Foods 
Over the years, probably the one of the biggest concerns I've heard from our readers sounds something like this: "I want to make healthy changes, but there's so much information out there. How do I know where to start? Information overload often leaves me scratching my head, and then I just don't start anything." Here's the key: just do something. I've never made a massive overhaul to my diet. I've made healthy changes slowly over time—one step at a time. Below are some of the changes I made to my diet early on—again, not all at once, but bit by bit. Why these things? One of the things I always recommend to ...Read More
The Complete Gluten-Free Grains List
When our whole family started to move towards a gluten-free diet, the first few months were the hardest. I didn't know what I was doing. Didn't someone just have a gluten-free grains list? A cheat-sheet to help me get started? And more than that... some days I just wanted was a stinkin' doughnut. (And being completely honest, there are still days driving by the doughnut shop the familiar smell calls my name like some kind of wicked pied piper tune.) Today, cravings for gluten-filled foods have subsided and I've come to really enjoy my current diet. Plus, I love knowing I'm doing what is best for our health. Are ...Read More
Best Essential Oils for Dry Skin
We live in Michigan. The winter months here drag on and on...and on. They also tend to be brutally cold. The dry indoor air from the furnace running all the time paired with the biting cold outdoors, is a disastrous combo for our skin. Lucky for me, I've got the best essential oils for dry skin on my side! So do you just deal with it and wait for spring? I think not! Instead of suffering from dull, itchy dry skin this winter, check out these 7 essential oils that can help your skin feel more supple and refreshed. You'll be ready to face the day with these essential oils, no matter how cold it is. 7 Essential ...Read More
What Are Your Cravings Telling You?
What are your cravings telling you? I feel like a piece of chocolate. Oh, doesn't that movie popcorn smell heavenly! I'll eat that last cupcake. . .we don't want it to go to waste now, do we. What do you crave? Krispy Creme Donuts? A thick slice of bread and butter? What foods trigger the munchies? Peanuts? Chewy candy? The crunch of potato chips? We joke about the cravings of pregnant women, but are you the average Joe - or Josephine - with food cravings all the time? What are your cravings telling you? Maybe your cravings are telling you that you have a bad habit of late night snacking. Or your body ...Read More
Beating the Winter Blues with Essential Oils
I live in the cold north of Michigan, and while I love it here—and I even love the winter—I must admit, the short, overcast days of the winter occasionally get me down. It just gets greyer and greyer here as December moves into January moves into February. But given my love for oils, I wondered: can you beat the winter blues with essential oils? What are the "Winter Blues" If you feel as gloomy as the weather looks, you're probably experiencing the winter blues. Feeling sad, but not for a specific reason? That's the winter blues. Feeling lethargic and like your get-up-and-go got up and went...yup, that's the winter ...Read More
30 Minute Recipe: Parmesan Salmon and Veggies
I have a confession to make. I don't like salmon...or any other fish for that matter. However, my kids and husband love this parmesan salmon and veggies recipe. And I want them to love it (even if it means I have to hold my nose while I'm cooking and diffuse some extra essential oils to clear out the fish smell!). Salmon is a powerhouse food and I don't want them to miss out on all its benefits just because mom is a party pooper. Are you looking for tips for going gluten free? I’ve gathered them all together in this Everything Gluten Free page. Many regard wild-caught salmon one of the healthiest fish ...Read More
What are Essential Oils (and do they really work)?
What are essential oils — and do they really work? If you're like me, when you first heard of "essential oils," you might have thought it all sounded like a bunch of hippie voodoo and snake oil. There was a time when I scoffed at the use of essential oils because I didn't understand them. I didn't know exactly what these oils were, what made them "essential" in the first place, and just what kind of research had been done on their effectiveness. Now, I use them every day in my home and regularly teach others about the amazing benefits they bring. One of the first things I didn't understand was the name: ...Read More
Gluten-Free Spices: the brands you can actually trust
It might seem silly to write an article about gluten free spices, since on their own, individual herbs and spices do not naturally contain gluten. When my family first went gluten-free, I didn't bother to check my spice cabinet. However, I soon found out that it was booby trapped! Many companies are tempted to add anti-caking ingredients when they make spice blends. This includes gluten products or by-products. Unfortunately, you can't take for granted that you're consuming gluten free spices! Are you looking for more tips for going gluten free? I’ve gathered them all together in this Everything Gluten Free ...Read More
