak to other expectant mom's who tell me how sick they have been the entire time. I know I am lucky to say, I have truly felt pretty great these past four months. My slow down on the blog has really been related to my only thing that has effected me, which is that I've been pretty tired. I get home at around 8, eat dinner and sitting at my computer makes me fall asleep! With a long weekend behind me, I put together a big list of things to do and am trying to manage it all with little stress and still manage to get some relaxing me time in. On my list is maintaining the blog and also making sure it does not become a baby blog. I am going to continue writing about London, party ideas, places we travel, etc. There will be a little bit of bebe sprinkled in, don't you worry. 

We are going to find out if the little one is a boy or a girl. I know so many people who do not, but I feel like knowing makes it more real, I can talk about he or she like a little person. We find out in three weeks and I can't wait. I'm nervous, not going to lie, so much unexpected ahead. Do we stay in our flat, do we move, will I be a good mom, what do we need to prepare, etc. there is so much. But right now I am just trying to enjoy what so many people recommend to me, these few months of me time and Mr. Beau time. I can't wait until the end of August to meet this little one, but I also do not want to rush it all to fast! 

Any London baby advice send it my way. Any good books, good maternity sales/shops, send them my way! Thank you for all of you who have sent me sweet little notes. They make me smile! I will be back now writing, see you soon! 

xoxo Rebecca

*calligraphy on onesie by Judy Broad Calligraphy and printed by Studio Mama's