Encouragement Post: AIP & COVID-19

1. We’re already concentrating on our health. Eating a clean diet and supporting our immune system is what we do on the AIP, so I’m looking at this as being ahead of the curve. (Score 1 for AIPers!)
2. When you visit the grocery store there are lots of amazing foods that we’re already accustomed to using but others might be passing by (Hello cassava root, plantains, jicama, all varieties of sweet potatoes, kale, marrow bones, liver, offal, chicken necks, backs and feet … we love you and are happy to take you home and call you our own!)
3. We’re already familiar with batch-cooking, meal prepping, freezer cooking and how to make things like bone broth so we can get the most out of our food budget, prepare in advance and not let precious ingredients go to waste .. everyone else has to figure that stuff out and come to grips with home-cooking. Meanwhile we just keep on keeping on .. and maybe even get to relax with a little self-care.
4. As AIPers we’re already working on prioritizing stress reduction, sleep and appropriate exercise in our lives … again, we’re ahead of the curve as others are just now considering it might be a good idea to incorporate these things in an effort to stay healthy.
5. Knowledge is power and as an AIPer I bet you have way more knowledge about how to support your immune system and specific condition than the average person does about how to avoid the common cold! We’re also aware of where we can find quality advice and information about how to protect ourselves, so we’re saving vital time and energy while others scramble to find answers. That’s win, win, win … so many I’m losing track!
6. Quality ingredients and dedicated AIP products are readily available and are WAY healthier than the packaged “junk” that most people are out there stocking their pantries with (and we already know where to find them). We’re so very fortunate that so many creative AIPers have come before us and created such wonderful conveniences.
7. Being anti-social is finally socially acceptable!  While I know it’s not healthy to isolate ourselves, we’re again in a position where we’re ahead of the curve … we could hibernate for months and not go stark raving mad like the rest of them will .. we’ve been in training for this for our AIP life! (I thought you could use a little humor – hope I wasn’t wrong)
8. You’re here where you can be inspired daily to eat healthy and stick to your autoimmune healing goals and stay as healthy as possible! I’m grateful you’re here … it brings me joy to know that I’m helping others remain positive during difficult times and I hope you find health, healing and happiness in this group. 

• RECIPES! You guessed it – don’t forget to use the group search in our AIP Recipe Collection Facebook Group – there are LOTS of AIP elimination stage recipes posted that will help you support your immune system, stay healthy or help you when you’re not feeling well. Use the group search for things like #undertheweather #sick #flu #cough, bone broth, etc. Instructions for how to use the group search can be found here.
• GROCERIES – Yes, this may become a challenge in the days ahead, but there are many stores offering delivery or pick up options and even special hours for the elderly and those at risk (usually first thing in the morning after the store has been sanitized) – check your local area for what’s available. I also recommend checking Facebook Buy and Sell groups, there are some reputable farmers out there offering Grower’s vegetable boxes for delivery or pick up, and some are selling at road-side stands. Of course, Amazon is a great resource for a lot of pantry items as well.
• ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST: NOTE –
  1) I trust Dr. Ballantyne’s Autoimmune Protocol and her advice on this situation so I simply want to share the article here for your knowledge without further discussion. “Natural Approaches to the Cold & Flu” 
  2) Autoimmune Wellness Podcast “COVID-19 Autoimmune Wellness Emergency Pod” and “How to AIP During a Pandemic”
  (NOTE: Just so as not to confuse anyone that may be new to the AIP – Not all of the suggestions in the podcast are 100% elimination stage AIP – these ladies are feeding others in their family that aren’t AIP and they’re promoting the idea that we can’t do the AIP perfectly during crisis times – do the best you can)
• INSTAGRAM – You can follow my feed on Instagram for a different kind of motivation where I sometimes share photos of my own meals, motivation, self-care and stress-relief tips and more.
• PRODUCTS & DISCOUNTS: Below is a list of our affiliate products, services and shops to help make your AIP life a little easier – especially in cases like this.  Online shopping is a wonderful way to help us avoid germs, and we can shop with confidence from our trusted partners who are working diligently to help us all stay healthy.
  I will add new discounts as offers come out – our partners are being kind and generous at this difficult time.

Stay safe, stay home and healthy everyone!

AIP Meals & Emergency Food :

Click on each company name to be redirected …

• WILD ZORA
  Offering a BULK Shopping Offers to help you stock your pantry with their shelf-stable AIP Compliant products at a discounted rate AND free shipping!
  THEN look for the 2 week AIP Freeze-Dried Food Box
  COUPON CODE: AIPRecipe saves 10% off first order at Fully Healthy (formerly shop AIP)  (doesn’t apply to bulk boxes)
• PALEO ON THE GO
  Handmade AIP elimination stage foods and meals delivered to your door.
  COUPON CODE: AIPRecipes Saves you $15 off your first order
• SERENITY FOODS
  Shelf-stable, Nutrient dense, top-quality baby food (meats, veg and fruits) in pouches (they have a recylcing program for pouches)! Suitable for adults, kids, babies and even pets! Almost all are AIP elimination stage!
  CODE: AIPRECIPES Saves 15% off your first order

Subscriptions :

• BUTCHERBOX
  Quality meat you don’t need to leave your house for!
• REAL PLANS 
  Completely customizable to AIP and additional food sensitivities! Helpful for planning to use your supplies and resources wisely with leftovers. *Since COVID-19 struck, RealPlans has added a lot of new features to the app to help us plan our meals even when we have limited supplies.*
• truLOCAL
  Truly locally Sourced Canadian Meat! That means you’re supporting YOUR LOCAL farmers! 
• AUTOIMMUNE STRONG
  An exercise program created for autoimmune disease sufferers – it’s suitable for EVERYONE (yes, even those bed-bound or in a wheelchair – there are adaptations!) to help us get moving appropriately and avoid flares. You can even check it out for free!

Multi-Product Shops :

• FULLY HEALTHY (formerly SHOP AIP) – They read the labels so you don’t have to!
  EVERYTHING IS AIP Compliant or part of the Reintroduction Stages and CLEARLY marked as such!
  CODE: AIPRecipe Saves you 10% off your first order
• US WELLNESS MEATS
  Shop the AIP section and look around – there are other items that are sugar free and Whole30 that are suitable
  USA SHOP
  CODE: AIPRecipe Saves 15% OFF
• PIQUE TEA
  Top Quality Toxin Free Tea! Be sure to watch ingredients, avoid adaptogenic blends – see my post in the Announcements section for more on Pique Tea
• BARE BONES BROTH & COLLAGEN
  Broth & Collagen (watch ingredients – some of the formulations of broth now contain reintroductions)
  CODE: AIPRecipesGroup gives you 15% OFF YOUR ENTIRE ORDER
• CASA DE SANTE
  Low FODMAP seasonings

Decadent Treats :

• SWEET APRICITY
  AIP Caramels, Marshmallows and Sauce!
  
• EAT  G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. AIP Backing Mixes
  Coupon Code: AIPRECIPECOLLECTION 10% OFF 

Supplements:

• PERFECT SUPPLEMENTS – Looking for quality supplements? Here’s a company I trust personally