Episodes
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It's no secret that chronic illness is on the rise.
Robert Kennedy Jr. himself even stated
"The greatest crisis that America faces today is the chronic disease epidemic in our children" - RFK Jr.
If you search pubmed (or any other publicly available scientific databse), you'll find hundreds of research studies done and scholarly articles written about the dangers of exposure to certain chemicals, delayed risks associated with C-section, adverse effects after antibiotic use in early childhood, chronic exposure to EMFs, too little exercise, too much screen time, and the list goes on..
Unfortunately, basically every study out there only looks at risks associated with a single variable (whether it be a single chemical or any other variable, such as the ones listed above).
But in the real world, most of us are exposed to hundreds of these stressors before even leaving our house. And what does that synergistic effect lead too? *spolier alert* : no one knows.
Beth Lambert, the founder of Epidemic Answers, is spearheading a study that aims to answer this question.
The hypothesis posed is such that: the amount of environmental exposures a child is exposed to and during key points in development affect their propensity toward chronic conditions. They also hypothesize that exposures during the 1st year of life, in-utero, and prenatally are more impactful than exposures later in childhood (~6-10 years old).
The more people that participate in this landmark study, the more concrete and statistically significant answers we can get.
If you feel called to participate, please head over to documentinghope.com/chirp-study/
Topics discussed include: What is a toxin load and how it might be affecting us and our loved ones How some stressors are relatively unknown - such as health risks with CFL lightbulbs What happens when an extremely toxic chemical comes into contact with many other toxic chemicals i.e. synergistic effect How the health of the whole family seems to improve when reducing the toxin load within the home Moving from stories to science. At what point do these anecdotal stories become data? The CHIRP study is aiming to do just that. In the U.S. over 50% of children are diagnosed with a chronic condition. The CHIRP study can help give us tangible answers so we can combat these statistics. Head to documentinghope.com/chirp-study to participate. Other Resources: https://www.ewg.org/research/body-burden-pollution-newborns/detailed-findings - EWG study showing a minimum of 101 chemicals found in newborn babies' umbilical cord blood Follow study updates on Instagram @documentinghope Find the host on Instagram @toxinfree.momtobe documentinghope.com childrenshealthdefense.org -
This week I was joined by Selene to talk about conscious parenting - and boy did we have a powerful conversation!
This topic is very near to her heart as she herself used the tools discussed in this episode to go from feeling that parenting has to be stressful and overwhelming to absolutely loving it.
Selene currently leads an 8 week online course titled Conscious Motherhood, where she teaches the ins and outs of conscious parenting so other moms can have a similar transformation as hers.
TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING THE EPISODE:
Common beliefs about parenting and where they stem from How to break the cycle of repeating parenting patterns of how you were raised as a child Why it's important to have a vision of what you want your parenting life to look like. The power of perspective How the home environment can be made more inclusive for toddlers/young children The three things needed for a great parenting experience Perks of non-tox living while raising a family Tips for helping children move through emotions rather than encouraging them to suppress themSelene certainly opened my eyes to so much of the societal programming around parenting! If you'd like to learn more about her course or new membership site, head to awakening.family for more info.
Additional Resources:
Heart Math Institute Selene's Instagram: sunshel Find the host on Instagram at: @chemistkarma -
Episodes manquant?
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Ashley was such an awesome guest that she's the first to appear on the Toxin Free Mom To Be podcast for a second time!
Last week, Ashley taught us all about how to introduce first foods. But, since she also has additional training in pediatric feeding and picky eating, she was also the perfect gal to tell us which foods are good to start feeding with.
The Importance of IronOne fact brought up by Ashley that really stuck out to me, was the importance of iron - especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and childhood. In fact, iron is one of the top nutrient deficiencies in children (source).
She also pointed out how one role of iron is to aid in absorbing nutrients. So you could theoretically be consuming enough nutrients but not actually absorbing them if you don't have enough iron. And since children go through so much growth, they are especially vulnerable to negative effects of not having enough micronutrients.
Interestingly, liver (yes, like the actual organ from a cow or chicken!) is not only a potent source of bio-available vitamin A, but also heme-iron.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and the idea of eating organs isn't the most appealing (trust me, I get it!) I have linked my favorite freeze-dried and encapsulated liver supplement below in the 'Resource' section.
