Ever find yourself running on caffeine, skipping meals, and wondering why you’re crashing mid-afternoon? In this episode of Root Cause Reset, April Blackford and Dani Larsen—both Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners—break down how to fuel your body when life is nonstop.

Whether you're juggling meetings, shuttling kids to practice, or living out of your car some days, this episode offers real-world, zero-perfection strategies to keep your energy stable and hormones happy—even when you're on the go.

We walk you through our 4 Smart Choices Framework—the practical approach we teach clients to avoid blood sugar crashes, reduce cravings, and support metabolism without adding more stress. You’ll learn how to:

• Anchor meals with protein (and why it matters)
• Avoid sneaky sugar traps in your drinks
• Pack a backup kit that actually works
• Navigate fast food and takeout without guilt

Plus, we share real hacks from real clients—like how one woman turned her office drawer into a snack station and another preps smoothie jars to survive her morning chaos.

This episode is your permission slip to ditch the guilt, drop the “perfect meal” pressure, and create simple systems that support your health—even in a busy season.

🎧 Tune in and grab a few strategies to use today—no fancy prep required.

👉 Ready to get to the root of your fatigue, cravings, or hormone imbalances? Connect with us through the links in the show notes. And don’t forget to share this episode with a busy friend who could use a little food freedom!

https://calendly.com/aprilblackford77/30min

https://www.facebook.com/dani.schragelarsen

https://www.facebook.com/april.blackford/

In this episode of Root Cause Reset, we’re digging deep (literally and figuratively) into an often-overlooked root cause of chronic health issues: mold exposure. If you’ve been chasing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, sinus problems, histamine intolerance, stubborn gut issues, or even hormonal imbalance without answers—this conversation might be a game-changer.

April and Dani share their functional perspective on how mold toxicity can silently impact systems across the body, how it often hides in your home, and why many conventional tests miss it altogether. You'll learn how to spot signs of mold illness, what types of functional testing are most effective, and actionable steps you can take to begin detoxing safely.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The top symptoms that might point to hidden mold exposure
• Why mold can mimic other root causes like candida, leaky gut, or Lyme
• The most reliable tests for detecting mold and mycotoxins
• How to test your home
• How mold toxins affect your gut, hormones, brain, and immune system
• The difference between mold allergies vs. mold toxicity
• Foundational steps to start healing from mold
• Why healing from mold is not a one-size-fits-all journey

This Episode Is For You If:

• You’ve tried multiple protocols (for gut, hormones, fatigue, etc.) with minimal progress
• You feel better when you’re away from home—or worse in specific environments
• Your labs are “normal,” but you still don’t feel like yourself
• You’ve had water damage, musty smells, or visible mold in your environment
• You want a root-cause based roadmap that looks beyond the surface

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Functional Testing
• Home testing options like ERMI and HERTSMI-2
• The importance of supporting detox pathways before mobilizing mold

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If you loved this episode, please leave a review and share it with a friend or loved one who might be unknowingly affected by mold. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode

Let’s Connect:
👉 Learn more about working with April or Dani: https://www.instillnutrition.com/ /https://www.energized-wellness.com
👉 Follow on Instagram: @aprilblackford @stresslessandheal
👉 Join the Gut & Hormone Health Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CBbeFTGcS/

Activity Trackers: Helpful Health Tool or Data-Obsessed Distraction?
In this episode of Root Cause Reset, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners April Blackford and Dani Larsen dig into the world of activity trackers — from Fitbits to Oura Rings — to help you decide if your wearable tech is supporting your health or sabotaging your sanity.

We’re breaking down:

• The pros and cons of popular devices like Apple Watch, WHOOP, Oura, and CGMs
• How to interpret your data without obsessing over it
• Why women 40+ should approach trackers differently (hint: hormones and recovery matter!)
• Tips to use tech as a tool — not a tyrant

Whether you love your fitness band or feel anxious every time your readiness score dips, this episode offers a functional, compassionate perspective on how to use health tracking in a way that actually supports your wellbeing.

🎧 Perfect for women navigating perimenopause, burnout, or just trying to make sense of their sleep scores.

Ever feel puffy, itchy, anxious, or wired-but-tired — even when you’re doing all the right things? Maybe your go-to "healthy" foods suddenly leave you bloated, your wine nights give you a racing heart, or you wake up at 2am for no reason at all. If you're nodding along, histamine intolerance could be the sneaky culprit behind your symptoms.

