I've been thinking a lot about body literacy and how our bodies function on a reproductive and hormonal level. How do things like eating, movement, and stress effect our hormones throughout different stages of our menstrual cycle? These are all questions I've only recently started considering because up until 2 months ago, I hadn't gotten my period in over 3 years. Since my teens I have experienced infrequent periods. And during the times when there is no sight of my cycle I still experience severe PMS symptoms.

Now that my cycle has become more regular I've started to realize I have almost zero understanding as to how my body is adapting throughout each pivoting phase. What helpful knowledge about eating and moving for hormonal balance could benefit me? Why isn't body literacy for women (reproductive health, periods, hormones, sex, sexual identity, sexual trauma) talked about more openly?? I honestly feel illiterate on how to deal with many of these essential topics. As women we should have the knowledge, resources and courage to dive deeper into our bodies in order for us to care for them properly. I believe by better understanding our bodies through these different phases (beyond bleeding) we can create a more cohesive system that adapts to our lifestyles. Dealing with all these recent feelings and curiosities I've been listening to a lot of talks and interviews by Erica Chidi Cohen (doula, sexual health educator, author, and founder of LOOM).

(I highly recommend listening to this interview: Understand Your Body, Sexuality, and Reproductive Health with Erica Chidi Cohen and Koya Webb).

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I recently asked you all in my story about what are some our your cravings/foods that make you feel good while you're on your period. Chocolate, fruit, potatoes and salty snacks were some of the reoccurring answers I received (which I totally second!). Although I have the basic understanding that during our cycle we should be eating food that is rich in vitamins and nutrients—fruits, leafy greens, beans, nuts, and whole grains, I still want to learn more about eating in relation to our hormones during particular phases on and off our cycle. I will continue educating myself on this topic in an attempt to have a greater understanding of my body’s functions and rhythm, and to normalize the helpful information that could benefit all women and their bodies.

This cycle I’ve been eating pretty intuitively and trying my best to listen to my bodies needs. These past three days of my cycle I’ve been eating a lot of steamed veggies, leafty greens, and big fruit/veggie smoothies, taking my vitamins (B12, D3, iron, a probiotic supplement, and Bacopa) drinking lots of water, and limiting my alcohol intake.

*Below are a few of my stand out meals that were extra comforting over the course of the last three days of my cycle.