Rooted In The Wild

Comprehensive wellness touches all aspects of our lives - from physical and mental fitness to empowering, supportive community. Rogue River CrossFit brings together these important elements of wellness and so much more.

We are proud to call Rogue River CrossFit home, honored to be a sponsor of the 2024 “Rumble at the Rogue” competition on Saturday, September 21, and excited to cheer on Jase throughout the day!

This is such an amazing annual event with RRCF athletes competing, raffle prizes, and fun for the family including our Rooted In The Wild Kid’s Table for pumpkin decorating and face painting! Proceeds and donations go to the West Michigan Veterans Coalition

What a blessing to live in a community with access to healthy food and supplements! I love when I get to roll back the wine racks and create classroom space right in the middle of the store. A big thank you to the lovely staff at Harvest Health for accommodating a rich environment for learning.

This happens ALL THE TIME. I get a call from a friend or family member in the middle of the night asking what to do for (fill in the blank….UTI, vomiting, trouble breathing, immense pain, etc). The response when I give them suggestions? “I don’t have any of that here.” Well, then.

So here it is. A FREE class on how to stock your natural first aid kit. I’ll have a list for you and we’ll go over how to use the remedies. So when you call me in the middle of the night (please don’t 🤪) you will have exactly what you need on hand.

Foraging and Brews nights are magical. Bringing like-minded folks together to talk plant and mushroom medicine out on the land has been such a joy.

Next up: Wild Medicine - how to care for your family in urgent situations. From assessing and stabilizing, to treatment with medicine from the land, this class is taught by Mel and Tabitha, both experienced NOLS certified nurses. Join us in January!

https://www.rootedinthewild.org/events

A gift from an Anishinaabe medicine man.

I was in an herb store in northern Michigan chatting with a man when he asked if I knew of any Naturopaths “because the one I want my uncle to see is all the way down in Grand Rapids”.

I gave him my business card and his mouth dropped. “It’s you!”

I was given the gift of time spent at the feet of the uncle, the medicine man, listening to his stories, of his life and his medicine.

He asked for my guidance on his current health challenge.

How did the world become this way? One in which this native elderly healer asks the white girl from the city how to be healed?

I asked him this question. He smiled, eyes filled with tears. No answer.

He turned and gave me this painting he made when his energy was a bit higher.

Synchronicity and magic. My heart is full.

Another FREE class at Harvest Health in Cascade, MI (registration required at www.harvesthealth.com). This one is how to create your own natural health first aid kit, complete with a handout on how to use each remedy.

We will also have a coupon code for $10 off our Wild Medicine day-long wilderness first aid class if you are present for this class. This will elevate the care you are able to offer your loved ones in times of urgent need.

https://www.rootedinthewild.org/events/medicine-in-the-wild

Porcupine mountains reishi! This was a really fun find. Join us for our next Foraging and Brews night in September 11 and let’s see what abundance we can find! We’ll go on a foraging hike and discuss medicinal and edible uses of plants and mushrooms over a pint (non-alcoholic options always available as well).
www.rootedinthewild.org/events

Wilderness medicine sometimes looks like splinting with sleeping bags, reducing dislocated joints with water bottles, and bandana pressure dressings for arterial bleeds. It was the best weekend of NOLS Wilderness Medicine training with my fellow rebel RN, Tabitha Corlett.

Often folks ask how to start simply on the path to holistic health. Exercise, sleep, community, and NUTRITION will always be the top answers.

But what is nutritious for one body is inflammatory for another. Every single person is specific to their own nutritional needs. I love and recommend sour dough, but for my body, gluten is a no-go.

So how do we proceed through the sea of diet plans and protocols to find out what is right? Elimination diets are incredibly helpful, AND time-consuming. Food allergy testing like the one pictured here shows hyper-allergic reactions and is quite painful.

What if there was less-invasive, less-intrusive testing for food sensitivities?

At Rooted in the Wild, I work with a single blood drop food sensitivity testing system based in Canada to determine allergens, heightened sensitivities, and mild sensitivities for your specific body. We test 280 foods with one drop of blood, making the test much simpler for kiddos in particular.

Testing can be done in office and results received in 10 days. Most HSA and FSA accounts can be used to pay for testing. If you would like to pursue this specific, individualized diet plan, email [email protected]

After 5 years of study, paper writing, deadlines, and testing, I sat for the national board examination for Naturopathic Doctor.

What a journey this has been.

When I started this program in July 2019, I was working third shift as a RN. I was treating my patients with traditional allopathic medicine and Naturopathically caring for my family at home. And I would cry over the dissonance of my heart’s knowing and the requirements of the sterile environment in which I worked.

And this dissonance carried me across the threshold into new medicine (actually, very old medicine) and the creation of my practice, Rooted in the Wild. And in two months, after school testing is complete and the results of my national boards are in, it will be an honor to care for my community as a Naturopathic Doctor!

www.rootedinthewild.org

Remember when restaurants and planes had smoking sections? I’m old enough and bartended my fair share during those college years. I remember.

Then remember how we learned that maybe smoke traveled, and maybe it caused lung cancer. And perhaps industry lied to us all along that smoking wasn’t addictive. What if we are right now living in a similar time? What if the food we are offered, the lies about the safety of medications, and the treatment plans for cancer are the new generation of smoking on a plane?

Perhaps there is another way. What if exercise, balanced nutrition, proper supplementation, and nourishing rest became the forefront of disease reversal? What if this is our “smoking section” moment of AHA!

www.rootedinthewild.org

Let’s go again. Conversations around weight.

From the responses I received in emails and private messages, seems I touched on something.

This time, let’s talk about estrogen dominance and weight gain. From my estrogen dominant heart to yours.

No hormone is bad, but balance is key here. Too much estrogen causes headaches, PMS, heavy periods, and yes, weight gain. And I am blown away by the (unintentional) man b**b epidemic also called gynecomastia. Yes, too much estrogen in the male body is a thing too.

How did it get there? What do we do?

Xenoestrogens, or false estrogens, are found in the microplastics of our food system. 100% of placentas and 100% of testicles are now found to have microplastics in the tissues. False estrogens which the body takes up as true estrogen and packs on the pounds to move it as far away from the vital organs as possible.

Plastic water bottles, ingredients in body products, placing hot food in plastic containers leading us further into obesity. Just in case our sugar consumption isn’t enough.

So what do we do? Start with looking for phthalates in your products. Stop eating and drinking from plastic. Consider a new birth control plan that does not include hormone infusions via THE PILL.

Detoxifying from estrogen dominance requires work on the liver, colon, and the entire glandular symphony. Every body has a different need and will require specialized treatment - man or woman - for estrogen dominance.

I would love to create a protocol specific for you. Meet with me here:
https://www.rootedinthewild.org/

*this picture from a recent family trip to St Kitts at the outdoor CrossFit gym in the wee hours of the morning. Yep, it takes more than supplements, too.

At Rooted in the Wild, we know healing the wholeness of ourselves includes every facet of our being.

Sure! We can offer you all the physical medicine of herbs, homeopathy and neutroceuticals you can take, BUT if you aren't having earth shattering or***ms, allowing the wilderness to overtake your senses, or allowing a community of fellow seekers to truly SEE YOU and grow with you… are you even alive?

This is why we offer everything from Naturopathic consults, the Wild Monogamy podcast, couples workshops, plant and mushroom foraging, and WILD MEN community. Connection is everything. And it's all necessary for healing.

🌱ROOTED IN THE WILD
http://rootedinthewild.org

🎙️PODCAST
http://wildmonogamy.podbean.com

🔥WILDLY CONNECTED WEEKEND
https://www.rootedinthewild.org/events/wildly-connected-weekend

⚔️WILD MEN
https://rootedinthewild.org/wildmen

Teaching folks about the abundance of food and medicinal gifts of the land is just the best.

