Wordless Wednesday: Dusk

15 Lactation Recipes for Breastfeeding Moms

Many of these recipes include brewer's yeast (you can find it here) in their ingredients, which is believed to help boost milk supply. Flax seed and oatmeal are also great for your supply. Here are a few lactation recipes for breastfeeding moms. 

Lactation Cookie Bars | The Eco-Friendly Family

Gluten-Free and Vegan Lactation Cookies | Cara's Cravings

Dairy-Free Lactation Cookies | Mindfully Frugal Mom

Gluten-Free Maple Syrup Sweetened Lactation Bars | Mama Mandy

Chocolate Chip Almond Lactation Cookies | Gourmified

Banana Chocolate Chip Chia Lactation Cookies | Ramblingstump

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies | The Project Owl

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Seed Lactation Cookies | Going Green with the Grizls

Gluten-Free Lactation Cookies | Mother Nature Network

Healthy Vegan Lactation Bars | Light Green Mothering

Vegan Banana Blueberry Lactation Muffins | CanCan

Lactation Granola Bars | The Cocina Monologues

Quick and Healthy Lactation Smoothie | SexyMoxieMama

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Lactation Bites | The Baby Goat

The Ultimate Lactation Cookies | Naturally, My Dear

Have you tried lactation cookies before? 
What helped you increase your milk supply?

 

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link.

Military Monday #2: By Your Side

 

Q: What is the most significant moment/event in your life that you're SO thankful your military spouse/significant other WASN'T deployed for?

A: I am grateful that my husband was not deployed at the time of my son's birth. It would have been scary doing it on my own, by myself in a whole new state all the way across the U.S. away from my family. 

He was an awesome "birth coach" and I'm glad I had him by my side helping me each step of the way. My heart gets all warm and fuzzy every time we reminisce about that day and he lets me know how proud he was of me. Awwwww!

Wordless Wednesday: Reading

We've been reading to Z ever since he was an infant!

Military Monday #1

Ashley over at Eights on the Move has created a new link-up for military spouses. Today begins the very first topic!

The topic for this Military Monday is WORK

Q: As a military spouse/significant other, how are you able to contribute to your family? Do you have a full or part time job? Are you in the military too? Stay at home mom? Stay at home wife? Student? 

A: Money-wise, I can't contribute much because I am a stay-at-home mom. I do make some money taking surveys online. I usually work up to a certain amount and then request a check or Amazon gift cards (my favorite!). I'd like to get a part-time job someday because I would love to contribute more.

 

Q: In between, all of the above? Have you used any of the military programs designed to help spouses/significant others find jobs? Did you work before & decide otherwise because of moving/timing/orders? Do you wish you could work but can't because of your particular circumstances in the military? Are you totally living it up with your dream job?!

A: I've researched the different programs to help military spouses find jobs. I always like to know what is available to me in case I need it someday. I did have a job back in 2011, before moving to Washington last year for the duration of my pregnancy. I've been a stay-at-home mom ever since. Sometimes I do wish I had a job because I love earning my own income. For now, I'll enjoy being at home with my son! I guess being a mom is my dream job ;)

Wordless Wednesday: Little Tot, Big World

When Baby Has a Poor Latch

 

If you didn't know, I'm an author at BreastfeedingPlace.com! The site launched on July 1st.

Read about my story about overcoming a breastfeeding problem - when my son had a poor latch. Here it is: http://breastfeedingplace.com/bfp/infant-feeding-problems-poor-latch/

 

There is also a World Breastfeeding Week Photo Contest going on now. Check it out at http://breastfeedingplace.com/bfp/tag/contest/

Wordless Wednesday: Enjoying the Park

Enjoying the park 😊 from hiccupsandsunshine

New to Cloth Diapers!

After a year of using disposable diapers for Z, I finally made the switch to cloth diapers. I'm so glad I did. I think using cloth diapers was all I needed to really be a crunchy mama. ;)

A friend of mine, who is also a Navy wife, was selling some of her cloth diapers for a great deal and I couldn't pass it up. She gave me some tips on how to use and clean cloth diapers and also try not to get addicted to buying more! I can see why she warned me, I've seen so many cute designs and want to buy them all.

I have always wanted to cloth diaper since Z was an infant. It's never too late to start, right?

