How To Get Your Sex Drive Back

Posted by Elle on May 12, 2013 | 0 comments

Most women don’t even know they’ve lost their sex drive until they get it back full force. When asked, most women say they would prefer an evening in the bedroom over a night on the couch, but let’s get real, when’s the last time you had your man naked and covered in chocolate?

In truth, how bad you want it (and how creative you are in the bedroom) is directly influenced by birth control pills, and if you’re on the steady drip, it’s highly likely your sex drive has been has compromised as a result. The fatty acids, called couplins, women secrete during ovulation to spike sexual interest don’t exist at all while on the pill, which kills both your ability to have babies and your desire to practice making them — a tad ironic if you ask me.

Study after study has shown that women on birth control pills see the world more platonically than their au naturale counterparts. When shown pictures of naked men, women on the pill will call them attractive, handsome, and hot. Those off the pill, however, are much more descriptive, often listing what they would do to each man if he were present! As a result, women on the pill wind up with relationships that are more friendship, less steamy intrigue. Both equally important qualities to living a beautiful, pleasurable life.

The problem is that once women get off the hormones, they often find themselves stuck. Birth control pills put quite the kibosh on your libido, and it’s up to you to build it back up. Imagine you have a little rustic cabin out in the woods with no electricity. You can’t just flip a switch and expect to have light. You first need to hardwire electricity directly into your home. The same works with your body. Your sex drive is like electricity, and the pill has separated your body from your main power circuit: your endocrine system!

Click here to read the full article!

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com

Ditch your Birth Control: Starting June 3rd!

Posted by Elle on May 6, 2013 | 0 comments

It’s almost here! As you know, my mission is to help women (like you) get off that steady hormonal drip and onto more natural methods of birth control. So today I am so excited to announce that my guide and workshops will be available starting JUNE 3rd!! That’s only a month away!

Ditch your Birth Control Guide Available June 3rd

My Ditch your Birth Control guide is completely done and is with my graphic designer for all the beautifying touches. It’ll discuss the dangers of hormonal methods of birth control, how to get off them, what alternatives are available as options, and an introduction to the Fertility Awareness Method. Once it’s final from my graphic designer I’ll be giving it away for free on my site in exchange for newsletter sign-ups! Existing newsletter subscribers will, of course, get a copy on launch day.

Ditch your Birth Control Workshops Open for Registration June 3rd

I know the second you read my guide you’ll be thinking, “ok, if not the pill, than what?” My Ditch your Birth Control workshops will offer an in-depth look at our reproductive cycle and how to use the Fertility Awareness Method. I will teach women how to chart their cycles, how to avoid babies naturally, and how to use their cycle as a guide for abundant health and happiness. Those who are interested will also have the option of working with me one-on-one for personalized charting review and support.

Get ready for the fun to begin! Sign-up for my newsletter to be the first to know!

How I Healed my Anovulation

Posted by Elle on Apr 29, 2013 | 2 comments

I knew that something was wrong with my health because I’d been seeing signs for weeks. My non-stop work ethic meant I was crazy tired at night. Then my breath turned a little worse for wear and my sweat started to lose its rosy edge (prime signs that my liver has had enough). Finally I had two anovulatory cycles in a row, meaning that my body didn’t ovulate at all. I skipped straight to my period without ever cycling. Uh-oh.

So I sat down with a hot water bottle and Christiane Northrup’s book Women’s Health, Women’s Wisdom, not a bad way to spend an evening. As I read through, a particular passage jumped out at me “A woman…may develop ovarian problems if she feels that she has no means of escape from her situation and that the outer world is preventing her from changing.” Goodness is that me? Sure is. For the past few months I have felt desperately resigned to my situation. I was telling myself that the reason I was so stuck, so drained, so completely run-ragged was because I was working two jobs. The reason why I never had a single moment for myself or my family, why my health suffered, was outside my control. For months I have felt that it was only temporary, that once things changed in my situation, once I could taper down my day job and work on Happy Yogis full-time I would be happy, healthy, and have time to take care of myself. Only then! I felt stuck.

