Join us on Today's Episode of the Zen & Tonic Podcast, to learn about the real reasons behind stubborn fat, and why no matter how much you focus on eating less and exercising more it still won't go away. Stubborn fat or weight loss plateaus can be so frustrating, yet the answers often don't lie in our modern diet culture. So many people get stuck in frustration after changing nothing to their routines, and gaining weight for no seen reason; or struggling with stubborn fat that won't go away no matter what they try.

Today you'll learn about the real reasons your body holds on to fat like its life depends on it, because in reality that might just be the case. Learn about how and why our body stores toxins in our fat cells, and why that can create extra water weight that just won't budge. We'll also dive into the different hormones that can affect our metabolism and fat storage, and what we can do to help bring balance and healing to get to the root cause of the reason our body is holding on to fat so stubbornly! Lastly, we'll take a look into the energetic and emotional blockages that may cause us to hold on to extra fat, and what we can do to bring in healing and balance to this.

**Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

Today we continue our gut health series, focusing on the second underlying cause of gut issues: imbalances in our microbiome!!

Our microbiome is the ecosystem of the trillions of bacteria that live in our gut. When the balance of bacteria is off, we can experience a plethora of gut issues like IBS, anxiety, indigestion, weight issues, immune function and so much more. Our gut is at the root of so much that happens within our bodies, which is why when there's imbalances within the gut that go unchecked, we can see it leading to bigger imbalances and dis-ease later on.

Our gut is home to 80% of our immune system, meaning that it has a major effect on our overall health, energy, and vitality. A healthy, balanced gut is crucial for our wellness, which is why today we're learning the most common causes of imbalance within our gut microbiome, how we can notice when it's imbalanced, and what we can do to bring balance to our gut, short and long term.

**Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

In this episode of Zen and Tonic: Wellness Unfiltered, we’re zeroing in on one of the most misunderstood yet widespread root causes of chronic health issues: leaky gut (aka intestinal permeability).

We break down what leaky gut actually is, why it’s become so common, and how it contributes to symptoms like bloating, food sensitivities, fatigue, acne, autoimmunity, and brain fog. You'll learn how the gut lining functions as your body's protective barrier — and what happens when that barrier breaks down.

We also share natural tools to start healing, including gut-loving staples like ghee, bone broth, glutamine, and butyrate, plus the biggest foods and habits that could be harming your gut lining without you even realizing it.

If you’ve been feeling "off" with no clear answers, this episode will help you connect the dots and begin your gut-healing journey with clarity and confidence.

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

If you're struggling with PMS, mood swings, irregular cycles, or other symptoms of hormonal imbalance, this episode is for you. Today on Zen and Tonic, we’re diving into seed cycling—a gentle, natural method that uses the nutritional power of specific seeds to support hormonal balance throughout the phases of your menstrual cycle.

Learn how flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds work to harmonize estrogen and progesterone levels, reduce PMS symptoms, and enhance your energy, mood, and fertility. Whether you're on hormonal birth control or not, seed cycling offers a nourishing, food-based tool to reconnect with your cycle and support your body’s natural rhythm.

We’ll cover:

• How your hormones shift during the follicular and luteal phases
• Why each seed is perfectly matched to a phase of your cycle
• What phytoestrogens are and how they support hormonal regulation
• The exact amounts to eat and when to start
• Simple ways to add these seeds into your daily routine
• Holistic tips to boost results, from liver support to stress relief

This is a practical and empowering guide to syncing with your cycle and restoring hormonal harmony—naturally.

**Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

Join us on this week's episode of the Zen & Tonic Podcast, where we dive into the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is so important to our health, immune system, and detoxification. It also has another side that's often overlooked. Today, we explore the connection our lymphatic system has to other systems within our physical body, and it's connection to our emotional health, and sense of vitality and balance in life.

Taken from an Ayurvedic Perspective, the Eastern Medicine tradition from India, we'll explore how it connects to a tissue layer defined as 'Rasa', which connects not just to our lymphatic system, but our menstrual flow, our mucous membranes, and our white blood cells. We'll explore how we can understand whether this tissue layer is depleted, or in excess; and what we can do to bring it back into balance. We also discuss the ways it connects to our clarity, sense of love and trust, and our emotional flow; and why understanding this connection will allow us to support optimal health of these systems within us.

Lastly, we talk about tips on how to support your lymphatic system, why lymphatic drainage is so important, and what you can bring in on a daily basis for optimal lymphatic health!!

**Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

In this episode of Zen and Tonic, we dive into the ancient wisdom of seasonal living through the lens of Ayurveda, focusing specifically on the summer season and how to stay balanced amidst its fiery, high-energy qualities.

Summer brings in the energy of Pitta dosha, made up of the fire and water elements. When in balance, this season supports strong digestion, clear thinking, radiant skin, and a healthy drive for life. But when out of balance, it can lead to inflammation, irritability, burnout, skin issues, and digestive disturbances.

Today, we'll go over what seasonal living is, why bringing balance to your system through your lifestyle and diet based on each season will help maintain health and balance, and what we can specifically do during the summertime to bring balance to the elements at play.

We will discuss the Ayurvedic perspective on why summer affects us energetically, physically, and emotionally; how to identify signs of imbalance brought on by Summer in our body and mind; routines, lifestyle, and diet tips to stay cool and grounded this summer; and simple ways to sync with nature's cycles so you feel energized and vibrant this season.

If you're someone who tends to run hot, get stressed easily, or feel inflamed or exhausted in the summer months, this episode is your guide to realignment.

Tune in to learn how to use Ayurveda to cool your system, calm your mind, and embrace the best of what summer has to offer—without the burnout.

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare providor before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

In today's episode, we talk about all things routine! Tune in to explore the transformative power of daily routines--not as rigid schedules, but as nourishing rhythms that support your digestion, hormonal balance, energy levels, and emotional clarity. Learn the effect routines have on your circadian rhythm, hormonal balance, emotional balance, and digestive health, followed by tips and ideas for routines that will support balance in each area.

Whether you're a Type A planner or go-with-the-flow Type B girl, this episode offers grounding insights into how routines can support a calm the nervous system, anxiety reduction, your digestive capacity, and your overall energy!

We'll cover how irregular routines affect your digestion and metabolism, why consistent mealtimes support nutrient absorption, the role of circadian rhythm in sleep and hormonal health, grounding practices, and self-care practices that can be part of your daily routines!

Tune in to reconnect with your natural rhythm and learn how to use them to support your health and wellness.

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routines. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.

In today's episode we dive into understanding our nervous system through its two main states of 'fight and flight' and 'rest and digest'. We talk about the importance and necessity of each state, why regulation between the two is vital for our health, what can happen when we get stuck in chronic states of 'fight and flight', and the importance of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is one of the most powerful tools our body has for regulation of our nervous system, and down regulating back into our parasympathetic state (rest & digest). Tune in to learn about nervous system regulation, and 5 ways to stimulate your vagus nerve in order to support your body and prevent chronic symptoms caused by an unregulated nervous system!

Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. I am a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Coach, not a licensed medical doctor.