Podcast, Healthy Lifestyle Tips, Hormones, Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell Podcast, Healthy Lifestyle Tips, Hormones, Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #40 - Toxin-free skincare with Courtney O’Connor of Primally Pure

Courtney Joy O'Connor is a licensed holistic esthetician at Primally Pure who has been involved in the beauty industry for nearly a decade. Her in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience and heartfelt passions inspire her to educate others on the positive impact of pure, simple ingredients. Tune in to learn about why it’s important to consider what products we put on our skin, some of the most harmful (and sneaky!) products to look out for, and how to become conscious consumers when it comes to skincare.

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Courtney Joy O'Connor is a licensed holistic esthetician at Primally Pure who has been involved in the beauty industry for nearly a decade. Her in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience and heartfelt passions inspire her to educate others on the positive impact of pure, simple ingredients. Tune in to learn about why it’s important to consider what products we put on our skin, some of the most harmful (and sneaky!) products to look out for, and how to become conscious consumers when it comes to skincare.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:57 Introducing Courtney Joy O’Connor - Holistic Esthetician at Primally Pure

  • 1:56 Courtney speaks about her experience in the beauty industry for the past 10 years

  • 9:48 Why is it important to think about what we put on our skin?

  • 13:37 The importance of being your own advocate when choosing products

    • Lack of standards for words like “organic” “natural” or “pure”

  • 14:10 The #1 sneaky ingredient to be on the lookout for!

    • What does “fragrance” really mean?

  • 22:00 Why choosing natural deodorant is so important for our overall toxic burden and hormonal health

  • 25:30 Where to start if you want to make the switch to natural skincare without feeling overwhelmed?

  • 30:46 Outro

Want to know where to start? Check out my all-time favorite natural beauty products here!

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Connect with Courtney

Primarily Pure | EWG - Skin Deep Database | Think Dirty App

Get 10% off your first Primarily Pure order with the code “livewell“


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


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If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell, founder and owner of Live Well with Christina. I'm so excited that you're here and have begun to delve into your health and wellness journey! Here at Live Well we help people with autoimmune disease take control of their health through nutrition, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.  

If you suffer from:

  • Fatigue and energy crashes

  • Brain fog

  • Poor digestion

  • Symptoms of autoimmunity

  • Stress and overwhelm 

...and aren't getting the support you need, I can help guide you through 1:1 health and nutrition coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

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Healthy Lifestyle Tips, Hormones Christina Tidwell Healthy Lifestyle Tips, Hormones Christina Tidwell

Are you addicted to sugar?

Are you addicted to sugar? Do you find yourself gravitating towards the candy bowl at 3pm every afternoon, or experiencing intense cravings for sweets that feel out of your control? I speak to many clients who feels as though sugar is their downfall. That they are able to eat really well, but then experience huge sugar cravings they can’t seem to resist.

addicted to sugar?

Are you addicted to sugar? Do you find yourself gravitating towards the candy bowl at 3pm every afternoon, or experiencing intense cravings for sweets that feel out of your control? I speak to many clients who feels as though sugar is their downfall. That they are able to eat really well, but then experience huge sugar cravings they can’t seem to resist.

So why do we feel the cravings? What makes us addicted to sweets? What I want you to know is that it’s not that you lack willpower. Sugar has a really interesting effect on our body at a physiological level that causes us to get stuck in a cycle of highs and lows that lead to energy crashes and intense cravings that can feel out of our control.

Watch below to learn:

  • Why sugar is addicting

  • What your cravings are telling you

  • How sugar causes inflammation and nutrient deficiencies in the body

  • My #1 tip for getting rid of your sugar cravings for good

This video explains why sugar is addicting. Why is it so common to crave sugar at 3pm?

This video talks about how sugar causes inflammation in the body and how it can cause nutrient deficiencies

In this video I give you my #1 tip for getting rid of sugar cravings!

 
Are you addicted to sugar?
 

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Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Podcast, Autoimmunity, Gut Health, Hormones Christina Tidwell Podcast, Autoimmunity, Gut Health, Hormones Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | EP #23 - Using symptom journaling to crack the code on your health issues with Laura Mulkerne

Do you feel like your symptoms are a big mystery? Your digestive issues and your aches and pains seem to stay constant no matter what you do. You feel like you’re doing everything “right” and can’t understand why your symptoms still persist. You can’t tell if cutting out gluten is actually helping you feel better or if it’s one of the many other interventions you’ve tried that’s making a difference. Our diet and the things we do on a daily basis can affect us in so many different ways. Want to know how what you're eating and drinking is actually affecting you? Laura Mulkerne, creator of The Food Diary, is here to talk to us about symptom journaling as a tool to better understand and manage chronic illness.

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Laura Mulkerne, creator of The Food Diary, is here to talk to us about symptom journaling as a tool to better understand and manage chronic illness.

After being diagnosed with IBS and a tentative Celiac diagnosis, Laura used a food diary to discover her personal triggers and get well again, going from being scared to eat anything to feeling empowered and confident with her food choices.

