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Our 5 favourite ancient beauty rituals from across the world

By Kaya Kozanecka

In a world where beauty now arrives in synthetic formulas and seven syllable ingredient lists that only deplete your body further, we like to remind ourselves of something simple.

Beauty isn’t applied, it’s nourished. Nurtured. Shared, generation to generation.

Every culture holds its own time tested beauty secrets, and we’ve gathered a few of our favourites (as well as how to recreate them at home):

1. The Russian banya

You step into the wooden bathhouse, skin already tingling from the cold. The air is thick with steam and the scent of birch. Branches are whipped against your skin.

This is the banya.

And in Slavic culture, it’s a rite of passage. Not just for warming bones in the dead of winter, but for awakening circulation, flushing the skin with fresh blood, and moving stagnant lymph.

While we’ve now rebranded parts of it as “detoxification” or “lymphatic drainage, the banya is a ritual older than most empires, a weekly wellness practice where entire families would come to get well and fortify their bodies against unbearable cold. Three generations of one family would gather sit shoulder to shoulder, coming together to sweat, scrub, detox and connect.

The ritual is elemental: fire, water, wood, steam. Heat rises above 90°C, causing deep sweating and stimulating heat shock proteins, which help the body repair damaged cells.

Then come the venik, a bundle of soaked birch or oak twigs, used to rhythmically whip the body, boosting microcirculation, releasing essential oils from the leaves (like salicylic acid in birch), and gently exfoliating the skin. Think of it as the original lymphatic drainage + essential oil therapy + body scrub, all in one.

You emerge flushed, decongested, and completely wrung out, in the best possible way.

Pair a hot shower or infrared sauna with dry brushing, followed by a cold rinse and herbal body oil. Birch-infused oils bring that forest-ritual feeling home. Or find a local banya, they still exist, and they’re sensational.

2. Chinese chicken feet soup

Don’t let their slightly creepy appearance prevent you from getting the smoothest skin of your life.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, food is your first pharmacy. And chicken feet, overflowing with structural nutrients, have long been used as a tonic for blood, joints, and skin.

High in type II collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, chicken feet provide the structural proteins your skin uses to remain firm, hydrated, and plump, collagen in a forms with itd natural cofactors intact: trace minerals, chondroitin sulphate, and glycine, a calming amino acid that supports gut health and sleep.

Slow simmering the feet for 12+ hours yields a thick, gelatinous broth. The result is a food that supports skin elasticity, hydration, and repair from within, not to mention a deeply nourished digestive system, which is where real radiance begins.

Not sure where to get these? Don’t worry, they’re easier to find than you’d think. Try your local Chinese, Korean, or Southeast Asian grocer. Some traditional butchers will stock them too, or you can befriend them and ask them to save them especially for you. Bonus: they’re one of the most sustainable cuts you can buy, no waste, full nourishment.

3. Cleopatra’s raw milk mask

While we romanticise Cleopatra’s milk baths, what made them powerful wasn’t the glamour, it was the biochemistry.

Raw, unpasteurised, and often slightly fermented milk is a skin elixir, rich in lactic acid: a natural alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates, brightens, and boosts cell turnover without stripping the skin.

It also contains bioavailable vitamin A (in the form of retinoic acid), which supports wound healing, collagen synthesis, and pigmentation balance. Probiotic bacteria in raw milk nourish the skin’s microbiome, reducing inflammation and helping to prevent acne and eczema flares, while its natural conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and saturated fats restore the skin’s lipid barrier, essential for deep hydration and resilience.

And long before Egyptian queens made it famous, women across North Africa and the Mediterranean were using raw cream, kefir, and colostrum on their skin for softness, brightness, and healing. It was a ritual of alchemy, food becoming medicine, medicine becoming beauty.

You can mimic the glow with raw milk compresses, yoghurt face masks, or even colostrum dabs on inflamed or dry areas. No irritation, no chemical peels, just nature’s version of a facial, full of microbes and magic.

4. The Aegean art of rest

Yes, we’re calling sleep an ancestral beauty ritual.

The Mediterranean (especially Greek) approach to beauty wasn’t just olive oil and herbs. It was rest. Deep, unapologetic, sunshine aligned rest. Afternoon siestas. Leisurely evenings. Full nights of sleep, guided by natural light and the body's rhythm, not blue light and to-do lists.