Other topics discussed during this episode: Top nutrient dense first foods recommended by a pediatric feeding specialist Why it is especially important for children of this age to eat calorically dense foods (especially ones high in fat). Foods to stay away from as first foods or how to serve them so they do not pose a choking hazard Why it may actually be better to serve first foods as stick shapes vs. cubes or purees Reasons to ditch the rice cereal How to approach picky eating and to realize it is a normal phase children go through Top tips from a feeding specialist on how to create positive food experiences for little ones What a "no thank bowl" is and why it can be so helpful Resources: Ashley's website: helpinghandsOT.com Book for extreme picky eaters: Just Take a Bite Instagram: @helpinghandsOT ; @chemistkarma (host) Ancestral Supplements - Also supported by the Weston A Price foundation, this is my favorite high quality beef liver. The product is freeze dried and encapsulated (so you get all the benefits, without having to actually eat it!) This company even gets 3rd party testing done to ensure it is pesticide free and they never add fillers of any sort. Treat Yourself Inc. - My favorite non-toxic toothpaste and deodorant. Code TOXINFREE saves you 10% storewide! -
Ashley, a pediatric OT known as @helpinghandsOT on Instagram (*hint - you should totes follow her there) spoke with me this week about all things first foods related.
Ashley was the perfect person to educate us on this as not only has she been a practicing pediatric occupational therapist for over a decade, but she's holistically minded and also has additional specialities in pediatric feeding and picky eating. Needless to say, I learned a whole bunch during our convo!
During the interview we discussed:
Signs + cues to look for that your baby is ready to try out some foods The age range that typically happens at Downsides to feeding too early How the mouthing of items is an actual developmental stage for babies + parents should not be overly protective during this time (obviously not saying to be neglectful either!) Tips for when first introducing the solids Why it's important for the infant to join the family during meal time Why purees may not actually be the best food for babiesResources:
Highly recommend reading this blog post by Ashley about the Top 10 first foods You can find her website as a whole here: https://helpinghandsot.com/ I had a past podcast episode (Ep. #7) with speech language pathologist, Shandy titled How to De-escalate Mealtime & Get Your Child to Try New Foods that I think you'll enjoy if you found this one relevant. If you're looking for non-toxic toothpaste and deodorant check out Treat Yourself Inc. and save 10% with code 'toxinfree' -
Transitioning to healthier lifestyle can be tough. And doing it as a family can add even more kinks in the road. Luckily, Janelle of Know Mommy broke everything down for us into bite-sized chunks of wisdom.
During our conversation, Janelle shared her story of how she went from anxious and overwhelmed to healthy and thriving (and how YOU can do the same!)
I love how this episode took a lot of info from my past ones and brought everything together into actionable steps.
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"Healthy eating is a small piece of the puzzle to being a healthy person" - Janelle
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During the episode we discussed: What IS health, really? The best place to start when first transitioning to a healthy lifestyle (Hint: ask yourself what is the end goal then ask what you are willing to do to get there) Easy ways to reduce you and your families toxic load. Benefits of eating seasonally Tips on feeding balanced meals to your family Different ways to approach meal planning so you can find a way that works best for your lifestyle (pro-tip: always shop your own kitchen first to see what needs to be used up and save $$$) Ways that stress and lack of sleep can affect the body The importance of a gratitude practice Simple re-alignment techniques for times when you feel the inner fire brewing up Resources: Find Janelle's website at Knowmommy.com Connect with Janelle on Instagram @knowmommy Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Dirty dozen list Skin Deep database to find safety rating of skincare products or shop www.theorganicbunny.com Produce on Wheels - AZ only. Shop 70 pounds of produce for $12 Shop treatyourselfinc.com and use code 'toxinfree' to save 10% storewide Use this link to save $10 off your first purchase at Branch Basics -
My goal with this episode was not only to highlight some dangers associated with ultrasounds, but I also aimed to teach how to read a study.
Throughout this episode, I will be reading through a study titled: "Effect of transvaginal ultrasound on human chorionic villus cell apoptosis during pregnancy" . I highly recommend having it pulled up as I read along.
