Innature Nutrition

01/15/2024

Seeing a lot of posts about blue Monday today. And I just wanted to share my thoughts. Winter by it's very nature is a darker season in our lives. The days are shorter, the weather's colder, and access to nature's Vitamin D is less abundant.

For many reasons, it is a depressing time for many. I'm not dismissing any of the mental health issues that come along with adjusting to this season. However, I just want to look at it a different way for a minute.

What if a lot of those feelings of down or blue or sad have to do resisting this time of slowing down, turning inward and reflection? When we are depressed our bodies need sleep. We live in a Go Go Go, Do More, Be More society and that is the opposite of winter. We are 2 weeks into the New Year and any intentions that you had set for yourself may have fallen apart already. Perhaps that comes with a feeling of guilt or shame. The time of reflection may lead us to thinking about our pasts or regrets or comparison to others in what they have or what we don't, focusing on things that we feel that we should be or should have accomplished by now. Winter wants us to slow down, to quiet and still our lives, yet, for many that feels lazy or unproductive.

So what if instead of resisting that and pushing ourselves harder this time of year, we followed the season and slowed down? Went to bed earlier, gave ourselves the grace to do less, be less, for others and the world. And just be there for ourselves right now. Spend this time reflecting on all that we are, the good that we are, all that we have and love and bring us joy? And nourish ourselves.

And if that's a difficult stretch for you, just know that as always, this season will pass.

11/15/2023

Morning walks are great for your physical health but even better for your mental health.

10/30/2023

Warm soup on a cold day.

10/24/2023

Instill, foster, encourage - whatever you wish to call promoting - a love of nature in your children.

I believe above all sports, academic lessons, skills or other knowledge, a love and respect for nature and the natural world is the most important. It was here before us. It will be here long after us. It provides. It shelters. It teaches. It heals. It is wiser than we'll ever fully comprehend.

10/19/2023

Week 5

09/22/2023

Week one

05/30/2023

I've heard A LOT of people say 'My anxiety is really high' this week. And their tone is so full of fear and helplessness. If you can relate to that, please continue reading and consider this.

Our words are POWERFUL! They hold weight, we internize them. 'I feel anxious or this is causing anxiety' feels helpless or beyond our control. Anxiety may be a part of what we're feeling but it's not the cause, it's not who you are and it is within you to manage.

Try saying 'My cortisol is high right now' or 'My adrenaline is high'. Cortisol levels and adrenal response is something you can manage and control.

Or 'In this moment I am feeling overwhelmed', that makes it temporary.

Change 'I feel so helpless' to 'How can I help?', that puts the focus on the solution, not the problem.

Instead of 'I feel so bad for... ' say 'I am so grateful for', you're focusing on the positive rather than the negative.

Change your words and see how it changes your response and awareness.

05/20/2023

05/19/2023

There's more than chicken soup to support the immune system when fighting a virus.

My youngest has been home since yesterday while his immune system does it's thing. What started as an upset stomach has turned into a sore throat complete with fever, chills, cranky and lethargic.

I'm a firm believer in letting a fever do it's thing, so I don't medicate to reduce it, but rather support it with hydration, cool cloths, teas and baths. And rest!

The immune system is remarkable and knows how to fight viruses and heal our bodies. Nature and nutrition provide the perfect immune support.

Tonight we had roasted chicken for protein and essential amino acids, the building blocks of our bodies. Potatoes for potassium, a key electrolyte lost in vomiting and sweating. ACES (vitamins A, C and E and mineral selenium) are the required nutrients for a strong immune system and found in asparagus, fiddle heads and garlic.

Tomorrow we'll make soup.

03/27/2023

I started a new weight training program this weekend. This is my simple, yet very effective, recovery combo. Bonus, both are also great for brain and immune health!

01/06/2023

Not my typical nutrition and natural health post pic!

