Laura Shipp ND - Mind Body Gut Co

08/08/2026

📣 Big Saturday morning shout out to the wonderful Rachael at It's All About Health 📣

I’ll start by admitting I’ve been battering my body a little bit recently. I’ve been following the 10K runner plan, but (as is often the way with me!) I’ve gone a little rogue on various occasions. What was meant to be my 10K goal by 29 August (my 47th birthday) I actually achieved four weeks early.

Amazing? Yes. Sensible? Perhaps debatable!

Anyway, enough about me and more about Rachael…

A huge thank you for a fantastic blended session on Thursday. After a combination of Visceral Manipulation, the McTimoney Technique and PSYCH-K®, I genuinely feel like a new woman.

Rachael is such a multifaceted and compassionate practitioner, combining knowledge, intuition and a real passion for helping people. Beyond that, she’s just an all-round great human being.

I highly recommend her if you’re looking for someone who takes a truly holistic approach and works with you as an individual.

07/08/2026

In our current heatwave a timely reminder to stay well hydrated.

Thank you to The Academy of Systematic Kinesiology for sharing my article on how hydration isn’t just about water.

Take a read 🤓

Stay hydrated!

https://kinesiology.co.uk/the-importance-of-hydration-and-electrolyte-balance-to-health-and-wellbeing/

07/08/2026

I’m so excited to finally be sharing something I’ve been working on behind the scenes…

When I first learnt muscle response testing, I quickly realised it wasn’t simply about learning where to place your hands or how to challenge a muscle. It was about learning to listen differently. To understand the language of the body. To appreciate how our physical, emotional, chemical, and energetic health are all connected.

Over the years I’ve continued to study, refine and integrate what I’ve learnt from Naturopathy, Systematic Kinesiology, Chinese Medicine, Energy Medicine, and clinical practice. This workshop brings all of that together in a way that’s practical, grounded, and easy to understand.

🍃 Three-Day Essentials of Muscle Response Testing (Naturopathic Kinesiology) Workshop 🍃

📅 Online: 5 October (10:00am–4:00pm)
📅 In person: 9 & 10 October (10:00am–4:00pm)

Whether you’re completely new to muscle response testing or you’ve learnt a little before and want to strengthen your foundations, this course has been designed to give you the confidence to use it safely, ethically, and effectively in clinical practice.

Over the three days we’ll explore:

💪 The history and evolution of Naturopathic Kinesiology.
💪 How muscle response testing works and the role of the nervous system.
💪 The Five Elements and meridian system from Chinese Medicine.
💪 How to accurately test five key indicator muscles.
💪 Why hydration, stress, emotions, and practitioner bias can influence results.
💪 Emotional, Chemical, Physical, and Energetic (ECPE) balancing.
💪 Simple lymphatic, vascular, and Energy Medicine techniques.
💪 The six principles of Naturopathy and how they underpin everything we do.
💪 Professional practice, ethics, and working within your scope.

For me, muscle response testing has never been about finding a magic answer. It’s about developing another way of listening to the body, asking better questions, and supporting clients as individuals rather than simply treating symptoms.

My aim isn’t just to teach you how to muscle response test. It’s to help you understand why you’re doing it, when it’s appropriate, and how to integrate it into a truly holistic Naturopathic approach.

By the end of the workshop you’ll have a solid grounding in both the theory and practical application, along with the confidence to continue developing your skills.

📍Day one is online.
📍Days two and three will be held in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Please note: A Level 3 qualification in Anatomy & Physiology and a valid First Aid certificate are required.

If you’ve ever been curious about muscle testing or felt drawn to understanding the body’s subtle messages in a deeper way, I’d love to welcome you.

I’d love to know… what’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to understand about muscle response testing? Let me know in the comments.

06/08/2026

This Summer has certainly been one to remember. With record-breaking heat across the UK, many of us have felt both energised and completely depleted.

As we leave the Fire Element behind and transition into the Earth Element in Chinese Medicine, nature gently invites us to shift our focus. Fire is expansive, active and outward-looking, whereas Earth encourages us to slow down, ground ourselves, and replenish. After the intensity of a hot Summer, this seasonal transition couldn’t be more timely.

