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Ep. 23 | The Ultimate Guide to Grocery Shopping

Release Date: 10/19/2023

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...

Ep. 99 | Shrugged Off or Shut Down: Why You're Still Struggling

It's Not JUST Menopause

Episode 99: Shrugged Off or Shut Down — Why You're Still Struggling Have you ever walked out of a doctor’s office in midlife feeling dismissed, discouraged, or invisible? You’re not alone. Too many women in perimenopause and postmenopause are told their symptoms are “just part of aging” — or handed a prescription for HRT without a deeper conversation. But here’s the truth: you’re not broken, and quick fixes aren’t the whole story. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 💬 Real stories of medical gaslighting in menopause — and why so many women feel unheard ⚠️ The truth...

Ep. 98 | Menopause Symptoms No One Warned You About

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 98 – Menopause Symptoms No One Warned You About What if your most frustrating menopause symptoms aren’t random—or “just part of aging”? In this episode, we uncover the less-talked-about symptoms of menopause that can completely disrupt your daily life—from mood swings and memory lapses to digestion issues, itchy skin, poor sleep, and stubborn weight gain. You’ll Discover: ⚠️ Why symptoms like brain fog, rage, bloating, and skin changes often get dismissed 🩺 How conventional care is failing midlife women by ignoring the root causes 🧩 What your body is...

Ep. 97 | How All-or-Nothing Thinking Is Sabotaging Your Hormone Health (And What to do Instead)

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 97: How All-or-Nothing Thinking Is Sabotaging Your Hormone Health (And What to Do Instead) If you’ve ever said, “I’ll just start over Monday,” this episode is for you. The truth is: all-or-nothing thinking isn’t a motivation problem—it’s a nervous system and hormone problem. And in midlife, the harder you push for perfection, the more your body pushes back. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi explains why the all-or-nothing mindset keeps women in perimenopause and postmenopause stuck in survival mode—and what to focus on instead if you want real,...

Ep. 96 | Why 'More' Isn't Working Anymore

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode #96: Why “More” Isn’t Working Anymore You’re doing everything “right”—eating clean, tracking macros, pushing through workouts, skipping wine—yet you still feel bloated, exhausted, and stuck? Here’s the truth: you’re not failing. You’re fried. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi Stickle—Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause Specialist—unpacks the toxic “more is better” mindset so many women bring into midlife. You’ll discover how pushing harder silently sabotages your hormones, metabolism, and nervous...

Ep. 95 | Inflammation Nation: The Silent Driver Behind Bloat, Brain Fog, and Burnout

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 95: Inflammation Nation: The Silent Driver Behind Bloat, Brain Fog, and Burnout Feeling puffy, foggy, or constantly on edge—and no one can explain why? You’re not imagining it. Chronic inflammation is one of the most overlooked root causes of midlife and menopause symptoms. It can drive bloating, fatigue, mood swings, skin flare-ups, joint pain, and even burnout—even when you’re doing “everything right.” In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi Stickle, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause Specialist, breaks down how inflammation...

Ep. 94 | The Hidden Hormone Saboteurs: What No One’s Telling You About Why You Still Feel Off

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 94: The Hidden Hormone Saboteurs: What No One’s Telling You About Why You Still Feel Off Are you eating clean, working out, and “doing everything right”—but still feel exhausted, foggy, bloated, and stuck? You’re not alone. In midlife and menopause, your hormones respond differently to stress and everyday exposures. And often, it’s the hidden hormone disruptors—the ones no one warned you about—that are quietly hijacking your health. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi Stickle, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause...

Ep. 93 | The Symptoms Are Real: Why Midlife Burnout, Anxiety, and Brain Fog Aren’t ‘Just in Your Head'

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 93: The Symptoms Are Real: Why Midlife Burnout, Anxiety, and Brain Fog Aren’t “Just in Your Head” Have you ever been told “you’re fine”—while dealing with brain fog, anxiety, or bone-deep exhaustion? You’re not making it up. Too many women in perimenopause and postmenopause are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or handed a prescription instead of real solutions. The truth is: these symptoms are rooted in hormonal shifts and nervous system overload—not weakness or mindset problems. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi Stickle, Functional Nutrition...

Ep. 92 | From Frantic to Functional: Why Nervous System Support Is the Hormone Help You Actually Need

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 92: From Frantic to Functional: Why Nervous System Support Is the Hormone Help You Actually Need Are you eating “clean,” trying to work out, maybe even tracking your macros—yet still feel wired, foggy, irritable, and completely burned out? You’re not alone. In midlife, many women live in a constant state of urgency—what feels like a hormone problem is often rooted in a nervous system problem. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi Stickle, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause Specialist, breaks down how hidden stress and nervous...

Ep. 91 | Midlife Burnout Is Real: Why You’re So Fried, Foggy, and Unmotivated

It's Not JUST Menopause

🎙️ Episode 91: Midlife Burnout Is Real: Why You’re So Fried, Foggy, and Unmotivated If your energy is gone, your motivation has flatlined, and your brain feels stuck in a fog—you’re not lazy, and you’re definitely not alone. This is midlife burnout. And it’s far more common—and more misunderstood—than most women are ever told. In this episode of It’s Not Just Menopause, Cindi Stickle, Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified Menopause Specialist, unpacks why so many women in perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause feel exhausted, unproductive, and...

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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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