Most meat eaters can not imagine giving up eating meat, what do you eat when meat is such a staple in every meal? This is the question I wondered too before I turned veggie. I didn't fancy eating pulses and vegetables every day, I didn't want to cook from scratch every day and I would miss my favourite meals like beef stew and lasagne. But meat was beginning to repulse me, I was starting to leave the meat part on my plate, I was gagging at the sight of a tube and crunching on residue bones in mince. I hated seeing veins in cooked chicken let alone handle slimey raw meat. It was really starting to click that these animals once lived, those veins once pumped blood around their body like ours do. How did they die? and how long had their rotting bodies been in the shop for and in our fridge? It was a disgusting thought and very sad. So I took the leap and turned vegetarian. I did stumble a few times when out, it took a year to transition completely but I didn't pressurise myself and I think that is the biggest tip for anyone who wants to try. Don't label it, just try it, eating less meat is a positive start.
The best thing about turning vegetarian is you can still enjoy those meaty meals you love but without cooking dead bodies. I use Quorn or own brand meat free alternatives which is often soy based, and honestly most people can not tell the difference once everything is cooked and seasoned. The best part about it all is that I am helping the awful meat industry slowly diminish. They supply in demand and if the demand is going down person by person, the supply is effected meaning less animals are being force fed, bred and killed for meat. Another massive benefit is health. SO many people are told by doctors to reduce their intake of meat, so may people say they feel sluggish after eating meat. It's so nice to not have that problem at all but still enjoy my faux meat meals as if I were still a meat eater.
Here are a list of my go to meals for some insight/ inspiration:
- Lasagne with quorn mince using my own cheese sauce and tomato sauce made from tomato passata, garlic, onion and vegtable stock cube
- Quorn/ Tesco vegetarian chicken nuggets, chips and beans (that cosy,lazy meal most of us love)
The nuggets taste exactly like chicken nuggets - I like that Isla (my daughter) won't miss out on that kind of thing.
-Spaghetti Bolognese with quorn mince
-Beef stew and dumplings with veg, pearl barley, tin tomatoes, bisto gravy for sauce thickening and salt, veg stock cubes and quorn strips which have the same texture as a soft bit of beef.
- Sausage sandwiches/ as part of a fry up/ sausages and mash - I use quorn and Linca Mcartney sausages which are both delicious and have a meaty texture
-Burgers - Linda mcartney Burgers are the best in my opinion, meat eaters have commented on how they were actually nicer than beef burgers.
- Shepard's Pie with quorn mince
And I've even cooked a caribbean dish using quorn mince and curry spices with rice, jonny cakes and sweetcorn.
Honestly, being a vegetarian is SO easy. Easier than being a meat eater. There's no raw meat to handle, no scare of anything being under cooked and everything is frozen. This is a big reason as to why I am raising Isla as a vegetarian as well as for the health benefits which are extraordinary. Plus I now see meat as perverse, I would hate for her to be conditioned to think it was a normal thing to consume meat like we all have, she can choose to eat it in the future but I will start her off as an empathetic vegetarian who knows what meat is before she chooses that path.
Why don't you try subbing meat in a couple of meals a week ?:)
Robyn x
How I became vegetarian after 23 years of eating meat and why I am raising my daughter as a veggie.
Tuesday, 29 October 2019
5 Things I couldn't Live without at Newborn Stage
Wednesday, 9 October 2019
Newborn days are an absolute blur.
I am so glad that we were over prepared and had all the equipment we needed without having to panic buy last minute because when I was struggling in the early days I had no inspiration to shop at all.
So here are a few things I found to be useful and would use again if I have another baby.
1. Chicco Next to me Crib and Chicco Light
These next to me beds are so perfect. I am a very anxious and paranoid person. I used to wake up randomly just to check if Isla was breathing ok (SIDS was constantly on my mind). With this crib I could see her as I lay there on my side, I didn't have to get up to check on her but she was also safe in her own space with no threat of me rolling on to her. As she got older and needier we started to co-sleep in my bed but while she was a fragile and an unaware newborn, I let her sleep in her own space as she didn't mind at all.
