The Bitter Truth

Abbey Joy Cmiel
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Semiweekly

Join Abbey Cmiel of Abbey Joy Healing for a podcast on all things Ayurveda, Reproductive Care, Hormones, Herbs and Health! We'll be sipping herbal bitters and talking truth. abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com

  1. 6d ago

    S2 Ep 8: The Bitter Truth About Metabolism, Blood Sugar, and GLP-1s with Mary Sheila Gonnella

    In this episode, Mary Sheila Gonnella helps de-mystify one of the most confusing topics of modern medicine: metabolism. In a world of GLP-1 drugs, weight loss programs, and fasting techniques, she breaks down how we can actually support our metabolism from the root up. Rather than promoting another 10-day cleanse, Mary Sheila shares with us how we can build our metabolism and vitality through simple daily practices. Her deep knowledge of both ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern Western research helps draw an incredible map of practices to support overall health. I was so grateful to learn the basics of how blood sugar and metabolism work so I can support my body from the foundation. Some of the top tips we talk about include: * How to build your meals for feelings of satiety * The basics of fasting and meal spacing for metabolic health * The best ways to regulate your blood sugar to set a foundation of insulin and digestive health * Essential hydration tips to support your lymphatic health and beyond * How to help your body metabolize food with exercise, walking, bitters, and more We also talked about some of the most “bitter truth” topics around metabolism and weight loss including her thoughts on GLP-1 drugs, how our metabolism changes with our cycles and menopause, and whether you should try a Continuous Glucose Monitor The Bitter of the Day: This episode featured my very own “Love Buzz Bitters” featuring Spilanthes flower, Rose, Damiana, and Cacao. My bitters will be available online soon and can currently be purchased at my studio at 369 S Main Street Sebastopol More About Mary Sheila: Mary Sheila Gonnella, BCHN is a nutritionist, summit host, and metabolic health mentor who blends functional nutrition with Ayurveda. She has been practicing for over 20 years, working both in Sonoma County and virtually with clients around the world. Mary Sheila is the founder of Occidental Nutrition and creator of her online membership, The Vitality Club, where she supports health-conscious women and men in navigating midlife and beyond, helping them build lasting vitality through nutrition, lifestyle, and rhythm. With expertise in blood sugar balance, bone health, brain health, and autoimmunity, she offers online courses, live retreats, and meaningful ways to connect both in community and one-on-one. Learn more at Occidental Nutrition or by emailing her at occidentalnutrition@gmail.com This Episode of the Bitter Truth Podcast is hosted by Abbey Cmiel of Abbey Joy Healing. Abbey offers holistic Women’s Health Care based in Sebastopol, Petaluma and Mill Valley, California. See her website to book a session for holistic breast, womb or hormone care. https://www.abbeyjoyhealing.com/ Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep 8: The Bitter Truth About Metabolism, Blood Sugar, and GLP-1s with Mary Sheila Gonnella

