I'm always on the lookout for new functional beverages - I don't do the best at drinking regular water, so having tasty and healthy drinks to grab from the fridge helps me keep my hydration on point. Sooooo when I had the opportunity to try Sapp birch water, I jumped on it! Not only is it 100% organic, free of added sugar, and deeeeelicious, but it's full of naturally occurring nutrients and minerals (manganese is the standout) and infused with adaptogenic chaga mushrooms (see: rockstar of the medicinal mushroom world). This bev is definitely going in my regular rotation--read on to learn about how birch water's health benefits, and why chaga 'shrooms should be in YOUR regular rotation.

Happy Sunday, beautiful people!!  I'm all about pretty food, and I'm all about supporting optimal digestion.  So obviously I decided to make a gorgeous digestive tonic to start my Sunday right.  Read on for the recipe and alllllll the details on how each ingredient contributes to the tonic.

BUT FIRST:  I haven't been to Costco in a hot minute, and I have to say they have some sweet new offerings.  I was so excited to find not only C2O coconut water, but their 100% organic line!  I drink a loooooot of coconut water, but I'm pretty picky about what kind I drink and where it's sourced from.  I love love love this line of C2O because it's 100% organic and FREE of preservatives and sweeteners.  Boom.  No nasties in my hydration, thank you very much.  It's also sourced from inland freshwater coconuts, which have a naturally sweeter taste than the coastal coconuts (coastal varieties tend to be a little saltier).  Since it's preservative free, you'll find your C2O keepin' it fresh in the cooler section.  Anywaaaayyy I just thought I would share since it's a stellar deal on a product I think is the bees knees.

Okay now for the delicious stuff.  I made my digestive tonic with C2O coconut water for optimal hydration post Sunday morning sweat-sesh, and a few key ingredients to support digestion.  

• Pineapple: This fine fruit is packed with an enzyme call bromelain, which helps your bod break down proteins into individual amino acids.  Pineapple has also been shown to reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis and acid reflux, and the high fiber content helps to keep your elimination on the reg.  Studies also show that fruits high in fiber help to prevent colorectal cancer, so bonus!
• Ginger: The gastroprotective activity of ginger has been well documented and studied.  Since it is highly anti-inflammatory, it can provide powerful support of many inflammatory digestive disorders. Ginger root also contains PREbiotics, a type of plant-based fiber that feeds good bacteria in the digestive tract to help them grow. Last, ginger is amaze at reducing nausea.  If your tummy is feeling unsettled, have some of this drink! (Or make some ginger tea, one of my other fave digestion supporting tonics.
• Collagen peptides: This super soluble, tasteless collagen has been shown to increase the integrity of the epithelial lining of the gut.  In other words, it helps heal from and prevent what is commonly known as "leaky gut".  The high level of proline and glycine in collagen peptides also helps to support proper stomach acid production.  This is super important, as stomach acid facilitates the proper absorption of nutrients.  When your stomach acid production is on point, you're absorbing more nutrients and your bod is functioning at a higher level.  You can get them in both marine and bovine forms, depending on your dietary preferences.

You guys ready to make this tonic or what!?!

Recipe:
Blue Pineapple Digestive Tonic 

Ingredients: (serves 2)

• 16 oz C2O 100% organic coconut water
• 1 cup organic fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
• 2 heaping scoops collagen peptides
• A thumb's length of fresh ginger, peeled
• Juice from 1 whole organic lemon
• 1 tsp Blue Majik blue spirulina

How To:
Blend all ingredients together.  Best served over ice with a bamboo straw, obvi.

X's and O's,
Nikole

​Pictured above, the Fawen soups come in three fab flavors (all organic!): Broccoli & Cauliflower, Beet & Cabbage, and Sweet Potato & Red Lentil. Besides being delish, what gives Fawen a spot on the list of Whole Nikole approved ish? Let me tell you.