Then last week, my wellness coach (yes wellness coaches have wellness coaches) asked me if the stress I was under would continue once my goals were reached. I said no at the time. I truly believed it was my situation that was causing my stress, I was powerless to it. There was nothing I could do to get my cycle savvy until something changed in my circumstances. That’s what I believed!

Finally, the theme continued when I was listening to my weekly HTB church podcast only to have him tell me straight out that when listening to God, be open to the message that keeps coming back to you. My walls tumbled. I’ve heard it over and over again. Not only that but I’ve SAID it over and over again, and yet I haven’t listened. I’ve been telling my clients: Take care of yourself first. Listen to your femininity, embrace your emotions and beliefs because they are a huge contributing factor to disease and hormonal imbalance. And here I was, hormonally imbalanced.

All this time I didn’t realize how my own beliefs were affecting my health. I realized that the circumstances I couldn’t change, I could change. And more than that, the goals I set for myself were aggressive and unfair to my body. I didn’t need to have my book out by April. I could easily have it out in May and not be under so much stress. In fact, in doing that I can dedicate a whole extra day in my schedule just for my own wellbeing. Why wasn’t I allowing myself that in the first place? Why was I putting such high demands on myself? Why did I feel so resigned to a position I myself was putting myself in?

The next day my prayers were answered when my boss at my day job straight out asked me what future I wanted to have with his company. Since the universe has been spinning me in this direction for a while I felt this was my moment. I asked for what I wanted and he gave it to me. Starting this week I am ditching the 9-5. I’ll be working as a part-time contractor for my day job on a very limited basis. I’ll have more time to devote to my wellness clients, and more time to devote to myself.

I’m not going to take the busy with me either. In fact, I’m giving it up! I was causing my busy, not my circumstances. As soon as I came to this realization, I healed. I ovulated last week for the first time in two months and felt like I gained a part of myself I’d been missing out on. I’m so excited for this change in roles and so in awe at how connected my body is to my beliefs.

What do you believe? How is that affecting your health?

SeaWheeze Training Diary Day One

Posted by Elle on Apr 25, 2013 | 2 comments

Last weekend I hit the road for the first time in goodness knows how long. Since last year’s SeaWheeze half-marathon I have run a grand total of one time, two now!! Wooohooo! Progress! I gave up running this past winter for two reasons. First, I hate cold. Even the California kind. Second, running can burden a women’s reproductive cycle and since at the time I was experiencing hormonal chaos I decided to give my body a break. This year though I have some catching up to do and I intend on doing it in a very loving, goddessy, taking care of my adrenals way. What does that mean exactly? I have no clue! But I’m determined to find out how to run in a way that nourishes my hormones and keeps me from grannying my way through SeaWheeze.

Saturday I ran so slow I literally had time to stop and smell the roses. In fact, I ran the exact same route I ran last year the first time I hit the road to train! Thankfully this year was a bit easier on the bod. I think the fact that I now know I can run 13 miles helps take the edge off my tiny three miler. It feels like nothing in comparison. In addition, the hills and rough trails of my home terrain feel like training in a high-altitude environment compared to the smooth hill-less stroll around Vancouver. Ok, its not a stroll. But at least this year I know what I’m capable of, I know what I’m in for.

I’ve been in major yoga mode this year so it felt soooo deliciously amazing to do something a little more high impact for a change. I know, yoga can be powerful, but let’s not pull any delusions here, it’s not the same experience as running. Nor should it be. But there is no amount of power yoga that can prepare you for a jog, not even a tiny one (I should be fair, the same goes for runners who do yoga). Either way, I get bored when I have to pick so I’ve come up with a plan! It’s my special, I’m-going-to-try-to-be-half-as-good-as-my-sister plan. You are going to think that I’m an underachiever there, and maybe I am a bit, but really my sister is just that good. Trust me, I’ve seen her on Strava. (Darn app!)

