I regrettably have far too many photos of myself lathered up in natural mineral sunscreens, my ghost-like countenance staring back at the lens. For some of these images, I can be forgiven. Years ago, zinc oxide sunscreens sat on the face with a whitish cast that no amount of rubbing could remove.

Thus began my search for a better sunscreen. I only seemed to find brands that left me glistening or tacky or looking like a ghost—sometimes all three. A youthful dewy look is not a bad thing in my book. But wearing said sunscreens had people asking if I was okay, as they pointed out I was sweating profusely on my face. Nope. It was the sunscreen. Beach outings weren’t easy either with minerals blends that applied thick and tacky to my skin. I’d miserably find pieces of sand stuck everywhere. And if I rubbed the sand off, I removed the sunscreen as well. 

Years of searching and I’ve finally found a brand that applies like a lightweight moisturizer. Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is my best find yet. It offers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB coverage. It’s marketed to babies and families, but it happily works for me.

The brand is made from 100 percent mineral, non-nano zinc oxide, along with gooseberry to calm the effects of infrared light. It also contains renewable sugar-care derived squalane to help the product glide over the skin. I like that this product steers clear of common sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are reef-damaging chemicals. Pipette is also non-comedogenic and fragrance free.

The manufacturer points out that no mineral sunscreens are completely clear, as these types are meant to sit on top of the skin to reflect the sun’s rays. But I found the product went on lightly, absorbed quickly, and was easy to blend without being tacky (hurray!). I noticed very little, if any, whitish cast to my skin after application.

If you need a well-formulated sunscreen check this one out. It retails for $15 and is 4 ounces.

If you love tea as much as I do, you’re always yearning for a cup. It’s easy enough to prepare this beverage at home. But when you go out, you have the choice of buying it in a disposable paper cup (yuck!) or finding a way to transport your brew with you.

The Boulder Insulated Water Bottle with Strainer by EcoVessel exceeded my needs for tea transport. There are so many things I love about this 20-ounce bottle. First—and this is a big one for me—it fit in my car’s cup holder. So many water bottles I own don’t.

Second, it has a removable fine-mesh stainless steel strainer that fits securely inside the bottle. I can put loose-leaf tea, fruit chunks, or even ice inside. With the strainer firmly popped in place, I can sip to my heart’s content without worrying about swallowing stray tea leaves. For sure, that’s one way to interrupt a calming tea moment.

The container is insulated stainless steel and keeps beverages cold for an amazing 60 hours. Those that are hot, stay hot for 12 hours. In fact, I have to be careful that I don’t over boil the water, or I won’t be able to drink the tea. The insulating properties work that well!

There’s a removable silicone bumper for the bottom of the bottle that helps protect it if dropped. I found that this protective bumper slips off way too easily, so I use the bottle without it.

My color choice for the Boulder was Lavender Fields—a bright and pleasing turquoise-and-purple graduated combination. The outside of the bottle is lightly textured. I like this feature; I find it helps with grip. The screw-top lid has an attached carrying strap, making it easy to carry.

The Boulder is EcoVessel’s flagship product and retails for $31.99. It’s BPA-, BPS-, and phthalate-free and is recyclable with a 100-year warranty. While I don’t think I’ll need it that long, I’m sure it will be my constant traveling companion for years to come.

I love the line on the product box of Nouri Digestive Health Probiotic + Omega:

It takes guts to feel good.

Indeed.

After being on antibiotics for more than two years to combat chronic Lyme disease, I know a thing or two about imbalanced intestinal health. My gut has never been the same after that medication regimen. Even now I am constantly seeking products to soothe and repair my damaged intestinal tract.

A brand I’ve been taking lately is Nouri Digestive Health Probiotic + Omega. With 70 percent of immune cells located in the gut, it’s nice to know that Nouri is the only product that delivers twice the dose of good bacteria compared to standard capsules. It’s a one-a-day capsule that combines 30 billion CFUs of 5 diverse bacterial strains (from clinically supported blends of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium), along with a plant-based omega 3,6,9 blend.

