We caught up with pro-surfer, soon to be mother of two, and a Medterra family member, Alana Blanchard, to hear her thoughts on healthy living, motherhood, and CBD.
Baby #2 coming soon!
This has been a pretty hectic year for me and my family. With quarantine and a new baby on the way, we’ve just been doing everything we can to spend as much quality time together as possible. Usually, I’d be surfing to stay active, but I stopped at 20 weeks so I could spend some more time with Banks.
Lately, I’ve really been enjoying starting my days off with a walk, because moving always starts my day out right. Living that active and healthy lifestyle has always been extremely important for me, and while I’m not taking CBD right now, it’s played a big role in keeping me feeling my best over the past few years.
My CBD journey
I started hearing about CBD probably 4-5 years ago. I was always interested in it as a natural way to counteract stress and discomfort. I was definitely skeptical at first, but as I did more research to learn the difference between CBD from hemp and marijuana, I got more curious about its health properties.
Then one day after a surf competition, I was going up to get my award and saw the Medterra booth. I was a year postpartum with Banks, so I decided to give it a try and was just amazed by how much it helped with my recovery.
Because my lifestyle is so active and demanding, I love anything that will help me feel my best and recover better. I like using CBD as part of my wellness routine, and for helping me manage stress.
We’re plant-based in our house, so I’m always making smoothie bowls with lots of greens and CBD oil. I also like putting it into turmeric lattes and salad bowls with potatoes, hummus, and quinoa. It's a really big part of my me-time, so I’m excited to be able to get that back into my routine.
Our family is always chasing waves and tournaments around, so we’re used to dealing with travel stress. When we’re on the move, I always have my Medterra with me. I love the gummies, they're so easy and good that they just feel like a little treat that I can keep in my travel bag.
I also like to keep a couple of tinctures in my toiletries, they’re great for finding just the right amount of CBD, and I can add them easily into my smoothies and acai bowls. And then of course, I keep a roll-on pain cream with me. It’s amazing for massages and dealing with those airplane aches and pains.
Prepping to be a mom… again
I can’t take CBD right now, so I’ve been turning to some other all-natural remedies to help me destress and get some sleep. A good bath with soothing epsom salts, a glass of tea before bed, getting out into nature, and staying active have helped keep me happy and healthy. I’m a big believer in looking into all aspects of your life when it comes to your health. Living naturally, eating fruits and veggies, and avoiding processed foods has helped me so much.
With baby #2 on the way, I’m trying to focus on relaxing and spending time with Banks and Jack. With Banks I was more stressed – he was my first and it was all new, but this time around I’m finding it much easier to relax. Being able to have that time with both of them has just been amazing for my overall wellbeing.
I’m excited to be able to work out again, but I’m prepared to take it slow. Resting is so important for new moms. You’re up a lot, your body is adjusting and readjusting, and what you really need is time to heal. There’s such a strong stigma pressuring new moms to rush back into our lives, but it’s so important to take your time and do what’s best for you. My advice would be to just love your body. Listen to it, tune into it, ignore that pressure, and let yourself just be aware of all the amazing things your body can do.
