What if you’ve been managing digestive symptoms for decades, but no one has ever looked at why they’re happening?

In this episode, I’m sharing one of my favourite success stories: my grandmother’s experience with ulcerative colitis, chronic digestive issues, and 30 years of steroid use.

Now almost 91, she has had a significant resolution in her symptoms and is taking nearly no medications. She actually tells people she “doesn’t have colitis anymore.”

For years, her life revolved around unpredictable digestion, constipation and diarrhea, reflux, fatigue, frequent infections, low iron and worrying about whether she could leave the house without being near a bathroom.

So what changed?

We stopped looking at her symptoms in isolation and started connecting the dots between her gut health, nutrition, health history, medications, nutrient deficiencies, digestion and stool testing.

In this episode, I’m walking you through what we found, including gut bacteria imbalances, candida, intestinal inflammation, poor fat digestion and impaired gut barrier function, and how those findings helped guide a personalized protocol.

I’m also sharing why I don’t believe every digestive issue should be managed by simply eliminating more foods, taking another probiotic or adding random gut-healing supplements.

Your symptoms are information. The goal is to understand what they’re telling you and address the factors contributing to them.

If you’re dealing with ulcerative colitis, bloating, gas, unpredictable bowel movements, reflux, food reactions or chronic digestive issues, this episode will show you what it can look like to look under the hood instead of simply managing symptoms.

🎧 Want to understand the deeper root causes behind your digestive symptoms? Grab my free gut health training here, where I break down the framework I use to help clients get to the bottom of their gut issues.

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

In Part 2 of this blood sugar series, we’re getting practical. If you’ve been dealing with fatigue, cravings, brain fog, energy crashes, PMS, painful or heavy periods, acne, weight gain or other hormone symptoms, blood sugar regulation is one of the first places I want you to look.

In the previous episode, I explained what blood sugar is, how insulin works and why blood sugar balance is such an important foundation for hormone health. Now, I’m sharing 5 simple blood sugar hacks you can start using right away to improve blood sugar regulation throughout the day.

We’ll cover:

• Why the way you start your morning can influence your energy, cravings and blood sugar throughout the day
• Why morning sunlight matters for your circadian rhythm, cortisol and metabolic health
• Why eating breakfast can be especially important if you’re dealing with fatigue or exercising in the morning
• How to build a blood sugar balancing breakfast with enough protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates
• Why lunch matters more than you might think for afternoon energy and cravings
• How a 10 minute walk or short “exercise snack” after meals can help regulate blood sugar
• Why building muscle through strength training can improve glucose regulation
• The connection between poor sleep, insulin sensitivity, hunger and sugar cravings
• Why I recommend making sweet foods part of a meal rather than constantly snacking on sugary foods
• How to start making changes without trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle at once

You don’t need to implement all five strategies tomorrow. Start with the lowest hanging fruit, stay consistent and pay attention to what changes in your energy, mood, cravings, focus, PMS symptoms and overall wellbeing.

If you want to understand how blood sugar connects to your hormones and symptoms, make sure you listen to Part 1 first.

You can also find my free blood sugar and hormone health training, along with information about working with me 1:1, in the show notes.

Topics covered: blood sugar balance, hormone health, insulin sensitivity, cortisol, thyroid health, PMS, painful periods, heavy periods, fatigue, cravings, brain fog, blood sugar regulation, protein at breakfast, strength training, sleep and metabolic health.

Mentioned in the episode: 

Blood Sugar + Hormone Balance Mini Training

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

Could your blood sugar be affecting your hormones, energy, PMS, period cramps, acne, thyroid, or weight? In this episode of The Nourished Way Podcast, we’re breaking down the often-overlooked connection between blood sugar balance and hormone health—and why balancing blood sugar may be one of the most important places to start when you're struggling with hormone symptoms.

Blood sugar balance has become a major buzzword, but there’s a lot of conflicting information about how to balance blood sugar, what you should eat, and which supplements you need. In this episode, I’m breaking it down so you can understand what blood sugar actually is, why blood sugar balance matters for your hormones, and how blood sugar imbalances can contribute to common symptoms women experience.

We’ll talk about the hormone hierarchy and why supporting blood sugar and stress hormones like insulin and cortisol needs to come before trying to correct other hormone imbalances.

