Introducing one of my favorite simple salad recipes. This tomato, basil, and mozzarella Caprese salad is an easy summer favorite our whole family loves. We make it often in the summertime when our tomatoes are in season. This classic Italian dish is light, flavorful, and delicious!
Classic Caprese Salad
This appetizer (or side dish) really couldn’t be any easier. All it requires is some slicing, arranging, and herb sprinkling. Known in Italy as insalata caprese, no one’s quite sure where it originated, though it’s thought to have started on the Island of Capri. Others have noted it’s patriotic resemblance to the Italian flag. However it came about though, this herbed tomato salad is oh so good!
It’s quick to put together but still looks impressive, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or your next BBQ.
I often find that the simplest recipes are sometimes the most delicious. Especially when they take advantage of seasonal produce. Few things taste better than a truly fresh peach, tomato, or salad right after they’re picked.
Caprese Ingredients
Since the ingredients are simple, there isn’t much to hide behind when it comes to caprese. Watery, rubbery tomatoes won’t taste very good here. I like using homegrown tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes from the farmer’s market for the best caprese salad. Some freshly ground black pepper and flaky sea salt or kosher salt really help bring out the flavors of the tomato. Any good quality salt will work though.
I like the salad plain, but you can also add a balsamic reduction (aka balsamic vinegar glaze) or vinaigrette drizzle. Make it a meal and add some grilled chicken on the side!
For a fun variation try individual caprese salad skewers. Thread grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes onto skewers with basil leaves and mozzarella balls in between.
Italian Caprese Salad Recipe
A delicious and simple Caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and spices.
Slice tomatoes in ¼ or ½ inch thick slices, discarding top and bottom slice.
Alternate slices of tomato and fresh mozzarella slices on a serving platter.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.
Sprinkle with shredded fresh basil.
Add a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze if using and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Italian Caprese Salad Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 313 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Fat 26g40%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 14g
Cholesterol 45mg15%
Sodium 943mg41%
Potassium 343mg10%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 1488IU30%
Vitamin C 17mg21%
Calcium 303mg30%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Ever had Caprese salad with fresh tomatoes? What’s your favorite summer salad recipe? Share below!
If one of your chickens isn’t acting normal, like refusing to eat and opting to stay in the coop all day, then probably it want to hatch some eggs.
This behavior of hen going broody is just fine for those who’re planning for baby chicks. But, who are raising chickens only for egg consumption, a broody hen can be pain.
Some of them can be aggressive and stubborn refusing to go out and pecking or yelling at you.
Fortunately, there are different ways to break a broody hen.
To successfully break broodiness, you might have to try more than 2-3 ways.
To break a broody hen, start by removing her from the nest regularly and blocking off the nesting area. This disrupts her routine and discourages her from settling back in.
If she’s still broody, try cooling her body with a frozen water bottle or a quick cold-water dip during warm weather. Removing nesting material and limiting her access to the coop during the day can also help.
For more stubborn hens, use a wire cage with no bedding (broody jail) for a few days. If you’re okay with chicks, giving her fertile eggs to hatch can satisfy her natural instinct.
What is Broody Chicken?
A broody chicken is a hen that insists on sitting in the nest to hatch eggs, even if they aren’t fertilized. Hormonal changes drive this behavior, and she may refuse to leave the nest, eat very little, and pluck feathers from her chest to warm the eggs.
Certain breeds like Silkies, Cochins, and Orpingtons are more prone to going broody. This phase can last for weeks, during which the hen stops laying and may sit on anything egg-shaped, believing she’s hatching chicks.
For egg-focused chicken keepers, a broody hen can be disruptive. She stops laying and may block the nesting box, making it necessary to break her broodiness.
A broody hen will spend nearly all her time sitting in the nesting box, often refusing to come out even to eat or drink. Unlike other hens who lay and leave, a broody one stays put, sometimes trying to cover multiple eggs at once.
One of the clearest signs is puffed-up feathers and sudden aggression. A normally calm hen may hiss, growl, or peck if you get too close, acting as if she’s guarding developing chicks—even if there are no eggs at all.
You might also notice a bare patch on her chest. Broody hens often pluck out their own feathers to create better skin-to-egg contact, which helps with warmth during incubation.
Her voice may change too. Instead of her usual clucks and chatter, she may start making low, repetitive broody clucks, especially when disturbed or while sitting in the nest.
