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I've always tried to be conscious about what I eat (except for a phase in college...), but I became very serious about my diet when I got pregnant.

Not only did I need to be strong and healthy to carry my child, but the foods I was putting into my body were nourishing her too, making it doubly important to eat right!

Eva is a year old now and we'd love to make our family even bigger. Just like last time, I made a trip to Sam's Club and purchased Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA (200mg) 150ct. softgels, which have clinically proven absorption of Folic Acid and Iron. These one-a-day pills are easy to swallow and provide essential vitamins and minerals (before and during pregnancy) including Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D3 and also provide 200mg DHA which may help support fetal brain and eye development.†​ 

So there are certain vitamins and minerals that are extra essential to a pregnant woman, and high on that list is Folic Acid. This B Vitamin is particularly important for pregnant women because it plays a critical role in the proper development of the baby's nervous system.†​ Some of the foods that contain good amounts of folic acid are leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans and peas, broccoli, nuts, and pasta. What better way to get your daily requirement of Folic Acid than by enjoying a delicious pasta dish bursting with lemon, peas, pistachios, and broccoli!

This is such a refreshing and tasty summer supper. You get hit with the lemon first, and that's followed by nuttiness from the broccoli and buttery breadcrumbs plus a burst of sweetness from the peas and a crunch from the pistachios. It's an adventure in textures and flavors and I'll certainly be adding it to my rotation, especially since it's so nutritious and took less than 30 minutes to make!

Sam's Club has been a life-saver for me since we started our family. Their prices on diapers, wipes, fruits, and even onesies can't be beaten! They sell a 5-month supply of Nature Made Prenatal® Multi + DHA (200mg) 150ct. softgels, which is ideal--two bottles, and I'm set for my entire pregnancy! If you're thinking about adding to your family, head to Sam's Club and pick up some of these essential vitamins today! Learn more about Nature Made® Vitamins on their Facebook page, Instagram account, YouTube videos, and Twitter feed! 

Creamy Lemon Pasta with Broccoli and Peas 

(printable recipe)

Serves 4 

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces thin noodles (linguine or spaghetti are recommended)
• 12 ounces broccoli, roughly chopped
• 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 lemon, zest and juice, divided use
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, plus more for serving
• 2/3 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios, toasted, for serving

Directions: 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain. While the pasta is cooking, do two things. First, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the breadcrumbs and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Transfer to a plate and mix with lemon zest and basil; set aside. Second, place the broccoli in a microwave-save container with a few tablespoons of water, cover tightly, and cook 3-4 minutes, until tender. Toss the hot pasta and vegetables with the ricotta, Parmesan, lemon juice, and enough of the pasta water to create a sauce (1/4-1/2 cup). Add the breadcrumb mixture and toss to incorporate. Serve topped with pistachios, Parmesan, and basil.

†​These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.​