Ladies, I hear you loud and clear: Endometriosis is a serious condition that is causing you pain, confusion, and frustration. Last week, you shared some of your stories with me via Facebook. You recounted how painful Endometriosis cramping can be and how you have period symptoms even when you’re not getting your period. You said you’ve spent months and years trying to get control over this painful and confusing condition, some of you with laparoscopies and multiple surgeries, with no solution to be found. Some of you struggle with fertility issues. Many of you are diagnosed in your 20’s and 30’s. To make things worse, many of you report doctors who second-guessed your symptoms and said they were “all in your head.”Thank you for your honesty and courage in sharing these stories with me. Endometriosis is a serious condition affecting 6-10% percent of women from their teenage years through adulthood. For these thousands of women, not fully understanding what is going on in their bodies and not knowing how to help themselves feel better can make them feel lost and frustrated. The time has come for women with this condition to feel empowered, hopeful, and begin their path to healing.In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we’ve outlined for you the basics of endometriosis and essentials for healing.

FLO Recommendations for Managing Endometriosis Symptoms and Healing

Endometriosis Basics

Endometriosis occurs when the cells from the lining of the uterus, called endometrial cells, migrate to elsewhere in the body. The endometrial cells that line the uterus respond to the rise and fall of female hormones; the shift in hormones that occurs around your period is one of the reasons why endometriosis symptoms can be especially painful at your time of the month.Endometriosis has also been found to be caused by an autoimmune reaction in the body, meaning that antibodies are formed to fight against the body’s own tissue. As Dr. Christiane Northrup describes in her book Women’s Bodies Women’s Wisdom, these antibodies can interfere with regular menstruation and fertility, and on the deeper level can be associated with some aspect of the woman rejecting her female body. (This might sound a little out there, but we’ll get into the details in a moment.)Here’s the good news: you can regulate the fluctuating hormones in your body and heal your symptoms through diet and lifestyle shifts. We’re here to tell you how.

Estrogen and Prostaglandins

The key to controlling Endometriosis through diet lies in the role of estrogen and prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are naturally occurring fatty acids, derived from what we put into our bodies thru diet. The body can produce a variety of prostaglandins—good ones and bad ones. The goal of a good diet, of course, is the increase the good prostaglandins to offset the effects of the bad prostaglandins! For example, certain prostaglandins in the body increase uterine contractions. With the right dietary choices, we can increase the good prostaglandins to soothe and calm the body and reduce those contractions. (Some especially negative prostaglandins are found in saturated fats, butter, and red meat---avoid these as much as possible.)

Goals for Managing Symptoms & Healing thru Diet

With Endometriosis, the goal of eating well is to boost the immune system, balance hormones and prostaglandin levels and cut down on estrogen in the body. One key to reducing estrogen is to boost liver function so it can break down and eliminate estrogen.Overall, you want to cut down on your consumption of bad fat and boost those foods that help to cut down on the estrogen circulating in your system and encourage good prostaglandins.

Immune System Boosters

• Beans, Peas & Lentils
• Carrots
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Green tea or Rooibis tea
• Leeks
• Live Yogurt
• Onions
• Rhubarb
• Seeds

Balancing Hormones: Reducing Estrogen thru Fiber

Not only does a diet high in fiber aid digestion, but it is thought that fiber can decrease circulating estrogens in the body. A high fiber diet means getting 25 grams of fiber every day. Good sources of fiber include:

• beans, peas and legumes
• brown rice
• quinoa
• fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like kale
• oatmeal
• whole grains *not wheat & rye

Balancing Hormones: Supporting Your Liver

As mentioned above, a healthy liver is key in eliminating excess estrogen and other hormones or toxins that could be interrupting your hormonal balance. Part of our 5-step protocol involves a more detailed Spring Cleanse to detoxify your liver. Here are some key foods to get started with:

Liver-Loving Vegetables

• Artichokes
• Beets
• Burdock
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Kale
• Lemon & Lime
• Dandelion & mustard greens
• Watercress

Avoid these Harmful Foods

As with any good diet, it’s as much about what you take out of your body as what you put in. Cut Out or Drastically Reduce:

• Alcohol: consumes Vitamin B and compromises liver function
• Caffeine: increases abdominal cramps and estrogen levels
• Refined Carbs, including bread, flour, and anything made from refined flour
• Dairy: causes inflammation
• Fried Foods and Fats: promotes negative prostaglandins
• Red Meat: promotes negative prostaglandins
• Sugar and Honey: causes inflammation
• Wheat, including breads, pasta, and cake

Also avoid additives and preservatives, which increase the chemical load on the system.

Good Protein Picks:

• Beans
• Chicken/Turkey (a small amount)
• Salmon

Energetic Considerations

As with any condition, diet is only one part of a larger picture. As women, we can be prone to certain symptoms because of the energetic or emotional patterns happening in our lives. What we've noticed as a pattern with women with endometriosis is that there's an imbalance with mothering. When a woman's womb, the place of nourishing and mothering, is literally growing in other places outside of her uterus, it can indicate that she is not mothering herself where she most needs it and perhaps putting her mothering energy too much in the direction of career or outside matters.If you resonate with any of this, try doing the following:

• In a quiet place with no interruptions, connect to your body by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths with your hand on your belly.
• Take out a notebook and begin free-writing on the questions:
• What messages from my body/uterus do I need to hear right now?
• What kind of mothering am I in need of?
• Discuss your feelings and thoughts with a trusted friend or health coach.

Keep in mind that the emotional and energetic connections will continue to be revealed as you put more attention and openness on them. Getting support and having a sounding board for working through all of this is so essential to the healing process.

Now what?

We recognize that endometriosis is a complicated issue and not always easy to address. You might have even heard much of what we’ve outlined before. If you sense you need more support in implementing the correct changes to your diet and lifestyle, or if you aren’t sure about what kind of support you might be needing, talk to us.We have a team of health coaches ready to provide personalized, effective guidance, as well as a step-by-step program, the WomanCode System, which is transforming thousands of women’s lives daily. It would be our pleasure to serve you :)

If you’re like many women with endocrine fallout, it may seem like your body is hanging onto an additional five, ten, or twenty pounds for dear life.

