My Week Nourished

Nature did most of the nourishing this week.

Settling in after a Spring Break filled with nature, family and friends that feel like family. We are back in the city and missing the open air of Tennessee.

The baby is napping and I’ve got both my lemon-lime collagen and cereal milk (and my reminder to order more!) because all the beverages keep me going!

As I am wanting to spend more time off social media yet still share how I nourish my body and brain throughout the week, I hope you enjoy this new weekly series, My Week Nourished. Last week’s recap here.

Here’s the week nourished. xx Caroline

I woke up with a migraine, which often happens to me after a good night of sleep or anytime my body rests and my cortisol drops. I have struggled with migraines for as long as I can remember, for sure my weak spot. My daily CBD nano jelly and adrenal support have significantly decreased them, thankfully! Amazed at how much better they have gotten, but the postpartum sleep roller coaster isn’t helping lately.

As I continue to work on this and other symptoms with my amazing homeopath Niki, I decided to see if a heavy dose of salt could help. Salt loading, as some call it, can help with migraines and energy because the adrenals need sodium to function best.

Well 2 shots later my migraine was gone! Praise.

FYI—I wouldn’t be consuming heavy amounts of sodium unless under the guidance of a practitioner—I run really really low on my HTMA and respond really well to high sodium intake, that is from unrefined sea salt that still has all the trace minerals attached.

Jameson woke up early and the moon was still high in the sky — I’ve learned not to fight it and the calm of the morning fills me up. Having my coffee prepped the night before motivates me to sneak downstairs with the baby and enjoy the stillness of the morning while the other kids sleep.

My dad came outside and pushed Jameson around the driveway so I finished up a bit of work before breakfast, which was such a sweet treat. I realize just how much my body relaxes when I am around family and have an extra set of hands to help, such a gift!

Although I am still not sleeping through the night, I’ve been bringing back a few mornings up before the kids, or shall I say up with the baby while the other 3 sleep. I feel there is this trend these days of telling moms that if they get up before their kids for some quiet time, they are being overly dramatic or overly ambitious. But I believe they are being wise. Don’t settle for chaos as a mom. Don’t give into the narrative that being a mom is pure chaos. Chaotic moments yes, but chaos no.

…but also there are plenty of mornings when I sleep as long as possible!

Loving Once Upon a Farm puffs to buy me 10 minutes while I make dinner for the family. Usually one of the bigger kids will put them on Jameson’s tray. It’s a helpful distraction when everyone is hungry and needy.

My postpartum hair is coming back to life—lately I’ve looked like a fuzzy lil duckling with all the new hair growth. Praise!

And this hair growth spray works—it took using it twice a day for a solid month to see results but not the fuzzies are sprouting everywhere!

Postpartum hair loss always hits me hard about 6 months, and yes, this is common and normal. When your adrenals are depleted, which naturally happens postpartum or anytime there is a big stress or season of sleep deprivation, hair growth gets put on the back burner. Hair is beautiful but not essential to staying alive and the body is really great at prioritizing life sustaining functions.

I mean when you really stop and thinking about pregnancy and growing a new life, I am in awe. My body grew each of my 4 kids. How incredibly miraculous is that?! But it also is draining because my body became theirs.

I am in a season of pouring into my nutrition intensely and thankfully starting to see results—after 4 kids, my body just needs it. I don’t view this as anything negative, I view this as a beautiful opportunity to pour life back into my body that has poured out so much life!

Help me decide on some much needed new wardrobe additions.

I maybe purchase 5-10 clothing items a year. Not exaggerating, I buy high quality staples that I know I’ll be wearing for the next decade. My husband jokes that it takes me 3 months to decide on a shirt or pair of shoes and he’s accurate.

I could write a whole post on overconsumption—I actually see that clutter and consumption are one of the top stressors of my clients, but I’ll save that for another day.

NOT here to influence you to buy anything. You don’t need anything today but fresh air, sunshine, laughter, snuggles and colorful nutrients.

But I’ve made my list of true needs—so I’ll probably ponder these purchases for the next month or so…and if my mind is still thinking about a style, that’s how you know it’s worth it.

I told my mom that last summer, mostly due to being fully pregnant, I waited till end of summer to look for sandals, so I decided to just pause till this year. I am one to wear my shoes fully, till they have holes in them. So I need to start early as it always takes me months to decide on something.

I have had my eye on these leather fisherman sandals from Freda Salvador for years now and they look durable enough to run around with my 4 littles, but elevated enough to dress up an outfit a bit. And then I saw these suede loafers. Drool. Yellow or Denim? I know I’d wear them at any season.

After a solid few weeks and being on the wait list several times, I clicked purchase on these long cotton shorts from Ozma California because they were giving major Father of the Bride vibes I couldn’t ignore. Perfectly long enough for my tall legs.

I adore the cut of these poplin white pants and they would pair well with everything. I don’t love shorts but love a loose, cool pant for summer!

I love a good stripe shirt because it can go with anything. I have this one in long sleeve for winter and it is total perfection (flattering and one I reach for at least twice a week), so I am considering the short sleeve version…but then this forest green stripe caught my eye. AND this kelly green sweater I’ve had in my cart for almost a year. I love a sweater around the shoulders or waist.

The green stripe would be so fun with this floral white and pink skirt—I’ve had my eye on it for a while. Everything from them is so feminine and pieces I reach for on repeat. Love stripes and florals together!

I did just purchased this eyelet white button down—white button downs are my staple for any season.

So… help me decide. Cast your favorites in the comments!

We finished up spring break in Tennessee and I will be sad to leave. My parents property is so peaceful. My daughter said she feels free here. I love how I can let the kids roam free and dig in the dirt while I watch from the porch sipping on hot coffee. Unburdened. Free. Margin. Creativity.

Carefree days the way life should be. Space that gifts the brain breathing room.

My mom was re-doing her annual HTMA test, and I have been wanting to do mine since about 6 months postpartum but of course other things kept pulling my attention. So we cut both our hair samples and I am sending them off to the lab today.

This test is SO eye opening, and cost effective, and doesn’t drain your blood which is one reason I don’t always recommend blood work—it’s actually very depleting on the body. Blood work is great in emergency situations or for specific situations, but in general it misses so much.

95% of my clients come to me saying “my labs are in range yet I still have horrible symptoms”…HTMA shows trends overtime as well as goes deep into metabolic function, adrenals, hormones, heavy metal toxicity and how the body is actually absorbing and utilizing nutrients.

HTMA gives data to pinpoint specifics and answers why you feel the way you feel. Unexplained dizziness, endometriosis, stubborn weight loss, fatigue, brain fog and so much more. Clients are often in tears to have answers.

I recommend most of my postpartum mamas do a HTMA test about 4-6 months postpartum when the depletion hits the hardest! I’m at 8.5 months postpartum, so a little behind but…life.

Would you want me to share the results when I get them?