Do you remember the days when you use to ride your pedal bike out to the local convenience store, pull out couch change from your pockets and go to town on Sour Keys, Fun Dip, Ring Pops, Big Foot – and a giant Freezie if you had enough coin?!?!
If I had to draw “Jen’s Food Plate” (from age 4 to 24), I’m certain 50% of that plate consisted of candy. No doubt about it, I was hooked on the white crystals.
Going back to my little Jen days, I remember Halloween (and the months following) being a VERY stressful time of the year for me. I turned into a top secret agent trying to hide my hard earned candy from my three sugar hungry brothers!
I’d hide out under tables and in closets munching on Mars bars and Skittles, hoping that no one would see me or the killer hiding spots I had for my sack of gold (aka. plastic grocery bag of sugar). AND if my brothers managed to find and tap into my stash, little Jen grew mean and Sour Ball green!
My days of popping Cherry Blasters should have ended in my teens, BUT instead, University was the peak of my sugar addiction! I remember late night candy runs to the 7 Eleven down the street from my dorm. My roommates and I would load up on bags of candy to get us through our late night study sessions.
Then check out this brilliant move I made … during my last years of school, I moved into a condo that had a Tutti Frutti candy store attached to it! Let’s just say, things spiraled down at that point – and it didn’t look as pretty as the spiral on a Lollipop.
You might be wondering what happened after my University days? Well, the muffin top growing out of my jeans was enough for me to kick my 20 + years of sugar addiction. “Jen’s Food Plate” from age 25 onward changed drastically – and so did my health because of it.
Knowing what I know now, I realize that all the refined sugar I was consuming (in combination with other low-quality foods) had a lot to do with issues I was dealing with like acne, psoriasis, messed up and painful periods, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, and IBS.
I was able to correct many of these issues by cleaning up my diet and steering clear of “foods” that contained refined sugars. I never want to go down the path of sugar addiction again so I do my best to avoid foods that may be a trigger for me.
FAQ ..
Q: Do you miss candy? A: Um, ya! Who wouldn’t?! ?
Q: Was it hard to kick your sugar cravings? A: Yes, but only for the first 2-weeks or so, then I was able to re-engage with society. ?
Q: What do you eat now when you crave candy while binge watching Game of Thrones with your BF? A: SmartSweets!!! ?
That’s right, I eat candy again – and I’m proud of it!
I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be munching on a bag of Gummy Bears or Sweet Fish (my personal favourite) and not feel guilty or shitty for it.
SmartSweets are brilliant – and I highly recommend them if you’re looking for a healthy, sugar free candy to satisfy your sweet tooth.
FRUITY GUMMY BEARS: Soluble fibre from tapioca, gelatin, chicory root fibre, citric acid, malic acid, fruit and vegetable juice (for colour), natural fruit flavour, coconut oil, stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
SOUR GUMMY BEARS: Soluble fibre from tapioca, chicory root fiber, gelatin, lactic acid, citric acid, rice flour, malic acid, fumaric acid, natural fruit flavor, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), coconut oil, stevia, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
SWEET FISH: Soluble fibre from tapioca, pectin, natural fruit flavor, citric acid, malic acid, carrageenan, fruity and vegetable juice (for color), coconut oil, stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
SOUR BLAST BUDDIES: Soluble fibre from tapioca, lactic acid, pectin, chicory root fiber, rice flour, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fruity and vegetable juice (for color), natural fruit flavor, coconut oil, carrageenan, spirulina extract (for color), stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings are not only delicious, but also super easy to prepare with only 4 simple ingredients needed. These guilt free wings are keto, paleo and AIP friendly.
Chicken wings are an essential part of any sports lover’s diet! They’re flavourful and easy to munch on while your eyes are glued to the screen.
As yummy as restaurant and bar wings are, these places almost always deep fry their wings in rancid vegetable oil. These inflammatory oils can cause many short and long term health problems and should be avoided whenever possible.
You might be thinking – “Jen, why do you have to be a game day buzz kill?!”
I’m not – I promise! Today, I come to you with a better alternative which will not only save you from spending time in bars that smell like a combination of body odour and beer – BUT also keep you from burping up rancid chicken wings for the next week!
So, here’s my brilliant game plan … Host game day in the comfort of your home with your best people (no buzz kills allowed) and make my simple chicken wing recipe below!
I use heat stable avocado oil in my recipe, which has a smoke point of 500F. You can safely bake your wings in the oven at a high temperature without worrying about creating toxic fumes or harmful free radicals.
Now check out my Salt & Pepper Chicken Wing recipe with avocado oil!