You can be eating practically nothing and working out like crazy, but no matter what you do those excess pounds are going nowhere.Sounds familiar?Well, the culprit lies in something that might seem unexpected:

Your liver.

Let me explain.

The liver is responsible for removing toxins from the body and it does this by turning fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins so they can be excreted through your large intestine, kidneys, and skin. However, when you have a hormonal problem, your liver’s function is compromised and can’t work as efficiently at removing these toxins.

Therefore, your body clings to those fat-soluble toxins for dear life! It holds them in your fat tissue in order to protect your liver from a toxic load it won’t be able to handle. But then, unlucky for you, those fat tissues become really difficult to shed - unless, of course, you do what’s necessary to help out your liver.

In WomanCode, I go into much more depth on how to specifically support the liver’s function and remove the stubborn fat cells. I even include a 4-day plan to reset your entire system!

Until you get your hands on the full book, here are a few key things to get started with immediately to get your liver into toxin-clearing action!

• Fill up on plenty of veggies from the brassica family: cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and kale.
• Reach for lemons and oranges, adding lemon to your water as much as possible.
• Sneak in caraway and dill deeds into your meals. Grind them and rub onto fish, chicken or other meats before baking, combine them with whole grains, or add them to homemade salad dressings

Need more Hormone Help?

If you’re needing some health upgrading, it’s time you started you looking into what’s going on with your hormones.I’ve designed a quiz to help you understand exactly what’s out of whack and how you can start getting back to balance so that your hormones no longer have to suffer.

Click here to get your quiz!

Now that we’re clear you don’t have to be a perfectionist to balance your hormones, it’s time to create more awareness of the signs and symptoms your body is giving you.

Remember -

You are partnering with your body. Like in any relationship, you need clear communication to thrive and so learning how to interpret your body’s language is essential to cracking the code of your long-term health and hormonal balance.

Here’s a summary of what to be looking for during your period - which you might have caught glimpses of on The Doctor Oz Show last week:

Brown stains = low progesterone levels

Dark red or black clots = low progesterone, elevated estrogen, congestion in the uterus

Heavy bleeding = elevated estrogen, potential for fibroids or polyps in the uterus

Short length of bleeding (1-2 days long) = low estrogen, low progesterone

Very frequent bleeds (twice a month or more) = potential sluggish thyroid

As you might have heard us say before, regulating your cycle and balancing hormones is never about spot-treating the symptoms. We’ve identified above what these different kinds of bleeds can mean for you, but it’s up to you take the necessary steps to get to the underlying cause of the equation. This is where the first 3 steps of the WomanCode protocol come in handy:

1. Balancing blood sugar levels

2. Healing adrenals

3. Supporting organs of elimination (liver, large intestine, skin, & lymphatic system)

Tomorrow I’ll reveal more specifics about one of these three areas that could be the unexpected culprit of your sluggish, stubborn weight issues! Can you guess which one it is?

The WomanCode System is the tried and true program for accountability and efficiency at implementing the code-cracking protocol laid out in the WomanCode book.

I don’t want you to suffer any longer.

Take control now!

Start here and get my special Health Insider videos.

Cracking the code one step at a time,Alisa

So you slipped up:

You ate the big piece of chocolate cake.You snuck in some coffee at the office.You stayed up way past your bedtime.You had one too many cocktails.

Is your hormonal health destiny doomed to failure?!?

Absolutely not!

One of the questions we often get from you is“what happens if I don’t stick to the protocol perfectly?”

Starting a new “diet” plan is often full of fear and doom and exacerbated perfectionism. You want to get it right. You want to fix yourself. You don’t want to waste your time, money, or hard-working efforts.

Well guess what, ladies --WomanCode is about to change this game completely.

The WomanCode System is not one of those diets that will leave you feeling starved, frustrated, and scared to walk by a bakery.

It’s an entire lifestyle plan and philosophy that gets you to partner with your body, learning the intricacies of your hormones and cycle so that you know how to take care of your body and bounce back from everyday slip-ups.

We know that life isn’t perfect and there will be times when you can’t help but get thrown off course. In fact, it can be fun to get thrown off course once in awhile - right?!?

Because of that we created a “survival kit” section in WomanCode dedicated to helping you counteract the potentially hormone-hazardous events that daily life can bring.

Check out these examples:

You drank too much:

Did you know that a dose of inositol, vitamin C ester, and B-complex taken before bed improves the liver’s ability to detoxify and prevent the morning hangover?

You overdid it on the carbs:

Did you know that a short bout of exercise - walking up and down stairs or a few squats at your desk - right after a meal helps manage glucose and insulin levels and prevent storage of fat?

Get more in-depth tips on common slip-ups plus so much more in WomanCode.

And stay tuned, because we’ll be sending you more tips over the next few days to continue to help you crack the code and get in the FLO of your life!

To being perfectly imperfect,Alisa

Low libido? What to do if it’s happening to you!

While it’s been a few years since we’ve seen formal studies on low libido in young women, we are seeing more and more social studies coming out that suggest young people (women included) are having less sex.

A new study from the Archives of Sexual Behavior showed that people are having far less sex now than they did even ten years ago. Another recent study from the same journal showed heterosexual women are having fewer orgasms than any other demographic.

Although our culture is becoming more “sex positive” and embracing sexuality as a healthy, essential part of our lives, it seems that we’re still having less sex and not always enjoying the sex we have to the fullest. Although our sex lives is a complex issue with many impacting factors, low libido or lack of sex drive is definitely one of the drivers behind this trend.

More and more women are coming to FLO Living reporting that their sex drive barely exists whether they are single or coupled, with or without kids. Having no to low libido is a common symptom that sometimes stands on its own, but more often than not is accompanied by other factors: fertility struggles, menstrual difficulties, adrenal fatigue and/or low energy.

If you can relate, then listen up. I’m calling this a silent epidemic, but don’t worry, help is at hand.

I believe that you have the power to shift this trend by making simple dietary and mindset changes. And we believe it because we’ve seen it. Women who follow the Sexy FLO program report incredible changes in their libido and energy, and we want to see the same happen for you. To start, let’s identify what could be the cause of your lack in sexual energy.

