Updates from Leah Negrin

Just Because It’s Common… Doesn’t Mean It’s Normal

Just Because It’s Common… Doesn’t Mean It’s Normal
We’ve been told that so many of our struggles as women are just part of life.

The bloating. The exhaustion. The mood swings that hit like a wave every month.

But here’s the truth:

Just because it’s common… doesn’t mean it’s normal.

Think about it—how many times have you brushed off a symptom because everyone else seems to deal with it too?

You feel bloated every night after dinner and tell yourself it’s no big deal.

You cry for two days straight before your period and assume that’s “just hormones.”

You can’t start your day without caffeine and joke about living on coffee.

But your body isn’t trying to make your life harder.

It’s talking to you.

Those symptoms? They’re data. Tiny signals pointing to something deeper — whether that’s stress overload, a gut that’s out of balance, or hormones that need support. And when you start paying attention instead of pushing through, you open the door to actually feeling better.

The problem is, we’ve been taught to ignore our bodies.

We’ve normalized discomfort to the point that struggling has become a shared experience — almost a badge of honor.
“Of course I’m tired, I’m a mom.”
“Of course I feel off, I’m getting older.”
“Of course my mood swings are crazy, that’s what happens every month.”

No.

Those may be common, but they’re not inevitable.

You deserve energy that lasts through the day — without relying on caffeine.

You deserve calm, stable moods — not emotional whiplash.

You deserve to feel light, comfortable, and at home in your body again.

When you start seeing your symptoms as messages instead of inconveniences, everything shifts. You begin to notice patterns, make small supportive changes, and build trust with your body again. And that’s where healing starts — not from forcing perfection or following strict rules, but from understanding what your body is asking for.

So next time something feels “off,” instead of brushing it aside, pause and listen.

Your body isn’t broken — it’s brilliant.

And when you learn to tune in, you’ll realize she’s been on your side all along.

Crunchy Tahini and Miso Chickpea Slaw

Crunchy Tahini and Miso Chickpea Slaw
This Crunchy Tahini & Miso Chickpea Slaw is the perfect mix of flavor and nourishment! Packed with plant-based protein from chickpeas and tahini, it’s both satisfying and energizing. The high fiber content supports digestion and keeps you feeling full, while the nutrient-dense ingredients deliver a boost of vitamins and minerals. A delicious, wholesome dish that proves healthy eating can be both crunchy and crave-worthy!

Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsps Tahini
  • 2 tsps Miso Paste
  • 1/2 Lemon (medium, juiced)
  • 1 1/2 tsps Raw Honey
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
  • 3 cups Coleslaw Mix
  • 1 cup Chickpeas (cooked)
  • 1/4 cup Parsley
Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the tahini, miso paste, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add a splash of water if the mixture seems too thick.
  2. Add the coleslaw mix, chickpeas, and parsley to the bowl and toss to combine.
  3. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Divide evenly between plates and enjoy!
3 servings

Learning to Trust Your Body Again

Learning to Trust Your Body Again
Your body is wildly intelligent. She knows what to do. She wants to heal, to restore balance, and to bring you back home to yourself. But here’s the part we often forget—she can’t do that under pressure, stress, or shame.

For so many of us, the default response when something feels “off” is to push harder. To fix it. To control every detail. But true healing doesn’t happen in force—it happens in safety. It happens when we soften, slow down, and actually listen.

There’s one sentence that completely changed how I show up for myself on the hard days:
✨ “My body remembers how to heal. I am learning to listen.” ✨

That reminder is powerful because it shifts the focus from doing to trusting. Your body hasn’t forgotten how to restore itself—it just needs the space and support to do what it already knows how to do. That might look like choosing rest over productivity, nourishment over restriction, or self-compassion over self-criticism.

The truth is, healing isn’t about perfection or ticking boxes on a to-do list. It’s about reconnecting with your body—learning her cues, honoring her needs, and letting go of the belief that you have to control everything to feel better.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed or disconnected, pause. Place a hand on your heart. Take a deep breath and remind yourself: My body remembers how to heal. I am 
learning to listen.

Because your body doesn’t need punishment to heal—she needs partnership.

✨ If this message resonates with you, follow me on Instagram for daily reminders to slow down, trust your body, and find balance through hormone and gut health. Let’s learn to listen together.

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.



 
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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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