LivWell Natural Health

09/15/2025

Toxins don’t just affect hormones, they disrupt gut health too. A healthy gut is essential for nutrient absorption, immune function, and mental clarity. Reducing your toxic burden helps your gut thrive.

Toxins from everyday sources, like pesticides, processed foods, plastics, and certain medications, can damage the lining of your gut, which acts as a protective barrier for your body. When this barrier is weakened, it becomes more “leaky,” allowing toxins and unwanted particles to slip into your bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation and immune responses. Over time, this ongoing stress and inflammation can disrupt your hormone balance, making it harder for your body to regulate things like energy, mood, and metabolism. That’s why reducing your exposure to toxins is a key step in protecting both your gut and your hormones.

Where to start:

• Eat whole foods and read ingredient labels

• Avoid ultra-processed foods when possible

• Be mindful with antibiotics and steroids, use only when truly needed

• Check out my previous “Where to Start” section on hormones for more tips!

If you’re ready for in-depth support, schedule your session with me at https://www.livwellnaturalhealth.com/

08/20/2025

Here are some super practical and realistic tips for supporting hormone health and reducing toxin exposure.

1. Swap smart, not all at once.

Gradual changes stick better and feel less overwhelming. Start with one swap (like changing your water bottle from plastic to stainless steel) and build from there. Progress over perfection is key!

2. Food: Eat Regional and Organic:

Local, seasonal, and organic foods tend to have fewer pesticides and are fresher, which is great for your body and your hormones. Plus, supporting local farmers is a win-win.

3. Avoid Anything with Fragrance:

“Fragrance” on a label often means a mix of chemicals, including potential hormone disruptors. Go for fragrance-free or naturally scented products.

4. Avoid Plastic Products:

Plastics (especially those with BPA or phthalates) can leach xenoestrogens into food and drinks. Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic when you can, especially for anything hot or acidic.

08/13/2025

Have you ever wondered how a naturopath could support your health goals?

Adding a naturopath to your care team means you get a partner who looks at your whole health, not just your symptoms. I use natural therapies and support you in making everyday changes to help you feel your best, inside and out.

It’s all about empowering you to take charge of your health journey, naturally.

07/30/2025

Here’s Why It Matters:

🌱 Your Body, Your Temple:

Every day, we’re exposed to chemicals in our food, water, air, and personal care products. Many of these chemicals (pesticides, preservatives, plastics, synthetic fragrances) can act as endocrine disruptors, interfere with our hormones, and burden our detox organs like the liver.

🌿 Hormone Balance is Everything:

Hormones are your body’s messengers, controlling everything from mood and energy to metabolism and fertility. When we’re bombarded by toxins (think: xenoestrogens in plastics and fragrances), our hormones get out of sync. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, PMS, skin issues, weight gain, anxiety, and even autoimmune flares.

🥗 Gut Health is the Foundation:

Toxins don’t just affect hormones, they disrupt gut health too. A healthy gut is essential for nutrient absorption, immune function, and mental clarity. Reducing your toxic burden helps your gut (and you!) thrive.

⚠️ The Link to Cancer and Autoimmune Disease:

Research has shown that exposure to certain environmental toxins can increase the risk of cancer and trigger autoimmune conditions. Some chemicals can damage DNA, promote chronic inflammation, or confuse the immune system, causing it to attack the body’s own tissues. By reducing your exposure to these harmful substances, you’re not just supporting hormone balance, you’re actively lowering your lifetime risk of serious diseases.

🌎 It’s About Longevity and Prevention:

Chronic exposure to environmental toxins is linked to everything from autoimmune disease to cancer. Choosing a non-toxic lifestyle isn’t about being perfect, it’s about making small, consistent changes that add up to big results over time.

How to Start?

- Choose whole, organic foods when possible.
- Ditch synthetic fragrances and swap for natural products
- Use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic
- Filter your water
- Read ingredient labels—less is more!

Remember, every swap you make is a step toward better health for you, your family, and the planet. It’s not about fear, it’s about empowerment.

Your health is worth protecting. Start small, stay curious, and celebrate every positive change.

07/04/2025

🇺🇸✨ Happy 4th of July! ✨🇺🇸

Today, we pause to celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave. From the diversity of our people to the beauty of our landscapes, we’re grateful for the opportunities, freedoms, and dreams that define America.

Let’s honor the values that unite us—liberty, resilience, and hope—and remember those who have sacrificed to build this nation.

