40 Health Lessons from 40 Years…

 

At 25 years old I was diagnosed with skin cancer. The idea of having to live in fear of skin cancer for the rest of my life was devastating.

It also struck me as odd because I had no obvious risk factors; no family history, other cancer indicators, or excessive sunbathing habits.

This inspired me to question everything I knew about being healthy and I started to realize several other things weren’t quite right.

I had actually been tired for a long time and was feeling uncomfortable in my body. My seasonal allergies grew increasingly worse every year, and around this same time, I had an ear infection that took me out for days.

I struggled to keep my eyes open in the afternoon at work (even after downing a double Americano from Starbucks loaded with inflammatory dairy creamer and artificial no-calorie sweeteners, of course).

Plus, no matter how much I dieted or exercised, I struggled with weight. Even after training for fitness competitions with extreme diet and exercise routines, my weight was unruly.

Overall, I was experiencing more aches, pains, and migraines.

Despite all of this, I was one of the healthiest people I knew.  After all, I studied fitness, nutrition, and health in college; it’s what I got a degree in.  I was “doing all the healthy things” we’ve always been told to do.

My blood work always came back “normal”, and doctors always said I was the picture of perfect health wishing all patients were more like me.

It became clear that there is more to health than just diet and exercise.

So, I became a “health detective,” looking for the missing pieces of my health puzzle to provide answers for the unexplained health issues I was living with. That’s when the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Course fell into my lap, giving me access to the right lab tests and resources needed to turn things around.

As I dug deeper into the physiological aspects of my health, I found A LOT of cellular damage, hormone imbalances, and gut dysfunction – the perfect storm for cancer, allergies, weight gain, joint pain, and everything else I had been experiencing.

This also set me on a trajectory to explore how these scenarios came to be in the first place.

Armed with the knowledge I have now, I can clearly see how my health issues didn’t start in my 20’s—they were an accumulation of choices and events that happened throughout my entire life.

Now I thoroughly understand that ideal weight and health is about so much more than just working out and eating right “most” of the time.

With this new perspective on health, not only have I been able to remain skin cancer-free since my original diagnosis but I’ve also:

  • Restored my energy levels
  • Regulated my weight at an ideal place
  • Reversed my Hashimotos and thyroid imbalances
  • Eliminated seasonal allergies and joint pain
  • Achieved regular, pain-free, easy periods after getting off birth control 
  • Healed from toxic mold exposure and all its side effects

As I turn 40 this month, I feel healthier, stronger, energized, and more comfortable in my body than ever.

To celebrate, I’ll be frolicking in a bathing suit for a week in Maui and then jet-setting for a girl’s weekend in Paris!

Being in good health matters. It allows us to live life to the fullest.

For the longest time, I settled for less in my life than what I deserved because of sub-optimal health. I was stuck in survival mode, and I have vowed to never allow that to happen again.

Life is way too short to settle—to be less than who you are meant to be.

In this week’s video and blog, I share 40 of the most important weight-changing, health-optimizing, and life-altering lessons I’ve learned that have led me to feel like my best self at 40 so you can feel your best too.

Your time on this Earth is too short to not take control of your health and live your best life. Taking care of your health is no longer negotiable.

It’s not only about looking good in a bathing suit, being a specific size, or pain-free, bloat-free, etc. Yes, those are nice side effects, but they are only superficial.

It’s really about things like …

… never hesitating to say “yes” to an adventure.
… having the energy to keep going even when you thought you couldn’t.
… confidently standing strong in the truth of who you are and who you want to be.
… being physically fit, so you can do almost anything.
… having the ability to rescue yourself or someone else in an emergency situation.
… traveling to the ends of the Earth and exploring everything this life has to offer.

Being in good health means you are limitless.

As I enter my 40s, I am the healthiest version of myself that I have ever been. I’ve completely turned my health around, changed my destiny, and made the ‘impossible’ possible.

I want you to know that you can do it, too.

Here are 40 of the most important weight-changing, health-optimizing, and life-altering lessons I’ve learned to help you…

  1. Figure out what foods are right for your body.
  2. There’s a difference between eating healthy and right for your body.
  3. Eating right for your body will include healthy foods … but not every healthy food is right for your body.
  4. You are unique therefore the best diet for you will be too.
  5. STOP counting calories – it’s an outdated approach to weight loss and health.
  6. The quality of YOUR food matters more than you think.
  7. You have to get healthy to lose weight, not lose weight to get healthy.
  8. There are WAY MORE pieces to your health puzzle than diet and exercise.
  9. We have to learn to value sleep more than diet and exercise.
  10. The most critical time to be asleep is from 10 PM to 4 AM.
  11. Every hour of sleep before midnight is worth 2 hours of rest! (hello 9 pm bedtime)
  12. Less intense exercise can produce better results.  
  13. Let go of your rigid workout routine. Choose the best type of exercise each day based on what your body needs.
  14. Don’t dismiss water damage, mold exposure is serious.
  15. Hormonal birth control options aren’t solutions, they are stealth hormone disruptors. 
  16. Don’t settle for anything less than what you deserve. 
  17. Question EVERYTHING. 
  18. Current health issues are an accumulation of things over time, therefore it will take time to heal.
  19. Stress is ANYTHING that places a burden on your body, resulting in inflammation and dysfunction.
  20. Understanding the burden of stress your body is under at any point and taking action to reduce it is the key to feeling your best always.
  21. To understand the burden of stress, you have to slow down, tune in to your body, and be present in the here and now. 
  22. Tight muscles and bones out of alignment add structural stress to the body – proactively get regular body work done, and don’t wait until it feels bad.
  23. Your body wants to be in balance if you’ll let it.
  24. Gut health is a cornerstone of your overall health, so trust and support it.
  25. We can’t always see, hear, feel, or smell toxins but they are all around us.
  26. Reducing toxin exposures is essential for rebuilding and maintaining health.
  27. Love your liver, it’s working harder than ever in this modern toxic world. 
  28. Life happens. Learning to navigate it will help you feel like your best self.
  29. Your body will do anything you ask it to, but that doesn’t mean you should.
  30. Genetics doesn’t determine your health destiny, your lifestyle choices do.
  31. “Healthy” is a way of being, not just doing.
  32. Health is a relationship between you, your body, AND your mind.
  33. You can’t out-supplement, out-diet, or out-exercise a busy lifestyle or overworked body.
  34. Health is a journey. It will change direction as you learn more, and you will evolve with it, so don’t get frustrated
  35. Be patient with your body and hold space for the potential for change. 
  36. What you think is healthy might look different once you understand your body better.
  37. Every choice you make can support or suppress your health.
  38. When you face fear, you let go of old stories that have been holding you back.
  39. To be fearless in your health is to believe that no matter what comes your way, you will find a way to thrive.
  40. You have to become your own health boss to be in control of your health.  