Broody hens eat and drink very little. They usually leave the nest once or twice a day, and when they do, they often produce one large, foul-smelling poop—a result of holding it in for hours.
Lastly, a broody hen will stop laying eggs. Her body shuts down egg production as it focuses entirely on hatching mode. If your best layer suddenly stops and shows these signs, she’s likely gone broody.
Why to Break a Broody Hen?
Breaking a broody hen is important if you’re not planning to hatch chicks. When a hen goes broody, she stops laying eggs, which can lower overall egg production in your flock.
She also occupies the nesting box for long periods, making it harder for other hens to lay comfortably. This can lead to stress and disruptions among the flock.
Additionally, broodiness can take a toll on the hen’s health. She may eat and drink less, lose weight, and become more vulnerable to parasites and disease due to prolonged sitting and poor hygiene. Breaking the cycle helps her return to her normal, healthy routine.
7 Ways to Break a Broody Chicken
When a hen goes broody and you’re not looking to hatch chicks, it can turn into a frustrating cycle. Her egg-laying stops, her attitude changes, and she becomes glued to the nest box, disrupting your flock’s routine.
Thankfully, there are several effective strategies to help snap her out of broody mode. Here are seven practical methods you can try—some gentle, others a bit more assertive.
1. Removal of the Broody Hen
Start by simply taking her out of the nesting box every time you catch her sitting. Do this gently but consistently throughout the day. Place her outside with the other hens to encourage normal behavior like scratching, dust bathing, and foraging.
This method works best in early stages of broodiness. The key is persistence—removing her multiple times a day sends a message that nest-sitting isn’t an option. Keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn’t sneak back.
If she continues returning immediately, pair this with other methods. Some hens are stubborn and will need a more disruptive change to reset their hormones.
If removing her doesn’t work, try shutting down her access to the nesting area entirely. Block the nesting boxes during the day by placing a board or turning over a laundry basket. This removes her “broody zone” and forces her to engage in normal flock behavior.
Do this only when other hens aren’t laying or have alternative places to go. Some keepers temporarily remove all nesting boxes if broodiness becomes widespread.
If you can’t block access, try removing the hen and placing her in a different area entirely for a few days.
3. Frozen Water Bottle and Cold Dips
The warmth under a broody hen keeps her in the nesting mood. To disrupt this, place a frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel under her belly when she’s nesting. This cools her body temperature and makes sitting less comfortable.
Some keepers also use brief “cool baths”—placing the hen in shallow, cold (not icy) water for a few minutes. This method should be used cautiously and only in warm weather to prevent stress or chills.
Both approaches help lower the elevated body temperature that fuels broodiness, but they usually work best when combined with nest access removal.
4. Remove All Nesting Material
Another way to make the nest uninviting is to strip it of all bedding. Remove straw, shavings, or anything soft, and leave only the bare surface. Without cozy nesting material, the box becomes much less appealing.
Check often, though—determined hens might sit on bare wood if they’re really set on hatching. Combine this with removal or cooling methods for better results.
This is especially helpful for hens who aren’t overly aggressive and haven’t fully committed to broodiness yet.
5. Stop Access to the Coop for the Broody Hen
Temporarily denying her access to the coop during the day can be very effective. Keep her in a chicken-safe outdoor run or fenced area with food and water. This prevents her from returning to the nesting box over and over.
After a few days of “coop ban,” many hens will give up. Just be sure she has shade, shelter, and company so the separation doesn’t cause stress or loneliness.
6. Send Her to Broody Hen Jail
This method is more direct. Place the broody hen in a wire-bottomed crate or cage raised off the ground. The lack of nesting material and better airflow underneath helps cool her underside and break the broody cycle.
Leave her in the crate for 2–4 days with food and water but no bedding. Most hens snap out of it after a few days of “jail time.” Return her to the flock and monitor her—if she goes straight back to the nest, repeat the process.
7. Give Her Fertile Eggs
If you don’t mind raising chicks, lean into her broodiness and give her fertilized eggs to hatch. Broody hens are great natural incubators and mothers, and it’s a productive use of her instinct.
Letting her go through the process may satisfy her hormones and stop future episodes of broodiness—at least for a while. Just make sure she’s healthy and committed before giving her eggs to hatch.
Breaking a broody hen requires patience and a combination of strategies to gently discourage her from nesting.
By consistently disrupting her behavior, cooling her body, and making the nest less inviting, you can help her return to normal egg-laying.
