Nina Manolson and Karen Schachter
Let’s talk about Hormones in the Kitchen!
As a woman, shifting hormones are a reality throughout your whole life. There’s adolescence, monthly cycles, pregnancy as well as the postnatal rush of hormones. Your body is ruled by an ever shifting landscape of chemical messengers.
And then, in your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, your hormonal terrain gets really interesting with peri menopause and menopause. This is a time you have to get educated, involved and proactive with hormones.
Creating hormonal balance is key in feeling your best as you age.
As two Health and Psychology of Eating Coaches we want to offer you natural and easy ways to create hormonal harmony. This is the first of a series of 3 Hormonal Harmony articles that are practical and info packed. Each article will give you tips and strategies that you can implement right away in your busy life!
We’re going to talk about how to balance hormones in the kitchen, in the bedroom and in the mirror! Because really isn’t that where our hormonal havoc shows up?
We want to focus on…
…the kitchen and food because hormonal imbalances often show up as unwanted weight gain and bloating.
…the bedroom because hormonal dis-harmony can manifest as low libido and poor body image.
…the mirror because hormonal shifts show up on your face – acne, wrinkles and puffiness! There’s a lot you can do to look and feel your best.
Let’s start in the kitchen with a simple and delicious smoothie that has been specifically designed to balance your hormones.
Each ingredient has been specifically chosen because it has a powerful and direct impact on your hormones.
Hormone Harmonizing ingredients:
Coconut:
Coconut is a healthy saturated fat made up primarily of medium-chain fatty acids. Medium-chain fatty acids increase metabolism and promote weight loss. By adding in coconut milk and the coconut oil in this recipe you are supporting your thyroid function.
Wild Blueberries:
In addition to being an antioxidant superfruit which is packed with immune strengthening vitamins and minerals, wild blueberries are considered to be an adaptogenic plant. Adaptogens help the body cope with stress. When we eat foods that help our body reduce stress we are impacting our cortisol levels in a positive and powerful way. Getting our cortisol levels just right favorably influences every single other hormone in our body!
Turmeric:
Turmeric is the most powerful anti-inflammatory plant. If we can naturally decrease inflammation in the body we are minimizing stress and decreased cortisol levels follow. Not only does this affect all of your hormones but in particular, it can reduce belly fat (where our stress shows up) and diminish cravings (which also increase with stress).
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is a gem of a spice when it comes to keeping our hormones humming along because it’s a blood-sugar stabilizer. When our blood-sugar levels are stable, our cortisol is more balanced which positively impacts all of our hormones.
Ginger:
Ginger gives us a triple boost in this smoothie because it supports digestion, immunity and it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory. And of course it’s got that amazing zingy taste!
Chia seeds:
If you haven’t tried these tiny packets of energy you must! Chia seeds are powerhouses of protein, healthy fats and fiber.
Flax seeds:
Flax seeds are also packed with fiber and healthy fats, but in addition they have special detoxifying powers when it comes to hormones. They help clear out xeno-estrogens – unhealthy estrogens that show up in our body due to environmental toxins.
Maca:
Maca is a root vegetable from South America that is specifically known for it’s hormone balancing powers for women of all ages. It’s available as a powder and can easily be added to your smoothie!
Mix all of these ingredients together in a blender and you’ve got…
The Perfect Smoothie to Balance Your Hormones
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ coconut milk (from a can – Native Forest is our favorite brand)
- ½ water
- 1/2 cup wild blueberries
- ½ – 1 frozen banana (depending on how sweet you like it)
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp turmeric (can be increased to 1 tsp)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp flax seeds
- 1 tsp maca
Enjoy !
For more information, please be sure to join us for our FREE call: Have You Got WTF Syndrome? Check it out here!
If you’ve been wondering what’s happened to your energy and body, this call is a must-attend.
And be sure to check out the next article in our Hormone Series: Hormones in the Bedroom!
Karen Schachter LICSW & Nina Manolson MA are Psychology of Eating and Health Coaches who are the creators and teachers of a powerful hormonal balancing program: Have You Got WTF Syndrome?
For a free class, join Nina and Karen for their upcoming free call: Sign up here.