Main underlying causes of low libido in women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s:

• Over-working. Keeping up with insane work schedules in addition to other personal obligations adds up to a common result: burnout. In some countries they’ve had even to implement laws around when employees can and should check email in order to ease the work/life imbalance. Constant connection to the office via our smartphones can mean we’re never not working. Too much stress and too much demand on your mental and physical energy results in the depletion of your poor little adrenal glands, the powerhouse glands that are responsible for the output of your stress hormones and most of your testosterone, which is where that desire for sex comes from. Increased output of stress hormones means decreased output of juicy sex hormones. Stress can delay your period and make you gain weight - all because of how it impacts your hormone balance.

• Birth control or other medications. If you’re on the pill, anti-depressants, or other medication, this something very important to consider when it comes to your sex drive and your hormonal balance, as very often a side-effect is a low libido. We encourage you to talk to your doctor about this potential and partner with other practitioners to find the right kind of support and wean off what is not necessary for you. The birth control pill has a lot of side effects including several that directly impact your love life. And anti-depressants have been shown to negatively affect a woman’s fertility.

• Masculine energy dynamics. When I developed the FLO Living protocol to treat my PCOS, I launched into research on the masculine and feminine energies. This might sound a little woo-woo at first, but stay with me – it’s actually a strong, vital element of Traditional Chinese Medicine practices. It’s not about telling women to speak softly and be submissive or teaching men to be tough and aggressive – as you might expect – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. As a result of the demand on women to perform well in business, to sometimes be the primary breadwinner of the family, and to compete with the go-go-go energy of much of the working world, there has been a tendency for many women to get locked into that kind of “masculine” energy, which can be counter-productive when it comes to getting intimate in the bedroom. We all know that getting turned on is not as simple as pushing a button. The fear and anxiety producing part of the brain – the amygdala – needs to be turned off in order for a woman to get turned on, as Dr. Louann Dr. Brizendine, author of The Female Brain, explains in this article with Oprah and Dr. Oz. “It requires turning off the worrywart circuits in the female brain to have an orgasm,” Dr. Brizendine explains. We all need to balance our masculine and feminine energies - both women and men - as they are in us all. Once we lean too far to the masculine, we can suffer with the side effects.

What you can do to naturally improve a low libido

Now that you’ve identified what might be causing your low libido, let’s talk about practical tools you can begin using now to get your sexy back.

1. Support your adrenal glands. Especially if a demanding work schedule is a reality for you, you’ll need to take extra good care of your body and in particular your adrenal glands to avoid symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Taking Jarrow’s Adrenal Optimizer is one way to begin this process of adrenal support. You can also add these researched aphrodisiacs to your daily routine to supercharge your sex drive.

2. Make pleasure part of your job. Don’t just survive through your day, thrive within it. Adding pleasure to your day in simple non-sexual ways can greatly improve your ability to feel pleasure in the bedroom. Try bringing flowers to your desk or playing music you love during your morning commute. Indulge in body lotions or perfumes (organic, of course!) that make you feel beautiful. Get regular massages. Check out the ideas of our favorite pleasure revolutionary, Mama Gena. You can bring more feminine energy into your working day in some easy, simple ways. I have 4 daily practices I use to ground myself in my feminine energy and make my busy schedule work for me.

3. Take matters into your own hands. You need to ask for you what you want, but first you need to know what you want. Make time to research your sexuality and the underlying causes of your low libido. Read tasteful erotica and see what turns you on - take a wander around Literotica.com. Read about your anatomy and the physiology behind turn-on, and get to grips with the 5 Cs of self-pleasure. Once you know yourself better, don’t be shy to ask for assistance or experimentation from your partner. No partner? No problem. Then you can really take matters into your own hands more often, if you know what we mean. But give vibrators a miss, they’re actually limiting your pleasure.

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Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!

To your FLO,

Alisa

I want to chat with you today about what is perhaps the biggest thing that holds women back from having their businesses and their missions really take off.Maybe you’re experiencing this:Lack of clarity on your message, and/or feeling held back to get out there and boldly share it.If you are a woman who wants to get your message out into the world, contribute greatly to others, and become known for your ideas, then you need to know about what I’m going to share with you today.My friend and colleague, KC Baker, has just released a free video training series to help you address these issues so you can get out there and rock it with your message.And she knows her stuff.KC is the woman the pros hire. A previous investment banker and legislative assistant to two US Senators, she’s worked with TED, TEDx, & American Heart Association speakers, as well as hundreds of other women around the world to refine their message and find the authentic confidence and freedom to share it with the world.Even the traditional corporate world has taken note of her work, as Microsoft brought her in to share her unorthodox teachings with their corporate women to great acclaim.She’s a passionate and engaging teacher, and she’s committed to supporting women in leading with their natural femininity and womanliness.In this video, she’ll teach you her rather uncommon guidance on how you can get totally clear on your message, find the freedom to share it, and become known for your ideas.There’s lots of speaker training info out there, and people touting how to get clear on your message, but KC has the real-deal, clear, and surprising information to make this actually doable for you.In her video, she will teach you:

• How to discover & get clear on what your most valuable idea or shift in perspective is. (This is absolutely priceless in expanding your reach, your impact and your deep sense of contribution).

• What successful women thought leaders do to build their following & tribes, and how they become known for their ideas.

• The one thing you absolutely must do (immediately!) so that fear, self doubt & resistance stop holding you back. (It’s not what you think, and the impact is enormous.)

• The stunning truth about what quality of relationship you need to have with other women in order for your message and your work in the world to truly take off (as well as theirs).

She even has a beautiful downloadable workbook that accompanies the free training videos. It takes you step-by-step through the process of getting totally clear on your message.KC is offering this video series called The 5 Keys to Women’s Thought Leadership completely FREE, so go here now and check it out!PS - KC's techniques & teachings are truly unorthodox...but wow do they work. Check it out here!

I wanted to let you know that today I’m lifting up my skirt, so to speak, by talking publicly about something I’ve never talked about in this way before.  Something taboo.  Secretive.  Shameful for some of us. It’s something that we, as women, often try to hide.

