Today I am bringing it back to BASICS.

After introducing you to a few ‘whacky’, ‘different’ or CRAZY oatmeals, I want to STRIP everything back to the very basics and teach you how to make porridge/oatmeal delicious simply.

After yesterday’s day of appointment after appointment (all very helpful but emotionally draining) I was stripped of everything.

I had mustered up the guts to go to a group therapy session, only to get lost in the hospital and then nobody in security knew where the session was.

I felt humilated. Sobbing at the security desk, hyperventilating, the security guard helped me the best he could. I must have looked a state.

I ran out in a panic onto the busy street in South West London. Cars whizzed by, my sobs getting louder, the noise getting louder.

It took a lot of courage. But I called my friend.

I told him what had happened. And he came to pick me up in his car.

He didn’t ask questions. He just let me sit and regain my breath as he drove.

We drove back to my house and just spoke about nonsense.

Focusing in on his voice kept me away from my own manic thoughts.

My best friend then came round and we ate DELICIOUS vegan pizza and we were SILLY. We didn’t talk much about what happened in the day. We didn’t dwell on it. We just spent time with each other. I felt a little more like a human again.

I giggled last night. I actually giggled.

I properly laughed.

Then went to bed and SUDDENLY my depression reared up

‘Why the HELL are you laughing? You don’t deserve happiness! You’re a piece of crap. Everybody knows you are CRAZY!’

When reflecting on ‘bringing porridge back to basics’, it got me thinking about bringing YOURSELF back to basics.

Right now, I do feel crazy. I do feel ill. I do feel insane. I’m in pain. I’m being reminded and diagnosed with different mental health issues.

But that is not who I am.

I am not crazy.

I am not my mental health issues.

I am JOY.

Although I do not feel joy a lot of the time.

Plain and simple…. I am JOY.

I know it’s hard but I want you to try and remind yourself of that when things get out of control, manic or overwhelming.

You are NOT your MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

You are NOT depression.

You are NOT your anxiety.

You are NOT whatever they have diagnosed you with.

YOU ARE YOU!

So let’s get back to the PORRIDGE RECIPE.

This is a simple, straight forward recipe and SUPER QUICK to make.

It’s packed full of protein, slow release carbohydrates, natural sweetness and good fat.

I’ve used Whole Earth Crunchy Peanut Butter (made with Hi-Oleic peanuts). I tend to buy BIG jars of Whole Earth Crunchy Peanut Butter because there is NO ADDED sugar and the texture is BRILLIANT. The Hi-Oleic peanut version is packed full of monounsaturated fats which are the GOOD fats. They help maintain brain function and sustain your body and heart.

You could quite easily use any peanut butter you have to hand. So please do not worry about running out and spending money you don’t have. Use what you have. Don’t waste what you already have in your cupboard.

I’ve used cinnamon, a natural sweetener and blood sugar stabilizer.

And banana. Banana is a naturally sweet fruit and GREAT for your stomach. When I’ve had an overwhelming day my STOMACH reacts big time so I need to make sure I eat EASILY DIGESTIBLE food like BANANAS. They are also super high in POTASSIUM which helps the nervous system and reduces anxiety and stress.

This is such a SUPER SIMPLE recipe but unbelievably tasty. It sets you up nicely for the day, is naturally sweet without adding any other sugar.

I also want to show you what my oatmeal looks like just before I eat it.

I stir it all together so its a big old MESS and ready to eat.

So remember…

You are not A MESS.

You are not your mental health issues.

You are YOU.

Back to Basics Banana and PB Porridge

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serving: serves 1 (double quantities as you go if serving for more)

What you’ll need:

• 45g of oats
• Plant based milk (enough to cover the oats and a little more)
• 2 tbsp of water
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp of peanut butter
• To top – 1 sliced banana (and any other fruit you’d like)

How to make it:

• Slice bananas and put to one side.
• Place oats, cinnamon, a pinch of salt into a microwavable bowl or a small saucepan. Stir dry ingredients together.
• Pour enough milk to cover the oats and a little bit more. Stir so it is all incorporated.
• If heating on the hob, heat at a low temperature stirring gently to avoid porridge sticking to bottom of pan. Keep stirring until the porridge thickens. Keep stirring until it reaches the consistency that you desire. You can add more milk if needed. Transfer to bowl.
• If heating in microwave, heat for 2 mins. Then stir. Heat for another 2 mins. Stir. Heat for an extra one minute if you want it slightly thicker. You can add more milk if needed.
• Top with sliced banana and any other fruit and a big old spoonful of peanut butter.
• Stir your porridge into a big old MESS and remind yourself that although your porridge is a MESS, you are not. You are YOU. You are all the little brilliant things you can’t see right now, but will remember in time. Take a deep breath and enJOY.

Much love,

Joy xx