Eat + Enjoy + Restore
Ok, so you all know I love me some chocolate chips. In our house, we keep a bag of Enjoy Life brand chips in the fridge to easily grab a few we anyone needs a bit of a chocolate fix. Adding the chocolate to these […]
What I’m sharing today – I think just about anyone can relate to. I mean, especially this year…..2020 – like what the…. Am I Right?! We are planners but didn’t see this coming… Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit of a […]
Traveling may look a lot different nowadays, but as we all start to branch out our own socially distanced way, it’s important to not only remember to wash our hands but also to fuel our bodies with foods that we enjoy and that will nourish and sustain us. Below are my top four must-haves for food & drink when traveling.
Fresh and dried fruit and veggies are a staple in my bag and cooler anytime I am traveling. Some of our favorites are dried mango, dried apricots, apples, dried veggie chips, and oranges. With that in mind, sometimes too much fruit – or fructose- can cause digestive issues in people who have a fructose intolerance or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis, etc. A good rule of thumb is to consume approximately ¼ of dried fruit is equal to a fresh serving. So if you normally eat ½ cup of grapes, ¼ cup of raisins would be its equivalent. I also recommend buying the UNSWEETENED version of dried fruit if possible. That means you have to be diligent in reading food labels. Dried fruit also commonly contains sulfites which can cause headaches, pain, and digestive issues with sensitive people. So finding dried fruit that has no added sugar and sulfites (it might not be the prettiest color) is the best option.
I throw dried seaweed into this category because its something we pack with us all of the time (my five-year-old’s favorite) and it is really a nutrient-dense snack. Seaweed helps supports a healthy gut microbiome. Seaweed is also a great source of iodine and other minerals and vitamins like zinc, iron, vitamin K, and B vitamins. It doesn’t require refrigeration and satisfies our salty needs – so it is always a staple in my bag when we are in the car or in the air. Find my favorite brand here.
I am guilty of not staying hydrated when traveling. Mainly, because I have two kids under six and I am not a big fan of stopping and going to the bathroom all the time. However, it’s so important to stay hydrated during traveling and during the summer months. Most people do not drink enough water as it is, let alone when are flying, driving or camping. Caffeinated beverages can help keep you awake and alert when traveling, but can be dehydrating, affect your heart rate, and can be an irritant to your gastrointestinal tract.
Satiety and blood sugar control are greatly improved with some good protein. My favorites include dried jerky, nuts, and seeds. Some of my favorite jerky brands are The New Primal and Thrive Market brands. These guys are naturally cured without all the chemicals and added artificial flavors.
Hummus, nuts, and seeds are also a great source of protein, vitamins/minerals, and fiber so they will definitely give you more bang for your bite. One thing to keep in mind is how much you consume with nuts and seeds. Since their small and delicious it is easy to go overboard and consume a lot at one time which can cause extra gut and digestive distress being that they are a harder type of food to digest, high in fat and fiber. So I always recommend keeping your portion to about ¼ cup serving. I found this brand of hummus that I totally love and is totally packable – without a cooler- find it here.
Whether you are a sweet or salty type of person I always have something on hand that satisfies a craving and will also make me feel well. One of my favorite things to have on hand is my cinnamon sunflower butter date bites. This satisfies my sweet and salty cravings and I love the unexpected spice of cinnamon to this recipe. I also like to have dairy-free chocolate (here for my favorite) or my chickpea puffs (buy here). When I have fun snacks and foods packed with me that my body tolerates well, I am less likely to choose something that won’t make me feel well, or that doesn’t do my body any favors when traveling.
Grab my latest recipe – that is a travel staple for my family here.
Either way, traveling puts additional stress on the body and exposes your immune system to new germs and bugs. Besides delicious and nutrient-dense snacks, its important thing to focus on when traveling is hydration, sunlight (aka vitamin D), nutrient-dense foods, and sleep.
This recipe tastes as good as a candy bar, and will still make your body feel good after. It can be tailored to fit almost any food sensitivity need – as long as dates are tolerated and are one of my favorite snacks to take […]
What makes this pudding green? What makes this pudding the beautiful green color, you may ask? Well TBH, it’s cyanobacteria. Yeah, that’s right, Spirulina, to be exact. This cyanobacterium is a type of algae that has been used throughout history for its health properties. One […]
BBQ season is among us (FINALLY – has this been like the longest winter/spring season?!)
One way I like to improve the health factor of my meal is that adding something that has fiber and has nutrients that I know will bless my body.
I’m not a fan of eating stuff that you don’t enjoy – so that’s why I am always trying new ways to add some spice and life to normal vegetables that most members might pass on.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is the color – the bright Fuchsia of this pickled cabbage is beautiful – and appearance, as well as smell and taste, are big factors in why we eat what we eat.
Two of the main ingredients make this recipe a gut-friendly (thus immune friendly) addition to your burgers and brats. Those are 1) cabbage and 2) apple cider vinegar.
Cabbage contains all types of vitamins and minerals our bodies need, but may not be getting enough of. One of my favorite vitamins found in cabbage is vitamin K1 – and if you read my blog post here you learned that vitamin K, especially K2 is something that we are probably not getting enough of from our diet. Your body can convert a small amount of Vitamin K1 into K2 if needed, and a healthy gut microbiome can also make vitamin K2. Which brings me to my next point….
Cabbage is an excellent source of insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is what helps you have a regular bowel movement – a big deal if you have ever been constipated! Soluble fiber is what your good gut bacteria need to THRIVE. You can take all the probiotics in the world, but if your diet is low in fiber and nutrients, you will gain very little benefit from taking additional supplements and pills. You might as well be putting your money towards vegetables and nutrient-dense food items.
The beautiful color I was just raving about actually comes from the flavonoid anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is important for decreasing inflammation in your body as well as promoting heart health – both win, wins in my book.
Did you know that you may have heartburn not because you make too much acid- but that you don’t make enough?! Apple Cider vinegar aids in your gut health by improving/increasing the stomach acid content of your stomach. When you the right amount of acid in your stomach you will actually DIGEST your food properly, thus reducing the heartburn or acid reflux symptoms you may be experiencing.
Apple Cider vinegar has also been linked to improving skin health (due to its antimicrobial properties) as well as decreasing inflammation in your body which can help prevent the development of heart disease and diabetes. Plus many more reported benefits!
You can add really any spice or seasoning to this recipe to make it work for your taste preference and possible food sensitivity need. Many of my clients can’t tolerate garlic either for LOW FODMAP or food sensitivity reasons. But two cloves of garlic in this recipe would also be a great addition.
