PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, the thief of womanhood. No matter what you call it, let's be honest, it's just not very pleasant. There are the irregular periods, muffin top around the midsection you didn't ask for, fertility issues, the hair loss, and let's not forget the hair growth in less than desirable places. None of which you signed up for. But, there's hope.

You can manage it. You can feel better. You can take back your health. Healthier eating habits and exercise can be a great place to start.

The directive to get to and maintain a healthy weight is usually the first bit (and sometimes the only bit) of lifestyle change advice doled out by healthcare providers to help treat PCOS. But what if you are already at a healthy weight? What if you don't want to lose weight? And if you do, how should you go about it?

2016 has been officially dubbed the International Year of the Pulses by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO.) And for good reason. Seriously, pulses are amazing.

But what the heck are they? Simply put: beans, peas, and lentils that are grown for their dry seed. So fresh beans and fresh peas, as well as legumes grown for their oil don't count, but canned beans, peas, and lentils do. Why do we love them? For one, they are some of the healthiest foods in the world.

They are packing so much nutritional goodness:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Phytonutrients
• Fiber
• Protein
• Slowly digesting carbs

Plus they are inexpensive, sustainable, versatile, and just down right tasty. In case you couldn't tell, I'm a fan.

If you're currently prepping for pregnancy, I strongly encourage you to load up on pulses.

Late last year the American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) issued a press release titled, "Most healthy women would benefit from light meal during labor." This was a pretty bold statement, considering fasting during labor has long been the norm. After receiving quite a few comments of concern from members, ASA attempted to clear up the controversy the release stirred up. They stated the release was simply an acknowledgment of research reviewed by a colleague, NOT a change in their position or guidelines.

The no food during labor policy many hospitals follow was birthed out the desire to prevent women from aspirating (fancy for choking on stomach contents if they made their way into their lungs.) Changes to how anesthesia is administered have made this less of a concern for healthy women with a low risk labor and delivery. However, the no food rule continues to reign in many labor and delivery wards.

I am of the opinion that for low risk women, eating during labor is fine as long as the labor team agrees. I would go so far as to say it's more than fine, it's a good idea. Listen, labor is extremely taxing. A woman can use the same amount of energy it takes to run a marathon giving birth. And no one would expect someone to run a marathon without proper fuel, would they?

We've all heard it before, breakfast is sooooo important, possibly the most important meal of the day. It is the meal that replenishes our bodies after it has worked heartily through the night to repair itself AND the meal that sets the tone for the day ahead. 

But knowing how important it is not the same thing as doing something based on that knowledge. Whether it's a time constraint or just not being "a breakfast person," for many of us breakfast just doesn't always happen. And when it does, much of the time it doesn't include what our bodies really need or what our tastebuds really want.

Whether your goal is to improve your skin, manage your PCOS symptoms, or just eat a meal that truly nourishes your mind and body while delighting your senses, it all starts with balance. Balancing your blood sugar that is. And how exactly do you do that? By combining fiber, fat, protein, and carbs.

Fortunately, building a tasty and nourishing meal need not be time consuming or complicated. With a little prep the night before or using cooking techniques that allow you to whip up a meal while you shower, you can get it done.

Here are a few of my faves that will help you start your day off with the energy you need to get going and stay going.

I know nary a woman who didn't take ballet classes as a kid or desperately wish they had. Dancers just ooze sensuality, strength, confidence, and grace. Taking ballet can help bring those things out of anyone, no matter their age while also whipping the body into shape.

If you're planning to get pregnant in the near future, you have probably googled fertility and nutrition quite a few times. It can be difficult to dig through all of the clutter online. Finding resources you can trust to give you the truth on women's health and fertility can be time-consuming and confusing. So I did some of the dirty work for you.

Below you will find links to my two favorite blogs for all things related to nutrition, women's health, and fertility. As a bonus, I have listed my top 5 favorite posts that will help you prepare for pregnancy. Happy reading!

I. AM. OBSESSED, absolutely obsessed with essential oils. I have always dabbled with using them but after putting together some wellness tips with the health educator at the clinic I work in, I decided to get serious about learning more about aromatherapy. I recently completed an introduction to aromatherapy course and have decided to work on getting certified next year. And I fully intend to share the wealth of knowledge I gain along the way with you lovely folks.

There are so many oils and so many ways to use them, it would take forever to cover it all.  So I will share just a few of my faves.