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Tired of avoiding dinners out with friends? Frustrated with having to plan what you are going to eat around plans to avoid discomfort and bloating? Wanting to enjoy the foods you love without having to spend hours on the toilet afterwards? 

Although I do not believe in band aid solutions… I am going to share some secrets for some immediate relief and to help you while you figure out the root cause as to what is really going on with your digestive system. 

Tips and Tricks: 

-Invest in a broad spectrum digestive enzyme to take with every meal: Digestzymes by Designs for Health for health is my personal fave! 
-Drink some ACV (make sure it includes the “mother”) 10-15 minutes prior to meals, this helps to stimulate your stomach acid production! 
-Avoid drinking water with meals (if you have to drink with your meals, make sure it isn’t super cold) 
-Chew your food slowly and thoroughly
-Try and put yourself into a state of calm prior to eating, when you are in fight/flight mode, your central nervous system shuts down digestion
-Take a leisurely walk post meal
-Eat smaller meals throughout the day

I have gotten into the routine of every morning consuming this when I wake up in exchange for coffee and I find it helps get my digestive juices flowing! 

Apple Cider Vinegar Drink: 1 cup of hot water, 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp ACV, 3 slices ginger peeled, 1 tsp raw honey, dash of cayenne 



Tips & Tricks for Bloating/Digestive Discomfort

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Probiotics are a hot topic in the wellness world for their potential to promote gut health and the ability to strengthen the immune system. 

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to your health when consumed in adequate amounts. They are commonly referred to as "good bacteria" because they help maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in your digestive system. The most common types of probiotics are bacteria, although certain types of yeasts can also have probiotic properties.

Probiotics can be found naturally in some foods, such as miso, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh and other fermented products. They can also be taken as dietary supplements in the form of capsules, tablets, or powders.

The benefits of probiotics includ
1. Digestive health: Probiotics help restore and maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, which can aid in digestion and alleviate certain digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

2. Immune system support: The gut plays a crucial role in the immune system, and probiotics can enhance immune function by promoting the production of antibodies and improving the activity of immune cells.

3. Management of certain conditions: Probiotics have been studied for their potential to alleviate symptoms of conditions like lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), urinary tract infections, and certain allergies.

4. Mental health: Emerging research suggests a link between the gut microbiota and mental health. Probiotics may have a positive impact on conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress.

It's important to note that the effects and benefits of probiotics can vary depending on the specific strains and dosages used, as well as the individual. Probiotics can be irritating and have a reverse effect on someone who is dealing with an overgrowth of “good” bacteria. This is where functional testing can be helpful in determining what your body specifically needs! 

If you're considering taking probiotics or have specific health concerns, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice. 




Should everyone be taking a probiotic? 

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Digestive enzymes are proteins that play a crucial role in breaking down the food we eat into smaller, more absorbable molecules. These enzymes are found in various parts of the digestive system, including the mouth, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine.

However, sometimes the body may not produce enough digestive enzymes, which can lead to digestive problems such as bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including aging, certain medical conditions, surgical removal of pancreas/gallbladder, low stomach acid levels, stress, etc.

In such cases, taking digestive enzyme supplements may help improve digestion and alleviate digestive symptoms. These supplements are available in various forms, including capsules, powders, and liquids, and are often derived from plant or animal sources.

Some common types of digestive enzymes include:

1. Proteases: These enzymes help break down proteins into smaller amino acids.

2. Lipases: These enzymes help break down fats into smaller fatty acids and glycerol.

3. Amylases: These enzymes help break down carbohydrates into smaller sugars.

When to take digestive enzymes?

Digestive enzymes are most effective when taken with meals. Ideally, they should be taken just before or at the beginning of a meal to ensure that they mix with the food and begin to work as soon as possible. The dosage and type of enzyme supplement to take will depend on the individual's specific needs and the type of food being consumed. 

In conclusion, digestive enzymes play an important role in the digestive process, and taking supplements can be helpful for those with certain medical conditions and or for immediate digestive relief. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if they are necessary and what dosage and type of supplement is appropriate.



What are they? How can I use them? 

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Who doesn’t love sugar? I know I do! 

The number one thing I get asked by clients is “why do I crave sugar so badly” and “what can I do to prevent myself from excessively consuming it”. 


Cravings for sugar can occur for various reasons, and it's important to consider both biological and psychological factors. Here are some possible reasons why your body may crave sugar:

Blood sugar fluctuations: When you consume high glucose foods, your blood sugar levels rise rapidly, providing a temporary energy boost. However, this spike is often followed by a subsequent drop in blood sugar, which can leave you feeling tired and craving more sugar to regain that energy.

 Emotional and psychological factors: Sugar can activate the brain's reward center, leading to feelings of pleasure and comfort. Many people turn to sugary foods as a way to cope with stress, sadness, or boredom. This emotional attachment can contribute to cravings for sugary treats.

