DIY Natural, Soothing Pregnancy Belly Balm

(DO NOT EAT!)

Saved tons of money-- and tons of B.S. ingredients-- by making my own pregnancy belly balm. Only took a few minutes, and I have been using it generously for 6 months, and will have TONS left over at the end of my pregnancy! Even the high quality natural belly balms on the market (which cost a fortune) come in tiny jars and are primarily made from water, glycerin, etc. - ingredients that aren't doing you any good. Go straight to the source with this oil- and nutrient-rich alternative. All ingredients were a reasonable price from either Trader Joe's or Amazon. Filled an entire wide-mouth mason jar + the container the shea butter came in. Tons of product! And NO stretch marks!! Major score!


INGREDIENTS: *where possible, I used organic ingredients

• 8 ounces shea butter
• 4 ounces vitamin E oil
• 4 ounces jojoba oil
• 1 ounce rosehip oil
• 30 drops lavender essential oil
• 30 drops frankincense essential oil

DIRECTIONS:

• Gently warm (don't melt!) shea butter and jojoba oil in a sauce pan
• When the shea butter is just starting to melt, transfer to a blender
• Blend on medium/high while slowly adding in remaining ingredients
• Blend on high until whipped and fluffy (several minutes)
• Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate (this helps it stay together without needing to add stabilizers, plus it feels nice and cool on the belly coming straight from the fridge)
• Gently rub all over abdomen, breasts, and hips morning and night

Chocolate Banana Nut Bread

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 c GF flour
• 1/4 c ground flaxseed
• 1/2 t baking soda
• pinch of salt 
• 1/3 c cocoa powder

• 2 eggs
• 1 c mashed, ripe bananas (about 3)
• 1/4 c honey
• 1/2 c oil
• 1 t vanilla
• ~ 1 c each of dark chocolate chips and walnuts

DIRECTIONS

• Mix dry ingredients until cocoa looks evenly distributed
• Beat together wet ingredients
• Add wet to dry and gently incorporate
• Add in walnuts and chocolate chips
• Pour into loaf pan
• Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes until cooked
• Allow to cool slightly before slicing

Berry Crumb Bar

Like a hand pie-- can be eaten without a fork or plate. And makes an excellent breakfast with plain yogurt!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 c GF flour
• 1.5 c almond meal
• 1/2 c ground flaxseed
• 1 c oats

• 1/4 c milk
• 1/4 c oil
• 1/4 c honey
• 1t vanilla
• 1/8 t salt
• 1 t cinnamon

• 3 c frozen berries (cherries are my fave!)
• 1/2 c water
• 1/4 c lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• 2T tapioca
• 1/2 t xanthan gum
• pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

• Bring berries, water, lemon juice and zest to a gentle boil in a sauce pan
• Add tapioca and xanthan, simmer for a few minutes, stirring constantly until thickened
• Allow to cool slightly
• Combine all crust ingredients
• Press 2/3 of crust mix into the bottom of an 8x8 pan, bake 10 minutes at 350
• Pour berry mixture over crust
• Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture on top, gently press into berry mix a bit
• Bake 20 minutes at 350 until crumb topping is browned
• Allow to cool completely before slicing