While I believe that I’ve achieved some great things in my life, it wasn’t until the births of my children that I truly discovered how strong I was and what I was both physically and mentally capable of. It’s hard to discuss the topics of pregnancy and giving birth without citing a lot of cliches, but for me they are all true. After going through my pregnancies, I felt like there was nothing I couldn’t do. My most challenging, exciting and greatest moments transpired between the times I discovered I was pregnant, right through to the deliveries.

Becoming pregnant and realizing that you’re responsible for this life in your belly, along with the added responsibility of caring for yourself, are the first steps on this roller coaster called motherhood. But what, you may ask, does this subject have to do with weelicious? Well, as with everything on this website, the story starts at the farmer’s market. For years at my local market, I’ve run into Anna Getty, a true mom machine whose life’s work is an inspiration! Along with her incredible endeavors as an actress, fashion maven, kundalini yoga teacher, author, environmental activist, green living guru and holistic expert, she is also co- founder (along with Alisa Donner) of Pregnancy Awareness Month. PAM aims to empower pregnant women and new parents with information, “how to” ideas, and inspiration to incorporate four key initiatives — education, exercise, nutrition and wellness, and nurture — into their lives. PAM’s goal is to have women add these things into their daily routines and show them how easy it can be to make healthy changes for themselves and their children.

I attended the first PAM event after the birth of my son, Kenya, and I can’t begin to tell you how much I got out of it. I loved being surrounded by other new and expecting mothers and listening to the fascinating collection of speakers they had brought together. Since then, I have been a loyal follower and adherent of what PAM promotes. This year I’m honored to be co-hosting the LA event with Ricki Lake, Josie Maran and Trista Sutter. The entire day will be filled with speakers such as Dr. Alan Greene (I’m a huge fan of his books Feeding Baby Green and Raising Baby Green, Green expert and author Elizabeth Rogers (“Shift Your Habit”), actress Joely Fisher and others covering subjects such as education, exercise, nutrition and food (that’s my arena!) and nurture.

If you live in Los Angeles and want to share a beautiful (and FREE!) event this Sunday with your family, come down and join us (for event details, click here). Or, if you live afar you can still celebrate the day and learn more from the PAM website. Pregnancy Awareness Month is a gift for moms and moms-to-be everywhere. I encourage you to check it out for yourself!

I’m extremely excited and honored to be co-hosting Pregnancy Awareness Month in May with Ricki Lake and Josie Maran. Through PAM, co-founders Anna Getty and & Alisa Donner aim to empower pregnant women and new parents with information, “how to” ideas and inspiration to incorporate PAM’s four key initiatives – education, exercise, nutrition & wellness and nurture– into their life routines and to show how easy it can be to make healthy changes in their lives, for themselves, and their children.

I often see Anna at our local farmer’s market and I know how much she loves cooking for her family. Because we both happen to be in the baby food making stage with our second children, Anna sent me this recipe and told me that her entire family enjoys eating it. I knew Chloe would be delighted with it, but I was curious to see how my 3 year-old Kenya would react. I put some in his school lunch the other day and was psyched when the container I put it in came home completely empty. My husband finished off what little remained in the fridge, so this puree delivers as promised!

Apple Fennel Puree (Make 6 Baby Servings)

1 Fennel Bulb, fronds removed and fennel bulb (the white part) chopped
2 Apples, peeled, cored and chopped (I like to use Gala, Pink Lady or Fuji apples)

1. Place the fennel in a steamer pot over boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.
2. Add the apples to the pot and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until fennel and apples are fork tender.
3. Place the mixture in a food processor and puree.
4. Serve.