Anita Stechschulte DNP, FNP Functional Medicine

05/29/2026

Gratitude is more than a practice, it is a FEELING and can be a state of being. So many things!

I think one of the reasons people resist practicing gratitude is because it asks us to slow down long enough to actually feel our lives.

And feeling isn’t always comfortable.

When you slow down, you don’t just feel the good things—you also feel the grief, the longing, the disappointment, the things you’ve been pushing past just to keep going. Gratitude doesn’t bypass that. It brings you right into it.

And I think that’s where many of us hesitate.

But here’s what I’m learning… discomfort isn’t a reason to disconnect. It’s actually an invitation to show up more fully. Because gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is okay. It’s about recognizing what was real, what mattered, and what still carries meaning in your life—even in the midst of loss or struggle.

When we practice gratitude, something shifts. We stop just surviving our days and start actually witnessing them. We notice people more deeply. We love more intentionally. We remember what actually matters.

And over time, that connection creates something powerful—clarity, presence, and purpose. Not because life gets easier… but because we stop running from it.

So if gratitude feels hard sometimes, maybe that’s okay. Maybe it just means you’re human and you’re paying attention.

And maybe that’s exactly where meaning begins.

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita

05/29/2026

Sitting here on this Grateful Friday, thinking about my family, my community, and my tribe.

Someone wise once told me, "Always cherish the last time you GET TO do something." The truth is, most last times sneak by without us realizing it. The last diaper change. The last bedtime story. The last boo-boo you get to fix. The last time your child reaches for your hand.

And sometimes, the last hug.

I realized something today: I'm a little jealous of my younger brother, Fred. Why? Well, he got to hug my momma for the last time. I found myself wishing I had been the one who got to give my momma her last hug.

I didn't get to be the one who shared my momma's final hug with one of her children. But today I realized something else. I got to witness that last hug. I got to see the love between a mother and her child one final time. And what a gift that was.

I still remember my last hug with my mom. It wasn't her last hug, but it was our last hug. And for that, I am deeply grateful.

Grief has a way of showing us what we wish we had. Gratitude reminds us of what we were blessed to receive. Today, I'm choosing gratitude.

❤️ Momma, thank you for every hug you have given.

05/27/2026

📢 Office Update: I’ll be out of the office this week attending the International Functional Medicine Conference — one of the conferences I look forward to most every year!

I’m always excited for the opportunity to learn, grow, and discover new ways to better serve and support my community, my patients, my friends, and my family. Continuing education is one of my favorite investments because healthcare is always evolving, and I’m passionate about bringing back knowledge that can help others heal and thrive.

I can’t wait to see what I learn this year and bring it back home with me! ❤️

STAY HEALTHY MY FRIENDS!
Dr Anita

05/15/2026

“The number one killer of Americans is not what you think.”

It’s not just genetics. It’s not a lack of knowledge. And for most people, it’s not even a lack of money.

It’s convenience.

Eating healthy has become less about affordability and more about time, energy, and margin. We are living in a culture where survival is full-time work—jobs, caregiving, responsibilities, emotional load—and convenience has quietly replaced nourishment.

I hear it often: “By the time I make a list, go to the store, and buy the food, I don’t have time to prepare it—and it ends up going to waste.” So instead, people default to what is fast, accessible, and already prepared. Not because they don’t care—but because they are exhausted.

And over time, the body adapts to that state of constant “just getting by.” You cannot out-supplement a physiology that is living in survival mode. The body doesn’t respond to what we intend—it responds to what we repeatedly do.

You don’t trick biology into believing you are thriving when every input says you are barely keeping up. Just thought I would share this because our unconscious habits steer our health ship more than we think. Our thoughts shape our habits, and our habits ultimately shape our state of health.

If we want to change health, we have to be honest about the real driver underneath so many choices:

>>>Convenience is not neutral. For many, it is the hidden cost of modern disease. Stay tuned for the #2 killer of American health.

Stay healthy my friends,
Dr Anita DNP, APRN, IFMCP

05/13/2026

I met the founder at a MedMAPs conference. Wonderful work. Thought I would share this resource. LOTS of free support for parents.

FREE EVENT: Healing Strategies for Neuroinflammation

UPDATE: We apologize for any struggles you may have had trying to register and confirm your spot. Due to the website traffic, the registration page has been slow to load, so it may take a few seconds to show up.

