October

Women's Health

October is Women’s Health Month and also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to tasty fall recipes, we’ve got articles covering topics such as breast health, hormone health and balancing, menopause, pregnancy and postpartum, and more from our community of holistic nutrition professionals.

Support your adrenal health with this tasty mocktail! Chronic stress will impair your body’s ability to regulate cortisol (your stress hormone). See why these key components (vitamin c, potassium, electrolytes, and protein) can help us improve energy and boost our well-being. Learn more about how you can nourish yourself by taking care of your adrenals. Here are 3 ways to make a tasty mocktail – stirred, blended, and sparkling. Recipe from Joanna Brown, C.H.N.C.

Strength training for women over 40 can be a powerful solution for cravings and low energy offering both physical and mental health benefits that support healthy aging. By incorporating strength training, and making thoughtful adjustments to your nutrition, you can build muscle, feel less tired, and balance blood sugar levels. This guide will show you how strength training can change your life and why it’s never too late to start.

This smoothie is loaded with nutrients and ingredients that are known to promote breast milk production. Breastfeeding moms enjoy this as is but you can also have it without the chia pudding as a light and nourishing snack. This recipe is full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Recipe from Mitra Shirmohammadi, R.H.N.

Are you getting enough calcium? Research shows that many of us are not, especially women! Milk isn’t the only source of calcium. Here are some other foods you can consume plus some tips. Post from Leora Barak, R.H.N.

The stress hormone has impact on all the other hormones in our body. Let’s get a high level look at how elevated cortisol levels can impact your health. PCOS, thyroid health, fertility, learn more. Post from Asher Kleiber, R.H.N. (Winnipeg Nutrition).

Cramps suck. But this smoothie has ingredients that could help provide some comfort and help with cramps. It’s sweet and creamy with comforting flavours you’ll enjoy this fall. Recipe from Sisley Killam, R.H.N.  

A holistic approach to women’s health recognizes how physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are interconnected. It’s more than just treating symptoms – a holistic approach to women’s health seeks to address the root causes and create a comprehensive plan for health and wellness. Here’s how holistic strategies, particularly holistic nutrition, can be helpful in the pursuit of well-being in the most common women’s health issues, such as hormonal imbalances, bone health, and breast health.

We’re in pumpkin spice season! More than just seasonal and delicious, here are 3 things you should know, including the health benefits of what makes up pumpkin spice, arguably fall’s most popular flavour. 

Our hormonal cycle affects us physically and mentally. Bailey Fitzgerald, R.H.N. shares some ways to optimize your workout to better align with your cycle and energy. By doing this, you can reap the maximum benefits of your workout as you’re not fighting against your own body and feelings. Learn to feel better overall in your fitness and your wellbeing.

CSNN Graduates have comprehensive training that focuses on science, how the body works, how everything is connected, and how nutrition and lifestyle can impact one’s overall health and wellbeing. Could your impaired digestion be affecting your hormones? Brittany Nicholson, R.H.N. talks about the connection between estrogen and your gut health in her blog post.

Menopause can be a frustrating time for many with symptoms that can last years. It can impact your quality of life as physical, mental, and sexual health can deteriorate. Here are some holistic ways you can try to reduce symptoms and enjoy a healthy menopause.

This bowl is healthy, warming, and also happens to be vegan; it’s perfect for the fall weather. This recipe has plenty of fibre which is good for digestion, hormones, and weight management. It also has liver-loving ingredients and other antioxidants and other supportive nutritional benefits to help you get healthy skin and happy hormones. Recipe from Sisley Killam, R.H.N.

Who doesn’t love a cookie? This classic treat can be made vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free! Lots of good things have been added into this recipe like additional protein and fibre so you can feel better. Recipe from Steffany Botchar, C.H.N.C.

As part of your fertility foundation, nutrition is so important. Here are the top 3 foods this holistic nutrition practitioner likes to recommend for those who are trying to conceive. Blog post from Rhiannon Lockhart, R.H.N.

How much do you know about perimenopause? This is the time leading up to menopause and has varied and intrusive symptoms. Luckily, small healthy adjustments to your lifestyle and nutrition can help you as you navigate this chaotic phase in your life.