And what's really cool is the partnership with fellow RN, Tabitha Corlett of Labyrinth Mushrooms because when two RN's offer educational classes, you can use your insurance HSA/FSA to pay for it! I think this just might be the best use of those dollars yet.

Join us July 10 at Third Nature Brewery in Rockford for our first foraging event of the summer. We will identify plants and mushrooms and learn about medicinal uses as well as how to prepare edibles. After foraging, we will have time in community of fellow foraging nerds to connect and ask questions.

Only a few tickets remain. Join us! A pint is included in the ticket price.

https://www.rootedinthewild.org/events/foraging-and-brews

A few years ago I attended a workshop on Ta**ra. The exercises we were asked to participate in within the public sphere of the large group were incredibly edgy, and I thought to myself "there is no way in hell any man I know would ever go to a class like this." I learned so much about myself, my edges, my own notions about s*xuality, and my boundaries.

And I learned that I will NEVER host a workshop like this. Because sometimes it's great to heal in community. And sometimes when you are healing from s*xual trauma (physical, emotional, mental, cultural, religious...), the work should be held privately and safely within the container of your own relationship of self and partnership.

At Rooted in the Wild, we have created a couples weekend retreat just for this purpose. There are specific exercises and experiences we will encourage you to engage in by yourself and with your lover PRIVATELY. You will have the spaciousness to become your most wildly and authentically connected selves.

PRIVACY to experience yourself and your partner in a whole new way.

I have had many women reach out to me about this retreat and want me to convince their husbands or male partners to go. The men are convinced things are going to get weird. If this is you, schedule a complimentary phone call with Mel or Jase and let's chat about it: https://www.rootedinthewild.org/events/wildly-connected-weekend

Trust me, I've been there and done the weird public ta***ic thing. This ain't that thing.

This retreat is held at the beautiful Lynx Run retreat space in Northern Michigan where you will have space to hike, be nourished by beautiful organic meals, and engage in partnership practices that take your relationship to another level of connection. https://robvanderzee.com/lynx-run/

Join us in October! https://www.rootedinthewild.org/events/wildly-connected-weekend

My brothers! This is Jase, and I am beyond excited to officially share WILD MEN with you!

WILD MEN brings together my continued study of men’s work, psychospiritual practices, wilderness immersion, and rites of passage - while integrating my professional experience in goal development, strategy and ex*****on. Born from my own need for guidance and community - WILD MEN helps men to find authenticity, discover mission, grow in community, and reach their highest potential.

As part of Rooted In The Wild, WILD MEN offers individual guidance, supportive community, and transformative experiences for men. Powerful on their own, and exponentially impactful collectively.

Your journey will have you walking the threshold of primal and professional. You will be invited into breathing and movement practices, council shares, and experiences that will push your edge. With this, you will embrace goal-setting and accountability - sharpening the masculine gifts of clarity and mission. Balanced with the medicine of laughter and brotherhood, you will find healing, authenticity, and connection to something greater.

WILD MEN COMMUNITY is a 10-month (yet life-long) program that runs September through June. We gather monthly in Rockford, MI to connect, grow and thrive as men in today’s world.

WILD MEN COMMUNITY+ is an optional enhancement to the program by also including individual guidance sessions.

Registration is now open for new men to join the WILD MEN Community! Learn more and register at www.rootedinthewild.org/wildmen

Spaces are limited and the program kicks off again in September! Join us! We’ve been waiting for you.

You can also follow on Facebook here: WILD MEN
and on Instagram at .men.community

Let's talk about it: weight.

The beauty industry tells us we are never small enough. The pharmaceutical companies tell us they have a magic bullet. The food industry tells us big is beautiful. What is happening here? Should we be overweight and full of self-love? Starving ourselves and societally perfect?

Scientifically, we know that being overweight adds stress to our organ systems, increases our inflammation markers, and decreases s*x drive. And now, the pharmaceutical industry has created the perfect solution: Ozempic - a subcutaneous injectable that has to be taken for life (or you gain back the weight, plus more) with the side effects of thyroid cancer, depression, retinopathy, and kidney disease. And people are lining up to take this.

We are told our genetics are to blame for obesity. We are predestined to be overweight. Meanwhile, the field of epigenetics is ever expanding and teaching us how we are absolutely not victim to our genes.

Maybe there's another way. There are particular strains of probiotics that work like GLP-1 agonists in the body to lower the blood sugar and decrease the hormone within the body that increases appetite. Specific amino acids and missing vitamin and nutrient profiles will drive hunger artificially. Our emotional state dictates what we decide to consume. What if there was a way to modulate the physical, mental, and emotional profile of ourselves to one conducive to weight loss without a side of cancer?

I have created a general protocol for maximizing weight loss from a holistic perspective. A GLP-1 probiotic blend to increase satiety, methylated B vitamins and rhodiola for energy to begin an exercise regimen, and the amino acid L-taurine to kick weight loss into high gear. I have added flower remedies to the protocol to aid in the emotional aspects of weight loss including body shame and forward momentum. Clean protein and collagen with a full amino acid profile is also part of the protocol to round out nutrition.

Check out the full protocol here: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/rootedinthewild-weight-loss

At Rooted in the Wild, we also offer food sensitivity testing to determine foods causing inflammation, bloating, and water weight gain. We are all incredibly different humans with vastly variant nutritional needs and no one diet fits all. Together we can formulate a plan to drop fat, add muscle, and become the healthy version of ourselves we know is possible using a customized plan for your individual body.

To book a session with Mel: https://www.rootedinthewild.org/workwithmel-new

This is a picture of me after 2 years of adding CrossFit to my life. Between dietary changes, proper supplementation, and adding the intensity of CrossFit, I have had massive leaps in my body's potential and feeling my very best. No surgery, augmentation, tucks. After three babies, years of disordered eating, and beating myself up for way too long, this is ME.

Hey friends! It’s Jase! As Summer kicks in, I also want to highlight that June is Men’s Mental Health month. Men… how are you doing? It’s tough these days to balance it all. Your career, your relationships, your family, your health. Are you taking care of yourself? The physical, the mental, the emotional, the spiritual you? Sometimes this means finding authenticity and mission. Sometimes this means investing in self care. Sometimes this means trying new things and pushing your edge. Sometimes that means finding community to share, laugh, support and push you to be your best. Sometimes… it just takes that first step… that little spark💥to ignite your fire 🔥

If you’re a man and this feels true for you, I would be honored to walk with you on this journey. You’re not alone! My journey started with an appointment to “talk”, and everything changed. Through Rooted In The Wild, I offer individual guidance sessions for men, as well as WILD MEN, a community of amazing men healing, finding authenticity, and holding each other accountable to reach our highest potential.

Look for an announcement very soon regarding the WILD MEN community kicking off a new season this Fall. Send a message or visit www.rootedinthewild.org/wildmen if you’re interested in individual guidance and/or seeking community. Be well, brothers!

What would it look like to live a turned-on life? Full of the pleasure of a radical, s*xually fulfilled human. What would it mean for your partner to show up this way? Fully alive, fully turned-on to all life has to offer.

Join Mel and Jase, co-hosts of the Wild Monogamy podcast, for a weekend of diving into deep connection within partnership. We will explore conscious coupling within the context of individual growth.

This weekend will offer couples invitations to solo and coupled practices within the spaciousness and deep beauty of an off-grid wilderness retreat space. Jase and Mel will lead you through various optional experiences to deepen your relationship with yourself, your partner, and your life together. Join us for the Wildly Connected Weekend!

LEARN MORE AND RESERVE YOUR SPACE:
www.rootedinthewild.org/events/wildly-connected-weekend

One ticket per couple. Includes private accommodations and chef-prepared meals.

My final research paper (ah, book perhaps!) on Lyme disease for my final year of naturopathic training. After 4 1/2 years of school, I am two months from national boards for my ND and 4 months from ND school week-long boards!

Way of the Wild Gathering is in the books! Thank you for saying “Yes”. Thank you for showing up with open minds and WILD hearts.

We foraged plants and mushrooms while connecting to the land. We laughed, cried and found our breath in ceremony. We shared amazing, loving and thoughtful meals together. We learned about astrology under the Northern Lights. We sang our hearts out by the fire. We both relaxed and pushed our edges in the sauna and cold plunge. We came together for a weekend of connection to the land, ourselves and others, and left as family.

The Wild will call you back… you can hear the Earth sing if you listen. On behalf of Rooted In The Wild, Labyrinth Mushrooms, and the many volunteers and partners that brought Way of the Wild to life, our deepest bow in gratitude, service and love for being part of this experience and this community. Stay Wild. See you next year!
🌿🍄🔥🥣🐺🌖🪘🎶🙌🏼

The calm before the Wild 🙌🏼 The sauna has landed, thanks to 🐺🌕 Fire wood is chopped, food is being prepped, drums and guitars tuned… looking forward to an amazing WAY OF THE WILD gathering this weekend 🔥

Today is the last day to book your ticket for our annual Way of the Wild Gathering. Next weekend we will recommit to our WILD through plant and mushroom foraging, breathwork, sauna and cold plunge, vinyasa and g***a yoga, song circle with drum circle, astrology and making foraged meals.

The ticket includes every workshop and class, all meals prepared with local, organic, and foraged ingredients, and camping space! There is no need to bring money unless you want to purchase from the community market of homemade goods from the participants of the gathering.

Join us for this incredible weekend!

Way Of The Wild — ROOTED IN THE WILD May 10 - 12, 2024in Belmont, MI REGISTER HERE WAY OF THE WILD IS BACK!CAMPING. WILD PLANT & MUSHROOM FORAGING. WILD FORAGED MEALS.BREATHWORK. MUSIC. MARKETPLACE. COMMUNITY. Join us for an epic weekend with experiences including wild plant and mushroom foraging, morning yoga or dreamwork sessions, as...

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT for the Way of the Wild Gathering!

We have another amazing partner spotlight to share! Chrystal Drewitt is the owner of Metta and Shanti – a wellness spa offering experiences that nurture both mind and body. Her offerings range from yoga classes and massage to facials, and other beauty services. We are so fortunate to have Chrystal teaching Vinyasa yoga as one of many experiences at Way of the Wild! You can also support Metta and Shanti LLC by following online - and by visiting the NEW location at 205 W Savidge St in Spring Lake, MI!

Today is the last day to register for Way of the Wild happening May 10-12 at the Izaak Walton League in Belmont, MI. Don’t miss this! Come meet Chrystal and all of the amazing guides, teachers and partners - from yoga to foraging, music to sauna, and of course the amazing food!

Register today!
www.rootedinthewild.org/wayofthewild

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT for the Way of the Wild Gathering!

We’re shining this spotlight on Way of the Wild co-founder, Tabitha Corlett! Tabitha is the an avid mushroom forager - Certified by the state of Michigan and owner of Labyrinth Mushrooms where she guides foraging events and provides education on the benefits of mushrooms. Tab is also a registered nurse and offers holistic nurse coaching through Tabitha Holistic Wellness Nurse Coach

Way of the Wild was an idea conjured up by Tabitha and Mel to celebrate foraging and our connection to the land. What happened was that and so much more. You’ll find Tabitha teaching classes, guiding foraging hikes, and offering Reiki through the weekend. We’re beyond excited to parter with Tabitha for our second annual gathering!

This is the last week to register for Way of the Wild May 10-12! Don’t miss out! Get tickets at:
www.rootedinthewild.org/wayofthewild

Tickets include your camping, meals, all classes, events, and offerings, a t-shirt, and much more!

