Hi , I got an email last week asking about the avocado oil scandal that broke out this summer, and yes, we need to talk about it! A study came out that asked something I thought we could take for granted: Is your avocado oil actually avocado oil? Apparently not. A new 2026 study found that 89% of packaged foods tested that were marketed as containing avocado oil failed authenticity testing. That means some products may contain cheaper substitute oils instead of the avocado oil youâre paying...
7 days ago â˘Â 2 min read
Hi Reader, Have you noticed how many foods are suddenly advertising that they're âseed oil freeâ? Iâm even seeing restaurants promoting that they are seed oil free. But does that actually make their food healthier? Not necessarily. And in some cases, it might be the opposite. What's the fear about seed oils? Seed oils like canola, soybean, and sunflower oil have gotten a bad reputation, largely because of claims that their omega-6 fatty acids cause inflammation. But research in humans...
14 days ago â˘Â 3 min read
Hi Reader, Thereâs always at least 1 or 2 days a week where weâre running out the door and no one has eaten anything. Either they didnât have time, or said they werenât hungry, or whatever the reason. I was chatting with a friend about this the other day, how we wish they would just eat SOMETHING before heading into a long day at school. So, I put together a quick shopping list with some of my favorite breakfast-friendly items that are truly grab-and-go. Even a few bites or a few gulps of...
22 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Hi Reader, I've learned that there are certain things I reallyyyy have to incentivize my kids to do if I want them to actually do it. I'm sure you can relate! Or maybe you have the world's most compliant children. If you do, let me know your secrets. Here are a few deals I found on the things they are currently coveting: Touchland 3-pack Coconut oil squishies (these are SUPER hot right now!) Slime making kit Bread squishies Press-on nails And here are the best-sellers from yesterday, still on...
26 days ago â˘Â 1 min read
Hi Reader, OK, if you can't tell, I'm all about the fall recipes right now. I love a sweet treat that we can feel good about nutritionally, and this one delivers. This recipe will be on my website soon, but I wanted my newsletter family to be the first to try it! Date Caramel Apple Dip Ingredients 1 packed cup (180 g) pitted Medjool dates 1/4 cup creamy cashew butter (like Whole Foods 365 brand or Target Good & Gather) 1/3 cup whole milk 2 tablespoons hot water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4...
27 days ago â˘Â 3 min read
Hi Reader, Food dyes have been all over the newsâand if youâre a parent, you might be wondering if youâre supposed to start checking every ingredient label for Red 40. The FDA is moving to phase synthetic food dyes out of the U.S. food supply, citing concerns about childrenâs health. But some of the claims being made about dyes go quite a bit further than the research does. So letâs separate what we actually know from what makes a good headline. Are synthetic food dyes harmful? Most children...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 3 min read
Hi Reader, When you were a kid, did you turn your pajamas inside out when you wanted to have a snow day? Iâm really not sure why we felt those two things would be related. We were somehow sending a message to the universe by showing it the insides of our sleepwear. But Iâve decided to take that same type of logic and hope that if we do lots of baking with pumpkin, then fall weather will finally come to Texas. đ Letâs show the universe our open cans of pumpkin and maybe the weather will dip...
about 1 month ago â˘Â 1 min read
Hi Reader, School = germs. đ The moment you put groups of kids together indoors, the germs take hold. And really, itâs no surprise, because kids are gross. They are constantly alternating between touching every surface they walk past, and putting their fingers in their noses and mouths. Itâs like theyâre subconsciously cataloguing every possible strain of bacteria available via handrail before age 12. (I canât be the only one who has been saying for years on repeat, âSTOP TOUCHING...
about 2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read
Hi Reader, No matter what grade my kids are starting each year, Iâve found that the beginning of the school year always brings extra emotions in my house. I am no stranger to the dreaded after school meltdown. And even though I know to anticipate it, it still can be hard to get everyone feeling regulated again! Sometimes the answer is incredibly simple: feed them. Itâs rare that you know exactly what they ended up eating at school. And thatâs fairly out of your control. But if they are hangry...
about 2 months ago â˘Â 1 min read