After being a little quiet on here, I’m finally sitting down to write again — and honestly, it feels really good.
The holidays were full in the very best way. This year, we hosted Christmas at our home here in the UK, welcoming family for what turned into a wonderful five-day stretch of food, laughter, games, and togetherness. It was busy, joyful, slightly chaotic, and incredibly meaningful.
As someone who truly loves to cook and bake, the kitchen became the heart of our home. With the help of our family we were able to deliver a mix of traditional Christmas favorites alongside some of my signature diabetic-friendly dishes, making sure there was something for everyone at the table.
Our Christmas Table
For Christmas dinner, we went all out. We made:
- Roast Turkey
- Racks of ribs
- Healthy baked mac and cheese that still delivered all the comfort (recipe shared below)
The most delicious sides were prepared by family:
- Garlic roasted potatoes
- Maple roasted carrots and parsnips
- Brussels sprouts
- Crispy chili broccoli
- Yorkshire puddings
We were also fortunate to enjoy some amazing Nigerian dishes, which added so much flavor and joy to the table:
- Jollof rice
- Fried rice
- Puff puff
- Fried plantains
It was one of those meals where the table was full, the plates were overflowing, and the conversation never really stopped.
Healthy Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8oz whole wheat pasta or high-protein pasta
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened oat milk
- 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt, adjust to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (or you could use crushed almonds)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter for mixing into the topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar casserole dish.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk the flour and milk together until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in Greek yogurt, cheeses, Dijon mustard, and seasonings. Mix until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and mix well to coat evenly.
- Spoon the mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the pasta.
- Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Cool slightly before serving for best texture and flavor.
Dessert (Because There is Always Room)
Dessert was no exception. I baked:
- Gingerbread cookies
- Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
And I also made diabetic-friendly options so everyone could enjoy something sweet:
- Pumpkin pie
- Chocolate crinkle cookies
Having a variety of desserts that felt both indulgent and thoughtful was important to me — no one should feel left out during the holidays.
A Cozy Christmas Morning
Christmas morning was just as special. I made:
- A hearty breakfast casserole
- Diabetic-friendly chocolate chip banana bread (recipe shared in a previous blog)
- Diabetic-friendly chocolate chip pumpkin bread (recipe shared in a previous blog)
Alongside bagels and fresh fruit, it was the perfect slow, cozy start to the day — coffee and tea in hand, everyone lingering around, in Christmas pajamas.
After the Holidays: A Gentle Reset
As wonderful as it all was, once all of our company returned home and the house grew quiet again, reality gently settled back in. And for me and my husband, that meant it was time to get back on track.
Right now, my focus is very intentional. I’m eating for my cycle and supporting fertility while TTC, and that’s something I want to start sharing more openly here.
This journey — like so many fertility journeys — is not linear. It’s hopeful and heartbreaking, empowering and exhausting, sometimes all in the same day. There are amounts of deep optimism and moments of real frustration. If you’re walking this path too, please know you’re not alone.
Nourishing My Body with Purpose
I’ve gone back to the foundations: whole foods, high-quality protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates with plenty of fiber. Not in a restrictive way, but in a supportive, nourishing one. Food has become less about rules and more about asking, “what does my body need right now?”
One thing I’ve found incredibly grounding is eating in a way that supports the different phases of my cycle. Our bodies aren’t static, and our nutrition doesn’t need to be either. Depending on where I am, my meals and calories shift slightly — more grounding and warming foods during the luteal phase, lighter and nutrient-dense meals during the follicular phase — but the intention stays the same: balance, nourishment, and compassion.
During my ovulation phase, I focus on meals that feel fresh, nourishing, and energizing while still being satisfying. One dinner I had made during this phase and loved was lemon-herb chicken with crispy potatoes served over an arugula (rocket) salad. It was high in protein, full of flavor, and light enough to support energy without feeling restrictive.
As I move into my luteal phase, which for me lasts about two weeks, my focus shifts even more toward stability, warmth, and blood-sugar balance. Rather than eating the same throughout the entire phase, I like to adjust slightly week to week based on energy levels, cravings, and what feels most supportive while still being able to meal prep.
I’ve just entered this phase, so this week my breakfasts are simple, savory, and grounding — potato, spinach, and egg bowls that keep me full and steady through the morning. Next week, I’ll transition into creamy, protein-rich oatmeal, which feels comforting and nourishing as energy naturally dips.
For lunches, I’m keeping things balanced and practical. This week it’s ground turkey with roasted vegetables and brown rice, and next week I’ll be making a chicken chili — something hearty that reheats well and supports me through busier days.
Dinners will rotate based on what we are both in the mood for (which can be challenging at times), and I’ll be sharing some of those meals in my next blog post.
One thing that doesn’t change during any of the phases? Nightly sweet treats are a non-negotiable. Whether it’s a piece of dark chocolate, a protein bar, or Greek yogurt topped with berries and dark chocolate chips, having something sweet each evening helps me feel satisfied and prevents the urge to overindulge later. I’m hoping to switch these up a bit and share some new ideas and recipes in an upcoming post.
This approach isn’t about rigidity — it’s about listening, adjusting, and giving my body what it needs during a phase that can be both physically and emotionally demanding while trying to support fertility at the same time.
Moving Forward, Gently
Going forward, I want this space to reflect real life — not just beautiful plates of food, but the why behind them. The meals I share here are rooted in my own experience, shaped by seasons of learning, research, trial, and listening to my body as I navigate eating for my cycle and supporting fertility while TTC.
I want to be clear that I’m not a dietician or a doctor. What I share is simply my personal approach, informed by the many hours I’ve spent reading, learning, and experimenting with ways of eating that support hormone balance, blood sugar, and overall nourishment. This is about what’s working for me — not rules, prescriptions, or perfection.
Here you’ll find fertility- and cycle-supportive meals, practical and blood-sugar-friendly recipes, and honest reflections on how my food choices shift depending on where I am in my cycle. I’ll also be sharing the real parts of this journey — the highs, the lows, and everything in between — because TTC is rarely a straight line.
The holidays were a reminder of how powerful food can be — not just for nourishment, but for connection. As I move into this next season, I’m carrying that same intention forward: cooking with care, eating with purpose, and giving myself grace along the way.
If you’re resetting after the holidays, navigating fertility, or simply trying to listen to your body a little more closely, I’m really glad you’re here. And if even one person feels seen or supported by reading this, then being a little more vulnerable will be well worth it.
Plates n Places 