Clean Eating Banana Nut Oatmeal for Two

Banana nut bread is my all time favorite snack. 

I was craving it this morning and so I decided to make a healthier version of banana nut bread-by making banana nut oatmeal instead! It is so easy and tastes almost like the real thing. And, its clean!

This recipe calls for two servings because I was making a bowl for my husband and I. If you want to just make it for yourself, split the recipe in half!

Here is what you need:

• 2 bananas (one per each bowl)
• 2 tbsp cinnamon (one per each bowl)
• 1 cup oats (1/2 cup per each bowl
• Half cup of pecans (1/4 cup for each bowl)
• 1 cup water (or coconut milk if you want a creamier texture). Pour 1/2 cup into each bowl.
• Sweeten with Stevia, pure maple syrup, or brown sugar if desired.

Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes!

DIY Frozen Pacifiers for Teething Babies

And this is a great one from http://housemixblog.com/

Baby's First Year Milestones

Skillet Bananas

One of my favorite healthy snacks! Chop two bananas into slices, sprinkle with cinnamon & honey. Place 1tbsp coconut oil into a heated skillet and fry them! Yummy.

Timing Your Snacks

Snacking is key to weightloss. Not only has it helped me lose 50lbs, but it keeps me from getting HANGRY (hungry/angry). Even during pregnancy, I snack almost every 2 hours to keep me full and happy. If you cant remember when to snack, try planning the night before and putting your snacks and meals into little baggies to pack with you or to stash in the fridge.

WHEN YOU EAT MATTERS!

Think of your body as a fireplace. It constantly needs wood to burn, right?

Your body is no different. It NEED calories constantly to keep running. A healthy metabolism is a fast metabolism. Keep it working overtime. Do not let yourself slip into a starvation mode by not eating enough.

Skinny Strawberry Sangria

This is a light and yummy cocktail you will be sure to enjoy without the guilt.

You will need:

-1 container fresh strawberries

-1 bottle of moscato

-1 bottle of strawberry Schnapps

Its so simple to make. Mix the whole bottle of Moscato with 1 cup of strawberry Schnapps. Add in sliced strawberries to your liking.

Stir well and chill for 3-4 hours.

Serve!

Portion Size Chart

Getting Your Baby Into a Head Down Position!

As a mom to be, one of my biggest fears is a breech baby. I do not want a C-section whatsoever because I am aiming for a natural drug free labor & delivery. However, I know things happen and the baby will come on its OWN terms (haha). But I have been talking to several different midwives who prove that there are many different exercises and movements that you can do to ensure a head down baby. These are not guaranteed by any means, but by 36 weeks, your baby should be head down. And yes, your baby can turn at anytime though during the last month it is not likely due to little room, but hey it happens.

The best things you can do to ensure a head down baby are:

• Leaning forward over a birthing ball
• Pelvic tilts
• Staying on all fours for 10-15 minutes
• Exercise
• Leaning forward during sitting
• Sleeping on your left side
• Knee chest position
• Manual turning Spinning Babies
• Sitting on the birthing ball.
• Hip circles on the birthing ball.
• Placing a cold ice pack on the head to make baby move away.
• Shining a light.
• Play music or apply heat at the hip bone.

Please remember that these are just home remedies. They may or may not work. Please consult your doctor regarding your concerns for a breech baby before trying these methods.

At 36 weeks, my baby is head down thanks to some of these tips.

6 Exercises to Reduce Cellulite

My 2013 Year in Review

It has been one truly amazing year. I would say its been the year of our lives! To look back on 2013, it gives me a huge SMILE and gratitude for everything my husband and I have accomplished-together and on our own. 

To start off, here is a photo from New Year's Eve this past year.

We ended up going out for some dancing and drinks. Grady's mother had come down to visit us! It was a blast.

In February, I took a motorcycle course and was rewarded my motorcycle license! The class was tough, but it was so much fun.

I then bought my first motorcycle! A Honda CBR600. I fixed it up and was pretty proud of my project bike.