Which one(s) of these lessons stood out to you the most?

Comment below to let me know!

P.S. Everything you need to solve your health problems lies within you. Your body holds all the answers, and they are just waiting to be discovered.

Know that the health and aging concerns you have today are not your destiny.  They are an accumulation of things that have happened over your lifetime, which have slowly chipped away at that “feel good” feeling until you barely recognize yourself anymore.

I encourage you to explore as many of the lessons I’ve shared as possible to help you find the missing pieces of your health puzzle so you can get back to feeling like your best self again (or for the very first time).

What does 40 mean to you?

I’m curious…

What does life at 40 and beyond mean to you?

Turning 40 is often referred to as “being over the hill” – implying that you’re old and past your prime.

People (including health professionals) frequently think getting old means having to accept that:

  • Weight gain is inevitable
  • Low energy is to be expected
  • Hormone imbalances are bound to happen
  • Joint pain is unavoidable 
  • Developing health issues over time is definitely going to happen

As the years have gone by, how many times have you said out loud or in your head, “I just want to feel like my younger self again?”

Wishing you could….

…bounce out of bed instead of dragging yourself to the coffee pot

… feel comfortable in your body and clothes

…not have to work so hard to maintain your weight

…overcome weird hormonal stuff

…simply feel your best so you could live life to the fullest

We’ve been told that healths risks increase after 40 and therefore we need to get screened regularly for things such as:

  • Breast Cancer 
  • Colorectal Cancer 
  • Diabetes 
  • Lung Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer 

But is all of this really true?

What if it was possible to feel healthier and happier at 40 or beyond than you did in the first part of your life?

I’m here to let you know it IS POSSIBLE.

The downsides of aging do NOT have to become your destiny.  YOU DESERVE BETTER.

I’m living proof.

It’s my 40th birthday month (yes I’m celebrating the whole month and year in fact LOL), and I feel more at home in my body, more energetic, well-rested, balanced, and happier than ever before.

With the right tools and resources, you can find the missing pieces to your health puzzle and get back to feeling like yourself again, or for the very first time.

I’ve done it, and so many of my clients have too.

I bet you know something deeper is going on with your body, but it feels like no one is listening to what you have to say.  Or you shrug it off as being normal because what you’re experiencing is so common.

You’ve probably seen specialist after specialist and been recommended a laundry list of supplements, medications, and therapies but nothing has really helped you get YOU back.

You understand there’s a place for specialists and medications, but you think there’s a better way to get your health and self back so you can enjoy your life to the fullest.

You crave answers like a kid craves candy (and you probably crave foods too for unexplained or uncontrollable reasons!).

Am I right?

I’ve been there; I’ve been told my blood work looked normal even when I didn’t feel that way, or that my weight, energy, and hormone issues were a part of aging when I knew better.

I was searching for answers that no one else could seem to give me.

That’s when I decided to take destiny into my own hands and become the boss of my health.

In this week’s video and blog, I’m going to help you become the boss of your health too so you can feel your best despite your age!

What you need is a new way of looking at your health, and education instead of medication, then you’ll have the keys to control your destiny and feel your best at any age.

Here are the 3 exact steps I took and that I guide my clients through to boost energy, balance hormones, achieve weight goals, and overcome just about any other health issues that might be ailing you.

#1 – Figure out what foods are right for your body so it can function at its potential.
You are unique and therefore your diet should be too.  What works for one person won’t necessarily work for you and yet you’re trying to fit yourself into a specific framework with most dietary approaches.

There’s a difference between eating healthy and eating right for your body. Eating right for your body may include healthy foods, but not every healthy food is right for your body.

So how do you figure out what is right for your body?

You can do this by testing to see which foods your body responds best to, and then dialing in your macronutrient (protein, carb, and fat) ratios using my Food and Body Language Log.

This will instantly boost your energy, reduce any bloating, and provide the nutrients your body needs to function at its potential.  When I discovered what foods were right for my body, I instantly started feeling more like myself again.

#2 – Find the missing pieces and restore balance to all body systems.
The body is a complex network of systems, each doing an important job that the other systems depend on.  When one system goes down, they are all affected.

Functional lab testing will help you find the missing pieces so you can see what systems of the body are out of balance and how they are impacting each other, revealing your personal healing opportunities!  These are NOT your typical blood tests.  They are usually saliva, urine, and stool-based to show the physiological aspects of the body and how it’s working, or not working.

Functional lab tests will take a deeper look at your hormones, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy, and nervous system. In turn, this will guide you towards the right diet, rest, exercise, supplementation, stress reduction, and toxin removal you need to feel your best.

#3 – Tune into your body and give it what it needs to feel your best all the time.
Your body holds all of the answers you need, and it always has, but we’ve been conditioned to disconnect from our body and to search externally for solutions. When something doesn’t feel right in your body, it’s your body asking you to pay attention, to tune into what it’s trying to tell you. When you do, you’ll know what to do to feel your best all the time.

Have you ever noticed that when you have a stressful day you experience the following: your stomach gets upset, you experience joint pain, you can’t sleep, or your skin breaks out?

Or when you eat certain things, your body reacts in some way?

This is your body talking to you, telling you to pay attention to something.

For a long time, I dealt with and ignored joint pain, severe seasonal allergies, weight struggles, migraines, cyclical breast tenderness, fatigue, and much more.

Looking back, I can clearly see that these symptoms were my body’s way of waving the red flag to get my attention and let me know something was wrong.

We’ve become accustomed to accepting things that are common as normal, but just because something is common does NOT mean it’s normal.

Now if my body feels “off” in any kind of way, I tune it; check to see what it needs and give it just that.

This could mean eating something differently, canceling obligations to rest, getting some fresh air, doing meditation, or simply drinking some water.  Whatever my body needs, I’ve got its back, and it’s got mine.

The health and aging concerns you are facing today are not your destiny.  They are an accumulation of things that have happened over your lifetime which have slowly chipped away at that “feel good” feeling until you barely recognize yourself anymore.

With these 3 steps, you can unravel the doings of time and reveal the REAL YOU.

