Elixir Naturopathy

If I were a healthy female at any age and had a family history of breast cancer, this is where I would start.

I’d keep up with regular check-ups and recommended screening.
I’d get to know my own breasts so I could recognise if something ever felt different.
I’d also continue focusing on the everyday things that make me feel well, nourishing foods, regular movement, supporting healthy hormone metabolism and making sure nutrients like vitamin D and iodine are where they need to be.

I personally love using breast oil as part of my self-care routine too.
Not because I see it as a preventative measure, but because it encourages me to slow down, connect with my body and notice what feels normal for me.

And if my family history suggested I may be at higher risk, I’d have a conversation with my GP about whether any additional screening or genetic testing/counselling might be helpful.

For me, being informed, staying connected to my body and taking small, supportive steps where I can is the best approach.

Mel 🫶🏼

Things that are actually worth spending the extra money on… (and no, this isn’t some bullsh*t wellness post to get you spending unnecessary money).

These are some of the things I recommend for my clients and implement myself.

~ A water and shower filter for your home (if you don’t filter your water, you are the filter)

~ Good quality grass-fed and finished meat from your local butcher and wild-caught fish. Of course, this is where budget allows, but it’s 100% worth it. Particularly if you have Endometriosis.

~ Organic berries: I don't buy everything organic, but berries are one of the foods I'll always choose frozen organic. If they aren't organic I won't eat them. Consider me a berry snob but I don't want an unhealthy dose of pesticides thanks.

~ A gym membership - I mean, do I even need to explain this one?

~ Good-quality, lower-tox skincare to ensure only the good stuff is going on my skin.

And yes, I’d add Nodo doughnuts and an Aussie Shepherd dog to this list 🫶🏼

I know protein has been a hot topic for a long time now, and every second post on social media seems to be about protein, but somehow, the message still doesn’t seem to be hitting.

Women simply aren’t eating enough protein at breakfast.
And I get it, mornings are busy!

Sometimes breakfast is whatever you can grab on the way out the door, or two eggs feel like a perfectly substantial option.

But two eggs only provide around 12–14g of protein, which may not be enough for many women to meet their protein needs at that meal.

I also see a lot of women in clinic who are in perimenopause or menopause, and this is a stage of life where I think breakfast becomes even more important. The hormonal shifts that occur through this transition can influence insulin sensitivity and blood glucose regulation, while maintaining muscle mass becomes increasingly important too.

Starting the day with a more substantial, protein-rich breakfast can be one simple way to support your overall protein intake, satiety and steadier energy throughout the day.

If you’re hungry again a couple of hours after breakfast, reaching for snacks all afternoon, struggling with concentration or feeling like your energy crashes as the day goes on, it may be worth looking at what your breakfast is actually giving you.

Swipe for some of my top suggestions to increase your protein intake at breakfast.

Mel x

I'm not usually one for trends, but I couldn't resist jumping on this one.

If you're going to follow me, there are probably a few things you should know about me first 🤍

I believe you deserve to understand the why behind the advice you're given.

I want you to ask questions, understand your results and feel like an active participant in your own health rather than simply being handed another protocol to follow.

I also believe the foundations matter far more than having a cupboard overflowing with supplements.

I won't tell you to come off medication just because I'm a naturopath. I don't believe in "detoxing" your way to health.

And I don't think a TSH result on its own tells us everything we need to know about your thyroid.

What I will do is look at the bigger picture, explain what we're doing and why, and create a plan that works alongside appropriate medical care and actually makes sense for your life.

You best believe I will celebrate the small wins with you and yes, I do believe in signs.

And somewhere between all the thyroid talk, you'll probably hear about the ridiculous number of books I've read and see more photos of my dog than you asked for!

If that sounds like the kind of approach you've been looking for, you're in the right place.

Mel 🫶🏼

A little reminder I need myself sometimes; not everything needs an immediate reaction.

When your nervous system has been running on high alert for a long time, even the smallest things can start to feel urgent.

The email needs answering now.
The problem needs fixing now.
The decision needs making now.
You need to be productive now.

But sometimes, nothing bad happens when you leave the email until tomorrow, take a moment before responding, or decide that something simply isn’t yours to deal with today.

I’m learning that creating a little space between something happening and needing to react can make such a difference.

Not everything is an emergency. Not everything needs to be solved today. And sometimes the most supportive thing you can do for your nervous system is to remind it of exactly that.

Mel x 🤍

As a naturopath, I am not here to judge you... We are only human, after all.

I won't judge you for forgetting your supplements.
For trying something for two days and deciding you've had enough.
For ordering takeaway because you genuinely don't have the energy to cook.
For Googling your symptoms at 11pm (we've all been there 😅).
Or for saying no to plans because your body is telling you that rest needs to come first.

I've been on my own health journey, and I know how exhausting it can feel when looking after yourself starts to feel like another full-time job.

You don't need to do everything perfectly to make progress.

My role isn't to tell you off when life gets in the way.

It's to understand what's realistic for your life and help you find a way forward that actually feels sustainable.

Mel 🤍

Your brain is designed to keep you safe, not necessarily to help you change.

It loves what's familiar because familiar requires less energy.

That's why creating new habits, whether it's exercising regularly, preparing nourishing meals, prioritising sleep or managing stress, can feel surprisingly difficult.

It's not because you're lazy or lacking motivation. It's because your brain is wired to default to the patterns it already knows.

Every time you repeat a behaviour, your brain strengthens that neural pathway, making it easier to choose the same action again.

Building a new habit takes more effort at first because you're creating an entirely new pathway.

The brain is adaptable, but with some training and consistency, those healthier choices become the new normal. What once felt hard eventually becomes automatic.

So if you're finding it difficult to make changes to support your health, don't mistake resistance for failure.

It's simply your brain doing what it's evolved to do.

Focus on starting small so that you can repeat the habit often and consistently.

Mel 🫶🏼

Maybe it's not the food that's the problem... maybe it's the state your nervous system is in when you eat the food.

Our digestive system functions best when we're in a parasympathetic, or "rest-and-digest," state.

Yet so many of us eat while rushing between meetings, answering emails, scrolling social media, driving, or feeling stressed.

When your brain perceives a threat, even if it's just a busy schedule, blood flow and energy are directed away from digestion and towards helping you respond to stress.

Over time, this can contribute to symptoms like bloating, indigestion, reflux and changes in bowel habits.

I'm not saying food intolerances don't exist, because they certainly do.

But before assuming every symptom is caused by a specific food, it's worth looking at the environment surrounding your meals.

Sometimes the most therapeutic thing you can do isn't changing what's on your plate.
It's changing how you arrive at the table.

What's one thing you could do today to make your mealtimes a little calmer?

Have you been diagnosed with Graves' Disease and are unsure where to go from here?

Graves’ disease can feel like so much more than “just” an overactive thyroid.

For many of the clients I see, it can affect their sleep, energy, digestion, mood, cycle and leave them feeling like their body is constantly running in overdrive.

Medication such as carbimazole can play an incredibly important role in bringing thyroid hormone production under control.

But I also believe there is value in looking at the person behind the diagnosis and understanding the aspects of your life that may be contributing to Graves'.

In clinic, I may explore areas such as:
~ nutrient status
~ stress
~ nervous-system support
~ sleep
~ gut health
~ hormones
~ lifestyle factors
that could be affecting how you feel.

This isn’t about replacing your GP, endocrinologist or prescribed medication.

It’s about working alongside your medical care to support your body, particularly when relapse and future flares can be a concern.

To learn more about naturopathic support for thyroid health, visit the link in my bio.

Mel x 🤍