Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
When I first switched to more natural and green cleaning products, microfiber cloths seemed like a panacea. They cleaned almost all surfaces with little or no additional products, were reusable, and seemed really sustainable. I found myself using them more and more and many sources recommended them as a natural cleaning alternative. From a no-waste perspective, …
With a family and a business, life can get very busy, very fast. Both take a lot of time and intentionality to nurture and I’m not one to let either of these important parts of my life suffer for the other. One thing I do so that I can have time for my family (first) …
Smoothies are the perfect food when you’re craving something sweet but want to eat something real. I always add lots of healthy fats and protein to my smoothies for a healthy snack or meal. This creamy berry smoothie is perfect for kids who want something sweet and satisfying. In fact, my kids invented this one! …
People in laundry commercials can be quite entertaining. Images of flowers, sunshine, and a background of snowy mountains promise laundry as fresh as a day in the Alps! But those man-made chemicals don’t hold a candle to real, natural freshness (that is actually good for you too). This natural linen spray recipe uses essential oils to leave fabrics smelling …
I remember how easy it was to “work out” in college. For one thing, I was walking miles each week just to get to class, and whenever I got stressed and needed a mental break from homework, I could just go to the gym on campus (for free) and get a workout in. I didn’t …
Some days are super busy, so healthy ideas for lunches and dinners to-go are always appreciated. These tuna avocado bowls are fast and easy to make, portable, healthy, and delicious! We have them for lunch during Lent or any time we need a break from the usual. What’s for Lunch? Tuna-Stuffed Avocado Bowls! In my opinion, these …
I can handle childbirth, bodily fluids, and poop… but ticks? Ugh! Fun fact (if there can be anything fun about ticks): they don’t bite but they technically sting. Either way, a tick bite can be very harmful. Here are some of the steps you can take to prevent contact with ticks, and what to do if one …
My family loves sweet potatoes. We grow and eat a lot of them (read about my first sweet potato growing experience) and I’m always excited to try new ways to use them. Bacon and lime are always a great combination and are delicious with the sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes. Bacon Lime Sweet Potato Salad …
Since we largely avoid candy and other processed foods, I have to get creative and come up with other Easter basket ideas each year. As kids, my brother and I always looked forward to Easter and getting baskets with a chocolate bunny and going on Easter egg hunts. Because of these special memories I work …
If you know anything about organic gardening, you may have heard the saying “feed the soil, not the plant.” Creating healthy soil for plants to grow in is the best way to have a healthy garden that produces without synthetic fertilizers. Knowing that is one thing… knowing what to do is another! It’s tempting to …
We all can get tired of preparing the same old foods night after night, and sometimes nothing is better than getting a little fancy and mixing it up! These crab-stuffed mushrooms are a spin on my garlic roasted mushrooms. They are delicious and fun to eat, and contain enough fiber and protein that they could round …
I’m a huge proponent of getting enough sleep despite how difficult that is in our modern lives. But sometimes it’s outside forces that are causing us or our kids to have trouble going to sleep, staying asleep, or getting quality sleep. Luckily there are many natural ways to help kids sleep that are simple to …
You guys know I love my salad, and one of my favorite salad dressing recipes is a copycat of the ginger dressing at a local Japanese restaurant we love. They make a version of this Asian color burst salad, which tastes as beautiful as it looks! I had to try making the recipe on my own. …
I’ve written many times about all-natural cleaning methods without the use of chemicals. Now to check off something that’s been on my list for a while: a complete cleaning checklist for the whole house! Sometimes it’s hard to get the motivation (or time) to take on deep cleaning, but the one time of year most of …
If you’ve ever taken activated charcoal before, it was probably in capsule form. These pills can help clear up an upset stomach because activated charcoal can flush out toxins while also preventing constipation. I’ve made homemade gummies for vitamins and to help with sleep, so I figured… why not make them with activated charcoal? Activated charcoal …
I’m an Irish girl (though married to an Italian), and corned beef brisket has been a St. Patrick’s Day tradition for us for years. The week before St. Patty’s the menu plan always features shamrock shakes (the not from McDonalds kind), bangers and mash, and other traditional Irish meals. Ironically, the Irish don’t even have a tradition …
ADHD is a very common diagnosis in children (though adults can have it too) so many families have questions. Luckily there are some things that can help with ADHD symptoms other than medication. Below, I’ve compiled recommendations and advice from experts and previous podcast guests on ways to support a child with ADHD. What Is …
We’ve been brewing kombucha on our kitchen counter for years, long before it was available in grocery stores. It turns out you can do more with kombucha than just drink it… you can turn it into a favorite kids’ snack that they won’t even know is good for them! This SCOBY fruit leather recipe doesn’t require …
I must admit… when the capsule wardrobe trend took over Pinterest, I was mostly uninterested. As a mom, I based my wardrobe much more on function and flexibility. Times like pregnancy and nursing required certain types of clothes and limited my options. Then, I discovered the concept of a kids’ capsule wardrobe. Freedom from endless laundry, …
When I married my husband, he had horribly cracked heels. Apparently, he’d had these most of his life, but as we learned more about natural living, I set out to find natural remedies for it. In the summertime especially, when feet are more exposed (hopefully barefoot or in minimalist shoes), cracked heels can be a problem. …
I’ve been experimenting a lot lately with dishes from southeast Asia. Japanese miso soup is now regularly on the menu and we’ve added Indian coconut chicken curry too. Like the others, this Bangladeshi spicy beef curry has delicious flavor from a whole combination of spices for something completely out of the ordinary. If you’ve never had curry, you’re …
I remember seeing a series of photos of people in what should have been some of the most important moments of their lives (like wedding days, holding new babies, etc.). Instead, they were all on their phones. Not enjoying the moment, not talking to each other, but looking at phones. From a less dramatic perspective, I’ve …
