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Had a fun time volunteering for the Leeds Bike Mill and learning how to fix bikes up for refugees. Making connections with community partners for #CycleHack #Leeds. They also sell recycled bikes at an affordable price!
Last day of our 28 days series!! You can now look back no matter what day you are in your cycle for reference 👍 ## Finding your sense of peace when your hormones are a mess can be a challenge...but you’re not alone! Breathe, explore, and repeat. ## Some our greatest inner discoveries have happened because we were willing to sit with uncomfortable emotions and situations. Not every problem requires an immediate solution and action on your part! Sometimes the best thing you can for yourself is to take a moment to question WHY you feel the way you feel and what that means for you. In order for the problem to be a problem, what is it you believe to make it so? ## ❤️Are you stressed out over your period coming early because what you really believe is that you’ll never get better? ❤️ Are you mad at your husband for letting the kids watch TV because what you really believe is that he doesn’t listen to your concerns? ❤️ Are you feeling guilty about not spending enough time with your kids because what you really believe is that you’ll never be as good of a mother as your mother? ## These are the real areas of exploration and are the key to living a life of magic and discovery! Don’t allow yourself to get so caught up in the elixirs and supplements and tests of the world (even though these are very important!) that you forget the bigger picture. ## Are you ready to start using your cycle to your advantage? Are you ready to take the overwhelm out of what to do when?! Come join our new 4 Phase Cycle Detox!! Doors close June 13th. Link in the @zesty_ginger profile or go to zestyginger.com/cycle-detox
Fun things you learn about when staying with a dental hygienist 😁. Coconut infused floss?! Flossing should definitely be a part of my daily mouth detox with my tongue scraping & oil pulling but if I'm being honest, I often forget 😬😬😬 Maybe if I buy this fancy coconut oil infused floss?! Worth a try. ## Since Alex and I like to use our cycles as a way to rotate and stick to habits, I am using my new cycle as a reminder to start flossing! It is kind of like a reset button for the month. New cycle - what do I want to implement or change this month?! ## Are you ready to start using your cycle to your advantage? Are you ready to take the overwhelm out of what to do when?! Come join our new 4 Phase Cycle Detox!! Doors close June 13th. Link in the @zesty_ginger profile or go to zestyginger.com/cycle-detox
The girls from @cyclehack loved our summer salad bowls 😉 great to chat @mariecheungsays @lisajjeffery 👏 #sundayvibes #shoplocal #yorkshire #cyclehack #salads #healthyfood #health #vegan #goodfood #gratcoffee #cyclingculture #bikerepairs #ilkley
Enjoying a nice lunch at @thecommutecyclecafe and a nice chat with owner Gav! #CycleHack
We got a great question and we thought it was worth sharing on here: is detox support still important in the second half (luteal phase) of the cycle if you have LOW hormones?? ## It’s a dang good question because it seems a little counterintuitive to get rid of hormones when your levels are already low. However, the answer is actually a resounding YES! when it comes to supporting detox in this phase. ## This is because our modern world tends to a) expose us to many sources of hormone mimicking chemicals that we need to process (the hormones that the body makes will appear low on tests but the liver is actually super overloaded and interferes with our ability to regulate normal hormonal levels) and b) promotes a systemic inflammatory response that messes with regulating hormonal signaling cascades and c) we often aren’t nutrient sufficient enough that our biochemical reactions work the way they are originally designed and supporting the liver helps support the rest of the processes (even if our nutrient stores aren’t optimized yet). ## Phew! That’s a lot of info! The last thing we’ll add though is that supporting the detox cycle during the luteal phase is just one part of the process and that in a low hormone state, we tend to focus quite a bit on nutrient density, adequate caloric/fat/protein/complex carb intake, and good sleep/stress management. ## Doors are open till June 13 for our 4 Phase Cycle Detox!! Come join us link in the @zesty_ginger profile or go to zestyginger.com/cycle-detox
Women have so many different hormones to keep track of, and it's easy to get confused! Luteinizing hormone is one that you may not know too much about. But it has a very important role! * Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland (in the brain), and it signals the ovaries that it's time to ovulate. For that reason, it is only high for about 48 hours a month. (Called the “LH surge” or “LH spike”). * LH is the hormone that is measured by ovulation predictor test kits. When you get a positive, it means that you are likely to ovulate in the next 24-48 hours. So, if you're trying to get pregnant, the time for action is after that positive test! * However, a positive ovulation test doesn't always mean that you will definitely ovulate...you should still confirm ovulation with basal body temperature. * If you’re trying NOT to get pregnant, don’t rely on a positive LH test to tell you when you’re fertile…because sperm can live inside your body for several days, the fertile window starts a couple of days before you get a positive LH test. * PCOS can cause elevated levels of LH throughout the month, meaning that there is no spike that triggers ovulation. Research has shown a strong connection between LH levels and insulin resistance. So, controlling your blood sugar and insulin levels can improve your likelihood of ovulating. * A low glycemic diet, exercise, inositol, and omega-3 fatty acids may improve LH levels in women with PCOS. * To work with a functional medicine practitioner who can help you regulate your hormones, click the link in my bio to book a free nutrition strategy session.
