Community, Local OC Resources, Our Favorites, Pregnancy
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Our Favorite Spots For a Pre-Baby Date Night in ...

As your due date nears, the reality of impending parenthood can be both exciting and overwhelming. You may be getting nervous or have anxiety around when you’ll go into labor. You may be stressing about getting the nursery ready or finalizing details for your maternity leave. That’s why planning and enjoying a big night out can provide a special opportunity to unwind, connect, and relish your partner’s company before your baby’s arrival takes center stage. I always encourage clients to schedule a “no holds barred” date night around 37 or 38 weeks - it’s a chance to take a deep breath, enjoy some quality time together, and remind yourselves why you’re a great team. Orange County offers an array of high-end, memorable spots to make this final pre-baby date night one for the books.

Our Favorite Spots For a Pre-Baby Date Night in Orange County
Birth Plan, Doulas, Motherhood, Newborns, Postpartum
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
The Magical Golden Hour

In the quiet hush of the labor & delivery room, where the air is charged with anticipation and the scent of earthiness and birthyness, a new chapter in your life unfolds. The rhythmic cadence of your breath is mirrored by the gentle whispers of your doula, a reassuring presence in this oh so sacred moment. The culmination of nine months… maybe more, leads to this: the first hour with your newborn.

The Magical Golden Hour
Decision Making, Pregnancy, Parenting, Newborns, Our Favorites
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
A Doula's Eco Friendly Baby Registr

When I was selecting items for my baby registry, it was really important to me to not go overboard. As a doula of 14 years, I’ve seen families get overwhelmed with the amount of stuff in their homes and nurseries and I knew I wanted to keep things on the simpler side. I also wanted to be mindful of the impact on not only the environment, but also my baby’s microbiome - which meant finding a lot of eco-friendly products to keep waste down and keep our home as “low tox” as possible. Here you’ll find some of my favorite sustainable and most useful items that I registered for.

A Doula's Eco Friendly Baby Registr
Community, Doulas, Doulas of Orange County, Local OC Resources, Our Team
Lauren Foster, Co-Owner
Calling all amazing Doulas & Newborn Care ...
Calling all amazing Doulas & Newborn Care Specialists!
Birth Plan, Decision Making, Newborns, Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy
National Baby Co
Early Signs That You are Pregnant with Twins ...
Early Signs That You are Pregnant with Twins or Multiples

postpartum recipes

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A Mother's Day Treat from the authors of Eating for Pregnancy!

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Mother’s Day is coming up and what better way to celebrate than with a special breakfast or brunch. Today we are sharing a recipe from Eating for Pregnancy.

Supergreen Drink

Vitamins A, C, and K, and folate enhance your baby’s cell, brain, nervous system, and bone development, plus vitamin C boosts your immunity.

Bursting with vitamins and antioxidants, this green drink is an ideal way to start the day. Use any combination of fruits and/or vegetables. Some popular vegetables and greens include cucumbers, celery, avocado, baby spinach, and kale. Protein powders and powdered milk will give you extra nutrition. Don’t worry about making too much green drink. It’s delish the next day. Give it a stir and you’re good to go.

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The Pantry: Postpartum Pasta Salad

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I really love cooking for postpartum clients - generally I make light and meals. This way I’m not spending the entire postpartum visit in the kitchen and can still help with breastfeeding, newborn care, and anything else the new parents need. Postpartum nutrition is incredibly important, especially for the first several months. Your body goes through a huge transition after giving birth and nourishing it with healthy, nutritious, and soul-filling foods goes a long way in supporting your postpartum recovery.

Talk to your postpartum doula about your nutritional needs, any allergies/sensitivities and cravings. Ask for her favorite crockpot recipes or snack ideas, I guarantee she’ll have tons to share!

Today I’m going to share with you one of my favorite postpartum meals: Postpartum Pasta Salad.

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The Pantry: Butternut Squash Dip

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One of Chelsea and my favorite places to have work meetings (occasionally over cocktails) is Cafe Gratitude in Newport Beach. Their food is fresh and healthy and beyond delicious and they have some of the most refreshing libations out there. 

I remember the first time I went to Cafe Gratitude. We were meeting Midwife, Allison Molinski, for happy hour and winding down after a long day. I looked over the menu and while there were so many enticing choices, one stood out amongst the rest... the butternut squash dip. 

This is the stuff that dreams are made of. Rosemary infused butternut squash whipped into a frenzy and served on top fresh baguette slices. Oh my gosh you guys, it's almost orgasmic. 

The Pantry: Fall Flavors & Comfort Food

As the nights get cooler, I’m finding myself craving more comfort food and longing for the delicious aroma of Autumn foods permeating my home. With juggling full-time Birth & Postpartum work, Administrative Director duties, and having a personal life, I’m struggling with making the time to cook healthy, hearty meals. This is when my crockpot is crucial

I utilize crockpots a lot in my work as a Postpartum Doula. It’s an easy way to make large meals while still giving my clients the hands-on assistance they need. Just throw everything in and 4-6 hours later you have a delicious and nutritious meal! You’d be surprised at just how many things you can cook in a crockpot!

One of my favorite Fall crockpot meals is Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup. It’s inexpensive, freezes well, and is packed full of nutrients, not to mention it’s naturally gluten free and can be easily made with vegan ingredients.

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My favorite recipe comes from Adventures in Wunderland mainly because in addition to being delicious, it’s also simple. There are a lot of good butternut squash soup recipes out there, but most of them require a ton of peeling, chopping, baking and the like before actually making the soup itself. Spending that amount of time on meal prep is not entirely realistic for new parents or busy professionals. If you have the time to prep it from scratch, I say go for it, but for those looking for an easier way to go about this meal, turn to your local Trader Joe’s or Sprouts. They typically have pre-peeled and pre-cut veggies to make your life easier!

The recipe is listed in the link above, however, I typically tweak it just a bit for my tastes. I add a ¼ of a teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, ground ginger and curry powder for extra flavor. I also use an immersion blender instead of a regular blender.

Once prepared, I like to top it with a dollop of greek yogurt or pair it with a slice of sourdough bread topped with goat cheese. A simple side-salad works too!

We hope you enjoy this delicious recipe and that the Fall flavors and warmth help inspire you to experience the fullness of this beautiful season.

We’d love to hear about your favorite recipes you rely on when you’re busy or wanting to avoid spending hours in the kitchen! Email us at admin@ocdoulacollective.com to have your recipe or meal prep tips featured on our blog!

(photo courtesy of Adventures in Wunderland blog)