In this episode, I am joined by my husband to share our daughter’s birth story. I posted a question box in my Instagram stories a while back, so we will be covering a lot of topics from what we did for labor prep, how I managed pain, lots of questions on homebirth, and the birth process in general. I also got some questions for partners that my husband shares his perspective on. I hope you enjoy this episode!

Links/Resources:

• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance: https://bit.ly/3iwRDMk 
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz: https://bit.ly/3ycEn4h 
• Third Trimester Update Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/third-trimester-pregnancy-update/id1568547321?i=1000557878686 
• Pregnancy Journey Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-pregnancy-journey/id1568547321?i=1000550268480 
• Vaginal Steaming Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vaginal-steaming-with-kit-from-kitara/id1568547321?i=1000541912264 
• Homebirth Online Course: https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/happy-homebirth-academy/ 
• Happy Homebirth Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537 
• Pregnancy Adrenal Cocktail: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZuFOjfLWOT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= 
• Chocolate Date Ball Recipe: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/collagen-bites 
• Safety of Homebirth: ​​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537?i=1000463115609  
• Purple Line Blog: https://www.wildwoodbirthpdx.com/purple-line-dilation 

In this highly requested episode of the Are You Menstrual? Podcast, I am going into more detail on an important mineral–iodine. Many of you have been wanting to better understand the importance of iodine for thyroid health after I shared my experience with supplementing on my Pregnancy Journey episode. Iodine is one fascinating mineral. It’s right up there with copper as a favorite for me and I’m excited to teach you more about why our bodies need iodine, how common iodine deficiencies are (even with iodized salt), how iodine impacts thyroid health, and so much more!

Links/Resources:

• Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course 
• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance: https://hormonehealingrd.ck.page/08c854412a  
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz: https://bit.ly/3ycEn4h 
• Free Thyroid Training: The Thyroid-Mineral Connection: https://bit.ly/3uDbDBi 
• Pregnancy Journey Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-pregnancy-journey/id1568547321?i=1000550268480 
• Supporting Optimal Thyroid Health episode with KaelyRD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supporting-optimal-thyroid-health-with-kaely-rd/id1568547321?i=1000548078745
• Supporting Autoimmune Thyroid Disorders with Nicole Fennell: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supporting-autoimmune-thyroid-disorders-with-nicole/id1568547321?i=1000548779107 
• Book recommendation: Iodine Why You Need It Why You Can’t Live Without It by Dr. David Brownstein
• Book recommendation: Healing with Iodine by Dr. Mark Sircus

I have a special episode of the podcast this week. I’m sharing an interview I did on holistic dentistry inside the Hormone Healing Membership* with Dr. Kelly Blodgett. 

Dr. Blodgett is a native Oregonian who attended grade school through high school in Southwest Portland. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon and completed his pre-doctoral sciences at Portland State University. Dr. Blodgett attended the OHSU School of Dentistry and graduated in June of 1999 where he earned the “Going the Extra Mile” award from his own classmates. Throughout his career, he’s become a recognized leader in minimally-invasive dentistry, dental lasers, computerized dental technology, and holistic care. He has been featured in numerous dental journals, on television, and in magazines for the innovative care he provides. He is truly a modern pioneer in progressive dental care. Dr. Blodgett and his wife, Julie, have been married since 1994 and have two beautiful daughters: Sara, born in 2002, and Megan, born in 2005. They reside in Southwest Portland, just up the hill from his high school alma mater, Wilson High School. 

The reason Dr. Blodgett’s work is so appealing to me is because of how he truly takes the word holistic to heart. He wants to know everything he can about a patient and take the whole person, their mental/emotional/physical health history, and how they feel into consideration when advising. Advising is the keyword here. He wants his patients to decide what is best and fully respects each and every decision. That’s not easy to find, even in functional medicine. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

*If you’re wondering what this membership is, it’s a special space on the internet for those that have gone through the Master Your Minerals course and want more support. It’s actually where I spend most of my time and is one of my favorite things I do. We have an online community in Circle, office hours twice a month, monthly meal plans, guest experts, regular lessons, and so much more! If you’re in the Master Your Minerals course, you can find more information about the membership and the link to sign up under the Welcome section of the course in a lesson titled “Looking For More Support?”.  