I'm not a big candy eater. However, I LOVE black licorice, but being celiac I can't eat Nibs, Allsorts, Good and Plenty's or Twizzlers. Lucky me I get all of the black Jujubes!!

While these tasty little candies dont have any nutritional benefits the spice that they're most often flavored with, Anise (sometimes fennel and licorice plant) does.

Star Anise has several health benefits, including lowering blood sugars and blood pressure. It supports the immune system by reducing inflammation and respiratory complications and has both antifungal and antiviral properties. It is known to improve digestion and reduce gas. Bonus points for it's ability to decrease anxiety and improve sleep!

So, don't t eat too many jujubes but add some Star Anise to your dishes, soups and teas!

11/28/2022

The only way I make it through the work week is by spending a good chunk of my day in the kitchen on Sunday. I prep breakfast for the boys, lunches for myself, recess and lunches for them and at least 3 suppers. Lunches typically involve a big pot of soup and some sort of "bowl". This week's soup is 'yellow soup', so aptly named by my 8 year old. It's full of curry, garlic, ginger, squash, carrots, peppers, onions and chickpeas. The bowl has seasoned quinoa and roasted veggies. It's not much to look at but it's SO good and good for me!

11/08/2022

"Flu" and SAD season are upon us. I try to stay on top of both with a few things.

Nutrition - not just macros, but micros. I'm not a macro counter but I'm micro conscious.

Water - lots of water!

Sleep!!! It's when your body resets and repairs. Get quality sleep. Your mental health, adrenal health and immune health depend on it!

Move, preferably outside! Exercise reduces stress, moves lymph, stimulates the immune system, improves mood!

Supplements - gut health plays a huge role in immune, digestive and mental health. Adrenal and liver health too... actually, they're all tied together!

Don't wait until you get sick to take care of yourself. Do it daily.

09/28/2022

Liquid gold right there!!

Bone broth is incredibly nourishing and healing.

It contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, collagen and fatty acids. It's great for your brain and mental health, digestive health, musculoskeletal health, hair and skin, immune and hormonal health. Sooo, yeah, basically everything!

09/20/2022

Some people call this pumpkin spice season, I call it soup season!

Did you know that iodine is necessary for proper thyroid function?? Your thyroid is basically your metabolic ruler. But iodine deficiency affects more than just your metabolism. It can lead to goiters, skin issues, hair loss, fatigue and lethargy, muscle weakness and learning and mood disorders.

A super simple way to add iodine to your diet is to cook with dulse. Add a little piece to soups and other dishes while cooking, remove before serving. Easy peasy! Find your health in nature!

09/15/2022

Easy, healthy lunches are my favorite! My kids love these 'pita pockets'. Today's are tuna salad, with avocado on the bottom and green onion mixed in! Simple carrots and cucumber slices on the side.

We also do cream cheese and cucumber, pizza bits with cheese, pepperoni and pizza sauce, chicken salad, taco with seasoned beef, salsa and cheese. They're easy, fun and filling! Perfect for school lunches.

Side note... onions are a staple this time of year. Their probiotic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties combined with their sulfur and quercetin components make them incredible immune system supports.

09/04/2022

Omlettes are easily my favorite breakfast. Packed with protein, choline and cholesterol eggs are great for brain fuel, blood sugar and hormones. They're an easy way to add veggies to your first meal of the day. Boost the immune system with onions and mushrooms, add spinach for their greeny goodness and peppers for vitamin A.

09/03/2022

The countdown is on! School is back in a few days and with that comes lunches.

Food feeds not only our bellies but our brains and behavior. Highly processed foods do not support the many complex processes that happen in our brains.
Foods that provide quick energy (sugars, simple carbs) don't promote positive energy. Foods that are full of additives don't add up to create positive behavior.

Children (and adults) need brain fuel for learning, memory, stable moods and activity levels. That comes from healthy fats, sufficient protein, complex carbs aka while grains and a rainbow of vegetables and fruit.