Gateways to Awakening Food, Movement, Rest: A Functional Medicine Reset with Dr. Erika Siegel
Today’s guest is Dr. Erika Siegel, an integrative physician, acupuncturist, author, speaker, and mom who has spent over two decades helping people transform their health through functional and naturopathic medicine. She founded Nourish Me Clinic in Portland, Oregon, and authored the two-volume set The Nourish Me Kitchen, blending science, self-care, and 300+ recipes. Erika’s work centers on the foundations of vitality—nutrition, movement, restoration, and mindful living—taught through her clinical practice, retreats, books, and talks.
“The kitchen can be the most sacred and practical healing space in our lives.”
What we cover in this episode
Reclaiming the kitchen as a healing space: how convenience culture broke our connection to food—and practical ways to restore it (organization tips, glass jars, “cook without a recipe” systems).
Simple rituals that change everything: morning water with sea salt (plus lemon or ACV), “rescue” veggie broths, the family’s comfort dal soup, and everyday tea medicine (mint/cardamom/fennel; ginger–turmeric–lemon for colds, inflammation, allergies).
Women’s health favorites: maca for vitality/stress adaptation, matcha for antioxidant support and estrogen clearance, ground flax for hormones and bowel health, cranberry and cardamom for the urinary tract.
Intuition + science: the real art of medicine is weaving labs, research, and the human in front of us—“bodies don’t read textbooks.”
Nature as non-negotiable: from barefoot tea on the lawn to “can you get to the beach for a day?”—why nervous system resets accelerate healing.
Parenting & nourishment: invite kids into the kitchen (even if it’s messy), model joyful movement anywhere (yes, push-ups at the airport).
Origin story & prevention: how her father’s heart attack at 49 turned the family toward prevention and led Erika to holistic, functional care.
Mindset shifts: dissolving limiting beliefs, self-advocacy in health, and celebrating small wins that change the trajectory.
Resources & where to find Erika
Books: The Nourish Me Kitchen (two-volume set) — available in print and as a combined digital edition.
Website: nourishme.com (articles, interviews, book info).
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