Fitness – Schwartz and Sweet

It’s the Holidays and you’re pregnant so you have to skip the alcohol but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your drink. In fact, with this “Third Trimester Mocktail,” your taste buds will be happy and your uterus will thank you. That’s because it contains red raspberry leaf tea and dates, both of which are said to have positive effects on labor and it includes spearmint, fresh raspberries, lemon juice, and honey to create a yummy concoction. This makes it a perfect drink to sip as the ball drops on New Year’s Eve or in the morning for breakfast, or anytime you want to give your body a boost in preparation for childbirth.

Ingredients

Red raspberry leaf tea

Dates

Red raspberries

One lemon

Spearmint leaves

Honey to taste

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Red raspberry leaf tea is the base of this drink and has been said to have numerous benefits for all women, pregnant or not. It is rich in vitamins and minerals to support the immune system and is said to lessen menstrual discomfort, ease nausea, lower high blood pressure, and aid the reproductive system to name a few. In pregnancy, red raspberry leaf tea strengthens the uterus so that when labor hits, contractions are more powerful and effective which may make labor shorter and less painful. It may also make the amniotic sac stronger which reduces the chance of waters breaking before labor and it supports a healthy breastmilk supply.

Red raspberry leaf tea is not without controversy, however. Lack of testing means this herb is not exactly scientifically supported and care providers widely vary their recommendations toward it. While some believe the tea can be safely taken throughout the entire pregnancy and may even help protect against miscarriage, other midwives and doctors may advise that it not be taken until the second trimester, the third trimester, the 34th week or even later. As always, consult with your care provider before you start drinking red raspberry leaf tea. If you decide you’re not ready for it, simply substitute green tea in this recipe. It will taste just as good!

Dates

Dates are said to have an effect on the uterus that is similar to oxytocin (the labor hormone). They are a natural laxative and may stimulate uterine contractions. A 2011 study compared the labors of 69 women who ate 6 dates a day starting in their 36th week with the labors of 45 women who ate none and found several significant differences between the two groups. Those who ate the dates had a much easier latent stage of labor lasting an average of 510 minutes compared to 906 minutes in those who did not eat dates. Only 28% of date consumers needed Pitocin compared to 47% of non-date consumers. Furthermore, 96% of those who ate the dates went into labor spontaneously while only 79% of those who did not eat the dates went into labor on their own. Finally, when they checked into the hospital/birth center, date consumers were an average of 3.52 cm dilated and 83% of them had intact membranes while non-date consumers were an average of 2.02 cm dilated and only 60% of them had intact membranes. To read the whole the abstract of the study, click here.

Of course, like most things, the use of dates in pregnancy isn’t supported by everyone and it’s important to do your own research and check with your care provider before consuming a large number of dates. They are high in sugar so if you have gestational diabetes or are closely watching sugar intake, it may be best to avoid dates. The women in the study did not start eating 6 dates a day until they were in their 36th week but a few dates here and there before that time is most likely just fine. However, if you’re uncomfortable with the idea, simply leave the dates out of your Mocktail. No harm there!

Directions

To make your Mocktail, start by bringing 12 ounces of water to a boil and pouring it over your red raspberry leaf tea and a couple spearmint leaves. Add in honey to suit your taste or avoid it all together if you don’t want the extra sugar. Let it steep for at least 5 minutes and then chill in the refrigerator or freezer if you’re in a hurry. Don’t forget to enjoy the sweet little quotes on the tea bag. I just love this one!

Third Trimester Mocktail: Start with Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

As the tea chills, wash your red raspberries and purée a large handful of them in a food processor, saving a few for garnish. Add in a couple of dates (up to six if you’re in your 36th week or later) and a couple more mint leaves. Juice at least half a lemon or the whole lemon if you like tart drinks, add it into the mixture and purée some more. Once you’ve got it nice and smooth, you may wish to strain out all the seeds and chunks of raspberries if you don’t like that in your drink. Skip the straining if you don’t mind them though!

Finally, mix the purée and tea together, give it a good shake, and add in more raspberries and mint for garnish if you desire. Now you’re ready to enjoy your “Third Trimester Mocktail.” I hope you find it easy, delicious, and effective in helping you labor along. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Mama!

Pregame: Stretch and Warm Up!

Before the game (and your workout) starts you want to make sure you’re stretched out and warmed up. So march in place, touch your toes, do a couple side lunges, whatever you need to do to get your blood pumping and muscles ready to work. Your workout officially starts when the first pitch is thrown.

Between Batters: Squats!

After the play is over, do basic squats until the next batter receives his first pitch. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and sit back as if you were sitting in a chair. Make sure your knees stay directly over your toes and try to go down far enough so that your thighs are parallel with the floor. If you wish, you can hold a dumbbell to make these a bit harder but you certainly don’t have to.

Run Scores: Push Ups!

For every run scored, do 5 push ups. If you can, make them regular push ups with your hands and toes on the ground but if that’s too difficult, you can do modified push ups with your hands and knees on the ground instead. Just make sure you have a straight, flat back whichever way you choose to do it.

Delay in Game: Calf Raisers!

Whether its a challenge, an injury, or a timeout, there’s bound to be some time when the game is delayed. This is a great time for calf raisers. While standing, simply come up to your toes and then go back down. If you want you can use your dumbbell for this too but you will have time to get plenty of calf raisers in so the dumbbell isn’t necessary.

Commercials: Ab Work!

Commercials are the perfect time for ab work. We will do three different exercises, one for each commercial. If there are more than three commercials during your workout just start the rotation again.

1st commercial: Planks!

To do a plank, get up on your toes and forearms and make sure your body makes a straight line from your neck to your heels. Hold this position for as long as you can, shooting for at least 30 seconds. When you need to stop, take a quick break and get right back up again. Continue this until the commercial is over.

2nd commercial: Leg Lifts!

Lay flat on your back and lift your legs straight up toward the ceiling. Keeping your legs straight, lower them slowly until they almost reach the floor and then slowly lift them back up again. Don’t let your legs hit the floor until after the commercial is over. When you need a break, hold your legs straight up again instead.

3rd commercials: Basic Crunch!

Lay flat on your back with your knees bent and raise your head, neck, and shoulders up toward the ceiling. Be sure to support your neck with your hands but don’t pull it. Try to see how many you can do before the commercial is up.

Once you decide you’re done with your workout, take a half inning or so to stretch out and cool down. After that’s done you have finished your postseason workout! Hopefully the Cubs have a nice lead by now 🙂

Thanks for joining me in this workout today! Let me know what you thought about it!

Category: Fitness

Third Trimester Mocktail