Cheers to Growth

Plus I went into labor the night I recorded this! So it’s fun to hear my pregnancy update at the beginning of the episode. But mainly I’m sharing how choosing the less convenient path has delivered higher levels of health and fulfillment. - How I decide what to make from scratch and when to outsource to a company, & then how to source those small farm, quality brands.- How my husband reacted when I started refusing to buy certain things he’d always had. - And how to move your convenience line forward, towards a more beautiful life. Get all my from-scratch recipes, including this week's less convenient but higher health higher reward small farm Shepard's Pie, at jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.com

In a world where women love to bond over the most dramatic experiences, what if you just chose to opt out? Let pregnancy be normal. Let it be easy. I've enjoyed pregnancy without experiencing any of the common negative symptoms, and I think it's had nothing to do with luck.Before I got healthy, I believed I was a victim to genetics and that I’d inevitably be doomed to experience the same type of pregnancies that my mom, aunts, and grandmothers described. My biggest fears about pregnancy were that I’d gain a crazy amount of weight and that I’d throw up. Neither of which happened. I’ve heard women discuss other supposedly unavoidable pregnancy symptoms like heartburn, food aversions, constipation, arthritis, skin tags, mood swings, brain fog, hating your husband, kidney infection, and crippling anxiety… So can all of this really just be the luck of the draw and then BOOM you’re slapped with one or many of these random ailments BECAUSE OF pregnancy??? OR was your health already in shambles before you got pregnant, making you more deeply affected by the hormonal changes? OR is your body trying SO PERFECTLY to tell you something very important that you’ve been ignoring, like: Stop DoorDashing and consume REAL, homemade food! Stop doing so much and REST! Stop running from your fears and face them! Yes, your life is changing dramatically, and yes, birth trauma likely lives in your body — it’s time to clear that if you haven’t already. This conversation is just to share my experience and to kick up some ideas that maybe a lot of people are too scared to be honest about. Because I gained NOTHING from everyone coddling me and telling me that all these limiting beliefs are true — I am messed up and doomed with this diagnosis and that genetic fault… It was only once I quit with all of those nonsense, validating, excuses that my life became more beautiful than I ever thought possible.For the most gorgeous hydration and flowing digestion, try my aloe floral lemonade recipe. 🌺🍋

In this episode, we went straight to the comments section of our social media clips to see where people are still confused — or completely misled — when it comes to what “healthy” really means.Because living in a world where 99% of products are made from synthetic chemicals…And where nearly all food and necessities are sourced from massive corporate chains…...may be our current reality, but it is not normal.And it’s created massive confusion about what actually supports long-term health.In this conversation, we challenge some common beliefs, like:Thinking that cutting out alcohol for a few months will radically transform your healthBelieving lab-manufactured versions of natural ingredients are equal to the real, raw sourceAssuming grocery store organic is the same as food from a local farm or your own gardenDismissing the placebo effect while blindly trusting prescription medicationWe’re (trying to) analyze the thought process behind these comments and use them to reinforce what we stand for:A small farm diet over grocery store convenienceA chemical-free lifestyleConfidently opting out of social norms that don’t serve your healthThis episode isn’t about arguing with strangers on the internet.It’s about clarifying the standard we choose to live by and why.For a cozy, healthy dinner recipe to accompany this chat, join me here.