  2. Jul 13

    S2 Ep 7: Nourishment for Fertility & Beyond with Rachel Musquiz

    It was an absolute delight to reunite with my friend Rachel Musquiz, the founder of Doula Kitchen, to talk about all things nourishment for the female body. In this episode we dive DEEP into the history of nourishment for women around the world. From cyclical health to fertility to pregnancy to postpartum, we share the ways you can support your body in these pivotal phases of your life. We also share stories from our doula training at Casa Curativa in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala and our shared journey to Spirit Weavers in Southern Oregon, and what each taught us about building care and community as women. This is SUCH a juicy episode and I know you will love learning about all the incredible recipes Rachel shares. My mouth was watering pretty much the whole time as she shared ideas for Herbal Chicken Soup, Golden M ilk Lattes, Bison Three Sisters Stew and more. And I’m sure you’ll be inspired by her ideas for postpartum care, like freezer stocking parties and bone broth recipes. A bit more about Rachel: Rachel Musquiz is a holistic chef, culinary herbalist, and postpartum doula devoted to blending sacred traditions with a science-backed nutrition. She believes holistic nourishment is every woman’s birthright, and most potent during postpartum recovery. Rachel is the founder of Doula Kitchen, a space rooted in community and the timeless culinary traditions that have nurtured mothers for generations. Serving the Austin community while dreaming of a global impact, Doula Kitchen celebrates the art of nourishment and the power of connection, carrying forward a vision to support women everywhere. To learn more and get all the recipes, check out her website https://www.doulakitchen.com/ Learn more about the Doula Chef Training (http://doulakitche.com/training)  Download the Guide To Sacred Nourishment for rituals & recipes including Bone Broth, Golden Milk, Congee: https://doulakitchen.myflodesk.com/sacrednourishmentguide Instagram @doula.kitchen Substack doulakitchen.substack.com This Episode of the Bitter Truth Podcast is hosted by Abbey Cmiel of Abbey Joy Healing. Abbey offers holistic Women’s Health Care based in Sebastopol, Petaluma and Mill Valley, California. See her website to book a session for holistic breast, womb or hormone care. Photos by Malea Sue at Casa Curativa - I couldn’t recommend their courses more! Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Jun 8

    S2 Ep6: The Bitter Truth About Beauty with Dr. Sinéad Corrigan

    We began with a question: what does it mean to be beautiful? The more I talked with friends about their beauty routines in preparation for this podcast, the more bewildered I felt about the lengths we all go to to make ourselves more beautiful: from waxes to skin care appointments to ten step routines. Beauty is a TRILLION dollar industry pedaling us makeup, skin care products, cosmetic surgeries, and botox. But do any of us feel more beautiful? I sat down with Dr. Sinéad Corrigan, a licensed acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine to draw inspiration from a deeper well of wisdom about beauty. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers us a more holistic and profound perspective on why we want to be beautiful to begin with, and how we can actually feel beautiful. More about Sinéad: Dr. Sinéad Corrigan is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Board Certified Herbalist, and Licensed Acupuncturist in both North Carolina and Hawaii. Her private practice is focused on Preventative Medicine, Reproductive Health, and Natural Beauty + Skincare. Sinéad weaves “movement as medicine” into every treatment. She is a 4x certified yoga instructor and been teaching yoga since 2009, and qigong since 2016. As a Senior HealingTao USA Qigong Instructor, Sinéad certifies others to teach the beautiful practice of Qigong. Keep Learning with Sinéad: *GLOW FROM WITHIN 5-week natural beauty masterclass series www.innerbodydata.com/natural-beauty-courses (drop in or sign up for the full series; discounted over 50% until Jun 15; lifetime access to recordings; sign up anytime!); *ON DEMAND qigong, yin yoga, kundalini, and pranayama classes and courses class(www.innerbodydata.com/membership) IG @innerbodydata tiktok @peonyflowers Sinéad’s Top Practices for Beauty: * Start with a morning routine- qi gong for a regulated nervous system * Face massage: rosehip oil, sweet almond oil * Fascia facelift, face massage * Spend time in nature * Sleeping enough, early * Community support, friendship & co-regulation * Put your feet on the ground for connection with the Earth * Feel gratitude for the Earth, the Universe, and your physical body Thank you to Farmacopia for donating the amazing Bitters Formulas for this season! Here is my current favorite, GB Bitters. You can find more information about your host, Abbey Cmiel at abbeyjoyhealing.com or on Instagram @abbeyjoyhealing or @bittertruthpod Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep6: The Bitter Truth About Beauty with Dr. Sinéad Corrigan

