PaleoLove Company
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Beautycounter
  • My Favorites
  • About
  • Retailers
  • Blog
    • Recipes
  • Work with Me
    • Get to Root Cause

Thrive and Survive this Holiday Season.

12/17/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
□by: Alexandr Podvalny
As we all feel the pressure of the Holiday’s barreling on towards us, we need to find tools that will help us thrive, survive and actually ENJOY the season. As with any problem, if we don’t fill out toolboxes with helpful tools we will not be successful. Here are some tips and tricks to try this holiday season.
  • If you are really stressed about gift giving, try speaking up and suggesting omitting the gifting or doing a white elephant gift instead? Even better, suggest a gift of experiences with the ones you love. Memories can be cherished for a lifetime, objects can be lost or broken.  
  • Make sure you carve time out for yourself, be it to read a book, take a walk or hike. All of those activities will recharge your body and mind. 
  • Choose low stress activities to do with your family. How about binging out holiday themed movies? 
  • If you are recovering from a loss, make sure you have your support people in place to help you through the first holiday without them. 
  • Keep your life in balance by sticking to your healthy habits of eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep. When we are sleep deprived, it can trigger our bodies for depression, loneliness and illness. 
  • For holiday gatherings away from home, ask how you can help the host. Especially if you have different dietary needs than the host. How about asking to bring a dish delicately by saying, “you know I’ve been hijacked by plant eaters, do you mind if I bring a few meat free dishes to the feast?” 
  • As you wish people to be generous with you, please remember to be generous with the host. They have worked hard to prepare a meal for everyone to enjoy.  You can also defuse an explosive situation by simply saying “Oh, that actually hurts my feelings because I worked so hard and wanted you to enjoy it.’”
  • The best way to deal with bad drunken behavior is by not serving alcohol. Here are some creative recipes to serve instead from Shatterproof, Spruce Eats and A Squirrel in the Kitchen (an AIP site).
Happy Holiday and hoping to see many of you next in our Metabolic Reset.

0 Comments

PaleoLove Gift Guide

12/1/2021

0 Comments

 
If you are anything like me, I'm always looking for gift ideas. Because you know someone might have a cooler or better idea than me. Or maybe I'm plumb out of ideas. At any rate I always love a good gift guide. I hope you enjoy the one I put together for you.
Picture
  1. Cookware: The pots and pans you use are important to your health. When you heat the cookware it can leach toxins into your body, so it’s best to use non-toxic cookware. My favorites are: Lodge cast iron skillet, Le Creuset ceramic coated skillet and now I am coveting the Our Place pans and Caraway set. These pans offer non-toxic coatings that will perform and be safe for you and your family
  2. Cookbook recipe tags: If you still use cookbooks, grab some recipe tags that way you can easily find your favorite recipes. I personally love the tags from Danielle Walker’s site. 
  3. Silicone bags and glassware: I took the plunge in April in honor of Earth Day to grab a set of silicon bags. My favorite thus far are the stasher bags. I use them in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life of kale and in the freezer to store the 1 cup servings of bone broth. The uses are endless and you are not polluting the earth and your body with single use plastic bags.  I love snapware glass containers. I even discovered you can order replacement lids, when one of them broke. So it's well worth the money folks. 
  4. Water bottles: It is so important to drink plenty of water. What better way than a bottle that helps you keep track of how much water you are drinking per day. Also make sure your bottle is BPA free, preferably glass or stainless steel. I am yearning the Hydrate-Mate and the filtering bottle from Aquasana. 
  5. Food covers: My personal favorites are the beeswax covers and silicone covers. Both are great options to use in replace of plastic wrap.
  6. Cookbooks: Oh cookbooks, this is something of an addiction of mine. However it’s always great to have a few on hand. I LOVE Danielle Walker’s Cookbooks, Michelle Hartwig’s books and Diane Sanfilippo books. ​
Picture
  1. Weighted blanket: For those that love to feel hugged all night a weighted blanket works well. My husband has found that using a weighted blanket helps him go to sleep and sleep more soundly. 
  2. Apron: I love my aprons, I was a late adopter to using aprons, but once I found the Angel Apron I was sold. These aprons have saved plenty of my clothes from getting stained. If you are making a change to cook more at home, make sure you have a stash of aprons. 
  3. Glass Storage Containers: Storing leftovers in glass is a healthier option for your body. My favorite container is Snapware.
  4.  Le Petit Chef: America’s Test Kitchen voted this kitchen knife as the best knife for kids. The Le Petit Chef blades are stainless steel and sharp, making this knife for slightly older kids (ages 6+). The blade is rounded at the end, and of course, the overall size is smaller than an actual chef’s knife, which makes it a great option for cooks in training. There’s a smooth wood handle with a built-in ring, so that kids can properly position their hands. And the plastic guard is designed to protect tiny digits. 
  5. Brain.fm: Brain.fm creates functional music to help people focus, relax and sleep better, backed by science, research and evidence. Get a 3 day free trial
  6. Instant pot: For everyday meals an instant pot will make cooking a breeze. 
0 Comments

