~ lifestyle ~
I’ve quickly learnt that it’s not just what we eat that helps us heal, it’s also what
we do with our body - from our thoughts and words, to the way we move
and the products we use on them.
Taking my health into my own hands, I have been experimenting with a range
of natural beauty and cleaning products as well as many holistic and integrative therapies.
I’ve discovered that I have a few non-negotiable boundaries when it comes to my health and my view of my body, and I thought I’d share them with you. They’re nothing mind blowingly new, but I kinda like them . . ..
Food plays a massive role in our healing journey. There is no denying this fact. However, there are a number of other factors that MUST be addressed for us to allow the healing process to begin and flourish.
Because it’s Winter here in Australia, I’m focussing on ….. SLEEP …. and sharing some of my own personal sleep routine tips with you.
As I sit here typing this, I’ve just passed the 7 month mark of being on the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP).
Holy cow!
My initial thought when I started this back in May was that I would aim for the 2-3 month mark, hoping 1 single month would be all I need before I felt on top of the world again.
Jeez….how wrong I was.....
Thinking about beginning or just starting out on the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP)?
One of the most daunting tasks can simply be the clearing out and restocking of your pantry with “allowable” foods.
Where do you even start?
Howdy all,
Just dropping by with my Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP) 4 month journey update.
When I left you last month (at the 3 month mark), I spoke about the detox type symptoms I was re-living once again from bloating to fatigue.
So how am I feeling now .......
Howdy all,
Just a quick little AIP progress update, now that I’m at the three month mark. Yep, 3 months already. Holy cow!
So how do I feel?
So as you know, I have been living with Hashimoto’s and leaky gut for quite a number of years.
The journey hasn’t been easy (and it still isn’t), however I’m eternally grateful for the progress I have made so far, and for the unexpected change in direction my life has taken.
I thought I might take the time to share with you where I started, what I changed in my life and where I currently am......
I’m at the 8 week mark people. Toot toot!
Yep. You heard me. I’ve been going strong on the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) for 2 whole months now, and I have to say, I’m feeling wonderful.
Actually, I haven’t felt this good in years! Jeez people - this shit works!
Did you know that micronutrient deficiencies and imbalances are extremely common in those of us with an autoimmune disease?
Today I'm focussing on increasing the nutrient density in my diet. Want to know why?
A super quick mid-week update as I say goodbye to week 5 on the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP).
A quick mid-week update as I say au revoir to week 4 on the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP). . .
So I've just made it through week 3 on The Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP) and what a week it was. In short, I was a mess.
Talking all about detox symptoms today . . .
Thought I'd sneak in a quick little update for you all as week 2 on The Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP) is done and dusted.
So how do I feel?
So what is Phase 1 on The Paleo Autoimmune Protocol all about?
The first step is elimination . . .
I'm starting a new adventure to help heal my body.
I'm scared as hell, but excited at the same time.
Want to come along on the ride with me?
Well we’re truly in the middle of Winter over here in Australia, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m loving having my scraves and gloves out on these frosty mornings and then curling up on the couch with my blanket of an evening. The Kapha inside of me sings loud and proud during this time of the year.
So today I’m sharing with you my June wrap up as well as what my intentions and plans for July will be. Interested to find out?
The Third Eye Chakra.
The 6th chakra located at the centre of our forehead, right between our eyes is responsible for what we refer to as “the sixth sense”.
This chakra connects us to our internal intuition –sense of observation, our imagination, wisdom and our ability to make decisions and see the big picture.
Want to know more . . .
Today I’m sharing with you my May wrap up, what my intentions and plans for June will be, as well as my overall thoughts on the whole “monthly focus” plan that I implemented at the beginning of the year. A half year wrap up, if you will.
Today is a wrap up of April and setting my intentions for May.
Want to know what I’m up to . . .
I’m saying au revoir to March over here and starting to focus my energies into April.
Unsure what I’m talking about? Well, on New Year’s Eve I decided to NOT set myself any goals/intentions for the year ahead, as they’re usually forgotten just as quickly as they were made, and instead set some intentions for me to focus on each month through the use of tarot and angel cards . . . and I’m loving it. I find that by focussing on just one month at a time, I’m staying present and mindful for the entire month. It’s so much more sustainable and I feel like I’m actually being productive and effective. Interested in seeing my earlier month’s intentions/focus, then just click here (January – February – March).
