Blue Zone Nutrition

22/12/2025

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time for a gentle reminder.

Enjoy the food. Enjoy the drinks. Enjoy the celebrations.
But remember to look after your body too.

Staying hydrated in the days leading up to Christmas, during the festive period, and all the way through to New Year can help support:
• Energy and mood
• Digestion
• Blood sugar balance
• Recovery after indulgent days

A simple tip that really works:
Have water alongside alcohol, eat regularly, and don’t forget hydration on the in-between days.

You don’t need to be perfect — just mindful.
Your body will thank you for it.

19/12/2025

December health isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about protection.

At this time of year, many people feel the pressure to “be good” with food or wait until January to reset. But for those of us over 40, December is actually the month to support the body, not punish it.

Late nights, social events, colder weather and higher stress all place extra demand on blood sugar balance, hormones, digestion and immunity. Skipping meals, overdoing ultra-processed foods or running on caffeine only adds to the strain.

Small, consistent choices make a real difference:
• prioritising protein and vegetables at meals
• supporting digestion and liver health
• keeping blood sugar steady
• allowing time for rest and recovery

Health isn’t built in January.
It’s protected in December, one supportive choice at a time.

16/12/2025

She is 111 years old.
Born and raised in Sardinia.

Isn’t she beautiful?

This is a powerful reminder that longevity isn’t about chasing the latest trend or being perfect with food. It’s about how we live day in, day out — what we eat, how we move, how we connect, and how supported we feel.

Longevity is a lifestyle outcome.
The sooner we understand this, the sooner we can focus on living longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives — at any stage.

15/12/2025

If you’re feeling more tired than usual right now, you’re not imagining it.

Late November fatigue is incredibly common, especially for men and women over 40.
Darker mornings, ongoing stress, poor sleep and unbalanced meals all add up.

This is often when people start blaming themselves — but fatigue is usually a nutritional and hormonal signal, not a lack of motivation.

A few gentle shifts can really help:
• Regular meals with protein, fibre and healthy fats
• Supporting blood sugar instead of skipping meals
• Making sure key nutrients like magnesium and B vitamins are in place
• Reducing the “quick fixes” like sugar and excess caffeine

You don’t need to overhaul everything.
You just need to support your body where it’s asking for help.

This is the ideal time 😊

12/12/2025

When People See Her…

When people see her, they see the professional.
Calm. Knowledgeable. Grounded.
Someone who supports others with confidence and guides clients through their health challenges with compassion and clarity.

But what they don’t see is the woman who once ignored her own body so completely… it nearly cost her life.

Years ago—long before she became a practitioner—she pushed through exhaustion, dismissed warning signs, rationalised pain, and told herself she “just needed to get on with things.”
Just like so many people do.

She brushed off symptoms.
Downplayed the fatigue.
Minimised her body’s signals because life was busy and stopping felt impossible.

But ignoring those signs came with a price.

A serious medical crisis—one that brought her frighteningly close to losing her life.

It was the wake-up call that changed everything.

That experience is why she speaks so passionately today about early intervention, body awareness, prevention, and prioritising your wellbeing before a crisis forces you to.

Because she knows exactly what can happen when you don’t.

Her message today is simple:

Your body matters.
Your symptoms matter.
You matter—long before anything becomes an emergency.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait.
Listening early doesn’t just change lives… sometimes, it saves them.

That woman was me.

10/12/2025

Every year, around this time, I post an article that I wrote in 2020. I hope you find it useful or helpful.

Goodbye 2020. What a year we have had, I'm sure we are all looking forward to Christmas. There has been so much human loss that it's scary. Of course…

08/12/2025

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
A Reminder that Inclusive Nutrition Matters — 3rd December

Every year on the 3rd of December, we recognise International Day of Persons with Disabilities — a day that highlights the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and dignity for all.

One area that is still far too often overlooked is nutrition.

Disabilities can influence how a person digests food, absorbs nutrients, manages energy, or responds to stress and inflammation. Yet nutrition guidance is rarely adapted to these needs.

As a nutritional therapist, I want to gently remind you that:

• Every body deserves access to supportive, tailored nutrition
• Healthy eating must be inclusive, not prescriptive
• Small, personalised adjustments can transform energy, digestion, hormone balance and emotional wellbeing
• Support should meet people where they are — not where society thinks they should be

Today is a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect on the fact that health support is not one-size-fits-all. Whether someone lives with physical, neurological, sensory, or invisible disabilities, their nutritional needs may be different — and acknowledging this is a vital step toward true wellbeing.

