Voted one of Austin’s Top 3 Nutritionists in Austin Fit Magazine. Gut & personalized nutrition
05/17/2024
Hi Friends, I just opened registration for my small group nutrition program focusing on GUT HEALTH. Early Bird Pricing is good through Tuesday May 24.
This program will give you a plan and all the tools you need to get started on your health journey to a healthy gut.
It’s budget friendly so if you’ve ever been interested in working with me but were afraid to jump in or invest a lot of money, then this is a perfect starting place.
It's great for men, women and teens. I’ll only be offering it 2-3 times a year. I keep classes purposely small so that everyone gets time and attention from me!
I am so honored to have been voted in as one of Austin’s top 3 nutritionists in Austin Fit Magazine’s “Best of 2023” poll!!! This marks 4 years that Nutritional Zest has won.
This speaks to my heart so much because of the role nutrition and wellness have played in my life. Honestly, they literally saved my life.
I my health struggle was a long one dominated by eating disorders, chronic stress, substance abuse, working in a career I just wasn’t meant to be in. I was living without a true purpose and in my 20’s I found myself a hot mess.
By using food as medicine and eating the way my body needed me to along with adopting numerous wellness practices, I was able to turn all of these issues around and find myself happy, healthy and thriving.
I repaired my body, my mind, my relationship with food, with myself and I found my true purpose in helping others heal as well.
Honestly, I never understood what it meant to have a purpose before I found myself in this role of a nutritionist.
So, thank you to everyone who has supported Nutritional Zest and continues to do so.
And to those of you who are struggling with your own health issues, please know that you can heal! I’ve been there, I GET IT and I’d love to help you on that journey.
Love and appreciate you all💗
10/15/2022
DIET DOGMA WAS MY DOWNFALL
If you had told me a few years ago I would be jumping for joy over my special delivery of 3 lbs of grass-fed beef I would have laughed out loud. Back then I was a low-fat vegetarian, on-again-off-again vegan, for almost 25 years, and loved every minute of .
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Spiritually at least.
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Physically, vegetarianism failed me, and it took me a very long time to admit it.
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Digestive issues, leaky gut, mineral and vitamin deficiency, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism all plagued me starting in my late 20’s and although my stress levels and lifestyle had parts to play, my diet had a starring role.
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I was never one of those vegetarians that didn’t eat vegetables. In fact I was, and still am, in love with them. I love the way they taste, the way they smell, the way they look. -.
But I ONLY ate veggies. There was barely any protein, an insanely low level of fat and I didn’t consistently take the time to properly follow the vegetarian way of eating.
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So eventually my body just started to break down. I wish I could say that I made changes as soon as I started feeling crappy…but I didn’t. I had to hit rock bottom.
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If you have ever had your Ego connected to a diet you understand just how hard it is to break away from that life. I see this happening with all named diets: Keto, Paleo, Vegan, etc. -
The Diet Dogma takes over. You become your diet. I WAS Vegetarian.
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It took a lot of soul searching for me to recognize that the truth was, I was not VEGETARIAN, I was COLLEEN and I had to eat what MY body needed.
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And that was animal products and more healthy fats.
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Spiritually, I sometimes miss being a vegetarian but physically I am so much stronger and healthier than I’ve ever been.
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The way I see it is I was given this one body and it is my duty to respect it and give it what it needs.
And we need to remember that we are all so different. Just because one way of eating is helping your friend thrive does not mean it will do the same for you.
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Can you relate to being trapped in a Diet Dogma? Need help breaking free? Comment below or DM me. I’d love to hear your story. 💗
10/10/2022
It’s time for Austin Fit’s Best of 2022 Poll. If Jade or I have touched your life in any way, either through social media posts or via nutrition sessions, I’d be so thankful to have your vote. It takes all of 30 seconds (I timed it😊). The polls close in a couple of days.
You don’t have to live in Austin to vote or have worked with us 1-on-1!
Nutrition and wellness literally saved my life, and if you have connected with me in any way over the past few years, you know that using what I’ve learned to help others heal has become my greatest passion. I honestly never understood what living with meaning and purpose could be before I committed to functional nutrition as my life’s work.
-Scroll to #12 Best Nutritionist- it's the last question on that page
-Enter "Colleen Flynn Nutritional Zest"
-Click through the rest of the pages and hit Submit.