Links/Resources:

• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz
• Follow Dr. Kelly Blodgett on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/blodgettdentalcare/  
• Check out Dr. Kelly Blodgett’s website: https://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/ 
• Dr. Kelly Blodgett’s blog on fluoride: https://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/is-fluoride-the-answer-to-remineralizing-teeth/ 
• Dr. Kelly Blodgett’s blog on mouthwash: https://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/mouthwash-is-bad-for-you-4-better-alternatives/ 
•  Look at your Meridian Connections on Dr. Blodgett's website: https://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/connections/ 
• Dr. Kelly Blodgett’s blog on gum disease: https://www.blodgettdentalcare.com/how-to-tell-if-you-have-gum-disease-and-how-to-treat-it/ 

In this episode, we are focusing on strength training and how it can help support healthy hormones. I’m joined by my friend and colleague, Adina Rubin. Adina is a Strength Coach and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner that specializes in helping women gain energy and get strong.  

After driving herself into the ground with years of under-eating, doing way too many HIIT classes and taking hormonal birth control, Adina realized that real food, strength training and stress management were the keys to vibrant and optimal health and she set out on a mission to share that with as many women as possible.  

Through her signature program Strength Training for Happy Hormones, Adina uses low rep kettlebell training with a major emphasis on pelvic floor health to make strength as accessible as possible no matter what stage of life you’re in or where you are on your healing journey.  

As a Certified Russian Kettlebell Instructor, Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, Restorative Wellness Practitioner and Root Cause Protocol Consultant, Adina has shaped her unique framework to help women achieve optimal hormone and metabolic health. 

Adina began unlocking her own optimal physical and mental health when she trained competitively for powerlifting and she thinks all women need to learn what it feels like to lift heavy things.  She wants you to know, you’re stronger than you think you are. 

Links/Resources:

• Follow Adina on IG: https://www.instagram.com/adinarubin_/ 
• Listen to Adina’s podcast: Getyourshittogetherpod.com 
• Check out Adina’s programs: https://bit.ly/3s6uOBZ 
• Take a strength training class with Adina: https://adina-rubin-s-school.teachable.com/p/sthh-live-call 
• Peloton and Your Period: How Cycling is Ruining Your Cycle: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-4-peloton-and-your-period-how-cycling-is-ruining/id1561648184?i=1000520106227
• How to Store Fat & Slow Your Metabolism: Are you running yourself into the ground?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-6-how-to-store-fat-slow-your-metabolism-are-you/id1561648184?i=1000522167936
• How to Strength Train for PCOS without Feeling Like a P.O.S.: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-strength-train-for-pcos-without-feeling-like-a-p-o-s/id1561648184?i=1000530156356 
• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz

I have a fun episode for you today! I’m doing a third trimester pregnancy update. So many of you found the first and second trimester recap I did helpful, so I thought I would do a third trimester one and answer some of the questions submitted on Instagram. My first and second trimester were pretty smooth. I have honestly felt really good throughout this pregnancy. I will say after recording that update talking about how good I felt, one week later (when I officially entered the third trimester and hit 28 weeks) I woke up with eczema around my eyes and really bad pubic pain. Nine weeks later my eczema has pretty much cleared up and the pubic pain has reduced/I’ve learned to manage it, but wow, did I learn a lot the last couple of months. I’m extremely fortunate that as soon as I had an issue I easily found a resource to help me (it really helps working in the women’s health space). I’m hoping by sharing this information it helps those that don’t have as much access. 

