| Why is it that oats are associated with | | | | concentration and alertness. In G is for Ginger, I |
| sex?Getting your oats. Sew your wild oats.I've | | | | explained what the Spleen does and how to |
| read somewhere that eating oats increases the | | | | strengthen it; oats was one of the foods on the |
| amount of testosterone in the blood thus raising | | | | list.Oats are one of the oldest breakfast foods |
| your libido. I don't know about that, but one thing | | | | going. There is evidence of porridge-like dishes |
| is for sure; the reason why many people | | | | going back to prehistoric times and Anglo Saxons |
| experience a low libido is simply because they are | | | | apparently ate a dish of rye and barley meal with |
| knackered!Being tired all the time is one of the | | | | oats which they sometimes added vegetables to. |
| most common wellbeing complaints of our age. No | | | | Hannah Glasse's "The Art of Cookery made Plain |
| matter how much sleep you get, you just can't | | | | and Easy" from 1747 gives a recipe for 'Water |
| seem to make it through the day without a | | | | Gruel' which was basically oatmeal and water with |
| struggle. So you reach for an additive-laden, | | | | butter and pepper.These days, many people skip |
| sugar-packed snack or drink which actually makes | | | | breakfast altogether (a big 'no-no') or simply grab |
| the situation worse in the medium to long term. | | | | a slice of toast or a bowl of processed cereal and |
| And come bedtime, you are irritable, possibly | | | | then wonder why they are hungry or tired by |
| bloated from a heavy dinner eaten too late and | | | | mid-morning. If you are one of those who skip |
| exhausted. Is it really any wonder you don't feel | | | | breakfast because you feel sick first thing in the |
| that amorous?! And never mind your sex life; | | | | morning, please believe me when I say that the |
| your work, relationships and general health and | | | | nausea will pass quickly if you eat! And an |
| wellbeing will all be feeling the effects of constant | | | | oats-based 'brekky' is one of the best options. (If |
| tiredness and the situation could well lead to | | | | you need to avoid gluten, choose buckwheat |
| depression.To break the cycle, rather than going | | | | groats which also makes a delicious |
| for the quick fix sugar snack, you'd be a whole lot | | | | 'porridge'.)There is a misconception that porridge |
| better off simply eating more foods which boost | | | | takes ages to cook. It doesn't, it takes just 6-7 |
| metabolism and sustain energy levels. Metabolism | | | | minutes. But if washing up an entire saucepan is |
| boosting nutrients include vitamin C, magnesium, | | | | the problem, then eat your oats raw in a muesli. I |
| zinc, iron and co-enzyme Q10. The most | | | | alternate between porridge and my own blend of |
| important nutrients required for energy levels are | | | | muesli.I make my porridge with water only (no |
| the B Complex group of vitamins. Energy slumps | | | | milk) and flavour it with cinnamon, nutmeg and |
| may be a symptom of weak adrenal gland | | | | raisin syrup which I make by blending some raisins |
| function which is often caused by a deficiency in B | | | | in a little warm water. For my muesli I place |
| vitamins.So what foods offer all of the | | | | organic jumbo oats, sunflower, flax and pumpkin |
| above?Unrefined grains are a good source of | | | | seeds, a handful of almonds and some raisins in |
| complex carbohydrate, fibre, B vitamins, vitamin | | | | the food processer and blend until its broken |
| E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, | | | | down a little. Again instead of milk I just use |
| copper and selenium. As a result, they fit the | | | | water, but you could leave the almonds out at |
| Energy Food bill perfectly.It's very important to | | | | the blending stage and use them instead to make |
| make the distinction between processed/refined | | | | almond milk or cream. And how about adding |
| and unrefined grains.White rice, white bread, white | | | | fresh berries too?You'll be nicely set up for the |
| pasta, processed cereals etc have been stripped | | | | day and who knows what might happen at night? |
| of most of their nutrients during the refining | | | | More oats anyone? |
| process. The sugar rush into the blood system | | | | |
| that they cause is not good for maintaining blood | | | | _________________Claire Raikes is a |
| sugar levels or for preventing sugar cravings, | | | | Wellbeing Coach, Speaker and Writer who 'cured' |
| mood swings and weight gain!There are many | | | | herself of a chronic, disabling and potentially |
| unrefined grains that you could include in your diet | | | | life-threatening bowel condition without the use of |
| to make it healthy; brown rice, millet, quinoa, pot | | | | steroids, surgery or any other traditional medical |
| barley, buckwheat groats, rye, spelt, teff and | | | | intervention. She shares her passion for natural |
| good 'old fashioned' oats.Oats contain more good | | | | and vibrant health by working with individuals and |
| fats (EFAs) than other grains. Remember, these | | | | companies to educate, encourage and inspire |
| help you lose weight not gain it. They are packed | | | | people to increase energy levels, boost immunity |
| with energy nutrients and will keep your blood | | | | and lead happier lives as a result. |
| sugar at a more constant level which will aid | | | | |