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    Samoas Date Balls for an Easier Labor!

    Did you know eating dates towards the end of your pregnancy can help you have an easier and faster labor?! Who knew?!

    1. According to this study, women who ate six deglet noor dates a day for the four weeks leading up to their due date were:

    • 74% more dilated than non-date eaters at admission to birthplace
    • 38% more likely to have intact membranes
    • 21% more likely to spontaneously go into labor
    • 28% less likely to use prostin/oxytocin to induce labor
    • 77% shorter first stage of labor

    How amazing is that?! So starting at 36 weeks, you should start eating 6 dates per day. I’ve already started a few weeks early (I’m 33 weeks along) because I love these girl-scout cookie-inspired Samoas Date Balls so much! They’re super gooey, chewy, sweet, chocolate-y and filled with fiber and protein. I love having 2 alongside a smoothie in the morning, or just a couple with king coffee as a snack. Or, you can eat the dates plain (and pitted) with globs of nut butter. I do that often if I don’t have time to make these yummy date balls!

    The studies were done on the deglet noor dates which are slightly smaller, but where I live I can only find the medjool dates which are bigger. Either variety works. Nutritionally, medjool dates and deglet noor dates are nearly identical. So I would say if you are choosing the medjool dates, you could reduce the amount to 3-4 per day due to their size. If you are choosing the deglet noor variety, I would eat 6 dates. I find the medjool dates (as picutred below) to be more gooey and soft. This recipe makes 12 balls using 24 of the medjool dates. So eating 2 date balls would get you to the recommended daily amount of 4 medjool dates! So if you make this recipe each week up until you deliver you will be set!

    Dates also have numerous nutritional benefits (taken from this post):

    • Natural sugars (fructose) that easily break down in the body and won’t spike blood sugar levels, but offer high energy.
    • Fiber that helps you stay full, relieves constipation, and lowers your risk for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
    • Potassium—one of the best electrolytes. It helps maintain water/salt balance which helps regulate blood pressure.
    • Magnesium, which supports muscular health and helps alleviate muscle spasms and cramps in pregnancy.
    • Folate, which ensures your baby’s spinal cord matures properly, avoiding neural tube defects.
    • Vitamin K, which maintains proper blood clotting and healthy bones.
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    Samoas Date Balls for an Easier Labor!

    • Author: Shannon Leparski
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    Description

    Samoas Date Balls for an Easier Labor! Studies have shown that eating 6 dates per day can help your labor. These protein-packed vegan date balls are gooey, sweet, fiber-filled and absolutely delicious as a snack.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    24 medjool dates, pitted

    2 tablespoons almond butter (or any nut butter)

    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

    3/4 cup shredded coconut

    1/4 cup vegan protein powder (or 1 scoop; chocolate or vanilla)

    2 tablespoons vegan mini chocolate chips (or cacao nibs)

    1 tablespoon chia seeds

    1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    2 tablespoons water

    Optional add-ins: 2 tablespoons cacao powder for a more chocolate-y taste!


    Instructions

    Remove the pit from all the dates. Add the dates to a food processor with the almond butter and vanilla extract. Pulse until the dates are mostly blended and sticky. 

    Add in the coconut, protein powder, chocolate chips, chia seeds and sea salt. Process until well blended together. The mixture should now feel more powder-y and dry.

    Add in the water and pulse until the mixture is back to being sticky and more “wet”. If it feels too wet you could add in another tablespoon of protein powder. 

    Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Form into 12 date balls! You could roll in some shredded coconut for fun too, or just leave them as is. Refrigerate the date balls in an airtight container to stay fresh.

    Enjoy!


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    ** Check out my Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Resource List post for other tips and tricks as well as a birth plan template and much more!



    One-Pot Spicy Veggie Pasta

    Clean eating one-pot meals are life.

    Especially in this season of life where I’m scrambling to finish my practitioner course, and trying to get ready for baby while keeping my head above water! All without getting too stressed. I know we’re all going through a lot right now so easy meals with minimal dishes are a necessity.

    This One-Pot Spicy Veggie Pasta has plenty of summer flavors and veggies! Anytime I make pasta I think, how can I add more veggies to this?! Luckily my hubby loves all the extra veggies now too. I make everything with his foodie self in mind haha so just know, any recipe I publish here on the blog has been approved by him.

    Think asparagus, juicy cherry tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, fresh parsley, capers, red pepper flakes and your choice of pasta. I went with a high-quality organic linguine pasta but anything will work! I haven’t tried it with banza pasta yet but will try that next for more protein and fiber. And also, the next time I make this, I may add more plant protein such as chickpeas or grilled vegan sausage! Doesn’t that sound amazing for a summer dinner dish?! Feel free to add whichever type of protein you like!

    While taking pictures, I realized I needed a bigger pot for cooking it so you will see I switched to a larger pot in the middle of photos!

    All you do is add everything to the pot (including the water), bring to a boil for for 8-10 minutes and serve. It could not be easier, I swear! Your family will love it.

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    One-Pot Spicy Veggie Pasta

    • Author: Shannon Leparski
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 15
    • Total Time: 25
    • Yield: 5 1x
    • Category: Pasta
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Vegan
    • Diet: Vegan
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    Description

    One-Pot Spicy Veggie Pasta. Vegan and can be gluten free! Lots of summer flavors and veggies, can be as spicy as you want, easy, quick and minimal clean up!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    1 bunch of asparagus, chopped

    12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

    3/4 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives

    1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)

    12 ounces dried linguine pasta

    1/4 cup capers

    3 tablespoons olive oil

    1 teaspoon kosher salt

    1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

    3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    4 1/2 cups water

    1/2 lemon, juiced


    Instructions

    In a large pot, add all ingredients, including the water.

    Bring to a boil over high heat (this will take about 5 minutes). Boil the mixture on medium-low, stirring and turning the pasta with tongs or a wooden spoon to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and almost all the liquid (but not all) has evaporated, about 8 to 10 minutes. 

    Turn off heat. Stir in lemon juice. Sprinkle with more parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately,

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.


    Keywords: one pot pasta, one pot spicy pasta, one pot veggie pasta, one pot vegan pasta, easy summer one pot pasta

    Did you make this recipe?

