Foraged – Mothers Blend

The Mothers Blend has been developed specifically with pregnant and breastfeeding women in mind. It is however a nutrient powerhouse that can be incorporated into any individuals diet, regardless of age or gender.

My partner loves it, my MIL loves it, my niece loves it AND my baby will soon be reaping the benefits of it too!

Formulated by Sheridan Austin, qualified Nutritionist & Gut and Psychology Syndrome Practitioner, the Mothers Blend is crafted with wholefood ingredients such as beef liver, kelp seaweed, camu camu, fermented greens, lentils and beetroot.

This supplemental powder is designed to be used as pre and post natal nutritional support to make sure you have all the necessary nutrients to experience a healthy pregnancy and create a healthy baby.

Whilst not a prenatal, some women feel confident using The Mother’s Blend as a prenatal to compliment their existing nutrient dense, wholefood diet.

A Deep Dive Into The Ingredients……..

Grass fed + free-range Beef liver powder
Nature’s true multivitamin, and to me, one of the best superfoods available to man (or in this case… woman!). Liver holds a major source of choline, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, B12 and K2. I am yet to discover an alternative food that matches or exceeds the nutrient content. As there is one liver per animal, a little goes a long way. This little dose every day will contribute to your overall intake of these vital nutrients during your journey.

Kelp Seaweed

Kelp is one of nature’s richest sources of iodine. Iodine is required by all individuals and is quite often forgotten, though the demands become much higher during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. It is important for energy, mental health, clarity and more. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the demand for higher thyroid hormone production can increase dramatically, however the ability for this depends greatly on the availability of iodine and it must be supplied through diet. Not only this, iodine can also help with hair growth, which is ideal if you experience postpartum hair loss – but of course this depends on your personal cause.

** Please note that I do not recommend Foraged if you have Autoimmune Thyroiditis such as Graves or Hashimoto’s as iodine in this amount can trigger a flare up of your condition. Iodine must be a slowly slowly does it affair when it comes to these conditions and with careful monitoring of your thyroid hormone and antibody levels.

Camu camu
Camu camu is an incredible source of vitamin C. There are many camu camu products on the market, but I promise you that I have sourced the highest in vitamin C content available, as I found they vary greatly through my research. Vitamin C is of course critical for your immune system, which is often affected during pregnancy. After you have your precious baby, your immune system requires a great deal of support, particularly when you are sleeping less and have heightened stress levels due to more physical and emotional demands. Your adrenal glands that support you during stress are usually saturated in vitamin C, therefore vitamin C can quickly become depleted during stress. A continual support of this important vitamin is crucial during this time.

Fermented Chlorella
Chlorella is a rich source of chlorophyll, iodine, selenium, folate and magnesium. Chlorella, predominantly due to the chlorophyll content, can also aid in lowering the exposure of environmental toxins to you and your baby. One example of a common pollutant is dioxin. A study that was conducted showed that when pregnant women supplemented with chlorella, it lowered the dioxin levels in breastmilk post pregnancy, therefore indicating slow and gentle detoxification of the mother. It also increased the IgA levels in breastmilk, which supports the infants immune system. Another study revealed that continued chlorella supplementation lowered mercury exposure to the infant and mother.

Fermented Broccoli
Broccoli has been added for fibre, folate, vitamin C, chlorophyll and sulphur. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, which have been shown to enhance the liver’s ability to detoxify, mainly due to their sulphur content which supports lowering the exposure of toxins to you and your growing baby. The vitamin C in broccoli is typically destroyed during cooking due to its sensitivity to heat, however in this product it is kept raw and instead fermented to ensure enhanced availability of nutrients and better digestion.

Fermented Spinach
Spinach is high in micronutrients like folate, iron and magnesium. I ensured this was fermented so it reduces oxalates for those that are sensitive. The fermentation also enhances the availability of the nutrients found in spinach.

Fermented Lentils
Not only are they one of the richest sources of folate, they also assist with the fermentation process of the other ingredients. When they are fermented, they are pre-digested by beneficial bacteria which make them much easier to digest. Some might be surprised that I included lentils, but I couldn’t resist when they could firstly be fermented and secondly be such a brilliant source of folate.

Fermented Pumpkin Seeds
These were chosen for their zinc and magnesium content, recommended by a beautiful Naturopath Helen Padarin. And like the lentils, they were also added to help with the fermentation process. The fermentation of these enhances the nutrient bioavailability, ensures better digestion and reduces anti-nutrients that can be found in nuts, seeds, grains and legumes.

Fermented Beetroot and Beetroot Juice
Not only is beetroot extremely rich in folate, it is also high in naturally occurring nitrates which have a beneficial effect on our blood vessels and blood pressure, which can often be impacted in pregnancy. However, when I tasted beetroot juice powder for the first time (in which the universe literally delivered it to my door by accident), I was in shock at how much it tasted like a lolly! So, beetroot juice powder has been added predominantly due to its folate content, but also for its delicious taste!

Fermented Molasses
Before you question the sugar content, it gets eaten up by the good bacteria in the fermentation process! It is high quality, organic molasses that has been added to not only start the fermentation process, though to also provide an array of additional micronutrients.

Naturally occurring probiotics from the fermentation process. The probiotics are present due to the fermentation process, though we do add a starter culture to ensure that the presence of probiotics remain beneficial and specific. Probiotics also support our immune system, mental health, skin and digestion.

Stevia Leaf
For just a touch of sweetness, but don’t worry – it isn’t overpowering and doesn’t leave an aftertaste!

One bottle generally lasts 4-6 weeks depending on how heavy handed you are and how much you intuitively feel you need.

Shelf life is currently 18+ months, however always refer to your bottles packaging.

How to use it daily: Mix 7.5g (1 1/2 teaspoons) into a small glass of icy cold water, juice, smoothie or sparkling probiotic beverage. Alternatively you can blend it through bliss balls, slices or anything you please! Keep it raw (do not heat), so the nutrients remain intact and the probiotics remain live.

How Does It Taste: The question so many of you want to know 🙂 In my opinion it tastes like beetroot with a hint of seaweed. I find it quite pleasant and very easy to drink – no gagging I promise!
I particularly like blending it into berry based smoothies, you wouldn’t even know it is there.