And modern science is catching up. Skin repairs itself at night. Collagen is synthesised. Cortisol drops. Melatonin (an antioxidant in its own right) rises. Deep sleep is when the real regeneration happens.

But this isn't about squeezing more sleep into a packed schedule. It's about reclaiming rest as a form of beauty. Lying in the sun. Closing your eyes after lunch. Dimming lights at dusk. Saying no to more, and yes to stillness.

5. Bone marrow hair oil

Before conditioners came in plastic bottles, our ancestors massaged oils and animal fats into their scalps, nourishing not just the hair, but the entire nervous system through the ritual of touch.

In Eastern European and African traditions, warm bone marrow, infused with herbs or used plain, was rubbed into the scalp to promote growth, strengthen roots, and prevent breakage. Marrow is rich in lipids, stem cell activating compounds, vitamin K2, and fatty acids that penetrate deeply and stay there.

In Ayurveda, the head is considered a sacred energy point, and oiling it is an act of care that goes beyond vanity. It calms the nervous system, cools inflammation, and grounds the body.

Gently render marrow from grass-fed bones and infuse with rosemary, nettle, or amla. Massage into your scalp, wrap with a warm towel, and leave overnight before rinsing.

Across the world, ancestral cultures have long understood beauty not as something applied, but cultivated. It’s in the warmth of your skin after a good meal, the sparkle in your eyes after deep sleep, the flush in your cheeks after cold water and a walk. It lived in broth pots and bathhouses. In moonlit rest and mid afternoon naps. In fermented milk, quiet touch, and moments of stillness. It emerges when the body is nourished, the skin is supported, and the nervous system finally feels safe enough to exhale.

Published on: April 24, 2025

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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 has 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.

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.

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.