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    The Different Forms of Magnesium

    Did you know there are different forms of magnesium?

    The differing types can help with things like anxiety, sleep issues, replenishing low levels and even constipation. Who knew?!

    Most women are deficient in magnesium because our bodies use it up so quickly in times of stress. And these days, who isn’t dealing with stress? Magnesium is a mineral and also an electrolyte and is essential for our bodies to function. It has numerous responsibilities in the body, including over 300 enzymatic processes. We fly through it! Magnesium is also one of the top recommendations for women experiencing PMS – it’s known as the magical cycle mineral!

    Can you use a couple different forms? Yes, absolutely. At night, I will often do the gel (see below) on the bottoms of my feet and then take magnesium glycinate or l-threonate. Take the recommended dosage on the bottle.


    FOR SLEEP:

    >> MAGNESIUM L-THREONATE

    This will not necessarily correct a magnesium deficiency but will help you fall asleep because it’s calming and is the form that can cross the blood brain barrier. Pair with an epsom salt bath for greater calming effects!


    FOR ANXIETY:

    >>MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE (powder or capsule)

    There’s this great powder form for those who can’t take capsules and would rather drink a powder at night, and it’s also perfect for kids because it tastes good! Or there’s this capsule form that I take at night or when I’m feeling anxious and it works great!


    TO REPLENISH LOW MAGNESIUM LEVELS:

    >> TOPICAL SPRAY or TOPICAL GEL paired with epsom salt baths!

    The spray or the gel work great at helping to replenish depleted magnesium levels because transdermally (through the skin) is the best way to actually absorb it! It also helps with sleep in my opinion so I love it before bed! Take an epsom salt bath and then use the spray or gel and you’re golden. The only thing is, it can get itchy, so your best bet is to rub it on the bottoms of your feet, then let it soak in and wash hands after. I’ve tried the spray on my belly and it can get a little itchy or red but this may not be the case for everyone, so find what works for you!


    FOR CONSTIPATION:

    >> MAGNESIUM OXIDE OR MAGNESIUM CITRATE

    The magnesium oxide works wonders and is okay for once in a while when struggling with constipation but should not be used daily long-term. How it works is it pulls oxygen and water into the bowels which helps you to go. The citrate form can be taken for longer periods of time but can cause loose stools so be mindful or careful to not take too much!


    MAGNESIUM-RICH FOODS:

    Adding some foods rich in this magical mineral doesn’t hurt! Especially some dark chocolate while PMS’ing or while on your period 🙂 Food is always a great source and super important to include high sources of magnesium-rich foods in your diet, but often we need more than food, too!

    • dark chocolate
    • nuts and seeds
    • avocado
    • beans & legumes
    • spinach
    • oats

    Vegan Strawberry Avocado Crunch Salad

    Spring salads are calling my name!

    Fresh mixed greens, creamy avocado, crunchy celery and pecans, juicy strawberries… need I say more? The vegan tahini poppyseed dressing really gets me too! I added crumbled tempeh for some plant protein and vegan feta too (just for fun) because why not? The vegan cheeses have come a long way and the VioLife brand is impressive with their selection!

    This is the most perfect lunch salad.

    It has the fat, fiber, protein and carbs to keep you feeling balanced and full. Just keep the dressing separate of course if you plan to have it for weekday lunches. I really haven’t been craving salad until recently, when the weather started warming up. Then it’s like “where are the fresh greens and crunchy veggies? I need them back in my life”! For so long it was just warming, comforting meals. And you know what warmer weather means… that baby girl is almost ready to make her debut!! I’m so freaking excited to meet her.

    The poppyseed dressing is super easy. I blend all the ingredients in this blender and it works like a charm. Leave out the poppyseeds until the end, then blend just for a second to mix them in, or else the blender will actually blend the seeds and we don’t want that, we want to be able to see them in the dressing! It’s creamy and luscious while still being light and it’s PERFECT!

    As far as the tempeh goes, I just keep it plain to make life easier. I finely chop it so you hardly even notice it’s there and to me, it honestly doesn’t have a taste. These days, I’m just trying to get protein in whichever way I can. You could add chickpeas though instead! Or whatever protein your heart desires.

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    Vegan Strawberry Avocado Crunch Salad

    • Author: Shannon Leparski
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Total Time: 10
    • Yield: 4-5 1x
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Mixing Bowl, Cutting Board
    • Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten free
    • Diet: Vegan
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    Description

    Vegan Strawberry Avocado Crunch Salad. Fresh greens, juicy strawberries, crunchy celery and pecans, topped with a vegan tahini poppyseed dressing!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    5 ounces spring mix

    8 strawberries, sliced

    3 stalks celery, chopped

    1/2 package tempeh, finely chopped

    1/4 cup chopped pecans

    1/2 avocado, cubed (or more to taste)

    Vegan feta, to taste (optional)

    Vegan Poppyseed Dressing:

    1/2 cup water

    1/3 cup olive oil

    2 tablespoons tahini

    1 lemon, juiced

    2 tablespoons maple syrup

    1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

    1/2 teaspoon sea salt

    1 tablespoon poppyseeds (blend in for one second at the end)


    Instructions

    Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl. Start with the greens, strawberries, celery, tempeh and pecans. Then arrange the avocado and optional feta!

    In a small blender, combine all the dressing ingredients EXCEPT the poppyseeds, we add those at the end. Blend until smooth and creamy, and add a couple tablespoons water if it seems too thick. Once the consistency is good, add in the poppyseeds and blend for 1-2 seconds as we are just mixing the seeds in, we do not want to blend them.

    If you are serving the whole salad, pour the dressing over and fold in. If you are only serving a couple servings, take some of the salad and arrange in a smaller bowl, then add the dressing. 

    Enjoy!!


    Keywords: Vegan Strawberry Avocado Salad, Strawberry avocado spring salad, vegan spring salad, vegan poppyseed dressing

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    Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Resources

    I’ve been wanting to put a post like this together for a while! Knowledge is power and will help you make better, more informed choices.

    If you don’t know your choices, you don’t have any!

