The new holiday season is just starting! But relax, pregnancy does not mean you have to sit this holiday season out, or be bored while your friends, family members and co-workers are getting their groove on. You simply have to make a few adjustments to keep it safe, fun and comfortable.
Good Eats!
When the trays of appetizers are being passed under your nose and the buffet table is laden with every mouth-watering dish every made, it's hard to keep things in perspective. As a pregnant holiday party attendee there are some things that may taste good at the time, but will ultimately come back to haunt you! Fried foods, spicy dishes and super rich concoctions are recipes for heartburn deluxe. Foods that have been sitting out without a flame or without being chilled, should also be avoided as food poisoning could result. It's no fun being sent to the hospital for rehydration, especially when you're pregnant.
The trick - be proactive. Try to find out what's on the menu so you know what you can or should not eat in advance. If there's a theme going that spells disaster for your delicate system, eat before heading to the event or bring a dish you can eat. Also, heavy meals can cause heartburn or morning sickness, so make sure you don't eat too much at one time. Instead try multiple mini-meals instead.
Comfy Feet!
It's a fact - pregnancy will bring great joy and with it swollen aching feet! With holiday parties and gatherings approaching, the desire for cute shoes to match the fantastic maternity outfits may cloud your judgment. Pregnancy creates an ever-changing center of gravity which definitely affects balance. Also, if you're living in a cold climate, snow and ice will also be a factor. In a non-pregnant state, high heels can cause extra discomfort for feet, legs and backs. So why tempt fate for a few minutes of fashion? Avoid potential spills, pain and discomfort from the start.
The trick - go for comfort. Put away the stilettos and opt for comfy shoes that will not further challenge your center of gravity. There are some awesome holiday shoes and functional practical boots that are way cute too! If you've the luxury of gathering at someone's home, a comfortable elegant pair of slippers or slipper socks may also fit the bill.
Tasty Treats!
The after-shopping lunch or dinner, the office holiday party, the holiday family dinner, and New Year's Eve parties are all places where cocktails go hand in hand, but pregnant moms-to-be need not be excluded from these rituals. There are tons of other options for them. Non-alcoholic beer, sparkling or traditional fruit juices, water, or even soda pop are all viable options. However, typical everyday beverages may not seem "festive" enough for the holiday season. So when regular cocktails or standard non-alcoholic beverages are not desirable - enter the "mocktail!" Mocktails are virgin (without the alcohol) cocktails that can be enjoyed by pregnant women, designated drivers and those too young to partake in the cocktail versions.
Virgin Mary Recipe
3 oz V8® (or favorite) vegetable juice
3 dashes Tabasco® sauce
1 dash of Worcestershire® sauce
1 pinch celery salt
1 dash of pepper (black or white)
1 lemon or lime slice
1 celery stalk
Wet rim of fancy, festive highball glass with lemon wedge. Add vegetable juice to glass, followed by Tabasco sauce, squeeze lemon/lime and stir with celery stalk. Sprinkle drink and celery stalk with salt and pepper, and optional garnish if desired and serve.
Pina Colada Mocktail
6 oz Fresh Pineapple juice (canned will work in a pinch)
2 oz Coconut cream
1 cup crushed ice
Fresh pineapple wedges
Maraschino cherries
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into a daiquiri glass, or mix all ingredients (including the crushed ice) in a blender. Garnish with pineapple on glass rim and a maraschino cherry.
Kamikaze Mocktail
2 oz Orange juice
2 oz Lime juice
Crushed Ice
3 dashes of Bitters (Angostura recommended)
Orange Slice
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour into glass. Add crushed ice and garnish with orange slice.
Mojito Mocktail
1 1/2 oz Club soda
3 fresh sprigs of Mint
2 tsp Sugar
3 dashes Bitters (Angostura recommended)
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pour over crushed ice. Add mint and enjoy! Bitters is often a fantastic remedy for nausea!
Margarita Mocktail
2 oz Sour mix
2 oz Lime juice
1 Lime wedge
3 oz Lemon-lime soda (carbonated)
Rim glass with lime, then salt.
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker pour over crushed ice. Add lime wedge to rim and don't forget the umbrella!
Enjoy!
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