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Laura Shipp ND - Mind Body Gut Co

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Laura Shipp ND - Mind Body Gut Co

Neuro-affirmative and disordered eating informed Naturopath (ND), Kinesiologist, and Therapist. I am passionate about all things mind, body, and gut.

Guiding women to restore gut and hormone health, release trauma, and address chronic conditions with the wisdom of seasonal living. Working in a neuro-affirmative way my focus is:

* Mind and gut balance
* Women's health
* Autoimmunity and vitality
* Trauma and self-belief
* Seasonal living

I have a special interest in disordered eating. I am one of the co-founders of The Mind Body Gut Company. A company that specialises in wellbeing programmes and training practitioners who want to offer an integrated approach. I am also a Clinical Teacher for the School of Health.

24/11/2025

You’ve probably heard of mould, but have you heard of mycotoxins? These are the toxic compounds produced by certain moulds that can grow on food, especially grains, nuts, coffee, and dried fruits.

In small amounts, our bodies can usually handle them. But long-term exposure, especially if our detoxification systems are under strain, can affect our gut health, hormones, immunity, and even mood and energy levels.

During damp Autumn and Winter months, when humidity rises and we spend more time indoors, mould and mycotoxin exposure can become more common.

A few simple ways to reduce our exposure:

🍞 Store grains, nuts, and coffee in airtight containers.
🥜 Buy smaller quantities and keep them fresh.
🌬️ Air home regularly to prevent mould growth.
🥦 Support liver and gut with plenty of fibre, greens, and antioxidants.

Remember, it’s not about fear, but awareness. Our bodies are wonderfully resilient, and with a bit of seasonal mindfulness, we can help them stay that way.

22/11/2025

With the cold settling in this week, our bodies and spirits are craving deeper nourishment, warmth, and a sense of grounding.

Eating seasonally connects us to this natural rhythm, providing comfort and a reminder that even in the darkest months, there is richness and vitality in simplicity.

This soup captures the shift from the rich abundance of Autumn to the quieter, restorative energy of Winter, offering comfort with every spoonful.

Ingredients

🥣 1 medium celeriac (about 600g), peeled and diced
🥣 2 medium potatoes (about 400g), peeled and diced
🥣 2 large leeks, trimmed, washed and sliced
🥣 1 medium onion, chopped
🥣 2 cloves garlic, crushed
🥣 1 litre vegetable stock
🥣 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
🥣 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
🥣 100ml unsweetened oat milk (or other plant milk)
🥣 Himalayan salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
🥣 A handful of fresh parsley or chives, to garnish
🥣 A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of toasted seeds

Method

1️⃣ Prepare the vegetables - peel the celeriac, removing the knobbly outer skin, and dice it into small cubes. Peel and dice the potatoes, slice the leeks, and chop the onion.
2️⃣ Sauté the base - warm the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and leeks and cook gently for 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Stir in the garlic and thyme for another minute.
3️⃣ Simmer the soup - add the celeriac and potatoes. Season lightly with salt and pepper and pour over the vegetable stock. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender.
4️⃣ Blend until smooth - remove from the heat and blend the soup with a stick blender until velvety smooth, leaving it slightly chunky if you prefer.
5️⃣ Add creaminess - stir in the oat milk and warm through gently. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6️⃣ Serve - ladle into bowls, finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of toasted seeds, or fresh herbs.

21/11/2025

As we move closer to Yule, I’m already finding myself longing for the returning light, the gentle promise that brighter days aren’t too far off.

It feels like the perfect moment to share that Laura & Nikki - Mind Body Gut Training Co’s Wheel of the Year series begins in January, starting with Awaken Within (Imbolc).

There’s something quietly powerful about those first whispers of Spring, the sense of life stirring beneath the surface, encouraging us to wake slowly from Winter’s stillness. It’s a time for tending our inner spark, setting fresh intentions, and planting the seeds of what we hope to grow in the months ahead.

I’d love for you to join Nikki Emerton - Mind Body Gut Co and me for a beautifully guided two-hour online experience, rooted in ancient tradition and shaped to help you move gently with the season. Together, we’ll create space to nourish body, mind, and spirit as the light begins its return.

