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Today we’re getting into the truth about healthy snacks, and what to reach for instead, through the lens of culture, lived experience, and science. In the rush of life, we want to reach for snacks that hold us, offering small bites of comfort and courage, reminding us we’re not alone, nourished, and moving forward.

Because let’s be honest: the word healthy on a snack label doesn’t mean much anymore. It’s been stretched and sugar‑coated, sometimes literally, until it barely signals anything useful. Many of these snacks are cleverly packaged, lightly fortified, maybe low in one thing, while sky‑high in another. You’ve probably grabbed something labeled clean or natural, eaten it between tasks, and still felt bloated, jittery, or unsatisfied.

Welcome back to Holistic Health for Women of Color Podcast. I’m Donna Williams, your Certified Holistic Health Coach and wellness friend who figured out a healthier way after dealing with high blood pressure and tough med side effects.

The snacks that truly support your system don’t always come with sleek branding or wellness buzzwords. They feel grounding. They digest cleanly. They help you stay in your body, not escape it. And a lot of what works is exactly what our mothers, and abuelas, have always done, make food simple, flavorful combinations from real ingredients, and let the body take the lead.

Let’s break it down, what’s really going on, and what’s worth reaching for instead.

If you take one action from today’s episode, make it this: open the transcript page right now. That page has everything we talked about laid out step by step so you can put it into practice today. Go to this link labeled “Transcript + Snack Guide” to my site. And if you want my Real Snack Blueprint with 20 diaspora-inspired snack combos and more, grab it.

Why it matters? Balanced snacks aren’t just about curbing hunger, they steady your mood, focus, hormones, metabolism, ride out stress without the sugar rollercoaster, and lower the load of ultra-process

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Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

In each episode, you’ll get:
- Simple, science-backed guidance on food, herbs, and lifestyle
- Culturally relevant practices and ancestral wisdom you can trust
- Stress and nervous system support you can use today
- Mindset strategies and habit tools that actually stick
- Real stories, practical steps, and resources to keep you moving forward

Your health, your way. Let’s nourish your body, protect your peace, and thrive, without perfection, pressure, or shame.

If this episode supported you, follow the show and leave a review. For recipes, herb guides, and coaching, visit holisticbphealth.com, short for “holistic blood pressure health” and connect with me on Instagram.

Food, herbs, breath, and boundaries: your everyday toolkit.

Educational only. Not medical adv...

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Today’s episode is a love letter to every woman of color who’s ever felt like she had to choose between her heritage and her health. The truth? You don’t have to give up your roots to feel well. You can honor your ancestors and your body at the same time.

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color Podcast, where healing meets heritage. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, guided by ancestral wisdom, lived experience, and heart-centered practices. After navigating hbp and meds side effects, I chose a holistic path, now I support women of color in reclaiming health with rhythm, rest, and ritual. Your body is wise, your lineage is rich, and your wellness is sacred.

When I first started my own wellness journey, I felt torn, between what the health world said I "should" do, and what felt natural in my own life and culture. So many wellness plans ignored the foods, traditions, and rhythms that shaped me. Maybe you’ve felt this too? Like you’re forced to choose between your roots and your health.

I want to clarify Why Culturally Sensitive Wellness Routines Matters.

What Gets in the Way

1: What is culturally sensitive wellness Routine

2: Why mainstream wellness often misses us

3: The ROOTS framework

Three plug-and-play routines

Real-life barriers and what to say/do

Guided grounding

Putting it together this week

If this is resonating and you want a customized plan, I offer 1-on-1 holistic coaching designed for women of color who want to reclaim health without giving up their roots. Spots are limited so I can give each client deep care.

I want you to Honor your lineage. Heal forward.

If this episode helped you, share it with a friend, your group chat, or your auntie who’s on her wellness journey too. Rate and review the show so more women can find it. Thank you for being here. Thank you for honoring your story. I’ll see you next time.

Support the show

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

In each episode, you’ll get:
- Simple, science-backed guidance on food, herbs, and lifestyle
- Culturally relevant practices and ancestral wisdom you can trust
- Stress and nervous system support you can use today
- Mindset strategies and habit tools that actually stick
- Real stories, practical steps, and resources to keep you moving forward

Your health, your way. Let’s nourish your body, protect your peace, and thrive, without perfection, pressure, or shame.

If this episode supported you, follow the show and leave a review. For recipes, herb guides, and coaching, visit holisticbphealth.com, short for “holistic blood pressure health” and connect with me on Instagram.

Food, herbs, breath, and boundaries: your everyday toolkit.

Educational only. Not medical adv...

Send us a text

We’re talking about something many of us experience and few of us are taught to navigate - how to repair your gut after antibiotics. Antibiotics can be absolute heroes. Also, they can leave your inner ecosystem feeling a little…flattened. If you’ve noticed more bloating, weird bowel habits, lower energy, anxious edges, or even skin changes after antibiotics, this episode is for you. We’ll walk through a simple, body-led plan to support your microbiome, the gentle way.

