Living Well is not just about what we put in our bodies—although that is incredibly important—it’s also about what we put on our bodies, the thoughts we cultivate, the words we speak to ourselves and others, and how we choose to show up in the world everyday.
Enjoy wellness advice, food politics, healthy nutrition, and more.
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The 2020 guide is here! Guess who made #1 once again? Yep, strawberries. Every year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) tests over 50 fruits and vegetables and ranks them by the total number of pesticides detected on the crop and the percentage of samples tested with detectable pesticides. Every spring,
Short answer: No. Essential oils, at least as we can currently evaluate them, are not an effective prevention or treatment strategy for COVID-19.
Can the virus be spread through touching produce? Read on to learn how to limit your risk. **UPDATE 3/25/20** Just as rapidly as this virus is spreading, so is the information on how it is contracted. Originally it was thought that the virus could be spread through produce. We don’t know
Is it safe to eat? What do the ‘use by”, sell by”, or “freeze by” dates mean? The “expiration dates” that are printed on our food items, in most cases, are not actually expiration dates at all. And the dates most often do not indicate the health and safety of
How to make our produce last longer and our dollars stretch farther. Now that we know how to properly wash our produce, lets talk about storing it properly so we can get the most out of it. The less that goes in the garbage or compost bin, the farther our
HOW TO READ AND UNDERSTAND FOOD LABEL CLAIMS. Words like “free-range,” “grass-fed,” “cage-free” “pasture raised” “nonGMO” “antibiotic-free” “natural,” and “organic” are everywhere these days. But what do these food label claims really mean and which are the best to choose? Many food labels can be confusing, so knowing what a
How can it be 12 years later and there is still no regulation on toxic beauty products?
Problem I had with Bitchin’ Sauce® was this; being FODMAP intolerant I couldn’t eat much of it as it had “spices” listed on the ingredient label — which typically include garlic and onion. I emailed the company to inquire about the spices but never received a response. Understandable, of course, as we live in the era of recipe copycatting — which is sort of, exactly, what I just did here:)
I told her that no matter what had happened, she had done her best.
It took me 35 years and 6 hours to write this and it doesn’t pain me in the least that you will read it in less than 3 minutes. Over the years my friends have heard me joke that the only regret I have had in my life is that I never learned how to type. It actually was not a joke at all…
Forget the cookies! Go for this naturally sweet and healthy adult beverage and get ready for some holiday cheer.
A perfect adult beverage for the holiday season, my Hot and Healthy Snickerdoodle Elixir will satiate your craving for something sweet without adding any unnecessary holiday food guilt. Made with Licor 43—a fresh blend of 43 citrus extracts and botanicals—it needs no added sweetener.
Almond milk is the most affordable to make, however, you can substitute hazelnuts, pecans and even hemp (which is not a nut) with great success. Use as a healthy substitute for milk in almost any recipe.
In over 60 years of clinical practice, Dr. Emmons and I have witnessed that natural approaches can be very effective for the majority of folks dealing with SAD. More severe versions can be effectively treated in a number of conventional ways, including the use of antidepressant medications and talk therapy.
This is how it should be. Dragging our chairs to the beach to watch the day go by. Bundling up, facing each other, holding hands — yet each having a different view, a different perspective.
Understanding what stress does to our bodies may be the key to changing how it affects us. There are many of us who wear our stress like a badge of honor and use it as an excuse to justify or excuse poor decisions and bad behavior.
A delicious and nutritious way to still participate in a cook-out, but without the gluten, dairy and artificial ingredients.
Which diet is best? Paleo? Keto? Low carb? Whole 30? 30 Day Diet? Eat For Your Blood Type? Sugar Bust? Raw? High fat or low fat? Each advocate for each dietary theory thinks theirs is the best and only way. Many advocate that they are “the chosen one” and if we don’t follow along, there is no hope for us. But we are all biologically different and what works for one may not work for another. But there is one universal rule that will definitely help us all.
