Hey Friends!! How are you?

I ask this with the utmost sincerity. What a week this has been. No matter which side of the aisle your political/social views fall, I think we can all agree that this.has.been.exhausting. Hopefully there is an idea or two below that will help your mind or body begin to heal this week.

Here we go with Currently Loving Volume 3: November Edition!

I'd love it if you wanted to reply back to me and tell me what you think!

Currently feeling: Challenged. On top of managing my elective-stress (workouts, recovery days, water, stillness), I've also been experiencing an inflammatory response in my gut. I haven't shared much on instagram about this, but I am working though some potential SIBO (Small Intentional Bacterial Overgrowth) issues, which is making it harder for me to digest my tried and true favorites. High fiber veggies, garlic, onion and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and xylitol are huge NOs for me right now. That is because these ingredients can feed any abundance of bad bacteria, causing a distended belly and slow digestive motility. You can read more about SIBO here. I have also been diving into the podcast SIBO Made Simple for more information. As with anything, this advice and information cannot be used to make a diagnosis. Check with your doctor or holistic practitioner for guidance. As I uncover more, I'll continue to share more about my journey to healing.

Currently eating: some version of PEScience Vegan protein daily! I am experimenting with eliminating dairy and eggs, so my coveted ZPO bars needed a makeover. I know this may not look like much, but let me tell you it hits the spot for me and is even more filling than the oat bars. This is perfect because I am looking for meals that fill me up longer, allowing for 4-5 hours of time to 'rest and digest' as part of my gut health treatment protocol. Here's the breakdown of how I made the above: Combine 400g zucchini + 40g gluten free oats for 5 minutes + a pinch of salt and a half cup of water and microwave for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup (130g) pumpkin puree, 20g protein (I love the PEScience Mint Cookie) and 2g Hiit Nutrition Jet Black cocoa and reheat for another 90 seconds. Add 10g of Thin Mint Cocoa Bar in a Jar. If you are looking for more sweetness I recommend a few drops of peppermint or chocolate stevia drops! This cozy, warm, subtly sweet bowl of nourishing flavors and micros is what I look forward to most each day!

Currently obsessing: Babe Lash. Insert all the heart-eye emojis. Have you tried it? I've been using the Enhancing Conditioner in the morning and the Essential Serum at night for about a month WITH my extensions. My lashes have never stayed on this long or remained this full! I may even skip my next fill just to see how things are coming along 'unfiltered.' Check out the other super intriguing items in their line up, like defining brow creme, enriching mascara and lip plumping jelly. I am no beauty expert, but I love a minimalist look, so this line is right up my ally! I feel like these would be perfect stocking stuffers too. Oh, and here's a code if you'd like to try anything out: INSTA20 saves 20% 

Currently (privately) sharing: 

SO here is one of the perks of being on my email list...when I have something new, you'll always hear about it first. Coaching spots, free recipes, limited edition special offers to name a few.

*Only* for the holidays (and only until my supplies run out), I've created and packaged with the ultimate give of love in mind, this 'light' version of the Macro Kickstarter Box.

The Holiday Thanks Box contains everything you want to share with your best friend, sister, mom or partner:

Empower Nutrition Special Edition Recipe Book - printed + digital copies

Macro Counting/Biofeedback Journal

Cocoabar in a Jar Peanut Butter Cup (2 servings)

PeScience Protein (5 servings)

The best spatula I have ever known

Beautiful dish towel

Always a few other surprises

Access to my digital assets where I post recipes and resources FIRST

Empower Nutrition Starter Guide (digital download)

These items add up to $150 and sell (with a few others) in the original Macro Kickstarter box for $200.

This $99 price point will ONLY run through November and this version of the box will only be available as long as I have supplies!

Also, who KNOWS what shipping and supply chaos will occur in December, so let's get this gifting party started!

But there is actually ONE more special free gift included... 

AND...this is a BIG bonus...as it is not available for separate purchase.

Along with this in the box (to keep OR share - I'll ship anywhere in the lower 48), only available with this purchase, you will receive immediate access to:

• The digital download for my 'Bonus' Holiday Thanks recipe book, that rounds out every recipe I have ever created. So if you are someone who wants the entire library at your fingertips, this is for you!

My 17 most recent recipes make up the BONUS Holiday Thanks book:

Cake Pop Stuffed Pumpkin Cookies

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash

Cocoa Bar in a Jar Chocolate Cupcakes

Cocoa Bar in a Jar Mug Cake

Cocoa Bar in a Jar Peppermint Bark

Favorite Frosting

Garlicky Spring Vegetable Bake

Green Chicken Enchiladas

Jet Black Zucchini Cake

Lightened Up Cake Pop Blondie

Lightened Up Zucchini Pumpkin Oat Bars

Peanut Butter Applesauce Bread

Pumpkin Mocha Cake

Simple Parmesan Frittata

Strawberry Cream Pretzel Bars

Triple Chocolate Blender Cake

Ultimate Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Early Access to the Holiday Thanks Box

If you made it this far, THANK YOU!

Here's your reward!

Currently hearing: “I am ready for the holidays!”  

Me too. You may have noticed I put my tree up November 1st.

My early gift to you is the unpublished the recipe for my

5 Minute Peppermint Bark:

112 g / 3/4 cup Lily’s stevia-sweetened white chocolate chips

84 g / 3 oz Cocoa Bar in a Jar - Thin Mint

5 g / a sprinkle of crushed candy canes

Line a small loaf pan with parchment paper.

Microwave the white chocolate chips in a glass in two 30 second increments, stirring in between and again once melted, until completely smooth.

Pour the melted white chocolate into a small loaf pan and place in freezer while you continue with the recipe.

Microwave the measured quantity of Cocoa Bar in a Jar in the same glass (it’s ok if there is remaining white chocolate).

Stir with a small spatula until completely smooth.

Pour the Cocoa Bar in a Jar over the firmed white chocolate and spread to the ends with a spatula.

Sprinkle on crushed candy canes and return to freezer or fridge for 5 minutes or until hardened.

Cut into 8 pieces and serve!

Macros: 

1 piece / 25 grams = 119 calories/11C/7F/3P

My fitness pal entry: Katie Crokus Peppermint Bark

Notes:

• Flip the layers for a white topped candy
• Other white chocolate chips will work but will have different macros
• There is no substitute for the Cocoa Bar in a Jar! It's unique makeup of ingredients, macros and just the right amount of mint are what makes this 3 ingredient recipe WORK...and come together in 5 minutes flat!

I hope you love this treat as much as my family and I do!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, healing November.

Warmly,

Katie

Current discounts:

Babe Lash: INSTA20 saves 20%

Jojo's Chocolate: Katie saves 10%

Cozy Earth: Crokus50 saves 50%

PeScience: Katie saves 15%

G2G Bars: KatieC saves 15% 

Cocoa Bar in a Jar: Katie10 saves 10%

Cut da Carb: Katie10 saves 10% off a 24 pack

HiiT Nutrition: Katie saves 10%

Simply Delish: Katie saves 10%

Seed Synbiotic: Katie15 saves 15%