For me, March was a bit of a tough month as I just recently placed my mum into a nursing home. As you can imagine, there were highs, many lows and a lot of stress. Luckily, she seems to be really enjoying the change and in hindsight, I wish I’d done it earlier, but then that’s the beauty of hindsight, isn’t it. Interestingly, my March Focus was all about nurturing myself. A time to enjoy the little things - quality over quantity, and a time for looking after and pampering myself, relaxing into it and not fighting it.
So now it’s over to April, and what’s in store . . .
I can't believe that the time has come to pack away my goals and focus for February and to dive into March.
Feb was an interesting month for me as it was more about looking inwards than dealing with the practical. I have no issue looking inwards, but it's definitely a lot harder to tick a box or reach any tangible goals. In the end, I just have to go with my gut and with how I was feeling - trusting the process.
So what's my plan for March, I hear you ask?
So you may remember that at the beginning of the year, instead of setting myself New Year Resolutions that I was bound to forget, fail at or simply ignore, I instead set myself monthly intentions.
Each month is different.
January was about setting my practical foundations for the year.
So what's my plan for February?
The countdown has well and truly begun my friends, and if you’re anything like me, your living in an utter state of bliss surrounded by twinkling fairy lights, the smell of Christmas trees and general festive merriment.
So how can you stay grounded, balanced and centred during this time of year when you want or need to do everything and be everything for everyone?
Have you ever made the switch to a natural deodorant, only to find you break out in a rash a few weeks or months later?
I think I may have some help for you . . .
Thinking about beginning or just starting out on the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol (AIP)?
One of the most daunting tasks can simply be the clearing out and restocking of your pantry with “allowable” foods.
Where do you even start?
So I went and had acupuncture.
What I discovered on my first visit = I have a Spleen Qi Deficiency.
What the hell is that, I hear you ask?
Apart from my obvious obsession for all things French, I have a keen and ever increasing passion for all things gut related. Not quite in the same realm as each other, but any hoo…whatever floats your boat.
So today I'm sharing with you 6 simple, everyday tips that you can add into your day to day life to help improve you digestion and get it into a tip top working state......
Struggling with fatigue?
I hear you.
Since coming back from France, fatigue has hit me in the face with a big baseball bat.
Whether it was the long flight, jetlag (still?!) or the extra gluten, dairy and sugar that was added into my diet whilst away, I’m now paying the price. So I wanted to share with you a couple of the simple, everyday things I’m “trying out” to help recalibrate my body and boost my energy levels.
Bonjour mes amis!
If you’ve been following my adventures on Instagram, you’ll know I’ve been frolicking in France for the past month. Spending my days walking for miles and eating my body weight in French food.
Now I’m back.
Well, my physical body is anyway.
I set out on this latest holiday with an open mind (and heart), knowing that France does not lead the world in gluten, sugar and dairy free food options (baguettes, French butter and fromage…hello!). Surprisingly, they are definitely growing in this area, something I had never noticed on my past visits.
Should you quit sugar?
It’s a big, and somewhat daunting question.
Perhaps you could ask yourself this:
- Do you get an energy slump in the afternoon?
- Do you need something sweet after lunch and/or dinner?
- Are you unable to eat just one slice of cake or one piece of chocolate and then walk away?
- Do you have hypothyroidism and wonder if quitting sugar might make a difference?
If you ticked yes to the above (I ticked yes to all!) then perhaps sugar is playing a bigger role in your health and your life than you thought.
January. Being such a lover of all things Christmas, this month can be a little bit of a let down for me. It's the month where I pack up the Christmas tree and twinkle lights (sob!). It's the hottest month of the year (I'm so not a fan!), and it's not even close to my birthday month.
Normally, like most of us, I've set goals during January - mapping out the rest of my year. Goals like new eating and exercise plans, which are usually happily forgotten about by February.
So this year, I'm trying something a little different . . .
