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Are These Pregnancy Symptoms, or Something Deeper? In my practice and growing philosophy of the body’s pathways to healing, choosing just one supplement as a favorite is difficult! (I’ll explain why later in this article.) That said, I want to highlight a current favorite on my list: Mid-Meal Every Meal Digestive Enzymes from AzureWell. While writing this, I am eight months into a beautiful pregnancy with our second child. As many can relate, pregnancy has seemingly unlimited potential to bring forth symptoms that are otherwise rare for a mother – things like morning sickness, fatigue, constipation, skin changes, swollen extremities, and digestive challenges, to name a few. I am no exception; during both pregnancies, around 6 months in, I started experiencing digestive issues. Four years ago, while I was experiencing it with our first child, I chalked it up to pregnancy and spicy food and just endured it. Come this pregnancy, however, I began wondering why this was surfacing and what the root cause may be. I began exploring the emotional roots of the digestive system and was not surprised to read: “Difficulty digesting life. Feeling uncomfortable with what you are seeing, feeling, hearing, and experiencing. Feeling irritated and frustrated about your inability to control what is happening around you. Guilt about the past. Feeling helpless about past choices. Resisting life rather than learning from your experiences.” It sure makes sense why pregnancy would be a prime time to experience digestive upset, doesn’t it?! I did some self-reflection and noticed I was carrying a lot of these feelings. Because of the expansion that happens during the third trimester, it was a sensible time for these sorts of feelings to begin surfacing. I started recognizing that pregnancy doesn’t cause these symptoms; rather, it highlights the deeper emotional roots that may be buried and brings them forward. I believe that this is for healing’s sake and a huge opportunity for us. One night in particular, the digestive stress became so severe that I couldn’t sleep at all. I figured it was time to address some of the emotions I had identified earlier. After an hour or so of a deep journey through my heart, prayer, and tears, renewed strength took place in my soul – and in my esophagus. Immediately, my digestion returned to balance, and I laid down and slept like a baby. There was a time when I believed supplements were everything and that we needed them for good health. I’ve also spent time subscribed to the belief that supplements are a crutch and not necessary at all. Now, with a strong recognition of emotional drivers and their role in the creation of dis-ease, it might seem that I would reside in the latter camp; however, what I’ve come to realize is that neither perspective encompasses the entirety of our health journey. While working on emotional drivers can at times bring complete wellness, as I experienced in the story above, sometimes we simply aren’t in a place to venture into those difficult places of our heart, or we need additional support. If everything in Creation ultimately carries frequencies, which I believe is true, and our bodies, being part of that Creation, respond and react to these frequencies, then we can start adopting the idea that whole food supplements (unadulterated food from God’s design and Creation) offer much more support to our bodies than just the nutritional values. They would be able to synergistically support our body’s energetic and, therefore, emotional needs through the frequencies that each herb, plant, root, or food is divinely created with. For example, we’ve identified certain ties to emotions that impact digestive function in the body. Likewise, some specific herbs and foods are particularly helpful in supporting that system: Organic Noni, apple cider vinegar, and a large array of enzymes. Are these helpful because of frequencies or nutrition? I’d argue both. The first and best step to balance, in my opinion, is through the avenue that is most accessible for us at that time. This may be emotional work, but oftentimes that is not the first step we are ready to take, or the body may simply need a little additional support beyond the emotional work for quicker renewal. These are the times when pure, whole food supplements come into play in a large way. In my story, I had the capacity during the first bout of my digestive concerns to dig deep into the emotions for complete relief, but that wasn’t the end of my journey. A couple of weeks later, I went through a few tough circumstances in my life, and these same digestive struggles came back. At this point, I did not have the capacity to voyage openly into my emotions as I had prior, so instead I opted for what was within my capacity at that time: whole food supplements that would give targeted support to the underlying issue, based on my symptoms. I dug out AzureWell’s Mid-Meal Every Meal Digestive Enzymes and began using them to support my body. Sometimes, care like this is enough nourishment for the body to restore. Other times, this is the catalyst that frees up some of the underlying energetic congestion to allow for the capacity to explore additional streams of vitality. Which direction the renewal