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If you’ve never heard the word “Hygge” before (pronounced HUE-ge), you might be curious why I’m posting about it on an AIP recipe website. Since I always intended this site to be about so much more than filling your bellies, I’m sharing this to fill your soul. Hopefully it will inspire you to make simple changes to your AIP lifestyle that can help reduce stress, decrease anxiety and disconnect from the pace of everyday life and the sometimes harsh realities of our limitations due to our illnesses.

Hygge is about joy and contentment. It is about experiencing happiness in simple pleasures and knowing that everything is going to be okay.

If you’re like me, thinking about creating a self-care routine just sounds like more work that you don’t have time for – am I right? Thankfully, the reality is that hygge can be as simple as dedicating time for yourself to enjoy any activity that makes you happy. It’s about intentional being more intentional with cozy wellness and small steps toward self-care. Snuggle up in a cozy pair of PJ’s with a warm, soft blanket and a favorite soothing drink, carve out time for art-therapy using paints or coloring books, listen to soft music, enjoy some aroma-therapy and some AIP comfort food or snacks. 

What is Hygge?

The Danish word “hygge” is about the art of getting comfy and cozy, it’s a way of life, one that makes ordinary moments feel special, pleasurable, and meaningful.

According to Meik Wiking, New York Times Best Selling author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living, “Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things.” It’s also about creating a comforting social and emotional environment or support network for yourself – which, if you’re paying attention you’ll know that having connection and a good support network is an important part of the AIP Lifestyle.

Benefits of Hygge

  • Calms the Mind
    Intentionally taking time to create a hygge atmosphere, get cozy and slow down is important for our mind and soul. You’ll find a sense of calm, and stress-less when you unplug and wrap yourself in the feeling of safety that this comfy lifestyle provides.
  • Relaxes Mind & Body
    Climbing under a snuggly blanket or into a hot Epsom salt bath with the intention of relaxation (not to curl up with your phone in hand) helps us to relax and unwind. Allow your cozy blanket to be the trigger that reminds you to be mindful of your breathing, to be present. Drop your shoulders and let the tension go.
  • Nourishes Your Body
    Consuming wholesome, home-cooked AIP comfort foods, and even an indulgent AIP treat now and then, nourishes your body. You’ll feel your best when you concentrate on eating “real,” nutrient-dense foods. There’s also something about cooking simple meals that really provides food for the soul – it’s reminiscent of cozy family meals growing up.
  • Promotes Connection
    Hygge isn’t about being alone, it’s about being with loved ones. Slowing down to truly connect with friends or family in a positive, comfy environment helps increase happiness and feel-good serotonin levels.
  • Relieves Strain
    Creating an atmosphere of hygge with candles or dimming the lights goes a long way to promoting relaxation and relieving tension that we may not even realize we have from the constant bombardment of blue light from devices and fluorescent lighting.
  • Improves Sleep
    Learning to hygge helps us “unplug” from our hectic lives. Practicing self-care with hygge promotes an atmosphere of comfort where we can feel relaxed and safe. Removing negative feelings and slowing down should help reduce stress hormones and help improve sleep.

How to Hygge

  • Be Present
    A hygge lifestyle is about being in the moment. Get rid of the distractions, turn off the phone and connect with friends and family or just re-connect with yourself. Learn to really relax by creating a bedtime ritual (see my post on sleep struggles for more), or create a morning routine perhaps with gentle stretching and meditation that helps you get in the zone for the day.
  • Get Cozy
    Think cozy sweaters, thick socks or slippers and warm blankets. Have you tried a weighted blanket? I hear it’s like being wrapped in a warm hug, and they can help with anxiety and stress.
  • Set the Mood
    Candles and scents are a huge part of hygge. But since we’re careful on the AIP to remove toxins from our lives, be sure to choose unscented bees wax candles, and use quality essential oils to create a luxurious atmosphere with an ultrasonic aromatherapy diffuser.
  • Quality Time
    Schedule hygge time – make it a special event – whether that be a casual dinner with friends, game night with the family, time to read a book or just relax and connect with your significant other. Carve time out of your busy life for this self-care practice, indulge in a special treat that you might not otherwise buy for yourself (check out my round up of delicious AIP snacks or try a cup of tea or AIP coffee that won’t make you wired).
  • Practice Mindfulness & Gratitude
    Mindfulness and gratitude are key elements of hygge. If you’re new to meditation and mindfulness, try using a simple app like Insight Timer (it’s free), or simply make it a practice of recounting 3 things you have to be grateful for each night before you drift off to sleep. If you’re looking for more guidance on being mindful, I highly recommend the book by Eileen Laird called “Healing Mindset”
  • Comfort Food
    And here we are – right back on track with the food and recipe theme of this website! I know you’re probably saying, “but my old comfort foods really aren’t AIP compliant!” I hear you … and quite frankly, that’s how this post actually came to being – because so many members of my AIP Recipe Collection Facebook Group requested comfort food recipes in a recent poll! Click here to reach the search results for “AIP Comfort Food” – this will get you started! Let the search results there inspire you to search for more recipes in the group.

