hello!
i’m kate eskuri.
…and I want to prove to you that “busy” can be healthy
there’s a lot of “wellness blogs” out there
(… and here’s what sets me apart, *wink*)
90% of “wellness” influencers have zero credentials or formalized training in health. There are dozens — no, wait…THOUSANDS — of industry “educators” that claim they can teach you their definition of the right way to be healthy.
Sometimes it’s hard to know who’s giving credible health information... and who isn’t. And if you dwell on that too long, you may begin to question if it’s even possible to find accurate health information online.
But friend? I believe in you. You’re asking the right questions, you care about your wellbeing, and you want to find accurate health information that will help you feel EMPOWERED.
And out of the whole wide internet, you found a like spirit in me. My combination of holistic, instinctual health and science-backed research is what sets me apart — I am a Mayo Clinic trained RN and have my doctorate degree in integrative health.
I fill a void in the internet wellness bubble with my unique, science-backed (but natural-focused) approach to health and wellness.
I created The Foundation Blog to give you tangible, easy-to-implement, holistic (and realistic) for * your * life and schedule.
i’m a registered nurse with a doctorate in integrative & holistic health—
and my views on “health” aren’t exactly typical…
ya ready? here’s the story of how The Foundation Blog came to be.
the foundation blog: origins
foun·da·tion : a basis upon which something stands or is supported; an underlying base or support; a body or ground upon which something is built up
In my first ever college course, I learned about a psychology model called the Hierarchy of Needs created by Abraham Maslow. In this visual model, a pyramid ranks the basic human needs with the base layer (or foundation) being the most crucial. I studied this, learned it well enough to get a good grade on the exam, and moved on. But somehow, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs never left me.
This simple pyramid was constantly entering my perspective during everyday life. What I found most captivating was that the base of the pyramid is so simple: food, breath, shelter, rest—our foundation. We need each and every one of these to live fully. While it may seem obvious, it turns out that these basics are not so basic at all—they are actually the bedrock to living our best lives. And they deserve to be invested in.
my original sketch of the foundation blog: february of 2018
In this modern day, fast-paced, toxin-filled, and distracted society, our foundations are crumbling. And it’s keeping us from building upward to our true potential.
Nourishment, rest, shelter, breath. If these simple topics form the foundation of my entire life, you better believe I don’t want to wing them—I want to invest and do them right. Because my full potential—and everything else—depends on them. This simple idea stuck with me and turned into the inspiration for this blog.
Food, breath, shelter, rest—our foundation.
It’s time to ditch the excess, remove the clutter, and get back to the basics.
It’s time to rebuild and rejuvenate your foundation.
And this blog is here to help you do just that.
time for some fun facts
i absolutely love a good cup
of joe
I worked as a barista for almost 4 years, and loved it. In fact, I loved it so much so that I took a barista job on the side of my full-time nursing job. Two shot Americano, please!
i’m a nurse with my doctorate in holistic health
I am a registered nurse who went back to school for her doctorate in integrative health. For my “day job”, I am a health coach and I teach in the college setting.
I am a Stronggg type 7 on the Enneagram
As a 7w8, I am constantly dancin’ + balancin’ between my free-spirit 7 and my get-it-done 8ness. I always found my ability to to strike a balance between playful + focused to be odd… but it turns out i’m just a textbook 7 wing 8! I looove the enneagram!
i met my husband
when i was 6
years old
“Dear diary,
A boy from Texas moved to town today—his name is Adam.
He’s cute!”
-My 1st grade journal
holistic
(…and realistic) self-care
traditional practices backed by modern research—my views on health:
In an age of information overloads, groundbreaking treatments, pharmaceuticals, and wellness fads, “health” seems pretty complicated these days. But amongst all of that noise I’ve always found it easy to boil health down to the basics: nutrition, sleep, mental health, hydration, and environment. I find health in the in between—not being overly obsessed or ritualistic, but also not being passive or willing to settle.
Something you should know about me: I’m not an all-or-nothing kind of person. Take my career for example—after working with trauma, surgery, and cardiology as an ICU nurse, I can confidently say that modern medicine is a miracle. But I’m also getting my doctorate in integrative health, a speciality that honors modern medicine while bringing simplicity, tradition, and ease to health.
Uncommon as it may be, this combo allows my scientific, research-obsessed, randomized-control-trial-loving self to blend seamlessly with my health nut, slow living, instinctual self.
You can pretty much always find me hanging out in that gray area—I eat nourishing, whole foods 90% of the time, but I’m not afraid of a glass of wine (or chips and queso). I have a regular mindfulness practice, but you won’t find me meditating for an hour a day. I love exercising and take honor in moving my body often, but I’m also juuuuust fine with taking a rest day (or two, *wink*)
My end goal of “health” is to have a body, mind, and spirit that are alert, joyful, and vital—and that means finding a sweet spot right in the middle of science and woo woo, of modern medicine and traditional medicine, of research and instinct. Because, the truth? There is a whoooooole world of natural, traditional medicine practices that actually work. And what’s better is that these practices are often cost-effective, low-risk, and very easy to use. and I want to make these practices simple, approachable, and realistic for you.
