My Postpartum Experience :)

Hey friends.. or anyone who is taking the time to read this! I’ve been wanting to document my postpartum experience for quite some time now, but until recently I didn’t feel like I was really out of it (and I’m still not sure?). The reason I feel that it’s important to write this down is for a few reasons. One, I don’t want to forget this! Even the hard parts. I think it’s just a good reminder of how far I have come :). Two, I want to remember it so I can remind myself how important it is to show up for others when they are experiencing anything related to this motherhood journey- whether it be trying to conceive, yearning to be a mother one day, experiencing loss 🙏, navigating the new months of being a parent or ANYTHING related .. this can be a very painful topic for so many and can also feel very isolating.. and I don’t want anyone to feel like they are alone bc you aren’t. 💜

The third reason I want to document this is because I have major plans for how I can support women through all of this in the near future. I never realized the importance of being cared for (especially being nurtured with nourishing meals that are made by someone else) during these times, until I experienced it myself. Those who brought us meals I will never forget the comfort it brought. I wish I would have showed up more for my friends who went through this before me, but I didn’t know how much they needed it until now. I repeatedly said on the hardest days how I HAVE to take my business down this path one day because it just feels right .. and one day soon I will 😉. 

I won’t make this a long drawn out post because nobody has time to read all of that these days.. but I do want to share my experience in the first months of motherhood. I know we are extremely lucky that we were able to conceive at my age (or any age really), and esp to have a beautiful healthy baby boy. I couldn’t be more in love or more grateful for this sweet little soul! 

He’s incredible. The last few months of pregnancy didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. I talked about the vertigo I was having in my labor post. It really hit me pretty hard mentally, I think that contributed a bit to my experience postpartum.

In the hospital right after Kieran arrived is when it started. The emergency c-section along with still having the vertigo symptoms physically were quite a challenge.. but mentally even more. I know breastfeeding is such a hard topic for soooooo many. It really threw me for a huge loop. I expected it would be challenging but nothing like what it became. I’m hesitant to really get into it and I don’t think I will because it was so personal and I’m still working through it, but I will just say that it really made me feel like I was failing as a new mother. There is sooo much pressure as a new mom to breastfeed and I wanted nothing more than to give Kieran all those nutrients I worked so hard on lol, but it hasn’t come easy.. at all. I will say that I have given it so much of me and I’m proud of myself for all of it, even if it’s not what I expected. But this experience taught me that not everything in motherhood (or parenthood) will go as you have planned. 

During the time I was learning how to breastfeed I was also parenting on my own half of the time, all day and all night. We don’t have family here so I just felt like I was completely on my own most of the time (except for those amazing friends who helped us 🥹), and it was a bit shocking for me. Months of sleep deprivation, still dealing with the dizziness of vertigo, healing from major surgery, caring for a new life and trying to do everything right.. I truly felt depleted mentally.. and physically. It was a really emotional time. I had times during the days where I was hallucinating, seeing things. I know this is common with sleep deprivation.. but it scared me a bit. I’ve also never been an anxious person which I’m so thankful for, but I felt extremely anxious during the first few months. Very low moments. I also had a tension headache every day all day. I think it was from the hormones? Im not sure… I wish this was talked about this more.

I felt like I wasn’t doing anything right, everything I had expected or planned wasn’t happening for me and I didn’t feel like I could “fix” things like I usually do. I remember my husband trying to understand postpartum hormones so I would send him articles and random reels on it.. I can imagine for him it was tough to see his usually happy partner crumbling apart. The hormone fluctuations postpartum were such a wild ride. That on top of feeling like I was failing and all the pressure and shame- it felt very overwhelming. I’ve learned that I will never ever judge a new mom for her choices. Why should we? I think it’s so important to support each other on this journey and let go of expectations for one another. Everyone is truly trying their best, and we need each other. 🙏 I’m not trying to sound dramatic or scare anyone. I think my experience was actually pretty minor compared to some, but I also know some don’t experience the postpartum hormones at all so please don’t let that get to you. 💜

The months have passed, Kieran is almost five months old! He’s such a blessing to our lives! One day I realized the headaches one gone, and another day I noticed I didn’t have the vertigo anymore. What a blessing. I’m still navigating motherhood, every day is soo so different with new challenges but also so much good. Sleep is getting better, we have more of a routine which helps but I also just think over time you adjust more. :) You learn how to let go and take the little wins as big wins. I’ve learned that it’s all going to be okay, he’s healthy and growing and for that, we’re just really so lucky. 🌞 If anyone reading this is experiencing any struggles related to infertility or motherhood or anything of this sort.. I’m sending you so much love. And thank you for reading this if you made it this far. 😘 I can’t wait to support women on this journey one day. Thank you friends. 