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Independence Day filled with gratitude, community, and pride in our country! ❤️🤍💙

05/28/2025

What is Mastitis?

Inflammation of breast tissue, often affecting breastfeeding mothers, causing pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.

I have personally had mastitis several times and have never needed antibiotics. If you have these natural remedies on hand, it can often be taken care of at home.

✔ Common Symptoms:

Breast pain or tenderness
Swelling or redness
Fever or chills
Fatigue

✔ Homeopathy for Mastitis: (choose a remedy based on your symptoms)

Belladonna 30c: For severe cases (very red, warm, swollen, and painful breast), take a dose every 3–5 hours until symptoms subside

Phytolacca 30c : For moderate cases, take a dose every 3–4 hours until symptoms improve.

Hepar Sulph 6: Take in tandem with Belladonna or Phytolacca; administer a dose every 3–4 hours, alternating with the other remedy

Bryonia 30c: When breasts are very painful with motion, hot, hard, and the patient is quite irritable, Bryonia may be indicated.

✔ Supportive Herbs & Nutrition:

Sunflower lecithin: helps clogged ducts and support milk flow (this is an important one!)

Garlic: natural antimicrobial properties

Echinacea: supports immune function

Probiotics: benefit gut and immune health

(I have specific remedies that I prefer and recommend to my clients)

✔ Natural Remedies to Support Healing:

Frequent breastfeeding or milk expression

Warm compresses to ease discomfort

Gentle breast massage to encourage milk flow

Rest and hydration

✔ When to Seek Medical Help:

If symptoms worsen

If you develop a high fever

If there’s no improvement within 24–48 hours

Remember:

You’re not alone—natural health practitioners can offer evidence-based support and gentle remedies.

05/19/2025

Natural Ways to Support Allergies

Struggling with seasonal allergies? Try these natural tips to find relief:

✔ Homeopathy: Consider AllergyCalm by Boiron—a gentle, homeopathic remedy designed to relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. It offers natural support without drowsiness.

🍯 Local Honey: Consuming local honey may help your body gradually adapt to the pollen in your area. Since local honey contains trace amounts of local pollen, eating it regularly can gently expose your immune system to these allergens. Over time, this may help reduce sensitivity and ease allergy symptoms—a sweet way to build your body’s tolerance!

🌿 Herbal Teas: Sip on teas like nettle or peppermint to reduce inflammation and soothe symptoms. Nettle tea, in particular, is known for its natural antihistamine properties. It can help block the body’s production of histamine—the compound responsible for allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching. It is also great for lymphatic drainage.

💧 Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps thin mucus and supports your immune system.

🌱 Quercetin-Rich Foods: Include apples, onions, and kale in your diet for their natural antihistamine properties. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that helps stabilize the cells that release histamine in your body, which can reduce allergy symptoms. If it’s difficult to get enough quercetin through food alone, it’s also available as a supplement for added support.

🍀 Use a saline rinse or neti pot to clear allergens from your nasal passages. Xlear, a xylitol-based nasal spray, can also help soothe sinus irritation and effectively clear the sinuses.

🌼 Want personalized support?

For some, allergies are actually a sign of a deeper root issue that needs more personalized, in-depth attention. Book a session with me to explore holistic allergy relief and uncover underlying causes.

05/01/2025

Sometimes, life’s challenges lead us to our true purpose. My journey to becoming a naturopath began with my own search for answers to health issues, and that’s when I met Dr. Bonnie Buchman—a true healer and an incredible guide.

Dr. Bonnie didn’t just provide solutions; she inspired a passion for natural health and healing. Her care, wisdom, and dedication have touched countless lives, including mine, and sparked a desire to help others achieve their best health.

Now, Dr. Bonnie has poured her decades of experience into her books. These books are filled with incredible stories of how she helped others and witnessed profound healing. They’re not just books—they’re a testament to the transformative power of natural health and the lives she’s touched along the way.

📚 If you’re looking for inspiration or want to read about real-life journeys of healing, I highly recommend checking out her books. They’re treasures of wisdom and heart that can truly move and inspire you.

✨ Don’t miss out—grab your copy today and let her stories of healing touch your heart!

So, this made the news! Still two weeks out.