Because, my friend, there isn’t only one path to health—and my goal is to help give you the resources, information, and guidance to help inspire the “gray area” of medicine that works for y-o-u. If you are someone who wants natural, free habits that empower your body’s innate health, The Foundation Blog is the place for you. I’m here to show you that integrative health and slow, intentional living CAN blend with a modern, busy, scientific world. Because it doesn’t have to be an “either or” scenario. You can have both.
and I’m about to show you how.
I’m so glad you are here, friend. Welcome to The Foundation Blog.
ready to upgrade your health?
grab your (FREE!) digital workbooks below
The Holistic Sleep Guide: 14 Rituals for Deeper, Dreamier Sleep
Say goodbye to restless nights, tossing + turning, and waking up groggy + exhausted. The holistic sleep guide is HERE. Click below to grab a 20-page workbook that outlines holistic rituals & remedies for a deep, dreamy night of sleep!
7 Simple (And Affordable!) Methods To Ground Yourself + Find Peace In Uncertain Times
A 12-page guided workbook that will help to calm the mind, soothe anxious thoughts, and find peace.
My Holistic Approach to Nutrition (Includes a Printable Whole Foods Grocery Shopping List)
Paleo? Ketogenic? Nutritional shakes? NOPE. Let’s make eating healthy simple, shall we? This 13-page workbook will explain a holistic approach to nutrition step-by-step!
I get it.
You’ve got a lot on your to-do list.
But here’s a secret—
in this lifetime, the busyness will never, ever, ever stop…
unless you intentionally choose otherwise.
unless you intentionally choose to s l o w d o w n
unless you make time to breathe. to rest. to be.
In this modern world, we are constantly bombarded with screens and apps and that ever-present “more, more, more!” mindset. It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle, the rush, and find yourself living in autopilot.
…and I’m here to tell you, that’s not the way it has to be.
and that’s why i created The Foundation Blog: to help you implement easy, approachable little habits that eventually turn into one big, vibrant life.
my philosophy? I’m not here to tell you to throw out your to-do list, abandon responsibilities, or go meditate for three hours a day.
—What I’m asking you to do is to simplify. To prioritize. To choose the type of life you want to live.
Because guess what? The hustle + bustle and to-do list will be there. Always. And in all ways…
But how are YOU going to prioritize mini moments of gratitude and self-care in every day? How are you going to be intentional with your time, health, and wellbeing?
How are YOU going to prioritize yourself?
let’s be friends!
the foundation blog has been featured on…
-The Every Girl: featured on the expert panel for their 6-Week Self-Care Course. All things holistic health, mindfulness, and functional nutrition. (psst: you can purchase the course here)
-Pure Life Blog: “11 Random Habits, Rituals, and Products for 2020”
-Flourish Living with Caroline Joy: my views on modern medicine, nutrition, and what “health” look like in busy, modern times
- Linyage: all things morning routine, family, and holistic health
- Duluth Runner: how I train + nourish as an ex-Division I athlete and 4-time marathoner
-Katherine Corden: where nature + womanhood combine—a painting inspired by one of my poems
PODCAST INTERVIEWS I’VE DONE:
-Creating a Holistic (and Realistic) Self-Care Routine
-Menstrual Health 101: Get To Know Your Cycle
-Practical Self-Care For Busy Women
-Living More Intentionally (Like Really…)
-Understanding Your Cycle and How It Affects You
-My Unmedicated Hospital Birth Story
the foundation blog shop
Journal Workbooks
A variety of topic-specific workbooks that give unique writing prompts, inspirational quote prints, and guided exercises that allow you the space to write & process. We all deserve a chance to pause, slow down, & reflect— even if only for a few minutes a day.
Productivity Guides
A collection of tangible, step-by-step journals,, guides, and worksheets that will help you clarify (and accomplish) your biggest goals. If you’ve been looking for a way to rock your to-do list, stay motivated, and achieve your goals, look no further.
Daily Affirmation Texts
Looking for a little inspiration for your day-to-day? Whether it’s a big project, a new health routine, or just making it through (*raises hand*), we all need an extra boost of positivity. Get Daily Positive Affirmation Texts sent to your phone (pay what you can!)
FOLLOW ALONG @KATE.ESKURI
a personal journal entry from the day i launched the foundation blog:
”to be honest, i’m finding myself in a weird in-between. today i was writing a research paper, digging into randomized control trials and absolutely nerding out. i LOVE science. i always have + always will. i craveeee looking at facts, data, numbers when i am learning new topics. i want to know the nitty gritty—in this busy world with so many opinions, coming back to tangible facts helps me build my foundation
— but at the same time, i find just as much comfort (and learn just as much, honestly) from the more abstract. from storytelling. from hearing people’s personal experiences. from trusting my gut. from spending quiet time in prayer. from the “woo woo” things like moon phases + seasons + tracking my cycle + astrology + energy work + mindset. from, ultimately, trusting in something greater than myself.
sooooo i’ve found myself in this odd middle. of loving science + facts and also being able to be open to the unknown + spirituality.
because ya know what—i refuse to believe everything can be boiled down to black-or-white and right-or-wrong. there is always a place in the middle, between the concrete and the mystical. between researching endlessly and blindly trusting. somewhere between honoring expert opinions and following one’s intuition. life is much too beautiful + messy + chaotic + predictable + unpredictable + unique for anything to be all “one way” or the other.
so here i am—smack dab in the middle. and i’ve never felt more at home.”