As a former football mom, doula, and military wife, I've had my fair share of experiences with the importance of staying hydrated. Whether on the field or in the delivery room, I've witnessed firsthand how dehydration can lead to serious situations. We've all had those days of overdoing the 'fun in the sun', or even just forgetting to drink during a hectic day. It's a mistake anyone can make. Understanding vital hydration helps you enjoy your adventures safely and healthily!

As someone that is incapable of getting out of bed on time, I’m forever in need of quick, easy, and healthy breakfast options. Without a doubt, granola is a reigning champion in that arena. For a speedy morning meal nothing beats a bowl of granola and yogurt with some fresh fruit! However, even though granola has gained a reputation for being healthy, it can be deceivingly sugary. Over the years, my desire for nutrient dense and low sugar options has led me away from store bought brands and into my kitchen, where I happily discovered that making your own granola is incredibly easy and fun! And to my fellow late risers: let me tell you, when I happen to have a big container of homemade granola on hand during a rushed morning, I swear that I could cry tears of gratitude that my past self was so proactive!

Fermented rice water has a long history of use in Asia as a hair rinse. When we soak or cook rice, we capture the natural inositol from the grain in the water. Inositol is a form of sugar that our bodies naturally produce to provide structure to our cells, and is also found in some foods, including grains and legumes like rice. Inositol-rich rice water, especially when fermented, also carries proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids believed to support a healthy scalp, hair strength, and shine. Want to take it up another notch? Infuse rice water with hair-loving herbs! 

I have mixed feelings about going into the fall this year. While I welcome the return of the Pacific Northwest rains, flannels, hoodies, pumpkin spice, and autumn colors, I also find myself savoring these last days in the garden. So this year, instead of turning my focus to the season ahead, I decided to celebrate my garden’s ongoing bounty and extend the spirit of the season just a little longer. Drawing inspiration from the abundance of fresh herbs still sharing their aromatic and wellness supporting gifts, I created this foaming hand soap recipe to embody the energy of a flourishing herb garden.

Picture this: the evening is winding down after a satisfying meal, and just as your nearly full stomach ponders the sweet-sounding idea of dessert, an ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookie decorated with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream is served before your eyes. Better yet, picture that cookie being about the size of a dinner plate and served straight from the skillet it was baked to golden perfection in. Couldn’t get any better, right? Well, what if I told you that cookie was also bursting with an unexpected, yet nostalgic flavor pairing that will turn your preconceived notions of cookie classics upside down? The elusive cookie behind this mouthwatering mental image is none other than my olive oil and orange chocolate chip cookie.

Natural Energy and Adaptogenic Herbs

Are you feeling drained, unable to sleep well, or struggling to maintain consistent energy throughout the day? Modern life often pushes our adrenal glands—the small but mighty glands responsible for our stress response—into overdrive. This leads to fatigue, stress, and a cascade of health challenges. Fortunately, there’s a natural way to support and restore balance: adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens are nature’s solution to helping the body adapt to stress, regulate energy levels, and support better sleep. In this blog, we’ll dive into what adaptogens are, how they work, and the steps you can take to maintain natural energy and adrenal health.

Under the sweltering sun during the long, lazy days of summer, chances are you’ll find me on my patio, melting away with a good book in one hand and an ice-cold beverage in the other. Sipping a cold, creamy drink while lounging in the shade is something I cherish so much that my fridge always has a few options prepped and ready for whenever that cool-off craving strikes. When I’m not reaching for my go-to iced matcha latte or an herbal tea on the rocks, I’ve lately been whipping up batch after batch of a delightfully creamy, dreamy beverage that is as rich as it is refreshing—horchata!

This nourishing facial serum is a very special one in my recipe book. Made with four of my favorite skin care oils, this blend is deeply hydrating and yields a lovely bronzing hue that can be tailored to many skin tones. The star of this recipe is sea buckthorn oil, which in my opinion, is an underutilized oil that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. While most skin care oils are pressed from the seeds of a given plant, sea buckthorn oil is pressed from the seeds and berries which yields a vibrant golden hue and contains abundant antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Sea buckthorn oil also contains linoleic acid which has been shown to support the skin’s lipid barrier,  helping to reduce overall moisture loss. For all of these reasons, it remains high on my list of favorite skin care ingredients.

Summer is full effect right now and that means our gardens are overflowing with the season’s generous bounty of herbs, flowers, and early vegetables. Mint and lemon balm cascade over into the garden paths and our oregano patch has grown far beyond its designated borders. It’s time to harvest these wonderful herbs and enjoy their flavors and aromas in myriad culinary creations.

Here are a couple of universal truths about being friends with foodies. The first is that there will never be a gathering that you will leave not absolutely stuffed with a variety of delicious dishes. And the second, is that you will always be looking for unique recipe inspiration for your own creations. Because while I know my friends will love classic potluck faire, there is something deeply satisfying when I’m able to surprise them with something new and exciting. With barbecue and picnic season in full swing I went searching for a new take on a very familiar favorite, deviled eggs.

Humans are forever seeking ways to capture the essence of memories. Beyond simple recollection, we seek avenues to bring us back to the feelings that bloomed within us during special moments. Out of all the methods of creating those pathways of memory, harnessing the olfactory system is perhaps one of the most powerful. How many times have you caught a whiff of something and been instantly transported? Pass an off-brand breath mint my way and I am suddenly 8 years old, riding in the backseat of my grandparent’s car, reaching up for one of the mints that were always in the glove box.