Super-Gut-Food Almond Butter

I have been dealing with Leaky Gut Syndrome for a while now, but my flare ups have become irregular and almost obsolete.  In fact, my gut has been fairly healthy in the past year and a half.  However, this past Monday I was completely blind sided by the side effects of this crap syndrome.  So for a few days I was consuming mostly liquids (coconut milk, kombucha, hot tea, and lots of water).  I eased my way to coconut milk yogurt, sauerkraut and mashed up bananas.  My stomach was inflamed and my energy level was insanely low due to a calorie deficit.

So now I am on a mission to repair my intestinal lining and get back to a healthy gut.  My diet for the next 2-4 weeks is going be restrictive, more or less Paleo with some extra rules.  I cannot eat soy, sugar, legumes, dairy, night shade vegetables, grains or anything processed by any means. Last night I had a dream I was eating Chinese food. I don’t even like Chinese food.  I have been Gluten Free for almost seven years and I remember in the first year I would have dreams I was eating sandwiches all the time.

It is not complete torment, I still get to eat most of the things I love.  I will be consuming lots of coconut products like coconut milk, coconut milk yogurt, coconut oil and coconut butter.  Fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi are great for gut health and I do love an excuse to splurge on kombucha.  I will be attempting my first bone broth this weekend which is supposedly deeeelish, I just hope I can find some chicken feet.  Another great food group for gut health is sprouted seeds (like flax seed, chia seed and hemp seeds).  Which brings me to my creation this morning.

Super Gut healthy Almond Butter

• 2 tablespoons of Almond Butter ( I use Trader Joe’s Unsalted Crunchy)
• 1 teaspoon of Chia Seeds
• 1 teaspoon of Ground Flax Seed
• 1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil

Mix them all together and enjoy! I spread mine on apple slices for a mid morning snack.  This is a very filling spread so you might not need to eat the whole two tablespoons in one sitting, but it’s so good I cannot help but lick the bowl clean.

Be Prepared Not Hungry

I love the ease of meal prepping.  It keeps me (and my clients) from eating out during the busy work week and and controls our portion sizes.

1/2 Banana, 1/4 cup blueberries, about 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 Tbsp raisins, 2 Tbsp KIND quinoa granola

I don’t love eating the exact same breakfast, lunch and dinner for 5 days straight.  I also don’t like when food tastes/looks like leftovers.  Many meal preps are done on Sunday for the whole week, which I do on my super busy weeks. I prefer to break up my personal prepping, this keeps ingredients fresh and exciting. 

For example, I will prep my breakfast for Monday and Tuesday on Sunday night and repeat with slightly different ingredients on Wednesday night for Thursday and Friday.  On Wednesday I have enough time in the morning to make my breakfast at home, so I will cook up an egg scramble or something more labor intensive.  Eating healthy  and clean is satisfying when you are using fresh, flavorful and interesting ingredients. 

When it comes to my yogurt jars I have a couple staple ingredients: plain Greek yogurt (I like FAGE) & half a banana.  I rotate the other add ins to avoid meal boredom.  I will usually pick two from the following list to spice up my breakfast jar: 

• Chia seeds
• KIND’s quinoa granola
• Gluten free rolled oats
• Berries
• Raisins
• Apple slices
• Coconut flakes
• Cinnamon
• Raw unsalted almonds
• Raw unsalted walnuts
• Almond Butter (Raw Unsalted Chunky)
• Peanut Butter Powder
• Whatever fun fruit I receive in my farm basket 🙂

This week my farm basket included blueberries, so into the jar they go! The photo above is from my Wednesday night meal prep.  The size of my breakfast jars vary slightly to accommodate my appetite.  If I know I have a later lunch or I am particularly starving, I will grab a larger portion. 

I like to fill my morning with healthy fats and protein like yogurt, nuts, chia and quinoa granola.  The fruit adds antioxidants, fiber and flavor. On Wednesdays and weekends I do eggs with lots of greens because I have the time.  Breakfast sets the tempo for your day, so start your day with something clean and satisfying.

I share this with you all because I am very passionate about making healthy food appealing to my clients.  I love taking over kitchens to prove how easy healthy eating can be.  Losing weight is not just about what you eat, but when you eat! Going hungry is no way to treat your metabolism.  If you are interested in a meal prep lesson feel free to contact me directly or through the Storm Fitness website.  Just mention Broke Girl Fitness or me (Gen) in your online contact. 

If you are wondering about my lunch and dinner meal preps, stay tuned for a post in the future 🙂