At the recent Vancouver Island Baby Fair (Sept. 25 & 26, 2010 in Victoria) we were so pleased to offer a free copy of Leah Douglas’ book The Gourmet Pregnancy to the first 40 people to arrive on Sunday morning. Leah sent us this guest post:

“There are two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein

I wish I could have joined you all at the fantastic Vancouver Island Baby Fair – but my second baby (our new little miracle) arrived on September 10^th, so I needed to stick close to home.  I’ve been focused on a few important things (like taking care of my new baby and active toddler, obviously!), as well as making healthy, easy and delicious meals to keep my own body nourished and energized.

Nearing the end of my second pregnancy, I started reflecting on how focused I have been on eating healthy and diverse foods during pregnancy – and how easy it would be to forget to keep it up with all the positive dietary changes I’ve made.  Lots of other things to do!

But perhaps I can think of my health, my needs, myself as another miracle.  I would want nothing less for my own daughters, if they choose to become moms.  It is a simple shift in thinking, but one that can certainly help me maintain my commitment to nourishing and nurturing foods.

Maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy is so important, and I tried to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods. Between cravings, food aversions and morning sickness, I made every effort to focus on a balanced diet of protein, fruits and vegetables, calcium-rich dairy products, whole grains and good fats (such as those found in fish, olive oil, avocado and nuts).

The recipes in this book really helped me avoid the stress of eating the “right” foods by focusing on the sensual tastes of sumptuous meals. They’ve all be screened by a medical doctor to ensure they are safe to eat during pregnancy.

For all you beautiful pregnant gals – you may be giving up a lot during these nine special months, so perhaps it’s time to add in some excitement and culinary adventure. I hope the positive and luxurious focus of The Gourmet Pregnancy will help you to feel posh, sexy and connected with your body, baby and partner.

As a bonus, many people believe that exposing baby to lots of foods and flavours in utero is a surefire way to have a child who is open to eating lots of different foods. So why not have some fun with gourmet cooking? Celebrate your pregnant body, pamper your palate and start loving up your kitchen!

Now that this special time has ended for me, I will still delight in small servings of delicious, fabulous food that are truly and genuinely satisfying. I will always take pleasure in preparing and eating fantastic and healthy meals, and in spending time with friends and family.  So I will continue to use these great recipes that my family has come to know and love.

Pregnant or not, so many of The Gourmet Pregnancy recipes are quick, simple, and use fresh, wholesome, and seasonal ingredients.  For Fall, you might want to try the French Fusion Onion Soup (p. 100), the Spiced Caramelized Cauliflower and Candied Curry Pecan Salad (p.110), or the Sautéed Sablefish with Eggplant Caviar (p. 128).  Yum!

The Gourmet Pregnancy is available at Chapters, Indigo, Coles, Borders, and Amazon.com, as well as select local retailers.  You can also check out our website at www.gourmetpregnancy.com for great sample recipes.

What is the best change you made to your diet while pregnant?  Did you keep it up after your baby was born?  Let me know on Twitter (@gourmetprgnancy) or on Facebook. Your suggestion could inspire a recipe in the next edition of The Gourmet Pregnancy, with your name beside it!

Cheers,

Leah Douglas

We are very excited to tell you about a great new book called “Hands Off My Belly: The Pregnant Woman’s Survival Guide to Myths, Mothers and Moods.

Expectant mothers are virtual magnets for unsolicited advice. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, sisters-in-law, new mothers, friends, and even strangers offer what seems to be an endless supply of supposedly authoritative opinions on every aspect of pregnancy: A craving for spicy food denotes a boy. Carrying the baby low denotes a girl. And, of course, everyone wants to touch her belly.

In this engaging, humorous, and very informative book, Drs. Shawn A. Tassone and Kathryn Landherr – experienced gynecologists, a husband-and-wife team of physicians, and parents of four children – explore the most common superstitions and myths surrounding pregnancy. With a scientific perspective, the authors not only entertain but provide a great deal of practical information, which will ease the fears and anxieties of expectant parents as well as clear up many confusing notions.

We will be giving away a copy of this book ‘Hands Off My Belly: The Pregnant Woman’s Survival Guide to Myths, Mothers and Moods’ to the first 50 people that come through the doors at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair on both Saturday and Sunday! 100 books in all! Doors open at 10am so be sure to join us at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair this weekend, June 5 & 6 at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo!