How social media stars are keeping Utah healthy

How social media stars are keeping Utah healthy

(Cory Maloy, SnappConner PR)


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LEHI — Less than two years ago, Nan Jensen was so sick she couldn't get out of bed, walk to the mailbox or even go to the bathroom by herself. Getting her children off to school or cook them dinner was impossible.

She was diagnosed with POTS Syndrome and had to rely on her sister Nicole Bangerter, her husband and their parents to take care of all of the household responsibilities she now longed to do on her own.

"I just couldn't let this sickness define me," Jensen told the audience of fellow fitness and health influencers who’d gathered together recently at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi to share their stories about why they’re helping Utahns better their health and love themselves in the process.

To help her sister overcome her illness, Bangerter incorporated more healthy, whole foods into beloved family recipes, getting rid of anything processed, and when coupled with other medication and complementary medicine, Jensen completely healed within a few months. Six months later, however, the roles reversed and Bangerter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Fortunately, they'd both learned so much about the benefits of eating healthy from Jensen’s illness and recovery. Bangerter was able to find out her glycemic index and fix meals for her family that they could all eat.

As she learned to keep her diabetes under control, they both decided to share what they'd learned with others throughout Utah and beyond, including healthy recipes they’ve incorporated into their lives. Their Instagram account @wholesisters has 75,000 followers and is growing each day.

"We didn’t start this journey to gain followers or make a business out of it,” Jensen said. “We do it because we feel the need to let people know that food is medicine. I have two kids with autoimmune issues, and they don’t feel good when they eat processed foods. It’s come full circle for them.”

Ashley Reeves of @ashleysfreshfix, who grew up overweight, made the definitive decision to lose weight after she couldn’t fit into a bridesmaid’s dress a few years back, resulting in medical issues and depression.

"I knew nothing about eating healthy, but knew I needed to get my weight under control,” said the mother of four. “I'll never be stick thin because I'm just a bigger-boned person, and I've come to embrace that. Real health and beauty comes from within. But I know I feel better when eating well and exercising, and that's what's important."

She now shares her relatable ups and downs, along with tips on family, fresh food and full figure fashion, with her 42,000 followers on Instagram.

While incorporating more whole foods into their diets, getting regular exercise and overcoming often long-engrained body issues appeared an obvious theme of the luncheon, several also discussed the need to “clean up your gut” as the key to health and wellness.

"I'm all about healing through food – and am huge on gut health," said Kelsey Hansen, who runs the @simplelife_bykels Instagram. Three years ago, Hansen, a self-proclaimed “healthy, hippy mamma,” was diagnosed with gluten intolerance.

“If you don't have a healthy gut, the rest of you isn't healthy,” she added.

Interestingly enough, her biggest passion is bread — and she holds baking classes on how to make healthy bread and grains.

Today was one of "those days." Here is the run down: while I was mixing bread and washing dishes this morning my 2 and 4 year old were "playing" in their room. 🍋 When I checked on them I realized said 2 year old had gotten into a tube of carmex, smeared it all over himself and a box of crayons, took the bedding and mattress off his bed, destroyed the blinds in their room, then moved into MY room, where he pulled all the bedding off my bed, colored on my mattress and ALL over my wall. All of this was done while he had stripped down naked so I spent the rest of the day waiting to step in a puddle of pee . . . 🍋 How was your day? 🍋 I have a bunch of Meyer lemons staring at me on the counter so I might have to make some lemon curd and waffles tomorrow to brighten my spirits! 🍋

A photo posted by KELSEY . Healthy Hippie Mama (@simplelife_bykels) on

“Contrary to popular belief, bread doesn’t make you fat,” she added. “In fact, grains are a crucial part of a healthy diet.”

Many of the women expressed interest in meeting up again – and soon.

“It’s amazing to me to sit next to a stranger then get to hear their story and journey to wellness,” influencer Ashlynn Allen Mitchell posted on her @mamabera.fitness account after the luncheon. “We all just want to feel better about ourselves and our bodies. So honored to be among women who not only share a passion for helping others find better health here in Utah but everywhere.”


Charity Lighten, chief nutritionist for healthy foods company Silver Fern Brand, is a certified plant-based nutritionist, wife, mother of 4 and lover of food! Contact her at charitylighten@gmail.com or through her website, www.avibrantlife.me.

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