These 3 steps have helped me personally overcome:

  • Skin cancer
  • Mold illness
  • Hashimotos
  • Stubborn weight
  • Afternoon energy dips
  • Painful irregular periods
  • Severe seasonal allergies
  • Estrogen dominance and cystic acne

And these steps have also paved a bright, healthy future for me as I turn 40.  I’m excited to keep living my life to the fullest as I grow older.  The best years are in front of me.

What step are you committed to taking today so you can feel your best despite age?

Comment below to let me know!

P.S. If you want to explore the missing pieces of your health puzzle on a deeper level so you can actually fix what is wrong and feel your best, then click here to get on my waiting list for an Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me (and get an awesome list of practitioner referrals if you want to take action now)!

Listen to this!

Podcasts are all the rage these days, and why wouldn’t they be?

They are one of the easiest ways to ingest information in the fast-paced world we live in, they help us to connect with others that we can relate to and get in touch with experts on specialized topics that pique our interest.

I’ve been honored to be a guest on some extraordinary podcasts lately with people who are doing the groundwork so that people like you can access the info you need about health, wellbeing and personal self growth so that you can feel like your best self.

In these podcasts, I’ve had a chance to share tips, tools and resources on a variety of topics.

I’ve touched on everything from lab testing, to mindset, mold, eliminating toxic exposures, the courage of ease, living confidently and how food can heal.

So this week, instead of my usual blog, I encourage you to catch all the info you can from one or more of my recent podcast appearances!

Check out some of my recent podcast interviews to explore topics such as…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen & Learn Now!

I would love to know what other health related podcast have been inspiring and helpful for you too.

Comment below and let me know what some of your recent favorites have been!

Get your body back

I spent a week in Maui earlier this month, and it made me think of how grateful I am to have my body back, to feel confident in a bathing suit, and to be carefree about life.

But it made me wonder…how are you feeling in your body?

I’ve had my fair share of body image and health struggles, but through all of it I learned how to love my body regardless of what it looked or felt like. Eventually, with the right lab tests and resources, I was able to get my body back to feeling like home again for good.

You deserve to look and feel your best too, and I’m proof that it’s possible for you.

Summer will be here before you know it, stirring up all kinds of judgments, criticisms, wants, and desires related to how you feel in your body.

Would you love to feel like your old self again by the time Summer arrives?

…the energetic, clear-minded, great skin, creative, in-shape, productive, pain and the bloat-free person you used to be.

I know. I’ve been there, and many of the clients I’ve worked with have been too.

There once was a time when I felt like a stranger in my own body.

Acne took over the radiant skin I was always so proud of. Extra weight or bloating hid the muscle tone I worked so hard for and drastically reduced my outfit options. Low energy limited my ability to basically show up in life; to be the social butterfly I had always been, to be present or creative in my work and at home.

All I could think about was a time when I felt physically and mentally fit. I didn’t have any self-imposed limitations. All I wanted was to find myself in that place again.

Do you ever find yourself wondering why you don’t have the energy to do the simplest tasks such as putting away the laundry, riding bikes with your kids, or paying attention to a conversation?

Does getting dressed every morning feel like internal warfare with yourself – you put something on, criticize yourself in the mirror, and change your outfit a million times until you find something that doesn’t make you feel like a stuffed sausage?

If you feel this way or have ever felt this way, can I get a hell yeah?

If so comment below to let me know!

I struggled for a while before I figured out how to get my body back for good – but I did get it back and you can too.

The first thing you need to know is, there is WAY more to getting your body back than changing your diet and exercising.

And the second thing you need to know is that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Diet and exercise are just two pieces of the puzzle when it comes to feeling like your best self, but they are only effective when the body is running on all cylinders.

Think of it like this…

If you owned the highest-profile performance vehicle available in the world, filled it with the highest quality fuel, and tried to take it from zero to sixty in 30 seconds with a clogged air filter, empty oil canister, imbalanced tires, and sketchy electrical system, what do you think would happen?

The car wouldn’t perform as expected, right?

This is similar to what happens when you try eating right and exercising, but get little to no results. There’s something going on underneath the hood reducing the efficacy of your efforts.

In this week’s video and blog, I want to help you understand what is potentially going on underneath your hood so you can get your body back for good.

Have you ever caught yourself staring in the mirror wondering how you got here?

Wondering…

… where did all the weight come from?
… is everyone else noticing the circles under your eyes?
… how are you going to make it through all your meetings today?
… what would happen if you just went back to bed and hid under the covers?

You see, so many others have felt this way too, but they have also found a way to get their bodies back for good with the right lab testing and guidance.

What you’re experiencing did not happen overnight.  Feeling out of place in your body is something that has occurred over time amongst the shuffle of work, kids, responsibilities, travel, stress, and anything else going on in your life.

Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin happens when…

  • Your hormone system goes haywire
  • Your immune system gets weak
  • Your digestive system is dysfunctional
  • Your detoxification system doesn’t work
  • Your energy system gets slowed down
  • And your nervous system sends mixed signals

In order to get your body back for good, you’ve got to get all of the systems of the body running right, just like a high-profile performance vehicle should be.

If your expensive high profile performance car wasn’t running right, what would you do?

You would take it to the best specialist around for a thorough evaluation that would include a variety of diagnostic tests to check every aspect of the engine, fuel lines, tires, pumps, and more.

To get your body back for good, you’ll want to do the same thing so you can understand what is going on underneath the hood; what’s happening with your hormones, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy, and nervous system so you’ll know exactly what steps to take to restore function and feel your best again.

Here’s the caveat though…

Running typical blood tests with your general practitioner, or even some specialists won’t get you the answers you’re looking for.

In order to REALLY see how your body is functioning, you’re going to need to run functional lab tests that provide deeper insights about function!

The good news is these functional lab tests are super easy to do.  Most of them are urine, saliva, and stool-based, making it convenient for you to do them in the comfort of your own home.

And when working with the right health expert (like me!) you can use the data from these lab tests to guide:

  • What foods are right for your body
  • How much sleep you need and when
  • What type of exercise will get you the best results
  • Which stress-reducing tools would be most effective for you
  • And what toxins or other environmental factors you should minimize to boost your health

Now doesn’t that sound pretty straightforward? Instead of guessing about what you should be doing to feel good in your body again.

Using the data from functional lab tests to guide recommendations for diet, rest, exercise, stress reduction, supplementation, and toxin removal is exactly how clients of mine such as…

…Leslie, lost over 20 lbs in 6 months bringing her back to pre-college weight and has an abundance of energy all day long…

…Kristine got rid of stubborn excess pounds, daily pain, sugar cravings, and was able to stabilize her energy levels

…Jene, was finally able to control her Muscular Sclerosis symptoms naturally and can now keep up with her grandson…

…David, lost 40lbs without engaging in a structured workout routine and is able to sleep through the night…

Running functional lab tests is also what gave me the insights to get my energy back, get my weight under control, clear up my skin, and think clearly again when I wasn’t getting the results I wanted from diet and exercise, or my doctors.

Running these types of lab tests is what has helped so many of my clients uncover hidden healing opportunities such as:

  • Estrogen dominance
  • Insulin resistance
  • Cortisol dysfunction
  • Liver congestion
  • Poor thyroid function
  • And intestinal parasites, bacteria, and yeast overgrowth

These things were standing in their way of feeling like their best self despite their diet and exercise efforts.

With the right lab tests and resources, it is possible to feel good in your body and like yourself again!

LAST CALL – If you’re ready to get your hands on the right lab tests and resources so you can feel like your best self this year…

You can apply for one of my two client spots open for the month of January.

Apply by January 31st HERE!

(NOTE: My client openings are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis, so make sure you apply and schedule ASAP)

As the (W)holistic Health Boss, my mission is to support busy, health-minded people like you in getting access to the right lab tests and resources so you can find the missing pieces to your health puzzle and get back to feeling like yourself again (or for the very first time!).

Here’s to you achieving your health goals this year, no matter what life throws at you!

5 ways to hit your 2023 goals

How many times have you told yourself this is going to be the year?

The year you…

Get your energy back

Finally feel good in your body again

Ditch the stress and make more time for self-care

Figure out what is really going on with your hormones

Reverse your autoimmune issues and manage them naturally

Or get to the bottom of your bloating and digestive struggles

…and ultimately get back to feeling like yourself again (or for the very first time).

As most people do, you probably always start the new year with the best of intentions but quickly find yourself getting lost in the chaos of everyday life or swept up by different events. And before you know it, the whole year has practically passed you by, and you still feel uncomfortable in your body, sick or tired all the time.

I feel ya. I’ve fallen into this vicious cycle myself in the past, but I made some major shifts along my journey to get my energy and body back. Now I feel younger, more energized and healthier as I approach 40 this year than I ever have before.

First, let me tell you, it’s not your fault if you haven’t reached your New Year’s resolutions in years past. There is no such thing as failure, only feedback. Feedback that you need a different plan of attack.

To help you kick off this year right, I want to give you 5 sure-fire ways to actually achieve your health goals this year, for real this time.

First, there’s more to achieving a goal than just setting one.

Marathon runners don’t just wake up one day and run a marathon. They train for it. They fuel their body for it. They buy the right clothing for it. They put energy and thought into exactly how they are going to make it to the finish line on race day.

Like training for a marathon, in order to achieve your health goals you need the right plan, resources and support.

In this week’s video and blog, I give you 5 sure-fire ways to actually achieve your health goals this year, for real this time.

The beginning of a new year holds a whole new meaning when it comes to setting goals.  What you set your sights on now can change in an instant as 2020 taught us, so how do you stay the course despite what life throws at you?

I have worked with hundreds of clients, and no matter what the goal might be, I have found these 5 aspects to be critical for reaching the finish of any health goal.

1 – Focus on the why, not the what
Who wouldn’t like to lose a little weight, have more energy, or control of their health naturally? Those are great goals from the outside, but it’s not what’s on the outside that matters, it’s what is on the inside that will keep you motivated.

Ask yourself – what would having more energy, control of your health and weight do for you? How would it change your life?

Achieving these external goals would give you more confidence. You would feel more comfortable in your skin. You would be able to focus better at work, and as a result, make more money. You would be a better partner and parent. You would be able to travel the world, hike the tallest mountain, and do anything you physically wanted to do with a feeling of joy. You would be limitless!

When I trained for a marathon, sure there were days I didn’t want to get out of bed and run a ridiculous number of miles. And when I was in the depths of healing Hashimotos and mold illness, there were plenty of times when I wanted to throw in the towel but reconnecting with my bigger “why” is what kept me going, and it’s what keeps my clients going too.

2 – Clear the clutter
Distractions are everywhere and they can come in many forms; food, finances, physical clutter in your home, negative people who drain your energy, social media and the news or people who convince you to do things that aren’t in your health’s best interest.

If you must stare at the cookies in the chocolate chip eye every day, eventually they will get the best of you.

Give yourself time to set up a supportive environment to pursue your goals. Schedule an hour, day, or blocks of time to…

Clear food out of the pantry and fridge that isn’t in alignment with how you want to be eating.  Put together a budget or get your finances in order so you don’t have to worry about them, and you can focus on yourself. Organize that hall closet, garage, or other cluttered space in your home.

And set some healthy boundaries for those things or people in your life who may not be on the same path as you – instead of gossiping over cocktails, grab a coffee or take a walk and set a social media or news time consumption limit.

Once the clutter is out of the way you can move forward on a clear path.

3 – Build upon existing rituals
We all brush our teeth in the morning, or at least I hope you do. This is a ritual, or a habit, and something we can build upon.

Often what feels overwhelming about going after your health goals is the idea of having to “create time” or space to workout, eat healthy, meditate, drink more water etc. But what if you just built upon the time you’ve already carved out for the rituals or habits you already have in place?

This concept really helped me build a meditation practice.  I started with just 10-15 minutes of meditation after our evening family dog walks as part of my nightly “wind down” routine.  It eventually grew into 30 minutes, and I yearned for it so much that I eventually implemented into my morning routine right before my workout.

Oil pulling is another great example for me.  I do it 3 mornings per week while I prepare supplements and morning water – tackling two things at once! I’m all about efficiency.

Another great example that my clients really enjoy is doing meditation in their car they get home from work before entering their house, or in the bathroom after taking a shower.  These are great ways to disconnect from work and create quiet spaces so you can be more present for loved ones.

Notice your current rituals and how you can build upon them with the things that you would like to be doing for yourself to support your health.

4 – Recruit the right support and resources
It’s ok to ask for help, and don’t let your ego tell you otherwise. Instead of spinning your wheels about what foods to eat, what type of exercise is best, which meditation to try, supplements to take, or anything else that might support your health goals, recruit the right experts and resources to be your guide.

As the old saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child”, it can also take a team of experts or resources to help you reach your health goals. Set yourself up for success by hiring the right experts to hold you accountable and give you the resources you need to feel your best.  Your health-goals dream team might include a personal trainer, health coach, chiropractor, acupuncturist, spiritual guide, or other types of health professionals.

YOU.ARE.WORTH.IT

5 – Stop shooting in the dark
If you’ve “tried everything” when it comes to diet and exercise, yet nothing seems to work, then it’s time to test instead of guess. You are unique and therefore your diet, exercise, sleep, supplements, and stress reduction needs will be too. What works for one person isn’t exactly going to work for you.

When your attempts to lose weight, increase your energy and get your health back under control aren’t working, it’s a sign that something bigger is going on beneath the surface such as hormone imbalances, liver congestion, poor nutrient absorption or fat for fuel metabolism, and your typical blood tests won’t pick up on these hidden dysfunctions.

Your results will always be lacking, no matter how many diets or workout routines you try, if you’ve got something greater going on under the hood.

So, stop shooting in the dark. Run some functional lab tests that will give you a bigger picture of your overall health and take a more strategic, and personalized approach to reaching your health goals this year.

Lab data-driven strategies will save you time and money, and help you hit your health goals faster.

If you’re ready to get your hands on the right lab tests and resources so you can feel like your best self this year…

I currently have two client spots open for the month of January.

Click here to apply for one of these spots and book a consultation to explore this opportunity with me by January 31st.

(NOTE: My client openings are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis, so make sure you apply and schedule ASAP)

As the (W)holistic Health Boss, my mission is to support busy, health-minded people like you in getting access to the right lab tests and resources so you can find the missing pieces to your health puzzle and get back to feeling like yourself again (or for the very first time!).

Here’s to you achieving your health goals this year, no matter what life throws at you!

Drop holiday pounds [fast]

What if there was a magical pill or food you could eat that would stop cravings in their tracks, would give you long-lasting energy, and promote weight loss all at the same time

There actually is…it’s called Fat!

Contrary to what you might believe or have been told, cutting-edge research is showing us how consuming healthy types of fats can be beneficial not only for curbing cravings, boosting energy, and supporting weight loss but also for preventing chronic disease and cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Before we dive into this fat conversation, let’s set the record straight on what types of fats are beneficial for your health.

Fat gets a bad rap, but not all fats are created equal.

There are 4 major categories of fat:

  • Saturated fats
  • Monounsaturated fats
  • Polyunsaturated fats
  • Trans fats

All fat-containing foods have different ratios of each type of fat; saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated.  Some fatty foods can also have naturally occurring or artificial trans fat.

Each type of fat is essential for bodily functions and comes with its own health benefits.

Saturated fats are commonly found in butter, lard, milk, coconut oil, and milk.  They serve as a primary source of energy in the body; as the preferred fuel for the brain, as signaling agents for cells, and can even encourage weight loss.

Monounsaturated fats can be found in avocados, olives, certain meats, and types of nuts. This type of fat is known for its positive impacts on cardiovascular health by reducing LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammation, and blood pressure, and increasing HDL cholesterol.

Polyunsaturated fats are mostly found in fish, some nuts and seeds, and oils such as flax, corn, safflower, and soybean. This type of fat plays a critical role in forming cell membranes, cell function, and regulating gene expression.  Omega-3 and 6’s are a type of Polyunsaturated fat.

Though Trans fats are most controversial, even some of these are healthy for you when they are naturally occurring.  Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a natural type of Trans fat that reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and autoimmunity. It can also improve glucose tolerance, which can prevent or help manage type 2 diabetes.

On the other hand, artificial Trans fats are highly inflammatory and have been shown to increase the risk for cancer, heart disease, obesity, and other chronic inflammatory-related conditions.

Without dietary fats, or adequate amounts of them (for you), the body can’t function at its potential.

Fats are your friend and the quality is what counts.

Aside from the different types of fat, the quality of the fats you are consuming is what matters.

Fat is not only how the body stores energy, but it’s also where the body stores toxins and excess hormones to protect itself from those harmful particles circulating through the system.

If you eat sources of fat that have been exposed to pesticides and herbicides or injected with hormones and antibiotics such as non-organic, grass-fed, free-range meat and eggs, then guess what?  You’re consuming those toxins, hormones, and antibiotics too.

The same goes for fat derived from plant sources such as avocados, olives, and oils.

To really reap the benefits of dietary fats, you’ll want to avoid all the additives.  Aim to consume them from natural, clean, organic, hormone-free, grass-fed, pasture-raised, free-range, humanely-raised, and minimally-processed sources.

Look for your fats to be:

  • Cold-pressed organic oils
  • 100% Grass-fed and finished organic hormone-free beef and related products
  • Free-range organic hormone-free poultry and eggs
  • Organic avocados, olives, nuts, seeds, and coconut products
  • Wild-caught fresh fish or packaged in non-toxic containers

Now that you know about fat, its direct health benefits, and what sources of fat to focus on, let’s get to the important stuff- how it can help you lose weight and boost your energy!

In this week’s video and blog, I dive into more detail about why you should eat fat for weight loss, more energy, and better health!

Did you know that 80% of the population is estimated to do better on a higher fat and protein diet and only about 20% thrive with higher carbohydrates?

Yet the dietary guidelines for Americans suggest that your daily food intake should consist of 45-65% carbohydrates.

Let’s talk about what’s wrong with this recommendation…

Carbohydrates are the easiest macronutrient for the body to metabolize. They are instantly converted into glucose (aka sugar) that floods the bloodstream.  Your blood sugar goes up for a period of time, and what goes up must come down.

This is why you may have noticed that you get an instant energy boost after eating a meal higher in carbs, followed by an energy crash –  feeling like you need to take a nap or feeling hungry within 30 minutes to 2 hours after.

As your blood sugar comes crashing down after eating a higher-carb meal, your body loses its energy source and starts craving food to bring your blood sugar back up.

Proteins and fats, on the other hand, require a much more complex and lengthy process to be metabolized and converted into glucose.

Thus, if you eat a meal higher in fat and protein, you’ll have a nice and steady release of glucose over a longer period of time, keeping your blood sugar balanced, energy even, and curbing those cravings.

In fact, fat can’t be converted directly to glucose.  It has to go through an even longer process of conversion before it hits your bloodstream.

When you eat a diet higher in fat, as your body works to metabolize the fat you ate (which is a long process) it will tap into your existing fat stores for immediate energy, thus promoting weight loss!

In addition to keeping your blood sugar in balance, eating more fat (and therefore fewer carbs) promotes weight loss and more energy by:

  • Increasing feelings of fullness to curb cravings
  • Decreasing appetite-stimulating hormones such as insulin and ghrelin
  • Increasing calorie expenditure with the complex process of metabolizing fat
  • Boosting fat loss versus lean body mass due to decreased insulin levels
  • Balancing your hormones with essential nutrients needed to make hormones
  • Maintaining cell structures for energy production and body efficiency

If you don’t believe me, then I challenge you to try it, just for one meal.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Experience it and challenge yourself to eat one meal higher in fat, with moderate protein and a small portion of carbs.