Do I have your attention?It’s about my moon cycle, my period, my menses — whatever you want to call it.  I’ll be talking about how my own cycles affect my work in the world.  Not to mention my relationships, and my overall view of myself as an empowered, embodied woman.

This conversation is long overdue.Today it feels really good to let my hair down and share more openly about this in a free month-long online event, featuring myself and 27 other feminine leaders, called “I {Heart} My Moon Cycle”.  My friend and colleague, Sara Avant Stover is hostessing this event. In case you don’t know her, Sara is a yogini, women’s teacher and mentor, and the author of the best-selling book The Way of the Happy Woman. This special month stretches for 28 days (one lunar cycle) from February 18-March 17 and is designed to bring more awareness and acceptance of our cycles, from menarche to menopause.Why should you care?  That’s a good question!  As women, we should all be talking more about this than we are. Our bodies have different rhythms and cycles that we can harness in ways that you have probably never been taught…until now.

My own story about my cycles and how they relates to my work in the world went live this morning. Come on over to see what I have to say about this more secretive part of my womanhood.This is taboo stuff, ladies.  Let’s see if we can bring it into the mainstream, and take away the stigma.  

Care to join me? Here’s where to find me there: http://www.saraavantstover.com/iheartmymooncycle/10/It’s a serious subject, but we’ll have some fun with it, too.  

And you’ll get a lot of information that you can use in your own life and your own relationships. I hope you join me, and let your voice contribute to an emerging women’s movement rooted in the deepest and most powerful parts of us. P.S. “I {Heart} My Moon Cycle” culminates with a free online class and celebration on March 8, International Women’s Day where Sara teaching “What do to on the first day of your cycle (or on the new moon if you’re not bleeding anymore)”— especially if you’re busy professional, mom, or both. She’s a very thorough, inspiring, and gently powerful teacher—I think you’ll really like it! You can join that free class here too http://iheartmymooncycle.com

“But the doctor said my blood work came back normal. Why do I still feel so terrible?”“They didn’t find anything in the blood work panel. Now what?”If you’re like us or many of the clients who walk through our virtual door, I’m sure you’ve felt similar sentiments. Interpreting your symptoms and your blood work can feel like a mystery. Whether it comes back “normal” or if the doctor tells you certain numbers are too high or too low, you can often be left with the feeling of “Now What?”Well let us step in and help clear things up.We’ve identified the top 4 points to consider when you are getting (or thinking about getting) hormonal blood work done:

1. Understanding the benefits and limitations of blood work: Remember that a blood work sample is capturing one moment in your highly fluctuating hormonal reality. While it’s important to establish a baseline through blood work periodically, for chronic hormonal issues it’s often better to do saliva testing over a period of 30 days to truly track how your hormones vary throughout the month and pinpoint what’s not working right.
2. The best time to get blood work done: If you are going to move forward with blood work, the best time of your cycle to get it done can vary, depending on what you’re testing. This is when it’s best to partner with your doctor to determine the best time for you and your health investigation.
3. How to interpret results: Get a copy of your blood work results and pay attention to the numbers. Sometimes a hormone level can be considered “normal” because it falls within the standard range, however, where it falls on that range makes a big difference in how you feel. For example, if your progesterone levels are found to be low but within normal range and you’re having a lot of symptoms with your cycle and your mood, then you can use that information to address the issue before you go completely out of range and have to rely on bioidentical hormones. And that means, from the functional medicine standpoint, that you should start changing your diet and lifestyle to support bringing your endocrine system back to balance. Which brings us to our next point...
4. Your body knows best: If your blood work doesn’t shed any light on your health, but you are still experiencing symptoms, know that there is still a way for you to make progress and improve your cycle, fertility, and/or libido. You can learn about the underlying causes of endocrine disruption and then learn how to use food sequencing to correct the imbalances and get back to feeling like yourself. While many doctors are catching on to holistic treatments options, many are still only prescribing drugs, surgery, or the “wait and see” suggestion. Don’t settle. Become the sexy scientist of your body and start running the show! Our WomanCode System is the first step to getting there, so be sure to check out the details and talk to one of our counselors if you feel it might be for you.

On February 14th, 2013, one billion people around the world are rising and dancing to end violence against women.We at FLO are passionate about the cause because we believe that a woman’s body is a vessel for creating change. We believe you have the power to heal your body and then use it to add positive energy to the planet.And we’d love for you to join us in this movement!Here's how you can rise, from wherever you are in the world!

Our FLO health coach Jess Grippo is heading up a performance project as part of the One Billion Rising movement.

At 4pm on V-day, she’ll be dancing in a window-front on Broadway (at ABC Home & Carpet) to rise for the cause and wants YOU to be part of the performance.

Click here to read the details and get involved!

And if you're in NYC, join us and an amazing group for a flashmob in Union Square at 6pm. If you're anywhere else in the world, check out the official site to find a flashmob or other dance event near you.

So you want to get pregnant.Maybe you’ve been trying to conceive for awhile, unsuccessfully.Maybe you are concerned about your age and don’t know if you can do it naturally.Maybe you’re just thinking ahead to best prepare your body for when you’re ready to make a baby.Wherever you are, listen up - because we’re about to share some key information that your doctors might not even be telling you.Infertility Treatment OptionsLet’s clarify the 4 main treatment options you’ll be faced with:

• Clomid, is an oral ovulation induction medication that acts to support a successful ovulation for women who have identified this as their infertility issue. Clomid mimics estrogen, attaches to those receptors in the hypothalamus and "tricks" the body in to producing more FSH. Because it is blocking estrogen receptor sites in the brain, it also affects the cervix and it's production of the important cervical fluid that allows successful passage of sperm to egg. This cervical fluid is produced during healthy natural ovulation, but often is compromised on Clomid and additional synthetic estrogen often needs to be added to help.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a method that places sperm directly near the egg in order to bypass inhospitable cervical fluid or to assist with sperm motility issues. Selected sperm are inserted directly into the uterus via the cervix with a catheter. The woman’s ovaries may or may not be stimulated with clomid or injections prior to the procedure. This procedure is particularly effective when male sperm action is comprised.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure that replaces natural reproductive process. Hormonal injections are given to the woman to hyperstimulate the ovaries to increase the number of follicles during an ovulation cycle. These are then surgically harvested and combined with selected sperm outside of the body. Multiple embryos are then inserted into the uterus via the cervix with a catheter. A serious side effect of this is Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). The hormone injections cause the ovaries to swell and fluid can leak in to the abdominal and chest cavity. Having hormonal imbalances prior to IVF increases the risk for this .
• Egg Freezing is a method in which, similar to IVF, hormonal injections are given to stimulate the growth of the multiple eggs, which are then harvested and frozen for later use.