About the StudyOne of the most telling parts of the study was that they found a programmed cell death rate of 76.89% in the placenta after being exposed to a 30 minute ultrasound. On the other hand, the control group (no ultrasound) had a placental cell death rate of 16.79%.
This particular study only included 60 women, so it doesn't definitely prove anything. However, more and more science is starting to point toward the fact that these routine procedures may not be as safe as they are portrayed.
While I'm not saying women should have zero ultrasounds during a pregnancy, after reading this study, I don't think they should be done willy nilly every month just to see a picture of the baby.
In any case, this is a decision I believe every women is capable of making herself. This is why I also aimed to teach how to read scientific studies in general so each mother can come to her own informed decision.
DURING THE EPISODE I DISCUSSED:
Dangers associated with ultrasounds What is generally in each section of a scientific study What a p value is What to look for in a study to determine if it is valid Safer alternatives to a transvaginal ultrasoundRESOURCES:
Find the host on Instagram @chemistkarma Referenced study: "Effect of transvaginal ultrasound on human chorionic villus cell apoptosis during pregnancy" Save 10% at Treat Yourself Inc. with code: toxinfree Use this link to save $10 off your order at Branch Basics -
This week I chatted with Mark Ritz about shopping beneath the label.
Mark is the founder of Ritzfit, an online platform that aims to connect concerned consumers to brands sourcing and processing their products with integrity.
Every brand that is Ritzfit approved, goes above and beyond on every detail of it's sourcing and processing.
For example, a nut butter that is featured is made with wild, organic pecans that are sprouted to remove phytates and then stone ground for 48 hours to produce an end result customers refer to as "liquid gold".
To top it off, every Ritzfit approved product is vetted by a team of sourcing and ingredient experts and the company must also show heavy metal reports with certificate of analysis.
As you can see, each product they feature is top of the line in terms of purity and nutrient density.
I am so grateful that Mark has created a platform like this since there are so many deceptive marketing practices out there making it tough for even the most discerning of consumers.
TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING THE EPISODE:
Why and how to shop beneath the label Problems with buyers completely letting their guards down in stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Thrive Market, ect. and thinking EVERYTHING in there is inherently healthy The rigorous process each product goes through to get Ritzfit approved Why sourcing is so important Dirty secrets the natural food industry doesn't want you to know Could vegetable oils actually be the main driver of obesity and chronic illness?! (yes, more so than sugar!)I learned so much during the conversation! At one point, my jaw was basically on the floor and I was left speechless when Mark shared some of the practices that many brands participate in to keep costs low. This is definitely an episode you won't wanna miss!
RESOURCES:
Shop at Ritzfit.com The Big Fat Surprise book The Magic Pill documentary (or stream for free on Netflix) More info on the importance of soil health at kisstheground.com Save 20% at Treat Yourself Inc. with code: toxinfree Save $10 at Branch Basics with this link Follow the host on Instagram: @chemistkarma -
Post Partum and Why it Matters
This week's conversation centered all around the postpartum phase and why it is so important.
To learn all about this topic, we were lucky enough to be joined by Kayla Levine, a postpartum expert and doula.
Her offerings to the world include: Postpartum Doula Care Placenta Medicine Making Vaginal Steaming for Womb Health Postpartum Education & Planning Birth Worker Support GroupsAll of her offerings are holistic in nature. She looks at the whole body, mind, and spirit in her approach to helping you remember your body’s innate healing abilities.
Also be sure to head over to tucsonplacentaencapsulation.com to download a FREE 10 page ebook Kayla has created for us all about 4th trimester planning for the modern mama.
OUR CONVERSATION
To me, I was most surprised to learn that the postpartum phase could actually bring about radical healing if just a couple of important factors were focused on.
Many women also experience the onset of autoimmune conditions and other chronic illness after birth - basically the opposite of radical healing. However, Kayla says two key factors contribute to which side of the story you are on: 1.) nutrition and 2.) community support
She also said that she believes postpartum depression should really be called postpartum DEPLETION. As the root of what is wrong is micronutrient deficiencies and lack of support.
Pregnancy can be quite taxing on the body and much higher quantities of nutrients are needed during that time. If those needs are not met, the body pulls from stores that it has saved up. This is why after pregnancy many women are extremely depleted of certain nutrients that are not common in a standard American diet.