The Earth Element is the element of nourishment, stability, and balance. It governs the stomach and spleen, which are responsible not only for digesting our food but also for transforming it into energy. When the Earth Element is strong, we feel centred, supported, and able to nurture both ourselves and others.

When it becomes out of balance, we may notice:

😣 Digestive discomfort or bloating
😣 Cravings for sugary foods
😣 Fatigue, especially after eating
😣 Overthinking, worry, or feeling mentally “stuck”
😣 A sense of being overwhelmed despite doing less

Ironically, although we’ve had plenty of sunshine, excessive heat can weaken our digestive fire if we’re constantly reaching for iced drinks, skipping meals, or eating on the go. Our digestive system prefers warmth, regularity, and mindful eating.

To support our Earth Element:

😊 Choose nourishing, freshly prepared meals where possible
😊 Enjoy seasonal vegetables such as courgettes, carrots, squash, and sweetcorn.
😊 Eat slowly and without distraction
😊 Spend time in nature, feeling the ground beneath our feet
😊 Make space for rest without guilt

The Earth Element reminds us that true wellbeing isn’t about constantly doing more. It’s about creating a strong foundation so we can move into the changing seasons feeling nourished, balanced and resilient.

How has this extraordinary Summer affected you? Has the heat left you feeling energised, or are you ready to embrace the grounding energy of the Earth Element?

05/08/2026

Journalling is one of those practices that gets recommended everywhere for wellbeing… but if I’m honest, it’s never really been my thing.

I’ve tried it more than once, with the best of intentions. Fresh notebook, quiet moment, pen in hand… and yet it often ends up feeling like a chore rather than something nourishing. For me, it can become overthinking on paper instead of clarity.

That said, I completely see why so many people love it and this is the important bit, what works beautifully for one person might not work at all for another, and that’s OK.

There are some genuine benefits to journalling:

🤩 It can help process emotions and make sense of thoughts
🤩 It creates a record of growth over time
🤩 It can be a calming, mindful ritual
🤩 It gives you a private space to be completely honest

But there can be downsides too:

🤯 It may encourage rumination or dwelling on things
🤯 It can feel like pressure (“I should be doing this daily”)
🤯 Not everyone finds writing a natural or helpful outlet
🤯 It can become another task on an already full list

Personally, I’ve found I connect better with other ways of reflecting, like walking, talking things through, or simply sitting quietly and letting thoughts settle.

If journalling works for you, that’s brilliant, lean into it. If it doesn’t, you’re not missing out or doing anything wrong. There are so many ways to support your wellbeing, and the key is finding what genuinely feels right for you.

04/08/2026

🌽Vegan Sweetcorn Fritters (makes 8–10)🌽

These vegan sweetcorn fritters are naturally gluten-free, high in plant protein from chickpea flour, and make a lovely light lunch or brunch. They pair beautifully with a fresh salad, avocado, or a herby yoghurt-style dip.

Ingredients

▫️150g chickpea (gram) flour
▫️ 1 tsp baking powder
▫️ ½ tsp sea salt
▫️ ½ tsp ground cumin
▫️ ¼ tsp smoked paprika
▫️ Freshly ground black pepper
▫️ 150ml water (plus a little extra if needed)
▫️ 200g sweetcorn (fresh, frozen and thawed, or tinned and drained)
▫️ 3 spring onions, finely sliced
▫️ 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
▫️ 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (or chives if preferred)
▫️ 1 small garlic clove, crushed
▫️ 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
▫️ 1 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for frying)

Method

1️⃣ In a large bowl, whisk together the chickpea flour, baking powder, salt, cumin, paprika and black pepper.
2️⃣ Gradually whisk in the water until you have a smooth batter, similar to thick pancake batter. Leave to rest for 10 minutes.
3️⃣ Stir in the sweetcorn, spring onions, herbs, garlic, lemon zest and olive oil.
4️⃣ Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
5️⃣ Spoon about 2 tablespoons of mixture per fritter into the pan and gently flatten.
6️⃣ Cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
7️⃣ Drain briefly on kitchen paper and serve warm.