So essentially the plan is this: Every day I’m going to do whatever I feel like doing so long as it’s outdoors. Some days that might be swimming, gardening, a walk, or yoga. But every weekend I have to go on one jog that is longer than the run I did the previous week. I know, I’m kind of a cheater. I only ran three over the weekend so the bar isn’t too high for next weekend. On top of that I even just told you I’m not starting it until May sooooo maybe it’s the slacker’s guide to SeaWheeze! Doesn’t matter to me! I need to do what honors my body and my health and I’m a little afraid of too much hormonal ruckus right now to go all out. But I could use the push forward. I’ve been a little too mellow, a little too reserved, and this early summer feels like just the time to turn it all around.

So if I can so much as keep an even keel, and feel good while doing it, in a way that doesn’t keep my fam from heading to drinks without me, I will feel sooo great about this year’s event. I want to run slow enough to miss the glutenous breakfast but fast enough to make it to the after party! Perfect! I suppose that translates to something like a 10 minute mile. But who’s counting?

I’m so excited for the event this year. It’s going to be even more amazing than last year!!

Image Credit: NY Marathon – 29

A Surprising Stressor That Affects Women Entrepreneurs

Posted by Elle on Apr 22, 2013 | 2 comments

After years of indecision, I was thrilled when I finally realized what I wanted to do with my life. In fact, I was so completely passionate about my newfound calling that I devoted every waking moment to it. I stayed in on the weekends to nurture my little business and slept less so I could write to the women I longed to help. I dreamed, blogged, created and adored every moment of it. I was in awe that something I loved doing could also be so helpful. It was a dream come true! But then my period decided to skip a cycle and I realized something was out of place.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore my wellness coaching gig. But there’s something we entrepreneurs all have in common, and it’s why hormonal disturbances are so rampant among us: We believe balance to be overrated.

We let ourselves become stressed, overwhelmed, and over-committed, all because this new kind of stress doesn’t feel so bad. It feels good to work on something that fuels us!

But when our periods become irregular, or even absent, our body is sending us a wake up call that something’s out of balance. As women, the first thing to go haywire when things get stressful is our reproductive system. That’s why it’s no coincidence that most of my clients are entrepreneurs. As entrepreneurs we make three grave mistakes known to send our periods for hormonal turmoil. Take a look to see if these sound familiar.

Click here  to read the rest of my article on MindBodyGreen!

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How to Get Regular

Posted by Elle on Apr 15, 2013 | 2 comments

Real quick, let’s just define “regular” when it comes to your lovely bowel movements: The ability to produce a bowel movement twice daily without the use of stimulants such as tea or coffee. Goodness, does that sound pretty far from the truth? Trust me, about five years ago I would have never believed that was possible for myself having spent lord knows how long dealing with IBS and constipation, now it’s just my norm! So don’t lose hope just yet! I’m here to help.

Your Ideal Scenario

Let’s start first by running through what you ideal day looks like just so we have a point of reference to start out with. You wake up, give a nice good stretch, rub the sleepies out of your eyes and then break for the kitchen. There you grab yourself 8-oz (one glass) of water and give yourself a cuddle on the couch or in bed. Allow yourself a moment to relax and sip on your water and then head for the bathroom for your morning poop. Ta-da!! Now you can go about your day until after lunch. You settleback into your workspace and grab a glass of water.   Then head for the stalls for bowel movement #2. Sounds nice right? You are completely capable of achieving this rock star status poo and when you do, your health will flourish and your hormones will heal. It’s just an all around win-win situation. Here’s where to start:

Step 1: Get in the Habit

The first thing you need to do is get in the habit! Act as if this is already how you operate. Eake up, drink some water, maybe warm or with lemon, relax for a minute and then go sit on the pot. Give yourself five minutes to just hang out, relax, read-through your Flipboard or a good magazine, and if nothing happens, it’s OK  move on with your day. The important thing is to start giving yourself the space to relax. Then do the same come lunchtime. Grab yourself a glass of water and then go enjoy some private bathroom time to yourself for five.

