This recipe was born out of an effort to adapt Rosemary Gladstar's famous Perfect Face Cream recipe to use emulsifying wax instead of beeswax. One of my Natural Body Care Club students had been making it but struggled to keep the lotion a creamy consistency. I went to work on testing in order to create a stable recipe for her that had a greater chance of staying together and maintaining the creamy texture she desired. (If you would like to be one of my Natural Body Care Club students and get feedback like this, sign up here.) The issue that...

On those crazy, hectic days when you're feeling drained and don't have the energy or time to make a healthy snack, don't settle for the vending machine. Instead, whip up a batch of these delicious dark chocolate blueberry oat protein balls for an easy pick-me-up that will keep you feeling satisfied for hours. Stress Relief Bonus, these protein balls packed with ingredients that can help relieve stress! We recently discussed foods that relive stress and these protein balls happen to include most of those ingredients! Oats help the brain produce serotonin, a hormone which creates a soothing feeling to overcome...

Just thinking about all the chores that are building up, the errands you have to run, the looming work deadlines and the social demands on your overbooked calendar can run you ragged. Talk about stress! If left unchecked, stress can lead to many health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Not to mention stress can also take a toll on your thoughts and behavior. When life gets hectic and we're feeling stressed, we tend to put healthy eating on the back burner. But heading to the vending machine or grabbing a meal at the drive-thru won't...

Adding whole grains such as oatmeal into your diet can provide many benefits including lowering blood pressure and improving your body's reaction to stress. Oatmeal can even boost your serotonin levels, inducing a feeling of calmness. Ahhh! This week I share my recipe for healthy instant oatmeal jars. They’re the perfect way to have an easy ready-to-go snack or meal. And I have three flavorful varieties you can choose from. I recommend using mason jars or some other air-tight containers to hold the mixtures. Then block out an hour over the weekend to make up a batch. You'll find it's...

You’ve heard of manuka honey, but have you heard of manuka oil? If not, I’m excited to tell you about it! Manuka oil is full of many beneficial properties. I think you’ll be glad to discover this little powerhouse! What is Manuka Oil? Manuka oil is an essential oil created through the steam distillation of the leaves, twigs, and branch ends of the Manuka tree. The Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium) is native to Australia and New Zealand. Manuka honey is produced by bees who pollinate this same tree.  Used for generations by the indigenous Maori people, this essential oil has...

Stress is a big problem for many of us these days. It impacts our health, both mentally and physically. But what can we do about it? Are there simple ways to relieve stress? The answer is yes! In this post we cover five simple ways to deal with stress and find relief.    Our lives are so busy, sometimes it can feel hard to breathe. We spend our days running around multi-tasking, doing endless errands, cooking and cleaning, working and taking care of our families and the household. Doing all the things all the time without a break in sight...

You've likely heard about Gua Sha as it is increasing in popularity at great speed. But what is Gua Sha? And can it really help promote smooth and shape the face? Let's talk about it.  What is Gua sha? Gua Sha (pronounced, “gwa sha”) is an ancient beauty ritual in which a special tool is scraped across the skin. Gua Sha can be performed on the body or the face. Gua sha for the body is a little more intense. Facial Gua Sha uses gentle, sweeping motions and shoudl be done with much care (since the skin of the face...

When you are beginning to learn about herbs and their use in supporting wellness, it can be a little overwhelming. Where do you start? Which books are best? And it's not just about which books are best, but which herbal books are understandable to those new to herbalism. Herbalism for beginners is a little different to herbalism for seasoned herbalists. Many of the practices are the same, but it can take some time to understand the terms used to describe various herbs and how they are used.  This week, I wanted to take some time to create a book list...

If you’re just getting into the natural-sphere, you might’ve heard the word “adaptogen” and thought “whatever that means”! Adaptogen is a word that is used to describe a large category of herbs, mushrooms and roots. Some adaptogens that you’ve probably heard of are aloe vera, holy basil and rosemary (just to name a few).   These are my favorite type of herb as they support the body in so many ways!⁣ Adaptogens individually have many uses, but overall they help the body manage stress. Many also aid in nourishing the adrenals, which often get a workout in this day and age.⁣...