Home - Reclaiming Vitality

Is Your Health Being Sabotaged by a Zinc Deficiency?

How often do you think about zinc and its effects on your health? If you are like most Americans, you probably don't think about it at all. Or maybe you think about it in terms of immunity, like when you are getting a cold. This mineral, however, is not just for...

Is Gluten-free Really Healthier?

So much of the nutrition information that the public is given is confusing, conflicting, and often misleading. There are numerous reasons for this and I will go into them later in the post. First, let's answer the question at hand: Is Gluten-free Really Healthier ?...

Supplements: Should you be taking them?

This is a question that I get asked a lot! The answer, of course, is not a simple one. In Nutritional Therapy, we like to use food first whenever possible. (See my post "10 Ways to Sneak Nutrients into Your Diet Without Taking a Pill" for ideas. I also have an ebook...

Charcoal Gummies: For Quick Tummy Relief!

These activated charcoal gummies are the perfect thing to have around in the case of food poisoning, stomach flu, or other tummy troubles! I make and freeze them so that they are on hand in case of one of these emergencies. They are tasty enough that most kids will...

Why Lard Should be Invited Back into Your Home

Okay, so maybe lard has never been granted an invitation into your home in the first place. Maybe it never even had a place in your mother or grandmother's homes. It almost certainly had a place in your great-grandmother's home, however. And this is for a good reason!...

Does Red Meat Cause Cancer?

Does red meat cause cancer? No doubt you have heard the various studies in the news, health magazines espousing the evils of red meat. Then on the other side, there is the grass-fed, pastured meat movements espousing the health benefits of red meat. There are diets...

Chamomile: Uses and Benefits (plus 10 recipes and why your garden needs it!)

Something awesome is happening in my yard right now! There is chamomile growing, and I didn't even plant it this year! This is year two of "back-to-Eden" gardening for me, or as I like to call it "busy-woman-gardening". If you have never heard of back to Eden...

Your Lymphatic System: Fountain of Youth?

Do you have dull skin, and thinning hair, PMS, aching knees, mood swings, forgetfulness, food sensitivities, or those hard-to-lose last 10 pounds? All of these symptoms can be caused or exacerbated by a sluggish lymphatic system. In Ayurvedic medicine, a medical...

Using Essential Oils for Cleaning

I am passionate about using essential oils for cleaning, so I am so excited to have my friend and fellow blogger, Kelly, here for a guest post this week to help convince you to make the switch. Her blog, The Oily life, is a great essential oil resource with...

Is Your Breakfast Helping Or Hurting You? (Plus My Superfood-Filled Breakfast Smoothie Recipe)

I always believed that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Now I know that this is only true in certain instances. The popular belief that I subscribed to was that eating breakfast gets your metabolism started for the day. In his article "Does Skipping...

Homemade Essential Oil Roll-ons

These essential oil roll-ons are some of our favorite tools we have around the house for keeping healthy or recovering from illness quickly. We also put essential oils in diffusers throughout the house, but the rollers are particularly when handy away from home and...

Protecting Your Microbiome

By now you have probably heard that you have have more bacterial cells than actual human cells! This collection of bacterial cells is called your microbiome, microbiota, or microflora depending upon who is speaking. For the sake of simplicity, I will refer to it as...

10 Ways to Sneak Nutrients into your Diet Without Taking a Pill

These days, with things to contend with such as soil depletion, food traveling great distances before it reaches your table, and processed foods that are stripped of nutrients, it can be hard to get the nutrients that your body needs in your daily diet. Although...

Magnesium-rich Homemade Ranch Dip (or Dressing)

This Homemade Ranch Dip is loaded with magnesium and probiotics as well as other important nutrients. Since magnesium deficiencies are rampant in the U.S. it is helpful to have a tasty way to get your magnesium! Plus, there is no guilt when dipping your veggie (or...

Do You Have a Magnesium Deficiency?

It is estimated that 80-90% of Americans have a magnesium deficiency. Are you one of them? Let's find out..... Things that contribute to a magnesium Deficiency: Eating things containing refined sugar and/or corn syrup (both high fructose and regular) Eating refined...

Fermented Horseradish

Fermented horseradish is the perfect condiment to serve with your prime rib (or steaks) this Christmas or New Year's! The enzymes created during fermentation of this tasty condiment help your body digest the meat and the other rich items that will accompany your...

Buckwheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread (Gluten-free)

This Buckwheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread is delicious, gluten-free, and nutritious. It takes only 10 minutes to prepare (as long as you have your easy-to-make buckwheat sourdough starter ready and active.) It has a light airy texture straight out of the oven, but will...

Homemade Nourishing Face Cream

Post updated 10/31/19 with natural preservative information! Making your own homemade nourishing face cream is much easier than you think! If you have ever made homemade mayonnaise, you can make face cream. It is well worth the small amount of effort in both cases....

DIY Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

This DIY Rose and Hyaluronic Face Serum is my new favorite, favorite thing! My skin loves this serum. It makes me wonder why I haven't made a hyaluronic acid face serum before. Actually, I know why. The first time I tried a hyaluronic face serum, I didn't like it!...

Do You Have Harmful Spices in Your Cupboard?

You may already be aware of the dangers lurking in those little spice packets that they sell at the grocery store, such as taco seasoning, but did you know that the herbs and spices you have in your cupboard might also be harmful? What is Wrong with Your Herbs and...

Fermented Peppers: My favorite ferment!

These fermented peppers are right up with fermented herbs as one of my favorite ferments! With the herbs, I am finding a tasty way to preserve the fresh taste of the overflowing bounty that comes out of my garden, not so with the peppers. Sadly, I have never had luck...