A great example meal would be a ribeye steak dinner with a side of leafy greens or types of vegetables that grow above the ground (asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, etc.) sauteed or cooked with olive or coconut oil.

Remember, you just want your fat sources to be clean, as previously discussed.

Notice after eating this type of meal how you can go 3-5 hours, or possibly longer, without feeling hungry.  Your energy is even, and when you cut the cravings or need to snack between meals, it becomes easier to manage your weight.

So don’t fear fat.  It does a body good.  Use the right fats to get the results you want!

If you need help figuring out what fats and other foods are right for your body so you can lose weight, have more energy, and get back to feeling like yourself again then, click here to check out my Food & Body Language Log.

P.S. If you are a part of the 20% who don’t do as well with a higher fat and protein diet, you’ll know right away.  Within 30 minutes to 2 hours, you’ll experience the opposite effects; you’ll feel sluggish, have a heavy stomach, and want to take a nap while your body is trying to digest.

Final Holiday Hormone Hacks

Have you seen the series of simple tips to balance your hormones during the holidays so you can feel your best going into 2023 that I’ve been sharing on Instagram and Facebook?

I’ve been giving away all kinds of helpful insights over the past week along with practical things you can do to keep hormones (such as cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid, melatonin, insulin, and leptin) balanced during the holiday season, to mitigate the impact the holiday season can have on them.

The holidays can wreak havoc on your hormones as you tend to focus SO much on giving to others this time of year and not so much on giving to yourself as you run around holiday parties, last-minute gift shopping, and visiting family or friends.

By the end of it all, I bet you usually feel wiped out or wonder why you feel so fat, tired, and sick all the time just like I used to.

To help you keep your hormones intact this holiday season and breathe life back into them for 2023, on December 12th I kicked off my annual Instagram and Facebook series called the “12 Days of Healthy Hormone Hacks for the Holidays”

Here’s a recap of a few simple tips I recently shared…

Day 6:  Bank Some Sleep
Sleep is the first thing to go during the holiday season. We stay up late this time of year…

  • Burning the midnight oil to meet last-minute work deadlines
  • Wrapping presents when kids or loved ones are asleep
  • Dancing or socializing the night away at holiday parties
  • Waiting for Santa or loved ones to arrive
  • Or by taking red-eye flights to save a few bucks

Have you noticed that even when you get 8  hours of sleep or allow yourself to sleep in after a late night, you just don’t seem to wake up feeling rested?

Our body has an internal clock according to the sun cycles. This internal clock determines specific times of day when the body does critical functions to help keep our hormones balanced.

For example, from 10pm to 2am, it…

  • It releases human growth hormone to repair damaged cells and create new ones.  
  • Cortisol levels are at their lowest and melatonin hormone peaks to support restful sleep  

And from 2am-4am…the liver and gallbladder to their deepest detox work to get rid of toxins.

The body does not shift its internal clock if these critical sleeping windows are missed, it simply can’t perform these functions well, and our hormones take a hit. Regularly staying up late can flip the cortisol rhythm, mess with melatonin production, and disrupt all other hormones.

Obviously, there are some fun-filled and valid reasons to miss some shut-eye this time of year, but you can make up for it by banking on sleep on the days you can get to bed at a reasonable time.

Every 1 hour of sleep before midnight is worth 2 hours of rest!

When you can get to bed by 10pm or earlier to bank sleep for late nights ahead, or to make up for the ones already had.

Getting good quality sleep at optimal times will help you wake up feeling rested and support hormone balance through the holidays.

***

Day 5: Crush Some Cruciferous Veggies
It’s the last full weekend before the holiday season reaches its peak and all through the town, celebration cocktails are going down… meaning estrogen levels are on the rise..

ONE alcoholic beverage can increase estrogen levels in the body for up to 24 hours, but this time of year there’s bound to be more than one drink with back-to-back holiday festivities not giving our bodies a full 24-hour break to normalize estrogen levels.

Aside from alcohol, we likely come in contact with more xenoestrogen toxins this time of year that also increase estrogen such as plastics.

Consistently elevated estrogen levels can contribute to estrogen dominance, which can trigger thyroid imbalances, sleep issues, mood swings and more.

But don’t worry about indulging this holiday season if you focus on crushing some cruciferous veggies.

Cruciferous vegetables are known for their anti-estrogenic effects.  They contain a compound called DIM (3’3 diindolylmethane) which helps eliminate estrogen through the liver.

Most of them also contain chlorophyll (found in the green leaves), which aids in reducing estrogen through improved liver health.

Next time you eat, see where you can incorporate some of these cruciferous veggies…

  • Arugula
  • Bok Choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Collard Greens
  • Kale
  • Mustard greens
  • Radish
  • Turnip
  • Watercress

Some of my favorite holiday side dishes include roasted Brussels sprouts and arugula-based winter salads.

Keep that estrogen in check by crushing some cruciferous veggies as we wind down the year!

***

Day 4: Wake Up with Warm Water
It’s cold outside, so why not start your day off with some warm, lemon-salted water while brewing your usual cup of coffee or tea to boost hormone balance?

Beyond warming you up, your hormones can benefit from starting your day with warm water enhanced with a slice of lemon and a pinch of Himalayan or sea salt..

Lemons have been shown to help detoxify the liver, and the liver is where hormones are converted, such as thyroid T4 to T3. It also helps eliminate excess hormones such as estrogen, which can lead to weight gain, sleep, and mood issues if it builds up.

A pinch of Himalayan or sea salt promotes hydration and electrolyte balance, which are important for hormone and cellular function.  Plus the magnesium, sodium, and potassium in the salt nourishes the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol and DHEA hormone and also contribute to the production of adrenaline, estrogen, and other hormones as well.

Warm or room temperature water aids in the absorption of the lemon and salt nutrients in addition to promoting digestive health and bowel movements, which is how we get rid of toxins that impact hormone balance or excess hormones.  Warm water gives the insides of your body a gentle nudge to get going instead of a cold electric shock.

During holiday craziness, we are more likely to forget about drinking water throughout the day and to indulge in dehydrating things such as alcohol, coffee, and traveling.

This holiday season, add a cup of warm, lemon-salted water to your morning to start your day with a hydrating healthy hormone boost!

