22 weeks.

It’s hard to believe I’m over halfway through pregnancy #6! Time flies when you’re having fun and feeling good, right? Granted, I’m still nauseous and vomiting once a day, but comparatively speaking, this pregnancy is going much better than the last three, and I’m so grateful!

Thank you, God, and thank you, Trim Healthy Mama!

I’ve been familiar with Trim Healthy Mama for years, but this is the first pregnancy that I’ve been on plan. In the past, I used THM to help me lose the 50-60 lb pregnancy weight gain after the Baby was born. It would have been easier, I think, to stay on plan during the pregnancy, but if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that the last three pregnancies haven’t been normal.

A Little History

After two “normal,” complication-free pregnancies, we lost our third Baby at 11 weeks gestation due to a subchorionic hemmorage.

At 6 weeks along with Baby #4, I started bleeding. Convinced I had miscarried, we headed to the hospital, and were relieved to discover that our Baby had a heartbeat! The bleeding was caused by 3, large subchorionic hemmorages, and I spent the next 20 weeks on bed-rest, bleeding the entire time. We moved in with our gracious in-laws and I refrained from any lifting or physical activity other than what was absolutely necessary. That certainly didn’t help with the weight gain, but that was the least of my concerns, and I wasn’t about to ask my mother-in-law to cook according to the THM guidelines on top of everything else she was doing for us! At 28 weeks, the bleeding cleared up, and we moved back home. 5 weeks later, I started bleeding again, accompanied by contractions, and was given steroid shots to strengthen our Baby’s lungs. The next day, our daughter was born at exactly 34 weeks gestation and is now a happy, healthy, almost 3 year old!

I gained 50 pounds while I was pregnant with Anna and lost it all a few months later through THM and breastfeeding.

A year later, Baby #5 was on its way, and I started bleeding again, this time at 10 weeks. Off to the hospital we went, not sure if we were losing our child or if the pattern of subchorionic hemmoraging was continuing. The latter was true. Once again, I had three large hemmorages, one between the lining of the uterus and my placenta. Once again, we moved back in with Brad’s parents, and I spent the next few months on bedrest. At 22 weeks, we had an ultrasound and were overjoyed to learn that two of the three clots had dissolved, and we could move back home. I still had one remaining clot and was advised to take it easy. Another daughter was born full-term and recently celebrated her first birthday!

Again, I gained around 55 pounds while pregnant with Selah, and though it took me longer, I was able to lose it all with THM.

At 6 weeks along in my current pregnancy, I started bleeding again, and for the fourth time, we headed to the hospital, unsure of what we would hear. As I suspected, I had another subchorionic hemmorage, my second largest of them all. I was devastated, exhausted, and worn out at the thought of being on bed rest again, especially while attempting to homeschool four young children. I cried (a lot) and prayed for a miracle. The Lord was so merciful and after just three days of bleeding, everything cleared up, and according to the ultrasound I had two weeks ago, there is no sign at all of any subchorionic hemmorages!

I started eating on plan as soon as the bleeding had cleared up. I wanted to take full advantage of whatever time I had before going on bed rest…which hasn’t happened yet! Besides the lack of bleeding, immobility, and accompanying stress, there’s been a world of difference between this pregnancy and the last few, the most notable being less weight gain (I normally gain 50-60 lbs each pregnancy; so far I’ve gained 10), less nausea and vomiting, and more energy. The following is a compilation of some of my favorite tips, tricks, and meals that I’ve been enjoying this pregnancy so far.

Essentials for Trim Healthy Pregnant Mamas

–The New Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook. I have the original, first edition Trim Healthy Mama book, and for the longest time, I couldn’t justify buying the new cookbook. But, after being in a rut and seeing all the incredible pictures of the new recipes that other THM’s were sharing in the Facebook group, I caved and strongly hinted that the new cookbook would make a lovely Christmas present. Brad was a dear and gifted me with the money to purchase it.

It’s been worth every penny. Beautiful, full color photos, and over three hundred new recipes that included actual measurements (no more of the “a little bit of this, and a little bit of that to taste” kind of recipes) and very few special ingredients were a game-changer for me. I’ve been inspired all over again, just from the new cookbook.

