Since I had Ottava Ella I've gotten a lot of questions about what I feed her and what my baby feeding philosophy is. Aside from questions about her actual birth, these are the most common ones! This episode is a pretty organic conversation about why we choose to feed Ottava grain-free and some of the thoughts I had when deciding what to feed her, and when.

This is a topic that is a little more out of the ordinary for the podcast. It is not going to be relevant to all of you, but I think it's going to be an episode that is shared a lot because it covers a topic that isn't talked about enough. When I did a quick search on other tongue and lip tie podcasts, there are a few - but how about we throw one more in the mix?!

This is the second installment of my new podcast segment "Ask. Dr. Meghan" and I am loving answering your questions about simplifying healthy living.

I think it's such a fun and personal way to connect with you, my loyal, wonderful listeners, and continue providing the kind of content that you want to hear.

In today's episode, here are the questions that I'll be answering and unpacking:

1. "Do I have to worry about Fluoride in Kombucha?" - Betty

2. "What is in my version of a healthy first aid kit?" - Diane

3. "Did you eat grain free during pregnancy? I've heard a keto diet isn't safe for pregnancy, but not sure if that's based on any research." - Julie

If you're curious to know the answers to these questions, be sure to tune into this week's episode!

In this episode you're going to hear me address the issue of learning to eat intuitively while still making sure to eat and live healthy.

This is something I struggled with for a long time. I didn't want to follow a set of rules, instead wanting to trust my body to tell me what foods I needed.

But, when I let up on the rules I would go wild and crazy with falling off the bandwagon and eating lots of sugar and overall way too much food. It was SUCH a struggle (and I'm guessing I'm not the only one who struggles with that, right?!)

Tune in to hear me answer these four main questions:

1. How do you love your body and eat intuitively without compromising your health?

2. How do you eat healthy when you don't follow a set of rules?

3. What is the key to eating healthy and not falling off the "bandwagon?"

4. What if you're struggling to see changes and intuitively eating seems like it's not for you?

Recently I received this question from a reader: "How do I eat grain-free in the real world?" Honestly this is such a common struggle, and one that I myself used to have as well!

Years later, I don't remember as clearly what it was like to navigate my way through the world of grain-free living, but in this episode I walk through what that journey looked like and how you can navigate that journey for yourself.

The reality is that, in a world where there is grain, sugar, and more grain around every. single. corner. it can feel downright impossible to eat a healthy, grain-free diet.

In this episode I hope you'll find both encouragement and resources to help make it possible for you!

In this first episode of my new series "Ask Dr. Meghan" I'm tackling questions submitted by listeners just like you, who want to know things like:

• What are your go-to snacks?
• What probiotic do you recommend?
• What brand of raw honey do you love?

......and many more! Be sure to tune in, and submit your questions by emailing me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com.

In this episode I'm sharing all about what exactly food freedom is and how to experience it for yourself. You'll hear me share about the personal challenges I overcame with food and the book that has helped me tremendously in understanding freedom more fully and how to apply it to how we approach and think about nourishing our bodies.

Let's talk adrenal fatigue because there's a chance it is something you deal with. It's estimated that 80% of people worldwide suffer from adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal fatigue is when your adrenal glands can't make cortisol in the right amounts, at the right times, in response to stress.

So what are these adrenal glands anyway? I'm sure you've heard of adrenal fatigue or even adrenal supplements. But I don't see the adrenal glands defined much.

The adrenal glands are two thumb-sized organs that sit right above your kidneys. They are part of the endocrine system, which is your hormone system.

They play a part in producing over 50 hormones that are essential for your body to function well.

Because your adrenal glands produce your stress hormones, they can be overworked and become fatigued, which causes a host of symptoms.

In this episode you will learn the symptoms of adrenal fatigue as well as my top ten tips on how to support your adrenal glands and start the process of healing.

Sponsor Spotlight: Young Living Essential Oils

In this episode I talk about which essential oils I use in supporting the adrenal glands and endocrine system.

Although I don't get into too much detail in the episode, it shows you the diverse uses that essential oils have. They are a tool in my healthy living toolbox and I believe they should be in yours too!

If you haven't already started using essential oils, you can learn how to get your starter kit here.

Thank you for listening to the Just Enjoy Health Podcast. I hope you are learning a lot and filling your toolbox full of healthy tools. You can help other women find the podcast and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast on iTunes and leaving a review or rating the podcast.

Feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or thoughts. You can email me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com or find me on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

You can also keep up to date on all the latest podcast episodes, blog posts, tips, and exclusive info by subscribing to my mailing list.

PS: Don’t forget to come join us in the Just Enjoy Health Facebook Community!

I spent a lot of my pregnancy with Ottava figuring out what my business was going to look like once I finally had her and came back from maternity leave. I wanted to really showcase my knowledge but share it in a way that made sense and helped a lot of women.

Over the course of almost a year I came up with what I thought summed up my message and simplified it down into a workbook I believe anyone can benefit from - my Healthy Living Toolbox!