    I’ve come across some amazing resources the past few months and honestly don’t know how I would have gotten by without them. I hope you find these helpful! They will live on the blog forever and I’ll continue to update as I find more. It’s really important to me to share as much as possible because I wish I had something like this when I was a bit lost in the beginning and wanting more support surrounding my choices.

    Whether that be making a decision about having a home-birth, nutrition, if certain symptoms are normal, risks of all the routine protocols, how to prepare for labor, childbirth education, birth plan templates, non-toxic nursery items, maternity leggings, what supplements to take, books to read, podcasts, etc. It’s all here!!! And leave a comment if there is something you think I should add!!

    READ THROUGH THIS POST CAREFULLY! THERE’S A LOT TO GO THROUGH!!


    Resources here on the blog (my supplements, what I eat, etc.)

    • My Vegan Pregnancy Supplement Protocol
    • What I Eat During Pregnancy (and how my diet has changed)
    • First Trimester Symptoms & Updates
    • Second Trimester Symptoms & Updates
    • My Amazon Storefront with Baby, Nursery, Postpartum Items
    • Pregnancy Tea (start drinking daily in the 3rd trimester!)
    • Fertility Prep Guide eBook (if you are preparing for conception)

    Plant-Based Pregnancy Nutrition & Supplements:

    • Plant-Based Pregnancy Guide (from Plant-Based Juniors whom I love!)
    • Podcast episode: Plant-Based Nutrition During Pregnancy with Whitney English
    • My Vegan Pregnancy Supplement Protocol
    • What I Eat During Pregnancy (and how my diet has changed)
    • The Plant-Based Cookbook for Women (my cookbook – I’ve made all the recipes throughout my pregnancy because they’re just healthy plant-based meals!)
    • Dates During Pregnancy to Ease Labor

    My favorite Pregnancy-Safe Youtube Workout Channels:

    • Nourish Move Love
    • BodyFitByAmy
    • Pregnancy and Postpartum TV

    Pelvic Floor Health, Diastasis Recti:

    • MUTU Mamas (I’m doing their workout system daily for my umbilical hernia & diastasis recti)
    • MamasteFit (also, their instagram page is AMAZING; a must-follow!)
    • @LadyBirdPT
    • @WomeninMotion_wellness
    • @hayleykavapt

    Holistic Pregnancy, Birth & Home-birth Inspo Accounts:

    • @nourishedwithbritt
    • @essentiallyerin_
    • @avivaromm
    • @expectingandempowered
    • @thepregnancyculture
    • @birthstorypodcast
    • @freebirthsociety
    • @indiebirth
    • @birthuprising
    • @labor.nurse.mama
    • @marissathemilkmom
    • YOUTUBE – Ellen Fisher – check out her pregnancy/home-birth videos!!

    Childbirth Education Courses & Labor Prep:

    • Mamastefit Complete Childbirth Course (this is the one I’m doing! In-person classes aren’t really happening at the moment and I’m loving this one so far)
    • Pain-Free Birth Course
    • Hypnobabies Course
    • Hypnobirthing from Midwife Marley
    • Spinning Babies (for optimal fetal position, comfort and easier birth)
    • TakingCaraBabies (for infant sleep!)
    • Dates During Pregnancy to Ease Labor

    Birth Plan Templates – (holistic-minded, for home-birth and hospital if you must transfer)

    My amazing friend Brittany from @nourishedwithbritt was kind enough to share her birth plan for a home-birth and also hospital, in case of a emergency transfer. I removed her name to make it more of a template so you can take it and fill it out. Please edit, add and change to your personal wants and desires. I know some things on here are touchy subjects – please do not come at me for certain things listed in the plans – this is PERSONAL CHOICE and is more so for laying out the protocols and environment you want your birth team to follow! Remember, you do you!

    • HOME-BIRTH PLAN – Template
    • HOSPITAL BIRTH PLAN – Template

    Documentaries to Consider (circumcision):

    • The Business of Being Born
    • Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the Hospital (free on Youtube)
    • The Circumcision Movie (free on amazon Prime)

    GBS (Group B STREP) Natural Remedies and Prep for Test:

    • Wellness Mama: How I Avoided GBS Naturally
    • Mama Natural: Group B Strep Treatment

    Ultrasound Risks:

    I ended up doing only 2 ultrasounds this pregnancy. I’m low risk so the 1st was at 13 weeks and my last was the anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I did the blood test to find out the gender at 14 weeks which was confirmed in the anatomy scan. I have allowed my midwives to use the doppler at my appointments because it’s literally for 15 seconds but some even opt out of doing those! Do what you are comfortable with.

    • Potential Risks of Ultrasounds
    • I highly recommend checking out this podcast episode covering Ultrasound Risks, Gestational Diabetes, GBS swab and more

    Delayed Cord Clamping (until it turns white and stops pulsing), Delayed Bath & Golden Hour:

    • The Benefits of Delayed Cord Clamping
    • Delayed Cord Clamping Study
    • The Benefits of Delaying Baby’s First Bath
    • The Golden Hour After Birth

    Vitamin K Drops Protocol

    This is for if you opt out of the vitamin K shot. The shot has aluminum AND a black box warning… it’s not “just a vitamin”.

    • Newborn Oral Vitamin K Dosage
    • Vitamin K Drops
    • The Vaccine Conversation Podcast (start with their first episodes!)

    Podcasts & Episodes I LOVE:

    • Free Birth Society podcast (I learn so much from other women’s birth stories. Their birth story episodes are INCREDIBLE. I’m not doing a total freebirth but I learn so much from them and will take pieces from each. I highly recommend. Here are some of my favorite episodes:
      • The Only Way Is Through: Jaime’s Power Stor‪y
      • From C-Section, to Medwives, to Freebirth: The Journey of Pam Choosing Herself
      • Speak Your Story – Own Your Truth: Ashley’s Freebirth
      • Written in the Stars: Mallory’s 4 Births
      • The RH Negative Freebirthing Queen of Trinidad
    • Nourished With Nina podcast
    • Taking Back Birth podcast
    • Plant Based Nutrition During Pregnancy podcast episode
    • Dr. Berlins Informed Pregnancy Podcast – I love the birth stories!
    • Vaccine Safety VS. Science – Del Bigtree on Luke Storey’s podcast

    Maternity Leggings, Bra’s & Clothes:

    • Lululemon Align Leggings (they were great until about 24 weeks for me)
    • Beyond Yoga Love the Bump Leggings (24 weeks and beyond for that growing bump!!)
    • Pink Blush Maternity (for cute shirts, dresses and jeans!!)
    • Target Maternity (for loungewear, pants and tops)
    • My favorite no-wire bra (feels like you’re wearing nothing, so freaking comfy. Trust me, you will become allergic to regular bras)
    • My liketoknow.it account (I share all my faves here!)