03/26/2025

Recovering from antibiotics is essential to restore gut health and overall well-being. Antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria, leading to imbalances that weaken digestion, immunity, and the gut barrier. To recover, focus on rebuilding with probiotics from foods like yogurt or supplements, nourishing good bacteria with prebiotics like garlic and bananas, staying hydrated to flush out toxins and support digestion, and consuming nutrient-dense foods while avoiding processed options. Adding glutamine-rich foods or supplements can repair the gut lining, and prioritizing rest and stress management ensures full recovery.

03/03/2025

Reducing toxins in your kitchen and home is a great way to promote a healthier environment. Here are some changes you can consider to make your space less toxic:

🌿 Switch to Natural Cleaning Products:

Use brands like Branch Basics, Truly Free, or Force of Nature for non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning solutions.

🌿 Choose Safe Cookware:

Opt for stainless steel (All-Clad, Cuisinart, Made In), cast iron (Lodge, Finex), or 100% ceramic cookware (Xtrema) that are free from harmful coatings and chemicals. (other ceramic brands may contain coatings with nanoparticles, PFAS, silicone or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Xtrema is expensive and can break easily, so I like to stick with using stainless steel or cast iron)

🌿 Avoid Non-Stick Cookware:

Non-stick coatings can release toxic chemicals into your food when heated. Stick with safer alternatives like the ones listed above.

🌿 Select Natural Utensils:

Use wooden or bamboo utensils (Bambu, Totally Bamboo) or stainless steel options (Mepra, Cuisipro) to avoid plastic chemicals.

🌿 Use Glass or Stainless Steel Containers:

Replace plastic storage containers with glass (Pyrex, Weck Jars) or stainless steel options (PlanetBox, U-Konserve) to avoid BPA and other harmful chemicals.

🌿 Filter Your Water:

Invest in high-quality water filters like Berkey, GreenField Water Solutions, or ProOne to reduce contaminants and ensure clean drinking water.

🌿 Minimize Processed Foods:

Focus on whole, organic foods to reduce exposure to additives and preservatives.

🌿 Ventilate Your Space:

Ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen to reduce indoor air pollution from cooking fumes and cleaning products.

By making these changes, you can create a healthier, less toxic living environment. Let me know if you'd like to adjust anything else! 🌱

02/24/2025

🌿 Focus on Quality Carbs for Optimal Health 🌿

When it comes to carbohydrates, it's not about cutting them out but choosing the right ones! By focusing on "slow carbs" and high-quality options, you can keep your blood sugar levels stable and your energy sustained. Here's how you can incorporate this into your daily routine:

Choose Slow and High-Quality Carbs: Opt for whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in fiber and nutrients. Think of foods like sweet potatoes, quinoa, and leafy greens. High-quality grains to consider include einkorn, sprouted, and sourdough.

Balance is Key.

Examples:

Breakfast: Eggs with avocado and a slice of sourdough with grass-fed butter.

Lunch: A quinoa salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado, grilled chicken, and a lemon-tahini
dressing.

Snack: A handful of walnuts with carrot sticks and hummus.

Dinner: Grilled salmon with roasted sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli, and a side of einkorn noodles with pesto.

Focus on Nutrients: It's not just about the carbs; it's about the nutrients they bring along. Whole grains and vegetables offer vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are essential for overall wellness.

Remember, it's all about nourishing your body with foods that support your health goals. Embrace the power of quality carbs and feel the difference! 🌱

10/30/2024

Vegetables are a low-calorie and high-nutrient food filled with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Below are some easy ways you can increase your daily vegetable intake:

Saute or bake a large sheet pan of veggies, and throw some left-over veggies on your salad the next day.

Eat more frozen produce. Flash-frozen veggies still retain most of their nutrients, they are easier to store and keep longer, and they are typically available year-round.

“Hide” veggies in smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to add a significant amount of greens to your diet. You can add any number of different vegetables without compromising the fruity flavor of the drink. I like frozen zucchini or frozen cauliflower!

Eat more soup. Soups are a great way to get more veggies in your diet.

Make vegetable noodles. Simply insert your vegetable of choice into a spiralizer, a kitchen gadget that processes them into noodles.

Fruits are also a wonderful and nutrient dense food, but are higher in sugar. That is why 1.5 - 2 cups per day is recommended. It is best to eat mostly low-glycemic fruits such as berries, citrus, pomegranate, apples, and kiwi and to enjoy other types of fruit in moderation.

Fun fact: fruits like pomegranate and cranberries feed a very beneficial gut bacteria called akkermansia!