–The Trim Healthy Mama Plan. The new Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook only makes sense if you understand the plan. If you already own the first edition Trim Healthy Mama book, you probably have a good handle on how this approach to eating works, and can do without the revised Trim Healthy Mama Plan. If you’re new to THM, you’ll want both the new plan and the new cookbook. In a nutshell, the plan consists of these main principles:

• separate fats (S – Satisfying meals) from carbs (E – Energizing meals) with each meal
• each meal must include a good source of protein
• wait 3 hours in between meals (pregnant and nursing mothers can eat every 2-3 hours)
• switch up fuel cycles (fats and carbs) regularly to rev up your metabolism
• no sugar or refined carbohydrates

–Trim Healthy Mama Facebook Groups. If you are looking for support during your Trim Healthy Mama pregnancy, I find heaps of inspiration and encouragement in the main group, and the THM group for pregnant and nursing mothers.

–A Menu Planning Service. If you suffer from morning sickness, adrenal fatigue, or just plain old busyness and don’t have the time or energy to plan out your meals for the week, a menu planning service can be critical to staying on plan! Fortunately, with the rise in Trim Healthy Mama’s popularity, we’ve got lots of options! My 3 top suggestions:

1. A Trim Healthy Mama menu planning membership.

Pros:
-Beautiful pictures,
-instructional videos,
-recipes from the old book
-All recipes are vetted by a THM

Cons:
-many recipes require special ingredients only available online
-At $70-$100/year, membership may not be affordable

2. Darcie’s Dishes

Pros:
-Darcie is a popular THM blogger who makes her weekly menu plans and grocery lists using recipes from around the web available for free!
-Perfect for those on a tight budget who don’t mind putting in a little extra work
-All recipes are vetted by a THM

Cons:
-Menu plans don’t include pictures.
-You’re still required to open the links to various websites, print off their recipes, and store them.

3. Build A Menu (Full disclosure: This is my favorite menu planning service, and the one I have a membership to personally.)

Pros:
-Build A Menu’s Classic Plan is very similar to a Trim Healthy Mama membership except, along with THM recipes, you also have access to several other plans which may be helpful if you have family members with allergies or are required to eat a restrictive diet for other reasons (A BAM membership includes access to their Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free, Vegetarian, Slow-Cooker, and Budget-Friendly menus in addition to THM).
-At $35/year, it’s less than half the price of a THM membership
-All recipes are vetted by a THM
-You get the Done-4-U plan free with the Classic Plan during their sale (a $82 value).
-The THM Done-4-U plan delivers a week of THM recipes and a grocery list to your inbox every Friday. Once you’re signed up, you don’t have to login and compile your own recipes from off the site, unless you want to. You’ll get a week’s worth of new recipes regardless!
–Build A Menu is run by 2 Christian, homeschooling Moms with larger-than-average family sizes. They understand busy and their recipes reflect that!
-A percentage of Build A Menu’s profits are donated to seven non-profit organizations that care for orphans around the world. You can even choose which one you’d like to support by your membership!
-Your only job is to click “print.” (Or, you can read it off your phone)

Cons:
-No pictures

A BAM membership has made the most sense for our family situation, and with the exception of one or two dishes, all the recipes we’ve tried have been delicious. I like being surprised with good, on-plan food! From January 17-31, you can get a 1-year membership to Build A Menu for $35 using coupon code: BAM12for35. This includes both their Classic and Done 4-U Trim Healthy Mama plans.

Note: Trim Healthy Mama does not endorse Build A Menu, even though BAM’s Trim Healthy Mama recipes are entirely on plan. It’s competition for them, and doesn’t make good business sense to promote another company’s menu planning service. For this reason, this blog post was removed from the Trim Healthy Mama Facebook Groups. Personally, I think Build A Menu offers the best bargain for your dollar, and will continue using them. There’s plenty of room in this world to support two great companies! 

Groceries I Almost Always Have In The House

Pantry Staples: almond flour, flax seed, xanthum gum, oat flour, steel cut oats, sea salt, herbs & spices (cinnamon, ground pepper, parsley, garlic powder, minced onion, onion powder, paprika, nutmeg, chili powder, thyme, basil, oregano, and cayenne pepper and curry powder are the most used) peanut butter, coconut oil, tomato paste, sugar-free tomato sauce (I use President’s Choice Roasted Garlic), nutritional yeast, pecans, unsweetened coconut flakes, vanilla extract, canned coconut milk, Lily’s chocolate, cocoa powder, bullion, brown rice, mustard, ketchup, coffee, puffed brown rice, Wasa crackers, unflavored gelatin

Dairy: Cottage Cheese, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Parmesan, almond milk, sour cream, whipping cream, cream cheese, butter, 0% Greek yogurt, mayo, Laughing Cow cheese

Fruit: apples, clementines, bananas, frozen berries, blueberries, strawberries

Vegetables: Cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, tomato, romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower (if I can find or afford it!), mushrooms, green beans, onions, garlic, carrots, pickles, sweet potatoes

Meat: chicken drumsticks, thighs, and breasts (some bone-in with skin, some without), ground beef, sirloin strips, pepperoni, bacon, sausage, Black Forest ham, eggs, egg whites

Kitchen Tools I Use Regularly

Ninja Blender: I use my Ninja several times a week for things like Cottage Berry Whip, one of my favorite snacks (pg. 374), soups, such as Cream of Sweet Stuff (pg. 114), pancakes (pg. 259), and Special Agent Cake (pg. 308).