This article was written by Dr. Tim Culbert, MD, of Natural Mental Health and used with permission. For trusted information and holistic supplements and products to help individuals of all ages optimize their mental health and build resilience in mind, body, and heart, please visit naturalmentalhealth.com Essential oils are a popular
Fresh Salsa Verde Simple, tangy and versatile. This salsa verde is great for a imprompto party, a quick taco night, or a beautiful dinner party. Oooooh, the lovely and often overlooked tomatillo. These unusual looking fruits have a paper husk that hides a juicy and tangy interior that looks like
Living a toxin free lifestyle is an extremely high priority for me. After watching my husband suffer through an environmental cancer, non Hodgkins lymphoma – twice – I learned the importance of what we put on our bodies and how much it impacts our health. Skin care and make up that was safe and effective was really hard to find.
Since I made this decision to travel the country full time, I’ve been asked the same questions over and over by countless friends, family and strangers.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
Peanut Butter Mini Muffins You’re going to want to make a double batch of these babies. Peanut butter goodness in a little min-muffin. This is probably one of my favorite snacks ever. I received the recipe from my friend Jen Colletti and when I googled it – many authors came
I think a good way to explain how natural/holistic remedies work in general is that they perform “differently than” traditional or medicinal remedies and not necessarily “better than”. I believe many skeptics give up on a natural/holistic remedies too quickly. They expect some sort of miracle to happen and when it doesn’t, they claim foul and go back to traditional routes.
And trying not to control the uncontrollable. Well, I guess this is it. I’m not sure if I should call this the beginning of my new life and the end of my old, or just the turning of the page from one chapter to another. It feels bigger than a
Worn out and rough. Dirty and rugged. They touched things and held things and fixed things and built things. His hands were here. These beat up ol’ work gloves. A symbol of his existence and reminder of the man who wore them. I found them in the shed as I
Obesity is not just a willpower problem. Telling someone to ‘just stop eating’ is like telling someone to ‘just stop being poor’. Why have we gained so much weight? How did High Fructose Corn Syrup (HCFC’s) get so prominent in our foods? When did super size portions get so popular? Why
Our radical facialist Savita is back to give her advice on the best “green” skin care lines to pick this summer. (4 minute read) While the days show summer may be heading to a close, it’s by no means over! It’s early August, a steamy 93* in Minneapolis and looks
When Was The Last Time You Took A Detox Bath? Having a detox bath—by naturally flushing out the toxins from our bodies—is an important part of Living Well and keeping the chaos out of our lives; aka illness and disease. Our bodies are amazing and can handle quite a lot
A summertime garden harvest makes a delightfully fresh sauce for a single serving weeknight dinner. Topped with succulent grilled shrimp, this recipe is a home-run. Tomatoes and Zucchini’s are ripe for the picking and this recipe showcases them both in a light and fresh sauce that can be whipped
This is where all the really good stuff is. The things one doesn’t learn in school, but only by living an extraordinary life. When I say extraordinary I’m not implying my life has been all rainbows and unicorns, on the contrary, it’s been rather strange and heartbreaking, wonderful and confusing,
It’s summer in Minnesota and the farmers markets are in full swing. Living in Minneapolis I have the advantage of choosing from dozens of local markets within an easy 20 mile radius of my home. Farmers Markets in Minnesota dot the landscape in abundance and it seems as if you
We’ve believed for years that we can only acquire the perfect color and style by suffering through noxious smells and chemical-laden products at the salon. I’m here to report that this is not only a false belief that we’ve had, but that organic salons are starting to become a trend. Actually, they’ve been around for some time, but just like all good things, you need to know how to look for them.
We’ve believed for years that we can only acquire the perfect color and style by suffering through noxious smells and chemical-laden products at the salon. I’m here to report that this is not only a false belief that we’ve had, but that organic salons are starting to become a trend. Actually, they’ve been around for some time, but just like all good things, you need to know how to look for them.
We’ve believed for years that we can only acquire the perfect color and style by suffering through noxious smells and chemical-laden products at the salon. I’m here to report that this is not only a false belief that we’ve had, but that organic salons are starting to become a trend. Actually, they’ve been around for some time, but just like all good things, you need to know how to look for them.
No, it’s not DAO or eliminating the trigger foods. We’ve heard all that before. In fact, that’s all we know about Histamine Intolerance —until now. (11 Minute Read) Histamine Intolerance (HI) is a fairly new allergy disorder that is starting to gain in popularity. On the interwebs, no one can explain
We’ve believed for years that we can only acquire the perfect color and style by suffering through noxious smells and chemical-laden products at the salon. I’m here to report that this is not only a false belief that we’ve had, but that organic salons are starting to become a trend. Actually, they’ve been around for some time, but just like all good things, you need to know how to look for them.