12 Days of Art with the MJ's

11/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Do your kids or grandkids need a break from the screens? Give them the opportunity to learn about themselves as an artist while they explore art in the safety of their home. When my daughter was young she loved going to Art with the MJ's Art Camp. She did their summer program and their holiday edition program. I still have several projects she created during that time. My daughter loved their projects. I bet your favorite young person will love the projects in this carefully curated 12 Days of Art box. Check it out and download the below file to learn more. 
12_days_of_art_with_the_mjs__in_a_box_.pdf
File Size: 445 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments

Gift Guide for the Holiday Season

11/11/2021

0 Comments

 
As the year is barreling towards the holiday season, many of us are trying to make decisions on the holiday gifting season. What items should I get for my spouse, family, friends or teacher.  Will they arrive in time? Shouldn't I support local? What does supporting local mean to me? Does that mean I only buy items from a local business that makes and creates items here locally? Or does that mean I purchase an item(s) from a friend who reps a product(s) from a larger organization. I feel any and all the above our important questions to ask.

I will try to make my purchases where it will have the most effect on my local economy. I will purchase items from local artisans or markets. I will purchase items from friends who rep a product line that I value, knowing the money they earn from my purchase will be put back into the local economy. Especially during these new times, we need to be supportive of each other and of our local businesses. Only together can we all thrive. 