In this episode you're going to hear all about my Healthy Living Toolbox and the 12 tools you need to know about and start focusing on in your health.

Now, I know 12 may sound like a lot, but trust me - this workbook is a comprehensive guide designed to help you learn about these tools and break them down into meaningful and doable goals.

At the end of the episode I share a special I'm running on The Healthy Living Toolbox workbook that will only last May 2-9, 2017 so don't miss it! I want you to be able to get your hands on this resource so you can start changing your health habits and experiencing the benefits today.

Just click here to access this limited time only offer.

Thank you for listening to the Just Enjoy Health Podcast. I hope you are learning a lot and filling your toolbox full of healthy tools. You can help other women find the podcast and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast on iTunes and leaving a review or rating the podcast.

Feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or thoughts. You can email me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com or find me on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

You can also keep up to date on all the latest podcast episodes, blog posts, tips, and exclusive info by subscribing to my mailing list.

PS: Don’t forget to come join us in the Just Enjoy Health Facebook Community!

Safe skincare and better beauty is something you've heard me talk a lot about, and now I have a podcast resource for you to listen to all about how to choose better skincare and beauty products to improve overall health!

If you've been around for any length of time, you'll know am a total lover of Beautycounter. In fact, I love the company so much I decided to join them a few years ago to educate others on the importance of choosing better and sharing products I believe are truly amazing!

Since joining forces with Beautycounter I've grown to love the company and products more every day, but I've also recognized a need for more resources to help you learn more about safer skincare and beauty, why in the world you would want to replace your current products, and how to actually walk through the process of replacing them. It can be a big task finding products that you love that are also safer.

Although I talk a lot about Beautycounter in this episode, there are other safe skincare companies who are also making safe products (I just don't know and use them, and will only recommend things I use and love!)

One primary thing I hope you'll take away from this episode is to keep an eye out for greenwashing. Basically what that means is conventional companies claiming their products are "all natural" or "cruelty free" or "eco-friendly" (which truthfully, doesn't really mean much!)

You want to do your research with each company and product you're considering using and make sure they are testing their products and banning many of the toxic chemicals found in the vast majority of beauty products on the market.

Beautycounter is a company with that adheres to very high standards - standards that aim to keep you, the consumer, as safe and healthy as possible.

As you do your research and begin your process of swapping out your conventional products with better, healthier options, feel free to reach out to me with questions or for some personalized recommendations based on your body and skin type. I'd love to help!

Also, don't miss out on my new Safe Skincare Series that I mentioned in this episode. It's a detailed email series where you will learn SO much about the ingredients you want to avoid, the products I love, and even my own personal skincare and makeup routines!

Last but not least, this week (April 25th-May 2nd, 2017) you can snag a FREE Lip Sheer of your choice of color with any Beautycounter order of $125+.

All you have to do is forward a copy of your emailed order confirmation to me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com along with your choice of Lip Sheer color, and I will get your gift sent out to you at the beginning of May!

Thank you for listening to the Just Enjoy Health Podcast. I hope you are learning a lot and filling your toolbox full of healthy tools. You can help other women find the podcast and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast on iTunes and leaving a review or rating the podcast.

Feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or thoughts. You can email me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com or find me on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

You can also keep up to date on all the latest podcast episodes, blog posts, tips, and exclusive info by subscribing to my mailing list.

PS: Don't forget to come join us in the Just Enjoy Health Facebook Community!

This episode has been sponsored by Ancient Nutrition's Bone Broth Protein, a breakthrough in protein supplementation that delivers the benefits of homemade bone broth in a convenient, easy-to-mix form.

Healthy eating can be hard, and it's ok. Yep, I said it. It's ok that some days are really hard! It's ok that you devote time and mental energy to eating well. I've been doing this for years and some days are still hard. But, it does get easier, I promise you that!

It takes less energy and it becomes part of your life. It actually becomes a habit. We live in a fast food world and a society where information is at our finger tips immediately. Somehow we feel we should be able to eat healthy and have it be that quick and easy too. 

Do you feel like healthy eating should be easy all the time? That being healthy shouldn't require work? I've been there. Years ago I had this mindset. And it was so bad that I walked around feeling constantly deprived, addicted to sugar, and completely unhappy with how I was eating.

I felt that everyone got to eat better than I did - like they got to eat all the donuts, cookies, and candy. It was exhausting and I was bound by diet rules and trying to be perfect. I was struggling so much I actually craved foods I didn't even like just because I was exhausted from trying to control my "perfect" diet. 

But this podcast isn't about being overwhelmed by more rigid food rules. It’s actually meant to combat them and throw out the notion that you have to eat perfectly, and do so all the time. It's not about trying to follow the rules or a 30 day plan perfectly.

It's about listening to your body and looking at it as a lifestyle choice. Guess what? You GET to eat healthy. Yep, you GET to choose each day to fuel your body well. You will often hear me talk about the difference between I "have to" and I "get to" - it's a huge mindset shift I want you to grasp.

