Now that I am approaching my third trimester, some of the typical pregnancy ailments are starting to strike.  In addition to the exhaustion I’ve felt almost every day since we found out the news back in July, I now have heartburn at night and occasional leg cramps during the day.  Oh, and there are moments when I know the little human is growing and stretching because I start to feel my skin pulling and I think “there is no more room!”

To combat the heartburn I take a simple antacid every night before I tuck under the covers.  For the leg cramps, I turn to nutrition for help.  With this dry winter weather, I need to be sure I’m drinking a LOT of water as dehydration may contribute to leg cramps.  And some researchers think a lack of magnesium, calcium and/or potassium may be to blame for the cramps.  So, I mix up a healthy shake that delivers plenty of vital vitamins and minerals so my body is in top form.

Potassium: Bananas

Calcium: fortified almond milk and yogurt

Magnesium: Spinach (one serving has nearly 40% of my daily magnesium requirement!)

Pregnancy Power Smoothie

1 cup almond milk

1-2 bananas

1/2 cup yogurt (I use homemade yogurt)

1 generous scoop of peanut butter (I use homemade peanut butter)

1 dash or two of ground cinnamon

A handful of fresh spinach leaves

1 cup of ice

Combine everything in a blender and whir until smooth.