Sweet Potato Veggie Burger + Pregnancy Photo Journey

Getting my 'pre baby' body back is not as difficult as I had expected it to be (all thanks to nursing and healthy eating), but the body itself is not the same. Everything is just...softer. I have not started working out yet (5 weeks pp), but will be getting back to it this week. The weight is gone, but the muscle tone is definitely not back...there is a LOT of work to do, and I'm actually looking forward to it. There's just something about the way you feel after a great sweat session, know what I mean? 

Even more important than exercise, is having a healthy diet; it plays a major part in your heath (inside and out). Healthy eating doesn't mean boring eating, and finding new recipes is challenging and fun - to me! I came across a recipe for a sweet potato veggie burger and knew I had to try it out. I decided to make these burgers for lunch yesterday, and they turned out to be delicious, and SO simple. These are definitely going to be a new staple in our house. Even my burger-loving hubby thought they were delish! I opted to have mine without a bun and only topped with avocado, but would be great with any toppings you prefer.

View the recipe HERE 

Since I will be kicking off my workouts this week, I thought I'd share my pregnancy photo journey with you all. It's amazing what the body goes through, isn't it? 

 

 14 weeks

 

17 weeks

20 weeks

 

 

27 weeks

30 weeks

35 weeks

36 weeks

 37 weeks

And here I am now, 5 weeks postpartum

I will be sure to update once I begin my workouts. Any and all suggestions welcome! Hope you're having a great day!

A Long Overdue Update (warning: photo overload)

Hello, and happy Sunday! Wow - so sorry for my MONTH long disappearance. As you may have guessed, I've been completely preoccupied with the arrival of my baby girl; we have been enjoying every minute as a 'family of 3.' Everything is finally starting to slow down, and we are getting into the swing of things.

My parents made the trip to CA on Sophia's birth-day (my due date!), and my mom stayed for 3 weeks (thank you, Jesus!). She was a gigantic help with everything from laundry to nursing - thanks, Mom! ;)

Sophia's entrance into the world was drama-free, and surprisingly much easier than I had anticipated. My total labor lasted only 10 hours, and no complications for anyone meant we couldn't have asked for anything better. Our little heavyweight champ came into this world at 8 lbs 10 oz and 22 inches long! I was in complete shock that she came on her due date - I thought for sure I'd end up getting induced. "This is the first time you've actually been on time for an event!" - my husband's (sad, but true) joke. Let me tell you, it's even more difficult to be on time when you have to get a baby and yourself ready -- something I definitely need to work on! And now...time for photo overload.

'push present' - wrapped to match her nursery ;) 

diaper card 

 first shopping trip - 3 days old

last pregnant picture

cutest little honey brew - 3 oz

3 days old (can't believe how tired I look) with papa

sweet baby 

bath time

hub's birthday 

beach time

everything in moderation...?

heading to the doctor

sweet little hands

dinner with mimi

sleepless nights

first glass of wine in 10 months!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous FALL (can you believe it's fall?), and enjoying a pumpkin spice latte or two.

My Weekend & Sweet Potato and Quinoa Chili

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Ours was busy, busy, busy as we are trying to get as much as possible done in the new house before my due date (NEXT WEEKEND!). Our kitchen is finally up and running (not completely finished yet, so I am going to hold off on sharing it with you all)...but finished enough for me to cook - thank goodness! After 2 weeks of eating out for every meal, I am so excited to get back in the kitchen.

I made a delicious (and vegan - for those of you who are) chili recipe I came across on Pinterest. I am not vegan, but this was to-die-for! My hubs enjoyed it so much, he ate the leftovers for lunch on Saturday. It's a great recipe for fall, super simple, and sure to impress - not to mention extra healthy!

I used half cannellini beans and half black beans (recipe calls for all black), because I wanted to have more than one variety...plus black beans aren't my favorite after a bad experience in Costa Rica (that's a story for another time). If you wanted to add meat to your dish, shredded chicken would be a great! You can find the full recipe here.

Here is a (extremely low quality - sorry) "39 Weeks" photo...I'll try to take another this week that is a bit better. Any day now! For the most part, I am feeling great...the most annoying thing at this point is trying to find 'what to wear.' I am so sick of my dresses...can't wait to wear normal clothes again! Anyone else ever feel that way? 

We purchased a few new items for our home this weekend...

My new desk (!) - on sale at Pottery Barn right now...(looks much larger in person than online) 

These pillows I randomly spotted at IKEA - always a great deal, and the fabric is very thick with a nice, zipped closure. Impressive for IKEA...the worst store on the planet (if your husband refuses to go with you, and you are 39 weeks pregnant - lol). It has been requested that I return 90% of the items I found...great. 

Remember when I posted about an upholstered headboard? We decided to BUY - and I couldn't be happier about that decision. I really do not feel like taking on a project of that size (we have a king) is a great idea right now (or ever). It may be fun for a kid's room or guest room in the future, but for now...I've left it to the professionals. We ended up going with the Raleigh bed from Pottery Barn - we had to special order the fabric, so now...it's a waiting game. I can't wait to see the finished product! 

Did you do anything exciting this weekend?