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7 red flags to look for when buying your food

June 18, 2025

7 red flags to look for when buying your food

In a world where food has become something to sell rather than something to nourish, we have to become more discerning than ever. Supermarkets are full of beautiful packaging, clever marketing, and “healthy” claims that can easily cloud the truth. But beneath the buzzwords, many modern foods are stripped of their essence, devoid of real nourishment, integrity, and life.Here are 7 red flags to look out for... 1. Fortified or “enriched” labels You’ll often see bread, cereals, flours and even snack bars marked as “fortified with iron, B12, folic acid” or “enriched with vitamins and minerals”.  This is a red flag, not a selling point. When foods are stripped of their natural nutrients during processing, manufacturers often try to add them back in synthetically. But these lab made versions aren’t well absorbed by the body, and in many cases (like synthetic iron or folic acid), they may even disrupt natural mineral balance or overload sensitive systems. True nourishment comes from food that contains these nutrients inherently, not food that needed to be rescued by a factory. 2. Food that looks perfect, and tastes like nothing If your tomatoes are huge, red and glisten in the sun, but taste like water… Those strawberries that appear flawless, but don’t carry the nostalgic scent of being freshly picked. If your eggs crack open to reveal pale, flat yolks that break without resistance and leave no richness on your tongue… These are signs of nutrient depletion, often due to monocropped soil, rapid growth cycles, and produce bred for shelf-life rather than flavour or mineral content. Trust your senses. If it doesn’t smell like food, feel like food, or taste like food… it probably isn’t nourishing like food either. 3. "Low-fat” or “fat-free” versions of traditional foods It all started to go wrong when we were first taught to fear cholesterol. Once revered as a vital part of the human diet, cholesterol suddenly became the villain of the century, blamed for heart disease, clogged arteries, and poor health. But in reality, cholesterol is not the enemy. It’s the precursor to hormone production, a raw material your body needs to create estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D. And hormones? They’re the invisible conductors of nearly every system in the body,  from metabolism to mood, digestion to detoxification, reproductive rhythms to deep sleep. Traditional cultures consumed whole animal fats, raw or cultured dairy, liver, egg yolks, and rich broths,  because they understood, intuitively or directly, that fat was life-giving. It carried flavour, satiety, and soul. It nourished mothers through pregnancy, supported children’s brain development, and grounded the body in times of stress. But then came the low-fat era. Low-fat yoghurt? Usually pumped with sugar, gums or starch to mimic creaminess. Fat-free dressings? Full of seed oils, artificial flavourings, and emulsifiers. Lean meat only? A recipe for nutrient imbalance, blood sugar instability and metabolic stress. The human body was designed to grow and be sustained on whole foods, not manipulated versions engineered for market trends. And fat, in its unprocessed, ancestral form, was never the problem. It was the processing all along. 4. “Natural flavours” in the ingredient list This one sounds harmless, even good, but it’s actually a legal loophole that allows manufacturers to hide hundreds of synthetic chemicals under one innocent-looking label. “Natural flavour” doesn’t mean it came from a whole food source. It just means it originated from something natural... and was then chemically altered, stabilised, and engineered for intensity. These engineered flavourings override your body’s natural satiety cues and train your palate away from real food. They hijack the senses. 5. Seed oils hidden in everything Seed oils (like canola, sunflower, soybean, grapeseed, and rice bran oil) are some of the most common, and most inflammatory,  ingredients in modern food. They’re often used in products marketed as healthy: hummus, plant milks, snacks, protein bars, roasted nuts and almost every premade meal you can find in the supermarket (even the seemingly healthy ones, and ready-to-go sides like olives or marinated cheeses). Why is this a red flag? These oils are highly processed, deodorised, and heated to unstable temperatures. They oxidise quickly, are often rancid before you’ve even opened the packet, and interfere with mitochondrial function, metabolic health, and hormonal signalling.  This wasn't the fat our ancestors thrived on. Like them, we should cook with tallow, butter, ghee, duck/goose fat or coconut oil, fats that are stable, nourishing, and deeply satiating. 6. Plastic-wrapped animal products When meat or fish is pre-packaged and shrink-wrapped in plastic, especially with long use-by dates, it’s often been treated with preservatives or packaged in modified-atmosphere gases to delay spoilage. You’re also far less likely to get nose-to-tail options or fattier cuts this way. Instead, you’ll find standardised, lean, sanitised meat designed for shelf appeal, not nutrition. Better to find a local butcher or farmer who can offer you the richness of the full animal: liver, kidney, heart, fat, marrow bones and more. 7. Health-washing buzzwords like  “high-protein” or “farm-raised” Modern food culture is full of trend-driven labels that mean... very little. “All natural”? Means nothing. “High-protein”? Often translates to synthetic isolates, sugar alcohols and artificial flavouring. “Keto”? Usually just low-carb junk food loaded with additives and poor-quality dairy. Even “farm-raised” isn’t a regulated term. And “high welfare”? Just a marketing phrase, used by brands and supermarkets to soothe your conscience, not to guarantee the care or conditions behind the food. These buzzwords sound good,  but they don’t ensure any specific farming practices, housing standards, or animal wellbeing.  Instead of chasing labels, ask yourself: Where did this food come from? Would my ancestors recognise this? Was it grown, raised or made with integrity? Because not every food with a health label is nourishing, and not every nourishing food needs a label. That’s why we built the Organised app, to make it easier to meet the humans behind your food, ask better questions, and support producers who truly care for land, animal and community. This is the future of food, and it’s wildly, beautifully old-fashioned.

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How to guide your dad (or loved one) back to health

June 14, 2025

How to guide your dad (or loved one) back to health

Because he taught you everything, and now you’re watching him suffer. He likely doesn’t talk about declining energy, softer muscle tone, or the creeping fatigue that never fully lifts. Maybe he jokes about it, calls it “just getting older.” Testosterone levels fall, gut health suffers, and vitality fades quietly. And often, no one tells men how to get it back.  Let’s be honest. If you’re deeply into health, as we know you are, it’s likely you feel this frustration. You’ve done the research. You’ve seen the results. And it hurts. You know he doesn’t have to feel like this.  You’ve felt the difference a yolky egg, a walk in the morning sun, or a spoon of liver can make. And all you want is for him to feel that too. And yet, how do you help the people you love without sounding like a tinfoil hat wearing cult leader? Let’s talk about it. 1. Start with empathy, not evidence No one wants to be told they’re doing everything wrong, especially by someone they raised. Don’t lead with the PubMed citations. Instead, lead with how the changes made you feel. “I was waking up foggy every day. Now I actually feel clear-headed by 9am.”“I’ve been trying a few things that really helped my energy/gut.” That’s the hook. Then you can casually sneak in: “It’s mostly from upping my minerals and adding some real food protein.” That’s it. The seed is planted.  2. Upgrade his staples, without changing the menu He doesn’t need to give up burgers. He needs better burgers. Start by rewilding the foods he already eats: Add a spoon of liver to minced beef for his usual spaghetti bolognese. Offer crispy potatoes in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil. Swap supermarket cheddar for raw milk cheese from a local farm. Some other quick swaps: White bread → fresh sourdough or sprouted speltFlavoured yogurt → kefir or raw yogurt with fruit and cinnamonToasted sandwich → pastured eggs, sourdough, raw cheese The point isn’t to “healthify” his plate. It’s to anchor him back to real nourishment, the kind that’s recognisable and satisfying. Help and then teach him how to make better versions of what he already loves. 3. Bring back the foods he ate as a child It’s also very likely that many of the foods he ate as a child are the very ones that his body craves the most. Remember the kidney pie? Liver with mash? Oxtail soup? Or if your dad didn't grow up in the UK, it's likely his culture had it's own nose-to-tail dishes.  Long before he heard the propaganda that eggs raised your cholesterol and margarine was a heart healthy choice, there’s a chance he ate these foods. He doesn’t need a nutrition lecture. He needs to remember how good real food used to taste, and how good it can still make him feel. You don’t have to convince him to eat liver with a fork (though that’s great too). Blend it into beef mince. Stir it into chilli. Use Organised in coffee, broths, sauces or shakes. 4. Give him a win, fast A properly balanced breakfast. A pinch of sea salt to mineralise their water. People are more likely to continue something that makes them feel better immediately. Enter... The “Gateway Shake” for skeptical dads They don’t need to know it’s full of organs. They just need to know it tastes like a creamy milkshake, and makes them feel sharper by 10am. Blend... 2 scoops of Organised 200ml raw or full fat milk  1 tsp raw honey 1 banana (frozen if you want a thicker texture) A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg 5. Understand that testosterone is a key player (and it’s not just about libido) Testosterone isn’t just a male hormone,  it’s a metabolic engine. It fuels drive, energy, muscle tone, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. And while it’s true that testosterone levels gradually decline with age (about 1% per year after 30), the more accurate truth is this: testosterone doesn’t just drop because you’re getting older,  it drops because the body is being depleted. Poor sleep, chronic stress, processed food, blood sugar instability, and low intake of animal based nutrients all interfere with testosterone synthesis. Add in environmental toxins (plastics, seed oils, pesticides), statins, and endocrine disruptors, and the body simply doesn’t have what it needs to keep hormone production steady. By age 50, many men are running on low testosterone without ever being told what’s happening. The signs are subtle but significant: Lower motivation or confidence Declining muscle tone despite exercise Irritability or emotional flatness Slower recovery, brain fog, and persistent fatigue But it’s not irreversible. Read our 5 tips to naturally boost testosterone. 6. Make him a weekly bone broth Cartilage is nearly 60% collagen, yet most modern diets barely supply what’s needed to maintain it, let alone rebuild it. As collagen breaks down with age, joints grow stiff, inflamed, and creaky. Painkillers might mask the discomfort, but they don’t restore what’s lost. That’s where food steps in. A weekly batch of homemade bone broth, simmered low and slow with marrow bones (or chicken thighs, or oxtail), cartilage, and a splash of vinegar, becomes more than just nourishment. It’s raw material for his knees and hips: glycine, proline, gelatine, and minerals that support the repair of connective tissue. Pour it into jars to drink daily or use it as a base for soups and stews. It should gel when cooled, a sign of rich collagen content. Need a recipe? Here's ours. If you don’t live nearby, or cooking isn’t your thing, high quality broth can be bought, just ensure it’s slow cooked and the only ingredients are the bones, herbs and sea salt. 7. Encourage him to tell stories and learn new things As men age, the fear of memory loss often lingers quietly. Slower recall. “What did I come in here for?” Brain fog. And worse, no clear guidance on what to do about it.  Cognitive decline can range from mild forgetfulness to serious conditions like Alzheimer’s over time.  In ancestral societies, elders remained integrated in the community. They told stories, advised the young, practiced crafts, and had a sense of purpose. This mental engagement is crucial. Your dad may not want to meditate, but he might love: Picking up an old hobby (woodworking, chess, puzzles) Playing cards or socialising more Learning a new instrument or language Enjoying movement out in nature.  Physical exercise has huge benefits for cognitive function. It increases blood flow to the brain, reduces inflammation, and promotes neurogenesis (growth of new brain cells). Additionally, spending time in varied natural environments provides mental stimulation, the smells, sounds, and sights of nature are rich sensory input that keeps the brain engaged (and it’s relaxing). Our brains evolved in nature, not in sterile indoor spaces, so regularly reconnecting with outdoor environments can sharpen attention and lift mood (some call it “ecotherapy”). Even having plants at home or a garden to tend can be beneficial for mental agility. Get him outside in the morning sun, and into nature often. 8. The best medicine might just be your company And perhaps the most powerful part? These moments become time together that nourishes you both. Supporting his brain doesn’t need to look like another health protocol, it can look like a walk along the coast, fixing something in the shed, or playing cards on a Sunday afternoon. You don’t need to call it “neuroplasticity” for it to matter. Join him for a forest walk instead of Sunday lunch in the pub. Teach him how to make bone broth, or better yet, let him teach you a recipe from his childhood. These shared rituals create new neural pathways and new memories. It's not about telling him what to do. It's about reminding him who he is. Why this is so hard (and so important) If you’ve done the work to heal your gut, rebuild your hormones, or crawl out of chronic fatigue, watching someone you love not do the same is heartbreaking. You know they could feel better. And yet, often our parents are stubborn. Or change is scary. It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s okay to care deeply.  So even when it’s slow…  Even when they resist…It’s about walking beside them. Holding space for change. Sharing what worked for you, and inviting them to try, without pressure. Healing doesn’t need to be solo. It can be shared, sacred, and even joyful. One meal. One walk. One conversation at a time.

