Lauren Ferriter Wellness

Trigger warning: miscarriage
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About two months ago, I had a miscarriage. Swipe to read my story. I pray it speaks to some of you who may have experienced the same.

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Why would we wait until we are having trouble conceiving to start a preconception diet? Isn't this the way it often goes? Couple wants baby > Couple stops hormonal BC and stops using protection > Couple has trouble conceiving and starts looking at fertility treatments*. I think we are missing a step. It's called preconception.
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Let's give thought and effort to what nutrients need to be replenished after birth control. Let's balance mama's body so that she can feel her best during pregnancy. Let's help her reduce her chances of morning sickness, pregnancy complications, and postpartum anxiety and depression. Let's give that growing baby optimal nutrition and supplementation so that she has the best starting point.
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Let's do this differently. Give me a )(*&)(*&)(*& if you agree.
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*Fertility treatments are not the enemy. When approached holistically- with proper nutrition, supplementation, and preparation- you’ll have the best chances of success 💙
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Children throw a wrench in things, am I right?
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Before having our son, I assumed life would be about the same, just with a little one in tow. 😂😂😂 We would do all the same things- go out to dinner 😅, travel like it was just us, never plan a day around nap time. Let's be real: , and I'm ok with that.
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Since becoming parents, my husband and I have to be so much more intentional with our time together. We certainly don't get it right all the time, but we are getting better. We plan more date nights, we utilize a babysitter more often, we connect in new ways as a family.
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But my relationship with my husband isn't the only one that's changed since becoming a mom. I have a different relationship with MYSELF. In an effort to be THE person for my little guy, it's easy to lose sight of who I am. I've had to find ways to connect with communities outside of my nuclear family, have work and volunteer projects that are my own, and find things that fill my cup besides my husband and son.
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This isn't the easiest, but I've learned to push past my comfort zone and join the club, ask the friend to coffee, be the first to strike up a conversation. Some of the most beautiful friendships have blossomed from those steps of faith.
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Have you found the shift in relationships to be what you expected? It's all surprised me a bit.

DAY 5 - Nourished Postpartum Challenge - Relationship Shifts -

Postpartum nourishment- my love language 😂💙
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Remember how hungry you were? For once in our marriage, I could eat more than my husband immediately postpartum - like double. But it's not just calories that matter (although it's one of the factors you need to consider).
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Many people like to focus on what we eat during pregnancy and then let go of the reins once baby is out. But our nutrient needs actually INCREASE after giving birth. Not only are we recovering from labor (typically a marathon's worth of work or more), but many of us are nursing and still sustaining a small human who now demands a lot more energy. Our bodies need deeply nourishing and healing foods.
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Traditional cultures prized slow cooked broths for minerals and tissue repair, high iron foods to replenish blood loss, and healthy fats- both for sustained energy and to rebuild hormones (because you kiss all of those goodbye on day 3 😭). Postpartum nourishment is best when it's easy to digest...anyone else terrified of the first postpartum p**p? 🙋
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To maintain adequate milk supply, we need good hydration, electrolytes, and high enough calories. The more nutrient dense your diet, the more nutrient dense your milk.
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Continued in the comments is my favorite recipe to share with new moms. I had it ready to go in my freezer for my first postpartum meal!
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What was your favorite postpartum meal? Anything you craved?
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DAY 2 (still one day behind) Nourished Postpartum Challenge - Nourishment -