Hello ladies!! My name is Megan, for those of you who don’t know me (yet). Hello and welcome all of our new followers (we teamed up with @predominantlypaleo on a giveaway and we are seeing lots of new faces)!! . We know that many people sign up for giveaways, get free stuff and move on with their lives, but we are hoping that you will stick around if our message resonates! . A little peak into what we DO and DON’T believe: . We DO believe that syncing your life with your natural cycle (or nature’s cycle – like the moon) can maximize your health and hormones, optimize detoxification efforts and minimize stress. . We DON’T subscribe to ONE SET way of eating, exercise, belief system for all. Each person must customize this for themselves (We are teaching this in our new 4 Phase Cycle Detox) . We DO keep it positive, actionable and informative (with the very occasional slap in the face – please stop doing XXX immediately when we find it SUPER important). . We don’t believe that the world and your health are hopeless (even though it may seem it if you start to understand where all the toxins and chemicals are hidden),. . We DO believe that empowering ladies with knowledge is important in a grass-roots movement. . We DON’T want anyone to feel alone, like they have no control or overwhelmed in their health journey. . We DO know what that feels like, because we have both been there. I fell off my hormonal cliff after having my first child and man was it quite the ride. Lying next to your 2 year old with a full-blown anxiety attack is about the most hopeless I have ever felt. . We DON’T offer magical solutions or “the ONE reason” that your health has escaped you. . We DO believe in a comprehensive, functional and ancestral approach to health that involves supporting gut health, detoxification, hormone health and neurotransmitter health ALL in the context of your female cycle. . If you are ready to dig in, the next step in the process is to join us for our 4 Phase Cycle Detox! Doors are open TODAY until June 13th for this founders round ($97 instead of $127). Check out the details at in the @zesty_ginger profile or go to zestyginger.com/cycle-detox
Finding natural health & beauty products is no longer difficult. What IS difficult is finding natural products that work as well as or better than the chemical-filled ones! * I took a hit for the team and personally tested 5 of the most popular/recommended natural deodorants. * Find out which one I'm ordering again and which ones I couldn't bear to use more than once. * Link in bio!
The last time I got anxiety recently (see post about caffeine and high estrogen during ovulation!) I also noticed that my legs felt like they were about to cramp. They never quite did, but for those of you who had you calves cramp during pregnancy, you know that feeling when it is coming?! I was scared to point my toes for a year after pregnancy for fear of the cramping that was SO painful! So as the good health detective that I like to be, I started to think about whether my magnesium intake was up to par. ## Magnesium deficiency can manifest as anxiety since it is an important part of the GABA cycle, leg cramps, fatigue, migraines and insomnia. I had forgotten about my spray for a while, wasn’t taking regular baths and also wasn’t taking it in the form of a supplement anymore (I did for almost a year while I worked on hormone balancing and then moved to the spray). Magnesium can be found in foods like leafy greens, sunflower seeds and chocolate of course, but with the recent depletion of soil quality, we don’t always get as much as we bargained for. ## Since Alex and I are working on anticipating the changes that come with out cycle, I am upping my magnesium level for the next week. I have entered day 19 (when estrogen & progesterone are at their peak in relationship to each other) and this is a time where you can really set yourself up for a smooth transition to your period or PMS!! Depression and anxiety that may accompany shark week are exasperated with low magnesium. ## Craving and blood sugar regulation are also affected by magnesium. Guess what happens when you crave sugar and give in to the craving and mow down on that bag of candy or pie during the time before your period? Sugar causes the aromatization of androgens such as testosterone to be converted into estrogen. ## Infammation and insulin resistance also caused aromatase to be upregulated. Since excess estrogen is linked with PMS symptoms, heavy or irregular menses, fluid retention & bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, headaches, depression, being weepy and emotional (do I need to go on?!) then you can see why this is not ideal to support a smooth cycle.