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5 small tweaks to get more nutrients from your food

June 11, 2025

5 small tweaks to get more nutrients from your food

There’s a smarter way to nourish, and it’s not what mainstream nutrition told you. It’s not about piling on more ‘superfoods’. It’s about getting more from what you’re already eating.  The body doesn’t absorb nutrients in isolation. It recognises them in context, bound to fats, paired with enzymes, woven into food that speaks the same biological language we evolved with. What you absorb matters far more than what you consume. The good news? You don’t need to eat more, spend more, or supplement your way out. You just need to eat smarter. These 5 micro adjustments dramatically increase your nutrient absorption, no capsules required... 1. Pair smart. Absorb more. Certain vitamins, minerals, and compounds work together in ways that unlock their full potential. Without that synergy, even the most nutrient dense meal can fall short. Your digestive system is a discerning filter, always asking: Can I use this? And the answer depends on what that nutrient arrives with. Fat helps absorb vitamins. Acid helps unlock minerals. Enzymes activate co-factors. Take iron. The form found in plants (non-heme iron) is notoriously difficult to absorb, but combine it with vitamin C (like a squeeze of lemon or a glass or orange juice), and absorption can triple. Or fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K. Found in foods like liver and egg yolks, they need dietary fat to make it across the gut wall. Then there’s zinc and B6,  two critical nutrients for hormones, skin, and metabolism. Zinc helps convert B6 to its active form, and B6 helps zinc get where it needs to go. Even humble black pepper plays its part,  increasing the bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric by up to 2000%. Let your meals become nutrient stacks.  Don’t fear butter on your veg. Think “what helps this absorb?” as often as “what’s in it?” When food is paired intentionally, the body listens more deeply. Curious which combos work best? We've made you a guide. 2. Switch to raw dairy Raw milk is more than creamy nostalgia. It’s a living, enzymatically intact food,  and a missing puzzle piece for many. Unlike pasteurised milk, raw milk contains lactase (the enzyme needed to digest lactose), as well as bioavailable calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, D, and K2,  all in a form the body recognises. Pasteurisation denatures proteins and kills off beneficial microbes. But raw milk, especially from grass-fed cows, delivers the full symphony: enzymes, fats, minerals, and immune-supporting compounds like lactoferrin and immunoglobulins. Raw cheese, kefir, and cultured butter are not just easier to digest,  they actually feed the microbiome, build the gut lining, and carry fat-soluble vitamins deep into the tissues that need them most. Swap your afternoon snack for raw milk. Add it to your coffee, your smoothie, or enjoy it straight in the sun. Let it nourish you the way milk always did, before it was tampered with. 3. Soak or ferment before you cook Grains, seeds, nuts and legumes come with their own natural defences: phytic acid, lectins, and enzyme inhibitors,  all of which can block mineral absorption and irritate the gut lining when eaten raw or unprepared. But soaking, sprouting, or fermenting? That’s the ancestral unlock. Traditional cultures soaked beans, fermented porridge, and sprouted bread long before modern science could explain why. These practices reduce anti-nutrients and increase bioavailability, meaning the body can actually access the zinc, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins within. Even sourdough isn’t just about flavour. Fermentation pre digests gluten and breaks down phytic acid, making minerals in the flour more absorbable. Soak your oats overnight in raw milk. Sourdough your grains. Fuel your mornings with sprouted buckwheat pancakes. A little prep transforms humble foods into nutrient powerhouses. 4. Sneak in organ meats There is no food more nutrient dense, gram for gram, than organs. Revered across every ancestral culture, yet quietly abandoned in the modern diet. Take liver: just one tablespoon delivers More bioavailable vitamin A (as retinol) than an entire bowl of carrots (or bowl of any food for that matter). Essential for fertility, immunity and vision. A complete spectrum of B vitamins, especially B12 and folate, vital for energy, detoxification, and brain function Highly absorbable iron, copper, and zinc, in the exact ratios your body needs to avoid imbalance CoQ10, choline, and amino acids that fuel mitochondria, support mood, and promote metabolic health Heart is abundant in taurine and CoQ10, essential for cardiovascular support and cellular energy. Kidney offers selenium, DAO enzymes for histamine breakdown, and rare peptides that support detox and immune balance. Spleen, the richest food source of heme iron, supports red blood cell production and oxygen delivery. Yet most of us didn’t grow up eating these sacred foods, and they can feel intimidating. But they don’t need to be centre stage to make an impact. Blend liver into ground beef (start with 10–20%). Stir a spoonful of Organised powder into sauces, broths, or your morning smoothie. Add heart to stews, or kidney to pies. Hidden nourishment is still nourishment. 5. Eat with the seasons, and the light they were grown under Most of us know that seasonal eating is fresher. But few realise it’s also coded. Plants don’t just grow in soil,  they grow under light. And that light is information. Every leaf, fruit, root and berry is imprinted by the angle of the sun, the length of the day, and the quality of the light spectrum it was exposed to. This is known as photobiomodulation, light shaping biology. Just as your skin makes vitamin D in response to UVB, a beetroot grown in July at 52°N latitude has a different photonic signature than a banana grown at the equator. The pigments it produces, the enzymes it expresses, the minerals it draws up, these are not random. They’re adaptive signals, timed to support the organisms (you and me) living under that same sun. In other words: nature syncs our food to the same light environment we live in. Spring greens are rich in bitters that clear out stagnant bile and reset digestion after winter’s heaviness. Summer berries, saturated in red and blue pigments, buffer UV exposure with antioxidant power. Autumn roots store energy for colder months, helping regulate blood sugar and support thyroid health. Winter brassicas are packed with sulphur compounds to support detoxification when indoor living ramps up toxic load. But when we eat produce flown in from a different hemisphere, like Peruvian blueberries in January,  we’re digesting signals meant for someone else's season. And here’s the next layer: your own body responds to light, too. Sunlight on skin sparks vitamin D production. But that vitamin D doesn’t work in isolation,  it relies on co-factors like vitamin A, K2, magnesium, and calcium… all found in ancestral, nutrient-dense foods. That’s the synergy. When you pair seasonal food with seasonal light, something profound happens. A yolky egg and raw milk in the morning sun. Sardines with buttered greens on the porch. A crisp apple under an autumn sky. These are not just meals,  they’re signals. Alignments. The kind your body recognises and remembers. Let light guide your plate,  and your day. Eat foods that grew under your local sun. And eat them in its presence. Sit outside for breakfast. Let the light hit your skin. Visit a local farmer’s market and ask what was picked this week. Eat what grew under your sky. The closer your food is to your current latitude and season, the more fluently your body will understand its message. And one more thing, perhaps the most foundational of all… Your gut is the gatekeeper. You can eat the most nutrient-rich diet in the world, but if your gut lining is compromised,  if inflammation has frayed the tight junctions of your intestinal wall,  those nutrients might never make it into your bloodstream. This is the hidden cost of modern living: antibiotics, seed oils, pesticides, stress, and processed food can all contribute to gut permeability (aka leaky gut), reducing nutrient absorption and triggering immune dysregulation. We would never pretend that healing your gut is a small change. It’s a journey. But it is one of the most powerful needle-movers you can make in your health. We’ve created a full Gut Repair Guide to walk you through it, alongside a Gut Health Meal Plan to get you started with foods that restore, not inflame. Explore the guide hereGet the meal plan here Because nourishment isn’t just about what you eat,  it’s about what your body can receive.

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Healing your body after pesticide exposure (Our guide)

June 07, 2025

Healing your body after pesticide exposure (Our guide)

