The Nourished Vita

10/02/2026

The Gal behind The Nourished Vita..a little reintroduction ☀️

Hi, I’m Heather.

At the root of everything I do, I’m a holistic nutritionist. Food is foundational...but it’s never just about food.

This past year I expanded into bodywork as a Licensed Massage Therapist because sometimes healing needs to be hands-on. Sometimes the nervous system needs touch. Sometimes the body needs help moving what it’s been holding.

I’m obsessed with all things holistic wellness.
Herbs are my favorite “nutrient.”
Coconut oil is my go-to in the massage room.
And hiking? That’s my therapy. Especially on the IAT in the winter - that cold, crisp air clears the mind like nothing else.

I’ve also had the honor of diving into biophotonmodulation — and WOW. Light on the brain truly changes the game, especially for us neurospicy humans. I’ve felt it. I’ve seen it. I love it.

In 2006, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
There have been highs and lows *especially from 2018–2021* but that journey became my catalyst. It pushed me deeper. It made this work personal.

I don’t just study this. I live it.

I love my career. I love my clients. I love helping people reconnect with their bodies and remember that healing is layered, individualized, and absolutely possible.

Thanks for being here. 🌿

— Heather

09/02/2026

🙌🏼🩷 is this what they consider AMSR?!

06/02/2026

🩷

Don't take our word for it:
"Even better than 2 weeks ago! We'll be back each time for some amazing products and great company during these dreadfully dreary days." Lori S.

04/02/2026

As a board-certified light therapist… please listen to this:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/305Jl0flbHJfQrgKeBKUpN?si=KPiaxdfVQumh7M_urSFKYQ&pi=v8eQBA_CRjyRw&t=96

Huberman Lab · Episode

02/02/2026

So lucky to wake up and “go to work” everyday… I love helping people 🤍

31/01/2026

Stock Family Market visit 🩷⭐️🫶🏼 A Local Veteran-owned family farm right in our neighborhood.

31/01/2026

30/01/2026

🧬 What L-theanine Is

L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid most commonly found in the leaves of Camellia sinensis (green tea, black tea) and some mushrooms. It is prized for its calming and focus-enhancing effects without sedation or strong stimulation. 

🧬Why it's gaining popularity: It crosses the blood–brain 🧠barrier, allowing direct effects on brain activity.

🧠✔ Neurotransmitter modulation: L-theanine increases GABA and other calming neurotransmitters, lowering stress responses. 

🧠✔ Alpha brain waves: It may promote alpha wave activity associated with calm focus. 

🧠✔ Synergy with caffeine: When paired with caffeine, people often feel alert without jitters — a popular nootropic combo. 

🌿☕ What It’s Used For 🌿☕

1️⃣Stress & Anxiety Relief
L-theanine increases calming brain chemicals such as GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, helping to reduce stress responses and promote a relaxed state without sedation.

2️⃣Mental Clarity & Focus
It may improve attention, reaction time, and cognitive performance — especially when taken with caffeine (e.g., caffeine plus L-theanine provides “relaxed alertness”). 

3️⃣Sleep Support
Taken in the evening, it can help with sleep quality by calming the nervous system, though it doesn’t act like traditional sedatives. 

4️⃣Immune System & Recovery Support
Some small studies suggest possible support for immune health and antioxidant function — though more evidence is needed. 

☕Natural sources include green tea, matcha, black tea, and oolong tea. If you're thinking about starting the supplement be sure to speak with your health care provider first.

27/01/2026

Genius 🙌🏼

24/01/2026

An amazing podcast featuring Dr. Stacy Sims highlighting the correct way for women to train and increase longevity.

Huberman Lab · Episode

22/01/2026

Pickled foods and fermented foods are not the same — even though they’re often grouped together. I often have people tell me about the “pickled” items they’ve incorporated for gut health. That's great, but fermented foods are very different and provide gut health benefits.

🫙🥒Pickled foods are preserved by adding an acidic liquid, most commonly vinegar. Or a saltwater brine!
The acidity lowers the pH quickly, which prevents spoilage. Because the acid is introduced from the outside, there is no bacterial fermentation happening. Most store-bought pickled foods are also heat-processed, which means no live cultures remain. Pickled foods can still support digestion by stimulating stomach acid and bile, *but they do not provide probiotics*.

🫙🥬Fermented foods are preserved through a natural biological process. Beneficial bacteria (most often lactic-acid-producing bacteria) consume sugars in the food and create lactic acid as a byproduct. This process both preserves the food and supports the growth of live, beneficial microbes. When fermented foods are raw and unpasteurized, they can contribute to microbial diversity in the gut.

Key physiological differences:
• Pickling introduces acid
• Fermentation produces acid
• Pickled foods = flavor and preservation
• Fermented foods = microbial activity and live cultures

Why labels matter:
For fermented foods to offer probiotic benefits, they must be unpasteurized. Look for terms like:
– “Naturally fermented”
– “Live and active cultures”
Avoid products where vinegar is listed as the primary ingredient.

Both have a place in a balanced diet — but they support the body in different ways.

Who loves fermented veggies as a topper or a side?!