8 subtle body signals you shouldn't ignore

It feels like a universal experience: you go to the doctor, explain what you’re feeling...those odd symptoms you can’t quite name, and yet get told your labs are normal.You’re not imagining it, the body has its own way of communicating imbalance, often before anything shows up in a blood test.Here’s how to interpret 8 of the most common body cues, and simple daily steps to bring your body back into alignment. 1. White-coated tongue A thick white coating on the tongue, especially in the morning, can signal a build-up of waste in the gut: undigested food, sluggish elimination, or microbial imbalance. Traditionally, this kind of coating has long been seen as a marker of stagnation, a sign that the gut is holding onto more than it can handle. In some ancestral systems, this is described as a buildup of “dampness” or “metabolic residue” from food that wasn’t fully broken down. In modern terms, a coated tongue might reflect: Candida overgrowth or bacterial imbalance Low stomach acid (meaning food isn’t digesting properly) A sluggish gut or liver that's calling for support Things to explore Are you chewing properly and slowly? Are your bowels moving with ease each day? Are you eating a lot of processed foods, sugar or refined carbs? Do your skin, mood or energy feel heavy or congested? Daily support Scrape your tongue first thing in the morning to gently remove overnight buildup Include bone broth or collagen-rich foods to support the gut lining Add fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir or beet kvass to your plate Choose cooked, nourishing meals over cold or raw ones if your belly feels sluggish For a more all encompassing guide: You don't need another overpriced probiotic or gut shot 2. Cold hands & feet Always chilly? Especially in your fingers and toes, even when the room is warm and everyone else seems fine? That lingering coldness isn’t just a quirk. It’s a signal, often from your thyroid, your metabolism, or both, asking for deeper nourishment. The thyroid is the body’s thermostat. It regulates heat, energy, and circulation. When your thyroid isn’t receiving the nutrients it needs, or is slowed by chronic stress, under-eating, or lack of sleep, your entire system starts to dim. Think: low energy, poor circulation, brittle nails, mood dips, and of course, cold hands and feet. In ancestral diets, this wasn’t common. Traditional cultures ate in ways that naturally supported the thyroid and metabolic health: seafood rich in iodine, organ meats loaded with fat-soluble vitamins, warm breakfasts, and plenty of animal fat. The foods were grounding, seasonal, and cooked with care, not cold smoothies, skipping meals, or caffeine to get through the day. Things to explore Are you eating breakfast, and is it warm, protein-rich, and satisfying? Have you had your thyroid checked (especially if you also feel tired, foggy, or cold)? Are you eating enough fat and protein to fuel your body’s hormonal and metabolic needs? Is your iron or B12 status low, particularly if you avoid red meat or seafood? Daily support Begin your day with warmth: skip the smoothie, and opt for a cooked breakfast, think eggs in butter, leftover stew, or bone broth Eat to fuel, not to restrict: your metabolism depends on consistent meals and nutrients, not intermittent fasting or skipping meals Include thyroid-supportive foods: organ meats, pastured eggs, seaweed flakes, wild fish and oysters Use animal fats liberally: ghee, butter, tallow, these support hormone production and stoke metabolic fire Train your muscle memory: strength training even twice a week builds heat-producing muscle and supports overall metabolic resilience Warm from the inside out: sip ginger tea, warmed milk, or broth throughout the day, and cut back on iced drinks or raw foods if your body’s already cold To learn more about nourishment for thyroid support 3. Waking up at 2-3am You fall asleep just fine, but like clockwork, you’re wide awake at 2 or 3 in the morning. Not buzzing with energy, but alert enough to wonder: why now? This quiet hour wake-up is one of the body’s most common whispers, and often points to a liver that’s overloaded, a blood sugar drop, or a nervous system still humming from the day. Nighttime is when the body does its deepest repair work, especially the liver, our primary detox organ. If it’s under-resourced or overworked, you’ll feel it. Modern translation? You may be eating too late, skipping meals, relying on caffeine or alcohol, or dealing with unprocessed stress that your body tries to metabolise in the night. Things to explore Are you eating a balanced, nourishing dinner (with protein & fat)? Do you drink alcohol close to bedtime? Are you under-eating during the day and running on adrenaline? Are your stress levels unaddressed, especially in the evenings? Daily support Balance your blood sugar: Eat regular meals with protein and fat. Avoid skipping dinner or loading up on sugar before bed. Liver support: Include beets, leafy greens, and organ meats (especially liver) in your weekly meals. A simple cup of dandelion or nettle tea in the evening can go a long way. Evening wind-down: Dim the lights after sunset. Turn off screens. Try gentle stretching, reading, or journaling to help your nervous system downshift. Nighttime nourishment: A teaspoon of raw honey or a cup of warm raw milk before bed can help prevent blood sugar dips that wake you up. Castor oil packs: Placing a warm castor oil pack over the liver area for 30 mins before bed