No settling for the lie that you can no longer expect it to happen right when you're ready for it.And even if pregnancy isn’t on your radar anytime soon, know this: high fertility is a sign of thriving health.Fertility is a big topic. A sensitive one.But if you’ve been here for a while, you already know that Levi and I don't do sensitive.There are a lot of fear-based conversations right now about how hard it is to get pregnant, even for “healthy” people. And while that topic is highly interesting, I don’t think it’s all that helpful.Two years before we planned to conceive, I made a clear decision. I left no room for doubt, fear, or “we’ll see what happens.” I paired a strong, open mindset with aligned action — and trusted that my future would reflect a version of what I planned for. In this episode, we’re sharing every lifestyle change we made over the course of two years to support peak fertility and conceive in the exact month we intended.We talk about:​Getting off birth control and pharmaceutical medications​How homesteading and a nontoxic lifestyle support fertility​Changing our relationship with alcohol​Ditching nicotine​When and at what frequency I incorporated prenatal supplements​The role of food and nourishment​And why mindset and fear can make or break the entire processI don’t believe in luck.I believe in intentional action, personal responsibility, and aligned living.If fertility (now or in the future) matters to you, sharing how I approached this important life change may guide you in making decisions that lead to your desired outcomes!Find my fertility supportive no-bake cookie recipe, plus more on this topic in the post associated with this episode here: https://jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.com/

Bloating, stomach pain, endless tests, and doctors telling you “nothing’s wrong.” Sound familiar?That was my gut health journey for years—frustrating, disheartening, and full of dead ends. But here’s the truth: feeling sick and uncomfortable in your body is not normal, and it’s not something you have to settle for.In this episode of Cheers to Growth, I’m sharing the holistic steps that finally helped me heal my gut and feel truly well. No quick-fix probiotics, no prescriptions — just simple shifts rooted in real food and lifestyle choices.Most importantly, I’m talking about the missing piece that clicked everything into place for me: incorporating fermented foods daily. Not just an occasional spoonful of yogurt, but a real, consistent way of eating that nourished my gut long-term.If you’ve struggled with gut issues that have always been pushed under the rug, this conversation will give you both hope and practical steps to finally start feeling better.Because supporting your gut isn’t just about digestion — it’s foundational to your whole body health 🥂🥯🍳 Get the recipe for my everyday homemade bagel breakfast sandwich full of gut-loving fermented ingredients in the post associated with this gut health episode.

“I can be healthy when I’m alone, but the second I go to a party, it’s all over…”If you’ve ever thought this way, I get it. I used to feel the exact same — that once I stepped into a birthday dinner or backyard gathering, all my values would fly out the window.But not anymore.In this episode of Cheers to Growth, we’re talking about hosting and attending parties in alignment with your values. I’m sharing:How I got to the place where I’m no longer tempted by food or habits that don’t make me feel goodWhy “pleasing everyone” as a host is the fastest path to throwing an unhealthy, unaligned partyAnd how you can create gatherings that are nourishing, joyful, and truly healthy for everyoneBecause here’s the truth: throwing parties full of chips, soda, and fast-food pizza isn’t the only way to host. You can serve food that’s just as delicious (actually, more so), without compromising your values or anyone’s health.This conversation is an invitation to rethink the way we gather — because the best parties leave us feeling more alive, not more depleted.For the exact recipe I talk about in the show, check out our latest post at: jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.com/

When’s the last time you had a completely free day on your calendar — no plans, no commitments, nothing at all?And when that rare moment pops up… do you protect it? Or do you fill it right back up with plans you don’t even want to do?In this episode of Cheers to Growth, Levi and I are unpacking the difference between real joy and “fake fun.” We’re asking the deeper questions:Why are you really saying yes to that invite?Is it alignment… or obligation?Are you going because you’re genuinely excited—or just because you don’t want to disappoint, feel left out, or miss a photo-op?We’re sharing our own shift from jam-packed social calendars and shallow activities to living in a way that’s more aligned, fulfilling, and actually enjoyable.Because here’s the truth: so many of the activities we call “fun” are just manufactured distractions — TopGolf, amusement parks, sporting events, axe throwing, mini golf. Big industries profit while we walk away feeling drained and empty.The power move? Learning to love your own company and protect your time so you only say yes to what feels deeply right. When you enjoy being with yourself, you’re no longer a victim to fake fun—you’re free to create a life that truly feeds your soul.Find our most current from-scratch recipes (homemade, real-ingredient chicken strips, fries, and ketchup!) and other healthy lifestyle content on the post associated with this episode.

