Cycle Self-Care Spanakopita

Begin with your filling:

Heat up some olive oil in a deep skillet and toss in the contents of one large bag of spinach, KALE, some chopped onions and any other veggies you like (courgette, mushrooms, peppers etc.). Add any fresh herbs that you have on hand and gently warm until the veggies cook down a bit and the spinach wilts. Herbs that work well: parsley, mint, oregano, basil.

The spinach and kale provide you with vitamins A, K, C, B6, Copper & Magnesium! Magnesium is particularly helpful in helping to cope with PMS symptoms. They’re also packed with calcium, potassium, dietary fibre and FOLATE!

Add a few handfuls of pumpkin seeds & hemp seeds.

The pumpkin seeds help to balance pH and boost progesterone production which is particularly low in the days before your period. Hemp seeds are also effective in binding vital hormones and helping to reduce PMS and menopausal symptoms.

Reduce the heat and begin to gently stir in some crumbled full fat FETA CHEESE! Season with plenty of pepper (not too much salt as the feta is pretty salty) and combine well.

Our bodies need full fat dairy as a source of protein, calcium, vitamin D and it also aids in nutrient absorption!

Next, set up your spanakopita making station. You’ll want a nice deep roasting tray, your bowl of cooked veggies, herbs & seeds, a small ramekin filled with extra virgin olive oil (more healthy fats!) and a glazing brush. Set up your sheets of filo pastry. It should be cool from the fridge, and soft, if it dries out it’ll get too crispy and will crack. To prevent the filo getting to dry, you can rest a damp tea towel on top of it.

Begin by brushing the roasting tray with olive oil and create a base layer with 3-4 sheets of filo. You might need to fold in the sheets in some places so that it lines the walls of the roasting tray, but doesn’t fold over too much. Be sure to brush each layer of pastry with plenty of olive oil.

Once you feel like you’ve got a good base layer, fill the filo lined tray with your filling, patting it down gently, trying not to release too much moisture. Then, fold in the sides of the filo pastry and create a lid with a few more folded up pieces of pastry . Brush the lid with more olive oil and scatter with some remaining chopped herbs.

Bake in the oven at about 180-200 (350-400) for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow it to cool before slicing yourself a gigantic delicious, comforting AND NUTRITIOUS piece! Get yourself under a blanket on the sofa, switch on some Real Housewives (any franchise will do).

Enjoy! (Best served with tzatziki!)