The new year started a little differently for us this time around. We really leaned into slowing down over winter break. That meant a few solid stretches with no social media, no emails, and far less structure than usual. We soaked up the holidays, enjoyed the downtime, and celebrated a big birthday milestone with our youngest turning seven.
Alaska, however, did not cooperate with our winter dreams. We hit record cold spells with almost no snow, which somehow made winter feel even longer. Lots of time inside, lots of board games and puzzles, and plenty of cozy days just trying to stay warm. And of course, the very day the kids went back to school, the snow finally showed up and dumped on us.
Even though the weather forced us indoors, the slower pace was exactly what we needed. It felt like the perfect time to reflect, reset, and look back on what resonated most over the past year. Below is a “best of the year” recap, highlighting the content you opened, watched, saved, and asked for the most.
Best of 2025
Most Opened Email
Maybe It’s Your Hormones… Or Maybe It’s Something Else
This topic sparked a lot of replies and conversations. We talked about how many symptoms get labeled as “hormone issues” when there are often other factors driving the same problems.
Low minerals, blood sugar swings, gut stress, poor sleep, and chronic stress came up again and again. That message clearly resonated, so I expanded it into a full blog post.
Most Viewed YouTube Video
How to Choose the Best Protein Powder for Women
My YouTube channel officially hit 800 subscribers this year, which still feels a little surreal. I’m continuing to refine what topics to focus on, but this video made one thing very clear. Protein confusion is real.
In this video, I walk through how to choose a clean, gut friendly protein powder without getting overwhelmed by labels, trends, or marketing claims.
Watch it here:
How to Choose the Best Protein Powder for Women | Clean & Gut Friendly
Top Instagram Reel
Favorite Alaska Salmon Recipe
This one surprised me, but you all loved it. Simple, realistic, family approved, and very Alaska. It was saved and shared more than almost anything else I posted this year.
You can find it here:
Watch it on Instagram
Top Nutrition Book I Read This Year
Dark Calories by Catherine Shanahan
I’d give this one an 8 out of 10. The strongest part by far was the deep dive into vegetable oils and how they became so heavily promoted. If I’m being honest, I’d recommend it mostly for chapter one alone.
It reminded me a lot of Death by Food Pyramid in how it exposes the historical and political roots of poor nutrition guidance. I listened on Audible, though the narration did feel a little AI at times.
See options for reading this book here.
Favorite Fun Reads of the Year
I read 60 books this year, including plenty of nutrition, health, and parenting books. But I also love mixing in historical fiction, thrillers, and the occasional spicy romcom.
Two that really stood out:
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
I rated this one a 10 out of 10. It’s based on a true story and gave me Call the Midwife meets Yellowstone vibes. I thought about this book for days after finishing it.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Totally different tone, but also a 10 out of 10. A whodunnit told through a podcast style storyline. The banter was great, the guessing kept me hooked, and it was one of those rare books I couldn’t put down.
Most Requested Family Recipe
Asian-Inspired Salad Dressing
This dressing has officially become a staple in our house. It tastes almost identical to a salad we love from a local pizza place, and the girls finish every bite of their veggies when it’s on the plate.
I added it to the blog so it’s easy to find anytime.
Best Supplements This Year
Last year, creatine topped my list and it’s still up there. But this year, I consistently found myself using two newer supplements with clients.
Mega Mag
This has been one of the fastest and most effective ways I’ve seen to raise magnesium levels, especially for women who have been low for a long time. Many women are taking magnesium but still feel no difference because their stores are depleted, stress is high, or the form and dose are not right. This option allows us to titrate up based on what your body actually needs.
MitoCore
This has become my go to toward the end of programs to support minerals, energy, and mitochondrial health as clients transition out of more intensive work.
If you want access to practitioner grade supplements, you can create a Fullscript account and get 25 percent off here.
Want to Work Together?
I’m opening up five spots for new clients. If you want to start the year with a solid foundation and understand what your body actually needs, you can fill out a short inquiry form below. I review each one personally and will reach out to talk through timelines, cost, and options.
Thank you for being here, reading along, and trusting me with your time. I’m really excited about what this year holds and hope you are too!