Happy Wednesday All!
Hope you are doing well on this fine Wednesday. We are almost at the weekend!
If you are anything like me and get really horrible monster menstrual cramps, then you know that getting through your period without Advil or some sort of medication is torture and usually not happening.
If I don’t pop two extra strength Advil as soon as I feel my period coming on, I am literally crippled by the pain from my cramps. Not even a hot bath can help me at that point and I wont even be able to sleep that night from the pain.
This is something I have always considered normal, and assumed that is how my body is.. well I took this series of classes for women’s hormones a few months ago and learnt that during our periods we should never face that type of pain. If we are, that is our body’s way of letting us know that something is off. Cramps in general are normal and there is no way to fully get rid of them, but they shouldn’t be a 10 out of 10 on a pain scale, you should be sitting more at a 3 out of 10.
Since changing up a few things in my diet I have really noticed a huge difference with my cramps! I would say I am sitting at a 5 out of 10 pain scale which for me is really good.
So here are a few tips I have learnt that has really helped as well as a Menstrual tea recipe that is super soothing and great for helping to combat those cramps!
Tip #1 – No cold food during your period. The cold causes your uterus to cramp more. Try sticking to hot food such and soups, stews or teas.
Tip 2# – Red Food are usually good during your period. Think Pomegranates, Raspberry, Beets, Watermelon, red peppers, Strawberries.
Tip #3 – Eat Food high in Iron such as dark leafy greens, black beans, red meats.
Tip #4 – Keep your exercise light. A nice restorative or yin yang yoga class is usually great for this time of the month.
Tip #5 – Evening Primrose Oil everyday.
Menstral Tea Recipe
I use the Mason Jar method.
What you need:
Red Leaf herb or tea bag
Ginger
Cinnamon
Cloves ( optional)
How to Make:
Place two tea bag, half a root of ginger peeled, two cinnamon sticks and a few cloves ( for that Christmas taste)in a big mason jar. Pour boiling water over ingredients and let sit for and up to 4 hours. Once cooled place in the fridge and pull out to heat when ever is needed.
You can also add or replace the Red Leaf tea with Cramp Bark or Chaste Berries or Damiana and rose bud. Usually the Red Leaf tea is available in your grocery store which makes it easier to find.
What helps you during that time of the month? I would love to hear any of your suggestions in the comments!
Stay Warm folks,
Mackenzie A
Mac & Cheese 