Anita Stechschulte DNP, FNP Functional Medicine

04/22/2026

Starting something new today… and honestly, a little out of my comfort zone.

I had someone recently share that they started Weight Watchers and found it really helpful. Now, you all know me—I’m not one for diets or jumping on trendy programs. That’s just not how I approach health or healing. Nor do I feel that I need to make some major adjustments.

BUT… I’m always curious. And more importantly, I’m always committed to understanding what my patients and community are trying.

So—I downloaded the app and committed to the next 3 months.

Day 1 is officially underway, and yes, I’m tracking everything. I marked I am all in!

I’m going into this with an open mind—not as a believer, not as a critic—but as someone who wants to evaluate:
✔️ Is it sustainable?
✔️ Does it support true health?
✔️ Is it something I’d ever feel comfortable recommending?

I’ll be sharing weekly updates—real thoughts, real experiences, no fluff.

Because if my people are using it… I want to understand it.

Here goes another trial in the name of better guidance and deeper insight. Stay tuned 👀

UPDATE: INTIAL THOUGHTS
*is that all the fiber I need 25G?-
Not sure, but will maybe make some tweaks to my settings if I am allowed.

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP, APRN, IFMCP

04/22/2026

Love the fuel that loves you back.

Lunch is roasted pine nut hummus with organic veggies: celery, carrot, tomato, cucumber, with an orange, lemon slice, mixed micro greens, and stuffed grape leaves; seasoned with black pepper.

All the cells in my body are healthy, all the bones in my body are healthy---I am grateful!

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/22/2026

Love the Fuel that loves you back.

Fried kale with portobello mushroom, avocado, toasted blueberry sourdough bread with farm fresh butter (yes it’s so yum), boiled egg with chili oil, orange slices and low acid/no mold coffee. I did add some sunflower seeds later to my kale.

Woke up starving today! Made a quick breakfast while my brew was brewing.

Love your food. Stay healthy my friend

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/21/2026

Show me your fuel today.

Roasted pine nut hummus with fresh cilantro, cucumbers, portabella mushroom, beets, and fresh kefir.

Stay healthy my friend.

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/20/2026

Show me your fuel.

Lunch today is stuffed grape leaves, organic orange, organic lemon slices. egg, hummus with pine nuts, 4 small cucumbers, fresh sprouts and half an avocado. (yes the entire lemon slice will be eaten--yum!)

Eat healthy to stay healthy my friend.

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/18/2026

Show me your Saturday fuel.

Farm fresh scrambled eggs with onion and tomato. Grain bowl with quinoa, barley, brown rice, wheat berries, kale, cranberries, and sweet potato; green apple, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. And enough spicey chili oil to make my mouth burn!

Stay healthy my friend

Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/17/2026

Show me your fuel, Friday edition.

Lunch: quinoa, yam, spinach, yellow pepper bowl with fresh yellow pepper and tomato along with the last of my lentils, homemade chicken soup and a ginger shot to boost digestion.

Ok, so I THINK my eyes are bigger than my stomach. Was not able to eat ALL of this! Saving my soup for snack in a few hours 🤣 For reference, it is day 1 post 5 day fast---my body is craving fuel and I love it!

In health
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/17/2026

04/17/2026

Grateful Friday Feels: Loving what I GET TO do!

04/17/2026

Show me your fuel.

Break-Fast: literally breaking my fast.

Lentils, 2 very lightly cooked farm fresh eggs topped with red onion and pat of farm fresh butter, greens with beef, peppers, tomatoes, and onions. I also had half a smashed avocado as I was still 'starving'. Hit the spot! LOTS of healthy fats, variety of easy to digest protein to start rebuilding, fibers for my biome, and some carbs to start my engine. Not a fan of animal protein after coming off a break-fast but my husband thinks otherwise...we all have our things. Could be worse!

IN HEALTH
Glad to have another fast down. All the cells in my body are healthy--and I am grateful!

Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/16/2026

What is evidence-based practice… really?

It’s often reduced to “following the research.”
But the actual definition is much more complete:

Evidence-based practice is the integration of:
✔️ The best available research evidence
✔️ Clinical expertise
✔️ Patient values, preferences, and informed consent

All three are meant to work together—not separately, and not with one dominating the others. Because the best care happens when science, clinician insight, and what matters most to the patient are aligned.

That’s true evidence-based medicine.

This is where functional and integrative medicine has stayed grounded:
We’ve always honored clinical insight.
We’ve always prioritized individualized care.
And most importantly—we’ve always centered YOU in the decision-making process.

>>>WORD: We also prioritize staying on the leading edge of emerging research. Because in conventional medicine, it can take an average of 17 years for research to translate into everyday clinical practice.

That gap matters. Patients deserve care that reflects both what we know now and what’s coming next—not just what’s already been slow to change.

So I am all for complete and up to date, evidence. And I refuse to leave out the most important piece of the equation…

👉 You.

IN HEALTH
Dr Anita DNP APRN IFMCP

04/16/2026

Show me your fuel!

Lunch: Organic veggie soup blend and almond/kale chips. Sipping on my muscle saving L Drink and lemon water.

On a prolonged fast day 5/5
All the cells in my body are healthy and I am grateful.

In Health