Elevated cortisol levels can greatly affect the ability fall asleep and stay asleep. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It's a messenger that tells the body how to function. Cortisol is naturally highest beginning early in the morning, from around 6am to 8am. Then it slowly decreases throughout the day, getting to its lowest point around midnight. Acute stress, chronic stress, and trauma can all affect cortisol levels and cause this stress hormone to be higher late in the day when it shouldn't be.

Chia pudding made with real food ingredients is a powerhouse of nutrients—especially important for growing, active children! This nut- and dairy-free pudding recipe is rich in polyphenols, protein, healthy fats, fiber, complex carbohydrates, calcium, and magnesium. In fact, one serving contains over 13 grams of protein, 29 grams of healthy fats, 31 grams of carbohydrates, 10 grams of fiber, and over 230mg of calcium! Chia seeds also have a high antioxidant activity due to their high levels of various polyphenols. Not only can this lower inflammation throughout the body by reducing free radicals, but polyphenols also act as pre-biotics in the gut, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria!

Looking for a wholesome treat to bring on your summer road trip—or simply something sweet to tuck into your afternoon tea ritual? These soft, chewy almond butter cookies are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates and spiced with plenty of cinnamon, making them the perfect bite-sized indulgence you can feel good about sharing. They’re flourless, rich in protein and fiber, and easy to make with just a handful of nourishing pantry staples. I first created this recipe when I needed a travel-friendly snack that didn’t involve refined sugar, flours, or preservatives—and that my children would actually enjoy. These cookies have been our go-to for long car rides, picnic baskets, and cozy weekend baking sessions ever since.

We’ve had a few hot days here in the Pacific Northwest lately! My children and I came up with this super simple slushie recipe using fresh watermelon—and they insisted I share it with you so you can make it too. Once you try this version, I hope you’re inspired to experiment with other types of fresh fruit as well.

This healthy little cookie recipe came to me in a flash the other day....all written out in my mind. I knew I had to get busy in the kitchen and make them. They turned out great the first time! Living in the Pacific Northwest we have an ample supply of hazelnuts so I like to use every opportunity I get to incorporate them into my recipes.

If there was one thing you could do right now to improve your health would you do it? Eating raw cruciferous vegetables daily might be our saving grace in this increasingly toxic world. Cruciferous vegetables will upregulate or "produce" the enzymes your body needs to eliminate environmental toxins and properly metabolize estrogen.

After my last post I received many requests to share a pumpkin hazelnut muffin recipe that was also egg-free. As many of you know, replacing eggs in grain-free baked treats can be quite a challenge.

I know it is a wee bit early to be posting pumpkin recipes. In fact, the winter squash and sugar pie pumpkins are not quite ready for harvesting yet in our garden; but these cool crisp mornings are beginning to remind me of spicy pumpkin treats!

Cool down this summer with these refreshing, homemade watermelon popsicles—naturally sweet, colorful, and packed with whole fruit! These beautiful treats are made with pureed watermelon and layered with a vibrant mix of blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, peaches, and cherries. No added sugar, no juice concentrates—just real, ripe fruit in its most nourishing form. Each bite delivers juicy summer flavor and a wide range of antioxidants, hydration, and fiber—a perfect way to sneak in more phytonutrients on a hot day.

Have you ever tried those salty seaweed snacks you buy at places like Trader Joe's? I know, they're addicting, we've tried them before and my children loved them! I won't buy them because they have so much packaging and because canola oil is listed as one of the ingredients (which is often genetically engineered).