Ripe Wellness, Asheville, NC (2026)

12/14/2025

It's easy to think about hormone health in terms of cycles, symptoms, or supplements. However, there is one system that connects all of these aspects, and it often doesn't receive enough attention: your liver.

Your liver does much more than just "detox." It’s responsible for breaking down estrogen and preparing it for removal from the body. Additionally, when your system is under stress, lacking essential nutrients, or overstimulated, hormonal buildup can occur.

Here are some everyday signs that may indicate your liver is struggling:

**Waking Up Hot at 3 AM**

This can be a sign that your liver is working overtime while you sleep, especially after consuming alcohol or a heavy meal late in the evening. While it doesn't always indicate a problem, it may be a signal that your body is carrying more than it can effectively clear.

**PMS Symptoms like Irritability or Breast Tenderness**

These symptoms are often connected to excess estrogen that isn’t being metabolized efficiently. If your liver is sluggish, even a typical hormonal rhythm can feel overwhelming.

**Decreased Tolerance to People, Noise, or Minor Stress**

When estrogen builds up in your system, it can disrupt neurotransmitter balance, resulting in heightened sensitivity. Your mood can feel fragile, and your ability to manage stress diminishes.

**Feeling Tired After Eating, Even with Healthy Food**

When the liver is overloaded, digestion slows down. This can lead to bloating, sluggishness, or a "wired but tired" sensation, indicating that your body isn’t processing nutrients or clearing hormones effectively.

**Increased Sensitivity to Smells, Caffeine, or Skincare Products**

Sensitivity often arises when the liver’s detox pathways are congested. You may find that your usual products feel overwhelming or result in headaches or flushed skin.

Focus on stabilizing your blood sugar, consuming enough protein, allowing space between meals, and reducing urgency in your daily activities.

You can start small, like having a nutritious breakfast, drinking a glass of water before your coffee, or taking five minutes outside before sitting down to work.

Remember, your body keeps track of these small changes even when your mind forgets.

Ready to get to the bottom of your hormonal symptoms?

You might be eating "all the right foods" and still feeling terrible. Why? Because what works for someone else might be quietly inflaming your body. That "healthy" smoothie? Could be triggering a sensitivity you didn't know you had. Those supplements everyone swears by? Your body might not even be absorbing them.

This is where Bio-Energetic Scanning changes everything.

Instead of guessing what's wrong, we get specific answers:

✨ What foods are actually sabotaging you? We identify hidden sensitivities causing inflammation, bloating, and hormone chaos—even foods you thought were "safe."
✨ What nutrients is your body desperately craving? We pinpoint the exact deficiencies keeping you stuck—whether it's magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, or something else entirely.
✨ What's the real root cause? We uncover underlying toxins, organ stress, and imbalances so you're not just treating symptoms.
✨ What remedies will actually work for YOU? Custom-tested solutions for your unique body—no more wasting money on supplements that sit unused in your cabinet.

+ 1:1 Private Coaching gives you personalized support every step of the way as you restore balance naturally.

No more trial and error. No more confusion. Just clear answers and a plan that actually works.

Your body has been trying to tell you something—

🔗 See my link in bio to schedule a consultation and let's chat!

12/13/2025

I don’t have a perfect morning routine, but I do have a rhythm -- a quiet sequence of small decisions that help my nervous system find its footing before the day demands more from me. It’s a way to remind my body where it is, what feels safe, and what truly matters.

Here’s what my mornings usually look like, especially if I wake up feeling wired, scattered, or disconnected from myself:

**I drink something warm before I touch caffeine.**

Typically, I start with a mug of plain hot water with a squeeze of lemon or steeped herbal tea. I wrap both hands around the mug and stand at the kitchen counter before checking my messages. This simple act slows my urge to rush and reminds me that I’m in my body before I dive into my inbox.

**I move my spine before I tackle the day ahead.**

I don’t do a full workout; instead, I might circle my hips while waiting for the water to boil or do a cat-cow stretch on the rug as the light shifts across the floor. Some mornings, I spend five minutes on movement; other mornings, even less. However, this movement signals to my nervous system that the night is over and I’m present.