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings are not only delicious, but also super easy to prepare with only 4 simple ingredients needed. These guilt free wings are keto, paleo and AIP friendly.
Nutty “NOatmeal” with Blueberries is the perfect way to start your day! This grain free oatmeal is made from nuts, seeds, eggs, banana & warming spices, making it low-carb, keto & paleo. This breakfast dish will leaving you feeling satisfied and energized!
Relationship FAQ …
Q: “When did you know that your boyfriend was a keeper?”
A: “When he made me “NOatmeal” :)”
That’s right, my man makes me “NOatmeal” — and a mean latte to go with it!
I’m uncertain if it’s the act of him preparing ME breakfast (in his butt accentuating track pants) that melts my insides OR if it’s simply that his grain free oatmeal is so damn good. Whatever it is, I die and go to heaven almost every Sunday morning.
You might be wondering – “What the heck is “NOatmeal”?”
Basically, it’s oatmeal with no oats. So if you’re following a grain free, paleo, low-carb or keto diet, this recipe would be a great alternative for you.
What you need for this Nutty “NOatmeal” with Blueberries …
Nutty "NOatmeal" with Blueberries is the perfect way to start your day! This grain free oatmeal is made from nuts, seeds, eggs, banana & warming spices, making it low-carb, keto & paleo. This breakfast dish will leaving you feeling satisfied and energized!
1/4cupunsweetened coconut or almond milk, (omit if soaking nuts & seeds overnight)
1banana
1tbspalmond butter
1/2cupblueberries
Instructions
Soak nuts and seeds in a jar of water overnight. Drain and rinse thoroughly before use.
Put nuts & seeds and spices into food processor and process until everything is roughly ground.
Add eggs, banana, almond butter (and nut milk, if you didn't soak the nuts & seeds) to the food processor and continue to process until everything combines.
Add mixture into a small saucepan and turn heat to medium-low heat.
Cook until the mixture thickens (~5-minutes), stirring regularly so "NOatmeal" doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Transfer to a small bowl, top with fresh blueberries and enjoy!
Notes
*Soak nuts and seeds in a jar of water overnight to help make them easier to digest. Drain and rinse thoroughly before use. If you do not soak the nuts and seeds, you will need to use 1/4 cup nut milk in the recipe.
This Honey Lemon Ginger Jello is a great healthy snack with gut healing properties. It contains simple and powerful ingredients like gelatin, ginger, lemon & honey. Perfect for those following an AIP, paleo, keto or low-carb lifestyle!
Food and supplements have played an important role in my journey with IBS.
Over the years I have developed a solid list of ‘best foods/supplements for gut support’ that I incorporate into my diet regularly to maintain the health of my gut – and help heal it when needed – so it can function optimally.
Gelatin is on my list of ‘best foods/supplements for gut support’ and here’s why …
Gelatin can improve digestion by enhancing gastric acid secretion which is important in breaking down the food we consume. Without proper digestion, we cannot absorb all the important nutrients we get from food, which can lead to nutrient deficiency in the long term.
In addition, gelatin can help to repair the mucosal lining in the stomach which is often damaged in those suffering from IBS. A damaged gut lining can cause a long list of symptoms and inflammatory reactions.
Homemade jello is a fun and easy way to incorporate gelatin into your diet. Give this Honey Lemon Ginger Jello a try. It’s healthy jello for adults and kids!
This Honey Lemon Ginger Jello is a great healthy snack with gut healing properties. It contains simple and powerful ingredients like gelatin, ginger, lemon & honey. Perfect for those following an AIP, paleo, keto or low-carb lifestyle!
Are you experiencing smoothie gas or other gut issues like bloating, pain, diarrhea or heartburn after consuming your smoothie?
These symptoms can be a problem for some people. To be honest, there was a time in my smoothie journey where smoothies were causing baby to have a little too much gas for her liking.
It took a bit of time for me to realize that some ingredients in my smoothies were causing me to run into isolated rooms throughout the day.
After some experimenting, I learned that too much kale or broccoli were triggers for my gas problems. So, I now use mainly spinach as my green base and only add small amounts of kale and broccoli.
I also learned a while back that I had a slight intolerance to avocados (an intolerance that developed during a stressful time in my life) and if I ate them in excess I would get heartburn. So, instead of using avocados as a healthy fat source in my smoothies, I opt for other healthy fats that my body responds well to.
Now, this doesn’t mean that kale, broccoli and avocados are unhealthy foods – it just means that they don’t work well for my body at this time in my life. How I react to these foods months or years down the road might be very different (or may be the same).
