dani - Ancestral Nutrition

Blog October 15, 2015

Homemade Hydrating Hair Mask

This homemade hydrating hair mask with coconut oil, olive oil and essential oils will make your dry and damaged hair soft, shiny and the healthiest it’s ever been! This homemade hydrating hair mask is one of the reasons I still have hair. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But it IS one of the reasons I still have long, healthy hair. No matter whether I use heat tools or not, my hair, especially my ends, tends to get really dry. I once went four months without using heat tools, it didn’t make a difference. Now I use them once or twice a week and my hair is still doing really well. In fact, it’s been growing really quickly. Why this homemade hydrating hair mask will rescue your damaged, dry hair: Guys, trust me, use this hydrating hair mask and your dry damaged hair will be the softest and shiniest it’s…

Blog October 9, 2015

The Best Natural Remedies For The Stomach Flu

A few days ago I woke up bright and early to wish my husband a happy birthday, only to find out that he was running a fever of 101 and seemingly had the stomach flu. You know – chills, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, the works. The poor guy. We had plans go out to his favorite restaurant, but he could barely get out of bed. Depsite being called the stomach flu (or stomach bug), it’s not actually the flu. The flu is influenza, a virus that mainly affects the respiratory system. The stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is actually an infection of the stomach and intestines that can be caused either by bacteria or a virus. Unfortunately, most medical recommendations for gastroenteritis include letting it run its course, hydrating and getting rest. Instead of taking a watch and wait approach, letting the bacteria or virus work its way out of his…

Blog October 6, 2015

Brush This Way For the Healthiest, Softest, Shiniest Hair

Listen, I know it seems weird. Who actually needs a tutorial on how to brush their hair? Chances are, you do. It’s okay. I did too. I had no idea how I was brushing was actually contributing to the seemingly endless amount of breakage I was experiencing as well as the dryness of my ends. If you’re anything like me, you constantly struggle with dry ends and maintaining a healthy, shiny head of hair. I have long hair and want to grow it out – this brush is not only keeping my hair healthy, it’s boosting growth. I stimulate my scalp every time I brush. I also basically deep condition my hair every time I brush, using the natural oils my scalp produces – aka the best conditioner on earth. Watch below for the tips and a demonstration, or just read below for my tips. https://www.youtube.com/embed/f8m0ZRqcsvA Tip #1 Use the…

Blog September 30, 2015

Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken – Paleo

This healthy sweet and sour chicken recipe is a paleo take on the popular restaurant-style Chinese chicken dish. Totally takeout-worthy yet easy, and most importantly, without MSG, high fructose corn syrup, vegetable oils or GMOs! Get your takeout fix with this Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe! Who’s up for some fakout-takeout? This recipe comes with a warning. It might put you off ordering sweet and sour chicken from a Chinese restaurant ever again. Yep, I am about to show you an easy and healthier version of this takout classic to whip up at home in 30 minutes. This paleo sweet and sour chicken recipe has no refined sugar. The sauce is sweetened with coconut sugar and some sugar-free homemade paleo ketchup. As you might suspect, restaurant-style Sweet and Sour Chicken is battered and fried – and yes – that makes it pretty dang irresistible. However, we get pretty much the same…

Blog September 22, 2015

Let’s talk about my miscarriage.

I never in my life thought this would ever happen to me. It wasn’t even something I considered. I never thought that I would sit down to write this, crying, telling you guys that I’ve had a miscarriage. Scott and I decided to start trying in July, after preparing to get pregnant for about a year. We had been eating a preconception diet, taking supplements and eliminating all things toxic from our life. It only took us two months, and we were pregnant after my second cycle. I recently miscarried, just entering my seventh week. We were so excited to be pregnant. I tested after Scott left for work and was elated when the test turned positive. I made him a cake that said “THANKS FOR KNOCKING ME UP!” When he got home and asked if I had tested to see if I was pregnant, I told him I had…