**I sit quietly with my tea and check in with my feelings.**

Sometimes I take a deep sigh; other times, I notice a small spiral of dread that’s been lingering since sleep. Occasionally, there’s nothing at all -- just breath, warmth, and space to notice. This act of noticing helps me stay grounded in the present moment longer than any affirmation ever could.

**I wait to eat until I genuinely feel hunger, not just out of habit.**

If my stomach feels tense or heavy from the night before, I choose gentle food. Food feels different when I allow my body to signal when it’s ready for it.

**I don’t speak to anyone for the first half hour.**

This isn’t because I’m avoiding people; it’s because my system isn’t ready to engage yet. That quiet time gives me a chance to regulate myself before I’m asked to respond to others.

This isn't just a checklist or a rigid set of rules; it's more like a personal relationship I cultivate with myself. I find myself revisiting it often, especially during those moments when my body feels tense and anticipatory, as if bracing for something that hasn’t even unfolded yet.

Want to create a morning routine that actually works for YOUR body?

Join my 5-Day Ayurveda Stress Reset where you'll learn how to build your own personalized morning rhythm using ancient Ayurvedic wisdom. You'll be guided with specific prompts to help you determine the best way to start your day—unique to your nervous system, your constitution, and what your body needs most.
No cookie-cutter routines. Just clarity, self-awareness, and practices that actually feel good.

🔗 https://ripewellness.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/stressedtoflow

12/11/2025

Early on in my healing journey with autoimmune (Hashimoto's), I learned that the kitchen can be a place where we unknowingly consume unwanted toxins via what we cook our food with—the materials, coatings, packaging, and residues that our bodies must filter through the liver contributing to gut and hormonal imbalances.

The goal isn't to create a perfectly "clean" home but to gradually improve the environment in which your hormones function, especially in the areas that matter most.

Here are some small but meaningful changes I've made in my kitchen:

I replaced nonstick pans with cast iron or stainless steel;
Nonstick pans used to be my go-to for everyday sautéing, making eggs in the morning, and reheating meals. However, the chemical coatings on these pans can deteriorate with heat, releasing endocrine-disrupting particles into the air and food. Now, I cook with a seasoned cast-iron skillet or a stainless steel pan with a bit of ghee.

I store leftovers in glass containers instead of plastic;
This is especially important for hot soup or roasted vegetables straight from the oven. Plastics are more likely to leach harmful substances when exposed to heat or acidity, so I prefer not to let them be the final container for my food. A few sturdy glass containers or repurposed jars have replaced most of the mismatched lids and takeout tubs in my kitchen. (Think plastic utensils too!)

I switched from plastic cutting boards to wooden ones;
Over time, plastic boards can develop deep knife grooves that trap tiny bits of food and bacteria and cut micro-plastics into your food. Wooden boards, on the other hand, wear differently and no endocrine disrupters there!

I switched to non-toxic dish soap;
I used to think dish soap didn't matter much—it gets rinsed off, right? But those synthetic fragrances, dyes, and harsh surfactants leave behind residues on your plates, cups, and utensils. Every time you eat or drink, trace amounts transfer into your body. Now I use a plant-based dish soap with simple ingredients I can actually pronounce. My hands feel less dry, and I'm not worried about what's lingering on the dishes my food touches.

I replaced conventional dishwasher detergent with a cleaner option;
Dishwasher detergent is even trickier because the high heat can bake residues onto your dishes. Conventional brands often contain phosphates, chlorine, and artificial fragrances that don't fully rinse away. I switched to a fragrance-free, plant-based dishwasher detergent, and I've noticed my glassware doesn't have that filmy residue anymore. It's one less thing my liver has to process with every meal.

None of these changes turned my kitchen into the latest trend, but they did create a place where my body can absorb what it needs without having to filter out so many unwanted toxins.

Want more guidance on non-toxic swaps in your home? I've created a simple "Going Toxic Free Checklist" where you can see my healthy swaps and follow step-by-step making your home a healthy environment for healing. Link in Bio!

12/10/2025

It's likely you already know what you need to do to feel better. You're just not doing it. And that's not because you're lazy or unmotivated—it's because you're trying to do it alone.

Here's what changes when we work together:

✨ Commitment to a timeframe – No more "I'll start tomorrow." We set a plan, and you show up.
✨ Scheduled meetings for the months ahead – Your progress becomes non-negotiable because it's already on the calendar.
✨ Access to me when you need it – A text away when doubt creeps in, when your body throws you a curveball, or when you just need someone who gets it.
✨ Someone who actually hears you – I hold space for the struggles, the setbacks, and the wins. You're not figuring this out on your own anymore.
Progress doesn't happen in isolation. It happens when you stop carrying everything yourself and let someone walk beside you.

If this sounds like exactly what you need in your life, and you're ready to make the changes:

👉 Comment or DM me the word READY and I'll share how we can get started!

Don't put off another 6 months with "I'll start tomorrow."

12/09/2025

Hormones play a crucial role in every system of the body, including metabolism, cognition, mood, digestion, and sleep. This means that even if you have a regular monthly period, it doesn't necessarily indicate hormonal balance.

Here are five reasons why hormonal imbalances can still occur, even when your period is on time:

**Ovulation may occur, but not optimally.**

While ovulation can happen without a strong hormonal response, you might not produce enough progesterone in the second half of your cycle. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, irritability, mood swings, or difficulty sleeping at night, even if your cycle seems regular.

**Blood sugar instability might be present between meals.**

If you experience mid-morning crashes or crave sweets to function after lunch, it can strain your endocrine system, particularly if estrogen or cortisol levels are fluctuating. This instability may not show up in lab tests, but it will affect how you feel throughout the day.

**Gut inflammation can hinder hormonal clearance.**

Even if your hormones are cycling properly, how they are processed can be impacted by gut health. Symptoms like bloating, constipation, or sluggish digestion can impair the body’s ability to detox excess estrogen or regulate hormone conversion. You might notice recurring skin breakouts or prolonged premenstrual symptoms.

**Sleep may be fragmented but often overlooked.**

Waking up frequently between 2 and 4 a.m. can indicate that your body is in a stress-protective mode. This disruption during the night can affect ovulation signals, thyroid function, and cortisol levels, leading to hormonal support that isn’t fully effective, even if you continue to menstruate.

**The nervous system may lack the opportunity to reset.**

Cortisol interacts with all other hormones, and if your daily routine feels like an unending list of tasks with no recovery, your body may prioritize stress responses over optimal hormonal function. This can manifest as irritability, sensitivity to light or sound, or feeling like your patience has worn thin.

Maintaining cycle health is vital for overall well-being. Sometimes, the most significant signs of hormonal imbalance can be found in subtle details rather than just relying on the calendar.

Feeling numb, stuck, or like you're just going through the motions?
You're not lazy. You're not broken. Your nervous system is frozen.

My 5-Day Ayurveda Stress Reset is designed to gently thaw the freeze:

💜 Reconnect with your body using grounding Ayurvedic practices
💜 Release stored tension that's keeping you stuck
💜 Learn nervous system tools that help you feel safe again
💜 Rediscover clarity and motivation without forcing it

This isn't about pushing harder. It's about creating the safety your system needs to come back online.

Ready to reset?

🔗 Links in bio to join the 5 day reset!

12/08/2025

You may not notice it until you're halfway through a meal, already feeling off. The food isn't sitting wrong, exactly—it's just not settling well. You're still chewing, but your body isn't quite on board.

For me, the first sign of stress isn't mood or muscle tension—it's a meal that feels disconnected.

Here's where stress shows up in digestion:

You feel hungry, but nothing sounds good-
You open the fridge five times and close it again. Your body needs food, but your nervous system is too dysregulated to know what it wants. Instead of forcing a decision, reach for foods that require no thought: broth you froze last week, leftover lentils, or half an avocado with salt. The goal is to stop negotiating with yourself and simply nourish yourself instead.