If you want a step-by-step cooking companion to personalize what you’re eating as you heal, I’ll share details about my Eat to Listen: The Body Led Elimination Cooking Kit.

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color podcast, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

Today’s topic is Your Gentle Reset: Repairing Your Gut After Antibiotics.

Listen in to:- What Antibiotics Do, and Why You Might Feel “Off”; First Aid During Your Antibiotic Course so you’re not starting from zero; and how to: -

1. Feed the Good Bacteria That Remain

2. Reintroduce Probiotics Gradually

3. Offer Your Gut a Period of Rest

4. Support Your Whole Ecosystem

Troubleshooting and Common Detours

When to Get Extra Help

A Body Led Way To Personalize Your Plan: If you want a structured, compassionate framework to identify your personal food allies and triggers while you heal, explore my Eat to Listen: The Body Led Elimination Cooking Kit program. It’s designed to help you gently personalize your meals with calm, supportive recipes and step-by-step guidance. Learn more, purchase and then get started.

Keep In Mind You Already Know How To Heal.

If this

Support the show

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

In each episode, you’ll get:
- Simple, science-backed guidance on food, herbs, and lifestyle
- Culturally relevant practices and ancestral wisdom you can trust
- Stress and nervous system support you can use today
- Mindset strategies and habit tools that actually stick
- Real stories, practical steps, and resources to keep you moving forward

Your health, your way. Let’s nourish your body, protect your peace, and thrive, without perfection, pressure, or shame.

If this episode supported you, follow the show and leave a review. For recipes, herb guides, and coaching, visit holisticbphealth.com, short for “holistic blood pressure health” and connect with me on Instagram.

Food, herbs, breath, and boundaries: your everyday toolkit.

Educational only. Not medical adv...

Send us a text

You wouldn’t immediately connect mood swings, brain fog, or skin flare-ups to your digestion. Most people don’t. But the gut has a way of influencing nearly every part of the body quietly, steadily, and often without making itself the obvious culprit.

What looks like a hormone imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or stress reaction sometimes traces back to the gut. That doesn’t mean digestion is always the entire story, but it’s often a bigger part of it than we assume.

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the podcast where we talk about stress, mindset, and natural healing through food, herbs, and lifestyle. I’m Donna Williams, certified holistic health coach and wellness guide who overcame high blood pressure and medication side effects using holistic living. Now, I help women of color reclaim their health, your way.

Quick reminder, this show is educational, not medical advice. Always check in with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized care.

Today’s topic is on Hidden Gut Symptoms: Why Your Skin, Mood, and Energy Speak Up. Today, I’ll share common non-obvious gut-related symptoms, why they might be connected, and simple, culturally relevant ways to support your gut. Why this conversation matters, especially for women of color?

Gut 101 the traffic system inside you

Symptoms That Don't Seem Gut Related But Often Have Gut Connections

Gentle Gut-First Steps You Can Start Today

A Day In The Life Gut Support Sample

Cultural Food Love, Not Fear

Build a gut-friendly plate without giving up culture. To help you with this I have created an Eat to Listen: The Body Led Elimination Cooking Kit program that you can do at your own pace.

Book some coaching sessions with me, for me to answer your questions and I’ll also provide you even more details on ‘a day in the life gut-support sample’

Support the show

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

In each episode, you’ll get:
- Simple, science-backed guidance on food, herbs, and lifestyle
- Culturally relevant practices and ancestral wisdom you can trust
- Stress and nervous system support you can use today
- Mindset strategies and habit tools that actually stick
- Real stories, practical steps, and resources to keep you moving forward

Your health, your way. Let’s nourish your body, protect your peace, and thrive, without perfection, pressure, or shame.

If this episode supported you, follow the show and leave a review. For recipes, herb guides, and coaching, visit holisticbphealth.com, short for “holistic blood pressure health” and connect with me on Instagram.

Food, herbs, breath, and boundaries: your everyday toolkit.

Educational only. Not medical adv...

Send us a text

If you are listening to this, there’s a good chance your body has been whispering, talking to you, maybe shouting, and you’re finally ready to listen. Maybe it’s the bloat that makes you unbutton your jeans midway through the day. Maybe it’s the brain fog that steals your sharpness, your edge by 3PM. Skin that flares without warning, or joints that ache when you’re just trying to live your life. A stomach that seems to argue with every meal. Maybe you’ve tried to 'eat clean' an elimination diet before and ended up hungry, confused, and a little bit angry at food, at your body, at yourself. You have tired rules and lists and someone else’s plan, and still your body hasn’t exhaled.

