Recipe by Hilary Metcalfe
Periods usually = chocolate cravings and magnesium is probably what you are missing if you are craving chocolate. Cravings are our body’s way of telling us what we might be missing on a basic nutrient level. Magnesium can reduce PMS pain, but inversely heavy PMS can even be a symptom of magnesium deficiency. So, getting a boost of magnesium from the superfood heart of chocolate, CACAO, can help alleviate or even prevent your period pain, naturally. Bonus, the protein boost in this shake helps stabilize the blood sugar to curb unhealthy cravings and the hemp seeds provide anti-inflammation properties which can help reduce period pain too.
Cacao is magnesium-rich. Strip away the refined sugars from chocolate and you are left with a period pain-busting superfood. It’s a powerhouse of antioxidants bursting with vitamins and key minerals, so it’s no mystery why we crave it.
When we don’t get enough magnesium in our diet, our body pulls it from our bones and we experience the results of deficiency, which can lead to osteoporosis in women. Anxiety, insomnia, restless legs, headaches, especially migraines, hair and skin problems may all be symptoms of low levels of magnesium. Anxiety, insomnia, restless legs, headaches, especially migraines, hair and skin problems may all be symptoms of low levels of magnesium.
Listen to that craving! If you are experiencing those symptoms, supplementation will help heal it faster. In addition, for prevention or just for the yum of it, you can also enjoy this double chocolate protein smoothie.
INGREDIENTS
25g of cacao powder, about 1 heaping tablespoon
30g scoop of chocolate protein powder (we like Sun Warrior’s Collagen Chocolate Blend)
*If no chocolate protein powder, use vanilla and add an extra bit of cacao powder
1 Tbs of hulled hemp seeds for an omega-3 boost
1/3 of a large ripe banana
2 handfuls of spinach
110 ml plant-based mylk of choice
250ml of water
HOW TO
Throw all the ingredients in the blender and enjoy. You can add more water after you blend and taste for consistency.
Bottoms up!
Lifehack: break overripe bananas into thirds and freeze them. They are perfect for emulsifying a smoothie, especially with greens, making it all come together nicely. I also eat them frozen in euro or U.S. quarter-sized slices—lazy woman’s banana ice cream.
