Freebird Golden Latte: Gut Healing and Adrenal Boosting {AIP Paleo, Whole30, Keto}

Having an autoimmune disease can make you feel like you’re in a cage. You see other people “out there” doing all the things you want to do, but the pain or the brain fog or the exhaustion can make it impossible.

This latte, on the other hand, makes me feel like a free bird. It’s gut healing and adrenal supporting… And it’s delicious and caffeine free.

I’ve given up coffee a few times in the past, but the most recent time was 6 months ago after my fifth miscarriage. Since coffee can contribute to recurrent miscarriage, and I was trying to prevent another miscarriage, I figured it was better to just cut it out completely and remove all doubt.

I still had the occasional cup, but I no longer depended on it. Then, after my sixth miscarriage, I had a thyroid panel run and found out my body was producing antibodies consistent with early Hashimoto’s.

One of the things I read after getting my thyroid results back was that the adrenals and thyroid are linked, and that coffee can have a negative effect on cortisol/adrenals.

I also started implementing the AIP Protocol (more or less), which includes coffee on the “do not consume” list.

So my “occasional coffee drinker” status has turned to “not a coffee drinker.”

But what about those times you’re just really craving a hot cup of something?

This totally AIP-compliant latte will hit the spot… and it doesn’t just taste good; it’s good for you too!

Turmeric

You’ve probably heard some of the buzz about turmeric. This amazing root is

• anti-inflammatory: one of the root causes of autoimmune disease is inflammation.
• pain relieving
• a liver aid: boost your liver to help get toxins out of your system.
• adrenal supporting: this study showed that curcumin (found in turmeric) helped ease the effects of stress on the HPA axis (hippocampus, pituitary, adrenals).
• a digestive aid: if you have an autoimmune disease, you probably have poor digestion.

Turmeric can help ease gut inflammation and reduce the symptoms of leaky gut. (Side note: if you’re trying to conceive, turmeric might be a great spice to add to your regular rotation since digestion can have a huge impact on your fertility.)

Ginger

Ginger is another powerful digestive aid. It’s also anti-inflammatory and may reduce pain.

Collagen

Collagen supports healthy skin, joints, and nails.

The amino acid glycine in collagen can also aid digestion. And since collagen is a primary component in your gut’s intestinal walls, it can also help heal leaky gut.

Just make sure it’s grass-fed for the best nutritional profile.

How to Make the Freebird AIP Latte

This recipe couldn’t be easier. You’ll combine

• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 2 pinches Himalayan pink or Celtic gray salt
• 1 tsp grass-fed collagen peptides
• 3/4 tsp coconut oil
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp maple syrup (optional) [use a dash of pure stevia extract to make this keto]

I put all the ingredients in my Blendtec on the “hot soup” setting, but if you don’t have a high-powered blender, you can heat the ingredients in a small saucepan on the stove.

Once heated, blend or shake in a closed jar to make frothy. And enjoy!

The great thing about this recipe is that since it’s caffeine free you can drink it anytime you feel like you need a little pick-me-up. I had mine today for lunch alongside leftover breakfast hash.

Sooooooo yummy!

Notes:

For a super creamy, decadent latte, use coconut cream instead of the coconut milk.

The hint of sweet adds a really nice touch. But if you like a bolder flavor or are on the Whole30, leave out the optional sweetener.

Side note: I no longer stick to a strict Paleo diet (though I do believe it has a lot to offer people). If you’d like to know more about how we eat now, check out my template for a healthy diet.

About water filtering

We use a Berkey for filtering our water. It removes the most contaminants of any other filter I’ve seen, and you can get fluoride filters for it too.

If you have a thyroid problem, filtering out fluoride is a must. Fluorine, bromine (found in many baked goods), and chlorine are similar enough in chemical structure to iodine that your thyroid will try to use them instead of iodine to make thyroid hormones.

When these chemicals displace iodine, your body can’t properly use them to make the necessary thyroid hormones, and your thyroid health suffers.

The price tag on the Berkey might seem a little expensive (it was a while before I felt like we could afford one), but the filters last a long time, and I think the cost is totally worth it for your health.

Need some breakfast ideas to eat alongside this AIP latte? Check out this fabulous list of AIP-friendly breakfast ideas!