Serving suggestions

🥑 Avocado with a squeeze of lime.
🍋 Dairy-free Greek-style yoghurt mixed with lemon, garlic, and dill.
🍅 Tomato and cucumber salad.
🫜 Rocket, beetroot and toasted pumpkin seeds.
🌿 A drizzle of chilli sauce or homemade basil pesto.

Adding fresh herbs increases the antioxidant content, while chickpea flour provides fibre and protein to support balanced blood sugar. Pairing the fritters with leafy greens and a healthy fat such as avocado creates a more satisfying, nutrient-dense meal.

03/08/2026

Oxytocin is often called the “love hormone” or the “cuddle chemical”, and whilst people sometimes joke about hugging trees, there is actually some science behind why it can make us feel better.

Oxytocin is released when we experience connection, touch, trust, and feelings of safety. We often think of it in terms of hugs from loved ones, cuddling pets, or spending time with friends, but our nervous system can also respond positively to connection with nature.

Standing with your back against a tree, resting your hands on its bark, or simply slowing down long enough to appreciate the natural world can help shift the body out of stress mode. As the nervous system settles, feelings of calm, wellbeing and connection can increase, supporting the release of oxytocin and other feel-good chemicals.

Nature reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Sometimes what looks a little odd from the outside is actually a beautiful act of grounding and self-care.

So if you spot me hugging a tree, I’m not losing the plot… I’m supporting my nervous system!

Have you ever tried it?

02/08/2026

August is one of the most abundant months of the year for seasonal fruit and vegetables in the UK.

Whether you’re growing your own, visiting a local farm shop or browsing the greengrocer’s shelves, August offers an incredible variety of fresh, flavourful produce at its very best. Eating seasonally not only tastes wonderful but also supports local growers and is kinder to the environment.

This month, enjoy plenty of aubergines, French beans, runner beans, broccoli, courgettes, samphire, fennel, leeks, mushrooms, sweetcorn, tomatoes, wild squash, and the first pumpkins. Fruit is equally abundant, with apples, blackberries and plums coming into season, perfect for both sweet and savoury dishes.

One of my favourite August vegetables is the humble courgette. They’re incredibly versatile, try stuffing them with a savoury lentil and mushroom filling or a herby quinoa mixture before baking. Another favourite is homemade courgette fries. Cut courgettes into chunky chip-sized pieces, coat lightly in seasoned polenta and bake or air fry until beautifully crisp.

Fresh sweetcorn is another August highlight. I love making sweetcorn fritters with chickpea flour, herbs, and spring onions, served with smashed avocado, dairy-free yoghurt and a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce for a delicious brunch or light lunch.

As the evenings slowly begin to shorten, squash starts making an appearance. A creamy curried squash soup made with coconut milk is wonderfully comforting, while roasted squash with garlic and rosemary makes a colourful alternative to roast potatoes.

And for something sweet, you can’t beat a bowl of freshly picked blackberries, a crisp apple, or a handful of juicy plums. They’re delicious on their own, stirred into porridge, baked into a crumble or served with plant-based yoghurt.

August reminds us just how generous nature can be. By choosing seasonal produce, we enjoy food at its freshest while celebrating the changing rhythm of the year – one delicious meal at a time.

What’s your favourite fruit or vegetable to enjoy in August?

01/08/2026

🌾 Lammas Blessings 🌾

The heat of this extraordinary Summer has hastened the seasons. In many parts of the UK, the grain has already been gathered, and as Lammas (Lughnasadh) arrives, the first harvest is behind us.

For the ancient Celts, Lughnasadh was a time of gratitude and celebration, honouring both the harvest and the god Lugh. Later, Lammas became known as the “loaf mass”, when the first loaf baked from the new grain was blessed in thanksgiving. Folklore reminds us that every loaf carried the hope of a plentiful year ahead, a symbol of the sacred relationship between people and the land.

Even in the lingering warmth of Summer, the earth is quietly whispering that the wheel is turning once more.

Perhaps this is our invitation to pause and reflect on our own harvest. Not just what we’ve achieved, but what has quietly grown within us.

What has been ripening in your life?