Sips, Sweets & Snacks

I can’t believe how quickly and naturally my priorities have changed since baby Summer came into the world – more time and effort goes into her outfits than mine (though hers usually only stay on her about an hour before a messy disaster strikes), and the idea of a once coveted sick day now seems like an absolute nightmare. I’m trying to focus on keeping myself as healthy as I can so I can be the best mama I can be, but with such limited time between breastfeeding and diaper changes it’s a challenge that’s often easier said than done.

Once the queen of sleeping in, mornings are now my favourite time because Summer loves to chill out with me in the kitchen, awake but calm, and I can take a moment to take care of myself. This usually means taking all of my Jamieson vitamins and whipping up a smoothie with as many nutrients packed into it as humanly possible. I was never all that good at remembering to take supplements or eating a healthy breakfast (hello Cinnamon Toast Crunch!), but vitamins are now the easiest and quickest way to get all of the nutrients I need into my system, both for myself and the milk I make for Summer

My vitamin pick of the moment? Jamieson Vitamin C Chewable tabs! These tangy little guys bring me right back to childhood vitamins, and come in three tasty flavours (soon to be more! Find out how YOU can choose the next flavour below). Not only does Vitamin C help boost your immune system during the cold and flu-filled winter months, but it also helps maintain healthy blood vessels and is a great source of antioxidants – especially the Jamieson blueberry flavour! The list goes on and on – did you know that Vitamin C is also an integral part of effective iron absorption? This is especially important if you’re a vegetarian or vegan like me and your iron intake is more limited, during postpartum healing when your body is recovering from blood loss, or during your monthly cycle! It’s suggested to always take a bit of vitamin C, whether it’s a squeeze or lemon juice, a handful of strawberries, or a Vitamin C Chewable. Some veggies even come packed with both iron and vitamin C all in one, like Kale and Broccoli!

Inspired by the way iron and vitamin C interact, and the fun flavours of Jamieson Vitamin C Chewables, we created a simple morning smoothie to serve alongside your vitamin lineup on these chilly winter mornings!

Scroll down for the recipe, and details for how you can invent the next Jamieson Vitamin C Chewable flavour and win one of three $1000 prizes, plus a $5000 grand prize to the winner!

Vitamin C for Summer and Me Smoothie

Ingredients //
1/2 cup orange juice
handful of spinach
1 banana
1/4 cup blueberries
handful fresh mango slices
several naval orange segments (no pulp)
mandarin orange slices (optional)
1/2 teaspoon Spirulina powder

Recipe //

Blend all ingredients and serve immediately with your morning Jamieson vitamins! Feel free to add ice if you’d rather a more chilled smoothie.

Contest Details //

Jamieson is giving YOU the opportunity to help create a new chewable vitamin C flavour! Simply submit your flavour idea here between March 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 and you’ll be entered to win. The top three flavours picked by Jamieson will each be rewarded $1,000, and then it’s up to vitamin consumers to vote for their favourite in September! Not only will the winner get to see their vitamin flavour launch on shop shelves, but they’ll also be rewarded $5,000! I’ll be over here coming up with as many pink coloured flavours as I can dream up…

Dear Diary

I’ve always strived to be the kind of person that has an ongoing, dedicated vitamin regimen, but I was never able to stick to a routine… that is, until pregnancy kicked my adulting skills into high gear. Suddenly I was excited to load up on all of the vitamins that I could, to set myself up with the best start each day. As soon as I committed to actually taking my vitamins daily I gained so much energy and strength, even all throughout my pregnancy – sort of like I had a new superpower! Even as a vegetarian, I never once had a blood test with low levels in anything, which I think is quite the 9 month accomplishment.

Since becoming a new mom a few weeks ago I’ve been expanding my vitamin lineup from just the bare minimum to include more winter defence and immune boosting ingredients, to protect both baby and me. I’m so determined to keep myself healthy and in high spirits as I heal and wait for the weather to warm up!

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So what’s in my medicine cabinet these days?

Well first off, getting sick is not high on my wish list this winter, especially now that I have a fragile new baby around and a lot of healing to do. I am seriously dreading that familiar tickle in my throat or stuffy nose, and with so many visitors coming by and a short stay in the hospital not far behind us, it seems like the odds of staying well aren’t in my favour. If I even have an inkling a sickness of any sort might be coming on I’ve started taking Jamieson Vitamins Cold Fighter Soft gels to protect myself from whatever is brewing. Loaded with Echinacea, ginger, vitamin C and Zinc, these small but mighty pills can help keep a cold at bay if you take just one a day! They also help to relieve sore throat, cough and congestion if you’re not able to fight off the virus altogether and find yourself under the weather. I have a feeling I’ll be needing a lot more of these when playgrounds and kid germs start to become a part of the picture around here too!

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What else?

Usually it’s around about this time of year that I take off in search of as much sunlight as possible, but that hasn’t been a realistic option for me with a brand new baby on board (yet!) To help give myself a bit of a boost, I’ve started taking vitamin D, which not only supports healthy bones and muscles, but helps support a healthy immune system too! It’s like a tiny dose of sunshine until the real thing comes back around. Now if only there was a magic pill to get Spring started early!

Vitamin C and Echinacea are always essentials when facing the Canadian cold, but this is the first time I’ve ever actually taken them regularly to prevent getting sick, and I honestly haven’t fallen ill a single time yet this season! Plus, I can’t help but love the childlike charm of Jamieson’s chewable tangy orange Vitamin C tablets.

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Last but not least, we’re all about the honey lemon Zinc Lozenges at RAOP headquarters. Johanna hasn’t been quite so lucky when it comes to complete immunity this winter, but these vitamin-infused cough candies have been her best friend when it comes to feeling better faster, and a have a pack in my medicine cabinet ready to go in case I join the cold club anytime soon.

What do you take to ward off winter sicknesses? How do you avoid falling under the weather? I’d love to hear your tricks!

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