You can’t see them. You can’t taste them. But they’re there. Coating the spinach that looked so vibrant in your fridge drawer. Hiding in the wheat flour that made your child’s morning toast. Drifting through the air of rural fields, then settling into rivers, breast milk, umbilical cords. We’re talking about pesticide, and specifically, glyphosate. In 2015, the World Health Organisation classified glyphosate as a “probable carcinogen.” In 2020, it was found in 80% of urine samples tested in a CDC-backed survey. In 2023, it showed up in breast milk, umbilical cords, rainwater Pesticides were designed to kill. Insects, weeds, fungi. But life is interconnected, and what damages one system rarely stops there. Let’s walk through it. What these chemicals do, to the body, to the earth. And how, piece by piece, we can opt out. What is glyphosate, and why is it everywhere? Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide on Earth. Originally patented as a metal chelator (meaning it binds to minerals), it’s the active ingredient in Roundup, a weedkiller sprayed across lawns, playgrounds, and, most worryingly, our food system. But it’s not just sprayed on GMO corn or soy. Glyphosate is now routinely sprayed as a drying agent on non-GMO staples too: oats, wheat, chickpeas, lentils, barley, sugarcane. That “healthy” oat milk? Likely harvested with a dose of Roundup just days before processing. This means even if you're not eating GMO foods, you're still likely ingesting glyphosate through everyday staples. And it doesn’t just disappear. How glyphosate affects human health Glyphosate was designed to kill weeds by disrupting the shikimate pathway, a metabolic route absent in humans but present in our gut bacteria. Which matters more than most realise. Gut ecology collapse: Glyphosate reduces keystone species like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, while favouring more harmful strains. It also loosens tight junctions in the gut lining, paving the way for intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut). The result? A primed landscape for food intolerances, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune flares. Neurotoxicity: Studies have linked glyphosate exposure to neurodevelopmental disorders in children and neurodegeneration in adults, likely due to inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut-brain axis disruption. Mitochondrial dysfunction: Glyphosate inhibits cytochrome P450 enzymes, key players in both detoxification and energy production. Over time, this can manifest as persistent fatigue, sluggish metabolism, brain fog, and hormonal chaos. Your mitochondria take the hit long before symptoms become clinical. Endocrine disruption & DNA damage: Even at trace levels, glyphosate has been shown to mimic or block hormones, disrupt endocrine signalling, and impair fertility. It’s been detected in placental tissue, fetal blood, and breast milk. In lab models, glyphosate has caused DNA fragmentation and epigenetic shifts, suggesting its impact may span generations, not just lifetimes. What it does to animals & ecosystems Pesticides don’t just vanish after they do their job. They drift, seep, and linger, long after the sprayer moves on. And they’re anything but selective. Pollinators under siege: Glyphosate messes with the memory of bees and their sense of direction, so they can’t find flowers, or worse, can’t find their way home. It weakens their immunity, leaving hives vulnerable to disease. And when glyphosate isn’t enough, neonicotinoids step in, a class of insecticides that act like nicotine for insects, paralysing their nervous system and killing off colonies en masse. Soil microbes and mycorrhizae: Glyphosate disrupts the intricate symbiosis between fungi and plant roots. It kills off microbial communities, reducing soil fertility and carbon sequestration. Wildlife exposure: Glyphosate doesn’t stay in the fields. It’s been detected in the livers of wild deer, the tissue of freshwater fish, and even the feathers of migratory birds. Once in the system, it bioaccumulates, climbing the food chain, just as it does in humans. Animals don’t get a label warning them it’s toxic. They just suffer the consequences. We recently visited My Little Farm, a beautiful patch of land in the West Sussex quietly reclaiming what it means to farm in harmony with nature. They’re doing everything right: rotating animals through pasture, composting scraps into soil gold, letting wildflowers grow in the margins to feed bees and beneficial insects. No chemicals, no shortcuts. But beneath the surface of all their progress is a quiet grief. Because just over the fence, neighbouring farms still spray pesticides like water. Pesticides drift on the breeze, run into shared waterways, soak into communal soil. Even those determined to reject the system aren’t immune to it. It’s the heartbreak of trying to heal land in a world still poisoning it. So why is glyphosate still legal in the UK? The short answer: regulation often lags behind research, and economic interests tend to speak louder than soil health. Despite mounting evidence linking glyphosate to gut disruption, endocrine interference, and ecosystem damage, it's been re-approved in the UK until at least 15 December 2026. Glyphosate keeps fields looking tidy and profit margins intact. But health? That’s harder to monetise. Until it becomes politically profitable to prioritise health over convenience, glyphosate stays in circulation. Okay… but what can we actually do? 1. Buy organic, especially these foods You don’t need to buy 100% organic to make a difference. The Dirty Dozen (updated annually by the EWG) lists the most pesticide-contaminated produce, things like strawberries, spinach, grapes, and apples. Start there. Opt for organic versions of these if nothing else. And know this: most glyphosate isn’t just sprayed on fruits and veggies. It’s used to desiccate (dry out) crops like wheat, oats, legumes and soy before harvest. This means your biggest exposure might be coming from: Conventional oats (cereal, granola, snack bars) Non-organic bread, pasta, and crackers Soy-based snacks and processed foods Look for organic, glyphosate-residue free, or sprouted options when possible. 2. Even better, each seasonally and locally… Most large-scale, conventional produce is grown to withstand long-distance transport and long shelf lives, which often means heavy pesticide use. Crops are sprayed not just during growth, but again post-harvest to prevent mould, bruising, and spoilage during shipping. Imported fruits are sometimes even fumigated at border control. But when you buy from local growers, especially small-scale or regenerative farms, those chemical pressures disappear.  Food is harvested closer to ripeness, handled gently, and sold within days, not weeks. Many local farms don’t need to rely on glyphosate or synthetic fungicides because their produce doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles or survive supermarket storage. And when you eat what’s in season, you also avoid the out-of-season imports most likely to be chemically preserved. That said, here’s the catch: local doesn’t always mean spray-free. Many small farms still use conventional pesticides or herbicides out of necessity or habit, even those selling at your weekend farmer’s market. That’s where the Organised app comes in. We personally vet every producer listed, connecting you with farms that use organic, regenerative, and chemical-free practices with full transparency. 2. Can you wash it off? Sort of. Here’s what works. Even with the best intentions, it’s unlikely you’ll avoid pesticide exposure completely. So when they do make their way into your kitchen, the goal is simple: reduce the load. While you can’t wash away everything, you can remove a significant amount of surface residue with the right methods. Water: Removes some pesticide residue, but not systemic ones like glyphosate (which is absorbed into the plant). Most people use tap water to rinse their produce, but it’s worth remembering that municipal water often contains added fluoride, chlorine, and trace pharmaceuticals. It really isn’t ideal for daily washing, especially when your goal is to reduce chemical exposure, not swap one kind for another. If you have a water filter, use that water for rinsing when possible. Baking soda bath: One of the best. Soak produce in 1 tsp baking soda per 2 cups water for 15–20 mins. Rinse well. Vinegar: Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and soak for 10–15 minutes. This helps reduce surface bacteria and pesticide traces, though it’s not as effective as baking soda for removing chemical residue. Best used in combination with a scrub or soak. Commercial produce sprays: Mostly overpriced. Stick with baking soda. Peeling produce helps (for apples and cucumbers especially), but remember, nutrients are often concentrated in the skin.  3. Build a body that's harder to poison We can’t avoid every toxin, but we can be less vulnerable to them. The goal isn’t sterile avoidance. It’s resilience. Support detox pathways Your liver transforms fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble compounds your body can eliminate via bile, urine, and sweat. But it can’t do that efficiently when undernourished or overwhelmed. Bitter greens (like dandelion, rocket, chicory): stimulate bile flow, which helps the liver eliminate waste and break down fats. Bitters also support digestion and gently encourage elimination. Beets: rich in betaine and antioxidants that support phase 2 liver detox, the stage where the liver packages toxins for excretion. Dandelion root tea: a daily gentle tonic that supports both the liver and kidneys, improving filtration and waste removal. Replete the minerals glyphosate steals Glyphosate chelates minerals like zinc, magnesium, and iron, leaving cells depleted. The solution? Re-mineralise, the ancestral way. Organ meats (especially liver): The most bioavailable source of iron, zinc, copper, B12, and real vitamin A (retinol). Liver nourishes the blood, supports the thyroid, and replenishes what glyphosate quietly drains. Bone broth: When simmered long and slow with vinegar, bones release glycine, collagen, calcium, magnesium, and other trace minerals essential for rebuilding tissue and supporting liver detox. Add seaweed or eggshells for an extra mineral boost. Sea salt (true sea salt, like Celtic or Himalayan, contains over 80 trace minerals needed for adrenal function, hydration, and enzyme activity.) Shellfish like oysters: one of the richest natural sources of zinc. Repair the gut Glyphosate weakens tight junctions in the intestinal lining. Healing the gut requires both nourishment and microbial reinoculation. Gelatine-rich broths (especially from chicken feet or marrow bones): deliver glycine, proline, and collagen to rebuild the gut lining and calm inflammation. Fermented foods (like sauerkraut, kefir, and raw yogurt): reintroduce live bacteria that diversify the microbiome and restore balance post-antibiotics or pesticide exposure. Raw dairy: rich in probiotics, enzymes, and fat-soluble vitamins like K2 that support both digestion and bone health. Eliminate seed oils: they promote inflammation and feed pathogenic microbes, worsening gut permeability and dysbiosis. Sweat it out Your skin is a detox organ. Many toxins,including heavy metals, phthalates, and BPA, are excreted through sweat. But modern life rarely gets us hot enough to open those channels. Infrared sauna (or traditional sauna): 2–4 times per week can enhance detox via sweat, lower inflammation, and mobilise fat-stored toxins. Epsom salt baths: magnesium sulfate supports liver detox and calms the nervous system. Add baking soda for extra draw. Rebounding or light cardio after sweating: helps the lymphatic system move residual waste out of tissues. Move your lymph The lymphatic system is like your body’s internal drainage network, carrying toxins, cellular debris, and immune cells. But unlike blood, lymph doesn’t have a pump. It needs movement to circulate. Dry brushing: use a stiff natural bristle brush before showering, brushing toward the heart to stimulate lymphatic flow. Deep squats: compress and release lymphatic nodes in the groin and hips, supporting lower-body drainage. Walking barefoot (earthing): discharges positive ions from inflammation and rebalances the nervous system while stimulating lymphatic flow through natural movement. Tongue scraping: an ancient Ayurvedic practice that removes toxin build up. Our part for the earth It’s not just our bodies that are overwhelmed. The soil, the water, the pollinators, they’re all bearing the brunt of chemical agriculture. Buy from UK farms using regenerative practices, those rotating animals on pasture, composting naturally, and skipping the sprays. The Organised app can help you find them. Compost your scraps instead of binning them, even a small countertop caddy keeps nutrients cycling back into the land instead of releasing methane in landfill. Plant wildflowers and herbs for pollinators, lavender, borage, marjoram, and skip the weedkiller in your garden. What goes down your drain ends up in waterways. Choose soaps, shampoos, and low-tox household products that biodegrade safely. And if you have even a windowsill to spare, grow something. Every small act of stewardship, every garden left unsprayed, every meal sourced from real soil, adds up to a quieter, cleaner, more resilient countryside. The problem with pesticides is real, but so is our power to opt out... Every time you cook from scratch, choose food that hasn’t been sprayed, or support a farm that feeds the soil instead of stripping it, you shift the tide. This isn’t about being perfect, it’s about participating. Every system you step outside of is a step toward repair.

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5 steps to restorative sleep (& our sleepy milk recipe)

June 04, 2025

5 steps to restorative sleep (& our sleepy milk recipe)

