Wellness Mama®
Simple Answers for Healthier Families
For many years I suspected that I had some form of thyroid problem based on my own research and symptoms like dry skin, occasional fatigue, trouble losing weight after having a baby, and hair thinning. Even with all those symptoms, I was never able to get answers from conventional tests which showed that my T3 …
Despite our best attempts to live a healthy and toxin free life, there are times when illness or injury strikes. In some of these cases (like trauma) conventional medical treatment is certainly warranted, and I’m certainly grateful that medical treatment is available if needed. But what about the times when the illness or injury is …
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 that these …
What’s an ancient remedy for hemlock poisoning, used by Cleopatra, and burned in some churches? If you guessed frankincense, you got it right! Resin from this tree has been used in skincare, medicine, and religious ceremonies for thousands of years. This tree’s soothing and clarifying properties make it the ideal ingredient in frankincense face cream. …
I am a huge seafood fan, so when I hear concerns from you about whether seafood is safe to eat, I definitely want to talk about it! One of the biggest concerns about seafood is the bioaccumulation of heavy metals from pollution in the oceans. It can be confusing to know what fish or seafood …
After a surgery my husband had years ago (with resulting secondary infection and IV antibiotic use), his gut needed a little extra help. A gut rehabilitation he was following at the time (see below) suggested he try making a cumin coriander fennel tea to help his bloating and digestive problems. It worked! Now we are …
I always prefer natural remedies at home for cold and flu symptoms if possible. We use a neti pot daily when cold and flu season comes around and it makes a huge difference! This ancient nasal wash technique is incredibly beneficial and can give natural relief for colds, allergies, dryness, and more. I promise it …
I’ve been a fan of coconut oil for a really long time. It is a highly nourishing oil with hundreds of uses, and lately I’ve run across many sources touting the benefits of coconut oil for hair. It can certainly be beneficial for certain hair types when used correctly, but many sources recommend using it in …
Sprouts of certain seeds and nuts are an inexpensive and simple way to add extra nutrients to the diet. They are easy to grow at home and the ultimate local superfood. Even if you don’t have room for a garden, you can grow a jar of sprouts on your kitchen counter! I’ve made different types …
I am no fashionista, but I do appreciate good quality clothing. My one problem is that most women’s clothes now seem to need special care like handwash or dry clean only. The expense of dry cleaning is one drawback, but so are the chemicals used to clean the clothes. When I saw an “organic” dry cleaners …
We talk a lot about chronic pain on the podcast, but sometimes the pain we deal with is not chronic or even problematic (though totally real and, well, painful!). Whether experiencing growing pains first-hand or parenting a child going through them, growing pains are miserable. I remember them being so painful I thought there was …
If you’ve been a Wellness Mama reader for a while now you know that I’ve used coconut oil for everything from cooking to skincare to digestive help. Another of my favorite oils is argan oil. Argan oil benefits include skin, hair, and face support and can be used in many ways. What Is Argan Oil Argan oil …
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 …
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 …
You won’t find a bowl of oatmeal at my breakfast table, but I do keep oats on hand for DIY skincare projects like these cleansing grains. An oatmeal bath is another skin-loving way to use oats. People have used oatmeal baths for centuries to soothe damaged skin. Research in recent decades reveals even more evidence …
While food is an important part of life, our food habits can sometimes be unhealthy (like eating at night!). Food is a source of nourishment and pleasure but sometimes eating can move past a pleasurable part of life and move into addiction territory. Is Food Addiction Real? Evidence suggests that food addiction is very real, …
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably juggling a lot. Family. Spouse. Kids. Work. Friends. Finances. etc. etc. etc. There’s always a boo-boo that needs to be kissed, a meal that needs to be cooked, a room that needs to be cleaned. A mom’s work is never done. And because of that, it’s easy to …
Periods can be a big problem. But not for the reasons TV commercials try to convince us they are. Sure, some women have uncomfortable and painful periods (see info on that at the bottom of this post), but there are some other big problems with the “norm” when it comes to periods. Mainly: Risks of …
I remember when one of the kids broke her leg while playing outside. Thankfully, kids bounce back quickly and she was back on her feet in about four weeks. During that time we made lots of gelatin-rich foods and gave her some extra nutrients to help her recover quickly. This was our first experience with a broken …
When it comes to beverages, I try to stick with filtered water since it’s the best way to stay hydrated. But once in a while I crave something different. I have an arsenal of healthy beverages to choose from, including sparkling water. But not all sparkling water is healthy! Here’s what you need to know …
I’ve always been a huge advocate of getting my kids to play, especially outside during the summer. I feel like they are more well behaved, more tired at the end of the day, and overall happier when they get in lots of playing. But playtime has many other benefits too, and they’re backed by science! …
If you breastfeed, you probably know that a blocked or clogged milk duct is a painful and frustrating challenge that many nursing mothers encounter. Clogged milk ducts seem to come out of nowhere and can present a real challenge! In order to prevent the clogged duct from turning into mastitis or another infection, it’s important …
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 …
ADHD is a very common diagnosis in children (though adults can have it too) so many families have questions. Luckily there are some things that can help with ADHD symptoms other than medication. Below, I’ve compiled recommendations and advice from experts and previous podcast guests on ways to support a child with ADHD. What Is …
