I have a confession to make…..

I am a witch.

Well….. a porridge witch.

Most mornings, you can see me stirring my potion (*cough* porridge)

in my shiny metal cauldron (*cough* saucepan)

I can prove to you that PORRIDGE is… MAGIC!

That is has healing properties and can boost your MOOD and ENERGY.

Porridge used to bore me.

‘IT’S A BOWL OF WHITE CARBY BORING-NESS!!!‘, I used to say.

It also used to TERRIFY me.

When I first started recovering from anorexia (after relapsing for the third time), I had to follow a strict, regimented meal plan.

It was small to begin with but ENTIRELY FRIGHTENING.

On that meal plan was PORRIDGE.

This was quite frankly AWFUL news.

All those carbohydrates – NO THANK YOU!

The first time was TERRIFYING.

But day by day and bowl by bowl, I got better.

And now 7 years on from then, I have it ALMOST EVERY DAY.

I am DEFINITELY NOT saying that porridge cured me of an eating disorder.

Quite frankly, that is ridiculous.

But it helped.

It made me realise that food is FUEL.

You need it for your brain to FUNCTION and your body to MOVE.

Porridge is QUITE LITERALLY MAGIC.

Are you ready to accept your letter to

The Pogwarts School of Porridgecraft and Porridgery?

ARE YOU READY TO BOOST YOUR ENERGY?

ARE YOU READY TO STEADY YOUR ANXIETY?

ARE YOU READY TO CURE YOUR DEPRESSION?

Pop your WIZARD HATS on and let the MAGIC LESSON begin!

Okay, it isn’t mumbo jumbo. And there is no MAGIC CURE for depression.

Sorry guys, if only it were THAT EASY.

HOWEVER, there are some foods you can INCLUDE in your diet and COMBINE to have positive effects on your body, gut and brain.

NOW…. before you get BORED and click off today’s blog post, STAY WITH ME. I promise I’ll make it easily digestible (#guthealthbasedpunsFORTHEWIN)

SEROTONIN is the happy hormone. (YEYYYY!!!)

TRYPTOPHAN is an amino acid from which SEROTONIN is made and helps your brain function properly. (*CHEERS*)

Studies have shown that levels of SEROTONIN are low in people who suffer with depression, anxiety or stomach problems. (BOOO!!!)

Did you know that OATS are naturally rich in TRYPTOPHAN?

And that soy products (such as soya milk or tofu) are rich in SEROTONIN?

OATMEAL CAN BE MAGIC!

Porridge can be MEDICINE.

See? I wasn’t CRAZY after all.

Well… that’s debatable.

I created today’s porridge as an ENERGY BOOSTER and ANXIETY SOOTHER (with some sneaky mood boosting as well. For free – you’re welcome).

Today WAS my first trial day back at work.

I woke up ANXIOUS OFF MY TITS!

I meditated. I took my time. And I made these oats.

I popped some David Bowie on my headphones, put on some aromatherapy oils and I DID NOT HAVE A PANIC ATTACK ON THE TUBE.

My energy was sustained until lunchtime.

It was difficult and my brain was on overdrive – but I did it.

These are my MACACHA MAGIC ENERGY OATS.

Macacha is a FANTASTIC vegan protein blend combining natural ingredients to not only provide you with protein but to help your overall wellbeing.

They also use stevia as a sweetener which is gentler on your tummy.

Macacha’s ENERGY blend is filled with iron and magnesium. It also has Maca and Yerba Maté for natural energy and vitality. It’s a fantastic morning protein mix.

Kiwi and mango are rich in Vitamin C and Fibre. The vitamin C aids irons absorption. So boosting the IRON in Macacha Energy blend.

Cashew nuts are rich in zinc for mental clarity.

And Coconut yoghurt for gut health and stomach balance.

SNEAKY TIP FOR YOU – Pairing protein and slow release carbohydrates with caffeine means that your energy levels will be sustained without crashing.

These tropical and VIBRANT tasting oats are a perfect start to the morning.

MACACHA MAGIC ENERGY OATS

What you’ll need:

• 45g oats (double quantities as you go if making for more than one person)
• Soya milk (enough to cover the oats and a little more)
• (Optional) Grated courgette/zuchinni
• 2 tbsp of Macacha Energy Blend
• A pinch of salt
• A handful of mango, cubed.
• 1 sliced kiwi fruit
• 1 tbsp of cashew nut butter
• 1 tbsp of coconut yoghurt

How to make it:

• Slice kiwi and dice mango and put to one side.
• Put oats into a pan or bowl.
• If using grated courgette, zuchinni (for extra fibre and potassium) add NOW. Also mix in Macacha Energy blend and a pinch of salt.
• 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. Keep stirring till at consistency that is PERFECT for you.
• Heat for 2 mins. Stir. Heat for another 2 mins. Heat for 1 min more if you like your porridge THICK.
• Top with diced mango and sliced kiwi fruit.
• Add one spoonful of coconut yoghurt and one spoonful of cashew butter.
• Sit down with your Macacha Magic Energy Oats, eat slowly and enJOY letting the nutritional MAGIC take effect on you.

With this bowl of oats in your tummy, you can SLAY the dragon…. I mean…. DAY!

Slay the day, beautiful people!

Much love,

Joy xx