food and mood

Is Your Diet Making You Sad?

Genevieve S Knutson anxiety, brain health, depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, functional wellness, gut-brain connection, inflammation, mental health, mental wellbeing, nutrient deficiencies, nutritional medicine, oxidative stress

Here is a statistic that stopped me in my tracks when I first came across it in my research...Nearly 30% of US adults will be diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives. That is almost 1 in 3 people!Some researchers believe the true number is even higher when you factor in everyone who experiences it without ever receiving a formal diagnosis.I find that genuinely frightening! And this is not just a professional concern for me.My father took his own life when I was 16, and a few years ago, after leaving a toxic relationship, I found myself in the depths of significant depression of my own.

Chocolate Protein Chia Pudding

Genevieve S Knutson anxiety, autoimmune conditions, blood sugar, breakfast, chocolate, depression, dessert, desserts, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, fibre, food and mood, food as medicine, hormone health, hormones, inflammation, Keto, low-carb, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine, Paleo, snacks, The Healthy Hormone Method

When working with clients and members in my online program, The Healthy Hormone Method, I am often asked what are some quick and easy, yet delicious recipes for breakfast and snacks...

Nut Free Paleo / Keto Cinnamon Loaf

Genevieve S Knutson baked goods, baking, blood sugar, bread, breakfast, cortisol, dessert, desserts, fibre, food and mood, food as medicine, gut health, hormone health, hormones, insulin resistance, Keto, low-carb, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine, oestrogen dominance, Paleo

If you checked out my Nut Free Paleo Sandwich Bread recipe, you know that almonds are a no-go for me right now.However, that is not the only reason I am playing around with nut free recipes. I know many schools don't allow nuts, so it is great to have some healthy baking alternatives for yourself and the kids...

Why I Don't Participate in Meat Free May

Genevieve S Knutson depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine

As most of you know, I am a HUGE animal lover! My two dogs, Dusty and Sienna, are my life! Anyone that knows me knows that everything I do revolves around them...and I wouldn't have it any other way!What is interesting is that so many people I come across assume that I am vegan or vegetarian because I love animals so much...But that couldn't be further from the truth!

The Ultimate Gut & Hormone Loving Smoothie

Genevieve S Knutson adrenal, adrenal fatigue, amenorrhea, blood sugar, breakfast, chocolate, cortisol, depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, gut, gut health, hormone health, hormones, inflammation, insulin resistance, low-carb, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine, Paleo, PCOS, physical health, thyroid

When it comes to healthy eating, breakfast seems to be the meal that most people struggle with. Thankfully, that has never been an issue for me because I love smoothies! I have been having a smoothie for breakfast for the better part of decade! Well, longer if I am being really honest! As my knowledge of gut and hormone health has evolved, so too has my morning smoothie...

Low-Carb Paleo Apple Crumble

Genevieve S Knutson apple, baked goods, baking, blood sugar, dessert, desserts, food and mood, food as medicine, hormone health, hormones, low-carb, nutritional medicine, Paleo

For as long as I can remember, I have not been a cake fan. It just wasn't my thing. I often chose to have pie instead. Lemon meringue or apple were my favourite. Also, my mom's apple crisp was something I could devour in no time! Seriously, it was so delicious! I would often sneak into the pan to steal another bite - or three - when nobody was looking lol...

Roasted Cauliflower & Garlic Hummus

Genevieve S Knutson essential oils, food and mood, food as medicine, hormone health, hormones, Keto, low-carb, nutritional medicine, Paleo, snacks

Since becoming a Nutritionist, one of the common things I hear from people is they struggle with snacks. That is, they don't know what to eat, or they run out of ideas really quickly and become bored...

Paleo Chocolate Hazelnut Brownies

Genevieve S Knutson baked goods, baking, brownies, chocolate, dessert, desserts, food and mood, snacks

Brownies. Delicious, chewy, fudgey, rich, brownies. These are my absolute favorite dessert! I blame this on my oldest brother, who from the moment I was allowed to bake, has asked for brownies. Since he moved out for college (he is 10 years older than I am), each visit has included a batch of brownies. He doesn’t even have to ask anymore lol! I dare say this tradition has been happening for over 20 years...

