We hear it over and over again, that food has enormous impact on not just our health but the way we feel. What we eat becomes a driving force for our hormone production, energy, gut health, quality of sleep… it's fair to say it is our ‘Life Force’.
The food and drink we start the day with sets the tone for the rest of that day. For example, if you’re worried about a big meeting you have to go in to or you have a kids birthday party - a sugary cereal washed down with a gallon of coffee is most likely going to set your nerves on edge and have you hit a sugar slump by midday.
Here’s a breakfast I love to recommend that is fortifying and especially good for people suffering with Monday Morning blues, feeling anxious or who need a little soothing. With the two main ingredients being the humble oat and calming, sweet chamomile, this is a breakfast that helps to calm, strengthen and ready us for the day ahead.
As far as oats go, they’re definitely up there as one of the most loved, healthy comfort foods. Nothing says a cosy breakfast like a big bowl of porridge. But oats offer more than just cosiness in a bowl, they contain the amino acid tryptophan that the brain converts into the feel-good hormone serotonin. As well as being soothing on the nerves, oats also contain lots of vitamins and minerals needed to help prevent anxiety such as Magnesium and Vitamin B12.
Having a low glycemic index means oats are less likely to cause blood sugar spikes and they also contain B-glucans which are known to help reduce insulin sensitivity. Oats are a wonderfully nutritious way to start or end the day with.
For this oatbake, naturally sweetened with bananas, I added steeped chamomile tea to the oats along with the blueberries. Chamomile is one of my favourite herbs. It is classed as a ‘relaxing nervine’ and can be used for all types of stress related disorders and anxiety. It’s also wonderful for easing indigestion and is an anti inflammatory. It’s a gentle and powerful herb that really does calm and soothe frayed nerves.
Although I say this is a great breakfast, it really could be eaten at lunch or as a treat after dinner served with nicecream, cream or full fat Greek yogurt.
Ingredients:
2 large ripe bananas
1 cup frozen blueberries
¼ cup of strong chamomile tea
½ cup oat milk (any milk could be used)
1 large egg
2.5 cups of oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch salt
Method:
1. grease an 8 inch baking tray. Preheat oven to 180c
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl
3. In a different mixing bowl mashed banana, whisked egg, vanilla and milk and mix together well.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and fold together. When thoroughly combined add the blueberries.
5. Pour the mixture into the baking tray and place in the oven and bake for 40-45 mins. (this may vary depending on the over, so check after 35 minutes)
6. When cooked serve with yogurt, nice-cream or a good dollop of Greek Yogurt
If you would like to cut down on your daily sugar intake you can find lots of blogs with help and advice on this site and if you feel you may have a sugar addiction but would like to benefit from a sugar free lifestyle you can sign up for my 21 Day Sugar Detox here.