 

AIP Comfort Foods – A Few Favorite Recipes

This round up was originally shared in my AIP Recipe Collection newsletter. If you want delicious AIP inspiration delivered to your inbox click here to sign up.

AIP Products & Discounts to Help You Hygge

URBAN AIP – Take a break from the kitchen and savor the comfort of AIP-compliant meals, delivered to your door. It doesn’t get cozier than this!
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SIP HERBALS – There’s nothing quite like relaxing with a warm cup of your favorite beverage – try the BEST Coffee Substitute we’ve ever tasted! All the coffee feels without the flaws.
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PIQUE TEA – Top Quality Toxin Free Tea! (Be sure to avoid adaptogenic blends during the elimination stage of the AIP)
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LOVEBIRD AIP CEREAL – Curl up with a bowl of AIP cereal and bring back warm memories of your childhood.
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SWEET APRICITY – Decadent AIP Compliant Caramels, Marshmallows and Caramel Sauce- be sure to shop the AIP offerings or give a gift card if you’re unsure!
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EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. – Delicious and Convenient AIP Elimination Stage Compliant Baking Mixes.
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SWEETPOTATO AWESOME – Truly awesome AIP snacks with simplest ingredients! (Shop the AIP options)
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WILD ZORA  – Delicious, comforting AIP meat and veggie bars, freeze-dried stews and soups, hot cereals and more!
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AIP ON AMAZON – I’ve compiled lots of categorized lists for AIPers in AIP Amazon Storefronts – pantry items, snacks, treats, hard to find ingredients, books and cookbooks, AIP Lifestyle products, wellness devices and so much more!
Check them out! Click the location nearest you – USA / Canada / UK.

Looking for easy access to seasonal AIP recipes, tips and resources?
You’ve come to the right place ~ Welcome to the AIP Recipe Collection Newsletter!

Since many of you are not on Facebook (click here for the searchable AIP Recipe Collection FB Group), and we never quite know what’s going to happen with some of these social channels and their censorship, back in 2021 I decided to start my own newsletter so we can always stay in touch, and so that I can continue providing regular inspiration for your AIP (Autoimmune Protocol / Autoimmune Paleo) healing journey.

Each month I deliver delicious, seasonal recipe inspiration right to your in-box. Subscribers receive an easy list of links that take you directly to the original recipe creator’s website, AIP cooking and lifestyle tips and tools to make your healing journey easier, advance notice of sales, giveaways, discounts and more!

Sign up to get started and you’ll receive a welcome email directing you to some of the best AIP resources available to help you get started. But wait, there’s more! I also provide a link to my newsletter archives where you’ll find all of my past recipe round ups and seasonally appropriate tips and advice to set you up for AIP success. 

Enjoy! ♥

Aip recipe round up newsletter

 

 

 

 More Recipe Round-Ups From My Blog:

Lovebird Cereal Recipes
Plenty of Plantains – More than 200 AIP plantain recipes sorted by color!
Snack Guide

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Lovebird AIP Cereal AIPRecipeCollection

If you haven’t heard yet, there’s a new (and seriously improved!) AIP-friendly cereal in town — Lovebird Cereal! The Original Unsweetened flavor is 100% AIP Core Elimination Stage compliant, while the Honey, Cinnamon, Cocoa, and Fruity flavors are Modified AIP / Stage 1 Reintroduction compliant (read more about Modified vs. Core AIP here). But no matter which flavor you choose, they’re all 100% AMAZING!

Even better — 20% of profits go toward supporting childhood cancer research 💛 Talk about a win-win-win!

This cereal is a total game-changer for anyone with AIP kiddos (or grown-ups who still love a good crunch). Like, cerealously… what have y’all been giving your AIP toddlers to munch on with Cheerios literally off the table!?

It’s such a treat to be able to enjoy a deliciously crunchy, gut-friendly cereal as part of a well-balanced AIP breakfast — just pour on your favorite AIP milk option (click here for recipes!) and dig in. It’s also the perfect crunchy topping for a smoothie bowl or an easy, anytime snack — zero guilt required.

I’ve tried all the flavors, and picking a favorite was tough — but Fruity wins for me! Honey and cinnamon tied for a close second when snacking solo, while unsweetened is wonderfully versatile for use as a breading or crunchy casserole topping (like in my AIP Cereal-ously Crispy Baked Chicken Strips or my FAVE throwback to childhood Lovebird Cereal Cookie Clusters — a must-try!).

