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Blog  /  September 19, 2017

Why I Challenged Myself to NOT Track Macros for 7 Days

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You might be thinking to yourself, “What do you mean you didn’t track macros for 7 days? Isn’t that what you’ve always advocated?”

Yes. That’s true. Since starting Treasured Tablespoons by Kelsey Nicole (and well before), I have been a huge proponent of tracking macros/calories, and I still am! So, why challenge myself to stop? Let me explain.

I strongly believe that tracking macro nutrients is essential to understanding nutrition. Better yet, it is essential to understanding the nutritional needs of your body, a one-of-a-kind body. Becoming knowledgeable about macro nutrients makes you aware of what you put into your one-of-a-kind body. And, if you strive to eat well and live a balanced life, I think it is necessary to be aware of the macro nutrients you consume. This means knowing the difference between the three macros: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (good and bad).

Just like anything in life, you’ve got to start somewhere. There is no exception when it comes to living a healthy, balanced, full life. It comes easier for some than others, just like throwing a football comes more natural to my little brother than it does myself. In the beginning stages of any fitness journey, tracking macros helps you gain a better understanding of the specific macros your body needs to meet your goals.

With that being said, I began my fitness journey in 2011. I started by solely tracking calories until I learned and understood macro nutrients better. As I stated earlier, everyone starts somewhere. Fast forward to 2017 and I’ve learned a lot via research, personal experience, and watching others. Through trial and error, I started to see what “healthy” and “balance” looked like for me. My one-of-a-kind body is just that, one-of-a-kind, just like yours.

After 7+ years of tracking calories and macro nutrients, it’s started to have an adverse effect on what I was striving so hard for. It was becoming unhealthy. Visualizing how many carbs, protein, and fat I actually ate during the day, in comparison to what I should eat made me feel guilty. (Humor me as I, once again, say there is nothing wrong with tracking macros. Nothing at all. I think it serves it’s purpose in the right time and place. However, I am past that time and place.) Guilt is not healthy. Stress is not healthy. Obsession is not healthy.

Moving forward, I know the amount of protein, carbs, and fats I should consume daily in order to achieve my goals. I can guestimate portion sizes and the amount of calories I’m eating. But most importantly, I have peace when I enjoy an extra scoop of ice cream or glass of wine.

I guess what I’ve come to realize is that my idea of “healthy” changed. What once was a lean physique, no sugar or carbs, and workouts every day turned into a maintainable body, enjoying food daily, making exercise a priority but not letting it rule my life, and having peace and joy about who I am, inside and out. Life is too dang short to live any other way. Amen?!

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Kelsey, FNTP, CC
Hi, it’s me. I’m still here! 👋🏼 I’ve Hi, it’s me. I’m still here! 👋🏼 

I’ve taken an unintentional (yet, very long) hiatus from this social media account and my blog. But, I’m back for a good while (I think 😅). Here’s what’s been going on lately..

In case you didn’t know, I started my own  business as a Content Creator in 2018, while I was in school at the Nutritional Therapy Association. As a trained FNTP, my niche is specifically holistic health and nutrition. It’s a combination of my two expertise: nutrition + content creation!

As a FNTP with a strong passion for real food + balanced nutrition, I’ve always kept this account as an educational resource for you. And as a fun creative outlet for me, as well!

But, I’m here to say, it’s time for a new direction. As my content creation business continues to grow and as I become more invested as a Content Creator, it only feels right to bring a little bit of my profession to this space! 

So while I still plan to share nutritional tidbits and encouragement, I also want to use this platform as a resource for my content creation business.

Sound good?

If you’re a fellow FNTP or nutrition professional, feel free to reach out for content creation support! 