This week is for the girlies, the ones like younger me who refuse to be social without first:​“The everything shower”​A fresh mani & pedi 💅​Eyebrow appointment​Fresh highlights​Spray tan​Teeth whitened 💎​Ironed hair​Full face of makeup 💄 ​10 sprays of perfume​New outfitSo much time, effort, and stress went into my appearance, yet, I still struggled with low confidence.No matter how many treatments I sat through or how much money I spent on beauty products, none of it led to me feeling beautiful.When I changed my lifestyle, I was shocked to see how many beauty practices became completely obsolete. If you’re finding yourself rushing to a hair appointment after a full day of work and leaving the salon feeling more drained than refreshed… This conversation is for you.Outer beauty is a reflection of what you take in so...If you want my favorite beauty snack (high high antioxidants + minerals), find the recipe in the post associated with this episode.

On the podcast today, we’re talking about how getting a dog can be the catalyst you need to get out of low seasons and prepare you for your highest levels of success. This conversation gives you a deeper look into our family and how we built it.It also might help you decide whether you should get a dog if you don’t already have one, and reflect on how your dog has contributed to your growth if you do.Although it may seem dumb — especially if you’ve never connected with a dog of your own — it’s a big topic because I honestly don’t think I would’ve become the woman I needed to be as quickly as I did to create this life that Levi and I have in such a short time. For me it was like grinch energy turned motherly love and for Levi, his dog pushed him to purchase a home at only 21 years old. A place for them to call home together. For every season of life, dogs make it all more magical and rewarding.For episode resources, including recipes & and my free ebook mentioned in our conversation, check out the post associated with this episode. To connect with our dogs more and share their powerful life lessons with your family, check out my children’s book on Amazon, Captain and Kodiak: Grooming Day

This week's episode is a little refresh and revisiting of all the health topics we've discussed on the show and where we are with them now.Including: Qualitarian diet update: going beyond reading food labels and now moved to no labels. (Including the biggest change and unpacking my bold statement: “I don’t believe you can get high quality food at the grocery store.”)Fasting — a powerful tool available when you need a major shift physically or spiritually and emotionally Supplements and doctors visits don’t lead to health (The supplement industry does not exist without the medical industrial complex and that path does not lead to health) Living in nature still feels the most life-changing Meditative movement VS weight training Some things have changes and to me, healthy living has become so simple.For episode resources (like the vitamin C packed hibiscus lemonade recipe I mention in the show) & for all our from scratch recipes, check out our most recent blog post.And for access to my free ebook, 6 Pillars of Holistic Well-Being, drop your email here.

If you're not releasing stress daily, you're just... Storing it.And over time? It builds. It leaks. It turns into snappy comments, irritability, burnout, or even physical illness.In this episode of Cheers to Growth, I’m talking all about emotional regulation, nervous system support, and the stress-relieving practices that I use every single day to feel like the woman I'm proud to be (Future self energy turned on).But I'm diving into more than just the “yoga, breathwork, journaling” checklist (though I love all of those). I’m also sharing:Real stories of emotional dysregulation we’ve all been guilty ofThe hidden forms of stress you may not even realize you’re absorbingAnd why grounding into Earth + conscious breathing are the ultimate life reset buttonsFor episode resources like the exact yoga and QiGong classes I do at home, plus homemade recipes, and self-care practices, join me here!

