Of Cycles, Shortbread Betrayals, and Other Discoveries

This week, I surrendered.

Not in a dramatic, cinematic way. No white flags. Just a soft pause, the kind of surrender my body has been whispering to me about for years. I’m listening now.

It started with what I thought was post-Beyoncé fatigue. That cosmic comedown after a night of divine femininity, strength and stage lights. But no. My body was preparing — tucking itself in for the slow tide of another cycle. Instead of battling through, I slept at odd hours, drank freshly pressed ginger juice, and watched The Predators way too many times.

The difference? No guilt. Just grace.

Here’s what else I discovered during this week of rest, ritual, and routine:

My cycle isn't a productivity flaw. It's a signal.

I’m not procrastinating — I’m powering down. Rest isn’t optional during this time; it’s essential. I used to fight it with plans and panic. This week, I let the stillness take over. And it was healing.

My body has started rejecting shortbread biscuits.

Shortbread. My bloodline! My lineage! My Scottish heritage (on my father’s side) might disown me. But my stomach? It said a clear “no” — and now we move on.
Upsetting.

My mind wants to push my body — and my body said, “Yes.”

This week, during my workouts, I felt a new energy on the rise. My body asked for more. More weight. More reps. Less rest between sets. I didn’t force it — I simply obeyed. There’s power in knowing when to push and when to pause. And right now, I’m learning both.

A few Recipes I Use All Year Round

These are faithful, unfussy, and always comforting. My kind of self-care.

My Everyday Pancakes
Serves 2 (whatever that means)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup plain flour (I use ¼ plain, ¼ wholemeal)

• ½ cup milk (I use oat) you will need more if you use wholemeal flour

• ¼ tsp baking powder

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp sugar (I use coconut)

• Raisins – a generous handful 🙂

• Olive oil or butter for the pan (about 5ml)

Instructions:

1. Heat your pan and add butter or oil.

2. Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl.

3. Mix wet into dry.

4. Add the raisins and stir again. Pour a little more milk if needed

5. Pour half the mix into the pan. Flip when you see very few bubbles.

6. Cook through. Repeat with the second half.

Notes from the kitchen companion:

• Wholemeal flour = more nutrition, more density, less fluff. You can have it for breakfast!

• If you use more baking powder or cut the sugar, your pancake might taste a bit salty.

• Add a splash more milk if using wholemeal — it drinks more liquid.

My Everyday Smoothie
Serves 2 (whatever that means)

Ingredients:

• 100g silken tofu (trust me — you won’t taste it!)

  • Alternative: Greek or coconut yogurt

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 cup frozen berries

• ⅔ frozen banana

• 1 frozen spinach ‘ball’

• 1 cup water (adjust to taste)

• Optional: 1 tbsp passionfruit coulis

• Optional: Ice

Instructions:

1. Add everything to a blender.

2. Let it rest 15–30 mins so the fruit thaws and chia soaks and expands.

3. Blend and enjoy.
   

Note: Don’t ruin this beauty with flavoured protein — add collagen powder if needed. It keeps the flavour profile pure and bright.

My Everyday Protein
Serves 1 (whatever that means)

Ingredients:

• 125g unflavoured yogurt of choice

• 30–40g of your favourite protein powder

Instructions:

1. Exercise patience, or the powder will go everywhere

2. Carefully — I mean it — fold in the protein powder. Take your time or it will poof like fairy dust.

3. Once mixed, place in the freezer for 1–2 hours.

4. Take it out, stick a spoon in and enjoy!

Optional twist: Feeling slutty? Crumble a cookie on top. Live your truth.

So, what did I learn this week?

That the body is a temple, but also a little wild.
That rest is not failure — it’s fuel.
That shortbread betrayal hurts — but smoothies heal.
That routines don’t have to be strict to be sacred.

And maybe most beautifully: that peace doesn’t need to be orchestrated.
One early evening, I drew a bath. No candles, no ocean-wave ASMR — just the gold of the setting sun and birdsong drifting through the window. That was enough. More than enough.

This was a soft week. A nourishing week. A week of listening.
And I think I’ll keep listening.

What have you discovered about yourself lately?

Ciao for now,

- S x