There have been times on this journey when i'm just OVER it! I'm tired of eating the same 7 foods in different arrangements. I'm annoyed that my body needs food as fuel to run and heal itself. If Soylent had ingredients I could tolerate, I'd drink it!. (yes, it's real. no, it's not people.) This isn't great for a couple reasons, one because food is necessary (obviously) and two because if I avoid eating due to annoyance at my choices, I'm more likely to make poor food choices that could be detrimental to my healing. Don't get me wrong, I love food and eating in general.
What i've done in the meantime, is find a way to get nutrients into my body when I just don't want to eat
It's really important to make sure I'm feeding myself if i want to heal. Deprivation is only going to cause additional issues, not to mention make me HANGRY. It gives my digestion a break to have liquids rather than solids for a meal or two. Sometimes on the road, I'll supplement with this because eating out gets expensive. It allows me to bring some food on the road (food bag!), eat when I choose to, supplement when I choose to and I have a back up if the venue serves dinner that I'd rather avoid.
The Goods
Pasture Raised Collagen Peptides - these are a great (flavorless) way to add a boost to your coffee (or smoothie, or just dissolve in water)! I'm generally not ready to eat a meal when i wake up. Peptides dissolve in cold OR hot water. So, i put collagen in my coffee, add a little homemade coconut milk and I'm good for a bit. It contains 18 grams of protein and the source is grass fed beef collagen so it's also super healing for my gut. (Bone broth is not easy to take on tour.) On the road, I'll use powdered coconut milk. It's not as good as the homemade stuff, in my opinion but it's a great second best. Sometimes I'll also chug a scoop of collagen peptides before bed if i'm feeling a little hungry after a show, it will help me sleep through the night.
Beauty tip: collagen applied to your face is TOO LARGE of a molecule to be absorbed into your skin. You want more collagen in your body? (ah hem, cellulite), ingesting it is the best way to absorb it!
Coconut Oil - I take a jar of organic coconut oil with me on tour and we always have some in the kitchen. I just eat a teaspoon or two of it as needed. It's a healthy saturated fat that has a host of wonderful health properties. It's not the most delicious right out of the jar but will keep me sated for a period of time.
Super Greens - What about vitamins and minerals you say? Powdered greens, when coupled with the protein and coconut oil practically make a complete meal. (not quite soylent but it works at times) There are some vegetables in there that I don't tolerate completely yet, but in a pinch it's served me well.
Where Can I GET THIS STUFF?
You can get Organic Coconut Oil at your local grocery store. OR try Thrive Market! We love them, we save about $1k a year on organic pantry items by using thrive AND for every membership they sell, they give one to a family in need. Everyone deserves to feed their family with healthy food. Support them!
Vital Proteins and Perfect Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides are two collagen peptides we use. Hint: Thrive sells the Vital proteins for WAY cheaper. We get the other stuff on Amazon when Thrive has been out of stock.
Orac-Energy Greens are the super greens we have now. They work really well and you can drink them straight (dissolved in water) or put them in a smoothie if you prefer that.
Coconut Milk Recipe:
- Boil Water
- Meanwhile, take Two Cups of Shredded, Organic Coconut and put in a blender (we use a vitamix)
- Pour 4 Cups boiled Water into blender
- Blend for 2-3 minutes
- Pour into a large bowl to cool
- Once Cool, Strain through a nut bag
- Refrigerate, and use within that week!
Coconut Collagen Coffee:
- Make Coffee (I use a french press each morning and grind coffee once a week for that week)
- Pour 12 oz coffee
- Add one or two scoops of Collagen Peptides (Depending on hunger level, i usually do one)
- add 1-2 oz of coconut milk to taste OR 1-2 tsp of coconut milk powder to taste
- Stir or blend (peptides will dissolve) and Enjoy!
Mini Meal on the Road:
- Pour 8 oz glass of water (no ice)
- Pour 1-2 scoops of collagen peptides (depending on hunger)
- Pour 1 scoop of Super Greens
- Stir well and CHUG!
- Finish by eating 1-2 tsp of coconut oil
Update May 2017: Now that I'm doing more of a ketogenic lifestyle. I put heavy whipping cream (organic always and raw when possible) instead of Coconut Milk.