Over two years ago, I submitted my first blog post on Beautifully Nutty. My intentions at the time were to share fun recipes, health tips, boasting “all things in moderation,” and sharing ways in which I try to stay balanced in my life.

I still have the same intentions, but my views on what’s healthy and the changes I’ve been through and made in my life have changed quite dramatically in the last two years.

To those of you who are new to my nutty ol’ blog, you can read up on my past journey to health update.

Time for some reflecting on my health journey with a little Then and Now…

Then…I used to have a crazy sweet tooth, and would eat and post sugar-loaded recipes on the regular paying little attention to how my body reacted to the sugar.

Now…I still have a crazy sweet tooth but try and limit my refined sugar intake because I now know my body HATES it and it causes crazy inflammation in the body.

(someecards.com)

Then…I ate plenty of gluten often followed by lots of bloating.

Now…I am careful about my gluten consumption and know that if I eat it, I may or may not experience bloating afterwards. I am more aware of what can happen, but I do still have gluten from time to time. I’m lucky to have the option to do this as I know some people cannot tolerate it AT ALL.

Then…when I first started the blog, I wasn’t in a colitis flare-up so I wasn’t needing to see doctors too often, but when I did it was only Western medicine docs.

Now…I have been dealing with some minor flare-up symptoms along with hormonal imbalances, and I have taken on a complementary approach to my health care. Besides Western medicine doctors, I now see a Chiropractor, Naturopath, and Acupuncturist. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to dive into Eastern medicine. I’m actually falling in love with it. I do still appreciate Western medicine and there is absolutely a need for that as well.

Then…I’ve always been in tune with my body but not to the extent I am today.

Now…I listen to everything my body is trying to tell me and try to “fix” any offsets naturally. This has completely changed now that I have started Essential Oils but along with the oils, I will make changes to my diet when needed to try and accommodate any shortcomings. Headache = try drinking more water. Bloating = drink more water and tea. Constipation = increase fiber and water. Etc. You get it.

Then…I would occasionally take a multi-vitamin.

Now…I take multiple supplements daily that are made from non-synthetic sources (whole food supplements are so important for absorption!).

• Multi-vitamin called Catalyn from Standard Process
• Folic Acid from Standard Process
• Fermented Cod Liver Oil by Green Pasture
• Probiotics by Garden of Life

Then…no essential oils.

Now…a Young Living Essential Oil distributor because I love the oils so much and don’t forget the light therapy from circadianoptics.com!

There are thousands of ways to use essential oils. You can use them for medical ailments, household cleaning, aromatherapy, an aid to weight loss, to reduce stress, to perk you up, to help with hormone issues, increase fertility, help with bloating, etc etc etc. Obviously the possibilities are nearly endless. I diffuse them every day depending on my needs for the day. Example; today I am fighting some type of cold/congestion so I am diffusing thieves and lemon. If we bake a highly aromatic dinner, I will diffuse purification. It is so fun!

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The health field is so incredibly interesting to me which is why I chose to become a dietitian. It is always changing and there are always new studies coming out about this and that. The biggest challenge as individuals is weeding through the good and the bad, and making decisions for ourselves based on the information we gather from health professionals and in our own research. I am on the road towards holistic wellness and I am not looking back! I am so excited to continue my journey.