Behind closed eyes, a thousand vital processes unfold. Immune cells mobilise. Memories are etched into the brain. Tissues rebuild. Hormones fall into rhythm. Sleep is not a passive pause,  it’s your body’s deepest repair state. But in the modern world, our biology is constantly outpaced by our lifestyle. Artificial light tricks our circadian rhythm. Screens spike cortisol. Ultra-processed food, late-night emails, and overstimulation keep the nervous system on high alert. And so, we lie in bed, wired but exhausted. True sleep, the kind that rejuvenates you on a cellular level, must be cultivated. Here’s how to reclaim it. 1. Oxygenate with evening air There’s a quality to evening air that’s hard to name but easy to feel…cooler, quieter, often rich with the scent of soil and distant trees.  When you step outside in the evening and fill your lungs with fresh air, you’re oxygenating your blood, feeding your mitochondria, and gently lowering cortisol. Unlike indoor air, often stale, recycled, and high in CO₂, the outdoor atmosphere in the evening tends to carry a higher concentration of negative ions, especially in areas with moving water or greenery.  These ions have been shown to enhance serotonin production, modulate immune response, and reduce oxidative stress, collectively supporting mood stability, reducing systemic inflammation, and priming the parasympathetic nervous system for deeper states of rest. Give yourself 10 quiet minutes at dusk, no headphones, no distractions. This doesn’t have to mean sitting still. Maybe it’s walking home from work. Maybe it’s catching up with your partner on the porch, or stretching in the garden. Watch the colours deepen, the temperature shift. Let your body register the day’s closing. 2. Create a sanctuary for rest Your body is always listening to your surroundings. And when it sees daylight bulbs, hears buzzing electronics, or senses warmth and stimulation at 10pm, it delays the internal shift toward sleep hormones. So give your body what it craves, a cave. A sanctuary. The right textures, scents, and sounds can transform even the busiest mind into one that welcomes rest. Temperature is key. Studies show we fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer in a cooler room, ideally around 16–19°C. Darkness matters too: even dim ambient light can suppress melatonin by over 50%, keeping your nervous system alert and hormones out of sync. Then there’s sensory noise. Busy rooms, clutter, synthetic fabrics, and electronics create invisible static. They keep the brain scanning. But soft natural bedding, tactile textures like linen or wool, and even gentle scent cues can transform your room into a sensory haven. Treat your bedroom as a sacred space. Overhead lighting has no place here, let the soft glow of a lamp or the flicker of beeswax candles bathe the room in warmth. While the market overflows with expensive reds, a simple red incandescent bulb often does the job beautifully (and affordably). Keep electronics out of reach, their silent hum is never quite neutral. Drape your bed in natural fibres like linen or organic cotton, fabrics the skin recognises, breathes through, rests into. And lower the thermostat just a touch more than you think you need. Your bedroom should feel like the kindest place you enter all day, cool, quiet, and ready to receive you. 3. Hum to tone the vagus nerve Sleep is not a flip of a switch. It’s a soft descent, a neurological unwinding. But most of us carry the static of the day straight into bed: tight jaws, shallow breath, minds whirring like open tabs. To truly fall asleep, the body must feel safe. And the nervous system, not the mind, decides when that moment comes. One of the most overlooked yet powerful tools to signal this safety? Humming. The vagus nerve, your body’s longest cranial nerve, is a master regulator of the parasympathetic nervous system. It weaves through the lungs, heart, gut, and brainstem, and plays a direct role in calming inflammation, regulating digestion, and triggering melatonin release. Humming activates this nerve through vibration. As your vocal cords gently buzz, the vagus nerve is stimulated, heart rate slows, cortisol begins to drop, and your brain receives the message. It doesn’t have to be a chant or a ceremony. It can be as simple as humming along to a favourite song while you tidy the kitchen or brushing your teeth with a soft drone in the back of your throat. Try it in the bath, while stretching, or even curled under covers. 4. Harness the pharmacy of the earth Long before pharmaceuticals promised eight hours in a bottle, we brewed, bathed, and honoured sleep as a ceremony, one led by earth’s own pharmacy. Start with the herbs. Chamomile and lavender, rich in apigenin and linalool, are not just comforting aromas, they act on GABA receptors in the brain, quieting the chatter. Lemon balm, a cousin of mint, calms the nervous system and stabilises mood by modulating cortisol and supporting serotonin. And valerian root, with its earthy, grounding flavour, is known to reduce sleep latency, the time it takes to fall asleep, by gently dampening neural excitability. Then, the minerals. Magnesium, in its most absorbable forms (magnesium glycinate, magnesium chloride), plays a vital role in over 300 enzymatic processes, many of which govern muscle relaxation, nerve signalling, and melatonin production. A warm Epsom salt bath before bed doesn’t just relax the body, it helps draw magnesium through the skin, lowering cortisol and improving sleep quality. For something simpler, rub a magnesium spray into your legs and feet.  5. End with sleepy milk, your nightly anchor The human body thrives on predictability. Just as the sun sets at the same time each evening, your body craves a rhythm to unwind. Rituals, simple, intentional acts, signal to the brain that it’s time to transition from wakefulness to sleep. They create a buffer, dissolving the stress of the day and preparing the mind for deep rest. One of our favourite rituals? Our warm, mineral-rich... Sleepy milk Ingredients 300ml (1½ cups) raw milk 1 chamomile tea bag 3 cardamom pods 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon) ½ tsp ground turmeric 1 tbsp Organised A crack of black pepper Optional: 1-2 tsp raw honey For the full method read here. Glycine, the amino acid abundant in collagen, tells your body it’s time to sleep by subtly lowering core temperature. Tryptophan from raw milk feeds your melatonin cycle, supported by the calcium, vitamin A and D that help shuttle it across the blood brain barrier. A teaspoon of raw honey provides a slow, stable burn of glucose, protecting your body from those early morning cortisol surges that jolt you awake at 3am. Drink it slowly, by candlelight and as a companion to your favourite evening activity. Let it become something your body looks forward to, a sensory cue that tomorrow will come, but tonight is for replenishment.

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Our guide to children’s gut health

May 31, 2025

Our guide to children’s gut health

Have you ever noticed your child’s moods shifting like the wind, meltdowns at twilight, restless nights, skin rashes out of nowhere? Modern science now shows what ancestral wisdom has long known... these outward signs often begin deep within the gut. Gut dysbiosis in children can look like: Tantrums and mood swings that seem to flare without warning Skin issues like eczema, rashes, or unexplained hives Digestive troubles: constipation, bloating, and tummy aches that won’t quit ADHD-like symptoms: fidgeting, trouble focusing, a mind that never settles These are not “bad behaviours”, they’re the gut crying out for balance. Inflammation in the gut lining, sparked by modern foods and environmental stressors, can let immune triggers slip through. The result? An immune system stuck on high alert, a brain flooded with stress signals, and a child whose calm is buried under the noise. The good news? Children are remarkably resilient. And their gut is incredibly adaptive when given the right roadmap. Why gut health is everything in childhood The gut sets the tone for almost everything in a child’s development. Here’s why it matters so deeply: The gut-brain axis: A superhighway of nerves and signals connecting the gut to the brain, influencing everything from focus to calmness. Neurotransmitter production: The gut microbiome produces serotonin and GABA, the very chemicals that soothe and steady our minds. Immune regulation: A healthy gut teaches the immune system to respond appropriately, reducing allergies, sensitivities, and inflammation. Nutrient absorption: Every cell-building, hormone-balancing, brain-feeding nutrient? It’s absorbed in the gut. When the gut is nurtured, children are more likely to have steady energy, balanced moods, and a spark of curiosity. But when it’s under siege, by refined sugars, seed oils, additives, antibiotics,  things shift. The gut gets leaky. The brain gets foggy. And kids start to struggle. The microbiome’s first birthday A baby’s birthday is also the birthday of their independent microbiome. As the mother’s body labours to bring forth new life, it also performs an ancient microbial dance. During a vaginal birth, the baby is bathed in microbes from the birth canal, a messy, miraculous first inoculation that coats the newborn’s skin, eyes, mouth, and gut. This is nature’s intended welcome committee for the infant immune system. Breastfeeding extends this gift. Far more than nutrition, mother’s milk is alive, teeming with beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and special sugars designed to nourish the infant’s newly seeded microbiome.  Breast milk is effectively “feeding the friends”, promoting the growth of beneficial microbes that, in turn, protect and nourish the baby. It’s a symbiotic relationship between mother, baby, and microbiome. Breast milk also carries maternal antibodies (IgA, etc.), immunoglobulins, antimicrobial proteins, and even maternal immune cells that patrol the baby’s gut, all of which work together to prevent infection and inflammation while the infant’s own immune system mature. But what if breastfeeding isn’t possible? Life doesn’t always unfold like you want it to. Even when breast milk isn’t an option, raw milk and colostrum can be allies as children grow. Raw milk, unprocessed and enzyme-rich, is closer to what a baby’s biology expects: a living food filled with beneficial bacteria, immunoglobulins, and bioavailable nutrients. When bottle-feeding, practice skin-to-skin contact (bare chest cuddling) , nature’s quiet bridge, offering microbial exposure and warmth that mimic nursing. Four key nutrients to nourish the young gut 1. Raw milk Raw milk is one of the most nourishing, bioavailable foods for children’s gut health,  and it’s no coincidence. Its composition closely mirrors that of human breast milk, making it a natural bridge from infancy to childhood. Living enzymes: Raw milk contains lactase and lipase, enzymes that help children break down milk sugars and fats more easily, reducing digestive distress that many experience with pasteurised dairy. Probiotic microflora: Unlike pasteurised milk, raw milk teems with beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, seeding the gut with friendly microbes that support immunity and calm inflammation. Immunoglobulins and lactoferrin: These immune-modulating proteins in raw milk act like quiet guardians, soothing the gut lining and regulating immune responses, much like the protective factors found in breast milk. Bioavailable minerals: Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in raw milk are highly absorbable, supporting strong bones, steady moods, and gut motility, the rhythmic flow of digestion. For children moving beyond breastfeeding, raw milk offers a natural, nutrient-dense continuity, a whole food that’s alive, gentle, and perfectly in tune with a growing body’s needs. Always choose raw milk from healthy, pasture-raised animals on trusted farms, where rigorous testing ensures safety and quality. 2. Colostrum Even more potent than raw milk is colostrum, the first milk of mammals, a concentrated source of immunoglobulins (like IgA), lactoferrin, and growth factors that train the gut’s defences and strengthen its lining. Even in small amounts later in childhood, bovine colostrum can support children with eczema, allergies, or gut imbalances, a gentle, ancestral way to guide the immune system toward balance 3. Collagen On a misty morning, an ancient grandmother might have brewed a calming herbal broth for a child who was “acting up,” not realizing she was helping the young one’s gut as much as their mood.  Collagen, found in bone broth and gelatinous cuts, provides glycine and proline to rebuild the gut’s protective lining and reduce inflammation. For children, collagen is especially helpful after antibiotics, during growth spurts, and for skin issues like eczema. Its calming effect on the nervous system also helps ground sensitive, fussy moods. If can’t sneak bone broth in, try this Bone Broth Berry Smoothie. 4. Organs Organ meats were revered by ancestral cultures for building strong, resilient bodies. Liver, heart, kidney,  these are all encompassing multivitamins, brimming with iron, B vitamins, CoQ10, and bioavailable minerals that feed not just the gut, but also the growing brain. Liver is especially rich in retinol (true vitamin A), iron, and choline,  all critical for immune resilience and calm moods. Heart fuels mitochondria (the energy engines in every cell) and supports focus and clarity. Even a tiny sliver of organ meats can provide a powerful microbial and nutrient boost. But what if my child won't eat these? We know. Liver, colostrum, and collagen can feel like hard sells. Try getting a toddler to ask for kidney over their favourite snack. Even with all the science and ancestral wisdom, we’re still up against fussy eaters and tiny tastebuds. That’s why we often get asked: “Can I give Organised to my kids?” The short answer? Absolutely. Not only can you,  it’s an incredibly nourishing additions you can make to their diet. Organised is built entirely from whole foods. No synthetic vitamins, no stevia or gums, no filler ingredients. It’s gentle, bioavailable, and incredibly supportive during the years when their little bodies and brains are developing at full speed.  How to give Organised to children  For little ones, we suggest starting with one scoop instead of two. You can blend it into raw milk, kefir, or a smoothie, or for a weekend treat try these Animal Based Pancakes (a little one crowd pleaser we promise). The taste is mild and slightly sweet (thanks to raw honey, maple, and dates), making it a stealthy and effective way to upgrade your child’s nutrition,  especially for picky eaters. Plenty of parents call it their “secret weapon”,  because let’s face it, if your child won’t touch liver, this is a brilliant way to cover key nutrient gaps and support their foundation. And if you’ve ever spoken to Niall, our founder, about his four little brothers (all under the age of 12)... …he’ll tell you all about the legendary banana milkshake. It’s just raw milk, banana, a scoop of Organised, and a bit of raw honey. That’s it. And whenever he makes it, those boys fight over who gets the biggest glass. For some more recipes your little ones may just fight over: Animal Based Fruit Gummies Homemade Bounty Bars Gut Healing Marshmallows Strawberries and Raw Cream Beef Organ Cacao Mousse Beyond the plate Let kids get dirty Mud under fingernails, the scent of earth after rain, the gentle scratch of grass on bare legs, these are not just fleeting joys, but ancient practices that fortify a child’s gut and mind. The soil teems with friendly microbes, tiny teachers that train the immune system, balance inflammation, and nurture a gut garden as diverse as a forest meadow. Let children play in the garden, dig their toes into the soil and cuddle the family dog. And avoid oversanitisation. Our quest to keep everything spotless for children, we might be depriving them of beneficial microbes. The so-called “hygiene hypothesis” and research on farm children show that kids allowed to encounter farm animals, soil, and the outdoors tend to have stronger immune systems and fewer allergies, partly because their microbiomes are richer. In one famous study, Amish children raised on traditional farms (with daily exposure to barnyard dust and raw farm milk) had astoundingly low rates of asthma and allergies compared to their modern counterpart. Start ferments early A teaspoon of sauerkraut brine, a sip of fizzy kefir, these ancestral ferments are microbial gifts, alive with strains that soothe inflammation and craft neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA. When woven into a child’s diet early, these living foods can anchor a lifetime of gut harmony. Even the smallest taste of fermented veggies is a gentle invitation for friendly microbes to set up camp, building resilience from the inside out. You can even freeze kefir or yogurt into little dots as “probiotic popsicles” for teething babies. These foods provide natural probiotics that survive stomach acid and colonise the gut. Many babies love the sour tangy taste if given the chance. Guard sleep and sunlight Sleep is when gut microbes do their quiet work, repairing, replenishing, and calming the immune system’s reactive fires. Sunlight, in turn, fuels the creation of vitamin D, a cornerstone of gut lining integrity and mood balance. Make space for rhythms. Early light, consistent bedtime, outdoor play,  these are old tools that still hold incredible power. Mind the gut during stress or illness If your child does hit a rough patch, say a stomach flu, a round of antibiotics, or a stressful life event, pay extra attention to their gut. During viral illness, focus on easy to digest broths and probiotic-rich fluids to help the gut recover. In times of stress (like moving homes or starting a new school), it can help to avoid junk food “treats” and instead use nourishing comfort foods, think warm milk with a bit of honey and cinnamon, or a homemade popsicle made from yogurt and berries, to keep their gut and mood steady.  Teach the gut garden  As they grow old enough to understand, teach your kids about their “good bugs.” You don’t have to get too technical, even a 4 year old can grasp that there are tiny helpers in their tummy that love certain foods and hate others. Many children get fascinated knowing they have an inner garden. This can lay the foundation for them to make healthy choices on their own later, because they’ll have an internalised understanding of food’s impact beyond just taste.

