Last night I found myself in the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. Not having any other symptoms, the doctor ordered a CT scan, blood and urine tests. Finally, after hours of waiting, the doc said that I had a Urinary Tract Infection, which could have been caused by anything, but most likely by the catheter given to me during my epidural.

I’ve never had a UTI before, but the pain I’m feeling feels worse than my labor and delivery. I was given the antibiotic, Keflex, which is safe to take while breastfeeding. Since I’ve taken my first dose this morning, I’ve had an extreme loss of appetite, and feel nauseous.

Because I’m breastfeeding, not eating is not an option. Drinking plenty of fluids while getting the proper amount of nutrition is extrememly important for KatieAnn’s sake. BUT, I don’t think I can successfully keep down a full nutritious meal, so I decided to make a green smoothie instead and drink it throughout the afternoon.
Below is the recipe that came straight from my Vitamix cookbook. (I made my smoothie in a vitamix, but it can definitely be made in any type of blender too).

Below that recipe is the recipe I modified from the original.

Green Smoothie Vitamix Recipe:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups green grapes
1/4 Bartlett pear
1/4-1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted
1 broccoli floret
1/2 cup fresh green spinach, washed
1 cup ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

Preparation: 5 minutes – Processing 1 minute – Yield 3 cups

­­­­__________________________________________________________________________________

My version of a green smoothie: What I’m currently drinking.

1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 1/2 cups green grapes
1/4 Whatever ripe pear is available at Kroger
1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted
3 broccoli florets
1 small carrot, cut into small pieces
1 handful of fresh green spinach, washed
3 heaping spoonfuls of Soy Protien Powder (I’m not a huge meat eater, so the protien powder is an amazing little breastfeeding suppliment. I have to credit my beautiful mommy friend, Shanna for telling me about this!!)
1 cup ice cubes

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.
(Along with drinking the green smoothy, I’m also taking my daily prenatal vitamins and iron).