Tick season is upon us and I am asked daily about what to do when a bite occurs. After writing a massive research thesis on Lyme, I have created a protocol for tick-borne illness prevention following a bite or suspected bite:

Tick Bite Protocol (https://us.fullscript.com/plans/rootedinthewild-tick-bite-protocol):
• Send the tick in for testing if possible. The tick does not need to be intact for testing. Recommended laboratories: IgeneX Tick Testing for Lyme & Tick-Borne Disease https://igenex.com/tick-test/
While awaiting test results, begin the following treatment:
• Take homeopathic Ledum 30c (1 pellet) every 15 minutes for 1 hour. Take Ledum every hour for the next 8 hours. If bull’s eye rash appears, take homeopathic Apis 30c (1 pellet) every 15 minutes for one hour and then 1 pellet every hour for the next 8 hours. Homeopathic medicine should be taken separately from food or drink if possible.
• Apply Andrographis directly to the site of the bite. Layer with pure tea tree oil diluted 1:1 with a carrier oil.
• Begin supplementation with Cell Core IS-BORR and IS-BOOST. Allergy alert: IS-BORR contains black walnut. Adult dosing: 2mL twice daily. Child dosing based on age: add 12 to the child’s age and divide the child’s age by this number (ex. For a 6-year-old child: 6 + 12 = 18, then 6/18 = 0.3. The dosage would be 1/3 of the adult dose). Continue supplementation for one month or until negative results are received from the tick testing.
• Boost the immune system by supplementation with bioavailable Liposomal vitamin C.
• Avoid refined sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. Keep well hydrated and consume high-quality, organic foods only.
• If you choose to take an antibiotic course following the bite, supplement with a probiotic containing Bifido bacteria. This should be taken at least 2 hours apart from the antibiotic.
• Supplement with master antioxidant glutathione to boost the immune system.
• Monitor bowel movements. It is essential for the body to detoxify through the bowels. Bowel movements should occur 1-3x per day. Less than one bowel movement per day is constipation and detoxification of disease-producing spirochetes related to tick-borne illness is not possible. Herbal and non-habit-forming Bowel Mover by CellCore is suggested to keep bowels regular.

*CellCore products are professional-grade supplements available only at www.cellcore.com and require a provider code (patient direct code: PRVzvfh0) for ordering. Homeopathic Ledum and Apis, glutathione, liposomal vitamin C, and probiotics can be ordered through here: https://us.fullscript.com/plans/rootedinthewild-tick-bite-protocol

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT for The Way of the Wild Gathering!

Over 70 years ago - well before organic and gluten-free options were popular - Harvest Health was offering natural and organic foods, quality supplements, conscious health and home products and wellness education to the Grand Rapids community 🙌🏼

Today, with store locations in Grand Rapids, Cascade, Hudsonville and Holland - combined with their continued passion for health, nutrition and education, Harvest Health Foods has become the premier natural grocer in West Michigan and partner to local communities. In addition to collaborating on free wellness events in their stores, we are beyond excited to expand our partnership with Harvest Health as a sponsor of The Way of the Wild Gathering! ❤️🌾

Support your local Harvest Health Foods store and visit www.harvesthealthfoods.com!

There is still time to join us for Way of the Wild!
Learn more and get your tickets for May 10-12 at:

www.rootedinthewild.org/wayofthewild

One of the best parts of being a naturopath is having unlimited time with my clients reviewing lab results and co-creating an individualized plan moving forward. Because I do not operate under the thumb of insurance, I can offer advanced lab testing such as GI-MAP complete stool testing for parasites, bacterial overgrowth, and viral load, DUTCH urine hormonal testing, mineral and heavy metal toxicity testing through hair analysis, advanced food allergy testing, and many more. But, the best part? Witnessing my clients DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE RESULTS. These are the folks who know the preciousness of health and together we navigate results and create a sustainable plan to live in vitality.

There is another way to do health care. www.rootedinthewild.org

My trail running times have slowed significantly since the wild edibles have returned to the land - ramps, wild chives, dandelion, violets, pheasant backs, dead nettle, stinging nettle, cleavers, garlic mustard, and chickweed. Trail snacks!

We will be preparing all of these wild edibles as meals for the upcoming gathering Way of the Wild! And if you want to eat instead of work on your trail run time, join us for the gathering and learn how to forage for yourself! Because, trail snacks are the best snacks.

https://www.rootedinthewild.org/wayofthewild