You’re Invited to a FREE Workshop Tomorrow at 8am MST. You sign up here Join us live or watch the recording.
Last December, I was reflecting on the year and creating my goals for 2022. I participated in a workshop and started seeing goal setting & vision boards in a new light.
When I learned time management, goal setting and planning those were highly logical, systematic approaches to life. I grew up learning that the dominant male influence in business + was the only way to be successful. I also learned that women shouldn’t be in business, but that is a story for another day.
The problem was, I was moving away from my natural inclinations: relationships, intuition, creativity and all the complex emotions of being human. My natural bent is also not particularly visionary, I am more of a words person. I can’t generally “see” a project or a vision in my head: I need outside support do to that (a sketch, a magazine picture, etc)
In the past, when I did vision boards I didn’t really FEEL anything, though I knew all the experts said that it’s a good exercise.
There was a disconnect and suddenly: it all made sense.
The imagery + the emotions + the words + the goals + the planning all “clicked." The Envision Workshop was born. This year we have offered four workshops, one for each season and this time around we are offering one on the Winter Solstice.
As Solstice is the darkest day of the year, it also reminds us: the light is returning. Yet, it’s still dark: what purpose can darkness offer our lives and business? We often associate darkness with uncomfortable things: like depression, loss, suffering and loneliness, PMS.
There is another aspect to darkness and we need that as humans, especially as women. Rest. Reflection. Intuition. The Hygge, the cozy. How can Winter offer you wisdom, insight, and help you take critical action as a busy mama running a business?
Join us and we’ll show you.This is an interactive, reflective workshop. Whether you join live, or watch the recording, this 90 minutes is going to help you reflect, rest, envision and align your actions in this season.
Who this is for:
- The Female Entrepreneur Feeling Burnout
- The Mompreneur who longs for more rest
- The Woman wear of non-stop hustle energy
- The Business owner building a business that supports a life she loves.
- The Entrepreneur who wants intentional business growth
- The Woman who knows the value of enjoying the wins and celebrating her success
- The woman tired of thinking the mensural cycle is a hinderance to her life & business
P.S. That was really long! Here’s the recap: We are hosting a free workshop tomorrow to help female entrepreneurs connect their goals and vision without ignoring the natural rhythms of the seasons and the female design. Sign up here:
You're probably so excited about welcoming your baby into your home, if you're like most moms you're probably flipping through a few books, you've download some apps, and listening to your friend's and family's experience. You're probably doing your part to be a star patient for your doctor or midwife.I totally get that, and this is actually a problem because you're going to get you varied, sometimes conflicting advice that might not even work for your circumstance, and here is the kicker: lots of time's it not evidence-based guidance.
Instead of that, I want to offer you that working with a doula from your first trimester through your postpartum time is actually going to give you what you really need: cohesive information, expert guidance and the emotional support that every new mom deserves. It's like having an a doula in your pocket (or purse if that's where you keep your phone)
Hiring a Digital Doula is the best way to have a positive experience during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I would love to be your digital doula.
Welcome back to our series on pregnancy nutrition and breaking down how different vitamins and minerals work in the pregnant body. Mark your calendar for January 25 for my upcoming Masterclass on Pregnancy Nutrition where I'll dive deeper into current research on recommendations (because they are very different than the RDAs you see on labels) and why the sources of our supplements and foods matter. Registration link coming soon!
Folate & Neural Tube Defects
Folate is so important for your baby’s development, and it is believed folate prevents neural tube defects.
Neural Tube Defects occur when the neural tube does not close properly. The neural tube is what forms the early brain and spine. The most common neural tube defects are Spina Bifida and Anencephaly. According to the CDC it is recommended all women of reproductive age get 400 mcg of folic acid every day.*
You’ve likely heard that before. Here is what is so important for you to know: Folic Acid is simply synthetic version of Folate. Here is why you may witness confusion on the internet: not everyone recognizes that folic acid and folate can work differently in different bodies. It takes YEARS for evidence-based research to make it's way into public policy (like the CDC's recommendation above).
For example, individuals with the MTHFR gene mutation can be harmed by folic acid. But almost more notably for expecting women: supplementing folic acid can lead to folate deficiency and increase risk of neural tube defects. Researchers suggest that up to 60% of people have a reduced ability to use folic acid and therefore REQUIRE the active form.* Not everyone who has this mutation knows they have it, so it’s best to just stick to food-based sources of folate and supplement with bioavalable FOLATE instead of folic acid.
