I used to get anxiety over going to parties because #1 – I like to eat A LOT and #2 – I prefer to eat plant-based, organic food.  As you can imagine, the typical party is anything but an organic veg-fest. So I would either leave hungry or end up eating things I normally stay away from like cheese, pizza, fondue and more cheese...

DAY ONE – BELAVIE HEALTH AND BEAUTY HOMEMADE I am truly grateful that the stars aligned and Belavie – Health and Beauty Homemade- blog launches today.  Thanks to all the special people who helped me get here.  You know who you are and I love you! I’ll be blogging weekly so be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive healthy, hearty recipes, self care tips and...

the best homemade toothpaste ever! I don’t know why I get so excited about toothpaste, but I do. Beauty tips include tips for beautiful chompers. I have been making my own toothpaste for at least a decade and each time I have to use the store bought stuff, my teeth just don’t feel clean.  I started making this for friends and they say...

I kicked my sugar cravings long ago but now and again I love a little chocolate and especially in the form of fudge!  Add raspberries and you’ve now got a dish that is worthy of a dinner party.  Dates a great alternative to sugar and have the right amount sweetness and gooey consistency.  They are a rich source of fiber,...

I’m not going to be modest here.  This nutty dressing is incredible!  The fat from the nuts is key to making this dressing superior. Even my mom likes it and she is my top critic in the kitchen.  I’ve perfected this recipe over the years to include a good balance of fat, flavor and texture.  As with all recipes, I suggest you experiment....

Big alert! You should exercise. I should exercise and by exercise I mean get the heart rate up for 20-60 minutes 4-5 times a week or however that formula goes. Corporate worker bees like us would benefit from mindful (or mindless) exercise like yoga and tai chi. If you are doing these things already, great. You are ahead of the game. However,...

I do not have children so my pets are my children.  Some people like their pets more than their kids.  Just kidding. Not really.  In any case, if you have a pet, let’s assume they are near and dear to your heart. For a long time, I thought nothing of the store bought food I was feeding my pets.  However,...