Whether using simple removal, restricting nest access, or more hands-on methods like broody jail, the key is to stay consistent until she loses the urge to brood. With time and care, your hen will be back to her regular, healthy routine.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Capitol Hill on May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Samuel Corum/Getty Images
The Trump administration released a sweeping report Thursday, offering its analysis of what’s driving chronic disease among the nation’s children.
The report titled, “The MAHA Report: Make Our Children Healthy Again” catalogues in detail a “chronic disease crisis,” including high rates of obesity, asthma, autoimmune conditions and behavioral health disorders among kids.
The 72-page document is a product of the MAHA commission, which was established by President Trump through an executive order on Feb. 13. The commission, chaired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., enlisted various Cabinet members, including the secretaries of agriculture and education and the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, and met in private over the last few months.
“There is something wrong and we will not stop until we defeat the chronic disease epidemic,” Trump said at a White House event on Thursday, flanked by Secretary Kennedy and other members of the commission.
Much of what’s detailed reflects the views Kennedy has articulated during his many public appearances.
The report identifies four major drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic illness: poor diet, environmental chemicals, chronic stress and lack of physical activity, and overmedicalization. In keeping with the messaging that has animated the MAHA platform, the report pins much of the blame on conflicts of interest and corporate influence in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
The report lays the groundwork for the MAHA commission to develop a strategy for addressing childhood disease, which is supposed to happen by mid August according to the February executive order.
The proposition that nutrition, lifestyle and exposure to pollution and other harmful chemicals are conspiring to harm children’s health is not controversial among longtime researchers in public health.
“Many of us have been calling for some attention to these issues for decades now,” says Dr. James Perrin, a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. “This is a real American problem, and it’s not one that we’re seeing quite so dramatically in other countries.”
But the report doesn’t resolve some of the central tensions that have characterized Kennedy’s MAHA platform from the outset.
“They make a great diagnosis and they have a very weak treatment plan,” says Dr. Philip Landrigan, a professor of pediatrics and public health at Boston College.
Among the concerns: The report doesn’t contain a thorough discussion of the socioeconomic factors like poverty, which is a key predictor of chronic disease.
“They acknowledge that ultra-processed foods are cheaper, but aren’t acknowledging that growing poverty and the wealth gap is leading more people, and children, to relying on cheaper foods,” says Carmen Marsit, a professor of environmental health at Emory University.
The report also questions vaccine safety and suggests that possible links to childhood disease have not been thoroughly studied.
“That is simply not true. There have been abundant studies,” says Landrigan.
More broadly, the emphasis on advancing research and public health initiatives runs counter to many of the recent actions taken by the Trump administration.
For example, the report outlines the risks of exposure to harmful chemicals on children’s health — an area that Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, says deserves much more attention. And yet the Trump administration is cutting staff at key agencies and dissolving an office in the Environmental Protection Agency that studies the toxic effects of chemicals.
She agrees with the overarching theme that our medical system and our research infrastructure is too focused on treating these diseases and finding cures.
“We really need to move more into a prevention model,” says Sathyanarayana.
“But some of the actions they have taken actually undermine prevention,” she says.
As head of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy has directed the firing of thousands of federal workers, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and elimination of billions of dollars of contracts and grants from the National Institutes of Health, all of which support the kind of research and data that underlie the report.
Dr. William Dietz, a childhood obesity researcher at the George Washington University, says the MAHA commission’s emphasis on the harms of ultra-processed foods is warranted, though the report paints the topic with a broad brush, when, in fact, certain processed foods are more problematic than others.
However, he worries the federal government may not even be able to accurately track its progress on obesity in the future.
“I’m really concerned the scalpel that’s been taken to CDC in general threatens the ongoing ability to monitor health. And those are going to be some of the same data sets that are needed to assess progress in many of these areas,” he says.
The report reserves space at the very end to sketch out a range of proposed solutions: Asking the National Institutes of Health to fund new trials on whole-food diets and on potentially harmful ingredients in the food supply; pushing NIH and the Food and Drug Administration to improve post-marketing surveillance of pediatric drugs; supporting new pediatric drug safety research; and launching a national lifestyle-medicine initiative.
It’s not clear where the funds or staffing would come from for these priorities.
Lauren Wisk, who studies chronic disease in children at UCLA, says the numbers cited on the rates of childhood disease are “reasonable.”
But she worries about Kennedy’s rhetoric that seems to favor the idea of “magic bullets” like eliminating food dyes instead of focusing on large-scale programs that provide access to healthy food for low-income families or tackle air pollution, which is linked to asthma and other conditions.
