Updates from Leah Negrin

When are you most fertile? The truth is, the answer isn’t in an app—it’s in your body. And if no one has ever taught you how to read those signals, that’s not your fault.

Most of us grew up hearing two things: “You can get pregnant any time,” and “Take birth control if you don’t want to.” That’s it. So when it comes time to try for a baby, we’re left guessing—or relying on period tracker apps that don’t always get it right.

The truth is your body gives you clear signs of fertility every single month. You just need to know what to look for. Your fertile window is the time in your cycle when you can get pregnant. It’s typically about six days long—the five days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation itself. After that, your chances drop dramatically until your next cycle. While many apps predict ovulation on Day 14, most women don’t ovulate like clockwork. Stress, illness, and lifestyle changes can all shift the timing. That’s why listening to your body—not just your app—is the most accurate method.

So what should you look for? The first sign is changes in cervical mucus. It might not be the most glamorous topic, but it’s one of the easiest and most reliable clues. Right after your period, things are usually dry or sticky. As you get closer to ovulation, your mucus becomes creamy, then turns clear, slippery, and stretchy—like raw egg whites. That’s your body rolling out the red carpet for sperm and it means you’re in your most fertile days.

Another sign is a shift in your basal body temperature. Your basal body temperature is your resting temperature, taken first thing in the morning before you even get out of bed. Before ovulation, it tends to be slightly lower. After ovulation, it rises by about half a degree and stays higher until your next period. Tracking this over time can confirm if and when ovulation is happening.

You can also use ovulation predictor kits, which measure a hormone called LH—luteinizing hormone—in your urine. A positive test means ovulation is coming, usually within 24 to 36 hours. Combine that information with your other signs and you’ll have a much clearer picture of your fertile window.

Why does all this matter? Because timing is everything when you’re trying to conceive. Sperm can live for up to five days, but your egg only survives for about 24 hours after ovulation. Missing that fertile window means waiting another month. When you know your signs, you can stop guessing—and start feeling confident about your timing.

If tracking these signs sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it seems. Start with one sign, like cervical mucus, and build from there. After a few cycles, you’ll start to recognize your body’s unique patterns. It becomes second nature, like checking the weather before heading outside.

Your body is always talking to you. When it comes to fertility, listening to its cues is the key to feeling empowered—not stressed—on your path to pregnancy. 

This recipe is a powerhouse of wellness, combining heart-healthy fats from olive oil, avocado, and tuna that support balanced cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, with a rich supply of vitamins A, C, and K to boost immune function, nourish skin, and strengthen bones. At the same time, fiber-packed ingredients like kale, celery, and avocado promote digestive health, support a balanced gut, and help maintain steady blood sugar levels—making this dish both nutrient-dense and deeply supportive of overall well-being.

This nourishing recipe combines sweet potatoes, lentils, and cabbage to deliver a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy benefits. Packed with dietary fiber, it supports healthy digestion and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, while extra virgin olive oil adds inflammation-fighting monounsaturated fats for optimal heart health. Sweet potatoes shine in the luteal phase, helping to support progesterone, stabilize mood, and balance blood sugar, while lentils are ideal in the follicular and menstrual phases, replenishing iron stores, supporting ovulation, and promoting balanced estrogen. Together, these ingredients create a nutrient-dense, cycle-supportive dish that fuels your body from the inside out.

But also? Stress matters. A lot more than most of us realize.

If you’ve been feeling off—extra tired, more irritable than usual, struggling with bloating, breakouts, cravings, anxiety, or sleep—it’s easy to start thinking something is wrong with you. Or maybe you've even had someone suggest you're “just too stressed” like that somehow explains everything.

Here’s the thing: stress isn’t just in your head. It’s not something you can push through, ignore, or solve with a bubble bath. When your body is under chronic stress, your hormones feel it. Every system in your body—from your cycle to your digestion to your mood—can be thrown off when stress becomes the default setting.

And if it’s been running the show for a while? Your hormones may need help recalibrating.

When we’re in that constant state of fight-or-flight (hello, modern mom life), our body starts prioritizing survival over everything else. That can lead to lower progesterone, irregular cycles, disrupted cortisol rhythms, gut imbalances, and a whole cascade of symptoms that make you feel not like yourself.

But here’s the good news: you’re not stuck like this.

Your body wants to feel better. It wants to be in balance. It just needs the right kind of support—and that doesn’t mean doing more. It often means doing less, but more intentionally. Creating rhythms that support your nervous system. Eating in a way that stabilizes your blood sugar. Learning how to move with your cycle instead of against it. Resting on purpose.

You’re not broken. Your body is communicating with you and stress is often one of its loudest messengers.

If you’re tired of feeling like you're doing everything "right" but still not getting results, it might be time to pause, reset, and look at the root. Your hormones don’t need perfection. They need consistency, care, and a plan that works with your body—not against it.

Because healing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. 💛

This recipe is packed with mixed greens, chickpeas, and colorful vegetables, offering a rich blend of vitamins and minerals to support overall wellness. The chickpeas, cucumbers, and carrots add a boost of fiber for better digestion and balanced blood sugar, while the chickpeas and tahini provide plant-based protein to fuel your body and support muscle health—all in a simple, satisfying meal.