Step 2: Nix the Troublemakers

People have told you all the darn time to get rid of the coffee but I know you are using the drug to get things going. It’s a hard habit to break and I’m going to give it to you straight: Once you quit coffee, you WILL be stopped up for awhile. Maybe even for a week. Your body is hooked on caffeine the same way as it can get hooked on laxatives. Your colon depends on that stimulating shove each morning and once you break the habit your body will have to remember how to stimulate itself on its own. Coffee is every bit the laxative as senna, or Ex-Lax and the more you use it, the more you need it. Getting off it will be an adjustment, but one your body will welcome overall. To help heal the process-Start a cleanse the same day you give up coffee. It will help give your system a nice reset and hopefully clear out your system to get it back to functioning smoothly.

Step 3: Get your Daily Fix

Everyday you need at least 64-ounces of water, a 30-minute walk, and a plate that is 75% veggies for both lunch and dinner. A magnesium supplement is a good idea as well since chances are, you are deficient. Build these little goodies into your day and you’ll be on your way.

Troubleshooting

Constipation: If you deal with regular constipation or small, hard, round stool, use some all natural stool softeners to keep things nice and easy: Fruit! Make juicy fruits such as berries and peaches a bit part of your breakfast to give your body a boost. A tiny glass of fruit juice in the morning could be helpful as well! My favorite way to incorporate natural fruit juices into your morning is to put berries and juicy fruits into the bottom of a pot, cover them with water, and then simmer until you have a nice murky syrupy concoction. This is great atop oatmeal or sprouted grain toast.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: IBS is a sign your body’s immune system is overwhelmed and has picked up the habit of attacking everyday foods as if they were major invaders. Lack of variety means that our bodies have accumulated antibodies over time until suddenly it views that food as an attacker and rises up against it. Don’t believe this is your problem? When’s the last time you went an entire week without eating wheat, dairy, or eggs (the most common of the allergens)? Your offender is most likely the thing (or things) you eat most so start a food journal and take stock. If you just can’t figure it out on your own because the situation has become too dire- do like I did and get yourself a standard food allergy profile to find out which foods have a really high immune reaction stacked up against them. I went to the IBS Treatment Center in Seattle and discovered I was allergic to wheat, dairy, eggs, and beans. Six months after cutting all from my diet I was a completely new person. These days my body has adjusted and I no longer have such a strong response.

You CAN Get Regular, I’m Proof!

So many people will read this post and believe that this is just not possible for them. You’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. So I want you to know that I’ve been there. No matter what your struggle is, I’ve dealt with it. I’ve gone more than a week without using the bathroom. I’ve used coffee as a drug to keep regular. I’ve even been hooked on laxatives- taking them every other day for two month!. Yet now I’m drug-free, caffeine-free, and regular like crazy. So don’t stress. You are totally capable of digestive freedom. Be patient with yourself and follow the steps. You’ll get there!

Photo Credit: Beauty in Nature

Stop Trying To Be Warriors And Embrace Your Inner Goddess

Posted by Elle on Apr 8, 2013 | 0 comments

Two years ago, my husband and I joined a Crossfit gym. Our desk jobs left us desperate for activity, so at the time it just seemed like the thing to do. Yet something didn’t feel right to me. Sure, I was getting stronger physically, but I couldn’t stop the tears from pouring down my face after each workout. I was constantly starving, and my body would seize up with pain despite following a mostly paleo diet. It’s all part of it, though. We were a community and we told each other to push harder, lift heavier, and hey, a little puking never hurt anyone. In fact, we loooved it when people puked. It meant they worked hard, they were strong, PRIMAL. We were warriors.

But we were missing a key piece of the puzzle. The paleo lifestyle means following in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors. And sure, ancient hunter-gather societies meant surviving off of (what else?) hunting and gathering. Men were hunters, warriors! But what about women? Women weren’t out running, hunting, and beating their chests with the men. They stayed at home to raise the next generation; to feed, clothe, and heal the tribe. They were revered as mothers, nurturers, goddesses. Yet somehow when cavemen made their way to modern society something got lost in translation. We focused on the warrior archetype and forgot about the goddess.

Click to read the rest of the article on MindBodyGreen

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com