Category: Physical Health

Nutrition, movement, and vitality.

  • The Sacred Covenant: Trusting Your Body as an Ally

    The Sacred Covenant: Trusting Your Body as an Ally

    I’ve been practicing yoga for years—nearly two decades now—but I still remember my very first attempt like it was yesterday. At the time, I was living in what can only be described as a crapshack (yes, really). We had dreams of restoring it, but honestly, it would have benefited more from a gas can and a match. My “yoga studio”? A bedroom with a cement floor. And was I trusting my body as an ally? Not likely.

    But one day, on a whim, I picked up a yoga CD (yep, a CD—we’re talking old school) from Costco. It came with a deck of cards, each featuring a stick figure demonstrating a pose. So, I laid them out in sequence, pressed play, and hoped for the best.

    You can sometimes get this on Amazon…it’s where my yoga journey began. SO SO GOOD!

    A surprising alliance

    And you know what? Those awkward, tentative first movements sparked something in me. At the time, I saw my body as an enemy, something that had betrayed me, thrusting me into the depths of an autoimmune condition, marked by morbid obesity, chronic pain, and unrelenting, constant fatigue. Even walking to the mailbox felt like a challenge (we won’t talk about stairs). But yoga met me where I was. It adapted to me—not the other way around. And in that body that seemed to be waging war against me, yoga was the first thing that made me feel empowered. Strong. Maybe even a little sexy. Yoga waved the white flag and started the peace talks, then wrote the treaty that brought us into an alliance.

    Fast forward nearly 20 years, and I’m still practicing…but I’ve since graduated from the stick figures! Now, I belong to a vibrant online yoga community where we grow—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. And one of the themes we return to again and again is trusting the wisdom of our body.

    Just today, I flowed through a hatha practice designed to regulate the nervous system by opening the hips, and wouldn’t you know? The underlying message of the class was exactly that—trust your body.

    But here’s the thing: Trusting your body is easier said than done.

    Because what happens when your body doesn’t look or behave the way you think it should? When healing feels like two steps forward, one step back? When you’re tempted to hand over your authority to diet culture, wellness trends, or someone else’s definition of health?

    I found myself asking today: What does it really mean to trust my body?
    Or, for that matter, to trust anything at all?

    Let’s dive in.

    Trust: A Sacred Covenant With Yourself

    In a world brimming with quick fixes, trending diets, and “hacks” for everything, we often overlook the most profound relationship we have—the one with our own body.

    This isn’t just about self-care Sundays or green smoothies. Don’t get me wrong, I love self-care Sundays and smoothies of all sorts! But the relationship you create with your body is about something much deeper—a sacred covenant with yourself. It’s a commitment rooted in respect, awareness, and unwavering trust. This kind of commitment is not commonly seen anymore; so much so that we have to ask, what exactly is a covenant?

    A covenant isn’t just a promise, but a sacred, unbreakable commitment. Unlike the fleeting, half-hearted agreements we see today, a covenant is woven with intention, trust, and unwavering devotion. It’s not about convenience; it’s about deep alignment, a vow that holds weight even when tested. When we say, “I trust my body,” we’re not just hoping it won’t fail us—we’re committing to honor, listen, and stand by it, no matter what.

    So with that said, now it’s time to geek out!

    The Ancient Roots of Trust

    The word trust traces back to the Old Norse traust, meaning “confidence, protection, support.” Across cultures and centuries, trust has been the foundation of relationships, spiritual teachings, and personal growth. But beyond its social and philosophical significance, trust has always been a bodily experience—a dialogue between mind, body, and spirit.

    • Ancient Greek philosophy linked health to the balance of the four humors.
    • Ayurveda views the body as a sacred vessel (Sharira), urging us to listen to its natural rhythms.
    • Indigenous wisdom teaches that well-being is inseparable from our connection to nature and the world around us.

    In other words, trusting the body isn’t a new idea—we’ve just forgotten how to listen.

    The Modern Dilemma: Have We Forgotten to Listen?

    Fast forward to today, and the noise is deafening. Wellness trends scream at us from every direction, promising the real secret to health. We outsource our trust:

    • We let apps tell us when we’re hungry.
    • We rely on trackers to dictate when we’ve moved “enough.”
    • We chase external validation instead of internal knowing.

