Nutrition

5 Natural Ways To Treat Period Pain

Period pain. Whether you get mild cramps or pain that sends you to bed cuddling a hot water bottle, it’s not the most pleasant of things to experience every month. Dysmenorrhea, which quite literally means ‘difficult menstruation’ can effect women of all ages, though many women find that after having a baby, they experience heavier periods and more intense period pain.  When you’re on the go, the last thing you want to be experiencing is pain, which is reason why so many of us reach for a packet of paracetamol or ibuprofen when the cramps kick in.
There are however, a couple of natural ways to treat period pain which can actually help with the severity of the pain you’re experiencing as well as help treat the causation of the pain, and prevent it happening every month.
My Top 5 Tips

Eat well – Research has found that painful periods hint at the body being in an inflammatory state. This means that increasing foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect can actually help minimize pain. Make sure you’re eating plenty of fresh fruit and veggies and sticking to whole grains.
Take a multivitamin – While you may sometimes forget to take your daily multivitamin, making it a priority, especially around your time of the month can help decrease the severity of pain. This is due to the vitamin A and magnesium usually found in most supplements. Both of these elements help regulate hormones and relax muscle tissue. You can also try adding a fish oil or other essential fatty acid supplements.
Sip a cup of tea – Keeping well hydrated is essential at all times, but especially during your period. Try leaving your coffee and black tea on the shelf […]

By |July 4th, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition|0 Comments
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    The Link Between Insulin Resistance And Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

The Link Between Insulin Resistance And Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Although not yet part of the diagnostic criteria for PCOS, insulin resistance has been proven time and again to be one of the major drivers of this very common and potentially devastating female syndrome.
Insulin is a very important hormone secreted by the pancreas, which is nestled just below the rib cage on the left. Insulin has an important role to play in the control of carbohydrate processing, and is responsible for metabolism and storage of fat. It also helps your cells to ‘take in’ glucose.

Glucose is a sticky substance, and if too much stays in the blood, it is dangerous. When a person’s body cannot respond properly to insulin, it produces excessive amounts (called hyperinsulinemia) in an attempt to remove this sticky glucose from the blood quickly. If hyperinsulinemia continues however, the cells turn down their response to insulin. They virtually turn down their hearing aids. After all, who wants to answer a continual knock at the door to an ever-annoying salesman! This is when insulin resistance results.

Some research suggests between 44 to 70% of women with PCOS suffer from insulin resistance, irrespective of whether they are overweight or slender. However, I believe this figure is higher.
Insulin resistance has a two-fold effect in PCOS. On one hand, insulin resistance increases the secretion of testosterone from the ovaries. On the other hand, it reduces the production of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), which is required to neutralise excessive testosterone in our blood. To make things worse, excessive free testosterone in the blood can further increase insulin resistance creating a vicious cycle.
Due to its dual effect, insulin resistance can both cause, as well as amplify, the symptoms of PCOS.
It is a major culprit behind the central […]

By |July 1st, 2013|Fertility, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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6 Fabulous Foods To Eat If You Have Food Intolerances

Food intolerances often come with a whole set of unpleasant symptoms. Bloating, weight gain, stomach pain, irritable bowel are often part and parcel of a digestive system that isn’t coping with the foods it’s been given.
While an allergy free diet and supplements are a necessity to heal your gut, there are some wonderful healing foods which you can include in your diet to bring fast relief to food intolerance symptoms and help make the gut a healthy place for good bacteria to grow.

Ginger – Ginger has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system. It can be sliced and brewed as herbal tea, added to soups and curries, or try adding a thumb-sized piece of ginger to your freshly squeezed juice. Ginger is also a warming tonic, so it’s perfect for cold winter weather.
Turmeric – One of the strongest natural anti-inflammatories, turmeric has a healing effect on the digestive system, while helping to prevent digestive flare ups. You can also add this one to juice (it goes very well with carrot, orange and ginger juice), curries, or my most recent discovery – to pumpkin soup.
Kefir – One of the oldest probiotic food in the world, kefir is a fermented milk drink which contains beneficial bacteria, and is said to have healing and restorative properties. It is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Can’t have dairy? If you look around, you will find kefir made with coconut milk and even water. You will also find recipes and advice online for making your own kefir at home.
Kombucha – A traditional fermented tea drink, kombucha contains millions of beneficial bacteria and is dairy free. Kombucha has a wonderful, fruity flavor – just be careful […]

By |June 28th, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Naturopathy, Nutrition|0 Comments
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5 Of The Best Sugar Free Snacks

