Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
When you’re trying to eat a healthier diet, variety is key. One of my favorite ways to serve a wide range of colorful fruits and veggies (and healthy proteins) is in a salad! Now that the garden is back in action, we’re back to a favorite and easy way to do this: a homemade mason jar …
Do you struggle with digestive issues? Many of us deal with gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, leaky gut, or other digestive disorders. While there are plenty of over-the-counter options to help boost stomach acid or otherwise soothe the discomfort of digestive problems, there are plenty of natural solutions you can try, too. …
It’s hard to narrow this list down to just 10 toxic personal care ingredients since unfortunately there are SO many. Even products that claim to be “paraben-free,” “clean,” or “all-natural” often hide toxins in their ingredients list. Ironically, sometimes these hidden ingredients are toxic chemicals that are some of the worst offenders! Over a number …
“Beans, beans, good for your heart…” You probably remember that little chant that was popular among second graders, at least at my elementary school. It lightheartedly reminds us of the cardiovascular benefits of eating legumes… among other things! Turns out that there may be some truth in the old nursery rhyme. While it’s true that …
In the food world, the label “natural” is unregulated and can appear on products that contain traces of pesticides, antibiotics, or other additives. For a long time, I assumed the same was the case with wine and that for the most part, all wine was “natural.” Right? Turns out I was more than just a …
When our third child started to eat solid foods, we found out that he had a pretty severe dairy allergy. It started with bad gas and mucousy stools, then progressed to skin reactions and even worse digestive problems. Food allergies are common in babies born early, and my son was five weeks premature (that whole story …
I’ve talked about aging on the podcast and how we have some control over how it ultimately goes down. But today I want to talk about telomeres and how they affect aging. Telomeres are an interesting piece of the aging puzzle that shows we have more control over our age (biologically at least!) than we thought. What …
Astaxanthin is my go-to summer supplement, and it’s often called nature’s strongest antioxidant. It is a potent naturally occurring carotenoid found in foods like salmon and krill. There are many well-researched reasons for taking this supplement, but I take it for one very noticeable benefit: sun protection. My results have been drastic. Before supplementing, I …
As a busy mom, I sometimes feel like I spend hours in the kitchen each day and that I finish cleaning up from one meal just in time to prepare the next. I’ve learned that a little careful meal planning can greatly reduce the amount of time I spend figuring out what to cook and buy at …
Are you or a loved one looking for a way to reverse MS or autoimmune disease symptoms? Dr. Terry Wahls is a widely celebrated physician and researcher who was able to turn back the clock on her own progressive multiple sclerosis with lifestyle changes and a specifically tailored Paleo-type diet. (To hear Dr. Wahls explain …
I recently spent a long day interviewing medical experts about the current global pandemic and what it could mean for us all individually and societally. When Hurricane Michael caused massive devastation several years ago, I wrote a post about emergency preparedness, but after my research and interviews today, I felt that this current situation deserves …
Do you wish you had 20/20 vision? I have yet to meet anyone who wears prescription glasses or contacts and doesn’t wish they didn’t need them! Turns out, you might be able to improve your eyesight without needing to revert to contact lenses or other eyewear. Sadly, many people who wear glasses or contacts will …
“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” -Michael Pollan This is the advice most of us know to be true — that if we eat our veggies, and lots of them, we will be healthier… right? I always thought so, until I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. I read a …
Exercise doesn’t have to only come in the form of a planned workout. It’s a great idea to build it into your everyday life in the form of family fun. But setting aside some time for a workout every day is also important. Having a fitness habit is the best way to reach fitness goals, but …
How well would you rate your overall health — and how confident do you feel about your answer? Keeping a health diary might help give you a clearer view of how your lifestyle choices affect how you feel, and give your overall well-being a needed boost. I firmly believe that things like eating lots of …
In my recent podcast about my transformation and weight loss, I mentioned several health apps that were helpful in the process. I’m sharing more detail about each one below and how I used them as part of my strategy this past year. Like any aspect of health, I think that the apps that are most …
I love mini wellness challenges or experiments because the short duration is usually doable for most people. Whole30 is a perfect example. It’s only 30 days and then you can go back to your old diet if you want. Easy! What most people find at the end of the 30 days is that they love …
Olive oil is well-known for its many benefits, but another oil is gaining popularity for its versatility and health benefits: avocado oil. Avocado oil is popping up as an ingredient in many healthy foods. People love it for its mild flavor in cooking and lack of scent in beauty recipes. It is the main ingredient in brands …
Maybe you’ve heard the often-repeated advice to eat small, frequent meals. Apparently skipping meals (even breakfast) is a surefire way to wreck your blood sugar and your metabolism. Moreover, even with our sedentary modern lifestyle, if we don’t eat every 2-4 hours and graze constantly we won’t have the energy to make it through the …
If you are like me, you grew up with the idea that sugar and bad genes cause tooth decay. Cavities and tooth decay meant a person needed to brush better and eat less sugar. And it certainly wasn’t possible to remineralize teeth. I believed all that stuff too… but as it turns out, there is …
Lion’s mane is a funny-looking mushroom, it’s true, but it seems to have some seriously impressive health benefits. Used medicinally in Asia for centuries, lion’s mane is becoming increasingly popular in the West as science starts to back up its reputation. I’ve tried other mushrooms like chaga and noticed a difference in energy and focus, so …
Once upon a time, or actually twice upon a time now, we’ve met up with several families for a week of vacation. With 20+ kids in one house for a week, what could possibly go wrong? Turns out, lots of things, but one in particular: All the kids getting sick. In a row. All week …
I’ve already shared my tips and tricks for getting my home clean naturally, but no matter which products I use at times I have trouble even getting started. One obvious solution (so obvious I didn’t realize it for a while!) that’s helped is remembering I’m not the only person who lives here and I don’t …
The Finnish people have known all about sauna benefits for years, and the rest of the world is finally starting to catch on! After spending time in Finland, daily sauna use is a regular part of my routine, and years of scientific research back this practice. What Is a Sauna? Many traditional cultures used heat …
