Mostly, when I was pregnant and since becoming a mum, I’ve ignored the reams of advice given to me by well-meaning friends, family and strangers. But some pearls of wisdom stuck. I remember one friend telling me to find myself a treat drink. Something that, in rare moments of rest, I could sit and drink and feel soothed. Obviously, wine was off the menu so I opted for hot chocolate. However, shortly before I fell pregnant I was diagnosed with what has variously been called indeterminate colitis, Crohns-colitis or ulcerative colitis and I had embarked on a complete diet overhaul. I started with the extremely restrictive SCD and progressed to paleo, the way-of-eating I was following when I became pregnant (I now follow many paleo principles but do eat what I believe are healthy, gluten-free grains, such as oats and brown rice). So I concocted my own hot chocolate treat… coconut or almond milk, 2 teaspoons of raw cacao and one teaspoon of honey and that was honestly one of the things that got me through those early months. And it’s still getting me through. When I’m not working, I sit down after the toddler has gone for her afternoon nap and quietly drink my almost healthy hot chocolate and I feel boosted or soothed. Of course, wine is now back on the agenda so it’s no longer my only treat.
