Updates from Leah Negrin

Maple Cashew Chocolate Fudge

Maple Cashew Chocolate Fudge
Seriously. When it gets colder it's like my body says, 'hey, we need some chocolate thanks'. So here I am delivering that! You can absolutely make some edits with this one if you don't have cashew butter or just want to use something different. (watch that peanut butter, thank you mold🤢)

Ingredients
  • 1 cup Cashew Butter (runny)
  • 3/4 cup Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
Instructions
  1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the cashew butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan.
  3. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in 30-second intervals in the microwave.
  4. Pour the melted chocolate over the cashew mixture, smoothing it out with a spatula. Transfer to the freezer for approximately two hours until set, or leave it overnight.
  5. Slice the fudge into equal-sized pieces and enjoy!
14 servings

The Truth About Your Fertile Window: You’re Not Fertile Every Day of the Month

The Truth About Your Fertile Window: You’re Not Fertile Every Day of the Month
You’ve probably heard it before: “You can get pregnant any time in your cycle.”

It’s one of the most common myths in women’s health and it’s completely false.

Here’s the truth:

You’re only fertile for about 5–6 days per cycle. That’s it.

Understanding which days those are can make all the difference—whether you’re trying to conceive or trying to avoid pregnancy naturally.

Your fertile window isn’t random—it’s based on your body’s hormonal rhythm and subtle signs that often get overlooked.

What determines your fertile window

Your body gives you clues throughout your cycle, including:
🌀 Cervical mucus: This changes in texture and appearance as estrogen rises. Around ovulation, it becomes clear and stretchy—your body’s natural signal that you’re fertile.
🌀 LH surges: The luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation, and testing for this surge helps pinpoint your most fertile days.
🌀 Temperature shifts: After ovulation, your basal body temperature slightly increases. Tracking these changes confirms that ovulation actually happened.
🌀 Hormonal patterns: Beyond apps and averages, understanding your body’s hormone signals gives you the most accurate insight into your fertility window.

Why this matters

Many women rely on period-tracking apps that use generic algorithms, but these often miss the nuances of your personal cycle. If your hormones, thyroid, or gut health are out of balance, your cycle might not follow “textbook” patterns—and that’s when confusion and frustration set in.

Learning how to recognize your own fertile signs puts you back in tune with your body. You’ll start to notice how energy, mood, and even cravings shift throughout the month—all valuable information that can help you support your hormones naturally.

Supporting your body through your cycle

When you understand your fertile window, you can begin making small adjustments that support your body’s rhythm.
  • Eat balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep blood sugar steady.
  • Prioritize rest and gentle movement around ovulation and your luteal phase.
  • Manage stress through breathwork, journaling, or simply spending a few minutes outdoors.
Your cycle isn’t something to control - it’s something to understand.

When you know how to read the signs your body is giving you, you can make more informed choices about your health, fertility, and overall well-being.



Pumpkin Oat Energy Balls

Pumpkin Oat Energy Balls
This recipe offers a nutrient-packed boost thanks to antioxidant-rich pumpkin, heart-healthy cashews and oats, and a balanced mix of carbs, protein, and healthy fats. Together, these ingredients support overall wellness, promote steady energy, and help protect the body from oxidative stress and heart disease.

Ingredients:
  • 1/3 cup Pureed Pumpkin
  • 2/3 cup Cashews (raw)
  • 1/4 cup Pitted Dates
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup Oats (rolled)
  • 2 tsps Water
Instructions:
  1. Add all of the ingredients except for the water to a food processor. Process until you get a smooth texture with a few chunks of dates and nuts. Add the water if necessary to help the mixture stick together.
  2. Use a one inch cookie scoop or a teaspoon to scoop out the mixture and roll it into balls. Continue until all of the mixture is used.
  3. Store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set. Enjoy!
7 servings

Why Nervous System Support Matters More Than “Perfect” Health Habits

Why Nervous System Support Matters More Than “Perfect” Health Habits
They talk to your gut, your brain, and your nervous system 24/7. I’m talking about your hormones—and this constant communication is why stress can throw everything off. Energy, cycles, moods, even digestion often pay the price when your nervous system is stuck in overdrive.

For years, I thought the solution was to just try harder. Eat cleaner. Take more supplements. Stick to the “perfect” routine. But the truth? No amount of kale or capsules could override the stress signals flooding my body. What I really needed was nervous system support.