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are good you’ve heard mumblings about the growing movement that see’s people binning the sweet stuff. As research continues to be published linking sugar to all kinds of health conditions, many of us are wising up and looking for ways to cut down, especially on the refined, processed product that really, should only loosely be referred to as ‘sugar’.
While the premise itself sounds easy, cutting back can be hard work, especially once you learn to read food labels and realize that almost everything in a packet contains varying degrees of sweetener.  Even revisiting favourite recipes that you might have previously considered to be the benchmark in healthy eating may include a teaspoon (or more) of sugar in the ingredients. When you start looking for it, it’s pretty much everywhere.
So how do we cut back, or quit altogether? One of the best strategies when you’re starting out is to replace your sweetened snacks with something sugar-free that will help curb cravings. Allowing yourself to get ravenously hungry will only backfire in the long run as you’re far more inclined to reach for the nearest tummy filling food in sight when you’re half starved.
Here are my top 5 suggestions to keep you satisfied as you beat that sweet tooth.

Nuts – Raw nuts are a great way to keep hunger at bay. Once shied away from due to their fat content, we now know that that fat we were so worried about is actually the good kind that helps your body to feel full and satisfied.
Dip and veggies – If you’re used to grabbing a piece of fruit whenever hunger strikes, swapping out all that fructose for chopped up […]

By |June 25th, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition, Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Gluten Free Products – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

There is a common misconception that if a food label says “gluten free” then it must be good for you. Likewise, if a product is sitting in the health food section of your supermarket, then you would be forgiven for automatically thinking that it’s healthy. But it’s not always the case.
If you are intolerant to gluten, then by eating gluten free products you can avoid nasty digestive symptoms, but this doesn’t give these products an automatic healthy status.
Unfortunately, a lot of gluten free products like pastas, breads, biscuits and breakfast cereals are highly processed. This means that they are lacking in fibre and are higher GI than wholegrain foods. The result is that your blood sugar may spike after eating them, leading to fatigue and mood swings a short time later. Processed grains are also less satisfying, which means that you are likely to eat more – not great if you are trying to lose weight.
Gluten free snacks can also be high in sugar and salt. I’ve seen plenty of gluten free savoury crackers and flavoured rice cakes which contain MSG. I’ve also come across gluten free cake mixes that contain artificial flavours, preservatives, and even hydrogenated oils. Definitely not healthy!
4 Healthy Gluten Free Options:

Have raw veggie sticks with your dips instead of those little MSG laden rice crackers. Don’t limit yourself to just celery and carrot… boring!!! Try capsicum, snow peas, cucumber and even apple slices. Yum!
Try to cut down on pasta. Instead, try adding pasta sauce to lightly steamed zucchini strips, steamed green veggies, or baked sweet potato.  The resulting meal will then be lower GI and higher in vitamins and minerals.
Gluten free bread can be a bit of a minefield. It’s […]

By |June 23rd, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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The world’s richest source of Vitamin C!

If there was a fruit you could add to your morning routine that contained 56 times more vitamin C than an orange, would you be just a little bit curious?
The Kakadu Plum, also known as Billy Goat Plum or Gubinge, has been identified by scientists as the world’s richest source of vitamin C. Traditionally used by Aboriginals as an antiseptic and soothing balm for aching limbs and feet, this newfound super food contains 3000mg of vitamin C per 100grams of fruit.  To put this in perspective, a 100g orange contains roughly 53g of vitamin C. We would have to eat 56 oranges to match this!
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which contains essential nutrients to help slow down the aging process. It is vital for the formation of proline, an amino acid that helps the body break down proteins used in creating healthy cells.  Proline is essential in the development and maintenance of healthy skin and also required for the production of collagen in the body. Think gorgeous glowing skin and shiny hair!
With even more goodness, the Kakadu Plum contains phytochemicals, which have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activities and also shows anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, anti-mutagenic and anti- bronchodilatory activities.
Here are four top reasons to add this Superfood to your diet:
1. Promotes quick recovery from illness such as cold and flu.
2. Aids in digestive health and improves healthy bacteria in the gut.
3. Has anti-inflammatory properties that your insides and out will thank you for.
4. Prevent Alzheimers – touted as a stronger antioxidant than curcumin!
Throw away your cold and flu tablet this little green plum looks like the perfect ingredient to add to your diet on those chilly winter days!
More info on Loving Earth’s Gubinge superfood powder.
Reference:
Science […]

By |June 17th, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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5 Easy Ways With Chia Seeds

