Author: Rodrigo H

This time of year, everyone is obsessed with pumpkin pie spice. Everything from pumpkin pie to homemade lattes is delicious, but apple pie spice is another fall favorite. Its intense flavor profile makes it a great addition to your spice cabinet. What is apple pie spice? This delicious blend of aromatic spices is often used to flavor apple pie and other apple dishes during the cooler months. It’s very similar to pumpkin pie spice, but my version leaves out the ground cloves and adds cardamom instead. Some people don’t like the flavor of cardamom, so you can omit it if…

Bentonite clay is a healing clay obtained from volcanic ash. It is also called montmorillonite clay because it was first discovered in Montmorillon, France. I love using bentonite clay both externally as a facial mask and as a natural treatment for poison ivy, dermatitis, and diaper rash. However, the use of bentonite clay internally is more controversial. Here are my thoughts on bentonite clay for internal use. Health benefits of using bentonite clay internally There are two main types of bentonite clay: sodium bentonite and calcium bentonite. Sodium bentonite clay has excellent water absorption properties. It is used in agriculture…

I’ve been experimenting with homemade makeup for years, from homemade concealers and highlighters to lip balms and mascaras. I have a powder blush that I really like, but I’ve also received requests for a cream blush option. After perfecting the liquid foundation recipe, I decided to tackle the creamy formula blush as well. You can customize this cream blush to match your skin tone to build your shade. For warm tones, use a little more cocoa powder or warm pigment. I have included instructions on how much pigment to use, but you can adjust it to suit your preference. cream…

When shopping at Sam’s Club, one of the biggest draws for members is the private label brand known as Member’s Mark. But have you ever wondered who actually makes these products? I’ve learned about the manufacturers behind Member’s Mark products, how much you can save by choosing them, and whether they’re the same quality as their branded counterparts. I decided to take a closer look to see if they offer it. First of all, what is “Member’s Mark”? Member’s Mark is a private brand of Sam’s Club and was created to provide quality products at a fraction of the price…

Pumpkin season has finally arrived. This time of year, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin lattes are everywhere. Some people love it, and some people hate it…but I’m a complete fan! This made-from-scratch pumpkin soup recipe is an easy, hearty, and veggie-packed fall meal. Bonus… in a pinch, you can make this soup with just the ingredients you have in your pantry! Pumpkin soup packed with all the flavors of fall. healthy pumpkin soup Pumpkin itself is rich in dietary fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, so it’s hard to say whether pumpkin soup is unhealthy or not.…

“I work with coaches and other people who know too much.” Kate Solovieva is a former professor of psychology, a PN master coach, and PN’s director of community engagement. And the above quote has become one of her taglines. Though Coach Kate has coached thousands of “regular” clients, her specialty is coaching other coaches. Through her work as an instructor with PN’s Level 2 Master Health Coaching Certification, a facilitator for PN’s private online coaching communities, and a coach in her own private practice, she gets a front-row view of all the questions and challenges both new and seasoned coaches…

Many years ago, I vacationed in Europe for a few weeks. I hiked, explored beautiful towns, tried local food, and ate way too much of Italy’s favorite, Nutella. I had Nutella for breakfast and dessert and it tasted like chocolate. When I got home, I would sometimes buy a jar of Nutella and enjoy it. But is Nutella good for your health? As I learned more about the ingredients, I realized it wasn’t a good option. I’ve created my own recipe for homemade Nutella, but it often takes longer than the recipe. I was determined to find a healthier, pre-made,…

Halloween and I have a complicated relationship, at least since I became a mother. Trick-or-treating is a fun tradition, but there aren’t many healthy Halloween treats (or anything close to that). Other holidays such as Easter have the same problem. So what’s a health-conscious mother to do? From what I see, there are several options. Option #1: Ignore Halloween completely Yes…this is done! I’ll be honest: when my kids were little, I used to pretend Halloween didn’t exist. We didn’t go trick-or-treating or dress up for Halloween. Instead of a Halloween party, we always turned off the lights and went…

Our family loves Halloween! Admittedly, in the early days, we were trick-or-treating holdouts (all that sweet store-bought Halloween candy…shudder!). Now that the kids are older, I’ve found a healthy balance with these Halloween food ideas. We just buy candy made with better ingredients (and make sure to buy non-candy treats too). Reinventing your Halloween dinner plans is another way to bring peace to this sweet-toothed holiday. These festive yet healthy Halloween recipes are perfect for snacking on before or after trick-or-treating, or as a way to make Halloween fun at home. You can also serve these healthy Halloween treats at…

Unsweetened coconut milk is a superfood milk substitute that I often use at home. Almond milk or oat milk are fine in some recipes, but coconut milk adds a rich creaminess. Also, commercially available forms tend to have fewer ingredients. Coconut milk’s creamy texture makes it an excellent alternative to milk products such as half-and-half cream and whipped cream. What is coconut milk? Coconut milk is made by blending fresh coconut pulp (or “meat”) from mature coconuts with water. (The brown hairy thing you find at the grocery store). The mixture is then passed through a filter to extract the…