-You are welcome to take your time and cast your vote in the other categories, of course. We have an amazing health community here in Austin.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you all.
Much love,
Colleen
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
12/08/2021
Your emotions dictate your gut heath. Here’s why…
12/07/2021
How to build up the goodies in your gut.
11/10/2021
Stress can completely change how the gut works. We’re put under so much stress, by society, by a career or business, and even our own expectations. We feel like you need to do it all, do it perfectly and do it now- and that’s just not how it’s supposed to be.
Think about these questions:
✨How often do you truly rest? Like TRULY rest- no screens, no list making in your head, no distractions?
✨How often do you play and have fun?
✨How often do you allow yourself to nap when tired?
✨How often do you meditate (this can be anything that brings you a sense of peace and calm)?
For many people the answer is never~
Think about how you feel when you are stressed. You can literally feel your gut tighten and clench. You can feel the chemicals in your body shifting.
Here are some of the effects of chronic stress on your gut:
✔️Breaks down your gut lining.
✔️Allows bacteria, food, and toxins to enter your GI tract and bloodstream (where they don’t belong
Managing stress is the first (and ongoing) step to keeping your gut healthy and balanced- and honestly, probably the most difficult one.
What do you do to keep your stress in check?
11/09/2021
We’re about to get a little science-y here, taking you back to biology class so you can understand what is happening in your body when “fight-or-flight” occurs. The amygdala is a group of cells at the base of your brain. This is where emotions happen, are remembered, and are connected to a situation and responses to them.
When you feel threatened, the amygdala automatically activates the fight or flight response by sending signals to release stress hormones that get your body ready to fight or run. This response is triggered by emotions like fear, anxiety, aggression, and anger.
Is overreacting something you're guilty of? A stressful situation can cause one to get nervous, breathe fast, and make the heart pound. The difference here is that this should be the reaction when something is really worth getting stressed over. Is a dangerous person or animal chasing you?
That's when the fight or flight reaction is supposed to happen. Most people now react to the littlest issues as if they are life or death, or fight or flight. We're so extremely stressed over everything,that even the most insignificant events trigger that fight or flight reaction.
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It’s a learning process to stop reacting out of fight or flight for every little thing happening in life. And it is an absolute necessity to start putting stress relieving practices into play every single day.
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To start showing your body love and letting go of the “fight-or-flight” will take some practice. First, acknowledge that you feel threatened or stressed and that your fight or flight response has been activated. Take notice of how your body is reacting.
Once you realize that your body is in fight or flight mode, the goal is to calm down and take control. Remind yourself that this is an automatic response that you have not chosen. Then think about the situation and the logical solutions.
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To prevent these attacks from happening, review past times that you have gone into fight or flight and take notice of what happened and what triggered those responses. Plan to avoid those situations or at least be prepared for them with solutions before a situation even arises.
Can you relate?
10/06/2021
Only 2 days left. Would love your vote❤
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It’s time for Austin Fit’s Best of 2021 Poll. If I have touched your life in any way, I’d be so thankful to have your vote. It takes all of 30 seconds (I timed it😊). The polls close in a couple of days.
✨You don’t have to live in Austin to vote!✨
Nutrition and wellness literally saved my life, and if you have connected with me in any way over the past few years, you know that using what I’ve learned to help others heal has become my greatest passion. I honestly never understood what living with meaning and purpose could be before I committed to functional nutrition as my life’s work.
VOTE HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFMBestOf2021
-Click the VOTE HERE button above
-Go to page 3 "Best of Austin Nutrition"
-Scroll to question #13- Best Nutritionist- it's the last question on that page
-Type in “Colleen Flynn Nutritional Zest"
-You are welcome to take your time and cast your vote in the other categories, of course. We have an amazing health community here in Austin.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you all.
Vote for your local favorites across the Lifestyle, Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness categories!
10/06/2021
Updated with option to take over fully.
Office for rent. It is a beautiful, peaceful space with a wonderful vibe. Furnished optional.
Lease is through May with option to renew and available immediately.
Option 1 Full time Monday-Sunday (option to use furniture and massage table, or use your own furniture) $700/month
Option 2 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (furnished)- $600/month
You have a private entrance if you want to avoid contact with others, or you are welcomed to use the shared waiting and lunch room. You will have 24- hour access to the space.
Rent includes high speed wifi, utilities, use of massage table, desk, chairs, waiting room, communal kitchen and some shelves for storage. The room is 11x8.