What really made me make the switch was a disposable diaper mishap that happened one morning. I went to change Z's diaper and found that it had "exploded", causing all of the sodium polyacrylate to spill out and make a huge mess. Let me tell you, trying to clean these little gel crystals from the bed and the carpet was not easy. They bounced all over the place! 

Image via BabyGearLab

I emailed the diaper company with my concern about these crystals and even told them I was going to cloth diaper instead. They replied stating that they are not harmful and are "widely used in cosmetics and in food processing." Like that makes me feel any better. Of course, when they read that I was switching to cloth diapers, they offered a few dollar-off coupons. Thanks, but I'm sticking to cloth. :)

My cutie pie ❤

Do you cloth diaper? What are your favorite brands? Any advice for newbies?

I appreciate your input!

Washing Organic Produce

It's very important to wash all produce even if it's organic. Washing your fruits and vegetables with plain water is not enough to get rid of the residue and other nasty things that linger.

Solution

I use 1 part water and 1 part vinegar in a bowl. You can also pour the mixture into a spray bottle for convenience.

Soak 

Let the produce soak in the mixture for a few minutes. The vinegar kills bacteria sits on the surface of the produce and helps them get squeaky clean. Vinegar also helps berries from spoiling quickly.

 

Here's the solution after the strawberries were removed.

 

Rinse

Once the produce has soaked for a few minutes, remove from the mixture and place them in a colander. Rinse thoroughly.

I did the same with organic grapes.

Enjoy

Happy Family Organic Superfoods Review & Giveaway

Feeding my son organic food is very important to me. I always want the best for him. If you're into organic foods, then you've probably heard about Happy Family.

About Happy Family

Happy Family provides foods for babies, toddlers, and adults - all organic (and no GMOs)!
A few unique ingredients that Happy Family uses are:

• Quinoa
• Coconut milk
• Amaranth
• Salba
• Pre and Probiotics

Happy Family packaging is also BPA-free!

Review

Here is Z trying the Spinach, Mango, and Pear pouch. He loved it! I tried a little bit myself and it isn't bad at all. I love that Happy Family provides organic, healthy foods that are actually tasty.

  

The Happy Yogis were a hit! They are small, freeze-dried yogurt drops that are made with organic fruit and yogurt. I tried them myself and love them. I only wish they were sold in bulk. ;) 

The yogurt drops are gluten-free and contain pre and probiotics.

Happy Yogis are available in 3 flavors - banana mango, mixed berry and strawberry.

There he goes begging for more Happy Yogis!


You can check out the Military Blog Post on the Happy Family Brands website here and here.

Connect with Happy Family on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Giveaway

Happy Family has generously offered to do a giveaway along with my review.

1 winner will receive a Happy Family package that contains coupons redeemable for free Happy Family products such as the ones pictured below and a reusable tote bag!

Open to US residents only.
Entries will be verified.

Disclaimer: I was provided the Happy Family products for review. I was not paid to write this review. All opinions are my own.

Enter below and Good Luck!

Entry-Form

Keurig K75 Platinum Single-Cup Coffeemaker Giveaway [Ends 7/22]

Do you love coffee? Here's your chance to win a Keurig! 
Enter the Keurig K75 Platinum Single-Cup Coffeemaker Giveaway below. Good luck!

Hosted by 

NYSavingSpecials

and

Your Fashion Resource

Co-hosted:

Hope in the Healing, Missbesavin, Creative Cynchronicity, 

My Devotional Thoughts, Love from Elle, 

Stay a Stay at Home Mom, The Deal Match Maker, 

Simply Sherryl, Barbara's Beat, 

Books R Us and Luker Family Tales  

One lucky winner will win

Keurig K75 Platinum Single-Cup Coffeemaker + Bonus 12 K-Cup variety pack. 

Value $179

The winner will be available to pick the color:

-Midnight Black

-Platinum

-Mocha

US ONLY

July 1 to 22

Enter below!

Good Luck

Instructions:

All entries are optional.  We understand not everyone has the social media accounts included on this giveaway, please click done only to the entries you have done. 

Example: Click on the first entry link, it will go to a second page.  Do the entries and click done only to the ones you have done, close the window.  Go back to the main page with the giveaway and click done to that entry even if you only did one of the entries on the second page. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Hiccups and Sunshine is not responsible for prize. If you have any questions about the giveaway, please send an email to nysavingspecials@gmail.com