There are honestly oodles of creative AIP recipes using these yummy “AIP O’s,” so I’ve rounded up a bunch of them below! But first things first — you’ll want to grab a coupon code to save 15% off every order (no expiry!). It’s easy to remember — just use code AIP at checkout!

Special Offer

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Lovebird cereal - 15% Off!, Lovebird cereal for your aip lifestyle, allergy friendly cereal

About Lovebird Cereal

♥ Gluten-Free
♥ Dairy-Free
♥ Non-GMO
♥ Sweetened by Nature – No Refined Sugar or Stevia
♥ No “Natural” Flavors or Additives
♥ Always Made with Real, Simple Ingredients

Lovebird was created to clean up junk food and offer families (especially those with AIP kiddos!) a healthy alternative to conventional cereal. And even sweeter — 20% of net profits go toward nonprofits fighting pediatric cancer 💛

Ingredient & AIP Update

Lovebird recently added buckwheat flour to some of their recipes to increase protein and nutrient density — but don’t panic! Buckwheat is a seed, not a grain, and it’s completely gluten-free.

Here’s how it breaks down:

  • 🥣 Original Unsweetened100% AIP Core Elimination Stage Compliant

  • 🍯 Honey, 🌿 Cinnamon, 🍫 Cocoa, 🍓 Fruity → Contain buckwheat, suitable for Modified AIP Elimination or Stage 1 Reintroduction

Lovebird continues to evolve and listen to its community — so whether you’re in full elimination or starting reintroductions, there’s a flavor for every AIP journey!

 

AIPRecipeCollection.com lovebird cereal - apple pie bars

AIP Lovebird Cereal Recipes

NOTE: Be sure to use recipes and ingredients that are suitable for YOUR personalize stage of the AIP diet.

My Easy AIP Recipes!

Chocolatey Cookie Clusters – No-Bake – Fast & Easy!
Chewy Apple Pie Cereal Bars
Cereal-ously Crispy Baked Chicken Strips 
Frozen Strawberry Delights

Lovebird AIP Recipe Round-Up:

Banana Cream Pie with Cereal Crust – use coconut oil not ghee
Campfire Banana S’mores – use homemade carob chips not chocolate chips and AIP Marshmallows (10% off Sweet Apricity with Code: AIPCollection) or make your own
Cereal Bars – use homemade carob chips not chocolate chips
Cereal Ice Cream Cake – use tigernut butter unless you’ve reintroduced sunflower seed butter and omit pumpkin seed topping
Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer or Deep Fried)
Cinnamon Salted Caramel Donuts
Chocolate Cereal S’mores – use coconut oil not ghee, use AIP Marshmallows (10% off Sweet Apricity with Code: AIPCollection) or make your own, use homemade carob bars
Chocolate Covered Cereal Bars – use tigernut butter not almond, use homemade carob chocolate 
Chocolate Crispy Squares – use tigernut butter, homemade carob chips not chocolate chips 
Coconut Matcha Pie
Chocolate Mousse Pie
Crispy Cereal Treats – use AIP Marshmallows (10% off Sweet Apricity with Code: AIPCollection) or make your own and homemade carob chips
Crunchy Cookie Cake Cereal Fudge Bars – use coconut oil not ghee, use an homemade AIP Baking Powder blend, use homemade carob chips/bar, use carob not cacao
Donut Cookies
Elivs Butter Jelly Crunch Nice Cream – use tigernut butter 
Graham Crackers
Granola – ensure dried fruits are unsulphured and do not contain non-compliant oils/preservatives/sweeteners
No-Bake Snack Bars – omit seeds, ensure dried fruits are unsulphured and do not contain non-compliant oils/preservatives/sweeteners
No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake
No-Rice Crispy Treat “Sushi” – use tigernut butter not nut butter, use carob powder not cacao
Puppy Chow Mix – use tigernut butter and homemade carob chips
Ranch Chicken Nuggets
Samoa Cereal Bars – use tigernut butter not nut/seed butter, use homemade carob chips/bar
Strawberry Shortcake Puppy Chow

Lovebird Cereal Whole Food Ingredients AIPRecipeCollection.comIngredient FAQs

Cassava – Lovebird uses Organic Cassava Flour NOT grain or tapioca.  Industrialized grains and refined carbohydrates like corn, oats, wheat were clearly off the table because they cause inflammation that can damage the lining of your gut and stress your immune system. 

However, there was a decision of Cassava Root vs. Tapioca.  Cassava is meaningfully better but it’s 33% more expensive than tapioca.  So it’s a decision to use the best ingredient or the cheap ingredient – Lovebird will ALWAYS choose the best. 

