Less Stressed Life: Helping You Heal Yourself

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In this episode of The Less Stressed Life, I'm joined by my associate registered dietitian, Jenna De Kok, to share the deeply personal journey she and her husband have been on with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). After multiple exposures to water-damaged buildings, they both began experiencing unexplained symptoms, with Jenna developing debilitating panic attacks, severe insomnia, neurological symptoms, and overwhelming fatigue. Despite being told by multiple healthcare providers that it was "just anxiety," she continued searching for answers until she finally received a CIRS diagnosis. We also discuss what CIRS is, how it differs from mold illness, why environmental testing matters, and the role of the Shoemaker Protocol in recovery.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
 What is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)
 Common neurological symptoms of CIRS 
 The difference between CIRS and mold illness 
 Trusting your body when answers don't add up 
 Why environmental testing matters 
 Finding the right tools for your healing journey 
ABOUT GUEST:
Jenna is a registered dietitian via her business Nutritiously Jenna and associate practitioner at Less Stressed Life Nutrition. She started working with Christa in 2018 doing mentorship hours for her undergraduate degree. Her passion for women's wellness came from her firsthand struggles flaring with a variety of gut, detox/drainage, nervous system, and energy issues. In January 2026 was when she officially learned that CIRS was a piece of not only her health story but also, her husband's after a variety of exposures to biotoxins in their homes. Through this experience, her goal is helping other "misunderstood" clients better understand how their symptoms can be influenced by the health of their environment.
WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutritiouslyjenna/
SPONSOR:
Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! 
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop
❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

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In this episode of The Less Stressed Life, I'm joined by Dr. Jeffrey Bland for a conversation about the evolution of functional medicine and what we're continuing to learn about immune resilience. We explore why "immune boosting" isn't the goal, how the gut microbiome influences inflammation throughout the body, and why mast cells, the 4R gut restoration protocol, and post-COVID immune changes are important pieces of the immune health puzzle. We also discuss inflammaging (chronic inflammation associated with aging) and how nutrition and lifestyle choices can help support resilience and healthy aging.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Why immune resilience matters more than immune boosting
• How the gut microbiome influences inflammation
• The role of mast cells in immune health
• How the 4R protocol supports gut health
• Understanding inflammaging and healthy aging
• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to build resilience
ABOUT GUEST:
Dr. Jeffrey Bland is a world-renowned nutritional medicine expert and is widely considered the "Father of Functional Medicine." A trained biochemist, he has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications and the bestselling book The Disease Delusion. He co-founded the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute and is the founder of Big Bold Health, where his work focuses on immune rejuvenation through nutrition, lifestyle, and regenerative health.
WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://jeffreybland.com/
Website: https://bigboldhealth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjeffreybland/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeffreyBlandPhD
SPONSOR:
Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! 
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop
❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan Mail
The Less Stressed Life turns 10 next year🤯, and as I started looking back through some of the earliest episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 54 from 2019 with bestselling author and wellness innovator Dave Romanelli. While this conversation was recorded before the world experienced the isolation of the pandemic, its message about connection, loneliness, and learning from older generations feels even more meaningful today. 
In this episode, Dave shares what he learned from years of connecting with people in their 80s, 90s, and even 100s through his Drinks With Your Elders events and the conversations that inspired his book, Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest. We explore the importance of preserving family stories, why slowing down to truly listen matters, and the perspective that only comes from a lifetime of experience. We also discuss parenting, resilience, loneliness, and why meaningful relationships—not accomplishments or possessions—are what matter most at the end of life. 
Find David's books here: https://davidromanelli.com/#books
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
 Why older generations hold wisdom we can't afford to lose 
 The importance of preserving family stories before it's too late 
 Life lessons on parenting, resilience, and showing up for the people you love 
 How perspective can help us navigate life's everyday challenges 
 Why relationships matter more than achievements at the end of life 
 The value of creating connections across generations 
 Simple ways to start meaningful conversations with the elders in your life
ABOUT GUEST:
Dave Romanelli is a bestselling author, wellness innovator, entrepreneur, and lifelong meditator. He is the author of several books, including Life Lessons from the Oldest and Wisest, and is known for bringing generations together through his Drinks With Your Elders events. His work explores connection, mindfulness, relationships, and the lessons we can learn from those who have lived the longest. His work has been featured in The New York Times, O Magazine, Newsweek, Food & Wine, and The Wall Street Journal. 
WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://davidromanelli.com/#
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeahdave/
SPONSOR:
Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! 
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop
❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan Mail
The Less Stressed Life turns 10 next year🤯, and as I started looking back through some of the earliest episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 47 from 2019 with functional dietitian Olivia Wagner, whose practical approach to food as medicine continues to inspire how we think about nourishing our bodies. 
In this episode, we explore how every bite of food provides information to the body, why becoming a "nutrient seeker" can transform the way you think about healthy eating, and simple strategies for building meals that are both nourishing and delicious. We also discuss practical meal prep techniques, easy ways to increase the variety of plants on your plate, creative tips for helping the whole family enjoy more nutrient-dense foods, and how small, consistent changes can have a lasting impact on your health. 
Bonus Resource: Download the free Food as Medicine Checklist created for this episode, packed with simple, practical ways to put these nutrition strategies into action.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
 Food as information and the food-as-medicine approach 
 How to become a "nutrient seeker" 
 Simple ways to build colorful, nutrient-dense meals 
 Practical meal prep and batch cooking tips 
 Easy strategies to help the whole family eat more vegetables 
 Flavor-building techniques to make healthy meals delicious 
 Kitchen tools and resources that simplify healthy cooking
ABOUT GUEST:
Olivia Wagner, MS, RDN, LDN, IFNCP, is a functional women's health and fertility dietitian and the founder of Liv Nourished. She specializes in helping women uncover the root causes of hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, and metabolic concerns through a whole-woman approach that combines functional nutrition, advanced lab testing, and nervous system support. Olivia is passionate about empowering women to better understand their bodies and create lasting health from the inside out. 
WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://livnourishednutrition.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livnourishednutrition/
SPONSOR:
Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! 
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop
❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions

