Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
With six kids, going into car travel prepared is a must. We often take games and activities, healthy snacks, and with all those bodies in the car… some ways to counteract the stink! I don’t take essential oil use lightly (they are much more powerful than many people think), but we do bring some essential …
When we ditched the grains years ago, pancakes were one of the foods my kids missed most. I lost no time trying to figure out a healthy grain-free pancake recipe that could fill the void. After many (sometimes failed) kitchen experiments, we settled on these coconut flour pancakes as our new Sunday morning pancake recipe. We …
By the end of 2019, 5G technology should begin to roll out. Tech enthusiasts, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and telecom companies tout 5G as the best thing since sliced bread because it will significantly improve wireless communication. Some experts even claim it will spur innovation and job creation. These enthusiasts aren’t talking about the …
One of my favorite recipes for busy days when I don’t have time to cook in the afternoon is chuck roast. These roasts have a good fat profile and awesome flavor. Add a generous salad and pile of roasted broccoli and you have a complete, healthy meal even the kids will eat. Slow Cooker or Instant Pot …
Let’s be honest… as moms, we will do just about anything to get our kids to sleep. Sleep is what makes a parent’s world go ’round. We need good sleep, and we desperately need our kids to get good sleep, too. Recently, I’ve begun reading about how a weighted blanket may be able to help kids sleep …
Pizza is definitely a kid favorite, but not usually a healthy one. My kids love our alternative, Meatza, but it is messy to make and takes multiple pans. I’m a huge fan of stir-frys and decided that the toppings of pizza would make a great sti- fry. After a few tries, I finally have a recipe …
It’s clear that plastic is becoming a huge problem in our society and environment. As consumers, it can sometimes feel like there’s nothing we can do to stem the flow of single-use products onto the market (and then into the landfill). The zero-waste movement is one way we can make a difference in our homes …
I have a confession. I don’t wear sunscreen regularly and when I do, I use mineral sunscreen. It’s a controversial statement in today’s world but I have several reasons for not slathering on the SPF 30 every time I leave my house… For one reason, I want to get vitamin D naturally (which is important …
We are big fans of gelatin at our house and we use it in a lot of different ways. These homemade fruit snacks and homemade marshmallows are the kid-favorites in our house, and I can feel good about giving it to them since it is a source of protein and vitamins. Erase the idea of …
I often sing the praises of bone broth as a healing food, but fermented foods are just as important for a healthy body. Fermented foods are a great way to get probiotics in the diet (among other things) and are very easy (and cheap) to make at home. What Is Fermentation? Fermented foods are foods …
One of the tenets of organic gardening is to feed the soil, not the plant. The easiest (and cheapest) way to do this is by composting kitchen and yard scraps to make rich organic fertilizer. Composting is fairly easy and can be done almost anywhere (even in an apartment), so there’s no reason not to …
My mom is French and my dad is Irish, but one of our family favorite recipes growing up was a Russian one… beef stroganoff. To me, you can’t beat this combo of savory beef, mushrooms, onions, and a touch of sour cream. Here we’ve made it even a little healthier by swapping nutritious (and lower …
You may know my stance on plastic and that I try to reduce or eliminate it from our home, but the fact is plastic is so pervasive in our modern lives that it’s almost impossible to get away from. Regardless, plastic pollution is a huge (and growing!) problem that we all need to do something …
We eat eggs for breakfast often and sometimes the kids get tired of them. Grain-free pancakes pack a lot of protein and healthy fats kids need, so we opt for coconut flour or almond flour pancakes when we need a break from eggs. These easy almond flour pancakes are a regular on the menu at our …
Parents of toddlers always ask me for tips on three things: how to keep them busy, how to get them to eat healthy food, and how to potty train them. Toddlers have a mind of their own and aren’t afraid to let you know their feelings (very loudly, I might add). So, when it comes …
As warmer weather approaches (yay!), it’s time to start thinking about digging out the kids’ clothes, bathing suits, and flip flops. This is also my cue to start getting my skin ready for the sun. Why not wait until the first beach day? Because I now eat my sunscreen rather than just wear it. I’ve …
In my mind, mushroom risotto is real-food comfort food! It’s warm, creamy, and filling, and an amazing side dish with almost any meal. I also have an Italian husband who always appreciates when I make an Italian dish (like my authentic pasta sauce). Risotto is a little time consuming and labor intensive though, so it’s not …
Oral health is one of my favorite topics to research. I find it fascinating that nutrition plays such an important part in oral health (and conventional dentistry doesn’t mention this!). Wisdom tooth removal is an unfortunate necessity because of the poor diet we have eaten for the last couple of generations and the smaller mouths …
My kids love fish sticks and figuring out a healthy recipe for them was a high priority when we adapted to a healthier way of eating. These take very little time to make and the fish can be cut different sizes to make fish nuggets or regular breaded fillets of fish (for the over 5 …
Yerba mate tea boasts some surprising health benefits and may even replace your morning cup of Joe. Much like green tea, yerba mate tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, and is quite tasty to boot. Coffee Is King!… Or Is It? Coffee is the undisputed king of all morning beverages. Readers ask my secret …
Extended travel has become a representation of freedom. Of the new rich. Of the ultimate goal for many of us… at least in theory. We started to realize the potential for traveling as a family years ago. This was before we met the incredible Wonderling family, and it was the first time we’d seriously considered the …
Nothing beats a meal made from scratch with wholesome ingredients… but it’s hard to pull off every night. So when I find a recipe that is fast and delicious and healthy, I’m thrilled! This lemon herb chicken recipe is quick to make and packs a punch of flavor from the lemon and seasonings. Pair it …