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I dislocated my tailbone during labor...
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Maybe I broke it? Who knows. It hurt for 18 months. Yes, nursing was painful, and I had stitches holding me together, but nothing could touch how much my tailbone hurt- trying to sit up to nurse, to sit up and eat, to get off the bed, to drive the damn car.
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The physical recovery from pregnancy was hard for me. It was weeks before I felt ready to go for a walk, months before I felt ready to even look at a weight. I couldn't bounce back, and thankfully, I didn't feel the need to. It’s so hard, but try to listen to your body when it’s crying for rest- especially postpartum.
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Here's what I think may have happened: my pelvic floor was too TIGHT. I couldn't relax it fully. Years of "sucking it in" and trying to have a perfectly flat stomach left my pelvic floor dysfunctional, and me susceptible to a lot of damage as you know who came through the birth canal. If I had known, I would have done pelvic floor pt while I was pregnant, and I firmly believe this should be standard of care.
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Since giving birth, I've done a lot of pt in an effort to right the damage done. Internal manipulation and pelvic floor pt did wonders, but the biggest changes came when I added in work at . If you can find a practitioner near you, go see them!
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Why the sudden birth stories?
✨BIRDSONG’S 2ND ANNUAL NOURISHED POSTPARTUM CHALLENGE ✨ it stared yesterday, but I’m just jumping on board. You can too! Swipe right to see the outline. Your story is valuable, and if you feel open to sharing, the world wants to hear it.
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DAY 1 Nourished Postpartum Challenge - Physical Healing -
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Could an elimination diet improve your fertility? ..
Let me begin by saying that I don’t believe we should live our life in a constant state of deprivation. Our goal with food should be to eat things that nourish, fulfill, and don’t cause a detriment to our bodies. But there are times when our body is giving us clues that not all is well. Or maybe we are preparing for a baby and want to be in the best state possible when that happens. These are times when an elimination diet can help to reset and possibly shed light on what may be negatively impacting our health. ..
If we are eating things that cause inflammation in our body, our immune system has to take precious resources to address that inflammation. Our liver must then work overtime to handle the food intolerances, which leads to a decreased ability to detoxify our hormones. And our gut has an impaired ability to absorb nutrients. All of this leads to hormonal imbalances and decreased nutrients to build healthy hormones!..
Elimination diets aren’t meant to be forever, and the goal is to get back to being able to eat a wider range of foods. I’m 4 days into a round of 🙌 and feeling good, but already dreaming of what my first reintroduction will be 😉. Have you ever done a round of Whole30?

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Do you eat fried plantains? They are one of our breakfast favorites! 🍌 ...
Green/slightly yellow ones are lower in sugar and still a good source of carbs. Yellow ones with spots have higher amounts of sugar, which has more chance of spiking your blood sugar depending on what it’s paired with. I often cook one green and one sweet, because let’s be honest, the sweet ones are so yummy 😋 ...
Directions:
-Cut off each end of the plantain and score the peel lengthwise
-Peel, then slice as desired
-Heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over med/low heat
-Once pan is warm add a 2 Tbsp of coconut oil (you may have to add more while cooking)
-Sprinkle with salt and cook plantains fully on one side before flipping
-Let cool and enjoy! ...
Pair plantains with some healthy fats from eggs, avocado, or properly raised meats, a side of greens and voila- a balanced, nutrient dense and filling meal that will last you all morning! Full how to in my stories/highlights.

Moooooving back to Hawaii!! Denver, you’ve been a dream! Flying home today- and praying for a less eventful trip over the Pacific this time 🙏 ...
These women encourage and love me so well. It’s easy to feel a bit lonely as a stay at home mama, but choosing this job- that I get to build in a way that makes sense for me and my family- is one of the biggest bright spots in my life. ...
And here’s the amazing thing- there is nothing the leaders here have done that you cannot do. It takes work, but it’s such fun work. I am so glad I said yes to this one-of-a-kind company two years ago. What other company is educating on the dangers in our personal care products, advocating for health protective laws, and creating industry leading products? ...
We need more voices sharing this mission- is yours next? @ Denver, Colorado

See that? (swipe 👉) There was a little piece of you in your grandma’s belly when she was pregnant with your mom (or dad)!
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It’s a little easier to understand with women- we are born with most of the eggs we will ever have. So when you were growing in your mom, your little body was forming most of the eggs that could potentially become your offspring!🤰
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But the same goes for men, in a way. Germ cells are cells that are present very early in the development of a baby. They will migrate and create either s***m or eggs. So you were inside your mom or dad when they were growing in your grandma!
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Those germ cells still exists in both adult men and women- meaning they still have the ability to create s***m and eggs! We pass down genetic markers to our children via those eggs and s***m, so we have the ability to influence the health of our children and our grandchildren with our food and lifestyle 🤯 This multi-generational impact is one of the reasons I love nutrition so much! @ Monterey, California

I’ve been majorly UNsuccessful at growing my own food since K was born. We get a tomato or two here and there, but basically everything dies.
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We spent yesterday morning at , and I’m so thankful they have a green thumb. I think exposing kids (and adults 😏) to where their food comes from is so important. It doesn’t come from a box...it comes from farms.
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The more disconnected we are, the less respect and understanding we have for things- be it people, animals, plants, nature.
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Do you have a place you like to take your kiddos to explore their inner farmer? 💙 🌍 @ Keiki and Plow