Send us Fan Mail
The Less Stressed Life celebrates 10 years next year🤯, and as I looked back through some of the early episodes, I realized there were a few conversations I wanted to bring back because they're just as relevant today as when they were first recorded. This week, we're revisiting Episode 39 from 2018 with Jeff Chilton, one of the world's leading experts on medicinal mushrooms and the founder of Nammex.
In this episode, we explore the science behind functional mushrooms, what makes mushrooms like lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, chaga, and shiitake unique, and why not all mushroom supplements are created equal. We also discuss beta-glucans, immune and cognitive support, how to identify quality mushroom products, and simple ways to incorporate mushrooms into your daily routine.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
 Functional mushrooms and their unique benefits 
 Lion's mane, reishi, cordyceps, and chaga explained 
 Beta-glucans and immune support 
 How to choose a quality mushroom supplement 
 Mushroom myths and common misconceptions 
 Cooking with mushrooms for maximum flavor 
 Simple ways to add mushrooms to your wellness routine
ABOUT GUEST:
Jeff Chilton is a mycologist, author, and founder of Nammex, one of the world's leading suppliers of certified organic functional mushroom extracts. With more than 50 years of experience in mushroom cultivation and research, Jeff has been a pioneer in bringing medicinal mushrooms to the North American natural health industry. He co-authored the bestselling book The Mushroom Cultivator and has spent decades working alongside leading mushroom researchers and growers throughout China to advance quality standards, education, and scientific research on functional mushrooms. Today, he continues to advocate for transparency, proper labeling, and evidence-based mushroom products. 
WHERE TO FIND GUEST:
Website: https://www.nammex.com/
Website: https://realmushrooms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_mushrooms/
Educational: https://www.nammex.com/mushroom-education/
Research White Paper: https://www.nammex.com/redefining-medicinal-mushrooms/

SPONSOR:
Thank you to Jigsaw Health for being such a great sponsor. 😎  Try their Electrolyte Supreme in the crowd-favorite Fruit Punch flavor this summer.🍓🍹Use code LESSSTRESSED10 on every order for 10% off! 
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY OF LESS STRESSED LIFE:
🍽️ Over restriction is dead
🥑 Whole food is soul food and fed is best
🔄 Sustainable, synergistic nutrition is in (the opposite of whack-a-mole supplementation & supplement graveyards)
🤝 You don’t have to figure it out alone
❤️ Do your best and leave the rest
WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA:
Website: https://www.christabiegler.com/
Instagram: @anti.inflammatory.nutritionist
Podcast Instagram: @lessstressedlife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lessstressedlife
More Links + Quizzes: https://www.christabiegler.com/links
Protocols: https://www.christabiegler.com/protocolshop
❓Questions for Christa? Submit them here: https://www.christabiegler.com/questions