Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
Two recipes that are staples in our kitchen, especially at this time of year, are kombucha and elderberry syrup. Kombucha is a great source of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and vitamins while elderberry is a traditional remedy to ward off illness. Combine the two and you get a delicious, fizzy, and immune-boosting “soda” that is delicious and …
I love coffee, especially when I make it with healthy fats and collagen, but there are times that I choose not to consume coffee (like during my 30-Day Autoimmune Reset). Why No Coffee? I’m not anti-coffee at all and there are many health benefits attributed to coffee. However, at times I find it is better …
I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback on my homemade ginger ale recipe, so I also wanted to share another favorite at our house: homemade root beer. This root beer recipe uses the same beneficial culture as the ginger ale: a homemade ginger bug. Homemade root beer is also simple to make and has all …
One time, while on vacation and stranded in a Whole Foods while my husband was in a meeting (I guess there are worse places to get stranded!) I bought a bottle of chia seed kombucha. In hindsight, I don’t know why I bought it since I didn’t really expect to like it and I don’t …
I must admit that when I first got the book Nourishing Traditions, beet kvass was one of the recipes that I glazed over and didn’t plan on making. I wasn’t a huge fan of beets then (no worries: I have since discovered this delicious roasted beet salad), and I didn’t even know what kvass was, …
It turns out that soda hasn’t always been the high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavor concoction in an aluminum can that we know today. For hundreds of years (and probably much longer) cultures around the world have made various forms of naturally fermented “sodas” from sweetened herbal teas or fruit juice mixes. These natural …
If you aren’t familiar with naturally fermented beverages, you might be asking what the heck a ginger bug is and why you should make one… A ginger bug is a culture of beneficial bacteria made from fresh ginger root and sugar. It is similar to a sourdough starter for bread or a kombucha SCOBY. The …
After a recent Facebook post where I mentioned I put some strange ingredients in my coffee, I’ve gotten a few emails asking for more details … I have a love/hate relationship with coffee. Basically, I love coffee but my adrenals don’t always love it! Also, since I don’t eat/drink sugar or much pasteurized dairy, it can make …
Herbal teas are a delicious and easy way to increase your fluid intake and sneak in some extra nutrients. Unlike coffee (whose health benefits are highly debated) herbal teas offer the benefits and nutrients without the caffeine (and pesticides in non-organic coffee). There are literally thousands of combinations of herbal teas, so there is one …
Eggnog is a delicious holiday treat, but store bought versions often contain pasteurized ingredients, 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. Coconut Milk Eggnog Recipe Eggnog can almost be a health food when made traditionally …
Smoothies can be a great and fast meal on the go. If made correctly, they can be a source of nutrients, protein, healthy fats, and probiotics. Without these healthy ingredients, many smoothies contain as much sugar as juice or soda. If protein powder is used, many contain processed whey or artificial sweeteners. As with any …
It’s a probiotic… it’s a carbonated drink… it’s water kefir! I started making this as part of my mission to get more probiotics in our diet and it has worked like a charm! The kids love it and ask for it each morning. Water Kefir Culture You will need one unusual ingredient for this recipe: …
I’ve written before about water kefir, and it is definitely my husband’s favorite way to get probiotics naturally. It doesn’t have the strong taste of kombucha and is faster to make. Where to Get Water Kefir Grains? If you’ve never made water kefir, it is really simple to make. I get live water kefir culture …
Ever want a smoothie, but don’t want one packed with sugar that will leave you hungry in half an hour? For a filling snack or meal without the insulin spike, consider this delicious coconut-based smoothie that is similar in taste and texture to a milkshake, but much more satisfying. It is even a fast on-the-go …
Ever since the first Christmas I can remember, I woke up to the warm smell of cinnamon, apple, cranberry, and orange simmering in the crock pot. It was a tradition that came from my grandparents (and perhaps their parents) of making a drink called wassail for holidays. What is Wassail? Wassail is a traditional German …