Creamy Cauliflower and Jalapeño Soup This is Cauliflower for haters. Who would think to put cauliflower and jalapeño together? I would, that’s who. I’m going to start by being completely honest with you. I really don’t like cauliflower. At all. But I’m always on a quest to figure out how
Turns out chicken soup is not only good for the soul, but it also is good for our immune system, our belly, and our joints. You don’t need to slave over a hot stove all day, cooking down stock. This recipes uses that fancy appliance we all have tucked
Lactose and Casein free clarified butter—better known as Ghee—can be simple and affordable. Butter, butter, delicious butter! Well, not so delicious for those of us with a dairy intolerance. The culprits are typically the lactose (sugars) and casein (milk proteins) that end up giving us the most distress and
This powerhouse protein salad will kill every craving you have. It’s sweet and tart, creamy and crunchy. Crisp and refreshing Chicken Apple Walnut Salad is nuthin’ but goodness. Chicken Apple Walnut Salad is a weekday go-to salad in my house. If I’ve just made my Baked Half-Chicken, I’ll remove all the
Simple and delicious baked chicken halves. Easy-peasy, and perfect every time. There’s nothing better than delicious and juicy baked chicken – if done right. Crispy skin (thank you Ghee) and delicious dark and tender breast meat make this a weekly go-to winner winner chicken dinner. And bonus! It’s crazy simple.
We’ve believed for years that we can only acquire the perfect color and style by suffering through noxious smells and chemical-laden products at the salon. I’m here to report that this is not only a false belief that we’ve had, but that organic salons are starting to become a trend. Actually, they’ve been around for some time, but just like all good things, you need to know how to look for them.
How have your goals and desires been working out for you? (4 Minute Read) Are you achieving the goals you set out to accomplish at the turn of the new year? How have they been working out for you? Contrary to what we have been taught, determination, motivation, and even
What the heck is a Dosha anyway? And how can Ayurveda help me live a more sustainable and happy life? (5 Minute Read) If you’re anything like me, your curious about natural ways to support and heal your body and Ayurveda can help. Many folks though, turn to outside forces
The purpose of Chai tea is not just the delicious blend of spices, but the mindfulness experienced when creating it. A much healthier version of the Starbucks Chai Tea latte, this homemade Masala Chai Tea is a powerful blend of spices, herbs, and a beautiful and healthy Rooibos decaffeinated tea.
High Five. I made It through the “Year of Firsts”. Now what? As you can imagine, my first year as a widow has been full of sadness, contemplation, growth, melancholy, frustration, love, anger, laughter and appreciation. And sometimes that all happens within the same hour.
Salads aren’t just for warm weather! This Healthy Cabbage Crunch Salad is hearty enough to satisfy your palette any time of the year. The key to the deliciousness of this Healthy Cabbage Crunch Salad is the dynamic fusion of flavors; bosc pear, jalepeno, sesame and of course, cabbage! It’s accomplished
Sometimes we have to let go of the things we love, in order to make space for what’s coming next. Or – why I closed AHNESTI Haircare. (7 Minute Read) My company is closed and here’s why. I’ve wanted to help people live a more sustainable life since as far
From the environment we live or work in, to the personal care products we use, to our planet. Toxins are everywhere. That sounds quite frightening doesn’t it!? Yikes. Well, it’s meant to get your attention. It’s quite true actually. But the good news is, our bodies are built to withstand
Understanding the foundation of how I shop, cook, create, and enjoy healthy and delicious recipes. The first thing I ever created was an apple pie—baked from scratch with the apples from our own backyard tree and my grandma’s secret recipe—when I was 7 years old. I guess you can say
It’s not all woo-woo. Chaos is internal as well as external and understanding the connection of dots between mind, body, and spirit can actually help you feel happier and live healthier. Most folks get all uncomfortable when you say these three words together. Mind. Body. Spirit. as if there’s some
I won’t punch you in the throat, however, I may be the only one. Seems everyone is pretty upset with you because Carrie Fischer just died. And then her mother died. And a few days ago George Michael. Don’t forget about David Bowie and Prince. They also died this year.
*Information on this website does not replace advice and information provided by your medical practitioner. Information is educational only and not intended for medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.
Adventures and wellness heading your way. Follow my journey as I road trip across America The Beautiful and Canada!
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