http://thrive-functional-health.com/

Thrive Functional Nutrition, Twin Falls, ID (2026)

02/07/2026

Your heart health starts in your gut. 💚
Did you know that the bacteria in your digestive system directly influence your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and risk of heart disease?

I just published a deep dive into the gut-heart connection—covering the science behind TMAO, short-chain fatty acids, inflammation, and exactly which foods support BOTH your microbiome and your cardiovascular system.
This is functional nutrition at its best: understanding the ROOT CAUSES so you can make informed choices about your health.

What you'll learn:
✨ How gut bacteria affect blood pressure (the research is fascinating!)
✨ Why fiber is your heart's best friend
✨ The anti-inflammatory foods that love your gut AND your heart
✨ Lab markers to track your cardiovascular health
✨ Practical steps you can take TODAY

Whether you're managing PCOS, concerned about heart health, or just want to understand how your body really works—this one's for you.
Read the full blog: Your heart health starts in your gut. 💚
Did you know that the bacteria in your digestive system directly influence your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and risk of heart disease?

https://thrive-functional.com/blog/the-gut-heart-connection-how-your-microbiome-affects-cardiovascular-health

02/05/2026

WEEKEND RECIPE: Wild Salmon with Herb Chimichurri & Roasted Asparagus

Cardio-protective AND gut-healing!

WHY THIS WORKS:
• Wild Salmon: Omega-3s reduce inflammation
• Herb Chimichurri: Olive oil + fresh herbs = antioxidants
• Roasted Asparagus: Inulin feeds gut bacteria

RECIPE:
Salmon: 4 fillets, salt, pepper, olive oil. Bake 400F for 12-15 min.

Chimichurri: 1 cup parsley, 1/2 cup cilantro, 3 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, salt. Blend until chunky.

Asparagus: 1 bunch trimmed, olive oil, salt, pepper. Roast 400F for 15-20 min.

Restaurant-quality meal that loves your heart AND gut! 🫀💚

Who is making this tonight?

02/04/2026

Swipe for 5 foods that protect your heart AND heal your gut! 💚❤️
These aren't separate protocols. One food, double benefits. That's the power of anti-inflammatory eating.

Inside this carousel:
🐟 Wild Salmon (omega-3 powerhouse)
🥣 Oats (cholesterol + gut bacteria)
🫐 Blueberries (antioxidants + polyphenols)
🥜 Walnuts (plant-based omega-3s)
🥬 Leafy Greens (nitrates + fiber)
Real food is powerful. These 5 foods work synergistically to support your ENTIRE body—not just one system.

Which one are you adding to your plate this week? Drop it in the comments! 👇
Want a personalized plan tailored to YOUR body? I work with a select number of clients 1:1 to address root causes and create sustainable protocols. I keep my practice small to ensure quality support. Book your free discovery call—link 👇

https://form.jotform.com/250675666224159

02/04/2026

You might wonder: Wait, you focus on GUT health. Why talk about heart health?

Here is why: Everything is connected.

When I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago, nobody told me about cardiovascular risk. I found that out myself.

Functional medicine taught me: You cannot separate body systems. Gut affects hormones. Hormones affect heart. Stress affects everything.

When I work with clients on gut health, we are:
• Reducing systemic inflammation (protects heart!)
• Balancing blood sugar (reduces cardiovascular risk!)
• Supporting microbiome (produces heart-protective compounds!)
• Managing stress (benefits both!)

The same anti-inflammatory foods that heal your gut also protect your heart.

It all works together.

Yes, I am a gut health specialist. That is EXACTLY why I care about your heart. 💚❤️

Have you noticed how everything in your body seems connected?

02/02/2026

Did you know your gut health directly impacts your heart health? 🫀💚

Your microbiome plays a HUGE role in cardiovascular health.

1. TMAO Production - Gut bacteria produce TMAO from red meat/eggs. Healthier microbiomes produce LESS TMAO!

2. Inflammation - Gut dysbiosis creates systemic inflammation, damaging arteries.

3. Blood Pressure - Gut bacteria produce SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) from fiber that help regulate blood pressure!

4. Cholesterol - Certain bacteria help break down cholesterol naturally!

THE GOOD NEWS:
✅ Fiber-rich plant foods
✅ Fermented foods
✅ Reduce ultra-processed foods
✅ Manage stress
✅ Quality sleep
✅ Regular movement

Same foods, same habits. They work synergistically!

Your gut and heart are best friends. Questions below!

**If you want personalized support:** I am accepting a select number of new clients for 1:1 functional nutrition counseling. I keep my practice intentionally small to provide the deep, individualized attention that creates lasting results. Book your free discovery call—link👇
https://form.jotform.com/250675666224159

02/01/2026

New month, new focus. 💚❤️

February is HEART month—both literally and figuratively.

This month we are diving into:
💕 The gut-heart connection
🫀 Heart-healthy recipes
💗 Self-love practices
🩺 PCOS and heart health
✨ Anti-inflammatory foods

Plus, more about my

Newsletter link in 👇!
https://thrive-functional.com/the-functional-foodie-newsletter

Let us love our hearts this February. 🌱

01/31/2026

Cozy Cinnamon Hot Cocoa
A Wholesome Hot Chocolate That Nourishes Body & Soul

Ingredients

1 cup A2 organic whole milk
1 tablespoon organic cacao powder
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt (don't skip—it's the secret!)
Coconut sugar or stevia to taste

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a small saucepan
Whisk continuously over medium-low heat until warm and frothy
Pour into your favorite mug
Enjoy immediately while cozy and warm!