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8 habits so solid, you’ll stop overthinking “health”

May 26, 2025

8 habits so solid, you’ll stop overthinking “health”

Let’s be honest: modern health culture is exhausting. One minute it's blood sugar hacks, the next it's seed cycling or some obscure mushroom powder you have to stir into your kefir under a waxing moon. But here’s the truth: when you build your days around time-tested, biologically aligned rituals, health stops being a stressor. Your energy becomes reliable. Your digestion self-regulates. Your mood evens out. You stop questioning everything you eat, feel, or think. These 8 habits rebuild your foundation so well, you won’t need to micromanage anything ever again... 1. Live in alignment with your circadian rhythm Circadian health is at the core of every biological process your body depends on. When it's aligned, every system in your body sings in harmony: your energy is high, sleep is restorative, and your body performs with maximum functionality. But when it’s out of sync? Cue the chaos: sluggish mornings, hormonal mayhem, and long term health consequences like metabolic dysfunction and even cancer. Our ancestors effortlessly synchronised with the rhythm of day and night, but modern life: jet lag, artificial light, and erratic eating, has thrown our natural cycles into disarray. Luckily, the antidote is deceptively simple: align your day with nature. Here’s how to structure your day for circadian mastery: 2:00–6:00 AM While you sleep, your body temperature lowers, and inflammation drops. This is the time for deep restoration, where healing and repair take place. Prioritise quality sleep during this window by maintaining a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment.6:00–8:00 AM The day begins with a cortisol spike: your body’s natural alarm clock. Heart rate rises, glucose production kicks in, and adrenaline readies you for action. Step outside for morning sunlight to sync your circadian rhythm, reduce melatonin, and boost alertness. A nutrient dense breakfast with proteins and healthy fats supports this surge in energy. 8:00–11:00 AM Sex hormone levels are at their peak, providing mental clarity and physical vigour. This is an excellent time for focused work or creative tasks. Hydrate well, and incorporate light movement like walking to keep energy steady.2:30 PM Muscle coordination and reaction times hit their stride. This is the sweet spot for physical activity, whether it’s strength training, yoga, or a run. Take advantage of this window to push your fitness goals.5:30 PM Cardiovascular efficiency and recovery are at their highest. Another great window for exercise if you missed the afternoon slot. Blood pressure and body temperature peak, enhancing endurance and performance.7:00–8:00 PM As the sun sets, your body transitions to rest mode. Reduce exposure to artificial light, particularly blue light, to encourage melatonin production. Opt for warm, dim lighting and enjoy a calming dinner rich in proteins and fats but low in carbohydrates to support overnight repair. Prioritise relaxing activities like reading or meditation to ease into sleep. 11:00PM-2:00AM This is when your body enters its most profound state of restoration and repair, with growth hormone reaching its peak levels of secretion. But here's the catch, your body only unlocks this powerful hormonal cascade if you're already in deep sleep during these golden hours. Studies show that the disruptions in this window can diminish growth hormone release, leading to impaired recovery, accelerated ageing and decreased metabolic efficiency. At this time, the glymphatic system, your brain’s detox system, begins to activate, clearing out toxins and cellular waste, reaching its peak activity during the deeper stages of non-REM sleep, clearing out waste products like beta-amyloid, which is associated with cognitive decline and diseases like Alzheimer's. This process is also supported by adequate hydration throughout the day which supports cerebrospinal fluid flow, which is essential for glymphatic efficiency. Studies also suggest side sleeping may enhance glymphatic clearance compared to back sleeping12:00 AM Leptin, the hormone responsible for releasing fat reserves during sleep, becomes active. Your nervous system enters a deep recovery phase, ensuring you’re ready for another day 2. Ground with the earth Grounding is an ancient practice that science is finally catching up with, a reminder that health often lies in the simplest, most primal connections. Beneath our feet, the planet emits a subtle, steady flow of free electrons. When you touch the ground directly, these electrons flow into your body, acting as nature’s most powerful antioxidant.  Emerging evidence suggests it also regulates the autonomic nervous system, shifting you out of a fight-or-flight state and into rest-and-digest mode. This recalibration strengthens everything from your immune response to your sleep cycles. The hours just after sunrise are ideal for grounding. Your cortisol is naturally spiking, preparing your body for the day ahead. A barefoot walk on dew covered grass amplifies the Earth’s conductivity, syncing your circadian rhythm while calming inflammation. Feeling that post-lunch dip? Step outside and ground for 10–15 minutes. This small window of reconnection not only resets your energy but also stabilises blood glucose and reduces oxidative stress, a game changer for metabolic health. 3. Cook all your meals at home Cooking is alchemy. It’s the act of transforming raw, vibrant ingredients into something that nourishes, sustains, and delights. When you cook your own meals, you control every detail: the flavours, the textures, and, most importantly, the quality. We’ve all been there. You buy that pre made meal labeled as “healthy” or “organic,” thinking you’re making the better choice. Yet hours later, you feel sluggish, bloated, or even worse off than before. That frustration stems from the processed food industry’s biggest betrayal: marketing convenience as wellness, while filling your plate with preservatives, emulsifiers, and nutrient depleted ingredients that leave your body struggling to recover.  When you cook at home, you wield full control over what fuels your body. No sneaky additives, no hidden sugars, no inflammatory seed oils masquerading as “healthy fats.” You choose every ingredient and every method, ensuring that what you eat actually supports your health, not derails it. 4. When struggling with ideas of what to cook, think nose-to-tail This practice, rooted in ancestral wisdom unlocks the full spectrum of nutrients your body needs for robust health. By utilising every part of the animal, from the prized muscle cuts to the nutrient-dense organs, you’re not only honouring the life of the animal but also creating meals that are deeply nourishing and remarkably versatile. Take organ meats, for instance. Liver is packed with bioavailable vitamin A, B vitamins (particularly B12), and iron, all essential for cellular energy and oxygen transport. Heart provides CoQ10, a compound vital for mitochondrial function and cardiovascular health. Bone marrow is rich in essential fats and stem cell-supporting compounds, while bone broths are a powerhouse of collagen, glycine, and proline, amino acids critical for joint health, skin elasticity, and gut repair.Practicality meets nourishment here: blending heart into ground meat makes for a nutrient-boosted burger without altering the flavour, while a slow-simmered bone broth can serve as a mineral-rich base for soups or stews. Even the simplest recipes, like crispy fried chicken skins or roasted marrow bones, deliver a nutritional punch far greater than many conventional meal staples. The possibilities are endless, and the rewards, both for your health and your palate, are immense. The truth? The most nutrient-rich parts of the animal are often the most overlooked,  or even thrown away. And the best part? Your butcher might literally give them to you for free. Want to know which cuts to ask for (and how to use them)? We broke it all down here: The nutrient dense cuts your butcher might even give you for free. 5. Take care of your lymphatic health The lymphatic system is the backbone of your immune function. It’s the body’s filtration network, working silently to transport white blood cells, flush toxins, and deliver nutrients to where they’re needed most. Every time you move, stretch, or even breathe deeply, your lymphatic system springs into action, circulating lymph fluid and keeping your immune defences sharp.  Lymph nodes, scattered throughout the body, act as checkpoints where pathogens and harmful particles are trapped and neutralised Unlike your circulatory system, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump, which means stagnation can set in without conscious effort to keep it flowing, leaving your immune system sluggish and overburdened. Daily movement is key: walking, stretching, and even deep diaphragmatic breathing create the pressure changes needed to propel lymph fluid through its vessels. Rebounding (bouncing on a mini-trampoline) supercharges this process by combining gravity and motion, helping to flush lymphatic pathways and energise your immune system.Lymphatic drainage massage is another potent tool. Through gentle, rhythmic strokes, it stimulates lymph flow. Add in the ancient practice of dry brushing: using long, upward strokes toward the heart, to not only awaken the lymphatic system but also exfoliate the skin and boost circulation.Hydration is equally critical. Lymph fluid is primarily water, so dehydration thickens it, slowing its movement and hampering your immune system’s efficiency. Supporting this process with sauna sessions or alternating hot and cold showers can further boost lymphatic flow, encouraging the release of toxins through sweat while enhancing immune strength. 6.   Reduce exposure to toxins  We’ll keep this one short because, unfortunately, the ways our bodies are attacked by the modern environment feel endless. From hormone disrupting plastics to synthetic fragrances and pesticide residues, these invisible intruders quietly chip away at our health.  But don’t panic, this isn’t about living in a bubble. Small, intentional changes make a big difference: If you’re interested to dive deeper, our full toxin reduction roadmap here breaks it all down step by step, without the overwhelm, helping you weave a more harmonious environment that brings alignment to your health. 7. Honour your parasympathetic nervous system Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned for his work on trauma and stress, emphasises how unresolved emotional wounds keep the body locked in survival mode, hijacking our immune system, digestion, and hormonal balance.When the sympathetic nervous system dominates, keeping you in a perpetual state of alert, your body can’t differentiate between a missed deadline and a life-or-death threat. This state of hypervigillance burns through resources, leaving your body inflamed, fatigued, and disconnected. Trauma compounds this, embedding itself in the nervous system and perpetuating cycles of stress that undermine every attempt at healing.Breaking free begins with inviting the parasympathetic nervous system to take the reins. Gentle, intentional practices like slow diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, and even body focused therapies like somatic experiencing (a method endorsed by Maté) can signal safety to your body. Cold plunges and humming exercises stimulate the vagus nerve, the main highway of your parasympathetic system, sending a loud and clear message: it’s okay to rest now.The connection between emotional health and physical health is no longer a mystery, it’s a necessity we can no longer overlook. By tending to your nervous system, you’re not just calming your mind. You’re laying the foundation for real, lasting vitality. 8. Find movement that exhilarates you  Exercise isn’t just a physical act, it’s a state of being, a rhythm that aligns the mind, body, and soul. The most transformative movements are not born of obligation, but of devotion, a love for the act itself. As author Haruki Murakami reflected: “Running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself.”For Murakami, running was a personal dialogue. Movement isn’t about punishment or perfection, it’s about showing up each day, meeting yourself where you are, and growing just a little more than yesterday.To find movement you truly love, strip away the expectation of achievement or comparison. Forget rigid schedules and “must-dos.” Instead, ask yourself: what makes you feel alive? For some, it’s the grounding rhythm of a morning walk as the world stirs awake. For others, it’s the meditative flow of yoga, the primal joy of dancing, or the quiet strength found in weightlifting. Maybe it’s running, as it was for Murakami, a solitary act that becomes a refuge. If you’re stuck, try everything. The key is to find what draws you back, day after day, without forcing it.When you fall in love with the act of moving, it stops being a task and starts being a gift, a time to recalibrate, reflect, and renew. Make it simple. Make it sacred.  Let the biohackers argue. You’ve got your foundations dialled in, a way of living so aligned, health runs quietly in the background. No more tracking, forcing, or fixing. No more noise. You’ve reclaimed the bandwidth to focus on what actually moves your life forward: your projects, your purpose, your people. You’re not chasing health anymore. You’re powered by it. Welcome to Organised. Actionable rituals: 1. Morning sunlight upon waking 2. Ground with the earth 3. Cook all your meals at home 4. Eat nose to tail 5. Take care of your lymphatic health 6. Reduce exposure to toxins 7. Honour your parasympathetic system 8. Find movement you love, something you can't wait to do every day 