    Belly Oils I’m Using:

    I’ve been doing a mix of 2 oils! I rub them together in my palms and then rub them in my belly. It’s a mix of this Camellia Seed Oil and this Rosehip Seed Oil!!

    Postpartum Resources & Items:

    Will be adding to this more as I learn and go through it!! It’s nowhere near complete!

    • My Maternity/Postpartum robe – Caden Lane (they also have mommy and me outfits!)
    • FridaMom – for all things postpartum recovery! They keep coming out with amazing products. They even have a postpartum kit
    • Raven’s Moon Apothecary New Momma Gift Pack with special herbal teas and epsom salts
    • MotherLove Nipple Cream
    • My Brest Friend nursing pillow
    • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding book

    Books:

    • The Mama Natural Week-By-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
    • Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
    • The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
    • Pushed by Jennifer Block
    • Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley

    Baby Clothes:

    • Little Sleepies
    • Posh Peanut
    • Kytebaby
    • Colored Organics
    • Burts Bees Baby
    • SpearmintLOVE
    • BabyBarnOrganics
    • Magnetic Me Onesies

    Non-Toxic Baby Items on my Registry:

    Firstly, check out The Gentle Nursery blog for non-toxic nursery products!! It’s seriously amazing and so, so helpful. I will keep adding to this list too, it’s far from complete.

    • Breathable Crib Mattress
    • Non-Toxic Crib
    • Non-toxic crib bedding (here and here)
    • Vegan Stroller and Carseat
    • Organic Infant Lounger
    • Baby Carrier
    • Solly Baby Wrap
    • Baby Bouncer
    • Baby Swing
    • High chair
    • Developmental Play Gym
    • Sound Machine & Nightlight
    • Non-WIFI baby monitor
    • Vegan Diaper Bag – Dagne Dover
    • Non-toxic Baby Sunscreens

    If you think I’m missing something, leave me a comment below!


    What is Structured Water?

    Water is an essential part of life. Our bodies are made up of mostly water!

    Hydration is a fundamental health topic that we need to talk and learn more about.

    I started learning about “structured water” from Dr. Kathy Yeo’s instagram. She’s taught me so much and is such a light in the root-caused based community. True healthy water has movement and energy, like mountain spring water. It is not stagnant (like water in single-use plastic bottles) that loses its structure/vitality. There are lots of negative ions and antioxidants in healthy “living water”. But unfortunately we don’t all have easy access to fresh mountain spring water, which leads us to making our own “structured water”.

    If you haven’t read my post on the Berkey water filter, I highly recommend you check that out!

    Water structure determines water function. The structure gives it vitality and allows it to hold memory which is key for healing. It’s extremely sensitive to the environment, just like our bodies! So sitting in a plastic water bottle in the grocery store for who knows how long, after being processed and bottled in a facility and then loaded on a truck, you can see how that water is no longer “living”. And most definitely is not going to be the most hydrating for our cells. We have to put life and energy back into our water.

    The primary indicator of hydration status is in our blood. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells, and blood flow has everything to do with the type and quality of water we have in our bodies. So water is like a functional food! So interesting right?

    Structured water passes easily through the cell membrane providing us with intracellular hydration that is so healing!

    Ultra-filtering water is altering and removing much of the structure so it becomes very thin and less hydrating.

    How we bring structure back into water is by adding things like chia seeds, lemon and minerals or sea salt. I learned all of this from Dr. Kathy Yeo! I did not come up with this, but water and hydration is fascinating to me because most of us are chronically dehydrated. Even people who drink a gallon of water a day can be dehydrated, and I believe this is because their water is not able to get into the cells, because it either lacks structure or minerals.

    Dr. Yeo also drinks out of a Berkey! She’s not a fan of kangen water because it is run through a machine, and water loses its structure when subject to electricity. It’s also extremely sensitive to EMF’s. She’s also not a fan of reverse osmosis water as it compromise all the minerals. So for me, Berkey water it is!! The Berkey has charcoal filters and is filtering out about 99.99% of toxins and bacteria in tap water that create so much inflammation in the body. Then we create the structure in the cleaner water by adding chia, lemon and sea salt/minerals for proper hydration.

    Who knew our water was so misunderstood?! Let’s bring our water back to life 🙂


    How To Make Structured Water:

    • Clean, filtered water (preferably from a Berkey) I use a large mason jar!
    • Mineral Drops: 1 dropperful. With 69 naturally-occurring, plant-derived minerals and a dozen amino acids, BioActive Carbon Minerals provides building blocks for cellular energy production, which is needed to support detox. The mineral drops contain 100% organically-complexed, nano-sized molecules, which supports their bioavailability to your body. I love these drops so much, but you have to start slow! Start with 1 drop and work your way up. You can also use 1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt for minerals if you don’t want to get the drops!
    • 1/2 fresh lemon – for all the detoxifying benefits!
    • 1 teaspoon chia seeds – they will start to gel up and that’s what helps structure the water! They also add fiber 🙂


    2nd Trimester Symptoms and Updates!

    Hey loves! Today I’m sharing my 2nd Trimester Symptoms and Updates! Check out my 1st Trimester update here, in case you missed it!

    I know everyone says this but I can’t believe I’m now in the 3rd trimester… like how?! How will she be here in 3 months?! She’s moving and kicking like crazy and there’s no better feeling in the world!!

    February is our month to get her nursery in order (at least somewhat) because we will be living our best lives in Florida most of March. And my preggo brain NEEDS to check some things off our list beforehand, or the anxious thoughts start to creep in. The progesterone is flowing lemme tell ya, and this means decluttering, organizing and full-on nesting mode.

