Happy Sunday! I woke up thinking of you all. Most of you that I see weekly ask me for recipe ideas. I like buddha bowls because I can add lots of nutrient-dense ingredients and then top with my favorite sauces. The combinations are endless. You can quickly make a one-pot meal by cooking some rice or quinoa and then adding your veggies to the top of the pot as it is finishing for a quick steam. Or you can make your organic grain at the start of the week and use sparingly the first half of the week to build your bowls. I say sparingly as fertility is really increased with a lower carb diet and a high protein/veggie diet. Research backs this. So if you are trying to get pregnant, try having only whole grains one time daily and not with every meal. When you visualize your bowl, it should be heavy on the organic veggies, with a side of organic protein and a little organic grains.
If you are new to eating for your fertility, then I recommend re-setting your system with the whole30.org diet. No grains, no dairy, or processed foods/sugars. After you have eliminated and journaled about how good you feel, then you can re-introduce the grains, and dairy ( only if you are the dry type), and be sure to journal about how you feel with each food as you re-introduce. This step is vital. Digestive issues such as celiac and food allergies are a big contributing factor to your ability to get and stay pregnant. It can be the reason. If you have bloating, gas, constipation or loose stools on a regular basis, do not ignore it. Getting to the root of this CAN heal your fertility and help you get pregnant. One of the reasons I named my company Nourished Roots, is because I enjoy helping clients get to the ROOT of THEIR fertility issues, not bypassing them or putting a band-aid on them.
Okay, let’s talk about the bowls again : ) You don’t have to love Buddha to love these bowls, they are for everyone. I like them for boosting fertility because any veggies can be dressed up to taste amazing and in one bowl you can get a lot of nutrients and flavor. My favorite toppings are avocado ( 0bviously) and salsa. I make taco bowls weekly. Another favorite is the teriyaki sauce made with coconut aminos. Sauces can be be full of sugars, natural flavorings and bad oils. This is why I recommend the coconut aminos, wheat- free Tamari instead of GMO soy sauce, Primal Kitchen salad dressings and organic apple cider vinegar as a base for dressings.
Here are some recipes to get you started. My goal as always is to make eating for fertility as straight forward, research-backed, and simple as possible. Build your bowl in 3 easy steps:
Buddha Bowl Recipes
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Choose 2 clean veggies ( organic if on dirty dozen list). Can steam, bake, or sautée in coconut oil and garlic
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Choose Organic proteins such as turkey, chicken, fish ( wild caught only), grass fed red meats, hemp and pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and soaked beans
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Choose un-processed, whole grains such as organic rice noodles, organic brown rice, quinoa sparingly
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Top with one of the yummy sauces below or make your own
These coconut amino sauces are so good:
Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Teriyaki Sauce, Garlic Sauce, and Aminos (Bundle) (1-Pack of 3)
Here is the organic apple cider vinegar I use for dressings. It can also be used to reduce bloating before and during pregnancy. Put 1 tsp in water before meals. Starting your day with either warm lemon water or if you don’t have a lemon, use 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar to gently detox and improve digestion.
Bragg Organic Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, Raw, 16 Ounce – 1 Pack
This is the wheat free organic Tamari Soy sauce I use in my asian bowls instead of regular GMO soy sauce.
San-J Tamari Soy Sauce, Whole Bean, Wheat Free, 10 oz
These Primal Kitchen salad dressings are so tasty! Remember if you are eating a raw salad, to pair it with something warm and/or cooked such as cup of soup, or a cup of tea to aid in digestion. They are made with healthy oils and real ingredients. Avoid any dressing with canola, soy and other cheap oils that create inflammation.
Peace, Love, and Fertility,
Joy, L.Ac.
Licensed and Board Certified Acupuncturist and Herbalist
Owner at Nourshed Roots Acu
nourishedrootsacu.com
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