is a traditional remedy used to support detox and sleep. To help you wind down: The ultimate guide to stress release 4. Skin flare ups (acne, eczema, rashes) Your skin is your outermost organ of elimination, and when it flares up, it often reflects something deeper. The liver, gut, and immune system all play key roles in skin health. When these systems are under strain, from processed foods, poor digestion, hormonal shifts, or a sluggish detox capacity, the skin often takes on the overflow. Things to explore Is your digestion regular and comfortable? Are you including gut healing foods or only avoiding "trigger" ones? Are you eating processed seed oils or a lot of sugar? Is your liver supported with nutrient-dense foods? Daily support Heal your gut lining from within: Add bone broth, collagen, and fermented foods to your meals daily. These soothe the gut lining and support microbial balance. Include organ meats: Liver is rich in retinol (true vitamin A), zinc, and B vitamins, all essential for skin repair and inflammation regulation. Ditch inflammatory foods: Especially industrial seed oils, ultra-processed snacks, and excessive sugar. Hydrate deeply: Water matters, but so do electrolytes and fats. Skin needs hydration and nourishment. Sweat with intention: Regular movement, sauna or warm baths help eliminate waste through the skin gently. Topical nourishment: Tallow balm or gentle oils like jojoba can support skin barrier health. But always start from within. Curious to decode your skin concerns? Ditch the 10-step skincare routine (our skin healing guide) 5. Strong body odour Body odour is natural. But surprisingly, it shouldn’t be overpowering. Sweat itself is mostly water and electrolytes, almost scentless. It’s only when the body’s internal systems are under strain that the smell sharpens. Strong, sour, or persistent odour is often a sign that your detox organs (especially the liver, kidneys, and gut) are working overtime or missing support. Think of it less as "bad hygiene" and more as your body’s way of offloading what it can’t process internally. Things to explore Are you eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, sugar, or refined oils? Are your bowels moving daily (elimination matters)? Do you sweat regularly through movement or heat (or not at all)? Are you hydrating enough to support detox? Daily support Replenish minerals: 6 extremely overlooked mineral deficiencies Mind your magnesium: Low levels can increase odour, soak in Epsom salt baths or eat magnesium-rich foods Natural deodorant: Consider a transition to natural deodorants with baking soda, magnesium, arrowroot, or coconut oil, or go without when possible to let the microbiome recalibrate. Clean up your fats: Industrial seed oils can add to the toxic load. Opt for butter, ghee, tallow, and olive oil instead. Clean sweat: Move daily. Even 20 minutes of walking or stretching to the point of a light sweat can help eliminate built-up waste and recalibrate body odour 6. Chronic bloating It’s normal to feel full after a hearty meal. But when bloating becomes a daily occurrence, the kind that lingers, swells your belly, or leaves you feeling heavy and distended for hours, it’s a gentle alarm from your gut. Chronic bloating points to a breakdown in how the body digests, absorbs, and moves food. Often, it stems from insufficient stomach acid, enzyme deficiency, sluggish gut motility, or microbial imbalance, such as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or Candida overgrowth. In simpler terms: your food may be fermenting rather than digesting. Things to explore Are you eating while stressed, distracted, or rushed? Do you chew thoroughly and pause between bites? Are you including enough digestive support like bitters, broths, or enzymes from raw foods? Are you avoiding red meat or gelatinous cuts that support digestion? Could there be a microbial imbalance (Candida, SIBO, low stomach acid)? Have you relied on antacids, antibiotics or a very low-fat diet in the past? Daily support Bone broth throughout the week: Slow-simmered broths made from bones, cartilage and skin contain gelatine, glutamine and glycine, compounds that soothe the gut lining, support stomach acid, and reduce inflammation. A super simple broth recipe Collagen-rich cuts: Incorporate slow-cooked meats, oxtail, short ribs, or skin-on poultry. These are not just tender, they’re packed with collagen to feed and seal the gut lining Fermented raw dairy: Kefir, raw yogurt or cultured cream (if tolerated) provide beneficial Avoid over-fibreing: Too much raw veg or plant fibre can irritate an already inflamed gut. Balance with soft, cooked vegetables alongside your protein and fat, microbes and enzymes that crowd out bloating-causing bacteria. Support gut motility: Daily movement, magnesium-rich foods, and a balanced circadian rhythm help the gut move food along efficiently. 