Lovebird uses organic cassava because it uses the entire cassava root, meaning it is a whole food flour.  Unlike tapioca flour, cassava flour uses the entire root; so cassava keeps the fiber, protein, starch, vitamins, and minerals that would otherwise be lost in making tapioca flour.  Cassava flour is a good source of prebiotic fiber and is a rich source of nutrients compared to many other starches: vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate. 

Some have asked about lead levels in the Cassava that Lovebird uses, so we want to assure you that 1) Lovebird tests for heavy metals and as of the time of writing uses Medallion Labs, 2) Lovebird selects suppliers that follow California’s Prop 65 guidelines (which is the leader in the USA) with third-party testing for heavy metals, and as mentioned above is certified USDA organic. They use a specific formula which you can learn more about here.  

Collagen – Lovebird uses grass-fed, pasture-raised collagen to help boost gut health and provide protein.  Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and holds everything together.  The word collagen literally means “glue” in ancient Greek.  Collagen supplementation has been shown to improve bone, joint, tendon, skin, muscle, and cardiovascular health.  

Given the rise in popularity, not all collagen is created equal. Parker at Lovebird spent a lot of time researching suppliers and questioned their processing techniques to ensure that their collagen was effective and safely processed.  The collagen Lovebird uses is of the best quality and safest processing techniques they could find.  The collagen is from grass-fed and grass finished cows that have eaten nothing but grass and foraged their entire lives.  It is heavy metal tested, pasture-raised, Kosher, hormone free, pesticide free, Non-GMO, antibiotic free, RBGH-RBST free, and does not use any carriers or solvents.

Sweeteners – Lovebird uses nature to lightly sweeten – NOT science.  Honey is an ancient nutrient-rich superfood with healing properties.  Honey has anti-diabetic effects that help control blood sugar, antimicrobial properties that help kill bad bacteria, prebiotic properties that help boost gut health, and cardiovascular benefits that help reduce blood pressure.  You may walk around grocery stores and see claims of “made with real honey” don’t fall for that marketing “trick”.  In fact, products only need a very small amount of honey to use that claim.  When you check the ingredient label, you will find a whole gang of “sweeteners” that are actually driven the sweetness such as refined sugar, “natural” flavors, and natural/artificial high potency sweeteners. 

Refined sugars and artificial sweeteners drive inflammation and wreak havoc on your health making it easy to avoid using in the recipe.  However, “natural” flavors and “natural” high potency sweeteners sound innocent – right?  Not exactly and they are often FAR from “natural”.

Natural flavors are defined “as those that derive their aroma or flavor chemicals from plant or animal sources that are manipulated in a lab.  In short, they are engineered to not just replicate those “aromas or flavors” but amplify those sensations to trick your body to eat more.  Legally, a “natural” flavor can contain up to 20 different ingredients/chemicals/stuff.  Nobody really knows what’s in these “lab manipulated” chemistry experiments.

High potency sweeteners such as Stevia and Monkfruit are certainly better than refined sugar – BUT – Lovebird avoids them because they are a “trick”:

  1. Designed to trick your body: our bodies are not designed to handle calorie-free sweeteners.  Experiencing a sweet taste from a food that is not going to provide glucose disrupts our body’s sugar-handling process and damages our health.
  2. Created in laboratories: Lovebird prefers chef aprons to science lab coats.  Stevia/Monkfruit can contain many other ingredients to boost sweetness and fuel cravings.  
  3. Can cause digestive discomfort:  it’s very easy to consume too much given that it’s designed to trigger cravings but not satisfy them which can cause bloating and diarrhea.
  4. No real research on their effects: all of the above combined with limited to no research on the negative effects of Stevia causes Lovebird to stay away.

Buckwheat – Lovebird recently added organic buckwheat flour to some of their recipes to boost protein and nutrient density. Don’t worry — buckwheat is a seed, not a grain, so it’s naturally gluten-free and AIP-compatible for Modified Elimination or Stage 1 Reintroduction.

Buckwheat is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s rich in protein, fiber, and essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, and zinc. It also contains antioxidants that support overall gut and immune health. Including buckwheat helps create a more balanced nutritional profile for the cereal, providing sustained energy and helping to make each bowl more filling — especially important for growing kids or anyone needing a convenient, nutrient-dense breakfast.

Some people worry about grains when they hear “buckwheat,” but it’s important to remember that buckwheat is a seed, so it doesn’t trigger the inflammatory responses often associated with grains like wheat, oats, or corn. For those on full AIP elimination, the Original Unsweetened option remains 100% compliant, while flavors with buckwheat can be safely enjoyed during Modified AIP Elimination or Stage 1 Reintroduction.