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.

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.

Mushroom Quiche

I keep adding to my autumn and winter cookbooks. I'm going to have to start weeding out recipes or rearranging them, but this one is a keeper. I didn't make it in time for the full moon, but you certainly can make it for the next one.

Note: Yes, the photos are out of order. I really suck at technology. Sorry! At least the steps of the recipe are in order. ;)


Melt about 3-4 tablespoons of butter on medium-low heat. Add 6 ounces (1 package) of portobello mushroom caps, coarsely chopped. Add 2 minced shallots and 2 minced cloves of garlic. Season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Cook until softened, about 12 minutes.



Place the softened mushroom mixture in a food processor and pulse until you have a coarse paste. Spread on the bottom of a blind-baked pie crust.



Top the mushroom mixture with 1/2 cup grated Gruyere.

Place 4 eggs and 1/4 cream in the food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Whip for a few seconds until combined. Slowly pour this mixture over the mushrooms.




Bake quiche in a 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until set. Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

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.

The Moon's Foods

The following foods are ruled by the moon and are useful for stimulating your psychic awareness. They are also utilized in healing, purification, promoting sleep, love, friendships, spirituality, fertility, peace and compassion.

Blueberry
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Butter
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chickweed
Coconut
Cucumber
Egg
Grape
Grapefruit
Ice cream
Lemon
Lentil
Lettuce
Melon
Milk and milkshakes
Mushroom
Omelet
Papaya
Passion fruit
Poppy
Potato
Pumpkin
Seaweed
Souffle
Soup
Soy
Watermelon
White whine
Yogurt

Ideas:

Pumpkin pie smoothie - Mix 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 cup pureed pumpkin, 3/4 cup vanilla soy milk and some ice cubes in your blender

Mushroom soup or a mushroom omelet

Lentil or potato soup

A salad with lettuce, cucumbers, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower dressed with lemon juice and olive oil

Sushi

Source for foods: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen

Happy Monday!

Monday, the Moon's day, is for your creative endeavors. If your creative endeavors involve trying for a baby, here are some foods to help you on your way.

Figs
Grapes
Mulberries
Pomegranates (beautiful little symbols of the womb!)
Barley
Eggs
Egg breads such as brioche
Hazelnuts
Milk
Poppy seeds
Rice
Sesame - seeds and paste (tahini)
Watercress
Rabbit

Today would be a good day to make that kabak tatlisi I posted the other day. Eat it before starting your next creative project and visualize!

Once in a Blue Moon

The year 2009 has almost drawn to a close. I hope everyone who attends New Year's Eve parties has a safe night tomorrow night. How fortunate we are that the new year coincides with a blue moon! Tis surely hoped it is a sign of good things to come.

Tomorrow night I am going to attend a party at a co-worker's house in Istinye. In honor of the blue moon, I have decided to make a Once in a Bleu Moon Cheesecake. Yes, I said "bleu". This won't be a sweet dessert cheesecake, nosirree! I'm making a savory bleu cheese cheesecake.

A few weeks ago my uncle attended a dinner for some Catholic organization he belongs to. The dessert was a bleu cheese cheesecake with sliced apples. That got me to thinkin', as we say in W.Va. I thought, I could make that! I just need a recipe to use as a guideline, being terrible with measurements as I am.

I think I have found a good recipe to start with. I'll add my own touches to it, of course. I'm going to make a walnut crust, or perhaps walnut and pecan together. I think I will serve sliced apples and pears, as well as a selection of dried fruits (perhaps rehydrated into some sort of compote?) alongside. This is the sort of appetizer/party snack you want to serve in small pieces, as it sounds fantastically rich and decadent. Best to eat it now, so you don't ruin your new year's resolutions of diet and exercise. ;)

*Dairy foods such as cheese are good also good for Imbolc and Beltane
*Nuts are good grounding foods

Dark Goddess Series, Part III: Hecate

I know I'm a bit late for the Night of Hecate but I've been very busy at work. Please accept this slightly late post and know that you can certainly honor Hecate at any time. :)


Who is Hecate? Today’s Witches and Pagans associate her with the crossroads, magic, witchcraft, and ghosts. She has also been associated with everything from childbirth to dogs. During the Hellenistic period she was depicted as a three-faced woman. The earliest depictions of Hecate, however, were of a single-faced goddess. Some neo-Pagans refer to her as a crone goddess, although this conflicts with her former characterization as a virgin.

Hecate was a pre-Olympian goddess, the only Titan Zeus allowed to retain any authority once the Olympians took over. Often classified as a moon goddess, Hecate actually reigned over the earth, sea and sky. Her ability to create storms or to hold them back made her the protector of sailors and shepherds.