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Your shoes are sabotaging your spine (Our foot health guide)

May 24, 2025

Your shoes are sabotaging your spine (Our foot health guide)

Ever notice how most modern health advice skips over the 26 bones, 33 joints, and 100+ muscles, tendons, and ligaments we walk on every day? Your feet are the foundation of your health, and most of us have stuffed them into stiff shoes, flattened our arches on concrete, and forgotten they even need nourishment. Today, we’re bringing foot health back into the conversation. Because here’s the truth: strong feet = a grounded spine, balanced hips, and movement that feels like second nature: fluid, natural, and pain-free. First things first, what’s the deal with barefoot shoes? Think of a typical thick trainer or work shoe, it’s stiff, inflexible, and often has a narrow shape and cushioned heel. Such shoes essentially act like a cast on your foot, immobilising many of the 33 joints in each foot. When you wear a cast on an arm for weeks, the muscles atrophy. Similarly, when your feet are constantly supported and restricted by shoes, the foot’s small muscles grow weak from disuse. Arches often collapse or become dependent on arch supports. Heeled shoes (even modest heels) pitch your weight onto the ball of your foot, destabilising your base and forcing compensations in your knees and lower back. Over time, these design features cause the natural architecture of the foot to degrade, toes lose flexibility and even change shape (many adults have toes that curve inward from years of narrow shoes), the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon may shorten, and the foot’s ability to absorb shock diminishes. And the phrase “the foot bone’s connected to the leg bone…” may be a funny skeleton song, but holds deep truth: our bodies are one interconnected chain. Your foot is your first line of interaction with gravity. When it’s mobile and strong, it sends healthy signals up the kinetic chain: ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, spine. When it’s stiff or weakened, compensations emerge, leading to chronic pain and postural imbalances that can ripple up to the jaw and even affect breathing patterns. Barefoot shoes flip this script. With a flexible sole and a spacious toe box, they let your foot bend, twist, and respond to the ground like the sensory organ it is. They invite the foot’s small stabilisers, muscles like the abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, and the deep arch tissues, to reawaken and do their job, rather than relying on rigid supports.  While the key is really just to let your toes out more often (it’s strangely addictive and far easier now that summer has almost arrived) barefoot shoes make it simple to reconnect with the ground throughout your day. But here’s the thing: if you’ve worn conventional shoes for years, most of us have, there’s likely some damage to undo. Shortened calves, bunions, tight plantar fascia, weakened arches and cramped toes...it’s all part of the modern foot story. Here’s how to reawaken your foot’s natural intelligence: 1. Reconnect with textured earth The modern foot is a stranger to texture. Asphalt and carpets can’t compare to the subtle symphony of natural ground, roots, pebbles, shifting dirt. Barefoot walks on these surfaces don’t just toughen the skin. They reawaken the 200,000+ nerve endings in your soles that feed your brain with vital information about balance and posture. Each barefoot step challenges your arches to adapt and the small stabilising muscles to come alive. Start with short doses, 10-30 minutes barefoot on dewy grass or forest paths. Let your feet drink in the textures, replenishing the sensory map your brain relies on to keep you stable and aligned. 2. Daily deep squat practice It might seem odd to find the deep squat here, in a guide about foot health. But this ancient resting posture is actually an essential anchor of mobility that’s deeply connected to the feet. When you sink into a squat, your feet spread wide and grip the ground, your ankles flex fully, and your arches spring back to life. The deep squat trains the foot’s natural range of motion in every plane, gently lengthening tight calves and the often-neglected Achilles tendon while reawakening the small stabiliser muscles that keep your arches high and strong. 3. The art of arching The arch of the foot is not just an anatomical curve, it’s a dynamic spring, an echo of the earth’s own undulating forms. When the foot’s arch is strong and supple, it acts like a woven bridge: absorbing impact, propelling you forward, and keeping your entire posture aligned. Stand barefoot with your weight evenly grounded, then press your toes into the earth and imagine drawing your arch upward, like a gentle ripple of earth lifting. Hold for a few breaths, then release. This action awakens the deep stabilising muscles, the abductor hallucis, the flexor digitorum brevis, muscles that once gripped rocks and mossy trails (though actually barefooting on rocks and mossy trails is of course always recommended too). Practice this hold throughout the day, even while washing dishes or waiting for the kettle to boil. For a playful twist, scatter a towel on the floor and let your toes scrunch and pull it towards you. Each of these simple movements re-educates the foot’s fascia and muscles, inviting them to remember the dance of elasticity. 4. Soak, soften, release After your barefoot wanderings, let your feet soak in mineral-rich water with magnesium flakes and wild herbs, warming them, softening the fascia, and restoring blood flow. Wrap them in a warm towel compress for 5–10 minutes, melting away tension and preparing them to absorb nourishment.  Once warm and pliant, use a firm ball or even your fingers to massage under each foot, easing tightness in the plantar fascia and releasing the silent knots that accumulate from a day’s weight. Extend this massage to your calves and Achilles tendon, improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and creating a release that will spread across your entire lower body through the interconnected web of fascia and muscle. 5. Nourish your foundation from within No foot-strengthening guide is complete without the raw materials your tissues need. Glycine and proline, abundant in slow-simmered broths and connective tissue, directly feed the matrix of your fascia, making it more elastic and resistant to injury. Organ meats provide key cofactors like copper and vitamin A, essential for collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration. And the fat-soluble vitamins carried by ancestral animal fats: A, D, and K2, work synergistically to build denser bones and healthier joints. By combining foot-focused movement with these nutrient-dense foods, you’re not just strengthening muscles, you’re supporting collagen cross-linking, reducing systemic inflammation, and supplying the micronutrients needed for tendon and ligament repair.  

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5 steps to reverse eye damage (yes, it’s possible)

May 21, 2025

5 steps to reverse eye damage (yes, it’s possible)

We’ve been told that poor vision is inevitable. That once the prescription starts climbing, it never comes back down. But that’s not the full story. The eyes are living tissue. They’re fluid, light-sensitive, nutrient-dependent extensions of the brain, and like the brain, they can be damaged. But they can also be nourished, supported, and, in many cases, repaired. Blurred vision, eye strain, dryness, even early degeneration, these aren’t random misfortunes. They’re signals. Signs that your environment no longer matches the one your visual system evolved in. Reversing damage doesn’t mean rewinding time, it means reintroducing the natural conditions your body still recognises. Start here, with 5 simple shifts that support your vision at the source... 1. Feed your retinas what they're made of Your eyes aren’t glass. They’re tissue, made of fat, protein, collagen, and pigment. Which means they need to be fed. Your retina, macula, and optic nerve all rely on specific nutrients to stay healthy and clear. Among the most crucial: Retinol (real vitamin A): found in liver and other organ meats, this supports night vision, tear production, and overall eye structure.Lutein and zeaxanthin: carotenoid antioxidants that protect against light damage, especially blue light. Found in egg yolks, grass-fed butter, and leafy greens cooked in fat for absorption. DHA (a long-chain omega-3 fat): essential for photoreceptor function and retinal integrity. Found in wild-caught fish, and pastured brain tissue. Begin incorporating more and more grass fed organs into your diet. Pair with yolk-rich breakfasts (think soft-boiled eggs and buttered greens) and add fatty fish like sardines or mackerel a couple times a week 2. Go on texture walks Why were our ancestors able to spot prey rustling in the underbrush from 100 feet away, while we struggle to find our phone charger in a lit room? Our eyes evolved for a world in motion. To scan landscapes for subtle shifts, to track the flick of a tail in tall grass, to pick up contrast, texture, and movement across a layered terrain. And our ancestors could spot prey hiding in dappled shadow because their visual systems were constantly engaged by depth, irregularity, and complexity. The eye muscles flexed across distances. The brain stayed attuned to pattern recognition, movement, and micro-detail. But today, our gaze is locked to flat, glowing rectangles. We no longer scan the horizon, we scan text threads. The range of motion our eyes once relied on has narrowed to the width of a phone screen. Our gaze doesn’t wander. Our brains, once so finely tuned to subtlety and motion, are now overstimulated and undernourished: fed flat, pixelated inputs on repeat. And the brain follows. Neural pathways that evolved to process depth, shadow, and movement begin to dull. The more time we spend in two-dimensional environments, the more our sensory systems forget how to interpret three-dimensional life. Make it a daily challenge: how many textures can you notice in one walk? The bark of a tree. The grain of old wood. The shifting pattern of water. Let your gaze slow down and drink it all in.Spend time gazing at depth, not just distance. Walk barefoot on textured ground and let your eyes track your steps. Let them explore. Vision isn’t passive. It’s a full-body sense. And it thrives on variety. 3. Get sunlight in your eyes Your eyes are solar sensors. They’re designed to absorb full-spectrum light, not just to see, but to regulate hormones, repair tissue, and anchor your circadian rhythm. When you live under artificial light, your eyes become inflamed, overworked, and out of sync with the natural world. Without morning sunlight, melatonin doesn’t clear, dopamine doesn’t rise, and your visual field stays sluggish. Morning sun is rich in red and near-infrared wavelengths, both of which support mitochondrial repair in the eye itself. Go outside within 30 minutes of waking. No glasses, no contacts, no windows, just direct light to the retina. 10–20 minutes is enough. It’s not about sunbathing, it’s about signalling. For extra support, get a midday sun break. UVB supports vitamin D synthesis, which impacts calcium metabolism and eye pressure. 4. Support collagen and blood flow Strong connective tissue and steady microcirculation are what keep vision clear and resilient When either breaks down (through inflammation, dehydration, or poor nutrition), blurred vision, floaters, and dryness become more common. That familiar sense of tired eyes, even after rest, is often a sign of structural depletion.. The whites of your eyes (sclera) are made of collagen. The lens and vitreous humor rely on fluid balance, minerals, and anti-inflammatory inputs. Sip warm bone broth daily, slow-simmered and salted. Let it become a ritual. Rich in collagen, glycine, and minerals, it feeds the connective matrix your vision depends on. And hydrate with intention, not just with plain water, but with mineral-rich fluids like broth or raw milk. Vision needs hydration, yes, but it needs structured hydration, laced with the minerals that hold fluid in tissue.To enhance blood flow, bring in nature’s circulatory allies. Add roasted beetroot or fresh beet juice a few times a week. Rich in nitric oxide, it helps widen blood vessels and improve oxygen delivery to the tiny capillaries behind the eyes. 5. Reduce oxidative stress at the source Among all tissues in the body, the eyes are some of the most oxygen-hungry, which also makes them some of the most vulnerable to oxidative damage. Every second you’re exposed to artificial light, processed food, chronic stress, or toxins from modern living, your eyes are fighting to protect delicate retinal tissue from free radicals. Over time, this invisible stress accelerates aging, impairs circulation, and wears down the lens and macula. But your body is not passive in this. It’s designed to defend. Antioxidants like glutathione, vitamin A, vitamin C, and superoxide dismutase form an internal network of repair, and one of the most potent protectors? Melatonin. Far beyond a sleep hormone, melatonin is one of the only antioxidants that can cross the blood-retina barrier and directly repair oxidative damage in the eye. But it only rises in deep, uninterrupted darkness. A glowing screen, a hallway nightlight, even a flickering LED can suppress its release, leaving the eyes unrestored by morning. Turn your bedroom into a sanctuary for cellular repair. Cover all LEDs, unplug electronics, and hang blackout curtains. In the evening, dim the lights or replace them with red bulbs or candlelight: light your body still recognises as night. Nourish your antioxidant systems with real food: grass-fed organ meats for retinol and CoQ10, pasture-raised eggs, berries, and collagen-rich broths. Avoid inflammatory inputs wherever possible: seed oils, ultra-processed snacks, plastic-wrapped meals, and synthetic household products. These quietly erode your internal defences. And whenever you can, step outside barefoot. Let your skin touch the earth. Grounding helps discharge built-up electrical stress in the body, lowering inflammation and oxidative burden system-wide. Your eyes don’t just need less screen time, they need less cellular chaos. Calm the system, and vision sharpens. We couldn’t help it, here’s some of our favourite facts about the curious organs behind your sight: Your eye colour can shift with diet, and in some cases, lighten, when inflammation lowers and pigmentation rebalances through nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory nutrition. Your tears contain immune proteins, hormones, and even traces of your emotional state. The lens of your eye continues to grow throughout your life, layering new proteins over old ones like the rings of a tree. Your retina doesn’t just detect light, it’s packed with mitochondria, meaning it literally eats light to make energy. The shape of your eyeball changes subtly with hydration and mineral levels, meaning blurry vision can sometimes be a sign of internal imbalance, not permanent damage. The cornea is the only part of your body with no blood supply, it receives nutrients entirely from tears, lymph, and surrounding fluids  

