Beat the Christmas Bloat

Whether it’s Christmas indulgence or long distance flights (like me), this time of year the belly bloat can really take hold and have you feeling lethargic and sluggish.

From someone who has struggled with excess bloating in the past, I finally feel like I have cracked it! One of the biggest reasons for my bloating was eating on the go – you have to rest to digest! Although I usually eat little but often ( I am not a big plate kinda girl but happily pick), I find if my schedule becomes too busy, my gut takes a hit and stress can slow my digestion right down.

Sometimes we can also be holding on to emotions, which adds to stress and can makes our colon cramp up! But if we “Let go” in our esoteric body, it allows our physical body to relax also.

“Letting go” may entail a physical practice like yoga, which allows you to connect the physical and esoteric body, or it may simply be finding stillness in meditation, to allow our digestion to both relax and let go.

Personally, I love yoga twists for helping detox my body, and not only get rid of bloating, but prevent it before it comes.

When you are in a yoga twist, you are essentially compressing your digestive organs – placing them under weight. This causes a lack of circulation. When you release your twist, magic commences and there is a rush of fresh blood that will flood your digestive organs. Fresh blood flow equals fresh oxygen and nutrients.

Yoga Twisting therefore increases blood flow to the digestive organs, thus increasing their ability to function, and decreasing the bloat!

If you are feeling bloated, I also recommend a little fasting, maybe having your breakfast a little later than normal, but having a healthy nutrient dense one prepared (to avoid caving into sugar cravings)

I love chia and matcha porridge ( recipe below): chia seeds cleanse your gut, while matcha has massive detox benefits!

Matcha comes from the same plant as green tea, but since it’s made from the entire leaf, it packs in a more concentrated amount of antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds.

Therefore, matcha is amazing to cleanse the colon particularly of heavy metals and chemicals we may have unknowingly ingested. Berries are also full of Antioxidants and help sweeten up the porridge.

My final beat the bloat recommendation is Magnesium, recommended by my colon therapist. I take 400mgs of Magnesium “Bisglycinate” ( make sure it is Bisglycinate as there are lots of different types) in the evening- after dinner, or before bed. This heals the colon muscles, aiding relaxation and release. Please note that this is not a typical laxative like some other Magnesiums, this is much gentler and really helps long term…not just for Christmas 😜

I honestly hope this helps as much as it has helped me. Above all, remember your colon is your second brain. You must honour and respect it in order for your body, mind and soul to function with ease.

Any questions, as always, please just get in touch.

Love always Estelle

Chia porridge

• 4 tbs chia seeds
• 1 tsp matcha 1 tbs coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup almond milk or coconut milk
• 1/4 cup berries or pomegranate seeds

Instructions

Add all ingredients except the berries / pomegranate seeds to a small bowl and mix well. Let sit for minimum 20 minutes or until chia seeds expand and form a thick pudding (can be done overnight) Top with berries / pomegranate seeds and enjoy this chia pudding as a delicious and filling detox breakfast