    I share a ton of updates on my instagram but Terry has been calling me a momzilla!! HA. He said I was not a bridezilla but apparently I’ve been acting like a momzilla. Whatevs is all I have to say to that. The urge to nest and have all the things mostly ready is STRONG and I don’t think men can understand it. Once it takes over, you start purging, throwing things out and making large donation bags. Terry is somewhat of a hoarder so this gives him major anxiety lol. I hate clutter and am not that attached to things so for me, it feels gratifying to get rid of things and re-organize our home. Like a fresh start for baby girl. Get rid of old energy and make space for her to enter our lives! And he just thinks “what if we need those things someday”?!

    But we’ve been making great progress on her nursery so far! Our moms came over to help clear out all of the things from our guest room turned nursery. We’re doing a moon and star theme and of course I’ll dedicate a whole post to her nursery on here but its so darn cute I can’t handle it! Terry did a fresh coat of paint on the walls last weekend and this weekend he will start painting some stars on the wall where her crib will be. I ordered cute star stencils on etsy! Her crib and dresser arrived and I’m slowly adding to her collection of adorable clothes and swaddles as items from our registry start coming in. I know her room doesn’t need to be completely ready because she will sleep in our room for the first few months but I also know I’ll be tired once she’s here earth side and would rather dedicate my time to her than scrambling to organize her things. I can’t wait to wash her clothes and sort them in her dresser! I dream of the day it is complete. If you can’t tell, I’m eager to have it all setup because who knows when she will come!

    I know I’ve been lacking with recipes here on the blog but I’m trying to study and finish as much of my practitioner program as I can before she’s here. I will have new recipes soon though! I know many of you are loving the recipes from my new cookbook and that makes me happy 🙂

    I have an Umbilical Hernia…

    Something unfortunate has popped up during this pregnancy though. I met with my midwives and found out I have an umbilical hernia… I’m seeing a surgeon on friday so I will wait to do a whole update on what they say but it’s been pretty awful and uncomfortable. Luckily it doesn’t affect baby girl at all, it has more to do with how my own umbilical cord healed as a baby and is now being exacerbated from being pregnant. Most women need surgery to fix it after they’re done having babies. I’ve been doing daily core and pelvic floor exercises (yes they’re pregnancy-safe) to try and help close the gap where the hernia keeps popping out but my belly keeps growing because I’m only 27 weeks.. so not sure if they are helping much. The whole situation is honestly so bizarre and I know it could be a lot worse so I’m trying not to complain but it does make me worried about labor because once the hernia sticks out for long enough it becomes really painful and I get excruciating cramping… almost like a charley horse with a lot of tightening in the left side of my belly. I’ve learned to keep pushing it back in to prevent the cramping from happening but am unsure as to how this will affect my labor and pushing. Anyways, I need all the prayers for it! I’ll add the update to this post once I meet with the surgeon.

    2nd Trimester Symptoms:

    • Working out is getting harder with the extra weight and being more out of breath, although it still feels good to sweat. I bought a treadmill so I can walk when I please (due to the current tundra we live in) and it has been life-changing
    • Emotional rollercoaster. I’ve been crying at the littlest things! I could cry at the drop of a hat. Tears are on standby.
    • Pregnancy brain has sort of started. I’m just a little more forgetful
    • Insomnia has sort of started as well. Just randomly, but I think it coincides with the new moon and full moon more than anything! Definitely need more naps nowadays though!
    • I hate wearing a bra, except for this one when I have to leave the house! It’s like wearing nothing and I can’t stop sharing about it. Truly a godsend.
    • I now know what real Braxton Hicks feel like! Much different than the cramping from my umbilical hernia. Braxton Hicks is just a tightening that doesn’t hurt at all, but is noticeable for sure. This is just something the body does to prepare for contractions. So interesting!
    • I wake up with new aches and pains on the daily. I really need to go to the chiropractor! But a dull full body ache is just my new normal. The growing pains of being pregnant are real!
    • My appetite has slowed down quite a bit. In the first trimester I was ravenous and my belly grew SO fast! But the belly growth has since slowed down (thank you) and so has my appetite for food. I never feel like I’m starving, just hungry as normal. I think this can happen because there’s not much room for the stomach to expand so eating a huge meal can be super uncomfortable and almost painful.

    The Best Maternity Leggings!!!

    I’ve tried all the brands. Blanqi, Target, Old Navy, random ones from Nordstrom, lululemon dupes on amazon… and I hated them all. I’m SO PICKY with my leggings because I live in them. They can’t dig in anywhere and they can’t ride down. They can’t be too tight and they can’t make me sweat! They can’t be see through either. And they must be stretchy, not just cotton.

    SO, I knew it would be worth it to invest in a couple pairs that are more pricey but will actually make me feel comfy and cute. Again I’m super picky. For me the only pairs I will wear are the lululemon Align leggings (I sized up one to a 6) and now in the third trimester, the Beyond Yoga Love the Bump Maternity Leggings (I got a medium, could probably do a small too). I’m so happy with them! They’re worth it. They’re the most deliciously soft fabric, they don’t ride down and I know they’ll last for my next pregnancy too. I’m sure you already know about the Align leggings! They were my favorite in the first and halfway into the 2nd trimester before the band started getting too tight. So if I’m sitting and working I can’t wear them anymore but if I’m out running errands they’re still good. Why doesn’t lululemon make a maternity legging?! Hello?! LOL.

    For loungewear pants I still love these from Target! I have them in black, green and oatmeal. I got a small and they’re still perfect. And also these slippers below are the best!!! And so fun for spring too.


    That’s all the updates I have for you! The nursery will be next!


    In case you missed these posts:

    • What I Eat During My Vegan Pregnancy
    • My Vegan Pregnancy Supplement Protocol
    • Fertility Prep Guide eBook

    What I Eat During My Vegan Pregnancy

    I’m so excited to share What I Eat During My Vegan Pregnancy!