The same month, we removed my Implanon birth control out of my arm (YIKES!) to start trying for a family. We were sooo ready :)

I bought my first gun for protection: a Glock .45

I gave my 2013 5.0 some love and bought a Borla S Type exhuast system.

We bought our first juicer after watching a documentary called Sick, Fat, & Nearly Dead and began juicing for the first time.

My husband bought me an iPad mini for my birthday in March.

We ran the McGuires 5k in March.

In April, my husband underwent shoulder surgery due to loose tendons/ligaments. His shoulder is much better today :)

I tweaked the Mustang a little more by paining the emblems, buying a BAMA tuner, and a Steeda cold air intake.

In April also, I shot and rocked my very first wedding as a photographer!

In May, we got our blessing: WE ARE PREGNANT!!!!

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!

In June, I reconnected with my biological father, brother, and sister.

We got to see our baby's heartbeat for the first time in June also at our first OB appointment. We fell in LOVE.

I was pregnant with abs up until my 20th week of pregnancy. I flaunted. No biggie. Haha.

In July, my husband was promoted to Staff Sgt!! He chose me to punch him during his ceremony. 

Also in July, we got to see that our little bean was growing very rapidly and healthily!

In August, we went paddleboarding for the first time!

Also in August, we had out gender reveal appointment and saw our little baby waving at us and....

THAT HE WAS A BOY!! What we hoped and prayed for!

We developed a create way to share the news with everyone.

And had a silly string fight!

By September, we decided on a name.

GREYSON!

I picked a color scheme and started the nursery. 

We had our first out of three baby showers. My bff made this adorable motorcycle diaper cake.

By October, I FINALLY started to show around 20-21 weeks. Finally. 

Since I started showing, we had our maternity photos taken!!! They came out amazing.

Remember that wedding I shot earlier? It was featured on The Pink Bride!! 

My FIRST photography feature EVER!!

Also in October, we traveled home to Knoxville, TN for our second baby shower.

This mustache cake that I made for the shower turned out beautifully. Thanks Pinterest

Also, in October, we celebrated our one year anniversary. 

I started bumping along more!

For our friends Halloween party, I dressed up as a pregnant batgirl. My husband was a homeless guy.

In November, we went for our 4D session and got to see Mini Cooper's face for the very first time.

It was breathtaking. He totally looks like his daddy :)

My husband bought me a new lens for our anniversary.

Since we were celebrating our baby shower in TN at the time of our anniversary, we postponed our anniversary trip till November and went on a romantic stay in a beautiful & historic bed & breakfast in New Orleans called The Dauphine House. Our host, Karen Jeffries, was amazing! We walked around 25 miles total during our 4 day stay and ate breakfast everyday at the Ruby Slipper-the most delish breakfast place in NOLA that was once a bank robbed by the famous Bonnie & Clyde back in the day. We LOVED this tub by the way haha!

Also in November, I got accepted to become a regular blogger and writer for the popular site Skinny Mom. This was a breakthrough for me as a blogger.

I got to connect with my grandparents The Shearers in Hattiesburg before Thanksgiving. It was such a blessing.

By December, my bump had grown a lot!

In December, I also completed my 4th eBook of the year. This was another huge accomplishment!

Also in December, I got accepted by BodyRockTv to become a Daily Hiit featured blogger!

We ended the year with lots of love, joy, and thankfulness. Two years ago I would have never expected that God would have brought me this wonderful man that I call my husband. My heart melts when he takes care of me and loves me unconditionally. We excitedly await the birth of our son who is due on February 03, 2013

My plan for next year?

• Give birth to a healthy baby boy
• Fall even more in love with my husband
• Expand my photography business (finally)

• Move to another state or even out of the US with the Air Force (we are keeping our fingers crossed)
• Get my body back
• Write more books
• Inspire others

Cheers to 2014!! 

Cant wait to see what is in store for me, my husband, my son, and Diary of a Fit Mommy.

Sia Cooper