Links/Resources:

• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance: https://bit.ly/3iwRDMk 
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz: https://bit.ly/3ycEn4h 
• Free Thyroid Training: The Thyroid-Mineral Connection: https://bit.ly/3uDbDBi 
• Pregnancy Journey Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-pregnancy-journey/id1568547321?i=1000550268480 
• The Gut Skin Connection Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gut-skin-connection-with-christa-biegler/id1568547321?i=1000552407327 
• Pelvic Floor Health Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pelvic-floor-health-fertility-with-dr-ryan-bailey/id1568547321?i=1000543327218
• Vaginal Steaming Episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vaginal-steaming-with-kit-from-kitara/id1568547321?i=1000541912264 
• Hemoglobin and Pregnancy Blog: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/iron-toxicity-post-81/ 
• Chocolate Coconut Collagen Bites: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/collagen-bites 
• Smashcake: https://smashcakemix.com/ 
• Kindred Bravely Maternity (use code HORMONEHEALINGRD): https://kb.crrnt.app/W66LEX27 
• Homebirth Online Course: https://www.myhappyhomebirth.com/happy-homebirth-academy/ 
• Happy Homebirth Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537 
• Pregnancy Herb Blend For Steaming: https://www

In this episode we are going to dive into what it means to have a brain based approach to healing with Alyssa Chang. Alyssa is a brain-based health coach for women seeking a different approach to health and healing, so you can learn how to live a life designed with listening, attuning and trusting your body's unique needs.
 
With the health industry currently saturating the market with "quick fix" and "cookie cutter" approaches, Alyssa aims to challenge these norms. With over 10 years studying neuroscience, she works with clients on improving their connection between their brain and body, so they can heal their metabolism, rewire their mindset and move pain free.
 
Through partnerships with her clients, Alyssa develops programs that create sustainable lifestyle shifts and interrupt seemingly never-ending searches for new solutions. She trusts you as the expert, and serves as your guide on this journey back home to your body.
 
Links/Resources:
Follow Alyssa on IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachalyssachang/

Visit Alyssa’s website: http://www.coachalyssachang.com

www.coachalyssachang.com/threat-bucket

Brain map post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLUTeDFTNh/

Nervous System Fawn response: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKnAWIksTzr/

Nervous System Freeze response: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKXop5SMj8P/

Nervous System Flight response: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKC-NtuskpI/

Nervous System Fight response: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJry22csTy8/

Are You Menstrual? –
In this episode, I’m covering a highly requested topic: how to support your body when transitioning off of hormonal birth control. Coming off the birth control pill is what sparked my own hormone healing journey and there’s so much that I wish I knew back then that I will be sharing with you in this episode. We will be focusing on five main areas that you want to consider when rebalancing post birth control. These are what I find the most important to address with clients and my own experience. 

One quick thing I want to note is that you can apply pretty much all of these principles to support your body while continuing hormonal birth control as well. This is probably the top question I get when I talk about this, so I figured I’d address it right away. If you’re currently on hormonal birth control and plan on staying on, this episode is still for you. 

Links/Resources:

• LUNA Learn Fertilty Awareness Method Course: https://bit.ly/3AKQuq2 
• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz 
• Supportive Supplements podcast episode: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/S1E9
• Supplements To Reconsider podcast episode: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/S1E8 
• The Connection Between Copper & Iron podcast episode: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/S1E6
• Nourishing Nutrition Foundation podcast episode: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/S1E2
• Metabolism 101 podcast episode: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/S1E1 
• Fertility Awareness Method podcast episode: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/blog/S1E17 
• Beef Liver Supplement: https://bit.ly/3rEybhp (use code AMANDA10OFF)
• Mitolife Vitamin E: https://www.mitolife.co/discount/HORMONEHEALINGRD  
• Just Thrive Probiotic: https://amzn.to/2mzjDki 
• Mitolife Probiotic: https://www.mitolife.co/collections/wellness/products/probiotic-and-endotoxin-reducer 
• Castor Oil Pack Kit: https://bit.ly/3ouix7e (use code AMANDA)