In the vein, here are a few gift items for the holiday. 
  •  Bedtime Basics: Setting the stage for a goodnights sleep is so important for our bodies. Sleep supports our immune system, helps to clear and reboot our brains. It helps with weight control and boosts our moods. The list goes on. For me, I like having a good book, comfy pjs and complete darkness when I sleep. I also love to use Beautycounter's Overnight Peel and Supreme Cream on my face at night. Since I have started using their products the quality of my skin has improved. It is less splotchy and stressed. This holiday season you can purchase both items in gift set for your favorite person, Clean Dreams Set.
  • Cold Winter Days: In the northern climates, winter can be so harsh on our skin and hands. The constant washing  and use of hand sanitizers has done a number on my hands. So using the Clean Scents Hand Cream Trio has been a life saver. I love that it fits so nicely in my bag. I also love how purchasing this set along with the Beyond Gloss Mini Vault makes a great gift item for teachers, friends and even stocking stuffers. My favorite color is Cinnamon Shimmer. Plus your lip will thank you for keeping them moist and healthy. Another recommendation for dry skin in the winter, make sure you are drinking plenty of water. This will help your skin stay healthy and support your bodies detoxing process. 
  • For The Girl on The Go: who always wants to be put together and have all her personal needs covered.  She will have her favorite warm beverage in a sustainable mug like above, my favorite is from Vida Pour Tea right here in Greensboro. If you want to get your favorite girl on the go a nice new hand bag check out the Greensboro Curb Market on Saturdays or at their two, Made4 the Holiday's Arts, Crafts & Pottery Markets on November 14th and December 5th this is where Handbagz and Gladbagz earth friendly fashion will be. I love her handcrafted handbags. They are the best!! Make sure you girl has her lips covered with Beautycounter's new Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Duo in translucent and warm rosy pink. Both balms are formulated with ultra-moisturizing murumuru and mango butters that keep lips happy and healthy-looking.  You can even split this package up for 2 gifts. 
  • At Home Mani & Pedi:  is a fun gift to give or receive or even give yourself. Who hasn't often thought I really need to get to the nail salon but either don't have time or are not really comfortable doing it during these times. One of my favorite birthday presents I received from a friend is a manicure kit. So many times I have used it at home or on the road and always think of my friend who gave it to me. Because she was thinking of me, taking care of me with out me realizing it. Heck I wasn't buying one for myself and I actually should have, because I use it ALL the time.  On that thought who has thought they need to take care of their nasty looking feet but procrastinate because A: it's winter and who is really gonna see my feet or B: ugh it'll be so much work. Why don't you give that person or yourself the gift of a luscious exfoliating kit from Beautycounter - Solemates Exfoliating Duo (check out this before and after)
  • For the Man: in your life grab him a case of his favorite fermented beverage from a local brewery or cidery. Here are a few of our favorites: Bull City Ciderworks, Southend Brewery, Oden Brewery and Ginger's Revenge, ya that last one is in Asheville.  Or if he is living the alcohol free life pick up a case of kombucha from Susan's Table at the Corner Market. Then grab him the Counterman Collection, and if it's sold out grab  him the items individually. My husband LOVES the Charcoal Body Bar  and he has tried plenty of bars of soap over the years and this is the best! He even takes it on business trips. 
  • A Night Out:  If you're a mom of young children I bet you're in need of a night out, heck if you have been being really good at social distancing I bet a night out or in is on your holiday list. Give the gift of experience, a gift certificate to a local restaurant, here in Greensboro we have a quite a few to choose from. Then grab the Good Glitz Duo to give yourself that special holiday look for the occasion. This set I love, I even used it to help with my costume for Halloween.
  • At Home Spa Day:  who hasn't want to go to the spa, but doesn't have the funds or time. Grab the Good Scents Bath Oil Trio and give yourself a nice soak in the tub and grab a bottle of clean crafted wine for a nice relaxing bath. Heck use one bottle for yourself and gift the other two. Then finish the experience sampling Countertime Regime in the mini size for anti-aging skincare. This regime is my all time favorite. It has made a difference in my life. 
  • For The Trendy Teen:  that age where parents, aunts, uncles and  grandparents all wonder what the heck should I get my favorite teen. Well we all know they LOVE Amazon Gift Cards, heck who doesn't love one of those. LOL A new fancy phone case and airpods will always be a hit. Heck help them clean up their skin with the Counterstart Cleanser & Moisturizer, my daughters favorite or help them get ready to go out with the Ready, Set, Makeup Trio.  This last one is a great way to introduce them to clean, sustainable makeup.
0 Comments

Beautycounter - Summer SALE!!!

8/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

That's right -- save 15% site wide during Beautycounter's Back to School sale!

Shop the sale here!

This sale makes it the perfect time to stock up on a few faves you might be running low on as well as a great time to try something you've been eyeing (maybe a fun new lip color (my fave is sheer genius) or our luxurious body polish, for example!).


As a heads up, brand new products (like our new Think Big All-In-One Mascara and Lid Glow Cream Shadow) are excluded from the sale (although they're both amazing, so you might want to add them to your cart anyway...). Sets, collections, and bundles, as well as last chance items, are also not eligible for the 15% discount.

The sale runs today through Monday, August 16.
Oh, and if you're a Band of Beauty member you just might have a credit to apply to your order as well. Remember your credit will show up as a payment option at checkout, or you can always reach out to me to check in on your credit amount. As a member, you'll get free shipping if your order totals $100 or more, too (saving you an additional $6.95). Yay!!