Parchment Paper – We have some variety of baked chicken at least twice a week (We love the Bangin’ Ranch Drums, pg. 162, and the Spicy Chicken Wings (pg. 164) and lining my pan with parchment paper makes clean-up a breeze.

Muffin Liners – I pour my Skinny Chocolate (pg. 377) into mini muffin liners before freezing them. It’s easier to eat and stick to portion sizes this way. Not that I have any trouble with that at all. Ahem. Of course, we use them for muffins, too.

Lemon Squeezer – Confession: I haven’t had the guts to make the GGMS (pg. 397) or the Singing Canary (pg. 398) yet. Runs for cover. I know, it’s shameful. I will try it….one of these days. Instead, I relieve my guilt by squeezing lemons into my morning glass of water. I also use it for squeezing out lemon juice to make the amazing Chocolate Berry Wedding Cheesecake (pg.332) and for squeezing out lime juice when I make guacamole.

Garlic Press – Several of the recipes use freshly minced garlic, which we all love. I use my press at least 3 times a week.

Crock Pot – I’m not sure I could be a THM without my crock-pot. It ensures I have a warm, E breakfast in the mornings (steel cut oats cooked overnight on low in almond milk with apple, cinnamon, sea salt, a teeny pat of butter, and sweetener), and keeps lean chicken breasts tender without drying them out. I also use it for roasts, reheating frozen meals, and keeping soup warm and ready for when we come home from church.

Good Knives – I’m not going to lie; I chop up way more fruits and vegetables on plan than off. Good knives make me grateful instead of resentful about this.

Cutting board. For all that chopping.

Cheese grater. One of my favorite things about THM is that I’m allowed to eat most of my favorite dairy products: cheese, cream cheese, and whipping cream being three of them! I sprinkle a little cheddar on my Romaine Lettuce and Tuna Wraps, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese Soup (pg. 111), Fooled Ya Pizza (pg. 214), Cheeseburger Pie (149), Taco Salad (pg. 184), Lazy Lasagna (pg. 140) and much more! My grater also gets used to shred carrots.

Stock Pot. I usually triple my soup and chili recipes and freeze the extra for emergencies. A 20-quart stock pot gets the job done!

Food We Eat Regularly

Breakfasts

S Breakfasts: Since I discovered I can’t keep them down in the morning, I rarely eat S meals for breakfast. But, if my morning sickness ever passes (at 22 weeks, it’s looking doubtful), I’d go back to eating “Blueberry Cobbler” with Greek yogurt (I posted the recipe on Instagram, here), eggs baked in ham (see top left picture, above), or the Volcano Mud Slide Muffin (pg. 274).

E Breakfasts: I’m much less likely to vomit (sorry if that’s TMI) if I eat carbs for breakfast. Julie tipped me off about this, and I’ll be forever grateful! I love the Trim Healthy Pancakes (pg. 259), 0% Greek yogurt with some kind of fruit (apples, clementines, or berries), Bust-A Myth Banana Cake (pg. 298), or my usual: steel cut oats cooked overnight on low in almond milk with apple, cinnamon, sea salt, a teeny pat of butter, and sweetener.

Lunches

S Lunches: My go-to lunch is tuna with mayo, salt, ground pepper, cheese, and mustard in a Romaine lettuce wrap with a side of almonds or pecans. I also love leftovers (if we have any), eggs, Chicken Bacon Ranch salad, Just Like Campbell’s Tomato Soup with cheese (pg.112), and Taco Salad (pg. 184).

E Lunches: Soup with a slice of Gwen’s Easy Bread, Wasa Crackers with lettuce, Laughing Cow Cheese, mustard, and lean chicken breast, or sweet potato “fries” (pg. 217).

Suppers

S Suppers: (I’ve loved all of the S suppers we’ve had from the new cookbook, so I’ll just share the ones I tend to make most often.) Cabb & Saus (pg. 58), Cheeseburger Pie (pg. 149), Lazy Lasagna (pg. 140), Bangin’ Ranch Drums with broccoli salad (pg. 162), Spicy Chicken Wings (pg. 164), Taco Salad (pg. 184), Fooled Ya Pizza (pg. 214), Crock-Pot roast or steak with fried mushrooms and vegetables, and crustless quiche.

