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!
I’ve gradually rolled out some Korean recipes over the past year. Up till now, my kids had voted Korean chicken wings as their favorite Korean food recipe I’d made. Then I made a Korean rice bowl (bibimbap) and they had a new favorite. This dish has gained a lot of popularity in recent years and …
There’s been a lot of anti-butter propaganda in the past. For the longest time, people even thought margarine and vegetable oils were healthier options (not so much). So is butter bad for you or not? Without going all Paula Dean on you, there are a lot of reasons to enjoy butter and eat it often. …
Hyaluronic acid serum (HA) has gained popularity lately for its amazing ability to improve fine lines and prevent dryness. While you can get HA fillers injected by a dermatologist, there’s an easier way to get hydrated skin. This easy DIY hyaluronic acid serum whips up fast and leaves skin feeling silky smooth. What is Hyaluronic …
Zucchini boats with sausage are a great weeknight meal that pulls together quickly. We have several variations we make regularly and the kids love helping make them. It’s an easy way to help my kids get the nutrition they need with a meal the whole family loves. Zucchini Boats They’re naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and keto …
You may have heard about neem for garden pests, but there’s a whole lot more to this wonder plant. Neem benefits people too and has been used for thousands of years in traditional cultures for a wide variety of ailments. Here we’ll explore the science behind this plant and how we can use it to …
I recently saw an ad from a local spa about their “pumpkin spice spa experience for Fall.” That included a pumpkin spice face mask treatment with ingredients like pumpkin, honey, and healing clays. I’m not one to spend $125 to have someone else paint pumpkin on my face. But I thought this would be a …
While I don’t have a big sweet tooth, my favorite dessert option is fresh berries. This mixed berry tart recipe is an easy way to dress them up a little bit. It’s a hit with kids and company alike. It’s gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy optional, so it’s a healthier option than your typical tart. Triple …
Over 37 million Americans have diabetes and another 96 million are prediabetic. According to the medical community, we’ve reached epidemic proportions. Thankfully there are steps we can take to help reverse diabetes for a stronger, healthier body. Conquering diabetes is more than just trying to avoid insulin injections though. This disease causes a lot of …
Elderberry syrup is a popular remedy (especially during the flu season). But there are plenty of ways to get more of this delicious, healthy berry into your life. My family loves the taste of these elderberry marshmallows, and I love that they support the immune system and don’t have processed sugar. A Better Way to …
We don’t eat a ton of chips in our house (unless it’s kale chips.) But sometimes taco night calls for some homemade tortilla chips. Here’s how to easily make your own tortilla chips that are naturally gluten-free and healthier. Fried vs. Baked Tortilla Chips I’ve included directions for how to make yummy homemade chips 3 …
They say sitting is the new smoking, but there’s a new trend that’s just as concerning: vaping. This smoking alternative is catching on fast. And some say it’s a healthier option. But is vaping safe or healthy? While the answer is pretty simple (no), this article will cover some of the risks and side effects. …
Bakuchiol serum is increasing in popularity with more and more brands adding it to their skincare products. You can make your own an all-natural version with babchi oil (the plant it comes from) and customize it for your skin. This recipe is full of antioxidants and helps fight signs of aging and blemishes. What is …
We love all things coconut at our house. I have 101 ways to use coconut oil, many of which aren’t even food related. Coconut macaroons are one delicious way to get more coconut oil in your life. I use coconut a lot in cooking. The oil is great for baking, roasting, sautéing, and frying. And I …
Before I share these healthy school lunch ideas, I have a confession to make… Since we homeschool, this isn’t an area I have daily experience with as I don’t need to pack lunches every single day (but much respect to all of you parents who do!). Most of us grew up on grilled cheese sandwiches (crusts on …
While our family doesn’t eat a lot of rice and other grains, they can still have their uses. Rice water for natural hair care may be trending on TikTok, but it’s been around for thousands of years. Here’s how to use this simple, age-old remedy for stronger, healthier hair. The History of Rice Water Rice …
I really like Mexican food (ok, I’m obsessed with it!) and so do my kids. A lot of my favorite meals have a Mexican theme, and this steak fajita salad is one of my all-time favorites! It’s really easy to make and can transform leftover beef (almost any cut) into a stellar meal. Salad on …
Sunbathing and tanning often get a bad rap due to their associations with skin cancer. But mounting evidence shows healthy sun exposure isn’t only safe but necessary. Here’s how to safely get the health benefits of sunbathing. Staying in the sun until we’re toasty and red can increase skin cancer risk. But an anti-inflammatory diet …
I’ve written about my extensive natural “medicine cabinet” before, but I’m always asked what my favorites are. Which home remedies are worth the money with a limited budget? The good news is many of these simple remedies can be found in your kitchen cabinets! My Favorite Simple Home Remedies As the question goes… if I …
I’ve made a gluten free vanilla layer cake on special occasions before, but I wanted to try my hand at a crepe cake. My version is made with protein packed crepes that are gluten or grain free, chocolate hazelnut spread, and fluffy whipped cream. It’s the perfect showstopper dessert to pull out for friends or …
There are plenty of retinol creams and conventional skincare products promising greater skin. But these often contain ingredients I don’t want on my face or in my body. This DIY herbal face oil features skin soothing and anti-aging ingredients for amazing skin. I was blessed with the naturally oily skin that many of my relatives …
Our family likes feta cheese with these Greek meatball skewers and in this strawberry salad (my favorite!). But I’ve never had feta by itself before. This baked feta recipe is inspired by my trip to Greece and is perfect to use as a dip or throw in a stir fry. Baked Feta with Olive Oil …
Regenerative agriculture is the newest buzzphrase for growing healthy food. We went from conversations around “organic agriculture” to “sustainable agriculture” to “regenerative agriculture.” The idea behind “sustainable” growing is that farming sustains itself—and we can preserve the quality of our soils for years to come. Because of modern farming practices (like planting the same crops …
You may have heard the recent buzz about bakuchiol in skin serums. While this natural ingredient has been around for decades, more and more companies are using it in their skincare. Here’s what it is, how to use it, and if it’s really safe. Bakuchiol vs Babchi Pronounced (ba-koo-heel), bakuchiol is a monoterpene from babchi …
Growing up in the south I ate a lot of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. I’ve since created quite a few of my own variations on the humble taco. These lettuce tacos are wrapped with butterleaf or romaine lettuce instead of the traditional corn or wheat shell. They’re paleo, low carb, and keto, and make the …
