Elderberry syrup is my go-to natural replacement for synthetic vitamin C supplements, cough syrup, and other common cold medications. We even find that it works better for our family than most over-the-counter remedies. Plus, it’s completely natural.

Since cold and flu season is on the way, I’m sharing everything I know about the benefits of elderberry syrup and how to make it at home.

The fact that we rarely use conventional cold remedies at the Braswell house should come as no surprise. It’s my view that mild colds can strengthen our immune systems, preparing us to overcome more severe illnesses. And leaving cold symptoms alone allows our bodies to fight the germs and heal faster.

That said, we still need to support our immune systems as much as we can throughout cold and flu season.

Here I’m sharing nine natural supplements that are cold and flu season staples in our home. They truly make such a difference in how quickly we recover.

Infertility isn’t just a diagnosis. It’s an emotional journey that touches almost every aspect of life — from your relationship with your partner to social stigmas and the idea that your body has “failed.” It’s difficult to go about daily life with more questions than answers.

To be diagnosed with infertility, you must be unable to conceive for a year or more. It’s estimated that over ten percent of women struggle with infertility, and those numbers are on the rise.

If infertility is part of your story, you’re familiar with diagnoses like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and diminished ovarian reserve. While helpful, these diagnoses only offer a small window into the full picture of your fertility.

There are several misconceptions about seed oils. Some holistic nutritionists recommend avoiding them at all costs. At the same time, mainstream media and other medical professionals don’t see anything wrong with seed oil consumption.

But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: if you pick up a cereal box or snack food from your local grocery store, it almost always contains seed oil. Canola, vegetable, and safflower oils are common ingredients in packaged foods. So it’s essential for us to understand how they impact our cells.

It’s estimated that two-thirds of American women use birth control pills.

I work with many women who struggle to get pregnant after the pill — or who experience unexplained symptoms while using synthetic hormones.

Every woman deserves to be informed about the long-term risks of hormonal birth control, and what she can use instead.

As a pregnancy nutritionist, it’s my job to work with women like you to support a healthy and empowered pregnancy. We’ll use whole foods, lifestyle changes, and hormone-balancing techniques to help you show up as the best version of yourself.

(Yes, even during pregnancy.)

There are many different tools I use to empower women to advocate for themselves and embrace a nutrient-rich pregnancy diet plan. One of my favorites is a pregnancy nutrition calculator.

Women’s health is overlooked and understudied — especially when it comes to pregnancy.

Knowing what foods to avoid and which prescription drugs are safe to use is helpful, but it’s only a small part of pregnancy.

If we want to thrive, we need to understand how nutrients impact our bodies, how to optimize energy levels, and how to curb nausea.

This is where pregnancy nutrition comes in.

Yes, you can still have a healthy baby if you have gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is an extremely common pregnancy complication.

It occurs when the body struggles to metabolize insulin, leading to high blood sugar.

But the most important thing to remember about gestational diabetes is it’s easy to manage.

The moment you saw your positive pregnancy test, you knew your life would change.

Pregnancy comes with many diet and lifestyle shifts — all intended to protect and support your growing baby.

But when it comes to following a pregnancy diet, the guidelines are limited.

This article contains all the education you wish you had on the pregnancy diet — from the perspective of a pregnancy nutritionist.

The first step is to discover exactly what minerals your body is missing — through intentional medical testing. Then, we can build your optimal health plan to restore nutrients through supportive food, supplements, and lifestyle habits.

Let’s explore my favorite at-home mineral test: the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA).

When you think about pregnancy health, vitamin A probably isn’t the first nutrient that comes to mind.

This is because severe vitamin A deficiency isn’t common in the Western world. Most of us are getting enough vitamin A for basic organ function and eye health.

But this doesn’t mean we should leave vitamin A out of the pregnancy conversation altogether.

Finding the balance between safe and effective remedies during pregnancy can feel like a never-ending battle—one that can directly impact the wellbeing of your growing baby and make you feel out-of-control anxious.

You’ve never cared so much about the food and medicines that go into your body.

I know postpartum fatigue is debilitating and isolating. There are so many changes that come with childbirth—and dealing with apathy, depression, brain fog, and endless dirty dishes on top of it all can feel crushing. There are tangible ways to resolve postpartum fatigue, though. And no, they aren’t the kind that add even more to your to-do list. Here are some tools I use with my nutrition clients to help them regain energy (physically, mentally, and emotionally) and their sense of self:

The best time to start preparing your body for pregnancy is … right now.

Whether you’re in the preconception stage and balancing your hormones or you’re well into your second trimester and feeling undernourished, you still have time to optimize your nutrient intake.

One of the habits I love for easy nourishment is drinking salt water.

I know, this is a bit of a touchy subject. But I’m not talking about table salt.

I’m talking about pure, naturally mineralized, and unrefined ancient salt that contains natural electrolytes.

Let’s explore the benefits of drinking salt water and how this low-commitment habit can help you move the needle in your health journey.

When I transition women over to an ancestral diet to boost hormone health, I often get this question:

Will ancestral eating help me lose weight?

The answer is not a simple yes or no, which can feel frustrating—especially if excess weight interferes with your quality of life.

Before we know it, spring will be knocking on our doors. With it comes a huge opportunity for families to reduce their grocery bills while adding more nutrients to their diets.

If you have a backyard, then you have a simple and easy way to put healthy eating into practice—without draining your bank account.

Here are my top tips and recommendations to help beginner homesteaders build confidence and start simple.

As a holistic nutrition consultant, I’ve worked with several prenatal and postpartum mamas throughout their pregnancy and postpartum journeys. In working with these mamas, I consistently recommend these six postpartum essentials to assist in their journey to true healing!