And, if you’re here for nutritional education, thank you for being here and participating in this awesome community!! 💛

#nutritonaltherapypractitioner #fntp #ntp #functionalnutritionaltherapypractitioner #contentcreator #contentcreation #contentmarketing #contentmarketer #nutritioncontent #nutritionresources
As someone who aims to as many real, whole foods a As someone who aims to as many real, whole foods as possible (and always GF), I’ve learned a thing or two about “healthy baking.” Here are the swaps I always make in my baked goods for healthy hormones, metabolism, and tastebuds! 👇🏼

• Grass fed (raw, if possible) butter instead of oil 
• @bobsredmill 1-to-1 GF flour instead of all purpose flour
• Raw sugar, coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup instead of white sugar 
• Substitute a little bit of the flour with protein powder or collagen (usually about 10% of the total flour)
• Grass fed (raw, if possible) milk > nut milk
• Cassava, oat, or GF blend flour > almond flour

Save this post to refer back to this season! And, happy baking 🧁🍪

PS Get this oldie, but a goodie, Chocolate Zucchini Bread recipe on the blog! 👉🏼 @nourishedbykelseynicole

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #foodblogging #paleoblog #foodisfuel #foodismedicine #healthyrecipesideas #paleorecipeideas #nutrientdenserecipes #glutenfree #glutenfreebaking #healthybaking
Why I prefer to shop locally 🍎🥑🥕⠀⠀⠀ Why I prefer to shop locally 🍎🥑🥕⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know local and seasonal foods are the most nutrient-dense? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Yup! Think about it: an apple from the grocery store can be found year-round and likely traveled THOUSANDS of miles to get there. Meaning, it was harvested days (if not, weeks) before being delivered to the store and eventually eaten. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, to break it down, this is why I prefer to buy MOST of my groceries locally 👇🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🍎 Most local foods are in-season, providing the most nutrients and best flavor!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍎 I love the opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍎 I know exactly where my food came from. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍎 It’s often cheaper to buy foods that are in-season, than those that aren’t.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Foods that I prefer to buy locally 👇🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 🥩 Meat⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍳 Eggs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍓 Fruits⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🥕 Veggies⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍯 Honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🧀 Raw cheese and milk⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you can’t make it to your local farmers market every week, try to find a co-op nearby!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you shop locally?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #seasonaleating #shoplocally
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared new c It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared new content, but the Fall season is my absolute favorite (as are Fall foods), so I figured it’d be a good time to pop back on!

Fall foods to nourish your body 👇🏼

These foods are naturally their ripest and MOST nutrient-dense during the Fall season, which is why I load up all season long!
🥕 Carrots
🥔  Sweet potatoes
🍠 Beets
🎃 Pumpkin 
🍆 Squash 
🍎 Apples
🍐  Pears
🧄 Garlic

Other Fall staples that I include on a daily basis during the Fall:
✨ Bone broth
✨ Beef liver
✨ Fresh orange juice
✨ Raw honey
✨ Raw milk

These are a few of my favorite recipes to increase my consumption of Fall foods 😋
👉🏼 GF cassava pumpkin bread
👉🏼 Roasted fall veggie medley
👉🏼 Raw milk hot cocoa
👉🏼 Chili made with bone broth 
👉🏼 Apple crisp

Do you love Fall foods as much as I do??

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #fallseason #fallfoods
Your diet is only as beneficial as your digestion. Your diet is only as beneficial as your digestion.

Fact #1: You can eat all the healthiest foods in the world, BUT if you’re aren’t digesting and absorbing the nutrients, what’s the point?

Fact #2: Most of us have very poor digestion. In other words, we lack stomach acid and enzymes to break down and absorb the nutrients in our food. Signs of poor digestion = acid reflux, indigestion, stomach aches, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and gas.

Sooooo, now what’s a girl (or guy) to do?

There are a few ways to help support healthy digestion and actually utilize the nutrients you’re eating, starting with:

	• Avoid drinking water (or any liquid) within 30 minutes of meal time. Liquids dilute the acid in your stomach leading to poor digestion.
	• Address any gut issues (SIBO, H. pylori, dysbiosis) that could be robbing your digestive tract of the ability to absorb nutrients.
	• Focus consuming plenty of whole foods that are rich in digesting-boosting nutrients, like: pastured whole eggs, grass fed beef, organic fruits, raw milk, etc.

Did you know you’re likely not absorbing all the nutrients you’re consuming??

