Thriving Life Centre

04/04/2025

31/01/2025

14/12/2024

“Dr. Aviva - what can I do to balance my estrogen?” may be one the most common questions I hear on here!
Estrogen isn’t “good” or “bad”—it’s about balance - because high or low, it can really affect your mood, cycles & so much more.

What you eat directly impacts your estrogen levels. From your liver to your gut, your food choices influence how your body produces, metabolizes & eliminates estrogen.

Here’s a quick guide to foods that promote healthy estrogen balance + why they work:

✨ Flaxseeds
Rich in lignans, plant compounds that act as phytoestrogens, flaxseeds help gently regulate estrogen levels, promote the breakdown of estrogen into less potent forms & support overall hormone balance.
Add 1-2 tbsp of freshly ground flaxseeds to smoothies, oatmeal, or salads

✨ Cruciferous Veggies
Broccoli, kale, cauliflower + Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane & DIM, compounds that support your liver in breaking down estrogen into safe forms for elimination.
Enjoy at least 1 cup daily

✨ Fermented Foods
A healthy microbiome regulates the estrobolome, the gut bacteria responsible for metabolizing estrogen. Dysbiosis can lead to estrogen buildup, contributing to PMS or heavy periods.
Add sauerkraut, kimchi, or miso to your meals daily

✨ Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries & strawberries are packed with polyphenols, antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect your cells, supporting liver & hormone health.
Snack on them or add to yogurt or smoothies - 1/2 cup/day fresh or frozen

✨ Healthy Fats
Avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds & fatty fish provide essential fats for hormone production + blood sugar regulation

✨ Fiber-Rich Foods
Fiber binds to excess estrogen in your gut, helping remove it from the body + preventing buildup.
Focus on whole grains, beans, lentils & veggies

Addressing root causes of high & low estrogen can be transformative for how you feel during your cycles + during which includes attention to: liver support, & balanced blood sugar. Learn about and a new approach to w/ my NYT bestseller, Hormone Intelligence (🔗 in bio)

What’s one food you’ll add to your plate this week?

07/12/2024

In obstetrics, the first postpartum visit usually happens at 6 weeks. And then, magically, it’s as if you’re expected to “graduate” from postpartum care and move on - to have ‘bounced back.”

But here’s the truth: adjusting to motherhood and finding your new normal doesn’t happen in just 6 weeks. Physiologically, it can take up to 2 years to fully reset—and hormonally, especially if you’re breastfeeding and your estrogen is suppressed, it can feel like a rollercoaster ride at times.

The postpartum period is a time of profound changes, not just physically, but hormonally and emotionally. From nutritional demands and sleep deprivation, to navigating the intense shifts in identity, this is a season of transformation. For many, postpartum depression or anxiety can surface not just in the early weeks but months—or even a year or two—later.
Getting support during this time is essential. This means practical help—like meals, childcare, and rest—as well as professional care for your physical and emotional health.

And if you feel like you need extra support—whether it’s from a lactation consultant, a therapist, or a postpartum care provider—don’t hesitate to seek it out. You deserve care and the time to adjust to this new phase of life.

For more in-depth guidance, my book Natural Health After Birth—the first and most comprehensive modern postpartum book—covers everything you need to know about resetting to the new you that includes motherhood, from self-care and nutrition, to navigating the emotional shifts of this life-changing time.

And if you’re pregnant, postpartum, or planning a pregnancy, my Mama Pathway course and community are here to guide you through this journey with tools, resources, and unparalleled support. 🌿 Head to the link in bio to learn more!

How has your postpartum journey been, whether you’re newly postpartum or years past it? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear from you. 💕

24/09/2024

Do you agree? What does smarter medicine look like to you?

https://scienceandartofherbalism.com/product/the-classic-printed-plus-online-course/

20/09/2024

✨️🍂🌿🌾

28/01/2024

If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression this time of the year - it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder. And in the dark months, this can show up in the guise of Sunday scaries, too!

If you experience winter blues or SAD, one of the most effective things you can do is use a light box each morning.

There are also plant/nutrient allies that can help both prevent and treat SADness this year.

Here are my go-to’s:

🍣Omega 3 fatty acids can have a powerful and positive impact on depression. Increase fatty wild caught fish like salmon in your diet and/or supplement with a DHA/EPA fish oil blend.

🫚Curcumin - an extract from turmeric- has adaptogenic, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety effects, and is antiinflammatory and gut healing, too.

💊Sam-E is a naturally occurring molecule in the body, important for methylation, a process involved in making chemicals called neurotransmitters, which control mood,

🌿St. John’s Wort has been proven to help with moderate to even severe depression in thousands of individuals in studies.

🍄Adaptogens are a powerful group of herbs that support circadian rhythm by supporting the axis in the HPA-Axis and as such, reduces stress and supports mood.

🥬Probiotic with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium may improve women’s moods and can be found in lactofermented foodssuch as sauerkraut, yogurt, kimchee, and miso, and can be used as supplements.

For doses and what you can/can’t use during pregnancy and breastfeeding - head to link in bio. And start practicing these now to feel your best this winter season! Also - make sure not to overlook a medical issue for your blues such as low thyroid function or more serious depression.

Make sure to save this as a reminder and share it with a friend who also dreads the winter months!

23/12/2023

06/12/2023

05/12/2023

This great series for teaching kids about herbs is currently 50% off.

Did you hear?!

Herb Fairies is on ✨SALE✨

Learning about herbs should be fun, don't you think?

That's why we love Herb Fairies – this magical tale of plants and their healing remedies is the most fun way to learn about herbs.

Right now for our annual Herb Fairies Holiday Special, you can get 50% off Herb Fairies.🌱

Join in on the fun and get Herb Fairies here: https://learningherbs.com/herb-fairies-sale/

[Image description: a closeup photograph of a stack of the Herb Fairies books.]