Healthy Living

Your Hormones Are Like a Car Engine—Are You Using the Right Fuel?

Your Hormones Are Like a Car Engine—Are You Using the Right Fuel?
Imagine your hormones as the engine of a high-performance car. When you give it the right fuel, it hums along smoothly, delivering energy, balance, and vitality. But if you’re constantly filling it with sugar, caffeine, and processed snacks? Well, let’s just say that engine isn’t going to run at its best. Instead, you’ll feel sluggish, bloated, and running on fumes.

Why Fueling Your Hormones Matters
Hormones control everything from your mood and energy levels to your metabolism and menstrual cycle. When your blood sugar is unstable, it sends your hormones into chaos. According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, women with unstable blood sugar levels are more likely to experience PMS, intense cravings, and fatigue due to hormonal fluctuations.

So, how do you keep your hormones running like a well-oiled machine? It’s all about the right fuel.

✅ Healthy Fats for Stable Energy
Fats like avocado, olive oil, and nuts are essential for hormone production. They provide a steady source of energy and help regulate blood sugar. Without enough healthy fats, your body struggles to produce key hormones like estrogen and progesterone, leading to mood swings and irregular cycles.

🍳 Protein to Support Hormone Production
Protein isn’t just for muscle building—it’s a key player in hormone balance. Lean proteins like eggs, chicken, and fish supply amino acids that are the building blocks of your hormones. When your body gets enough protein, it helps balance blood sugar, reduce sugar cravings, and stabilize mood.

🥦 Fiber to Keep Digestion & Estrogen Detox on Track
Fiber-rich foods like veggies, legumes, and flaxseeds play a huge role in hormone health. They support digestion and help your body eliminate excess estrogen, preventing it from building up and throwing your cycle off track. Plus, fiber keeps your gut happy—an essential factor in overall hormone balance.

Ready to Fuel Your Body the Right Way?
If you’re tired of feeling drained and dealing with mood swings, it’s time to start giving your body the right fuel. Small changes in your diet can make a huge difference in how your hormones function.

💬 Click here to get some easy, hormone-friendly recipes to get you started!

By making these simple swaps, you’ll not only balance your hormones but also feel more energized, focused, and in control of your body. It’s time to stop running on empty and start thriving. 🚗✨

Foods I Avoid During My Period (And What I Eat Instead!)

Foods I Avoid During My Period (And What I Eat Instead!)
Let’s be honest—period week can feel like a rollercoaster. Between mood swings, cramps, and bloating, it’s easy to grab comfort foods that feel good in the moment but make things worse later. Over the years, I’ve learned that making simple swaps in my diet during that time of the month can make a huge difference in how I feel. Here’s a breakdown of the foods I avoid and what I eat instead to fuel my body and feel my best.

I know, I know… giving up coffee feels impossible when you’re already dragging. But caffeine spikes cortisol, which can increase inflammation and make cramps even worse. Plus, it messes with blood sugar, leaving you feeling drained after the initial energy boost. Instead, I reach for ginger tea or raspberry leaf tea—both of which work wonders for reducing inflammation and supporting uterine health. Bonus? They’re super soothing and help with relaxation, which my body desperately needs during that time.

White bread, pastries, and other refined carbs spike insulin, which can lead to bloating, mood swings, and even more cravings. Instead, I opt for complex, fiber-rich carbs like sweet potatoes and quinoa to keep my blood sugar stable. These options provide slow-releasing energy and help keep my mood and digestion balanced. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins that support hormone health.

As tempting as chips and packaged snacks are, they’re loaded with sodium and preservatives that can make bloating so much worse. Instead, I reach for avocados and nuts—both rich in healthy fats that support hormone production and help keep inflammation in check. Avocados, in particular, are loaded with potassium, which helps balance sodium levels and reduce water retention.

Sugar is one of the worst culprits when it comes to period symptoms. It depletes magnesium, making cramps worse and leading to energy crashes. To satisfy my sweet tooth without the sugar spike, I go for dark chocolate (70% or higher) and berries. Dark chocolate provides magnesium and antioxidants, while berries give me a sweet boost with fiber and vitamins. Win-win!
When I nourish my body with the right foods during my period, I feel more balanced, my energy stays stable, and my cramps are way more manageable. Making these simple swaps has helped me feel more in control of my cycle—and trust me, it’s worth it! Give these swaps a try next time, and see how much better you feel!

Want recipes to support your cycle? Click here

You’re Doing Everything “Right”… So Why Do You Still Feel Exhausted?

You’re Doing Everything “Right”… So Why Do You Still Feel Exhausted?
You’ve got your greens.
Your protein shake game is strong.
You never miss a workout.

But if you’re running on cortisol, iced coffee, and a prayer… your hormones might be waving a white flag.

Here’s the thing: doing “healthy” things doesn’t automatically mean your body is thriving. Chronic stress, skipping meals, and pushing your body too hard in the name of wellness can actually have the opposite effect. If you’re constantly feeling anxious, dealing with PMS like clockwork, or running on fumes no matter how much sleep you think you're getting—your hormones are likely out of balance.

Let’s break it down:

💥 Blood Sugar Crashes – When you skip meals (especially breakfast) or rely too heavily on caffeine, your blood sugar becomes a rollercoaster. This puts stress on your adrenals and keeps your body in “fight or flight” mode, aka the land of cortisol overload.
💥 Overtraining – Exercising too intensely, especially during certain phases of your cycle, can drain your energy and leave your body feeling more depleted than energized.
💥 Under-eating – If your meals are missing key components—like enough protein, healthy fats, and fiber—your body isn’t getting the fuel it needs to function, balance hormones, and recover.