Paleo / Keto Bruschetta

Genevieve S Knutson brunch, Dinner, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, hormones, inflammation, Lunch, mental health, mental wellbeing, nutritional medicine, snacks

When I had to change my eating in my late 20s to help heal my numerous health conditions, I mourned food. No really, I legit cried about food for three months! You see, I am half Sicilian. The other half is Norwegian, however, there was never really any of that culture brought into our lives. Instead, the Sicilian culture and food was our main influence. So, when I gave up things like bread, pasta and pizza, not only did I miss those foods, I also felt like I was losing part of my identity...

Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine

Genevieve S Knutson B vitamins, depression, emotional health, emotional wellbeing, food and mood, food as medicine, hormones, mental health, mental wellbeing, mood, nutritional medicine, physical health

Today I want to continue with the B-vitamin series. If you have not yet read the first post on vitamin B1, you can do so here. Next on the list is vitamin B6. It is my favourite B-vitamin because of its leading role in our physical and mental health. This vitamin is the basis for forming 50 different enzymes...

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MEET JEN

Hello! Thank you popping by! I’m Jen. I'm a wife, a furmama to two gorgeous dogs, a Naturopath, Nutritionist, and an advocate for natural ways to support physical and emotional wellbeing. Oh, and I’m a CEO!

My journey originally started in Psychology. You see, when I was 16 my father took his own life after suffering years of a debilitating gambling addiction. I did a Bachelor’s in Psych as I wanted to understand why he made the choices that he did. I also wanted to ensure that I never went down that path and also help those suffering as he did. I loved it so much I went on to do a Masters.

It was during that time I got sick. I’m talking woke up one morning and couldn’t get out of bed, sick. For many years I felt helpless and frustrated!

Let me back up for a second. Prior to this life consisted of pain and fatigue. I had digestive issues and IBS from childhood. Through my teens and early 20's I was getting 2-3 migraines a month around my cycle and headaches more than half the month. My periods we very painful – I had to miss work or school the first 1-2 days. I would literally lie on the floor or the bed curled in the foetal position and cry from the pain. I could easily talk a full packet of Ibuprofen and still not get much relief.

Then, at 26, my period stopped altogether and things went downhill fast! For the first time in my life I was feeling apathetic and overwhelmed. Over the course of the next two years I was diagnosed with a host of conditions – are you ready for the laundry list? The first diagnosis was PCOS. I was told that I was infertile, that I would never have children, and that IVF wasn’t an option for me. I was also told that I was pre-diabetic, that my liver was worse than an alcoholic’s (and I don’t drink), that I had migraine disorder, vertigo, and adrenal fatigue. The cherry on the cake was a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s at 28.

I was in complete and utter shock. I couldn’t fathom that a 28-year-old Personal Trainer, who looked fit and healthy on the outside, could be in such disarray on the inside.

Over the two years I saw five doctors and a Naturopath and nothing improved.

And then one day a friend and I got in touch. She told me to change my diet and take specific supplements. I figured I had nothing to lose, and so I did! I went onto a low-carb diet and was taking upward of 30-40 pills a day…and guess what?! Three months later my period started!! How incredible is that?!

Over the next two years all of my health ailments rectified! Well, all except my Hashi’s – more on that in a minute. My cycles became clockwork, they were manageable, the migraines and vertigo disappeared and my liver and blood sugar levels returned to the normal range! How exciting is that?! The best part, I can now have children should I choose! Having that option is incredible!

Of course I was so excited and inspired that I had to go to school and study Nutritional Medicine and Naturopathy.

Now, let’s talk about my Hashi’s. That only went into remission when my toxic load was decreased. That was a lightbulb moment for me and the moment I got fired up to share with others the importance of leading a low-tox life. I love educating people where toxins are found, what impact they have on physical and emotional wellbeing, and what products to replace them with to support your wellbeing.

I sincerely believe that many of my health issues would not have presented if I were living a low-tox life. My Hashi’s has been in remission since I was 31 and I am so proud to say that! Praise God!

Life is so different to what it was 10 years ago. I have the energy and the mental capacity to engage in life! I am present and am thriving. Oh, and I laugh! I actually laugh out loud, something that eluded me for many years.

I am happy and healthy and it is my mission to help YOU be the happy, healthy person you are meant to be!

I would love for you to join our exclusive community and learn how you too can find freedom from physical and emotional barriers. I look forward to seeing you there!

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MEET JEN