And if you are not a Band of Beauty member check out the benefits here. 
0 Comments

Band of Beauty Benefits

4/30/2021

0 Comments

 
I love to save money, who doesn't. When I first started as a client of Beautycounter, my consultant presented me with the option of signing up for Band of Beauty. Just hearing the benefits over the phone and doing some rough math in my head, I knew the benefits and savings were worth it.
Picture

Program Details and Benefits

  • Cost to Join: $29 + tax
  • Complimentary Gift when you sign up and spend at least $50 (these change frequently but are at least a $25 value)
  • 10% product credit towards future purchases with 90 days to redeem
  • Free shipping on orders over $100
  • Special offers just for members 

Let's do the Math

Picture
Ignoring the complimentary gift for a moment, let’s take a look at the product credit and free shipping. Band of Beauty works well if you are a consistent user of the products. This is not hard to do if you commit to either a skincare, bath and body, or makeup regimen, let alone if you do them all. Let’s say you join Band of Beauty and your first purchase is $100. You save $6.95 shipping on your first order. When you place your second order of at least $100, you save $10 (10% product credit on your original $100 purchase) plus the $6.95 shipping. Right there, you’re a little over $5 away from completely neutralizing the expense of the membership fee. By purchase #3, you’re “in the money” meaning you have recovered your initial $29 investment and are now consistently receiving a 10% product credit on all future purchases. My brain works better with an example (taxes not included):
0 Comments

Earth Day Cookies

4/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Earth Day's 51st Anniversary is this Thursday April 21st. I still remember being in Kindergarten when we celebrated our first Earth Day. Do you remember what you were doing? I would love to hear about it. For this anniversary I made Earth Day sugar cookies.
I used a basic sugar cookie recipe, one from Gluten Free on a Shoestring and the other from Whole Kitchen Sink.

Make the cookie dough recipe. Then divide it in half. Color one half with matcha and the other half with blueberry powder. ( I dumped a bag of Trader Joe's Freeze Dried Blueberry's in a blender and hit blend.) You could also use spirulina or Butterfly Pea Flower.  I put in about 1-2 tsp of match or blueberry powder into the dough, then mix well.  

​
Picture
To make the cookies, take a small scoop of blue color dough and a small scoop of green color dough. Roll together and push ever so lightly on a cookie sheet. Ta Da,  you have small earth snacks to celebrate Earth Day!! 

Bake according to the recipe. Then enjoy with a glass of mylk, coffee or tea. 
0 Comments

Vegan & GF  Chocolate Cream Pie

3/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
We LOVE this grain free and vegan chocolate cream pie. Many times we will bring it out for special celebrations like Pi Day, 3.14 aka at March 14. 
You can has this quick & easy pie to made in a few hours. You’ll need a bag of Momma’s Mammoth Munch, flavor of your choice. Plus additional nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts). Dates, full fat coconut milk, maple syrup, cocoa powder, arrowroot flour, whip cream, chocolate bar, sea salt & vanilla. 
​
Crust: 
  • 1 ½ C Momma’s Mammoth Munch
  • 1 C pecans, walnuts or almonds
  • 1 C pitted dates

Plus in nuts in food processor or high speed blender until you have a coarse mixture. Slowly blend in dates until it becomes a sticky mixture. If it’s too dry add a few more dates, one at a time until you reach the right texture. Pat down in a pie pan. Set aside. 
Filling:
  • 13.5 oz can of full fat coconut milk
  • ¼ c maple syrup
  • ⅔ C cocoa powder
  • 1 TBSP arrowroot flour
  • ½ tsp vanilla extra
  • dash sea salt

Use only cream from the can of coconut milk. To get cream from a can of coconut milk put it in the refrigerator for a 2-4 hours until is separates. Take the top the creamy top part of the coconut milk to use for this recipe. Save the watery portion for smoothies. Whisk the milk to break up the clumps. Then whisk the powdered cocoa, maple syrup, salt and vanilla extract. Pour into the crust, spread evenly, refrigerate for 2 hours or more until serving. Top with whipped coconut cream (homemade or from the store)

Coconut Whip Cream


  • 13.5 oz can of full fat coconut milk
  • 1 tsp of maple syrup

Place can in refrigerator for up to 2 days. I've even done this over night and it work. Chill your bowl and beaters for about 30 minutes before, however if you forget it will still work. Scoop out just the creamy top of the coconut milk. Beat this on high speed until peaks form. Now add the maple syrup beat well. Keep refrigerated until serving time. Whip again is needed. 

