OCSA

02/22/2026

Pecan pie for dinner? With this nutritional profile, you bet!
Ingredients

The Filling:

2 cups Pecan halves (Azure Market)

3 Large eggs

¾ cup Raw Agave Syrup (or maple syrup)

½ cup Brown sugar (packed)

4 tbsp Butter (melted and slightly cooled)

1 tsp Vanilla extract

½ tsp Salt

The Crust:

1 ½ cups Unifine Whole Wheat Flour

½ cup Ground flax seeds (flax meal)

½ tsp Salt

½ cup Cold butter (cut into small cubes)

4–6 tbsp Ice-cold water (or 4 tbsp water + 2 tbsp sourdough discard for extra depth)

Ever wonder why some desserts leave you crashing while others keep you going? It’s all about the Nutritional Profile. Because we use Unifine whole wheat, flax, and raw agave, this pie does more than just taste good:

The "Anti-Stress" Mineral: Unifine flour keeps the bran and germ intact, giving you a natural dose of Magnesium to help regulate your nervous system.

Protein Power: With 8g of protein per slice (as much as a large egg!), the synergy of Azure pecans and whole grains keeps you full and satisfied.

Raw Energy: Unlike corn syrup, raw agave syrup keeps its natural enzymes and trace minerals like potassium and phosphorus.

The Clinical Connection: The Gut-Brain Axis 🌿
As a therapist, I look at "Stable Glycemic Regulation." When we eat sweets high in fiber and healthy fats, our blood sugar stays steady.

The bottom line: It’s hard to stay emotionally regulated when your insulin is spiking and crashing. Stable blood sugar is the physiological foundation for staying calm and grounded.

02/22/2026

We often talk about "healthy eating," but have you ever looked at the Nutritional Profile of your ingredients?

Nutritional profiling isn't just about counting calories; it’s about the density of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in every bite. Research shows that whole foods grown in living, sustainable soil often have significantly higher nutrient markers than those grown in depleted, industrial soil.

The Hidden Cost of "Fast" Farming 🚜
When we use heavy synthetic pesticides and herbicides, we aren't just killing bugs or weeds—we are often disrupting the delicate microbiome of the soil.

The Soil Connection: Healthy soil contains fungi and bacteria that help plants "sip" nutrients.

The Chemical Impact: Over-reliance on harsh chemicals can "lock" nutrients in the ground, meaning they never make it into your tomatoes, your pecans, or your body.

That is why I’m so intentional about where I source my food. By choosing sustainably grown whole foods—like those I get from my weekly Azure Standard hauls—I’m choosing products that I know are safe for my family and are grown in a way that protects our pollinators, our groundwater here in South Wasco, and ultimately, our own nervous systems.

Why it matters for Mental Health:
In my work as a mental health therapist, we talk about the thought environment. Equally important is the food environment. If your body is processing a heavy load of processed foods, it’s using energy that could be spent on mood regulation and cognitive clarity. Choosing "cleaner" whole foods is a direct investment in your mental resilience.

My Weekly Commitment:
I choose to buy whole foods grown with integrity because I want the highest "Nutritional Profile" for my family and my community. It’s about eating food that is as vibrant and alive as we want to be.

Want to see where I buy all my food? Want to learn more about how sustainable farming impacts your health? Check out the sourcing standards at Azure:
👉

08/04/2024

Cancer is scary. Spontaneous healing is possible. My friend Kathryn Kloos, naturopathic physician and all around amazing person has done it. Hear her story..........
https://www.sarahmarshallnd.com/podcast/colon-cancer-spontaneous-healing-water-fasting-with-kathryn-kloos-nd?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_email_id=667d707a945dae6bcd628b4f&fbclid=IwY2xjawEce01leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQk4sh5JR54Pe9lW20RjysOhKAJaJOGCrXcOMgqHXPJtLxwNXJR25tKc3Q_aem_9cr9j9wnvnhQUjaVq4CLag

Ever wonder what a naturopathic physician would do if they were diagnosed with stage 4 cancer? Well, today on Heal, Dr. Kathryn Kloos, fellow naturopathic physician and school classmate of mine, shares about having to face just that with colon cancer. Committed to being an example of what is possibl

08/04/2024

This is one of our favorite cakes and it is nutrition packed. I serve it for breakfast and the kids love it.

Nutritional Profile:
4 carrots
4 eggs
To improve nutritional profile, I add to the original recipe....
brown rice flour
whole wheat flour
tapioca flour
chia seeds

For the frosting, I do what is easy for me and make a simple ganache. Chocolate chips and a little bit of coconut oil.

You can't go wrong with this Brazilian carrot cake! It's a moist, fluffy blender carrot cake that tastes divine. Your whole family will love it!

08/04/2024

My friend Kathryn has always been an inspiration for me. She is an amazing doctor. Check out her services......https://www.drkathrynkloos.com/

07/22/2024

My recent trip to the Amazon shed some light on a much discussed topic......Insomnia. Solution? Try sleeping in a hammock!............Of course, you will want your Dr.'s approval, first...........

6 Major Benefits of Sleeping in A Hammock
1 – Achieve the Ideal Sleeping Position. A hammock will naturally move you into the ideal sleeping position—and keep you there. ...
2 – Fall Asleep Faster. ...
3 – Enjoy a Deeper Sleep. ...
4 – Zero-Pressure Point Rest. ...
5 – Swaying Helps Your Brain. ...
6 – Help Deal with Insomnia.

Experiment #1. Hammock (extra large, Brazilian style) hung in house and used for night sleeping. Results: Winning! Really good sleep.

03/25/2024

https://simplyfullofdelight.com/gluten-free-banana-muffins-recipe/

Here's an Easy Gluten Free Banana Muffins Recipe that is delicious and just like the "real thing." A delicious gluten free breakfast muffin!

11/15/2023

For so many, us included, getting healthy means trying a diet that is healthier and easier to digest......For those trying gluten free, this is an easy inclusion to any meal......

The BEST gluten free biscuits recipe! 4 ingredients + 5 minutes prep and SO fluffy! you'll never make another recipe. Dairy free option too!

11/08/2023

Nutritional profiling can be yummy.....the sweet potato makes this one a hit. So many micronutrients.

Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls are light, fluffy, and filled with color and flavor from sweet potatoes. They're the perfect addition to any Fall or holiday menu!

10/18/2023

Improve all neural functioning with diet.....Try this experiment and see for yourself! 6 cups a day.

Dr. Terry Wahls was given a diagnosis of MS and told she'd have to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. After radically transforming her diet, her out...

10/18/2023

Starve cancer and fight diabetes and heart disease with only one change. Food.https://www.ted.com/talks/william_li_can_we_eat_to_starve_cancer

08/29/2023

Staying ahead of the wave of life is essential for me, as a mom. That is why I start everyday with a huge green smoothie, full of fruits and fresh leafy greens from my garden. This gives me the hydration, nutrition and energy I need to conquer the day. How do you stay ahead of that tidal wave of life?