At this very moment, there are dozens of hormones whisking throughout our bodies carrying out various tasks like supporting energy, burning fat, stabilizing body temperature, regulating the menstrual cycle and sex drive, and keeping our adrenals in check. When hormones are balanced and working optimally, we feel clear-minded, active, happy, and are in generally good...
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Why You Should be Using Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has become increasingly popular as a revered medicinal plant known to strengthen those who are burnt out and tired and calm those who are anxious. This incredible herb is full of amazing properties that have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to help increase the body’s resistance to physiological and psychological...
My Experience Using 23andMe
If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that I have been delving into genetic testing to find answers not only about ancestry but also about possible nutritional deficiencies and other wellness related issues. Needless to say, I have found out quite a bit about my family roots and even discovered a certain gene mutation that...
7 Benefits of Using an Essential Oil Diffuser
It’s no secret that essential oils are all the rage these days and for good reason! Their healing and supportive properties allow us to get restful sleep, soothe away pain, boost our energy, mitigate negative emotions, relieve stress, and can even help balance our hormones. It seems there is little essential oils can’t do when...
9 Ready-Made Essential Oil Blends You Need for Back to School
In a few short weeks, we’ll be preparing our school supplies, setting our alarm clocks, and packing lunches again for back to school season. But what’s one thing we may be forgetting to pack away for our children for the school year ahead? You guessed it, some go-to essential oils that are ready to go...
Peach and Rose Summer Heat Elixir
Summer is the time for getting outdoors, hanging out with friends and family, and enjoying heaps and heaps of stone fruit. One of my favorites of course, is a perfectly ripe juicy peach that runs down your arm as you bite into it. I can often be found eating them over the sink with a...
Bee Sting Roll-On Recipe
Growing up, I used to play in my Grandmother’s flower garden all summer long. It was the type of place that exuded organized chaos, bursting with all manner of flora and fauna, color, and of course multitudes of honey bees whom I affectionately called “fairies”. It was the Secret Garden of my youth, filled with...
The Perfect Summer Sangria
For the longest time, I had turned up my nose at the sangria thinking is was a great way to ruin a perfectly good bottle of wine. Little did I realize that a well-made sangria could be both delicious and satisfying during the sweltering months of summer. They’re crisp and full of juicy flavor, making...
4 DIY Sunburn Remedies You Need This Summer
I’ve partnered with iHerb to share some of my favorite DIY sunburn remedies using all natural ingredients! Thank you for supporting my sponsors! The lure of the outdoors and long summer days can mean chaos for your skin. Summertime activities like camping, hiking, swimming, and laying out on the beach can make it all too easy for...
3 Delicious Iced Tea Recipes for Summer
The Summer Solstice has come and gone and temperatures are steadily rising here is Southern California in preparation for the seemingly endless days of summer. It’s been such a joy to get out and hike the local trails, lay out by the pool, and do a bit of morning yoga and meditation out in the...
Barrier Repair, The Secret to Beautifully Clear Skin
Over the years I have learned that frequent body movement, hydration, a clean diet, gentle yet simple skin care, and stress management play a huge role in the health and clarity of our skin. However, there was one very important piece of this puzzle missing – barrier repair! You may be wondering what the heck...
Pain Relieving Sore Throat Spray Recipe
Living in arid Southern California brings with it dry skin, dry sinuses, and dry throats. Sometimes, these dry throats turn into inflamed sore throats that ache and keep us awake at night. It’s times like these when I prefer to use a sore throat spray rather than lozenges. I can just coat the back my...
How to Detox Your Underarms and Why You Should!
Switching to more natural body care products is one of the first steps in many people’s health journeys, but have you ever tried switching to natural deodorant only to discover it isn’t working? Does it leave a rash, cause excessive sweating, or leave you smelling funkier than when you started? It could be that you...
Conditioning Hair Serum Recipe
Growing your hair out into a long mermaid mane can be challenging for someone with easily damaged hair. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons I haven’t been able to grow my hair out longer than my shoulder blades – it always breaks off at the ends mere weeks after getting a trim despite...
