Balancing Hormones Series – Healing Hormonal Acne for Glowy Clear Skin

September 18, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

This is a very personal post for me. This is where huge change started for me and really how I got to where I am now.

I’ve posted the detailed story here and here. But the short version is that back when I was in high school I was put on birth control to help alleviate the debilitating cramps that came with my period plus the teenage acne that embarrassed me so much. About 14 years later, in 2012, I had a steady partner (now husband) and decided to try getting off the only prescription medication I was on, not to get pregnant, but simply because I kept reading more and more how it wasn’t great for women to be on these synthetic hormones and not have a Real monthly cycle. Little did I know what I was in for! All that hormonal acne from my teens came rushing back, along with the total embarrassment and shame. How could I, a seemingly healthy 20-something year old, STILL have a face full of acne!?!?

Foundations of Nutrition - A Balanced Approach

September 12, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

Sometimes starting is the hardest part. I hear it all the time from my clients. And honestly, I go through it too. For me, I have found that creating a plan and taking that initial baby step forward is the best (and maybe only) way out of this sometimes-paralyzing place. I teach a 2-hour workshop on just this topic. And it’s always one of my favorites. So, I wanted to share today an easy step-by-step plan to building your foundation of nutrition and health.

So often we get caught up in the latest research or article on fish oil supplements, or this mushroom powder, or that one antioxidant rich fruit. It can get overwhelming and disorienting. Where do you start?

Balancing (Women's) Hormones Series - A Healthy Easy Cycle

August 20, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

Did you know that over 40 million women in the US struggle with hormonal issues?!?

I’ve noticed a lot more questions and general awareness from my clients and others around hormone balance. It’s something I am glad we are talking more about, not just with the other women in our lives but men and everyone! It’s a natural and quite miraculous function of women’s bodies. And though I do work with men and their hormones as well, today is all about the ladies! I encourage everyone to share this with the men in their lives. This is something we should all know and no longer hide or look away from.

First let’s define what a healthy menstrual cycle is.

Supplement Support - What I Take & Why

January 30, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

Whew! This is a long one guys. Let’s be honest, how often do I write short blog posts?!?! Ha! But a supplement post was highly requested. Especially now with the unfortunate acquisition of Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Labs and Garden of Life, among others, by Nestle last month. It just means it’s time to change up my game a bit! Though I was saddened by that news, I am not one for complacency, and there are a lot of other great brands out there.

Quick aside on my supplement philosophy:

This can be summed up in two words: Food First. I believe food is the bedrock of good health. However, in this world we live in today, with all the chemicals we spray on our food, the over farming that is being done, and more, the nutrients in the soil aren’t what used to be. 1 This is where supplements come in. They literally supplement, fill in the gaps, of where we fall short.

Everything You Need to Know About Eggs

July 25, 2017 Yvonne Matthews

One of my biggest pet peeves when I look around at all the “healthy” Instagrammers, bloggers and other health-nuts out there is that a lot of them are still eating egg whites only.

What?!?!

I thought by now everyone had gotten the memo that yolks don’t really contribute to bad cholesterol and heart disease, but are also where all the good nutrients and fats are. Yet I keep seeing Instagrams of "healthy" omelets made with only egg whites, as well as clients that are shocked when I tell them to eat the whole egg.

So, rather than keep telling people how good they are, I thought would show how good they are backed up with research studies, cause that’s how I roll.

Coffee: to drink or not to drink?

July 18, 2017 Yvonne Matthews

Like so many things we consume in this world there is no clear line to answer this question. It is more about you and your body - how it processes caffeine, are you allergic to it, the quality of coffee beans, how you drink it and of course the even bigger reason, why do you drink it. So, here's what you need to know:

1 // There is a gene and enzyme, both called CYP1A2, and because coffee is metabolized through the liver if you have the two copies of this gene (one from each parent) you are considered a fast metabolizer of caffeine, meaning it will affect you less than someone who has only one or none of this gene.