As far as appliances go, I don’t give my dishwasher much thought. And I don’t think too deeply about the detergent I pour into it. But I should have.

My previous eco-friendly dishwasher detergent always left unsightly spots and streaks on my utensils and dishware. And far too often I found food particles clinging to what should have been clean plates and bowls. But I gave my former brand a pass, thinking, well, at least it’s ecologically green.

I know better since discovering Dropps. This USDA-certified, biobased dishwasher detergent is powerful stuff. It leaves my utensils more spot free and clean than ever, and my dishes have a sheen I haven’t seen since they were new.

Almost all the ingredients that Dropps use are plant or mineral in origin, and their UltraWash Plus enzyme formulation is tough enough to clean food that’s been stuck on for 24 hours!

I put this claim to the test recently by leaving unrinsed bowls of chili out overnight. The next morning, I ran them in a dishwasher cycle with a Dropps pod. To my amazement, they came out sparkling clean and residue free. My previous brand failed miserably at these tasks, even though I thoroughly rinsed every dish, glass, and utensil before loading in the dishwasher. With Dropps I’m not only saving time; I’m also saving water.

Dropps is a Certified B Corporation that’s been around for over 30 years developing products made from renewable, bio-derived ingredients. Their detergents are free of chlorine, phosphates, dyes, and phthalates. Their products are septic safe and never tested on animals.

Dropps comes in an unscented or lemon citrus scent in either UltraWash Plus or UltraWash. I’ve been using unscented UltraWash Plus.

The difference between the two is UltraWash Plus includes a rinse aid, stain and starch removers, and the capacity to clean 24-hour stuck-on food. With all this dishwashing ability, I won’t be giving my detergent another thought. And now I don’t have to!

A 64-count (64 pods) of UltraWash Plus retails for $30 for a one-time purchase. Subscription prices are also available at a reduced rate.

There are five basic tastes we humans experience: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

Umami is unique in that it adds a savory and almost meaty component to foods. Many natural ingredients offer an umami taste, including tomatoes, anchovies, Parmesan and other aged cheeses, miso, and charred meat. Even vegetables like mushrooms and asparagus are considered to offer an umami flavor profile.

Conveniently, there are bottled products for adding umami. Unfortunately, many are full of added salt and dubious ingredients. MSG is one of these items, and it’s been a popular flavor enhancer for years. But many have reactions after ingesting MSG. I know I do, as I get terrible headaches.

Fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce are cleaner ways to sprinkle on umami. But some are not appropriate for plant-based cooking, as they contain seafood and fish. 

If you’re looking for a vegan alternative, try Yondu. This light and versatile vegetable-based umami liquid seasoning can be substituted for soy sauce, fish sauce, broth, salt, bouillon cubes, and more.

A Savory Sauce for Stir-Fry

I found Yondu to be all the seasoning I needed when making a stir-fry. A few liquid sprinkles added a welcome depth of flavor. Yondu was not overpowering the way soy sauce and fish sauce can be. Clear in hue, it doesn’t change the color of what you’re cooking. 

Yondu takes the place of salt and be added at any stage of the cooking process. To add a savory flavor, I’ll be trying it in soups, pastas, sautéed veggies, and salad dressings. 

Yondu is made from slow-fermented organic soybeans, yeast extract, and a concentrated broth of eight vegetables and herbs naturally rich in umami flavor (leek, cabbage, carrot, onion, white radish, shiitake mushroom, ginger, and garlic). It’s 100 percent plant based, USDA Certified Organic, vegan, and gluten free. 

Yondu’s website offers chef-created recipes to try. There’s also a link to find their product through independent grocers. Yondu can be purchased in bulk through the site. One available option is two (28-oz) bottles for $32.

I recently enjoyed a bowl of SeedWise Grain Free Mixed Berries Clusters for breakfast, and to my surprise I found I didn’t miss the oats.

SeedWise’s hearty and flavorful chunks of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds satisfied me as much as, and perhaps more than, any bowl of granola could.

Best yet, they go beyond breakfast. I find myself sprinkling them over yogurt and fruit and enjoying them straight from the bag for a quick and filling snack. 

The clusters are crunchy, fruity, and a little bit sweet—thanks to the addition of cranberries, blueberries, and aronia berries (a small, round, dark purple fruit native to North America).

A product of Canada, SeedWise began with the premise of providing powerful snacks that pack a seedy punch with no grains, fillers, gluten, tree nuts, dairy, soy, or sesame seeds. In addition to the Mixed Berries version, there are also Chocolate and Sweet + Salty flavors.

Each [q:1/3] cup serving contains 11 grams of dietary fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 2 grams of sugar (1 gram added sugar), as well as healthy fats. SeedWise Grain Free Clusters are vegan, Keto Certified, and Non-GMO Project Verified.

