What Can Cause Eczema and Natural Eczema Treatment

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Eczema- What Is It, Causes & Natural Treatment

Do you struggle with chronic eczema or regular flare-ups throughout the year? You’re not alone.

Over 31 million Americans suffer from atopic dermatitis, the medical term for eczema, and over half of these people have moderate to severe conditions.

Eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that causes dry, itchy and thickened skin that typically appears on the flexor surfaces of your body (crooks of your elbows or back of your knees).  It’s not just an irritating skin condition; it also severely impacts your quality of life and psychological well-being.

What Causes Eczema?

Eczema is a multifactor disease, but a few of the most common triggers are the following: your genes, an overactive immune system, and environmental triggers.

Your Genes

Let’s look at your DNA first. If both your parents have a history of eczema, there’s about a 70% chance that you will acquire eczema. That drops to 30% chance if only one parent was affected.

How does this happen? A disruption of the epidermal (outer) layer of the skin, a hallmark of eczema, can be caused by mutations in the gene that encode fillagrin.

Fillagrin is a protein that matures the skin cells that become the protective, outermost layer of the skin.

This dysfunction of your skin’s defense mechanism allows for increased penetration of irritating substances, which increases susceptibility to skin infections and eczema. Unfortunately, you can’t choose your parents (but you can still benefit from the solutions below).

An Overactive Immune System

An overactive immune system is another hallmark of eczema. Your immune system has two main armies: the “first line of defense” innate immune system army that prevents infections and the “seek and destroy” adaptive immune system that knocks out intruders once they’ve penetrated your defenses.

An overactive immune system might be the cause of your eczema flare-ups.

Eczema is characterized by a Th2-dominated immune response, where your body’s “seek and destroy” immune system runs amok, leading to the production of IgE antibodies (i.e., allergic reactions) and an inflammatory response.

Environmental Triggers

The combination of bad genes, dry skin and disrupted epidermal barriers creates a hypersensitivity reaction towards irritating environmental substances. Irritants can vary; they include dust mites, temperature, clothing material, excessive washing, lotions, smoke, etc.

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Ways to Reduce Eczema

There is no cure for eczema, but a variety of treatments can be highly beneficial in reducing itchiness and preventing further breakouts. Let’s take a closer look.

Remove Food Allergens and Additives

Skin is the largest organ in the body, and what you eat has a tremendous impact on its health. Food allergies and intolerances are incredibly common in eczema suffers, and the research shows that 90% of those allergies are due to cow’s milk, hen’s eggs (not duck or goose), peanuts, wheat, and soy.

Almost all of the offending foods listed here are NOT Paleo, so adopting an ancestral approach and removing these allergenic foods can significantly improve eczema symptoms.

For more in-depth dietary changes, try the Autoimmune Paleo diet (AIP) or an Elimination diet for 4-12 weeks and assess progress. If aggravating symptoms appear after reintroducing a food, it could imply intolerance to that particular food. Try an AIP or elimination diet to see if milk, peanuts, wheat or soy are contributing to eczema symptoms.

Food additives like tartrazine, sodium benzoate, monosodium glutamate, sodium metabolite and tyramine can also aggravate eczema symptoms. Simply removing these harmful additives from your diet (i.e., no more processed or packaged foods) has been shown to markedly improve eczema after 10 months.

Swap Coffee for Oolong Tea

Your morning cup of Joe might taste great, but unfortunately, coffee beans are one of the most heavily sprayed crops on the planet and can worsen an overactive immune system. Make the switch to Oolong tea to cool inflammation, the overactive immune system response, and your eczema symptoms.

The researchers found oolong tea showed significant improvement in 63% of patients who were not responding to conventional treatment. They believe the benefits were due to polyphenols present in oolong tea. To reap the benefits, steep a 10g tea bag for 5 minutes in 1 liter of water, and drink in three equal servings between meals throughout the day.

Add More GLA

If you’re a regular PaleoHacks reader, you’re likely well aware of the fact that today’s modern diet contains a dramatic overabundance of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fats to anti-inflammatory omega-3. However, one key player in the omega-6 family is the gamma-linoleic acid (GLA).