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What the labels don’t tell you: Pasture-raised, grass-fed & more

May 16, 2025

What the labels don’t tell you: Pasture-raised, grass-fed & more

We see them everywhere. Slapped on labels, sprinkled across menus, quoted on health blogs like a badge of purity: Grass-fed. Regenerative. Organic. Pasture-raised. Biodynamic. But what do they really mean,  and what difference do they make to your plate, your health, or the soil beneath it? More importantly: can we trust them? Here’s the truth: many of these words, once rooted in real agricultural care, have been stretched thin by marketing. They sound good. But often, they mean very little unless you know how to read between the lines. This is your no-fluff, cut-through-the-greenwashing guide to decoding what matters when sourcing animal foods: for your hormones, your microbiome, and the land that feeds them both. Because when it comes to feeding yourself and your family, clarity is power. Grass-Fed vs. Grass-Finished "Grass-fed” on a label doesn’t guarantee much. Legally, animals only need to have had access to pasture, or been fed a partially grass-based diet at some point in their lives. They might’ve eaten a bit of grass... then spent their final months on a grain-heavy, soy-padded, indoor diet, and still qualify. "Grass-finished", on the other hand, means the animal lived on grass, start to finish.No grain “finishing.” No GM corn. No protein pellets to fatten them up fast. Just what ruminants were designed to eat: fresh pasture, hay in winter, and forage. Why it matters: Animals fed a 100% grass-based diet produce meat with higher omega-3s, more vitamin E, and better CLA (a fat linked to immune and metabolic support). It also reflects a life closer to their natural rhythm, and that matters to your body. Organic Organic is a decent starting point, but not a gold standard. It guarantees a few things: no synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, no GMOs, no routine antibiotics, and fewer synthetic additives in feed. But beyond that? It doesn’t promise much. Organic doesn’t mean the animals were raised outdoors. It doesn’t mean they grazed on pasture, lived slowly, or were part of any kind of ecological balance. Organic meat can still come from animals raised indoors, in confined spaces, eating organic grain. It can still come from high-volume farms that prioritise yield over soil. It says nothing about whether the animals grazed on pasture, felt the sun on their backs, or moved freely. Clean feed doesn’t equal a clean conscience. There’s also no guarantee of how the land is managed. Organic doesn’t mean regenerative. And organic doesn’t mean nutrient-dense. Pasture-raised Here, the nuance is in the eggs. For meat, "pasture-raised" isn’t a regulated term. It doesn’t guarantee the animal was grass-finished, well-fed, or raised in regenerative systems. An animal might have touched grass once and still earn the label. But with eggs, "pasture raised" carries more weight, and there’s a clear difference you can crack open. When hens are truly pasture-raised, they’re outdoors daily, moving across fresh grass, pecking through soil, hunting for bugs, and soaking up sunlight. They live like birds were meant to live. And their eggs reflect that freedom. Yolks turn deep amber. Whites get firmer. And the nutrition climbs: more omega-3s, more vitamin D, more choline, all critical for hormonal balance, brain function, and cellular repair. Look for: Hens rotated on pasture. Farmers who welcome questions. And yolks that don’t need filters. Regenerative You can’t have nutrient-dense food without nutrient-dense soil. And you can’t restore soil without regeneration. Regenerative farming is a farming approach that sees the land as a co-creator, not a commodity. It’s a web of relationships: between ruminants and microbes, fungi and pasture, carbon and rain. Farmers rotate animals intentionally, plant diverse cover crops, let roots rest and recover, and trust biology to lead. And the result? Food that works with your biology. Meat that supports fertility. Milk that nourishes the nervous system. Vegetables with real taste, texture, and trace minerals, not just water and fibre. These farms aren’t sterile. They’re wildly alive. You’ll find buzzing pollinators,birds and bugs, microbe-rich compost, soil that holds wateer like a sponge. Cattle moving across pasture, grazing like they were made to. Because they were. Regenerative farming is a remembering. Of how animals, plants, and microbes evolved together, each playing their part in building resilience, fertility, and abundance. Healthy animals on these farms aren’t a coincidence, they’re a consequence. Of clean soil, clean pasture, and systems designed around co-existence. For us, depleted soil = depleted food = depleted bodies. When nutrients like zinc, selenium, B12, and magnesium are missing from our plate, hormonal chaos follows. Blood sugar wobbles. Energy dips. Fertility falters. But when you eat food from regenerative systems, you’re getting more than calories, you’re getting co-factors, enzymes, and minerals that nourish on a cellular level. Biodynamic You may have also heard "biodynamic", a term that sounds almost mythical, and in many ways, it is. At their core, biodynamic and regenerative farming share the same heartbeat: soil-first, closed-loop systems that nourish the land as much as they nourish us. Both reject chemical inputs. Both rotate animals with intention. Both understand that life below ground is just as important as what grows above it. What makes it different? Biodynamic farming follows a specific set of principles first laid out by philosopher Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s. It includes things like timing planting and harvesting to lunar cycles, and using homeopathic-style compost preparations made with herbs and minerals. It’s a system that weaves together practical land stewardship with more spiritual or energetic beliefs. If you're curious, visiting a biodynamic farm can feel like stepping back into a more reverent time, where food, farming and the cosmos moved in rhythm. It’s a living glimpse into how our ancestors once listened to the land. A word on greenwashing Supermarkets are masters of marketing. A green label doesn’t mean green practices. “Farm fresh,” “natural,” “wholesome,” “happy cows”, none of these are regulated. What matters is traceability, transparency, and direct connection to the people growing your food And then there's Hill Farm... Last week, we visited this extraordinary family run farm, where the Aidley family have been stewarding the land since 1938. From the moment we stepped foot on their soil, everything clicked: this is what all those words are trying to describe. At Hill Farm: Their cows are 100% grass-fed, finished and Pasture for Life certified The milk is A2, raw, unhomogenised and organic They treat animals with homeopathy and herbs, never antibiotics Their land is managed for biodiversity, pollinators, and microbial life Their kefir, ghee and  tallow are alll made by hand, on-site, by the same family who raises the animals and tends the land. You can find them on the Organised app, where we’re mapping farms across the UK and USA rooted in real nourishment and radical transparency. So you can build your meals on more than buzzwords. Because food isn’t just about what’s on your plate.It’s about how it got there, and what it leaves behind. Want to come along with us on our visit to Hill Farm? Watch here.Or to order from Hill Farm  (they deliver across the whole of the UK).

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5 steps to eliminate brain fog