The addition of the omega oils helps protect the beneficial bacteria as they travel through the stomach acid. The included bacterial strains help with lactose digestion, and can help lessen bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. My gut feels calmer after taking daily doses of this formulation with notable improvements occurring each day.

I am most impressed by Nouri’s innovative capsule-within-a-capsule delivery system. A capsule of probiotics floats within a capsule of healthy omega oils. Each is lightly scented with fresh and fragrant orange, which makes the capsules easier and more appealing to swallow.

Nouri guarantees that its products are 100 percent US made and sourced from a sustainable supply chain. There are no fillers or additives, and they are allergen free. No refrigeration is necessary, so they’re convenient when traveling. Another plus: the capsules can be taken with or without food.

Within its probiotic line, Nouri also offers Women’s Health and Weight Health formulas. These, along with the Digestive Health formulation, are available on the Nouri website for $19.99 a bottle. There are 30 vegan capsules per bottle.

Summer puts me in a snacking mood. Maybe it’s the sun, vacation days, no school—I’m not sure, but I love discovering new snack items.

My latest find is Harvest Snaps Baked Red Lentil Snacks Crunchy Loops.

There are three flavors in this family: Kick’N BBQ, Tangy Sweet Chili, and Sour Cream & Onion. I tried all three.

• The Kick’N BBQ was spicy and a little sweet.
• The Tangy Sweet Chili lived up to its name. It had tang, a little heat, and a kick of sweet spice.
• My favorite, though, was the Sour Cream & Onion. To me, these were better than potato chips of the same ilk. Mouth-wateringly tangy and deeply crunchy, these are good eating on their own, or alongside a bowl of soup or a sandwich.

Flavor aside, this is just a fun snack to eat. The product is baked into circular loops about one-inch in diameter. Addictively crunchy, they look like mini onion rings.

Sourced from high-quality, non-GMO red lentils, these flavored crisps are veggie based and certified gluten free, and they have no artificial flavorings or preservatives. One bag has 340 calories per serving and 10 grams of plant-based protein.

Found in the produce aisle of some supermarkets (there’s a store locator on their site), they can also be ordered online. The one drawback for me is the product contains canola oil. But I can’t complain about the flavor and fun factor of this snack. It’s there!

If you’re anything like me, you can never find a bottle of hand sanitizer when you need it. This won’t be an issue with Olika Hydrating Hand Sanitizer. With reusable metal clips (carabiner style), you won’t soon forget or misplace this one.

Clip Olika to just about anything: backpacks, purses, belts. It’s perfect to take when fresh water isn’t available like when camping, dining outdoors, hiking, or driving. 

Olika contains no damaging chemicals or toxins. Instead of coming out of the bottle in a wet, goopy mess like so many sanitizing solutions do (what's up with that?), this one distributes via mist to protect against 99.9 percent of germs. Each bottle emits 300 plus sprays.

Olika's Mindfulness Collection is made with reishi mushroom and hyaluronic acid for hydration. I’ve tried the Blue Tansy fragrance, which left a clean, fresh scent behind, and Cotton Flower, which had a delightful floral note. Frosted Eucalyptus is another option.

In addition to the Mindfulness Collection, Olika's Ultra-Hydrating Hand Sanitizers (made with hyaluronic acid but not reishi mushroom) offer plenty of other fragrances, including Pink Grapefruit, Cucumber Basil, Orange Blossom, Mint-Citrus, and Lavender. For those who desire a scent-free experience, there’s a fragrance-free option. 

Cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan, Olika hand sanitizers are packaged in recyclable plastic. Each bottle is conveniently reusable, as Olika sells refill packs. A bottle-only variety without the detachable clip is also available.

