My Story

My Story
How did I get here? A passion for leading women through a Happier Period online course and guiding women to take charge of their hormonal health? It started with me and my own journey. 

This is My Story.

10 years ago I had no idea what a natural product was or why it should matter to me. They were pricy and a marketing ploy for tree huggers. Right?

Somehow, I began to do my research, and the more I read, the more I was convinced I needed things to change. At the time, I had no idea my chronic sinus infections or crappy periods had anything to do with the journey I was about to embark upon.

I began switching out products, slowly but surely, first my cleaning products, then my makeup, eventually my shampoo and perfume were the last to go.

And something strange happened. For the first time in my life, I stopped getting sinus infections. 

And, my periods suddenly became much more manageable. 

But they couldn’t be connected . . . Could They?

So I began to read. And ask Questions. And ask my friends who had recently switched to non-toxic products if they had noticed a difference as well, They Had.

I began sharing what I was learning in real time. And people listened. And they began to have similar stories.

My periods were better, but not perfect. I was curious to know if it was possible to have a painless period, one that was so consistent, I could tell you the exact day it would start next month, and perhaps the month after that. I wanted to know if I could have a period without clots or heavy bleeding, or fatigue or random breakouts, or heightened emotions.

So I began learning from those who had gone before me. And as I learned, and implemented, things continued to improve. I learned about diet and stress and sleep and toxins and the role they all play in hormonal health. 

So I decided to give women what I wish I had in the beginning: a basic understanding of the ways our daily lives are either supporting or sabotaging our hormonal health, a step-by-step guide to happier periods. 

Enrollment closes this Friday March 4th for my next round of 28 Days to a Happier Period. If you’re ready for change, I’d be honored to do this together. 

So What IS Normal to Experience While on Your Period?

I share a lot about what is Not normal to experience while on our period, but this begs the question, what IS normal to experience during my period?

Your period is a unique time, and even with perfectly balanced hormones, there WILL be differences from other points in your cycle. 

Here’s a few things that you may (and arguably even SHOULD experience) during your period:

1️⃣ More tired than usual. Estrogen and Progesterone are at their lowest points the first day of mensuration, so it’s natural to feel a bit more tired than usual. Often you will benefit an extra hour or so of sleep and should be aware that your energy will deplete more quickly than usual. You should NOT however be exhausted, or unable to function. If you are getting an appropriate amount of sleep and not crowding your schedule with activities that expend a ton of energy, and Still feel exhausted during your period, you may need to nurture your hormones back into balance.

2️⃣ Feeling more introverted or reflective than usual. Remember how estrogen levels are at their lowest point at the start of our period? Higher levels of Serotonin are linked to higher levels of Estrogen due to Estrogens role in Serotonin production. This is in party, why women typically feel better (mood & energy) while ovulating- and less so early in menstruation when levels are at their lowest.

3️⃣ Some sensation of cramping is the normal result of our uterus contracting to shed the endometrial lining during menstruation. Even with balanced hormones, we should still experienced some sensation of this. However, cramping that is painful or prevents us from daily activities is Not normal and is a good sign our hormones need a little extra TLC.

4️⃣ Frequent bowel movements are the natural response to the body’s increase of prostaglandins during menstruation. Prostaglandins are responsible for helping the uterus contract to shed its lining. But the uterus isn’t the only thing Prostaglandins cause to contract 💩 If your period poops are particularly loose or you experience diarrhea, this is Not normal and is likely a sign of high levels of prostaglandin.


If you've read this and realized your hormones could use a little TLC, make sure to check out my 28 Days to a Happier Period course where I will walk alongside you to make simple, sustainable changes, that will Transform the way you experience your period!

Happier Period DIY Perfume

Happier Period DIY Perfume
Most commercial perfumes contain endocrine disrupting chemicals like phthalates to make the fragrance last longer.  Longer-lasting scent? Awesome! Unless until you know those chemicals can parade around like Estrogen in our bodies, causing our bodies to become confused and often leading to hormone imbalance. 

Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can manifest as everything from headaches, to painful periods, to brain fog, and a host of other frustrating symptoms. 

One of the best things we can do for our hormones is to gradually eliminate what's messing with them in the first place.

I finally ditched my favorite chemical laden perfume in 2017, and never looked back.

There are a TON of great perfume recipes out there using natural botanicals & essential oils, but here is my personal favorite. 

+ 9 drops Ylang Ylang Essential oil
+ 15 drops Cypress Essential oil
+ 6 drops Bergamot Essential oil
+ Vodka, 100 proof alcohol, or Witch Hazel
+ 10ml fine mist spray bottle (or adjust drops if you use a different size bottle)

Add essential oils to bottle, allow oils to mix for a few hours or days- the longer the better. Then, top off the bottle with your choice of carrier (vodka, 100 proof alcohol, or witch hazel). Gently shake before using. 

