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