I love how the unbreakable plastic bottle is adorably designed (it resembles a little bird). It sat in my hand smoothly and comfortably. Does a hand sanitizer need to be so delightful to be effective? Well, no. But it’s a pleasure to use. I didn’t think I could ever be this pleased to use hand sanitizer. (I generally can’t stand the stuff but recognize its importance). Olika has made a convert of me.

While I don’t eat protein bars that often, I’ll have one when out on a hike or traveling. I appreciate their portability, convenience, and potential to quell hunger pangs. 

Many on the market are lacking in taste and quality, so I was pleasantly surprised when I tried No Cow Dipped Protein Bars.

A protein bar is not a candy bar, but these still satisfied me and they didn’t cause energy dips from excess sugar. In fact, there is only 1 gram of sugar, 4 grams net carbs, and 20 grams of plant protein (sourced from brown rice protein and pea protein) per bar. I really like the fact that the palm oil in the product is sustainably sourced.

These bars are dairy free, soy free, vegan, non-GMO, keto-friendly, and certified gluten free. Dense and satisfying, I can have one of these and not feel hungry for a couple of hours afterward. I appreciate that they leave no chalkiness or funny aftertaste in the mouth either. They also have a pleasant and soft texture, which is lacking in so many brands that are crumbly and hard. 

Of the dipped flavors I tried, my favorites were Chocolate Mint Cookie with its refreshing but not overpowering hint of mint, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup with its rich, nutty flavor.

I never thought I’d be interested in trying a collagen product. A few years ago I came across a certain brand, and I gave it a try. I liked the results but once the product ran out, I forgot about it.

Recently, however, I came across Ancient Nutrition Dr. Axe Formula Collagen Peptides. Wow. This is one product that I won’t soon forget about it. I am so impressed with the effectiveness of this formula.

Quick, and Continued Results from Collagen

The bottle states that there are results in as little as one day. I didn’t know what to expect, but I have to say that after I tried it for just one day I noticed that the skin on my face felt and appeared tighter.

After supplementing for about a week now, the skin on my face and body is not only firmer but smoother too. When applying moisturizer and sunscreen to my face, I’ve felt less drag and sagginess to my skin. The wrinkles around my eyes appear less deep and pronounced. Dare I say that the cellulite on my legs is less visible too? This makes sense, for when we have less collagen in the body it can make cellulite appear more visible.

Collagen protein gives skin its strength and elasticity. Production declines as we age, and I’ve seen the effects of less collagen in myself over the last decade or so. Not only sagging and looser skin, but also more wrinkles appearing around my eyes.

The benefits of collagen supplementation aren’t just skin deep. Collagen can help reduce joint pain and heal leaky gut, and it can strengthen teeth and nails too.

Ancient Nutrition offers a collagen peptides line, which is what I’ve been using. Collagen peptides have the same set of amino acids and nutrients as collagen. The difference is that the peptides have been broken down into shorter protein chains. This makes for better bioavailabilty and is easier for the body to break down.

There are 20 grams of collagen complex in this product that come from grass-fed, pasture-raised, cruelty-free cows.

I have been enjoying the orange flavor variety. It’s light and refreshing. I add it to water or smoothies. It blends well and doesn’t have a chalky texture. There are 70 calories per two-scoop serving.

What I also like about this product is that it contains 1 billion CFUs of Bacillus subtilis probiotics for gut health. Each serving offers 100 percent Daily Value of vitamin C.

If you’re looking for a collagen product, I highly recommend this line.

During a recent road trip, I stumbled upon a store in Virginia that sells gluten-free cookies, crackers, pastas, pastries, and more.

To my surprise, I found a product I had never seen before: Know Brainer Max Mallow Burnt Caramel Marshmallows. I love a high-quality gourmet marshmallow. I was excited about this find, since eating conventional marshmallows makes me bloated and tired. I found the marshmallows to be soft and fluffy, and the burnt caramel flavor was pronounced and satisfying.

