Thrive Naturally

24/12/2023

28/06/2023

More Ginkgo 🌳💛💛

20/06/2023

Vitamin C has many health benefits, but is perhaps most well-known for its role in supporting a healthy immune system. 💪✨

Vitamin C supports the immune system in several different ways, including increasing resistance to infections by increasing the activity of T cells, natural killer cells and phagocytes, and increasing production of interferon, an antiviral protein.

Did you know❓ Humans, unlike most animals, are unable to synthesize vitamin C in the body, therefore we must obtain it from our diet.

🍊🥦 Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of vitamin C. Those richest in vitamin C include:

💜 Blackcurrants – a great source of vitamin C, frozen and raw blackcurrants contain over 150mg of vitamin C per 100g.

🥝 Kiwifruit – another good source of vitamin C, and some varieties provide more than others. The Sun Gold kiwifruit has the highest vitamin C content with 161mg per 100g, followed by the Sweet Green (150mg) and Gold (109mg). The Green kiwifruit has the lowest vitamin C content with 85mg.

🥦 Broccoli - raw broccoli is best, as it provides more vitamin C (99mg per 100g) than boiled (57mg) or steamed (38mg) fresh broccoli.

🍊🍓 Oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, and red & green capsicums are other good sources of vitamin C.

Did you know❓ Vitamin C in food can be destroyed by exposure to heat, light, and air, and deteriorates during storage and food preparation. Cooking can reduce the vitamin C content of vegetables by 40-60%. Fruit & vegetables should be cut up immediately prior to serving to limit exposure to air. Eat as fresh as possible, as up to 70% of vitamin C content can be lost during storage.

19/06/2023

Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system. Are you getting enough zinc? 🧐

Zinc is crucial for the growth, development, and maintenance of immune function. A zinc deficiency can lead to a poorly functioning immune system. If you’re getting colds/sick 🤧 more often than usual, consider whether you're consuming enough zinc. (TIP: Do you have white spots on your fingernails? You may be low in zinc)

Food sources of zinc:

Did you know❓ 🦪🦪 Oysters contain more zinc per serving than any other food.

Other rich sources of zinc include 🥩 red meat (i.e. grass-fed beef), 🐟 fish (i.e. salmon), 🍗 poultry (i.e. chicken, eggs), and seafood such as crab and lobsters 🦞.

🎃🌻 Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are also good sources of zinc – I like to throw some into smoothies and add to overnight oats and salads 🥗.

🥜 Nuts like cashews and almonds make a quick and convenient healthy snack and can also boost your intake of zinc.

🥚🥛 Eggs and dairy products also contain zinc.

Zinc is also found in legumes and whole grains, BUT the high phytate content in these foods inhibit zinc absorption, making them an inferior source 👎 (vs animal food sources). For this reason, 🥬🥬 vegetarians and vegans usually have lower dietary intakes of zinc and may benefit from zinc supplementation.

What are phytates❓️ Phytates (phytic acid) are naturally occurring compounds found in all plant foods like legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Phytates bind some minerals such as zinc in the intestine and form an insoluble complex that inhibits 👇 zinc absorption.

TIP: Phytates can be reduced through fermentation or sprouting (a process that involves soaking, draining and rinsing seeds, grains, nuts and legumes for prolonged periods), which in turn improves ☝️ the bioavailability of zinc (the amount of zinc that gets absorbed). 👍🧡

14/06/2023

The weather is getting cooler (this morning was brrrr ❄☃), and it's a good reminder to support and nourish your immune system, to avoid/minimise those winter ills & chills 🤧. Here are just a few 'healthy habits for a healthy immune system':

🌈 Eat a rainbow - eat a diet high in colourful fresh fruits & vegetables, as they have the best levels of immune protecting nutrients.
💧 Drink more water - the body needs water to function effectively. Being hydrated is important for immune health.
🧘‍♂️ Try to minimise stress - stress hormones inhibit immune function. Try yoga, meditation, or a walk in nature, to help reduce your stress levels.
🏃‍♀️ Exercise regularly - moderate exercise enhances immune function and lowers the risk of upper respiratory tract infections. Avoid prolonged intensive exercise as it can actually suppress the immune system!
😴 Get enough sleep - aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Your immune system does its repair and rebuilding while you sleep. Studies have shown that getting enough good-quality sleep can boost your body's immune response.
🥯 Avoid refined & processed foods - as they may reduce micronutrient stores and compromise your immune function. Studies have shown that sugar intake reduces the capacity of white blood cells to function properly.
🌟 Nutritional supplements - consider supplementing your diet with immune-boosting nutrients such as Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin D.