Once you register, please search for an email titled either "Before we can send you the..." or "Please confirm your request". Click on the link in that email that will give us permission to send you additional emails. This protects you from receiving spam.

The email comes from "bethlambert@documentinghope.com" or "beth@documentinghope.com". If you search for those email addresses within your email account, the email you need to click on should show up. It is likely in one of your spam or promotions inboxes.

Additionally, please search for an email from Zoom at "no-reply@zoom.us" titled "Healing Strategies for Neuroinflammation Confirmation". This email provides the link you will need to join the webinar.

We hope these instructions help! Send an email to info@docuemtinghope if you continue to have issues.
______

This event is for individuals with autism, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, OCD, PANS/PANDAS, depression, anxiety, and more. Join us in this live event! If you can’t make the live event, sign up to get the replay sent to you afterwards.

Friday, May 8, 2026 at 6:00pm Eastern

What if many of today’s most challenging neurological and psychiatric conditions share a common root, neuroinflammation, and what if the brain has a far greater capacity to heal than we’ve been led to believe?

Join us for a powerful 2-hour online event that brings together leading clinicians, researchers, and parents to explore one central question.

What can be done to improve brain health and restore function when inflammation is driving dysfunction?

In this fast-paced and information-rich experience, each speaker will deliver a focused 10-minute talk offering both a high-level understanding of their specialty and practical, actionable strategies for supporting brain healing.

What You'll Learn
In this 90-minute program + 30 minutes of Q&A, you’ll learn:

What neuroinflammation is and how it impacts brain function across conditions

Why so many children and adults today are stuck in patterns of dysregulation—and how to shift them

The role of the nervous system, immune system, and microbiome in brain health

Emerging and accessible tools that support brain repair and resilience
Real-world stories of recovery and possibility

Featured Topics & Speakers:

Neuroinflammation Overview – Josh Madsen DC
A foundational look at the mechanisms driving inflammation in the brain and its downstream effects.

Vagus Nerve & Nervous System Regulation – Navaz Habib DC
How stimulating the vagus nerve can shift the body out of chronic stress states and support healing.

Photobiomodulation – Loren Liming DC
How specific wavelengths of light can enhance mitochondrial function and support brain repair.

Movement & Neurodevelopment – Dana Johnson PhD
Why movement is foundational to brain development, regulation, and recovery.

At-Home Laser Therapies – Manisha Lad
A practical overview of accessible laser tools families can use to support healing at home.

Gut Microbiome & Brain Health – Sabine Hazan MD
Exploring the gut-brain connection and how microbial balance influences inflammation and function.

Reducing Total Load – Beth Lambert
Understanding cumulative stressors on the body—and how reducing total load can unlock healing capacity.

Healing Neuroinflammation with Nutrition – Greer McGuiness RD
Understanding how eating a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet can support brain health and healing

Who Should Attend

Parents of children with autism, ADHD, or developmental challenges
Individuals navigating brain injury, mood disorders, or cognitive decline

Practitioners seeking a root-cause, systems-based understanding of brain health

Anyone interested in the body’s innate capacity to heal when given the right support

If you are unable to attend live, sign up anyway and we will send you the replay!

https://documentinghope.com/webinar/healing-strategies-for-neuroinflammation/

05/08/2026

Grateful Friday 💛

Today, I’m reflecting on something that fills my heart more than anything else… family. Practicing gratitude nourishes the body, calms the mind, and extends vitality.

I am so grateful that I get to be a mom. And now, I get to be a grandma. What an incredible gift that is. There is something deeply grounding about family connections — In a world that moves fast and often prioritizes productivity over presence, relationships remind us to slow down and feel.

Science continues to show us that connection, love, purpose, and community are some of the strongest contributors to longevity and overall wellness. We are not meant to do life alone. The people we love become part of our healing, our resilience, and our reason to keep showing up fully.

Today, I’m simply grateful.
Grateful for the privilege of motherhood.
Grateful for the sweetness of becoming a grandma.
Grateful for hugs, memories, and moments that become the fabric of a meaningful life.

At the end of the day, health is important… but the people we share life with are what make it truly rich.

👇Comment below if you practice gratitude and share what you’re grateful for this Friday—it’s always powerful to pause and notice the good.