To serve drop a dollop of coconut cream onto a slice of pie with shavings from a dark chocolate bar. It'll have your friends and family swooning for more. 

Picture
0 Comments

Bull City Ciderworks

1/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
This past Saturday, my husband Dave & I had one of our first outside dates since the pandemic started. It was wonderful. We choose to visit Bull City Ciderworks for their soft opening, which turned out not to be a soft opening. Apparently a lot of other people were looking for things to do or waiting for our first cidery to open in Greensboro. YAY!! Finally we have a place to hang and have a few adult beverages.
Dave enjoyed the Smooth Hoppenator, dry with a bit of hoppiness. Reminiscent of a beer, which he really misses since being diagnosed as celiac.  
​

Read More
0 Comments

Virtual Shopping with SNAP benefits.

1/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Shopping with SNAP benefits has gotten a bit easier at The Corner Market located on the corner of Walker Ave and Elam Ave in Greensboro NC. Get fresh local good for you foods from your farmer and favorite prepared food vendor.  
Picture
If you receive SNAP benefits, The Corner Farmers Market will double them, up to $50 each week. So $50 in SNAP benefits becomes $100 in market dollars.  When you come to the market, stop by the yellow and white market tent at the Walker Ave entrance. Our staff will swipe your card and give you double that amount in tokens to spend. As always, your tokens never expire and are good for all SNAP-eligible purchases, including food plants. P-EBT SNAP benefits work the same way.

The Corner Pick Up service is also available for SNAP customers. When pre-ordering, just indicate in the WhatsGood App that you will pay on-site - Here's how:
  1. Create a WhatsGood customer account at sourcewhatsgood.com.
  2. Complete this simple form. Please allow up to 2 business days for the "Pay later with SNAP" option to be added to your WhatsGood customer account.
  3. Shop for products within our WhatsGood market*
  4. Checkout using the ‘Pay Later with SNAP’ option.
  5. Prepare to have your card swiped for the balance of your order on market day.
*Note: you must only select ‘Pay Later with SNAP’ at checkout for SNAP-eligible products. You must add a credit card or debit card number to your payment methods and pay that way for non-SNAP eligible items via a separate transaction.

SNAP-eligible products include all edible products including fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs, bakery goods, preserved goods (like jams, salsas), and plants that bear edible items. Non-SNAP eligilble items include cut flowers, soaps, hemp products, and yarn. You must pay for these items with another payment via WhatsGood.
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture

    ​Mary Bryan-Stewart

    Mary, is the creator and founder of PaleoLove Company, Mom, wife, friend, partner in crime, and entrepreneur. She has been a lover of art, food and traveling since she was very young. She began her paleo journey just out of curiosity, then her oldest daughter developed health problems where she needed to consume a low carb low sugar diet. It is here where she developed her skills in creating and making low sugar low carb treats and eats. 

    View my profile on LinkedIn
    Follow me on Strava

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017

    Categories

    All
    At Risk
    Beautycounter
    Chocolate
    COVID19
    Earth Day
    Farmers Markets
    FBS
    Functional Health
    Granola
    Greensboro
    Greenwashing
    Health
    Holidays
    Kids
    Local Events
    Local Foods
    Masks
    Memory
    Neuroinflammation
    PANDAS
    PANS
    Recipes
    Restaurants
    Skin Health
    Sunscreen
    Toxins
    Vegan
    Vitamin D
    World Events

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Beautycounter
  • My Favorites
  • About
  • Retailers
  • Blog
    • Recipes
  • Work with Me
    • Get to Root Cause