In this episode, we’re breaking down histamine in a way that actually makes sense. I’ll walk you through:

• What histamine is and why it matters
• The real-life symptoms no one is connecting to it
• Why women in perimenopause are especially affected
• The top foods that make things worse (and what to eat instead)
• Simple, doable steps to start feeling better fast

If you’ve ever said “I’m reacting to everything lately,” this one’s for you. Let’s pull back the curtain on histamine and help your body calm down — without fear, restriction, or confusion.

Welcome back to Root Cause Reset! In this episode, your hosts April Blackford and Dani Larsen—both Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioners—take you on a deep, refreshing dive into the truth about detoxing.

Detox isn’t a product or a program—it’s a daily, natural process your body is designed to do around the clock. But when life gets hectic, stress piles up, and nutrition takes a backseat, your detox pathways can get congested—causing everything from fatigue and brain fog to hormonal imbalances and skin issues.

In this spring-inspired reset, we walk you through:

🌿 What detox really means (and what it doesn’t)
🧠 Signs your liver, gut, skin, and lymphatic system need support
💧 5 simple, natural ways to get your detox pathways flowing again
☕ Why coffee enemas are the underrated detox hero (and how to do them safely)
🌀 How emotional and energetic detoxing is just as important as the physical

Plus, we wrap up with grounding practices and a gentle reminder: Your body isn’t broken—it might just need a reset.

If you're craving clarity, lightness, and more control over your health this season, this episode is for you.

🎧 Hit play, share with a friend, and don't forget to leave a review if this one spoke to you.

www.instillnutrition.com

In this episode, we're diving deep into the often misunderstood world of disordered eating—what it is, how it differs from diagnosed eating disorders, and why so many women silently struggle with it without even realizing it.

We are shedding light on the hidden behaviors and thought patterns that keep women stuck in cycles of restriction, guilt, emotional eating, and food obsession.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between disordered eating and a diagnosed eating disorder
• Sneaky signs you might be stuck in a disordered eating pattern
• How to start healing the mindset without another diet

This is a compassionate, eye-opening conversation for any woman who's ever felt out of control around food, blamed herself for not having “enough willpower,” or wondered why the scale isn’t budging despite doing all the “right things.”

 It's time to break free from the rules, restrictions, and shame—and find a sustainable, nourishing path forward.

Ever feel like stress is running the show in your life? You’re not alone! Stress affects everything—from digestion and hormones to sleep, weight, and even your immune system. But how much of an impact does it really have, and what can we do about it?

In this episode, we’re breaking down:
✅ How stress affects gut health, hormone balance, and metabolism
✅ The signs your body is stuck in chronic stress mode
✅ Why stress can lead to bloating, cravings, and weight gain (even if you're eating healthy)
✅ Simple strategies to build resilience and restore balance

🔥 If you’ve been feeling wired, exhausted, or overwhelmed, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn how to take control of stress before it takes control of you.

🎧 Listen now & let’s dive in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs it! 💖

Have you ever been told that your lab results are “normal,” yet you still struggle with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, bloating, or other frustrating symptoms? You’re not alone!

In this episode of Root Cause Reset, we dive into why conventional lab testing often misses the full picture of your health. I’ll break down:

✅ Why “normal” ranges aren’t always optimal
✅ Common markers that get overlooked
✅ The difference between functional and conventional lab analysis
✅ What to do if you still feel awful despite “normal” results

If you’ve been dismissed or left without answers, this episode will empower you with the knowledge you need to advocate for deeper testing and truly personalized care.

🔎 Tune in now and take control of your health journey!

Instagram: 

@aprilbackford

@stresslessandheal

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

In this episode of Root Cause Reset, we’re diving into the foundational strategies we use when starting with a new client. If you're struggling with stubborn symptoms like fatigue, bloating, hormone imbalances, or unexplained weight gain, these are the first steps we take to get to the root of the issue.

We’ll break down:
✅ Blood Sugar Balance – Why stabilizing blood sugar is key for energy, cravings, and hormone health.
✅ Nervous System Regulation – How chronic stress impacts your digestion, metabolism, and overall well-being (and what to do about it).
✅ Balancing the Gut with Diet – The role of food in restoring gut health and reducing inflammation.

If you're feeling stuck in your health journey and unsure where to start, this episode will give you actionable steps to help reset your body and feel your best. Tune in now! 🎧

"Welcome to Root Cause Reset, the podcast where we uncover the deeper reasons behind your health struggles and empower you to reclaim your well-being. We’re your hosts, April Blackford and Dani Larsen, both passionate practitioners dedicated to helping you connect the dots between symptoms and solutions. Here, we dive into functional health, real-world strategies, and transformative tools to reset your health from the inside out. Whether you’re navigating gut issues, hormonal imbalances, working through trauma, or simply striving for better energy and vitality, you’re in the right place. It’s time to get to the root cause and reset your health journey."