  4. Apr 11

    S2 Ep 5: How Cycles Will Heal Us with Ash Aether

    It was an absolute delight to host one of my closest friends and collaborators, Ash Aether, on the podcast. Ash is such a wealth of knowledge and inspires me every day to live more presently with my body and the Earth. In this episode, we dive into the cycles of the Earth, Moon, Cosmos, Reproductive Cycle, and Feminine Archetype, and the wisdom they each offer for our life. If you have been feeling out of touch with your purpose and sense of self, this is the episode for you! Ash Aether is a ceremonialist, high priestess, mama wolf, artist, creatrix, and so much more. She holds ceremonies including full moon gatherings, women’s circles, ritual hair cuts, and weddings. Ash is the founder of Rüted Rituals and Unions as well as the co-founder of the Woven Wheel program and podcast. You can listen to the first episode of the podcast here- I couldn’t recommend more highly! She also co-directs a wedding company, Love & Wolves Co. with her partner. You can join us for our next day-long retreat in Occidental on August 23rd! Send me an email at hello@abbeyjoyhealing.com and I’ll send you the details as soon as they’re ready. The theme of this retreat will be “Healing the Blood” and include wisdom from Ayurveda about how to nourish our blood for deeper health. It was so fun to feature Farmacopia’s Salad Bitters on this episode of the podcast! Salad Bitters has a really yummy, green flavor that really does taste like a bitter salad. It’s perfect for the spring time because it’s packed with herbs that support liver detox and lymphatic drainage. Some of my favorite herbs in the blend are artichoke, milk thistle, and dandelion leaf! And I LOVE that Farmacopia is just down the road from me in Santa Rosa. They have an amazing tincture bar, and stock pretty much all of my favorite herbal products. Definitely check them out! Some of my favorite takeaways from the pod: * The more we connect with the cycles of our bodies, the more we can honor and support the cycles of the Earth. And vice versa. * Ritual comes back to Intention & Acknowledgment of things way bigger than us and way smaller than us * How to re-create ritual in your life: gratitude for food, drinking water with intention, full moon gatherings, breathing * Watch the sunrise and sunset as often as you can to set your circadian rhythm * Connect with the cycles of the feminine archetype: Maiden, Mother, Queen and Crone to channel the wisdom you need for each moment. Thank you so much Ash for sharing your wisdom with us! More to come abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep 5: How Cycles Will Heal Us with Ash Aether

