Quick Tip

It's pumpkin (pie) season!  Scroll down for 2 treat recipes :)

Pumpkin (and squash) is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and beta-carotene - helping support cellular, skin & eye health...

The Beta Glucans in pumpkin are superstars:    

Immune Boosting Beta Glucans activate immune cells called macrophages, natural killer cells, and neutrophils - which help identify & destroy infectious microbes (bacteria, viru…

Berberine is a darling of the gut health world!

It's found in plants like Barberry and this Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium) - but not in the "grapes" you see in the fall - it's in the bright yellow bark of the plant's roots!

...berberine significantly affects blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, blood lipids, body parameters and composition, inflammatory markers, colorectal adenomas, and Helicobacter p…

We're off to a special huckleberry patchbetween high mountain lakes in the northern Cascade Range.

It'll be a quick trip between school, sports, and outdoor movie night.

It's essential for us.

It's how my son & I take root & stabilize for the changes of fall.

Just as things begin to get hectic with school & fall busy-ness & the coming holidays...

We step away from it all.

It's a great way to get restorative sleep and synch our c…

We are back to school, and germs are flying!

In addition to hand-washing & cough-covering, here are 3 awesome health helpers!

1  Hugs!

From plenty of studies, we know that affectionate touch is calming, boosts immunity, heals inflammation and can even prevent transmission of the common cold.

A 2023 study shows college students who exchanged more hugs during the day awoke with a lower Cortisol Awakening Response. (1)

The researchers explained …

My garden exploded with volunteer broccoli, cherry tomatoes (we ate the red ones!), arugula & kale!

I let my greens & veggies self-seed.

Flowers feed pollinators like bees, moths & butterflies - who support many other plants, trees, veggies & fruits!

We eat the flowers too!

Seeds feed the birds and mostly fall into the soil below.

Then they germinate and grow... without much effort from me :)

At our previous hou…

We went backpacking along the coastal wilderness for a few days with friends.

Did you know that kids who eat more protein (proportional to sugar & carbs) have a higher body mass index?  (1)

Enjoy 25% off my favorite protein shakes and all supplements today! 

For backpacking, I always bring a tasty vanilla protein shake mix.

It's a super swap for powdered milk!

It's a protein boost for our homemade nutty-seedy granola, for…

Have you heard of the super-healthy Bacillus species of bacteria?

Humans have been using them - and eating them - for thousands of years!

Many delicious, traditional soybean foods are fermented & preserved by the activity of Bacillus, including:

Tempeh

Natto

Soy sauce

In nature, Bacillus are called "endophytes" - which means they live in a plant for part of its life cycle without hurting the plant.

Bacillus are a …

I love helping parents & kids see how behaviors they've been criticized for are actually great, intelligent adaptations.

For example: 

Do you know any procrastinators?

I tend to do a lot of extra tasks in the few minutes just before I walk out the door.

The pressure of having a deadline can trigger dopamine release...

...providing a burst of productivity.

This may be a key connection between ADHD …

Our house smells like summer berries today!

Anthocyanins are special plant nutrients (polyphenols) that give fruits & vegetables their brilliant reds, blues & purples.

Like the flats of blueberries, black raspberries and cherries I picked up from our farmer's market!

Anthocyanins are more than pretty... 

Research shows these disease-fighting super-stars may help balance blood sugar (1) by feeding helpful gut microb…