When it comes to changing our diet, we often think that we need to remove things like carbs and sugars, which isn’t always the case! The importance of feeling good and supporting your gut health is to eat a balanced diet packed with all foods. Carbs can play their own role in support you!
Sweet potatoes are actually a great food to eat to support your gut. Not only do they have anti-inflammatory properties, but sweet potatoes have plenty of gut-friendly fiber too! There are so many different ways to eat sweet potatoes to fuel your body and leave your gut feeling good. I love finding different recipes to incorporate them into my diet even though I absolutely had a love hate with them for many years.
But what I discovered and read excited me was the Japanese sweet potato and the purple sweet potato that just aren't as sweet and you can use them in a lot of different ways like baking 😊
Sweet potatoes have about 6 grams of fiber in one cup cooked and are also a good source of prebiotics like oligosaccharides, which help improve the balance of your gut bacteria and overall gut health.
Sweet Potato Toast
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes (small, ends trimmed, sliced lengthwise)
1 avocado (peeled and mashed)
1/3 cup sauerkraut
1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions:
Pop the sweet potato slices in the toaster and toast 2-3 times. Or set your oven to broil and bake on a sheet for 3-6 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Top with mashed avocado, sauerkraut and sea salt.
This recipe has sauerkraut which is a gut powerhouse food! Whether you make your own or you buy one in the refrigerated section of your grocery store with brands like Wildbrine, Cleveland Kraut and others that you can find at your local farmers market! Raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut contains beneficial probiotics that generally do not survive the pasteurization process, so again in that refrigerated section and you can read on the label whether or not it has been pasteurized.
Looking for more gut friendly recipes? Be sure to grab my Gut Health Made Easy Guide here!
Essential oils are truly amazing when you learn about what they can do for you and how they can serve your body. There are so many different ones that can support your gut health, but today I want to focus on Clove Vitality! Clove Vitality is a powerhouse oil that can help regulate your bowel movements and work as an anti-fungal to remove parasites and candida.
Candida is a type of yeast that naturally resides in your gut. In moderation, it's harmless. But, when the balance is disrupted, Candida can overgrow, potentially leading to a range of health issues. Certain factors can cause the Candida to increase in levels in your gut; such as sugar and antibiotics. Candida loves sugar, so a diet rich in refined sugars and carbs can contribute to overgrowth; same with antibiotics! These can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, paving the way for Candida overgrowth.
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Drinking tea has become one of my favorite ways to consume essential oils to support my body and gut health. Please be advised and review any warning labels before consuming essential oils. I only consume Young Living Essential Oils because they have been marked by the FDA as safe for consumption.
To make a tea with clove essential oil, add 1 to 2 drops in warm water and you can drink 1-3 times daily← some people find this too much, especially if you’re not used to drinking essential oils, and of course purity matters!-read your labels! A lot of them will tell you straight up not to consume them or put them on your skin, so don’t.
**Be sure to dilute the essential oil, as clove extract is actually quite a powerful substance. Clove oil also blends quite well with other essential oils so you could add in cinnamon and some lemon and honey and make it a yummy comfort tea!**
I love having these protein balls on a hand for moments when I have a sweet tooth and need something to satisfy that craving! They're delicious and help keep me full.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1½ cups organic Rolled Oats (I use these)
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I use this one because of it’s ingredients)
Pinch of Sea Salt
2 tbsp shredded or desiccated Coconut
Wet Ingredients
½ cup organic Almond Butter/spread (or other nut or seed butter/spread)
¼ cup Honey or Maple syrup (to taste)
1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
1 drop Nutmeg essential oil (to taste)
1 drop Cinnamon Bark essential oil (to taste)
3 tbsp Coconut or Almond Milk (I use this one)
Optional Additions
½ cup Raisins, currents and/or other finely chopped dried fruit
½ cup Chocolate Chips
1 – 2 tsp Chia Seeds
Melted Chocolate (for dipping the balls in)
Instructions:
1. Place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl place and stir well to combine.
2. Add in the wet ingredients except the coconut milk and any of the optional additions and stir to combine. The mixture will be sticky and crumbly.
3. Slowly add in the coconut the coconut milk 1 tbsp at a time. Using your hands, combine the mixture until it holds together. If the mixture is too dry add a little more coconut milk and mix again. Do not add too much liquid or the balls will not hold their shape.
