I’m continuing to list my tips for pumping at work over on Liberating Working Moms today. If you haven’t already, check out my part one. Today’s part two includes thoughts on clothing, eating & what to do during those minutes {or hours} you spend at work pumping.
Brandy pointed out in the comments that some of these tips/issues have to do with my big {over} supply. I sometimes forget that not everyone pumps out crazy amounts like I do. {Yes, it’s a very happy problem for this multi-momma to have!}
And for those wishing for an oversupply, I have a recipe posting next week for cookies that might help! {I also recommend starting to pump before you go back to work to get you & your body used to it. That’ll also help build a frozen stash to fall back on. & if all else fails, you can try fenugreek aka the smell like maple syrup herb.}
Heather B Armstrong’s It Sucked Then I Cried had been in my TBR pile for a long time. I’ve never been a huge dooce reader, but I still purchased it soon after it was in paperback. I got through just the first chapter or two when I had to set it aside.
You see, It Sucked Then I Cried isn’t infertile lady friendly. Everything Heather says sucks {pregnancy & all the symptoms}, I was wishing, hell, begging for. So I didn’t find it funny. At the time, it broke my already sensitive heart.
I thought I’d revisit it now that I’m postpartum & flying through books reading while I pump at work. It Sucked Then I Cried was very appropriate pumping reading. While I still scoffed at her being upset they didn’t get pregnant the first month, I didn’t judge her pregnancy experience. & I was able to laugh & commiserate through the sections on labor & her daughter’s infancy.
If you’re a dooce fan, I recommend this book {but you’ve probably already read it}. I think other new moms would enjoy it too, especially if you’re looking for someone who overcame PPD/PPA. If you’re fighting infertility, stay clear until you’re well on the other side.
Thanksgiving to me means family & food. Lots of food. And some of the best recipes come from my mom. Luckily, she shares them with me & then I post them here {so I remember & you can enjoy them too}.
Easy Hash Brown Casserole is a family favorite. It’s a wonderful way to start out a Thanksgiving brunch; serving it with eggs or omelets. But we most often have it as a side dish with our main afternoon meal. And then fight over the leftovers {if there are any} the next day.
Hash Brown Casserole ingredients
Ingredients
2 lb shredded hash browns, slightly thawed
2 c shredded Swiss cheese
1 stick Country Crock, melted
1 pint heavy cream
1/2 tsp Lawry’s seasoning salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a 9×13 baking dish.
Mixed & ready to bake.
Preheat oven to 375. Bake for hour & a half hours. Enjoy!
Easy Hash Brown Casserole
{Half of my family dips this in ketchup, the other half thinks we’re weird.}
Honey Ginger Carrots are also a Thanksgiving & really all fall & winter staple around our house. There are many variations, but this is my favorite way to fix them.
Ingredients
1 lb package of baby carrots
1 tablespoon Country Crock spread
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 /4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a pot on the stove on medium. Add equal parts water & orange juice if you’re feeling fancy to cover carrots. Cook until tender. Enjoy!
These ingredient amounts for the carrots serves four. Feel free to double or triple for the size of your crowd!
Yay for Thanksgiving recipes. I’ll be sure to share more when our other dishes are finalized for our Thanksgiving menu.
Thank you to Good to Know & Unilever Spreads for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.
My Life Map by Kate & David Marshall was yet another BlogHer Book Club stretch for me. I don’t typically read books in the ‘self help’ genre & thanks to BHBC, this makes my second in the last few months.
There were parts of My Life Map that reminded me of Daring Greatly. They both pushed me to think about my past, plan for my future, & define goals.
I’ve never made a life map or goal board before. While I’ve thought about my future, I’ve never put pen to paper on it.
I don’t think I made or shifted any big plans. I’m happily married, with two young children & living in an area I plan to stay in. I enjoy my job situation & My Life Map reinforced that idea while still helping push me to think of how I can improve my work life.
The discussion on ‘play time’ did make me think about this ole blog. I’ve never made a future plan or business plan for Suz’s Treats. Is it a hobby? Is it {very small paying} part time work? I think I’m happy for now that I can call blogging both. A fun hobby that allows me to be a bit creative, has helped me find a community of online friends & still adds a little change to my pocket.
I wish I had read My Life Map sooner. I think it would be a great book to give to anyone on the cusp of a big life change. Such as soon-to-be college graduates to help them focus, as a wedding or bridal shower gift to help a new couple make life goals together, or even as a retirement gift so the retiree can plan for their open days ahead.
As with all the BHBC books, I’ll be discussing it with others on the My Life Map BHBC page. Feel free to hop over there to read more.
