Hormone Balancing Smoothie
Hello everyone! It's Rita here. Today we're sharing a post somewhat different than most, far deeper and intimate than just the usual recipe. There is still a delicious recipe included, and it's actually even a functional one. And since we've got our little corner of the internet over here, we're taking the chance to introduce the purpose of this smoothie and what we had in mind whilst creating this recipe. It's all about women's health and balancing the female hormones.
I became particularly interested in this subject around 6 months ago, after I decided to follow my intuition and stopped taking the birth control pill. I had been wanting to do it for such a long time, but after having been on the pill for a little over 10 years, I felt nervous and scared just thinking about it. I bet this is also the case for many girls and women in similar situations. In my case in particular, the birth control pill was my comfort zone and it allowed me to not deal with any aspect of my menstrual cycle from the age of 16 until I was 26 years old. And above all, it allowed me and my partner to nourish our intimacy as a couple without any concern for a possible accidental pregnancy. But at what costs? Those would vary, from woman to woman, and I won't go too much into detail about my experience while on the pill. What I will do is share with you guys what books I read, products I use and foods I consume in order to help face this new pill-free stage of my life with courage, curiosity and tranquility.
Great Reads
The best books I can recommend are Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and WomanCode by Alisa Vitti. These were essential for me as I build my knowledge base on this subject. Even after having read them through and through, I still turn to them often. They go deep into the matter in a holistic approach and proceed to explain the female body and debunk a series of persistent myths that still haunt pretty much every girl and woman's thoughts. Thanks to these books and after being off the pill for 6 months, I can gladly let you know I'm feeling stronger than ever (literally), much more aware of my moods, sensations and emotions, my libido has skyrocketed and my relationship with my body has become exponentially healthier.
Menstrual Products & Contraception
I consider these products to be total game changers. You may or may not have heard of them before:
The menstrual cup, as bizarre as it may have sounded to me the first time I heard of it, is now one of my most precious and humble possessions. Many women still don't sympathise with the idea of using a menstrual cup. I imagine this is because all girls and women are consistently conditioned from a very young age to believe that the most common menstrual products (such as tampons and pads) are the only ones to even consider. I've come to realize that this is the most economical, ecological, practical and hygienic way to deal with menstruation. I have to say, insertion and removal of the cup takes a little bit of practice. But after getting the hang of it, you'll soon realize it is super easy to use and surprisingly comfortable. I've tried cups from a couple of different brands, and none have disappointed. Recently, I was gifted a new menstrual cup by OrganiCup. I asked them if they'd consider a little something for my readers and they were quick to jump on board! Apply the coupon COCOONCOOKS to your online purchase and the shipping costs will be free, no matter where you're having it ship to.
The Lady-Comp, an intelligent fertility monitor that charts all phases of the menstrual cycle and helps you prevent or plan a pregnancy, in an all natural, non invasive and totally effective way. It's really simple, all you have to do is use the monitor's thermometer to measure your basal temperature every morning upon waking up. It will take note of the patterns of your own personal menstrual cycle and in a couple of months, it will be able to let you know exactly when your are fertile. Meaning, it'll show you a red light on days around ovulation and ovulating day, a yellow light on days it's unsure and a green light on days it is absolutely certain you cannot get pregnant. I was keen on getting my own Lady-Comp after reading a number of reviews and testimonials from several different influencers. I bought it as soon as I had the chance and I'm so happy for having invested in this little gadget. It's now a part of my daily life and I can't imagined being without it. If you've never heard of the Lady-Comp before, check out their website for further information and look for reviews on YouTube.
Adaptogenic Superfoods
And last but not least, let's talk about what is most relevant to this blog here: food! I created this recipe shortly after having quitted the pill and after extensive research on which foods were the most beneficial when it comes to balancing the female hormones. I was all for helping my body find it's natural rhythm in that initial stage and I still make this smoothie (and other similar recipes) regularly, to make sure things are kept in check. Every single ingredient in this smoothie recipe is beneficial in some way or another, from the chia seeds, to raspberries, almonds and oats. But I want to talk to you a little bit more about the three adaptogenic superfoods I've included. If you're looking to learn even more about them (and about many other foods), consider reading the book The Yoga of Herbs.
Maca, the most common of the bunch. It's derived from a peruvian root crop and it is most know for its ability to increase stamina and libido. It's great for athletes and a big help for those who are looking to balance their endocrine system, either female or male.
Shatavari powder acts on all tissues from several body systems. In the matter of the reproductive system, shatavari increases moisture, nourishes the soft tissues and helps rejuvenate and tone the female reproductive organs. It also balances the female hormones, strengthens the eggs and increases fertility.
Ashwaganda is beneficial for many different body tissues and systems. It's very helpful in the control of insomnia, fatigue, memory loss and respiratory difficulties. It was included in this smoothie for its aphrodisiac properties and also because it helps regenerate the endocrine system. It strengthens the female body in any phase of the menstrual cycle and also strengthens the fetus, in the early stages of pregnancy.
If you've made it this far and read all of the above... congrats! Hah! I appreciate your time and attention, very much so. This recipe has helped me a lot and I felt like sharing a bit of what I've learned during this transition. This post is so different than our usual posts and I'm particularly curious to hear your thoughts on it. Leave us a comment, get in touch, let me know about your personal experience and whether you enjoyed this recipe. I'm all ears. :)
Disclaimer: All information included on this blog post is not intended or implied to be a suggestion of treatment. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritional or medical advice.
Hormone Balancing Smoothie
5 minutes | makes 1 portion
Ingredients
1 medium ripe banana (either frozen or at room temp)
1 cup | 250 ml. almond milk
1/2 cup | 70 gr. fresh raspberries
2 tbsp gluten free rolled oats
1 tbsp roasted almond butter
1 tsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp cinnamon
ADAPTOGENIC SUPERFOODS
1 tsp maca
1 tsp shatavari
1/4 tsp ashwaganda
You can add all or opt for only one or two of these. Also, if consuming for the first time, start by adding smaller amounts and increase the quantities gradually.
STEP BY STEP
Start by gathering, preparing and measuring all of the ingredients. This will improve your dynamic in the kitchen.
Add all of the ingredients to your blender and blend for a minute or two (depending on how powerful your blender is!) until the smoothie is nice and creamy.
Pour into a glass and enjoy straight away.
