Fall weather is (almost) here and one thing I really love is fall recipes. One of my favorite recipes is this tortellini sausage soup that only takes a few minutes to throw together and gets better the longer it simmers. I know being a Mama means that dinner can take the side burner so the easier it is to throw together the better! Bonus points that it's delicious :) Enjoy!

• 1 pound spicy turkey sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup red wine or 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1 16 oz can diced tomatoes

• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups diced zucchini
• 8 ounces fresh tortellini pasta
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. In a 5 quart Dutch oven, brown sausage. Remove sausage and drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings.
2. Saute onions and garlic in drippings. Stir in beef broth, water, wine, tomatoes, carrots, basil, oregano, tomato sauce, and sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Skim fat from the soup. Stir in zucchini and parsley. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Add tortellini during the last 10 minutes. 

A guest post from the Fit4Mom franchise owner, Michelle Cain...

Never in my life have I felt simultaneously so weak and so strong as I do now that I’m a mom.  My body, which was once the body of a gymnast, a cheerleader, a dancer, an athlete seemed to melt into jelly when I had my son. Three-pound weights were too heavy for arms that used to throw teenage girls up in the air during football games. Legs that used to balance on a beam were too weak to hold tree pose in yoga class without toppling. At the same time, I carried another human being for 10 months – don’t let anyone tell you pregnancy only lasts nine. I labored for 37 hours without pain medication, spending the majority of that time on my legs, walking, squatting, and bracing my body against the pain. After it was over, I could hold my son for hours but I could barely walk to the bathroom. I was never stronger and I was never weaker.

Society seems to be under the impression that six weeks is all women need to recuperate from childbirth. At six weeks, we should be back to work, exercising, running a household and buttoning our skinny jeans. At six weeks, we should have it all figured out. But, at six weeks, I was just starting to be able to sit without pain. I had begun a slow walking regime but had the energy for little else. It took another six weeks for me to attend an exercise class. I thought I was healed and ready. I was feeling more like myself. Once I started jumping, running, lifting, I realized that “myself” was an entirely different entity. My coordination was no longer intact, my balance was no longer enviable and my strength was laughable. I felt defeated.

Then, I read about FIT4MOM and Stroller Strides – a workout that’s targeted to moms and individualized to particular stages of pregnancy and motherhood, including recovery from childbirth. Stroller Strides trains the muscles moms need every day while allowing them to spend time with their little ones.  The program gets new moms out of the house, helps combat postpartum depression and it’s a great way for moms to meet other moms in the same season of life.  I was hooked. I wanted to be strong for my son. I didn’t want to be the mom who didn’t leave the house because she could barely lift the car seat.

I decided before attending a class that I wanted to start Stroller Strides in my neighborhood. Then, I attended a class and was blown away by the workout, the community and the encouragement. Stroller Strides moms are strong and supportive of each other and I wanted to be one of them.

So, I started training. I worked out when I was tired. I studied anatomy and physiology. I took a certification class. And, 6 months postpartum, I feel better than I did before I was pregnant. Am I back to my old self? Hell no. Do my skinny jeans fit? Absolutely not. Can I rock a warrior three in yoga class like I used too? Not yet. But I FEEL great. I feel stronger. I can throw my son in the air. I can lift his increasingly heavy car seat. I can play with him on the floor without feeling like an 80-year-old woman when I get up. I credit it all to Stroller Strides and the inspiration it’s provided me.

If you’d like to attend classes, Stroller Strides is opening in the Capitol Hill/Capitol Riverfront/NOMA area starting Saturday, Sunday 19th. For more information, please visit http://www.capitolhill.fit4mom.com/

I think one of the biggest mistakes I made when I was pregnant, was ordering non nursing bras when I no longer fit into my regular bras. By month 7, wearing an underwire bra seemed like the worst idea ever so I switched over to comfortable, non-wired bras along with my full blown maternity wardrobe. Those bras were great for then but now that I'm 7 months into nursing, I wish I had saved a few bucks and ordered comfortable nursing bras from the get go. If I could go back in time, I would have ordered the Cake Cotton Candy Bra and the Cake Rock Candy Bra for that time.  In my opinion, both are worth their weight in gold and can be worn from maternity through nursing. The Cotton Candy not only let's you wear the straps straight but you can also criss cross them plus it's INSANELY comfortable and slightly padded which helps. I wore it pretty much every day those first few months. I still wear both of them but I tend to wear the Rock Candy frequently as a sleep and light exercise bra. Considering I spend a huge portion of my days walking the city, it's so nice to have a bra that is comfortable and easy to nurse in and the racerback is a huge bonus with all my workout gear.

