My Favorite Digestive Supplements + A GIVEAWAY!

Carrie Sink Constipation, Gut Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Holistic Nutrition , , , , , , , 8 Comments
Digestive Supplements + A GIVEAWAY

Today I am talking to you about supplements that I personally use to amp up my digestion! I’m also excited to host a giveaway of 2 products I use and love!  But first I would like to define the meaning of the word supplement as I am using it in this particular blog post. That definition is: “something that enhances something else when added to it.” 

As you know, digestive health is a big focus in my health coaching practice. Time and time again it is proven to us that having a healthy gut is crucial to our well being. As Hippocrates once said, “All disease begins in the gut.”

Now while I am a big believer in keeping your gut in tip top shape by nourishing it with proper foods, I also know that sometimes we need a little extra help and most everyone can benefit from taking a probiotic on a regular basis. {This post is specifically talking about supplements, not the food/nutrition side of a healthy gut.}

Here are 3 of my favorites digestive aids:

  • Probiotic: Our gut needs “good bacteria” to thrive. Probiotics can be consumed as fermented foods. That being said, most people do not get enough of these foods in their diet which is why I recommend taking a probiotic. Daily if you are in the healing stage; every other day if you are in the maintenance stage. This is a brand I have tried and like.
  • Essential oils: Ginger, peppermint, fennel, lavender & coriander are a few that benefit your digestion. For the days when maybe you have overindulged, or accidentally ate something that doesn’t agree with you. I carry a blend with me when I travel that really helps soothe my belly. It’s easy for your stomach to get “off” when you travel and this oil helps with that. (Side Note: I do not sell or advocate for just one brand of oils. There are several good companies that I trust and personally use a variety of brands. Find one that works for you. Research it and buy from a local distributor if possible.)
  • Ginger Tea: has soothing properties which are good for an upset stomach and can help relieve nausea.

GIVEAWAY TIME:

What: 1 bottle of PB8 Probiotic and 1 bottle of DigestZen from doTERRA

How to enter: Comment & Share! Share your favorite color in the comment box below and send a copy of this blog post to a friend who you think could also benefit from these 2 amazing products!

Deadline: sweepstakes end Thursday (23rd) at 6:00 p.m. (CST)

Winner: CONGRATULATIONS LINDSEY WOLF!! Your name was chosen! Please contact me via email to claim your prize!

 

Smoothie Cups {Recipe}

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“I need an easy, delicious, healthy & quick recipe.” Sound familiar? Smoothie cups to the rescue!

The Greek yogurt in the fridge was needing to be used and my freezer contained no healthy snacks. I decided to combine my Creamy Fruit & Yogurt Bowl recipe with a smoothie to create a frozen yogurt dessert.  It turned out delicious!

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Chocolate Pudding Made With Real Food Ingredients

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I had a craving for chocolate pudding. From scratch. Using real food ingredients. That tasted delicious. I made this recipe, waited patiently for it to cool and sighed with delight when I tasted it! It was wonderful and tasted exactly how I hoped it would. SCORE. Now this recipe is mostly dairy free, minus the butter. However, you probably could replace the butter with coconut oil. I personally have not tried it. If you do, let me know how it turns out!

You can add whipped cream on top (use coconut cream to make it dairy free), berries, mini chocolate chips, granola, or just eat it!

 

*inspired by http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/

Thanksgiving Day Tips

Carrie Sink Gut Health, Healthy Lifestyle, Holistic Nutrition , , , , 1 Comment
Thanksgiving Day Tips
Thanksgiving! Family, friends, food, laughter.
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Love this time of year! Our Thanksgiving day usually consists of a big family get together with lots of eating, laughing, games & fun. It is so easy to over indulge on this day but I’ve got a few tips for you!  For me, it’s important to enjoy the day without feeling guilty about what I should or shouldn’t be eating. Use that day as your “moderation” and enjoy it to the fullest. That being said, consider taking smaller portions and pass on the foods that you don’t really love. It’s just not worth it to be super full! Being the guest, you can’t control what’s being served. However, if you are participating in the menu, plan to bring a dish that is healthy but still delicious. I love making a healthy cranberry sauce or this fall apple salad as a side dish.

