Conversation on Body Image, Nutrition and Kindness

October 16, 2017 Yvonne Matthews

Hey! Happy Monday! I don’t know about you but I just love Fall. Growing up in Palm Springs, California, then living in Los Angeles for a decade doesn’t leave for much experience in seasons. Although I am not complaining about either of those areas, they definitely have their perks and I do miss them. However, there’s just something about looking out the window, going for a walk or riding your bike in the fall, something about watching the leaves turn color and fall sweetly to the ground. It’s quite magical.

But the color of the leaves is not really what I wanted to talk about today. In summer my business was a little slow, as a lot of nutritionists and those in the health and wellness field seemed to assume me was pretty normal. When September and Fall came things quickly picked up again. And I have to say I love it!

Along with seeing my regular and lots of new clients every week, I saw a theme developing that I hadn’t really noticed before. A general low self-confidence and a immense dissatisfaction with their bodies. (Caveat: a lot of my clients are women, which is where this is/was 100% coming from.) As someone who struggled with this for most, ok that’s a lie, all of my life, I not only related, but felt a deep sadness and affinity for them.

Herb of the Week #13 :: Dandelion

March 16, 2017 Yvonne Matthews

I just got back from an amazing ski trip with a few old friends and I am definitely feeling the effects of a not-so-clean eating life ;) But it was worth it and I didn't do all that bad. I think it's also good to not have restrictions and rules ALL the time. So, between the glasses of wine and skiing (not in that order, I promise) I had fun and am ready to get back into it, these seasonal allergies are kicking my butt the last few days. So starting in a few days I am going on my Nutrition. Designed. elimination diet. This weeks' plant is great for kick-starting that process, getting off coffee and help with a healthy functioning liver and kidney's.

Herb of the Week #4 :: Hops

December 16, 2016 Yvonne Matthews

The holidays are here, the snow is falling today and it’s getting very close to the 25th! I can only assume this means a little more activity in your day and maybe a little more stress in your life? I know I am running around a little more than normal, also why I am posting this on a Friday and not mid-week, like usual. So this week I thought a great calming herb was in order. This week we are looking at a very relaxing herb: Hops

New Series! Herb/Plant of the Week :: Week 1 :: Hawthorn

November 22, 2016 Yvonne Matthews

Hello everyone and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are enjoying your short week! I know I am. But before I call it quits for the work week, I wanted to throw up an update, since a lot has happened since I last posted. The biggest news is that I’ve started my own nutrition practice: Nutrition Designed. It’s been super rewarding and I’ve already seen huge changes in a lot of my clients. Additionally, I am working at a local Denver apothecary called Apothecary Tinctura. I started there mainly to bring my nutrition knowledge into their space since most that work there are schooled herbalists. And though I learned a bit about herbs as medicine in my nutrition program, I would not call myself an herbalist. I find the use of herbs and medicine fascinating and a great tool to use in my nutrition and wellness practice. And every day I work there I learn more and more about this. It never fails to blow my mind how knowledgeable the herbalists there are.

Olympic Inspiration

July 20, 2016 Yvonne Matthews

Hi there again! Happy Hump Day! I wanted to pop on here for a quick post today. I just watched the 2016 Olympic anthem, "Rise" by Katy Perry. And it's breathtaking and so moving, I had tears in my eyes. I was so inspired I had to share it with everyone in case you haven't seen it yet.

I hope it inspires you as much as it did me. Enjoy!

My Year Alcohol-Free

June 14, 2016 Yvonne Matthews

I have been procrastinating writing this post for a few days. When I wake up in the morning it’s on my to-do list, but yet somehow SOMETHING or NOTHING always gets in the way of me writing it. So today, I am sitting here after procrastinating yet again for at least an hour or so, and I am finally putting some words to the proverbial paper. And yet all I can think about is going and checking my laundry. You know… maybe it’s done and needs to go into the dryer. You know, that’s SO much more important than this… hmmmm.

So what is so important and yet so hard to write, you ask?!? Well, a very personal topic to me. Drinking. No. Not soda or water. But Alcohol. It’s been a love/hate (mostly hate, if I am being honest with you) relationship. For those people that follow my somewhat inconsistent blog you probably are aware of this, whether we have discussed it together or not. And to those of you that don’t know me, here is a small glimpse into my decision to give up alcohol for a year.