Your period is irregular. You randomly experience waves of heat and break out in sweats. You’re having trouble sleeping through the night. You’re gaining weight. Your breasts are changing—and not for the better. You might even experience drastic mood swings. Welcome to beginning stages menopause.

If I had a penny for every time I turned to my oils as a toddler mom, I would be a very, very rich woman. Whatever is thrown my way, which is a lot, I have an essential oil or an essential oil blend in a roller ball that I can grab.

It has been 7 weeks since I saw my naturopath for the first time and started my postpartum integrative care journey. I have thoroughly enjoyed this process so far - even the x-rays, blood draws and ultrasound. This is only just beginning and I have already learned so much about myself and my body.

This is the first week that I have had writer’s block. We got hit by a little bug and I have no energy at the end of the day, which is when I usually sit down to write. Then it dawned on me that the whole point of this blog is to be a resource for other mamas to turn to and that someone may want to know what we do when we feel rundown.

I’ve just embarked on a course of proactive healthcare for the first time in my life with a pelvic floor physio, chiropractor, naturopath and therapist.

When my husband and I decided to explore the possibility of pregnancy, we assumed we would get pregnant as soon as we put some intention behind it. I have spent my entire adult life trying not to get pregnant, so it must happen really easily, right? The answer is no, it’s not easy.

In order to be successful in any endeavor, you have to have the right supplies on hand. You wouldn’t go camping without a tent or bake a cake without a tin. It is exactly the same with essential oils. Having the right supplies on hand makes using your oils easy and will save you money in the long run!

If clean eating has taught me anything it’s that going outside of your comfort zone and pushing yourself to do something you never thought possible is very empowering.

I was giving a presentation in front of my ninth grade English class the first time I bled through my pants. I was mortified and powerless. How did I not know my period was coming? How could I be so unprepared? Fifteen years later I am grateful that I recognize period symptoms and that I have tools to help me through my menstrual cycle.