7. White spots on nails While occasional marks can result from minor trauma to the nail matrix (like bumping your finger), persistent or widespread spots are more likely a sign of nutritional insufficiency or impaired absorption. The most common deficiency behind white spots is zinc, a trace mineral crucial for cell repair, immune resilience, and keratin production (the protein your nails are made of). But other nutrients may be at play too. Calcium and magnesium are essential for mineralising the nail bed and maintaining nail strength, while biotin and sulphur rich amino acids (like cysteine and methionine from animal protein) are key to forming strong, flexible nail structure. Things to explore Are you eating zinc-rich foods like red meat, shellfish, or liver regularly? Are you under-eating protein, particularly bioavailable animal sources? Do you notice other signs of deficiency like hair thinning, skin breakouts, or poor wound healing? Daily support Red meat & shellfish for zinc: Grass-fed beef, lamb, and particularly oysters and mussels are some of the richest and most absorbable sources of zinc, essential for healthy nails, skin, immune function, and cell repair. Bone broth for minerals & collagen: Nails are made of keratin, a protein that depends on amino acids and trace minerals. Slow-simmered broths offer not only collagen but calcium, magnesium, and silica, all needed to build stronger nails. Egg yolks & liver for biotin and vitamin A: Pastured egg yolks are rich in biotin (B7), which strengthens brittle nails. Liver adds retinol (true vitamin A), iron, and B12 , all essential for nail bed health and oxygen delivery to cells. Animal fats for absorption: Zinc and other minerals require fat to be properly utilised. Don’t shy away from butter, ghee or tallow Support your gut: If your digestion is impaired, minerals won’t absorb well. 8. Unexplained weight fluctuations This one is especially nuanced as weight is a reflection of an abundance of different factors. When weight swings up and down without any major change in diet or exercise, it’s usually not fat gain or loss, it’s often driven by shifts in water retention, blood sugar response, or stress hormones. These fluctuations can be early signs of underlying imbalances in one or more of the following areas: Thyroid dysfunction: The thyroid governs metabolic rate, temperature, and energy use. If thyroid hormones (like T3 or T4) are suboptimal, even slightly, weight can fluctuate due to slower metabolism or impaired fluid regulation. Cortisol dysregulation: Chronic stress can spike cortisol, leading to water retention, increased appetite, or catabolism (muscle breakdown). Over time, this creates unstable patterns of weight gain and loss. Blood sugar and insulin sensitivity: If blood glucose isn’t well-regulated, the body may retain fluid after high-carb meals or shift into fat storage more easily. Insulin spikes can cause temporary bloating, while dips can reduce appetite or energy output. Menstrual and sex hormone changes: Especially in women, weight can fluctuate across the cycle due to shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and aldosterone (which controls water balance). PMS-related bloating or perimenopausal shifts are common culprits. Inflammation or food sensitivities: can lead to water retention or inflammation-driven weight changes. You might gain 2-5 lbs overnight from inflammatory water retention, and lose it just as fast once the trigger passes. Things to explore Is your sleep consistent and restorative? (poor sleep dysregulates hunger and insulin) Do you have symptoms of thyroid imbalance: fatigue, cold hands, irregular cycles? Are your meals blood-sugar stabilising, or do they cause spikes and crashes? Do you experience fluid retention, PMS-related weight changes, or inflammatory flares? Has your stress load increased, emotionally or physically? Daily support Prioritise pro-metabolic proteins: Include easily digestible, nutrient-dense proteins, such as gelatine-rich bone broth, slow-cooked meats, full-fat dairy, eggs, and shellfish like oysters or prawns. Collagen (rich in glycine) helps balance methionine from muscle meats, supports the liver, and soothes the gut lining. Restore rhythm: Stabilise your circadian rhythm by waking, eating, and sleeping at consistent times. Hormones like cortisol, insulin, and leptin follow light and timing cues, syncing your meals and sleep to daylight supports metabolic steadiness. Replenish your minerals: Sodium, potassium, and magnesium regulate everything from energy to water retention. Don’t underestimate their power. Eat lots of fruit, eat mineral-rich bone broth, salt your food to taste (especially with high-quality sea salt). Include thyroid and adrenal-supportive foods: Nourish your hormonal backbone with key nutrients: liver (vitamin A, B12, copper), shellfish (zinc, selenium), eggs (choline, iodine), butter and tallow (support steroid hormone production). Watch for patterns, not just numbers: Track your meals, sleep, stress levels, energy, and digestion over two weeks. If you menstruate, include your cycle phase too. Hormonal shifts (especially during the luteal phase or around ovulation) can temporarily influence weight via fluid retention or appetite changes. Look for rhythms, not random spikes. Don’t skip meals (or coffee without food): Going too long without food triggers stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which can slow thyroid function and cause weight to swing. Always pair coffee with something to eat, ideally protein (eggs, cheese, collagen) and some natural sugar (like fruit or honey) to reduce the stress load. You may have noticed something interesting: many of the solutions are the same. And that’s not a coincidence. Real healing doesn’t come from treating symptoms in isolation, it comes from restoring the foundations. You don’t need a cupboard full of synthetic supplements or an expensive protocol to get started. You need what your body has always recognised: deep nourishment, real rest, and a rhythm that makes sense. Your body is not confused. It’s communicating, and when you learn its language, everything begins to shift.

