Posts Tagged ‘fertility foods’

Fertility and Celiac Disease

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Many people have Celiac Disease or celiac intolerance, and few know that it can affect their attempts at conception. It is an autoimmune response that manifest when gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, is ingested. It often takes many years for a correct diagnosis to be made, and, until then, individuals can suffer from chronic diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, and other digestive disorders, as well as a whole host of seemingly unrelated symptoms. It can also affect fertility. In men with Celiac Disease, it can lead to low sperm count, and women may experience troubles conceiving.

Studies from various countries indicate that fertility problems are indeed more common in women with untreated Celiac Disease, compared to women who do not have it.

The risk of suffering other gynecological and obstetrical problems like miscarriage or preterm birth is also higher for those with Celiac Disease.
Joseph Mercola, “Why Haven’t Infertile Couples Been Told These Facts?”, 2/23/2010

Follow the link to read more about what Dr. Mercola has to say about Celiac Disease and its affects on fertility.

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Posted in Fertility, Gluten-Free Living, Health Counseling, Natural Therapies | 3 Comments »

Massage is Good for Fertility

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

This is a great description of some of the benefits of Mayan Abdominal Massage from Fertile Foods founder, Kathryn Flynn. Kathryn Flynn, BEd. is the founder of FertileFoods.com, a website intended to educate men and women about food and lifestyle habits to support a healthy pregnancy. She is the author of Cooking for Fertility: Foods to Nourish Your Fertile Soul. Reprinted with  permission, the original article is hosted here.

Need a good excuse to go get a massage? Not only are massages great for reducing stress, but they can also increase blood flow to the uterus and ovaries. When looking for a fertility masseuse, consider practitioners that have mayan abdominal massage training to enhance your chances of conception.

Mayan Abdominal Massage uses deep abdominal work to reposition the pelvic organs and treat a pro-lapsed or tilted uterus. Massaging the abdominal region can also help to break up any adhesions or blockages that may be preventing conception. Mayan abdominal massage benefits fertility in the following ways:

1. Improves egg quality by flooding the ovaries with fresh blood supply and oxygen

2. Helps to balance irregular menstrual cycles

3. Breaking down scar tissue and adhesions

4. Reducing stress

5. Improves digestion

6. Increases overall vitality and energy

7. Prepares the muscles and ligaments for childbirth

I’m impressed with how thorough the list of benefits she provides here is! Another point shes addresses in other posts is the emotional and energetic component. This kind of bodywork, especially through a self-care massage that we teach, provides a way for the woman to connect with and enhance the sexual energy of her body–helping heal painful past experiences and brighten the feeling of being safe and powerful in her sensuality. Thanks for helping spread awareness, Kathryn!

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Posted in Abdominal Massage, Fertility, Mayan Abdominal Massage, Natural Therapies | 9 Comments »

Red Cabbage with Pumpkin Seeds & Fennel

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

When I was in college, I had a broke friend who lived in a tiny studio apartment downtown, and became fond of cooking to save money and enhance his, uhm, manly wellbeing. His girlfriend at the time was a health counselor and recommended this dish (afterall fennel and pumpkin seeds are reputed to enhance male vitality). Every single time I came to visit them, I’d see the cast iron skillet abandoned on a cooled stovetop, leftovers from a prior meal.  I never asked her if this dish was successful, but judging by its frequent employment, I assumed it lead to some kind of wellbeing. At some point I started making it, too, on occasion, and enjoyed it served with fresh salmon.

Makes 2-6 servings

1 medium red cabbage, shredded or finely chopped

1 small bulb fennel, finely sliced

½ cup pumpkin seeds

2 T. olive oil

½ t. Cajun spice*

Chop cabbage and fennel into shreds. Heat oil over medium-high heat, add pumpkin seeds and Cajun spice, then stir while letting them season for a few minutes. Then add the vegetables and saute until slightly tender. Remove from heat and serve. For more kick, increase amount of Cajun spice or add an extra pinch of cayenne.

*Note: buy this mix only in the bulk section of a natural foods store, as many of the pre-made Cajun spice blends use wheat gluten as a binding agent. Also, blackening seasonings often create more smoke, so make sure the cooking area is well-ventilated before you begin.

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Posted in Cooking, Fertility, Gluten-Free Living | No Comments »

Aduki Squash Stew

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

This delicious recipe came from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, the school where I received my Health Counseling training. I varied it a bit by adding a couple tablespoons of fresh-grated ginger and ground cumin, and cooking in vegetable stock instead of plain water to fill out the flavor and enhance the nutritional value. In Chinese Medicine, aduki beans support the Kidney Qi, essential for healthy reproductive function, and the squash deeply nourishes the Spleen Qi, promoting digestive health. This stew is warming and great for people with weak constitutions.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
1 pound winter squash (kabocha, butternut)

1 ½ cups aduki beans, soaked

3 inches seaweed (like kombu or wakame)

5 cups of water (or vegetable stock)

Sea salt

*Grated ginger, optional

 

Directions: Peel and cube squash into 2 inch squares (can leave skins on if edible)

Place washed beans and seaweed into a pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover and add squash cubes. Cover and simmer for 30 more minutes. Uncover, add sea salt, and stir until water evaporates.

Notes: Try with roots like carrot, parsnip, and turnip. These roots don’t need more than 20 minutes to cook with beans.

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Posted in Cooking, Fertility | No Comments »

Roasted Winter Vegetables

Monday, December 7th, 2009

The non-cook will love roasted vegetables: functional food preparation at its finest.

Requiring few ingredients and utensils, and virtually zero cooking skill, you can have a hot and hearty dish in less than hour flat.

Root vegetables, grown deep in the ground and available during cold winter months, connect us to our immediate environment and help keep our immune systems strong. Energetically, they have a “grounding” or downward-descending activity, which deeply nourishes the body and encourages digestive and reproductive health.

You will need:

–An assortment of vegetables—I particularly like Jerusalem artichokes, Brussels sprouts, turnips, beets, and rutabaga. Carrots, onions and potatoes are also popular picks.

–Sea salt and any seasonings you like. Sage, parsley, cumin, turmeric and hot curry make delicious roasted vegetables.

–Glass baking pan

–Wooden spoon

Super easy instructions:

1)      Preheat oven to 400 degrees on bake (or roast) setting.

2)      Wash and destem an assortment of vegetables—I particularly like Jerusalem artichokes, Brussels sprouts, turnips, beets, and rutabaga. Carrots, onions and potatoes are also popular picks.

3)      Place in glass baking pan with a generous amount of high heat tolerant cooking oil (such as coconut or palm butter).

4)      Add a bit of salt and keep it simple, or season and spice to your heart’s desire. Sage, parsley, cumin, turmeric, curry make delicious roasted vegetables.

5)      Place in oven for 10 or so minutes, then give the vegetables a rotation with a wooden spoon to coat them evenly with the oils and seasonings.

6)      Return to the oven and let them cook longer. The exact length of time they will need in the oven is determined by which vegetables you’ve used, but generally between 15 and 45 minutes is sufficient.

7)      Remove from heat, let stand to cool, and enjoy!

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Posted in Cooking | No Comments »

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