Habitual consumption: Regularly consuming sugary foods can create a habit or dependency. Your body may become accustomed to the taste and expect a certain level of sugar intake, leading to cravings when you try to cut back.

 Nutritional deficiencies: Cravings for sugar can sometimes be a result of nutrient deficiencies. For example, inadequate intake of certain nutrients like magnesium or chromium may trigger cravings for sweets, specifically chocolate. Ensuring a balanced diet with sufficient nutrients can help reduce these cravings.

Microbiome imbalances: Emerging research suggests that the composition of bacteria in your gut, known as the microbiome, can influence your food cravings. Certain gut bacteria may thrive on sugar, sending signals to your brain to crave it.

Candida overgrowth: Yeast feeds off of sugar. If your sugar cravings are unbearable, it may be the yeast that’s craving it and not you at this point. Consult a healthcare practitioner (such as myself) if your instincts are telling you that you may be dealing with this! 


Here are several quick strategies to help suppress sugar cravings. These approaches focus on managing blood sugar levels, addressing nutrient deficiencies, and finding healthier alternatives. Here are some tips:

1. Eat balanced meals: Ensure your meals contain a balance of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. This combination helps stabilize blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling satisfied. Include whole grains, vegetables, meat, legumes, and healthy fats like avocado or nuts.

2. Stay hydrated: Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger or sugar cravings. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to ensure you're adequately hydrated.

3. Manage stress: Stress can trigger cravings for sugary foods. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques, exercise, getting enough sleep, or engaging in activities you enjoy.

4. Get enough sleep: Inadequate sleep can disrupt hunger hormones and increase cravings for sugary foods. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

5. Address nutrient deficiencies & health concerns: If you suspect a deficiency and or are experiencing digestive disturbances, consult with a healthcare professional who can assess your digestive health and recommend appropriate supplements if necessary.

6.  Opt for healthier alternatives: Instead of reaching for sugary treats, choose healthier alternatives that satisfy your sweet tooth. Opt for fresh fruits, a small piece of dark chocolate, or homemade snacks made with natural sweeteners like dates or raw honey!

As much as it is important to be aware of the foods you are consuming, remember, balance and enjoyment in life are KEY! Stressing yourself out over everything you are consuming and eating will cause more harm in the end. Food is meant to bring joy into one's life, so try to not let it consume you with guilt and shame. 



Why can’t I stop craving sugar?

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What are your adrenal glands? 

The adrenals are known as our “stress glands”. These small glands are located on top of our kidneys and consist of an outer portion (cortex) and inner portion (medulla). The cortex secretes sex hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen, along with cortisol and aldosterone.  The medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine which are responsible for our “fight or flight” response. This response prepares our body to respond to stressors by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate etc and is put in place to protect ourselves from danger. 

How do they become fatigued?

Prolonged or chronic stress can have negative effects on our adrenal glands and the hormones they produce. When we're constantly under stress, our adrenal glands can become overworked, and this can lead to a condition called adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical condition, but it's believed to be caused by chronic stress and can lead to the following symptoms listed below:

Overall body fatigue
Low libido 
Craving salty food
Light headed when standing up
Increased PMS
Decrease in memory/ability to concentrate 
Reaching for that coffee/nap around 3-4pm
Re-occuring illness

…and so many more


What can I do right now to support my adrenals?

Try and be in bed before 10pm and sleep into 9am unless you have obligations 
Eliminate energy robbers from your life 
Try and move your body daily ( make sure this is enjoyable) 
Combine your starchy carbs with fat & protein in every meal 
Eat the foods your body is telling you it needs (listen to your cravings.. often telling you a deficiency)
Try having a glass of water in the morning with ½ tsp of sea salt 
Try some of these beneficial herbals: ashwagandha, liquorice root, ginkgo leaf, holy basil! 



How can you support your adrenals right now? 

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The microbiome is a complex ecosystem of organisms that inhabit the human body. The majority of these organisms are found in the gut, where they play an important role in our overall health. In recent years, research has shown that the microbiome is a critical component of our immune system and is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. In this post, we will explore what the microbiome is, why it is important for gut health, and how we can support a healthy microbiome.

**What is the microbiome?**

The microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms that live in and on our bodies. This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. We want a combination of “good” (85%) and “bad” bacteria (15%). The “good” bacteria helps to digest food, produce vitamin B’s and K2, as well as keep the intestinal wall thick and abundant in microvilli. The “bad” bacteria keeps the “good” bacteria working out and strong! Think of how many people were getting sick post COVID….this is because we had been living in such a sterile environment for so long that afterwards our bodies did not know how to fight off viruses and unwanted pathogens. 