Where to go strawberry picking near you (and why seasonality matters)

There’s something about strawberries. Not the out of season, plastic wrapped ones that sit pale and hard on supermarket shelves in January, but the real ones. The ones that blush under the sun and smell sweet before you even bite into them. The kind you reach for with red-stained fingers and juice dripping down your wrists. The kind that taste of earth and heat and childhood. Right now, fields are filling with these ruby bright jewels, and we want to invite you into the rows. To pick your own. To kneel in soil, feel the sun on your back, and gather your fruit the old way, by hand, with patience and joy. Whether it’s a slow Saturday with the kids or a romantic afternoon walk with a basket in tow, strawberry picking is a love letter to the season itself. Why seasonality matters Seasonality is nature’s quiet rhythm, a cycle as ancient as the soil itself. It’s the way our ancestors ate for thousands of years: in sync with the land, the weather, and the slow shift of the sun. Today, we can eat strawberries in December and tomatoes in January, but just because we can doesn’t mean we should. It’s not just about better flavour (though truly, strawberries plucked warm from the field taste like sunlight itself). It’s about nutrient density, digestive alignment, and ecological balance. Fruits and vegetables grown in their natural season are more nutrient rich. When a plant grows in sync with its ideal climate and daylight hours, it doesn’t need artificial heat, chemical fertilisers, or long-haul transport. The result? Higher levels of key vitamins and minerals, better antioxidant profiles, and more beneficial plant compounds. Take strawberries in spring and early summer: • Vitamin C: vital for skin health, collagen synthesis, and immune support • Anthocyanins & Ellagic Acid: potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties • Fibre & Fructose: which, when eaten whole and in season, support blood sugar regulation and gut health And here’s something often overlooked: when you eat strawberries freshly picked, unwashed and raw, with the faint dusting of local soil still clinging to their skin, you’re also feeding your gut with naturally occurring environmental microbes. These microbes diversify the gut microbiome, supporting digestion, immunity, and even mental clarity. Eating seasonally also keeps us in tune with our metabolic and circadian rhythms. In spring and early summer, lighter fruits and vegetables naturally help cleanse the body after the heavier, warming foods of winter, aligning with the liver’s seasonal activity and our body's innate shift toward more energy and movement. But beyond biology, eating seasonally is a quiet rebellion against the industrial food system. It’s a gesture of reverence. A way of saying: I trust nature’s timing. Food is not just fuel. It’s a relationship. A living, changing thing, not a product, but a process. And when we choose to eat what the earth is offering now, we step back into that relationship with gratitude, humility, and joy. Where to go strawberry picking near you Before you head out, be sure to double check opening dates. Many of these farms begin offering strawberries in late May or early June depending on the weather. But we wanted to make sure you got first dibs. In the USA? Strawberry season’s in full swing coast to coast. Find your nearest pick-your-own patch at Pick your own then grab a basket and head out. Or if you’re UK, keep reading to find your specific farm below... South East England Crockford Bridge Farm (Addlestone, Surrey)One of the earliest openings in the country, Crockford’s strawberry fields begin blushing as early as May. After a slow morning in the rows, wander over to The Wilding Barn, the farm’s own shop and tearoom, where you’ll find homemade ice cream made with their own fruit from the farm. Maynards Fruit Farm (Ticehurst, East Sussex)Tucked into the wooded folds of the Weald, Maynards feels like the kind of place you stumble on by accident. Their fields roll gently across the hills, filled with jewel-bright strawberries and the buzz of bees. After picking, stop by their honesty stall for fresh cream and homemade jam. Parkside Farm (Enfield, North London)A secret garden within the M25, Parkside Farm offers a pause from the city’s pace. Rows of sun warmed strawberries stretch out and the air smells of green stems and ripening fruit. It's the perfect midweek escape, especially if you sneak in after school for a golden-hour wander. Lathcoats Farm (Chelmsford, Essex)A haven for heritage apple lovers and strawberry seekers alike. Walk down the gentle slope of the picking fields and let little hands choose berries still warm from the morning sun. Their farm shop bursts with raw honey and old-fashioned cordials. Stanhill Farm (Dartford, Kent)Just past the edge of the city, Stanhill offers a simple kind of magic. Book your strawberry slot, arrive early, and meander through soft earth with a basket on your arm. South West England Forde Abbey Fruit Farm (Chard, Somerset)In the shadow of the ancient abbey, this magical spot feels like a step back in time. After you’ve filled your basket, walk through wildflower meadows and find a shady tree for a picnic. It’s not just strawberry picking, it’s stepping into an English fairytale. Ansty PYO & Farm Shop (Wiltshire) Hidden in the Wiltshire hills, Ansty is the kind of place that doesn’t shout. No crowds, just quiet fields full of fruit, sky and a charming tea room. The kind of place where you lose time, find peace, and leave with mud on your knees and joy in your basket. They sell local milk, honey and cheeses and on Thursdays and Saturdays they bake their own sourdough. Midlands Scaddows Farm (Ticknall, Derbyshire)Set on a hilltop with sweeping views over green valleys, Scaddows is worth the trip for the scenery alone. But the strawberries, sun-drenched and headily sweet, are the stars. And of course, plenty of delights in their farm shop. Manor Farm Fruits (Tamworth, Staffordshire)Buzzing with energy and delight, Manor Farm is a celebration of the season. Ride the tractor out to the strawberry tunnels, then fill your hands, your basket, and likely your mouth. North of England Claremont Farm (Wirral, Merseyside)Strawberry picking here comes with sea air and estuary views. As you wander the rows, you might catch the call of curlews or the scent of wild thyme. Their farm shop is a dream: cheeses still sweating from the cave, hand-churned butter, and eggs with straw still clinging to their shells. Spilman’s Farm (Thirsk, North Yorkshire)Where Yorkshire countryside meets joyful chaos. Spilman’s is made for families. But even in the buzz, there’s beauty, ripe fruit glinting in the sun and long rows humming with midsummer life. The Balloon Tree Farmshop & Café (Gate Helmsley, York)With nearly 7km of strawberry rows, Balloon Tree is a northern jewel. Choose between varieties like Vibrant and Florence, then wander to the café for fresh scones and strawberry treats still warm from the oven. Kids can dash between ride-on tractors and the bakery window, where fruit-filled cakes rise like magic. Bentley Grange Farm (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire)Set in idylic West Yorkshire countryside where the Moorhouse family have farmed since 1889. Different generations have adapted their skills to a wide range of agricultural activities including growing soft fruit which began in the late 70s. Now one of the only places in the area to offer pick your own fruit, it continues to provide a range of soft fruit grown to the highest standards. In the end, the strawberries are only part of the story. The real magic is the slowness. The smell of sun-warmed fruit. The joy of eating something you picked with your own hands. The laughter of sticky fingers and the quiet satisfaction of a day spent outside. Know a hidden gem we missed? If there’s a local strawberry field you love, we’d love to hear about it. Pop it in the comments and help someone else discover the magic in their own backyard.

