Laura Shipp ND

04/09/2025

Summer’s sweetest treat is nearly done for the year, so now’s the time to make the most of those juicy strawberries!

Here are a few tasty ways to enjoy them while they last:

🍓 Eat them fresh with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a flavour twist
🍓 Blend into smoothies or freeze for later
🍓 Make a simple strawberry compote for porridge or yoghurt
🍓 Whip up an Eton Mess (my not so secret ingredient is some chopped fresh mint from the garden)
🍓 Stir up a homemade strawberry jam – perfect for spreading, gifting, or keeping a taste of Summer all year round!

How are you enjoying the last of this season’s strawberries?

03/09/2025

In Ayurveda, food is more than fuel, it’s medicine, energy, and balance. Each meal we eat influences our body, mind, and spirit.

One of the key principles is that the six tastes each have their own effects on our doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).

Here they are:

💛 Sour - stimulates digestion and awakens the senses
❤️ Bitter - detoxifying and cleansing for the liver
💚 Astringent - cooling, drying, and great for toning tissues
💙 Salty - enhances flavour and supports hydration
🩵 Pungent - increase metabolism and clears sinuses
💜 Sweet - nourishing, grounding, and builds strength and immunity

A balanced meal includes a variety of these tastes to keep digestion happy and the doshas in harmony.

Too much or too little of one can throw things off - ever craved crisps or sweets when you’re out of balance? Ayurveda gets it!

Which taste do you naturally gravitate towards and what might that be telling you?

Keen to learn more about how Ayurveda can support your wellbeing? Join Nikki Emerton and I when we go live with The Mind Body Gut Training Company’s Vata seasonal programme on 11 September.

02/09/2025

I’m back from my Summer slowdown feeling refreshed, renewed, and ready to embrace the rest of the year ✨

I’ll be honest, at the start of Summer, the intensity of all that fiery Pitta energy had me feeling a little frazzled and in need of a reset. Taking time to pause, soften, and realign has been exactly what I needed, and it’s reminded me just how powerful small shifts can be.

It’s the same kind of grounded magic I love to share with others. Clients often tell me I’m like a witch - weaving sparkles of positivity, healing, and a touch of transformative energy into their lives 🪄

Through flower essences, hypnotherapy, muscle testing, and the wisdom of food as medicine (to name just a few), I bring together practices that support mind, body, and gut, helping you feel more balanced, energised, and fully at home in yourself.

And honestly, I can’t wait to share more of that magic in the months ahead.

For the rest of the year, I’m waiving the token fee for discovery calls.

So if you’ve been curious about working with me, now’s the perfect time to dip your toe in and experience it for yourself. By Christmas, you could be feeling lighter, brighter, and so much more you.

Send me a message to book 📲

01/09/2025

🍂 The first day of Meteorological Autumn 🍂

What is in season in September?

Tomatoes simply sliced and eaten with buffalo mozzarella and homemade pesto or why not try fish or tofu curry? Another firm favourite in our house is roasted tomato, red pepper, and chilli soup.

Sweetcorn salad made with mixed leaves, chopped cherry tomatoes, avocado, and mixed seeds. Boil the sweetcorn first and then finish off on the BBQ. We love sweetcorn fritters with green tomato chutney.

Go foraging for blackberries, elderberries, and greengages while you still can! Make jam or add blackberries to pears (they are also in season) to make a crumble. I cook my crumble topping first to make extra crumbly and crunchy. Ahead of cooking I add oats, flaked almonds, orange zest, and vanilla paste to oat flour, sugar, and butter.

Enoy the last of the Summer fruits and get ready for kale. Kale crisps are yummy with wasabi powder or try blitzing it into a green smoothie with avocado, mint, lime, shelled h**p seeds, and coconut water.

30/08/2025

At 46, being unapologetically me feels less like shouting my truth and more like settling into a quiet strength. It is a reminder from Sekhmet that power is not something to hide, but something to honour with kindness and courage.

I have been drawn to ancient Egypt for as long as I can remember. Sekhmet, the lioness goddess of both warfare and healing, has always fascinated me. She is not just a figure from mythology. Her presence still seems to pulse through the ancient stones of Egypt’s temples.

I felt this for myself on our honeymoon in April when I stepped into her hidden sanctuary at Karnak. Something stirred inside me there that words can barely capture.

Sekhmet teaches that destruction and creation, illness and healing, rage and compassion are not opposites but part of the same sacred cycle. Her story calls us to honour the fire within rather than smother it.

For me, that has meant allowing my whole self to step forward in my work. My skills, quirks, determination, and even my dry humour, because sometimes the best medicine really is a perfectly timed eyebrow raise 🤨

I stand for both the science and the so called “woo woo” because together they create something far more powerful than either alone.

