inflammation

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. 

When it comes to your mental & emotional health, it isn't all in your head!There are MANY physiological factors that can influence how you feel mentally & emotionally.Prolonged stress, poor nutrition, hormonal changes, inflammation & underlying health conditions can all affect your brain chemistry, nervous system & overall well-being.

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...

In the last blog post we discussed what the microbiome is and how it can be impacting your hormones. Perhaps you aren’t experiencing hormone issues, specifically, but you may still have an imbalance in your microbiome...

After receiving my PCOS diagnosis and being told I was pre-diabetic, I embarked on a gluten free, low-carb journey. That meant that the traditional pasta I was used to eating two or three times a week had to do...and that was hard!I first transitioned over to zoodles. If you don't know what those are, they are basically julienned zucchini. Truth be told, I never really liked them. At the time, there weren't many alternatives, so I just cut the "pasta" from my diet for many years...

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... 

When I was diagnosed with PCOS, I spent two years exploring ways that I could heal. I went to five doctors and a Naturopath and nothing changed. I sincerely believe that was because diet wasn't discussed -- yes, even with the Naturopath...

If you read my Paleo / Keto Bruschetta post, you know that giving up bread was HARD for me. So, when I first changed my eating habits, I knew that I needed some baked good alternatives that would hit the spot. Enter blueberry muffins...

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...

After two years of being without a period and getting a laundry list of other diagnoses, I was over it. When my friend and mentor told me to go on a low-carb Paleo type of diet to support my hormones, I did...but I cried. For three months. I literally mourned food. I am half Sicilian so bread and pasta were an every day staple for me. But guess what? Things got easier in that time and my health really started to improve...