Research suggests that eczema sufferers have impaired conversion of linoleic acid to gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) due to a dysfunction in an enzyme called delta-6-desaturase, which leads to deficiency and causes the barrier of the skin to become impaired.

Remember, essential fats like GLA must be obtained from your diet, but even on a Paleo diet, GLA is not easy to come by.

The highest concentrations are found in evening primrose and borage, as well as hemp oil, which can easily be added to salads and put on top of veggies (do not cook with hemp oil).

If you struggle with chronic and long-standing eczema, you may want to consider supplementing with GLA.

Add Supportive Probiotics

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria. The more “good” probiotics bacteria have, the happier your digestive system, the root of all inflammation. Your digestive tract is home to over 80% of your immune system, and its first response to any foreign invaders or insults is to trigger inflammation.

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory condition, so keeping your gut healthy is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Probiotics help prevent the uptake of allergens that trigger eczema.

Probiotics play a key role in maintaining the integrity of your gut barrier, reducing leaky gut, and preventing the uptake of allergens that trigger eczema.

Natural sources of probiotics are fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchee, or kombucha tea.

Supplementation with probiotics can be highly beneficial if you struggle with long-standing eczema, so look for strains high in Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

Boost Your Zinc and Vitamin D Intake

Zinc is required for the proper function of the delta-6-desaturase enzyme discussed above (#3 GLA), and deficiency has been shown to exacerbate symptoms of eczema.

A Paleo-based diet is the ideal platform for optimal zinc intake, as animal protein is hands down the best source of zinc. Increase your intake of darker cuts of meat like beef, venison, bison, elk and lamb, as well as including more seafood like oysters and mussels.

Low levels of vitamin D are also associated with increased risk of developing atopic dermatitis. Supplementation with vitamin D may help treat eczema in those who are deficient, something to consider if you live in a city with a true winter climate.

Lavender and Coconut Oil Cream (Home-Made)

You may have the ingredients for a powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ointment right in your kitchen. Coconut oil is a nutrient-dense, gentle emollient that can be applied to the skin after a warm shower to help retain moisture in the skin.

Add some lavender essential oil, in a 1:5 ratio, to coconut oil to make a powerful and soothing natural ointment for irritated skin.

Reduce Stress Levels

Stress isn’t just pulling your hair out because you can’t cope, it’s also “being busy” from morning till after dark. Stress is a reality in today’s 24/7 society, and there is a positive correlation between stress and increased prevalence of eczema.

Stress reduction techniques like mindfulness meditation training, yoga or tai chi, coloring (yes, coloring books!) and singing all help to activate the vagus nerve in the brain that helps the body unwind and de-stress.

Maintain Your Ideal Body Composition

Today, two-thirds of the population in America is overweight or obese, and if you struggle with weight gain, the research shows it will increase your risk of eczema significantly.

Following a low-carb, Paleo-based diet, incorporating strength training and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) cardio is a great way to trim body fat and achieve your ideal body composition.

Quit Smoking

There is a strong association between smoking, exposure to smoke, and atopic dermatitis. The solution here is simple: stop smoking.

Detoxify

Eczema can worsen with exposure to allergens and irritants such as soaps, perfumes or laundry detergents. Use a mild detergent to wash clothing, with no bleach, dryer sheets or fabric softener. Use a scent-free, sensitive skin, hypoallergenic detergent that is free from dyes, fragrances and irritating residues.

Watch this video – How To Treat Eczema Naturally | Top Home Remedies For Eczema

Bottom Line

Eczema isn’t just annoying and irritating, it also deeply impacts your overall health and vitality.

This chronic and inflammatory skin condition can be reversed by removing aggravating foods from your diet, upgrading your digestive health, correcting nutrient deficiencies and cooling inflammation.

Find the right solutions for your body and put an end to the dry, itchy and sensitive skin that holds you back from feeling your best.

Written by Dr. Marc Bubbs

Author Bio:

Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND is a Naturopathic Doctor, Strength Coach, Author, Speaker, and Blogger practicing in Toronto, Canada. He believes that diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors have the most profound impact on your overall health and performance. Marc is the author of The Paleo Project – A 21st Guide to Looking Leaner, Getting Stronger, & Living Longer and currently serves as the Sports Nutrition Lead for Canadian Men’s Olympic Basketball Team.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

Here is Your Guide to Good vs. Bad Cholesterol

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Cholesterol has been blamed for heart disease for decades. But is it really as bad for you as you think?