    I’m currently 25 weeks, almost out of the second trimester! I’ll be sharing foods for both the first and second trimester. My appetite has gone down quite a bit since the 20-week mark. In the first trimester I felt ravenous, but could only stomach avocado toast, crackers, pasta and some smoothies. I feel like you have to do whatever you can just to get by during those queasy weeks. So eat what is tolerable and don’t feel bad about it! You can make up for it in the second trimester. You gotta do what you gotta do to get through! Don’t feel guilty if all you can stomach is bread and crackers, it will pass and you will want vegetables again, promise. Be kind to yourself!

    Can we talk about something though?! Pregnancy is uncomfortable and really difficult at times. It’s not all bliss and cute baby bump photos. Or maybe it is for the rare unicorn ladies but most people will have some hardships. I think there’s a stigma about how uncomfortable pregnancy really is because we are trained not to complain, out of fear of hurting someone’s feelings who may be experiencing infertility. And I get that because I would never want someone to think I’m not sensitive to them, or that I’m not grateful, because I am! More than anything! I can be grateful and also uncomfortable. I can have feelings and not be “complaining”. Sometimes sharing and talking about it is all we need to feel better because other women can relate and share their experiences, and we bond in that way. We feel LESS ALONE. Not everything is so black and white! Our society drives me crazy with this. We CAN be both. And we should be allowed to talk about whatever we want because if we don’t, we feel isolated. It’s crazy that when I’m about to share something I have to include “yes I’m grateful but”.

    Okay, thanks for coming to my pregnancy ted talk.

    Tempeh vegetable mix, mushrooms and Right Rice.

    How have you maintained being plant-based?

    Let’s get on with pregnancy foods! So yes I’ve been able to maintain my plant-based diet and feel great! The food part has been fairly easy for me! I’m not someone who would just start eating meat and dairy because I’m pregnant, that doesn’t align with my core values. I will always figure out a way. I do have to pay more attention to my protein intake (it’s recommended that pregnant women get in 70 grams of protein per day). To accomplish this I usually have some sort of protein smoothie for breakfast with the VivoLife Perform protein powder, or at least some fruit and then chia pudding made with the protein powder. Something to get protein in first thing as it helps to keep me satiated and full.

    Then I’ll usually have tempeh or beans at lunch to achieve adequate protein intake, and then lentils, edamame or beans at dinner. I like to have variation in the types of protein throughout the day! This ensures you’re getting in variety of nutrients! And then protein-rich snacks throughout the day like hummus with veggies or apple with almond butter. It’s definitely doable, but you have to be mindful of your intake! I’ve been eating this way for 7 years now though, so it’s second nature for me.

    Of course I want vegan cookies and brownies and chocolate and pizza and salt & vinegar chips from time to time, ha. I’m human! I’m growing a human! And I have those things on occasion. I definitely do not deprive myself because that makes it so much worse and I want to fully enjoy my pregnancy experience. I’ve especially loved my “Healthy” Snickers Bites (basically no self-control with these ha) and my Vegan and Gluten Free Banana Choclate Muffins. When I make my own homemade treats and can control the ingredients, I feel so much better! And less swollen, ya feel? But I really try to get in as many nourishing whole foods and greens as much as I can because that’s when I feel best! I’ve gained quite a bit of weight so far even though I exercise and eat mostly clean. Weight gain is really hard to talk about… but I feel like it’s all in my big belly and boobs. Pregnancy weight is a whole other topic that I plan to talk more about in my 2nd trimester update (coming soon!).

    >>>>> Be sure to check out my Vegan Pregnancy Supplement Protocol too!!!


    1st Trimester Foods:

    I went through my archive of instagram stories to see what I ate back in the first trimester, especially during the height of nausea! Just want to be as real as possible. Remember, you gotta do what you gotta do. And just eat what you can stomach! Eat more frequently, eat carbs, drink water and rest. I had lots of veggie sandwiches, cucumber salad, my vegan mac and cheese recipe, vegan quesadillas, and Daily Harvest ice cream. I made these little cracker sandwiches that you’ll see below with oat crispbread, baked tofu (store-bought) and cucumber. SO yum and hit the spot perfectly when you’re queasy, while also getting in some protein. I think I lived on cucumbers, homemade french fries and spindrift.

    I also made icy sticky water from my first book, The Happy Hormone Guide! There was something so refreshing about it, and it really seemed to settle my stomach! It’s just ice filtered water, the juice of 1 lime (or lemon) and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. YUMMM.


    2nd Trimester Foods:

    I’ve definitely been able to stomach basically everything in this trimester! You can make up for lost time and get in lots of veggies and greens. This is when I got back on my protein smoothie kick, and back to eating yogurt bowls. If I ate a yogurt bowl, I would have a protein drink with it (just a mix of water and plant protein powder). Lunch is usually leftovers or a big veggie salad. Dinner is usually something from my blog or cookbook! I try and keep my meals super balanced with protein, fat and fiber/carb. If I eat too big of a portion (which I do more often than not on accident), I get awful cramping because my stomach has no room to expand. So I have to be mindful of my portions but I’m not measuring or counting anything, just trying not to go overboard. Eating intuitively works best for me!

    Vegan yogurt bowl with apple, chia seeds and chocolate granola.
    Berry Protein smoothie with a avocado smeared gluten free english muffin.
    Simple Mills pancakes made with applesauce (instead of egg).
    The Crunchy Spring Roll in a Bowl recipe from my cookbook!
    Veggies and the BEST hummus
    Lentils, greens, steamed veggies, tahini sauce, avocado
    Grilled Romaine Salad with the Crunchy Chickpeas and Vegan Ranch from my cookbook.
    Banza Pesto Pasta with steamed peas and carrots.
    More Banza pasta with asparagus and kale!
    Baked Tofu Stir Fry
    Healthy Snickers Bites!!!! My ADDICTION.

    I hope you found this helpful and I hope it gives you some recipe inspo! As always, I share most of what I’m eating over on instagram, so be sure to follow along there 🙂 Pregnancy is a wild ride, just do your best 🙂

    My Vegan Pregnancy Supplement Protocol

    I’m excited to share the vegan prenatal supplements I’ve been taking throughout my pregnancy!

