What I Ate to Heal Faster, Reduce Inflammation, and Feel Amazing

an array of fresh veggies

A guide to nourishing, anti-inflammatory foods that support recovery, gut health, and whole-body healing

When I went into my Xplant (explant) surgery, I knew I needed to treat it like an athlete going into a major event. I wasn’t just aiming to survive it.

I wanted to come out stronger, clearer, and even more vibrant than ever.

And I knew that would start with FOOD!

As a movement expert, coach, and healthy foodie, I’ve always known the power of nutrition to support the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and speed up recovery. But this experience deepened that understanding.

I turned my kitchen into a healing sanctuary, and today I want to share what I ate (and why it worked).

These foods didn’t just help me heal faster. They helped me stay regular (yep, we’re going there. Having bowel movements after all the meds es muy importante!!!), stay mentally sharp, and keep inflammation way down.

I was truly amazed by the results.

Let’s get into it.

🥣 The Healing Veggie Soup (Miracle in a Bowl)

This anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich soup was my #1 go-to before and after surgery. It's gentle on digestion, deeply hydrating, and packed with healing compounds.

This soup gave my body the minerals, antioxidants, and fiber it craved.

It helped reduce swelling, kept me warm and satisfied, and kept my digestion moving. I still make it weekly.

👉 Get the full recipe here

Pineapples

🍍 Pineapple Tea

This delicious tea is rich in bromelain, a natural enzyme found in pineapple skin and cores that helps reduce swelling, supports digestion, and delivers a powerful anti-inflammatory punch.

How to make it:

• Save the core and skin from a fresh organic pineapple

• Simmer in a large pot of filtered water with a pinch of black pepper and fresh turmeric root (optional)

• Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, then strain

  
  

How to drink it:

• For digestive support, sip with meals

• For anti-inflammatory benefits, drink on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning or between meals

Drink it warm or chilled throughout the day. It’s soothing, flavorful, and surprisingly effective.

🥞 Oatmeal with Prunes, Dates & Soaked Almonds

I soaked my oats for 24 hours to reduce lectins—plant proteins that can bind to cell membranes and may trigger gut inflammation, especially in sensitive individuals. Soaking helps break these compounds down and makes the food easier to digest.

Same goes for almonds: I soaked them overnight to remove lectins and increase nutrient availability. This makes them easier on the gut and even more nourishing.

I usually add prunes and dates, while cooking for their natural sweetness and fiber-rich properties, which help combat the constipating effects of post-surgery medications. I also love bananas in my oatmeal, mainly for the flavor, but the potassium is great for the body as well.

Salmon dinner

🐟 Salmon + Mango Avocado Salsa

Salmon is one of my favorite foods—especially during healing. Wild-caught salmon is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that help repair tissues, reduce swelling, and support brain health.

I bought mine fresh, cut it into portion-sized filets, and froze them individually. To thaw, I’d place one filet in the refrigerator in the morning with a squeeze of lime juice over it. By dinner, it was ready to bake or pan-sear.

Mango Avocado Salsa Recipe:

• 1 large mango, diced

• 1 avocado, diced

• 1/3 cucumber (optional), diced

• 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

• Juice of 1 lime

• Juice of orange (optional)

• Drizzle of olive oil

• Pinch of sea salt

It’s vibrant, hydrating, and loaded with enzymes and healthy fats—perfect over salmon.

☕ Cappuccino Ice Cubes (Because Sanity Matters)

I only use organic espresso to make these cappuccino cubes. Just one or two cubes delivered a small amount of caffeine and a delightful little mood boost.

I didn’t need them often—honestly, I felt great most of the time because I was eating like a champ—but on the days when I needed a lift, this was my go-to. Delicious and totally worth it.

🥑 Good Fats Only

Olive oil, avocado, almond butter were my go to fats post-op. These healthy fats support hormone health, brain clarity, and tissue regeneration.

To cook with, I usually use ghee, raw butter or coconut oil. Do not cook with Olive oil (it goes rancid when heating). I avoided coconut oil and products during the first 10 days post-surgery due to the sodium content, which can contribute to swelling.

🧁 Soak Those Lectins!

Lectins are naturally occurring proteins found in many plant-based foods like legumes, nuts, grains, and nightshades. While they can be harmless in small amounts, for some people—especially those with gut sensitivities—they may contribute to inflammation or digestive issues.

To minimize lectins, I soaked oats, almonds, lentils, potatoes, and other lectin-containing foods for 12–24 hours before cooking. This simple process helps neutralize anti-nutrients and enhances mineral absorption.

It’s an easy upgrade that makes a big difference in how your body absorbs and uses your food.

🥚 Organic Farm-Fresh Protein

I source my eggs, dairy, and meat directly from a local organic farm. That means no hormones, no antibiotics, and no pasteurization—just clean, nutrient-dense protein that fuels true healing.

Eggs became one of my favorite go-tos for quick, high-quality protein. Scrambled, poached, or soft-boiled, they helped rebuild tissue and keep my energy up.

chopping fresh fruit

🍓 Fresh Fruits (Nature's Antioxidants)

Fresh fruits like berries, papaya, pineapple, mangos, bananas and apples were daily staples. They’re packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and hydrating enzymes.

Fruit helped support my immune system, fight free radicals, and keep everything moving smoothly—while tasting amazing.

Final Thoughts: Eat Like You Love Yourself

This blog isn’t just for post-surgery support. It’s a blueprint for intentional eating that nourishes your body every day.

Whether you’re recovering, preparing, or simply trying to live more vibrantly — start with your plate. What you put in your body MATTERS.

And if you want even more healing practices — movement, breathwork, dance, yoga, meditation — check out my Elev8 Workouts membership.

It’s filled with sessions designed to help you feel better, move better, and live with more joy.

Your body is listening.

Feed it well. Move it often. Love it through every stage of the journey.

Ready to feel stronger, clearer, and more vibrant?

Explore the Elev8 Workouts Membership — your sanctuary for movement, healing, and vitality. Inside, you’ll find daily practices, healing rituals, and feel-good workouts designed to ignite your highest expression of yourself!

👉 Join Now at elev8workouts.com

elev8workouts.com — Your Sanctuary for Movement + Healing