Hi growing friend,

I hope our first full newsletter gave you a helpful roadmap for your health journey! Today, we’re checking in on your progress, tackling your biggest questions, celebrating some wins, understanding the good, better best, approach, and peeking at what's coming next month.

How's Your Challenge Going?

First things first – how are you feeling? I'd love to hear from you on these questions:

• What's been the hardest part of this challenge?

• What's been the most rewarding part?

• Any food brands you've loved (or definitely didn't love)?

• What did you swap first?

• How many more swaps are you planning this month?

Hit reply and let me know! Hearing from you helps drive future content – but also creates community!

Your Most Thought-Provoking Questions

"How do I know if my symptoms are actually from food additives? I don't want to waste time swapping foods if this isn't what's causing my gut issues."

I totally get this! Here's the thing – gut issues are complex, and this is just one piece of the puzzle. We're not trying to eliminate every toxin (impossible!), but reduce our overall exposure so our bodies can detox naturally.

Think of it this way: by understanding what certain ingredients do to our bodies, you can make informed choices about what matters most to you. That's exactly why I started this newsletter – to give you the information you need to decide for yourself.

"This seems expensive. How can I do this without breaking the bank?"

Such a valid concern! Financial stress can wreak more havoc on your body than some food additives, so staying within budget is crucial.

My advice: Get clear on your actual grocery budget first. Then focus on swapping the foods you eat most often – that's where you'll see the biggest impact. You'd be surprised how many better options are similarly priced to conventional ones.

Also, get familiar with the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists (a quick Google search will show you which produce to prioritize buying organic versus conventional).

"You mentioned not taking probiotics right away – why?"

Great question! We're diving deep into supplements next month, but here's the quick version: Many food additives damage our gut lining, so we need to repair that first before probiotics can do their job effectively. Probiotics rebuild your gut microbiome, but they don't directly repair the gut lining itself.

Think of it like trying to plant a garden in damaged soil – you want to heal the foundation first so everything can thrive.

Community Wins Worth Celebrating

I love hearing from you! Some highlights that made my day:

• A reader reached out that her sister loved the newsletter and found the info so helpful

• Someone immediately went to check their peanut butter ingredients (yes!)

• Readers are sharing their journeys with thyroid issues, weight management, and autoimmune conditions

Speaking of community – I'm starting a Facebook group for our newsletter family. If you're interested in a safe space to share experiences, challenges, and wins together, let me know! It would be readers-only, so we can support each other without judgment. I asked this previously and had a few responses – I’d love to start it out next month so let me know if you want to join!

Good, Better, Best: Making Swaps That Work for You

Struggling to balance swaps with your budget and lifestyle? Let's break it down with the "good, better, best" approach.

Example: Eggs (because they're truly a superfood!)

• Good: Cage-free or free-range eggs (budget-friendly upgrade from conventional)

  • Cage free- chickens are in larger spaces and held indoors, but not in cages

  • Free-range- they have SOME kind of access outdoors, this could be a concrete pad or a small area of grass or dirt

I mention the differences between the 2 because free-range can sometimes be more expensive, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better option than cage-free. Some cage-free chickens may have better living conditions.

• Better: Store-bought pasture-raised eggs (more nutrient-dense, chickens roam outdoors)

• Best: Local organic, pasture-raised eggs from farmers markets or neighbors

  • OR – local duck eggs, these are more nutrient dense with higher protein

The key? A good swap is better than no swap. Give yourself grace – you don't always need to choose the "best" option. Progress over perfection, always.

Next Month: Diving Into Supplements

We're exploring supplements next month! While food swaps are crucial, I truly believe supplements helped heal my gut lining and kickstarted my entire healing journey. I can't wait to share what worked for me.

Quick Feedback Request

Some of you mentioned the first newsletter was content-heavy. Should I split things up differently? Maybe just information in the first newsletter, then challenges and tips in the second? Let me know what works best for you!

Don't forget to answer those check-in questions above – I read every response! And send me any questions for next month's newsletter.

Follow @we.rootnrise on Instagram and Facebook for tips throughout the month and to stay connected!

Rooted in wellness & rising together,

Erica