Pregnancy, Vertigo and Labor :)

Hi friends. I know the majority of people aren’t too interested in hearing about someone else’s pregnancy/birth experience but I also know that I always was one of the few who cared, so I’m writing this for two reasons: one, so I don’t forget about it because I know that’s a thing that tends to happen (hormones!), and two- for those of you who are interested in hearing about my experience.

I was fortunate to have a pretty uneventful pregnancy.. until the last 2 months. The first 8 months were not what I would call “easy”, but I don’t think that any woman would consider her pregnancy super easy (or if you did then that’s incredible:)). I had night sickness with vomiting semi often the first few months and nausea throughout the days, but I was able to remain pretty active which helped my mental state the first 8 months.

The morning after my baby shower (mid sept), I woke up with my right rib in severe pain, my neck was stiff and my back hurt very badly. I couldn’t get up off the floor most of the day and especially without help.. scary feeling. I went to a local chiropractor and he adjusted everything, said my rib was popped and whole alignment was off. I woke up 2 days later feeling 70 percent better. I kept going to him weekly..

End of October hits and I’m still feeling pretty good, and then one day I start to feel extremely nauseous.. like severely nauseous. The room was spinning, I was crawling to the bathroom.. couldn’t walk, and I vomited/dry heaved the entire night. The next morning in fear of what the baby was experiencing inside of me I went into the hospital (per doctors suggestion). I was given fluids and told I most likely had food poisoning. I felt better that day and also throughout the night.

The next day was my birthday, I tried to do a small dinner w close friends. At dinner all of the feelings came back and I had to leave immediately- ended up even sicker, uncontrollable vomiting for about 8 hours, room was just spinning and spinning- it was really scary. Went back to the hospital at 2am, spent the day there. Had an MRI to rule out brain issues, had a vertigo specialist come in, all kinds of tests ran all day.. nothing looked out of the ordinary but I was still incredibly I’ll. I was sent home that evening- i couldn’t walk without assistance that entire week. The room was constantly spinning.. thank god for the family and friends and my husband who took care of me .. I’ll never be able to thank them enough. I couldn’t drive for a month following.. not a fun way to end pregnancy but it’s all part of the journey - right?

The feeling of nausea subsided a week later but the spinning continues to this day (2 months later)- it’s much milder and I’ve been able to control it with a few different supplements. Ginger, high doses of magnesium, turmeric and ginkgo biloba have made it so I can drive safely and go about life pretty normal, but bright sunlight seems to activate the mild dizzy feeling still. I’m hoping in time it will continue to feel better. My guess is vestibular neuritis is what I have.. but that’s a whole other post :) thank you to the women on Instagram that reached out with advice and similar stories- it’s helped me get through it. 💖

Back to pregnancy.. I made it to 41 + 1 and my doctor was leaving town for 5 days. I knew induction was coming the second he was back if this baby didn’t come and I trusted my doc so much and really wanted him or his midwife to deliver. I did some labor inducing tricks and behold, my water broke that evening.

I headed to the hospital assuming I was far along bc the contractions were so intense already.. only to be told I was dilated to 1 🫠. I was so sad bc the pain was more then I ever thought possible so early in. I had plans for no intervention, no drugs.. as you know, it’s something that you can never control and I also had an open mind with that.

A few hours in my lower back was in an insane amount of pain, it felt like there was acid being poured into my pelvic bone every 2 minutes 😅. I soon learned I was in back labor.. it’s like nothing I have ever experienced. I asked for an epidural , they convinced me to try fentanyl.. I did. It really didn’t help much unfortunately. I’m someone who won’t even take an Advil for a headache.. I’ve been plant based and health obsessed for over 20 years.. and I’m terrified of all drugs but at that point I had to surrender and accept that I needed support.. surrender is a word I continued to repeat throughout labor.

I was given pitocin for induction a few more hours in, it made the pain go from a 10 to a 12. Ryan had to hold my whole body and hips every 2 minutes that whole next 6-8 hours because the pain was like nothing I’ve ever felt.. I had the most INCREDIBLE nurses, one hugged me while I cried on the toilet, one rubbed my back for hours, they held my hands and rubbed my head. I’ll never forget them and the comfort they brought me (and my husband who continued to support me in so many ways).