The light was also a big big plus because I relied on that soft night light to give me night vision when Isla insisted we get up every 3 hours. The light fixed on to the crib and was bright enough for me to see her and breastfeed her without fumbling in the dark but dim enough not to effect her Dad too much while he attempted to get some sleep.
2. Muslins
Wow I know they say you can never have enough muslins but we had about 20 and that still wasn't enough. I did have to buy more as Isla was a sicky baby (I blame greed), so we were getting through 5 a day. I also got some big bamboo muslins as a very light blanket while she slept. There were some nights were it stayed at 26+ degrees so a light muslin was all she needed. They are still handy now as they are so big so I continued to use them as summer blankets while she was in her pushchair.
3. Baby Massage
Baby massage really saved my mentality as a new mum and introduced me to my first mum friends who I hope to stay in contact with forever. I went to a free class (donation £2 a session), at my local childrens centre. Our teacher was so lovely, although too young to be my nan, she had that cosiness about her which I found really comforting. She provided tea and the most delicious cookies every time. In the early days, I was so mentally and physically drained, I had to force myself to leave the house and the only way I could do that is if I had a class to go to. Baby massage starts at 6weeks old so that was my very first class and a lovely soft introduction to the world of baby classes. Not only did it help me mentally, it helped Isla so so SO much. She was a very windy baby and before baby massage, the trapped air would have her crying relentlessly throughout the day and night. Once I was taught how to give her a proper colic/wind massage, the air came out like a deflating balloon. It also helps them go to the toilet which was also an issue with Isla. Baby massage helped me get rid of that horrible discomfort she was in and I am so grateful for being able to do that for her.
4. Baby Carrier
Before I had Isla, I used to go on daily dog walks with my mum and her dogs. Nature is my haven so it was an absolute must to work out a way where I could continue to join my mum on her dog walks which were usually off road and impossible for a buggy. My friend gave me her baby bjorn carrier which was an absolute blessing. Isla used to fall asleep in the carrier almost instantly and I could continue to walk like a normal person. I loved how she could remain close to me but still get some fresh air. As she got older I purchased the ERGO BABY 360 carrier which allowed me to turn her so she could face the front and see what was going on (around 6 months old).
5. Changing Table by Tutti Bambini
Having a C-Section made it harder for me to change her on the floor or even on my bed.
A changing table is at a perfect height where you don't have to bend down and strain your back to change them. Isla is 14 months and I still use the changing table. They can look like normal drawers once we are finished with the baby stage. But unlike normal drawers, they have a slight depth on top so the baby cant just roll off of the edge, although I would never ever let that even be an option.
I hope this has inspired your parent to be shopping list :)
Let me know if you have any questions! x
I am so glad that we were over prepared and had all the equipment we needed without having to panic buy last minute because when I was struggling in the early days I had no inspiration to shop at all.
So here are a few things I found to be useful and would use again if I have another baby.
1. Chicco Next to me Crib and Chicco Light
These next to me beds are so perfect. I am a very anxious and paranoid person. I used to wake up randomly just to check if Isla was breathing ok (SIDS was constantly on my mind). With this crib I could see her as I lay there on my side, I didn't have to get up to check on her but she was also safe in her own space with no threat of me rolling on to her. As she got older and needier we started to co-sleep in my bed but while she was a fragile and an unaware newborn, I let her sleep in her own space as she didn't mind at all.
The light was also a big big plus because I relied on that soft night light to give me night vision when Isla insisted we get up every 3 hours. The light fixed on to the crib and was bright enough for me to see her and breastfeed her without fumbling in the dark but dim enough not to effect her Dad too much while he attempted to get some sleep.
