This refreshing Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie is the perfect summer time drink for when you’re chilling on the porch or kickin’ it poolside! It’s not only delicious, but packed with antioxidants and vitamins–and sweetened with Mother Nature’s candy. Only 3 simple ingredients needed to make this AIP, paleo and plant-based friendly cold drink!
DID YOU KNOW? Pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes known as bromelain.
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes which work together to help your digestive system break down and absorb proteins from the foods you eat.
These enzymes can be especially helpful for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes.
Additionally, bromelain from pineapple can help relieve stomach aches, heartburn and diarrhea, according to some research.
This refreshing Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie is the perfect summer time drink for when you're chilling on the porch or kickin' it poolside! It's not only delicious, but packed with antioxidants and vitamins--and sweetened with Mother Nature's candy. Only 3 simple ingredients needed to make this AIP, paleo and plant-based friendly cold drink!
No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Protein Balls are the perfect healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. They’re soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door!
5 reasons why you should eat pumpkin seeds
1. High in magnesium
1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium. This important mineral is vital for many physiological functions, including proper bowel function – yet an estimated 80 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium!
2. Restful sleep
Pumpkin seeds are high in tryptophan, which is needed for serotonin and melatonin (the “sleep hormone”) production. Both of these hormones help promote a restful night’s sleep.
3. Post-menopause symptom relief
Pumpkin seeds are rich in natural phytoestrogens which can help reduce hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.
4. Healthy hormones
Pumpkin seeds can help naturally increase your estrogen while also providing fiber to support healthy estrogen metabolism. It’s an excellent way to create a healthy level of estrogen without leading to excess levels, also known as estrogen dominance.
5. High in antioxidants
Pumpkin seed may help fight the growth and spread of cancer cells due to their high antioxidant content. Diets rich in pumpkin seeds have been linked to a lower risk of several types of cancer, including breast, stomach, lung and colorectal cancer.
Add more pumpkin seeds to your diet with this simple no-bake protein ball recipe!
These protein balls are great for a healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel.
Make a batch and store them in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door.
No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Protein Balls are the perfect healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. They’re soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer, so you'll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you're running out the door!
3/4cupPurePaleo Protein Powder, vanilla, or PurePea Protein - vegan version
1tbspraw coconut oil
2tbspsprouted pumpkin seeds, or raw
2tbsptoasted coconut chips or shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4tspsea salt
Instructions
Put pumpkin seeds and coconut chips into food processor and process into a fine crumble. Set crumble aside on a plate.
Add pumpkin seed butter, protein powder, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt into the food processor and combine ingredients. Use a spatula to scrape sides if needed. Mixture should be dense and smooth so it can be pressed together. If it's too wet, add more protein powder. If it's too dry, add more coconut oil (1 tsp at a time).
Using a teaspoon, scoop mixture and form into small balls. If balls are too sticky to form, place mixture into the freezer for 10-minutes then remove and form balls.
Roll balls into the pumpkin seed and coconut crumble then place them in large shallow glass container, so they are not touching one another.
Store protein balls in the fridge or freezer for a frozen treat. Once the balls have firmed up, feel free to stack them in a smaller container.
Creamy Matcha Green Tea is a warm, comforting & healthy drink with anti-aging benefits! This tea is easy to prepare and will give you a gentle morning or mid-day boost! It’s dairy free, plant-based, paleo & AIP friendly.
How does a warm cup of anti-aging sound?
Matcha contains all of green tea’s benefits in the most concentrated form – amplifying the health benefits of this superfood.
Matcha is loaded with polyphenol compounds called catechins, a type of antioxidant, making it a powerful anti-aging tea.
In addition, studies have linked green tea to a variety of health benefits, like helping to prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer, and even encouraging weight loss.
Creamy Matcha Green Tea is a warm, comforting & healthy drink with anti-aging benefits! This tea is easy to prepare and will give you a gentle morning or mid-day boost! It's dairy free, plant-based, paleo & AIP friendly.
1-2tspraw honey or maple syrup, (reduce or omit for low-carb/keto version)
2tbsphot water
Instructions
Heat coconut/almond milk in a pan.
Add matcha powder to a small bowl and pour in 2 tablespoons of the hot water (hot, not boiling, since matcha is delicate). Using the back of a spoon, stir the matcha powder into a paste.
