What Is Fermentation

Fermentation is the process in which natural microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria secrete enzymes that then break down the sugars or starches of certain foods. The result of fermentation is the production of lactic acid and carbon dioxide, little gaseous bubbles that you typically see forming when you make fermented honey garlic or even during the process of sourdough bread.

The Health Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods are rich in naturally occurring probiotics which can support gut health, immune health and digestion. Studies have also shown a connection between gut health and cognitive health. Therefore, a healthy gut may help to improve mental health, mood regulation as well as cognitive function.

How To Make Fermented Honey Garlic

First, peel garlic cloves from the garlic bulb. The exact amount does not matter however I aim to have about 1 cup of garlic cloves. Add the garlic cloves to a small glass jar and top with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, commonly referred to as ACV. This step is completely optional, however it can provide peace of mind for those we are worried about botulism related to honey and the bacteria growth that occurs during the fermentation process. It is very unlikely that botulism would grow with this recipe. However, for peace of mind you can add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar which will improve the pH making the environment unfavorable for botulism. In addition, never feed honey or fermented honey garlic to babies ages one year old and younger. Fill the jar with raw local honey that has not been pasteurized leaving a small bit of room at the top, as during the fermentation process the honey will bubble. Pasteurized honey is highly processed and during the pasteurization process, key health benefits and nutrients of honey are lost. When you buy and consume raw honey you ensure that the amazing health benefits of honey are intake. Add a lid and place in a cool dark place such as the pantry. I like to add to a small bowl under the jar as the honey can bubble over and spill out as it starts to ferment. Every day secure the lid on tight and rotate a few times to ensure the garlic is fully coated with honey. Then slightly loosen the lid once it’s upright again. Continue this pattern for one month and then enjoy! You can technically eat the garlic or honey at any time during the month. However, waiting the full month will ensure a truly potent fermented honey garlic. Enjoy!

How To Eat Honey Garlic

Fermented Honey Garlic has many wonderful medicinal properties and therefore you can enjoy the honey straight by the spoonful or pop a clove of honey garlic for a flavorful and potent treat that will support your immune system!

You can also use fermented honey garlic in any recipe or beverage where you would naturally add honey or garlic such as on toast, in homemade salad dressings, to sauces, a cup of tea and beyond.

My Experience With Hyperthyroid 

When I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease in 2016 I felt so lost. The endocrinologist told me that nutrition and lifestyle habits have nothing to do with my thyroid and that medication, radiation or surgery were my only 3 options. I knew in my gut that that didn’t feel right and I wanted to learn more about thyroid health and try to heal my health from a holistic perspective.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist I know the power that food can have in regards to healing our body. So I set to work to learn everything I could about thyroid health and autoimmune diseases. I worked with a Naturopath to run further tests and get to the root cause of my thyroid imbalance and after many months of putting in the work with dietary changes, herbs, catered supplements as well as lifestyle changes to better support my thyroid and more… my numbers improved!! I was in remission and went on to have two beautiful healthy babies.

My Experience With Hypothyroid 

After my second child, my son, was born I experienced an immense amount of stress from postpartum hormones, postpartum anxiety and depression, a very stressful pandemic AND a major move. My thyroid swung to hypothyroid and I gained weight, felt awful and experienced major gut issues such as SIBO! I pulled up my sleeves and went back to work to restore my health, and bring balance and peace to my stressed out body. 

My Thyroid Story

A few years ago I posted this video on YouTube, where I sat down to share my own personal thyroid story. After posting my personal thyroid story video, I received so many comments from people who could relate to what I shared in the video from my experience, emotions and interest in implementing functional medicine for thyroid support.

I know what it feels like when your health is off. I know how overwhelming, stressful, worrisome and lonesome it can be. I want you to know that you are not alone in your thyroid journey. Nutrition, lifestyle habits and herbs DO impact thyroid health. You can put your thyroid condition into remission. 

Online Program For Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid 

Which leads us to the creation of the Thyroid Balance Course! I wanted to create and share a thorough program that would guide someone through all of the basics for caring for their thyroid health from a holistic and functional medicine perspective combining both my professional and personal experience and expertise on this topic. 

I created this course because it is needed. This is the course that I wish existed when I was newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease many years ago, when I was trying to conceive my first child but it just wasn’t happening for us. This is the course I wish existed when I was a postpartum mom and experienced hypothyroidism.

I have personally experienced both sides of the thyroid spectrum and know how overwhelming, frustrating and emotional it is when your health is not within balance. I have personally worked to bring balance back to my thyroid twice, focusing on functional medicine, nutrition and holistic practices.

My hope with this course is that it empowers you to understand how your thyroid works and how your body works so that you can, in partnership with your trusted doctor, bring balance back to your thyroid and your health overall.

I hope that this course is not only educational but reminds you that you are not alone in your journey. Your body is capable of restoring, repairing and extraordinary things.

What Is The Thyroid Balance Course?

The Thyroid Balance Course is a self-paced 12 video module program to help you bring balance back to your thyroid health through nutrition, herbs, wellness and more! 

Whether you have hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Subclinical Hypothyroid or more, this course will be your guide to restoring your thyroid health from a holistic and functional medicine perspective.

This course is for you if you want to feel educated and empowered to understand how your body works and get to the root cause of your thyroid condition so that you can restore your health.

This Course Is For You If:

• You want to get to the root cause of your thyroid imbalance
• You want your body to be in balance naturally and see improved lab work
• You are ready for the stress and anxiety of your health struggles to be behind you!
• You are ready to no longer feel exhausted, frustrated or overwhelmed by your health concerns
• You are tired of spending hours on the internet or social media trying to piece together a health plan from potentially unqualified individuals or misguided information that is not backed by science
• You are ready to invest in your health and feel better!
• You are looking for expert guidance from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who also specializes in thyroid health!

Additional Resources For Thyroid Health

The Thyroid Balance Cookbook includes 50 delicious, wholesome, gluten-free and dairy-free recipes to support thyroid, gut and liver health! 

The Meditations For Thyroid Health pack includes 5 guided meditations to support rest, digest and thyroid health. We know that chronic stress has an incredibly negative impact on thyroid health. These guided meditations are designed to help the body move into a state of calm, rest and digest, regulate the nervous system and bring a sense of peace and well-being.