of strength comes from doesn’t really matter – only that it does come. Since emotions impact many areas in our body, addressing them fully can get our bodies back on track and alleviate the symptoms that arose altogether, pretty quickly. In other scenarios, though, imbalances are often a result of long-term emotional strain on our body, and while we may have healed the emotional root, extra care and nutrition might be needed to bring our body back to full life and complete health. We see this play out similarly in farm fields that have been poorly managed with chemicals and no regard for the health of the soil. If the field has undergone this kind of handling short-term, you may be able to recover it fairly quickly with the right tools and removal of contaminants. However, if the field has endured year after year of this kind of depravity and mistreatment, it’s likely going to take additional time and support in the way of nutrients and care to restore it to full vibrancy and health. In either case, wholeness is achievable and a worthy venture. The point I’d like to drive home here to each reader is this: supplements are neither a crutch nor a savior. They are, however, an incredible vehicle to balance the body, and they come in multiple forms and fashions for accomplishing this within us. If you try one and it doesn’t seem to “work,” go exploring! Get curious about whether there are other drivers present that you can identify and work with within yourself, or try a different supplement with similar support functions and pay close attention to how your body responds, both on the inside and the outside. Perhaps this will be enough to set your body back to optimal function, or perhaps this will get your body “over the hump” to continue the optimal health journey of your soul. In both cases, I identify these as huge wins for anyone seeking healing. The key to utilizing supplements in this way is to find products that embrace a commitment to purity, whole foods, and hold the understanding that our bodies and nature around us are expertly created by a Creator who cares. This is why I wholeheartedly recommend and support the AzureWell line. Their understanding of Creation and unwavering commitment to their beliefs allow for supplements that can truly be utilized by the body in the fullest capacity. In my view, one of the most vital benefits that whole food supplements provide to the body is the unique frequencies carried by plants, herbs, and foods. These products must remain pure and unadulterated, without artificial, harmful, yet common excipients and ingredients that could ultimately prove detrimental to our health. Furthermore, caring for the supplements in this way allows for a process that preserves the greatest possible nutritional value and positive impact on the body. Having access to them on our journey is a true gift. I hope this helps you in your journey to a healthy and abundant life! Find out more about Nicole Kallstrom on our Find-a-Practitioner directory. The dietary supplement products offered by AzureWell are not intended for consumers to cure, treat, prevent, diagnose, or mitigate any disease or medical condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information provided by licensed healthcare providers is for educational purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. The views expressed on this page are those of the practitioner or author and are not representative of AzureWell or its approach to healing. This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

A Free Virtual Summit Bringing Together Trusted Voices in Natural Healing "Just like the bacteria in our bodies break down food to make it available at the cellular level, the microbes in healthy soil make nutrients available to plants." - David Stelzer This summer, AzureWell hosted a free virtual AzureWellness Summit. This transformative week-long online experience began Monday with special guests Barbara O'Neill and David Stelzer, followed each weeknight by trusted AzureWell referral practitioners. Throughout the week they shared powerful insights on the foundational principles that influence true health and vitality. AzureWell’s community of practitioners explored topics including the determinants of health, women's wellness, cognitive resilience, immune fortitude, bioenergetics, and the body’s God-designed capacity to heal, adapt, and thrive. Each session was interactive, including practical education, authentic stories, and live engagement with questions from the audience. "Morning sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms that support healthy sleep and daytime alertness." - Barbara O’Neill Day 1 | The Determinants of Health Presented by Barbara O’Neill and David Stelzer "It's the bacteria and fungi in the soil that create the nutrients that become bioavailable for the plant." - David Stelzer "Consistently getting about eight hours of sleep gives the body time to restore, regenerate, and prepare for the next day." - Barbara O’Neill The AzureWellness Summit kicked off with an inspiring evening featuring Barbara O'Neill and David Stelzer, as they explored the foundational “Sustain Me - the 9 Pillars for Health and Longevity” — the everyday principles that profoundly shape energy, resilience, healing, longevity, and whole-body wellness. Topics ranged from nutrition, sleep, stress, movement, adetoxification, and emotional health, to the deeper lifestyle patterns that influence vitality. This powerful session challenged conventional thinking while equipping families with practical, natural strategies to reclaim their health through foundational living. "We should aim for at least seven different fibers per meal." - Barbara O’Neill Day 2 l Honoring the Bioenergetic Design of God’s Creation Presented By Dr. Alfonso Monzo, ND and Amy Ellsworth, RD "One thing that I believe is missing in the function space is addressing the spiritual and energetic part of health. We were created Spirit, Soul and Body — the body gets addressed by many, while the soul and spirit are often ignored as being a part of 'dis' ease. I'd like to change that!" - Amy Ellsworth, RD Listen in as Alfonso Monzo, ND and Amy Ellsworth, RD have a thought-provoking conversation exploring the body as more than chemistry alone — a divinely designed system of physical, electrical, and vibrational intelligence created to sustain life, maintain harmony, and radiate vitality. This powerful session dove into the emerging conversation around bioenergetics, biophotons, frequency coherence, energetic integrity in foods and supplements, and the importance of aligning modern wellness practices with the natural design principles observed throughout Creation. Through a blend of foundational science, natural health philosophy, and practical application, listeners gained a deeper understanding of how what we consume may influence not only the body’s biochemistry, but also its energetic balance, resilience, and overall wellbeing. "Mixing and twisting the Bible's instructions with what you put on and in your body creates incoherence with the Aleph-Tav system of Hebraic letters that govern its telecommunications system — a short-circuiting situation that can only spell disaster.” - Dr. Alfonso Monzo, ND "I'm a big proponent of maintaining proper nutrients in our soil, resting our land, and providing the next generation with top quality soil to produce nutrient dense foods." - Amy Ellsworth, RD Day 3 | Women’s Health: The Future of Compassionate, Restorative Care Presented By Christie Fleetwood, ND, RPh, FNMI, cBC and Marie Graf, RDN “Healthy fats are essential for normal physiology and should not be indiscriminately removed from the diet” - Marie Graf, RDN “Every medical intervention has the potential for unintended consequences, making ongoing evaluation and individualized care essential.” - Christie Fleetwood, ND, RPh, FNMI, cBC Gain insights from Christie Fleetwood, ND, RPh and Marie Graf, RDN as they explore women’s health through the lens of foundational wellness and compassionate, whole-person care. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and personal insight, Dr. Fleetwood and Marie Graf addressed the many factors that shape women’s health and long-term vitality, while encouraging attendees to become thoughtful and confident participants in their own healthcare journey. Discussions explored the importance of understanding both the benefits and potential risks associated with prescriptions, procedures, and modern healthcare approaches. This included a conversation around iatrogenesis (harm caused by medical treatment) and the consideration of available alternatives. Through a restorative lens that honors the body, emotions and mind (“soul”), and spirit, these powerful presentations challenged attendees to think more intentionally about personal wellness, ethical and compassionate approaches to care, and the importance of creating environments where women and families can truly thrive with natural healthcare. “Removing obstacles to health and restoring the determinants of health should be the first step in any healing journey.” - Christie Fleetwood, ND, RPh, FNMI, cBC “Supplements are most effective when they complement a nutrient-dense diet rather than compensate for a poor one.” - Marie Graf, RDN “Lifestyle factors including nutrition, stress, sleep, environmental exposures, and medications—can significantly influence how genes are expressed.” - Christie Fleetwood, ND, RPh, FNMI, cBC Day 4 | Immune Health, Resilience and the Body’s Natural Defense Systems Presented by Eli Camp, ND, DHANP, FNMI and Shayna Powell, ND, VNMI “Intestinal permeability is influenced by multiple factors—including diet, stress, medications, infections, and environmental exposures—rather than a single cause." - Shayna Powell, ND, VNMI “Trace minerals serve as essential cofactors for thousands of enzymatic reactions that sustain normal cellular function.” - Eli Camp, ND, DHANP, FNMI Hear from Eli Camp, ND and Shayna Powell, ND about how the foundations of immune health and the lifestyle patterns that help the body build resilience in a rapidly changing world. From gut health, stress, sleep, nutrient status, and environmental burden to the interconnected role of metabolism, inflammation, and terrain, this practical and encouraging conversation helped attendees better understand how to support the body’s natural defense systems through foundational nutrition, restorative living, and holistic wellness principles designed for individuals and families alike. “The goal of liver-supportive herbs is