    And in the process, we lose touch with our own wisdom.

    But what if the answers have always been within?

    The Covenant of Trust: Reclaiming Your Inner Wisdom

    When we say, “I trust my body,” it’s not just a passive statement—it’s a living covenant.

    To trust your body means:

    • Listening to its whispers before they become screams.
    • Honoring hunger, rest, movement, and emotions without judgment.
    • Recognizing that your body holds ancestral wisdom, encoded in every cell.

    But remember, this isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about partnership. You and your body are on the same team.

    Creating an Environment Where Your Body Thrives

    Trusting your body isn’t just about mindset—it’s about how you show up for yourself. Your body’s ability to heal and thrive depends on the conditions you create.

    A man asked a gardener why his plants grew so beautifully. The gardener said, “I don’t force them to grow; I just remove what stops them.”

    A Few Ways to Honor Your Covenant:

    🌿 Nourishment: Fueling yourself not with highly processed convenience, designed to trick your taste buds into addiction, but with whole, vibrant foods that support your unique needs.
    💧 Hydration: Drinking pure, clean water to help your body function smoothly, optimally, and also engage in autonomous self-healing.
    🧘‍♀️ Movement: Choosing activities that stretch, strengthen, and inspire, but not as punishment; rather, as an expression of vitality.

    Read more about my own journey into trusting my body, intuitive eating, and natural healing.

    Trusting Your Body: A Powerful Daily Affirmation

    If trusting your body feels hard, start here. Breathe. Read this slowly. Let it settle into your bones.

    🌿 I stand in sacred covenant with my body.
    🌿 I honor its wisdom, listen to its whispers, and trust its signals.
    🌿 My breath is a bridge to its truth, my heartbeat a rhythm of connection.
    🌿 I release fear and doubt, embracing the divine intelligence woven into every cell.
    🌿 I cultivate an environment where my body can thrive—nourishing it with whole, vibrant foods, pure and clean water, and movement that stretches, strengthens, and inspires.
    🌿 I am both steward and companion, walking this path with gratitude, respect, and unwavering trust.
    🌿 My body is my ally, my sanctuary, and my guide. Together, we thrive.

    DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE COPY OF THIS AFFIRMATION

    Your Wild Truth

    You don’t need to earn your body’s trust.

    It has always been there—waiting for you to remember.

    This sacred covenant is your birthright. Reclaim it, nurture it, and watch as your wild, radiant self thrives.

    So tell me, Wild One—what’s one way you can start trusting your body and honoring your body’s wisdom today? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear. 💚

    🌿Stay wild and connected! Subscribe to the Wild Squatch Weekly Digest for weekly wellness tips, rituals, and wisdom delivered straight to your inbox.

  • Living Beyond the Edge (The Edge – Part 2)

    Living Beyond the Edge (The Edge – Part 2)

    Taking a leap into the unknown is never easy, but for us, it was a matter of survival. Leaving behind the safety nets of our old lives pushed us to grow in ways we never expected. That leap wasn’t just about changing our lives; it also changed the way we see health, balance, and even ourselves.

    But here’s the thing about stepping into the unknown: it doesn’t stop at the leap. The real magic happens when you start to settle into that wild, untamed space and realize it’s been waiting for you all along. For us, that’s where nature stepped in—teaching us lessons about balance, healing, and what it really means to live fully.

    Rediscovering Wisdom Beyond the Edge

    What waits for you beyond your comfort zone? For many, it’s a journey into holistic wellness, a deeper connection to nature, or a willingness to question the systems we’ve trusted for too long. Take the modern medical-pharmaceutical industry, for example. While its strengths—like life-saving surgeries and emergency care—are undeniable, it’s also become a profit-driven machine that often focuses on treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes.

    Ancient and alternative healing practices offer us something profound: balance. They focus on the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and remind us to trust in nature’s ability to restore harmony. At first, these approaches might feel unfamiliar, but they’re rooted in traditions that have supported human health for centuries. Whether it’s through herbal remedies or mindfulness practices, they shift the focus from quick fixes to deeper, transformative journeys. Take nutrition, for example—it’s not just about what’s on your plate; it can be a powerful tool in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, often with results that go far beyond what medications can offer.