    Honestly, I’ve been feeling better since getting pregnant than not pregnant… I don’t know what that is about… (!) but I contribute it to the supplements and increase in hormones. I’m currently 22 weeks and due May 16th, 2021. I have more energy during my pregnancy to workout and use weights than I did before getting pregnant! I know this can change in the third trimester though, haha, as people like to tell me. “Just wait” they say. Which is semi-annoying because I’m not expecting it to be awful, just taking it day by day and really enjoying it so far!!!

    I know my experience is not everyone’s experience but so far, I’m loving every second of growing a life. Of course I’m tired with minor aches and pains but that is to be expected, in my opinion. There’s a lot of opinions out there, my goodness!! But I take them all with a grain of salt and am definitely doing things my own way (hello, I’m planning to have a home water birth in a tub with midwives and a doula) but that is another blog post for another day. Not doing things by the books is the way I like it haha. UNCONVENTIONAL, you know?!

    Today is all about vegan prenatal supplements and making sure to fill in the gaps nutrient-wise so baby has everything they need to grow into a healthy little human. I don’t mind taking a whole handful of supplements because they have a purpose for my baby girl. Don’t be a baby about it, just do it, you know?! I split them up between morning and night, which I will get to.

    If there is a time to splurge on the best supplements, that time is when you’re pregnant!!!

    • It’s really important to buy HIGH-QUALITY SUPPLEMENTS (if you can). And not supplements from the grocery or drug store because they’re not absorbed as well (they often don’t have the right forms or enough, let alone absorbable forms) and many of the big well-known companies go the cheap route when possible. This means using fillers, using less ideal forms, etc. Not surprising though, and I’m sure I don’t have to tell you guys that!
    • The building blocks should come from nutritious foods first. Foods are the foundation. Supplements are important to fill in where you may be missing but the bulk of your nutrients should come from fresh food, first, always. How can you expect to grow a healthy baby without healthy whole foods to nourish you both? Think of all the beautiful rainbow foods, the yummy plant proteins, greens, all the fruits and veggies, nut and seeds. This is the time to buy the best supplements, eat the best food and take care of yourself as best you can.

    If you want to learn more about prepping your body for fertility, check out my Fertility Prep Guide ebook where I share all the supplements I took and what I did to prep my body.


    MORNING SUPPLEMENTS:

    • Microbe Formulas Mineral Drops – 1 dropperful in my morning water, work your way up to 3 dropperfuls per day!! Cellcore and Microbe Formulas have the same products, FYI. I take these mainly to keep my cells hydrated and to support my baby! Drinking a ton of water is great, but it’s important it has minerals or else drinking water is pointless and it will actually flush the minerals you do have in your body. This is why people can still be dehydrated even though they drink a ton of water. With 69 naturally-occurring, plant-derived minerals and a dozen amino acids, BioActive Carbon Minerals provides building blocks for cellular energy production, which is needed to support detox. The mineral drops contain 100% organically-complexed, nano-sized molecules, which supports their bioavailability to your body. I love these drops so much, but you have to start slow!
    • Iodine – 1 per day in the morning. I take iodine for my thyroid, for baby’s IQ and brain development, for energy, and for reducing the toxic load in my body to help prevent baby from inheriting my toxins. It also helps protect the mineral’s passage through the digestive tract, plus it binds and removes unwanted elements to help support your cells’ iodine uptake.
    • Liposomal B12 Spray – for my vegans/vegetarians. 6 sprays per day in the morning. This spray has been life-changing for my energy! Not everyone needs a B12 spray but my body prefers this form as it’s easiest for me to absorb. Our b vitamins are SO easily depleted in times of stress and we all need extra B vitamins right now. There are lots in my prenatal but this is just extra B12 which is essential for range of things like cognition, sleep, energy, eye and cardiovascular health support.
    • Vitamin D drops – 2 drops per day, in the morning. Of course we would all love to get vitamin D the natural way (from the sun) but living in the midwest, I must supplement. In my practitioner course, I’m learning that basically everyone is deficient in vitamin D. It’s a good idea to supplement all the time, but especially in the winter months. Vitamin D is essential for hormone production, immune support, cardiovascular support, mood support, bone support and brain function. Literally everything. SO so important. The vitamin d in the picture is different than the one I linked because the vitamin D I take was energetically tested for my body, specifically. If you want to try the one from Klaire Labs go for it! But I don’t want to recommend a product that maybe won’t work for you, so I linked Thorne because it’s a trustworthy brand.
    • Reishi Spores – 1-3 per day, at anytime but usually in the morning. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know my obsession with reishi spores and king coffee (see below). I get asked all the time if it’s okay to take reishi spores while pregnant. In my opinion, absolutely!!! But it can’t just be any reishi. It makes me wonder if they take tylenol when they have a headache, but don’t even think twice? We have to stop being scared of natural medicine. And again, the quality matters. I don’t trust any other brand anymore, after knowing what I know now. If I have a headache I take 2 reishi spore capsules. I don’t take tylenol or anything from a drug store but that’s just me. Reishi spores are the most potent part of the mushroom. They are the seeds and hold all the adaptogenic immune intelligence. You can’t just pick up reishi from any random store and expect the quality to be good because it’s likely just the lucidum (the fruiting body of the reishi mushroom, not the spores) and could have been grown on grains. You never know! If you want to learn more about reishi spores, check out this blog post!
    • King Coffee (1-1.5 per day). Pretty sure this counts as a supplement because it has helped me so much in my healing journey pre-pregnancy and now during my pregnancy. I drink one, sometimes 1.5 per day. Yes I drink coffee while pregnant. But it’s not just any coffee. It’s ORGANIC coffee that is tested for mold/mycotoxins and infused with a therapeutic dose of… you guessed it… reishi spores. You can’t overdose on reishi spores. My magic in a cup. Again I don’t trust any other brand. King coffee is gut healing, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-candida, boosts immunity and brain function, helps with sleep, anti-anxiety and most of all has been very supportive of my pregnancy. I wouldn’t drink any other coffee!!!