  5. Mar 8

    S2 Ep4: La Sabiduría del Cuerpo | The Wisdom of the Body con Juliana Jimenez

    It was an incredible honor to host this podcast with my dear friend Juliana Jimenez, a mother, herbalist, student of Ayurveda, and lover of the Earth. We dove into simple practices you can do to support your body through challenging times. *If you would like to make a donation to my friend Monica’s mutual aid project in Minneapolis, MN to support families affected by ICE, you can send a venmo to @abbeycmiel on Venmo and write “mutual aid” in the note. La Sabiduría del Cuerpo | The Wisdom of the Body In this episode we explore the quiet intelligence of the body and the small rituals that help us return to balance. Through bitter foods, medicinal plants, and simple daily practices, we remember that healing is not always complicated. En este episodio exploramos la inteligencia profunda del cuerpo y los pequeños rituales que nos ayudan a volver al equilibrio. A través de alimentos amargos, plantas medicinales y prácticas simples del día a día, recordamos que la sanación no siempre es complicada. smos. Bitter of the Day Amargo del Día Artichoke | Alcachofa Bitter foods awaken digestion and support the liver. The artichoke is a beautiful example of how bitterness nourishes the body and stimulates the natural intelligence of our digestive system. Los alimentos amargos despiertan la digestión y apoyan el hígado. La alcachofa es un ejemplo hermoso de cómo el sabor amargo nutre el cuerpo y estimula la inteligencia natural de nuestro sistema digestivo. Simple Ways to Support Your Body Formas sencillas de apoyar tu cuerpo • Begin the day with a nourishing breakfast rich in protein — for example, three eggs with spinach, broccoli, or peas.• Comienza el día con un desayuno nutritivo y rico en proteína — por ejemplo, tres huevos con espinaca, brócoli o chícharos. • Eat without phones or distractions so your body can fully receive nourishment.• Comer sin teléfonos ni distracciones para que el cuerpo pueda recibir el alimento plenamente. • Give yourself a hug. Offer tenderness to your body.• Date un abrazo. Ofrece ternura a tu cuerpo. • Spend time in nature every day.• Pasar tiempo en la naturaleza todos los días. “Love is the perfect medicine to heal everything.” “El amor es la medicina perfecta para curarlo todo.” Medicinal Plants Plantas Medicinales Nutmeg Milk | Leche con nuez moscadaWarm milk with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg to support deep rest and sleep. Leche tibia con una pizca de nuez moscada rallada para apoyar el descanso y el sueño. Chamomile Tea | Té de manzanillaA gentle and comforting tea that can bring warmth and light during the winter months. Un té suave y reconfortante que puede traer calor y un poco de sol durante el invierno. Lavender | LavandaSimply breathing the aroma of lavender can calm the nervous system and invite relaxation. Simplemente respirar el aroma de la lavanda puede calmar el sistema nervioso e invitar a la relajación. Herbs & Spices for Digestion Hierbas y especias para la digestión Cumin, cilantro, and ginger are beautiful digestive spices to include in daily cooking. El comino, el cilantro y el jengibre son especias maravillosas para apoyar la digestión en la cocina diaria. Digestive Tea | Té digestivoGinger and cinnamon tea to warm the body and support digestion. Té de jengibre y canela para calentar el cuerpo y apoyar la digestión. Nourishing Chai Chai reconfortante Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Turmeric, Nutmeg, Coconut milk & Honey Cardamomo, Canela, Jengibre, Cúrcuma, Nuez moscada, Leche de coco, Miel de abeja Morning Ritual Ritual de la mañana Warm water with lemon and grey salt or sea salt to gently awaken digestion. Agua caliente con limón y sal gris o sal de mar para despertar suavemente la digestión. Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep4: La Sabiduría del Cuerpo | The Wisdom of the Body con Juliana Jimenez

  6. Feb 20

    S2 Ep 3: Cultivating Creativity & Sexual Health with Dr. Sínead Corrigan

    This episode with my dear friend Dr. Sínead Corrigan absolutely blew my mind. We dove into what Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) calls “Kidney Jing” or the “root of your vitality”. In TCM, the health of our kidneys determines the health of our reproductive system, and thus our creative and sexual energy. We talked about how connecting to rest and pleasure can help cultivate kidney energy and support you in following your life’s destiny. Sínead shared about how to support your body’s kidney energy, especially in the winter months, through nourishing foods, sleep, and listening to your body. I loved learning about the simple practices that can transform our lives and allow us to live more in alignment with our greatest pleasure and soul path. Thank you Sínead for sharing this rich wisdom! More about Dr. Sínead Corrigan: Dr. Sinéad Corrigan is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Board Certified Herbalist, and Licensed Acupuncturist in both North Carolina and Hawaii. Her private practice is focused on Preventative Medicine, Reproductive Health, and Natural Beauty + Skincare. Sinéad weaves “movement as medicine” into every treatment. She is a 4x certified yoga instructor and been teaching yoga since 2009, and qigong since 2016. As a Senior HealingTao USA Qigong Instructor, Sinéad certifies others to teach the beautiful practice of Qigong. To learn more, email info@innerbodydata.com or visit www.innerbodydata.com/classes . Sinéad is also available for telemedicine consultations for those interested in herbalism, supplements, private online qigong+yoga instruction, and coaching-style support. Here are some of the amazing ways you can work more with Sínead: * On Demand Qigong & Yoga Membership: www.innerbodydata.com/membership * Qigong Courses for working with sexual energy (both can be found by going to the membership site and scrolling down to COURSES): * Sex & Power (4 week course for men) * Desire & Transformation (9 week course for man, woman, or couples) * Dance_4_Plants Membership (sensual movement, pelvic floor awareness, flexibility, & “healing the wounds of repressed creativity”): https://app.fanfix.io/@dance4plants * In person acupuncture (kauai, NC, and soon Miami!): www.innerbodydata.com/acupuncture * SOCIALS: @innerbodydata on IG @peonyflowers on TikTok (chinese herbal medicine education), @sineadpatience on IG & @dance_4_plants on tiktok for dance & sensuality related offerings * YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/innerbodydatawithsinead * Here are the bitters Sínead mentioned- so yummy! You can find more information about your host, Abbey Cmiel at abbeyjoyhealing.com or on Instagram @abbeyjoyhealing or @bittertruthpod Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep 3: Cultivating Creativity & Sexual Health with Dr. Sínead Corrigan