Laura created the Food Diary to help others like herself manage their diet and health better.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:41 Introducing Laura Mulkerne creator of The Food Diary

  • 1:20 Laura’s personal health journey with chronic IBS, celiac and fatigue

    • The difficulty of trying to figure it all out on her own and not having a supportive health care team

  • 5:00 The turning point: Finding a practitioner who asked the right questions

  • 6:00 The challenges of getting a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

    • What to do next?

  • 8:40 How symptom journaling helped Laura take control of her health once and for all

  • 17:10 How symptom journaling can give you control, insight and empowerment as you connect inward to the cues of your body

  • 19:46 Disclaimer: for some people who have had disordered eating or a strained relationship to food, keeping a journal or tracking food can be triggering. If this is the case for you, be mindful and find a way of tuning in that works for you.

  • 27:05 How Laura feels now - “Not even remotely the same person I was a few years ago” and how she uses symptom journaling from time to time to troubleshoot her health issues

  • 37:00 Outro

You can find Laura at The Food Diary and on Instagram.

Want to start right now? Instantly download your free Food & Symptom Journal to start cracking the code on your health issues today! This is a great and necessary first step into strengthening the connection between what we put into our bodies and how we feel. Our diet can affect us is so many different ways. This tool is here for you to take back your power, and find your own way to better health. So many answers are available to you if you just know where to look. I’m going to make it easy for you to use one of the top tools for helping you feel better faster!


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


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Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More
Podcast, Hormones, Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell Podcast, Hormones, Autoimmunity Christina Tidwell

LIVE WELL PODCAST | Episode #19 - Improving Thyroid Health and Finding Your “Normal” with Tina Christoudias-Spyrou

TIna Christoudias Spyrou is on the podcast today to speak about navigating your thyroid health and “finding your normal” when it comes to lab values.


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Tina Christoudias-Spyrou is on the podcast today to speak about navigating your thyroid health and “finding your normal” when it comes to lab values.

Tina, also known as ‘The Thyroid Dietician’, is a Harvard-trained registered dietitian, certified as an autoimmune protocol coach and currently training as a functional medicine practitioner. She’s also the author of the book, “Tired of Feeling Tired?”. She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009 and used diet, lifestyle and a more holistic approach to health to recover.

Through consulting, writing, speaking, and workshops, it’s Tina’s mission to inspire and enable as many people as possible to take their health into their own hands and be an advocate for themselves in their health journey.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Or if you’d like to play the episode right now in your browser, use the player below:

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro

  • 0:40 Introducing Tina Christoudias-Spyrou the Thyroid Dietician

  • 3:00 Tina’s personal experience with Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune thyroid condition)

    • Probably had a thyroid problem since the age of 15 but not diagnosed until later

    • Flare up after giving birth to daughter

  • 5:00 The journey of finding an integrative doctor and doing own personal research

    • Gluten-free

    • Dairy-free

    • Nutrient density

  • 9:30 Definition of autoimmune disease and thyroid autoimmune disease

  • 10:20 Diagnosis and treatments for autoimmune thyroid conditions

    • TSH

    • “The normal range of TSH has been predicted and sampled from a group of sick people”

    • Normal TSH range should be between 0.5 and 2

  • 14:00 The importance of measuring thyroid antibodies

  • 17:00 Finding the right practitioner

  • 20:00 What to eat for thyroid health

    • Remove inflammatory triggers like sugar and processed foods

    • Consider removing gluten and dairy

    • Place a big emphasis on nutrient dense foods

    • “Any healing diet is a process and it’s a process of trying to figure out what works for your body. Finding your normal.”

  • 33:30 The importance of self-advocacy and finding the right practitioner for you

  • 35:00 Common root cause factors tied to thyroid conditions

    • SIBO or gut dysfunction

    • Toxic overload

    • Nutrient deficiencies (Vit D, B12, Zinc, Folate, Selenium)

    • Liver health

  • 38:00 The importance of being on the right medication

    • T3 + T4 Combo

    • Desiccated Thyroid

    • Levothyroxine

  • 40:00 Normal ranges vs. optimal ranges for lab values

    • Download Tina’s guide to lab values

  • 44:00 Where can you find Tina?

  • 45:15 Outro

Download your complete guide to thyroid lab testing for free here >>


If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


livewell_previews-12+(1).jpg

Are you dealing with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, autoimmune disease, pain or digestive issues?

You’ve gone to doctor after doctor. You’ve received some answers, have started on medications and notice some relief (thank goodness!) but are still left feeling exhausted, stressed, inflamed and not fully yourself?

Or maybe every test has come back “normal” and your practitioners have told you that there isn’t anything they can do, to come back when things get worse, or to simply manage your stress better?

If yes, then you are someone who would benefit form 1:1 holistic health coaching.

Health coaching is a necessary extension of the health care system in that together we have more time to uncover issues, implement strategies and assess outcomes together. Autoimmune disease is complex and to address it we need to come at it from all angles (pharmaceutical therapies from your doctor while also focusing on root cause factors like gut health, diet, sleep and stress). I offer accountability, a knowledgeable resource and most importantly support.

I always offer free 30-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.



Read More