It is in a great location in Westlake, on Bee Cave Rd, between 360 and Mopac.
We have a wonderful group of holistic practitioners in our suite -there are 2 massage therapists and me, a Functional Nutritionist.
This is also a great space if you just want to "work from home" away from your home. You do not need to be a wellness practitioner.
Email me at colleen@nutritionalzest.com if you are interested and we can set up a time for you come by. Please include what you do. Thanks!
10/05/2021
Only 3 days left. I would love your vote. ❤
It’s time for Austin Fit’s Best of 2021 Poll. If I have touched your life in any way, I’d be so thankful to have your vote. It takes all of 30 seconds (I timed it😊). The polls close in a couple of days.
✨You don’t have to live in Austin to vote!✨
Nutrition and wellness literally saved my life, and if you have connected with me in any way over the past few years, you know that using what I’ve learned to help others heal has become my greatest passion. I honestly never understood what living with meaning and purpose could be before I committed to functional nutrition as my life’s work.
VOTE HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFMBestOf2021
-Click the VOTE HERE button above
-Go to page 3 "Best of Austin Nutrition"
-Scroll to question #13- Best Nutritionist- it's the last question on that page
-Type in “Colleen Flynn Nutritional Zest"
-You are welcome to take your time and cast your vote in the other categories, of course. We have an amazing health community here in Austin.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you all.
Vote for your local favorites across the Lifestyle, Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness categories!
09/22/2021
It’s time for Austin Fit’s Best of 2021 Poll. If I have touched your life in any way, I’d be so thankful to have your vote. It takes all of 30 seconds (I timed it😊). The polls close in a couple of days.
✨You don’t have to live in Austin to vote!✨
Nutrition and wellness literally saved my life, and if you have connected with me in any way over the past few years, you know that using what I’ve learned to help others heal has become my greatest passion. I honestly never understood what living with meaning and purpose could be before I committed to functional nutrition as my life’s work.
VOTE HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AFMBestOf2021
-Click the VOTE HERE button above
-Go to page 3 "Best of Austin Nutrition"
-Scroll to question #13- it's the last question on that page
-Enter "Colleen Flynn Nutritional Zest"
-You are welcome to take your time and cast your vote in the other categories, of course. We have an amazing health community here in Austin.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you all.
Vote for your local favorites across the Lifestyle, Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness categories!
09/04/2021
One of the most common phrases I hear from my clients is " I was bad and ate bad food and now I feel guilty.”
I'm going to share something with you that you may not have thought of before.
Guilt is a cop-out and blocks us from learning the lesson.
I truly believe that guilt is the lazy (wo)man’s way out. It’s an excuse not to do the work needed for long lasting change. Here’s why.
Once we shift to a place of guilt, we often give ourselves free range to go all out and self-sabotage.
We throw all of our hard work to the wind and give up on working towards our goals. We tell ourselves things like:
“Well, I cheated and ate ice cream, so I might as well just eat all of things.”
“I’ve failed so why even try.".
"I'm was bad so I'm just going to eat ALL of the bad things."
This is so much easier than doing the work and figuring out - WHY did I stray from the path that was leading me to accomplishing my goals?
Did I not eat enough food today?
Did I not have enough protein?
Is my body missing a certain nutrient?
Have I been depriving myself too much?
Was I just thirsty?
Was I triggered?
Did I feel lonely, not heard?
Was I bored?
What were the thoughts that entered my mind before I strayed from my path?
This is the way we need to address our actions when they are not the way we planned them to be. And it’s hard. It requires a moment to pause and really get in touch with the thoughts that are driving us and it’s not always comfortable. But this is how we establish that long lasting change.
Dig deep. We need to figure out the thoughts or feelings that led to the behavior so that we can modify how we react when they come up next time.
Can you relate to this? Can you think of any time recently where you gave up because of guilt instead of figuring out why you made the choices you made? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Want guidance on how to manage the process of tuning into your thoughts while also learning which foods work best for your individual needs?? Join us for our super popular RESTART small group program which starts on September 14th. The promo price of $449 is available for just a few more days.
09/01/2021
I’ve had several people reach out requesting group support and a lower price point than 1-on-1 coaching, and I am happy to oblige!
I’d love for you to join us for a 5-week, online, nutrition coaching program.
