TLC
There’s no better time to pamper yourself than during your pregnancy, is there? But you don’t need to go to expensive salons. Here’s the DIY guide to…
Te perfect pamper day
are can really help to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Milk-based drinks are particularly good as they are absolutely full of essential nutrients for pregnancy. Orange juice, strawberries and peaches are all a good source of folic acid and, if you’re suffering from morning sickness, add ginger to help with nausea and mint to aid digestion. Once you’ve had your smoothie or juice,
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it’s time for your facial. You can either opt for a shop-bought face mask or make your own. Your kitchen cupboard has everything you could need for glowing skin! To moisturise: mash a ripe banana into a
smooth paste and then gently apply it to your face and neck. Rinse off with cold water aſter fiſteen minutes and pat your skin dry. For a ‘pick-me-up’: mix half a cup of hot -
not boiling - water and 113g or 4oz of oatmeal. Add two tablespoons of plain yogurt, two tablespoons of honey and one small egg white. Apply to your face and leave to set for about ten minutes. Rinse with warm water. For a soothing facial mask: spread
mayonnaise over your face and leave on for 20 minutes before wiping off and rinsing with cool water. Nails are next! It’s easy to neglect your nails during pregnancy – particularly your
22MODERNMUM
tart the day with a delicious and nutritious juice or smoothie. High in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, juices and smoothies
toenails – so either take the time to give yourself a complete pedicure and manicure, or, even better, ask a friend to do it for you! Once you’ve ‘nailed’ your hands and feet,
it’s time for lunch, so prepare yourself a delicious salad and serve it with tinned fish, which is high in the Omega oils, or with protein-rich chicken or turkey. Aſter lunch, it’s relaxation time!
Pregnancy is a great time to indulge yourself in the things that you love to do, so why not curl up on the sofa with one of your favourite classics or the latest ‘chick-lit’ novel that you’ve been meaning to get round to reading? You could also enjoy a few hours of zzzzzzzzz – aſter all, you need all the sleep that you can get now… Aſter all that sleep and relaxation, it’s time
for tea, but you don’t need to go to a great deal of effort to ensure that you’re eating food that’s giving you all of the nutrients that you – and your baby – need. What about a simple ‘one pot’ dish? Just heat some oil in a heavy pan. Add a
chopped onion and gently fry it for five minutes until it’s soſtened. Ten add 500g of boneless, skinless chicken thigh and fry until it’s lightly coloured. Add 300g of potato, 425ml of low-salt vegetable stock, and plenty of black pepper and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked. Ten tip in 350g broccoli, 350g spring greens and 140g petits pois and a
bunch of spring onions (sliced). Stir well and return to the boil. Ten cover and cook for five more minutes. Stir in two tablespoons of pesto and hey presto – a healthy, delicious one-pot delight! (Tis makes enough for four portions so you’ve have plenty of leſtovers for the next day!) Once dinner is over and your partner is
home, why not ask him to give you a massage? Whether you’re pregnant or not, a massage is a great way to relax. Massage provides welcome relief from muscle cramps, spasms and aches in the lower back, neck, hips and legs. It’s also excellent for your emotional well-being, bringing comfort and calm at what can be a stressful time. Finish off your day of DIY TLC with a
ten-minute foot soak. Your feet and ankles can oſten become sore, swollen and painful when you’re pregnant. Tey’re definitely going to need some TLC, so why not fill a small plastic basin with warm water and add a couple of drops of essential oil of lavender? Immerse both of your feet and soak for ten minutes. Studies have shown that just one short soak increases circulation to legs and feet, and has a positive effect on your autonomic nervous system – the area of your brain that controls anxiety and stress. And there you go….a delightful day of pampering without even leaving the house!„
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