New research is in, and cholesterol isn’t the culprit.

But if it’s not the villain the medical community has made it out to be, then what is it?

And what about the differences between “good” and “bad” cholesterol? Here are the basics of what you need to know in this simple guide to good and bad cholesterol.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an essential building block of cell membranes, and without it, we couldn’t survive.

We need cholesterol for these essential bodily processes:

• Maintaining cell membrane structure
• Producing hormones
• Converting sun exposure to vitamin D
• Insulating nerve fibers
• Producing bile
• Metabolizing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)

Our bodies produce the majority of the cholesterol we need to stay healthy. The liver makes about 1,000 milligrams of cholesterol per day, or 85 percent of the required amount.

The remaining cholesterol comes from dietary sources, but it isn’t necessary to limit your consumption. When you eat higher levels of dietary cholesterol, the liver compensates by producing less. So while cholesterol levels can become elevated, it isn’t in response to what you eat.

Bottom line: Cholesterol, required for basic cellular health, is produced within the liver regardless of how much dietary cholesterol you eat.

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What about Good and Bad Cholesterol?

Most people know cholesterol as the “good” HDL kind and the “bad” LDL variety. However, HDL and LDL aren’t even cholesterol! They’re lipoproteins that transport cholesterol throughout the body.

Lipoproteins are made of fats and proteins, and act as little carriages to transport cholesterol to and from the liver. LDL, or low-density lipoproteins, are bigger and carry less weight than HDL, or high-density lipoproteins.

HDL got its reputation for being the good guy because it collects cholesterol from circulating in the bloodstream and returns it to the liver to be broken down. People who believe cholesterol to be a cause of heart disease consider this to be protective.

However, they forget that while the liver breaks it down, it also manufactures new cholesterol each day and sends it back out. So, destroying cholesterol isn’t the endgame.

HDL and LDL are carriers that bring cholesterol to and from the liver in a cyclical rhythm. Neither kind is inherently good or bad.

LDL got its reputation as bad cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from the liver and carries to tissues. This was considered to be bad because it was assumed that this meant cholesterol was going to sit in the arteries to clog them up. However, LDL is really doing the body a favor by delivering cholesterol to the various places it’s needed.

When cholesterol is tested, it’s considered to be a good result when HDL is high and LDL is low, and when total cholesterol is low.

But keep in mind that diet isn’t what influences these numbers, and many other health issues can cause LDL to be high and HDL to be low, including:

• Thyroid problems
• Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
• Pharmaceutical side effects
• Obesity
• Inflammation
• Genetics

Bottom line : HDL and LDL are carriers that bring cholesterol to and from the liver in a cyclical rhythm. Neither kind is inherently good or bad.

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When LDL Cholesterol Can Be Problematic

While high LDL isn’t necessarily bad, it can still be an inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular risk. LDL that is deemed high by laboratory standards can indicate inflammation or other problems in the body.

LDL becomes problematic once it has been oxidized. Oxidation in the body can be compared to the detrimental effects of rust on metal – it slowly erodes over time. This can lead to plaque build-up in the arteries, which is still a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to test whether your LDL is oxidized or not. This is why most doctors still associate high levels of LDL with an automatically increased risk of heart disease.

Ultimately, inflammation is the body’s natural and protective response to injury, because inflammation is meant to speed a healing process. When inflammation begins, regardless of the trigger, it’s possible that the liver sends out higher levels of LDL to fortify cells with nutrients and to improve hormone production.

When inflammation continues, however, LDL becomes prone to oxidation. Even if plaque doesn’t accumulate in arteries, long-term inflammation in the body will lead to disease formation, including cancer, autoimmunity, and other chronic conditions.

Bottom line: LDL cholesterol can be problematic if it becomes oxidized or damaged, but there is no easy way to test for this.

How HDL Cholesterol Can Be Helpful

So what do you do if your LDL becomes oxidized? Enter HDL, which saves the day by extracting LDL from artery walls and returning it to the liver for breakdown, reducing plaque build-up.

