Wellness

the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal. Simple, practical tips for pursuing wellness in all areas of life: the home, self-care, and family life.

progress > perfection

Natural Cleaning Hacks Using Baking Soda

13 Natural Cleaning Hacks Using Baking Soda

by Kristin Marr

Exfoliating Avocado Facial Mask

Exfoliating Avocado Face Mask (a real food-based facial mask)

by Kristin Marr

Real Food Snack Ideas When You're Traveling or On-the-Go

Real Food Snack Ideas When You’re Traveling or On-the-Go

by Kristin Marr

How to Naturally Clean Your Fridge

How to Naturally Clean Your Fridge + Keep Odors Away

by Kristin Marr

How to Make Solid Perfume

How to Make Solid Perfume

by Kristin Marr

Floral-Infused Soothing Body Oil

Floral-Infused Soothing Body Oil

by Kristin Marr

White Willow and Apple Cider Acne Facial Toner

White Willow and Apple Cider Acne Facial Toner

by Kristin Marr

How to Make Your Own Natural Spa Kit

How to Make Your Own Natural Spa Kit

by Kristin Marr

Homemade Softening Foot Soak or Scrub

Skin Softening Floral Foot Soak

by Kristin Marr

My Makeup Bag: Favorite Natural Products

My Makeup Bag: Favorite Natural Products

by Kristin Marr

How to Make Homemade Body Butter

Body Butter Guide: How to Make Homemade Body Butter

by Kristin Marr

Homemade Shea Butter Cream Facial Moisturizer

Homemade Shea Butter Cream Facial Moisturizer

by Kristin Marr

livesimplymom

Breakfast on repeat: sourdough toast + 🥑 mashed

Breakfast on repeat: sourdough toast + 🥑 mashed with 🍋 and salt + a layer of @cypressgrovers Ms. Natural goat cheese + radish and sprouts. Usually served up with an egg. Inspired by @cremacrema amazing avocado toast.

Ever feel confused about what or how you should ea

Ever feel confused about what or how you should eat? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
You're not alone. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
One decade we're told to avoid eggs and fat, the next decade we're told fat and eggs aren't bad. One day we're told whole grains are a superfood, the next day all gluten is evil. And then there are the hundreds of diet books released each year, all which seem to hold the "secret" to eating.
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I CAN'T KEEP UP! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It's no surprise that figuring out what’s healthy and what we should eat feels awfully complicated in 2020. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Figuring out what and how to eat wasn't always this complicated. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Imagine with me, just 80 years ago, grocery stores and fast food restaurants didn't exist on every corner. People weren't confused about what to eat. People ate what they had always known...
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real food! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In the past 80 years, our food system has gone through a change like never before. Many changes are amazing. I love my electric oven and fridge. As Michael Pollan says in Cooked (this book was turned into a documentary on Netflix--highly recommend), “Industrialization isn’t bad. But when we cut corners and forget why we did something for so long, we end up hurting ourselves.”
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For thousands of years, (healthy) people have prepared foods in certain ways and for certain reasons. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Over the past 80 years, we’ve cut big corners and listened to advertisers and lobbyists (versus tradition) tell us what to eat and how to eat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As a result, we’re now confused about food and incredibly sick.
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Maybe our ancestors knew what they were doing? Maybe tradition is important? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This is what real food is all about. It’s about returning to a traditional way of eating. To a way of eating (the only way of eating) that nourished healthy families for thousands and thousands of years.

If you’re like me, it’s way too easy to get in

If you’re like me, it’s way too easy to get into a salad rut. I’ve teamed up with @cypressgrovers to share a salad to spice things up this summer. This salad is the perfect blend of fresh greens, leftover bread, stone fruit, and soft goat cheese.
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ARUGULA, PEACH, GOAT CHEESE SALAD ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
-few handfuls of arugula (about 5 packed cups) -2 cups sourdough croutons -1 ripe peach, cut into slices -4 ounces Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog -salt and pepper -tahini vinaigrette dressing ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
First, make the croutons. Cut a few slices of days-old sourdough bread into cubes. Toss with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a few pinches of salt, then toast at 375F until crisp (about 20 minutes). Allow the croutons to cool. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Next, make the dressing. Combine 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, juice from 1 lemon, a splash of apple cider vinegar, 2 TB tahini, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4-1/2 tsp salt, and pepper to taste. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Finally, cut the goat cheese, Humboldt Fog, into slices. Humboldt Fog is one of the most award-winning and recognized cheeses in the US — it's definitely a winner in my house! This soft goat cheese features a distinctive ribbon of vegetable ash. It’s best to serve cheese at room temperature, so let the cheese rest on the counter for a few minutes before cutting.
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Assemble the salad: add the arugula to a large bowl, followed by the cooled croutons, peach slices, and Humboldt Fog slices, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a few drizzles of dressing. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#sponsored #CypressGrove #HumboldtFog

Monday thoughts from my kitchen... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Monday thoughts from my kitchen...
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Sharing things on social media, like how to make popsicles or sourdough bread or homemade ziti or a snack board, seems trivial and out of place at the moment.
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A few days ago, I came across Carla Hall's post (@carlaphall) featuring the words of Leah Chase...
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"Food builds bridges. If you can eat with someone, you can learn from them, and when you learn from someone, you can make big changes. We changed the course of America in this restaurant over bowls of gumbo. We can talk to each other and relate to each other when we eat together." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
(Fun fact that I didn't know until I did some Googling: Mrs. Chase is known as The Queen of Creole Cuisine and is the inspiration for the Princess and the Frog movie from Disney. Google her name and read her incredible story! She believed there is no greater calling than feeding people and lived this mission to its fullest.)
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And also @drtonyevans Steps to Reconciliation posted today: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
"Step # 3 Serve: Connect with a family from a different background than yours. Share with them. Eat with them. Get to know them. But most importantly, serve someone else with them. The best way to reconcile is through the shared services of others." (Check out his IG wall for all 5 steps and his book "Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We are Stronger Together".) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Cooking, making food, serving food goes beyond just nourishment. It's a way of connecting with others as well as those within the walls of our own home, a way of serving others, a way of coming together and listening to each other, a way of saying I love you and I care about you, and a way of learning from each other.

Listen to and mourn with those who mourn, seek jus

Listen to and mourn with those who mourn, seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly 🖤

May marks the end of the growing season in Florida

May marks the end of the growing season in Florida. We're opposite from most of the country when it comes to seasonal food. Our growing season runs from October-May. I picked up my last farm box today and am counting down the days until October. In the meantime, I'm excited to hear and see what you all are picking up from your local farms and markets. I'm always available to answer questions about how to store your produce and what to make with your goods. Pick up something new this season and send me a DM, together we'll figure out something amazing to make. I'll be living vicariously through you.

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