Tips for a successful Thanksgiving for you and your body!
  • Eat plenty of leafy greens, broths & veggies during the week. Skip the sugar, you will probably get enough of that on Thursday. 🙂
  • Eat a balanced breakfast & snacks leading up the the “feast”. Include protein & healthy fats. This will help you balance those blood sugar levels which will in turn keep you from reaching that crazy hunger and ultimately keep you from overeating.
  • Take a 20-30 minute walk or include some sort of movement after your meal.  This will stimulate digestion and make you feel better especially if you ate just a little too much.                                                                           
  • Chew Your Food. Put down your fork after each bite.  Chewing breaks your food down from larger particles into smaller ones that are more easily digested. This will help our digestive system out tremendously.
  • Drink plenty of water or hot herbal tea throughout the day. 
  • Take a digestive enzyme  before your meal with some water. An enzyme will assist the body in breaking down proteins and sugars. Shop digestive enzymes here.
  • Have fun, be thankful, enjoy!! This day is about thanksgiving, love, family, gratefulness. Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

3 Ways To Improve Your Digestion In The Next Week

Carrie Sink Constipation, Gut Health , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

As you know, a healthy gut is a special focus in my health coaching practice. For me, healing my gut changed everything! Day after day millions of people around the world struggle with some type of digestion problem: Gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, acid reflux;  the list goes on and on.  Poor digestive health weakens the immune system, causes nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances and weakens all organ function. Not to mention the emotional toll it has on a human dealing with these problems. The good news? Most of these symptoms can disappear by addressing your diet & lifestyle choices! So let’s dive into what actually is normal digestion and 3 tips to improve it in the next week!

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Healthy Fall Apple Crisp {Gluten Free}

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Fall time = apple crisp time! apple-crisp-edit

I absolutely love this apple crisp recipe! No, gluten, no refined sugar and totally a guilt free treat! It doesn’t last long in our house. You can add pears instead of apples and it is DELICIOUS! I may even like it a bit more 🙂 I’ve based this recipe from this one I found at Cookie & Kate. It is close to the same with just a few minor changes.

Note: If you are have Celiac Disease or are very sensitive to gluten, make sure you buy certified gluten free oats. They are usually processed in the same facility as wheat products and can have cross contamination if you buy the regular oats.

*You can add 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans to the crumb mixture. Enjoy!

 

 

The Wonder of Zucchini

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Zucchini!

It’s summertime, my garden is flourishing and zucchini season has begun! For those of you who do garden, you know what I mean when I say “zucchini season has begun”.  They seem to produce lots and lots and you might find yourself overwhelmed with it all! I want to touch briefly why zucchini is so awesome and then give you a few ideas on what to do with it! (Zucchini Pie anyone?!)

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Health Benefits of Zucchini
  • Excellent source of Vitamins A, C and B (+ folate).
  • Antioxidants=healthy immune system
  • Potassium: 1 cup of cooked zucchini gives your more than 15% of your daily value.
  • Excellent source of Dietary Fiber: plus it is very hydrating which is good for the digestive tract. A perfect veggie for constipation relief an can actually help with diarrhea as well.

Zucchini has a high water content, making it low in sugar and carbs. Therefore a perfect weight loss vegetable. Along with the high water content comes good dietary fiber..which will help keep things moving along and soothe digestive distress due to the electrolytes in this vegetable. Pretty Cool!

What to do with zucchini   vegetables-671768_1920
  • Grill it! Cut into wedges, add oil & salt. Grill on each side a 3-4 minutes.
  • Bake with it! Zucchini bread or muffins.
  • Zucchini Pie! Sounds weird I know but it is TOTALLY awesome! Like a custard!
  • Add to salsas! Here is one of my favorite recipes, you can add some to it.
  • Zucchini noodles! Delicious in a lasagna!
  • Stir-fry! Add some garlic and onions with it. Crack a couple eggs in the pan for protein.
  • Zucchini Fries! ABSOLUTELY amazing! We couldn’t eat them fast enough! Drizzle oil and spices over them, roast in 450 degree oven! Broil for 2-3 minutes for crispiness!

 

I love hearing from my readers! Let me know in the comment box below how you use your zucchini!

 

 

Cowboy Hash {A Meatless Dish)

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Looking for a meatless main dish to serve?

I think this one is quite yummy! It’s so important to be eating REAL WHOLE foods and this dish helps you do just that.  Although meat is a important source of protein in our diet, legumes are an excellent source of fiber, rich in protein a d budget friendly.

That being said, what works for us may not work well for your body. So listen to it and figure out what makes your body thrive!! 🙂

(And if you need support in figuring that out click here.)