Cedar Valley Functional Medicine

01/12/2026

Stress, travel, alcohol and disrupted routines can throw off core systems that regulate digestion, hormones and metabolic balance. When those systems fall out of sync, symptoms show up quickly.

Here are key steps that help the body recalibrate:

Bring back predictable meal timing to steady insulin and hunger signals
Shift into a calmer state before eating to support stomach acid and enzyme output
Rebuild microbial diversity gradually to reduce gas
Stabilize blood sugar to calm cravings and afternoon crashes
Take light movement after meals to improve motility and glucose response
Reestablish your sleep rhythm to support cortisol balance
Hydrate consistently to improve bowel function and detox capacity
Consider deeper testing if symptoms linger to assess digestion, microbiome balance or hormone rhythm

These are the same systems the body relies on for smooth digestion, fewer cravings and better energy, especially after a busy season.

01/11/2026

Maintaining the musculoskeletal system is a vital part of your longevity plan. When muscle mass declines or joints become unstable, your entire physiology feels it.

Here's why maintaining muscle + joint health matters more than ever:

Muscles support metabolic health. More lean muscle helps stabilize blood sugar, balance hormones, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance energy levels throughout the day.

Strong, stable joints protect mobility for life. Joint stability reduces pain, improves posture, and keeps you active, which directly influences cardiovascular, cognitive, and emotional health.

Movement supports immunity + inflammation regulation. Regular, functional strength work reduces chronic inflammation and supports immune resilience, which is especially important as we age.

If you want better metabolism, healthier aging, and a more resilient body... start with your muscles. Try adding 10 minutes of functional strength work to your morning routine. Mini squats, wall sits, resistance bands, glute bridges, planks - it all counts.

01/10/2026

Metabolic health isn't just about calories, workouts, or willpower. It's about how well your systems are working beneath the surface.

Your metabolism is influenced by:
Stress hormones that can slow metabolic signaling
Blood sugar regulation that affects energy, cravings, and fat storage
Sleep quality that determines how your body repairs and responds
Inflammation that interferes with mitochondrial function
Gut health that impacts nutrient absorption and metabolic communication

When even one of these areas is out of balance, you can feel it, no matter how "healthy" your habits look from the outside.

This is why so many people are told "everything is fine," yet still deal with fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, crashes, and a metabolism that feels stuck. Traditional models often look at single numbers, not interconnected systems.

If you're tired of being told "everything looks fine," it's time for a new approach. Schedule your session and get answers - not just bandaids.

01/10/2026

These 4 ingredient High Protein Bagels provide steady energy and satisfying protein without relying on powders!

Ingredients (Makes 4 mini bagels or 2 large)

1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or a high-protein dairy-free yogurt alternative)
1 cup organic all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt

Optional toppings:
Cheese
Everything bagel seasoning
Sesame seeds
Pumpkin seeds
H**p seeds

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, add yogurt, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms and avoid overmixing.
Lightly flour your hands and shape the dough into 2 large or 4 mini bagels.
Brush with water or a thin egg wash, then sprinkle seeds or seasoning on top.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until lightly golden and set.
Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing (they firm up as they cool).

01/09/2026

01/07/2026

We’re pumped to introduce The Wellness Center at Thrive—a powerhouse group of local providers dedicated to whole-person health and real collaboration. Huge thank you to Dr. Violet Hunter for partnering with us and bringing this incredible crew to our women! 🤍

The Wellness Center Directory:
• Cedar Valley Functional Medicine — Dr. Violet Hunter
• TnK Health Food Store — ReShonda Young
• Julie Grunklee — Julie Grunklee
• Move with Miah Pilates — Miah Youngblunt
• Foxy’s Beauty Lounge — Lisa Shaw
• Cedar Valley Mobile Chiropractic — Dr. Maria Staudt

Thrive is coming in hot and you don’t want to miss it.

🎟️ Ticket sales end January 10—grab yours now before they’re gone. Click link in bio.

01/05/2026

Feeling heavy, puffy, or mentally drained by mid-afternoon? You don't always need a nap or a latte, this simple and restorative posture helps:

Improve lymphatic drainage
Support venous return to the heart
Calm the nervous system
Enhance digestion via vagus nerve activation
Relieve lower body swelling (ideal after long periods of sitting or standing)

How to do it:
Lie on your back with your legs resting vertically against a wall
Let your arms fall to your sides, palms up
Breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes
Bonus: Place a pillow under your hips to enhance lymphatic flow

01/04/2026

As the pace slows after the holidays, it's natural for motivation and mood to shift. These 5 habits can help restore balance to your brain chemistry and lift your energy from the inside out:

Get morning sunlight. It boosts serotonin and resets your body clock.
Eat protein and colorful veggies. Your brain needs the right building blocks for happy neurotransmitters.
Move your body daily. Exercise naturally raises dopamine and serotonin.
Support your gut. It makes most of your serotonin! Think fermented foods + fiber.
Rest. Sleep and stillness are how your brain resets and rebalances.

01/03/2026

Vitamin D isn't just for bones. It supports mood, immune function, hormone health, and energy levels.

And deficiency is incredibly common, especially in fall and winter.

Here are a few subtle signs your D levels might be low:
Low mood or seasonal blues
Bone aches or muscle weakness
Fatigue that won't go away
Getting sick more often
Brain fog

The only way to know? Test your blood levels, then dose appropriately (because too much D can also cause issues!).

Most people need more than they're getting from food or sunshine alone, especially in northern climates or indoors most of the day.

01/03/2026

When treating a metabolic issue, the person who has the metabolic malfunction should be addressed, not the disease.

01/03/2026

LIFiNG™ Podcast- Gentle Beginnings: Starting the Year Supported, Not Stressed.
You don’t need a new version of yourself this year.
You don’t need a long list of resolutions.
And you definitely don’t need more pressure.

This week’s episode is a reminder that January doesn’t have to be a sprint. It can be a reset. A moment to land, reflect, and choose what actually feels supportive for your body and your life.

We’re talking about:
🌿 Why winter is a time for gentleness, not force
🌿 Releasing pressure and keeping what already works
🌿 Choosing one small anchor habit for the year ahead
🌿 Starting 2026 grounded, not overwhelmed

If you’re craving a calmer, more sustainable start to the year, this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen to the LIFiNG™ Podcast — Gentle Beginnings
Small shifts. Brighter living. https://youtu.be/0gd9z2UkLAw
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LIFiNG™ Podcast- Gentle Beginnings: Starting the Year Supported, Not Stressed.You don’t need a new version of yourself this year.You don’t need a long list o...

01/03/2026

LIFiNG™ Podcast- Gentle Beginnings: Starting the Year Supported, Not Stressed.
You don’t need a new version of yourself this year.
You don’t need a long list of resolutions.
And you definitely don’t need more pressure.

This week’s episode is a reminder that January doesn’t have to be a sprint. It can be a reset. A moment to land, reflect, and choose what actually feels supportive for your body and your life.

We’re talking about:
🌿 Why winter is a time for gentleness, not force
🌿 Releasing pressure and keeping what already works
🌿 Choosing one small anchor habit for the year ahead
🌿 Starting 2026 grounded, not overwhelmed

If you’re craving a calmer, more sustainable start to the year, this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen to the LIFiNG™ Podcast — Gentle Beginnings
Small shifts. Brighter living. https://youtu.be/0gd9z2UkLAw