by Carrie Saum
There is something about breastfeeding and milk-making that just kills my sex drive, friends. It goes the way of bell-bottom jeans and jello molds. They’re fun once in a while, and have definitely been more popular in previous times, but their heydays have already passed. Wearing those jeans feels like a game of dress up or something you pull out for a 70’s themed special occasion. And jello molds haven’t been pulled out AT ALL since 1987. Suffice it to say, Taylor Swift has probably never had lime jello with canned mandarin oranges and pecans while wearing her mom’s bell-bottom jeans.
Feeding our babies is miraculous. Breastfeeding, formula feeding, pumping, or any other combination those is special and keeping a human alive is an amazing feat. I remember holding my son for the first time, full of wonder, joy and terror. How in the world could I be trusted to feed him and keep him safe? I did, though, and you are keeping your little ones alive and safe, too. But that first year of their little lives takes it out of us as parents. It’s part of the journey, and they make up for it with sweet cuddles, funny moments, and lending us their perspective of wonder and newness.
But that first year can be hell on your sex drive.
Adding in a little warmth, nourishment, and some helpful nutrition can boost your energy. And let’s be honest here: it could lead to increased sex drive and possibly a milk supply boost and who doesn’t want to get in on that action?! Sign me up. Twice.
So, here’s a little bit of cure for whatever ails you: hot chocolate. Okay, hot chocolate with a little twist. Chocolate releases endorphins. Endorphins make you feel like you are made of actual magic. Maca is a natural hormone booster, and for some women, can boost milk supply. Cinnamon stabilizes your blood sugar and the cayenne pepper might just make you feel like you’re 22.
Here is an easy tutorial for you cocoa, because sometimes words are hard without music and pictures. Seriously.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk of your choice (I use coconut milk)
- 1 Tbsp honey or sweetener of your choice
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp maca powder
- a splash of vanilla extract
- a pinch of cinnamon
- a tiny dusting of cayenne pepper (a tiny bit goes a VERY LONG WAY)
Directions:
- Combine all of your ingredients in a small sauce pan and heat on medium low.
- Whisk continuously until hot and well blended. (5 ish minutes)
- Pour into your favorite mug, or thermos and sip.
- Put on your sexiest nursing tank.
- Make another baby. JUST KIDDING. Unless you want to. Then go for it!
You’re so hot right now,
Carrie
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*Note: It’s important to point out that most women aren’t going to need to eat food with the intention of upping their milk supply, if everything is working the way it is supposed to, your baby will know how to up your supply just fine themselves. Skin-to-skin and feeding on demand are the best ways to increase breastmilk supply to meet your baby’s needs. (Concerned you have low supply? Read this to help figure out if it is something you need to be concerned about.) For those women, galactalogues just happen and they don’t need to think about it. But some women, like me, do need a boost. As a mom who ended up exclusively pumping and indeed having low supply such that I ended up on medication solely to increase my milk production, I know what it’s like to look for anything, anything at all that would help my body make even just a little more milk to help feed my baby. With the support of my health care providers, we tried everything. It becomes “I will eat all the cookies, I will drink all the shakes, I will eat all the parfaits!” if it even just makes me feel like I’m doing something to address the low supply struggle, it is worth it.
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If you love this recipe, you might like this recipe for Super Tasty Lasagna or Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding on Our Stable Table.
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Carrie Saum brings a passion for wellness and over a decade of experience in health care to her clients. A certified Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor (AWC) from the Kerala Ayurveda Academy, she empowers individuals and families to achieve health and balance through time-honored practices and health knowledge. Carrie has extensive first-hand experience in vast array of medical and service fields.
With background in paramedic medicine, Carrie spent ten years serving in the non-profit sector managing organizations, programs, and orchestrating resources to meet health needs of people across the United States and abroad in countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Kenya, and Zambia. As an AWC, Carrie currently coaches her clients and their families about topics including nutrition, weight loss, and stress management. In addition to her work as a wellness counselor, Carrie is a passionate “foodie” and the voice behind OurStableTable.com. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and young son.