The most asked question by young couples is something along the lines of, "How do you not grow apart from your spouse after so many years together?"I've grown apart from pretty much all friends I've ever had so how can we out of nowhere flip the script and change the narrative when it comes to your romantic relationship? We've heard a lot of advice, some good, some not, but either way, we always come away from conversations on this topic with a new excitement for how we can feel most connected and confident in us.This is probably the most fly on the wall experience to overhear a natural and honest conversation just like we have while cooking dinner or enjoying a glass of wine together.We’re talking romantic relationships and how to stay each other’s favorite person long term.​What’s worked for us, even when it’s against all other advice (including from my therapist 😒)​And what we’ve seen just simply not work at all (major 🚩 🚩 IMO!)If you or someone you know is less than obsessed and overjoyed with their love life, you’ll want to listen to this one!Find our from scratch recipes and more on how we went from common folk city people to the healthiest homesteading in tune with nature couple we’ve ever seen… HERE And if you’re starting from scratch (aka where I was at 23, completely consumed with stress, anxiety, and self-doubt) read my free ebook to gain tools and ideas for how you can reconnect with Self and feel healthier than ever before.

You know that regretful and unbearable to be around old person who is still talking about their unfulfilled dreams... Yeah. The goal is to not become that.And we've seen so clearly how taking steps towards the life you desire right now is what's bringing it into your physical reality. Because the more you do the thing now, however small scale it needs to be at first, the more you learn and the more you become the person who so naturally has that life you envision.On the show today, we're discussing the newest major upgrade we've made that I honestly can't believe we were able to do already (5 year dream, literally accomplished in 2 months!). And how much of a confidence boost it is to actually see the physical manifestation of everything you've been talking about.Find all our recipes and lifestyle updates on the blog!

As someone who hates the grocery store, I’ve found ways to rely on them less and less. And it feels so GOOD. Without even trying, it's resulted in such a healthier relationship with food.So in this episode, I'm sharing my full grocery routine (Every single thing I buy and where I source it as someone who focuses on ancestral cooking from scratch).I break it up by: Online orders Farm pickups And then the last very few items left for the grocery storeFor all the resources and exact brands mentioned in this episode, check out my grocery haul post here.

Why do we have organic produce?Rallying cries to government? And BIG money payouts to cancer patients from pesticide companies?Well, because it's not safe to spray poison on Earth at all, but more obviously, it's complete insanity to spray poison directly on something humans are going to consume.This is one of the main reasons my husband and I are building a homestead... to ensure that what we consume is completely healthy.So when I saw my neighbor spraying ROUNDUP directly on our shared fence line, near our chickens, garden, and wine vineyard... I was ready to pack my bags and move out immediately.As I navigate this in my own home, I figured it must be important to share for anyone who is still calling up pest control or spraying chemicals on and around their own home to share some alternatives, because you have to understand that when you poison Earth, you are poisoning yourself.And it's completely unnecessary when there are safe and natural solutions to these things.Enjoy the conversation and cheers! 🥂Find links to the resources discussed in this episode here.

We just got back from our honeymoon in Italy, and while we loved the espresso, the landscape, and the pasta... the biggest thing we came home with was clarity.We’re sharing the lifestyle differences we noticed between Europe and the U.S., why traveling was different than expected, and how this trip gave us more confidence than ever in what we are building at home.We talk about:​What Italians get right about food and daily rhythm​Why travel isn’t always as life-changing or relaxing as it seems​And how this trip showed us that we are even more on the right path than we thoughtIf you’re drawn to the romantic Italian lifestyle like I am and want to bring more of that into your home now, or if you're just curious about what happens when two “homebodies” go to Europe... Listen now!Cheers to the honeymoon trip! 🥂Join us for dinner and a natural glass of wine by following our recipes and finding our nontoxic wine picks here.

Biohacking is the cool thing to do right now—cold plunges, red light therapy, grounding mats, coffee enemas, and mineral cocktails.But honestly, most of these expensive “hacks” are just fancy ways to mimic what nature already gives us… for free.In this episode of Cheers to Growth, we’re breaking down some of the most popular biohacking trends and sharing which ones we love, which we’ve tried, and which ones we skip altogether.We’re diving into:​Remineralization and grounding practices we’re obsessed with​How hot/cold therapy can be harmful and almost ruined my wedding​Our honest thoughts on red light and coffee enemas​And why nature will always win over man-made techWhether you’re intrigued by the world of health optimization or feeling overwhelmed by all the wellness noise, this episode is all about tuning in and finding what resonates with your body.Cheers to optimal health! 🥂Find all of our recipes and wellness faves, including the ones mentioned in this episode here!