When your HDL numbers are low, it means there are less carriers to remove oxidized LDL. Increasing HDL is a health-protective measure regardless of what your LDL or total cholesterol numbers are.

This is because HDL also works as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent within the body, both of which are good regardless of what else is going on.

Bottom line: HDL works as an antioxidant within the body, and can help remove oxidized LDL.

Watch this video – LDL Cholesterol level: Your lab results explained

Written by Aimee McNew

Author Bio:

Aimee McNew is a Certified Nutritionist who specializes in women’s health, thyroid problems, infertility, and digestive wellness. She ate her way back to health using a Paleo diet, lost 80 pounds, and had a healthy baby after numerous miscarriages. She focuses on simple nutrition practices that promote long-lasting results.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

How to Make Your Own Coconut Yogurt Bites

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

These yogurt bites are made from dairy-free coconut yogurt and fresh, seasonal fruit for a yummy frozen treat.

All you need for this easy, freezer-friendly snack is coconut yogurt and fruit. This recipe uses blueberries and raspberries to create two separate flavors, but you can experiment with other fruit combinations like mango or strawberry.

To make these bites, use a high-speed blender to mix the yogurt and fruit until completely combined. Dollop the mixture into quarter-sized bites and freeze overnight.

The trickiest part of this recipe is transferring the coconut yogurt mixture to the baking sheet without the mixture getting runny.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, freeze the baking sheet for 20 minutes prior to making them, and place a large ice pack underneath the baking sheet to keep it cool while you assemble the bites. This process ensures the mixture stays firm, and will freeze nicely.

Serve the coconut yogurt bites as a cool party treat, pop them as a snack, or add them to smoothies!

Tip: This recipe doesn’t use any added sweetener, but if you want to add some, be sure to substitute with something sticky to ensure the bites hold together. Maple syrup would be too runny, but a ½ tablespoon honey or coconut sugar would work fine.

Coconut Yogurt Bites

Recipe by Megan Olson

These yogurt bites are made from dairy-free coconut yogurt and fresh, seasonal fruit for a yummy frozen treat.

Tools:

• Food processor or blender
• Piping bag
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Freezer-friendly container

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut yogurt, divided
• ½ cup blueberries
• ½ cup raspberries

Instructions:

For the Blueberry Bites: In a food processor or blender, combine ½ cup coconut yogurt with the blueberries. Process until the blueberries are fully broken down and combined. Swipe down the sides, process again, then transfer the mixture to a bowl and cover.

For the Raspberry Bites: Wash out the blender, and combine the remaining coconut yogurt with raspberries. Repeat the same process above and transfer the mixture to a separate bowl.

Place both bowls in the refrigerator. At the same time, place a small baking sheet in the freezer. Chill for 20 minutes.

Take out the yogurt mixtures, and place each flavor in 2 separate piping bags; line the baking sheet with parchment paper. If you have one, put an ice pack underneath the baking sheet.

Using the piping bags, squeeze out 12 drops per bag ( 24 total), each drop about 1 inch wide.

Place in the freezer for at least 3 hours.

Remove bites from the parchment paper and place in a freezer-friendly container. Enjoy immediately, or store in the freezer for up to a month.

Watch this video – Easy Frozen Yogurt Bites

Written by Megan Olson

Author Bio:

Megan is the author of the gluten free website, Skinny Fitalicious where she creates easy, low calorie recipes. Megan is also a nutrition practitioner specializing in weight loss. When she’s not in the kitchen or coaching clients, she’s in the gym teaching group fitness. To view more of her work, visit Skinny Fitalicious.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

Fermented Foods Guide – Benefits and How to Eat Them

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

The Easy Guide to Fermented Foods- Benefits and How to Eat Them

Get to know the extraordinary benefits behind fermented foods, and discover the best fermented foods to add to your diet.

What Are Fermented Foods?

The process of fermented foods is pretty simple: they sit or “steep” until bacteria and yeast consume their natural sugars. This creates beneficial acids and “good” bacteria, which benefits your body when you eat it.

The fermentation process was originally used as a way to preserve foods.The lactic and acetic acids created through the process make it difficult for bad bacteria to grow, which makes food last longer without refrigeration.

