Cold Lemon Hibiscus Tea is a healthy & refreshing drink! Only 2 simple ingredients needed to make this antioxidant-rich and sugar free cold beverage. It’s the perfect healthy drink for the warmer months, when you’re craving something refreshing!
DID YOU KNOW? Hibiscus tea is loaded with antioxidants and could be helpful in reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals invade the body and the body doesn’t have enough antioxidants to combat them. Free radical damage may contribute to many health issues ranging from cancer to aging skin, so hibiscus tea can be helpful.
In fact, hibiscus has been shown to contain ORAC values twice as high as matcha tea, which was previously thought to be the most potent tea source of antioxidants.
Give my Cold Lemon Hibiscus Tea a try. It’s great for the warmer months, when you’re craving something refreshing.
I steep this tea in a mason jar, store it in the fridge overnight then add fresh lemon to it in the morning. It’s awesome to sip on throughout the day!
Cold Lemon Hibiscus Tea is a healthy & refreshing drink! Only 2 simple ingredients needed to make this antioxidant-rich and sugar free cold beverage. It's the perfect healthy drink for the warmer months, when you're craving something refreshing! Plant-based, AIP, paleo, keto & low-carb.
Natural sweetener of choice (honey, stevia, etc.,), optional
Ice cubes, optional
Instructions
Add tea bag to a mason jar filled with boiling water (add 2 tea bags if using a large mason jar). Cover with lid and set aside on counter. If using a natural sweetener, add in while tea is still warm and mix.
Once tea has cooled, remove tea bags and refrigerate until cold.
Add sliced lemon (and ice cubes if you want) to mason jar and enjoy!
No-Bake Coconut Lemon Bars are creamy, refreshing & delicious! Only 4 simple ingredients needed to make this easy no-bake recipe. The perfect high-fiber and healthy snack for those following a plant-based, AIP, paleo or keto diet.
3 ways coconut meat can support gut health
1. Coconut meat is high in insoluble fiber (meaning that it doesn’t get digested), which helps bulk up your stool and supports healthy and regular bowel movements. Just 1 cup (80 grams) of shredded coconut provides 7 grams of fiber, which is over 20% of the DV.
2. Coconut meat is high in healthy fat which helps you absorb fat-soluble nutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, and K.
3. The MCTs in coconut meat have been shown to strengthen your gut bacteria, which may protect against inflammation and conditions like metabolic syndrome.
Now it’s time to give these no-bake and super satisfying bars a try!
No-Bake Coconut Lemon Bars are creamy, refreshing & delicious! Only 4 simple ingredients needed to make this easy no-bake recipe. The perfect high-fiber and healthy snack for those following a plant-based, AIP, paleo or keto diet.
1/4cuphoney, replace with a low-carb sweetener for keto bars
4dropslemon essential oil (food grade), OR 1 tsp. lemon extract
Instructions
Line an 8 x 8-inch or 8 x 10-inch pan or glass container with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix into a thick batter. If it's too crumbly, add a little extra honey or a tiny bit of water.
Pour the mixture into the lined pan/container. Using your hands or a spoon, press firmly into place. Refrigerate or freeze until firm. Cut into bars and enjoy!
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!
This easy Dairy Free Pesto is the perfect complement to so many dishes! It’s quick to make and adds a ton of flavour to vegetables, meat, fish & even eggs! Plant-based, paleo, low-carb & keto. AIP version provided (see recipe notes).
Is your herb garden bursting with the amazing aroma of fresh basil? Or maybe you’re like me and just adore the smell and taste of this beautiful herb?
Summer is the perfect time to create fresh and flavourful pesto sauce since you can easily find fresh basil in the grocery stores, at farmer’s markets and in your own backyard if you’re the green thumb type!
From time to time I make a batch of pesto and store it in a small mason jar in my fridge. This makes it super easy to add fresh flavour to almost all my dishes throughout the week. You can also store your pesto in the freezer for longer (ice cubes trays are great for this).
Pesto goes great with a variety of whole foods including:
DID YOU KNOW? Traditionally, basil has been used to help reduce bloating and water retention, stomach cramps, acid reflux, and even to kill stomach worms or parasites. In addition, basil can help restore the body’s proper pH by balancing acid levels. Healthy bacteria can flourish in the gut when acid levels are balanced which leads to better digestion and a stronger immune system.
This easy Dairy Free Pesto is the perfect complement to so many dishes! It's quick to make and adds a ton of flavour to vegetables, meat, fish & even eggs! Plant-based, paleo, low-carb & keto. See AIP version in recipe notes.
Pulse basil, pine nuts and garlic in food processor. Scrape sides if needed.
Slowly stream in olive oil as the food processor is running on low. Scrape sides occasionally.
Stir in sea salt and black pepper after processing.
Use right away or store in an air-tight jar in the fridge. Use within a week or store in the freezer for up to a month (ice cube trays are great for this).
Notes
For AIP version, omit pine nuts and black pepper and add 1 tbsp nutritional yeast.
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!
Orange & Avocado Salad is fresh, high in fibre and delicious! This salad recipe uses simple ingredients like leafy greens, avocado, orange, lime juice, basil and extra virgin olive oil. It’s the perfect salad to have alongside fish or meat. AIP, paleo, plant-based, low-carb & keto friendly.
Oranges are not only a great source of vitamin C – providing 163% of your daily needs in just one orange – but they’re also a great source of fiber. One large orange provides you with 17% of your daily fiber needs.
Fiber from whole foods is important for both weight loss and gut health, here’s why …
Fiber can help stop cravings and hunger since it moves through the GI tract slowly, creating a sense of fullness. Feeling full and satisfied from whole foods will help keep you on track with good eating habits, making weight loss easier.
Fiber adds bulk to stool which helps to increase stool frequency. Healthy and frequent bowel movements are an important part of gut health.
In addition, whole food fiber also acts as a prebiotic which fuels good gut bacteria. Healthy gut bacteria are not only important for good gut health, but also weight loss and many other areas of health.
DID YOU KNOW? The FDA approves the de-greening (forced ripening) of oranges, making it difficult to select the ripest and most flavourful fruit. If you buy organic oranges, you will know for certain that they have not been de-greened.
Orange & Avocado Salad is fresh, high in fibre and delicious! This salad recipe uses simple ingredients like leafy greens, avocado, orange, lime juice, basil and extra virgin olive oil. It's the perfect salad to have alongside fish or meat. AIP, paleo, plant-based, low-carb & keto friendly.
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.
