Healthy Living

“I’ve Tried Everything for My Hormones… and Nothing Works”

“I’ve Tried Everything for My Hormones… and Nothing Works”
Have you ever felt like balancing your hormones is just a constant game of trial and error? Like you’ve tried everything—cutting out dairy, loading up on supplements, switching workouts, tracking symptoms—and nothing seems to actually work?

You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not doing anything wrong.

Here’s the truth: most of us are trying a bunch of one-off tips without a real strategy. We’re following random advice from podcasts, TikTok videos, or comment threads—but without understanding how our hormones actually function or how to support them through each phase of our cycle.

The result? We’re burned out, frustrated, and still not feeling like ourselves.

That’s exactly why I created Reset & Rebalance—a step-by-step strategy designed to support your hormones at the root. This isn’t another “quick fix” or list of trendy wellness hacks. It’s a full plan that teaches you how to work with your body, not against it.

Inside Reset & Rebalance, you’ll learn:

  • How to eat, move, and rest in sync with your cycle
  • Why gut and liver support is essential for hormone balance
  • What small, consistent changes actually move the needle
  • And how to stop guessing and start seeing results
You’ll also get something most programs leave out: support and accountability. Because knowing what to do is only half the battle—having someone walk alongside you makes all the difference.

If you’re tired of doing this alone and you’re ready for a simpler, smarter path to hormone health, Reset & Rebalance was made for you.


Let this be the moment you stop trying everything—and finally do what actually works.

The Sneaky Hormone Disruptors Hiding in Your Makeup Bag

The Sneaky Hormone Disruptors Hiding in Your Makeup Bag
For the longest time, I assumed that if a product was on the shelf—especially one labeled “natural” or “organic”—it had to be safe. Makeup, skincare, shampoo... all of it. I never thought twice.

But that all changed when I stumbled upon a study showing that many everyday cosmetics contain heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium. And not just trace amounts—levels that have been directly linked to hormone disruption, irregular cycles, and fertility issues. (Yes, even your favorite lip balm or “clean” mascara might be part of the problem.)

So what’s the big deal with heavy metals?

Heavy metals are toxic compounds that can build up in your body over time. They don’t just pass through like other environmental toxins. They accumulate—in your organs, your tissues, and yes, even in your reproductive system.

Research has shown that exposure to metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can:

  • Disrupt hormone production
  • Damage reproductive organs
  • Contribute to irregular cycles
  • Interfere with fetal development
And here’s the kicker—they’re found in more places than you think:

  • Contaminated water
  • Some seafood
  • Old pipes
  • And yes, your makeup bag
Once I learned the truth, it was like I couldn’t unsee it. I did a full audit of my products, tossed the sketchy ones, and made the switch to safer, cleaner beauty brands. I also started using essential oils like cilantro, grapefruit, and lemon to support gentle detox and hormonal balance.

But I knew detoxing my makeup bag wasn’t enough. I had to support my body from the inside too—because what you eat matters just as much as what you put on your skin.

That’s why I created the Cycle Syncing Recipe Book.

Every phase of your cycle comes with its own unique needs—and your body is constantly working to detox, rebalance, and regulate. When you support it with the right foods (think: fiber-rich veggies, hormone-supportive fats, and natural detoxifiers), it can do its job so much more efficiently.

✨ If you’re ready to reduce your toxic load and give your hormones the support they’re craving—my Cycle Syncing Recipe Book is the perfect place to start.

It’s packed with simple, delicious recipes tailored to each phase of your cycle—because your body deserves more than just willpower and a multivitamin.

💛 Ready to ditch the overwhelm and start working with your body instead of against it? Grab the Cycle Syncing Recipe Book and give your hormones a reason to thank you.

When Healing Your Hormones Feels Like a Full-Time Job

When Healing Your Hormones Feels Like a Full-Time Job
I remember what it felt like to be stuck in the spiral—Googling every symptom, listening to every hormone podcast I could find, piecing together bits of advice from strangers in comment sections and Facebook groups.

I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and still not feeling any better.

Every headline promised a fix. Every new routine felt like hope. But deep down, I was just trying to feel like myself again… and it felt like a full-time job.

The truth is, hormone healing isn’t always straightforward. And when you’re doing it on your own? It’s easy to feel like you’re doing something wrong, or worse—like nothing will ever work.

Here’s what I wish I had known earlier:

Healing your body shouldn’t feel like homework.

