What’s up with that tiny “e”?

Did you know that the tiny “e” on some products means they meet strict European health and safety standards? I didn’t—and it completely changed the way I look at what our family uses daily.

Europe has banned over 1,300 toxic ingredients from personal care items. The U.S.? Just 11. That’s not a small oversight—that’s negligence.

Even worse, some brands knowingly sell two versions of the same product: one clean and safe for Europe, and one cheap and toxic for the U.S. This isn’t about protecting our health. It’s about padding their profits, while we unknowingly put harmful chemicals on our skin and in our homes.

That ends with us. My family now checks labels, hunts for that “e” symbol, and sticks with companies that don’t compromise safety for savings.

Thankfully, my Wellness store delivers high-quality, American-made, toxin-free products without the luxury price tag. And let’s be clear—this isn’t just a “mom thing” or a “beauty thing.”

Men, you’ve got skin too. You’ve got families too. This is about protecting your future. Swapping out toxic products isn’t a trend—it’s a wake-up call. Once you know better, there’s no going back.

Healthy Homemade Popsicles

Who says you can’t stay cool and stay on track with your health goals this summer? 😎
Healthy Home-Made popsicles with Sustain.
I can’t wait to try this refreshing healthier option for Summer!

Just mix your favorite flavor of Sustain with water (or coconut water for extra hydration), pour into popsicle molds, and freeze overnight. That’s it!

✅ Naturally sweet & refreshing

✅ Great for the whole family!

✅ Only 5g of sugar per 500mL vs. 36g in Gatorade!

✅ Stay hydrated during physical activity and restore lost electrolytes with Oligo magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium.

It’s perfect for post-workout recovery, hot afternoon cravings, or a healthier dessert option.

Here are a few flavor combos to try:

🍋 Raspberry Lemonade Sustain + fresh raspberries

🍊 Citrus Sustain + ½ lemon + ½ orange slices

🫐 Blueberry Pomegranate Sustain + frozen blueberries

These simple homemade snacks help everyone avoid sugar overload and fuel their bodies in a much smarter way this summer.
Which flavor is your favorite?

Can we talk about Berberine for a second?

It is not a weight loss magic pill. So please do not compare your health journey to those who have lost weight on the product.

If weight loss is your goal, talk to me about the R3 in combination with the Berberine along with GC Control. 💚

Now here are the benefits of Berberine and why it’s amazing for your health!

Lowering Cholesterol: Taking Berberine regularly appears to lower total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol. It works differently from today’s standard cholesterol medications, so it may help treat people who are resistant to other cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Heart Health: People with heart disease often have fatigue and irregular heartbeats. Studies show that taking Berberine combined with standard heart disease treatments reduces these symptoms. Berberine reduced the risk of death from heart disease without apparent side effects.

Blood Sugar Control: Berberine has also been shown to lower glucose levels in people with diabetes. Studies show that it helps your body respond better to insulin and prevents your liver from creating more glucose. As a result, people with diabetes may find berberine helps lower their blood sugar levels.

Lowering Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is associated with heart disease and strokes. Taking Berberine may help lower your diastolic and systolic blood pressure (the bottom and top numbers of your blood pressure reading).

PCOS Symptom Relief: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, can cause problems such as high cholesterol, insulin resistance, and trouble losing weight. In some studies, Berberine helped women with PCOS control their cholesterol, lower their waist-to-hip ratio, and increase their response to insulin.

Weight Loss (how it actually works): While Berberine is not a magic weight-loss pill, it may help people with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 lose weight. Two studies have shown that taking Berberine over the course of three months results in significant weight loss. This may be due to how berberine helps control insulin and other hormones that regulate your fat cells.

Hope this helps. 💚

12 Best Plants and Herbs to Naturally Repel Mosquitoes

Here is a handy lis of some plants and herbs known for their mosquito-repelling properties:

Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Lavender not only has a pleasant fragrance but also repels mosquitoes. Plant it in sunny areas and enjoy its aromatic blooms.

Citronella (Cymbopogon spp.): Citronella is a well-known mosquito repellent. You can find citronella-scented candles, but growing citronella grass in your garden can be even more effective.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita): Peppermint’s strong scent repels mosquitoes. It’s also a versatile herb for culinary and medicinal uses.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): Lemon balm has a citrusy scent that mosquitoes dislike. It’s also a great herb for teas and culinary uses.

Marigold (Tagetes spp.): Marigolds contain pyrethrum, a compound often used in insect repellents. Their vibrant colors can add beauty to your garden while keeping mosquitoes away.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Rosemary’s aromatic fragrance can deter mosquitoes. It’s a hardy herb that can be grown in a variety of climates.

