Something I often have to remind women of is that you don’t need to feel guilty for sitting down and doing nothing. Especially when your body is already dealing with health issues. We are constantly stimulated. Our phones are nearby, messages are coming through, people can reach us at any moment, there’s noise around us and there always seems to be something we should be doing. So actually sitting down and purposefully doing nothing is quite a unique thing these days. The quiet. The stillness. The lack of stimulation. Sometimes that is exactly the space your body needs to settle and allow healing to happen. So don’t underestimate those moments where you’re doing… absolutely nothing. How comfortable are you with stillness, and do you notice a difference in how your body feels when you give yourself more of it?

Watch this now if you experience overwhelm during your health journey or here in the community. Overwhelm is our enemy, so learn to notice it, then adjust and support yourself when it shows up. Are you feeling overwhelmed right now? What helps you come back to feeling more settled? Share below so we can learn from each other and help each other out.

I’ve been putting the final touches on the Bone Health module in Thrive Again, and I’m currently working on the herbal tea section. There are a couple of lovely herbs I wanted to mention because they can be a useful little addition to your bone-health routine: - Nettle tea - naturally rich in minerals including calcium and magnesium, and is traditionally used as a nourishing mineral-rich tea. It is also a great one for your hair and nails. - Red clover - contains isoflavones that have been studied for their potential role in bone health, particularly around menopause. It is also an interesting herb to include during the menopausal years. And these are just two little pieces of the bigger picture. The Bone Health module is going to look at how you can support your bone density through food, what foods and lifestyle factors may work against it, and what else your bones need beyond simply taking calcium and doing strength training. I think this is an area where there is still a lot of missing information. Many women don't realise their bone density has been declining until they have their first scare or it comes up at a medical appointment. But there is actually a lot we can do to support our bones, particularly from our 40s onwards. I'm excited to get this one finished and into Thrive Again. Have you tried nettle or red clover before? I know in some countries, like Estonia, they even make salads with nettle in it.....

Salmon is one of those foods I think is worth having in your healthy eating toolbox. Why? - A great source of EPA and DHA omega-3 - A good dose of protein - Also provides nutrients such as vitamin D, B12, selenium and iodine - And perhaps one of the best things about it: it can be incredibly quick and easy You don't need to spend an hour cooking a fancy salmon dinner. A little tinned salmon can become a quick lunch or snack. BUT !!!!! Most salmon sold in supermarkets is farmed. And yes, that includes the very popular Norwegian salmon, which is predominantly farmed. Farmed salmon are quite different from wild salmon. They are raised in high-density pens and fed a formulated diet designed to support rapid growth, rather than the natural diet of wild salmon (read less omega3). Because of the intensive farming environment, they can also require vaccines, veterinary medicines, hormones, antibiotics and treatments. So what do I look for? - WILD or WILD-CAUGHT on the label - I particularly like Alaskan wild salmon - Don't assume that "Norwegian salmon" means wild. Check the label. - Tinned wild salmon is fine occasionally - For regular use I suggest you find it in a glass jar. Some brand options for wild salmon in a glass jar are these: - Good Fish - Taku Fisheries - Alaska Seafood Company - Alaska Fresh Seafood - The Shotridge Collection PREMIUM MEMBERS I've put together some simple wild salmon recipes for you, including easy snacks and light lunches, so you can get more of this nutritious food into your week without making it complicated. Salmon Recipes - Snacks/Light Meals Did you know the difference between farmed v wild? Are you able to find the wild version in your area?

One of my favourite herbs for women: Damiana Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is one of those herbs I find incredibly easy to recommend. I blend it into herbal tincture almost every week for supporting mood, relaxation, vitality and libido, particularly when stress, mental fatigue or feeling “flat” has taken some of the spark out of life. I particularly like it for women who feel like they are running on empty, stressed and disconnected from their usual sense of vitality or desire. I can promote the feeling of more positive, uplifted and joyful. What does Damiana tea taste like? Damiana has quite a unique flavour. It is earthy, slightly bitter and herbaceous, with a subtle sweetness and a mild spicy quality. It's not as sweet and delicate as chamomile, but I actually really enjoy its distinctive taste. If you find it a little strong, try combining it with peppermint, lemon balm or a little honey. How to make Damiana tea Add 1–2 teaspoons of dried Damiana leaf to a cup of freshly boiled water. Cover and steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain. Try one cup in the afternoon or evening, or whenever you want a calming herbal tea with a little more vitality than your usual relaxing herbs. Who might benefit? Damiana may be particularly lovely for women who: - Feel stressed, flat or mentally tired - Have lost some of their usual spark or vitality - Experience reduced libido - Feel disconnected from pleasure and desire - Want gentle nervous system and mood support And a safety note: Damiana is generally considered an easy herb to work with and doesn't have well-established medication interactions, but I would still avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and just double check with your natural medicine specialist if you have a seizure disorder or hormone-sensitive cancer. Have you tried it yet? Is it available in your country?