Down The Rabbit Hole

By Melissa Ramos aka Sexy Food Therapy

There was a recent study that I saw in Time Healthland online that according to Facebook, those of us in a relationship will be broken up by the spring. Reviewing my past, I see that many of my relationships had been swallowed down the rabbit hole during this time and this time is no different. Forget spring, we barely made it to December because yes, the Gentleman and I are over.

I really have built a career on my dating life, haven’t I?

Transition is never easy and for many of us the holidays can be hard. And while I could get into the details of my breakup, I’d rather put full respect into the situation and know that it was for the best. Problem is how do you emotionally eat the right way when your appetite fluctuates from nil to vicious carb cravings?

I suppose I can blame it on my nerves. After all, they’re connected to my digestive system that when out of balance creates worry, obsession and a racing mind. I begin to wonder: Will I be single forever? Can I do this on my own? Will I be plagued by loneliness? 

So when the carb cravings strike, instead of grabbing a bottle of wine and living off of chocolate, why not satisfy your sweet tooth and sedate those worries and fears a little bit with the help of Sexy Food Therapy?

BLACK BEAN STUFFED ACORN SQUASH

1 acorn squash
¼ black beans
Small handful cranberries
1 tbsp coconut oil
¼ cup coconut milk
½ onion minced
4-5  cloves garlic minced
1 small handful arugula
1 tsp fresh rosemary chopped
Maple syrup to drizzle
Chopped pecans or nut of choice
Salt & pepper as needed

Preheat oven to 375. Cut off ¼ off the top of the acorn and scoop out seeds. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and cook face down for 40 minutes or until tender.  Set aside.

In oil, cook onion and garlic until softened and add in drained black beans, cranberries and rosemary – about 10 minutes.  In the meantime, scoop out acorn squash and add to pan with coconut milk.  Add salt, pepper and pour mixture into acorn and top with arugula, nuts and drizzle with maple syrup.

Squash is incredibly strengthening to the digestive system and it can satisfy just about any carb craving. Black beans strengthen the kidneys which when out of balance produces fear: will I be single forever? Can I do this alone? And while after a breakup you may not have much of an appetite, picking away at some healthy, sexy sweetness just might be the nourishment you need.

In the meantime, am I sad, frustrated and scared? Absolutely, but somehow this Alice needs to go back to having faith that a Wonderland can be created by simply believing in herself.