    NIGHTTIME SUPPLEMENTS:

    • THORNE BASIC PRENATAL. 3 per day, at night (helps prevent the nauseous feeling). It’s one of the best in the industry because it has great ratios and a great formula. It has all the essential vitamins and minerals for pregnancy and they’re at an adequate dose, which is surprisingly hard to find! All the nutrients surpass more than 100% of the recommended daily value which is important and on top of that it has the active form of folate and B12 (methylcobalamin)!!! No folic acid and no cyanocobalamin. This means higher absorption rates and its safe for those who have the MTHFR gene mutation and don’t know it. It’s known as an active prenatal. The other one that is just as good is Prenatal Pro by Designs for Health. They’re both professional formulas that are third-party tested meaning you aren’t being exposed to fillers and crap. It’s been great for me, no complaints at all!
    • Nordic Naturals Algae Omega – 2 per day, at night. Omega’s and DHA are super important for the nervous system, cognitive function, brain health, eye function, breast health and reduced risk for postpartum depression. And obviously for a growing babe, omegas are absolutely essential. 200mg is the recommended minimum daily amount.
    • Evening Primrose Oil – 1 per day, at night. Evening Primrose Oil is a famous source of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)(Omega 6), Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) and Oleic Acid (Omega 9). These are essential fatty acids that are important in maintaining the structure of human cells. It is known to help tone and support the uterus. Start taking in the second trimester.
    • Nested Naturals Choline – 2 per day, at night. The smarty pants nutrient! Choline helps support the health of the nervous system and liver and promote normal prenatal development and growth during pregnancy. Essential for brain development, memory support, liver health and cardiovascular health.
    • Nested Naturals Chelated Magnesium Glycinate – 3-4 per day, at night. Ahh, these put me right to sleep and help calm my nervous system before bed. Don’t know what I would do without them honestly! This is a highly absorbable form. Great for nervous system support, muscle relaxation, leg cramps, stress relief, sleep support. Magnesium is an essential mineral for over 300+ chemical reactions in the body.
    • Mycelium – 4 per day, at night (as seen above). This is totally optional! I just add this for extra brain support, anxiety and sleep support. It really helps me stay focused and stay on track with my work. It’s a different part of the reishi mushroom, it’s the root-like web that grows underground! Super interesting.

    That’s it for my supplement protocol! Let me know if you have questions below, I’m happy to answer them and I hope you found this helpful.


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    SHANNON Leparski

    SHANNON Leparski

    Hi! I'm Shannon, a Certified Hormone Specialist and plant based blogger living in Chicago. I help women heal their bodies bodies from the inside out and balance their hormones naturally through a plant based diet and lifestyle. Let me guide you through it, so you can glow from within and feel the best you've ever felt!

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    shannon.leparski

    Wellness, Motherhood, Holistic Nutrition, Gut Health
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    💌 shannon@theglowingfridge.com

    SHANNON // Beauty / Motherhood / Wellness
    & my hair needed SERIOUS HELP. It was super oily & my hair needed SERIOUS HELP.

It was super oily and greasy with buildup from past products. I was washing daily… and just unhappy with the dullness and lack of volume. That has since changed!

Aside from getting transformed hair, this opportunity allows motivated women to have another income source. It allows mamas to have the best of both worlds - their own income while raising their babies (if you’re in that phase of life). It provides social media training, so much guidance and support (you’re never doing it alone), earned confidence and most importantly, community. Some of my best friends are here now because we talk daily and know everything about each other’s lives! Surrounding yourself with like-minded successful women can turn your life around. I’m not kidding. You are who you surround yourself with. It’s more than just shampoo. 

All it takes is deciding YES and stepping out of your comfort zone.  Don’t let life pass you by. Stop wondering and start taking action! 🥂 

If you’re ready, DM me BIZ and let’s chat 💞

#wfhm #networkmarketing #sahm
    the answer is no. but will I try again tomorrow? the answer is no. 

but will I try again tomorrow? probably, yes.

#momlife
    How I make my Dandy Blend Latte. Why I stopped dri How I make my Dandy Blend Latte. Why I stopped drinking King Coffee. More about my gallbladder flush coming up on the new moon 🌑
    20 THINGS I’VE LEARNED: 1. You can do hard thin 20 THINGS I’VE LEARNED:

1. You can do hard things. 
2. Stay consistent. 
3. Don’t give up.
4. Stay consistent. Again.
5. People will quit, don’t take it personally.
6. TV is a time suck (I haven’t watched TV since I started 🙃)
7. This business isn’t for everyone (only the hustlers).
8. Girls are desperate for community and support.
9. Moms especially need support like this.
10. Making your own money is security.
11. Making your own money is powerful.
12. The trips are life changing.
13. You can multitask.
14. Your friends probably won’t support you. That’s okay.
15. You have to be a little bit delusional with your vision and belief. 
16. Go for it. Dream big.
17. Stay consistent.
18. Ask for help from your mentor.
19. Do the uncomfortable things. Keep doing them.
20. Remember why you started 🙏🏼

#monatanniversary
    Can you even?!! When I saw these my heart skipped Can you even?!! When I saw these my heart skipped a beat. How grateful I am to have beautiful photos with my little shadow. My little bestie.

This is your sign to do the mother-daughter photoshoot 🥰🥰🥰🥰 thank you to @sarahiltonphotography for capturing such sweet moments that I will cherish forever. Sara did the photos for my book as well, The Happy Hormone Guide!!! She does branding and headshots in the northwest suburbs of Chicago - she’s the best!!

#motherdaughter
    what healing looks like 🌼🩷 I starts out my what healing looks like 🌼🩷

I starts out my morning with a bunch of supplements to eliminate parasites and bacteria and repair my gut while supporting my liver and gallbladder. Next I make a protein smoothie with vanilla whey protein powder and a custom supplement to support my deficiencies. And lastly my creamy dandy blend latte because I’m not drinking coffee right now.

This is what works for me right now! I also have gf toast usually from @awgbakery. I’ve had to eliminate so many things but it’s all for good reason, to reduce all the inflammation. I’m working with @lifelabwellnessco if you would like your own custom plan and testing 🙏🏼 should I share more videos like this?

#guthealingjourney #parasitecleanse

    Shannon is a health enthusiast and plant based nutrition advocate, living in Chicago. She studied Health and Fitness at Purdue University and loves everything about the plant based vegan lifestyle, especially creating colorful, nourishing, happy hormone recipes in her kitchen. Read More…

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    MENSTRUAL PHASE RECIPES

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