    A Personal Journey: Ditching the Quick Fixes

    For most of my life, I struggled with a malfunctioning thyroid. I tried countless medical “solutions”—all of them expensive, none of them lasting. No matter how hard I worked to shed the extra weight (and keep it off) or find my energy again, I kept hitting walls. Eventually, I had enough.

    With some of the courage I’d cultivated on our adventure, and with support from a community that believed in natural wellness, I made a bold choice: I walked away from conventional medicine and began seeking natural alternatives.

    A vibrant photo collage showcasing a nutrient-rich fruit bowl, herbal supplements, a 3D rendering of a thyroid gland, a pot of herbal tea with fresh flowers, and a hearty bowl of stew. Each image symbolizes elements of holistic healing and nutrition.
    From nutrient-packed meals to herbal teas and supplements, these natural interventions are helping me transform my thyroid health naturally.

    It wasn’t easy—change rarely is—but it changed my life. Over the past several months, with the help of high-quality supplements, herbal teas, intentional nutrition, and even focused meditation, I’ve watched my body repair itself. My hair and nails are growing stronger, my body temperature is finally stabilizing, and even my underwear is fitting better! (If you know, you know.) For the full story, click here.

    A Blueprint for Balance

    Nature offers more than beauty—it offers wisdom. Just as ecosystems thrive when everything works together in harmony, our health flourishes when we take a holistic approach. Ancient practices like herbal medicine and mindfulness focus on prevention and the body’s innate ability to heal, while modern medicine excels in acute care and advanced technologies. When we bring these approaches together, we create a balanced, sustainable path to wellness.

    Take turmeric, for example—a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Its active compound, curcumin, is celebrated for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Remedies like turmeric and ashwagandha aren’t just old traditions; they’re gaining recognition in modern wellness for their proven benefits. Even grounding techniques, like walking barefoot on natural surfaces, align beautifully with the balance ancient wisdom teaches us. They’ve been shown to reduce inflammation and lift our moods, reminding us that sometimes the simplest practices are the most profound.

    Golden milk recipe card featuring a simple blend of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and milk with step-by-step instructions.
    Golden Milk Recipe: A cozy, anti-inflammatory drink to end your day with balance and warmth.

    One of my favorite ways to embrace this balance is through my nightly ritual of golden milk. A simple blend of turmeric, cinnamon, and milk, it’s become a cornerstone of my thyroid healing journey. There’s something grounding and nurturing about this small act of self-care at the end of the day.

    If you’d like to try it, click the recipe card above for an instant download!

    Herbal Remedies, Leeches, and Modern Medicine: A Conversation

    Herbal remedies often get written off as old-fashioned or ‘alternative,’ but science is starting to catch up to their potential. Take white willow bark, for example. This ancient remedy has long been used to relieve pain and inflammation—so much so that it inspired the development of modern aspirin. And ashwagandha? This incredible herb has been shown to lower cortisol levels and boost resilience to stress. These time-tested remedies remind us that ancient wisdom often has a place in modern wellness.

    (For a deeper dive into the science, check out Nature’s Secret Sauce: 4 Reasons to Go Outside.)

    That said, not every old remedy stands the test of time. Bleeding with leeches? Let’s leave that one in the past. But some ideas—like the power of laughter—are timeless. Research from institutions like the Mayo Clinic shows that laughter therapy can lower stress hormones, improve immune function, and release endorphins. Even a quick laugh can boost your mood and lower your blood pressure.

    And let me tell you, few things are funnier than Scot wrestling with a broken black tank pipe.

    The Great Black Tank Fiasco

    Everyone—every RVing blogger, YouTuber, and parts person—had told us to NEVER put butt wipes down the toilet. But hygiene, especially in those parts, can be challenging in such a small space, and we found wipes that specifically said Safe for RV Septic Systems. Alas, the advertising was false. Soon, we found ourselves dealing with the proverbial poop pyramid, which was not only encroaching upwards into our living (and smelling) space but also leaking out the bottom onto our campsite. Being a Sunday and far from any kind of open parts store, we had to make do with what we had.