You eat and feel wired instead of satisfied-
You're not anxious—you're just alert in an unusual way, as if your body is preparing for a deadline you forgot about. Your nervous system is stuck in "on" mode. Add grounding foods after your meal: a few olives, a piece of sourdough, or anything dense and rich in minerals. This helps signal to your system that it's safe to rest and digest.

Digestion gets "stuck" without real bloating-
It's not pain—just a static sense of fullness. Take a slow walk around the block with a cup of warm fennel water. The combination of movement and heat usually helps shift something. If it doesn't, don't keep pushing at it—your body is asking for gentleness, not force.

These are subtle signs that stress is running the show. They're not meant to be ignored or pushed through.

Ready to reset your digestion and nervous system?

Join my 5-Day Ayurveda Stress Reset where you'll learn how to calm stress responses, support healthy digestion, and help your body feel safe enough to actually absorb what you're eating.

🔗 https://ripewellness.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/stressedtoflow

12/08/2025

This state is not the same as rest, and it isn’t always characterized by stillness. The freeze response can create deep tension in the body, which may become unnoticeable over time. This can happen until sleep patterns change, digestion slows down, or normal cycles begin to fade.

Here are some subtle ways the freeze response might manifest, along with its effects on hormonal rhythms over time:

**You feel slow, but not relaxed.**

There’s a difference between a deliberate pause and a system that won’t function effectively. The freeze response can present as inertia that doesn’t respond to motivation -- where your to-do list remains untouched, not because you’re resisting it, but because your body has entered a low-power mode. You might feel physically heavy yet mentally wired -- quiet, but not peaceful.

**You’re avoiding small tasks that used to feel neutral.**

Tasks like opening a bill, replying to a friend, or scheduling an appointment may seem simple, but when in freeze mode, even these light activities can feel insurmountable. Procrastination in this state is not laziness; it signals energetic depletion and nervous system overload.

**Your cycle begins to shift in subtle ways.**

The freeze response can disrupt the HPO axis, the loop linking your brain, ovaries, and adrenals. You might notice that ovulation becomes less noticeable, luteal phases shorten, or PMS starts earlier and lasts longer. The body diverts energy away from reproduction when it doesn’t feel safe to engage.

**You’re sleeping a lot but still waking up feeling depleted.**

The freeze state may lead to deep physical fatigue, but it doesn’t facilitate true restoration. You might sleep longer than usual or take naps at odd times, yet still feel that your brain hasn’t rebooted. While the body rests, the energy remains stuck.

**Pleasure, creativity, and desire feel distant.**

In a freeze state, there’s often a dulling of sensations -- food becomes just fuel and ideas seem uninspired. This isn’t always sadness; rather, it reflects a sense of absence, as if life is viewed through glass.

If this resonates with you, understand that it is a protective state, and your system is capable of thawing. This process doesn’t require pushing through; instead, it calls for slowly reintroducing safety, warmth, and choice -- one cue at a time.

Going through mold illness and autoimmune personally I've spent a lot of time working with my nervous system to feel safe and regain hormone balance again, I've shared my favorite daily Nervous System Regulation practices in my Free Guide you can grab in my bio! 💜

12/06/2025

You don’t need to completely renovate your kitchen or spend a lot of money to start making meals that support your hormones. Much of what makes a difference lies in the routine of your shopping habits -- what you choose

when you're tired, pressed for time, or planning easy meals for the week.

Here are a few everyday ingredients I consistently rely on. I choose them not because they are trendy, but because they work quietly behind the scenes—helping to stabilize blood sugar, keeping the gut regular, and easing the burden on the endocrine system.

**Eggs or Sardines**
Both are rich in bioavailable nutrients like B12, choline, and selenium. They are affordable, protein-rich, and help provide stability.

**Frozen Berries**
Packed with fiber and antioxidants, keep a mix of frozen berries on hand for stovetop oats, yogurt bowls, or quick chia jam.

**Cabbage, Carrots, and Zucchini**
This trio boosts fiber intake and supports estrogen detox without taking up too much space in the fridge.

**Olive Oil and Avocado Oil**
Rich in monounsaturated fats, which your body uses as building blocks to produce hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. These healthy fats help reduce inflammation throughout the body, allowing your endocrine system to communicate more effectively and keeping cortisol levels in check.

