The 'Cycle' of Eating

I'm not going to say that this post is just for menstruating women. No, I think this is important for both menstruating women AND those who love us and live with us and want us to feel better during that time.

With that said, if you find the topic taboo or grody, you are dismissed.

Still with me?

If you're reading this, I'm going to go ahead and assume you know what menstruation is. You might even be experiencing it right now. I am. I'll admit it. Why not?

This post is about good foods to put into your body while it is busy sloughing off the uterine lining. While you're feeling crampy, maybe weak, and possibly not at all like eating anything at all. I know my appetite is gone, but I still have to fuel my body. What, then, should I put into it?

To answer that question, I picked up my copy of Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen (Cunningham, 1990). I knew what I wanted to look for, and I am here to present to you my reasons for choosing what I have.

First of all, with the menstrual cycle being referred to as a Moon Time, among other moon-related names (and some names that we don't go into here), it is my belief that moon-ruled foods are very important during this time.

Another thing to consider is how menstruating women can feel about themselves during their periods. I can't speak for anyone but myself, so I will. I feel crampy, bloated, sore, and just plain beastly during particularly heavy times. At other times, I feel more intuitive and powerful and in touch with the Divine. It varies greatly.

The Moon rules foods that stimulate psychic awareness. It rules foods for healing, purification, sleep, love, fertility, peace, and compassion. Mercury rules foods that are utilized to strengthen the conscious mind, as well as divination, wisdom, and communication. Venus rules happiness, compassion, meditation, and beauty.

For the aforementioned purposes, I recommend concentrating on foods that are ruled by these three celestial bodies, with a few exceptions. For example, the Moon is connected to some dairy products, and I think that it is important to cut back or avoid dairy during menstruation. It may not bother everyone, but for some people it can create intestinal distress. Why add to the problems in that area if you don't have to, right?

On to the lists! I will give you a partial list and some ideas on what to do with those foods. I will leave it up to you to choose what is in season in your part of the world.

Moon:

blueberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, coconut, cucumbers, eggs, grapes, grapefruit, lemons, lentils, lettuce, melons, mushrooms, papayas, potatoes, pumpkins, seaweed, soy

Venus:

alfalfa sprouts, apples, apricots, avocados, barley, blackberries, Brazil nuts, cardamom, cherries, nectarines, oats, peas, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, rye, strawberries, sweet potatoes, thyme, tomatoes, vanilla, wheat

Mercury:

almonds, beans, caraway seeds, celery, chervil, dill, fennel, marjoram, oregano, parsley, pecans, peppermint, pistachios, pomegranates, turmeric

Ideas:

Herbs such as those ruled by Mercury can be added to an omelet or scrambled egg dish. They can also be used to flavor soups.

Miso soup with tofu and seaweed can be nourishing to the body and light on the digestive system, which can be slower during this time.

Some of the vegetables listed under the Moon can cause excess gases, so it may be wise to avoid a lot of broccoli or cabbage during this time, especially if your stomach is already feeling sensitive.

If berries are in season, snack on those throughout the day. Make a smoothie from frozen berries and vanilla soy milk. Make a smoothie with canned pumpkin, vanilla soy milk, and pumpkin pie spices. Sweeten as desired.

A good meal idea would be miso soup, an omelet, and a salad with nuts.


I know that cravings can really take hold before and doing a period, but as we know, some of those things are actually going to harm us instead of help us. Too much salt will cause too much water retention, leading to a bloated feeling.

Chocolate, though? I wouldn't dare tell a bleeding woman not to eat chocolate. Have a square! Have two! Just be careful around those family-sized bars. I know I have to watch it.

I hope that this gives you some ideas for simple, healthy, delicious foods to consume during this part of the cycle. Again, though, if you don't menstruate and you want to foster those things in your life - communication, peace, psychic awareness, etc. - these foods are for you as well.

Lentil-Mushroom Prosperity Pot Pie

This recipe was on my calendar menu and I was so excited about the idea of it that I made it a day ahead of schedule.   This is a really nice, comforting dish for a cold day.  Plus, lentils can be eaten to bring prosperity at the new year or any time of year.  Mushrooms provide some moon magic and earth magic.  Lentil-Mushroom Pot Pie is a bountiful, earthy meal.  Serve with some crusty rolls and a salad to make a complete meal.

Lentil-Mushroom Pot Pie - serves 6

1 cup lentils, washed and sorted

1 4-oz. package dried mushrooms (I used shiitake)

2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and sliced into half moons

2 small parsnips, peeled and diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 stalks celery, chopped

4-5 cups vegetable broth, as needed

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

2-3 tablespoons  grape seed oil

I sheet puff pastry, thawed

Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl and cover with boiling water.  Cover and allow to sit until ready to use.

Heat the oil in a large pot.  Add the parsnips, leeks, and celery and cook 5-7 minutes over medium high heat until fragrant.  Add the garlic and cook 2-3 more minutes.  

Add the lentils, mushrooms, mushroom broth, and vegetable broth or stock.   Bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered, until lentils are tender, about 30-35 minutes.   Add extra broth or water if necessary to keep lentils from scorching.    If extra liquid remains, uncover the pot and allow it to reduce. 

