Guest Blogger-Daughter #3: Protein for Preggos
Most of my readers will know by now that Daughter #3 is carrying our first Grandchild. Yes, I am going to be a Glamma! J2 is also a blogger and if you are a young Mom or Mom to be, you will really enjoy her posts: Baby Lady of the Prairies
“In my first trimester of pregnancy I had zero energy, zero motivation to get anything done, my house was a mess and the thought of cooking or even being near my kitchen made me queasy. Then, like clockwork, at 15 weeks life started to gain its color back. I started getting antsy to start and finish projects, I once again gained the satisfaction of having a clean house and best of all I loved food again!
Loving food again is helpful as baby is growing and developing in the second and third trimesters – especially loving foods rich in protein. The amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of your body’s cells. Pregnant women are advised to consume around 70-100 grams of protein every day. I don’t track the specific number of grams that I take in, but I am always aware of how I can add more protein to every meal.
Since I don’t have any dietary restrictions (by choice or otherwise) I usually eat at least one good-sized portion of meat every day which generally contains about 20-35 grams of my daily protein intake. Lately I have been trying to be creative with other sources of protein besides meat.
Here is a yummy recipe I have made including the beloved quinoa. Just 1 cup of cooked quinoa contains over 8 grams of protein.”
- 1½ c whole wheat flour
- 1 t salt
- ½ t baking powder
- ½ t baking soda
- ½ c unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ c sugar
- ¼ c light brown sugar
- ¼ c honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 t vanilla extract
- ½ t almond extract
- 1 c cooked quinoa, cooled
- ½ c desiccated coconut (unsweetened)
- 1 c dark chocolate chunks or chips
- Preheat oven to 375° & Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- In stand or electric mixer, cream butter, sugars, and honey until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract, and mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 more minutes.
- Mix in flour mixture, ½ cup at a time.
- Stir in quinoa, coconut, and chocolate.
- Plop spoon size balls of dough onto sheets an inch or so apart, and bake until golden, 12–15 minutes.
- Cool on wire rack.
J2 searched and found her recipe on this blog site.
Kath’s quote: “Being pregnant was the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. Except for the cupcakes.” Ashlee Simpson
Love-that is all.