So what can you do to start feeling like yourself again?

✨ Eat balanced meals – Every time you eat, aim for a combo of protein + fiber + healthy fats. This keeps your blood sugar steady and gives your body the nutrients it needs.
✨ Sync your workouts to your cycle – You don’t need to crush a high-intensity workout every day. Some days, your body might need a walk or gentle movement instead.
✨ Stop skipping breakfast – Seriously. Your hormones need nourishment early in the day to help regulate your mood, metabolism, and energy.

You deserve to feel good—not just survive on willpower and protein powder.

Want some easy, hormone-supporting meals to help you get started? Grab them here!


Essential Oils for Your Menstrual Phase: Natural Support for Period Relief

Essential Oils for Your Menstrual Phase: Natural Support for Period Relief
It’s day one of your period—you’re bloated, crampy, and all you want to do is wrap yourself in a cozy blanket burrito. Sound familiar? Your hormones are at their lowest, your body is working hard to shed the uterine lining, and let’s be honest—everything feels like too much.

But what if you had a simple, natural way to support your body during this phase?

🚨 Enter: Essential Oils for Your Menstrual Phase! 🚨

Essential oils have been used for centuries to support hormonal balance, reduce inflammation, and ease discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with cramps, mood swings, or low energy, these five oils can help you feel more like yourself—even on your toughest period days.

🩸 Clary Sage → The Ultimate Hormone-Balancing Queen 👑

This powerhouse oil contains phytoestrogens, which studies show can support progesterone levels and reduce period pain by relaxing uterine muscles (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2012). Apply it topically with a carrier oil or diffuse it to help your body through this phase.

💜 Lavender → More Than Just a Sleep Aid

Lavender is well-known for its calming effects, but did you know it can also lower cortisol levels and reduce PMS-related anxiety? (Phytomedicine, 2013). A few drops in a diffuser or mixed with a carrier oil for a belly massage can work wonders on stress and period discomfort.

🔥 Copaiba → Your Secret Weapon for Pain Relief

Think of this as the essential oil cousin to CBD—it supports your endocannabinoid system, helping to reduce inflammation and ease cramps. Apply it directly to your lower abdomen with a carrier oil for quick relief.

🪵 Frankincense → For Grounding & Blood Flow

Not only is Frankincense amazing for emotional balance, but it also supports healthy circulation—making it great for reducing bloating and general period discomfort. Try adding it to a warm bath with Epsom salts for ultimate relaxation.

🌿 Peppermint → Energy Booster & Headache Relief

Feeling sluggish? Peppermint oil can boost circulation, reduce nausea, and relieve headaches. Apply a drop to your temples (diluted with a carrier oil) or add a few drops to your diffuser for a natural energy boost.

How to Use These Oils for Menstrual Support
💨 Diffuse This Blend for Period Zen:
✨ 3 drops Clary Sage
✨ 2 drops Lavender
✨ 2 drops Frankincense
✨ 1 drop Copaiba

💆‍♀️ Cramp Relief Belly Massage:
Mix 2 drops Clary Sage + 2 drops Copaiba with a carrier oil and gently massage over your lower belly.

🛀 Hormone-Supporting Bath Soak:
Add 5 drops Lavender + 3 drops Frankincense to a warm Epsom salt bath for the ultimate relaxation.

When I first started learning about natural health, I had no idea how powerful plants could be in supporting our bodies. But now? I swear by these oils every month!

💬 Have you ever used essential oils for period relief? Let me know in the comments!

Essential Oils & Hormonal Balance: Your New BFFs

Essential Oils & Hormonal Balance: Your New BFFs
Let’s talk hormones—because if you’ve ever felt like your mood, energy, or cravings are all over the place, your hormones might just be running the show. The good news? Essential oils can be a simple, natural way to support hormonal balance.

I used to think hormone balance was just about food and supplements (which are huge, don’t get me wrong), but incorporating essential oils has been a game-changer! These little plant-powered wonders have made a noticeable difference in my mood, energy, and even cycle symptoms.

My Go-To Essential Oils for Hormonal Support:

🌸 Clary Sage – If there was an oil made for women, it’s this one. Clary sage supports estrogen balance, eases PMS symptoms, and helps with mood swings. Perfect for those days when emotions feel like a rollercoaster!

😌Frankincense – Not just for relaxation—this one supports overall hormone function and reduces inflammation. (Your body will thank you!) It’s also great for stress management, which is key for keeping hormones happy.

🩷 Geranium – This oil is amazing for balancing progesterone and estrogen. It’s also a skincare favorite, leaving your skin glowing while supporting hormonal harmony.

💨 Peppermint – Need a natural pick-me-up? Peppermint is my go-to for focus, energy, and even those mid-cycle headaches. A little on the temples or back of the neck can work wonders.

💛 EndoFlex (Young Living Blend)** – This powerhouse blend is a must-have for thyroid and adrenal support, which are *key* players in hormonal balance. If you struggle with energy dips or sluggish metabolism, this one’s for you.

How to Use Essential Oils for Hormonal Balance:

  • Diffuse them** for stress relief and emotional balance. (Clary sage + frankincense is a dreamy combo!)
  • Apply (diluted) to pulse points** like wrists and behind the ears for direct hormonal support.
  • Massage onto lower abdomen** for PMS and menstrual cramp relief (geranium + clary sage is a lifesaver here!).
  • Inhale deeply** for an instant mood boost—peppermint is my favorite for an afternoon pick-me-up!
Adding essential oils into my routine has been such an easy, natural way to support my body. Whether you’re dealing with energy crashes, mood swings, or cycle irregularities, there’s an oil that can help bring things back into balance.


 
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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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