About 15 hours in I was given the epidural. I cried bc I was so sad that I had gotten to that point but I also felt so incredibly thankful to have that option. Modern medicine saved me in so many ways throughout this entire experience.. I will never take that for granted. I also have so much respect for all birth plans and experiences. I wish mine went to plan but I’m thankful I had options in my situation.

Fast forward to another 10 or something hours in, I was checked hourly this whole time. I was 100 percent effaced, but only making it to a 7/8 dilated and the doctor said my cervix was still only half open, he couldn’t tell why (AMAZING DOCTOR- Dr Cap is locally famous for a reason, him and his staff are the most amazing humans. More on that later). Because my water broke 30 hours prior, it was starting to get dangerous for the baby in there. At one point at 2am in the morning about 8 nurses rushed into the room whispering with a look of panic- and told me the babies heart rate was dropping very low with every contraction. It was so scary and I knew the end was coming , as it was no longer safe to keep waiting it out. My doc texted me that he was on his way.

The room filled with nurses and also Dr Cap, he told me it was one hundred percent my choice how to move forward- he made me feel so loved and supported.. I was hysterical but his kind and calm energy made me feel very safe. I decided to go ahead with the c section because it wasn’t worth the risk of something happening to the baby if I continued labor any longer. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to him. I NEVER even considered a c section possible for my birth plan. I should have. I didn’t research the healing plan after, I didn’t know what to expect..

Honestly, it was over before I even knew it was happening. All I felt was intense pressure.. but when they held up Kieran (our baby boy), nothing else mattered at that point. He was alive, he was healthy, I was alive.. it was all going to be okay. I learned that he was sunny side up, meaning facing the wrong direction (hence the back labor). His head was tilted in my cervix and the reason that I wasn’t dilated enough to push after 30 hours of labor. I don’t think he would have even made it out if we didn’t decide on the c section, but I’ll never really know that for sure.

The healing is still going, I am taking it easy, slowly doing more walking.. this is definitely the slowest season of my life. Sleep is minimal and my days are not my own. There have been many many tears both good and sad. Postpartum and breastfeeding is a whole other post too.. I wasn’t fully prepared for all of it but I don’t think you ever can be. We don’t have much family here and my husband is a first responder so it’s been tough, but also it’s such a beautiful time in our life and I couldn’t be more thankful for all of it. Truly. It’s the raw part of life that keeps us alive in my opinion :) this little boy is such a blessing and I still can’t believe he is ours 💜 thank you for reading this if you made it this far. I’ve been really bad at keeping up with social media etc (I’m honestly always so bad at it … I’m sorry and thank you for continued support) but I do see the messages and it makes me feel so loved. I love this community and it’s been really healing to have so many reach out and check in. So thank you friends 🙏

Healing Chef Service for New Parents

During the third and fourth trimester of pregnancy, life can be overwhelming and the daily tasks that used to be routine can become too much to handle on your own. Hiring a support system to help you during this time can really allow more time to focus on the things that are the most important- you and your family. Food is such an important aspect of overall health and wellness, and during this mentally + physically challenging time it is important to try and incorporate healing, whole, plant based foods which will keep you at your healthiest.

Meal delivery allows less time spent at the store and in the kitchen, and more time doing the things you love. I have years of experience working in the kitchen with various allergies and dietary preferences, and I believe eating the right foods can make an incredible impact on immunity, mood, sleep, long term health and more. Below you will find a list of my offerings and services to support you during this time.

Pricing:

Option One: Delivery- meals come in meal prep size containers, portioned to serve one adult or two children. All organic when available, gluten free, vegan and full of healing superfoods.

27 per meal, including delivery (local within 10 miles of Encinitas). Meals are filling and nutrient dense, and often come with a 8 oz. mason jar of sauce. Delivery dates vary, reach out for more information. Six meal minimum.

Option Two: I will make a menu, grocery shop, come cook in your kitchen and stock your fridge. Cost is 75/hr chef rate + groceries.

Thank you for checking out my services. If you would like to see an example of my work please check out my instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/eatcleanwithsarah/. I look forward to being a part of your overall support system while bringing your beautiful new arrival into the world.

My Five Top Tips to Improve Your Health Now!