“This administration has not been as excited to talk about the social policies that need to be in place to address onset of pediatric disease,” she says.
“They have been looking at things that are splashier, easier to point the finger at, but when you actually think about the epidemiology of this — it’s not going to be the most effective strategy if they want to be serious about curbing the issue.”
The California tree poppy, Romneya coulteri, is a woody perennial in the Papaveraceae family native to the coastal scrubland of southern California and Mexico’s Baja California.
It is suited to cultivation in Zones 8 to 10. The species grows readily in soil recovering from wildfire damage, and is a water-wise choice for xeriscaping with native flora.
It is also known as Coulter’s Matilija poppy, which honors 19th century Chumash tribal leader Chief Matilija and Irish botanist Thomas Coulter, who explored its native habitat and collected plant samples for Trinity College in Dublin.
Home gardeners delight in the golden-centered, slightly fragrant, crinkly white blossoms measuring up to eight inches across and resembling ruffly fried eggs.
You’ll find all you need to know to grow and care for California tree poppies in this guide.
Here’s what I’ll cover:
California tree poppies sport grayish-green lobed foliage and thick stems, growing to heights of six to eight feet with an equal spread.
In the warmest regions, the leaves are semi-evergreen. Where it is cooler, they turn brown and die at season’s end.
Prolific spring and summer blooming adds substantial vertical visual appeal to climactically suitable landscapes.
The bristly Matilija poppy, R. trichocalyx, is a related species often crossed with R. coulteri to breed ornamental hybrids.
Quick Look
Common name(s): California tree poppy, Coulter’s Matilija poppy, fried egg plant, Matilija poppy
Soil pH: 5.0-8.0, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
Time to maturity: 1+ years
Mature size: 6-8 feet tall and wide
Best uses:Massed in drifts
Taxonomy
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus:Romneya
Species:Coulteri
R. trichocalyx differs from our subject species because it has slightly smaller flowers, narrower leaves, and bristles on the calyx below the petals and the upper stems.
California tree poppy is as bold as it is beautiful, the plant is able to withstand strong sea breezes.
When established, the plant increases its landscape footprint with vigor, spreading via rhizomes and by self-sowing.
Choose a location where it can spread into a large drift, or display it on a hillside where the shrub can help control soil erosion.
How to Grow
California tree poppy plants are slow to become established, often failing to bloom – or blooming sparsely – at first.
Once established, they flower profusely, are drought-tolerant, and require little maintenance.
Gardeners are most likely to achieve success when they meet the following cultural requirements:
Light
Provide a location with full sun or the dappled shade of deciduous trees to support robust blooming.
Soil
The soil should replicate the species’ native growing environment and consist of organically rich, sandy loam that drains well.
The ideal pH is between 5.0 and 8.0, or slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Water
Provide an inch of water per week during the first growing season, in the absence of rain.
Thereafter, plants are drought-tolerant, as mentioned, and should not require supplemental moisture unless the weather is unusually hot and the dry spell prolonged.
Fertilizing
California tree poppy is a light feeder that doesn’t require fertilizer. However, some gardeners like to give it a boost in the spring.
If you choose to fertilize, use a slow-release granular product with an NPK ratio of about 5-10-10.
Products lower in nitrogen help to support flowering without promoting an overgrowth of foliage.
Apply it sparingly to the soil around, but not touching the stems. Water immediately after application to dilute and disperse it.
Cultivars to Select
There are several cultivated varieties from which to choose, including:
Butterfly
‘Butterfly’ is a cultivar with exceptionally ruffled snow-white blossoms, fluffy yellow centers, and a generous eight-inch diameter.
The foliage hints of blue, further distinguishing it from the species.
White Cloud
‘White Cloud’ is a hybrid cross between R. coulteri and R. trichocalyx with the signature bristly calyx of R. trifchocalyx and crinkly six-inch blooms.
‘White Cloud’
The density of the growth and the bloom period are somewhat longer than those occurring in nature.
In addition, gardeners will likely find straight species R. coulteri available for purchase in the appropriate growing Zones.
Maintenance
There are few maintenance chores when growing California tree poppies.
With its cultural requirements met, you can expect robust growth.
Because the California tree poppy spreads aggressively via rhizomes you may want to install an underground barrier to restrict root expansion.
Mass-planted specimens are generally self-supporting. However, you may find it beneficial to stake the outer stems to prevent leaning and possible breakage.
