Chicken soup ain't the only one that's good for the soul. Bowls of hot soups have been warming souls and bellies for millennia. And one of the best aspects of these soup recipes is that you can craft them out of just about anything! Here are seven of our favorite hot soup ...read more
Baby, it's cold outside! What better way to warm up than from the inside out? Try out our five tasty hot drink recipes to warm you up on a chilly day. There are hot drink recipes for the whole family (including some alcoholic bevvies for the adults). From hot cocoa to mulled ...read more
Inability to concentrate, emotional distress, crazed behavior are a few of the effects of artificial food coloring on some children. The five most compelling reasons to avoid artificial food coloring include possible links to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ...read more
A recent CDC report found that more than 90 percent of U.S. children aged 6-18 years eat more sodium than the recommended daily allowance because of the prevalence of salty foods. Prepackaged and canned foods along with restaurant foods are big factors in this high salt ...read more
A few months ago, I came to the realization that we should completely ditch our microwave. We only used it sparingly at that point anyway for silly things like late night nachos and warming up coffee. We could do without it, I thought. My husband was a little more reticent, but ...read more
Winter weather is nearly upon us. Particularly if your home has electric heating, learning to understand your electric bill and convert that understanding into energy savings can be critical. Learn how to lower your electric bill to determine your usage habits and learn your ...read more
Pumpkin flavoring is everywhere you look right now. But if you want REAL pumpkin and not the chemical coloring (or don't want to break the bank on $5 lattes), you can make your own delicious pumpkin spice recipes at home. Homemade pumpkin spice recipes 1. Paleo Pumpkin Custard: ...read more
Wind, cold and incessant drying from indoor heating systems are about to hit our skin. Hard. Be prepared this fall with homemade DIY skin care routines that can keep the cracked, chapped skin at bay, or at the very least, fix it up once it happens. Try our seven fall DIY skin ...read more
Kids with food allergies can be tough on the family dinner table. There are many ways to respond to a food allergy in the family. Here are our five healthy ways to support your allergic child. 1. Allergen-Free Family: Depending on the severity of your child's allergy, you may ...read more
Caramel IV is an artificial food coloring made with ammonia and is considered a carcinogen. It's always been toxic, but since blogger Food Babe recently renounced its use, it's been in the news and multitudes are scrambling to avoid the food dye. Never fear, there's hope. You ...read more
As a health-conscious mom of two wild and crazy kids, I don't reach for a toxic energy drink when I need a boost. I make my own energy balls with flax meal and espresso powder. Add in the shredded coconut, mild spices and the almond butter, and you have a sweet, protein-packed ...read more
I pack a couple school lunches each night. My kindergartener's is easy---at least it's easy for me---she's best described as a pescatarian with a hot dogs exception. But my Pre-K kiddo is a little tougher. She has issues with wheat and dairy and her school doesn't allow any ...read more
So, you have leftovers. Particularly if you shop at the farmers market or get your veggies via a CSA box, you may have to stuff your crisper full of veggies. And, if you're like me, you sometimes forget about a few of those veggies. Have half a carrot, some diced peppers and a ...read more
Even the worst germaphobes can avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals and antibacterial concoctions that only make bacteria more resistant. Try any of our seven cold and flu remedies that work to fend off the nastiest of cooties. 1.Thieves Spray: Combine a few drops of Thieves ...read more
When it comes time for a kitchen remodel, you don't need to demolish it to bring it up to date. While it's tempting to go for the latest and greatest recycled products and energy efficient appliances, sometimes you can do more for the environment by giving your kitchen a ...read more
Getting ready to head back to school? From essential oils to the right spices, natural ingredients can brew some mighty homemade cold killers. Stock these 8 natural remedies in your pantry to prepare. There are a multitude of home remedies in the world, but the basic ...read more
Conventional store-bought deodorant is full of mystery ingredients, including triclosan. Triclosan is a powerful antibacterial, and bacteria is what creates the stink in your pits. Unfortunately, triclosan is linked to health problems in humans, and overuse of this ...read more