In a world that often separates science from spirit, Sekhmet reminds us how to weave them back together so healing becomes not just about the body but about facing the truths we fear and reclaiming our power.

If you are curious about what happened in that temple and the lessons I brought home with me, let me know in the comments and I will share the link 👇

29/08/2025

Throwback to this day in 1997 and my 18th birthday family meal! In this picture with my little sister, I was fully channelling my inner Scary Spice, yes, that’s a safari print b**b tube hiding under the suit 😅

Fast forward 28 years… my eyebrows are thicker, my hair’s tamer, and my first boyfriend (cropped out of the picture) is long gone. But today I will be celebrating again with my sister, this time joined by her partner and my husband too.

It’s got me thinking - What do you remember about your 18th? And if you could go back, what would you tell your 18-year-old self?

For me it is “be unapologetically you.”

More on that tomorrow 😉

28/08/2025

Anyone else have a glut of courgettes this Summer?

From silky courgette soups to crispy fritters, and even chocolate courgette cake (yes, really!), there are so many tasty ways to use up this versatile vegetable.

Here is some inspiration:

🪺 Courgette fritters - grate 2 courgettes, squeeze out excess moisture, then mix with 1 egg, a handful of flour, chopped herbs, salt and pepper. Fry spoonfuls until golden. Serve with a dip like tzatziki or sweet chilli sauce.

🌿 Spiralised courgettes (aka courgetti)! Light, healthy, and a great alternative to pasta - toss spiralised courgettes with fresh basil pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Serve cold or gently warmed.

🧄 Courgette and tomato bake - layer sliced courgette and tomato in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic and herbs, and top with grated cheese. Bake at 180°C for 25 to 30 mins.

🫒 Grilled courgettes - cut lengthways, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and grill on BBQ until charred. Great as a side dish or in wraps and salads.

🥣 Courgette soup - sauté onion, garlic, and courgette, then add vegetable stock and simmer. Blend until smooth, season to taste, and add a swirl of cream or a handful of fresh marjoram.

🍰 Courgette cake - grated courgette keeps it moist, great in lemon drizzle loaves or even chocolate cake. You’d never guess it’s got vegetables in it.

🥗 Courgette and mint salad - finely slice (I use a mandoline) and add lime juice to brighten the flavour and gently pickle. Mix in chopped mint and chives.

What are your favourite courgette recipes?

27/08/2025

The female menstrual cycle is a natural monthly process that prepares the body for potential pregnancy. It typically lasts around 28 days, though cycles can range from 21 to 35 days.

The cycle is regulated by a complex interplay of hormones and can be divided into four main phases:

❤️ Menstrual phase (days 1–5) - the cycle begins with menstruation, which is the shedding of the uterine lining if pregnancy hasn’t occurred.

❤️ Follicular phase (days 1–13) - overlaps with menstruation. The pituitary gland releases FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), stimulating the growth of ovarian follicles. Oestrogen levels rise, helping rebuild the uterine lining.

❤️ Ovulation (around day 14) - a surge in LH (luteinising hormone) triggers the release of a mature egg from the o***y. This is the fertile window.

❤️ Luteal phase (days 15–28) - the empty follicle becomes the corpus luteum, releasing progesterone to support potential pregnancy. If fertilisation doesn’t occur, hormone levels drop, and the cycle restarts.

The cycle is closely linked to overall health and can be influenced by stress, diet, lifestyle, and age. Understanding its rhythm helps in supporting hormonal balance, fertility, and emotional wellbeing.

Two key phases to focus on are the follicular phase and the luteal phase. These phases bring about distinct hormonal changes, and understanding how to eat during each one can support our body’s natural rhythm.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing more!

26/08/2025

Hedgerows heavy with elderberries are one of the surest signs that Summer is giving way to Autumn.

This year they’re ripening early, something Nikki Emerton and I were discussing last week.

In folklore, the elder tree was said to be guarded by the Elder Mother, a spirit who must be asked for permission before harvesting. Taking elderberries with respect was believed to bring protection and good health through the colder months.

These humble berries have long been treasured for their healing power. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, elderberries are often used to help ward off colds, soothe coughs, and support the immune system.

Traditionally, they’ve been brewed into syrups, cordials, wines, and tonics, a delicious way to capture their seasonal magic.

If you fancy making your own elderberry syrup, here are two simple ideas:

💜 Classic spiced syrup - simmer 500g of elderberries with 500ml water, a stick of cinnamon, a few cloves, and a slice of fresh ginger. Strain, then stir in 250g of honey while warm. Bottle and store in the fridge.