Fermented Herbs: Preserve summer!

Fermented herbs are my favorite way to preserve the overflow of herbs that come out of the garden at this time of the year! Of course I like to dry some as well, but you can't beat the fresh flavor plus the probiotic punch of fermented herbs. Once fermented, I like...

Fermented Horseradish

Cranberry Kraut: Lower inflammation and feed your microbiome.

For a holiday twist on an old favorite that also feeds your microbiome, try this tasty and nutritious Cranberry Kraut recipe. Cranberry Nutrition: Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. They contain vitamin C, E, and K. Cranberries...

Fermented Cranberry Sauce

One of my favorite holiday foods is cranberry sauce. A few years ago, when I was first getting in to fermenting, I knew I need to come up with a fermented cranberry sauce. Like most of you, what graced our table when I was growing up was the the gelatinous version...

Fermented Garlic: Win the fight against sickness this winter!

Ok. I truly hate to be the one to bring this up while we are all enjoying a beautiful summer, but...Winter Is Coming! We need a stockpile of "dragon glass" (aka fermented garlic) to win the war against colds, sinus infections, flus, bronchitis, and stomach bugs...

Three Easy Ways to Add Fermented Foods to Your Daily Diet

You have probably heard that fermented foods like kraut (sauerkraut) are full of probiotics and that probiotics feed the good bacteria in your gut or microbiome. Now the question is how to get them into your daily routine so that they become a habit. You are...

“Kiddie” Kimchi

What is "Kiddie" Kimchi, you ask? It is a yummy kimchi-like ferment full of super-foods and probiotics to feed my family's microbiomes. I love Kimchi, but my kids do not do spicy. Not at all. This ferment uses some of the great flavors and powerful nutrition of...

Fermented Beets: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Fermented beets (or "pickled") are one of my favorite ferments. I like to eat them in my salads. They also go great with goat cheese!! They are so simple to make and beets are absolutely a nutritional powerhouse. Allow me to break down their nutritional benefits for...

Fermented Radishes

Fermented Radishes are a tasty way to get your probiotics! Enjoy them in a salad, on a crudités plate, or solo as a snack. They have a delightful peppery pickle-like flavor. Radishes are packed with nutritional benefits as well. They live up to the "food as...

DIY Flower Oils for Healing Salves and Creams

Spring is finally in the air. Just around the corner, flowers will be popping up in my garden. One of my favorite uses for flowers like calendula, chamomile, and rose, is to make flower oils. Flower oils are a way to add amazing healing properties to the oils you use...

Homemade Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads

Eye makeup remover has been a tough one for me. My eyes are very sensitive! Actually, I think most people have sensitive eyes. My struggle has been to find an eye makeup remover that isn't too oily, but also isn't too soapy and drying. Over the years, I have purchased...

DIY Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum

Homemade Nourishing Face Cream

Marshmallow Rose Face Mask: Soothing and Hydrating

I am using this Marshmallow Rose Face Mask twice a day right now! We are having a dry spell here in the Seattle area. While it is lovely to see the sun in a season other than summer, my skin has not been happy about it. Enter this face mask. It is so hydrating,...

Sesame Oil: Bring Back Healthy, Youthful, Glowing Skin With This Deeply Nourishing Face and Body Moisturizer

I long ago ditched my mainstream fragrant moisturizer that was loaded with hormone disruptors and cancer causing chemicals (but smelled amazing, of course). If you haven't, read this post which discusses fragrances in general or this post which discusses...

Oil Cleansing Method (For Your Face)

If you haven't heard of this amazing method for cleaning your face, you might have various questions running through your mind. Cleaning my face with oil? Won't I break out? How the heck does that work? Well, let me tell you. How the Amazing Oil Cleansing Method...

DIY Customized Face Serum

This time of year, the end of winter, your face might start to feel a little dry and crackly, depending upon where you live. An easy fix for this is a face serum. Face serums are some of the easiest beauty products to make at home. Also, you can customize the beauty...

Buckwheat Sourdough Ebelskivers (aka Pancake Balls)

These Buckwheat Sourdough Ebelskivers harken back to my Norwegian roots. They are not a passed down family recipe, however. I had to discover them on my own. Converting ebelskivers to a gluten-free sourdough was high up on my to-do list after I learned I had a gluten...

Buckwheat Sourdough Crepes

These Buckwheat Sourdough Crepes are a breakfast staple in our house! Despite what you may think, crepes are just as easy to make as pancakes. These crepes are gluten-free, loaded with healthy fats and protein. A much better way to start your day than the toxic...

Buckwheat Sourdough Sugar Cookies (Gluten-free, Additive-free)

If you are looking for a gluten-free version of a cutout cookie that is a dead ringer for the wheat version yet has no questionable fillers or additives, this recipe for Buckwheat Sourdough Sugar Cookies is for you! If you do not have a buckwheat sourdough starter,...

Buckwheat Sourdough Pumpkin Bread (Gluten-free)

Buckwheat Sourdough Pancakes and Waffles (gluten-free, grain-free)

This buckwheat sourdough pancakes and waffles recipe is the closest to the "real deal" gluten-free, grain-free pancake/waffle recipe that I have ever tasted! I love to use Acadian Buckwheat by Bouchard Family Farms. It has a much lighter texture than other...

How to Make and Maintain a Buckwheat Sourdough Starter (Gluten-free)

Using a buckwheat sourdough starter gives you a nutritious as well as tasty way to make gluten-free, grain-free breads, pancakes, waffles, tortillas, and many other treats. Once you have made your starter, try my recipe for buckwheat sourdough waffles and...

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