This brand is unique. It’s sweetened with a monk fruit sweetener blend of non-GMO erythritol and monk fruit extract as well as the sugar substitute xylitol*, so no sugar crash for me. These marshmallows also contain prebiotic fiber, MCT oil to fuel the body with healthy fat, and 5 grams of grass-fed hydrolyzed bovine collagen protein per serving.

Shari Leidich, founder of Max Sweets Know Brainer started the company after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She yearned for a tasty and sweet handcrafted snack, so she came up with a sugar-free treat that would be healthy for her.

Some fans of the brand wish it were a less expensive product. (A bag of about 12 marshmallows retails for around $6, making each serving of about two marshmallows 99 cents.) The manufacturer acknowledges the product is more similar to a fiber or protein supplement that’s added to the diet, hence the higher cost. 

I enjoyed the marshmallows as an occasional treat on my trip, which made the amount I paid more palatable. I found I could eat only two per serving anyway, since I’m sensitive to an overconsumption of sugar alcohols. 

Sadly these marshmallows can’t be roasted over an open flame, so no s’mores. They can be melted for a sugar-free sauce or be used as a replacement for traditional sugar in some recipes.

The product is paleo, keto, gluten free, dairy free, and diabetic friendly, and there are zero net carbs. One serving has just 15 calories. Other flavors in the line include Mint Chip, Classic Vanilla, and Cinnamon Toast. There’s also currently a limited edition vegan release in Classic Vanilla.

*Please note that this item is NOT pet friendly as it contains xylitol, which can be extremely toxic to dogs.

Current circumstances don’t allow me to have a garden, but if they did I’d want this book as a resource. The Garden Apothecary: Transform Flowers, Weeds and Plants into Healing Remedies by Becky Cole ($24.99, Hardie Grant, 2022) is a beautiful and inspiring reference that will bring you closer to the plants that grow in your yard.

Cole is a forager, gardener, and herbalist who lives on an award-winning farm in Northern Ireland. Learn from her experiences with the plant kingdom by discovering 20 common and safe varieties of herbs, including nettle, lemon balm, chickweed, calendula, yarrow, lavender, peppermint, rose, mullein, sage, and pine.

Learn harvesting and drying techniques to help you transform these powerful specimens into healing remedies, teas, and body care products. Try your hand at making vinegars (hawthorn berry), oils (forest skin oil with pine needles), honeys (rose and lemon balm), tinctures (rosemary memory), and syrups (simple spiced elderberry), all in easy-to-follow recipes.

The much-maligned dandelion has not been forgotten either. This cheery plant, which so many consider a weed, is actually a perennial herb. Learn how to sauté its greens into a healthy side, or use it in a spring tonic tea.

Plant profiles with identification tips, preparation techniques, and usages are included for each of the 20 plants. Charts, recipes, and full-color photographs round out the book, making it a joy to peruse whether you’re an avid or armchair gardener.

I love to sleep but with years of insomnia challenging me otherwise, I’ve had to find products that help drop me into a restful slumber. This is one of them.

I love a good silk pillowcase (who doesn’t?), but in the past I’ve encountered brands where the silk is so thin that it shreds apart after a brisk agitation in the washer cycle. Other silk cases I’ve slept on didn’t offer a zippered side close, so the pillow annoyingly slid out from under its silky case. Not these: they’re made from soft, high-quality 100 percent Mulberry silk and are outfitted with an easy-to-pull zipper that secures the pillow inside.

Blissy pillowcases come in a wide assortment of solid colors in both vibrant and pastel hues. There are a number of interesting patterns also offered.

I wash my hair at night, and when using cotton pillowcases I always wake up with flat bed-head hair and creases on my face. These cases are smooth and cooling, and with their natural hypoallergenic fiber, my hair is not as much of a chore to deal with the next morning, My skin also appears smoother upon awakening.

These pillowcases are machine washable, so they’re easy to care for. I recommend, as does the manufacturer, washing them in a meshed laundry bag for longevity and protection.