Breastfeeding a toddler

So here I am in sunny Queensland reading my fave book "skinny bitch" after eating a delicious lunch.
I thought I'd give you all an update on my journey breastfeeding Riv. Prior to having him I was always under the impression that if they can ask for it, it's time to stop! How truly wrong I was. In fact, how truly selfish!!! It's been a delight to note the different ways River asks for nourishment, from newborn cries to pulling on my top, saying "babu" to "boob" and now when he wants the other side "one"! It's funny and amazing that my milk has provided so much for him, comfort when he needs, the best sleeping aid, hydration, nutrition and such an unbreakable bond. River is 18months old now, showing no sign of weaning and I'm beginning to think he may not wean until around age 3! In most lactavist books this isn't even late!!
So the difference feeding a toddler...well he's very active and often doesn't sit still to feed, his latch is perfect everytime now and he certainly doesn't feed as often nor for as long. There are some days he needs more than others but generally I think he'd have between 3-6 feeds over a day. He's just started sleeping through the night too which is blissful as we can still snuggle all night but I'm not dehydrated or exhausted come work at 6am! Sometimes he wakes once or twice but it's not often. So I feel like sticking some giant fingers up at everyone who told me to "put cereal in babies bottle at night to help him sleep" & "he'll never sleep through if you feed and cuddle him all night" & all the other negative bullshit that comes with being an attachment parent. (don't get me started on CIO).
On a side note, please do not take offense to my blog if you do not breastfeed!!! What you choose to feed your baby is your decision!!! However, if I can help to normalize breastfeeding, to let you know that formula is NOT as good as breastmilk, to let you know that it gets EASIER, to let you know you have options like donated human milk, that you can RELACTATE, that you should breastfeed as long as is mutually desirable, and that it WILL make a difference to your body in a good way and do nothing but benefit your child...well that is my message :) no mum bashing at all!!!!
Riv is still vegan, we both are and again stick it to the haters because he's the healthiest kid I've ever met! I'm going to suggest that you look into The China Study & where your food comes from. Look at what is on your plate or in your supplements...use your heads & do some research. I'm proud of my lifestyle I'm the healthiest I have ever been & while I've been craving any chocolate bar available I found a cure in some vegan "kids" cookies YUM!!
River loves wearing undies now & is great at telling me when he needs to go to the "toot" although he seems to be scared of number twos on the loo...will keep you posted with our solutions :)


By the way I plan on tandem feeding :p

Cheers & Giggles xx

Food & Love

Hey gorgeous followers and hello to my haters too...

I'm feeling slightly lost, a little like I lost my super hero cape...I failed a subject at university and to top it off had to pull out of my Melbourne Storm internship which would have been a great opportunity for me. Honestly I cannot compete with 21year olds who work at McDonalds (much as I think you're awesome Craig!) when I have so much going on in my life. But it has made me feel deflated, and I guess it turns out I cannot do it all.

Off that note and on to some delicious recipes...which have been making me happy and healthy.

Cheezy Sauce (from Veganomicon)

•2 cups water
•1/4 cup flour
•1 tblsp olive oil
•3 garlic cloves crushed
•1/4 tsp salt
•pinch dried thyme
•black pepper to taste
•1 tsp turmeric
•3/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
•1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp yellow mustard

Directions
• whisk water & flour in a measuring cup
• gently cook oil & garlic in a small saucepan
• add thyme, salt & pepper, then flour-water, turmeric & yeast whisk constantly over medium heat until bubbling & thickening, stir & cook for 2 more minutes
• add lemon & mustard. Serve warm :)

Vegan Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients:

• 12 digestive biscuits
• 1/2 tbsp raw sugar
• 1/2 cup nuttalex
• 3 cups cashews
• 3/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2/3 cup agave nectar
• 3/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

• grease the bottom of a 19cm cake tin
• crush buscuits into crumbs and add the sugar
• melt the nuttalex and mix well into the buiscut mix, tip into cake tin & press down firmly
• put base in fridge to cool
• place all other ingredients in a blender and blend til smooth & creamy
• pour onto crust base and set in the fridge/freezer for 3-5hours

Zucchini Pasta

• 2 zucchini's peeled and peeled into "noodles" raw & wholesome
• add chopped tomato, avocado, onion, sprouts and chia seeds

So to end on a high, I had a great day at work this morning. It really feels like I am helping people achieve their goals in a positive, long-term way. A few of my clients are struggling with motivation and while I know I work in the gym and dont pay for my PT anymore (because I happen to be dating my hunky trainer) EVERYONE struggles with motivation at times, everyone has days where it's all a bit too much. But getting off your ass and making a date with yourself or your trainer is half the battle. Once you have a consistant approach to both fuelling your body with nutritious food and training in the right way for you, you WILL see results. From here, it becomes passion, part of you and FOR you. It isnt rocket science (just sport science) and I'm certain it doesnt have to be an expensive venture.

As you can see I allow myself to eat sugar in moderation, I have days where I cbf training, or walking or doing anything more than work & mothering...prior to Rivs I had days where I watched sex&the city in bed all day! It is your consistancy and dedication to health, to life and to not be so damn hard on yourself that will have you in tip top condition.

Get moving!!

Cheers & Giggles
xx