May 14, 2025

5 steps to eliminate brain fog

There are moments when your mind feels like it’s buffering. Your body’s upright, eyes on the screen, but your thoughts suspended in static. No amount of caffeine clears the haze. This isn’t just fatigue. It’s a quiet dissonance in your internal landscape. A system out of sync, depleted of the core elements that once kept it sharp. Cognition isn’t just cerebral. It’s mineral. It’s mitochondrial. It’s the subtle conversation between light, fat and the quiet intelligence of your gut. Here are 5 ancestral (and often ignored) steps to sharpen cognition by nourishing the systems that hold it. 1. Eat to fuel your neurotransmitters We’ve been sold the idea that the brain runs on glucose alone. Yet, the human brain is made of nearly 60% fat. And not just any fat: it’s built from cholesterol, phospholipids, and saturated fat, ancestral materials that modern diets have all but exiled. These fats form the scaffolding of your thoughts. They create the membrane walls of neurons, protect the myelin sheath like beeswax around a wick, and allow for quick, efficient communication between brain cells. More striking still? Neurotransmitters, those invisible messengers behind mood, memory, motivation, depend on a constellation of specific nutrients: B12, choline, zinc, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K2). Without them, we don’t feel focused. Or calm. Or human. These don’t come from oat milk lattes or cereal bars. They come from the foods your great-grandmother considered staples. Choline fuels acetylcholine, the spark behind memory, focus, and muscle activation. B12 + heme iron support oxygen delivery and protect the fatty insulation around nerves. Saturated fat stabilises neural membranes and nourishes the folds of the brain itself. Bone marrow, once prized by every traditional culture, is one of the most powerful sources of these fats. Its silky, golden richness provides the raw material for neural regeneration, while also delivering fat-soluble vitamins that modern food has stripped away. Alongside marrow, grass-fed butter, raw cream, and suet carry the saturated fats that stabilise brain tissue and keep electrical signals sharp and clean. Rotate in grass fed organs during the week to keep B12, zinc, selenium, and CoQ10 levels optimal for neural function. 2. Morning Light > Morning Coffee Before the brain thinks, it orients. And nothing orients it more powerfully than the sun. As morning sunlight hits your retina, it sends signals deep into the hypothalamus, resetting your circadian rhythm and initiating a hormonal cascade. Cortisol rises naturally, not in stress, but in readiness. Serotonin production begins. Melatonin fades. Your brain is told: it’s safe to wake up now. Without this signal, the body doesn’t know what time it is. Cortisol spikes too late, or not at all. Focus drifts. Sleep becomes fragmented. And no amount of caffeine can override a mistimed circadian rhythm. Morning light carries a unique blend of blue and infrared wavelengths that no screen or lamp can replicate. It entrains the brain to the rhythms of the earth, syncing the invisible clocks inside your cells. Skip your phone. Step outside within 30 minutes of waking, yes, even if it's cloudy. Let your bare eyes meet the morning. No sunglasses, no glass between you and the sky. Ten minutes is enough to reset the system. If possible, expose your skin too, your body absorbs light not just through the eyes, but through the skin, influencing everything from metabolism to mood. Consider making this a ritual: warm bone broth or raw milk in hand, bare feet on the earth, breath slowing with the light. 3. Rebuild the gut to clear the mind The mind may sit in the skull, but much of its chemistry is brewed in the gut. Over 90% of your serotonin, the neurotransmitter of calm, clarity, and contentment, is made not in the brain, but in the lining of your digestive tract. The gut is also where inflammation begins, or ends. And inflammation is the silent saboteur of cognition. When the gut is compromised, so is mental clarity. Bloating, irregular digestion, food sensitivities, these aren’t just digestive issues. They’re signs that the gut-brain axis is frayed. That the microbial ecosystem responsible for regulating mood, focus, and hormonal balance is struggling to survive. Traditional cultures knew this long before clinical trials did. They didn’t count bacteria. They fermented. They simmered bones. They ate bitter herbs and cleansing roots with each meal. Start building your microbial foundation with intention. Add a tablespoon of sauerkraut or a small glass of raw kefir with your meals to introduce diverse, ancestral bacteria. Make a batch of broth on Sunday, simmering bones with bay leaves, garlic, and sea salt, and sip it warm between work blocks to support gut lining and blood sugar. 4. Ditch the hidden brain hijackers There are silent saboteurs woven into modern life that fray your nervous system slowly, invisibly, day after day. They don’t announce themselves like caffeine crashes or sugar highs. Instead, they dull the mind over time, interrupting neurotransmitter function, hijacking your dopamine circuitry, and robbing you of deep, restorative sleep. We’re talking about seed oils oxidising quietly in your cells. Synthetic “natural” flavours overstimulating taste receptors while offering nothing real to feed on Plastic packaging leaching xenoestrogens. Even background noise, constant scrolling, and artificial scents, these are the invisible stressors that jam your neural pathways and fog the mind. Your brain is electrical. It relies on clean signals, fat-based insulation, precise mineral flow, undisturbed hormonal cycles. When those signals are drowned out by noise, chemicals, fake light, rancid oils, the system begins to stutter. Sleep becomes shallow. Focus fractures. Brain fog settles in, not from lack of productivity, but from exposure. Swap industrial oils, canola, rapeseed, sunflower: for ghee, tallow, or cold-pressed olive oil. These stable, ancestral fats nourish your brain’s cellular membranes and support healthy inflammation responses. Ditch plastic-wrapped, ultra-processed snacks for whole food alternatives: boiled eggs, cheese, seasonal fruit with sea salt, or simply leftovers fried in butter. And begin to detox from artificial inputs beyond food. Ditch synthetic perfumes, heavily fragranced laundry products, and plug-in air fresheners that overload your olfactory system. Instead, crack a window. Burn beeswax or tallow candles. Reintroduce your senses to natural quiet, wind, birdsong, stillness. Even a few minutes of true sensory rest can calm the nervous system. 5. Re-mineralise to reboot focus You are not just made of flesh, you are made of current. Every thought, every movement, every sensation is carried by the invisible dance of ions across neural membranes. But spark requires substance. And that substance is mineral. Sodium carries the signal. Potassium balances it. Magnesium calms the current, while calcium tightens the synapse. These minerals are not optional—they are the conductors of cognition. Without them, thoughts slow, attention drifts, and the mind begins to flicker. But here’s the catch: they’re the first to go under stress. Sweating, overhydrating, drinking diuretics like coffee, eating processed or nutrient-depleted food, even “clean” habits like downing litres of plain water without salt, all quietly drain your mineral reserves. Over time, the body becomes depleted, and the brain slows down, not from lack of sleep or effort, but from lack of spark. Our ancestors drank from mineral-rich springs, consumed salt with reverence, and nourished their tissues with organ meats, raw milk, and long-simmered broths. Begin each morning with a glass of warm water and a pinch of  sea salt. This ancient tonic gently activates adrenal function, jumpstarts hydration, and reminds your cells what it feels like to hold charge. Throughout the day, support mineral balance with raw milk (nature’s original electrolyte drink), homemade bone broth, and mineral-dense foods: oysters and mussels for zinc and copper, marrow-rich broths for calcium and glycine, seasonal fruits with sea salt, and bitter greens sautéed in ghee to stimulate bile and absorption. If your focus fades mid-afternoon, don’t reach for caffeine, reach for minerals. Often, it’s not energy you lack. It’s conductivity. And above all, don’t fear salt. Your cravings for it aren’t weakness, they’re wisdom. Salt is not the enemy of health. It’s the foundation of electrical life. Brain fog isn’t a flaw in your productivity, and your brain doesn’t need another hack. It needs raw inputs: light, fat, minerals, stillness, and microbial support. The things it evolved with. The things we’ve slowly phased out in favour of convenience. Rebuilding focus starts by rebuilding the systems that hold it. And that begins with small, consistent choices: morning light, broth between meals, sea salt in your water, and nutrient dense meals rooted in tradition.

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7 days of breakfast recipes

May 10, 2025

7 days of breakfast recipes

Sunlight on the table. Butter melting in the pan. The smell of broth, the sizzle of fat. A ritual as old as fire. The quiet moments before the world arrives. Breakfast isn’t just a meal,  it’s a daily opportunity to remind your body that it’s safe, nourished, and resourced for the day ahead. It sets the tone for your hormones, your blood sugar, your nervous system, and your metabolic rhythm. So we planned it for you. Seven deeply nourishing, protein-rich recipes, one for each morning, designed to stabilise blood sugar, replenish depleted stores, and slip in organs so subtly, you’ll start looking forward to them. First things first, as all good mornings begin… With a glass of raw milk. Why? Raw milk isn’t just a drink It’s information. It tells your bones they’re supported. Your skin that it's nourished. Your metabolism that it's safe to rise. It holds calcium, K2, retinol, enzymes, natural probiotics, and saturated fats, all in a form your body understands instinctively. And if you’ve ever struggled with dairy? You might find this is different. Raw milk, untouched by heat or homogenisation, still contains lactase, the enzyme that helps you digest lactose, along with an unaltered fat structure that makes it far easier on the gut.  Consider this your daily mineral infusion. And if you have a pouch of Organised in your cupboard, you already know: this is the perfect moment to whisk it in. A scoop stirred into raw milk turns your glass into a full-spectrum ancestral elixir, brimming with grass-fed liver, heart, kidney, spleen, lung, collagen, and colostrum. From there, the meals unfold… Monday: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Tacos This is what happens when a high-protein breakfast meets nose to tail nourishment. These tacos use a base of cottage cheese, parmesan, and a scoop of Organised to create crispy little golden rounds, packed with B12, iron, collagen and colostrum, without tasting like it. Top them with soft scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado and a sprinkle of spring onions… and suddenly, “I had tacos for breakfast” sounds like a wellness flex. Whether you’re looking to fuel up after a workout or just need a quick, protein-rich breakfast, these tacos are the ideal choice. Tuesday: Kimchi Scrambled Egg Bowl If your gut and your hormones could design a breakfast together, it might look like this. Creamy scrambled eggs laced with spicy kimchi (hello fermented goodness), iron-rich beef organs, buttery avocado, juicy tomatoes, and earthy mushrooms,  all layered into one umami rich bowl. This bowl gives you high-quality fat, bioavailable iron, gut-supporting ferments, and just enough spice to wake you up properly. It’s especially great if you struggle with sluggish digestion or hormonal bloating in the mornings. Not all eggs are created equal. If you want to get the most out of your morning meals, sourcing truly nutrient-dense eggs is key. Our Egg Sourcing Guide shows you exactly what to look for. Wednesday: Yoghurt Bowl with Fried Dates & Olive Oil Midweek calls for a little indulgence,  but one that still stabilises blood sugar and nourishes deeply. We start with thick, velvety Greek yogurt (or strained raw yogurt if you’ve got it), blend in a scoop of Organised, cinnamon, and top with pan-fried medjool dates sizzling in rich olive oil until they’re sticky, caramelised, and golden. This is sweet-meets-savoury at its best, with flaky salt to tie it all together. And don’t underestimate how much hormonal goodness is tucked in here: fat-soluble vitamins, protein, prebiotics, and minerals in every bite. Thursday: Organ Breakfast Wraps When stress climbs and cortisol lingers, your adrenals burn through minerals, B vitamins, and amino acids faster than you can replace them. This wrap is designed to restore what’s been drained It starts with pasture-raised eggs,  rich in choline and saturated fat to support your brain, your liver, and your cellular membranes. Organ meats: liver for iron and retinol, heart for CoQ10, kidney for selenium and resilience. Folded into a fluffy, parmesan-laced wrap that tastes indulgent, but fuels like medicine. Inside: shredded beef, slow-cooked until it melts. Mushrooms for their grounding, earthy minerals. And thick slices of ripe avocado, cooling, mineral-rich, and rich in potassium to ease tension and support electrolyte balance. This is the kind of breakfast that doesn’t let you crash. Friday: Bone Broth Berry Smoothie In winter, we drink our broth warm,  cupped in both hands, rising with steam, grounding us before the day begins. But as the weather softens, our cravings begin to shift. Lighter. Cooler. Still nourishing, but with a touch of brightness. Luckily, you can sneak bone broth into just about everything This is the springtime evolution of an ancestral staple. A vibrant, chilled smoothie made with a base of cold bone broth, rich in glycine, collagen, and minerals to nourish your gut lining, cushion your joints, and bring elasticity back to your skin.  Saturday: Hot Honey Beef Bowls with Cottage Cheese This warm, hearty bowl is everything you crave on a slow weekend morning: Sweet-spicy ground beef (boosted with organ meats for deep, hidden nourishment), roasted sweet potato, thick slices of avocado, and a cool, creamy scoop of cottage cheese. Finished with a drizzle of hot honey and flaky salt, it hits every note: protein, fat, carbs, and just enough sweetness to feel indulgent. And if it feels a little like dinner? Good. There’s nothing wrong,  and everything right, with eating a savoury, nutrient-dense meal first thing in the morning. Our ancestors didn’t separate meals by time of day. They ate what grounded them, what restored them, what was available and made them feel strong. Especially supportive during the luteal phase, or on any morning you wake up truly hungry and need something substantial to carry you through. Warming. Replenishing. Completely appropriate at 9am. Sunday: Animal-Based Pancakes with Caramelised Bananas Let's end the week with a classic, Rewild style.  Syrupy stacks that leave you crashing by noon? Not here. We’re flipping something different, pancakes that are just as fluffy, buttery, and delicious, but made to actually fuel you. Made with ingredients your great-grandmother would have recognised. Whisked from pasture-raised eggs, raw butter, and a spoonful of organ meats so subtly blended you won’t taste them, but your body will know. Each bite delivers choline for your brain, vitamin A for your skin, heme iron for your blood, and collagen to repair and restore. On top? Caramelised banana slices, sautéed in ghee until glossy and golden, with a drizzle of raw honey to offer just enough sweetness and a gentle glucose lift.  Perfect for lazy Sundays, cozy mornings, or slow breakfasts eaten barefoot in the sun. At Organised, we never skip breakfast. And we know you’re the same. We're always looking for inspiration. What’s your favourite way to sneak in organs? A hidden scoop in your pancakes? A family recipe you’ve rewilded and made your own?  Leave us a message or tag us on Instagram, we’d love to hear what’s on your plate.

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