Why This Recipe Works
Real Cacao, Real Benefits:

Rich in magnesium (supports relaxation and cardiovascular health)
Contains flavonoids with anti-inflammatory properties
Provides natural mood-boosting compounds

The Salt Secret:

That pinch of salt isn't just for flavor—it enhances the natural sweetness of cacao and balances the bitterness, creating a more complex, satisfying taste

A2 Milk:

Easier to digest for many people
Contains beta-casein A2 protein that may be gentler on the gut

Cinnamon:

Helps support healthy blood sugar balance
Adds warmth and anti-inflammatory benefits

Prep Time
5 minutes
Serves
1 cozy cup

Tips & Variations
💚 Make it extra creamy: Add a splash of coconut cream or a teaspoon of coconut oil for added richness
💚 Boost the benefits: Add a pinch of cardamom or a drop of vanilla extract
💚 Frothy perfection: Use a milk frother or immersion blender for extra foam
💚 Kid-approved sweetness: Start with 1-2 teaspoons of coconut sugar and adjust to taste

Storage
Best enjoyed fresh, but you can double or triple the recipe and gently reheat as needed. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

A family favorite from Thrive Functional Nutrition
Silvanna Topete, MS, CFNC

01/30/2026

Your gut doesn't need a complete overhaul to start feeling better. Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference. 💚

Try these 3 things TODAY:
✅ Warm lemon water first thing – It's gentle on your system and supports hydration (not "detox" – your liver's got that covered!)
✅ Add fermented foods to one meal – Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, or yogurt all count. Your gut bacteria will thank you.
✅ Chew your food slowly – Digestion literally starts in your mouth. The more you chew, the easier it is on your gut.

No fancy supplements. No restrictive diets. Just simple, functional nutrition in action. Which one are you starting with? Drop a comment! ⬇️

01/28/2026

Your body doesn't need perfection. It needs consistency, compassion, and choices that actually work for YOU. 💚

This is the heart of functional nutrition—understanding that what heals one person might not heal another. Your gut microbiome is unique. Your stress response is unique. Your nutritional needs are unique.

So if you've tried everything and nothing's worked? You're not broken. You just haven't found what YOUR body needs yet.
That's where we start.
Drop a 💚 if this resonates!

01/26/2026

🥬 Your gut-healing grocery list (screenshot this!)
Stop wandering the aisles, wondering what actually supports gut health. Here's what should be in your cart:

THE ESSENTIALS:
🦠 Fermented foods = natural probiotics
(Think: sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt—but not all brands are created equal)
🌾 Fiber-rich foods = fuel for good bacteria
(Your gut bugs literally eat this stuff and thrive)
🐟 Anti-inflammatory foods = calm the gut fire
(Omega-3s are non-negotiable)
🥣 Bone broth or collagen = repair gut lining
(Game-changer for leaky gut)
🧅 Prebiotic foods = bacteria superfood
(These feed your beneficial bacteria specifically)

HERE'S THE CATCH:
Not all fermented foods work for everyone. Not all fiber is helpful during active gut issues. And timing matters.

This is where functional nutrition comes in. Generic lists ≠ personalized healing.
Want the specific brands, portions, and timing that work for YOUR gut? That's what I help my clients nail down.

Save this for your next grocery run! 📌
And if you're tired of guessing what your gut actually needs—DM me "THRIVE" or check the link in my bio. 💚

01/23/2026

💛 "Your healing journey isn't Instagram-perfect, and that's exactly how it should be."

Can I get real with you for a moment?

Bad gut days? Completely normal.
Eating foods that don't "optimize" you? You're human.
Taking breaks from your protocol? Necessary for sustainability.
Forgiving yourself for being imperfect? Essential for actual healing.

Social media makes healing look like:
📈 Linear progress
✨ Perfect meals every time
🎯 Never wavering from the plan
😊 Always positive and glowing

Real healing looks like:
↗️↘️↗️ Zigzag progress
🍕 Sometimes pizza, sometimes salad
🛑 Rest days and recalibration
😔😊😐 Full range of emotions

Progress isn't a straight line from point A to point B.

It's messy. It's real. It backtracks sometimes. It pauses. It speeds up. It slows down.

And it's YOURS—uniquely yours.

You're not failing if:
• You have a flare after months of feeling good
• You can't stick to the meal plan every single day
• You feel discouraged sometimes
• You're not "healed" in the timeline you hoped

You're not broken. You're not behind. You're not doing it wrong.

You're healing at the pace your body needs. And that's perfect. 🌱

Keep going, friend. You're doing so much better than you think you are.

Who needed to hear this today? Share it with someone who's being too hard on themselves. 💚

01/21/2026

Here's what most people don't realize:
Different probiotic strains have completely different jobs:

Some support immune function
Some help with specific digestive issues
Some influence mental health via the gut-brain axis
Some can actually make certain conditions WORSE

Yes, you read that right. The "wrong" probiotic for YOUR body can worsen symptoms instead of helping.

THE BOTTOM LINE:
This is why I NEVER recommend "just take a probiotic" to my clients.
We need to understand:

YOUR specific gut issues
YOUR symptoms
YOUR health history
YOUR current microbiome state
WHAT your body actually needs right now

Taking random probiotics is like taking random medications and hoping one works. It's not strategic. It's not personalized. And it can backfire.

Your body is bioindividuality. Your gut protocol should be too.
This is functional nutrition. This is individualized care. This is why generic advice fails.
Questions? Drop them below. And if you've been taking probiotics without knowing why—this is your sign to get strategic about it. 💡

Save & share this with someone who needs to hear it!

Thrive Functional Nutrition

02/07/2026

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