Whipped Shea Butter Sugar Scrub
Using a traditional sugar and oil scrub is wonderful, but when you have super dry skin that just can’t be quenched using normal means, it’s time to break out the big guns – heavy luxurious butters like shea, mango, and cocoa. The weather in SoCal is already gearing up to be dry and sweltering and...
10 Ways to Heal Your Teeth Naturally
I despise going to the dentist, and it’s no wonder considering how many hours I’ve spent in the orthodontist’s chair. Cavities were never an issue for me, I’ve only ever had one in my entire life, but baby teeth that would not fall out on their own paired a narrow jaw and crooked incoming permanent...
What is MTHFR and How to Treat it Naturally
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to try out a relatively new ancestry and health test called Vitagene. I excitedly sent in my cheek swab sample, waited several weeks for the results to come in, and eagerly immersed myself in my 56-page profile when it arrived. It was fascinating to see some of...
All-Natural Dust Busting Spray Recipe
As the days get warmer and I’m able to throw open the windows, I start getting that spring cleaning itch. Every surface gets wiped down, re-organized, and decluttered, all the linens get washed, carpets get deep cleaned, and the bathroom gets scoured to a spotless shine. Years ago, before I knew better, I used to...
How to Make Herbal Tinctures Using the Folk Method
Aside from formulating homemade fire cider, making herbal tinctures is one of my favorite ways to prepare and use medicinal herbs. It was the first type of preparation I experimented with and I’ve been drawn to herbs and their healing properties ever since. In the last few years, I’ve found such deep and nourishing healing...
How to Make Micellar Water
Have you heard of micellar water before? I hadn’t until a few readers started asking me what my thoughts were on this supposedly magical must have beauty product. So of course, I started researching to see what all the fuss is about. So what IS micellar water? Basically, it’s water that contains tiny droplets of...
My Experience Using Vitagene – Ancestry, Exercise, Supplements, and Sensitivities!
What an insightful week it has been! I just finished reading my 56 page (yes, 56 page!!) vitality report from a company called Vitagene and all I can say is WOW!! I finally feel like I no longer need to grope in the dark trying to answer questions like what am I deficient in, what...
7 Quick and Dirty Beauty Hacks using Pantry Items
I’ve partnered with iHerb to share some of my favorite cost-effective beauty hacks using food! Thank you for supporting my sponsors! When it comes to beauty simple is best, and what could be simpler than using pantry items that leave your skin glowing, remove unwanted hair, or add that final touch to your make-up routine?...
How to Make a Mineral Make-Up Base
I used to believe that one of the most difficult DIYs was making your own mineral make-up. Surely there’s no shortage of magic required to make the perfect consistency, the perfect coverage, and the perfect color to match your skin tone right? Well, that’s what I used to think until I started experimenting making my...
Soothing Joint and Muscle Ointment
Whether your joints and muscles ache from the damp and cold, bumps and bruises, or just from a bit of over-exertion, having a trusty and reliable pain relieving rub on hand to help sooth away discomfort is the perfect way to get back in the swing of things. For the past 5 weeks, I’ve been...
DIY Dry Shampoo Spray for Oily Hair!
DIY dry shampoo has always eluded me in one way or another. It's either too opaque, stains your clothes various shades of brown, or just plain doesn't work as well as you hoped it would. When I came across a few dry shampoo sprays, I knew I didn’t feel like shelling out $10 for a...
Hyperpigmentation Reducing Acne Serum
Battling acne can seem so drawn out especially when dealing with hyperpigmentation. You’re finally able to clear up the blemishes only to be left with the remnants of your struggles – dark marks that refuse to lighten in a timely manner. I know how frustrating these marks can be. As someone who has pretty fair...
3 Adrenal Gland Support Tonics That Actually Work!
Feeling a little frazzled, burnt-out, wired but tired? Yeah, that’s the sound of your adrenals fizzling out and begging for a bit of R&R. However, rest and stress-free living practices aren’t the only way to support and rebuild your adrenal glands. 3 Adrenal Gland Support Tonics That Actually Work! “Adrenal fatigue, in all its mild...