• The ingredients are organic & 100% vegan (also Paleo!). This is something I never compromise on. If I'm going to buy a packaged product for convenience, I will NOT compromise my ingredient standards! Let's be real here - we all live busy lives, and who the heck has time to home cook every meal? AmIRightorAmIRight??? Buuuuuut, we still shouldn't put crap ingredients in our bods, so it's important to have standards, people. STANDARDS.
• The veggies used to make the soups are WHOLE VEGGIES - they're never juiced or pressed. Why is this awesome? Because it means the veggies in Fawen not only have the awesome vitamins and minerals of the veggies, but also the F I B E R, so your bod digests them slower and you stay satisfied longer (blood sugar balance, baby). Keeping the fiber also means the soups are lower in sugar (like waaaaay lower), than your average juice. So to answer my title question (Is souping the next juicing???), my answer is a resounding YES.
• The soups are made with ZERO artificial ingredients, preservatives, or sweeteners. Yeah, this one speaks for itself.
• The soups are an easy, healthy snack, as they don't have to be refrigerated and are delish straight from the container. Ima say that one more time. They are delish straight from the containerrrrrrrrr. Fa real. This is super stellar for those times when you want to throw something in your bag for an on-the-go snack, have a mid-day work refuel, or munch a post-workout pick-me-up. How many dashes can I use in one paragraph???
• Fawen values sustainable, environmental practices. This is a big one in my book. This company walks the walk! Fawen maintains a low carbon footprint by sourcing locally from organic farms, which are pesticide and herbicide-free, and their Tetra Pak is eco-friendly, recyclable, and BPA-free. In addition, Tetra Paks are also generally lighter than glass and plastic, which makes Fawen not only easier for you to carry around, but it also requires less fuel to transport and reduces their carbon footprint. Boom.

Let's talk about how I enjoyed my Fawen. I kept it simple with the Broccoli & Cauliflower, warming it in a saucepan and topping with hemp hearts for my breakfast veggie. I used the Beet & Cabbage as a base for a bee pollen infused smoothie (recipe below). The Sweet Potato & Red Lentil didn't make it out of the container - I drank it with an eco-friendly bamboo straw. I have to say, I was particular to the Broccoli & Cauliflower, but all the flavors were super tasty! When you all get some Fawen (you know you wanna), tell me what your fave way to enjoy it is!!! Speaking of having some Fawen in your life, you can buy it in stores in the NYC Metro area (check out their store finder on their website!), or snag some from their website (www.drinkfawen.com) or on Amazon with freeeeeee shipping.

Without further ado, here is your new fave beet based smoothie recipe.

Recipe:
Bee Pollen Infused Fawen Energizer Smooooothie

​Ingredients (serves 2):

• 1/2 container Fawen Beet & Cabbage (approx. 8 oz)

• 8 oz unsweetened vanilla nut milk
• 1 banana, frozen
• 10 - 15 frozen strawbs (depending on how big they are)
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tsp bee pollen for a bonus energy boost (plus a tad additional for a pretty topper)
• 2 Tbsp. Vital Proteins collagen peptides for gut health support (or equivalent serving protein of choice)

How-To
This one is super complicated. Put everything in your blender and blend. Top with additional bee pollen, eat that ish, and conquer your day. I know, that was hard, huh?

X's and O's.,
Nikole

Follow Fawen on Insta at @fawensoup and sign up for their monthly newsletter on their website to receive exclusive discounts and product updates, fun events, and plant-based living inspiration!

I'm going to keep this one short and sweet today because I'm busy praying for Russell Wilson to get it together so I can win my fantasy football matchup this week!!! (SMH)  

This layered smoothie might change your life. FA REAL.  It's packed full of protein, healthy fats, and crazy potent energy boosting amazingness. Yes that is a word;  I use it all the time, mmmk? Also this pic didn't quiiiiiite meet the Whole Nikole standards, but I had to post it anyway because the smoothie was SO DANG GOOD.  

Let's talk about how this jar of awesome will keep you going all morning with sustained energy that won't cause an afternoon crash.

I know you want this in your belly, right?  I KNOW.  But for real, besides being the most decadent smoothie bowl you will ever eat, it's also packed full of nutrients, protein, healthy fats, and fiber to start your day in the best way possible!  Imma tell you all about it, so keep readin'.