A healthy gut makes for a healthier you

There are more good bacteria in our gut than there are stars in the Milky Way. If you were to weigh them, they’d weigh just about as much as the brain in your head. Scientists refer to your gut as your “second brain” because it determines a big piece of your wellness.

If your gut is out of whack, it can impact your mental state (mood, stress, anxiety) as well as your physical well-being; fatigue, immune system, even junk food cravings.

It’s important to regulate your digestive health by eating enough fiber, probiotics and prebiotics.

Here’s a recipe that you can try:

Zoodles* with Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Makes 4 Servings (*Zoodles are veggie noodles made from Zucchini)

Ingredients:
– 2 large zucchini, spiralized Green Giant or Hy-Vee Short Cuts

– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

For the avocado sauce:
– 1 clove garlic, crushed or minced

– 2 ripe avocados pitted, and peeled

– Large handful of cilantro, about 1/3 cup loosely packed

– 2 tablespoon lemon juice- 2 tablespoons olive oil

– 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste

– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

– Water as needed

– 4 scoops Regular Girl fiber blend

Directions:

1. Prepare zoodles: heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spiralized zucchini and cook until softened, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from pan, keep warm. Drain any excess water. *Or if you don’t have a spiralizer, look for pre-packaged zoodles in the produce or freezer department at the store, then cook zoodles according to package directions. Drain any excess water.

2. While the zoodles are cooking, cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Add the avocado to a blender along with the minced garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, water and Regular Girl fiber blend.

3. Blend until mixture is creamy, adding additional water until the sauce is at the desired consistency.

4. Add the sauce to your zoodles. Toss with avocado sauce. Or chill! This dish is also delicious cold.

5. Top with halved cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese before serving.

Optional: For additional flavor, sauté zoodles with olive oil, garlic, mushrooms and red pepper flakes for a few minutes before adding the sauce. Zoodles tend to pick up the flavor of whatever they are cooked in.

Nutrition information (per serving): 270 calories, 22 g fat, 15 g monounsaturated fat, 4 g saturated fat, 22 g carbohydrate, 14 g fiber, 4 g protein, 310 mg sodium, 20% Daily Value for potassium, 70% Daily Value for vitamin C.