Me and my fam…circa 2000. I don’t look tired here but, trust me, I truly wasn’t listening to my body’s signals at that time.

When my kids were little and I tucked them into bed, I would almost immediately role up my sleeves and get to work. “It’s GO time!” I told myself. So instead of winding down and preparing for bed myself, I would start picking up the pieces of what hadn’t been completed during the day (literally sometimes since toys were strewn all over the place, haha). True confessions: I didn’t honor my cycles or rhythms at that time. I was so pressed, trying to make sure all of my ducks were in a row (or just get them in some semblance of a row) that I was wearing myself out.

And if we happened to be heading out of town? I’d literally stay up all night, pressing through when I hit a “wall” in an effort to get us all packed up and trying to leave the house in pristine condition so it’d look welcoming when we got back.

This all sounds great. Unless you were my hormones, haha. I was ignoring my body’s signals in an attempt to get it all done. But I was leaving my own health “undone” as a consequence.

Plus, I wasn’t easy to be around. I would get impatient and exasperated with the kids…and myself. I was on a rollercoaster that felt unstoppable and I wasn’t pausing to consider the consequences, emotionally or physically.

So, lesson learned. Let me tell you something from one woman to another: your hormones aren’t just these wild, unpredictable forces inside you (even though it feels that way, sometimes). They’re sacred messengers. They’re wise. When we pause to heed them, respecting our need for nourishment and healthy rhythms—they thrive.

We live in a world that often asks too much, too fast. But our bodies weren’t designed for hustle. They’re designed for seasons and cycles. And the beautiful truth? When we return to the ancient ways— taking in plenty of sunshine, nutrient-dense foods, and herbs— our bodies come into alignment.

Get Those Hormones Back on Track

With time, I began to understand that what our hormones most crave is safety. And safety is built on consistency—in your nourishment, your rest, your light exposure, and your rhythm. That’s why daily sunshine and whole, ancestral foods aren’t just good ideas... they’re foundational.

When we establish healthy routines, that honor our cycles and give our hormones the safety they crave, we give our bodies a chance to regain balance and thrive.

Hormonal Health Begins at Sunrise

My favorite way to regain hormonal balance now starts at the beginning of the day. I start my day with the sunrise. ☀️ No kidding. It might sound impossible, but, trust me, it’s do-able. If you’ve got little ones, invite them to join you! Even just 10 minutes of light in your eyes each morning tells your brain: you are safe. That natural light signals your circadian rhythm to balance cortisol, boost serotonin, and support your sleep-wake cycle—all of which are vital for hormone health. Getting natural morning light is an ancestral health tradition!

Hormonal Health Is Sustained by Real Food

And just like our ancestors knew to rise with the sun, they also knew what to eat to thrive. Long before supermarkets, women nourished their fertility and hormones with time-tested nutrient-dense traditional foods and healing herbs. They focused on what their ancestors ate and recommended. And every bite was regarded as critical and sacred for supporting the wellbeing of women and their offspring.

Here are some of the most powerful ancestral foods for women’s hormonal health:

Beef Liver & Organs– Rich in vitamins A, B12, and iron, these foods support detoxification, energy, and blood-building. Think of liver as nature’s multivitamin, straight from the source.
Fish Eggs– Packed with omega-3s, selenium, and vitamin D—powerhouses for fertility and mood balance. These were especially important to take before conception and during pregnancy.
Bee Pollen– A complete protein and antioxidant-rich superfood that supports energy, immunity, and cellular repair. 🐝
Oysters– The world’s best source of zinc, essential for progesterone production and healthy cycles. 🦪
Colostrum– Mammal’s “first milk” full of immune factors, growth compounds, and gut-healing goodness. 🥛

Each of these foods offers a rich supply of key nutrients like vitamins A, B, C, and E, and minerals like magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, and iron—all crucial for balancing hormones, easing PMS, supporting fertility, and restoring vitality at every life stage.

Hormones Thrive on Herbal Medicine 🌿

And of course, we can’t forget our herbal allies. Herbs have been a woman’s gentle support system for millennia. They are often made into teas and tinctures. And taking them into the body allows nature to nourish us in a variety of ways.

Here are some of my faves:

Dandelion & Milk Thistle– Detoxifying herbs that love your liver, the hormonal command center of your body. A supported liver means smoother cycles, fewer cramps, and more balanced moods.
Raspberry Leaf– Known as “the woman’s tonic,” raspberry leaf strengthens and tones the uterus, easing menstrual discomfort and preparing the womb for pregnancy or peaceful periods.
Black Haw– A traditional cramp-reliever and uterine relaxant that supports hormonal transitions (especially helpful around menstruation and perimenopause).
Spirulina– A protein-rich algae loaded with iron, chlorophyll, and B vitamins to fight fatigue and nourish blood— perfect for the postpartum season or anyone rebuilding strength.

**Remember: It’s Consistency That Counts**

I haven’t been perfect with my diet over the years. You don’t need to be perfect, either. But you can be steady. When you nourish yourself with the best food and get that sun on a regular basis, you set up a rhythm that sets you up for success. And even if you get off balance now and then, your body knows how to get back in sync.

So, whether you pull an occasional all-nighter or grab some pizza before a soccer game, you can recalibrate. Let the sunrise and real food be your body’s medicine in the day to day. 🧡

Your hormones are happy and you just plain feel good when you respect your body’s signals.

Sourcing Hormonal Support

And if you’re wondering where to source the above foods and herbs, start local. Go to your farmers market and/or find a farmer or herbalist near you. Make meals and teas that ground you on the deepest levels.

And when life gets crazy or you feel out of whack, you might want to try Birthright Supplements. These simple supplements are animal-based with herbs, uniquely designed to support women’s hormonal health. Birthright’s supplement blends contain everything I mentioned above—beef liver, fish eggs, bee pollen, colostrum, and herbs like milk thistle and raspberry leaf. I see it as a daily dose of ancestral wisdom in capsule form, designed for consistency, ease, and wholeness. I’m a partner with Birthright because their products are so good. They support you in all of your unique femininity! (And when you go to the Birthright site, use the code HILDA15 to save 15% on your purchase.. I can’t wait for you to try them out!)

Honestly, your birthright is good health. And we’re not talking just the absence of illness—but the deep, grounded, radiant kind of health that flows from within.

Hormones Out of Whack?