Magic beans

Since fertility treatment is a whole-body event, we are trying to mostly eat wholesome and nutritious foods to make conception more possible. That means as much natural foods as possible, complex carbohydrates (wholemeal bread, potatoes and pulses), lots of fish and loads of fresh fruit and vegetables. And a long list of foods better to avoid... :-)

I firmly believe in organic food. Jonny and I both think that especially organic fruit and vegetables taste better, but that is of course subjective. However, organic food is relatively free of pesticides and additives. Pesticides are known to be 'hormone-disrupting' chemicals, while organic fruit and veg are believed to contain higher level of minerals. Pesticides have to be metabolized by the liver and so are an added burden to the system. So eating organic food also helps to reduce the stress on Jonny's liver, helping him to cope better with the effects of his Gilbert's syndrome.

Having said this, a lot of foods are hard to find organically grown. I am even forced to go into grim looking health shops where the people look miserable. Maybe not surprising since most of them seem to think that 'good' food means environmentally sound and nutritious food (think murky dishes like buckwheat and lentils), forgetting about flavour, looks and fun. Whilst I fully endorse the afore-mentioned qualities, I also believe that food is supposed to be tasty and fun. Jam without sugar is not funny and certainly not tasty.

Luckily we have a little vegetable stall on a square a few minutes from our house. It is a run by a middle-aged couple who drive around the Netherlands to get the best locally produced (mostly organic) fruit and veg. And they do a wonderful job, especially since I always seem to leave with a lot more than I originally came for! They sell seasonal products only, so lately we have been munching away on the sweetest cherries, the tastiest cherry tomatoes and the most delicious broad beans. Last week they proudly told me they had 'magic beans': dark purple beans that turn green once cooked. Of course I had to try them! They tasted a lot like green beans, but with a slightly different, and definitely a lot more, flavour. My five year old niece Dana can confirm this, since she kept asking for more when she was over for dinner last weekend. Let's hope they work magic in our bodies too!