Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
Thanks to a bunch of recent research, most of us have at least a passing familiarity with our gut microbiomes and how much the bacteria in our bodies impact our lives. We even now understand that our skin has a microbiome and so does our mouth. But what science is just starting to reveal and …
I love a good detox bath to remove toxins from the body and help kids relax (especially before bed) but a bubble bath is so much more fun! Unfortunately, many bubble baths available at the store contain ingredients that can cause more toxicity. This bubble bath recipe is a great way to give kids a …
One of the biggest challenges in switching to a real food diet is figuring out what to eat for breakfast. Breakfast cereals are a really common choice these days, especially for kids, but sadly are not real food. Even healthy and organic breakfast cereals must be processed in some way to reach cereal form, and …
I like to know what is in my food and products, so on the surface, Prop 65 is an amazing law. A label that tells me when a product contains harmful chemicals? A dream come true! But after seeing the warning on many of the natural health products I use (like supplements), I did some …
Most of us know just how important honey bees are to our food supply and why it matters so much to protect them. Hopefully many of us are even taking some simple steps, like these, to do so. But did you know there are over 4,000 species of native bees in the US alone? And …
I use herbal remedies for many things on a daily basis. From homemade lotions, to infused oils and salves, to herbal teas and veggie smoothies, we use a lot of different herbs each day for the nutritional benefits and one of my favorites is alfalfa. Alfalfa, you ask? Isn’t that what they feed cows, horses, and other …
I’m no expert in Vietnamese food, but I am a big fan. In fact, trying dishes from other cultures is something we love to do to get more variety in our diets. When we discovered pho, we knew we had a new family favorite on our hands. Despite its short name, pho is big on flavor …
You probably already know that there are many natural remedies for colds and flu. One hundred years ago, families wouldn’t have made the trek to the doctor for something so easily managed at home. There’s a misconception that bronchitis is a very serious illness that always needs a trip to the doctor and a prescription. …
Even with a healthy, real food diet, it can often be difficult to get the magnesium our bodies need from food alone. I’ve written before about how I supplement magnesium daily, and the most effective way I’ve found to do it is using magnesium oil spray on my skin. Why do I I feel that …
Pregnancy, labor, birth, and then breastfeeding… all of these things put high physical strain and demand for nutrients on a mom’s body. It’s so important to take time to nourish and replenish our bodies each step of the way, especially during the crucial postpartum time. Sitting down to breastfeed many times a day (and night) …
The average American drinks approximately 38 GALLONS of soda each year. Some people even admit to drinking more soda than water each day, or no water at all. Soft drinks are a multi-billion dollar product, and they account for a quarter of all drinks consumed in the United States. The good news is that according to …
There is some debate as to whether air filters are really necessary for a healthy home. True, you can do a lot for your indoor air with a few well-chosen indoor plants and it is the most natural and inexpensive way to purify indoor air. But since indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air, …
Chicken and rice casserole is as American as hot dogs and burgers. We all grew up eating it but know better now! While a hearty piping-hot casserole may be delicious comfort food (or not, depending on your mother’s recipe), they are notorious for being high-calorie and made with condensed soup from a can. This healthier …
The decision to cloth diaper is easy for some. But if you are like me, there are a million questions that need to be answered first! Cloth diapering today is so different from the way our grandmothers did it. I have talked to many women who remember cloth diapering as a burdensome task that they …
One thing I can’t stand? A sore throat! It’s truly miserable, especially for kids. I keep the ingredients on hand to make this herbal sore throat spray when sickness hits, but there’s nothing like a hot cup of tea when you’re down and out. Especially if it’s a sore throat tea made with natural ingredients like …
Smoothies can be a delicious and healthy way to add an extra boost of nutrition to your diet (and a sneaky way to get extra nutrition into kids). I have a collection of some of our favorite whey-free smoothie recipes here, but this strawberry cheesecake smoothie is just as delicious as our old favorites. Unlike …
I use lots of herbs and spices in my house, both for flavor and for the health benefits. Some are culinary and others are used for tinctures, salves, skin, and beauty recipes. Dried herbs are fine for many uses but there’s nothing like fresh herbs to give a dish a little something extra. If you’re …
Utah recently passed legislation to “legalize the 80s” and let kids play outside again without fear of CPS being called on the parents. The new law essentially defined the difference between letting kids have independence and parental neglect, protecting the ability for kids to ride bikes and play outside alone. I shared a video about …
I think I’ve finally arrived at the point in life where I can say … we are minimalists. (And yes, a minimalist family of eight that homeschools.) What does this mean exactly? It doesn’t mean we live in a stark white house (although I would love that!) and it doesn’t mean I threw out all …
Gardening was once a normal part of life for most people. Not so many generations ago, neighbors exchanged fresh produce over fences (too many zucchini again!) and most people knew their local farmer. Most of us too probably have fond memories of grandmothers opening a can of homemade pickles or jam. Even though times have changed …
I remember being pregnant with my first baby and going to the store to register for baby products. I was like a kid in a candy store, convinced that I needed every cute outfit, innovative gadget, and award-winning baby products. I registered for dozens of items, and in hindsight, I’m so glad that I never …
With a large family to feed and not much time on my hands, I’m a big fan of one-pan meals. (In fact, I based my whole cookbook on the concept.) I already make large pans of roasted vegetables weekly, but we eat a lot of seafood these days as well so this salmon asparagus sheet …
I’m always looking for more easy and tasty ways to serve nourishing foods to my family. Getting kids on board with eating healthy can take some strategic planning, but recipes like this radish cream cheese dip help make it easier. (And it’s not a bad way for adults to enjoy more veggies too!) Having some …
Raspberry leaf is probably my favorite herb and definitely the one I consume the most because of its amazing nutrient profile. I even use it in my homemade multivitamin tincture. While the taste is nothing like raspberries, it has gentle taste similar to regular black tea (but without the caffeine). Raspberry leaf is generally known for …