When I first had Kennedy, not only were the Cake Cotton Candy and Cake Rock Candy key, but also the Bella Materna Anytime Bra. The Anytime bra is great because you don't need to worry about unhooking the bra every time you need to nurse (which seems like every hour those first six weeks or so), a HUGE bonus. Another key bra during this time is the Simple Wishes Hands Free Pump Bra. It took me a few weeks to realize how AMAZING pumping both breasts at the same time was... especially since I was already lopsided those first few weeks :)

Not until I graduated from wearing workout clothes did I really appreciate the cute, "normal" bras but man was that an amazing change of pace. My personal favorite is the Bella Materna Plunge Wire-Free T-shirt Bra because not only can you wear it normally but also as a racerback with one super easy clip. I also LOVE the Cake Mousse Bra with it's soft polka dots and insanely comfortable feel and the Bella Materna Sexy Tshirt Bra is gorgeous and converts into a normal bra (AMAZING).

Last but not least of the bras we carry are the Cake Croissant and Cake Sports Bra. Being that I'm not well endowed, I personally don't have a need for either but, our clients LOVE them both. The Croissant is a beautiful bra with great support and a gorgeous feel. The Sports Bra is super cute and insanely supportive and can also convert into a racerback, win/win!

With any bra, it's best to get fitted and try it on before purchasing since each bra and manufacturer fit differently. Aren't we lucky that nursing bras don't look like they used to?! Happy bra shopping!

Building a baby registry is SO overwhelming. Who knew there were so many choices for just about EVERYTHING that a baby "needs"?! After almost 7 (HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!) months, here is a list of the items that I loved and would recommend.

Newborn footed pajamas- they live in these the first few weeks, definitely get a few newborn sized clothes since people tend to get you 3+ month clothes. Kimono style clothes are also amazing those first few weeks since putting clothes over the baby's head can be super difficult!

Travel Crib- we got the Baby Bjorn and LOVE it. It's expensive but super light and small and so much easier to set up than the traditional guys. We didn't ever have it set up at home so we didn't miss the changing station but some folks do use it downstairs in the beginning when you're changing 10+ diapers a day. People also really love the Lotus travel crib.

Carriers- for when K was a baby we used the Baby Ktan which we loved but once she got bigger we transitioned to the Ergo 360 which we also love. Definitely go for the 360 over the regular ergo (if you go that route) because they can face out. I use ours pretty much every day.

Stroller- we went for the UppaBaby Vista which is expensive but amazing. I used the bassinet until she was almost 5 months old and we used it in her room as her sleeping quarters for the first two months (when we thought she was too small for the crib). UppaBaby also has the Cruz which is the same thing but doesn't convert to a double so if you're thinking one kid, that would be the more cost effective way to go. A lot of people also have the City Mini strollers which fold with one hand. I personally loved having the bassinet option but I think you can purchase one for the Citi Mini separately.

Umbrella Stroller- we got one of these guys (Maclaran Triumph) but barely use it, I think if we were in the burbs we would but since I mostly walk everywhere I use our big guy, I think it's probably good if you travel a lot.

Rain cover- make sure you get one for your carseat or bassinet, I used it nonstop in the winter.

Video Monitor- we have the Samsung which I really like, the other really popular one is the Motorola. I think the Samsung could have a better range...

Bundleme- also AMAZING for the winter so you don't have to put a coat on the baby.

Play mats- you need one of these and babies love them. We have the Skip Hop one and really like it.

Swings- we didn't go this route, instead, we have the Mamaroo which was a life saver for the first few months but she's now pretty much grown out of it...