4. You can use a tablespoon/scoop to measure the oat mixture so they are the same size. Roll the balls by hand and chill for at least 25 – 30 minutes to help them set before serving. You can keep this refrigerated for up to 1 week.
I am an avid essential oiler for many different things because they have truly changed my life. One of my favorite oils to use when I am having any digestive issues (which doesn't happen often, but I like to have this on hand incase!) is DiGize!
This powerhouse is an oil blend that combines Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli; which contain antioxidants and can support the digestive system when taken internally. Digize is safe for consumption, but I only trust Young Living Essential Oils to take internally. It’s so important to check the quality of oils you are using.
This oil has quite a strong taste and it’s certainly an acquired one, so I always recommend starting with adding a few drops to a vegetable capsule to take!
I’m sure you have heard that fennel seeds are really helpful when it comes to digestion, hence while they're the star of this oil. Often times you can find them in after meal teas too and the seeds sold so you can make your own. So what is so special about fennel and how can it support your gut?
First off, fennel has anti-inflammatory effects! Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract can contribute to various digestive issues. Fennel contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation in the gut.
Next, it can actually prevent nausea and feelings of nauseousness too! Fennel has been traditionally used to alleviate nausea and motion sickness. It may exert its anti-nausea effects by calming the digestive system.
Lastly, fennel has been show to reduce bloating and gas! Fennel may help alleviate bloating and gas by preventing the formation of excess gas in the digestive system. It can also assist in expelling gas from the digestive tract.
Another great way to get fennel in your body is by drinking this yummy tea! Enjoy in the evening before bed or after a meal.
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup nondairy milk or creamer
- 2 drops Fennel Vitality essential oil
- 2 drops Lavender Vitality essential oil
- 1 tablespoon dried chamomile herb or 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (adjust sweetness to your personal preference)
1. Steep chamomile in hot water for 3–5 minutes, or until desired flavor strength is reached.
2. Add essential oils, milk, and maple syrup. Mix and enjoy!
I’ve been on a sweet potato kick lately and this recipe is one for the books! Plus sweet potatoes are great for a lot of reasons... just to name a few:
~ soluble fibers, such as pectin, may increase fullness, decrease food intake, and reduce blood sugar spikes by slowing your digestion of sugars and starches
~ A high intake of insoluble fibers has been associated with health benefits, such as a reduced risk of diabetes and improved gut health ⬅️
Ingredients:
Sweet Potato Ingredients:
- 4 medium organic sweet potatoes (peeled)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or other oil of choice)
- 2 drops Lime essential oil
- ½ tsp dried thyme (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ½ tsp paprika or chili powder (mild or hot)
- ½ tsp sea salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- ½ cup dipping sauce
Dipping Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic mayonnaise or vegan mayo
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice (to taste)
- 2 tbsp water (thin as needed)
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander, mint or/or parsley
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
- 2 – 4 drops Lime essential oil (to taste)
- ½ tsp sweet or spicy paprika (to taste)
- ¼ tsp sea salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
Optional Toppings for Serving:
1 – 2 ripe avocados mixed with 3 drops lime oil and sea salt (to taste)
½ cup non-dairy cheese - I use this one
¼ cup non-dairy feta cheese - I use this one
salsa and/or hot sauce
dipping sauce (drizzle some on top of fries)
chopped coriander and/or spring onions
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Peel the sweet potatoes then cut the ends off the potatoes and cut them in half along the middle and cut those pieces in half. Now you are ready to carefully cut the potatoes into fries.
3. Place the fries in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil, Lime essential oil and spices to coat.
4. Place the fries on the prepared baking tray and bake for 25 minutes then carefully turn the fries over and bake for approx. 20 minutes longer or until cooked through and a little crispy.
5. While the fires are baking make the dipping sauce by placing all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blending until well combined. You can also finely cut the herbs and just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Taste the sauce and add a little more Lime essential oil, maple syrup and/or salt, if desired.
6. When the fries are done place them on a large platter. Mash the avocado in a bowl with the Lime essential oil and sea salt. Top the fries with the avocado and any additional toppings. Then drizzle with the dipping sauce, sprinkle with freshly cut herbs and spring onions and serve immediately.