Right at this moment in time, I’m in the “loving and healing my gut” mindset.
Basically, I’ve been following the AIP diet since the beginning of May this year, and even though I’ve definitely felt the positive benefits of it, I have also been dealing with a few set-backs due to gut inflammation. Why and how this is happening, I may never know, but I’m on a mission.
So what is leaky gut?
Constipation. Not a fun or sexy topic, but a pretty common complaint for those of us with Hashimoto’s or other thyroid conditions.
Even the healthiest of us can suffer constipation on occasion as a result of stress, bad food choices and traveling.
Did you know . . .
I listened to a podcast recently.
To be more specific – I listened to the Melissa Ambrosini podcast with Nadine Artemis, author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums.
Initially the topic didn’t do much for me. It didn’t “float my boat” so to speak, but after a minute or two.....I was hooked. Hooked so much so that I’ve now started my own little holistic at home dental care routine.....
Feeling unsupported and alone? Perhaps your thoughts are spacy and all over the shop with no inspiration for turning them into an outcome?
Perhaps, just perhaps, your crown chakra is unbalanced?
After discussing how the health of our liver and thyroid can effect our metabolism in past posts, I'm finishing today with how two little walnut sized glands known as the Adrenal Glands can also play a big part, and what simple everyday things you can do to support them.
The third and final factors contributing to my slow metabolism and weight gain, due to having Hashimoto’s . . .
One of the very first questions I asked when being placed on thyroid medication by my GP was “when do I take it?”
Did you know that poor gut health can actually suppress your thyroid and trigger Hashimoto’s disease (Hypothyroidism)?
I don’t know about you, but one of the biggest issues I experience from having Hashimoto’s is my digestion. Or should I say, my lack of digestion . . .
I'm conducting a simple experiment. Care to join me?
As studies show that the simple act of writing down the things for which you are grateful for can help lower stress levels, promote a better night’s sleep and improve your general happiness levels - I've decided to see for myself. . . .
I truly believe that healing your body requires more than simply taking a few pills or herbs. I believe it requires a complete overhaul of your body, mind and spirit.
When it was first discovered that I had a thyroid issue, I was automatically put on conventional pharmaceutical thyroid medication by my doctor, and at the time, I felt sooo much better. The swelling in my thyroid went down and the symptoms disappeared. To be honest with you, at the time, I thought that was it. Done and dusted. I was fine.
And then a year later the symptoms all came back. Tenfold!
I’d like to introduce you to Boris and Boris Jnr.
They’ve recently joined my life.
Perhaps you’re already acquainted with the Boris’ but know them by their more common names of Dientamoeba Fragilis and Blastocystis Hominis. Two microscopic parasites that are found in the intestinal tract of humans. And right at this very minute, they’re paying me a very unwelcomed visit.
I’m not happy!
Although as I say those 3 words, I also have to admit to you that a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. This icky news has actually given me an answer AND with it, an opportunity to finally fix the problems I'm having .
These parasites could potentially be the root cause of my developing Hashimoto’s. Holy cow!
Gratitude
Noun
The Quality Of Being Thankful; Readiness To Show Appreciation For And To Return Kindness.
So my journey with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis to date has been to put it frankly, a f**king pain in the arse!
It’s affected EVERY single part of my life.
It’s changed the way I cook, eat and stock my pantry. It’s changed my social life and it has COMPLETELY changed my catering business. The biggest change, however, has been within me.
And even though I would not wish the symptoms that come hand-in-hand with Hashimoto’s on anyone, developing this Autoimmune disease has actually been a blessing in disguise.
Did you know that eating gluten is the number one cause of a leaky gut?
We all know that gluten is a trigger for Celiac disease, but I never knew its connection with a leaky gut. Even in a person without any gluten sensitivity, this difficult to digest protein can still cause leaky gut.
Apart from gluten, other inflammatory foods leading to leaky gut can also include dairy, sugar and processed foods as well as an over consumption of alcohol.
I discovered this information whilst trying to figure out my own underlying triggers for Hashimoto’s, as I, like a large number of you, have been suffering constant bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.
So what is a leaky gut, I hear you ask?
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