Bouncy seat- these are light and you can carry them from room to room which is amazing. We have a Fisher Price one but a lot of people love the Baby Bjorn bouncers.

Bottles- we used the 5 oz Medela bottles and then also got the larger Born Free bottles that we started using when K was about 4 months old. You want both. You can also pump directly into the Medela bottles which is amazing. 

Pacifiers- if you have a baby that likes these, they are lifesavers (and I don't believe in nipple confusion, I'm pretty sure my baby always knew what was my nipple... and it wasn't her pacifier). K really liked the Maam when she was an infant... make sure you get a thing that attaches the pacifier to the baby (I wish I had one of the guys that is also a teether).

Burp clothes- we love the Aden and Anais ones but I heard that cloth diaper inserts also work great.

Bibs- I actually never put K in bibs but now that we feed her solids we love the Baby Bjorn one because it catches all the extra food!

Sheets- you should register for 3 sets of sheets... Trust me.

Changing pad- you will need a changing pad and  atleast 2 changing pad covers as well as the waterproof liners that go on top. You'll go through a lot of these at the beginning.

Glider/Rocker= lifesaver... best investment ever. Mine is from Pottery Barn and is a rocker that converts into a normal chair.

Jumperoos/exercauser- I would buy this used and not register for it. They're HUGE... plus you don't need it until the baby is 3/4 months old.

Car seat- we have the Chico Key Fit and love it. It's really popular and got great reviews on Baby Bargains.

Nursing pillow- I would definitely recommend a Boppy. I have one upstairs and downstairs.

Diaper bag- I have the Pottery Barn one which I like, the Skip Hop one is also really popular.

Swaddles/Sleepsacks- get the Halo ones, I liked the cotton ones that are also velcro swaddles, I think we had two and we could have had more. The velcro is amazing and makes swaddling SO much easier. You'll also want a couple of sleep sacks without the swaddle for when they get older.

Swaddle blankets- you definitely want a set of the Aden Anais ones. I got two sets and probably could have done with just one set.

Bottle Drying Rack- I really like our Skip Hop one because it doesn't take up a lot of space.

Humidifier- you will want one of these especially if you're in an old house.

Baby first aid kit- the Summer Infant Complete Nursery kit is great and even has teethers and a hair brush, definitely a good thing to have on hand.

Nipple cream- Boob-ease natural nipple balm is 100% organic and safe for the baby to consume. You'll definitely need some of this if you're nursing.

Nursing Pads- I originally got the disposable ones but you could see them through my shirts and bras and they weren't think enough for night time. I definitely recommend the reusable Bamboobies which are much more comfortable, easy to conceal and they even have the overnight ones that protect you all night.

Breast pump- you can get one of these through your insurance company which is amazing, The Medela Pump in Style or Freestyle are my favorites. 

Milk storage bags- I would definitely recommend the Lansinoh bags because they lay flat.

Night light- another thing you'll definitely want. I thought I didn't need one but when you're in and out of the baby's room all night it's nice to be able to see where you are going :)

Baby bath tub- we have the blooming bath that we used in the sink when she was really little and now we use it in the tub for her to lay down on, we love it.

Crib mattress cover- you need this for when they pee through the sheets :)

Diaper pail- I love our Dekor Plus because it has a foot thing (and it's better looking than the traditional guy).

Sound machine- get the adult one, we got the kid one at first and it would turn off and wake her up so I ended up ordering an adult one off of Amazon that she loves. Bonus points that it has an ocean sound which means she's a great beach sleeper :)

Bumbo we love this now and actually use it to feed her as well as have her sit in while I (gasp) make dinner. She also loves the tray.

Wipes dispenser- I really like having one even though it isn't necessary....

Baby towels- register for a couple of these and washcloths.

Stroller blanket- you'll get tons of blankets but you might want to register for one you like.

Crib skirt- you'll need one of these guys, a bumper is up to you, there's some controversy on it

Nursing bras- you definitely want a sleep bra that you can wear all the time and you'll also want a hands free pumping bra. I'd also recommend a nursing tank top so you can bring it to the hospital.

For all you veterans, am I missing anything?!