Coconut oil is an amazing substance for skin, teeth and hair. Of particular interest is the "lauric acid, found in large quantities in both coconut oil and in mother’s milk. This fatty acid has strong anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties," writes Sally Fallon in her 1995 ...read more
Food intolerance and ethics are tricky subjects at many family dinner tables. But when your food issues clash--think vegan and Paleo--you can have some serious dinnertime drama when it comes to dietary restrictions. Implement our five ways to survive mixed food issues at family ...read more
Most store-bought sunscreens are full of toxins, but the good news is you can make your own with all natural ingredients. The key ingredients for homemade sunscreen are carrot seed oil and zinc oxide. Both have high natural SPF and are natural and nontoxic. Carrot seed oil has ...read more
It's summertime! It's time to make beautiful and delicious summer fruit crisps! Try our seven seasonal fruit crisp recipes to liven up your dessert. Summer fruits that you may find at your local farmer's market include berries, peaches, strawberries, plums and cherries. Mix ...read more
Canning your own food is one of the great joys of home gardening. The process is relatively simple once you have your supplies, so just follow our seven canning tips for beginners to get started. First off, if you're wondering why you should can, consider the benefits: It's ...read more
Mint chocolate chip ice cream is a classic flavor. It's refreshingly light and creamy and makes an amazing summertime treat. But you don't have to go to the store to get your fix anymore. Try our healthy dairy-free, vegan and Paleo diet-friendly homemade ice cream recipe that's ...read more
Pain can be one of the most debilitating parts of illness or injury. But natural pain management is often possible. Check out our seven natural pain relief techniques. 1. Relaxation: To relieve pain, try putting yourself in a relaxed, reclined position in a dark room. This ...read more
It's going to be a tasty week at our house. Try our 12 summer recipe ideas for this week's CSA box. This week's CSA box or farm share is loaded with amazing vegetables. We received kale, turnips with greens, summer squash, zucchini, lettuce, cabbage and garlic. Plus we're ...read more
Summer's juicy bounty is just around the corner in your garden or at your local farmers market. But with so much fresh goodness, how to can food, preserve it, dry it or ferment it is critical in making sure none goes to waste. Here are 9 tips on how to can food or use another ...read more
Backyard goats are the ultimate in eco-friendly lawnmowers. No gasoline; no electricity; goat lawnmowers just run on food...the weeds and grass they're mowing. And the popularity of goat lawnmowers is on the rise. Mary Bowen, owner of Sunderland, Md.-based Green Goats and ...read more
Summer is an amazing time of bounty in your garden. But if you can't handle all of your garden's produce right away, pickling is a great way to savor your summer harvest for the rest of the year. These pickled vegetables recipes can make it happen! Pickling can be a delicious ...read more
Our furry babies need to live green, too, rather than suffer from toxins applied to their skin. Try our five DIY natural flea treatment and prevention techniques to keep your furry ones happy and healthy. 1. Garlic and yeast: Mixing raw garlic or Brewer's yeast into your pets ...read more
With fresh fruit sitting out on the counter, fruit flies can be a real menace in the spring and summer. If you're suffering from an unending invasion of these pests, try our best all-natural DIY fruit fly trap. Fruit flies are attracted to sweet fruit smells. Attract them to a ...read more
Welcome to part two of our series on cooking with your seasonal vegetables and fruits from your farm share, community supported agriculture (CSA) box or local farmers market. This week’s boxes are likely to include incredible veggie gems like lettuce, kale, spinach, bok choy, ...read more
The mosquitoes are already out in force here in the South, so it's time to break out the bug repellent. But toxic sprays aren't a safe solution for yourself or your family. Try our three-ingredient DIY bug repellent spray recipe for a natural solution. By using this natural ...read more
Migraines are an unfortunate recurrence in my family. Thankfully, I've recently pinpointed a few of my own migraine food triggers, which has brought about some relief. If you suffer from migraines, try eliminating a few of these six common migraine food triggers and get some ...read more
