I’m posting earlier than usual this week, because I’m heading to southern Italy and decided not to bring my laptop with me. Thought it better to eat fabulous seafood and enjoy.
Speaking of food… It’s been a while since I posted a fertility recipe, so I thought I would do so now. This easy, colorful and tasty dish provides a light, fresh meal appropriate for any occasion. Serve with rice. Serves 2.
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
1 onion, sliced
1/2 lb of mushrooms
3 bell peppers of mixed color, such as red and yellow
2 Tbsp of olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dry basil or 5 or 6 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
Recipe:
1. Cut chicken breast into strips about a 1/2-inch thick by about 2-inches long.
2. Remove top of bell peppers and seeds from the center.
3. Cut bell peppers into strips about a 1/4-inch thick by 1-inch long.
4. Cut onion into thin strips.
5. Cut mushrooms into 4 pieces.
6. Put olive oil in a non-stick sauce pan and heat on high for 1 minute.
7. Add onion and chicken, and sprinkle paprika and pepper on top.
8. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
9. Lower heat to medium-high.
10. Add bell peppers, then stir and cook for 5 minutes.
11. Add mushrooms and basil, stir, and if desired, adjust seasoning to taste.
12. Cook for another 2 minutes and serve.
ARCHIVED COMMENTS on this post:
Oct. 10, 2009 from Maria:
Hi Again,
I want to thank you for the nice email you sent me! I’ve been feeling very sad and discouraged lately about being forty three, being diagnosed with endometriosis stage four, having two surgeries so far, and being told I have a low chance of being able to conceive.
I was wondering, do you have any tips or suggestions that might help improve my chances of being able to conceive? My doctor recommended me to lose weight. I have lost about thirty pounds so far, but need to lose a lot more. I am very interested in learning how to cook (I basically have been buying pre-packaged food my whole life and doing a lot of microwaving)and eating whole foods. However I’m a little confused what whole foods are. I’ve also been told to limit my meat and dairy due to the hormones to help prevent the endometriosis and pain it causes. I am not sure what whole foods are.
I was wondering too, when is your book coming out? I can’t wait to order it and recieve it! It looks very good!!
Also what vitamins and supplements did you take, which you think helped you to be able to become pregnant?? I really want to become a Mother so bad. My heart and arms ache to hold a child.
I think your book will be able to help me and if my health improves and or we concieve after following your book, you will definitely hear from me! I will definitely recommend your book to others and write you a testimonial!!
Also, did you follow any of the yoga dvds available on amazon.com? Which ones do you recommend? I am thinking of buying one and following it at home.
Thank you so much again! Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for writing your book and sharing your success story with others – it has given me some encouragement and hope!
Maria In Mass (forty three years old and hoping to be able to concieve soon!)
Oct. 18, 2009 from Cindy (Author):
Hi, Maria –
I understand the sadness and discouragement at being told those things. However, there is more you can do if you choose. As mentioned previously, diet absolutely makes a big difference. I also recommend cutting out dairy. If you eat meat, only eat organic meat (otherwise you’re subject to the growth hormones it contains, which are bad for fertility/health) and also eat only the lean portions of meat (dioxins, for example, mostly reside in the fat of meat).
For more info, also search my blog entries for “meat” and “dairy”.
Do what you can to reduce stress (physical and emotional). Yoga is good for that, and the body. I used Brenda Strong’s Yoga 4 Fertility three or four times/week, and think it’s great. For other tips related to this, search my blog for “fertility diet tips”
There is a range of weight that is optimal for fertility; it’s when your BMI (Body Mass Index) is between 20 and 24. To figure out your BMI, use the BMI calculator found at (link no longer valid).
All of the above is covered (in more detail) in our book, along with the fertility diet we used to succeed. We include a section for those new to cooking too.
Re: whole foods, yes! Very important to drop the over-processed foods and eat more whole foods (those that have had little to no processing and retain their original nutrients, fiber and flavor. Apples instead of apple juice, for example). To learn more, you can Google it.
Supplements: Be aware that everyone has diff. specific needs in this area, but these are what I took: a prenatal vitamin, vit. C, B-100 complex, Royal Jelly, L-Arginine, Coenzyme 10, vit. E. Zinc is also helpful for fertility, but it gives me a bad reaction (as a supplement).
Lots of info; hope it helps. Our book comes out Nov. 15. In the meantime, check out the various topics in my blog; you can also find a lot of info on the Internet these days.
Wish you all the best, Cindy