Ok, we are doing it. Time to talk about what happens after we eat all this food….yes this merrymaker monday is all about keeping regular! This is certainly not a taboo conversation topic in the merrymaker household, in fact it is a very REGULAR conversation. Everyone does it (yes it is true, us girls do it too) and really, if these pipes are blocked it just ruins your day!
So here goes nothing. Five merrymaker tips to help you poop! (Insert immature giggle here).
FIBRE: ok we all know fibre helps you ‘go’ and after years of brain washing we automatically think: whole grains. Well don’t go adding All-bran to your shopping list just yet. Dark green leafy veggies are packed with fibre. We are talking spinach, broccoli, kale – all so delicious and nutritious…and they make you poop!
GOOD FATS: get these in your diet! Good fats include coconut oil (should be called miracle oil), olive oil, avocado and nuts (not too many… yes we all know about our little nut addiction). We also include 1-2 fish oil capsules daily.
GUT HEALTH: pro-biotics really can help those tummies and pipes. So if you include dairy, try some full fat natural or greek yoghurt—be sure to check the ingredient list for hidden nasties. Otherwise fermented food is really great, think sauerkraut and kimchi. Marks Daily Apple has a great article on fermented foods. We are yet to make our own but have added it to the project list!
EXERCISE: as we all know exercise is super important for a healthy life and it also helps you go to the loo! If it is one of those blocked up days, we vote yoga and reccomend a home session (just in case the pipes start working straight away…urhg). Sitting in a low squat pose, like how babies squat or similar to hindu pose seriously works wonders, this also explains the next tip.
SQUATTYPOTTY: ok, so apparently we are meant to squat to ‘go’. Ever noticed footprints on public toilet seats? Well we have and thought it was just the weirdest thing! Maybe they should invest in a squattypotty, might not be the best accessory…hmmm…but you should seriously check out their website, they have an awesome video clip that makes sense of it all.
Always merrymaking,
e + c
P.s does anyone else have some helpful hints to help you ‘go’? This is a very important subject after all! Don’t be shy now!
P.p.s it’s super easy to get your daily greens intake up, add some to a smoothie or why not try this delicious sweet potato + pumpkin bacon salad.
- 3 large sweet potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1/2 butternut pumpkin peeled and chopped
- 2 tbs. olive oil
- salt n pepper to season
- coconut oil (for the pan)
- 10 rashers of bacon diced
- 2 cloves of crushed garlic
- 200 grams fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds
- the juice of two limes
- 5 shallots, chopped
- 3 tbs. olive oil
- 1 tbs. balsamic vinegar (check the ingredients, make sure there is no hidden nasties!)
- 1/2 cup of fresh dill chopped
- salt + pepper to season
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius.
- Place one layer of the sweet potato and pumpkin on lined baking trays.
- Brush with olive oil and season with salt n pepper.
- Place into the oven for around 40-45 minutes or until the outside starts to crisp.
- Keep an eye on this, they will need to be moved around every 10 minutes or so.
- Meanwhile, in a pan, heat a little coconut oil on high.
- Add crushed garlic and bacon, cook until the bacon is nice and crispy (YUM!)
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. (Too easy!)
- In your salad bowl (or platter can work well too), place the fresh baby spinach leaves.
- Top with the roasted sweet potato and pumpkin.
- Sprinkle bacon pieces and pour over the dressing.
- Toss carefully (we used our hands) so all of the salad gets a little dressing.
- Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds.
- Can be served immediately or stored in the fridge and served cold (both equally delicious!)
- Need a vegan option? Steer clear of the bacon and there you have it!