If I wasn't a dietitian, I would absolutely be an anthropologist. I love learning about other cultures, especially a culture's food, reproductive rituals, dance, and spirituality. So, I thought I'd bring a bit of that to the blog through a new series: Food, Fertility, and Folklore.

I'll be sharing foods that are commonly eaten or given as a gift to improve or bless fertility in different cultures. Then we'll take a look at the science behind that food and its possible effect on fertility. 

First up, cabbage!

At the end of 2016, in an attempt to find community and start dancing again, I took a 4-week long belly dance crash course. And I fell head over heels in love with it. 

There was something about women gathering together to unapologetically shimmy their tummies and hips, areas many of us don't exactly love to flaunt, that just made my heart sing. This was body positivity at its finest. 

The whole time I was taking classes, I kept thinking, "this would be such a great workout for pregnant women." So being the google nerd I am, I searched "pregnancy belly dance" and found some things that confirmed my original suspicions. Belly dance is, without question, one of the best forms of movement for pregnant ladies.

Not pregnant, no worries. It's still a great way for any and all women to get moving. I'll be doing a post about belly dance and fertility in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Hopefully, I can get my new instructor for an interview. She's amazing!

I love podcasts! I really do. So today, I'm sharing my five favorite wellness, women's health, and fertility (surprise, surprise!) podcasts. Check them out and subscribe if you're on the lookout for quality info about women's wellness from truly knowledgable women's health experts.

Breakfast bowls are my go-to breakfast option. They're simple and can be easily tailored to my ever-changing tastes and cravings. With the right ingredients they can provide your body with the nutrients it needs to promote healthy hormonal balance and fertility.

Minimally processed food with plenty of nutrients are an important part of any preconception plan. You are what you eat. Healthy food=healthier body=best chances of conceiving. The research is clear, diet affects fertility. Each meal and snack has the potential to help you reach your goal of getting pregnant and giving birth to a happy health baby.

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day. And for good reason. After your overnight fast your body is begging for replenishment. Give it what it's asking for, lady.

There are three things you're sure to find at just about every holiday celebration: food, booze, and ugly sweaters. Without fail. If you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or just don't drink, one of these three may leave you feeling a little left out. While you can certainly partake of the food and don an ugly sweater, many of the festive drinks are a no-go.

Sure, you can just have some water, juice, or soda. But maybe you want something more in line with the holiday spirit. Homemade eggnog is out if you're pregnant or icked out (like me) by the whole undercooked egg thing. And definitely no glög chugging for you.

Because I wholeheartedly believe everyone deserves to have a fancy glass in hand at parties, I've put together three simple recipes for folks forgoing alcohol this holiday season.

Whether you're a teetotaller, the designated driver, or have a bun in the over (or heating the oven up in preparation) I'm certain you'll enjoy the following virgin "cocktail" recipes. 

Vitamin A kind of gets a bad rap during pregnancy. Rightfully so, folks are concerned about toxicity. This is one nutrient where too much of a good thing can be harmful. But, I think we've really thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Yes, too much vitamin A, especially from supplements, is dangerous. But you still need it, your baby still needs it, and there's a really good chance you're not getting enough.

26% of pregnant women don't get enough vitamin A from their daily diet. And non-pregnant women aren't doing any better. 48 % of non-pregnant women aren't meeting vitamin A needs. So maybe we should all chill out a bit.

Too much vitamin a is not good, but neither is too little. And if you know which forms to take in you don't have to worry nearly as much about the effects of getting much

Milk doesn't have a monopoly on calcium, folks. Thank God! I've had far too many pregnant ladies tell me they're gulping down milk to meet their calcium needs and end up with diarrhea, gas, and all sorts of unpleasantries.

If you can't or don't do milk, don't force it. Calcium can be found elsewhere. The important thing is that you take in enough, especially now, during your pregnancy.

One of the things I really want for this blog is for it to be a place of complete transparency. I refuse to pretend I have all the answers. I refuse to pretend I'm living out my recommendations and the benefits of them, while secretly gorging myself on chicharrones and looking and feeling like crap ran over by a dump truck. This is a no judgment, no faking the funk, own your mess place. 'Cause that's where healing starts. 

Alright, time to share my plan to practice what I preach and truly Live Fertile.