Use a hand-held frother or a blender to combine the matcha powder paste, collagen, coconut/almond milk and sweetener.
Pour into a mug and enjoy!
Notes
* For a drink that's even more rich and creamy, use canned light coconut milk.
Whole Body Collagen is my go-to collagen powder. I add it to smoothies and hot drinks like my Mocha Collagen Latte below. It’s an easy way to support my body with nutrients that I may not be getting through my diet.
Have you ever considered adding more collagen to your diet to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, support your bones & joints or improve your gut health?
The best dietary sources of collagen are from inedible parts of animals, like bones and cartilage. The majority of Western diets aren’t rich in collagen since these animal parts tend to be discarded in food preparation and cooking.
Since animal food sources of collagen are less used, supplementation is an easy and accessible option to boost your intake.
The collagen found in most supplements is hydrolyzed, or separated, into amino acids making it more bioavailable (meaning its ability to be absorbed through the intestine and utilized in the body).
Studies have found that collagen in food has less bioavailability, compared to hydrolyzed collagen which is why collagen supplementation is very popular these days.
Whole Body Collagen is my go-to collagen powder. I add it to smoothies and hot drinks like my Mocha Collagen Latte below. It’s an easy way to support my body with nutrients that I may not be getting through my diet.
Mocha Collagen Latte
INGREDIENTS: (serves 1)
1 cup coconut milk, unsweetened
1 shot espresso (or 1/2 cup strong coffee)
1 scoop collagen powder
1 tsp cacao powder
1 tsp honey or a pinch of stevia (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Blend all ingredients for 30 seconds, pour into your favourite mug and enjoy!
Is your immune system in need of a boost? This Cranberry Orange Immunity Boost is the perfect drink to support a strong immune system during cold and flu season (and all year round). Loaded with whole food forms of vitamin C, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, PLUS antibacterial & antiviral properties.
Most people turn straight to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C, which is found in oranges, is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.
Cranberries are another source of vitamin C, plus vitamins K, A and strong antioxidants. These all work to boost the immune system, working against cardiovascular disease and inflammation.
Additionally, ginger is another great ingredient that may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and inflammatory illnesses.
Check out what one of my followers had to say about this immune system booster:
“Thank you for this recipe Jennifer. It was my go to drink during chemotherapy. When my white blood cell count was low and the docs told me I may not be able to do chemo, I started to drink this and boom – my WBC count went up and I was able to do the next round of chemo. I never missed a round of chemo with this drink. Thank you for this.” – Carla
What you need for Cranberry Orange Immunity Boost:
Is your immune system in need of a boost? This Cranberry Orange Immunity Boost is the perfect drink to support a strong immune system during cold and flu season (and all year round). Loaded with whole food forms of vitamin C, antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, plus antibacterial & antiviral properties.
Arugula & Avocado Salad is fresh, creamy and super healthy! With simple ingredients like arugula, avocado, sprouts, and spices (or fresh herbs if you have them on hand), you can enjoy this fresh bitter green salad in just 5-minutes! Pair this salad with meat or fish for a complete and healthy meal. AIP, paleo, plant-based, low-carb & keto.
DID YOU KNOW? Arugula is higher in antioxidants than most green lettuces, including dark green leafy varieties. Not to mention its ability to help your body detoxify due to the bitter properties found in this powerful green plant.
How to store arugula
Store arugula in cold and moist environment, 32°-40°F (0°-5°C) and 95 percent relative humidity.
Wrap leaves in a cloth or paper towel and place them in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator.
Arugula will keep in the refrigerator for about 10 days, but it will be most flavorful if used before 6 days.
Arugula leaves that are stored too cold or too long will begin to wilt, and develop yellow and brown spots.
Arugula & Avocado Salad is fresh, creamy and super healthy! With simple ingredients like arugula, avocado, sprouts, and spices (or fresh herbs if you have them on hand), you can enjoy this fresh bitter green salad in just 5-minutes! Pair this salad with meat or fish for a complete and healthy meal. AIP, paleo, plant-based, low-carb & keto.
My mission is to help women heal their gut, lose weight and feel great through simple and delicious smoothies, whole food nutrition & healthy lifestyle habits.