It's that time of year! 

May I start by saying there is a part of me that will always be a minimalist (I lived out of a small backpack while traveling through South America for several months years ago). I enjoy not having a lot of stuff, and sometimes I hesitate to share "stuff" because I wonder if any of us really needs more sometimes....

I also am very much not for excessive consumerism--which--let's be honest, can get really out of control this time of year.

With all that being said.....

I AM for conscious consumerism. I AM for buying things that genuinely add value, improve a sense of health and happiness, and contribute to the world in a positive way. Below are a list of products and brands I personally love, own, and believe in--things that positively contribute to my health and wellness. And companies who are doing something good in the world. 

If anything here would enhance your life, I hope you'll choose it. Because your health and happiness is more than well deserved...a...

       Since becoming a mom I have become quite passionate about hunting down healthy prepared snack options....not only for my own children but for yours, because I know how busy life can get. And I totally understand wanting to have easy-to-grab items for your kid that they will actually eat and enjoy AND that you'll feel good about giving them. I have personally tested and eaten all of these products myself, and happily offer them to my toddler whenever he asks. I say YES to supporting these brands who are changing the food scene for the better! Check them out! 

FoodNerd! How much can I rave about one product?! One bag of foodnerd puffs contains 100% of the fruits and vegetables your little one needs in a day: 100%! They are truly far superior to any other puffs on the market. I give a bag to my toddler every day. Truly feel every child should be eating these.  

You can order yours here: FoodNerd Puffs with Coupon Olivia10 to save 20% off your order.

                       ...

I often get asked where I shop and how I find good deals on quality fruits and vegetables. Where I shop and what I buy depends on where I’m living or visiting at any given time. Availability, variety and cost varies depending on location. But here are a few of the methods and tips I use: ⁣
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1) Discount grocery stores. These don’t exist everywhere, but here in central PA there’s a whole bunch of them—basically stores that sell the overflow or abundance they receive from chain grocers. Think a second hand clothing store--but for food. 

2) If you don't have a discount grocery store near you, the next best option is somewhere like Aldi, or a Grocery outlet--even somewhere like Walmart--these are places where you can get cheaper-than-Whole Foods-options. If I'm on a budget (which I always am to one degree or another) I never buy all my produce at Whole Foods. I use Whole Foods to supplement--to get those items I can't get at other, more affordable stores. If I do shop at Whole Foods, its al...

Ok, don't be intimidated--you can sprout! 

I was just like you for the longest time. I'd see people on social media with their trays of soil and wonderfully colorful varieties of sprouts and microgreens and think "that looks complicated. I don't have time or energy for that....or....I'm definitely going to mess that up."

But here's the thing: many seeds are incredibly easy to sprout. They take VERY little work or skill and they yield tasty and nutritious sprouts in just 2 days. 

So this is my advice if you're intimated or unsure where to begin: Lentils & Mung Beans.

I've found these two options to be the easiest, fastest, and truly can't-mess-up seeds to begin with. 

So here's what you need: a bag of mung beans. You can find dried mung beans at most Asian grocery stores, or some international aisles in grocery stores, or--of course--you can order online. Same with lentils, dried lentils (green or black), are easy to find in most grocery stores, Asian markets, or for sure online. 

In January of 2017 I was studying abroad in Israel. I was told NOT to drink the tap water OR brush my teeth with it, and to carefully wash all the fruits and vegetables I ate.

Well—I did none of those things. And within several days of being there my neck started getting all blotchy and I was developing a severe rash.

Within a matter of just a couple more days I knew something was seriously wrong. My digestion was terrible. I was bloated to the max and my whole body had such an unbearable rash. I was so itchy and uncomfortable any place other than soaking in the bathtub. It was also so bad I was embarrassed to wear anything other than a sweatshirt so no one could see my skin.

Things continued to get worse for many months, and by April of that year I noticed a large bulge in the bottom right side of my abdomen—which I eventually realized was the home of my parasite.

I was miserable, tired, and unhappy—to say the least. And desperate to get the parasite out. I had very little energy, always ...