Deadheading spent flowers is optional, but it may prolong blooming. It also limits potential self-sowing.
In late fall, cut the stems down to four to six inches tall and dispose of the debris.
End-of-season pruning serves several purposes:
Removes unsightly late-season foliage.
Minimizes pest and pathogen breeding grounds.
Allows gardeners to avoid having to prune old growth among new spring shoots.
Also, if spring shoots pop up outside your designated growing area, and you don’t want to use them for propagation, dig them up and dispose of them.
The more rootstock you dig up, the slower the spread.
Propagation
In the wild, smoke and fire naturally stimulate California tree poppy seed germination. In other regions, the species continues to thrive via root expansion.
Seed germination rates are low in the home garden and it can take several years for seedlings to reach maturity and start blooming.
California tree poppies can be easily propagated by digging up and transplanting suckers.
The plant produces many new shoots in spring which pop up on the fine roots that trail from the main rhizomes of mature plants. These can be dug up and transplanted.
Here’s how:
Locate a fresh spring shoot.
Push a hand shovel into the soil three to four inches away from the shoot and three to four inches deep. Bend the shovel slightly toward you to begin to lift the earth.
Work your shovel around the shoot in a circle, cutting and lifting, until you can unearth the soil containing the shoot.
Immediately transplant the entire clump of soil per the instructions below.
Transplanting
To transplant a potted specimen from the nursery, water it the day before.
Note its depth in the current pot.
Work the garden soil to a depth equal to the container and twice as wide. Loosen the soil until it is crumbly and free from debris.
If you wish to curb the spread of the shrub, you can install a root barrier at this stage to prevent the rhizomes from creeping outwards.
Unpot the plant and set the entire root ball in the prepared soil at the original depth, with the crown at or slightly above ground level.
Backfill with soil for a firm hold, and water in well.
Leave at least six feet between plants, and be prepared for aggressive spreading once established.
To prevent damage to the rootstock, avoid moving plants once they are in the ground. Broken roots left in the ground will likely regrow.
Pests and Disease
You should encounter few pests and pathogens with your California tree poppy. However, there are two that you should be familiar with.
Neoterpes edwardsata caterpillars are moth larvae that generally feed on bright orange California poppies, Eschscholzia californica.
However, when their favorite species is unavailable, they may eat California tree poppies.
The caterpillars are yellow or green with a gray band.
Adult moths have yellow upper wings with an orange to brown fringe and pale yellow lower wings.
You may want to think twice before handpicking and disposing of the foliage-consuming caterpillars because the moths are valuable pollinators that contribute to landscape diversity.
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that favors shady, humid conditions. Temperatures between 60 and 80°F favor spore germination and dispersal.
Symptoms include leaf distortion and discoloration, followed by fuzzy grayish-white merging patches. The foliage often looks like it’s covered in a white flour coating.
Prevention measures include planting in full sun and not overwatering – if you do need to water, do so at soil level to avoid wetting the foliage.
Treatment with organic neem oil may prove effective if symptoms persist.
Meeting cultural requirements results in healthy plants equipped to withstand minor infestations or infections.
Magnificent Matilija
The California tree poppy offers Zone 8 to 10 gardeners the opportunity to grow a high-impact flowering perennial that commands attention.
Do you have the perfect place for magnificent Matilija to roam through your spring and summer landscape? Why not take out your garden planner and get started?
If you grow California tree poppies in your landscape, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!
Eating a healthy, balanced breakfast is one of the best things you can do to improve your chances of reaching your weight loss goals.
Experts say people who eat breakfast start their day off right by giving them fuel to get through the morning without succumbing to temptations like office snacks or fast food at lunch.
And one of the best go-to morning meals — we’re talking easy and delicious — is oatmeal.
What is Oatmeal?
Ok, yes, you’ve probably heard of oatmeal — so we won’t go into too much detail answering this question. We will say that oatmeal is a typical breakfast dish comprised of oats, which can come in different varieties, such as steel-cut, crushed, rolled, or instant.
Oats are whole grains packed with powerful nutrients and high-quality protein. They are an excellent source of fiber, too.
What are the Health Benefits of Oats?
The various vitamins and minerals packed into oats also have many health benefits. Studies have linked oat consumption to health benefits that include:
10 Ways to Elevate Oatmeal
The health benefits make a compelling case for incorporating oatmeal into your morning meal rotation — but how do you keep what could be a pretty bland dish from getting boring?