It’s not about adding a million things to your to-do list or achieving “perfect” health overnight. It’s about reconnecting with your body and understanding what it’s trying to tell you. Your symptoms aren’t failures—they’re signals. Your body isn’t broken—it’s begging for support.

The process gets lighter when you stop trying to do it all at once and start focusing on small, intentional shifts.

Things like:

  • Prioritizing whole, nutrient-dense foods instead of restricting everything you love
  • Getting consistent sleep (yes, it really does matter)
  • Supporting your gut and liver—the unsung heroes of hormone balance
  • Learning how your cycle works and working with it, not against it
  • Most importantly? You don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Whether you're just starting to explore hormone health or you're deep in the process, know this: your body is working for you, not against you. And it’s absolutely possible to feel like yourself again—energized, clear, calm, and grounded.

So if you’re tired of the noise, the confusion, and the never-ending research rabbit holes… take a deep breath. You're not doing it wrong. You're just ready for something simpler, more supportive, and more sustainable.

Because healing your hormones shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.

It should feel like coming home to yourself.

Why I Stopped Drinking Coffee First Thing in the Morning (And What I Do Instead)

Why I Stopped Drinking Coffee First Thing in the Morning (And What I Do Instead)
For years, my morning routine was simple: wake up, pour coffee, survive. I thought I needed that caffeine hit to function—especially during those foggy, sleep-deprived mom seasons. But what I didn’t realize was that this little habit was doing more harm than good… especially when it came to my hormones.

Let’s break it down: when you drink coffee on an empty stomach, it triggers a cortisol surge. Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone, and while it’s totally normal for it to rise in the morning, stacking coffee on top of already-high levels is like throwing fuel on a fire. That caffeine spike also tanks your blood sugar, drains your minerals, and leaves your body feeling like it just ran a marathon before 9 a.m.

Cue: mid-morning crashes, anxiety for no reason, irritability, and that wired-but-tired feeling you just can’t shake.

☕ Coffee before food = cortisol surge + blood sugar crash = hormone chaos.
It’s not you—it’s the timing.

A 2022 review published in Nutrients confirmed that caffeine increases cortisol levels, especially when consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. Over time, this stress on your system can disrupt your HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, which plays a big role in hormone regulation and energy balance. [PMID: 35053394]

So what do I do now?

Instead of reaching for coffee first thing, I start my day with a protein-rich breakfast. Think: eggs with spinach, chia pudding with collagen, or a hormone-balancing smoothie packed with fiber, healthy fats, and protein. THEN I enjoy my coffee—without the crash.

Not only has this small shift helped my energy last longer, but my mood, focus, and cycle have all felt way more stable.

✨ Want to balance your hormones without giving up your favorite things?

My Cycle Syncing Recipe Book breaks down exactly what to eat (and when) to support your body through each phase of your cycle.

Because you shouldn’t have to choose between your morning coffee and feeling like yourself again. You just need a rhythm that works with your hormones, not against them.

Why I Ditched My Candles (and What I Use Instead)

Why I Ditched My Candles (and What I Use Instead)
Lighting a candle used to be my favorite way to unwind—especially after a deep clean or at the end of a long day. It felt cozy. Calming. Like a little reward for making it through the chaos.

But here’s what I didn’t know: that “relaxing” scent was actually filled with synthetic fragrance and phthalates—two things that can seriously mess with your hormones.

🧪 According to recent research (MDPI, 2023), common fragrance compounds have been shown to disrupt estrogen and androgen pathways. That means they can mess with your mood, your fertility, and your overall hormonal balance.

And here’s the kicker: companies don’t have to disclose what’s in their “fragrance” blend. That one word on the label could be hiding hundreds of chemicals—many of which are known endocrine disruptors.

Synthetic fragrance isn’t just in candles. It’s in cleaning products, laundry detergent, air fresheners, body sprays, and even baby wipes. And over time, all that exposure adds up.

Once I learned this, I started swapping things out. I replaced my candles with a diffuser and began using essential oils like lavender (for calm), citrus (for energy), and clary sage (for hormone support). Not only does my home still smell amazing—but now I feel better knowing I’m supporting my health, not compromising it.

This shift might seem small, but these swaps matter—especially when your hormones are already under pressure from stress, lack of sleep, and modern living.

💛 Want your home to smell good and feel good, too?

Start by checking your labels. Swap one thing at a time. And don’t forget: what you put on and around your body impacts your hormones just as much as what you eat.

That’s why I created the Cycle Syncing Recipe Book because fueling your body with the right foods at the right time can make a massive difference in how you feel day to day.

You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Just one candle (or recipe) at a time.

 
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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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