2. Muslins
Wow I know they say you can never have enough muslins but we had about 20 and that still wasn't enough. I did have to buy more as Isla was a sicky baby (I blame greed), so we were getting through 5 a day. I also got some big bamboo muslins as a very light blanket while she slept. There were some nights were it stayed at 26+ degrees so a light muslin was all she needed. They are still handy now as they are so big so I continued to use them as summer blankets while she was in her pushchair.
3. Baby Massage
Baby massage really saved my mentality as a new mum and introduced me to my first mum friends who I hope to stay in contact with forever. I went to a free class (donation £2 a session), at my local childrens centre. Our teacher was so lovely, although too young to be my nan, she had that cosiness about her which I found really comforting. She provided tea and the most delicious cookies every time. In the early days, I was so mentally and physically drained, I had to force myself to leave the house and the only way I could do that is if I had a class to go to. Baby massage starts at 6weeks old so that was my very first class and a lovely soft introduction to the world of baby classes. Not only did it help me mentally, it helped Isla so so SO much. She was a very windy baby and before baby massage, the trapped air would have her crying relentlessly throughout the day and night. Once I was taught how to give her a proper colic/wind massage, the air came out like a deflating balloon. It also helps them go to the toilet which was also an issue with Isla. Baby massage helped me get rid of that horrible discomfort she was in and I am so grateful for being able to do that for her.
4. Baby Carrier
Before I had Isla, I used to go on daily dog walks with my mum and her dogs. Nature is my haven so it was an absolute must to work out a way where I could continue to join my mum on her dog walks which were usually off road and impossible for a buggy. My friend gave me her baby bjorn carrier which was an absolute blessing. Isla used to fall asleep in the carrier almost instantly and I could continue to walk like a normal person. I loved how she could remain close to me but still get some fresh air. As she got older I purchased the ERGO BABY 360 carrier which allowed me to turn her so she could face the front and see what was going on (around 6 months old).
5. Changing Table by Tutti Bambini
Having a C-Section made it harder for me to change her on the floor or even on my bed.
A changing table is at a perfect height where you don't have to bend down and strain your back to change them. Isla is 14 months and I still use the changing table. They can look like normal drawers once we are finished with the baby stage. But unlike normal drawers, they have a slight depth on top so the baby cant just roll off of the edge, although I would never ever let that even be an option.
I hope this has inspired your parent to be shopping list :)
Let me know if you have any questions! x
Society made me feel ashamed for Co-Sleeping with my baby
Wednesday, 7 August 2019
One thing that I wasn't prepared for about motherhood is feeling like I need to conform to how others think you should parent your own child. I just assumed I would naturally follow the general guidelines and be a 'normal' parent.
They say you should let your baby sleep in the same room as you for atleast 6 months and then you can try and move them to their own room. On the lead up to the 6 month mark, I would look at my perfect little angel sleeping so soundly beside me and feel a deep sadness at the thought of her being all on her own in a cot that looked far too big and cold for her. I fought with the idea that she needs to learn to be on her own because isn't that the right thing to do?
Isn't that what everyone tells you to do?
But my natural instinct wouldn't let me rest when she was out of my sight.
The 6 month mark came and everyone asked me 'when is she going in her own room, are you trying it yet?' and I would squirm with embarrassment at my bad parenting and reply 'no not yet' - like I was somehow failing?
So she continued to sleep next to me and I continued to pamper to her every need through out the night. Blankets come off? No problem babykins I'll tuck you up again. Are you too hot? No problem I will swap your blanket for a thermal one. Are you panicking because you feel alone? Both me and your Daddy are right next to you. I loved how I could comfort her instantly. But with each passing month the comments continued. 'She really need her own space' Someone suggested. But with each passing month I was beginning to understand that actually there is no set way of you should do things. You should go with both your baby and your own natural instinct.
Were babies really left in a different nook of the cave back in the first days of human civilisation? Probably not! We are so quick to dismiss our natural and most basic instincts which is wrong for both mother and child.