Registration link: https://nutritionalzest.com/restart
Here are the details.
I am offering RESTART, my small group program, at a Special Early Bird price of $449 until September 7th. It will then return to it's regular price of $549.
Here’s what to expect:
WEEKLY GROUP LIVE ONLINE MEETINGS FOR 5-WEEKS- There is power in accountability. The group support in RESTART and weekly hour long meetings are key ingredients for keeping you on track.
DEVELOP NEW HEALTHY HABITS- I know how easy it is to fall back into old habits. When we first begin living a healthy lifestyle motivation come easily…and then life gets in the way. This is where the weekly guidance of RESTART becomes imperative for long-term success.
REAL FOOD FOR REAL CHANGE- How many fad diets have you tried, only to find yourself back where you started. Juice fasts, packaged foods, microwave meals…they just don’t work long term. The only way to experience sustainable health is to gain a new understanding of how food works in your body—and just how much nutrition affects your entire life.
IT’S LIVE AND ONLINE- I personally lead each weekly session and aim to create a space for you where you feel completely supported, encouraged and empowered.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN RESTART
--3 Weeks of Meal Plans and Shopping Lists - I’ll let you know exactly what to buy and eat.
--Simple Guides & Cheat Sheets - So you know what to do and when.
--Mindful Eating Coaching- If you want to finally have full control over what you eat, you need to get some mindful eating practices in place. I’ll teach you some of those here.
--Support, Support, Support!!!- Not only do we meet weekly, you also have daily support in a Private Facebook Group. You’ll have lifelong access to this private group and get my personal support and the support of fellow RESTARTers each step of your health journey.
--Nutrition Education- In terms you can understand.
--Guidelines for week 5 and beyond- Transition into your “new normal” without undoing all the wonderful changes you’ve made.
-- A Before and After Health Comparison- See how your symptoms have shifting during our 5-weeks together.
DETAILS
Dates and Times: Tuesdays 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12 at 7:00 pm CST. Sessions are 60- 90 minutes long.
Where: Live Online Class via Zoom.
Cost: $449 through September 7th and then $549.
A client will go weeks or months eating in a way that makes them feel amazing and then have a day or two, or maybe even a week of overindulgence.
Suddenly the world is ending.
That self-told lie kicks in that all of the good that has been accomplished during the past few months is erased and meaningless. And then they continue down the path leading them away from the life they truly want.
If I'm being completely honest here, I have been guilty of traveling down this path a few times myself.
We need to get over this way of thinking. This “All or Nothing” mentality and self-punishment.
So, if you ate a bit too much, or chose foods that might not have been the healthiest or on your plan, or gained a few pounds, it’s OK. Honestly, it won’t mean anything in the long run.
We tend to focus on the immediate and exaggerate its importance. Instead, focus on your long-term goals. Will this slip-up matter in 3 days? 3 weeks? 3 months? 3 years? I promise you it won’t..
The guilt and negative thoughts block you from learning the lesson.
Change only comes with self-love and a desire to be better. Guilt, punishment, regret and self-hatred are useless and hold you back from connecting with yourself and finding the path that leads you to who you truly want to be..
So, let that sh*t go!
As adults we get to choose how we treat ourselves. We get to choose whether or not we punish ourselves.
Honestly, I think one of the best things about being an adult is that I can do whatever I want and being punished is definitely NOT one of them!
Do you punish yourself when you get a bit off track? Or use it as a lesson?
We are ALL in a stressful period right now, whether or not you feel it. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself some grace. Use every action as a learning experience and see how much stronger and more self-aware you come out on the other side.
XO,
Colleen
06/23/2021
How many of these things can you relate to? It’s amazing how many negative things happen to your body when your gut is imbalanced, isn’t it?
If you suffer from any of the symptoms in this image and can’t find answers to why they are happening, you would definitely benefit from my favorite lab test combo: The GI Map Stool Test and MRT Food Sensitivity. I love the information I can tell you based on this combo and I always suggest doing them together.
These tests allow me to take a more in-depth look at your digestive system and other potential food sensitivities, to see why the body is behaving as it is.
I don’t want to guess—I want to get to the root as fast as possible, and make you feel better.
Here’s why I like to run the stool test and food sensitivity tests together. Just identifying and eliminating food sensitivities won't help us heal any gut dysfunctions. Conversely, we can't heal the gut if we keep eating foods that are inflammatory.