Our favorite Fertility Treatment: Hormonal Synchronization - our protocol uses a food sequencing technique that supercharges all organs and glands of the endocrine system for optimal function, so you end up with better egg quality, better ovulation, better cervical mucus, and better progesterone levels for successful pregnancy. No side effects except motherhood ;) Risk InvolvedA very important piece of information that often gets left out of this conversation is that multiple rounds of IVF, Clomid, or other hormonal injections can leave you vulnerable to a whole host of hormonal side effects and put you in a position where you might have to take a significant break from attempting to conceive while your body heals from all of this hormonal disturbance and stress. Not only is this reason to seek out other options, but it’s also reason to make sure that, if you do go this route, you do everything possible with your diet and lifestyle to make your first try a success!

Trying to conceive? Whether you are going about it naturally or getting assistance with infertility treatments, here’s a list of what you must do before moving forward to increase your chances of conception.

1. Check the sperm first! For starters, be sure that the sperm from your man or donor are viable. It can be more lucrative for fertility clinics to jump straight to procedures on the woman before even checking the male counterpart. Don’t be fooled. Before you spend thousands on a procedure to your body, wouldn’t you want to be sure it was your body that needed it?
2. Feel empowered to ask questions. Here’s a reality check: your doctor works for you. Therefore, you have every right to ask questions and feel empowered at each visit. Don’t let fancy jargon intimidate you. Get the facts. Seek second opinions. Get clear about all your options before making a decision.
3. Get your diet and lifestyle in check. We all know that the success rates of IVF procedures are not great. Studies are now proving the point we have been making for years, that your diet dramatically impacts your fertility. Something as simple as increasing the amount of avocado in your diet has been shown to increase the successful outcome of an IVF procedure by 3 times. Feed your fertility!

We know the clock is ticking. And we are experts at hand-holding you through this process. Download our PROGRAM GUIDE now to find more about how our protocol works and what it could do for you!

The heart is multi-faceted: both the the center of our circulatory system and the center of our emotional system. We feel things with our hearts, we connect to other people with our hearts, we love from our hearts, and when we follow our hearts, we follow our dreams.But how often do we actually do these things?As women, our hearts should not be overlooked, although they often are. With heart disease being the number one killer of women, we at FLO take it as a sign that even more attention should be on protecting the heart. And the best place to start is by balancing your hormones. Let us explain:What most don’t realize is that mismanaged blood sugar is at the root of heart disease. Elevated sugar in the bloodstream causes triglyceride levels to rise and plaque in the arteries to build up - all to counteract the acidic effects of too much sugar streaming through the blood.On that same note, it’s not a coincidence that most women with hormonal imbalances are dealing with blood sugar imbalances as well. PCOS is one of the more common examples of this connection, but it’s also a factor in other conditions such as PMS, PMDD, ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and infertility.Not being aware of your blood sugar is a common form of body-disconnect in women. If you often skip meals, power through your work day without thinking about your body, or find yourself reaching for sugar and carbs often, chances are this is an area that you could use support with!It’s an act of self-love to feed your body in a way that keep your blood sugar balanced, and when you have this foundation you’ll be that much more able to give and receive love freely with others in your life. You’ll also be around for much longer, since how you treat your body in your 20s, 30s, and 40s is a big indicator of how you will age and feel in the future.So do yourself - and your loved ones - a favor and learn how to attend to your hormones as a foundation for heart health!Here are a few ways you can started.3 tips for heart and hormonal health:

• Don’t skip breakfast! It truly is the most important meal of the day. Not eating breakfast - or eating breakfast that is high in sugar - will set you up for sharp spikes and falls in your blood sugar balance throughout the day. It will not end well. ;)
• Take a calcium/magnesium supplement at night. The powdered ionic form is best - we love the Natural CALM brand. Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency can lead to high blood pressure, and that supplementing with magnesium can decrease risk of death from heart disease. In addition, both calcium and magnesium are essential for hormonal health and period regulation. Your heart and your ovaries love each other - so help them do their jobs!
• Connect to your heart daily. Notice the distinction between how you feel and how you are thinking about something. Choose to go with your heart twice a week, for starters! If you need help tapping inwards, a simple meditation we love is to place one hand on your heart, one hand on your belly, and take 3 deep breaths - feeling your belly and chest expanding with each inhale.

We also invite you to check out our WomanCode System if you are someone who’s dealing with hormonal issues and a blood sugar imbalance. We delve deep into sustainable blood sugar management, as well as other key facets of hormonal health. Download our PROGRAM GUIDE to find more about how it all works and what it could do for you!

As ladies, we just can’t get enough green leafy vegetables in our diet. They are full of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, folic acid, plus fiber! Green leafy veggies also act as a housecleaner for the body – they sweep the blood & improve circulation. Finally, greens are great mood boosters, making you feel light and optimistic!So what’s the key to getting enough greens in your diet? Cooking them up to be tasty and delicious! To start you off we’re sharing below a recipe for a mouth watering, gluten free and vegetarian Kale Salad. The recipe comes from the Clean Plates Cookbook which you can purchase here or learn more about here.Here’s to tasty greens and feeling great!Kale SaladSERVES 2Ingredients3⁄4 cup/90 g 1/2-inch/1.25 cm diced kabocha or butternut squash2 tablespoons plus 11/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, or more to taste21⁄2 cups/45 g chopped or shredded kale, ideally Tuscan or black kale1⁄4 cup/35 g whole almonds, toasted1⁄4 cup/30 g crumbled aged Cheddar cheese, such as Cabot Clothbound Cheddar1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more to tasteFine sea salt to tasteFreshly ground black pepper to tastePecorino or other hard cheese, for shaving (optional)InstructionsPreheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.In a medium bowl, combine the squash and 11/2 teaspoons of the oil. Arrange in a single layer on a small, rimmed baking sheet and bake until tender, 10 to 12minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature.In a large bowl, combine the squash, kale, almonds, and Cheddar cheese. Add the lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and toss to combine. Add more lemon juice, more oil, and salt and pepper to taste.Arrange the salad on plates or a platter, garnish with shaved pecorino cheese (if using), and serve.Recipe reprinted with permission from THE CLEAN PLATES COOKBOOK © 2012 by Jared Koch with Jill Silverman Hough, Running Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

Ever wonder how the food you eat affects your hormones?