OTHER TOPICS WE DISCUSSED INCLUDE:
The difference between a midwife and doula How the postpartum phase should really be seen as the fourth trimester and what is meant by that Importance of mom and baby being together during the first three months Specific things we can do to support other women who are in the postpartum phase Why cold things must be avoided (both literally and energetically) Post natal depletion: what it is and how to avoid it Possible benefits of eating the placenta (don't worry - placenta encapsulation is a thing so you don't have to literally eat it with a fork and knife!) Hormonal reasons for experiencing "baby blues" Benefits of vaginal steaming postpartumRESOURCES:
Save $10 with Branch Basics here Save 20% at Treat Yourself Inc. by using code: toxinfree The First Forty Days book The Fourth Trimester book The Post Natal Depletion Cure book Connect with Kayla at tucsonplacentaencapsulation.com Find a qualified vaginal steaming practitioner in your area at Steamychick.com/directory Connect with Kayla on instagram at @nourishingher and find Karma, the host, at @chemistkarmaIf you enjoyed this show, be sure to rate and review in the Apple podcast app so more women can find this vital information. See you next week!
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WHAT IS HYPNOBIRTH?
This week’s episode is all about HypnoBirthing and how gentle, calm, and natural childbirths are possible.
HypnoBirthing was first created by Marie Mongan 30 years ago when she published her book “HypnoBirthing: A Celebration of Life” and started the HypnoBirthing Institute.
The Hypnobirthing classes are 2.5 hours long and are generally taken once a week over a five week period. However, if your due date is in less than 5 weeks, usually special accommodations can be made with a practitioner for the classes to be completed before the due date.
But to discuss Hypnobirthing even further, I chatted with Tara from organichypnobirthing.com. It was such an enlightening conversation to learn that labour didn’t have to be a painful, traumatic experience that is often portrayed in the movies.
DURING THE EPISODE WE DISCUSS: How HypnoBirthing is empowering for the mom, the partner, and the baby What the fear-tension-pain cycle is and how to avoid it during labour The importance of continuous breathing and therefore a continuous oxygen flow to both mom and baby during birth Tara shares her own birth experiences of giving birth with Hypnobirthing vs. without How we shift to the limbic part of the brain during labour – so logic thinking is gone Why we need to raise the bar from just “healthy mom and healthy baby”. While it is something that is important, it’s not the only important thing. How HypnoBirthing mothers have a rate of C-section at 13% versus the national average that is at 33% Why pregnant women should fill their mind with positive birth experiences and videos How the birthing experience sets the tone for the parenting relationship the parents have – team effort during birth goes a long way How a positive, empowering birthing experience can really bring couples closer together and move them positively into their new roles as parents who work as a TEAMThis was definitely an action packed episode full of tons of wisdom.
RESOURCES Tara’s website: http://organichypnobirthing.com Official HypnoBirthing website to find practitioners near you: https://us.hypnobirthing.com/ Tara’s Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbvrSXvzA-FERJy8OMZyDFA Video of a mother giving birth with HypnoBirthing techniques Connect with Tara on Instagram: http://instagram.com/organicbirthing/ Connect with the host on Instagram: http://instagram.com/chemistkarma/ -
Myths Surrounding Circumcision
For This week's episode, I interviewed Brendon Marotta, the director of the documentary film called American Circumcision that was newly released on Netflix.
We talked about how much of what we're told about circumcision is a plain myth and how those myths must be addressed before the conversation can move forward.
For one, many medical aspects we were told about circumcision either aren't true or are extremely exaggerated while the risks are majorly downplayed.
Also, unless there was an extreme botch that's immediately noticed, they almost always go unreported and many problems aren't revealed until the male has reached puberty. This makes it very unlikely that the dots will be connected 15+ years down the line.
Another aspect of the conversation I find to be very interesting is asking the question if we even have to right to remove part of a vital organ without someone's consent? Is that a violation of rights even if there were actually medical benefits to it? Doesn't that seem like an extreme solution for something that is a preventative measure?