A variety pack of all three flavors (5.3 ounces each) can be purchased via Amazon for $24.99.

In the winter I get lazy about applying lotions and oils. But now that summer’s here, I can’t hide my dry skin under long sleeves and pants anymore

Wanting something nourishing and hydrating, I’ve been using Desert Essence’s Fresh Mango Body Butter to replenish dryness. Luxuriously thick in texture, this body butter stimulates my skin, waking it up first thing in the morning. This is thanks to the coffee oil the butter contains, helping to invigorate, firm, and smooth my skin.

This body butter also contains hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, mango seed butter, and aloe for deep moisture, quick absorption, and a dose of essential fatty acids.

I like how the fresh and fruity natural aroma is evocative of the tropics and provides a welcome start to my day.

Desert Essence’s Fresh Mango Body Butter is cruelty free, vegan, and gluten free with no artificial dyes or fragrances. The product is made in the US with globally sourced ingredients.

One 7.5-oz jar costs $12.99.

I don’t have curly hair. I wish I did. My locks are thin and flat. My husband has thick and curly hair, and I envy it.

We have never shared hair products until I came across 4U by Tia. Founded by Tia Mowry, this line was created to strengthen and improve naturally curly hair. These items put curls first, adding shine and definition with patented, award-winning ingredients.

Even though 4U is designed to address curly hair, I found I benefited from the products too. Their Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner made my hair softer and smoother. My husband has typically frizzy locks, and these two items tamed his flyaway strands so they were smoother. Hair that was almost always dry became softer and shinier for him. We both appreciated how well the shampoo lathered up. There’s a light floral scent for those who like fragrance.

Effective Silicone Alternative

Hemi15 is an award-winning and patented hydrating ingredient in 4U by Tia’s products. This ethically grown sugarcane-derived emollient replaces the silicone found in conventional shampoos, adding weightless moisture to the hair shaft and creating more defined curls.

Made with other sustainable and naturally derived ingredients, including watermelon fruit extract, moringa oleifera seed oil, and hibiscus flower extract, 4U by Tia products are cruelty free, vegan, and non-toxic, and contain no parabens, silicone, or sulfates.

The Moisturizing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner come in 13 fl. oz bottles that retail for an affordable $9.99 each.

I hate to admit it, but I can be moody. I wish I had a more even-keeled disposition and less of a flaring temper, but I don’t. I find overwhelming emotions easier to handle if I just accept that they’re a part of me—and a part of being human. We all have stuff to go through.

But it’s easier to go through stuff with support, and for this I look to the herbal kingdom. To alleviate despondency, anger, and depression, plant medicine has been my balm. I find positive and healing synergistic exchanges occur in my body when I take herbs.

Pure Synergy’s Radiant Mood is one such supplement that’s been supporting my healing journey. It’s formulated to assist with deeper sleep, to soothe anxiety, and to deliver a sense of calm and a better mood. Radiant Mood is comprised of sustainably harvested, wild-crafted herbs that have a long history of helping improve one’s well-being. Here’s what’s included in the formulation.

Botanical Allies

• Rose flower to uplift mood and impart relaxation
• Lavender flower to help calm
• Magnolia bark for a pronounced sense of ease
• Gardenia fruit for mood improvement
• Saffron to help with sleep and mood support
• Lemon balm leaf to balance the stress response
• Albizia bark and flower to relieve anxious feelings and to assist with restorative rest

The botanicals in Radiant Mood have standardized amounts of active compounds found by research to be effective. For me, this formulation works. It helps soften overwhelming negative feelings and helps to lift despair. I feel calmer and more grounded when taking it.

Radiant Mood is non-GMO, dairy- and gluten-free, vegan, and certified organic. One bottle of 60 capsules (30 servings) costs $49.

When I was a little kid, I remember being enthralled by the fluorescent colors my tongue would turn after sucking on ice pops. My friends and I would compare tongues to see who sported the brightest colors.

As an adult, I know those artificial colors were to blame, and I have no interest in reliving those colorful memories. But who wants to give up on the fun of enjoying an ice-cold freezer pop when temperatures soar?

Meet DeeBee’s Organics Gelato Pops. Creamy and smooth like gelato but fruity and refreshing like an ice pop, DeeBee’s are the best of both worlds. 

These nondairy freezer treats have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and are plant based and gluten free. The creaminess comes courtesy of organic coconut milk. Sweetened with organic grape juices and fruit purées, there’s no added sugar. And at only 35 calories a pop, they’re a guilt-free indulgence. 

On a recent summer afternoon, my husband and I relived our youth by strolling around outside insouciantly enjoying our ice pops. We sampled the three available flavors: Pineapple, Mango, and Lime.

The refreshing tropical tastes of the fruits shined through. Our favorite: mango. It was like eating slices of the real thing. But better. None of the pops tasted diluted or were too icy.