**Chickpeas, Lentils, or White Beans**
Both dried and canned varieties. Their soluble fiber and plant protein help buffer blood sugar levels in a way that often goes unnoticed.

This list doesn’t require perfection. It simply provides your hormones with consistent nourishment -- supporting your health even when life doesn't go as planned.

Ready to stop guessing and start healing?

You might be eating "all the right foods" and still feeling terrible. Why? Because what works for someone else could be quietly sabotaging your body.

This is why I love Bio-Energetic Scanning! It's specific to your unique body and creates a clear roadmap;

✔️ Hidden food sensitivities causing inflammation and hormone chaos
✔️ Nutrient deficiencies and what you need more of
✔️ Target underlying toxins sabotaging your hormone health
✔️ Custom remedies tested specifically for YOUR body

No more trial and error. No more wasting money on supplements that don't work.

+ 1:1 Private Coaching gives you personalized support to restore balance easily.

Your body has been trying to tell you something—let's finally listen.

🔗 Links in bio to schedule a consult, let's talk!

12/06/2025

When stress lingers, it affects not only your mood and sleep but also how your body interacts with food -- particularly blood sugar regulation. Blood sugar imbalance doesn't always show up as obvious crashes or cravings. Sometimes the signs are subtle—showing up in your sleep, your mood, your cycle, and how you feel throughout the day.

Here are the signs I've learned to watch for, along with what actually helps:

You wake up wired or shaky, even without caffeine-
Your eyes snap open, your chest feels buzzing, and you haven't even moved yet. This is a cortisol spike raising your blood sugar too early. Instead of reaching for something sweet or cold, try something warming and grounding like rice cooked in broth or oats with butter and salt. These gentle foods signal safety to your nervous system.

You crash mid-afternoon, even after eating-
Around 2 p.m., your thoughts fog over and your body feels heavy, like you're moving through molasses. This isn't just about what you ate—it's about dysregulation. A walk around the block or a few minutes of slow breathing outside often helps more than another snack.

You crave sugar even when you're not enjoying it-
It doesn't feel like a normal craving—it feels necessary. Your nervous system is compensating for something deeper. Instead of resisting, add a small source of protein or fat alongside it: a boiled egg, a piece of cheese, or a spoonful of tahini. This helps stabilize the spike.

Your menstrual cycle shifts or becomes more intense-
Chronic stress doesn't just disrupt blood sugar—it throws your hormones off balance too. PMS gets worse, energy swings wildly. Small adjustments help: dimming lights earlier, eating more grounding meals the week before your period. These tiny changes help your body find its rhythm again.

Blood sugar management isn't just about what you eat—it's about how your body moves through the day. Chronic stress distorts that rhythm in small, cumulative ways.

Ready to regulate your blood sugar and feel steady again?

Join my 5-Day Ayurveda Stress Reset where you'll learn exactly how to stabilize blood sugar, calm your nervous system, and break the cycle of crashes and cravings.

🔗 https://ripewellness.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/stressedtoflow

12/04/2025

Hormone support isn't just about what you consume; sometimes, it's about providing your body with a way to release built-up tension. A warm bath can facilitate this release, especially when enhanced with ingredients that help clear out what has accumulated throughout the day.

Magnesium salts to ease tension
A generous scoop of magnesium salts. You feel that ache in your lower back and notice your jaw hasn't unclenched since that 3 PM call. Your muscles relax a little faster, and your breathing becomes easier.

Baking soda to support detox pathways
Not glamorous, but practical. Baking soda softens the water and gently buffers acidity. If your liver has been processing excess estrogen or stress hormones throughout the day, this helps facilitate smoother elimination.

A few drops of rosemary or geranium
These aren't just "mood boosters"; they're grounding agents. Rosemary clears mental fog, while geranium provides gentle structure.

Warm water, not hot
This matters more than you realize. Hot water can overstimulate an already sensitive nervous system, while warm water encourages balance.

Ten to twenty minutes of genuine pause
No scrolling or problem-solving. Just allow your body to recognize it's no longer in "on" mode. This resets cortisol levels and gives your lymphatic and endocrine systems space to recalibrate.

