The Storka Journal
Considered reading for the months before pregnancy.
Practical writing on biology, stress, nutrition, movement and shared preparation — grounded in Storka's original articles and programme resources.
Featured · Nutrition
What to eat when trying to conceive: Storka's 5 preconception nutrition principles
No rigid rules or forbidden lists—five principles that make everyday eating before pregnancy feel simpler.
Nutrition
Fertility superfoods: 9 nutrient-dense foods to enjoy before pregnancy
Variety matters more than any single food. Here are nine we love to keep close while preparing for pregnancy.
Nutrition
Foods to avoid when trying to conceive—without the fear
A preconception diet shouldn't be a list of stressful restrictions. Here's what we gently limit—and why.
Nutrition
Mushroom medley frittata: my make-ahead fertility breakfast
Eggs, mushrooms, spinach and herbs in one pan—cooked on Sunday, enjoyed all week.
Nutrition
Baked sweet potatoes with sardines, olives and kale
The tin of sardines that converted me—a warm, filling lunch you can prepare the night before.
Nutrition
Dark chocolate strawberry smoothie: a fertility smoothie for sweet cravings
Five minutes, one blender, and chocolate for breakfast—balanced with protein, fat and fibre.
Nutrition
Beetroot hummus: a vibrant, blood-sugar-friendly snack
The pinkest thing in my fridge, and the snack that keeps the afternoon slump away.
Science & biology
How to prepare for pregnancy: a practical preconception checklist
A clear place to begin—seven areas to consider before pregnancy, without turning preparation into a test of perfection.
Nutrition
Gut health and fertility: a practical introduction to your microbiome
The microbiome matters to health, but fertility headlines often run ahead of the evidence. Here is a grounded place to begin.
Sleep
Sleep and fertility: a gentle daily routine for better rest
Sleep supports health during preconception. Build a steadier rhythm with small cues across the whole day, not a perfect bedtime routine.
Movement & cycle
Exercise and fertility: how to move without adding more pressure
Movement can support general preconception health without becoming punishment, compensation or another target to perfect.
Everyday environment
A lower-toxin home before pregnancy: where to begin
You cannot eliminate every exposure. You can make a few informed, low-cost choices in the kitchen, bathroom and cleaning cupboard.
Mindset & wellbeing
A preconception mindset: seven ways to prepare without chasing perfection
Preconception is part of life, not a waiting room. These seven principles create space for intention without demanding control.
Mindset & wellbeing
The nuanced approach to wellness: simplifying your fertility journey
More is not always better. A return to nourishment, restorative movement and rest can make preparation feel calmer and more sustainable.
Nutrition
Spring into fertility with a nutritious asparagus and spinach quiche
A fresh, protein-rich spring recipe with asparagus, spinach and eggs—simple enough for an ordinary weekday.
Nutrition
Welcome spring with my go-to gluten-free protein pancakes
Eggs, sweet potato, spinach and buckwheat come together in Ingrid's colourful, satisfying breakfast recipe.
Movement & cycle
Listen to your body: tailoring exercise for optimal fertility
Movement can be preparation without being punishment. Ingrid reflects on moving from appearance and performance towards awareness and balance.
Movement & cycle
Master your cycle: a guide to fertility awareness and natural conception
Not everyone ovulates on day 14. Body literacy starts with noticing your own patterns rather than relying on an average.
Partners
Fatherhood begins before birth: nurturing presence from preconception to parenthood
Adrien reflects on becoming emotionally present with himself as part of becoming a more present father.
Nutrition
Balancing act: how blood sugar levels influence your fertility journey
Three everyday ideas—balanced meals, gentle post-meal movement and satisfying snacks—can make nourishment feel steadier.
Science & biology
Epigenetics: the conversation between generations on your fertility journey
Genes are not a fixed script. Epigenetics helps explain how environment and behaviour interact with gene activity—without promising control.
Mindset & wellbeing
The truth about stress and its impact on fertility
The aim is not to eliminate stress. It is to create more opportunities for the nervous system to recover after activation.