If all we do is identify food sensitivities, but we don’t simultaneously address the root cause or causes that are driving digestive issues, it is highly likely you will simply develop new sensitivities as you shift the focus of eating to different foods.
At the same time, if we identify digestive dysfunction and we don’t eliminate current offending foods, you will likely not achieve complete healing either. One test without the other isn’t as meaningful or useful.
DM with questions or apply to work with me- link in my bio.
06/12/2021
Freaky yet fascinating fact: Many scientists believe we are made up of more microbe cells than human cells!
Microbes include bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi and protozoa.
When in balance, they control inflammation, keep your mood in check, help digest food and uptake nutrients, boost your immune system and so much more.
But, too many toxins, medications, sugar, stress, etc., allow the “bad” microbes to overgrow, leading to a ton of health issues, both physical and emotional.
When your gut bacteria are out of balance, your body isn’t able to digest food as well, which can lead to serious digestive conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and leaky gut syndrome.
And with these comes those fabulous symptoms of bloating, stomach pain, gas…which then leads to “leaky gut”…which then leads to food sensitivities and a host of other health issues. This is the domino effect in all its glory.
There's also the emotional component of an out of whack gut. A majority of your neurotransmitters, which are what create your moods and emotional states, are also made in your gut so an out of balance gut means out of balance emotions.
So you can blame your ‘tude on your flourishing candida.
It’s shocking how many of your symptoms may be the result of an imbalanced gut. Here are some things you may experience: • Food sensitivities or allergies
• Digestive problems like gas and bloating
• Weight gain
• Skin issues like acne, eczema, and rosacea
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Autoimmune disorders • Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Joint pain
If you’ve done all the things and still feel "off" you might benefit from taking a stool test and seeing EXACTLY what is going on.
Stool testing was a pivotal part of my healing journey and I use it on many of my clients. It takes some of the guess work out for the FASTEST route to getting over those health issues that are holding you back from being the best you can be.
Because if you are bloated, tired and depressed it’s really hard to live up to your full potential isn’t it?
Think you might need stool testing? Reach out and we can see if you’d benefit from it.
06/01/2021
What if I told you that your mood, whether you are anxious, angry depressed, or on the flip side, happy and vibrant, is predominantly dictated by the state of your gut?
Sounds a bit weird, I know, but it's true!
I suffered from debilitating anxiety for years. Medication band-aided the symptoms but it wasn’t until I did some major gut healing that my anxiety episodes disappeared. It takes a bit of time and work, but honestly, there is nothing better than an anxiety free life.
Bonus is that bloating, fatigue, and so many of my other issues disappeared as well! I want you to experience this too.
What if I told you that your mood, whether you are anxious, angry depressed, or on the flip side, happy and vibrant, is predominantly dictated by the state of your gut?
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My passion for functional nutrition grew from my own personal health journey. For years I lived in a state of constant stress and ignored my body’s cues for what foods it really needed. Eventually, my body broke down.
I could barely make it through my day. I would wake up and peel myself out of the bed, motivated only by the fact that once I got through my work day I could crawl right back in. I called it “living in survival mode”. And even though I was beyond exhausted, I couldn’t sleep through the night because my mind wouldn’t shut off, aka “tired but wired”.
Digestion was also a nightmare and I was constantly bloated—my stomach would pop out so much after a meal that I couldn’t fit into my clothes.
And, even though I was barely eating, I started gaining weight. A lot of it. My thyroid began failing, and I developed a goiter and hypothyroidism, and was an anxious, mental wreck in a constant brain fog.
I went to countless doctors – no one could help me get to the root of my problem and suggested countless band-aid approaches with medication, generic diet plans, or, even worse, told me there was nothing wrong with me and to get over it.
In short: I know what it’s like to feel miserable and broken, and how to rebuild your body to get your life back.
My goal is to change your psychology and relationship with food, balance your body and help you live up to your full potential by:
· Finding the foods that work for YOUR body.
· Healing the gut, digestion, metabolism, hormones
· Correcting nutrient imbalances
· Moving and exercising
· Managing stress with simple daily practices
· Supplement support
· Learning how to eat consciously & make peace with food
· Clinical Lab Testing, for Food Sensitivity/ Allergy, Parasites, Candida, Mold, Hormones, Gut Health, Gluten Sensitivity, Micronutrient Levels, Cortisol