When your body doesn’t feel safe, your hormones can’t do their job. Cortisol stays elevated, your sleep suffers, blood sugar dips and spikes, and your cycle can feel unpredictable or downright chaotic. It’s not because you’re failing—it’s because your nervous system is begging for calm.

So what actually helps? Here are three things that shifted everything for me:

1. Daily Walks Outside
Walking might sound too simple to matter, but it was a game-changer. Being outdoors gave me a reset that my body desperately needed. The fresh air, grounding in nature, and gentle movement helped regulate cortisol and calm my mind in a way that no supplement ever could.

2. Swapping Coffee for Matcha
I love coffee. But when my stress was already high, caffeine poured fuel on the fire. Matcha gave me a gentler lift without the jittery crash. Plus, its L-theanine content promotes calm focus—a double win for my stressed nervous system.

3. Lavender + German Chamomile Oils at Night
Sleep was another piece of the puzzle. Using calming essential oils in the evening helped signal to my body that it was safe to rest. Deeper sleep meant I woke up more resilient and better able to handle whatever stress came my way.

Here’s the biggest lesson I learned: your body doesn’t need perfection. It doesn’t need you to follow every health trend or restrict yourself into misery. What it really needs is safety. 

When your nervous system feels supported, your hormones finally have the space to function the way they’re designed to.

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of “doing more” to fix your health, maybe it’s time to try doing less—and focusing on calm instead.

Crunchy Sunbutter Balls

Crunchy Sunbutter Balls
This snack is more than just delicious — it’s doing your body good! 🌿

Packed with oats, hemp seeds, and sunflower seed butter, it supports heart health, provides steady energy, and keeps your digestion happy. With a balance of carbs, healthy fats, and protein, it’s the perfect nutrient-dense treat for busy days or active lifestyles.

I seriously love these types of 'protein' style balls. Sometimes I will actually add protein powder to them as well which means I have to adjust the fluid present in the recipe, usually I just add more water and it works!

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Oats (rolled)
  • 1/2 cup Rice Puffs Cereal
  • 2 tbsps Hemp Seeds
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup Sunflower Seed Butter (runny)
  • 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, combine the oats, rice puffs, hemp seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. In large bowl, combine the sunflower seed butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.
  3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine. Refrigerate for 25 to 30 minutes to set.
  4. Use a 1-inch (2.5 cm) cookie scoop or a teaspoon to scoop the mixture and roll it into balls. Continue until all of the mixture has been used.
  5. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow them to set. Enjoy!
5 servings
 
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Meet Leah Negrin

 
I am a bold, beautiful, sometimes timid, usually happy, essential oil, nutrition junkie. Although at 39 I feel as if I've had several careers over a lifetime (or at least sometimes when I look back at my resume that is what shines through). I've been a paralegal, an office manager, an administrative assistant, worked in commercial lending and have finally landed on nutrition.

My journey to nutrition started many years ago when my sister was diagnosed with celiac disease and food had to change for the family. From there, along my own health journey I’ve helped people not only figure out what to eat but how to do it so that it can work for them sustainably. For almost seven years I’ve been counseling people on their nutrition and weight loss journeys. 

Finally getting some sunshine in Southern California *Photo credit  Brittany Hassett 

I am knowledgeable about what purpose food serves your body and I focus on finding sustainable options when it comes to food; this also led to my love of essential oils. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop where a registered dietitian spoke about using essential oils in her practice to help her patients. I was floored. I knew that #plantsheal but I didn't realize that others in the 'conventional' medical community thought that as well!! Learning that it was possible to incorporate these magical little bottles gave me a huge sense of hope.


Alina, myself and Caitlin (oily bffs) *Photo credit Anne Negrin

 
As I learned more about these oils I was diagnosed with increased intestinal permeability or as many of us know it, leaky gut. Leaky gut has been around for quite awhile but many of us are just learning what this is or why this is even more common these days than ever before. Many issues can be related to leaky gut including autoimmune diseases. Receiving this diagnosis just led me down a path further to learn about nutrition and how to best serve my body and take care of myself.


Enjoying a vegan ice cream cone in Budapest! *Photo credit to Michelle Owen 

Since birthing our sweet baby boy at home earlier this year I’ve been incredibly passionate about helping other women too who are pregnant and new mothers with their nutrition. Eating healthy for your pregnant body and your postpartum self is a game changer for both mother and baby.

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