As I enjoy maternity leave I’m also enjoying playing around with recipes that work well for busy, tiring and time-tight periods - like early motherhood!
I’ve been trying recipes that are easy for the body to digest, where all ingredients are adding, rather than sapping energy, and that are quick and easy to make while the baby is napping.
I follow an Ayurvedic approach which is designed to support our unique body and work with natural rhythms, in place of a one-size-fits-all approach.
This bulletproof breakfast is an Ayurvedic take on bulletproof coffee, and a porridge that is like a dessert, both without the sugar or caffeine crash. The recipes are below.
What makes these Ayurvedic?
These dishes are designed to make you feel satisfied and energised. This comes from eating quality ingredients that support your body, and combining ingredients in a way that they can work together.
The coffee is a take on the original bulletproof coffee, which is an energising take on coffee without the caffeine crash. It supports feeling satisfied, alert and focused. Standard coffee contains antioxidants but is also stimulating and depleting to the body. Adding coconut oil and ghee provides stable, healthy fats that soothe the nerves, protect the stomach lining from the acidic coffee and are packed with Vitamins A and E (both brilliant for a strong immune system).
The porridge crucially combines fats with the oats which mean that you won’t get a carb crash afterwards. Cooking the apple and raisins helps the body digest them - especially helpful when tired or if you suffer with digestive issues.
Ayurvedic Bulletproof Coffee / Mocha
Ingredients:
Mug of prepared ground coffee
2 teaspoons each of
extra virgin coconut oil
ghee (double the amount of coconut oil if vegan)
2 cardamom pods
Optional extras:
1 teaspoon of cacao powder
Honey or coconut sugar to taste
Milk
Method:
Make the coffee as normal in your favourite mug then add to a small saucepan.
Add all other ingredients to the pan and warm on a low heat until the oils have melted.
Stir well, or add to a glass blender to whizz up if preferred.
Use a sieve to strain the drink back into your mug and enjoy!
Ayurvedic Bulletproof Autumn Porridge
Ingredients:
1 apple (your choice which), chopped
Handful of raisins
Juice of 1 clementine or satsuma
4 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each of:
Ground ginger
Ground Chinese five spice
2 cardamom pods, broken slightly (using your teeth works perfectly)
1 tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil or ghee
Handful of porridge oats
Optional extras:
1 teaspoon of cacao powder
1 teaspoon of peanut butter to add at the end
Method:
Add all the ingredients - except the porridge oats (or peanut butter, if using) - to a small pan.
Bring to a simmer, put the lid on and leave for 5 minutes.
Stir and check the consistency, adding a little more water if needed - it should be a thick liquid consistency.
Add the porridge oats, stir and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
Check halfway through to see if any more liquid is needed - it should now be coming to a thick, gooey consistency.
Transfer to a bowl and add a blob of peanut butter on top if you need an extra boost.
Enjoy! I’d love to hear how this goes down for you.