to promote normal bile flow and the body's natural detoxification pathways—not to force detoxification.” - Shayna Powell, ND, VNMI “Modern dietary patterns and environmental stressors increase the importance of intentionally replenishing essential micronutrients.” - Eli Camp, ND, DHANP, FNMI “The gastrointestinal tract functions as a protective barrier, making gut integrity a foundational component of immune resilience." - Shayna Powell, ND, VNMI Day 5 | Cognition, Brain Health and Restoring Neurological Resilience Presented by Jason Kinley, ND, VNMI and Nate Petersburg, ND, FNMI “Food intolerances can contribute to systemic inflammation, with effects that may appear in the joints, eyes, brain, skin, or other tissues—not just the gastrointestinal tract.” - Dr. Nate Petersburgh, ND “Cholesterol is a fundamental structural component of the brain and serves as the backbone for hormone synthesis, making adequate cholesterol essential for normal repair and neurological function.” - Dr. Jason Kinley, ND Follow along as Jason Kinley, ND and Nate Petersburg, ND focus on cognitive function, neurological resilience, and the foundational principles that support long-term brain health. Through both clinical insight and personal experience, this powerful conversation explored the interconnected relationship between inflammation, stress, metabolism, nervous system regulation, trauma, lifestyle patterns, and the brain’s remarkable capacity for adaptation and restoration. Through this conversation, attendees gained practical strategies for supporting mental clarity, focus, memory, emotional wellbeing, and whole-body vitality in an increasingly overstimulated and toxic modern world. “More than 95% of the body's serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, making digestive health a critical component of both gut and brain function.” - Dr. Jason Kinley, ND “Brain health cannot be separated from gut health, as both systems communicate continuously and influence one another's function.” - Dr. Jason Kinley, ND “Personalized nutrition identifies the specific foods an individual can or cannot tolerate, recognizing that one dietary approach does not fit every patient.” - Dr. Nate Petersburgh, ND Disclaimer: AzureWell referral practitioners are independent healthcare professionals and are not employees, agents, or representatives of AzureWell or Azure Standard. Any views, recommendations, or educational content shared are solely those of the individual practitioners and do not constitute medical advice, endorsement, or representation by AzureWell or Azure Standard.

AzureWell's Commitment to Purity, Transparency & Trust This past May of 2026, many of you joined the AzureWell team for a live webinar for our Azure-Community: “Crafting Labels You Can Trust: What Most Labels Won’t Tell You”. In the supplement industry, marketing noise can create enough confusion to blur the line between quality and clever advertising. We felt it was necessary to pull back the curtain on something we believe every customer deserves to understand – what’s really behind the label of the products they bring into their homes. During this webinar, we explored with AzureWell’s Advisory Board member, Dr. Christi Fleetwood, ND, a simple principle that guides every decision we make at AzureWell: “You have the right to know exactly what you’re putting into your body, and why.” Dr. Fleetwood, one of AzureWell’s referral practitioners, continued by offering important perspectives on supplement quality, label transparency, and why these issues matter in real-world clinical practice. The following article expands on many of the topics that were discussed that evening; outlining our product standards, practices around ingredient sourcing, product testing protocols, and the philosophies that shape every AzureWell product. Whether you're a long-time member of the Azure community or just beginning your wellness journey with us, we invite you to explore the principles that define our commitment to purity, transparency, and healthy, abundant living. Meet AzureWell’s Referral Practitioners* Trusted Guidance For Your Wellness Journey AzureWell’s referral practitioners* extend our commitment to helping individuals pursue healthy and abundant living through trusted educational resources and personalized wellness guidance. These trusted healthcare professionals bring decades of clinical experience and a shared dedication to helping individuals address the root causes of health concerns through personalized, evidence-informed care. For the Azure community, they serve as valuable educational resources, helping bridge the gap between high-quality nutritional products and practical wellness strategies tailored to each individual's unique needs. We are especially excited that several of our referral practitioners will be joining us at the 2026 Harvest Festival in Dufur, where attendees can learn directly from respected experts, ask questions, gain practical health insights, and deepen their understanding of the principles that support lasting wellness. Their presence reflects our belief that true health is built through education, community, and access to trusted guidance from practitioners who share our values of transparency, stewardship, and whole-person wellness. *AzureWell