Every baby is different and some babies genuinely do want their own space but Isla wasn't that baby. She panics when she feels alone, she opens her eyes to see if we are next to her and then falls back to sleep, she wriggles in discomfort until you touch her. So now instead of feeling embarrassed that I haven't followed the usual regime, I'm proud that I did what was best for MY baby.
Yes that makes my life a bit more difficult. I do have to go to bed when she goes to bed and she only naps in her pushchair when you rock her in the day. But thats OK because it won't be forever. She will only be a baby for a short amount of time so in that time I want to reassure her and go with what SHE wants rather than try to fit her in the same box as what a baby should want and need.
I feel like people don't understand when I say I can't have a late night out. When I have to leave social situations a little earlier than everyone else I feel embarrassed and rude or like I'm making an excuse because aren't 1 year olds supposed to be in their own bed by now?
'Can't you get someone to look after her overnight?
'My parents look after my baby over night, why can't yours?'
Not that anyone says those things but I know they are thinking it, especially the ones without children.
I watched 'The Let Down' on netflix the other day that follows their 1 year olds and one mum said 'She isn't ready to stay anywhere over night yet' and it just resonated with me. She isn't ready.
Isla isn't ready for me to just leave her and nothing on this earth is more important than my baby. I would sacrifice everything for her. SO although I am cringing at the thought of my future social plans and having to leave abruptly early, I am aligning my priorities and putting people pleasing aside, I feel that has to be done ALOT in motherhood.
They say you should let your baby sleep in the same room as you for atleast 6 months and then you can try and move them to their own room. On the lead up to the 6 month mark, I would look at my perfect little angel sleeping so soundly beside me and feel a deep sadness at the thought of her being all on her own in a cot that looked far too big and cold for her. I fought with the idea that she needs to learn to be on her own because isn't that the right thing to do?
Isn't that what everyone tells you to do?
But my natural instinct wouldn't let me rest when she was out of my sight.
The 6 month mark came and everyone asked me 'when is she going in her own room, are you trying it yet?' and I would squirm with embarrassment at my bad parenting and reply 'no not yet' - like I was somehow failing?
So she continued to sleep next to me and I continued to pamper to her every need through out the night. Blankets come off? No problem babykins I'll tuck you up again. Are you too hot? No problem I will swap your blanket for a thermal one. Are you panicking because you feel alone? Both me and your Daddy are right next to you. I loved how I could comfort her instantly. But with each passing month the comments continued. 'She really need her own space' Someone suggested. But with each passing month I was beginning to understand that actually there is no set way of you should do things. You should go with both your baby and your own natural instinct.
Were babies really left in a different nook of the cave back in the first days of human civilisation? Probably not! We are so quick to dismiss our natural and most basic instincts which is wrong for both mother and child.
Every baby is different and some babies genuinely do want their own space but Isla wasn't that baby. She panics when she feels alone, she opens her eyes to see if we are next to her and then falls back to sleep, she wriggles in discomfort until you touch her. So now instead of feeling embarrassed that I haven't followed the usual regime, I'm proud that I did what was best for MY baby.
Yes that makes my life a bit more difficult. I do have to go to bed when she goes to bed and she only naps in her pushchair when you rock her in the day. But thats OK because it won't be forever. She will only be a baby for a short amount of time so in that time I want to reassure her and go with what SHE wants rather than try to fit her in the same box as what a baby should want and need.
I feel like people don't understand when I say I can't have a late night out. When I have to leave social situations a little earlier than everyone else I feel embarrassed and rude or like I'm making an excuse because aren't 1 year olds supposed to be in their own bed by now?
'Can't you get someone to look after her overnight?
'My parents look after my baby over night, why can't yours?'
Not that anyone says those things but I know they are thinking it, especially the ones without children.