We’ve designed a quiz to help you the state of your hormonal balance and how our food-based protocol can help you heal fast.[gravityform id="1" name="Sign up here to get your quiz!" description="false"]

Are you doing this one thing to block healthy blood flow and nutrient flow to your ovaries?

Take a moment and stand up right now. Yes, get up from your desk or wherever you find yourself. (Don’t worry. No one’s watching.) If you dare, move your hips around, stretch your sides, move your feet.Ok, you can sit down again.Why are we interrupting your daily routine with this seemingly silly request?Only because it could be a large factor in preventing menstrual difficulties, fertility challenges, heart disease, and weight gain - to name a few!The negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle are probably not brand new to you, as there have been recent studies enlightening us. Take this article in Women’s Health Magazine for instance - It highlights the fact that even with set aside time for daily exercise, if you’re spending extended periods of time of sitting, it’s still a health risk.What you might not know is that sitting for long periods of time also decreases circulation to the uterus and ovaries, contributing to any menstrual symptoms you might be experiencing.So what’s a working girl to do?Start with these suggestions that can get you moving in all the right ways!

1. Yoga in your chair. It’s as simple as searching in YouTube for simple exercises you can do while seated.
2. Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage is a wonderful hands-on healing modality that we recommend to our clients frequently. If you need practitioner referrals, let us know!
3. Clear Passage is another hands-on technique that can help clear up adhesions that might be interfering with your fertility.
4. Hip circle breaks. That’s right - just stand up again and move your hips in a figure-eight pattern. It stretches your psoas muscles and brings circulation to your abdomen. (If you’ve ever been to one of Alisa’s lectures, you’ll know that this is her favorite way to begin!)
5. Dance breaks. Take a few minutes to play your favorite music, step away from your desk, and boogie down. For inspiration, check out our FLO health coach Jess rocking it out at the office.

What are your favorite ways to stay active throughout the day?Share them with us and let’s keep it moving!

Photo credit: Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos

Unbinding the Heart

I recently interviewed the lovely Agapi Stassinopoulos about her new book 'Unbinding the Heart.' We had such a lovefest going on that I had to split the interview into Part 1 and Part 2 on youtube! I love this woman. Check out both videos on FLOlivingTV.Interview Part 1Interview Part 2I cannot recommend her book highly enough! It is a must-read and I think it is the perfect Mother's Day gift. Check out the videos to fall in love with Agapi yourself.What we're talking about:

• Living in your truth
• The 5 steps to unbinding your heart
• The Power of Love
• New ways to love yourself

One of Alisa's fave sayings is 'Have ovaries, will travel!' Lately. it seems she needs to add to that saying. Perhaps 'Have ovaries, will give speech' or 'Have ovaries, will give interviews' or 'Have ovaries, and an online course that will teach you how to optimize your body' or 'Have ovaries, will do anything to get the word out to women everywhere about hormonal balance and how it can change your life' - but somehow, all that's not quite as catchy, is it?!?All this is to introduce you to the women who have been interviewing Alisa lately. They ask intelligent questions, they are hungry for knowledge about their bodies, and their blog posts are insightful.The first blogger we're introducing to you is Jen, author and creator of MsMorphosis.com - fearless thinking for the Modern Miss.Some of what Alisa and Jen discussed:

• Self love, self care, and body love!
• The value of feminine energy
• The best foods for PMS and PMDD
• And a whole lot more (click the link below to get the whole interview)

Read the entire interview with MsMorphosis by clicking here!

My Dancing Journey to Health!

Having spent the majority of my teenage years in the ballet studio and the majority of my 20s studying psychology and holistic health, I’ve always been interested in how dance and health can affect one another.So I was more than thrilled to discover Dr. Peter Lovatt’s research being done on dance and hormones!In my case, I was drawn to the healing world because of the damage I had done to my body and mind as a result of many intense years in the ballet world. Not that ballet itself was to blame for my suffering health – part of it was genetics and part was my attitude towards my body. In trying to force it into an unrealistic ideal, wanting to control my weight and eating so much, I never began menstruating as a teenager. At 18 I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and put on the birth control pill and metformin, as I was told that it was the only way to get my cycle going and I would most likely be infertile.Long story short, it took over 5 years of feeling stuck in my body, depressed, and on medication for me to seek out another alternative. That’s when I discovered Alisa & FLO Living and began my natural healing journey back to my body.Once I got off the pill and began menstruating on my own, it was like a veil was lifted and the fogginess cleared. Not only did I feel physically better, but mentally I was more clear, focused, and alive than I had felt in years. It was then that dance began to open up to me in a different way.I started getting involved with groups and dancers and who were interested in improvisation and freedom of movement, using dance to express individuality, rather than trying to conform to a particular ideal. I eventually started making my own dances at random moments when the mood hit, and I documented the process on an anonymous youtube channel. Scary, yet freeing and healing on so many levels! That process became more public as I began to see how something very personal to me – dancing – could be inspiring for others to start expressing themselves, reclaiming their bodies, and finding their own modes of healing.You can check out my dance blog here: jessgrippo.tumblr.comAs a holistic health counselor at FLO Living, it’s my ultimate joy to guide other women in their own healing processes and in connecting to their bodies, cycles and self-expression.I’m taking on a few more private clients this Spring and would love to talk to YOU if you feel it might be time for this kind of a process.Click here to read more about what I offer and to set up a time to talk!To your health and creativity,jess

