Healthy Living

Smell Amazing Without Wrecking Your Hormones

Smell Amazing Without Wrecking Your Hormones
Most perfumes are marketed as luxury, self-care, or confidence in a bottle—but the truth hiding behind that label isn’t so glamorous. Most conventional perfumes are filled with endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can quietly wreak havoc on your body. If you see “fragrance” or “parfum” on the ingredient list, that’s usually code for a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals. These compounds can interfere with your hormones, affect fertility, drain your energy, and even impact your mood. If you’re looking for a hormone-safe perfume alternative, the easiest swap is essential oils.

Essential oils are 100% plant-based and actually work with your body instead of against it. They don’t just smell amazing—they can also support hormone balance, calm your nervous system, provide natural stress relief, boost energy, and even help you focus. Think of them as a non-toxic perfume swap that doubles as a wellness tool.

Here are a few of my favorite essential oil blends for mood, energy, and balance:
🌹 Rose + Vanilla + Patchouli → feminine, grounding, and calming
🍊 Bergamot + Frankincense → stress relief and mental clarity
🌿 Peppermint + Orange → natural energy boost without the caffeine crash

What I love most about using oils is how easy and versatile they are. You can roll them directly on your wrists, temples, or neck as a personal fragrance, or diffuse them at home to shift the mood of a room. Want cozy and calming before bed? Diffuse lavender or rose. Need a burst of energy in the morning? Peppermint and citrus are perfect. I keep rollers in my bag so I always have them on hand, and honestly, there are a few blends I never leave home without.

Making the switch to essential oils as perfume is one of the simplest ways to cut back on toxins in your daily life. Small changes add up, and when it comes to protecting your hormones, every little swap matters. Instead of spritzing on synthetic fragrance, you can enjoy scents that not only smell incredible but also support your health, your energy, and your mood.

If you’ve been searching for a safe alternative to perfume, this is it: ditch the endocrine disruptors and let essential oils become your new go-to fragrance—hormone-friendly, natural, and designed to make you feel amazing.

Cycle Syncing Made Simple: How to Support Your Hormones Without Tracking Every Detail

Cycle Syncing Made Simple: How to Support Your Hormones Without Tracking Every Detail
You don’t have to be a charting queen to understand your cycle.

Although I personally love tracking (and I’m still learning new things about the cervical mucus aspect!), I didn’t start out with all the details. My journey began with what I like to call Cycle Syncing Basics.

Some women genuinely enjoy diving deep into every piece of cycle data—tracking temperatures, noting cervical mucus changes, and recording each shift. If that’s you, that’s amazing! Data can be a powerful tool for understanding your body. But if you’re someone who just wants clear, simple guidance without feeling like you’re preparing for a science fair, you’re in the right place.

The truth is, supporting your hormones and syncing your life with your cycle doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You don’t need cycle perfectionism to feel more connected to your body. You just need to know what to look for and how to work with your body instead of against it.

What Is Cycle Syncing?

Cycle syncing is the practice of aligning your food, workouts, work schedule, and self-care routines with the phases of your menstrual cycle. By honoring your body’s hormonal shifts, you can reduce PMS symptoms, increase energy, and feel more balanced throughout the month.

The Simple Way to Start Cycle Syncing

You can start cycle syncing in a way that feels approachable and sustainable by focusing on:
✔️ No perfectionism required – you don’t need to track every detail to see results.
✔️ Learn what to look for – simple cues that tell you where you are in your cycle.
✔️ Feel confident + connected – even if you’re brand new to cycle syncing.
Whether you’re trying to conceive or simply want to support your hormones for long-term health, these basics can help you feel more in tune with your body.

Why This Works

When you start honoring your cycle—even in small ways—you’re reducing stress on your body, supporting balanced hormones, and making it easier to listen to your body’s needs. That can mean better sleep, improved mood, fewer cravings, and more consistent energy.

Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious about starting to sync your cycle, download my free Cycle Syncing Recipe Book to learn how to begin aligning your workouts, meals, and routines with your cycle in a simple, sustainable way.




“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.

 
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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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