I watched 'The Let Down' on netflix the other day that follows their 1 year olds and one mum said 'She isn't ready to stay anywhere over night yet' and it just resonated with me. She isn't ready.
Isla isn't ready for me to just leave her and nothing on this earth is more important than my baby. I would sacrifice everything for her. SO although I am cringing at the thought of my future social plans and having to leave abruptly early, I am aligning my priorities and putting people pleasing aside, I feel that has to be done ALOT in motherhood.
Why I Decided to Breastfeed After Being Against It
Friday, 14 June 2019
Before I had a child, before I even got pregnant - the thought of breastfeeding cringed me out. I hate how society have twisted our most basic nature by sexualising breasts which were solely designed to keep babies alive and have smothered our instincts so when we see a woman breastfeeding we cringe and look away instead of thinking awww how lovely, what a lovely thing.
I fell in to the bracket of OMG look away she's breastfeeding! I've never been against other people doing it but I have been embarrassed if I've seen somebody do it and I hate that.
During my hypnobirthing course, we went over everything from diet while pregnant to breastfeeding when the baby is here. The way Karen at Babies in Waiting talked about feeding made it seem so special, like it was an honour to feed your child, an amazing bond that only you could ever experience and I fell in love with the idea. I was absolutely amazed to learn of all the benefits it would give my baby girl. How if she was ever ill my body would produce antibodies to help her recover quicker or sometimes prevent an illness entirely while formula can only feed your baby (packed with vitamins but not antibodies). I also knew I would definitely give it a go because 1. My Mum is a big pro breast feeder so I had her support and 2. I am mostly dairy free and do not believe in humans drinking cows milk as like us, their milk is solely designed to feed THEIR offspring. So to give a tiny human milk powder made from milk which is supposed to feed a calf put me off of the idea.
HOWEVER.
While I was in hospital Isla kept crying to the point of midwives coming in to check on us. If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have been worried as newborns cry all the time, it's normal especially when you're waiting for your milk to come in. It's a whole process which isn't easy but its normal, it's nature. Their cry does something to our bodies, their constant suckling stimulated the milk. It all goes hand in hand. But the midwives insisted that Isla was hungry and that she needed a top up of formula. So I of course did whatever they told me to do. I felt so lost and so misguided. SO for the first few weeks of her life Isla had a bit of formula to top her up. What the midwives failed to tell me, which blows my mind, is that it's very important that the baby doesn't have any other milk as the more they suckle on you the sooner your milk comes in. If they are getting milk from another source your body thinks oh hey the baby isn't hungry anymore, we won't have to produce as much milk. Luckily I was able to give up the formula in the end after seeing a breastfeeding specialist who assured me that I definitely had enough milk to feed her.
I'm not going to lie, in the first few weeks I cried ALOT. I wanted to give up breastfeeding so badly. I couldn't go out because I had a baby attached to my boob 24/7. I was embarrassed when family members saw my boobs but I had to feed her and I knew I needed to get over this embarrassment.
But it did stop me from going to public places for a while. I fed in the car if we had to go out.
To get through it I set myself goals. I said 3 months, 3 months and I will give up because then at least she has had most of the benefits and she will no longer be a newborn. I was so convinced I would give up but when the time rolled around I had realised it had become a lot easier. So I said 6 months, I can do this for another few months so 6 months is the goal. Once again 6 months came and I wasn't ready to give up, the thought made me emotional. By this point I was feeding in public, discreetly and successfully so life was normal once again and I was still doing the best thing for my baby girl. Now here we are at 11 months and my goal now is to get to 1 year. At a year she can drink Oat milk (recommended by doctors and approved by my heath visitor as a non dairy option). Isla is naturally weaning which is the best. I don't feel guilty because she's more interested in food now but it wouldn't surprise me if I'm still feeding her at night after a year because it's a big comfort to her.