Read on for 10 creative twists on oatmeal that will keep you invested and, dare we say, looking forward to your oatmeal days.
Take a hot bowl of steel-cut oats with a Honeycrisp apple baked in, add a healthy amount of raisins, cinnamon, and golden raisins, and you’ve got a serious cold-weather comfort food to add to the forever list.
It’s hard to argue with the juicy deliciousness of a chocolate-covered strawberry. This topping combination brings those flavors to your steaming bowl of oatmeal with dark chocolate, strawberries, and a splash of cream — all with their own health benefits to add to the oats. Win-win.
Oatmeal tends to taste better when it’s thick, rather than runny. Elevate that voluminous mass of warm oats by adding a caramelized banana, almond butter, maple syrup, coconut flakes, whole milk, and kaya.
If you’re looking for a summery twist to add to your oatmeal, look no further than this tasty bowl combo. It uses maple syrup for a natural sweetener, frozen fruits for extra flavor, and sliced bananas, vanilla yogurt, and hazelnuts to top it all off.
If you’re crunched for time, then this easy oatmeal dish is exactly what you need. All you need are rolled oats, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond milk for a simple yet effective flavor combination that gives you all those oat benefits without taking up your morning.
It doesn’t take long to prepare this oatmeal dish, and we promise — you’ll be glad you did. Peanut butter, like oatmeal, is packed with protein, and the blueberries give it an elevated, unique flavor combination that is pretty much guaranteed to keep you full and focused for hours.
Who doesn’t love the spicy, nutmeg-y flavors of pumpkin pie? And doesn’t it get even better when you bring them out in a healthy morning dish like oatmeal? This oatmeal recipe leverages traditional pumpkin pie spices, pumpkin, and maple syrup for natural sweetening to bring that fall flavor to your mouth any time of year!
Bacon lovers, we didn’t forget you. Blend the sweet, beloved flavors of almond butter and brown sugar with a hot bowl of oatmeal, then top it off with a slice or two of bacon for a delicious, unique oatmeal dish you won’t soon forget.
If you’re looking for a more savory twist on oatmeal, perfect for a weekend brunch, then this recipe is for you. Topped with eggs, garlicky greens, and avocado, these steel-cut oats offer a filling meal for enjoying before a fun, activity-packed weekend day.
Reminiscent of sunny beach days with a coconut drink in your hand, this tropical coconut oatmeal will surely make you feel like you’re on a faraway island in no time. All you need is some diced pineapple, unsweetened coconut milk, and toasted coconut for this quick and delicious sun-kissed morning meal.
Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.
While I won’t claim an award for organization or minimalism with my nightstand… it is a carefully curated hub of tools and essentials. They support my health, improve my sleep, and set the tone for a productive day ahead. I also mentioned in my habit-stacking podcast and post that the nightstand is also a great place to put visual reminders of healthy habits since it’s the first thing I see in the morning.
Let me walk you through everything on my nightstand and explain why it’s there.
1. Quart-Sized Mason Jar With Salt
First things first: hydration. On my nightstand, you’ll find a quart-sized mason jar filled with water and a teaspoon of high-quality mineral salt dissolved in it. Why? Because rehydrating first thing in the morning is non-negotiable for me. Overnight, we lose water through respiration and sweat, leaving our bodies dehydrated. Adding a pinch of salt to water provides essential electrolytes, helping to:
Replenish hydration levels
Support adrenal function
Balance blood pressure
Kickstart digestion
Sometimes, I mix it up by dissolving the salt directly in my mouth before drinking plain water. Either way, this small morning ritual has a big impact on my energy levels and overall well-being. Lately, I’ve been using these microplastic-free salts. Check out these posts and this podcast for more about why I love salt!
2. Morning and Evening Supplements
A good night’s sleep is only half the battle; what you do in the morning matters just as much. I keep my go-to supplements on my nightstand to ensure I never miss them. Here’s what I’m taking and why:
Magnesium Breakthrough: I take magnesium in the morning because I’m an inverse modulator, but many people find it’s more effective at night. Magnesium is essential for hundreds of processes in the body. It supports muscle function, reduces stress, and promotes energy production. It’s also fantastic for balancing hormones and improving sleep quality.
PectaSol: This modified citrus pectin is my go-to for gentle detoxification. It binds to heavy metals and toxins in the body, helping to eliminate them safely. I’ve found this helpful in my autoimmune recovery journey and take it regularly now to keep inflammation in check.