In this episode, I'll also talk about why fake foods are so incredibly addictive and how they are designed to lure you in every. single. time. It's what food scientists do for a living. They try and create foods that get you hooked so you'll keep buying them. You can't blame yourself for craving that Oreo or your favorite candy bar. But you can work to beat the cravings and fulfill them in different, healthier ways. (PS: That's why I love healthy desserts so much!)

Remember this: it doesn't have to be all or nothing when it comes to your health! Our bodies are forgiving. You will learn, grow, make changes, and eventually be walking in food freedom. That's my hope for you - that you feel a sense of freedom in your food choices, and wildly abundant health.  

Sponsor Spotlight: Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein

Dairy free, soy free, grain free and gluten free, this amazing supplement helps support healthy skin and aging, healthy energy levels and a healthy metabolism. Check out more and order some for yourself here. 

Thank you for listening to the Just Enjoy Health Podcast. I hope you are learning a lot and filling your toolbox full of healthy tools. You can help other women find the podcast and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast on iTunes and leaving a review or rating the podcast. 

Feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or thoughts. You can email me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com or find me on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Keep up to date on all the latest blogposts, tips, and exclusive info by subscribing to my mailing list. 

PS: Don't forget to come join us in the Just Enjoy Health Facebook Community!

This episode has been sponsored by Beautycounter, whose mission (and mine too!) is to get safer beauty and personal care products into the hands of everyone. I know many pregnant women will be tuning into this episode as it is birth-related, and I also know that choosing safer products is something we tend to think about during pregnancy. Lucky for you, I've taken all the guesswork out of choosing better personal care products! For better safety and performance, I recommend choosing Beautycounter.

I am a total sucker for a good birth story. I used to read birth stories like crazy, yet ironically, I didn't during my pregnancy! Today I get to share with you the audio version of Ottava's birth story - my (our) breech, gentle, family-centered cesarean (c-section). Do you think I could have made that title any longer?!

It's our homebirth turned cesarean story, and it's one of beauty, because her birth was just that...beautiful. Through all of the changes to our desired birth, encouraging her (like a crazy person!) to flip from breech, we still made it a beautiful birth and fought for the best and healthiest birth possible for our little girl. 

You may be wondering why I waited until her first birthday to get this podcast taped. The short version is, I just wasn't ready. I know I typed up her birth story a month after she was born. At that point I felt called to write it out, and typing it flowed out of me with ease. But saying it out loud and actually taping it was a big step for me.

Plus, this podcast didn't actually re-launch until January, so that's another reason. I didn't have to tape it until now ;)

In this episode you'll hear Ottava's full birth story. As I got done with it I remembered missing a few points or a few of my thoughts. I trust it is taped and presented the way God wanted it to be said. And I have to say, although I'm a little nervous to push publish, I really hope our story will bless you!

Links + Resources

• Ottava Ella's Birth Story
• What is a Gentle or Family Centered Cesarean
• Things Nobody Tells You Before a C-Section

Sponsor Spotlight: Beautycounter

Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home.

Over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned 11 to date.

What’s worse is that the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics in the United States) allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful in the products we put on our bodies and on our kids’ bodies every single day, day after day, and to make their own judgments about safety.

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE.

At Beautycounter, we’re committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what’s required by U.S. law: We’ve banned the use of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals through our "Never List”—all while ensuring our products perform and that they’re as indulgent as any other luxe shampoo, lipstick, or oil in the market.

IT’S NOT EASY WORK, BUT IT’S WELL WORTH IT.

This is about progress—not perfection. Because every little bit counts.

Shop Beautycounter here!

Thank you for listening to the Just Enjoy Health Podcast. I hope you are learning a lot and filling your toolbox full of healthy tools. You can help other women find the podcast and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast on iTunes and leaving a review or rating the podcast. 

Feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or thoughts. You can email me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com or find me on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Keep up to date on all the latest blogposts, tips, and exclusive info by subscribing to my mailing list. 

PS: Don't forget to come join us in the Just Enjoy Health Facebook Community!

Hello and guess what? The wait is over. Yep, I'm launching the second season of the Just Enjoy Health Podcast and I am so excited that I'm up and running again. 

I took a longer time off than I thought. I wanted to restart the podcast after maternity leave, sometime in June or July. Each month I had too much on my plate and couldn't fit it into my work week. I really wanted to, I missed interviewing guests and missed connecting to you all. 

But today... today is the day I begin season 2. And as much as I'd love the podcast to be super consistent with a weekly release, I'm going to do the un-smart business thing (but the smart family thing) and release the podcast when I can make time for it. I am shooting for 1-2 times per month. If you ever have show topic suggestions, let me know. I definitely want to know what you want to learn and listen to. And even who you want me to interview, let me know some names. 

And now, without any more delaying, Season 2 of the Just Enjoy Podcast. There's a lot more information and updates in the podcast.