If you or someone you care for would benefit from adapted, accessible nutrition support, please feel free to reach out. Your health journey matters, and you deserve guidance that genuinely fits your needs.

Https://linktr.ee/milviapili

05/12/2025

YOUR HEALTH IS A HUMAN RIGHT
Why December Is the Perfect Month to Reclaim It

As we step further into December — Universal Human Rights Month — I want to highlight something many people overlook:

Health is not a luxury.
Health is not a reward.
Health is a fundamental human right.

Yet so many individuals move through life feeling undeserving of wellbeing, too overwhelmed to prioritise themselves, or unsure where to begin.

December provides a powerful moment to pause, reassess, and gently reconnect with what your body and mind need.
Amidst the celebrations, the busyness, and the expectations, there is also space for reflection and reset.

You have the right to nourishing food.
You have the right to rest.
You have the right to emotional safety.
You have the right to support on your wellbeing journey.



Https://linktr.ee/milviapili

03/12/2025

Today’s Reflection: December Is Not Merry for Everyone — And That’s Why This Conversation Matters

December is often portrayed as a month of celebration, togetherness, and joy. But for many people—especially adults over 40 juggling hormonal shifts, emotional pressure, family demands, and personal losses—this time of year can intensify stress, grief, and loneliness.

It’s important to remember that not everyone moves into the holidays feeling light and festive. Some are navigating bereavement. Some are coping with burnout. Others are trying to maintain their wellbeing while feeling mentally depleted.

As a nutritional therapist, I see this every winter:
When emotional load increases, nutrition is the first thing people stop prioritising, even though it’s the one tool that can genuinely stabilise mood, energy, and resilience.

A few gentle reminders for anyone struggling this month:

• Nourishing foods support emotional regulation far more than we often realise.
• Stabilising blood sugar can reduce anxiety, irritability, and overwhelm.
• Omega-3s, magnesium, B vitamins, and protein-rich meals play a key role in supporting mental clarity and emotional steadiness.
• You are not expected to “power through” December. It’s okay to slow down.
• Caring for your mind starts with caring for your body.

If December feels heavy this year, you are not alone. And prioritising your wellbeing is not only allowed—it’s essential.

Https://linktr.ee/milviapili

01/12/2025

Moving From November Awareness to a Healthy December Reset

As we wrap up November – a month filled with important awareness campaigns like men’s health, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and more – it’s the perfect moment to pause and ask ourselves:

What have I learned about my health this month, and how can I carry it into December?

December often brings busy schedules, social events, colder weather, and a shift away from routines. But it doesn’t have to mean letting go of everything you’ve worked on.

Here are a few simple reminders as we transition into the festive month:

• Nutrition first. Your body relies on whole foods to stay resilient during cold months and busy periods.
• Keep your energy stable. Blood sugar balance supports mood, focus, immunity, and hormone health.
• Prioritise small habits. Hydration, movement, protein-rich meals, colourful vegetables – these make the difference.
• Protect your mental wellbeing. Slowing down isn’t a luxury; it’s maintenance.
• Stay proactive. Awareness shouldn’t end with November. Early detection, prevention, and lifestyle choices matter all year round.

December isn’t about restriction; it’s about supporting your body so you can enjoy the festivities without burning out.



Https://linktr.ee/milviapili

29/11/2025

🌿 Why Shikimic Acid + My Herbal Tea Blend 🌿

COVID-19 is still around, and taking care of our general wellness is as important as ever. Lately I’ve been enjoying a simple tea blend made with herbs that naturally contain shikimic acid — a plant compound involved in many traditional herbal practices.

💡 What is Shikimic Acid?
It’s a natural compound found in certain plants, especially:
• Pine needles
• Star anise
• Fennel seeds
• Schisandra berry

It’s known because it’s used in the pharmaceutical industry (for making antiviral medications like Tamiflu), and these herbs are also rich in antioxidants. While shikimic acid itself isn’t a treatment for illnesses, many people enjoy these herbs for their aroma, warmth, and traditional wellness benefits.

🍵 My Shikimate Tea (1 cup)

• 1 star anise
• 1 tsp pine needles
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• ¼ tsp schisandra berries

Method:
1. Add everything to a cup
2. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the herbs
3. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes
4. Strain and enjoy ✨

It’s a soothing, aromatic tea that’s become part of my daily routine. If you try it, let me know what you think!