A tablespoon of coconut oil before bed can help with restful sleep, hormones balance, and detox functions. ## Coconut oil has become a big hit in the whole food, integrative medicine world because of its unique composition. When it comes to producing hormones (which share the common precursor of cholesterol) such as the sex hormones, stress hormones (like cortisol), sleep hormones, and blood sugar regulating compounds, coconut oil has the ability to provide us with some of those important, basic building blocks. ## A tablespoon of coconut oil or coconut manna before bedtime let's you get those processes rolling while you're off getting some beauty sleep. ## If you want MORE, our FULL 28 day 4 Phase Cycle Detox program is going to be open to join June 4th-13th!! Stay tuned. Are you ready to start taking charge of your cycle? Ready to be done with annoying symptoms like PMS, cramps and the feeling of dread for your female cycle? Want to know how to use the superpowers that make you female to your advantage? This program is for you. But in the meantime, grab our free guide - How to Honor your cycle!! Click on the link in the @zesty_ginger profile or go to zestyginger.com/cycle
Last week we talked about progesterone. This week, we’ll take a closer look at estrogen, the mother of all female sex hormones. * First, did you know that estrogen is not a single hormone? It’s a group of hormones and their metabolites, and they all have different functions. There’s Estrone (E1), which is released by your fat tissue. There’s Estradiol (E2), which is made by your ovaries. And there’s Estriol (E3), which is a weak hormone that is a byproduct of E1 and E2 metabolism and is made during pregnancy. There are also a number of estrogen metabolites made by the bacteria in your gut. * Estrogen helps stimulate the growth of egg follicles in the ovaries. It thickens the lining of the uterus in preparation for a healthy pregnancy. It stimulates mood and libido by boosting serotonin and dopamine levels. It is also involved in bone health, muscle health, and metabolism. * Estrogen is the dominant hormone during the first half of the menstrual cycle, then drops during the second half, when progesterone takes over. * Problems happen when you either have too much estrogen overall, or when your estrogen is high in comparison to your progesterone (this is called estrogen dominance). Problems can also occur when you’re not detoxing estrogen properly, either in the liver, or from the gut. This can cause symptoms of estrogen dominance (PMS, tender breasts, menstrual migraines, to name a few), but it can also lead to endometriosis and cancer. * Natural ways to support estrogen detox are 1) getting enough fiber in your diet—you need to be pooping every day to get rid of that toxic estrogen! 💩 And 2) Supporting liver detox with a diet high in cruciferous veggies (broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc) and antioxidants (citrus, berries, etc). 🥦 Supplements like DIM, I-3-C, SAMe, and methylated B vitamins can help the process along. * Do you know what your estrogen levels are? Click the link in my bio to book a free Nutrition Strategy Session with me to discuss how we can help you figure out what’s going on with your cycle!
Receipts!! Ever thought about how they could be related to your health? (Other than high cortisol from the sticker shock of buying organic veggies and good quality meat?!) Most receipts have BPA on them. I haven't researched more, but asked the cashier once at Whole Foods and she said theirs do not. ## What can make it even worse is for anyone using hand sanitizer. Using hand sanitizer and touching receipts, which can happen in restaurants or grocery stores, can transfer an astounding amount of BPA to the bloodstream!! How crazy is that?! ## Why do you want to avoid BPA? BPA is a xenoestrogen. What are Xenoestrogens? Xenoestrogens are human-made chemicals that have estrogen-like activity in the body. They mimic the effects of estrogen in the body by binding to our estrogen receptor sites. By doing so, they prevent other estrogens (such as our naturally produced estrogens) from binding to those sites. Xenoestrogens, which elicit a very strong estrogenic effect. ## Excess estrogen leads to all sorts of unwanted symptom such as PMS symptoms, Headaches, Weight gain, Heavy or irregular menses, Fluid retention & bloating, Breast tenderness, Brain fog, Mood swings, Depression, Weepy and emotional, Irritability, Low libido, Sleep disturbances & Sugar cravings
## Estrogen is highest right before ovulation and during day 19-22 of your cycle so avoiding exogenous sources of estrogen is especially important at this time (really it is always important, but it is good to remember WHEN during your cycle it can affect you most) ## So I guess that's my public service announcement not to take receipts unless you really need them and while you're at it, just toss that hand sanitizer 😜 I am sure that the person at the register will TOTALLY understand when you tell them you really can’t touch the receipt because you are the 2nd half of your cycle! #bpa #handsanitizer #receipts #holistic #fdn #ADAPT ## Have your joined our Cycle Sync Challenge yet?! We are kicking off tomorrow May 29th! Along with starting to understand your cycle and implement some really easy and impactful tips, participants can also enter to win a goodie box! Sign up at zestyginger.com/challenge
Do you have anxiety that comes and goes? #cyclehack If so, make sure to read this. Today is the start of the ovulation window. This is a time of elevated hormones such as estrogen. As Alex and I were starting to analyze everything we do, drink and eat in relationship to our cycle, I found out something interesting about my relationship with caffeine. Sometimes I seem to be able to drink a cup (or 3) of black tea and be just fine. And at other times I am jittery and my anxiety goes through the roof. What gives? It appears that caffeine has different effects on