***

Head on over to my Instagram and Facebook to see what you might have missed AND to catch the rest of my 12 Days of Healthy Hormone Hacks for the Holidays.

P.S. Turn on your notifications so you don’t miss a single simple tip to keep your hormones intact this holiday season, AND remember to save the posts for future reference!

12 Holiday Hormone Hacks!

It’s that holiday time of year again!

There’s an abundance of joy and gratitude going around this time of year, but…

By the end of it all, do you usually feel wiped out or wonder why you feel so fat, tired, and sick all the time?

It’s because your hormones took a hit!

The holidays can wreak havoc on your hormones as you tend to focus SO much on giving to others this time of year and not so much on giving to yourself as you run around from holiday parties, last-minute gift shopping, and visiting family or friends.

However, there is a way to still give this holiday season AND support your hormones at the same time.

To help you keep your hormones intact this holiday season and breathe life back into them for 2023, on December 12th I kicked off my annual Instagram and Facebook series called the “12 Days of Healthy Hormone Hacks for the Holidays”

Over 12 days on Instagram and Facebook, catch my videos and posts where I’m sharing simple tips for practical things you can do to keep your hormones balanced while you enjoy the holiday season!

Here’s a sneak peek at the simple tips I’ve lined up for you…

Day 1 – Fill Up With Fat
This likely sounds counterintuitive, but trust me, it’s not when it comes to your hormones, energy levels, and kicking cravings!

To make hormones the body needs healthy dietary fats that are broken down into LDL and cholesterol, along with other nutrients such as B vitamins.  Yep, you heard me right. LDL and cholesterol are actually necessary for hormones. They have a reputation, but they’re not bad for you if sourced in a healthy way.

Filling up with healthy fats can also help balance blood sugar for longer-lasting energy, reduce inflammation, and kick cravings.

So what healthy fats should you indulge in during the holidays?

  • Avocado on its own, as guacamole, or as an oil
  • Full-fat coconut milk in your coffee, tea, or smoothies
  • Organic, nitrate, and gluten-free bacon
  • Cold-Pressed organic olive or coconut oil
  • Grass-fed ghee instead of butter (less inflammatory) 
  • Fatty cuts of organic pasture-raised meats and eggs

One of my favorite fat-bomb beverages is a matcha latte or coffee with full-fat coconut milk and vanilla bean ghee. This keeps me feeling full and energized for 5 hours or more!

I always fill up on fat before I hit a holiday party or aim to eat the fattiest snacks while there, to keep my hormones happy and hunger under control.

Focus on filling up with healthy fats throughout the day and notice the way it makes you feel more full, more energized, and craving-free.

***

Day 2 – Breathe Deeply
We’re constantly moving this time of year – decorating, planning, working, shopping, traveling, cooking, cleaning, and socializing.  While all are necessary and some fun, it does take a toll on hormonal health.

Constant movement triggers our sympathetic nervous system eliciting a stress response, aka the fight or flight response.  In a stressed state, our body uses a lot of valuable hormonal resources.  Cortisol is a primary hormone at play but not the only one impacted in a negative way.

In stress mode, our body directs valuable resources outward for quick thinking and quick-moving, leaving little resources for critical functions in our body to take place keeping our health in line.

BUT in just 2 minutes or less, you can snap yourself out of stress mode and quickly into the rest and relaxation mode bringing your hormones back into balance so your body can heal from all the work it has been doing.  Here’s how…

Deep Breathing.

It’s that simple. When we breathe deep and rhythmic like a relaxed person, we can instantly flip the switch from fight or flight mode into a more relaxed and healing state.

Try this ten times…

  • Inhale for 5 seconds
  • Hold the breath 5 seconds
  • Exhale for 7 seconds

Use this simple breathing technique anytime you notice yourself moving too fast, when you’ve gone a long time without a break, or feel anxious to instantly bring cortisol and other hormones back into balance.

I do this in the morning, afternoon, and before bed. Set a reminder on your phone to stop at least once a day this holiday season to breathe deeply and promote hormone balance.

***

 

Day 3 – Go Green
Inflammation is on the rise during the holidays as we indulge in different foods or beverages that might have a more inflammatory effect on the body. Other factors include toxins we encounter while traveling and any mental or emotional stress we might experience this time of year.

Inflammation is at the core of hormone dysfunction or any chronic health issue.  It drives cortisol out of rhythm, creating a negative domino effect on other hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid. Over time, constant inflammation (even low levels) can overwhelm the immune system, eventually leading to autoimmunity or other chronic conditions.

Sure, you’re going to indulge during the holidays, and you can’t always control toxin exposure or the need to travel, but there are things you can do on a daily basis to calm the inflammatory fire.

To help you reduce inflammation daily – GO GREEN!

One cup of green tea has an abundance of anti-inflammatory effects that can positively impact your hormones and digestive health. EGCG is an active green tea ingredient that modulates genes to produce an anti-inflammatory effect.

To keep contain the inflammatory fire, aim to incorporate a cup of green tea daily during the holidays.

This is such an easy task!  You can grab a cup of green tea almost anywhere while traveling, or pack it to always have with you. It’s the perfect drink to start your day or keep you warm when it’s cold outside.

As mentioned on tip day 1, filling up with fats supports hormones and one of my favorite fat-bomb beverages is a matcha green tea latte with full-fat coconut milk and vanilla bean ghee. This keeps me feeling full and energized for at least 5 hours, plus has all the added anti-inflammatory benefits.

You can’t go wrong by going green this holiday season to keep your hormones happy.

***

Make sure you’re following me closely on Instagram and Facebook to catch all of my, 12 Days of Healthy Hormone Hacks for the Holidays!

P.S. Turn on your Facebook and/or Instagram notifications for my pages so you don’t miss a single simple tip to keep your hormones intact this holiday season, AND remember to save the posts for future reference because these tips can help balance hormones all year long!

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide [2022]

Gift-giving season is in full force, and what better gift is there than the gift of health so you and your loved ones can live your best life?

I know what you’re probably thinking… Healthy gifts aren’t sexy or exciting like getting a new iPhone, piece of jewelry, or gadget.

And while this might be true, health-supporting gifts are the ones that will keep on giving long after the holidays are gone.  The past few years have really taken a toll on everyone’s health across the globe and it has shown us that we need to take better care of ourselves.

No one wants to ask for healthy things for the holidays because it’s too taboo, but it’s what we all really want and need in the long run.

A new iPhone or gadget eventually becomes outdated. A piece of jewelry eventually loses its appeal. Clothes get old and go out of style.