5 hidden causes of women's hormone imbalance

Ever feel like your body’s whispering secrets you can’t quite decode? Painful, irregular periods. Early menopause. Fatigue that no amount of sleep can fix. Weight that won’t shift no matter how “clean” you eat. Trouble conceiving. They’re not inevitable parts of womanhood. They’re intelligent signals from a body craving restoration. Signs of hormonal imbalance that are often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or masked by conventional approaches, rather than truly understood. The good news is that our bodies have an innate tendency toward equilibrium when given the right support Let's explore five often overlooked causes of female hormone imbalance and how to address them: 1. Chronic nutrient deficiencies Did you know that all human sex hormones are derived from cholesterol? And yet we are so often told to fear it. While your body makes about 80% of its cholesterol needs, the rest must come from diet, and that 20% is crucial for hormonal resilience, especially during stress, perimenopause, and postpartum. Ancestral diets were rich in cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins from eggs, liver, seafood, bone marrow, and raw dairy. Today, many of us are unknowingly starved of key nutrients: vitamin A (as retinol), D, K2, magnesium, B6, B12, zinc, iodine, and choline. These are the nutrients that regulate the menstrual cycle, power ovulation, support the thyroid, and buffer against estrogen dominance. Reintroduce traditional foods that nourish hormonal balance. Start with organ meats such as beef liver (rich in retinol, vitamin B12, and choline), pastured egg yolks daily, and slow-cooked bone broths rich in glycine and minerals. Load your plate with butter, sardines, shellfish, and full-fat dairy. Your endocrine system will thank you. 5. An overburdened liver Often underestimated, the liver plays a pivotal role in hormone metabolism, acting as the main processing center. Every hormone circulating in your body, including estrogen, relies on the liver to safely break it down. In today’s world, however, the liver is bombarded with alcohol, medications, synthetic chemicals (from pesticides to plastics), all of which can impair its function. A sluggish or overburdened liver might not efficiently metabolise hormones, leading to a buildup of estrogen or other byproducts in the body. This can manifest as estrogen dominance symptoms: think heavy periods, clotting, fibrocystic breasts, stubborn weight gain (especially around hips/thighs), and mood swings. In women approaching menopause, it might worsen hot flashes or make the transition bumpier than it needs to be. Essentially, if estrogen isn’t being properly deactivated and excreted, it continues “recycling” in the body and keeping tissues stimulated. Additionally, gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of gut bacteria often caused by antibiotics, junk food, or chronic stress, can lead to certain bacteria producing an enzyme (beta-glucuronidase) that re-activates estrogen in the colon, sending it back into circulation. Reduce the influx of toxins that burden your liver and mimic hormones. Simple swaps make a big difference over time: use glass or stainless steel instead of plastic for food storage and water bottles (to avoid BPA, phthalates), choose natural cleaning and beauty products, and even be mindful with cookware (cast iron or stainless steel pans instead of Teflon non-stick coatings which can release endocrine disruptors when heated). And if you do need medications or hormonal contraceptives, work with your healthcare provider to use the lowest effective dose and support your body with extra nutrients (like a high-quality B-complex vitamin, magnesium, and liver-supportive herbs) during use. Support your liver gently and daily. Use castor oil packs over the abdomen to increase circulation and lymphatic flow. Incorporate bitters (dandelion, chicory, rocket), sulphur-rich foods (onions, garlic, eggs), and vitamin-rich organ meats. Dry brushing, saunas, and Epsom salt baths help the lymphatic system move waste. 