I’ve been there. I’ve stood in front of the fridge trying to solve my body like a puzzle, hoping that the right 'plan' would fix me. What I learned, the hard way, is that an elimination diet doesn’t work when it’s just a set of rules. It works when it becomes a conversation. Today, I want to help you, offer you something different. I want to show you how to let your body lead your elimination diet, gently, clearly, respectfully, so you can move from fighting symptoms to understanding signals. Not as punishment. As partnership. Not more control. More conversation. Freedom!

Welcome to the High Blood Pressure Wellness Lifestyle podcast, the place where confusion turns into clarity and small daily choices lead to lasting heart health. I’m Donna Williams, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, serving my community of color and everyone seeking a realistic, culturally responsive path to vibrant living.

Let’s talk about how to actually do this. How to let your body guide your elimination diet.

Step 1: Set the ground rules for safety, nourishment, and respect

Step 2: Define your 'why' and what you’ll measure

Step 3: Build your inner compass, 60 second check-ins

Step 4: Choose a focused, time-limited elimination

Step 5: Journal the conversation, not just the data

Step 6:

Support the show

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

In each episode, you’ll get:
- Simple, science-backed guidance on food, herbs, and lifestyle
- Culturally relevant practices and ancestral wisdom you can trust
- Stress and nervous system support you can use today
- Mindset strategies and habit tools that actually stick
- Real stories, practical steps, and resources to keep you moving forward

Your health, your way. Let’s nourish your body, protect your peace, and thrive, without perfection, pressure, or shame.

If this episode supported you, follow the show and leave a review. For recipes, herb guides, and coaching, visit holisticbphealth.com, short for “holistic blood pressure health” and connect with me on Instagram.

Food, herbs, breath, and boundaries: your everyday toolkit.

Educational only. Not medical adv...

Send us a text

When your gut whispers, it’s not a murmur, it’s a message stitched from every win, wound, and wild hope you carry. In the rush to be “reasonable,” have you silenced the only compass that truly knows you? Quiet the noise, lean closer, and listen; it’s ready to reveal your next brave step, and it just might change everything. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing everything right, but I still don’t feel like myself,” this episode is for you.

Welcome to the High Blood Pressure Wellness Lifestyle podcast, the place where confusion turns into clarity and small daily choices lead to lasting heart health. I’m Donna Williams, a Certified Holistic Health Coach, serving my community of color and everyone seeking a realistic, culturally responsive path to vibrant living.

Today we’re talking about the quiet ways your gut asks for help. We’ll explore 5 hidden signs your gut might be involved, 5 gentle tools to support it, and a mindful, doable approach to eating that feeds both your body and your nervous system.

Why Your Gut Matters More Than You Think!

5 Hidden Signs Your Gut Is Asking for Help.

So let's do A Mindful Pause. Before we shift into tools, let’s take 20 seconds. Drop your shoulders. Unclench your jaw. Place a hand on your belly and one on your chest. Inhale gently through your nose for a count of four. Exhale slowly through pursed lips for a count of six. Twice more. You just told your body it is safe to digest, absorb, and rest.

If you want a structured, warm pathway to make practices like this part of your meals and your day, consider joining my “mindful eating the whole plate online program.”

5 Tools in Your Gut Healing Toolkit:

A 7-Day Gentle Reset (No Overhauls Required) - Use this as a weeklong experiment.

Share this podcast with a friend who needs a gentle nudge of hope. Subscribe! And if you’re ready to go deeper, join me in “mindful eating the whole plate o

Support the show

Welcome to the High Blood Pressure Wellness Lifestyle Podcast, your heart's destination for expert wisdom and inspiring stories that lead to a healthier, more vibrant life. I'm Donna Williams, your passionate host and Certified Holistic Health Coach, dedicated to igniting your health transformation with easy, mindful strategies.

At info-on-high-blood-pressure.com, I warmly welcome women of color and all those eager to unravel the mysteries of chronic disease management. Here, we embark on a journey to conquer high blood pressure together, enriching our lives with knowledge and community. Subscribe to our Overcoming HBP newsletter and be part of this empowering movement.

I am committed to guiding you to reclaim your health with thoughtfully crafted online programs designed to reverse, treat, and prevent high blood pressure. My mission is to reveal the power of mindful eating and whole-food nutrition, a path that can minimize medication dependence while revitalizing your life.

Let’s simplify your journey to health by embracing nourishing foods that balance hormones, energize your metabolism, and help you achieve lasting weight loss. Tog...

Send us a text

If your mind ever feels like a browser with too many tabs open, and one of them is definitely playing music, well you’re in the right place. Today isn’t about another app, a color-coded calendar, or chasing more productivity. It’s about building a week that actually holds you. A week with rhythm, room, and relief. One that quiets mental clutter and makes space for what matters: your work, your people, and your well-being.

I’ll walk you through how I plan my week, so it eases my mind instead of filling it, and how I reset midweek when everything feels a little off. Consider this a calm reset for your life and business, especially if you’re a solopreneur or a high-capacity human who carries a lot.