You’ll learn about the connection between blood sugar and:

• PMS and painful periods
• Energy crashes and the 3 p.m. slump
• Brain fog, fatigue and sugar cravings
• Acne and hormonal breakouts
• PCOS and insulin resistance
• Ovulation and progesterone production
• Estrogen dominance
• Thyroid health
• Cortisol and chronic stress
• Sleep and waking during the night
• Inflammation and period pain

We’ll also break down the blood sugar spike-and-crash cycle, why you may crave quick-digesting carbohydrates when your blood sugar drops, and why this isn’t simply a matter of willpower.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series on blood sugar balance. In Part 2, we’ll get practical and I’ll share simple blood sugar balancing strategies you can use to create more stable energy and support your hormone health.

If you’re struggling with PMS, painful periods, PCOS, acne, fatigue, brain fog, sugar cravings, hormone imbalances, or thyroid symptoms, this episode is an important place to start.

🎧 Listen now to understand how blood sugar affects your hormones and why blood sugar balance is the foundation of hormone health.

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

When most people think about liver health, they think about alcohol—but your liver does so much more than detoxify. It's responsible for breaking down hormones like estrogen, producing bile for healthy digestion, supporting thyroid hormone conversion, regulating cholesterol, and helping your body eliminate toxins.

In this episode of the podcast, I'm breaking down why your liver plays such a crucial role in hormone balance, gut health, digestion, and energy—and why supporting it goes far beyond doing a trendy "liver cleanse."

You'll learn:

• Why poor liver function can contribute to estrogen dominance, PMS, painful periods, acne, and heavy menstrual bleeding
• The connection between your liver, bile flow, constipation, bloating, and fat digestion
• How your liver influences thyroid hormone conversion and symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and feeling cold
• Common signs your liver may need extra support
• The best foods and nutrients to naturally support liver detoxification
• Simple ways to reduce your toxic load without becoming overwhelmed
• My favorite evidence-informed liver support strategies, including castor oil packs, dandelion root tea, and NAC

If you've been told your labs are "normal" but you're still struggling with digestive issues, hormone symptoms, or low energy, this episode will help you understand why looking beyond the affected organ and supporting the whole body matters.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download my free Liver Support Guide

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

If you think painful period cramps are just something you have to live with, think again. In this episode, Danielle shares why period cramps aren't normal, what they're really telling you about your health, and the three natural changes that helped her go from debilitating monthly pain caused by endometriosis to completely pain-free periods.

You'll learn why inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, gut health, and hormone imbalances can all contribute to painful periods, and why simply masking symptoms with pain medication doesn't address the root cause. Danielle also shares practical nutrition and lifestyle strategies you can start using today to naturally support hormone balance and reduce period cramps.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why period cramps are common—but not normal 
•  The root causes of painful periods and menstrual cramps 
•  How inflammation affects your menstrual cycle 
•  Three natural solutions that helped eliminate Danielle's period cramps 
•  Nutrition and lifestyle tips to support healthy hormones and reduce menstrual pain 

Whether you're dealing with painful periods, endometriosis, PMS, or hormone imbalances, this episode will help you understand what your body is trying to tell you—and what you can do about it.

Mentioned in the episode: 

EWG (Environmental Working Group)

Episode: Period Pain, Inflammation and Prostaglandins

Episode: Period Pain, PMS and Blood Sugar

Natural pad/tampons: Natracare, Honeypot, Rael, Salt cup

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

Do you feel bloated no matter what you eat? Struggle with acid reflux, heartburn, constipation, reoccurring SIBO, food sensitivities, or indigestion? Low stomach acid could be the missing piece. 

In this episode, we explore how low stomach acid contributes to chronic digestive symptoms and what you can do to support healthy digestion naturally. 

We'll talk about how it impacts nutrient absorption, hormones, thyroid health, energy, gut bacteria, and why simply taking probiotics, digestive enzymes, or doing a parasite cleanse isn't enough to create lasting results.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• What stomach acid actually does and why it's essential for digestion
•  Signs and symptoms of low stomach acid (including bloating, acid reflux, burping, and food sensitivities) 
• The connection between low stomach acid, bloating, acid reflux, SIBO, Candida, parasites, and food sensitivities
• Why chronic stress can reduce stomach acid production
• The role of digestive enzymes and bile in healthy digestion
• The most common root causes of low stomach acid
• Simple, natural strategies to support healthy stomach acid production and improve digestion

If you've been told to simply eliminate more foods or rely on symptom-managing supplements, this episode will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface and why supporting your digestive function is key to long-term gut healing.

 If you're tired of living with bloating, acid reflux, constipation, or other chronic digestive symptoms and you're ready to uncover the root cause, learn more about working with us here or send me a message on Instagram - @nourishedway

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's tired of feeling bloated after every meal!