MassZymes: A digestive enzyme supplement that aids in breaking down proteins and improving gut health. It’s especially helpful if you’ve indulged in a heavy meal the night before. I take this in the morning and evening on an empty stomach, but also sometimes take it with meals to improve digestion. It works differently when taken with or without food, so I mix it up and often do both.
Just Thrive Probiotics: A healthy gut is the foundation of wellness, and probiotics help maintain that balance by supporting digestion and immunity. I also take this with or without food at different times.
Neural RX from Wizard Sciences: This one is a game-changer for brain health. It supports cognitive function, mental clarity, and focus. I typically take this in the morning for an energy boost. Sometimes I take it at night and typically have vivid dreams when I do.
It looks a little cluttered, but having these on my nightstand helps me remember to take them and I’m a lot more consistent this way. I like glass jars like these that help them look better. You’ll find the same jars on my kitchen table with other supplements that the kids and I take during the day.
3. Essential Oils for Better Sleep
Sleep is sacred in my house, and Vibrant Blue Essential Oils are my secret weapon. I’ve curated a collection of blends specifically for relaxation and sleep from my friend Jody at Vibrant Blue:
Parasympathetic: Calms the nervous system and promotes deep relaxation.
Fascia Release: I’ve been focusing on lymph and fascia lately and love this one for gentle movement and mobility before sleep.
Lymph: A powerful mix of oils designed to support the lymphatic system. I love this in combination with having my feet up on the wall and lying on an acupressure mat at night.
I apply these oils to my wrists, neck, and the bottoms of my feet before bed, and the difference in my sleep quality is remarkable.
4. Detox Support: CytoDetox and Carbon Cleanse
I also keep CytoDetox and True Carbon Cleanse here. I’ll often take Cytodetox in the morning and evening and True Carbon Cleanse at night, along with Pectasol and Masszymes. These are designed to.
Support cellular detoxification
Bind to environmental toxins
Promote overall energy levels and battle inflammation
Taking these regularly helps me feel energized and clear-headed.
5. Be Serene for Stress Relief
Modern life can be overwhelming, so I’ve made it a priority to manage stress effectively. Be Serene is a blend of adaptogenic herbs and natural compounds that helps:
Reduce stress
Promote relaxation
Balance mood
It’s my go-to when I need to unwind at the end of a long day.
6. Blue Light Blocking Orange Glasses
Let’s talk about light hygiene. My orange-tinted blue light blocking glasses are essential for reducing exposure to artificial blue light in the evenings. Blue light can suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. By wearing these glasses, I:
Protect my circadian rhythm
Improve my sleep quality
Reduce eye strain
I also try to switch to lower and red/amber lighting in our whole house at night and avoid screens and bright lights as much as possible after dark.
7. Books I’m Currently Reading and My Journal
Reading is part of my wind-down routine, and I always have a few books on my nightstand. Right now, I’m diving into titles on personal growth, health, and wellness. My Kindle also lives here for digital books.
Alongside my books is my journal and my planner, where I:
Reflect on the day
Jot down gratitude lists
Plan for tomorrow
This simple practice keeps me grounded and focused.
8. Daylight Computer
Speaking of avoiding blue light at night… this has been a game changer.
Yes, I have a dedicated computer for nighttime use, though this is quickly becoming my daily use computer as well. This Daylight computer is designed with low EMF emissions and zero blue light, making it ideal for reading or writing in the evening without disrupting my sleep cycle. It’s a lifesaver for late-night inspiration sessions. It can integrate most apps and I use it for listening to audiobooks and podcasts, working on writing in Google Docs, taking notes, digital journaling, listening to music, and more!
9. Mouth Tape
Mouth tape might sound odd, but it’s a game-changer for breathing. By gently taping my mouth shut at night, I ensure I breathe through my nose, which:
Improves oxygen intake
Reduces snoring
Enhances sleep quality
It’s a small tweak with big benefits.
10. Sound Machine and Blackout Shades
Creating the perfect sleep environment is non-negotiable. My sound machine produces calming white noise to drown out distractions, while my 100% blackout shades ensure complete darkness. These have been a game changer and can make my room completely dark even in the afternoon. I keep the remote for the shades on my nightstand for easy access.
11. Charger for My Oura Ring
My Oura Ring is my favorite wearable for tracking sleep, activity, and recovery. Its charger has a permanent spot on my nightstand so it’s always ready to go.
