Hormone Nurturing Porridge

Porridge is a really great breakfast for our autumn (luteal) and winter (menstruation) phase. Or if your constitution prefers it a regular breakfast though out your whole cycle. Eating warming foods around this time helps to keep the body warm internally to increase blood flow and reducing any PMS cramps. Warming foods are also easier on the digestion reducing any pre bleed bloating.

Starting your day by eating fats, protein and carbs can help to build hormones, eliminate any extra stress from not eating and put a stop to any blood sugar spikes.

By adding simple ingredients we can work towards building and replishing blood.

This recipe is amazing for anyone who is time poor as a lot of the prep is done the night before.

Hormone nurturing porridge

You will need

~ 1/2 cup of organic oats

~ 1 tbsp of chia seeds

~ 1 tbsp of coconut oil or ghee (the fat to keep our blood sugars balanced)

~ A pinch of sea salt

~ A sprinkle of cinnamon (helping to aid digestion and is known as a warming herb supporting internal warmth)

~ Blood building dried fruit of your choice :

Mulberries (nourishes blood, supports hormone health and relieves PMS symptoms)

Goji berries (helping to nourish and build blood)

Chinese red dates (helping to nourish and build blood)

Obviously you can add any other dried fruits you enjoy too instead

Method

~ Pre soak the oats by covering them in water and add the dried fruit overnight with a squeeze of lemon juice in a bowl or the pan you will heat it in. The fruit will add a sweetness and by soaking them rehydrate them into a more digestible and nutrients available form. Oats contain physic acid which makes them harder to absorb the nutrients from and can lead to symptoms like bloating.

~ The next morning bring the oats to a simmer, gently stirring consistently. Add your fat (coconut oil or ghee) helping to optimise the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins present in oats.

~ Reducing the heat add a pinch of sea salt.

~ Add your toppings and finish with grated lemon peel.