Rewilded Wellness

*This blog post is adapted from my podcast episode exploring the critical distinction between integration and correction in the healing journey.*

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For years, we've been conditioned to view our health challenges through a correction lens. We see symptoms as problems to fix, imbalances as defects to correct, and healing as a linear path from broken to fixed. This correction mindset has us constantly searching for the perfect supplement, the ideal protocol, or the magical diet that will "fix" what's wrong.

But what if our symptoms aren't actually problems to fix? What if they're messengers carrying information about what our system truly needs? What if our mineral imbalances aren't random malfunctions but intelligent adaptations to our unique life circumstances?

Understanding the Difference

When we approach health through correction, we operate from what I call the "fixing mindset." This perspective sees the body as a ...

Season two: Episode 10: Mugwort Medicine: Plant Intelligence vs. Modern Supplements - From Genetic SNPs to Vagal Tone

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For nearly three years, I've been developing a relationship with Mugwort—a plant that's become deeply meaningful and special to me. What began as curiosity about an herb has evolved into a profound appreciation for how this common "weed" might hold keys to our most perplexing modern health challenges.

Beyond the Supplement Mentality

As a nutritional therapy practitioner, I've seen firsthand the limitations of isolated supplements. While they certainly have their place, they can never replicate the intelligence of whole plants.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) exemplifies this brilliantly. This unassuming plant contains hundreds of bioactive compounds working in concert:

- Bitter principles that activate digestive secretions from salivation through enzyme production to bile flow
- Nervine compounds that ...

Are Sulfur-Rich Foods Making You Feel Worse?

You’ve probably been told sulfur-rich foods are good for you.
Think: garlic, onions, cruciferous veggies, eggs.

And they are — until they’re not.

In this week’s episode of Rewilded Wellness, I explore what most practitioners overlook: why your body might not be able to process sulfur effectively, and how that creates confusing symptoms like:

• Bloating after meals

• Brain fog or mood shifts

• Fatigue that doesn’t make sense

• Sensitivities to healthy foods or supplements

This isn’t about demonizing sulfur — it’s about respecting your body’s current terrain. Minerals, microbes, genetic tendencies, detox capacity, and even emotional trauma all shape how your body responds.

Sulfur Sensitivity Is a Sign — Not a Life Sentence

The wellness world tends to treat symptoms like enemies.
But your body’s reaction to sulfur isn’t a failure — it’s communication.
It’s feedback about what’s missing, what’s overwhelmed, and what’s ready ...

The Hidden Connection: How Your Digestive Issues May Be Triggering Your Anxiety

Have you ever noticed that your anxiety seems to flare up alongside your digestive symptoms? This isn't a coincidence. What if I told you that the butterflies in your stomach, the knot in your throat, and the racing thoughts in your mind might all share a common origin?

The Gut-Brain Axis: Your Second Brain at Work

Scientists have discovered what many ancient healing traditions have known for centuries: your gut and brain are engaged in constant, intimate conversation. This communication highway, known as the gut-brain axis, is reshaping how we understand both digestive issues and mental health concerns.

Your digestive system houses what scientists call your "second brain" – an intricate network of over 500 million neurons called the enteric nervous system. This neural network produces many of the same neurotransmitters found in your brain, including a staggering 90% of your body's serotonin – the "happ...

Highlights from my latest podcast episode exploring the Connection Between Fluoride, Ovarian Cysts, & Perimenopause

*Listen to the episode on the Rewilded Wellness podcast, available on: 

iTunes HERE 
Spotify HERE
On YouTube HERE 

Last year, I did an episode called "Let’s Talk About Nettles and Perimenopause." Nettles are prolific in the woods where I hike, and this is the time of year to collect them. If you’re adventurous, they have amazing benefits that everyone should learn about and use, so be sure to check out that episode if you haven’t yet.

In that episode, I talked about perimenopause as a rite of passage and provided a brief explanation of what it really means. I also covered irregular cycles and histamine, making it a good primer.

Just as spring represents nature's transition from dormancy to new growth, perimenopause marks our transition to a new phase of wisdom and power. The nettles I discussed last year emerge first in spring—they're resilient pioneers, breaking through...