**Why is the microbiome important for gut health?**

The microbiome is essential for maintaining a healthy gut. The microorganisms in the gut play a critical role in digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and preventing harmful pathogens from entering the body. They also help to maintain the integrity of the gut lining and regulate the immune system.

When the microbiome is disrupted, it can lead to a range of gut health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and leaky gut syndromeA disrupted microbiome can also lead to an imbalance of gut bacteria, which can have negative effects on the immune system and overall health.

**How can we support a healthy microbiome?**

There are a couple things we can do to support a healthy microbiome… 
-eat a whole foods varied diet that is rich in fiber!
-consume probiotic rich foods; kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut 
-focus on lowering your stress levels and getting enough sleep/rest!

…If you are interested in having an in-depth look into your microbiome through functional testing, book an Initial Consultation or check out my Revive Gut Health program!



The role of your Microbiome in overall gut health! 

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This program is for anyone who wants to take a deep dive into their gut microbiome. This program includes: (1) GI Map stool test, (1) 60 minute video session to discuss test results, a personalized 4 week starter protocol that includes diet, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations, 24/5 ongoing support during these 4 weeks via Hatchpath Messenger,  a food/mood journal tracker and 15% off recommended supplements! The GI Map tests for: H.Pylori, normal/commensal bacteria/phyla, fungi/yeast, parasites/worms, digestive health markers (gallbladder and pancreatic function), intestinal inflammation (calprotectin), gluten sensitivity, zonulin (to assess leaky gut), immune system (Sig A), pathogens (viral, bacterial, parasitic), opportunistic bacteria and auto-immune triggering bacteria!

I am a compassionate, open-minded, understanding whole-body healer! Through trials and tribulations, I have discovered that my genuine vocation is to work with and help people with their overall well-being. From working through my own mental health struggles, I am able to support and help others from a place of empathy. The approach I take with my clients is centred around the belief that healing is lifelong and that there is no "quick fix". I work with my clients as a team to discover the root cause of their health issues, and place emphasis on individualism-I believe no one person's healing journey will look the same. I am a Certified Nutritional Practitioner as well as a Reiki Practitioner. I have earned my Second Degree in Reiki from the Usui System of Reiki Healing, which I have used as a spiritual self-practice and in my client work. I look forward to being your personal cheerleader in your health journey. 

Once you have purchased this program, you will receive an intake form/symptomatology assessment to complete and a GI Map test will be shipped to you. Once your results are in, we will have a virtual session on HatchPath to discuss. You will then be sent your personalized 4 week starter protocol! 

Lab Review Session

An in-depth analysis of your gut microbiome through functional lab testing!

Gut Health Analysis

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Not ready to commit to a program but wanting to explore what is going on with your health? This is the right option for you! Whether you are experiencing some digestive discomfort (bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation etc) and or think you are dealing with a digestive disorder, we can work together to find the root cause and heal your gut. Nothing is worse then stressing yourself out over what your eating to avoid the discomfort that may follow.

An in-depth intake will be given prior to our first meet. During the consultation we will go over your health history, the intake completed, and potential testing that may be recommended! A protocol including personalized supplementation, lifestyle recommendations, and a 7-day meal plan will be sent out after the session. 

Initial Consultation

If you are not ready to commit to a program and want to take it one appointment at a time!

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This can include more testing, protocols, lifestyle recommendations, meal plans etc

This will differ between individuals and what is needed to continue on healing journey. 

Follow up Session

Follow up Sessions

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This program focuses on discovering the root cause to your digestive issues/concerns through symptomatology assessments and functional testing . Let’s work together to heal your gut and manage your stress around food through my 4 phase approach. *does not reflect cost of any functional lab testing that may need to be done*

This program includes: 
* 1x 60 minute inital intake session
* 3x 45 minute follow up sessions
* personalized supplement treatment plans along with dietary guidelines & lifestyle recommendations
* access to whole sale cost functional lab testing (interpretation included)
* access to professional grade supplements for 15% off (lifetime access)

The first step is to prepare the body for detoxification. We must make sure that toxins are able to efficiently and safely exit the body. There will also be a focus on providing quick relief to digestive discomfort through supplementation and a therapeutic diet. 

Preparing for Detoxification

The second step is to detoxify. We achieve this by conducting a comprehensive symptom analysis and testing, which enables us to identify and target the unwanted pathogens, viruses, infections etc that are a root cause of your undesirable symptoms. We will focus on removing these from your gut.

Bye bye pathogens/viruses/infections…

The last step is to rebuild, strengthen, and show some love to your digestive system. If this step is missed, remission can occur and those unwanted species we spent time removing can cause trouble again. 

Rebuild & Heal

The last step is to help set you up for the long term and help you maintain feeling healthy and safe within your body! 

Maintenance

A 4 step approach to healing your gut and helping you feel at home in your body again!

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