I wanted to share my story with you because not everyone who breastfeeds found it easy and not everyone is a natural. I wasn't at all. Isla had tongue tie, I had anxiety & a bit of depression so it was a very rocky start for us but I promise it gets easier. It actually becomes more convenient than bottle feeding because you don't have to go downstairs and make bottles in the middle of the night, you don't have to sterilise and you never have to panic if you have forgotten the milk. Wherever you are, you will always be able to comfort, feed and hydrate your baby without packing a thing!
I fell in to the bracket of OMG look away she's breastfeeding! I've never been against other people doing it but I have been embarrassed if I've seen somebody do it and I hate that.
During my hypnobirthing course, we went over everything from diet while pregnant to breastfeeding when the baby is here. The way Karen at Babies in Waiting talked about feeding made it seem so special, like it was an honour to feed your child, an amazing bond that only you could ever experience and I fell in love with the idea. I was absolutely amazed to learn of all the benefits it would give my baby girl. How if she was ever ill my body would produce antibodies to help her recover quicker or sometimes prevent an illness entirely while formula can only feed your baby (packed with vitamins but not antibodies). I also knew I would definitely give it a go because 1. My Mum is a big pro breast feeder so I had her support and 2. I am mostly dairy free and do not believe in humans drinking cows milk as like us, their milk is solely designed to feed THEIR offspring. So to give a tiny human milk powder made from milk which is supposed to feed a calf put me off of the idea.
HOWEVER.
While I was in hospital Isla kept crying to the point of midwives coming in to check on us. If I knew then what I know now I wouldn't have been worried as newborns cry all the time, it's normal especially when you're waiting for your milk to come in. It's a whole process which isn't easy but its normal, it's nature. Their cry does something to our bodies, their constant suckling stimulated the milk. It all goes hand in hand. But the midwives insisted that Isla was hungry and that she needed a top up of formula. So I of course did whatever they told me to do. I felt so lost and so misguided. SO for the first few weeks of her life Isla had a bit of formula to top her up. What the midwives failed to tell me, which blows my mind, is that it's very important that the baby doesn't have any other milk as the more they suckle on you the sooner your milk comes in. If they are getting milk from another source your body thinks oh hey the baby isn't hungry anymore, we won't have to produce as much milk. Luckily I was able to give up the formula in the end after seeing a breastfeeding specialist who assured me that I definitely had enough milk to feed her.
I'm not going to lie, in the first few weeks I cried ALOT. I wanted to give up breastfeeding so badly. I couldn't go out because I had a baby attached to my boob 24/7. I was embarrassed when family members saw my boobs but I had to feed her and I knew I needed to get over this embarrassment.
But it did stop me from going to public places for a while. I fed in the car if we had to go out.
To get through it I set myself goals. I said 3 months, 3 months and I will give up because then at least she has had most of the benefits and she will no longer be a newborn. I was so convinced I would give up but when the time rolled around I had realised it had become a lot easier. So I said 6 months, I can do this for another few months so 6 months is the goal. Once again 6 months came and I wasn't ready to give up, the thought made me emotional. By this point I was feeding in public, discreetly and successfully so life was normal once again and I was still doing the best thing for my baby girl. Now here we are at 11 months and my goal now is to get to 1 year. At a year she can drink Oat milk (recommended by doctors and approved by my heath visitor as a non dairy option). Isla is naturally weaning which is the best. I don't feel guilty because she's more interested in food now but it wouldn't surprise me if I'm still feeding her at night after a year because it's a big comfort to her.
I wanted to share my story with you because not everyone who breastfeeds found it easy and not everyone is a natural. I wasn't at all. Isla had tongue tie, I had anxiety & a bit of depression so it was a very rocky start for us but I promise it gets easier. It actually becomes more convenient than bottle feeding because you don't have to go downstairs and make bottles in the middle of the night, you don't have to sterilise and you never have to panic if you have forgotten the milk. Wherever you are, you will always be able to comfort, feed and hydrate your baby without packing a thing!
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