04/21/2020
Do you know what completely delights me? The placenta, that’s what. It serves several functions in pregnancy, including helping to produce hormones like oxytocin, the “love hormone” that encourages the bond growing between mother and baby. Most mammals consume their placenta after birth, and recently we’ve tapped into that primal wisdom. There aren’t yet a rich store of clinical studies to tap into, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the goods within may contribute greatly to postpartum rejuvenation, helping with iron replacement, decrease postpartum bleeding, and elevate mood. The idea may not be palatable, so including a bit in a smoothie daily during the first week or two postpartum can make it a bit more doable. In Heng Ou’s book, The First Forty Days, she has a couple recipes. My favorite is naturally the one with chocolate:
2-inch piece fresh or frozen placenta
2 tablespoons cacao powder or unsweetened dark cocoa powder
2 tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey
1-2 cups coconut water (as needed for your desired consistency)
Optional toppings: shredded coconut, goji berries, cacao nibs, or chocolate chips
Place all ingredients in a blender, adding a generous splash of cold water to thaw the placenta piece if frozen. Blend everything until smooth. Drink immediately.
You could always omit the placenta if you just want a delicious smoothie! Enjoy!
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