sync and savour is a cookbook about "cycle-based nutrition for hormone health and balance." while i'm not paying attention to the hormone health part, i am paying attention to the recipes. most of them seem to be light but hearty, which is exactly the kind of food i am always open to eating. everything i've tried has been pretty low-effort, too. here are my notes on the recipes i've tried. maybe i'll take some pictures.
men, be warned---this cookbook is based on menstrual cycles. terms referencing each part of the menstrual cycle do appear on this page.
follicular phase
- light and bright lentil soup
- ingredients: 1tbsp oil, 1 onion, veggies, 1c lentils, 4c broth. seasonings: garlic, at least 2tsp of seasonings. recipe calls for 1tsp cumin and .5tsp each paprika and turmeric. i tried using 1tbsp cajun seasoning and .5tsp turmeric to tasty results.
- my take: heat oil, add garlic. once garlic browns, add onions. once onions are translucent, add seasonings and veggies that need to be stir-fried; cook for five minutes. then add lentils, broth, and veggies that need to be boiled (ex. potatoes or squash); boil, then simmer for 30min. taste lentils to make sure they're cooked thoroughly.
- very flexible recipe. i'm happy i've been re-introduced to lentils. they're cheap, easy, filling, and taste good.
- tofu and cashew stir-fry
- ingredients: oil, tofu, broccoli, bell peppers, cashews, seasonings.
- it's. it's a stir fry. with tofu. you can recreate it without looking at the recipe. i used some leftover seasoning packets from indomie noodles; pretty good. i think i'd prefer chicken to tofu though.
ovulatory phase
- loaded sweet potato with smoky chipotle-lime crema
- bake sweet potatoes. top with seasonings, avocado (i bought frozen avocado chunks for ease of use), tomatoes, black beans...maybe add cheese? super easy, filling, delicious, will make again.
- honey-lime salmon and coconut rice
- i had never heard of the honey-lime-seafood combination until i was looking at the recipes in that ostara book, and now i'm seeing it again?! interesting.
- 1lb salmon is seasoned with 2tbsp each honey and lime juice, then 1tsp garlic powder; i added a hefty pinch of salt. cook rice with coco milk and water; i guesstimated her ratios by following the water line on my rice cooker. i cooked the salmon for 18min (400degF); would cut back in the future, since it's on the edge of overcooked.
- if i did this again---i'd cut back on the honey. 2tbsp was about 50g, and i wonder if 25g would be enough. the honey taste is stronger than i'd like, while the lime isn't strong enough (even after squeezing more on top). i see how honey-lime works with seafood, but i just don't like honey that much. bring on the citrus.
luteal phase
- pumpkin spice overnight oats
- actually pretty good. i did not notice the pumpkin puree while i was eating. i weighed out each measurement (2c oats, 2c milk, lahdeedah), then divided it into three portions. next time, note how much is in each portion. also, season with .5tsp cinnamon and a dash of allspice and cloves per container. .5tsp cinnamon, .25tsp each allspice and cloves was too strong.
- healthy burrito bowls
- her taco seasoning is acceptable. i skipped making the vinaigrette and opted to just add lime juice. i also bought pineapple salsa to mix in with the bowls; a+ choice. this recipe reminded me of how much i like quinoa. note---be careful with preparing quinoa in a small rice cooker (mine does up to two cups of rice). one cup of dry quinoa (170g) is a lot of quinoa and needs 1 3/4c of water; partway through cooking, i looked over and saw quinoa and water exiting the rice cooker. next time i'll just cook half a cup.