HairTissue Mineral Analysis Case Study: Uncovering Hidden Vagus Nerve Patterns

In this detailed case study demonstration, I analyze how specific mineral patterns revealed through hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) directly impact vagus nerve function and can explain persistent, complex health challenges that don't respond to standard protocols.

What You'll Discover in This Video:

I walk through a real client case showing the connection between mineral imbalances and chronic symptoms, particularly focusing on:

- How a "Fast Four" pattern (depleted calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium) creates a sympathetic dominant state that undermines vagus nerve function

- The critical relationship between copper metabolism, molybdenum, and proper neurotransmitter signaling

- Why elevated sulfur-to-copper ratios can significantly impair detoxification after mold exposure

- The direct correlation between mineral imbalances and menstrual cycle irregularities

- How tracking speci...

The Vagus Nerve Connection: Beyond Simple Exercises

Highlights from my latest podcast episode exploring the functional approach to vagus nerve health

*Listen to the episode on the Rewilded Wellness podcast, available on: 

iTunes HERE 
Spotify HERE
On YouTube HERE 

While there's a lot of buzz about vagus nerve exercises lately - from cold plunges to humming - this podcast episode explores a deeper perspective. What if those simple exercises are only scratching the surface? What if your mineral patterns, gut dysbiosis, mold exposure, or even physical misalignments are blocking your vagal function?

Let's dive into the functional testing approaches that can reveal why your vagus nerve might be struggling, and what you can do about it.

Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis: The Mineral Connection

Your vagus nerve functions like your body's electrical system, and minerals are the conductors. Here's what we look for on an HTMA:

- Calcium/Magnesium Ratio: When calcium dominates excessively ov...

Whole Food B Vitamins: Beyond Supplements

After analyzing a recent client's HTMA results and learning about their homozygous MTHFR gene mutation, it became clear why synthetic B vitamins weren't the right fit. For those with methylation challenges, the full spectrum of nutrients that accompany whole food B vitamins offers significant advantages over isolated synthetic versions. Honestly, I think we all would do best to avoid synthetic supplements in the name of holistic health & wellness. 

The Microbiome Connection to B Vitamins

What many people don't realize is that our gut microbiome produces approximately 30-40% of our B vitamins. This remarkable fact highlights why prebiotic foods are essential for optimal B vitamin status. By nourishing our beneficial gut bacteria, we enable them to produce these vital nutrients for us.

Wild Foods: Nature's B Vitamin Powerhouses

Wild foraged foods offer significantly higher B vitamin content than their cultivated counterparts. Wild greens lik...

Arsenic in Rice: Testing, Safer Brands, and Preparation Methods

Recent hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) results from a client showed increased arsenic levels alongside decreased selenium. This pattern emerged after they increased their rice consumption during winter months, using both a premium brand and bulk rice from Costco. This case study illustrates the importance of understanding arsenic exposure through common foods and how to mitigate risks.

Understanding Arsenic Forms and Rice Exposure

There are two primary forms of arsenic found in our environment:

Inorganic arsenic (arsenite and arsenate) is the predominant form found in rice. This form is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and poses significant health concerns with long-term exposure. Inorganic arsenic is more readily absorbed by the body and more difficult to excrete.

Organic arsenic compounds (like arsenobetaine and arsenocholine), commonly found in seafood, are g...

My favorite Dan quote of the episode: "Who eats first = the microbes eat first (the microbes are the people in your colon)."

The Nutrient Density Connection: Dan Kittredge on Soil Health and Human Wellness

In this episode of Rewilded Wellness, I had the privilege of speaking with Dan Kittredge, a lifelong farmer, educator, and founder of the Bionutrient Food Association. Our conversation delved into the often-overlooked connection between the quality of our soil and the epidemic of health challenges we face today.

The Hidden Crisis in Our Food System

Dan opened our discussion with a stark reality that many of us intuitively sense but may not fully understand: truly nutrient-dense food has become increasingly difficult to find. Despite grocery stores brimming with visually appealing produce, the nutritional content of today's conventionally grown foods pales in comparison to what our ancestors consumed.

"The nutrition labeling system we rely on is both inaccurate and woefully outda...