Other aspects we discussed include: How it's so normalized we've lost our ability to objectively look at the practice. (i.e. suggesting to cut off part of a newborns pinky finger as a preventative measure would seem crazy, but when it's male genitalia we don't blink an eye) Many forget that it is a surgery and the risks must be weighed before agreeing to move forward with it It's the only preventative surgery that is done and the only type of surgery that doesn't include a prolonged routine follow-up to make sure there were no complications All genitalia practices are cultural and something that happens at the identity level (i.e. men say "I AM circumcised" not "I HAD a circumcision") It is generally not a skilled surgeon performing the surgery, but often medical students who have only done one or two prior Infants CAN and DO remember the pain from circumcision (somatic memory - see studies linked below) Circumcision was used in the Victorian era as a means to desensitize the penis in hopes of preventing masturbation (they now claim that no feeling is lost from removing the foreskin) Religious aspects of the conversation including: how it originally was a much smaller procedure when done as a religious ceremony and how the practice is actually not supported by ChristianityIt was such an intriguing conversation with Brendon and brought many nuances to light. However, I highly recommend watching the full film over on Netflix or at circumcisionmovie.com.
Resources: Stay up to date with the film on Instagram at instagram.com/circmovie Find the host at instagram.com/chemistkarma Hickey and Anand pain study Study- Exposure to Early Life Pain: Long Term Consequences and Contributing MechanismsIf you enjoyed the show, I'd love if you could leave a 5 star review on the Apple podcast app so more women can find this vital information. See you next week!
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It was such a pleasure to be able to chat with and just soak in all of Janny's knowledge about parenting and how to navigate going against the norm as a parent.
And Janny doesn't claim to have all the answers, but instead gives us tips on how we can question things and come to our own conclusions.
During the episode we also discuss: How Janny determines if something is #JannyApproved so we can research non-tox products ourselves (some tips might surprise you - like, did you know if water is present, that's a red flag that a preservative was used?!) How marketers convince us that babies need WAY more products than they actually do Why buying products from small suppliers is best (ps use code 'toxinfree' to save 20% at https://treatyourselfinc.com/ ) Why it's important to keep an eye for big brands buying out smaller ones that you currently trust (and to ALWAYS read the label, even if you've bought the product before) Our thoughts on posting your children on social media Why we should reconsider forcing our children to sit in Santa's lap if they are screaming out against it. Why and how we should honor our children's emotions How to handle meltdowns in a positive manner and discipline in a way that is not detrimental to the child Why discipline is actually a positive action A couple of creative ways to provide kids with responsibility and discipline in a positive manner How, in regards to social media, you are not obligated to explain yourself to others about your parenting practices and you are never obligated to disclose your child's medical info with others if you don't feel the needI personally loved this conversation and especially resonated with our discussion about discipline.
I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts and feedback over on my Instagram page: @chemistkarma
RESOURCES: Janny's blog can be found at http://www.jannyorganically.com/ Connect with Janny on Instagram at instagram.com/janny.organically Book mentioned: Nurture ShockIf you enjoy this show, please consider leaving a 5 star review in the Apple podcast app so more women can find this vital information.
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This episode was basically a re-cap of the documentary called Microbirth. It opened my eyes so much to the importance of a natural birth and breastfeeding and taking the right precautions when a C-section is necessary (also peep Episode 9 of this podcast where Tay explains her birth plan for when she had to have a C-section).
It also reminded me of how much cooperation goes on in nature and not everything is all "survival-of-the-fittest" as it's hyped up to be. However, when one thing goes out of balance, it sets off a cascade of effects, and everything feels the ramifications in some way. *spoiler alert* antibiotics majorly cause an imbalance to a once perfect ecosystem.
During the episode I also discuss:
Why epigenetics actually means we can take our power back The importance of bacterial ecosystems to our survival How we are 90% microbial and 10% mamalian How we evolved with bacteria to form a 'symbiotic superorganism' How having a greater microbial diversity makes you less susceptible to both chronic illness and communicable diseases such as the flu. How antibiotic use can affect brain function in children due to the gut brain connectionAgain, I highly recommend checking out the documentary Microbirth, it was definitely a wealth of information and put together the story perfectly.