Do you ever box yourself into either/or thinking?Do you typically feel you’re an “all or nothing” kind of girl?Especially when it comes to our health and self-care, it can be easy to get trapped into one of these modes, which usually serve to keep us stuck and not making the changes we want.“Either I go to the gym at 7am every morning or I won’t go at all.” “I can either keep working 12-hour days, or instead run away to Costa Rica and live in the jungle.”Sound familiar?As we move through this spring season, many of us may find ourselves at major turning points in our lives: graduating from school, ending a relationship, moving to a new place or leaving a job, to name a few. Spring is historically a time of death and rebirth in the world and in our lives, often causing big changes that we may not have been expecting!During these times of growth and evolution, it's important to make sure that we have the right support mechanisms in place to take care of ourselves - and even pamper ourselves - as we move through the process of change. At FLO, we believe that taking really good care of oneself shouldn't be an indulgence - it should be an easy and natural part of our existence. But for many of us who have been taught to take care of the needs of others before our own needs, placing a priority on our own self-care can feel very indulgent indeed.This is why we've created and abide by the Feminine Principle of AND. This means that instead of looking at life as an either/or, we can look at it from a position of abundance and inclusion of more than one option. We can allow ourselves to fully experience our suffering or other aspects of transition, AND we can indulge ourselves by putting all of our juiciest support systems in place, filling us with pleasure and fabulousness.Does this seem like a contradiction?Think about it -Whether you’re going through a major life transition, or just feeling the often stress-producing restlessness of spring, what would most help YOU feel hopeful, juicy, alive?Is it more time with friends, a massage, a dance class, or planning a trip?What are those things that will make you feel good, even if you’re in mourning for a job, a relationship, or the end of school?Write down the first few things that come to mind and share them with us in the comments box below.Take some time just for yourself this week - INDULGE yourself in prioritizing those things in life that make you feel like your most best fabulous YOU.And if time away is something that appears on your list, let us invite you to spend that time away with us!Alisa and the team will be holding a retreat in June at the Omega Institute and we’d LOVE to see you in person and guide you in getting the rejuvenation and balance you’re craving.Click here for more details!

My friend, Gina DeVee, is hosting The Divine Living World Tour - conference that will rejuvenate your mind AND help you bring clarity, focus, and purpose to your life and business! I am so honored and thrilled to be a part of Gina's amazing vision by speaking at her conference.Join me and Gina for the Divine Living World Tour, in New York on March 22 – 23, and/or London on June 7 – 8!! - Click HereYour experience in these vibrant cities will give you so much more than a fresh perspective on your life.During the Divine Living World Tour Gina DeVee is going to help you…

• Get completely clear on your vision so that it is like NO OTHER
• Receive clarity on what you want and why you want it to make sure that it’s connected to your purpose.
• Create a solid plan that makes sense for where you’re at in business (if you’re just starting, or going to the next level).
• Know exactly what to work on when you leave the event.
• Learn to use feminine principles in creating wealth and your desires

At the NYC event I’m going to be speaking on how My Ovaries are my Success Management System - you do NOT want to miss this talk!

Join us in…

New York on March 22 – 23

London on June 7 – 8

Early Bird Price of $197!!!

Xoxo -Alisa and the FLO Living TeamP.S. 2012 is the year of Women’s Empowerment. Make it your year to start prospering by living your purpose, on your own terms! Learn how for ONLY $197!!! (and bring your friend, spouse, or colleague for $99!)

Spring is here! For many women, this is the true ‘New’ year, a time to clean up both their surroundings and their bodies.Do you feel energized and joyful about the change in the season, or are you feeling overwhelmed? Spring can be a time where it can feel like your symptoms are blossoming anew, where the issues that were lying dormant become impossible to ignore. From rashes, to eczema, to digestive issues, to moodiness, insomnia, acne, and irritability - all of these things can be a signal that body needs some extra attention.If you’re feeling frustrated about your symptoms and want to make a change, that’s great, but don’t go overboard. As women, we tend to put pressure on ourselves to change and get results NOW, forgetting that our bodies don’t work that way. Your body needs gentle, gradual change. Here’s a quick list of don’ts:

Don’t:

• Try a starvation diet or liquid fast – No! Just no.
• Beat yourself up for any reason! Speak kindly to yourself.
• Purchase a product just because it has a celebrity’s name on it
• Try to make all changes at once – small changes over time means making new sustainable habits
• Take any concoctions or shakes if you don’t what they are and what they are doing for your body – read labels! Can’t pronounce an ingredient? Then don’t eat it!
• Give up and start eating junk food – you’ll only feel worse later

Do try the following:

• Replace all salad dressings this week with apple cider vinegar and olive oil - olive oil supports liver function, and the vinegar will help cleanse your digestive tract.
• In an exercise rut? Explore! How does your body want to move? Do you want to dance, jump on a trampoline, move your hips, take a hoola-hoop class, get out and jog in nature? Try something new. Your body craves creativity and movement – why not give it both?
• Pick up a good detox tea (we love Yogi Tea’s Peach Detox), and sip it throughout the week. Herbal teas tend to be mild, and the herbs are diluted with water - they provide a great way to get the benefits of different herbs, without worrying about dosage levels.
• Peruse the produce section. At this time of year gorgeous vegetables are abundant and flavorful. Enjoy.
• Eat radishes, especially daikon (a long, white Japanese radish) in abundance - these tasty treats melt fat from the body, and aid the liver in releasing stored fat. Eat them raw on salads, or cooked with meals!
• Journal about how you feel! What changes do you want to make? Any new intentions or goals for spring? Where can you find more balance in your life?

If you feel you are then ready to make a bigger change, then try out our WomanCode System. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about women’s health over the past decade and put it online for you to access at your leisure. We’ve made it easy for you to change your life in a gentle, loving way!Would love to hear what you have to say – leave your questions and comments below!