If you want to get dirty this summer, check out these five fun backyard garden ideas from kid-friendly fairy gardens to space-saving vertical gardening. Gardening is not just for yielding vegetables, it also can be fun for the entire family. Introducing a little whimsy into ...read more
Ch-ch-ch-chia is an amazing tool for thickening jams and puddings. This nearly instant chia pudding recipe is delicious, Paleo and kid-friendly! Vanilla Chia Pudding Recipe Makes about 3 cups Ingredients 1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut or almond milk frozen into ice cubes 3/4 ...read more
Are you enjoying the bounty of a farm share, a community supported agriculture (CSA) box or what's cropping up at your local farmers market? Then you should check out our list of fresh fruit and vegetable recipes to make with all that seasonal goodness. This week's boxes are ...read more
If you're an avid baker, or even a protein smoothie connoisseur, chances are at one point our another, you'll end up with a few leftover egg whites in your fridge or freezer that you don't want to let go to waste. We've rounded up five of our favorite uses for leftover egg ...read more
Do you have a plan to get out of debt? Even if you're not struggling to pay your bills, here's why you should reduce that debt ASAP. Living in debt is called normal in the U.S. Student loans, mortgages and car loans--even revolving credit card debt--are all considered normal. ...read more
A nightshade allergy is one of the trickiest to diagnose. Often, the first question is, "What is a nightshade exactly?" It's not an easy one to answer. We all know what's involved in dairy and nut allergies, that's simple. But nightshades are a bevvy of vegetables and spices ...read more
The Wahls protocol is a form of the Paleo diet that is lauded for its successes in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). Terry Wahls, author of the protocol, says this approach stopped her progressive MS. The approach uses a combination of functional medicine and ...read more
Healthy lunches for kids are a priority for every parent. But many children are heading to school with lunch boxes and containers parents are just not happy with. While plastic and paper bags are convenient, they may not promote healthy lunches for kids. In fact, they may be ...read more
Worried about the plight of the honeybees? You can help bees and other pollinators (and yourself) by planting herbs and flowers that are not only useful for you, but helpful for pollinators. Do your part by planting these 12 herbs to create your bee-friendly herb garden. 1. ...read more
Expiration dates on food come under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Condiments are my biggest pet peeve. I don't care what the label says, if my ketchup is still red and the right consistency I'm using it, gosh darn it. But sometimes I'm not so sure. ...read more
Food stamp cuts and an especially cold winter this year put a huge strain on food pantries throughout the U.S. Some of the funds for food stamps that went to families in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) expired in November, leading to increased demand from ...read more
When your child is affected by dairy it's often originally diagnosed as lactose intolerance, a common intolerance among babies and one that can also develop around age 2. But if you've tried lactose-free dairy and still have issues, your child may have a dairy allergy! Learn ...read more
You may already have a few perennial vegetables ready to plant in your backyard garden, but what about these six perennial veggies? Adding them to your garden is an easy way to enjoy delicious, seasonal food free for a long, long time. 1. Ramps/Wild Leeks An onion relative, ...read more
I hope you love these six kid-friendly allergy-free smoothie recipes as much as our family does. They are all free of the eight most common food allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. My girls love smoothies. But with a Paleo mama and a ...read more
It's time for starting a garden that rocks! Use our seven steps to start seedlings in toilet paper rolls for a free, easy way to start your garden and put those tubes to good use. Compile Your Gear: Toilet paper rolls and a bag of potting soil also will be needed for starting a ...read more
The benefits of lavender are many and varied. It's a culinary relative to mint, sage, marjoram and thyme, and can be used in the same way as these herbs. It is also a prized medicinal herb. Make sure you get organic because conventional lavender is often heavily sprayed with ...read more
Let's face it, Girl Scout cookies are freaking delicious...but they're also full of unhealthy junk ingredients like corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and artificial coloring. They're kind of failing on that "strong bodies" part of the slogan. Healthy cookie recipes come to the ...read more