Resources:
Find Microbirth here Tay can be found on Instagram and at her website You can find me on Instagram @chemistkarma and my website chemistkarma.com -
This week's episode is so special to me because I know how profound of an impact switching to natural products can make both in overall health and fertility.
To really bring this convo to light I had Ariel Welch, a natural ingredient expert and co-owner of Treat Yourself Inc., come on to tell us the top 5 ingredients to avoid in products like deodorant and toothpaste.
But don't worry, we didn't leave you high and dry without alternatives! Ariel told us some of the best ingredients to look for instead. *spoiler alert* her products contain all of them (without the hormone disrupting additives) and she was kind enough to give the listeners of this podcast a 20% discount with code: toxinfree
The science has shown us again and again that the ingredients found in conventional products can lead to epigenetic changes in at least two generations down the line so this is definitely not something to take lightly! Luckily, all it takes is knowledge of what to avoid and a simple switch in products. By the end of this episode you'll know how to do just that.
Resources:
Find the products discussed in this episode at treatyourselfinc.com and use code 'toxinfree' for 20% off Find me on Instagram at instagram.com/chemistkarma Find Ariel on Instagram at: instagram.com/wellnesswithariel Find Treat Yourself Inc on Instagram at: instagram.com/treatyourselfinc Podcast I referenced that goes into detail of xenoestrogens with a PhD. biochemist -
Have you ever wondered what a home birth is like? Maybe you know you want one but you don't know what to expect or how to plan one. Maybe the whole idea sounds crazy to you and you're wondering why anyone would want to do that.
Wherever you sit with the idea of home birth, this episode is a must-listen!
I had the pleasure of interviewing Tay Winterstein, a mom who has experienced both a hospital birth via C-section as well as a home birth vaginally.
She gave us the low down on the difference between both experiences and some of the biggest lessons labour taught her.
During the episode we discuss:
The importance of a birth plan and important things to consider adding into your own Why babies born via C-section should be seeded with the mother's microbiome, or swabbed with the mother's vaginal bacteria to replicate a vaginal birth Why private midwives can be so valuable Birth/labour affirmations The two "M's" to focus on before getting pregnant: mitochondria and the microbiome How even seemingly small birth traumas can affect us into adulthood (which is another reason birth plans are so vital) The energetic change that happens once you become a motherResources:
Tay's website: https://tayswaymovement.com.au/ Tay's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tays_way_/ Microbirth documentary: http://microbirth.com/ -
If you've been wanting to learn more about essential oils and how to safely use them with children, this episode is for you!
This week I interviewed Dr. Mariza, who is a functional practitioner and the author of six books. One of her books is The Smart Mom’s Guide to Essential Oils . Her newest book, The Essential Oils Hormone Solution, focuses on balancing hormones with the power of essential oils.
For the past ten years, she has lectured at wellness centers, conferences, and corporations on hormonal health, essential oils, nutrition, and detoxification. She has been featured on Dr. Oz, Fox News Health, MindBodyGreen and many other publications. Dr. Mariza is also the host of the Essentially You Podcast, designed to empower women to become the CEO of their health. Also be sure to check out her website, drmariza.com, for women's hormone tips, including recipes and remedies.
During the episode we discuss:
What IS an essential oil and how they are able to work immediately Top things to know for using essential oils safely Common uses of essential oils + Dr. Mariza's favorite ways to use them Oils that boost libido and fertility Best oils to support children for things like: dealing with meltdowns, focusing on homework, increasing energy, purifying the air when sick, and emotional support How to use essential oils to replace obesogenic compounds in the household Benefits of diluting the oils and how to properly do so Top 5 essential oils every household needsWhether you're only in your preconception planning stage, currently pregnant, or already have little ones, this episode is a must-listen to learn how to safely replace your medicine cabinet with essential oils.
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Wow! What an amazing episode with Shandy this week! Shandy is a speech language pathologist, epidemic answers health coach, soon-to-be a certified nutritional therapy practitioner, and she specializes in neurodevelopmental disorders. You can find her on Instagram @speakingofhealthandwellnessllc and her website at speakingofhealthandwellness.com
If you're having trouble at mealtime with your children, you need to give this episode a listen to turn mealtime into a breeze.