If you'd like to discuss your immune health, and what you can do to support your health & wellness this winter, just send me a message or make a booking through linktr.ee/thrivenaturallynz

15/05/2023

Anyone else enjoy walking amongst the large Ginkgo trees at Cornwall Park? 🚶‍♀️🌳

Ginkgo is a deciduous tree, and has distinctive fan-shaped leaves which turn from bright green to golden-yellow in autumn. 💛

Ginkgo is a favourite of mine. One of the most well-known potential benefits of Ginkgo is its ability to improve cognitive function. 🤯 Ginkgo may help to improve memory and concentration 🧘‍♀️, and enhance cognitive function – it is regarded as a “nootropic” (a popular buzzword in health). Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant.

Did you know❓
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) has been around for millions of years, and has survived unchanged from when dinosaurs 🦕 walked the earth, crazy! It has been described as a “living fossil”, and is believed to have been saved from extinction by the Chinese, who revered the tree and planted it around their temples.

30/04/2023

New month, new week, new mindset, new intentions...new results, new you! ✨

If you're tired of always feeling tired 😴, or constantly feeling stressed and overwhelmed 🤯... Or over the bloating and gut issues... Now is the perfect time for a new start, and a new you! ✨

Get 25% off when you book in for an Initial Consultation this month and mention this offer*. Book via the link in bio, or send me a message.

*Offer available on the Initial Consultation only, for new customers. Offer ends 31 May 2023.

26/04/2023

Spotted! Lots of Kawakawa on my walk this morning. Kawakawa has to be one of my favourite herbs.💚😍

Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is a NZ native, mostly found around the North Island and the upper South Island, in parks, lowland forests, and especially near the coast.

Kawakawa has a long history of use, as an important healing herb in Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori herbal medicine). It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, carminative (calming) and depurative (purifying & detoxifying) properties, to name a few, and can help with:
✨ Skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and boils (internally & topically)
✨ Cuts, abscesses and wounds (topically)
✨ Digestion – it can help calm the gut and aid digestion
✨ Circulation problems such as chilblains and Raynaud’s
✨ And more!

Kawakawa can be drunk as a tea (see below) or taken as a tincture. Or used topically.

☕Kawakawa tea: Pick some fresh Kawakawa leaves. Place leaves in a saucepan of water and cover. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain and enjoy. Easy!
Tip: Opt for the leaves with lots of holes (eaten by insects), as they have the most concentrated medicinal properties! 💪

Look out for the green heart-shaped leaves on your next walk! 💚💚

21/04/2023

Have you ever wondered how well your body processes carbs? 🍞 Or what you can do to help coordinate your inflammation? 🔥
The answers are in your genes.

Ingeneous (gene testing) provides insights into the core genes that may influence your health, as well as personalised easy-to-follow nutrition, exercise, supplement and lifestyle recommendations for your optimal wellbeing.

There's a special on right now (until 30th April only!) - so if you’re interested, send me a message to find out more, and get your genes tested today!

Personalised, gene-based recommendations can help your body thrive! 💪✨
Find out…
🔥 How well your body responds to inflammatory challenges + recos for a 3-week inflammatory reset
🥦 What to eat – what nutrition your body thrives on
🍷 What to drink – learn how your body responds to caffeine and alcohol, with recommendations according to your genes
🏃 How to exercise – which styles of training are optimal for you – aerobic or resistance, burst or endurance
😴 Insights into your methylation system, which influences your sleep quality, mood, cognition & stress
🏋️‍♂️Weight management (optional module) – how you can most efficiently burn fat. Is fasting good or bad for you?

17/04/2023

Love Autumn walks 🍁😍 Pics taken from my walk earlier today.

'Nature Therapy' 🌳
Spending time in nature has a positive effect on well-being. Research indicates that walking in nature may reduce stress-hormone levels, relieve fatigue, and balance sympathetic (think 'fight or flight') and parasympathetic (think 'rest & digest') activity. ✨

It certainly helps me to de-stress and recharge! 😊

16/04/2023

Did you know I'm also a qualified Quantum Reflex Analysis (QRA) practitioner? QRA is an advanced form of kinesiology that tests the bio-energetic status of organs and glands to determine strengths 💪 and weaknesses 🙁. QRA can help get to the root cause of a health concern, and identify which supplements / treatments will be the most beneficial, in order to get you back to optimal health and vitality! 🙌

QRA can assess:
✨ Immune stressors
✨ Emotional blocks
✨ Physical trauma
✨ Food sensitivities
✨ Product bio-compatibility (basically, which specific nutrients / herbs / supplements YOUR body needs/will find the most beneficial!)

If you're interested in finding out more, send me a message, or book in a consultation via linktr.ee/thrivenaturallynz