The Happy Valley Nutrition Blog

ONGOING THOUGHTS ON INTUITIVE EATING, BODY IMAGE, LIVING THE ANTI-DIET LIFE, AND GENERAL AWESOMENESS.

Body Image, Health At Every Size, Intuitive Eating, Wellness Amanda Mittman, MS, RDN, LDN Body Image, Health At Every Size, Intuitive Eating, Wellness Amanda Mittman, MS, RDN, LDN

What is joyful movement? Seven ways to improve your relationship with exercise

In order to have a healthy relationship with joyful movement, we’ve outlined a few steps for you to take. But first, remember that joyful movement is what you would do if you were moving your body simply for fun, and not to change its size or shape.

Read More
Wellness, Intuitive Eating Amanda Mittman, MS, RDN, LDN Wellness, Intuitive Eating Amanda Mittman, MS, RDN, LDN

Not Feeling Merry, Joyous & Bright? That’s Ok.

In my last blog I talked about how the holidays can be a difficult time for some. 

We don’t live in a cheesy Hallmark movie where life gets tied up in a nice, neat bow. For many of us, the holidays can be downright messy.

Today I want to give you permission to be however you need to be and to feel however you need to feel, during this topsy-turvy time.

It’s OK that you feel anxious, exhausted, and a bit melancholy. 

It’s OK that you feel badly that people around you love this time of year, yet you don’t. And it’s also OK if you love this time of year and that it brings you so much joy, and that you’re the first one to get your decorations up.

Read More
Functional Nutrition, Wellness Amanda Mittman, MS, RDN, LDN Functional Nutrition, Wellness Amanda Mittman, MS, RDN, LDN

What is the "Sunshine vitamin" (and why do you need it?)

When it comes to supplements, there are usually two nutritionist camps: 

  • Those who say supplements aren’t necessary because we get all we need from food

  • Those who believe that they are needed for specific reasons.

I fall into the latter—I definitely think that supplementation has its place and purpose. Personally, I have benefitted from taking certain herbs, vitamins and minerals and noticed a difference, for example when taking vitamin B12 when deficient or taking herbs to support my Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis (read: managing stress levels).

One of the biggies I recommend is vitamin D3, especially during the colder months and for those of us who live far from the equator (most of us). I would say that around 90% of the women I see in my practice have very low vitamin D status, myself included (I just found out my D is low, too)! 

Read More