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Who doesn’t love the scent and sound of onions sizzling in butter? Two basic ingredients that create pure magic just by cooking (sorta) slowly over medium heat - oh miracle of miracles! Add to that the scent of fried sage and roasted butternut squash. And you’re right on your way to a delicious, festive dish that will delight your guests to no end! (But really isn’t difficult to make… shh, we won’t tell if you won’t!)

This Caramelized Onion Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash and Sage is a study in balance. The chewy farro paired with the creamy butternut squash. The sweet caramelized onions with the deep herbaceous-ness from the fried sage. A fancy tasting dish that takes little skill and just a bit of time.

Lately I have been having fun experimenting with making my own nut butters. I am all about my food processor, and recently got a new one with some fun and extra tools. It is so satisfying to see a few separate ingredients all come together to make one yummy recipe. In the last few months I have tried everything from macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, and pecans. Combining these nuts with different sweeteners and spices can make for a wide variety of incredibly nutritious and delicious nutty treats.

You may have heard the slogan, “from farm to table,” but have you heard the words “from sea to bottle?” That is the saying for Dropi Cod Liver Oil. Fresh and pure from the cold and clean waters stretching between Greenland and Iceland, this brand of cod liver oil is newer to our store, but one of the most popular yet. This superfood is cold pressed and unrefined, meaning it has not gone through the heating or processing that would strip it of vital nutrients. There are a lot of cod liver oil brands out there today, so in this post, we are going to explore the benefits of the Dropi Cod Liver Oil brand and why it is superior to most.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … cookie season! Whether you’re baking at home with the kids or grandkids, participating in a cookie swap or bringing sweets into work for a little midweek cheer, cookie season is full of joy and, of course, tasty treats!

And in the spirit, we embarked on a journey to create a healthier version of a classic cookie that’s loved by all: the Snickerdoodle.

Growing up in California, I did not get to experience much of a true fall. So, this year, I have been in for a real treat. I moved to the Mid-West the first week of winter last year (what a change!), so this last month I have really gotten to soak in what a real fall is actually like. Who knew you could actually wear scarves in October and that insulated boots and big jackets were needed by November?! In California, my friends and I all had an ongoing competition to see who could make it to December 1^st before turning the heat on for the first time, but in Illinois, I had the heat running and the fireplace going the first weekend in October.

Please welcome my sister Kelsey to the blog. She put together this guest post on how she healed her own acne using real foods!

I am one of those unlucky folks that dealt with lingering acne well into my twenties. Now I am not just talking about a small pimple here and there, I am talking about moderate acne that created multiple bumps underneath my skin that caused inflammation in my cheeks and forehead. I was embarrassed that I had to deal with such a thing when all my friends had clear skin. I tried so hard to hide the scars and bumps, but despite the layers of makeup that I applied I could never quite do it. Eventually I was unwilling to go out with friends. To some this may seem a little bit silly, but after five years and no luck of successful treatment I was self conscious and tired of it. Luckily, with the help of an integrative dermatologist and my sister, I was able to come up with a supplement regimen that changed my skin for the better. Here are the supplements that immensely helped my skin and overall health.

There is a lot of controversy these days over the facts about water fluoridation. Is it safe? Is it harmful? Is it downright toxic? According to the American Dental Association, fluoride: 1) protects against cavities 2) prevents tooth decay 3) is safe and effective 4) saves money and 5) is natural. Is this really the case though? Are all types of fluoride truly safe, natural, and actually helpful? There have been many studies over the years to investigate these claims, and yet a conclusion about fluoride has been challenging to reach. (1)

Who says that renters can’t have clean water? If you have been reading this blog long enough, you almost certainly will have come across a post on the importance of clean, pure water. We have written about this topic a lot here on the Radiant Life Blog. Clean water, like clean food, is so critical to life and well-being. Yes, we are passionate about it, and want to spread the word that having clean water in your household is not hard at all.

Last fall I moved to the Midwest. After growing up in southern California and spending my early adult years there on the western coast, moving to the Midwest has been a big change to say the least. I am used to that “sunny and 75” (give or take a few!) just about year around. In the Midwest, I have yet to experience an ideal season. Winter brought life-threatening cold like I have never experienced, spring consisted of more rain in a few months than I think California has experienced in all of my years combined, and summer, well, is hot, muggy, and buggy! Yes, the bugs are another new experience for me. The only season I have yet to experience is fall, but I hear they save the best for last.

With all of these drastic shifts in weather, I’ve found that staying hydrated has been critical. Whether it is high temperatures and even higher humidity levels, or the blustery, dry cold, each season brings its challenges when it comes to hydration. Experts say that once the sensation of thirst is experienced you are actually already dehydrated. Year round we should be drinking adequate fluids each day so that we don’t ever feel the need to quench our thirst!