Are You Menstrual? –
In this episode, we are covering an important topic for the healing journey and that is the vagus nerve. I’m joined by Ami Brannon. Ami is a co-founder of Neuvana and was the company's Chief Executive Officer in its startup phase.  She currently serves as Chief Revenue Officer, focusing on marketing, sales, and the customer experience.  She is devoted to optimizing wellness and mental health through neuroscience to fight the devastating health effects of stress-induced illness.  Ami is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years’ experience in hospital-based healthcare.  She served in both clinical and leadership roles in ICU and invasive procedural areas. Ami holds a BS in Nursing and a BS in Psychology from the University of Central Florida.

The goal of this episode is to give you an introduction of how the vagus nerve works and how you can support it on your healing journey.

Links/Resources:

Neuvana website: https://neuvanalife.com/

Check out Xen: https://neuvanalife.com/products/xen?...

Neuvana IG:  https://www.instagram.com/neuvanalife/

Coupon code for Xen: AMANDA10

IG post on pelvic floor:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CQY0KvdtBZP/ 

Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance:
https://bit.ly/3iwRDMk

Mineral Imbalance Quiz:
https://bit.ly/3ycEn4h

Are You Menstrual?
In this episode, we are covering a topic I’ve been learning more and more about and has not stopped amazing me and that is the lymphatic system! I’m joined by Leah Levitan. 

Leah is a licensed massage therapist, educator, and certified lymphatic drainage specialist. In her Austin clinic, she supports and works with women on all sorts of unique healing journeys. From mold toxicity to gut health, and even post-operative care. She founded Lymph Love Club in 2020 and began sharing her lymph moving tips and tricks on social media as a resource for her clients to support their lymphatic health outside of the work they were doing 1:1. The response from women all over the world was overwhelming and she knew she had to get the word out. Now she's teaching online courses and in-person workshops on how easy it is to keep that healing river flowing, right from home! Her philosophy and approach is simple. Keep the good stuff circulating and get the bad stuff out. She says "In order to be in radiant health, we have to support and work with the body on every level. Our lymphatic system has an intimate relationship with every other system in our body and is designed to do just that."

The goal of this episode is to give you an introduction to the lymphatic system and some ways you can start supporting your lymph today. 

Links/Resources:

• Follow Leah on IG: https://www.instagram.com/lymphloveclub/ 
• Check out Leah’s website: https://alignmassagecompany.com 
• Get notified of the intro to lymph flow course: https://mailchi.mp/0d624c2cb754/lymphloveclub 
• Myofascial release and lymph video: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CT4slfslIEo/ 
• Dry brushing for arms: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZ6yB8zJDsH/ 
• Dry brushing for legs: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZacJufjR6q/ 
• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz 

Are You Menstrual? –
In this episode, we are diving deeper into blood sugar balance and insulin resistance with PCOS expert and functional dietitian, Jillian Greaves. Jillian provides comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle counseling to women, with a special emphasis on PCOS, hormone balance, and digestive health. Jillian helps clients identify and address the root causes of their hormone and digestive symptoms naturally using advanced lab testing, personalized nutrition and supportive lifestyle therapies as the first line of intervention. Jillian runs a virtual private practice and is the creator of the Empowered PCOS Program. It's her mission to empower women to take back control of their health, reclaim their confidence, and experience life at its fullest potential.

The goal with this episode is to help you better understand how our blood sugar gets out of balance and how to support your body maintaining healthy blood sugars long term. 

Links/Resources:

• Check out Jillian’s website here
• Follow Jillian on Instagram
• Blood Sugar Quiz
• Free Guide 10 Key Strategies To Balance Your Blood Sugar For PCOS
• Free Training: Optimizing Hormone Health with Mineral Balance
• Mineral Imbalance Quiz