Basil (Ocimum spp.): Basil emits a strong aroma that mosquitoes dislike. Plus, you can use it in cooking!

Catnip (Nepeta cataria):Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone that repels mosquitoes. Be aware that if you have cats, they might be attracted to this plant.

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.): Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrin, a natural insect repellent often used in mosquito sprays. Their flowers come in various colors and sizes.

Lemon Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora): The essential oil from lemon eucalyptus has been found to be effective in repelling mosquitoes. You can grow the plant or use the essential oil.

Garlic (Allium sativum): While it’s typically consumed as a food, the scent of garlic can also help deter mosquitoes. Planting garlic around your garden can be beneficial.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Lemongrass has a lemony scent that mosquitoes dislike. It’s often used in Asian cuisine and can be grown as an ornamental plant.

Keep in mind that while these plants can help reduce mosquito populations, they might not offer complete protection. Combining these natural repellents with other mosquito control methods, like removing standing water, using screens, and wearing protective clothing, can help create a more effective defense against mosquitoes.

Fibromyalgia 

Fibromyalgia 

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain, fatigue, and tender points around the body. It can cause sleep, memory, and mood issues. It can be hard to diagnose and treat because it has symptoms that are very similar to other conditions.
The exact causes of these changes are unknown, but the following elements are thought to contribute to fibromyalgia:

  • Genetics. Certain gene mutations can put people at a greater risk for this condition.
  • Infections. Certain illnesses seem to trigger or worsen fibromyalgia. Viral infections like Epstein-Barr or infections like Lyme Disease can lead to it.
  • Stressful Physical or Emotional Events. Serious injuries, giving birth, the breakdown of a relationship, emotional trauma are just a few of the life events that can trigger fibromyalgia.

How To Fight Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia often requires extra nutrition from other sources than our food. Proper supplementation with the following taken daily cam make a huge difference:

  • Magnesium with Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin D (5000 IU/daily)
  • Vitamin K2/D3
  • CoQ10
  • Vitamin B12 (methylated)
  • Melatonin

Certain Essential Oils that can also be beneficial:

  • Lavendar Oil – Relieves stress
  • Peppermint Oil – Relaxes muscles and improves mental stimulation
  • Sandalwood Oil – Helps with inflammation
  • Eucalyptus Oil – Decongestant and anti-inflammatory
  • Nutmeg Oil – Reduces pain and improves indigestion
  • Ginger Oil – Improves digestion

The power of Melapower

Imagine my surprise when I found that Melapower Mason jar on Saturday! It was tucked in on the back of a shelf in my office. The water has a slight blueish tinge to it, but nothing else. I haven’t opened it and I am not going to. Fifteen years in the bottle and there isn’t any scum, or bacteria growing in that jar. There isn’t any mold growth either, as there always was with the Mason jar that contained Tide and water. Often, the metal lid of the Tide jar would have rusted through. The label and the metal lid on the jar with Melapower are still intact. The best product wins!

Last month, February 2025, I put a scoop of powdered Tide and water in an eight ounce Mason jar to show the difference between Tide and MelaPower when I am doing either an overview or a product training.

On Thursday March 6, 2025, I was doing an overview and showed the prospective customer the 15-year bottle of MelaPower and it didn’t look any different than it did a few months ago, However the Mason jar that I prepared with powdered Tide in February was already scummy, foamy, and moldy. The metal Mason jar lid was already starting to rust and had holes from the chemicals eating through the metal lid.

Which would you want to use on your clothes that touch your skin?

Anti-Aging Tips To Live Longer

I often get asked what I do to look younger than my age and while it’s a great compliment to hear, there’s no short answer to the question. For some, it’s genetics, but that’s not my case. So here’s a list I happen to follow to fight the aging process:

  1. Consume a lot of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts and seeds
  2. Choose supplements carefully to prevent deficiencies (vitamin K2/D3, magnesium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, etc). Most people are nutritionally deficient even if they eat healthy; and remember: Look for proof of cellular absorption and proof of performance. 
  3. Avoid sugary foods and drinks—especially those carbonated drinks!
  4. Avoid trans fats
  5. Significantly reduce your intake of omega-6 foods, like corn oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, margarine, sesame oil, mayonnaise and most salad dressings 
  6. Consume more healthy fats, especially omega-3 fats, by consuming more walnuts, olives, olive oil, avocados, flax seed, chia seed, fatty fish, etc
  7. Reduce processed red meat such as sausages, salami, bacon, ham, hot dogs, etc
  8. Consume anti-aging foods like green leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach, kale), blueberries, dark chocolate, salmon, walnuts, pomegranate, etc
  9. Avoid milk; it accelerates aging.
  10. Minimize alcohol
  11. Drink a minimum of 64 ounces of water per day—that’s eight glasses per day. Drink it often, the more the better.. 
  12. Fast regularly. Eat within a 12-hour period, so your body can fast for 12 hours. 
  13. Exercise moderately (ex: walking) for at least 20 minutes each day and intensely for at least an additional 20 minutes three times per week. 
  14. Optimize your sleep. Make sure you sleep enough and go to bed around the same time each evening.
  15. Consider taking melatonin. Besides improving sleep, melatonin can also extend lifespan and slow down aging
  16. Slow down skin aging by protect your skin against the sun’s rays: (always wear strong sunscreen, and a hat when going outside in the sun)
  17. Brush and floss! Good oral health slows aging and reduces heart disease and Alzheimer’s
  18. Consider nutrition to treat health concerns instead of medication. People often underestimate the side effects of medication. Also, most medications treat the symptoms, not the root cause. 
  19. Use high quality skincare (cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, etc) but be aware that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive skin care.
  20. Keep your protein up! Try to eat protein within an hour of waking up each day. We need more protein as we age and our bones need strong muscles to support them.

As always, if you need direction on any of these, just ask!

I loved those great smelling detergents

In fact, I was a Downy Unstoppables lover. I had no idea there were a variety of toxins and endocrine disrupters in those products.. Really, I had zero clue—I just loved the “smell-good” stuff.

We stopped using Dreft because we discovered that just because there is a baby on the label does NOT make it safe for babies (or for anyone else of that mater) and stopped the Unstoppables to switch to this Ecosense brand almost years ago. I’ve never purchased any other brand laundry product since.

The reasons are simple. First, there is the safe-scent policy — I get great “smell-good” stuff without the toxins. This super-concentrated laundry detergent easily lifts stains and smells amazing. It uses safer ingredients (No chlorine bleach; No parabens; No phthalates; No formaldehyde; No bleach, No ammonia; No tricolsan; and No phosphates), reduces plastic waste and is more affordable per wash. Just one pump or 10 mL (that’s two teaspoons!) is all you need to clean a full load of laundry, and these products have s and NO recalls or lawsuits on any ingredients in any product throughout the whole store.

That’s unheard of today. Plus, the cost is lower— one small 32 oz. bottle is enough to wash 96 loads.
Can’t beat that!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a condition characterized by extreme tiredness or fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep. It can often be misdiagnosed as depression which leads to improper prescribed anti-depressants.

Who is at risk for Chronic Fatigue? The top seven risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome are:

  1. Women between the ages of 30 and 50.
  2. Being overweight
  3. Being inactive
  4. Having allergies
  5. Depression
  6. A stressful life
  7. Exposure to toxins

Technically, there is no cure, but there are steps you can take to address it. First, however, you have to know the root causes of CFS.

Root Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Here are some common culprits of CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome):

  • Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections
  • Epstein-Barr virus
  • Heavy metal, toxic chemicals or mold 
  • Unhealthy digestive system and gut microbiome
  • Thyroid issues
  • Immune conditions
  • Adrenal exhaustion 
  • Hormonal Imbalances
  • Inflammation 
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction
  • Nutritional deficiencies 
  • Hypertension 
  • Mental stress

Pretty big list, right? So it’s important to not “self diagnose” an issues that’s not there. 
If you do have a proper diagnosis, here’s a few steps you can take to feel better:

  1. Eat a well balanced diet
  2. Consult about proper supplementation. Chances are you are deficient in more than one area
  3. Exercise within your limits
  4. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day

As always, I’m here to help in any way I can!

Omega 6 vs Omega 3

Both are important! But getting too much of one can be harmful to your health.

Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for human health and have many benefits, including: 

  • Heart health: Omega-6s can help lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. 
  • Brain function: Omega-6s play a crucial role in brain function, along with omega-3 fatty acids. 
  • Growth and development: Omega-6s are necessary for normal growth and development. 
  • Bone health: Omega-6s help maintain bone health. 
  • Metabolism: Omega-6s help regulate metabolism. 
  • Reproductive system: Omega-6s help maintain the reproductive system. 
  • Insulin sensitivity: Omega-6s help improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which can help keep blood sugar in check.

Here’s the problem:

Omega 6’s can promote inflammation and the typical American diet contains 14 to 25 times more omega-6s than omega-3s, which reduce inflammation. So that’s why the balance of these two superstars is very important!

We should strive for a 1:3 ratio of Omega 6 vs Omega 3, meaning we should have 3 grams of Omega 3 for every gram of Omega 6.

You cannot have too much Omega 3’s!