Creamy Winter Sunscreen Balm
This winter has been such a bear when it comes to maintaining healthy glowing skin. Either you live where it’s cold and about as humid as a lit barbeque or you’re lucky enough to have some sort of moisture in the air. Where I live, it seems to fluctuate pretty regularly making my skin dry,...
DIY Bug Repellent Gel Recipe
When it rains here in Southern California it goes without saying that mosquitos are soon to follow. I swear there are clouds of them hovering outside and you’d be daft not to close up doors and windows before 3:30pm lest you invite them all in for an all-you-can-eat buffet. Just last evening I squashed no...
Freeze-Ease Workout Spray
If you’ve ever been at the gym overheating and wishing for even the tiniest bit of airflow yet there’s none to be found, I’ve got you! Not only is this workout spray amazing for cooling off during a workout session, on a really hot day, when you’ve got hot flashes, or even when you get...
Fizzing Bath Powder Recipe with Mint, Lemon & Lavender
Have you ever tried making your own bath bombs only to add too much liquid on accident and have them turn into blobs? You too? Bath bombs are testy things and it takes a skilled hand to make them. Recently, I made some beautiful rose milk bath bombs that turned out perfectly! I was so...
Last Minute Gift Guide for Valentine’s Day 2017
Valentine’s Day is exactly one week away and some of you may still be scrambling trying to figure out what to buy for your significant other. I’ve put together a list of popular V-day gifts I used to put out this time of year when I used to work for Whole Foods. They’re quick and...
Rose Milk Bath Bombs
Valentine’s Day is just a few weeks away and what better time to pamper yourself or your loved one than making luxurious rose milk bath bombs? Take a romantic dip in the tub with a glass of sparkling Rosé, loads of sultry candles, and of course, your significant other for an evening of love and...
Banish the Blues Perfume Recipe
Winter can be a cold, dark, lonely time of year for many, especially for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Although I live in sunny Southern California with rainy days that are few and far between, the winter blues can still settle in its roots and become too familiar a feeling for my liking....
Rose Petal Body Scrub Recipe
Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly and if you’re struggling with gift ideas, I’ve got you covered! This delicate rose petal body scrub makes a beautiful love token your Valentine is sure to love because hey, it’s made with love, isn’t it? To me, a homemade gift speaks louder than words and is so much...
7 Ways to Maintain a Strong Lymphatic System
You may or may not know it, but the lymphatic system is one of the most important systems in the body. Its health largely effects the strength of our immune system, the efficacy of our liver, and the body’s ability to remove wastes and toxins from our cells, tissues, and organs. Keeping it strong and...
Super Detoxifying Bath Salt Recipe
Nothing’s better than taking a long languorous soak in a bath on a dark dreary day like today. The rain is falling outside, the air smells fresh, and the mood is slow and sleepy. It’s days like this I love soaking, doing some gentle yoga, and meditation. It’s also the perfect opportunity to care for...
How to Make Just One Tube of Lip Balm
Have you ever perused online for a lip balm recipe only to find that many of them fill 6, 12, 24, or even 100 tubes? Have you ever yearned for a different scent or flavor of lip balm but you still have 9 tubes to use up? Perhaps you’re a fellow blogger who’s tired of...
10 Herbs for Fitness, Strength, and Endurance
I’ve been easing back into HIIT workouts since my holiday lull and holy moly I’m sore! How on earth is it possible to take so many steps back when you’ve only taken a couple weeks off your fitness routine? It’s insanity I tell you! Even the easiest HIIT workout I own has been kicking my...
3 Essential Steps You Need to Boost Metabolism
Who else has a New Year’s resolution to get fit and boost metabolism? I do! I do! And I know I’m not alone. I also know I’m not alone in wondering what the heck do I do to accomplish this goal? Where do I even begin this journey to better health and a faster metabolism?...