During the session, we’ll explore:

🌸 Ways to support the thyroid, adrenals, and metabolism as energy starts to lift.
🌸 Light cleansing, seasonal movement, and foods that promote clarity and renewal.
🌸 Connection with others walking the path of seasonal living and self-discovery.

Every Wheel of the Year experience also includes:

✨ A QuickStart Guide for seasonal living and intention-setting.
✨ A live 2-hour Zoom gathering filled with guidance and reflection.
✨ Four weeks of bonus resources - from Celtic moon practices to foraging notes, cooking demos, and Tree Calendar wisdom.
✨ Access to a private Facebook community for ongoing inspiration and support.

If you’re ready to reawaken, renew, and realign with the natural rhythm of the seasons, we’d love to welcome you.

📅 Tuesday 27 January 2026 | 7pm–9pm | Live on Zoom

Check out the post on our page today for more information and how to book!

20/11/2025

If you’ve started looking into gut health, you’ve likely come across probiotics and prebiotics, and while they sound similar, they play very different roles in our microbiome.

Probiotics are the live beneficial bacteria, the friendly microbes that help keep our gut balanced, support digestion, and strengthen our immune system.

Prebiotics are the food for those bacteria, usually certain types of fibre that help the good bacteria grow and thrive.

However, here’s the important bit…

If our gut is inflamed, overgrown with the wrong microbes, or our digestive system is compromised, introducing probiotics or prebiotics too soon can sometimes make things worse.

When the terrain isn’t ready, these additions can:

🦠 Feed the wrong bacteria or yeast
💨 Cause bloating, wind, or discomfort
🤧 Trigger immune reactions or flare-ups

In a gut healing protocol, it’s often wiser to focus first on reducing inflammation, supporting digestion, and calming the system before adding anything that shifts the microbiome too quickly.

Once the foundation is stronger, probiotics and prebiotics can then be powerful allies in long-term healing and resilience.

Remember, slow and steady wins the gut healing race.

19/11/2025

Parsnips are a bit like Marmite, aren’t they?

You either love them or hate them.

Personally, I fall firmly into the hate camp… my husband on the other hand loves them and keeps insisting on roasting them 🥴

So, I’m curious… what about you? Parsnip fans or parsnip avoiders?

Put your thoughts below - I need to know I’m not alone!

18/11/2025

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), health isn’t just about organs and tissues, it’s also about energy flow.

The meridian system is a network of invisible pathways that carry qi (our life force energy) throughout the body. Think of it like a river system, when qi flows freely, everything feels vibrant and balanced. When it gets blocked or stagnant, that’s when pain, fatigue, or illness can arise.

There are 12 main meridians, each linked to an organ systems, such as, the liver, heart, spleen, or lungs, as well as 8 extraordinary meridians that act as reservoirs, supporting the main channels when extra energy is needed.

Each meridian not only connects to physical functions but also to emotional and spiritual wellbeing. For example:

💚 The liver meridian relates to the smooth flow of energy and emotions. Anger or frustration can point to an imbalance here.
🩶 The lung meridian is tied to grief and letting go.
♥️ The heart meridian governs joy, clarity, and connection.

Practices such as acupuncture, acupressure, Qigong, and tai chi work by unblocking and harmonising the meridians, restoring balance to both body and mind. As well as Kinesiology balancing techniques.

When qi flows freely, our whole system feels more aligned, physically, emotionally, and energetically.

17/11/2025

It may be November, but your menopause thermostat makes it feel like the peak of Summer! That sudden internal heat can catch you off guard, but there’s one simple habit that can help ease it - staying well-hydrated.

Drinking enough water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to tackle a whole range of perimenopause and menopause symptoms, from dry, itchy skin to vaginal dryness and those relentless hot flushes.

As oestrogen levels drop, our bodies struggle to retain fluids, leaving cells dehydrated. The result? Exhaustion that hits both physically and emotionally.

The good news? It’s an easy fix. Aim for at least eight glasses of water a day, the minimum, then build up depending on your lifestyle and activity levels. Try to avoid fizzy or sugary drinks, which can give your energy a quick spike only to crash later. And please don’t switch to sugar-free… more on that soon.