referral practitioners are independent healthcare professionals and are not employees, agents, or representatives of AzureWell or Azure Standard. Any views, recommendations, or educational content shared are solely those of the individual practitioners and do not constitute medical advice, endorsement, or representation by AzureWell or Azure Standard. AzureWell’s Pledge to Purity & Transparency There are hundreds, if not thousands, of additives commonly used in the manufacturing of supplements. These additives, or excipients as they are referred to in the supplement industry, are used for various purposes, such as stabilizing formulas, enhancing appearance, expediting production, and cutting costs. We believe that there is no such thing as an “inactive” ingredient. Every ingredient, regardless of the amount, may have an impact on the human body. Excipients, often overlooked or accepted as standard, can significantly impact how a product functions, how your body absorbs it and its overall effectiveness. Our products are carefully cultivated and free of unwanted additives such as magnesium stearate, artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners. We make every effort to avoid additives and use plant-based, allergen-free excipients, such as organic rice hulls, only when required for product integrity. We transparently disclose all excipients on our product labels so you can make informed decisions for yourself and your family. Transparency in Practice We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed purchasing decision. This includes having transparent label information. Full disclosure of all active ingredients and excipients. We provide the botanical source of our food-based vitamins and nutrients on our labels. Examples: Vitamin C from amla fruit - not synthetic ascorbic acid Quercetin from Sophora japonica bud extract We transparently disclose the trade names of clinically proven ingredients so customers can research benefits, dosing, etc. No “secret” “proprietary blends” on our labels. We provide the actual milligram amount of each active ingredient in our products. This helps ensure that effective amounts of ingredients are being included and gives you the information you need to make informed choices. Certificate of Analysis - we maintain this document for every product we have. It compiles the results of laboratory testing and gives us written assurance of purity, potency, composition, identity, and strength. We even make these documents available to customers upon request. Ingredient Integrity & Traceability In an industry where supplement brands often rely on third-party manufacturers with little transparency or oversight, a significant gap remains in quality assurance, traceability, and accountability. AzureWell strictly follows current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) as outlined in FDA regulation 21 CFR Part 111. We are directly responsible for the Quality Assurance at every step of the manufacturing process, maintaining documented control over ingredient procurement, formulation, production, and final testing. To guarantee the safety and quality of our ingredients, our suppliers have teams of scientists that utilize cutting-edge technology and analytical methods such as HPLC, gas chromatography, and mass spectrometry. This meticulous approach ensures purity, potency, and freedom from undesirable substances in all our natural health products. Whole-Foods First Nutrition begins with real food with real vitamins and minerals sourced from organic, whole-food ingredients rather than lab-synthesized nutrients. In nature, nutrients never exist in isolation. They exist alongside naturally occurring cofactors, such as bioflavonoids that accompany vitamin C in fruits, which help support absorption and gentle digestion. Our Whole Food Multivitamin, for example, embodies this “whole-food” philosophy. It delivers plant-based nutrients from ingredients such as organic moringa leaf for chromium, and organic curry leaf for iron, providing a comprehensive formula designed to nourish the body in ways it recognizes. While whole foods remain our first choice, some nutrients are best delivered in other forms. For example, our Magnesium G Glycinate provides magnesium bound to the amino acid glycine, creating a gentle and highly absorbable form of magnesium when whole foods cannot consistently deliver reliable amounts. AzureWell Is Setting The Standards For The Supplement Industry. At AzureWell, we continually seek the best sources of nutrition available so every formula reflects our uncompromising commitment to quality, safety, and efficacy - with radical transparency. For a comprehensive overview of our third-party testing, along with lists of additives, excipients, preservatives, artificial ingredients, and processing aids commonly used throughout the industry, that AzureWell works diligently to avoid, we invite you to read our December 2025 blog article Exploring AzureWell's Commitment to Pure and Natural Health Products. With clear, transparent labeling, rigorous quality standards, and a whole-foods-first philosophy, we’re committed to helping you make confident choices for you and your family’s wellness journey. It is what we value, and what our dedicated customers expect and deserve.