The Keto Diet - Is It For You?

November 6, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

Being a holistic nutritionist, I see a lot of clients that are looking for a better approach to food, nutrition and health. Many of these people want to lose weight, have more energy, and generally feel good, like themselves again. In the process, they’ve done a lot of work before seeing me, tried numerous fad diets, cleanses, and supplements looking for the answer.

One question I get often from new people I meet to clients I have seen for years are my thoughts on Keto and if it might be right for them.

Holiday Stress, Social Media, the "D" Word + a FREE stress Worksheet [UPDATED]

October 24, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

What's the "D" word you ask? Don't worry, I'll explain in a sec.

But first, something that keeps coming up this time of year (aka the Holidays) that I’d like to address: if the holidays represent a fun and happy time to celebrate and enjoy those we love, why are we so STRESSED?!!?

The Sobriety Series: The Benefits of Sobriety

October 3, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

I’ve been having amazing conversations lately! I think whenever you are doing something extraordinary or out of the norm, people are intrigued and that’s when real conversations start to happen, none of that small-talk BS. For awhile after I stopped drinking, I was hesitant or fearful of telling those I was out with that I wasn’t drinking because I didn’t what to make other feel uncomfortable or I wasn’t quite sure what to say. But lately, I have been feeling strong in what I’m doing and welcoming the tough, thoughtful conversations around it. And I’m even getting more positive responses than I once used to. I also I get a lot of people saying that they’ve never gone more than a few days to a month without alcohol, but are curious about living alcohol free. I know it’s a challenge, anytime we change our habits it is uncomfortable. But getting uncomfortable is always where change starts and happens. Jason Reynolds says it best, “Be not afraid of discomfort. If you can't put yourself in a situation where you are uncomfortable, then you will never grow. You will never change. You'll never learn.”

Seasonal Nutrition & Wellness for Fall

September 27, 2018 Yvonne Matthews

Are you as excited that it’s fall as I am? Don’t get me wrong, I love summer too. Hello?!? You’re talking about a native So. Cal. girl here. But ever since I moved to Colorado over 4 years ago, I’ve really been digging ALL the seasons.

The change in seasons is a great reminder of how life happens in cycles. We can see ebbs and flows in all sizes – daily in our circadian rhythms and the rise and set of the sun and tides, monthly in women’s menstruation and the moon phases and yearly in our change in seasons.

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?