During your period, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, and your body sheds the uterine lining. Supporting yourself with the right nutrients can help replenish stores and ease symptoms:
- Iron: Replenish lost iron with foods like lean meats, beans, lentils, and spinach to prevent fatigue.
- Magnesium: Helps relax muscles and reduce cramps. Found in leafy greens, dark chocolate, edamame, and pumpkin seeds.
- Vitamin C: Enhances iron absorption. Try pairings like Brussels sprouts with chicken or kale with beef.
- B Vitamins: Support mood and energy, especially B6. Get them from eggs, whole grains, and poultry.
- Omega-3s: Reduce inflammation and ease cramps. Found in fatty fish, chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts.
Nourishing your body during this phase can make a big difference in how you feel! 💛
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Brown Rice (dry, rinsed)
- 1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef
- 2 tbsps Italian Seasoning
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes
- 4 cups Baby Spinach
- 3 stalks Green Onion (chopped)
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (divided)
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
Instructions:
- Cook the rice according to the package directions. While the rice is cooking, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with the Italian dressing. Cook for seven to eight minutes or until cooked through.
- To assemble, evenly divide the rice, beef, tomatoes, spinach, and onion into bowls. Drizzle the oil and lemon juice onto each bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
***Recipe includes ground beef from a local farm and in fact we use something called 'body builders blend' which is a blend of organ meats with ground beef - there are a lot of health benefits to this and you can't taste that it's not just regular ground beef!
I knew gut health was important long before I got pregnant. Years ago, I tackled my own gut issues and saw how much better I felt—physically and emotionally. But when it came to growing my little human, I realized gut health was about so much more than just me.
A healthy gut helps a mama-to-be absorb essential nutrients like folate, iron, and calcium, which are vital for the baby’s development. What’s even more incredible is how your gut health directly impacts your baby’s microbiome, especially during birth. That’s right—your little one’s gut health journey starts with yours! Knowing this made it a no-brainer for me: my baby needed a healthy start, and that started with me.
Here’s something else that blew my mind: your gut produces about 90% of your serotonin—the “happy hormone.” A balanced gut isn’t just about digestion; it helps regulate your mood and may even reduce the risk of postpartum depression. And let’s not forget that most of your immune system resides in your gut, meaning supporting it can keep you healthier when you’re running on little sleep and caring for a newborn.
After giving birth, your body is in full recovery mode. It’s rebuilding strength and needs nutrients more than ever. A healthy gut plays a huge role in how well your body absorbs those nutrients. That’s why I made it a priority to fuel myself with gut-loving foods during my postpartum days.
I leaned on foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, which are loaded with probiotics to balance the good bacteria in the gut. I stocked up on fruits and veggies to keep everything moving smoothly and to nourish the good bacteria. And water? I drank plenty to stay hydrated and support digestion—it’s amazing how something so simple can make such a difference.
Taking care of your gut is one of the best ways to care for yourself as a new mom. Those early days are all about your baby, but don’t forget—your body needs love and attention too. A healthy gut helps you feel your best so you can show up for your little one (and yourself) with all the energy and joy they deserve.
Your postpartum journey might be chaotic, but a little gut health TLC can make it feel just a bit smoother—and that’s a win in my book!
Follow along on Instagram for daily tips and community to feel like your best self in all phases of motherhood!
This is a hearty, flavorful dish that brings together the natural sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes with the savory richness of tender beef and crisp cabbage. This comforting meal is a perfect balance of textures and flavors; earthy, sweet, and savory all in one. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying weekend meal, this dish is sure to please everyone!
Ingredients
- 2 Sweet Potato (medium, cut into 1/2 inch rounds)
- 2 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Sea Salt (divided)
- 1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef (from the farm or you can use ground chicken, turkey or even tofu!)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Coconut Aminos
- 3 cups Green Cabbage (shredded)
- 1 Lime (juiced)
- 1/2 cup Cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the sweet potato rounds onto the baking sheet and drizzle the oil all over. Season with half of the salt and toss to combine. Spread out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until browned and cooked through, flipping halfway through.
- While the potatoes are in the oven, heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with the remaining salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Stir in the coconut aminos.
- Cook the beef for seven to eight minutes or until cooked through. Stir in the cabbage and cook for another three to four minutes or until the cabbage is cooked to your liking.
- Divide the cooked sweet potato evenly between bowls or plates. Top with the beef and cabbage mixture. Drizzle lime juice and top with cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes:
- Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Serving Size: One serving is approximately two cups.
- Additional Toppings: Top with avocado.
- Short on Time: Use a pre-chopped coleslaw mix instead of cabbage.
- No Ground Beef: Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
Let me let you in on a little secret: peppermint isn’t just for freshening your breath—it’s a gut health hero!
Here’s the deal: peppermint contains compounds like menthol, which work to relax the muscles in your GI tract. This helps food move more smoothly through your digestive system and can ease bloating, cramping, and that uncomfortable, too-full feeling we sometimes get after a heavy meal.
Think of peppermint as a gentle, natural digestive aid that supports your body’s process of breaking down fats and other rich foods. It doesn’t force anything; it simply gives your digestive system the boost it needs to feel better faster.
The best part? It’s ridiculously easy to work peppermint into your daily life:
- Sip on peppermint tea after a meal for a soothing digestive reset.
- Add a drop of peppermint essential oil to a glass of water (make sure it’s high-quality and safe for consumption!).
- One small change can make a big difference in how you feel. Just remember, everyone’s digestive system is unique, so listen to your body and see how peppermint works for you.
✨ When it comes to ingesting essential oils, I only recommend Young Living. Their oils are marked safe for consumption, so you can use them confidently.
Ready to feel lighter and support your digestion? I’ve got just the thing for you! Grab my FREE Gut Health Guide packed with simple changes you can start making today.
Your gut (and your whole body) will thank you! 💚
Imagine this: You’re starting your journey to better gut health, but it feels like you're piecing it all together on your own. There’s no guide, no one to answer the questions that keep popping up, no friend who truly gets the ups and downs of trying to feel better from the inside out.
That’s exactly how I felt when I started working on my gut health. I was completely on my own. There was no roadmap, no one to ask about all the confusing symptoms, and no one who understood the endless trial and error. I was overwhelmed by all the information out there, unsure what to trust, and constantly second-guessing myself.
I honestly wish I’d had a group back then—a supportive space where I could ask questions, celebrate small wins, and get that extra nudge to stay on track. It would have saved me so much frustration (and Googling!).
But here’s what changed everything: I realized I wasn’t alone. Once I found a community of people who understood the struggles of gut health, everything shifted. These were people who got it—who wanted to talk about probiotics, inflammation, and those little daily habits that actually make a difference.
Suddenly, I didn’t feel so isolated. Having a group of like-minded individuals made all the difference. Together, we could share tips, cheer each other on, and even laugh through those awkward, TMI gut-health moments. It wasn’t just me tackling this huge goal by myself anymore; it was us, working toward healthier, happier lives.
If you’re feeling stuck or alone in your gut health journey, I want to encourage you to find your people. Whether it’s an online group, a local meet-up, or even a friend who’s interested in improving their health, having a supportive space can completely transform your experience.
Gut health isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey, but it’s one that’s so much easier (and honestly more fun) when you’re not doing it alone. Let’s build each other up, share what works, and remind ourselves that we’re all in this together. Because feeling good from the inside out? That’s something worth celebrating—together.