Like her cousin, Artemis, Hecate retained her independence and solitude, remaining unwilling to give up this independent nature for the sake of marriage.

Another similarity between the two goddesses is the presence of sacred dogs, although the dogs, much like Hecate herself, were thought to each have three heads and the ability to see in all directions at once (and even the past, present and future). Hecate is depicted as either a beautiful woman with three heads, or a woman with the heads of a snake, a boar, and a horse.

Hecate became Persephone’s friend and confidant during the latter’s time in the Underworld. Her ability to see into the Underworld made her comfortable in the presence of those who would normally be shunned by others. Her friendliness toward Persephone gained her a permanent invitation to Underworld from Hades.

Hecate was not only called upon to help ease a mother’s labor and to aid her child’s transition into this world, but she was also called upon to help the dying make their journey. Hecate is there to help us when we have a journey to make. She waits at the crossroads, waiting to help us find our way.

Now that you have a tiny bit of background information on Hecate (and there is so, so much more that could be said, believe me!), it is time to think about how to honor her in the most sacred room of the home: the kitchen.

The first step is to thoroughly clean the kitchen. Scrub the grease off the stovetop, wash and put away the dishes, sweep and mop the floor, and take out that smelly trash! Next, spiritually cleanse the area.

Rosemary is one of those all-purpose herbs and can be used for protection and cleansing as well as remembrance and love. However, it is ruled by the sun, and as Hecate is a moon goddess, you may wish to find something a bit closer to the cool, silvery energy of the moon. Cleanse the area with sage, which is more traditional, and light candles of black, white and silver. Welcome Hecate into your home in the way you deem fit. If you need help finding your way, or have something you wish to be rid of, ask for her assistance. Again, you the words that you deem appropriate.

Some suitable offerings for Hecate are moon foods: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, coconut, lemon, lentils, melon, milk, mushrooms, potatoes, and pumpkins.

Some ideas (recipes provided upon request):
Lentil salad with lemon and cucumbers
Roasted Brussels sprouts
Potato-cauliflower soup
Potato-mushroom gratin
Pumpkin soup

Another suggestion is to leave some food outside for stray neighborhood dogs, or make a donation of dog food to the local animal shelter. Do this in Hecate’s name in honor of her sacred hounds.

Let's Talk Potatoes

Who doesn't love potatoes? Many Americans, when asked to name their number 1 comfort food, will name mashed potatoes. French fries/chips are the most popular "vegetable" side dish in many restaurants and homes. The Potato Famine in Ireland drove a couple million people from their homeland and into America to avoid starvation. Clearly this is an important crop. But what do we know about it?

Potatoes are from South America, specifically Peru. People in Peru first began cultivating this plant around 34000 B.C.E. That's a long damn time! The potato didn't make it to Europe until the 1500s.

Like the tomato, it is a member of the nightshade family. Also like the tomato (which we know is a fruit), the potato is used for protection. Potatoes are ruled by the moon and their element is earth.

Potatoes are an excellent full-moon food and also good for grounding. Potatoes eaten for protection should be seasoned with onions, chives, rosemary, parsley, or dill for maximum effect. Potato dishes are good to eat after energy has been raised, in order to help ground the participants. I have served potato soup after meditation workshops to help people ground themselves.

If you're looking for a warm, comforting soup to serve this autumn, here is a recipe for maximum comfort: Loaded Baked Potato Soup. Who doesn't love a loaded baked potato, with cheese, sour cream, bacon and green onions or chives? My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Ingredients:

8 ounces bacon, chopped into small pieces
2 1/2- 3 lbs potatoes, scrubbed, peeled and cut into cubes
1 large onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons AP (all-purpose) flour
4 cups low-salt chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
2 cups shredded cheese - Colby, Cheddar, what you will
3-4 green onions, sliced thin, for garnish
sour cream, for garnish
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the bacon in your soup pot until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon but reserve the drippings. Cook the onion in the bacon drippings until soft. Add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook about 1 minute. Whisk in the broth and milk. Add the cubed potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cover Cook until the potatoes fork-tender, 7-10 minutes. (Cut the cubes fairly small so they will cook more quickly.)

Remove about 2 cups of cooked potato cubes and set aside. Puree the rest of the soup in a blender or using a stick blender. Reheat the soup over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese to melt. Return the reserved pieces of potato to the pot. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, ladle soup into bowls and garnish with crispy bacon, sliced green onions, and dollops of sour cream.

I think I'll be making this over the weekend. A friend of mine returned to the United States yesterday and gave me some bacon before leaving. Woo hoo!