Hey there! I am not much of a blogger but it has been on my mind for quite some time that I should get into it more! I am always looking for more ways to connect with my audience and also for more ways to reach out and help people. My health journey has been a long one and some might think that it just happened over night for me. 

When I was in 10th grade, so I was about 16, I started to become more interested in my health. I have ALWAYS suffered from acne, seriously for as long as I can remember. I recall back in middle school having acne that was so embarrassing and always comparing myself to my friends who weren't going through the same thing, wondering why it was happening to me? I always felt like people were staring at me. I remember people making fun of me. I would beg my mom to let me skip out of school when it was really bad. 

For those who have suffered with skin issues (which has got to be like 90 percent of the population), you know how hard it is to go outside and be social when you aren't happy with your skin. So anyhow, this acne continued for a very long time. I took countless medicines throughout my teens and 20's, including the terrible drug Accutane FIVE times. Yes, five times. It is so so toxic and I still can't believe it was even legal for me to take that as many times as I did. Well, it never worked. Nothing did. I eventually started to get more into natural remedies and holistic health, which made the biggest difference of all. I slowly started experimenting with a vegetarian diet when I was about 16, and it ventured from there. I became more and more aware of the terrible meat industry and practices that were going on behind closed doors. I also realized how much better I felt without having meat or dairy in my diet. 

Let me just say that I was not a healthy eater at first. I was what you would call a "junk food vegan". For the first five years I lived off Amy's frozen burritos and anything else that was frozen or easy to eat. I was in college full time and had 2 internships plus five shifts at a coffee shop near school. I had no clue what was nutritious and what it was doing to my body. My skin was still suffering but it had improved. When I was about 18 I decided to chose a bachelors of science in nutrition as my major. This was where it all began!

I loved going to school and learning about how to fuel my body correctly. I quickly learned that I wasn't eating enough fruits and vegetables and I was relying way to heavily on processed foods. I eventually ended up changing my major in the last few semesters (terrible choice!) because I was overwhelmed with the science courses and internship (which was only available out of state). I finished college with a bachelors of art in fashion merchandising. I quickly realized after college that fashion was not my passion...duh. So, I enrolled into a holistic health school in Encinitas and completed my degree as a certified holistic nutrition consultant. Throughout those years of learning about the connection between what we are putting in our bodies and how it affects our skin, weight, happiness, moods, EVERYTHING.. I became more aware and I transitioned into what I am today. I have managed to stay off all medications for my skin, even birth control (which I was on for 15 years- that is a whole other post!). I have never felt better and I really hope I can help others feel their best as well! 

I know there are so many people out there suffering with skin, weight, body image, happiness, you name it.. and I really want to help you! I have been wanting to do a post for a long time on my top five tips to heal naturally because I know there is a ton of information out there and it can be very intimidating. So, below you will find my top five daily remedies to feel good and make a positive transition! 

1.) GREEN JUICE or GREEN SMOOTHIES - This is so important! We NEED our greens! I get a lot of questions about what type of juicer I use or what goes in my smoothies etc. Don't overthink it. What is most important is that you have a basic juicer or blender that works efficiently and isn't too hard to clean. Incorporating green juice or smoothies to my morning routine has done wonders for my mood and skin. I feel like I can finally see that "glow" that everyone talks about. I also feel super motivated and energized after having my morning juice or smoothie. Celery juice alone is incredibly healing as well- just ask the Medical Medium (which is also a whole other post). For now, try to start with a juice of maybe one fruit and a ton of veggies every morning- I love turmeric, ginger, celery, cucumber, lemon and sometimes a little green apple added. For green smoothies, add 1/2 frozen banana, some frozen pineapple, spinach, kale, cucumber, coconut water and ice to a blender and blend! I will post more about this later- but this is a great start. 

2.) DESTRESS- this is essential. Everyone is always on the go and trying to keep up with life- looking your best, being your best, having the best stuff- you name it. What we don't realize is that we are putting an insane amount of stress on our bodies and our adrenal glands are suffering. Take a deep breath. Go for a walk. Turn off your phone. Turn off the TV! Start loving yourself and realizing how incredible you are. Light a candle and read a book. Just do it for you! 

3.) ADAPTOGENS- I know some people think that all "supplements" are created equal. This is so not true! There are a ton of crappy supplements out there that will do more damage then good. You just have to do your research! Or let me do it for you! Here are my favorite adaptogens- also known as natural substances that help your body adapt to stress! 

