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Ep. 23 | The Ultimate Guide to Grocery Shopping

Release Date: 10/19/2023

Ep. 109 | The Calm Before the Holiday Storm: Why Calm Has to Come First in Menopause

It's Not JUST Menopause

Episode #109 — The Calm Before the Holiday Storm: Why Calm Has to Come First in Menopause If the holidays leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, bloated, or “on edge” every year — it’s not that you can’t handle stress anymore. It’s that your menopause nervous system can’t absorb pressure the same way it used to. In this episode, we break down why stress hits harder in midlife, how it impacts your hormones and metabolism, and what you can do right now to create the grounded, steady energy your body is craving before the holiday chaos begins. This isn't about perfection,...

Ep. 108 | Cravings Aren’t About Willpower — They’re About Cortisol

It's Not JUST Menopause

If you keep blaming yourself for sugar cravings, afternoon crashes, or late-night snacking — this episode is your wake-up call. Menopause changes how your body handles stress, blood sugar, and hunger signals, and no amount of “willpower” can outsmart cortisol. In this episode, Cindi breaks down the real science behind stress-induced cravings and shows you how to stabilize your energy, calm your nervous system, and stop feeling out of control around food. You’ll learn why stress and cortisol are the missing pieces behind constant hunger, energy dips, and stubborn belly fat — and the...

Ep. 107 | The Holiday Stress Trap: Why “Pushing Through” Backfires in Menopause

It's Not JUST Menopause

If you’re already feeling the weight of holiday stress — the endless to-dos, the travel, the expectations — and wondering why your body just can’t handle it the way it used to, this episode is for you. In menopause, your stress response changes. What once felt like “manageable chaos” can now send cortisol soaring, disrupt your sleep, and stall your metabolism. In this episode, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause Specialist Cindi Stickle breaks down exactly why “pushing through” no longer works — and what your body is actually asking for instead. You’ll...

Ep. 106 | The Only Way Menopause Results Actually Last

It's Not JUST Menopause

If you’ve ever felt like your progress disappears the moment life gets stressful — you’re not alone. Most “solutions” for menopause aren’t built to last. Diets, detoxes, and 30-day resets push your body harder… instead of helping it heal. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, I’m breaking down the real reason results fade — and what it takes to finally make progress that sticks. You’ll learn: Why short-term fixes trigger long-term setbacks How stress and cortisol sabotage metabolism and hormones Why you can’t rebuild results on an unregulated nervous system ...

Ep. 105 | You're Not Failing, You've Been Misled

It's Not JUST Menopause

You’re Not Failing — You’ve Been Misled If you’ve been doing everything “right” — eating clean, working out, tracking macros — and still feel stuck, exhausted, or frustrated with your body… you’re not failing. You’ve been misled. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, I’m breaking down why the “eat less, move more” advice doesn’t work for women in menopause — and how decades of outdated, one-size-fits-all guidance have set women up to fail. You’ll discover: Why traditional weight-loss advice backfires for women in menopause How stress, cortisol, and...

Ep. 104 | The Stress-Symptom Spiral: Why Relief Starts with Your Nervous System

It's Not JUST Menopause

The Stress–Symptom Spiral: Why Relief Starts with Your Nervous System Are you doing everything “right” — eating well, exercising, taking supplements — yet still feel bloated, exhausted, and stuck? You’re not broken. You’re caught in what I call the Stress–Symptom Spiral. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, I break down the hidden cycle that keeps women in survival mode — where stress makes symptoms worse, and those symptoms create even more stress. You’ll learn: What the “stress–symptom spiral” is and how it keeps you stuck Why cortisol steals from your...

Ep. 103 | Menopause Isn't a Willpower Problem - Here's What's Really Going On

It's Not JUST Menopause

Episode Title: Menopause Isn’t a Willpower Problem — Here’s What’s Really Going On Are you eating less, exercising more, and still not seeing results in menopause? You’ve probably been told it’s a willpower problem — but that advice is flat-out wrong. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, I break down why “trying harder” backfires in midlife, why your symptoms aren’t a sign of weakness, and what your body actually needs to reset. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why calorie restriction and over-exercising fuel stress hormones instead of fixing them How cortisol,...