DeeBee’s Organics Gelato Pops come shelf stable. Just pop the BPA-free, single-serve pouches in the freezer for when you need them.

One (20-pop) package is $14.99.

Dan-O’s says right on its bottle to "Sprinkle Generously." With over 1,000,000 bottles of seasoning blends sold, that’s a lot of sprinkling going on.

Intrigued by the Cheesoning variety, I tried it on two veggie sides: steamed spinach and steamed artichokes. Upon opening the bottle, I immediately noticed how fresh the blend of Parmesan cheese, spices, garlic, onion, mustard seed, salt, and lemon and orange peels smelled.

Sprinkled over spinach, I found it added a cheesy and herbaceous flavor that elevated the greens. I also whisked some of the blend into extra-virgin olive oil for dipping artichoke leaves. The resulting Parmesan and garlic-infused oil was a lighter yet still tasty dip compared to typical mayonnaise-based recipes.

In both applications, Dan-O’s was all the seasoning I needed—including salt.

Gluten free with no sugar, MSG, GMOs, or chemicals, each sprinkling is a convenient and quick way to add flavor. Add the Cheesoning blend to pizza, pasta, raw or steamed veggies, baked potatoes, rice, eggs, popcorn, and more.

Dan-O’s has other varieties without cheese to choose from:

• Original (contains rosemary, garlic, onion, lemon peel, and orange peel)
• Spicy (heat is added to the original version)
• Chipotle (a smoky version)
• Crunchy (compliments of poppy and sesame seeds)

A helpful compilation of recipes using Dan-O’s is arranged on the website according to dietary needs: Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Paleo, and Mediterranean.

Found in over 18,000 stores nationwide, locate a retailer near you through their website.

Stressed? Got sore muscles? Having trouble sleeping?

Yes, yes, and yes. Many of us experience one, if not all, of these issues on any given day. I know I do.

I find that magnesium supplementation helps greatly. Most people are deficient in this mineral that is required at the center of every cell in the body, and helps support our brain, nerves, and other body systems. When levels are low, we get sore, have insomnia, and suffer headaches.

I’ve tried oral and topical products, and my favorite is the Topical Magnesium Oil from Health & Wisdom. It’s a pure, pharmaceutical-quality product that provides 538 milligrams of magnesium chloride per teaspoon.

I apply it every night before bed, and I find it relaxes me and helps me drift off. As I’m writing this, I became aware of how stiff and sore my neck and shoulders were and how a headache was creeping up on me. I massaged some of the oil into the back of my neck and down to my shoulders. Within about 10 minutes, I noticed my muscles felt looser and less tense, and my headache became a whisper of what it once was.

The thought of applying greasy oil may sound like a turn off when it’s so much easier to swallow a pill, but I like this topical version because it absorbs immediately and doesn’t have to work its way through the digestive system. And, despite the name, it doesn’t feel oily or greasy. It has a viscosity more like water.

I appreciate the company’s suggestion of adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the magnesium before rubbing it into your skin. I’ll have to try this. Aside from topical application, you can also add the oil to a foot soak or a bath.

Health & Wisdom was the first company to offer transdermal magnesium to the public. They test their products. To remove harmful contaminants, they purify all of the magnesium chloride in the product, which is derived from the Great Salt Lake.

Many size options are available. For an example, a 12-oz bottle retails for $24.99.

I’ve relied on the aloe vera plant’s gel to soothe burns, scratches, and bug bites for years. So when my 20-year-old aloe recently died, it was a sad loss. I’m trying to start another plant, but it will probably be years until it reaches the maturity and size of the previous one.

In the meantime, I’ve been doing research on brands that contain aloe vera. Did you know this miraculous plant is antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiseptic? I didn’t.

My online search brought me to Desert Harvest, an established brand with nearly three decades’ experience creating products from the succulent aloe vera leaf.

Since aloe has helped my skin in the past, I decided to give the company’s Aloe Renew Moisturizing & Firming Cream a try. I’ve been having some redness and inflammation on my face lately. I’m not sure why. It could be the detox I’m doing.

Anyway, I find this cream provides soothing relief. My face feels smoother, softer, and more nourished. The redness has calmed down some too. It absorbs easily. An application in the morning makes it an effective primer, allowing my sunscreen to apply and set more evenly.

Aloe Renew is all natural, vegan, and paraben free with a unique combination of ingredients, which provide a host of nutrients. Among them are CoQ10; Tripeptide-1for stimulating collagen; and various plant extracts and oils, including marigold flower, purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), chamomile flower, and bergamot fruit. These and other ingredients target the onslaught of environmental pollution and sun exposure we’re faced with daily.

A bonus for me is that this product is more affordable than many similarly sized ones. A 4-oz jar retails for $27.