You’ve probably also noticed that fermented foods taste stronger than many foods, with a pungent or vinegar-like flavor. For example, you can taste the difference between a cup of fresh cabbage versus a bite of sauerkraut (fermented cabbage). This is the bacteria at work, changing the structure of the cabbage down to its flavor.

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Benefits of Fermented Foods

The most profound benefit of fermented foods is their impact on the gut and digestion. This is because fermented foods contain an abundant amount of probiotics, which help colonize your gut.

However, recent research shows that the benefits of these cultured foods spans far beyond your stomach. Read on to see what other benefits fermented foods and their probiotics have to offer.

1. Improves Digestive Disorders

If you suffer from digestive issues, a bit of fermented food may go a long way.

Studies show that probiotics help improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis, with one study finding that they were just as effective as prescription drugs at keeping symptoms in check.

Other studies show probiotics may also help improve irritable bowel syndrome and have also been able to reduce the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (a fatal bowel condition in infants) by 50 percent.

2. Prevents Bad Bacteria Buildup

There are many things we do on a daily basis that can throw our gut bacteria out of balance, such as taking antibiotics and consuming artificial sweeteners.  When bad bacteria begins to take over in our guts, we might experience a range of poor digestion symptoms, such as bloating and gas.

Eating more fermented foods can help add more good bacteria to your gut to rebalance your microbiome and keep out bad bugs.

3. Soothes Eczema

Studies show that the probiotics found in fermented foods can also benefit skin conditions like eczema. One study showed that women who took probiotics while pregnant had children who were 83 percent less likely to develop eczema.

Another study found that infants fed probiotic-infused milk experienced an improvement in eczema symptoms, compared to those that were fed milk without probiotics.

4. Sharpens Mental Health

Interestingly, probiotics can also improve mental conditions. A review of studies in both animals and humans found that adding probiotics to participants’ diets can improve depression, autism, memory, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety. Probiotics can also help lower stress levels.

5. Boosts Heart Health

Fermented foods can also help keep your heart pumping strong. Studies show that the probiotics prevalent in fermented foods help break down bile, which can enter back into your bloodstream as cholesterol when not properly broken down.

Other studies show that probiotics can help increase good cholesterol and even reduce blood pressure.

6. Strengthens Immunity

The probiotics found in fermented foods may also help keep bad bugs away by boosting your immune system.

Our bodies produce natural antibodies and immune cells like killer T cells, which help identify and fight infections. Studies show that probiotics help produce these natural defenses, which may defeat colds and infections before they can catch hold.

7. Aids in Weight Loss

It turns out that eating more fermented foods may actually help you shed a few pounds.

One study showed that women who were dieting and took probiotics lost 50 percent more weight in three months than women who didn’t.  Others show that certain probiotics can also reduce belly fat, even at low doses.

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The Best Fermented Foods to Eat

Trust us: There’s more than just sauerkraut out there! Check out these other probiotic-rich fermented foods.

1. Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented beverage made from black or green tea and sugar. Don’t worry, the sugar feeds the bacteria, not you. When beneficial yeasts and bacteria form in the tea, it creates what is called a SCOBY, or film at the top of the mixture that is rich in probiotics and enzymes (don’t worry, the SCOBY doesn’t normally come at the top of store-bought kombucha).

You can easily find some at your local grocery store, or you can make your own kombucha at home! Try drinking a serving a day for a dose of probiotics.

2. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage that has traditionally been used in northern European cooking. It has a pungent, sometimes slightly sweet flavor that works great with meat dishes, and even stew.

Try this easy, healthy sauerkraut recipe and add a couple of spoonfuls to your dinner a few times a week.

3. Coconut Water Kefir

Kefir is traditionally a fermented milk beverage (like a drinkable yogurt). However, since we’re avoiding dairy here on the Paleo diet, it helps to know coconut water kefir exists, which is simply fermented coconut water.

Add a couple tablespoons to 1/4 cup of coconut kefir water to your diet a few times a week.

4. Non-Dairy Yogurt

Non-dairy yogurts made from ingredients like almond and coconut are great sources of probiotics and enzymes. Plus, they’re an easy way to get a healthy dose of good fats, and they make a great snack!