*Note: a quick word on Essential Oils- make sure you are choosing a high-quality essential oil that does not contain any synthetics or fillers as these can cause hormone-imbalance as well. This goes for non-organic oils since pesticides are another potential cause of hormone imbalance.  If you are not sure which oils to use, or would like guidance in using them, you may purchase the oils I use for this recipe here

Here's a bit about each ingredient, and why I use it:

+ Ylang Ylang Essential Oil - Ylang Ylang flowers were traditionally sprinkled on the beds of newlyweds. It has a floral, romantic scent and is believed to aid libido.

+ Cypress Essential Oil - Cypress (from cypress wood) has an earthy scent, and is known to be an emotionally grounding oil.

+ Bergamot Essential Oil - The citrus scent balances out the floral and woodsy smells well and Bergamot is known for it's uplifting and hormone-supporting properties.

+ Vodka, 100 proof alcohol, or witch hazel - I choose to use vodka because it is inexpensive and I find that it helps the scent stick around longer than witch hazel. Witch hazel also has a bit of a scent on it's own that you will need to work with if you choose to use it. Either way, you will need to gently shake the bottle each time before using.

If you liked this Recipe, make sure to check out my Free Guide 3 Simple Switches to a Happier Period.

The TRUTH About Your Period

The TRUTH About Your Period
. . . Are You Ready for It?

Your period is working WITH you, Not Against You.

Yep, everything about a properly functioning menstrual cycle is for your Health and Flourishment.

Shifting this understanding changes EVERYTHING.

Now, not all of us have a properly functioning menstrual cycle. Many of us are suffering from years of imbalanced hormones and quick-fix bandaid attempts at resolving them.

And the worst part is, we have been convinced that this is NORMAL. 

That it's normal to be in pain every month. That it's normal to turn into a dragon the week before. That only the highly blessed and favored aren't subjected to certain death once a month. But guess what, NONE of that is True.

So if you haven't heard it before, or you heard it but haven't taken it to heart, hear me out

THERE IS HOPE.

Realizing this simple truth changed everything for me. From the way I experienced my periods (goodbye days in bed) to the way I viewed them (um, I became known as the "period girl" in my circles for my passion for hormones and periods, haha!)  

Is it a journey to balanced hormones? Sure. 

But first you have to come to the belief that it can be better. 

So if you don't know where to start, Start Here: 

Believe that it doesn't Have to be this way. That there is hope for a better period (and menstrual cycle all month long for that matter). And that your period is working FOR you and Not Against You.


*If you are someone who already believes this, but finds yourself stuck on where or how to start making sustainable changes that make a difference, check out my Happier Period Course, that will have you well on your way to a Happier Period by your next cycle.

Vulnerable Motherhood: "I Wasn't Made for This"

Vulnerable Motherhood: "I Wasn't Made for This"
My thoughts from one day in April, 2021. As I sat down to write, for the first time in years I felt as though what I was feeling in the deepest parts of my soul came spilling out of me. 

This one is for my fellow mamas who just can’t help but feel like something is askew. 
- - - - - 
Big beautiful houses with toys and laundry, and dishes all piling up clamoring for our attention. 
The constant bombardment of media shouting and shaming
They don’t know us or our kids
But apparently they know how we should raise them

They point out where we’re falling short
And all the areas were lacking.
Oh and let’s throw in a pandemic,
Months of isolation,
And more roles and responsibilities we never asked for.

Are we equipped? Forget it,
This is just another one of those things we’re expected to collect ourselves and just do it.
But I can’t. It’s too much. 
How can anyone expect this?

But instead of taking responsibility 
Society shouts: Medicate,
But I’m screaming inside,
I WASN’T MADE FOR THIS!! 

All on our own,
It’s so hard to find a “tribe” as they call it, but I have a sneaking suspicion we desperately need it.
Instead of community and linked arms and wide open spaces.

Kids were created to explore,
To spend hours outdoors,
But we’ve fallen prey to the lie that
Happiness comes from White picket fences.

Kids should be able to roam free,
Giving mamas ample chance to breath,
The watching eyes of trusted neighbors, 
Taking equal responsibility.

But we live with fear,
Our eyes leaving them for just a second,
And you can’t blame us,
This world we live is the opitimy of depravity. 

Here we are, carryin such a heavy weight, our bodies crumbling beneath it,
on our own and feeling so alone,
Silently drowning,
In the noise and the fear and the pressure we were never created to bear.

So when you break down crying, heaving because you can’t catch a breath,
Give yourself Grace,
Mama, You weren’t made for this.

And so we eagerly await our day of redemption,
When all is made New,
And Motherhood is as it was intended.

 
Read Older Updates