👉🏼 @nourishedbykelseynicole

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #digestion #nutrients
There's a good reason carbohydrates make up ONE of There's a good reason carbohydrates make up ONE of the 3 essential macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Over the last several years, carbs have become the "enemy." And, we now live in a society that fears carbs.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But, what if carbs aren't the REAL problem?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Truth be told, carbs are a necessary and HEALTHY part of every diet. However, is one major issue that needs to be addressed.. THE OVERCONSUMPTION OF PROCESSED CARBS.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There, I said it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Real carbs are NOT the enemy. Processed, refined, and packaged carbs ARE.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I'm a huge advocate for carbs. Fundamentally, they provide our brain and bodies with usable energy, replenish glycogen stores, fuel our muscles, regulate digestion, and so much more!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My favorite REAL carb sources (that I eat almost daily) include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sourdough bread (made local and fresh)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sprouted white rice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sweet potatoes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
White/red potatoes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Squash⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Seasonal fruit⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Orange juice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jam/jelly⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Raw, local honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know that carbs are essential? What's your favorite source of carbs? 😋
Unpopular opinion: your liver is the coolest organ Unpopular opinion: your liver is the coolest organ.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Think about it! The liver know which essential nutrients to absorb and recirculate, while excreting excess hormones, toxins, etc. And this is just the start of the list!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Seriously, your liver is the real MVP🏅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, how do you know if your liver is functioning up to speed or if it needs a little more love? Signs of a congested or sluggish liver are:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Dark circles under your eyes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Skin issues (rashes, eczema, acne)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Orange-pigmented skin⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• High cholesterol⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Alcohol and coffee intolerance⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Body odor⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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However, despite common belief, jumping straight to a juice detox protocol isnt necessarily the best way to address a sluggish liver.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Instead, if any of these symptoms sound like you, it’s time to give your liver some extra lovin’ 👉🏼 incorporate more liver-loving foods (beets, OJ, cilantro, beef liver), drink dandelion root tea, try castor oil packs, eliminate toxins from your home (plastic, fragrance, pesticides, etc), and get your SLEEP! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Tag a friend and spread the liver love! 💕⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
PSA: the foods you eat directly impact your thyroi PSA: the foods you eat directly impact your thyroid!!! And, did you know most of us are currently dealing with some kind of thyroid dysfunction?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You can thank our chronically stressed out, fast paced, digital, and processed lifestyles.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Some foods actually work against our thyroid function, like processed foods, trans fats, PUFAs, cruciferous veggies, and even other raw veggies…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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While other foods work FOR our thyroid, supporting healthy function. These foods include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Seasonal fruits⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Root veggies⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Raw, local honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Pastured whole eggs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Grass fed beef liver⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Wild caught oysters⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Raw cheese⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Sourdough bread⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Pulp-free orange juice ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, if you’ve been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or suspect poor thyroid function, enjoy plenty of these thyroid supporting foods every single day. Trust me, it’s not that difficult to do! 😋⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Drop your thyroid Q’s below! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
In all honesty, life has been BUSY lately, my crea In all honesty, life has been BUSY lately, my creativity is lacking, and social media hasn’t been at the top of my list😅 

But, this morning, I want to leave you with a few basic reminders to help support healthy hormones, metabolism, and immune function! 

✨ Toddlers need to eat 1,200 calories a day. YOU are not a toddler. Most adults need to consume ~2,000 calories daily, if not more. Don’t understand-nourish yourself!

✨ Sleep is necessary to form memories, build muscle, and support healthy immune function. Make it a priority to sleep at least 8 hours per night!

✨ Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day. No, coffee doesn't count. My go-to breakfast lately = sourdough toast + honey, eggs + sea salt, and coffee with raw milk. Easy and delicious!

✨ Over-exercising is as dangerous as being sedentary. Exercising too much creates extreme stress within the body. Learn to rest and allow time for your body and muscles to properly recover!

Did you know these friendly reminders?!

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #hormonehealth #metabolichealth #immunehealth
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