Whether it’s taking a day off from technology or writing thank you notes, reconnecting to traditional forms of communication has been shown (scientifically!) as an excellent means for improving our health and well-being. Handwritten notes are also a way of connecting on a more authentic level. Let’s be honest, when I find a handwritten letter...
Continue Reading...The Importance of Writing Thank You Notes
Turmeric is a powerful spice with an impressive list of uses and benefits. It’s known for its antioxidant content and ability to work as an anti-inflammatory. This common culinary spice is prized in many cuisines around the world and with good reason. What’s So Great About Turmeric? In short…. a lot: The spice we refer to...
Continue Reading...Turmeric: 12 Practical Uses (& Benefits of Curcumin)
Our family loves this turmeric tea recipe and it is a favorite staple in our home. I used to mostly drink chamomile or green tea for the health benefits, but this tea with its earthy golden spice is perhaps an even more powerful (and soothing) remedy. In fact, turmeric tea (or “golden milk” as it’s...
Continue Reading...5 Minute Turmeric Tea Recipe (How to Make Golden Milk)
Ginger root is one of the oldest and most popular natural remedies, and in my opinion also one of the most delicious. Ginger root is very easy to find in most places both in fresh and dried (and even pickled and candied) preparations. This is one herb I always keep on hand (I know, say...
Continue Reading...10+ Ways to Use Ginger More (& Its Amazing Benefits)
A friend asked me if I had a DIY recipe for a natural version of shower melts (basically a bath bomb for the shower) since her favorite ones had been discontinued and she was looking for a cheaper and better homemade option. I’m so glad she asked because these little shower melts are a staple...
Continue Reading...Soothing Shower Melts for Colds and Flu (or Anytime)
Ever heard the saying “A bowl of garlic soup a day keeps the doctor away”? Ok, maybe that’s not exactly how the saying goes, but in my book this garlic soup is one case where good health and good taste unite! Garlic is a wonderful herb and culinary ingredient that I always keep in the...
Continue Reading...Soothing Roasted Garlic Soup Recipe
First, “Merry Christmas” from me to all of you on this blessed, happy, busy, chaotic, joyful, and sometimes stressful time of year! I know all of you as moms know exactly what I mean … Christmas is a day full of so much meaning and joy but also a million details to prepare and organize. May you...
Continue Reading...123: Sharing Gratitude, Joy, and Christmas Family Traditions
In the midst of holiday gift giving, I can’t help but think about the fact that often these well-intentioned gifts eventually lead to more stress, for the giver and the receiver. So much so that over time my husband and I decided to give experiences instead of materials gifts as much as we can. After...
Continue Reading...46 Ways to Give Experiences Instead of Stuff This Year (Even Last Minute)
My post on why I don’t reduce fevers (and what I do instead) is one of my most popular, and I totally understand why! What parent hasn’t gone through a sleepless night or two … or twenty … worrying about a child with a high fever? Thankfully, fevers aren’t as dangerous as many people fear,...
Continue Reading...6 Benefits of Using Herbal Tea During a Fever
Let’s face it, while the movies portray images of happy families laughing around the kitchen table or in front of the fireplace during the Christmas season, often moms end up more stressed out and busier than ever. I know I fall into the trap, and each year I have to try again to stay focused on...
Continue Reading...Dear Moms, Let’s Simplify Christmas (& Enjoy It) This Year!
I learned early on that when you get married, you also marry your husband’s sports teams (at least with my guy … Go Reds!). This extends to cultural traditions too, especially if he comes from a strong cultural background. That’s where one of our favorite traditions of a Christmas Eve dinner called “Feast of the Seven Fishes”...
Continue Reading...The Sicilian Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve Dinner
All that really matters is a healthy baby. Truer words were never spoken, right? But wait … if I’ve learned anything from my birth stories (and trust me, they run the gamut) a healthy baby is only part of it. Certainly a healthy baby matters very much, but someone else gets swept under the rug way...
Continue Reading...122: A Healthy Baby Is NOT the Only Thing That Matters (& Is Home Birth Safe?)
What is it about a Christmas stocking? Old or young, waking up on Christmas to a stocking lumpy with little surprises has its own special joy. Even if it’s something as small as a pack of gum or as practical as a pair of new socks! The Much Loved Tradition of Christmas Stockings Thanks to...
Continue Reading...57 Stocking Stuffers (Ideas to DIY or Buy)
Anyone else feel like you spend half your time cooking some days? I definitely feel that way at times with so many mouths to feed three times a day. I’m a big fan of the many benefits of preparing food at home with the family. Not only is the food typically much more nutritious, but...