If drinking enough water feels tricky, take it slow. No need to force two litres at once, small, steady sips throughout the day will do wonders.

A bit of common sense goes a long way. Be gentle with yourself and ease into new habits at your own pace. Your body and your Summer-like thermostat will thank you 🙏

15/11/2025

Lessons from a peacock…

🦚 Today is World Peacock Day 🦚

In a world that often encourages conformity and comparison, the peacock stands as a symbol of individuality.

With their brilliantly coloured feathers and striking displays, these birds personify the essence of doing their own thing, unbothered by the opinions or expectations of others.

Peacocks are known for their courtship, where males fan out their tails to attract mates. This is not just about beauty, but a bold statement of self-expression.

The peacock doesn’t shy away due to fear of judgment, nor does it dull its colours to conform. Instead, it embraces its uniqueness, showcasing its beauty with pride.

Peacocks teach us that we have the right to embrace who we are and express ourselves authentically.

Let’s celebrate our quirks, interests, and passions without worrying about what others think. It’s time to strut our stuff, flaunt our colours, and do our own thing!

14/11/2025

This week we celebrated 10 years together and our first year married with a trip through the ancient and medieval sites of southern Cyprus.

From the ruins of Amathus and Kourion to the Sanctuaries of Aphrodite and Apollo, we wandered through places where history and myth overlap. We also explored the Tombs of the Kings and the Kato Paphos archaeological site.

The castles of Limassol, Kolossi, and Paphos added a strong medieval note to the trip.

It was a brilliant mix of archaeology, coastline, and Cypriot sunshine, with a dash of torrential rain, thunder, lightning, and even a small earthquake to keep things interesting.

A memorable way to mark a decade of adventures together.

What adventures do you have planned this weekend?

13/11/2025

It’s astonishing to realise that only about 10% of the cells within our bodies are truly human.

The rest form a vast and intricate community of microbes (trillions of tiny organisms), most of which make their home in our gut. This living ecosystem, known as our intestinal flora or microbiome, is in constant dialogue with our brain, immune system, and even our emotions.

Our gut is far more than a centre of digestion, it’s a hub of intelligence, immunity, and intuition.

Long before science could explain this, ancient traditions understood it intuitively:

🪷 In Ayurveda, Vata dosha’s main seat lies in the gut - the centre of movement, transformation, and flow.
☯️ In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this resonates with the Metal element - it embodies release and refinement.

Both Vata and the Metal element are linked to the spirit of Autumn, a season for letting go of what no longer serves us 🍂

As the seasons turn and we move towards Winter, tuning into our gut reminds us of our deep interconnectedness as part human, part microbial, and part of nature’s rhythm.

Do you notice your body shifting with the seasons?

12/11/2025

Thank you for all your wonderful anniversary wishes today 🙏

The ‘walking a path’ metaphor I used somewhat bit me on the bottom this afternoon.

We’ve been staying in Pathos, Cyprus since Saturday and today was an adventure we won’t forget in a hurry!

We decided to walk from south to north Cyprus across the border in Nicosia and just as we did, the heavens opened. Torrential rain, thunder, lightning… the full dramatic performance.

We dashed for shelter, then somehow managed to get completely lost trying to find our way back to the checkpoint. By now we were soaked to the skin, laughing at how ridiculous the whole thing had become.

Then I took one wrong step and vanished into what can only be described as a puddle that was practically the size of a bath, but far deeper. No exaggeration, it came up to my thighs and I can only assume there was an exposed trapdoor or manhole! Poor Gary thought my head had gone under as I lost my footing and fell in completely.

It all happened in a flash, but I’ve come away with a collection of scrapes, bumps, and bruises that will serve as rather vivid souvenirs for the next few weeks. Cyprus adventures 1, me 0!

Probably not a surprise I didn’t take any pictures this afternoon.

Address

Sweethay Cottage, Rapps
Ilminster
TA199LG

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 8pm

Website

https://www.laurashipp.co.uk/, http://www.mindbodygut.co.uk/

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