Sweet rewards and a new season.

This post comes with a TMI warning: Too Much Information. If you don't feel comfortable hearing about menstrual cycles and the like, you are permitted to run screaming now.

On that note, I don't do head-in-the-sand well. I do talking things out, being open, not hiding or being ashamed, educating myself and others. I do real. I do bold. And as I was completely unaware of what perimenopause was, and how it can affect every single part of your life, I'm just not going to shut up about it. 

I assumed aging hormones was like a gentle country stroll; gradually winding down a lovely slope until one day, you couldn't have babies anymore. Hubby assumed the same. I did think that the sun may have made me a little flushed and sweaty at times, and I may start to crave lots of wine on my stroll and make silly Face Book posts about it.

How wrong was I?! For one thing, I am not particularly fussed on wine. And that stroll is more like mountain climbing. In the dark.

Knowing what we know now, hubby and I both feel empowered for the next phase of my aging. 

After the most severe, frightening and intense PMS I have ever experienced (thanks for making that worse perimenopause), I got my monthlies, spot on time. Perimenopause hasn't changed the frequency, but it has changed them. If I wasn't already experiencing hormonal fluctuations, I would have thought I was pregnant. Sad reality- I'm just aging. 

I had hopes and dreams of just one more bubby. Kinda sucks that I got re-married in my forties and had a limited window. In reality, I still could have one more. It would require money, medication, and more hormonal fluctuations. In all honesty- I'm completely grateful for what I already have.

I fell pregnant right on turning 44. In fact, I had a honeymoon baby. My sweet baby girl was born three and a half months before my 45th birthday. She was 3 weeks early, due to my recurring pregnancy blood pressure issues, but she was strong, alert and healthy.

She still is.

I adore seeing her gappy toothed smile each morning, and hearing her ask for cuggles with her little arms outstretched. She delights my soul.

My loves

I had two beautiful girls alone previously. Single mum life is hard. I resigned myself to the fact I would never know what it felt like to have someone openly welcome the birth of my baby, and would just have to wait for grand babies to fulfill my ache for more. Then I met an amazing young man, who after relentless pursuing, convinced me that he was the one, and fulfilled my unspoken desire.

I am blessed beyond measure. I am grateful. The past has its own story. The time has come to let go of what was, and embrace the new, which includes diet and lifestyle choices.

I am ready.

But I will also ease myself into this new season.

Sugar cravings have come back severely. Gosh darn it, I heart the sweet stuff.
So, if I eat it sweet, its gotta be nutrient dense and portion controlled. That is my compromise.

Enter my:

Brekky Banana Bread
ingredients:

• 4 overripe bananas (mine were defrosted after freezing)
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup LSA
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1/3 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tbs chia gel (soaked chia seeds in minimal water until a thick gel)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup wholewheat SR flour

method:

• pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C
• mix all ingredients together in one bowl with a spatula
• line a loaf tin with grease-proof paper
• bake for approximately 30 mins
• if skewer doesn't come out clean, cover with foil, lower temp and bake a further 15 mins
• may be frozen or eaten fresh

This recipe made one loaf and 12 mini muffins for my toddlers daycare lunch box. Healthy, nutrient dense and perfect energy/ brain food for brekky. Slice once cool and freeze individual slices for use when needed.

For those that read 'til the end, I thank you :)

I hope this was entertaining and satisfies your sweet tooth too.

Until next time...