3. Disrupted circadian rhythm & EMFs In our high-tech lives, women are exposed not only to physical and dietary stressors but also to electromagnetic ones. Constant connectivity means we’re bathing in artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from Wi-Fi routers, cell phones, laptops, smart appliances, and more, an exposure level utterly foreign to our ancestors. Emerging research suggests that this 24/7 EMF exposure may subtly disrupt the body’s neuroendocrine system (the delicate dance between the nervous system and hormones). In essence, electromagnetic stress can trigger hormonal stress. In women, just like chronic emotional stress, this digital stress can contribute to irregular cycles, worsened anxiety around periods, and increased risk of estrogen-progesterone imbalance. It’s telling that functional medicine doctors sometimes refer to EMFs and artificial light as “invisible endocrine disruptors.” Treat EMF exposure as a form of pollution and minimize it where you can. Simple steps include turning off Wi-Fi routers at night, keeping cell phones away from your body (don’t carry your phone in a pocket directly against your body or sleep with it by your pillow), and using speakerphone or wired earbuds instead of holding the phone to your head. At home, unplug devices that emit constant EMFs when not in use. These small habits reduce the overall electromagnetic load on your body, giving your endocrine system a chance to operate in a calmer environment. Prioritise early morning sunlight and regularly practice grounding: walking barefoot on natural surfaces, which stabilises nervous system function and reduces stress-induced hormonal imbalances. 4. Seed oils Our ancestors cooked with tallow, lard, butter. Fats that are stable, nourishing, and easily used by the body. Today, we’ve swapped these for industrial oils: rapeseed, canola, sunflower, soybean, extracted through high heat, chemical solvents, and deodorisation. High in linoleic acid (an unstable omega-6 fat), seed oils integrate into your cell membranes and make them prone to oxidation. When that happens, hormone receptors on those cells become less responsive, and inflammation flares, disrupting everything from ovulation to insulin sensitivity to thyroid function. In fact, diets overloaded with omega-6 and deficient in anti-inflammatory omega-3s have even been linked to issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and even infertility. Ditch the seed oils and return to the fats your grandmother used. Grass-fed butter, ghee, coconut oil, and beef tallow are metabolically stabilising. Pair with omega-3-rich foods like sardines and mackerel to rebalance your fatty acid ratios. Bonus? Orange juice can help neutralise the oxidative byproducts of linoleic acid. 5. Chronic fight or flight Physiologically, here’s what happens: under stress, the adrenal glands release cortisol and adrenaline. High cortisol over time steals “building blocks” (like pregnenolone) that would otherwise be used to produce progesterone, a phenomenon sometimes termed the “pregnenolone steal.” While the biochemistry is complex, the outcome is that a chronically stressed woman might have plenty of estrogen but not enough progesterone to balance it, leading to PMS, anxiety, breast tenderness, and heavy periods. Moreover, cortisol communicates with the brain’s hormone control centre (the hypothalamus and pituitary), which can suppress signals to the ovaries and thyroid. This is why women under intense stress may develop hypothyroidism symptoms or lose their period (amenorrhea) even if they are not underweight. From an ancestral view, it makes sense – the body perceives a “famine or danger,” so it prioritises survival over reproduction, altering hormonal output accordingly. Honour rest. Learn how to say no. Eat breakfast with protein and carbs within an hour of waking to stabilise cortisol. Before bed, try gelatin gummies made with honey, glycine and sea salt to support deep sleep and calm the adrenals. Bone broth, especially in the evening, helps soothe the nervous system and replenish depleted reserves. And for stored trauma? The hips hold it. Many women unconsciously store emotional tension in their pelvis. Try a hip-opening sequence paired with deep breathwork or somatic release. This is one of our favourites: Trauma-Informed Hip Opening Yoga for Emotional Release

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Hi,
I have just purchased my first ‘Organised’ and I am loving it! I love your whole philosophy as well as your website which is so informative. I follow on social media too.
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More than just a supplement

All-in-one, 100% grass-fed beef protein powder, enriched with collagen, colostrum and beef organs. Designed to replace multiple supplements using whole-food nutrition.

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