Gut Feelings.

Hi Everyone! Quick question...What ails you? Is it lack of energy? Allergies? Weight gain? Premature aging? Mood swings? Chronic disease? Well then let’s talk about your gut. Yep, your gut.

At Least 85% of the time, imbalance in the gut is the primary reason I get to work with so many nutrition clients.

What does your gut have to do with it?

Did you know that every single cell in your body is affected by the gut? It's king when it comes to ruling your overall health. We live in a toxic world and the gut loves to hold on to toxins.

Picture your gut as the protective older brother: it tries to shield you from the bad stuff by absorbing the bad stuff itself. No matter where you're absorbing toxins — whether it be from food, from the unfiltered water in your shower, from the air you’re breathing — the gut will get hit with them hard.

Don’t you want to show your gut some gratitude by taking care of it? A focus on gut health eliminates disease at the root and plants the absolutely necessary foundation for a sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

A strong probiotic is a great place to start and incredibly important, but it’s also really important to eat probiotic-rich foods. (And no, I’m not talking about those dairy and sugar packed yogurt products that marketing teams have convinced us are probiotic-rich foods!)

I’m a massive kefir fan because I believe you can’t get enough fermented foods in your diet. Fermented foods load your gut with good bacteria, fighting off disease and helping all the systems in your body function optimally. Fermented foods are absolute superfoods and should be a daily part of every diet. One of my favorite ways to add kefir into my diet is to make Coconut Kefir yogurt.

This coconut kefir yogurt is a total powerhouse recipe in my book. It boasts the following benefits:

• It's probiotic-rich: The extra dose of probiotics will leave your gut loaded with beneficial bacteria that will have a dynamic effect on your digestive system.

• It's high in protein: The coconut meat is packed with protein to keep you satiated longer.

• It's dairy free: Skipping the dairy will help you avoid feeling gassy and bloated throughout the day.

• It's sugar free: This recipe has no sugar added but still has a sweet, tangy taste. You won’t crash and feel hungry an hour after eating it.

• It couldn’t be easier to make! I top it with my homemade gluten-free granola but you could also just toss on some crushed sprouted nuts or fresh berries. I also like to freeze my coconut kefir in ice trays, and pop them in my smoothies. (as shown in picture).

Ingredients

• 16 oz coconut meat (if frozen, thawed)

• 1 T coconut kefir (I like Tonix, you can order on Thrive.com or get it at Whole Foods)

• 1 capsule dairy free probiotic (I use this probiotic daily)

• Juice of 2 freshly squeezed lemons

• Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime

• Half cup raw coconut water

Directions

Blend all ingredients in your blender until creamy and smooth.

Pour into a glass jar or glass and cover with cheesecloth or other breathable fabric and secure with a rubber band. Leave out at room temperature overnight (I leave mine for 12 hours) and then refrigerate and enjoy!

Note: the yogurt should be creamy and have the consistency of a normal yogurt. If it looks chunky after sitting out overnight, put it back in the blender until it gets creamy.