It seems you can’t stroll down the aisles of your local supermarket these days without stumbling across a super food (which is great news, don’t get me wrong!) Chances are good you’ve had an encounter or two with chia seeds but haven’t had a clue what they are or why you should throw them in your trolley.
I’m here to tell you that chucking a packet of two into your basket might not be a bad idea. There are a million and one (slight exaggeration but close) ways to integrate the humble chia seed into your diet and reap the rewards that this little powerhouse has to offer.
So why should you get on the seed train? For starters, chia is packed full of nutrients. Super high in fibre, Omega 3, antioxidants, calcium, iron, potassium and vitamin C, this gluten free seed is also incredibly high in protein. It’s not often that plant based forms of protein are given the ‘complete protein’ tick (meaning they contain 8 essential amino acids for healthy growth and development) but chia manages it.
A tablespoon a day is the recommended daily intake, though you may find you need a little more or less in some recipes.
Keen to start getting your chia on? Try one of these easy ways to effortlessly include it in your life.
–       In a smoothie – Adding a tablespoon of chia to your smoothie will not only add all the aforementioned nutrients, it will also help thicken up the mixture, making it more thickshake than milkshake.
–       On your cereal – If you’re a fan of muesli or porridge in the mornings, add a spoonful to the mix before adding your milk. The taste is mild enough not to […]

By |June 3rd, 2013|Detox, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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A Beginners Guide To Gluten Free

When you embark on a detox program (like our Community Detox), it is likely that you will be told to avoid gluten. In fact, eating gluten free has become somewhat fashionable, with many people claiming to feel better when they avoid it. But what’s so bad about gluten anyway?
Gluten is a protein which is found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, and ancient wheat grains like spelt and kamut. This protein is difficult for some people to digest. In mild cases this can manifest as bloating or rumbling tummy, but in serious allergies it can cause immediate and intense symptoms.
What’s the difference between a gluten allergy and an intolerance?
With a food allergy, the body’s immune system gets involved and mistakenly identifies the food as being a foreign invader. The immune response can produce rashes, inflammation, digestive symptoms, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. With food allergies the symptoms usually begin soon after eating the food. Coeliac disease falls under the banner of food allergies.
Food intolerances often start out as milder symptoms which become more serious over time. These symptoms occur due to the inability of the body to properly digest the food. If left untreated, even a mild gluten intolerance can take its toll on the body, causing damage to the digestive system.
What symptoms have been linked with gluten allergy/intolerance?
Symptoms include:

eczema, hives, rashes and acne
reflux, bloating and heavy feeling in the stomach after eating
irritable bowel, gas, diarrhea, constipation
asthma, runny nose, blocked ears, sinus troubles
joint pain and stiffness
foggy brain, headaches and fatigue
depression and anxiety

Isn’t a gluten free diet just for coeliacs?
No! Just because you’re not coeliac doesn’t mean that it’s all smooth sailing. Gluten intolerance is different to coeliac disease, and won’t show up on a […]

By |May 31st, 2013|Detox, Emma's Detox, Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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Welcome to my New Team!

I am so excited to announce I now have a team of highly motivated and knowledgable women who will be writing fabulous articles for my website. After screening a sea of applications, I have chosen six gorgeous hotties who will cover everything health related. From an expert on PCOS, to a children’s health specialist and also a mummy blogger who moonlights as a freelance parenting writer, we have all your needs covered!
Each week they will be posting their wisdom and expertise and we would love to know if you have any topics we need to cover. Please shoot over to my Facebook page and shout your request out loud as we will address your needs!
Over the next two weeks I will be introducing the team and posting their informative articles. Drum roll please ladies!!!
The Team
Kelly Gibson – Naturopath who specialises in natural children’s healthcare
Lauren Edwards – PT turned health coach as well as nutritionist in the making, she knows a thing or two about weight loss!
Emily Meagher – our youthful chickie babe who will keep us in the loop of the latest buzzwords and fads
Naomi Cotterill – a fellow mummy who is also a talented journalist

Dr Rebecca Harwin – a very experienced Chiro who specialises in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Jules Galloway – a passionate naturopath who will guide us through the world of allergies & intolerances

Stay tuned for more wonderful information from these talented women, I know I will be eagerly awaiting their articles each week!

By |May 8th, 2013|Health & Wellbeing, Nutrition|0 Comments
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My Fav Breakfast Boosters

Breaky can be a pretty boring affair for most people, consisting of toast or cereal on the run. I like to break the fast with some power packed foods that will seriously boost your energy. Try a different one each week and feel the difference!
Kefir is a drinkable yogurt style fermented milk packed with friendly bacteria and synergistic yeasts. The combination of bacteria and yeast colonize in the digestive system and reduce pathogenic microorganisms. (more…)

By |April 16th, 2013|Nutrition|0 Comments
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How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

How to Heal Your Adrenals Naturally

Adrenal fatigue is one of the most under diagnosed illnesses in western society. Download a copy of my free ebook to learn about the symptoms and how to heal your Adrenals naturally.

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