Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
The Wellness Mama blog provides simple answers for healthier families through research, tutorials, recipes, humor, and living life with lots of kids!
Many years ago our family adopted the tradition of the Feast of Seven Fishes for our Christmas Eve holiday feast. It’s certainly changed over the years, but it’s still a fun family tradition we love doing. If you’re wondering what food to make for Christmas Eve dinner, give this a try! And yes … there …
What is it about a Christmas stocking? Old or young, waking up on Christmas morning to a stocking lumpy with little surprises has its own special joy. These healthy stocking stuffer ideas have the perfect gift for everyone on your list! It’s always fun pulling the hidden items out to reveal the unique gifts inside. …
Thanks to a European influence on my side of the family, I grew up celebrating the tradition of St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. Many people just know St. Nicholas by the name of Santa Claus. While the modern figure of Santa derives from St. Nick, you’d hardly find this patron saint of children making …
Eggnog is a delicious treat holiday season treat, but store-bought versions often have pasteurized eggs, tremendous amounts of sweeteners, and other additives. This traditional homemade eggnog recipe is a great source of beneficial fats, protein, spices, and optional warmth from the alcohol. Homemade Eggnog Recipe With Coconut Milk Eggnog can be a health food when …
Cyber Monday is a day when many online companies offer their best sales of the year. I’ve found some great deals this year! I’m stocking up on pantry essentials, supplements, and some other gifts for everyone on my list. In fact, my Christmas shopping is almost done… now I just have to pull the Advent …
I constantly strive to make the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable. In an effort to pare down on the holiday craziness, I vowed to give experiences instead of stuff whenever possible. I’ll give only a couple of high-quality gifts instead of lots of cheap ones that break the next day. This lessens the focus …
Once a year we set aside a day as a nation to reflect on all of the reasons we have to be grateful (yes, it’s not just about turkey and stuffing!). Many of us are well aware of the spiritual and mental benefits of cultivating gratitude in our lives, but it turns out the benefits …
I’ve never understood it… the idea of running out early on holiday celebrations with family to go shopping for Black Friday sale gifts for those same people! No judgment from me if that’s your thing, but this year, why not have the turkey and eat it too? (Literally and figuratively). I’m doing my early shopping …
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 …
Back when my girls were younger my oldest daughter came up with the idea to make reusable cloth gift bags. They had fun making them together and we’ve kept up the tradition of using Christmas gift bags to wrap our presents in. Here’s the tutorial for how to make your own easy holiday gift bags …
Holidays are a time to honor traditions, break out our best recipes, and celebrate in high style. Still, it can’t be denied that the usual Thanksgiving menu is rough on those with dietary restrictions, and generally leaves most of us feeling as overstuffed as the turkey! Years ago I decided to take our Thanksgiving dinner …
I don’t know about you, but this year I’m thinking about the holidays a little earlier than usual — in part for something nice to look forward to, and on a practical level just to make sure everything gets here on time! Many companies are offering holiday deals earlier than ever to allow for extended …
Between friends, family, and employees, I’ve come up with a lot of gift ideas over the years. Christmas gifts for men are some of the trickiest to come up with, but I’ve managed to find plenty of great ones that meet my standards. The following thoughtful gifts are ones he’ll actually use and enjoy! Best …
Stuffing is such a part of Thanksgiving for so many people (me included), but I’ve never loved the boxed, processed stuffing mixes that just seem bland and mushy. Sure, there are some decent store-bought options, but they tend to be more pricey. I love creating new takes on classic recipes using seasonal and local ingredients. This …
At Christmas time our family focuses on the joy of Christmas and acts of service. But that doesn’t mean we don’t also give holiday gifts! These gift ideas for kids are perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or any other time you need a special kid’s gift. If you’re looking for an age-appropriate gift to add to …
As a mom, I’ve been given plenty of gifts over the years. But it can be tricky to find the perfect gifts for the women in your life. This gift guide has holiday gifts for moms, sisters, aunts, wives, BFFs, and every other woman on your list. While you’re at it, don’t forget to get …
Green bean casserole is probably my favorite Thanksgiving dinner dish of all time. Unfortunately, cream-of-mystery-franken-foods-soup is not healthy. Neither are the french-fried onions that typically grace the top of this casserole. (Note: real onions don’t turn crispy when fried by themselves … I tried … they burn) This was one of my most requested recipes, …
Veggie noodles are an awesome alternative to pasta — they’re great if you have a gluten sensitivity and avoid it or if you want to add more vegetables to your family’s diet. Plus, the kids can help make them, which is always an added bonus! There are so many reasons why I love to make …
Not so long ago bathtime for me meant scrubbing my kid’s little fingers and toes. Now that my kids are a little older I get to enjoy a long(ish) soak in the tub again. This silky milk bath recipe is a great way to unwind and nourish the skin, plus it makes a great gift! …
We can go through a lot of snacks at our house! Instead of opting for prepackaged (and not so healthy) versions, I try to provide healthy snacks for my family that are also tasty and kid-approved. This healthy homemade French onion dip is another one to add to the snack list. It’s great for kids, game day, …
Pregnancy is a time of our lives when we ask a lot from our bodies. Not only are we supporting ourselves but we’re growing a baby! (Never mind the energy we need to take care of our other kids if we have them too!) It can take a toll on our bodies if we aren’t …
We’ve switched to organic bedding, but organic pillows can be expensive. One less expensive solution I’ve found is to make our own organic buckwheat pillows. These use organic buckwheat hulls (and optional herbs) for a very comfortable and natural pillow. If you can sew a (somewhat) straight line, you can make these pillows and I …
Pizza is a kid-approved favorite in our home, but not the kind that comes delivered in a greasy cardboard box. In the past, I’ve made meatza (gluten-free pizza with a meat crust) and my kids loved it. My new version of this Italian favorite is made with cassava flour for a delicious paleo pizza crust. …
Bleach has been one of the most common household cleaning products for the last 100 years. However, bleach has some downsides for our health and the environment. Whether you’re looking to brighten whites, eliminate stains, or sanitize surfaces, these natural bleach alternatives may be the answer to a healthier, cleaner home. What is Bleach? Bleach …
