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When my period is getting near, I feel like a totally different woman. Not bad per se, just a little bit less in control of how I show up in the world- you get me?
Part of that is wanting to say fuck off to my healthy food choices and instead indulge (a little too much) in some not so great choices.
As this point in my own hormone-balancing journey, most cravings (if I get any at all) don’t have the extreme power to make me binge- although they used to. I’m no stranger to downing a whole bag of chips or a whole pint of ice cream in one sitting.
Then I got fat.
Now I know to anticipate these feelings a couple days before Aunt Flo arrives and can eat in a way that satisfies my need for comforting foods without needing to put on “fat pants”.
One of the tricks I have up my sleeve is hot creamy beverages. They are incredibly comforting, can be sweet and delicious and can also be packed FULL of healthy stuff without having to eat a mountain of raw kale. #gross
Below you’ll find one of my favourites, my PMS-busting hot chocolate recipe! I’ve given a little information below as to WHY these ingredients are great for that premenstrual time (or any damn time) to keep your hormones running smoothly- whether you don’t know what’s going on or have been diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis or another hormonal imbalance.
Full-Fat Coconut Milk
Coconut milk and coconut products in general are a boon for hormone balance and PMS. I use some form of coconut every single day in my own diet. More specifically, coconut provides good cholesterol, which is needed in steroid hormone production.
Yes- you read that right. Cholesterol can be a GOOD thing. Cholesterol is the main building block to create pregnenolone, which is the hormone that many other sex hormones are made from, especially progesterone. Having adequate levels of progesterone in the second half of your cycle (aka that PMS time) is incredibly important for warding of PMS.
Coconut milk is also high in healthy fats, and healthy fats are one of the best ways to balance blood sugar and prevent binging and cravings during that time of the month (and every day).
Many women also experience weight gain with their periods, or are carrying more weight on a daily basis than they’d like. The good news is the fats in coconut oil (medium-chain triglycerides) have been shown to assist weight loss in comparison with olive oil.
Cacao Powder
Cacao is the raw form of cocoa or chocolate. It’s got way more benefits than the regular stuff, so it might be a good idea to get your hands on some to keep in the pantry.
In that PMS (aka Pissy Mood Syndrome) time, stress can feel like the end of the world. I’ve definitely snapped at family and friends more times than I’d like to admit. The good news is cacao could help. It’s been shown to reduce the release of stress hormones cortisol and epinephrine from the adrenal glands.
Inflammation is at the root of hormonal imbalance, regardless of the type. Cacao is very high in flavonoids, antioxidant compounds which could reduce inflammation, even more than green tea or red wine!
Lastly cacao is high in minerals like magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron- all important for helping us feel more balanced during PMS time.
Omega PowerCreamer
Here’s the secret sauce to the PMS-busting hot chocolate recipe. If you’ve followed me for awhile, you know I LOVE bulletproof/butter drinks. I’ve included several versions of them in my Fat Loss Meal Plan for Moody Women with Estrogen Dominance, and they are always a big hit. The one bugger is having to measure out all those different fats in the drink.
I was super excited when the lovely Meghan of Omega Power Creamer contacted me and asked if I’d like to try their product which puts all the rights fats together in one convenient bottle. Their product combines MCT oil (those medium-chain triglycerides I already spoke about), ghee (clarified butter- better for those with sensitivities to dairy) and coconut oil. AND it’s all organic. AND there’s zero weird stuff.
I was excited to be able to just squirt some shit in the drink and be done with it! SO easy.
Not only does Omega Power Creamer have the same benefits as coconut milk, and it gets even better. The organic ghee is extremely rich in fat soluble vitamins like A, D and E. These vitamins are vital for hormone production (many hormonally-imbalanced women are deficient in all three), mood stability, insulin sensitivity and more. Because the ghee in Omega Power Creamer is also grass-fed, it’s going to have something called CLA or conjugated linoleic acid, a fat that’s known to help lower body fat and cholesterol.
The smart folks who created this product have been so gracious to extend a discount for all the Divas in my community! If you’re grabbing Power Creamer off Amazon, simply use coupon code HRMNDIVA to save 15% off your order! Hell yeah!
And P.S. you can find other recipes using this incredibly convenient source of healthy fats over here.
Tahini
Last but not least on the list here is tahini, aka sesame seed paste. Why tahini? There’s already a TON of good fats in this drink. Tahini is an incredibly high plant-based source of calcium, and time and time again, calcium has been shown to help mitigate symptoms of PMS like anxiety and depression.
Many people assume that dairy foods like milk and cheese are the only way to get calcium, but I don’t recommend dairy for hormonal imbalances and tahini is a seriously delicious and nutrient-packed alternative.
PMS-Busting Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1/2 – 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp Lakanto sweetener or a few drops liquid stevia to taste
- 1 tbsp Omega PowerCreamer (I used the unflavoured version but you could use either vanilla or chocolate as well!!)
- 1 tbsp tahini (sesame seed paste/butter)
- Few dashes cinnamon and cayenne (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Put everything in a pot and head over medium-high. Once hot (DO NOT BOIL) either blend with a milk brother, hand held immersion blender or in a regular blender. Be careful in a regular blender- hot liquid is touchy and could burst out when you open the lid if you’re not careful. Sip + enjoy!