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

Do you have hypothyroidism symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, constipation, heavy periods, hair loss, or unexplained weight gain—even though your thyroid labs are "normal"? 

 This episode explains why your thyroid affects every system in your body—from your metabolism and energy levels to your digestion, periods, fertility, and mood—and why many women continue to experience symptoms despite having "normal" labs or being on medication. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What your thyroid actually does and why it affects every system in your body
• The most common hypothyroidism symptoms (and the ones doctors often overlook) 
•  Why "normal" thyroid labs don't always mean optimal thyroid function 
• The difference between TSH, T4 and T3
• How your gut, liver, minerals and chronic stress affect thyroid hormone production, conversion and absorption 
• The connection between hypothyroidism, constipation, SIBO, hormone imbalances and fertility
• Why thyroid medication may not resolve symptoms for everyone
• Practical, holistic strategies to support your thyroid health naturally, through nutrition, lifestyle and root-cause healing

Whether you've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's—or you're simply trying to understand why you don't feel like yourself—this episode will help you connect the dots and give you practical steps to better support your thyroid health, digestion, hormones, and overall well-being. 

Mentioned in the episode: 

Blood Sugar and Your Hormones Training

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

Chronic bloating and constipation can be incredibly frustrating—especially when you're eating a healthy diet, eliminating foods, and trying everything you can think of but still can't figure out what's causing your symptoms. 

 In this episode of The Nourished Way Podcast, I uncover 5 overlooked root causes of chronic bloating, constipation, and digestive issues that you may not have explored yet.

If you’ve tried eliminating foods, taking digestive enzymes, adding in more fiber, probiotics, or other supplements and you’re still bloated, this episode is for you. 

We’re going to discuss reasons that are not related to food, including low stomach acid, gut bacteria imbalances, nervous system dysregulation, and suboptimal thyroid function that may be contributing to your symptoms.

 In this episode, you'll learn: 

• Why certain processed foods can trigger bloating, but chronic bloating often points to deeper underlying imbalances. 
• How low stomach acid and poor digestive function can contribute to bloating, gas, and constipation—even when you're eating a healthy diet. 
• How microbial imbalances, including Candida overgrowth and bacterial overgrowth, can contribute to chronic bloating and digestive symptoms. 
• How chronic stress and living in a fight-or-flight state directly impact digestion and the microbiome. 
• Why constipation and incomplete bowel movements can contribute to gas, bloating, and hormone recirculation. 
• Why elimination diets can temporarily reduce symptoms but often don't address the root causes and aren't sustainable long-term.  

Links: 

Book a strategy call with Danielle here! During this call, you'll discuss your gut and hormone symptoms, health goals and how functional testing with personalized coaching will help you achieve balance and symptom resolution

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

 For many women, period cramps and painful periods are symptoms we’re told we just have to accept—but I’ve been there. For 15 years, I experienced excruciating period pain, heavy bleeding that kept me from leaving the house, and acne breakouts before every cycle. 

 In this episode, I’m breaking down the connection between chronic inflammation, prostaglandins, and painful periods. You'll learn what prostaglandins are, why these sneaky little chemical messengers contribute to period cramps and heavy bleeding, and what causes them to become elevated in the first place.  

Plus, I'm sharing natural strategies to reduce menstrual cramps and inflammation, how to proactively support your cycle, and some of my favorite period products.

I had no idea pain-free periods were even possible for me but my periods no longer cause me any discomfort or interrupt my life in any way. If this is possible for me, I know it's possible for you, too. 

Anti-inflammatory guide (+ discount code for The Period Protocol)

Episode: Blood Sugar Imbalances: The Overlooked Cause of PMS and Period Pain

Ginger capsules (NFH Ginger SAP)

Castor oil wraps 

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.

Painful periods, period cramps, PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis symptoms aren't random—and they’re not something you just have to live with.

In this episode, Danielle breaks down one of the biggest overlooked drivers of hormone imbalances: blood sugar instability and how it can contribute to PMS, period cramps, inflammation, and hormone symptoms.

You’ll learn how blood sugar swings can contribute to inflammation, disrupt estrogen and progesterone balance, and play a role in period cramps, PMS, fatigue, and acne. Plus, she provides simple, practical steps you can start using today to support stable blood sugar, balanced hormones, and healthier cycles.

Download a week of breakfast ideas here

Interested in working together with functional lab testing? Check out my 1-1 program here. 

Click here to join The Period Protocol (option to add 1:1 session)

If you have questions, let's chat! You can contact me on Instagram or by email at [email protected] 

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not individual or medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical conditions or treatment plans.