Patty Cake or Crab Cake: How bout both?

As a new mom, it's always a race against the clock.

8AM - Boob Time

9AM - Tummy Time

10AM - Entertain-my-2-month-old-the-best-way-I-know-how Time

11AM - Shower Time (yes, bathing is still a priority even if it isn't for some of my other mommy friends)

12PM - Emails....Email...Emails...Is it dinner yet?

And so it goes.  The day escapes me but I still try to maintain a balanced life as much as possible.  That includes sex definitely, ok, maybe and usually a solid meal...which by the way, I still enjoy tremendously.  But preparing a de-friggin-licious dinner BC (Before Child) is much different than AD (After Delivery) Less time means less ingredients but don't fret, I've found several recipes that may even trump Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals and pack a serious punch of flavor flav.  Enter, the Crab Cake.  This is not just any ol crab cake.  It's low carb, low fat, low calorie, low...what else is there?? But HIGH on my list of things to serve my family and friends if I'm trying to look like I've got it goin on, even a wee little bit.  Anyway, here's the recipe, try it out...lemme know what you think

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon chopped dill

1 1/2 tablespoons canola-based low fat mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

1 large egg

1/3 cup panko

1 pound lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed (best kind from Costco)

To Prepare, combine first 8 ingredients.  Add panko and crab, tossing gently to combine.  Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes

Fill a 1/3-cup dry measuring cup with crab mixture.  Invert onto work surface; gently pat into a 3/4 inch-thick patty.  Repeat with remaining mixture.

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil (I use Olive Oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add crab cakes.  Cook 4 minutes or until bottoms are golden.  Carefully turn cakes and do the same on the other side for 4 minutes.

Done and Done!  ENJOY!

The Best LBD You Ever Did See

I owe everything to Isabella Oliver!  It's her black jersey dress that got me through my pregnancy and and saved me from many post-preggy, I-hate-my-body breakdowns for months after.  These ridiculously adorable/affordable ($150ish) dresses are super comfy, totally chic, and you can literally wear the same one every day - a million different ways, and not a soul will know our little secret.  And btw, I swear it looks good on every, I mean EVERY, body type.  Anyway, I'm obsessed, but here's the true test - It's good enough for Angelina Jolie, so it's good enough for this girl.  http://www.isabellaoliver.com/us

Reveal or Conceal: That is the question

The Answer plain and simple: REVEAL that rocking baby bump, ladies!  Way, waaaaayyyy back when, the bigger the bump, the bigger the muumuu.  But by the time our lovely lady-lumps became Hollywood's favorite obsession, the look became, "Less Is More", meaning less fabric is more fabulous!  Even the Today Show's on board with this fashion-forward philosophy. http://www.today.com/parents/maternity-clothes-get-stylish-four-fashionable-looks-1D79932228  So, with that, here's this brief trip down maternity memory lane.  From Concealing it...

To Revealing it! Gisele, Reese, Kourtney, Megan, Olivia - They all nail it!

No More Bloat

I'm one of those annoying people who just lovvvvvvves Yoga.  But let's be clear.  I don't love all yoga, I like hot kind, as in 110 degrees ++++++  Ya know, the kind where you smell last night's dinner on the guy next to you seeping from his pours...the kind that transforms you into a mere puddle of sweat by your third downward dog, the kind where you drop a full Stone by the end of class.  For the record, 1 Stone = 14 Frigging POUNDS!  A stupid measurement I've always wanted to use.

www.CorePowerYoga.com is totally my thing and the teachers are not only zenned-out Gawds but they also know a thing or two about life outside of getting upside down.

So back to being annoying, I actually took Yoga up until my water broke....or a couple weeks before, but you get the pic.  Watching me uncomfortably waddle out of class one day, my teacher looked over and kindly said, "Watermelon, girl.  It'll change your life."  Huh?  "Yup, watermelon.  Juice the hell out of it and suck that sweetness down after you give birth and voila - you'll de-bloat in no time."  I took her word as the gospel and she was SO right.  Right around two weeks after having my perfectly precious bambino and drinking the most deeeelish combo of freshly-pressed watermelon/water cocktail, I looked less elephant-woman and more wonder-woman.  I can do this.  And so can you.  Here's how it goes down...

Take your watermelon, cut down into 2inch by 2inch cubes.  Throw into blender.  Store in a pitcher in the fridge.  And that's about it.  In order to cut down the amount of times you juice and the calories, I usually pour 1/3 watermelon juice to 2/3 sparkling or flat water.  The results are incredible.  Fully hydrating, reduces bloat and more health benefits for days. http://www.juicerselect.com/watermelon-juice.html  And the best part of all?? When the time's right, add a generous splash of tequila for one of the dreamiest drinks of all time.

I Can't Live Without...

Is it just me or can you actually notice your skinny jeans shrinking the moment you see this "+" on that funny little stick!?  I swear the second I learned of my pregnancy, I laughed, I cried, I nearly puked - did I mention I had one too many vodkas that night?  Don't judge, I had no idea I was actually with child at the time.  And then it all set in.  I mean, how would I dress this ever-changing body over the next 9 months?  Misconception #1 - My beach bod will be back in 9 months, just in time for summer.  Yeaaaaaa right, it's more like 9 plus 9, and maybe another 9...if you're lucky. Of course, here in Hollywood, things are a little different.  It's often tough to decipher whether that hottie in BH is a tad bit bloated from the roughage in her La Scala chopped salad (dressing on the side, please) or if she's actually 8 months preggers.  It's the ladder.  Just maddening.  But that's when the light bulb went off; I decided to be the best I could be during and after my pregnancy by living healthy, happy and comfortably chic.  Those things, only possible with a little help from these friends, including the best maternity denim (I swore off all maternity clothes until I slipped on Adriano Goldschmied, H&M Tanks, the Evelyne Hermes Satchel (smartest...splurge...ever) and more.  Here are a few things I can't live without.

1) www.viaspiga.com 2) www.gap.com 3) www.hm.com  4) www.hermes.com

5) www.apeainthepod.com 6) www.bellybandit.com 7) www.ag.com