Your hormones are messengers—when they're out of balance, your entire body feels it. Fatigue, weight struggles, mood swings, sleep issues... these aren't things you just have to live with.

✨ What I offer:

1:1 Private Coaching – Personalized support to restore balance naturally.

Bio-Energetic Scan – Reveals the root cause of your hormone imbalances, hidden food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, organ stress, underlying toxins, and custom remedies tested specifically for YOUR body.

No more supplements that don't work. No more trial and error. Just clear answers and individual support along the way.

🔗 Links in bio!

11/09/2025

Warmed oil, a soft cloth, and a moment to pause—this ritual is less about fixing something and more about gentle care.

It allows the body to feel nurtured instead of merely managed. Especially in the evening, when the nervous system is more receptive to relaxation, applying a castor oil pack can be a subtle yet significant shift.

Here's how this simple ritual can meet your system where it is:

The warmth encourages quiet within the digestive tract
As the cloth settles over your belly, warmed oil begins to soften the tissues underneath. For some, it brings release of subtle tension around the lower ribs or pelvic bowl. For others, it's about the shift in awareness—suddenly you're tuned in to an area you typically ignore.

The practice can support lymphatic movement
Castor oil is dense, rich, and almost sticky. It moves slowly, and that pace seems to echo in your body. When applied to the abdomen, it may help stimulate lymphatic flow—particularly through areas that get compressed when we sit for long hours. Think of it less like draining and more like loosening something held too tightly.

It pairs well with stillness
Unlike more active gut support strategies, this one asks very little. Once the pack is placed, you're simply there. That quiet can bring a different kind of regulation.

It's gentle enough to repeat, yet potent enough to feel
You might not notice significant change after one evening, or you might. A softer belly, a longer exhale, sleep that feels more stable. Castor oil doesn't work abruptly; it operates through consistent presence. When used regularly, the body tends to respond.

It offers a soft edge to the idea of detox
Detox here isn't about urgency. It's about giving the liver space to function effectively. Warmth, oil, and stillness create a low-stress environment where the body can process and eliminate naturally, at its own pace.

If you've been moving quickly or living mostly in your head, this might be a way to reconnect and encourage healing at the same time.

Want more rituals and routines to support your daily healing? I made this 5 Day Ayurveda Stress Reset for you! Grab it in my bio 🌿

11/07/2025

Cortisol (the stress hormone) isn't the enemy; it's the hormone that helps you wake up, focus, and navigate the world with energy. When its rhythm is disrupted—spiking too high or not rising at all—you feel it. Lingering fatigue despite coffee, anxiety without a clear trigger, feeling unsettled even after a full night of sleep.

One way to support this rhythm is by stepping outside first thing in the morning—barefoot if the weather and ground permit.

Here's what this looks like:

A few minutes outside before screens or caffeine

Bring your mug of warm lemon water or tea. Step outside in your pajamas if needed. Stand on concrete, grass, dirt, or the wooden edge of the garden. Feet touching ground, breath softening, brain slowly orienting to the day.

Let light hit the back of your eyes
Face the sky and allow natural light to signal to your brain that it's daytime. This anchors the cortisol pulse that should rise in the morning and sets the internal clock for melatonin release later that night.

If the weather is too cold or wet
At least expose your bare eyes to the sun for 10 minutes before 10 AM. This creates the same reset and aligns with your environment's circadian rhythms and HPA axis, even if you can't get your feet on the ground.

Notice what the air feels like
Cool or humid, still or breezy—there's something regulating about just noticing the sensations before taking in any information. This gives the body a moment to settle before processing everything else.

Leave the phone inside
Even for five minutes, resist checking while standing outside. This absence of stimulation is important—it gives the nervous system space to ease into alertness without a spike in anxiety.

A few minutes of grounding may not completely resolve fatigue, but it reminds the body where it is. Sometimes, that small orientation can significantly shift how the rest of the day unfolds.

Want more routines to balance your cortisol and stress levels? Grab my 5 Day Stress Reset in my bio 🌿

Ripe Wellness

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