12. Face Roller and Gua Sha Tools
Skin care is self-care, and these tools help me de-puff and relax before bed. The gentle massage improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, leaving my skin glowing. I use the rollers from here and these gua sha tools and face cupping tools.
13. Silk Bonnet and Sleep Scrunchie
Protecting my hair while I sleep is a priority. My silk bonnet and scrunchie prevent breakage and keep my hair smooth and tangle-free.
14. Lamp with a Red Light Bulb
Finally, my nightstand features a lamp with a red light bulb. Red light doesn’t interfere with melatonin production, making it the perfect choice for bedtime reading or relaxing.
The Takeaway
My nightstand isn’t just a collection of random items; it’s a wellness powerhouse. Each item serves a purpose, supporting my health, improving my sleep, and helping me wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your sleep environment, enhance your morning routine, or simply find new ways to prioritize wellness, I hope this peek into my nightstand inspires you to create your own health-focused haven. Sweet dreams!
What do you keep on your nightstand? Leave a comment and let us know!
When plants are done in by pests, diseases, or bad weather, it is hard not to take it personally. But on the positive side, each plant that shuffles off this mortal coil does offer an opportunity to add something newer and better to our garden. In this episode, Danielle, Carol, and expert guest Kielian DeWitt talk about some of the most reliable cultivars that have stood the test of time under tough conditions. Perhaps one of these choices will be just right for filling a gap that has recently opened up in your garden.
Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration met Thursday to recommend a formula for COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images
The companies that make COVID-19 vaccines should update the shots again to target a variant closer to the strains currently on the rise, a committee of independent advisers to the Food and Drug Administration unanimously recommended Thursday.
Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Novavax should target strains related to the JN.1 variant with their vaccines for next fall and winter because that strain is closer to the new variants of the virus that are circulating, the advisers voted after a day-long meeting.
The recommendation came after the companies presented data that shows that vaccines based on viruses related to JN.1 strains produce strong protection against the latest versions of the virus, such as LP.8.1, which has become dominant in the U.S.
The current Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech’s mRNA vaccines target the KP.2 strain. Novavax’s shot targets a JN.1 strain.
The committee was uncertain about which particular JN.1 subvariant would be the best pick because it isn’t known which strain may be dominant by the fall. The FDA will now work with the companies to make a final decision, officials said.
The advisory panel’s vote is consistent with the World Health Organization’s recommendation for the next set of vaccines.
The decision underscores the state of the evolution of the virus, which has now essentially become endemic in the U.S. and other countries. The virus continues to produce new subvariants of omicron instead of evolving into dramatically different strains that would pose a greater risk.
Changes in the FDA approval process
The recommendation comes two days after the FDA announced a new approach to COVID vaccines that would likely restrict access to the shots. While many questions remain about the new strategy, a change in strains would not appear to make a difference in how the FDA approves the next vaccines.
The new strategy would continue the current vaccine approval process for people ages 65 and older and younger people with health problems that put them at high risk for serious complications from the virus. Those health problems include obesity, heart disease, cancer, inactivity and other risk factors. That regulatory approach relies on information about how the immune system responds to the vaccines.
But the FDA will now require vaccine manufacturers to conduct large, costly additional studies to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines for children and younger healthy adults by comparing them to a harmless injection of saline. Those trials would look at differences in health outcomes, such as developing COVID.
That’s a major change from the current approach, which recommends and approves the vaccines for almost everyone based on the more easily obtained immune system studies.
FDA officials say the change was prompted by the widespread immunity to the virus that people have developed because of repeated infections and vaccinations. This acquired immunity has contributed to a significant drop in serious illness and death from COVID. The FDA estimates 100 million to 200 million Americans would be eligible for COVID vaccines under the new approach.
Some independent experts are welcoming the change. Others, however, worry the move would make it harder for many people who still want the vaccine to get it. That would include parents who want to vaccinate very young children and those who want to reduce their risk for mild or moderate illness, long COVID and the risk of spreading the virus to other people, such as older relatives.
FDA officials say the steps will bring the U.S. in line with the approach that other high-income countries take towards the vaccines and are necessary to restore trust in the vaccines.
Even though COVID is still claiming more lives than the flu, most U.S. adults have declined to get vaccinated against COVID in recent years and even fewer parents have opted to vaccinate their children. Children tend to be far less likely to get seriously ill from COVID, but the disease can still be serious for them, especially very young children.
.png)
