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Natalie Saxton's avatar

I’ve had nettle tea in the cabinet forever but this was the nudge I needed to brew some today!

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Love that, Natalie! Sometimes all it takes is a little reminder. Nettle tea is such a gentle, mineral-rich support. Hope you enjoy that cup today!

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Daria Diaz's avatar

Good information here Karina! I've been drinking ACV before meals for quite awhile now. I wasn't aware of the protein connection. My husband's blood work showed that his A1C was borderline, so I have him drinking it too.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Thank you, Daria! That’s great that you’ve already made ACV part of your routine! It’s such a simple yet powerful habit. And I love that you’ve got your husband on board too. Hoping his numbers improve with these extra tweaks!

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Katie Louis's avatar

May I Ask how much ACV you drink I need to get on the ACV bandwagon.

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Daria Diaz's avatar

I use about a tablespoon in a glass of water (8-ish ounces). I try to drink it about 15 minutes before breakfast and then again before dinner. I know longer mind the taste. As Karina said, use a straw and drink a little bit of water after to protect your teeth.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

I agree with Daria's tips! And if 1 tablespoon feels like too much, you can start with 1 teaspoon, maybe, and build your way up. Please let us know how it goes and if you see any noticeable changes, Katie. :)

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Katie Louis's avatar

Okay thanks for saying

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Cara Bradley's avatar

So much here Karina! You are a wealth of knowledge. Some of your suggestions I do, some I forget to do and some are new! Thank you for this thorough post.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

I’m so glad you found it helpful, dear Cara! Gut health can feel like a lot to juggle, so even having a few pieces in place already makes a big difference. You’re doing more than you think. 💛

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Philipp Maerzhaeuser's avatar

Chewing slowly is my biggest challenge, especially when being distracted while eating.

You put together a wonderful article that highlights how consistent small actions can lead to a restoration of balance in the gut. In my perception, taking a deep breath, being fully present can help us appreciate the menu in front of us and have a higher chance of not overeating.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Thank you for sharing this, Philipp! I can completely relate, chewing slowly is one of those simple but surprisingly challenging habits, especially when life is busy or distractions are around. It's something we're so disconnected from, we're not even aware of it. It’s such a small action, but it really does help us enjoy the food more and listen to our body’s cues.

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Sophia Wronsky's avatar

I constantly need to remind myself to "chew"! Thank you for these actionable tips!

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Isn't it funny how it's one of the simplest things to do, yet it doesn't come so easily to so many of us. So glad you enjoyed the post, Sophia, thank you!

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Ciara Brooke Reese's avatar

Great info!

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Thank you, Ciara! Glad you enjoyed it!

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Dr. Bronce Rice's avatar

Karina - I rather appreciate how you frame gut healing as a season and a foundation rather than a quick-fix protocol. Your list reads like daily rhythm of care, that tastes good! is accessible, calming and grounded in both science and lived experience to boot. Bonus points!

I especially connect with your point about stress living in the body, not just the mind. As you indicated, pairing nourishment with simple practices like mindful chewing, slow breathing before meals, and warm, cooked foods can do more for repair than any supplement alone.

Your reminder that healing is about creating conditions for balance is spot on. Small, steady changes that are good for us is the best long-term medicine for improving the quality of our living.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Thank you so much for this beautiful reflection, Bronce! You’ve captured the essence of what I hoped to convey in the post.

I love how you described it as a daily rhythm of care — that’s exactly how I think about it, especially in seasons when stress is high. And yes, supplements can be helpful tools, but they’ll never replace the power of giving the body a consistent environment where it feels safe enough to heal.

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Heather Hausenblas, PhD's avatar

These are great tips. I'm going to try the apple cider vinegar.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Thank you, Heather! Let me know how it goes! :)

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Heather Hausenblas, PhD's avatar

What are your thoughts on Apple Cider Vinegar? I’m about to dig into the research on it.

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

I think ACV can be a helpful tool for some people, particularly if low stomach acid is part of the picture. Many tolerate it better than supplementing with HCl. I don’t usually rely on it for blood sugar balance, as there are other strategies that tend to be more effective. I’d love to hear what you discover in your research!

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Heather Hausenblas, PhD's avatar

I will keep you posted. Its a hot topic right now.

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Michelle Perl's avatar

Thanks Karina! Great advice!

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Karina Baloleanu, CFNC's avatar

Thank you, Michelle! Glad you found it useful!

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