Pregnancy is hard y’all! And although I’m now in my third trimester, I’m still finding little tricks and products to make these last couple of months easier. Like my Snoogle, which is basically the best body pillow of all time. I just wish I had ordered one sooner! Here are just a few of my pregnancy favorites and the items I’ve loved most over the last 7 months. What are your pregnancy essentials?
1/ Cami Sports Bras: These are basically all I wear around the house these days because they’re super comfy and stretchy without the annoying wires and straps of regular bras.
2/ Maternity Yoga Pants: Gosh I love these. I basically live in stretchy maternity yoga pants because they’re easy to move in but also comfy enough to relax in. And the pull-over-the-belly panel is super flattering under tank tops and t-shirts.
3/ Mother’s Special Blend
4/ Ear Plugs: Pregnancy has made me the lightest sleeper on the planet! I found small earplugs at the grocery store and use them anytime I’m having an especially hard time sleeping.
5/ Julep Nail Polish: I love that Julep 5-free nail polish is free from 5 chemicals found in lots of other polish brands…perfect for pregnancy!
6/ Maternity Support Band
7/ Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
8/ Snoogle Total Body Pillow
9/ Rainbow Light Prenatal One Multivitamin
10/ TUMS: Oh, holy heartburn! Thank goodness for the relief of Tums. If the old wives tale is true, these twins much each have a full head of hair because my heartburn terrible. And while Tums aren’t the tastiest treats, I’m partial to the tropical flavored variety. Not bad for chalky!
Hey Freutcake readers! Kelly here from Studio DIY and I’m excited to be popping by to add a little color to your life today! Since Leah is such a star at whipping up delicious cocktails, I thought it would be fun to share three colorful ways to jazz ’em up even more! You may even have a few of these goodies in your pantry so you can whip up some drinks in a flash for all your summer dinner parties.
Colored Salt: It’s not a margarita without a little salt, if you ask me. Pick up some powdered food coloring (Just a small amount goes a long way here!) and mix it with salt. Run a lime around the rim of the glass then dip in a shallow dish of the colored salt to add a bit of unexpected color to the glass!
Breakfast Cereal: You can admit it. I know you have a secret stash of sugar-y kid cereal hiding somewhere in your pantry. Break it out and embrace it! Crush up the cereal in a plastic bag and pour into a shallow dish. Dip glass into a mixture of water and a bit of honey, then into the dish of cereal. BAM!
Sprinkles: Sips and sweets anyone? The best combination for girl’s night! Use the leftover sprinkles from your treats to add a happy surprise to the bar! Like the cereal trick, dip the glass into a mixture of water and a bit of honey and then into a dish of sprinkles.
photos by Studio DIY
What’s your favorite way to garnish a cocktail? Cheers!
Pregnancy cravings are a funny thing. In the beginning of my pregnancy there were no cravings, only aversions to pretty much all food in general. Thank goodness that stage is over! After all, aren’t pregnancy cravings part of the fun of this whole journey to motherhood?
It’s a time to indulge (just a little) in what we want for once, no holding back or practicing self control. It’s a time to say, I haven’t had banana pudding in a while and gosh darn that sounds good!
This third trimester has brought about a serious craving for Salted-Caramel Banana Pudding. Something about the combination of caramel and bananas makes my pregnant belly do a little jig. But does Salted-Caramel Banana Pudding even exist? Well it does now my friends and I’m eating it with a spoon!
Layers of creamy vanilla pudding made with Almond Breeze Almondmilk Vanilla, crunchy classic Nilla Wafers, homemade salted caramel and whipped cream. I mean, does it get any better than that? And for all of you who love caramel but can’t stomach the dairy, this salted caramel sauce is made with Almond Breeze Almondmilk Vanilla as well. Double yum!
Oh, and you certainly don’t have to be pregnant to crave or make this pudding. I say we all treat ourselves to a little banana pudding nostalgia this week. Raise your spoons high if you’re with me!
Recipe development & photos by Erin Phraner
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk however the recipe and all opinions expressed here are my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who support Freutcake!
- 2 (2.75-ounce) packages vanilla pudding mix
- 4 cups Almond Breeze Almondmilk Vanilla
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 5 to 6 bananas, sliced
- 1 box Nilla Wafer or other vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 container frozen whipped topping
- 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Almond Breeze Almondmilk Vanilla
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Prepare the pudding mix as the label directs using Almond Breeze Almondmilk Vanilla (4 cups or the amount listed on the packaging). Transfer pudding to a large bowl; let cool slightly. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding and refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, prepare the caramel sauce: Cook the brown sugar, granulated sugar, almond milk and salt in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Put the almonds in a dry skillet and cook over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until toasted, about 5 minutes. Keep the almonds moving as they get toastier to prevent burning.
- In mason jars or other small containers, layer the pudding, sliced bananas, wafer cookies and toasted almonds. Top each with a dollop of frozen whipped topping. Drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce. Enjoy!
