Nourishing Conversations

Benefits of Eating Chia Seeds for Detox

detox recipe Jan 15, 2018

Chia seeds are small black seeds that are harvested from the Salvia Hispanica plant grown in South America. They were once an important food for the Mayans and Aztecs because of their ability to offer sustainable energy.  These are the same seeds that are used in Chia pets.  I know it sounds weird that we would recommend a novelty gift as a such a health supportive food.

They have continued to grow in popularity in recent years. Here are a few reasons why they are a great addition to your detox plan!

Help Manage Blood Sugars

When you mix chia seeds with water they swell up and form a gelatinous substance.  It is believed that this forms in your stomach as well when you eat them.  This amazing coating slows down the process of transforming carbs into starch and ultimately sugar.  It is very filling and helps curb your appetite.

This makes Chia seeds the perfect fit for diabetics and those with a blood sugar imbalance.

Good Source of Fiber

Chia seeds can...

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Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water Upon Waking for Detox

detox recipe Jan 07, 2018

What drink is inexpensive but proven effective for detox and healthy digestion when consumed upon waking? Lemon water. It seems too obvious and too simple, right? How can lemon water really help your detox?  Well, let's look at how...

Aids in Detoxification

Lemon juice has an atomic structure that exactly resembles the digestive juices that reside in the stomach. It stimulates the liver into producing bile, keeping food moving through your body, including the gastrointestinal tract.  Lemon water can help ease an upset stomach and relieve indigestion.

Lemon juice and the acids found in it will help promote and encourage the body to be able to process the food you consume. This helps stabilize insulin levels and helps your body absorb nutrients, which prevents bloating.  Activating the liver also helps remove toxins from the body.

Revitalizes and Cleanses the Urinary Tract

Drinking lemon water upon waking for detox increases the frequency of urinating, promoting a...

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Let's Change Your Life Today!

detox recipe Dec 19, 2016

Feeling like your digestion is making too much noise? Gurgle. Gurgle.

The last few months I have been working a lot and often that leads to a stressed me. This means my digestion & energy can get wonky. I know what you might be thinking - that I’m a health coach, and I have this all figured out - but I am human too. In my practice, I teach people how to listen to their body and what to do when they feel wonky too.

For me, I get dry skin, start to have belly bloat & lower energy. So many of my clients say they have belly bloat even when they do not eat, something that is actually not uncommon for people with digestive issues.

Stress inflames the intestinal lining and disrupts the good balance of bacteria in the gut.

This is what happened to me. It was time to restore and rebuild on the quick.

Feel like you are passing gas too much?

Feel exhausted for no reason?

Time to rebuild and restore your gut health with this smoothie.

Every time I am feeling off, I keep it simple:...

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How to boost your immunity & reduce toxins and a beautiful Kale Salad Recipe

detox recipe Dec 14, 2016

Detox is vital in this toxic world. For  years as a health coach I focused on digestion & blood sugar balancing because I do believe that good digestion leads to a healthy life and balanced blood sugars is the foundation of good health. But then one day the light went off in my head. I realized that to have good digestion, you must be detoxing properly.

You see, detox is a natural step toward a better digestion. Good digestion leads to less inflammation, and less inflammation leads to less disease in this world. Let me say it again, decrease the inflammation and prevent disease.

Hippocrates said it best: “All disease begins in the gut.”

If this is true and disease begins in the gut, aka your digestive system, then having a healthy and strong digestion is key.

But let me share a secret with you - when the body is toxic, your digestive system is weak.

So even if you eat “clean” and only buy organic and hormone-free foods, you are still breathing...

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Comfort Food - Taco Salad Recipe

comfort food recipe Nov 14, 2016

I spent 12 years living in the United States with 6 of those in Texas.  I had some really amazing Mexican food while I lived there and it is still one of my favorites.  At one point I had a small Taqueria just a couple blocks from my house.  The food was amazing and unpolished.  Everything was made from scratch and I felt like I had been invited into someone's home for an amazing homemade dinner.  This was pure comfort food for me.  The warmth and bold flavors of Mexico are still comforting flavors for me.   

There is a way to enjoy these flavors without eating inflammatory and high glycemic foods such as gluten and corn that is found in flour and corn tortillas.

So today I am sharing a version of a Taco Salad that is free of common allergens and is low glycemic so there is no hit on your blood sugars.

On this gorgeous fall day, I am wanting comfort food and thought that you might be feeling the same way. 


Nourishing Everyday Taco Salad...

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Blood Sugar Balance & Juicing - Yes or No

I often get asked what I think about juicing so I thought I would lay it out today. Blood sugar balancing is key for many  health conditions.  In fact, it's the base of what I do for most clients.

Whether you are a type 2 diabetic or have the some of following symptoms:

  • turn into Danny Devito because you get hangry if a meal is postponed or missed.  You get headaches and/or shaky if a meal is missed
  • you crave sweets and/or carry extra weight at your middle

Complete the Questionnaire below and see if you have imbalanced blood sugars.


Benefits of Juicing

  • add a ton of extra nutrients 
    • it takes only a few minutes a day to get the equivalent of a couple of pounds of veggies
    • nutrients are absorbed immediately and easily as there is no fiber slowing things down
  • an excellent part of cleansing
    • we live in a toxic world and your liver can only handle so much
    • it's very healthy to give your digestive tract a rest occasionally and juicing does that

How to...

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Digestion Woes & Recipe

detox digestion recipe soup Oct 31, 2016

Feeling like your digestion is making too much noise? Gurgle. Gurgle.

The last few months I have been working a lot and often that leads to a stressed me. This means my digestion can get out of wack. I know what you might be thinking but Shonda don't you eat "perfectly" all the time and have all your health issues under control?  Not always.  I am human which means I screw up, don't handle my stress always in the best way, and still am working on balancing "stuff" in my own body. In my practice, I teach people how to listen to their body and what to do when they feel out of sorts too.

For me, my energy starts waning and my sleep gets worse and I may even get back to having some brain fog. Stress actually turns off your digestion.  So many of my clients say they have belly bloat even when they do not eat, something that is actually not uncommon for people with digestive issues.

Stress inflames the intestinal lining and disrupts the good balance of bacteria in the gut....

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