Stir in the herbs and season with salt and pepper.

Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray.   Pour the lentil-mushroom stew into the casserole dish.   Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface, sealing the seams. 

Trim the pastry to fit the casserole dish and place over the rim.    You can use an egg beaten with a teaspoon of water to help seal the pastry to the dish.  Brush the top of the pastry to help it brown, too.

Heat the oven to 450 F.   Bake the pot pie until pastry is puffed and golden brown, 25-30 minutes.  

Our Friend, the Coconut

Do you love coconut, or do you hate it?  I love it!  When I was younger, I called them "monkey faces" because of the three little black dots on the end.  Yeah... *L*

The coconut is one of the most useful trees in the world.  Hundreds of products can be made from the coconuts themselves, as well as the leaves, the trunk, and even the husk.

Ancient Hawaiians offered coconuts to many of their deities.  Coconut groves were worshiped as sacred spaces.  The goddess Hina, a good goddess, is linked with the creation of the first coconut.

Because of this, the coconut is ruled by the moon.  Its element is water, and it carries the energies of spirituality, psychic awareness, and purification.

Coconut meat is good to eat before full moon rituals, or as part of the cakes and ale portion of the ritual.

I've been using a lot of coconut oil lately.  If you have read this blog for a while, you know how much I love coconut curried everything, and adding coconut oil instead of ghee or olive oil increases the delicious flavor.  It also has a high smoke point.

However, I haven't been cooking with the coconut oil recently.  I've been using it for natural bath and beauty products.  It seems to have hundreds of uses,as evidenced by all the blogs that list them.    I like to think it also helps to purify me and add an extra layer of protection.

What I've done with coconut oil so far:

* Homemade deodorant - mix equal parts coconut oil, cornstarch or arrowroot power, and baking soda.  Add essential oils for fragrance if desired.  Mix to form a stiff paste and store in an airtight container.  You'll find this recipe all over the Internet.  I used tea tree and rosemary oils.

* Hair conditioner - melt coconut oil (it melts at a very low temperature) and add a few drops of peppermint and rosemary oils. Massage into hair and scalp and leave for 20 minutes.  Shampoo as usual.

* Body scrub - Mix one avocado with 3-4 tablespoons soft or melted coconut butter, and enough salt or sugar to make a paste.

* Moisturizer - I rub it into my still-damp skin after a shower.  I also use it as a lip balm.

I plan to use it for some homemade mosquito repellent as well.  I feel a protective layer of glowing white moon energy around me the more I use it.

I invite you to share your uses for coconut oil or the flesh of the fruit.  I love coconut recipes!

Source:

Cunningham, S. ( 1990). Cunningham's Encylopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen Llewellyn Publications. Woodbury, MN.


This post is copyright to the author. No portion of it may be reproduced in any manner without express permission from the author.

Sneak Peek

Here is a recipe I finally got around to making. In honor of the moon, here is my Moony Mushroom Soup. No, I don't like that name. I'll just call it "Mushroom Soup". Anyway, it'll be in the book if I ever get around to writing it. Copyrighted, y'all. Or something.

Ingredients
2.5 tablespoons butter
1/2 large onion, finely chopped
1 large portabello cap, diced
1 package crimini mushrooms, sliced
1 package dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in about 1 cup of boiling water
2 teaspoons fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
2 cans chicken broth, plus extra water if needed
1/2 cup half and half

In a large soup pot, melt the butter and cook the onions for about 5 minutes.
Add the fresh mushrooms and cook until slightly soft, another 5 minutes.
Add the dried mushrooms plus the soaking water, chicken broth and thyme.
Allow the soup to simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
Check for seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Put the lid back on and let the soup sit for another 5 minutes.
Puree with a stick blender or in batches in a regular blender.
Add the pureed soup back to the pot and stir in the half and half.
Reheat gently if needed, taking care not to boil. Serve.

Sun and Moon Dessert

This is a Turkish recipe that combines elements of fire with water. It features pumpkin, which is perfect for Mabon and Samhain. Eat it at the equinox to celebrate balance. It's good any time you want to balance masculine and feminine energies.


Kabak Tatlisi

Ingredients:
1 smallish pumpkin*, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces (Moon, Earth, healing, money)
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water

* you want a good pound of pumpkin pieces. You can also use butternut squash, which is also a Sun-ruled vegetable.

Crushed hazelnuts (Sun, Air, wisdom, conscious mind, fertility)
Tahini (sesame paste) (Sun, Fire, Sex, fertility, money, protection)

Place the chunks of pumpkin in a large pot. Sprinkle with sugar. Let this set for several hours, until some of the liquid from the pumpkin has drained. Add extra water if needed.

Cook the pumpkin uncovered on medium-low heat until tender, approximately 30-40 minutes. The pieces of pumpkin will be darker in color and most of the liquid will be gone.

To serve, plate up the pumpkin pieces, pour on tahini and sprinkle with crushed hazelnuts.

This can also be served with clotted cream and grated pistachios in place of the tahini and hazelnuts, but this is the version I prefer.

"Lady of the silver moon
Lord of the golden sun
I take both energies within me
And make them one"