The Ren Journal

From the minds of our founders, Lisa Rowe and Tash Stubbs.
You Are Not Your Illness: Reclaiming Your Health Starts Now
I think this comment might cut deep for a lot of chronically ill people but know that this comes from a place of love, from my own experience with it, not from judgement. You have made being chronically ill your entire personality, and it’s your comfort blanket. You’re holding onto it for dear life, because your brain has convinced you that this persona that you are keeping up is making you feel safe. Chronic Illness Is Common, But Not Normal Chronic illness is so common but hear me when I... Read more...
A Personal Introduction
We’re on a mission to find our people, those who are open to change, open to constant growth, and open to reconnecting with nature. Those who want to support their body’s natural ability to heal and learn about the biological processes that shape our lives. We believe in committing to the respect we deserve: mind, body, and spirit. A holistic approach to living a life we love. You’ve seen our animal-based resources, calming rituals, and low-tox recipes, but we’ve never officially introduced ourselves. So, here we are. Meet the Team... Read more...
Rise with the Sun: Honouring Your Circadian Rhythm
A mindful morning ritual for energy, balance, and deep restoration. Living in Harmony with Nature’s Clock As humans, we are designed to live in rhythm with the rising and setting of the sun. We carry within us a powerful, natural 24-hour clock, our circadian rhythm, that regulates: Sleep cycles Energy levels Metabolism Hormone production Yet, modern life has distanced us from this natural rhythm. Rushing through packed schedules, artificial lighting, late nights, early alarms, and shift work all contribute to circadian disruption. Why Sleep Alone Isn’t Enough It might seem... Read more...
"Health" Foods: What Labels Don’t Tell You
The Deceptive Side of Wellness Marketing Marketing in the wellness space can be incredibly misleading, especially when it comes to so-called “health foods.” Products like protein bars, pre-workouts, and low-calorie snacks are often targeted at gym-goers and those trying to lose weight, but many of these products are doing more harm than good. Today’s wellness culture often promotes calorie deficits, macro-tracking, and aesthetic goals above all else. While being intentional about what you eat matters, we believe the focus should shift from quantity to quality. Why Quality Matters More Than... Read more...
How to Read Your Symptoms Like a Language
Everyone, at some point in life, will experience symptoms like pain, fatigue, or tension.Sometimes it’s because we’ve overworked ourselves. Other times, our immune system is busy fighting something off. But what we often miss is: symptoms are your body speaking to you.They’re not a mistake, they’re a message. Your body is incredibly intelligent. It constantly works to protect, repair, and bring you back into balance.When something’s off, it doesn’t stay silent. It communicates through symptoms. Pain, fatigue, mood changes, digestive issues, these aren’t random.They are signals trying to get your... Read more...
Understanding Fats: Why Cholesterol Isn’t the Enemy
Before we dive in, there are a few important things to understand about the different types of fat and how they function in your body: LDL, HDL & Triglycerides, What Do They Actually Mean? LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – often labelled the “bad” cholesterol, raises red flags in conventional medicine. When levels get too high (by today’s standards), doctors typically prescribe statins to lower them. But here’s what isn’t often mentioned:When your body is functioning optimally, LDL particles carry antioxidants like Beta-Carotene, CoQ10, and alpha tocopherol. These antioxidants help prevent LDL... Read more...
Oxidative Stress, Free Radicals & Antioxidants: What You Need to Know
Our bodies are intricate ecosystems designed to heal, adapt, and thrive. But sometimes, internal imbalances can quietly cause stress and inflammation, showing up as fatigue, pain, or recurring illness. One of the key drivers behind this is a biological process called oxidative stress. Let’s unpack what that means and how your everyday choices can either fuel the fire or support your body’s natural ability to stay in balance. What Is Oxidative Stress? Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. Free radicals are... Read more...
Pure Intentions: How Mindful Motivation Leads to True Holistic Health
What are your motivations for starting your wellness journey? It’s such a common narrative that people work out to achieve their goal body or peak physique. Eating in a calorie deficit to look better on their wedding day or to shred for summer. Reading and studying for years just to receive a piece of paper. Working really hard, driving themselves into the ground, simply to pay the bills. To live for the weekend and to dread Monday morning. This mindset will have you constantly working toward a temporary goal, and... Read more...
Simple Swaps: Creating a Healthier Home
We want to urge you to do your research. Take the time to read ingredient labels carefully, understand what the ingredients are, where they come from, and how they affect your body, your cells, and your brain. Cookware Coatings to Avoid Many cookware items like frypans, saucepans, and trays are coated with Teflon or other non-stick materials. While convenient, these coatings are not made with health in mind, and they leach harmful chemicals and microplastics into our foods. Instead, choose cookware made from stainless steel or cast iron. Plastic in... Read more...
From Fear to Frequency: Turning Discomfort into Positive Energy
Growth can be scary at times, and even uncomfortable.Most of us shy away at the first sign of discomfort, but being uncomfortable is a really important part of life, this is where real, change starts. Reframing the Fear You know that nervous wave you feel in the pit of your stomach when trying something new?Instead of labelling it as anxiety, let’s reframe that mindset to “this is so exciting and I can’t wait to learn something new!”Oftentimes, the only difference between anxiety and excitement is your state of mind. The... Read more...
Protecting Your Peace: Who Are You Letting In?
Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on the people you spend the most time with? Who do you surround yourself with, and more importantly, how do your interactions with them leave you feeling? We’re deeply influenced by our environment, and the people in our lives shape our energy more than we often realise. If you find yourself spending time with those whose habits don't align with your values, who leave you feeling heavy or drained rather than uplifted, it might be time to gently re-evaluate those relationships. It’s... Read more...
Ren Wellness 2-Week Animal-Based Challenge
A Gentle Invitation Back to Real Food This challenge is designed to help ease you into an animal-based lifestyle, a way of eating that removes processed foods, additives, and common inflammatory triggers, and replaces them with real, nourishing, animal-based foods. No extremes. No overwhelm. Just simple, supportive steps to help your body begin to heal. Whether you’re just curious or looking for deeper healing, this is your invitation to come back to real food, with space to go slow. Who Is This For? This challenge is for everyone, but especially... Read more...