    Scot, armed with duct tape, gloves, and a wildly misplaced sense of optimism, approached the failing pipes. And me? I was doubled over with laughter before he even got started. The first time he crouched under the camper, I heard a loud splatter and a string

    of colorful language that made me laugh even harder. I could barely breathe. Between handing him a variety of wrenches, pliers, and other tools I couldn’t identify, tears streamed down my face.

    To his credit, Scot gamely tried to make it work, but every time he adjusted something, a new leak sprouted. At one point, he emerged, covered in questionable splatters, and glared at me while I sat uselessly on a rock nearby, gasping for air between fits of giggles.

    “Glad this is so entertaining for you,” he muttered, which, of course, only made it worse.

    By the time the tank was temporarily patched with duct tape and a prayer, we were both laughing so hard we couldn’t even be mad. It was gross. It was ridiculous. And it was the best belly laugh I’d had in months.

    A cheerful couple laughing together by a serene river, surrounded by lush green trees. The woman wears a pink hoodie and matching pink cap, and the man wears a gray shirt and dark cap. Their genuine smiles convey joy and connection.
    Even after life’s messiest moments, laughter brings us together. A shared laugh by the river reminds us that joy is always within reach.

    So no, leeches won’t be making a comeback in our wellness toolkit. But laughter? That’s staying forever. It’s a reminder that even when life gets messy—literally—there’s always something to smile about. And honestly, I’m still laughing at the memory of Scot’s poopocalypse.

    What’s Beyond the Edge?

    The edge of your comfort zone isn’t just a boundary—it’s a threshold. Beyond it lies the untamed terrain of discovery, where the unknown transforms from a place of fear into a wellspring of possibility. It’s where life nudges you to shed the familiar and step boldly into the wilderness of what could be.

    Out there, past the safety of what you know, lies the birthplace of transformation. Maybe it’s redefining your health, discovering your wild purpose, or rekindling a connection to nature that once felt instinctive but now seems distant. Whatever calls you, stepping into the unknown is where life’s magic unfolds.

    Picture this: you’re the adventurer, following tracks through the forest. The trees close in around you, shadows stretching long across the path. Each step feels uncertain, the trail ahead murky and undefined. Fear whispers that you should turn back, but curiosity pulls you forward. You don’t know where the tracks lead, but you keep walking because some part of you senses that the forest holds answers you can’t find anywhere else.

    And then it happens—an opening in the trees. Sunlight filters through,

    illuminating a view you couldn’t have imagined from where you started. The journey was winding and strange, but it brought you to a place where clarity emerges. Isn’t that how transformation works? The path isn’t always linear, but it always leads somewhere meaningful.

    A rugged forest scene with sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a golden glow on the uneven terrain. Faint Bigfoot tracks lead into the forest, evoking mystery and curiosity.
    The mysterious path beckons…will you follow the tracks?

    You Won’t Know if You Don’t Go

    In many ways, the unknown is like Bigfoot. Elusive. Mysterious. A mix of wonder and intimidation. But that’s precisely why it’s so powerful—it challenges you to grow. Bigfoot’s tracks inspire curiosity, daring us to follow, even when the destination isn’t clear. And when you take that first step, you begin to uncover strengths and possibilities you didn’t know you had.

    So, what waits beyond your edge? Maybe it’s a healthier body fueled by intentional choices. Perhaps it’s a life rooted in alignment with your values and passions. Maybe it’s an unshakable connection to the natural world, where you finally feel at home. The tracks ahead are yours to follow, but they require courage, trust, and an open heart.

    Channel your inner Bigfoot. Be bold. Be curious. Trust the wildness beyond. Those tracks might not lead exactly where you expect, but they’ll take you exactly where you need to go. Sometimes, the most profound journeys start with a single, brave step into the unknown. Will you take it?

    And speaking of the unknown, you can take the first step over the edge by discovering your unique Bigfoot Archetype with our Bigfoot Archetype Quiz!

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    ✨ Don’t miss a single trek into the unknown—sign up now and let the adventure begin! 🧈”

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