Prevent Hormonal Breakouts: Breaking the Monthly Cycle

Long after puberty, many women experience monthly breakouts. Some changes in the skin over the course of a month are normal--after ovulation the increase of progesterone makes breakouts more likely. For the same reason, taking an oral contraceptive high in progesterone can lead to skin trouble all month long. Also, hormonal imbalances can cause the liver to produce the substances that lead to the wrong kind of sebum--the natural lubricant produced by glands in the skin. There are some things you can do every day to prevent hormonal breakouts.If your diet is high in sugar, fat, processed foods, or foods with chemical additives, your body may have a hard time getting rid of these excesses. Your skin's ability to lubricate and self-clean can be impaired. Remember, your body keeps you healthy by processing out anything toxic, and your skin is a major vehicle for detoxification--including the skin on your face.Americans spend around $6 billion on skin care products each year--there's so much advertising encouraging us to turn to the latest chemical-based product for solutions. The trouble is, those products actually add toxins to our bodies, ultimately contributing to deeper levels of organ imbalance and giving our skin even more to deal with.Here's a quick primer to manage and even prevent hormonal breakouts without chemicals:Daily Detox

Flush away toxins and fatty residues and improve liver function:• increase your water• increase leafy green vegetables• increase raw fruit and veggies (be cautious with this in cold weather)Feed Your SkinLike any other organ, your skin needs specific nutrients for health:• vitamins A, C, and E--eat your veggies!• zinc--whole grains, sunflower seeds, raw nuts• essential fatty acids--flax oil, fish oil, evening primrose oilChemical-Free Skin Care• hot towel scrub: rub down your dry skin with a hot washcloth daily to open all the pores on your body for detoxification (besides just the ones on your face)• lavender essential oil and tea tree oil: natural antiseptics and excellent topical treatments for blemishes• food-based masks and peels: coffee & sugar to exfoliate, avocado to moisturize, and papaya for anti-aging and skin repair

I'm so thrilled to be speaking at Ignite! with my friends and colleagues Gabby Bernstein, Kate Northrup, and Meggan Watterson - and many more amazing speakers and teachers. This weekend conference is information-packed and fast-paced. Each speaker is given 20 minutes to communicate their incredible wisdom to you. (20 minutes! Note-to-self: work on condensing my speech!) As always, Hay House will be featuring cutting edge authors, speakers & documentary filmmakers in the mindful spirituality, health, holistic, & sustainability lifestyles movement. These trendsetting speakers will Ignite your passion with topics ranging from relationships, sexuality, finance, & personal transformation to mindfulness, youth empowerment, health & so much more!Click Here to reserve your seat today![caption id="attachment_365" align="aligncenter" width="300"]

LOUISE HAY & ALISA[/caption]Here's more information on the conference:All over the world, people and businesses fail to thrive due to their own failure to recognize the need to change and innovate. Is it time for you to be innovative with yourself & re-evaluate what you thought you knew?Have you noticed a growing disparity between where you are in your life and where you want to go?

• Join us and discover ways to use the change that is occurring all around you as a catalyst for living an exceptional life full of innovation and inspiration

Are you experiencing diminishing returns in the quality of your relationships?

• Join us to learn to appreciate the neurobiological differences between men and women in order to enhance your relationships

Do you feel poor when you look in the mirror?

• Join us to find your true beauty stop feeling unequal and create your own portable paradise

Are things that you thought were true no longer that way?

• Join us and learn to KNOW how you need to feel within yourself in order to get what you desire

Has the life philosophy you've employed led to a somewhat unfulfilled life?

• Join us and discover how making a slight shift in your perspective (focusing on the rights in your life) can lead to more contentment

Has the concept of financial freedom disappeared for you?

• Join us and learn to use your soul-voice to live out your potential and gain financial freedom

Is your self-worth lower than your net-worth?

• Join us and learn the rituals and self-care practices that are the portal for self-renewal and increased self-worth

Do you see yourself as an ignored, anonymous member of the world population whose needs are unmet?

• Join us learn to feel, and hear, your guardian angels, not just pray to them, and become a magnet for miracles

Has ecstasy disappeared from your life?

• Join us to understand why ecstasy is necessary & why it's OK to use your sex as your power source

Not answering that wake-up call you've been getting to take control of your health?

• Join us and discover the real, underlying reasons you get sick and the healthy secrets to becoming model skinny

Looking for the tools you need to overcome patterns of self-sabotage so you can recognize the need to change?

• Join us and learn to use your body as your partner, not your foe

If you have been searching for the mindful resilience needed to face today's personal, political & financial challenges, look no further! Ignite your life with empowering concepts that you and our next generation can take advantage of to create and live happier, healthier, and more intentionally.Join positive thought leader Louise Hay, and her inspirational group of transformational authors, speakers, and documentary filmmakers, and take the first step on your personal journey to ignite and discover real truths about your relationships, sexuality and personal transformation to mindfulness, youth empowerment, health and more!Register today to reserve & occupy your seat and access that untapped energy & inspiration that exists in all of us!Click Here to reserve your seat today!

Hi! We've been sending out these free educational health videos one-by-one via e-mail, but we thought you might like the opportunity to view them all in one place. So here they are! Please comment on the videos and let us know what you think. We'd also love to hear back from you on what you want to learn more about. Xoxo - The FLO Living Team

What you don't know CAN hurt your long-term health and fertility

These women did it and you can too!

3 things that are interfering with your periods, fertility, and libido

Are you part of the silent epidemic crushing women's libidos?

Your relationship with your body can revolutionize the future for women

A Valentine Idea - Give your Vagina a Valentine!

On this day when we think we should be receiving love from someone outside of ourselves we wanted to remind you of how much you are being loved from the inside every day.Yes - by your vagina: from the clitoris to the cervix to the uterus to your ovaries -she manages the magical, mysterious, internal ride to your power center. She's constantly taking care of you, sending you messages about what you need to do and who you need to be in order to live into your true potential and life you want to create.She does so many amazing things and most of us don't even really know how she really works!So today, on this day dedicated to the expression of love, we at FLO want to remind you that your vagina loves you.If you would be so kind as to send a little love back to her, who knows what kind of magic might start to happen in your life?Write her a Valentine's day note, a thank you letter. Tell her how you'd like to get better acquainted with her, tell her how much you adore and appreciate her for all the fun you get to have with her, all the healthy periods she manages for you, and even for the ways in which she might be unbalanced at the moment- thank her for the gift of that imbalance as it is only present to point you back in the direction of your highest self. While you're at it, why not thank your entire hormonal system - for everything that it does for you, too!The power really is in your panties ladies!Acknowledge that you are loved today.In light and health,Alisa