This beautiful and vibrant dish makes a great breakfast, but it’s perfect for any time of day! Make this simple and satisfying meal today. Recipe from Katie Chemij, R.H.N.

The liver is a powerhouse organ within your complex and intricately connected body. Asher Kleiber, R.H.N. talks about the important connection between the liver and women’s hormones. Learn more about how you can support liver health through nutrition and lifestyle. Article from Winnipeg Nutrition.

Hormone Health

The stress of modern-day life has led to an epidemic of hormonal imbalances resulting in low energy, mood issues and carrying extra weight. This course explains the connection between the body’s different hormones, certain health issues and the steps needed to reset the body’s hormones to get back to feeling vibrant and joyful.

Are you interested in understanding more about your hormones and how to support it with nutrition?

Articles

  • Eat, Move, and Live with your Cycle – To be a little more in tune and aware of your body, here is a guide to syncing with your cycle and how to eat and move in each phase. Hannah Schmitt, R.H.N. shares some tips and insights, a brief look into seed cycling, and how to honour each phase and figure out what works for you.
  • Pregnancy Nausea – Nausea and morning sickness is very common in pregnancy and can be overwhelming. Brittney Cox, R.H.N. shares 4 tips that may help reduce the frequency and severity. She also includes an anti-nausea smoothie recipe you can try!
  • Hormone Health – Marisa Ricci, C.H.N., gives a great overview on hormone health, what contributes to imbalances, and how you can support your hormone health.
  • 10 Simple Sugar-Free Swaps – It’s no secret that sugar is less than ideal for our health, but it’s still a struggle for many to limit the amount they consume. CSNN grad Stephanie Kay shares some swaps and tips to get started.
  • The Menopause Diet – “There is growing research that suggests an alkaline-based diet combined with low carbs and low sugar can benefit menopausal women in several areas including weight management, improved growth hormone levels, memory and cognition, and sleep quality.” Article via Optimyz.
  • Improving Your Core Strength After Pregnancy and Delivery – Denise Chiriboga, R.H.N. teaches how to correctly engage your core for better lifting, toning your tummy, and minimizing lower back pain in her workout video.

Skin Deep

The Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Cosmetics Database gives you practical solutions to protect yourself and your family from everyday exposures to chemicals.

If you can’t get enough pumpkin this season, this is the perfect muffin recipe that is refined sugar and oil free. Try them warmed with a dollop of vanilla yogurt. Make a batch of these and keep this healthy and delicious treat on hand all fall. Recipe from Nicole Kaumanns, R.H.N.

Karla Rice, RN, BScN, C.H.N.C. sheds some light on this crucial time for new moms and what nutrients can help, and more. Learn about the holistic approach to avoiding postnatal burnout during the critical postpartum period.

When it’s colder out, we crave these warm and cozy meals. This vegan soup is so tasty that you won’t miss the meat at all! Recipe from Catherine Switzer, R.H.N.

This yummy recipe was developed by Marisa Ricci, C.H.N. with PMS symptoms in mind. She also talks about key ingredients that are helpful to consume around the time of your menstrual cycle and other tips to try.

This is a healthier version of a cream sauce that helps support gut and brain health. Vegan and gluten-free, this is a simple and comforting sauce to add to your recipes. Recipe from Nissrine Boufawaz, R.H.N.

Gut health has a powerful effect on brain health. NeuroTrition Inc. created these brownies to help moms on their breastfeeding journey and to help them provide the best for their babies.

As with everything in life, our experience is unique but a healthy menopause journey is one where we feel good in our bodies, have the energy & desire to enjoy life, and look forward to our mid-life and beyond. Michelle Gaetz, R.H.N. shares some nutrition and lifestyle tips to help.

Samantha Rempel-Wry, R.H.N. has the perfect recipe that is cozy, simple to make, and indulgent for days when you don’t know what to make for dinner. 

This is one of the courses in our Natural Nutrition Program, explaining the connection between the body’s different hormones, certain health issues and the steps needed to reset the body’s hormones to get back to feeling vibrant and joyful.

I’ve made it my life goal to train and educate moms, and spread the word about how and why fitness and nutrition for moms is so important for the health of themselves, their babies and their whole family.