I’m Donna Williams, a certified holistic health coach. I support my community of color of busy professionals, mothers, and adults 40+, to cut through the noise, trust their lived experience, and turn their own wisdom into sustainable habits. My approach is culturally aware, practical, and grounded in real life. Together, we clarify what truly works for your body and season of life, then make it doable with simple steps and compassionate accountability. The result: more energy, confidence, and consistency on your terms.

Part 1: How I Plan My Week to Ease Mental Clutter

1) Begin with a Mental Unload (usually on Sundays)

2) Time Blocking as Gentle Guidance

3) A Quick Digital Declutter

4) Reset the Physical Environment

5) End Each Day with a Quiet Check-In

Part 2: How I Reset Midweek When Everything Feels Off

1) Step Away Before Spiraling In

2) Get It All Out of My Head

3) Move What Feels Stuck

4) Feed Myself Like I Mean It

5) Recenter Before the Day Ends

If You Want Help: 4-Session Personal Coaching. Introducing: The Gentle Week — 4 Sessions to Build Clarity, Capacity, and Calm - Who it’s for:

You don’t need a perfect plan to feel better. You need a kind one. A week that holds you is built one small, honest choice at a time: a breath, a notebook page

Support the show

Welcome to Holistic Health for Women of Color, the space where stress relief, mindset shifts, and natural healing meet real life. I’m Donna Williams, Certified Holistic Health Coach, wellness guide, and a woman who navigated high blood pressure and medication side effects by embracing culturally rooted, evidence-informed holistic living. Now I help women of color reclaim their health on their own terms, with compassion, clarity, and tools that fit your life.

In each episode, you’ll get:
- Simple, science-backed guidance on food, herbs, and lifestyle
- Culturally relevant practices and ancestral wisdom you can trust
- Stress and nervous system support you can use today
- Mindset strategies and habit tools that actually stick
- Real stories, practical steps, and resources to keep you moving forward

Your health, your way. Let’s nourish your body, protect your peace, and thrive, without perfection, pressure, or shame.

If this episode supported you, follow the show and leave a review. For recipes, herb guides, and coaching, visit holisticbphealth.com, short for “holistic blood pressure health” and connect with me on Instagram.

Food, herbs, breath, and boundaries: your everyday toolkit.

Educational only. Not medical adv...

Send us a text

Are you struggling to manage high blood pressure or facing other health challenges? Discover the transformative power of "the 3 Part Plate System" that I teach every client. This innovative approach to meal planning is designed to promote optimal health by balancing nutrients effectively, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with high blood pressure or other health issues. By adopting this system, you can take proactive steps toward improving your overall health and well-being. Keep listening to learn how this unique method can help you regain control of your health journey.

Today’s High Blood Pressure Wellness Lifestyle Podcast topic is The 3-Part Plate System I Teach Every Client.

Understanding Your Plate: A Holistic Approach

Crafting Your Plate:

1. ½ Plate Non-Starchy Vegetables

2. ¼ Plate Protein

3. ¼ Plate Whole Grains or Starchy Vegetables

Why the 3-Part Plate Works: A Symphony of Balance

Real-Life Plate Inspirations: Consider these examples to embrace the 3-Part Plate system practically:

The Journey to Gentle Healing: For those interested in diving deeper into cultivating a mindful and balanced relationship with food, I invite you to explore my online course, "Mindful Eating The Whole Plate." It's designed to guide you gently without pressure, supporting balanced living.

Thanks for joining me in this conversation today. If you found this episode helpful, I encourage you to subscribe to the High Blood Pressure Wellness Lifestyle Podcast. Share this journey with your family and friends, and let's build a community of understanding, courage, and healing. Together, we can make meaningful strides toward our collective well-being. Until next time, take care and eat mindfully.

Support the show

Welcome to the High Blood Pressure Wellness Lifestyle Podcast, your heart's destination for expert wisdom and inspiring stories that lead to a healthier, more vibrant life. I'm Donna Williams, your passionate host and Certified Holistic Health Coach, dedicated to igniting your health transformation with easy, mindful strategies.

At info-on-high-blood-pressure.com, I warmly welcome women of color and all those eager to unravel the mysteries of chronic disease management. Here, we embark on a journey to conquer high blood pressure together, enriching our lives with knowledge and community. Subscribe to our Overcoming HBP newsletter and be part of this empowering movement.

I am committed to guiding you to reclaim your health with thoughtfully crafted online programs designed to reverse, treat, and prevent high blood pressure. My mission is to reveal the power of mindful eating and whole-food nutrition, a path that can minimize medication dependence while revitalizing your life.

Let’s simplify your journey to health by embracing nourishing foods that balance hormones, energize your metabolism, and help you achieve lasting weight loss. Tog...