Welcome to Season 4 of the Autoimmune Besties Podcast.  Shanna and I are thrilled to be back with you - our autoimmune besties - for this very special episode! This community spans the globe and covers the gamut of countless autoimmune diseases. We come together here on this podcast to talk about day-to-day living with an autoimmune disease.  If you’ve been with us since Season 1, welcome back! Thank you for your continued support by subscribing to the podcast.  If you’re tuning in for the very first time today, welcome! We hope you enjoy the conversation and be sure to check ou ..read more

We all know that no one and nothing is perfect. Including living well with autoimmunity. Many of us experience times when we feel like we’ve got this whole “nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset to support autoimmunity” thing down… And many of us experience times when we feel like we’ve fallen off the wagon, either all the way off or just a leg dangling. I think it’s safe to say that we all can experience times of frustration in our wellness journey…when maybe we don’t have all our ducks in a row. Alene and I are no different. So today, we are opening up and sharing our own experiences with how to ..read more

Managing an Autoimmune Disease can feel like a full time job.  Following the AIP or Wahls Protocol can feel like a full time job.  Going to all the doctors appointments can feel like a full time job.  So, what happens when you have an actual full time job on top of this?  Managing a career while living with autoimmune disease is no easy task.  Maybe you’ve had big dreams for your career and are starting to wonder if your autoimmune diagnosis is going to prevent you from achieving those dreams.  Or maybe you’re simply figuring out how you can maintain your current ..read more

Are mornings one of THE toughest times of day for you?  Do you WANT to consistently start your day in a way that sets you up for success, but feel unsure as to what to include in a morning routine? Are you looking for a couple of simple, practical tips to start your day in a supportive way?   If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, this episode is for you!  Today we are talking all about morning routines to support autoimmune health and wellness. In this episode, Alene and I share: What our morning routines looked like when we started our wellness journeys ve ..read more

Today we have something special for you! Shanna is joined by her 16 year old daughter and they are diving into motherhood and autoimmune disease. Being a mama bear and going through the experience of years of undiagnosed health issues, then hitting her rock bottom and starting her wellness journey is one of THE hardest things Shanna has gone through. Shanna personally knows how hard it is to be a mama with autoimmune disease, but today she is here to tell you that what may feel devastating and heartbreaking today CAN strengthen your family. In this episode Shanna shares some of her experience ..read more

Autoimmune Disease and pregnancy  Does one affect the other? Does your diagnosis impact your ability to get pregnant and sustain a healthy pregnancy? Is it possible to follow the Wahls Protocol or AIP during pregnancy? What about a post partpartum flare… are you at risk?  Hi I’m Alene and today, I’m opening up about my fertility journey and pregnancy at 42 years old living with Multiple Sclerosis.  It has been a long journey with a lot of doubts, fears, uncertainty and endless questions. Because let’s face it, the road to motherhood is not always easy when you have “perfect heal ..read more

Here at the autoimmune besties podcast, farmer’s market season is one of our favorite times of the year.  We get to support our local farmers while enjoying fresh, local and seasonal produce.  But like any shopping adventure, there are always some tricks of the trade that can support you in making the best purchases for both your health, your taste buds AND your wallet. Today, Shanna and I are sharing our favorite tips for navigating the farmers market while following the Autoimmune Protocol and Wahls Protocol. Tune in to learn:  If someone is going to the farmer’s market for th ..read more

Summertime is just about here! While summertime is such an exciting time for so many, along with the warm weather and longer days in the sun, it can bring a more difficult time for those with autoimmunity. In this episode, Alene and I are opening up and sharing: Our experiences with the hardest parts of living with autoimmunity in the summer Our top 3 summer survival tips What brings our hearts the most joy in the summertime. This summer CAN be full of joy, and we are so excited to share some practical tips to help you jump into this season prepared to support your autoimmune health! Tune in ..read more

Flares.   They can feel like the looming storm on the horizon.    When will they strike and how much damage will they cause?    Let’s face it, living with an autoimmune disease is not easy.    But as we talk a lot about on this podcast there is so much you can do through diet and lifestyle to empower you on this journey.    Diet and lifestyle are not a cure.    There is no cure.    But they can help you to feel better and feel less vulnerable to the next flare.    Today, we’re talking about how to use food to prep, surv ..read more

Are you wondering about lifestyle support for autoimmune flares? Well, on this episode that's exactly what we’re diving into.  We're going to walk you step by step through the process, and by the end of it you'll be able to learn some go-to lifestyle tips and strategies for overcoming a flare. Today’s episode highlights:  How to prepare / respond when you feel a flare coming on How to decide what level of activity, if any, is appropriate during a flare Outside of food, what tools / resources have you found helpful to support you during a flare Tune in and be sure to share your thou ..read more