image source: http://thejourneyjeansward.blogspot.com
The last couple of months has been a little difficult to come up with new recipes to share, or to even post about anything food-related. I’ve been feeling incredibly tired, my appetite has changed drastically, I haven’t been able to maintain my regular exercise schedule, and even walking up the stairs would send my heart racing like I just did a one-minute sprint.
I am told that all this will change and I’ll start feeling better…
…at least for a few months until I hit my third trimester!
Yep, as of today I am 12 weeks pregnant! My husband and I will be expecting our first child in August!
Here’s the little wonder that’s been making me so uncomfortable, yet so happy:
Crazy Cravings!
I went through several phases of food cravings, the longest lasting being vitamin C-packed fruits like strawberries, pineapple, kiwis and oranges. I also had a sudden craving for hamburgers (and I normally avoid red meats since it sits in my stomach like a lump of…well, meat!) and even had a sudden hunger (or thirst?) for vinegar.
I did make some recipes to satisfy my taste buds, though:
Fresh Strawberry Pie – ooh, this hit the spot! Sweet, slightly tart, and juicy!
Apple Fennel Salad with Raisins – One day I had a strong craving for vinegar. I sliced up some Granny Smiths, drizzled it with a bit of agave syrup and drowned it with apple cider vinegar. I don’t know what it is about vinegar, it’s sour and salty but refreshing! Strangely enough, I started sweating like I just ate a jalapeno (any clues as to why this happened?) but it really hit the spot.
Kal-Bi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs) – This was one of the few meat dishes I really enjoyed, pre-preggers. Sweet, salty, garlicky, and with bits of burnt fat…yum!!! Sure it’s not on the top ten list of healthiest foods, but a couple pieces were enough to make me a happy camper.
Vietnamese-Style Rice Noodle Soup with Fish – My husband and I have been homesick for foods commonly found in Hawaii (like Kal-Bi.) So when we discovered the only Vietnamese restaurant in town (Pho Nhu-Y) we’ve been eating there every weekend. I made this soup the day after we had pho, partly because I was still hungry for pho, and also because I needed something for this month’s Recipe Redux. :)
Have any of you had weird cravings, pregnant or not? Got a recipe to share?
T h e F o o d e r y 
January 25, 2013 at 10:09
Cool. Congratulations to you and your hubby! I’m sure it’s a very exciting time. Hope everything goes well and you start feeling a better, soon.
January 25, 2013 at 11:08
Yes, exciting and worrisome at the same time! I am doing better, and am waiting for that day when my appetite is big enough to handle one of those courses on “Man vs Food”. :)
January 25, 2013 at 10:51
Wow! I guess that will do it. Congratulations.:)
January 25, 2013 at 11:09
Thanks, Leilani. You know, our cats have been more cozy towards me. I think they’re my furry guardians. :)
January 26, 2013 at 13:00
Congrats! :)
January 26, 2013 at 14:48
Thank you!
January 28, 2013 at 10:51
Oh my goodness! What wonderful news! Congrats to you and your hubby! I am sure this is an exciting and somewhat nerve-wracking time for you – but based on my friends who’ve had children…I know you’re also in for some great adventures! Take good care of yourself! :-)
January 28, 2013 at 14:45
Thank you, Laura! This is why I haven’t commented on your page much–I haven’t been exercising! My energy is picking up, though, so I’m starting to get into a regular, low-impact exercise routine. :)
January 30, 2013 at 11:38
Hello Jennifer,
Not to worry about being “absent” here – you take good care of yourself! I wish you all the best as your days no doubt get more and more exciting and filled with anticipation. :)
January 30, 2013 at 11:47
Thanks, Laura. Getting back into a regular exercise routine is tougher than I thought, so slow is the way to go. :)
January 28, 2013 at 12:23
Congrats!
January 28, 2013 at 14:43
Thank you! :)
February 1, 2013 at 20:09
oh my goodness so exciting!! CONGRATS!! And I want that strawberry pie!
February 4, 2013 at 15:46
Thanks, Cinnamon! The strawberry pie is pretty easy to make, just takes a while slicing and arranging them nicely. Give it a try!
February 2, 2013 at 10:42
Congratulations!
February 4, 2013 at 15:46
Thank you, Carine :D
February 6, 2013 at 20:21
Congratulations! Funny what people crave while pregnant. :)
February 19, 2013 at 14:33
Thank you! My cravings were pretty extreme, but now it’s tapered off, sort of! I am eating a lot of oranges now, so that cabbage salad with orange-tahini salad you posted was incredible! Tonight I might try my hand at PF Chang’s spicy orange peel chicken–and will probably serve it with your cabbage salad! :)