This week on the blog we’ve been looking at how balanced hormones support fertility. A woman's body needs the right environment and nutrients for optimal hormone production. Balanced hormones are needed to stay healthy and a healthy female is more likely to be able to reproduce.

While men’s hormonal systems are not as complex, it is important that men nourish their bodies to support their fertility levels too.

Nutrients to Nourish Men’s Fertility

• Selenium - Brazil nuts, beef and fish. BePure One contains 150 mcg of selenomethionine in order to help you maintain optimal Selenium levels.

• Zinc - Chicken, seafood (especially oysters) and red meat are good sources of zinc. Zinc is a vital nutrient for healthy immune function, energy and metabolic regulation, as it is needed to make insulin.

• Omega 3’s - Oily fish such as mackerel, sardines, tuna and salmon are great sources of omega 3’s.

Key Nutrients for both Men and Women’s Fertility

• Vitamin D - Optimal vitamin D levels improve fertility in men and women. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin so increasing your intake of foods such as oily fish, liver, eggs, mushrooms, raw dairy and lard in your cooking will be beneficial.

• Vitamin C. Vitamin C supplementation could improve speed to pregnancy. Research showed shorter time to pregnancy was found with increased vitamin C and β-carotene. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, as are many fresh fruit and vegetables.

• Ashwagandha – Supports fertility in women and also promotes graceful ageing, provides menopausal support, libido support, memory support and is a mood enhancer.

This recipe for buckwheat crepes with organic eggs and salmon is the perfect gluten-free meal to nourish fertility in men and women. You can even make the buckwheat crepes in advance and freeze them, ideal to pull out for a quick and stunning breakfast when you have guests.

Buckwheat Crepes with Organic Eggs and Salmon Recipe

Serves: 2-3

Ingredients

Pancakes

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 cup milk (or alternative milk such as almond)
• 1 Tbsp of Ashwagandha
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 free-range eggs
• Coconut oil for cooking (if using a saucepan)

Scramble

• 8 free-range eggs, lightly beaten
• Coconut oil for cooking
• Finely chopped parsley

Served with

• 8 slices cold-smoked salmon
• Leafy greens of your choice
• Cherry tomatoes
• Avocado

Instructions

Pancakes

1. Combine buckwheat flour, ashwagandha, milk, oil, eggs and salt together in a large bowl
2. Melt coconut oil over a medium-low heat or if you have a crepe pan heat over medium-low heat with no oil required.
3. Pour batter into the pan and swirl to create a thin pancake layer
4. Cool for 1 minute on each side or until a light golden colour
5. Keep an eye on the pan temperature - keep medium-low heat
6. Repeat until all batter is used adding more coconut oil as needed
7. Store crepes covered in a warm oven until ready to serve, or you can make up 24 hours in advance

Scramble

1. Lightly beat eggs, and season with salt
2. Melt coconut oil in a large pan on low heat
3. Once the heat starts to go through the eggs, gentle stir the eggs in a figure of eight
4. When eggs are just about cooked remove from heat (they will continue to cook through)

To Serve

1. Fill buckwheat pancake with scrambled eggs, salmon, avocado, cherry tomatos and sprinkle with parsley.
2. ENJOY!