Information around ketogenic diets has spread through the internet at rapid speed, but most information centers on weight loss or why the newest trend can have consequences. When embarking on a ketogenic journey for health issues, there are going to be questions as to why and how a healing ketogenic diet can work for you. Here are a few frequently asked questions I receive within my practice. Keto for beginners - understanding Ketogenic Diet What is the keto diet? The ketogenic diet, often referred to as the keto diet, is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate eating plan designed to shift the body's me ..read more

Whenever my husband and I travel to the Oregon coast we make sure to grab some seafood!  Seafood is not a staple in our diets because of the high levels of mercury found in most fish; however, we do incorporate smaller fish, clams, oysters, shrimp, and scallops from time to time because of their lower mercury levels.  Incorporating Seafood and Clams into your Keto Diet Recipes  Clams and oysters are some of our favorite seafood choices.  One reason is because according to data from the FDA they have less mercury.  We love shucking oysters and putting some of our fermen ..read more

Before working on some of the most famous musical compositions of all time, Beethoven would wake up and count precisely 60 beans to grind for his morning cup of coffee.    Before resuming writing some of the most cherished romance novels of all time, Jane Austen would wake up and play piano while her family slept.  Before the French monarchy was overthrown, Marie Antoinette would awaken and peruse fabric swatches with her woman-in-waiting to select the three different ensembles she’d wear that day.  Even if you aren't a famous composer, novelist, or queen (never say never ..read more

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in histamine-related cases, particularly in the context of histamine intolerance and its association with autoimmunity. Histamine is a crucial signaling molecule, acting as a neurotransmitter and an inflammatory agent in the body. However, when not adequately broken down, it can lead to histamine intolerance, causing a wide range of symptoms and complications. In this blog post, we will delve into the three main branches of histamine intolerance, namely MCAD-epigenetic, bacterial, and DAO deficiency. Additionally, we will explore the sympt ..read more

Your limbic system is responsible for behavioral and emotional responses. This makes it an important part of keeping your immune system in check. If you don’t make it a point to keep your limbic system healthy, it can affect your ability to fight off disease. Fortunately, there are several exercises you can do to strengthen your limbic system and improve your overall health. You can practice them even if you're not super fit, on your period, or dealing with any other kind of physical limitation. In this article, we’ll talk more about your limbic system, limbic exercises, and how you can rever ..read more

Not Another Fad Diet All client names have been replaced for their anonymity. Doug had been diagnosed with diabetes years before he joined what he thought would be just another diabetes type 2 group. He had tried other diets before to no success and his blood sugars just kept climbing. He was on many medications for depression, cholesterol, and high blood pressure and he was tired. More than tired, he had fatigue and a sense of hopelessness about his diabetes type 2.   Luckily, Doug’s nephew was a chiropractor who knew how easy it could be for Doug to get his diabetes under control ..read more

If you like my paleo pumpkin pie recipe sweetened with honey but you cannot tolerate honey because of hormonal imbalances like Diabetes type 2, PCOS, or endometriosis, you will love this Keto Pumpkin Pie recipe. As you may know, bad oils, gluten, and artificial sweeteners destroy the walls of your gut.  In turn, this depletes your energy, causes your skin to break out, and causes stomach pain.  Making this recipe instead of a conventional pumpkin pie recipe will help reduce the stress that the immune system often experiences this time of year. ⁠   Why Stevia instead of Hon ..read more

Imagine you are a leaf of spinach. Would you like to be eaten? Probably not. And for this reason you have protective parts that develop in your biology called oxalates or oxalic acid. These are meant to deter your predators (i.e. humans and other animals) from eating all of you and they succeed. Some people who over consume these plant toxins actually develop diseases and health complications. The plant ultimately wins the war, even if it lost the battle and was eaten. As a functional nutritionist in practice over the last 9 years, I’ve come to appreciate and respect  plant toxins such a ..read more

I have worked with autoimmune clients for over 3 years in functional medicine clinics and I can tell you the number one defining factor that made the most difference in recovery was something called glyconutrients. First, glyconutrients are amazing nutrients found in food which help to regulate the immune system. And second, they are powerful protectors of the intestinal lining which undergoes damage from lectins from improperly prepared foods. It is very important to understand first what causes autoimmunity and why harmful lectins in food should be avoided. I’ve written a complete blog post ..read more

Not all plants are benign. We know this because we don’t just walk into the forest and start eating leaves on bushes, berries and mushrooms. Humans have an innate wisdom and respect for the natural world and for good reason. In my experience as a functional nutritionist and hobby herbalist, I know plants can be powerful medicine or potent poison. For example, there are specific proteins found in plants called lectins that can either be obsolete to your health or destructive! This paradoxical truth about plants is easily forgotten because of the disconnection between humans and their food sourc ..read more