You use them every single day—shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, makeup, skincare. But do you actually know what’s in those products?In this episode, Jaclyn is here solo, walking you through every single product I currently use in my bathroom and why I’ve swapped out all the conventional stuff for nontoxic alternatives that actually support long-term health.We’re talking oral care, razors, soap, the less is more approach to makeup & skincare, and even things like shower curtains and toilet paper. And I promise—it doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered where to begin with detoxing your lifestyle, the bathroom is the perfect place to start. This episode is all about the gradual changes that lead to lifelong well-being.Time to clean up your life, one product at a time! 🥂The complete nontoxic lifestyle list inside my free ebook: 6 Pillars of Holistic Well-Being

If you told us a few years ago that we’d be making wine from our backyard vineyard, growing a food forest, and throwing worms to chickens at sunset… we’d have laughed. Hard.But it all started with two small things: sourdough and raw milk.In this episode, we’re sharing how baking bread and drinking farm-fresh milk became the unexpected gateway into our homestead lifestyle. We talk about getting over the fear of real dairy, how making your own bread makes you feel invincible, and why these tiny choices sparked a chain reaction that completely changed our health and feeling of aliveness.Whether you’re new to this approach to health or you’ve already started growing your own food, this episode will inspire you to take one small, doable step toward a life that feels nourishing, grounded, and way more fulfilling!Cheers 🥂Join us for a nourishing meal as you listen to this conversation by following our weekly recipes here!

You’re checking all the boxes… Clean eating, daily workouts, no toxins in sight, but something still feels off. In this episode, we share how our health shifted when we left behind the polished, plastic version of life and returned to nature. What started as weekend escapes to the forest turned into a full-on nervous system supportive lifestyle reboot.We talk about the invisible stress of “perfect” neighborhoods and the surprising connection between environment and unhealthy cravings, plus the indescribable joy of muddy dogs and slow living.If you’re still not feeling your best, even while doing “all the things,” this conversation might be the missing piece.Cheers to living in nature🥂Join us for dinner by following our recipe here: https://jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.com/

If I heard this conversation a few years ago I would’ve rolled my eyes. Having your lifestyle focused on being a wife and a mom in the modern world is seen as lame at best… and unsafe, stupid, and oppressive at worst. So for a long time I thought I had to pretend to have other, “more important” life goals. Now I’ve somehow changed my tune and I’m wondering, how did I get here? And why is something that feels so natural, so frowned upon socially?Plus, we’re discussing the health consequences we’ve seen and experienced while living out of alignment with these traditional masculine and feminine roles.Join us for dinner by following along with our recipe here.

How to feel well while traveling and setting up your nontoxic oasis to come back to. December newsletter mentioned: go from zero to completely nontoxic home in a year, month by month steps to fill your home with the most pristine quality items For the wine and the grilled cheese and tomato soup recipe we discussed, join us here.

What do you think of when you picture yourself living in true wealth? How do you view wealth and luxury now vs. when you were in your early 20s?It’s honestly wild how much my opinion has changed on this as I’ve moved into my mid and late 20s. It used to be all about the clothes, makeup, beauty procedures , and vacations. Now it’s so different. Listen to Levi and I share what true luxury looks like for us today and how we’d move differently if our bank accounts showed a multimillion dollar increase…& how to have a wealth mindset no matter what your bank account looks like. For the luxurious dinner we enjoyed right before recording this, snag the recipe here : 👇https://jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.comTo see what contributed to this major mindset and lifestyle shift — from toxic and unhealthy, to living fully in love with life — read my free ebook 6 Pillars of Holistic Well-Being : 👇https://jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/6-pillars-holistic-wellbeing