💜 Citrus and honey immune support - simmer 500g of elderberries with the juice and zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange, plus 500ml water. Strain, then stir in 300g of honey. Take a spoonful daily during the colder months.

As the Wheel turns towards Mabon, it feels grounding to honour these ancient traditions, keeping alive the old ways of using nature’s gifts for nourishment, health, and protection.

25/08/2025

💜 August is Psoriasis Awareness Month 🧡

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system speeds up skin cell production, leading to red, scaly, and inflamed patches. It can affect physical comfort, appearance, and emotional wellbeing. While there’s considered no cure, the right support can make a big difference.

A Naturopathic approach looks beyond the skin, focusing on root causes like immune imbalance, gut health, stress, and toxin build-up. Drawing on Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and modern nutrition, it uses:

🌿 Anti-inflammatory diets
🪷 Stress reduction techniques (yoga, meditation, and adaptogens)
🥦 Gut healing protocols
💧 Detoxification
🧴 Natural topical care
☀️ Immune-supporting nutrients

By rebalancing the body, mind, and emotions, this approach aims for calmer skin, fewer flare-ups, and improved quality of life. I’ve seen it in clients who have significantly reduced symptoms, boosted energy, and felt more like themselves again.

Psoriasis is more than skin deep - awareness and holistic care matter.

You can read more in my recent blog👇

https://laurashipp.co.uk/blog/f/a-naturopathic-approach-to-psoriasis

24/08/2025

Nikki Emerton and I are very much looking forward to The Mind Body Gut Training Company’s Menopause Masterclass series in October.

Flourish through Menopause and I had a lot of fun developing our individual sessions of the Radiant Menopause Programme. A huge thanks goes out to our wonderful participants for their engagement and helping us finesse our content. Teresa is also involved in events over Menopause Awareness Month so keep an eye out for her posts!

What you’ll gain from our masterclasses:

✔ Understand how your hormones really work
✔ Learn simple ways to support energy and reduce fatigue
✔ Improve digestion and gut health
✔ Discover natural approaches from Eastern wisdom & herbalism
✔ Support your liver for smoother hormone balance
✔ Shift your menopause mindset with proven techniques
✔ Explore nutrition that truly supports YOU in menopause

Who is joining Nikki and I?

October is Menopause Awareness Month!

We’re excited to bring you a special series of empowering masterclasses designed to support you through every stage of menopause. Most of these sessions have been developed by Laura Shipp ND as part of the Radiant Menopause Programme.

📅 Upcoming masterclasses (12:30–13:30, £15 each):

• 3 Oct – The Endocrine System
• 6 Oct – Adrenal Support & Blood Sugar Balance
• 10 Oct – Gut Health
• 13 Oct – Eastern Wisdom & Herbalism
• 20 Oct – Liver Support
• 23 Oct – Menopause Mindset (with Nikki Emerton)
• 27 Oct – Menopause Diets

🎥 Can’t join live? Don’t worry, you’ll receive the slides and recording afterwards.

💝 Special bonus for live attendees:

Get a 10% discount code valid for any of The Mind Body Gut Training Company’s online programmes, or a Naturopathic consultation with Laura.

Reserve your spot today and invest in your wellbeing this Menopause Awareness Month!

https://mindbodygut.co.uk/shop/ols/categories/menopause

23/08/2025

I’ve been savouring our homegrown tomatoes these past couple of weeks, especially the cherry ones picked straight from the vine. Their sweetness always carries me back to childhood, slipping into my dad’s greenhouse to sneak a few while my sister helped herself to the baby cucumbers.

Tomatoes are full of flavour and perfect for simple, wholesome dishes. Here are some easy ideas:

🍅 Tomato herb salad - chop ripe tomatoes, add fresh herbs like basil or parsley, drizzle with olive oil and a splash of lemon juice. Season with Himalayan salt and cracked pepper.

🍅 Roasted tomatoes - cherry or plum tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with thyme or oregano, and roast until soft and slightly caramelised. A great appetiser!

🍅 Tomato and seasonal courgette spaghetti - sauté garlic in olive oil, add chopped fresh tomatoes and peppers. Simmer into a sauce and toss with spiralised courgettes and basil.

🍅 Fried courgettes and tomatoes - gently fry with courgettes as a simple side dish. I fry at a low temperature in a little homemade infused garlic olive oil.

🍅 Tomatoes on sourdough or seed bread - toast the bread, rub with garlic, then top with chopped tomatoes, olive oil, pepper, and a touch of balsamic vinegar.

🍅 Green tomato chutney - made with green tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. Simmered until rich, tangy, and slightly sweet. Would like the recipe we use?

Do you grow them? What are your favourite tomato recipes?

More on courgettes in the week…