But your health is something you’ll have for the rest of your life, and in order to make the most out of the rest of your life, you need your health.

In this week’s video and blog, I’m sharing some of my all-time favorite health-supporting tools to help you give yourself and your loved ones the gift of health this holiday season, and beyond!

 

Whether you’re shopping for yourself (like I do this time of year LOL) or someone else, these health-supporting tools are perfect and I’ll tell you why…

***

doTerra Essential Oils (click to shop)
Essential oils can be used for a WIDE variety of health-related reasons. In our house, we regularly use:

  • Lavender before bed to relax for more restful sleep
  • Peppermint to relieve headaches and boost energy
  • OnGuard as a non-toxic cleaning solution, to get rid of workout clothes stank and to fight off the common cold or virus

I’ve even used essential oils for cooking! The best thing about essential oils is that a little bit goes a long way, giving this gift greater value than what you might expect at first glance.

***

Queen of Thrones Castor Oil Pack (click to shop)
Castor oil packs have been a critical part of healing my Hashimotos, mold illness, and weight loss journey for years now. I continue to use one regularly to maintain the results I’ve achieved. Castor oil packs may not sound sexy but they are life-changing! This is the perfect gift for you or loved ones who struggle with bloating, constipation, hormone imbalances, and pain.

I use my castor oil pack about 3 times a week to reduce inflammation, support proper digestion, balance hormones, reduce stress levels, and boost detoxification. Whatever your health goals are, or healthy actions you are taking, castor oil packs can help you get 10 X the results!

***

LMNT Electrolytes (click to shop)
Talk about a great incentive to drink more water and an awesome hydrating cocktail mixer all in one. LMNT electrolytes are part of my daily routine and an essential element to my prolonged 72-hour fasts to ensure my body is always hydrated so it can function optimally and I can feel great. Plus, their fun, natural flavors can be mixed with club soda to make a magnificent mocktail or cocktail.

These are the perfect stocking stuffers to boost hydration and promote more energy, weight loss, hormone balance, and more!

Plus they have a limited-time Chocolate Medley box for the holidays with Mint and Caramel Chocolate! (can you say yummy holiday hot chocolate and it’s amazing over coconut milk vanilla ice cream!)

***

Pique Tea (click to shop)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received tea as a gift, and not to sound unappreciative but my only wish is that it would have been tea that was actually good for me. Pique tea is 100% organic and triple-screened for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds to make sure it’s of the highest quality (if you didn’t know, tea can be highly contaminated with toxins!).  Aside from being super high quality, Pique tea is also jam-packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients to boost energy, balance blood sugar, and heal your gut.

One of the best features of this tea brand is that the tea comes in powder form so there’s no messy tea bag or steeper. They can be mixed in cold or hot water, and they are easy to travel with.

***

Keto-Mojo (click to shop)
Blood sugar imbalances are the number one robber of energy, sleep, and weight loss. When your blood sugar is on a roller coaster of highs and lows, so is the rest of your life. The secret to having stable energy, sleep, and weight is stabilizing your blood sugar and Keto-Mojo is the perfect tool to help you dial this in and get your mojo back!  I personally use the Keto-Mojo to spot-check my blood sugar responses to food and to ensure my body is in a fat-burning ketosis mode.

This is the perfect tool to kick off those new year health improvement and weight loss resolutions!

***

Pluck Seasoning (click to shop)
Ok, this one is going to sound odd but stick with me here…Organ meats are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. They have a ton of important vitamins – including Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K and essential minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. PLUS, the nutrients in organ meats are bioavailable – which means they’re more easily accessed and absorbed by your body.

But, let’s be honest…organ meats are an acquired taste and difficult to cook…which is why I use Pluck Seasoning.

Pluck is an organ-based seasoning that delivers all the benefits of organ meats in a pinch. I sprinkle it on roasted veggies and salads!

Why does this make the perfect gift?  Because these essential nutrients will help boost energy, weight loss, and overall better health in a pinch!

Get 15% off with code BOSS15!

***

BeautyCounter Skin & Body Products (click to shop)
Every year I get some kind of beauty, skin, or body care product from someone; a bar of soap, lotion, eye makeup, or even perfume. And just like tea, I wish the products were good for me but most of the time they aren’t; so they get donated after the holidays. But with BeautyCounter products, you can’t go wrong.

This product line is a foundation in our household. All of my skincare and makeup products are from BeautyCounter, and my husband even uses their men’s line. Aside from being a cleaner, safer skin and body-care line, BeautyCounter is also a B-Corporation, meaning they support nonprofits that align with their mission and invest in a cleaner future by partnering with leading scientists in the search for safer ingredients that will make up the better products for tomorrow.

You can grab individual items or full skincare sets for great gifts!

***

SaunaSpace Infrared Sauna (click to shop)
This is the ultimate gift! Think of deep relaxation and an in-home spa experience for you and/or your loved ones. We bought a sauna years ago. Between my husband and I, it gets used every day if not twice a day. An infrared sauna is like having a personal spa escape in your home, where you can check out and boost your health at the same time.  And unlike most infrared saunas, SaunaSpace ones also protect you from harmful EMF’s while you restore and relax.

Our household sauna has been another essential tool for healing my Hashimotos, mold illness, and weight loss journey, and I continue to use one regularly to maintain the results I’ve achieved.

If an infrared sauna isn’t in your budget, check out their photon lights and their special health effects!

(P.S. SaunaSpace is doing 12 days of Xmas deals Dec. 12th-23rd!)

***

That wraps it up for my healthy holiday gift guide for 2022, so you can feel your best in 2023!

And remember when you question whether you should buy these things for yourself or someone else…

…your health is something you’ll have for the rest of your life, and in order to make the most out of the rest of your life, you need your health.

And to also help you feel like your best self this holiday season, make sure to follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook for my 12 Days of Healthy Hormone Hacks series starting December 12th so you can manage your weight and energy better into the new year!

Your holiday playlist…

I just got done planning travel for this holiday season.  I’m staying put for Thanksgiving, taking a road trip to see one side of the family in early December, and flying to Oregon for Christmas to spend time with other family members.

Are you ready to get the holiday season started?

Whether you’re road-tripping, flying, or staying home to enjoy time off, you’re going to need some good podcasts, hardbacks, or audiobooks this holiday season 🙂

Check out some of my recent podcast interviews to dive deeper into topics such as…



And here are some of my favorite books about health and living your best life…

I’m going to need some new podcasts and books for my holiday travel playlist too.

Comment below and let me know what some of your recent favorites have been!