  7. Feb 7

    S2 Ep 2: Understanding your Cycle 101 with Caitlin McMurtry

    This episode with Fertility Awareness Method and Hormone Specialist Caitlin McMurtry absolutely blew my mind! We went deep into so many of your hormonal and cyclical health questions including: * What is Fertility Awareness Method? * How can it help to prevent or encourage conception? * How to support your body to prevent PMS, clotting, cramping, acne and other cyclical challenges * Understanding Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone and their effects in our bodies We tasted some delicious “Love Potion” Bitters from Audrey Rees of Your Village Midwife, featuring Damiana, Kava Kava, and Cacao. Yum! For more information about Caitlin, check out cyclewiselove.com or follow her on Instagram @cycle.wise You can also access her free intro to charting class here. I’d also like to thank our amazing sponsor for this episode, Lucid Brand Alchemy. Check out Fiona’s website for packages on developing your business, brand, photography, and website. For more information about your host Abbey Cmiel of Abbey Joy Healing and to book a session, check out www.abbeyjoyhealing.com or @abbeyjoyhealing on instagram. Thank you to the amazing Joseph Campbell of Durham, NC for making my groovy intro and outro beats. Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep 2: Understanding your Cycle 101 with Caitlin McMurtry

  8. Jan 24

    S2 Ep 1: Regeneration with RAD

    I am so grateful to share this episode with my dear friend RAD Brelvi, host of Radical Queers Podcast! RAD is such an inspiration to me in every way. RAD is an artist, musician, activist, a loving friend, and a true connection to spirit. Join us as we dive into the cycles of life reflected in our hormonal cycles, the seasons of the Earth, and the cycles of the moon and stars. We share our experiences of the current astrology: Jupiter returning to Cancer, Saturn returning to Aries, and a Pluto Cazimi (if you’ve never even heard of these, you’re not alone!) RAD also shares potent life experiences of connecting to one’s reproductive cycle with a queer lens, the initiation of perimenopause, chest/breast reduction surgery and hormone replacement therapy. In this episode we celebrate the seasons of our life, the depths of winter, and the beauty of queerness. Listen in and share your thoughts with us! Thank you to Matt Huges for the amazing Dreamscape Oracle The Bitter Truth herbs of this episode: * Rose (Rosa Californica) * Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) You can find more about RAD at @radfolkmusic and @radicalqueerspodcast on Instagram! Thank you to this episode’s sponsor www.yogawithjoyce.com for personalized yoga therapy sessions and yoga classes! You can listen to Abbey’s episode on cyclical health with Caitlin McMurtry here and her episode on Chest/Breast Care here. You can book a session with abbey at abbeyjoyhealing.com Thank you for listening and please leave me a review wherever you stream! xoxo Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe

    S2 Ep 1: Regeneration with RAD
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join Abbey Cmiel of Abbey Joy Healing for a podcast on all things Ayurveda, Reproductive Care, Hormones, Herbs and Health! We'll be sipping herbal bitters and talking truth. abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Abbey Joy Cmiel
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Abbey Joy Cmiel
  • Show Website
    The Bitter Truth