Try a non-dairy yogurt for breakfast topped with nuts, or have a cup as a snack. You can also try these homemade coconut yogurt bites!

5. Kimchi

Kimchi is similar to sauerkraut, but also contains other veggies, as well as spices and seasonings like garlic, ginger, pepper, and more.

Try this easy gut-healing kimchi recipe and use it to top a stir-fry or spice up a veggie dish.

Watch this video – The Complete Guide to Fermenting Every Single Vegetable

The Bottom Line

Adding fermented foods to your diet can be a tasty, easy way to cash in on the wide range of benefits of probiotics. Add several of these to your diet weekly for best results.

Written by Megan Patiry

Author Bio:

Megan is an inquisitive nutrition and wellness writer harboring an editorial love affair with the decadent and the nutritious. She is a dedicated researcher in all areas of ancestral health, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition, personal trainer, and professional almond milk latte addict.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.

To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook

Healthy Probiotic Breakfast – How to Make Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt

 

Click HERE to Discover these 80 Keto-Friendly and Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Blend up this creamy, dairy-free Coconut Yogurt for a healthy probiotic breakfast or snack!

This dairy-free Coconut Yogurt recipe gives you all the gut-boosting benefits of a fermented yogurt while keeping it 100% Paleo. You’ll only need 3 ingredients – coconut cream, probiotics, and honey.

For the best yogurt, pay special attention to the quality of your ingredients. The coconut cream should be organic and from a BPA-free can. You can also substitute coconut milk with 2 or 3 tablespoons of tapioca flour to thicken, or just use unthickened coconut milk if you prefer a runnier yogurt.

To get the needed gut-friendly bacteria in the coconut yogurt, use a dairy-free, plant-based probiotic with various bacterial strains. The three most important to look for are: Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus casei.

This recipe uses honey as a sweetener, but you can also substitute maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, or even blended fresh fruit if you prefer. Feel free to adjust the quantity of sweetener to your liking. You really can’t mess it up, and it’s so much better for you than store-bought yogurts!

After the mixture is blended well, transfer the yogurt to a glass jar with a lid, and let it ferment in the oven for a full day. Chill for at least two hours, then grab a spoon and dig in! Enjoy it as is, or try serving it with fresh fruit, raw nuts and seeds, or Paleo granola.

How to Make Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt

Recipe by Megan Olson

Blend up this creamy, dairy-free Coconut Yogurt for a healthy probiotic breakfast or snack!

Tools:

• Food processor or high-speed blender (sterilized)
• Sterile glass jar with lid

Ingredients:

• 2 15 oz. cans organic coconut cream, chilled in the refrigerator 4 hours
• 2 dairy-free probiotic pills with bacterial strains L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus and L. casei
• 1 T honey

Instructions:

1. Open coconut cream and separate the liquid from the cream.

• In a food processor or high-speed blender, add the cream with the probiotic pills and honey. Process on high for 3 minutes until pills are broken down.

• Check the consistency of the yogurt. If it’s too thick, add a little of the coconut water and blend.

• Transfer the yogurt to a glass jar and seal with lid.

• Preheat the oven to 100°F. Place the glass jar in the oven for 24 hours to ferment.

• Once fermented, remove from the oven, cool and stir the yogurt. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Watch the video – Dairy Free Coconut Yogurt

Written by Megan Olson

Author Bio:

Megan is the author of the gluten free website, Skinny Fitalicious where she creates easy, low calorie recipes. Megan is also a nutrition practitioner specializing in weight loss. When she’s not in the kitchen or coaching clients, she’s in the gym teaching group fitness. To view more of her work, visit Skinny Fitalicious.

A lot of people have gotten results from the Keto diet, and enjoyed the foods that it has to offer. However, many of the people who are following this diet have a hard time finding the recipes that they need, especially ones that are quick and easy to complete.

Fortunately, Kelsey Ale, noticed this problem, and decided to do something about it. She’s found that making recipes in a slow cooker gives you meals which are not only delicious, but also take very little time to make. Mostly you just put a few simple ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do the rest.To find out more, click on – Keto Slow Cooker Cookbook