Hi Mamas 😊, Happy Monday! I'm posting this message today for a couple of reasons. #1: I want to hear from you all and find out what you need in this season of life. The whole point of this group (vs. the public Facebook group) is to have a private and safe place to be seen and heard about all aspects of mom life from hormones, sleep, and energy to anxiety, trauma, and parenting, and everything in between. #2: Lately I've been posting everything from resources, messages, live events, etc., in the Facebook group because it is more interaction and engagement there. And as I say in the Thriving Mama Program and podcast, where your INTENTION and ATTENTION go, your ENERGY flows. So, I'd love to hear from the ladies who want to stay in this group. Give me a "YES" in the comments or feel free to post what you'd like support on. Thank you for taking the time to respond- I know how busy moms are! I'm always revising processes and your feedback helps. 🫶 If this isn't a place you want to interact, I'll keep the focus on the Facebook group and keep this for the The Thriving Mama Program and other program materials.

Back to school brings back to bugs!!! Our amazing kiddos are really great at spreading the (germ) love so I have recommendations for adults and kids that I usually only share with my patients, but I've had lots of requests from other folks so I'm going to share the info and make the links public. But first, I want to share some tidbits. 1. Some of you know that I was a microbiologist before I went back to school so I could practice Functional Medicine. My approach on EVERYTHING is to support the terrain meaning all parts of the person, mind, body, and spirit rather than an overall assault on the whatever is troubling you. I'm all about balance and building resilience. 2. Given my prior training, I figured during the pandemic since everything shut down and our immune systems weren't able to "watch and learn" that it would result in some more potent bugs and that is definitely true. I've never seen so many summer strep cases and viral inflections as I did this summer. These illnesses are becoming less seasonal and more year round so we need to support ourselves accordingly. 3. Supplements are meant to be "supplements to your diet and lifestyle" and used when needed. Some people get on them and stay on them forever and that shouldn't be the case. Supporting the Immune System Holistically: 1. Everything starts with diet and lifestyle as I explain in the post from Monday. Eat whole foods, move your body, prioritize sleep (and YOURSELF), and find realistic ways to reduce stress and release your trauma. This is the foundation that everything is built on (think primer before painting😉). 2. The nutrients and supplements (and the WHY) - NAC (n-acetyl cysteine): NAC is an amino acid that is a powerhouse for many reasons, but primarily because it a precursor to the master antioxidant Glutathione which helps put out the inflammatory fires in your body. It also support your liver and breaks down mucus which are both huge with colds and upper respiratory viruses. - Antioxidant Blends: I like a product called ACES because it has vitamins A, C, E and selenium, and they are more effective taken together than alone to support the immune system, dampen inflammation and support your cells (especially the ability to heal). - Zinc (with quercetin): You need quercetin to carry zinc into your cells where it supports many mechanisms in your cells to balance inflammation and the immune response. Studies show it helps reduce severity and length of colds and flu. - Herbal blends: I look for blends that have synergistic properties like Andrographis, Sea Buckthorn, Olive Leaf, Turmeric, Chinese Skullcap, and Stinging Nettle that will modulate and balance the immune response and help decrease pain. - Enzymes: Specifically proteolytic enzymes that when taken away from food (2 hours after or 20 minutes before) will break down mucus and prevent circulating immune complexes (CACs). The second point is important if you have "the nasty virus" and you're concerned a certain protein ...if you know what I mean. 😉😱 - Immunoglobulins: Your body produces these in response to foreign invaders. You can also take them as a supplement to bind to the organisms and the toxins they produce. PSA: I keep this in my house all year because it's great support for all types of illnesses, food poisoning and vomiting. - Oscillococcinum: Homeopathic that clinical studies show it helps reduce both the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms, such as body aches, headache, fever, chills, and fatigue. Safe for everyone ages 2 and up.

Mamas, the kiddos are back in school so now it's YOUR turn to focus on yourself! I'll be getting into the basics of focusing on your own health, whether it's anxiety, weight, stress, hormones, or whatever it is for you. The foundation to address any of it starts with basic lifestyle factors. I describe it all in the video, but here is a SIMPLE, quick list that will get you going on the right track: - DIET - BLOOD SUGAR - SLEEP - STRESS/NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION Health is a marathon, not a sprint, so pick one thing and start working on it. I know if can be overwhelming, so if you have ANY questions at all, please drop them in the comments, DM me or email. All questions are good questions! PS- tomorrow I'll be putting up the immune support information so you and the fam can stay healthy in cold and flu season.