E Suppers: (I rarely eat E meals for supper). Chicken breasts with brown rice and green beans, sweet potato “fries,” or chili.

Snacks and Desserts

S Snacks: Chocolate Berry Wedding Cheesecake (pg. 332), Skinny Chocolate (pg. 377), Cottage Berry Whip with slivered almonds and Skinny Chocolate (pg. 374), cucumbers and guacamole, nuts, cheese, and a pepperette, Volcano Mud Slide Muffin (pg. 274).

E Snacks: 0% Greek Yogurt with fruit, Bust-A-Myth Banana Cake (pg. 298), Cottage Berry Whip (pg. 374), carrot sticks and extra lean chicken breast, Apple Crumble (pg. 338).

Pregnancy Tips

• If you’re constantly nauseous like me, try eating an E meal or an S helper for breakfast or when you take your prenatal. I’ve found they tend to stay down much better than strictly fat-based meals. (Thanks to Julie, for this life-saving tip!)
• Don’t feel guilty about eat Crossovers; they’re good for you and Baby.
• Grabbing something high in protein when the nausea hits often enables me to keep my food down. A few spoonfuls of cottage cheese, some meat, a hard-boiled egg, or a few nuts are essential for me to have handy.
• Pregnant and nursing mothers don’t have to wait the full 3 hours before their next meal; if you’re hungry 2 1/2 hours after your last meal, eat!

A Word About Sweeteners

I discovered I can’t handle any stevia based sweeteners several years ago. They give me horrible headaches. Ragweed allergies run in the family, so this didn’t come as a surprise, but it means I can’t use the Super Sweet Blend, Gentle Sweet, or Pure Stevia Extract Powder available through the Trim Healthy Mama Store.

Xylitol is a plan-approved sweetener (available through Amazon or the Trim Healthy Mama Store) that I think tastes the most like sugar. Our Canadian Dollar is currently worth 30% less than the American Dollar and shipping prices across the border are outrageous, making it too expensive for me to buy directly from the the Trim Healthy Mama Store (boo!), but thankfully, most Loblaw stores and the Bulk Barn carry it.

I think xylitol gives me a queasy stomach (or maybe it’s just from being pregnant!), so truthfully, I try to avoid many sweeteners altogether. I have – HAD – a major sweet tooth, which made this incredibly hard in the beginning, but now I actually enjoy the sourness of yogurt, can handle plain oatmeal, and even cheesecake without the sweetness factor. Strawberries are sweet enough on their own in my Cottage Berry Whip, and anything with baked blueberries is plenty sweet naturally.

Adding extracts (vanilla, maple, and caramel) help trick my mind into thinking something is sweetened when it’s really not. For chocolate-based recipes, having the right cocoa powder makes a huge difference. Store brands are often too bitter, but Hershey makes a deliciously smooth one. It’s the same deal with my coffee. Paying a few cents more for McDonald’s ground coffee beans is worth it to me. (Yes, I love McDonald’s Coffee more than Tim Horton’s. How unpatriotic of me.)

In a pinch, if I desperately need a sweetener, I add some raw honey or pure maple syrup. These sweeteners are NOT plan-approved, and I don’t want to sabotage your diet by endorsing them, but I do use them on occasion and thankfully, it hasn’t affected me negatively yet.

Other Trim Healthy Mama Blogs

With a web full of amazing bloggers and recipe creators, it’s easier than ever to stay on plan and have a Trim Healthy Mama pregnancy! Here’s a list of some of my favorite THM bloggers, who are well worth following!

• A Home With Purpose 
• All Day I Dream About Food
• Briana Thomas
• Gwen’s Nest
• Mrs. Criddle’s Kitchen
• Rohnda Sue
• The Coers Family
• Working At Homeschool

Instagram is another great place to find inspiration. I regularly post pictures of Trim Healthy Mama recipes we’ve enjoyed at jacinda_growinghomeblog. Search hashtags #thm and #trimhealthymama to connect with other people on the plan and ensure you never run out of ideas!

And, of course, there’s always Pinterest, which I totally under-utilize (Did you know my darling husband pins all my blog posts for me?).

Well, that was a bit wordy, even for me. Congratulations if you made it through the whole sermon! If you have any Trim Healthy Mama related questions, feel free to ask away in the comments and I’ll try to answer them as soon as I can.