In this rich and deeply practical conversation, Angela welcomes back Maria Iwinska of Hildegard’s Way to explore the timeless wisdom of St. Hildegard of Bingen and the daily lifestyle she believed restores harmony in the human person.

Maria explains why St. Hildegard must be understood not only as a mystic, but as a Benedictine shaped by order, rhythm, and sacred balance. From that foundation, she highlights six core daily pillars of Hildegardian nutrition and healing: spelt, galangal, bertram, diptam, fennel, and chestnuts.

Together, Angela and Maria discuss why not all spelt is created equal, how to identify authentic ancient spelt, and how these foundational foods and remedies can support energy, digestion, immune resilience, mental clarity, and overall vitality.

They also reflect on a theme central to both Hildegard’s wisdom and integrated healing: the body is always speaking. Symptoms are not merely inconveniences to suppress, but invitations to deeper awareness, greater harmony, and more faithful stewardship of the life God has given us.

This episode is a beautiful invitation to slow down, pay attention, and begin asking a life-changing question: Is what I am consuming fortifying me—or depleting me?

In this episode, Angela and Maria discuss:

• why St. Hildegard’s Benedictine roots matter for understanding her lifestyle teachings
• the connection between order, harmony, and health
• Hildegard’s six foundational daily nutrition pillars
• why authentic ancient spelt is different from modern hybridized grains
• how to source true spelt and the questions to ask your farmer or supplier
• the role of digestion in whole-person health
• the connection between gut health, mood, and mental clarity
• galangal as “the spice of life”
• bertram for cleansing, digestion, and overall vitality
• diptam for circulation, cholesterol support, and internal cleansing
• fennel as a daily anti-inflammatory support and gentle source of energy
• chestnuts as a source of steady energy and support for attention and liver health
• why icy foods and drinks can weaken the body over time
• the importance of gentle consistency over perfection
• the relationship between physical health, emotional health, and spiritual harmony
• how symptoms can point to deeper imbalance rather than simply needing to be covered over

Practical takeaways:

• begin reading labels and asking better sourcing questions
• look for authentic, ancient spelt varieties rather than assuming all spelt is the same
• consider incorporating spelt slowly and consistently into daily meals
• explore simple Hildegardian supports like fennel, galangal, and chestnuts
• reduce reliance on stimulants and begin replacing depletion habits with fortifying ones
• pay attention to recurring symptoms as signals, not just annoyances
• start small—one degree shifts practiced daily can become a lifestyle

Resources Mentioned:

• Hildegard’s Way→ Website: HildegardsWay.com
• Follow Hildegard’s Way on social media for recipes, teachings, and practical ways to incorporate St. Hildegard’s wisdom into daily life
• At the time of this podcast release many products are currently sold out at Hildegard’s Way. That’s been hard, but also very encouraging. It means more people are returning to these simple, foundational ways of caring for the body. If you would like to be notified when things are back, please sign up for Hildegard’s Way newsletter on their website. Justyna and Maria share restock updates there first, along with recipes, education, and practical ways to live this hildegardian lifestyle.”

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome back + why this conversation continues 01:10 St. Hildegard as Benedictine: order, harmony, and the rule of life 05:45 Hildegard as teacher: nutrition as part of a sacred lifestyle 07:15 The six foundational pillars of Hildegardian nutrition 08:10 Why not all spelt is created equal 10:00 How to source authentic ancient spelt 13:45 Why spelt is foundational in Hildegard’s teachings 14:40 Spelt, immunity, and the integrity of the cell 18:20 Why the benefits of spelt compound over time 21:20 Modern wheat, hybridization, and gluten sensitivity 22:05 Digestion, gut health, and mental well-being 23:15 Celiac, gut healing, and gradual restoration 24:45 Autoimmune issues, anger, and deeper healing 26:45 Galangal: “the spice of life” 31:10 Bertram and detoxification 32:20 Diptam and support for blood vessels, stones, and cleansing 34:45 Fennel: anti-inflammatory support, digestion, and joyful energy 38:40 Chestnuts: steady energy, attention, and liver support 43:30 Daily fortification: are your habits energizing or depleting you? 45:20 Consistency beats perfection 47:00 Where to find Hildegard’s Way + closing encouragement

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To book a free coaching session with Angela Schnieders or learn more visit viriditasliving.com