Ashwagandha- this one is great for anxiety. Whats amazing about adaptogens is they actually adapt to your bodies needs- so if you need energy- you might get it from ashwagandha- but if you need to relax- it can do that too. When I take it I usually add it to my bedtime tea (another post), and it puts me RIGHT to sleep. I seriously sleep so deep and wake up feeling amazing.  

Holy Basil or Tulsi- this one is also great for anxiety and stress. I usually add it to my morning smoothies if I am feeling a little overwhelmed that day. It puts my mind at ease and helps my heartbeat to relax. Try it for yourself. 

Mucuna Pruriens- this is a recent one that I have gotten into thanks to my friend Bri! It has been used for years throughout China and India. It comes from a bean which people call "the happy bean". It is a great source of L-Dopa, a precursor to Dopamine. When I add  this to my morning coffee or smoothie I feel super positive and energized. For those of you suffering with depression or severe anxiety- this is worth a try. 

4.) SLEEP!- you are probably thinking.. duh Sarah, I know we need to get our sleep. But really, sleep is so important to overall health. If you are going to bed late and waking up at the butt crack of dawn to go to the gym or work, your body is never resting and it is in "flight mode" all the time which is way worse for you than anything else! Stop pushing yourself so hard. Sleep in on the weekends if you can and try to go to bed earlier. Your skin and body will thank you later! 

5.) MUSHROOM POWDERS!- this really needs to be a whole other post! But, I am obsessed with the power of mushrooms! They have been used for centuries all over the world to heal naturally. Reishi mushroom has actually cured cancer patients in China. How we are not more aware of this blows my mind! And I am just starting to learn more about them also. But, my favorite ones are:

Lions Mane- add this to your smoothie or coffee for an insane brain boost! Seriously, when I take this I feel like a cloud has been taken away from my brain and I can think clearly again. It also gives me a lot of energy!

Turkey Tail- this one is great for your immunity! If you are feeling sick or around sick people often you need this! It does wonders.

Reishi- this is the cancer fighter, among many other things. It insanely boosts your immunity and also helps fight off fatigue and depression! I will post more about this soon! 

I hope I helped someone out there with my story and recommendations! I am not a doctor and you should always consult with your doctor first before changing anything, but I am here to help you along your personal health journey. 

- Sarah 

My Favorite Iced Golden Milk

Oh hey guys! Thanks for checking out my blog! I have never been much into blogging, but there is a right time for everything and it just feels right! I am excited to share my all time favorite products and recipes here with you. 

Here is a recipe that I like to create often because it is not only delicious, but it is calming and energizing at the same time.

It contains Ashwagandha which is an adaptogenic root that is great for anxiety, sleep, energy and mood.. along with many other benefits. Some people become energized from it, while others tend to relax and have better sleep. The only way to really know is to try it! It makes me feel calm and happy. My favorite brand is Banyan Botanicals which is only around ten dollars on Amazon for a good size container. Try this out and please let me know what you think! xo

 

ICED GOLDEN MILK LATTE

1 cup brewed coffee (I love a lower acid coffee such as Sumatra)

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tbsp turmeric

1 tbsp coconut sugar or agave

1 tsp Ashwagandha

dash of black pepper

1/4 cup almond milk 

Mix hot coffee with all of your other ingredients minus milk. Pour over ice and add more ice and the almond milk. Enjoy!

Have a great week everybody!

What the Health?

Hi everyone! In a world full of opinions and too many decisions it can get confusing on what we should be eating. A recent documentary has come out promoting the benefits of a plant based diet. It is called What the Health. I had a chance to watch it, and of course I thought it was incredible. It was full of useful information for those wanting to prevent or fight disease, cancer, weight gain and early death. 

It also talked about how diabetes is actually created from eating an abundance of animal products and not so much from processed sugar! This information is new and hard to believe, but there are scientists who have proven it to be true. I have noticed many bloggers in the health food industry disagreeing with the documentary and finding it to be one sided. Its hard to understand, but promoting a plant based diet can appear one sided of course.

People who truly believe in the benefits of this lifestyle don't believe we should be consuming animal products for optimal heath. I believe that only positive changes can come from transitioning to a plant based diet! As long as you are doing it correctly and making sure you are eating REAL, whole foods, you are going to thrive!! We are here to guide you and teach you how to fuel your body the correct way. Please let me know your thoughts below if you have had the chance to see this documentary! 

---

Let's build a better you.