Hands up who loves desserts!

I can never understand someone who would choose having a starter over dessert.

I would eat dessert EVERY DAY if I could.

Which is why I put so much time and effort into making such a delicious porridge in the morning.

Because it’s that dessert feeling in a nutritious bowl of goodness.

One thing I’ve always been intrigued by as a dessert is ….pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin is traditionally a savoury food item and yet in pumpkin pie it has that earthy, spicy sweet flavour. It’s the brilliant contrast of salt and sweet – which you may have learned by now – I LOVE!

Last month, one of my best friends had to leave.

He had to move back to Australia as his visa had run out.

This could NOT have come at a worse time.

I had just come back to London after spending a month in my home town ATTEMPTING to get better and he had to leave.

There was nothing I could do about it.

On his final day, I decided to make him this oatmeal.

To set him up for his flight and fill his tummy full of love and good feelings.

Even though I was heart broken….

Even though I wanted to season the oatmeal with my salty tears and hide in my bed and never come out, I made him this oatmeal.

It really does feel like a warm hug in a bowl.

Sometimes, you need that extra bit of comfort in the morning to remind you that eventually, even if not right now, it will be okay.

‘Grief is the price we pay for love’ – it’s a difficult but true phrase.

It’s the risk we take, when we love somebody that we may lose them, they may move to the other side of the world or they may pass.

But in return, we get love.

I would take that risk a thousand times and be thankful for the people I have gained in return.

It mourns me and hurts me the people I have lost.

But each loss although originally weakening you, makes you stronger. Although, honestly, it does not feel like that right now.

It is so difficult to self soothe. When all you need is a hug and someone to tell you that it will all be okay.

Here are some things that I have been taught recently that can help you self soothe or HUG yourself when things get too much.

MAKE YOURSELF A HOT DRINK.

If you are feeling lonely or isolated, studies have shown that that feeling is associated with feelings of cold. Making yourself a hot drink warms yourself up so you feel all cozy (much like a hug). I recommend cammomile tea or hot chocolate.

WRAP YOURSELF IN A BLANKET

If you have a big old comforting duvet or blanket, wrap yourself up in it. This comforts and soothes you much like a hug does.

SMELLS

I always associate lavender with comfort and peace. When I smell lavender I can feel my heart rate slow and my shoulders drop. I recently acquired a lavender oil roller ball which I put on my wrists and inhale when I feel panic rising. It might also help to spray a piece of clothing with the fragrance of a loved one. Smelling the fragrance of that person can help you feel calmer and remind you that you are not alone.

PICTURES

I have placed pictures all over my room of all my friends and family. I also have pictures of them smiling around my mirror. I have done this so when I look in the mirror and my automatic reflex is to go ‘I hate you’, I look at the pictures and remember how much love I receive from those people. This doesn’t work for everybody and to be honest, most of the time, it doesn’t work for me, but it’s a small step.

COMFORT FOOD

I’m not encouraging you to binge eat (which is a short term solution to a long term problem) but when you feel low, it’s important to treat yourself like you are the child version of yourself. What foods remind you of home or make you feel happy. For me that is mac and cheese or a comforting bowl of oatmeal.

Pumpkin pie is that American comfort food that fills you with happiness.

Pumpkin is packed full of Vitamin A which is brilliant for your immune system and eyesight. It’s vitamin and nutrient dense so really fantastic and boosting your immunity.

The spices in this oatmeal are warming and comforting much like when you walk into a bakery and smell freshly baked biscuits, pastries and bread.

Pecans contain monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. They improve digestion and boost immunity.

This porridge is ridiculously tasty and SO BLOODY GOOD FOR YOU.

So here is my HUG IN A BOWL for you.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Cook Time: 10 minutes

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

What you’ll need:

• 45g oats
• Plant based milk of your choice (enough to cover the oats and a little more)
• Half a can of pumpkin puree
• ½ tsp of mixed spice
• ½ tsp of cinnamon
• ½ tsp of nutmeg
• 1 tbsp of maple syrup
• A pinch of salt
• Raisins/dates (optional)
• A handful of pecan nuts
• Ginger stewed apples (optional)

How to make it:

• If using ginger stewed apples. Chop apples, cover in ground/fresh ginger (1tbsp worth) and microwave for 2 minutes, then 1 minute. Then set to one side.
• Put oats into a pan or bowl.
• Top with the milk. Enough to cover the oats and a little more.
• If heating on the stove, heat on a low heat, stirring gently. As the porridge starts to thicken, add the pumpkin puree, spices, salt and maple syrup. Keep stirring till at consistency that you desire.
• If heating in microwave add pumpkin puree before heating. Heat for 2 mins. Stir and add spices and salt. Heat for another 2 mins. Stir and add maple syrup. Heat for 1 min more if you like your porridge THICK.
• You can add raisins or dates as heating if you want that extra sweetness.
• Top with pecan nuts and any other fruit (stewed ginger apples) you would like.
• Sit down, take a deep breath, take your time enJOYing this warm bowl of HUG.

And remember,

All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.

Much love,

Joy xx