A few months ago when I was last meeting with a client she asked if the Autoimmune Protocol or AIP as it's known would be a good idea for her-she wasn’t sure on the details of it and I figured a lot of other people might not be either!
There are many different parts of this protocol, but to keep it simple and obviously focused on food since that's what I do, here they are:
Usually people starting the AIP start by the "Elimination Phase". During the elimination phase, individuals remove a wide range of foods known to be common triggers for inflammation and autoimmune reactions like:
✨Grains (including gluten-containing grains)
✨Legumes (beans, lentils, peanuts)
✨Dairy products
✨Nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, potatoes)
✨Eggs
✨Nuts and seeds
✨Processed and refined sugars
✨Processed foods and additives
The Elimination phase can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending upon the person. It’s important to note that this should be done over a period of time to see how your body reacts. I don’t recommend dropping everything all at once!
With the AIP the focus is on Nutrient-Dense Foods like:
✨Vegetables (except nightshades during the elimination phase)
✨Fruits
✨Quality meats (grass-fed, pasture-raised)
✨Fish and seafood
✨Healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocados)
✨Fermented foods (probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut)
Again, this is just a quick overview of the AIP and as usual the focus here is a lot of gut healing! The goal of AIP is to find how your body reacts to different foods and what serves your body versus what doesn’t.
If you're interesting in learning more, grab my Gut Health Made Easy Guide here!
You can't go wrong with a yummy smoothie recipe! A quick blurb about one of the awesome fruits in here: blueberries are a powerhouse of nutrients! They reduce oxidative stress and cell damage and deliver vitamins C and A!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 Cup, organic whole Strawberries (can be frozen if easier)
- 1 Cup organic Blueberries (bonus for wild blueberries)
- 1 Cup organic Raspberries
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein (I use this one)
- 1-2 Tbsp local raw Honey (to taste)
- 1 Tsp Lemon Juice or personally I use 2 (or more) drops of lemon essential oil) 🍋
- 1/2 Cup Ice Cubes - if you’re using frozen fruit you may not need any ice cubes! And just use water or non-dairy plant milk (coconut or almond for me 🥥)
Blend it together and enjoy!
Cauliflower is a yummy vegetable that can be cooked in so many different ways. These are great for an afternoon treat or served as appetizers or a side dish at dinner.
Ingredients for the Cauliflower
- 1 large head organic cauliflower, cut into medium sized florets
- ¾ cup organic plain coconut or cashew yogurt
- 2 tbs olive oil or melted coconut oil
- 6 drops lemon essential oil (to taste)
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed or finely minced
- 1 tsp paprika or smokey paprika (to taste)
- 1 tsp cumin powder (to taste)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp sea salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- fresh parsley for garnish
Ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce
- 2 cups organic plain coconut or cashew yogurt
- ½ cup shredded or finely chopped organiccucumber
- 2 tbsp finely chopped dill and/or parsley
- ½ small red onion, finely chopped
- ½ tsp sea salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- 4 drops lemon essential oil (to taste)
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl whisk together the all the marinade ingredients except the cauliflower until well combined. Then place the cauliflower in the bowl and gently mix until they are fully coat. Cover the bowl with a large plate and place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.
2. When you are ready to bake the cauliflower, preheat oven to 225C and line a large baking tin or tray with baking. Then place the cauliflower on the tray evenly spaced leaving room between the florets so they cook on all sides. Bake for 40 minutes and carefully turn them over halfway through. For a crispy texture, you can even pop it in the air fryer and watch until golden.
3. While the cauliflower is baking make the tzatziki sauce by placing all the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and mixing well. Taste the sauce and add a little more salt and/or lemon essential oil, if desired then chill until you are ready to serve.
4. When the cauliflower is ready place them on a platter, drizzle with some the sauce, sprinkle with chopped parsley. Place any remaining sauce in a little bowl and set on the platter.
Did you know that you have more bacteria living in your gut than cells in your body!? No but really; isn’t that crazy!? That’s why it’s so important that we talk about gut health today because it’s not talked about enough and it plays a HUGE part in your overall health! Not to mention if you have an autoimmune.
The key is, we need to care for our gut bacteria especially with the level of toxins, diseased soil and stress that is present in our world. Our body is constantly taking in toxins and its our job to do what we can to minimize the levels. So how do we do that?
Well there are a lot of different ways to do that; let’s dive into two here!
Probiotics are a great place to start. Foods such as tempeh, kombucha, miso, kefir, and yogurt, as well as in powdered forms – probiotics are one sure-fire way to kick-start your gut health. I use non-dairy kefir and yogurt as conventional dairy does not do well for most people, including myself.
Probiotics help regulate the amount of bacteria in your gut and support immunity. They inhibit pathogens from adhering to the intestinal surface and effecting your immune system.
Together with a healthy diet and reducing your toxic load (such as the substances found in fillers, food dyes, processed foods, and sweeteners), you can reduce the toxic build up in your body.
Believe it or not, but breath work can do wonders as well! Deep breathing, can assist our body to re-energize and revitalize our organs from our brain down to our stomach. Adding deep breathing to your daily routine can aid in increased concentration, blood flow, and improved muscle circulation which aids in relaxing your digestive system. I highly recommend adding breathing techniques to your routine for 10-minutes every day and you will start to see the health benefits associated!
Grab my gut health freebie here to learn more about ways to improve your gut health!
We talked about this last week but we're talking about it again, and probably every week for quite some time 💖
Let’s talk about one we don't hear a ton about: vitamin e.
Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative damage.
This is an important part of the vitamin E aspect, because if you look up where to find E, you might see that they say vegetable oils, which are a big no no. In fact unrefined vegetable oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which actually deplete the body of vitamin E.
Commercial refined vegetables oils have been stripped of vitamin E to begin with, so consumption of these products greatly increases the body's vitamin E requirements.
There are many foods that have this fat soluble vitamin👇
🥜 Nuts and Seeds:
Almonds, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts are excellent sources of vitamin E. Snacking on a handful of almonds or incorporating sunflower seeds into salads and yogurt can boost your vitamin E intake. Bonus for sprouted nuts!
🥦 Green Leafy Vegetables:
Spinach, Swiss chard, and kale are examples of green leafy vegetables that contain vitamin E. These can be incorporated into salads, stir-fries, or smoothies.
🐟 Fish:
Certain fish, such as salmon and rainbow trout, contain vitamin E. Including these fish in your diet not only provides vitamin E but also offers omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.
🥭 Fruits:
Fruits like kiwi, mango, and blackberries contain moderate amounts of vitamin E. Enjoying a variety of fruits as part of your diet provides a range of essential nutrients, including vitamin E.
🫑 Vegetables:
Bell peppers, particularly the red variety, are a good source of vitamin E. Including a variety of colorful vegetables in your meals ensures a diverse range of nutrients.
🥜 Nut Butters:
Peanut butter and almond butter are good sources of vitamin E. Spread nut butter on whole-grain toast or use it as a dip for fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, so consuming it with a small amount of healthy fat can enhance absorption.
It is also really helpful when it comes to maintaining the gut barrier function. This barrier is crucial for preventing the entry of harmful substances, such as bacteria and toxins, into the bloodstream. Vitamin E may contribute to the maintenance of gut barrier function, helping to preserve the integrity of the intestinal lining and reduce the risk of leaky gut syndrome.🤯
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