Continue Reading...121: Cookware Problems: Understanding What’s Hiding in Most Cookware
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: every holiday season about 4 million tons of gift wrap and decorations end up in U.S. landfills. Wrapping paper and gift bags for birthdays and Christmas aren’t just hard on the environment, but they can be shockingly expensive to boot. I’ve made these reusable gift bags and DIY produce bags in the...
Continue Reading...How to a Make a Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth
I’ve shared my holiday gift guide, but many of you have asked for a gift guide of unusual ideas that aren’t the normal kitchen gear, clothing and toys. This list of gift ideas is just that… a compilation of unusual and creative ideas that your recipient definitely won’t already have! All of these gifts are...
Continue Reading...Creative & Unusual Gift Ideas (They Don’t Already Have)
I love the Holidays because this time of year is all about gift-giving (and experience sharing) but unfortunately, there is a dark side to holiday giving that many people don’t even think about: the amount of extra waste produced by the gift wrap, bags and ribbon. Christmas Waste? Consider this, In the US alone, we use 4...
Continue Reading...Eco-Friendly & Reusable Gift Wrap Ideas
Sorry to say, but sitting may be worse for you than donuts. Thankfully there are plenty of healthy alternatives to the modern day office chair. With so many options to choose from though, which desk chair alternatives are best? The Consequences of Sitting Before I get into alternatives for desk chairs, it helps to know...
Continue Reading...Alternatives to Using a Chair at a Desk
It is no secret that I’m a fan of elderberries for their natural immune-boosting powers. I make elderberry syrup in batches during the cooler months to keep the flu at bay, but my favorite way to take it is actually a warm, comforting cup of elderberry tea. Imagine for a moment … six small children …...
Continue Reading...How to Make Elderberry Tea (Powerful Natural Remedy)
I’m so pumped about today’s episode! I found the amazing Dr. Libby Darnell through my own research into the best ways to start reducing EMFs in our home. Dr. Libby is a Functional Medicine Practitioner and Doctor of Chiropractic who found out firsthand just what a bad effect EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies) can have on our...
Continue Reading...120: A Real-Life Approach to Reducing EMFs with Dr. Libby Darnell
I don’t know about you, but this time of year can be a little hectic for me! With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and several family birthdays, there is a lot to plan and a lot of gifts to wrap. We try to stick to experiences instead of stuff as much as possible (here are some of my best ideas),...
Continue Reading...2017 Ultimate Holiday Gift Giving Guide (For Everyone On Your List!)
Let’s talk about alcohol for a minute… On the one hand, blue zone studies show that most healthy populations consume moderate amounts of alcohol (usually wine). Yet, other researchers (and my mother-in-law) call alcohol toxic and say it should be avoided at all costs. So who is right? Turns out… they are both partially correct....
Continue Reading...Is Alcohol Toxic? (How to Choose Safe Options & Amounts)
It seems like there’s a news story every other day about a data security breach, and when pretty much our entire lives are online, it’s important to keep up with the speed of technology. Patrick McFadyen is a digital security expert with a degree in computer science and years of experience in the tech industry....
Continue Reading...119: Cyber Security Tips to Keep Your Family Safer Online
Every time the Christmas season rolls around, I start to have visions of a peppermint mocha. (Yum!) Seriously, I unapologetically enjoy all things coffee, but fancy coffee drinks can be a real budget breaker. (Not to mention full of sugar.) Thankfully, there is an easy and delicious peppermint mocha recipe you can make at home with...
Continue Reading...Make Your Own Peppermint Mocha (Delicious & Healthy)
McCall McPherson is a PA and functional medicine doctor who is passionate about helping others with balancing thyroid hormones because she has suffered through thyroid problems, too. When doctor after doctor failed to help her, she decided to take matters into her own hands and founded the Modern Thyroid Clinic, a patient-focused functional medicine clinic. Balancing...
Continue Reading...118: An At-Home Approach to Balancing Thyroid Hormones with McCall McPherson
What do Olympic athletes, astronauts and grandmas in nursing homes have in common? Scientific studies have shown how these groups have all benefited from wave vibration platforms. I rely on easy home workouts like these to stay in shape, but wave vibration is an easy way to gain more health benefits without extra time. What...
Continue Reading...Benefits of Wave Vibration And How To Try It At Home
Cleaning a house naturally is not any more difficult than cleaning it with harsh chemicals. It improves indoor air quality and is much safer, especially for children. We’ve switched entirely to natural cleaning products and our house is just as clean (or cleaner!). I don’t have to worry about the kids getting sick if they...
Continue Reading...19 Natural Cleaning Tips (+ Easy Recipes)
Thanks to a European influence on both sides of the family, my husband and I both grew up celebrating the tradition of St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. Many people just know St. Nicholas by the name Santa Claus. While the modern figure of Santa derives from St. Nick, you’d hardly find this patron saint...
Continue Reading...The Tradition of St. Nicholas Day Around the World (December 6th)