Our bodies are constantly changing – what works for you today might not work for you tomorrow. It’s important to be in-tune with your body and experiment with foods in your diet, so you can consume more of the foods that serve you well and avoid the ones that don’t.
If you’re experiencing smoothie gas or gut issues after consuming your smoothie, I strongly recommend that you don’t give up on this healthy habit, but instead make some tweaks so your body is better able to digest, process and absorb this nutrient-rich drink.
I’ve put together some practical tips you can experiment with if you’re experiencing any gut distress with your daily smoothie.
How to tweak your smoothie if you’re experiencing smoothie gas or gut issues
1. Reduce the amount of greens you put in your smoothie.
Some guts do a better job of digesting greens than others. If your gut is struggling, try reducing veggies to 1/2 a cup. You can increase this amount over time and see how your gut responds (I don’t recommend going over 1.5 cups of greens).
2. Avoid or reduce high sulfur vegetables like kale, broccoli and spinach.
Although high sulfur veggies are extremely good for your health they can sometimes cause and/or aggravate symptoms like gas and bloating. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, try using vegetables like lettuce, celery, watercress, mustard greens or zucchini instead. I also recommend avoiding any other ingredients you suspect are causing symptoms.
3. Re-evaluate the protein powder you’re using.
Protein powders are a big culprit when it comes to gut issues. Low-quality and high-allergen protein sources (and a long list of ‘other’ ingredients) can cause digestive problems and/or other health issues. If you’re uncertain whether your protein powder is causing symptoms, I suggest trying it on its own (with water only) and see how your body responds. Also, check out my protein powder checklist to help guide you with finding a high-quality protein powder.
4. Drink your smoothie slowly and in a calm state.
I know it may be tempting to pound back your delicious tasting smoothie, but this approach can be overwhelming for your gut. Drinking a smoothie should be no different than eating a meal – it’s important do to both slowly and in a stress free state. The slower you consume your food, the easier it is for your gut to process, digest and absorb nutrients. This is particularly important for those dealing with IBS.
Ferrero Rocher Date Balls are super easy to make with only 3 simple ingredients required! They are soft, chewy & chocolatey + naturally sweetened with dates. They are the perfect healthy snack or treat for those following a paleo or plant-based lifestyle. It’ll be love at first bite!
DID YOU KNOW? Dates have high levels of soluble fiber, which keep bowel movements regular by adding bulk to stool and helping it move faster through the intestines.
If you suffer from constipation, try adding dates into your diet as a natural constipation relief remedy. Consume in moderation.
In addition, dates are packed with vitamins and minerals and are a perfect natural sweetener and sugar alternative. I incorporate them into gut healing smoothies (like my Egg Nog Smoothie & Pumpkin Pie Smoothie) and sweet treats (check out my recipes below).
Want more delicious date ball recipes? You’re going to love these:
Then add remaining ingredients and continue to process until everything sticks together.
Lastly, scoop mixture with a spoon and roll into bite-sized balls. Coat the outside with crushed hazelnuts.
Ferrero Rocher Date Balls
Ferrero Rocher Date Balls are super easy to make with only 3 simple ingredients required! They are soft, chewy & chocolatey + naturally sweetened with dates. They are the perfect healthy snack or treat for those following a paleo or plant-based lifestyle. It'll be love at first bite!
1cuphazelnuts, dry-roasted (instructions in notes)
4heaping tbsp. cacao or cocoa powder
1/8tsp.sea salt
Instructions
Soak dates in water for 30-minutes and drain.
Add hazelnuts into food processor and process until nuts are chopped into small pieces.
Add dates, cacao/cocoa powder and sea salt into the food processor with hazelnuts and continue to process until ingredients start to stick together.
Scoop out mixture with a tablespoon and roll into balls.
Optional step: Add a handful of hazelnuts into the food processor and process into small pieces. Roll balls in mixture to coat the outside.
Enjoy these delicious date balls right away or store in an air-tight container in the fridge for later.
Notes
How to dry-roast hazelnuts:
Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the Hazelnuts: Spread the hazelnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. You don't need to add any oil or seasoning.
Roast the Hazelnuts: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the hazelnuts for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them and stir occasionally to ensure they roast evenly.
Check for Doneness: The hazelnuts are done when their skins start to crack and they turn a golden brown color. You should also be able to smell their nutty aroma.
Cool and Remove Skins: Remove the hazelnuts from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. To remove the skins, place the hazelnuts in a clean kitchen towel and rub them together. The skins should come off easily.
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.