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

05/08/2026

Show me your fuel.

Breakfast: organic carrots, peppers. Root veggies with quinoa. Farm raised chicken. and a shot of soaked chia seeds in blueberry- pomegranate juice.

Eat well - Be well - Live well

Stay healthy my frwinds
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

05/06/2026

Show me your supper fuel.

Should have separated it out better!

Had to use the rest of my points. Stir fry with brown rice, chicken, and stir fry veggies with Israeli spice with sprinkle of cilantro (1 O'clock); tabouli (5 o'clock), peppers, and mixed greens precut Mediterranean blend of tomato, cucumber, feta, onions (7 o'clock).

Could not eat all of this!

Stay healthy my friend
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

05/06/2026

Week 2: My Wednesday Weight Watchers 'weigh-in' (from a functional medicine lens).

NOTE: Now, you all know me—I’m not one for diets or jumping on trendy programs. That’s just not how I approach health or healing, nor do I feel I need this for weight loss. BUT… I’m always curious. And more importantly, I’m always committed to understanding what my patients and community are trying. So—I downloaded the app and committed to the next 3 months. I’ll be sharing weekly updates—real thoughts, real experiences, no fluff. Because if my people are using it… I want to understand it. Here goes another trial in the name of better guidance and deeper insight.

I’m going into this with an open mind—not as a believer, not as a critic—but as someone who wants to evaluate:
✔️ Is it sustainable?
✔️ Does it support true health?
✔️ Is it something I’d ever feel comfortable recommending?
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WEEK 2: This week I really leaned into the system—especially the “zero-point” foods. And yes… I learned that tomatoes are considered fruit in the system, which means they’re zero points. So now you know that fun little fact too.

Overall, Week 2 was better in terms of staying within points, but the learning curve is still very real—especially around consistency and food tracking.

What I noticed this week:

>>>I found it significantly easier to stay in range when I planned ahead and entered everything in the morning as one structured plan. If I try to make choices meal-by-meal throughout the day, it becomes much harder while I’m still learning the system.

>>>I also noticed. Pre-packaged and processed foods are much easier to track. Whole foods require more effort (and sometimes creativity) to input. The system still leans heavily toward older nutrition trends (low-fat, non-fat, limited “healthy fat” inclusion).
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Top 3 Early Challenges I’m Seeing

1. Tracking fatigue
Consistently logging food—especially whole foods—can feel time-consuming and mentally draining, particularly in the beginning.

2. Whole food friction
Pre-packaged foods are easy. Real foods (home-cooked meals, mixed ingredients, intuitive plates) take more effort to calculate and enter. This might cause more reliance on pre-packaged products.

3. Early confusion with the system rules
There’s a learning curve in understanding what is “zero-point,” what is not, and how that impacts meal planning—especially when trying to build balanced meals on the fly.
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Top 3 Wins of the System (what I can genuinely appreciate)

1. Structure without calorie counting
It shifts focus away from numbers on a label and toward a guided framework, which many people find more sustainable than strict calorie tracking.

2. Zero-point food concept
This can be powerful psychologically. It helps people anchor meals around foods that feel “safe” or abundant, which can reduce the diet-binge cycle for some individuals.

3. Awareness and mindfulness
Even when imperfect, the act of tracking builds awareness. Many people realize patterns they never noticed before—especially around snacking, portion size, and convenience foods.
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My ongoing observation (Week 2 insight)
>>>This system makes it very easy to find processed, packaged foods that “fit,” while requiring more effort to build meals from whole, nutrient-dense ingredients. That doesn’t make it bad—it just shapes behavior. And that shaping effect is worth paying attention to.

Next week I’ll continue experimenting with a more intentional “zero-point food heavy” approach to see how it impacts: satiety, fiber intake, and overall macro balance. I will also be tracking my calories as I am a little concerned.

Still observing. Still learning. Still approaching it through the lens of real physiology—not just points.

👇COMMENT BELOW if you have tried WW and your thoughts!

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

05/06/2026

Show me your fuel,

Lunch: peppers with tzatziki, hummus with carrots, granny smith apple, lemon, beets and fresh kefir.

Forgot to pack my lunch! This is everything I had in my work refrig to eat. Good thing past Anita was watching out for this version of present Anita! 🤦‍♀️

Stay healthy my friend
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP