Toronto Yoga Mamas Blog

My Top 4 Pregnancy Books

9/24/2019

By Jamie Kalynuik, Founder/CEO of Toronto Yoga Mamas

I LOVED reading during my pregnancy. I would slow down after a busy day, make a cup of warm water with lemon and honey {my fave}, cuddle up with a book, and connect with babe. Here are a handful of my top pregnancy books. I'd love to hear what books you are reading on your journey. Feel free to comment too in the section below.

The Birth Of A Mother: How the Motherhood Experience Changes You Forever
By Danielle N Stern

I loved this book because it covers the inner transformation a woman goes through - how the mother is born psychologically during her pregnancy and after the babe is born. I found this book perfect to read during my first trimester when so much of the pregnancy I was experiencing was emotional.

Healthy Holistic Pregnancy
By Jesse Lane, CNP

This book reads almost like a pregnancy journal by author, mama and Holistic Nutritionist Jesse Lane. I found myself relating to many of the symptoms, emotions, questions she talked about while I followed along on her journey. I really like that she focused on natural solutions for many pregnancy ailments and pregnancy. Bonus: she included yummy pregnancy-friendly recipes for the first trimester and beyond. Super Bonus: she is a member of Toronto Yoga Mamas and speaks to the benefits she enjoyed by practicing prenatal yoga.

The Rebel Mama’s Handbook For Cool Moms
By Aleksandra Jassem and Nikita Stanley

This book made my shoulders relax and my heart smile. Authors Nikita and Aleksandra did a great job covering everything from pregnancy to toddlerhood in a straightforward and non-judgemental way...all while making made me laugh at the same time. I love that these mamas are from Toronto and have an active instagram account that compliments all the feels that the book gives.

Bountiful Beautiful Blissful
By Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa

This book was gifted to me by my friend Christine and arrived during the perfect time in my pregnancy when I was looking for more spiritual way to connect with my journey and babe. I read this book in the last part of my third trimester when I was feeling quite pregnant...and bountiful. I really loved reading the meditations in this book while I was slowing down and turning inwards.

I would love to know which books you enjoyed during your pregnancy and why. Please feel free to share in the comment section below.

Free Barre Classes - Sponsored By Nutbar

9/19/2019

We are happy to welcome healthy and super yummy coffee shop nutbar to Leslieville!

Founded by fellow Yoga Mama Kate Martin, this superfood snack cafe is the perfect destination for mamas in the east end. Smoothies, salads, soups and more.... all 100% organic! Perfect place to visit post workout...and on the topic of workouts we are excited to announce that in celebration of opening in our community, nutbar is sponsoring TWO barre classes at Yoga Mamas! Mamas come join us for a FREE barre class compliments of nutbar.

Nutbar Founder Kate Martin and Yoga Mamas Founder Jamie Kalynuik

FREE BARRE CLASSES - Sponsored by nutbar

BARRE
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH 2019
9:00AM - 10:00AM

BARRE BABIES
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH 2019
3:00PM - 4:00PM

Join us for a free barre or barre babies class compliments of our friends at nutbar including yummy treats.

Free Prenatal Yoga Classes - Sponsored By Amazon Baby Registry

9/18/2019

Mamas to be we are excited to share that our friends at Amazon Baby Registry will be joining us again.

After our sold out event earlier this month, they have been kind enough to sponsor two more free prenatal yoga classes.

Join us Saturday September 21st for a free prenatal class compliments of our friends at Amazon Baby Registry including surprises from Amazon Partners.

TWO FREE PRENATAL YOGA CLASSES

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST 2019
9:00AM - 10:00AM

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21ST 2019
10:15AM - 11:15AM

We kindly ask that if you attended their complimentary event on Friday September 6th that you let other mamas join the next two upcoming events.

10 Instagrammers to Follow for Lunchbox Inspiration

9/18/2019

Golden leaves and cooler breezes can only mean one thing—change is in the air! Green leaves turn gold and t-shirts are layered with cable knit sweaters as we say farewell to summer. The change of season also invites us to eat differently, especially if you choose to eat locally grown produce. Squash lovers… this is your time of year!

Whether your Littles are headed back-to-school and you need inspiration for daily packed lunches, or you’re looking for ways to encourage your picky eater to try new things, fall is a great time for everyone to learn something new. We’ve rounded up our favorite foodie Instagrammers that champion the mid-day meal—Lunch! Here’s who you need to follow now in order to overhaul humdrum lunchboxes and bring some excitement to the plate:

For Babies & Toddlers

1. @babyfooduniverse
The queen of baby puree and toddler food, Kawn shares recipes to encourage adventurous eating right from the start! Visit her Instagram for like-worthy flat lays depicting the whole ingredients used in her food prep. And if you’re feeling hungry for more inspiration, Kawn has written the book “101 DIY Baby Food Pouches”.

2. @yummytoddlerfood
Amy admits that feeding toddlers is a huge challenge, and that it can be so stressful! She offers reassurance, encouragement, and easy recipes that make feeding toddlers feel more manageable. Her Instagram is full of great tips, as are her e-books “Yummy Toddler Food” and “Yummy Baby Food”.

For School Agers

3. @little_lunch_love
If you’re looking for a Mama who can help you navigate the world of lunchbox options, while sharing tried and tested food ideas, look no further! Jenny packs fuss-free, colourful feats for her two Littles and offers clever tips for how to make meals more fun—rainbow sprinkles anyone? See Jenny’s “Lunchboxes” story highlight for videos detailing the most popular lunchboxes on the market.

4. @weelicious
Mama to three school aged Littles, Catherine is the author of two cookbooks—one being all about the second meal of the day: “Weelicious Lunches: Think Outside the Lunchbox”. Her Instagram is filled with irresistible snacks, packed lunches, and kid friendly smoothies.

5. @thenaturalnurturer
Creator of the #veggieloadedapproach, Taesha is an expert at introducing Littles to their greens in the most creative ways. Her food-themed info graphics are clear and informative, making the addition of veggies to everyday meals a cinch. Everyone (including Mama and Papa) could use more veg in their diet!

6. @healthylittlefoodies
Amy Whiteford is a trained food scientist and recipe developer. Amy shares family food creations such as her Cheesy Quinoa Crackers, Peanut Butter Dip, and Chocolate Avocado Pudding. Check out her Instagram for ideas that easily go from tonight’s kitchen table to tomorrow’s lunchbox!

7. @avivawittenberg
Aviva rises with the sun and packs her family lunches with joy—and it shows in her Instagram feed! Her bento-style lunch creations are bright, beautiful, and rainbow coloured. Follow her lead and you could easily pack the same lunch for yourself as well as your grade-schooler. Win win!

For The Whole Family

8. @joyoushealth
Holistic nutritionist and two-time bestselling cookbook author, Joy McCarthy is Canada’s own healthy-living guru. From kid-approved recipes to the truth about beauty products, Joy’s Instagram and blog are a Mecca for the health conscious family. Visit her Instagram for a joyful approach to all things family and health

9. @prettyprettypineapple
A lover of all things good for the soul, Raquel shares easy recipes fit for the entire family. Follow Raquel for tropical meals, fresh snacks, and bowls bursting with colour! Disclaimer: Every meal on this account is gorgeous and WILL make you very hungry… scroll with caution.

10. @organicfoodforkids
Marta is a believer that family mealtime can be quick & easy without skimping on quality or taste! She not only helps parents with food preparation, but she also uses Instagram stories to document fun ways to keep the kids entertained while you’re in the kitchen.

Sometimes a little inspiration is all it takes to introduce a new food to your kids, or reintroduce old foods in new ways! We hope the above Instagram accounts arm you with plenty of tasty ideas that make lunch prep easy and fun. May your Littles come home from school with full bellies and empty lunchboxes!

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My Top 4 Pregnancy Books

Free Barre Classes - Sponsored By Nutbar

Free Prenatal Yoga Classes - Sponsored By Amazon Baby Registry

10 Instagrammers to Follow for Lunchbox Inspiration

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