Blog September 16, 2015

Gut Healing, Cellulite Improving, Wrinkle Reducing Lemonade

Yesterday I wrote an article on the benefits of collagen, you can read all about that here (I’m also giving away three containers of it so make sure you enter!). Collagen is found in the bones, hooves and hides of animals and is rarely eaten anymore, whereas our ancestors ate a significant amount of it. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and it rapidly declines after the age of 25, which is why we often see symptoms like wrinkles, cellulite and brittle hair and nails as we age. From my article yesterday… Due to modern diets rich in sugar, processed carbohydrates and a slew of other unhealthy foods, most people are dealing with some level of gut issues, from irregularity to IBS. Collagen is more easily absorbed and therefore great for those who struggle with gut issues. Collagen has been shown to strengthen mucosal lining and improve low stomach…

Blog September 15, 2015

The Benefits of Collagen and How It Differs From Gelatin

I was first introduced to gelatin many years ago, as a new nutrition student trying desperately heal my gut issues. In my desperation, I ordered some off the internet, added it to my tea, got ready to chug…and ended up sipping a thick, gelatinous cup of green tea. ‘This has clearly gone bad.’ I thought. As it turns out, I had purchased gelatin instead of collagen. While gelatin and collagen are closely related and both very healthy, they’re not exactly the same. The most obvious difference is that gelatin causes foods to solidify – this is great if you’re making jello. It’s not so great for sipping tea. And while I love jello, I simply cannot consume enough. Collagen goes into my tea every day. Both collagen and gelatin are derived from the hides, hooves, and bones of animals. Our ancestors and traditional cultures around the world largely consumed collagen and gelatin. No part…

Blog September 9, 2015

Paleo Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

This easy healthy paleo pumpkin cheesecake dip is made with only six ingredients! A sweet dairy-free fruit dip without cream cheese that tastes like a slice of pumpkin pie. Perfect for fall! Paleo Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip – the ultimate fall treat! It’s happened. Even though it’s 90 degrees out. September is here and everyone I know is already going nuts for fall, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice, scarves, and cute sweaters. Pumpkin Cheesecake dip is just part of the equation. I’m over here just tryin’ to cling to the last little bit of summer and plan weekend beach trips before it gets too cold. But I’m also a realist. I know you guys want healthy pumpkin recipes. You’re all excited for autumn, even if I’m not. I know you guys want easy, healthy recipes that taste good. And this definitely fits the bill. It took all of five minutes to throw…

Blog September 4, 2015

What a Vegan Diet Did To My Husband

A couple years ago, I wrote about how vegetarianism ruined my health. Like the story below, my story was anecdotal. It was my own, and it was the truth. Since then, I’ve received countless comments and emails, insisting I’m lying, I did it wrong, or I have some ulterior motive to just bash plant based diets. I shared my story because I know I’m not alone. I know so many other men and women have dealt with this same thing. I personally know people whose health suffered due to a plant based diet. And one of those people is my husband. A few months ago, he encouraged me to share his story. So I’m finally doing just that. This isn’t a ploy to bash anything, it’s simply me sharing the truth with you all. This way of eating works for some people, and it doesn’t for others. When I met Scott…

Blog August 26, 2015

An Unbiased Review of Plexus

Is Plexus safe? Is it worth your money and will it help you lose weight? Find out below in an unbiased review of Plexus! Before it’s asked, this is the protein I use and recommend. I couldn’t find one good enough on the market, so I made my own. Grass-fed collagen with six organic superfoods: kale, spirulina, wheatgrass, broccoli, spinach and turmeric. I drink it in my daily smoothies and it gives me LIFE. Aka a healthy gut, glowing skin, strong digestion and energy for DAYS. Use code 10OFF for 10% off! An unbiased review of Plexus Back when I wrote this original review, Plexus was using incredibly dangerous stimulants linked to serious side effects. And while they still sort of are, the ingredient list has admittedly improved a bit. Don’t get me wrong – I still do not support or recommend these products. But I am at least thankful…