Are we a codependent couple?When Levi and I met, I instantly felt like a new human. After living as the forever single sidekick, always available for my friends whenever they call, getting into a relationship that felt as deep as ours, naturally, changed everything. Most friendships disintegrated, my desire for self improvement rocket launched into the stratosphere, and I no longer wanted to spend time in the places, doing the things I used to. I get it. Ditching all your friends, changing your interests, and moving away to create a new life with your new boyfriend, on paper, is breading grounds for toxicity. After understandably fitting the new societal definition of a codependent relationship, we’re unpacking our issue with that narrative and how identifying with these labels can be unhealthy and inaccurate. Join us for our conscious dinner and a drink by following the recipe we used on the day we recorded this conversation here! And for my complete guide for holistic health, download my free ebook 6 Pillars of Holistic Well-Being.

We went to a psychic… And as two people who grew up with religious ideologies that made us afraid of these kinds of activities and people, this was a big deal. Our conversation unpacks how we cautiously welcomed in this new experience and gained valuable takeaways. There’s no question, this psychic was tapped in and was able to pick up on specific details about us that no one knows. Through it all we found peace in our free will, stayed open minded, and used this experience to spark deeper conversations that brought us closer together as a couple. Enjoy the conversation & cheers!Join us for dinner while you listen by following along with the recipe here: https://jaclyn-newsletter.beehiiv.com

With so much conflicting health advice out there, Levi and I share the actual needle movers for each of us on our journey to live holistically well.We’re talking: Tools for sleep that I can’t live without, Levi’s approach to fasting for high performance, and the book that altered my entire lifestyle in the most beautiful way. And we lost the audio for the next topic that we teased at the end so if you want to hear wellness trends that we can’t get behind, watch the conversation on YouTube! Have dinner and a gorgeous glass of wine with us by following our recipes on the blog.

Cheers to ditching all diets except the qualitarian diet which… is not a diet at all.After living like a slave to health and diet trends for years, I finally felt the life-changing freedom of consuming only from nature.Levi never experienced the stress or rigidity around creating strict food rules, but even he can attest to the changes in mental health and energy when we returned to the Earth for all our food.Now it seems silly to admit that I didn't know how simple the cure to all my health and body image struggles were. We've become so disconnected, thinking that we as humans can outsmart nature, and that belief is where all the problems stem from.If you feel out of control around food, or like having the body you feel comfortable in is impossible, this one is for you.For links to the wine we drank during the episode & our pre-recording dinner recipe, ⁠join our community on Beehiiv.⁠YouTube:@cheers.to.growthInsta:⁠@jaclyn_kirby⁠Get groceries and household essentials from trusted health brands delivered to your door with⁠Thrive Market

Cheers to the podcast! Cheers to Growth!Jaclyn and Levi give the him and her perspective on all things holistic & nontoxic living, intimacy, family dynamics, health, and building your dream life together.As newlyweds, the couple invites you to dinner & a meaningful chat with the intention of breaking through the surface and rising above societal norms to share perspectives that connect us deeper to ourselves, our loved ones, and the collective world around us.In this episode, we share our experience with how we went from two hurting humans, lost in the fog of standard American living, struggling with health, relationships, and self-love… To cleansing the toxins in our lives personally, environmentally, and within relationships to discover a sense of clarity and a purposeful life.The drastic improvement in the way we feel, and how much we’ve grown together in just a few years was the catalyst to share with you now.When we met, neither of us saw this coming. But gradually, step by step we grew together changing all aspects of life — health, relationships, wellness, intimacy, and growing with your loved ones.We hope by oversharing our journey together, we help you discover what you need to best care for yourself and build your dream life.Welcome & Cheers!For links to the wine we drank during the episode & our pre-recording dinner recipe, join our community on Beehiiv.YouTube: @cheers.to.growthInsta: @jaclyn_kirbyGet groceries and household essentials from trusted health brands delivered to your door with Thrive Market