I’m so glad to be reconnecting with you again. As it turns out, life found a way to teach me a big lesson, as it always does (doesn’t it?). Recently I needed to learn to commit even more deeply to self-care and balance so that I can continue to serve from an authentic place. I’m so happy to be back in touch – I have much to share with you this year.
Today’s newsletter is really personal. And exciting.
I recently turned 40 (yes!) and this turn of the decade actually struck a much deeper cord with me than I expected.
When I turned 20 I was still in university and it was the perfect excuse to party my way into adulthood.
A decade later when I turned 30, I was about to earn my license as naturopathic physician and excited about the career I had ahead of me. I was also deeply thankful that “30 was the new 20” (at least that’s what I told myself!).
But this time, as I crossed into the 4th decade of my life I’ve been surprised by my feelings. I’m typically insanely hard on myself and was sure that I’d been listing off all of the things I felt like I “should” have accomplished by now.
Instead, I’ve been filled with gratitude for what I have – the chance to follow my soul’s calling with my career, clients I absolutely adore working with, the twins who’ve made me laugh or smile (and many times cry) everyday since they day they were born, and a husband and best friend all-in-one. It’s a lot to take in.
As well as gratitude, I’ve also been filled with an incredibly clear sense that this next decade for me is about stepping into life more truthfully than I ever have before. I feel a responsibility to let go of “should’s” and shine more fully, without fear.
Being more forthright about the connection between the environment and our hormonal health is big part of speaking my truth. I’m deeply committed to raise awareness about this area, and am committed to empowering women, like you, with the knowledge and tools to protect your health and that of your family.
Our bodies are 100% made up of the food we eat, air we breath and water we drink. Whatever is happening “out there” in the environment, is reflected in our bodies, and our health.
Toxins in the environment are causing hormonal imbalances, cancer, obesity, inflammation. These are the major health issues of our time.
But it’s not all bad news – I’m going to help make it really easy for you to make positive choices and feel so much better.
Today let’s start with pesticides.
Pesticides are one of the top chemicals that disrupt your hormones. They’ve been found to bind and activate our estrogen and testosterone receptors.
In other words, your body thinks that the pesticide residue on your fruit is actually testosterone or estrogen.
It literally can’t tell the difference.
This is a problem because it leads to over-activation of your hormone receptors. Too much testosterone creates infertility, unwanted hair growth, acne and blood sugar issues. Too much estrogen is linked to mood swings, anxiety, almost all menstrual issues and increases your risk of breast cancer.
When you choose organic foods, you reduce your personal exposure to pesticides and avoid toxic hormones. And (side bonus!) you also reduce the amount of pesticides that are dumped on farm land. I can’t think of a better win-win.
For today, I want to share one of my favorite tools with you: THE DIRTY DOZEN
Choose Organic for The “Dirty Dozen”
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) leads the pack on researching the connection environment and our health.
A great start to reducing your exposure to pesticides and bringing your hormones and health into balance, is to simply choose organic for the “dirty dozen” foods. These include:
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Celery
- Grapes
- Cherries
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Sweet bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Bonus – kale & hot peppers
EWG has also made a cool little app so that you can easily carry this list with you when you’re out shopping (or ordering online).
By choosing organic for these foods you consistently reduce your exposure to pesticides and help your body detoxify and rebalance.
Did you know that toxins could affect your hormones? I’d love to hear from you about your experience. Send me an email at info@drvivianlord.com.