During the episode we talked about:
What exactly a speech language pathologist does Why your child may not want to be eating during mealtime Picky eater vs. Problem feeder (don't worry we go over what a problem feeder is to if you're like me and have never heard of that before!) Best ways to deal with picky eaters How to give your children positive food exposures Why you shouldn't expect your child to eat new foods straight away and what you should make happen first How your child's highchair could be causing eating difficulties The best brands of high chairs recommended by a feeding specialist (links are below) and how to modify current ones you may have if you're on a budget Tips for having the outcomes when giving a new food to your child How to de-escalate mealtime and not have it turn into a power struggle Problems with sippy cups Why your toddler should drink with a strawResources:
Keekaroo Height Right Highchair - Natural Wood tone
Keekaroo Height Right high chair with infant insert - Mahogany Wood tone
Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair - Walnut wood tone
Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair - White wood
Reusable glass straws
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How to Connect to the Womb
I wish every woman in the world could hear this information! This episode with Marin, a wisdom keeper, a way-shower, a priestess of ancient-modern ways, and previous doula, was seriously incredible! We go over how to connect to the womb in order to increase fertility and decrease period cramps.
During the episode we also discuss:
Why periods are actually a blessing A major reason why periods are painful and an unexpected way to fix it Why sacred womb wisdom is necessary for every woman How each week in our 28 day cycle relates to the seasons of the year What is Divine Feminine energy How certain traumas can affect fertility Why sisterhood is important for connecting to feminine energyIf you have painful periods every month and are tired of it taking over weeks of your life, you'll definitely want to tune in to this episode!
Also, this episode is for anyone who has been doing "everything right" to increase fertility, but has been getting 'negative' after 'negative' and doesn't know what else to try to finally get that positive. Marin shares a very unexpected and profound method for dealing with infertility that you won't wanna miss!
Resources:Marin's website: priestessrising.com
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My mind was blown during this weeks episode! I had the privilege of interviewing Jaqueline Kincer, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and we talked all things breastfeeding.
I seriously learned more than I ever thought possible about breastfeeding!
During the episode, we talked about:
reasons for needing a lactation consultant the credentials to look for when hiring one risks of not breastfeeding for mom and baby What breastfeeding should feel like if all is well Is nipple confusion really something to be concerned about? Is pumping good or bad? The best shape to get for a bottle nipple. (the answer might surprise you!) The best flow rate nipple to get for bottle feeding Foods that will boost milk supply The truth about sleep trainingI'm really not sure how we fit this much info into an hour?! But I learned soo much practical advice from the conversation. This is an episode you won't wanna miss!
Resources:
To connect with Jacqueline, you can find her on Instagram at @holisticlactation or her website is https://holisticlactation.com/
Video of baby latching with the Dr. Jack Newman method
La leche legue information and to find a group near you: https://www.lllusa.org/ -
This weeks episode is jam packed with amazing information about how your diet can affect your fertility! I got to interview an amazing Register Dietician (R.D.), Lily Nichols, and we talked all about the best preconception diet and lifestyle practices to build nutrient stores and increase fertility.
Lily Nichols is a real food nutritionist, certified diabetes educator, researcher, and the author of Real for Gestational Diabetes and Real Food for Pregnancy. Her second book outlines the current problems with prenatal nutrition guidelines and uses 930 citations and counting. The citations all support a real food diet to optimize fetal and maternal health. She also has a popular blog at lilynicholsrdn.com full of valuable information. I'd definitely recommend checking it out and reading her books if you plan on becoming pregnant at any point in the future!
During the interview we talk about:
Is cholesterol and saturated fat really something we should be avoiding? How long a couple should focus on diet and lifestyle factors before "trying" and the benefits of doing so. The minimum length of time women should wait after stopping birth control before becoming pregnant. Is veganism safe for pregnancy? (the answer might surprise you!) Can cooking with cast iron really add nutritional value? Best practices to ensure an ample milk supply (BEFORE you're even pregnant!) Thoughts on a relatively low carb diet from a registered dietician. What is a meal train and why they are so helpful when dealing with a newborn.This episode is full of SO MUCH info, you definitely won't wanna miss it!
After this, be sure to catch my previous episode where we discuss how to avoid a cancer causing substance that is pervasive in our food supply.
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