 estrogen at different stages of the menstrual cycle (sometimes decreasing 
estrogen and sometimes increasing estrogen levels). ## I noticed that during the first week of my cycle and up to about a day or 2 before ovulation, I felt just fine with my chai tea. Then all of a sudden, BAM! I had the same chai tea as the day before and my anxiety immediately skyrocketed. It felt like a heart racing, high cortisol physical kind of anxiety and it didn’t go away… for a couple of days! ## Right before ovulation is when estrogen is highest. Since the liver is in charge of getting rid of excess estrogen AND is in charge of metabolizing caffeine out of the body, this is putting double load on the liver. In Traditional Chinese Medicine , an overburdened liver is associated with anxiety and I know this to be true in my life! Too much alcohol, caffeine or sugar will make me anxious as will a viral or bacterial infection that my liver also has to deal with the byproducts of. ## Caffeine can trigger hot flashes by increasing stress hormones. So, if you are struggling with hot flashes, fibrocystic breasts, painful menstrual cramps, mood swings, and anxiety, then try cutting out caffeine. ## I’d love to hear if you have ever experienced this variation in reaction to coffee or caffeine depending on the time of the month!
Yesterday I shared my review of a new home test that lets you check your progesterone levels after ovulation. So, what is progesterone, and why is it important? * Progesterone is a female sex hormone that is secreted by the corpus luteum (casing of the egg follicle in the ovary). After an egg is released (ovulation), the corpus luteum makes progesterone to help support a healthy pregnancy. It makes the lining of the uterus thinner to support implantation of a fertilized egg, prohibits muscle contractions, and prevents further ovulation. It is often referred to as “the calming hormone,” because it activates GABA receptors. * If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum continues to secrete progesterone until the placenta develops enough to take over. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone drops, and your period starts. * Some signs that you might not have enough progesterone include spotting before your period, a history of early miscarriages, and estrogen-dominant symptoms such as tender breasts, PMS headaches, and mood swings. * Natural ways to increase production of estrogen include magnesium, vitamin B6, vitex (chaste berry), and selenium. Progesterone supplements are available in creams, suppositories, and prescription pills. * Do you know what your progesterone levels are? Click the link in my bio to get more information about how to test your levels at home.
Day 8 of your 28 day cycle updates!! Now is the time to wax or plucking eyebrows or other unwanted hair. Wait what?! What does this have to do with my cycle?! A week after your period or 2 weeks before your next period is a good time for this. Ever notice that you are hairiest after your cycle? Well if you are taking the time to schedule a waxing, you want to get rid of the most hair so you might as well work with your cycle. ## Many women also feel like their skin (and everything) is more sensitive during their period. Estrogen is low at this point in the cycle and our skin is driest and doesn’t have the same elasticity. So, this is NOT the ideal time for anything skin related such as waxing, shaving or plucking. ## Did you know that the Farmer’s Almanac even lists best days of the year to cut your hair based on the moon cycle? According to the moon, the ideal time for hair removal is between full moon & new moon. ## Are you ready to start taking charge of your cycle? Ready to be done with annoying symptoms like PMS, cramps and the feeling of dread for your female cycle? Want to know how to use the superpowers that make you female to your advantage? Join us for a 7 day free Cycle Syncing challenge!! Click on the link in the @zesty_ginger profile or go to http://zestyginger.com/challenge . This is leading up to the launch of our BRAND NEW 4 Phase Cycle Detox. This is everything we have been talking about on instagram for months, condensed into an easy to follow program.
Just because a symptom is common does NOT mean it is normal. For example, lots of women get PMS headaches, acne, mood swings, cravings, tender breasts, etc. But just because it seems like everyone and their mother (literally) has these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that they’re normal! * These symptoms are a sign that your hormones are out of balance. Could be excess estrogen, could be low progesterone, could be excess androgens. * With a functional medicine approach, we dig a little deeper… What’s causing the hormone imbalance(s)? Is it stress? Is it gut dysfunction? Is it diet? Nutrient deficiencies? * If you’re interested in learning how to be uncommonly healthy by getting to the root causes of your symptoms, click the link in my profile to book a free call with me.
We’ve been travelling recently and trialling out bike rentals around the world. Anyone in NYC want to run a #cyclehack this year? We had fun checking out their citibike scheme but it can always be improved!

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