Ep. 102 | Gaslighting With A Stethoscope: Why Midlife Women Deserve Better Menopause Care

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Gaslighting with a Stethoscope: Why Midlife Women Deserve Better Menopause Care Episode 102 — It’s Not Just Menopause Podcast You’re not crazy. You’re not weak. And no — it’s not “just stress” or “just getting older.” If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s office feeling dismissed, misunderstood, or worse — gaslit — this episode is for you. In today’s no-BS conversation, I’m pulling back the curtain on how midlife women are routinely ignored, overmedicated, and sent home without real solutions during one of the most pivotal transitions of their...

Ep. 101 | What Every Menopause Plan Leaves Out - And Why It’s the First Thing Your Body Actually Needs

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 101 – What Every Menopause Plan Leaves Out And Why It’s the First Thing Your Body Actually Needs If you’re doing everything “right” but your menopause symptoms are still getting worse—not better—it’s time to look deeper. In this episode, Certified Menopause Specialist and Functional Nutrition Practitioner Cindi Stickle reveals the missing piece in most menopause protocols: nervous system regulation. Whether you’re dealing with weight gain, exhaustion, mood swings, or brain fog, this root-cause step is essential—and it’s the first thing your body actually...

Ep. 100 | Stress, Menopause, and the Burnout Trap with Christy Nichol

It's Not JUST Menopause

Stress, Menopause, and the Burnout Trap (with Christy Nichol) Are you stuck in survival mode during menopause? In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, I sit down with Christy Nichol, burnout recovery coach and stress expert, to unpack how stress impacts midlife women — and why it may be the hidden root cause of your toughest menopause symptoms. Why Stress Makes Menopause Symptoms Worse Chronic stress isn’t just “in your head.” It drives hormonal chaos that leaves women dealing with: Brain fog and memory struggles Weight that won’t budge no matter what you try Mood...

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Grocery shopping may seem like a simple, almost trivial task. Yet, it's an essential part of our lives that demands strategic thinking, budgetary considerations, and time management. Today I want to offer tips and strategies to make your grocery shopping experience efficient, economical, and even enjoyable.

Tip #1: The first step to an efficient grocery shopping routine is planning. Before hitting the store, plan your meals for the week. Create a shopping list based on these meals and ensure it covers all food categories to guarantee a balanced diet. Include proteins, grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Use your favorite recipe apps, food blogs, or cookbooks to inspire and help you in meal planning.

Tip #2: Group your shopping list items according to the layout of your preferred store. This will save you time by minimizing back-and-forth movements. For example, if your store has produce at the entrance and proteins at the back, structure your list accordingly.

Tip #3: Set a budget for your weekly grocery shopping. Your budget should be flexible enough to accommodate unexpected deals but stringent enough to prevent unnecessary purchases. To stretch your dollar further, utilize discount cards, coupons, and promotional deals. Consider buying in bulk for non-perishable items or those with a long shelf-life.

Tip #4: While buying cheaper products to save money is tempting, it's essential to remember that cheaper doesn't always mean better. Focus on the quality of the products rather than quantity. Fresh produce, high-quality proteins, and whole grains may cost a bit more but will benefit your health in the long run.

Decide which items are worth buying organic. While organic produce can be healthier due to lower pesticide residues, it can also be more expensive. The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" lists can guide you on which fruits and vegetables have the highest and lowest pesticide residues.

Tip #5: Understanding food labels is essential to grocery shopping. Look beyond the marketing claims on the front of the package. Check the ingredients list and nutrition facts. Avoid products with trans fats, high amounts of added sugars, or unpronounceable ingredients. Remember, ingredients are listed in order of proportion in the product, so the first few ingredients make up most of the product.

Tip #6: Avoid going grocery shopping when you're hungry. Hunger can lead to impulse buys and unhealthy food choices. If you must shop before a meal, consider grabbing a healthy snack first.

Tip #7: Consider the environmental impact of your grocery shopping. Choose locally grown produce when possible, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping. Opt for reusable shopping bags and produce bags to reduce plastic waste.

Tip #8: Online grocery shopping and delivery services have gained immense popularity in this digital age. They offer convenience, especially for those with tight schedules or mobility constraints. However, compare prices as they can vary between physical and online stores.

In conclusion, grocery shopping is not merely a chore but a significant factor influencing our dietary habits, health, and well-being. With planning, budgeting, informed decision-making, and a dash of technology, you can transform this mundane task into an effective and enjoyable routine.

Link for my Guide to Reading Food Labels

Are you ready to discover the HEALING POWER OF NUTRITION and learn more about toxins and your exposure??

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