For example, individuals with the MTHFR gene mutation can be harmed by folic acid. But almost more notably for expecting women: supplementing folic acid can lead to folate deficiency and increase risk of neural tube defects. Researchers suggest that up to 60% of people have a reduced ability to use folic acid and therefore REQUIRE the active form.* Not everyone who has this mutation knows they have it, so it’s best to just stick to food-based sources of folate and supplement with bioavalable FOLATE instead of folic acid.
Folate and Progesterone
Folate supports the development of the placenta, cellular division and production of progesterone. Progesterone is a critical hormonal for pregnancy. In fact, people call it THE pregnancy hormone. Progesterone is produced in the body by the corpus luteal cyst on the ovary for about the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. Progesterone rapidly increases during this type to form the placenta.
The placenta then takes over production of progesterone and it stabilizes over the course of pregnancy. When you give birth to the placenta the body drops progesterone which then induces lactation via other hormones. Progesterone is critical to a healthy pregnancy because it:
1. Forms the Placenta
2. Thickens the cervix
3. Creates the mucus plug
4. Regulates temperature of the uterus
5. Stops your periods
6. Reduces uterine contractions
7. Affects GABA receptors in the brain: helping to reduce anxiety, this also induces sleepiness
So, folate truly is a critical nutrient for a healthy pregnancy and development of a healthy baby. It’s important to get enough FOLATE in your diet and can be helpful to supplement in a multivitamin or b-complex.
What folate-rich foods will you be enjoying this week? ***
Avocado: 1/2 cup, 59 mcg
Bananas: 1 medium, 24 mcg
Eggs: 1 egg, hard-boilied, 22mcg
Papaya: 1/2 cup, 72 mcg
Romaine Lettuce, 1 cup, 64mcg
Turnip Greens frozen, boiled, 1/2 cup. 32 mcg
Oranges, 1 small fresh, 29 mcg
Crab, Dungness: 3oz, 36 mcg
Orange Juice 1/2 cup 35 mcg
Kidney Beans: 1/2 cup 46 mcg
Brussel Sprouts: 1/2 cup, 78 mcg
Green Peas: 1/2 cup frozen then cooked, 47 mcg
Mustard Greens: 1/2 cup, 52mcg
Broccoli: 1/2 cup, 52 mcg
Wheat Germ: 2 tablespoons, 40 mcg
Asparagus, 4 spears cooked, 89 mcg
Black Eyed Peas: 1/2 cup, 105 mcg
Cooked Spinach, 1/2 cup, 131 mcg
Beef Liver, one serving, 3 ounces, 215 mcg
Papaya: 1/2 cup, 72 mcg
Romaine Lettuce, 1 cup, 64mcg
Turnip Greens frozen, boiled, 1/2 cup. 32 mcg
Oranges, 1 small fresh, 29 mcg
Crab, Dungness: 3oz, 36 mcg
Orange Juice 1/2 cup 35 mcg
Kidney Beans: 1/2 cup 46 mcg
Brussel Sprouts: 1/2 cup, 78 mcg
Green Peas: 1/2 cup frozen then cooked, 47 mcg
Mustard Greens: 1/2 cup, 52mcg
Broccoli: 1/2 cup, 52 mcg
Wheat Germ: 2 tablespoons, 40 mcg
Asparagus, 4 spears cooked, 89 mcg
Black Eyed Peas: 1/2 cup, 105 mcg
Cooked Spinach, 1/2 cup, 131 mcg
Beef Liver, one serving, 3 ounces, 215 mcg
* Source Facts About Neural Tube Defects, CDC
* *Real Food for Pregnancy, the science and wisdom of optimal prenatal nutrition by Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE when you purchase directly from Lily you also get free recipe-book. Please DO NOT purchase on Amazon as there are fraudulent copies of per book available for sale on Amazon. I share this with you as an Amazon Associate and while I recommend many products from Amazon this is one I cannot ethically recommend.
***Source Folate Fact Sheet for Health Professionals from the National Institue of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
You're probably so excited about welcoming your baby into your home, if you're like most moms you're probably flipping through a few books, you've download some apps, and listening to your friend's and family's experience. You're probably doing your part to be a star patient for your doctor or midwife.I totally get that, and this is actually a problem because you're going to get you varied, sometimes conflicting advice that might not even work for your circumstance, and here is the kicker: lots of time's it not evidence-based guidance.
Instead of that, I want to offer you that working with a doula from your first trimester through your postpartum time is actually going to give you what you really need: cohesive information, expert guidance and the emotional support that every new mom deserves. It's like having an a doula in your pocket (or purse if that's where you keep your phone)
Hiring a Digital Doula is the best way to have a positive experience during your pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I would love to be your digital doula.
