How is it already time to write my June Favorites email?!

Summer solstice just passed, and somehow we’re halfway through the year 🤯.

Here’s the CliffsNotes version of what’s been going on in my life:

I’m fully in my “teen mom era,” and honestly, every stage with my kids just gets better.

But wow, June is WILD for moms.

[Pro tip: if you ever need something from a mom in June, September, or December... maybe just don’t. Unless you're taking something off her plate first. 😉]

Mid-June hit hard: We had a ballet recital (three shows, three days, back-to-back), the last week of school, and my daughter’s 13th birthday party.

Also? My skin decided to freak out. So, I ran a GI Map on myself last month (because… functional nutrition nerd 💁‍♀️), and I’m happy to report I’m on the mend and glowing again.

The gut is overwhelmingly powerful in every way and I’ll share that story with you next month!

Safe to say, June was unhinged—but all in the best ways. 🤗

We’re slowly sliding into our “summer schedule,” which honestly feels like a lie because... co-parenting + running a business + having kids home = anything but regular.

One lesson I keep relearning is there’s no such thing as normal.

Nature runs on change, and apparently, so do I. And you know what, I’m okay with that.

I’d rather live in alignment with nature anyway - grow, adapt, expand, rest.

It’s all good.

In some ways, it’s easier not having school pick-up and drop-off every day. I’ve got more flexibility.

And in other ways… it’s harder because I’ve got more flexibility because that means more decisions and stronger boundaries to enforce 🫠

Thankfully, I’ve got solid boundaries and a track record of holding my commitments to myself, so we’re rocking with it.

We’re also working on a family summer bucket list, and I’ll share it once it’s done because maybe it’ll spark a fun idea for you.

Alright, let’s wrap up June with the favorites...

🥗Favorite Recipe: A salad I made up to feed my microbiome (nothing helps get laser focused on the gut like running a GI Map 👍). Bonus: it makes a big batch that lasts all week.

Here’s what’s in it:

• Purple cabbage (chopped)
• Pre-shredded carrots (because… life)
• Several kale leaves from my garden
• A bunch of dandelion greens (also homegrown 🌱)
• Pink Lady apple (for sweetness and crunch)
• Vinaigrette: Always olive oil, ACV, dijon, salt + pepper. Sometimes garlic or ginger sneaks in.

I literally put it in a big bowl and keep it in the refrigerator. These veggies are all hearty enough to last and hold up together. Spend 20 minutes and the payoff is microbiome boosting food all week.

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(this is not the exact salad but a version of it - doesn't it look GOOD!)

📚 Favorite Study: Let’s talk more polyphenols—specifically flavonoids (found in berries, tea, dark chocolate… the good stuff).

A new study found people who ate the widest variety of flavonoids had a 14% lower risk of dying from anything.

Yes. ALL. CAUSE. MORTALITY. Plus, lower rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer—even when the total amount of flavonoids stayed the same.

So what does this mean for you? Don’t just stick to your go-to blueberries or green tea. Mix it up! Sip on tea, eat the rainbow with fruits and veggies, add in apples, citrus, dark leafy greens—the more diverse, the better.

💊Favorite Supplement: Speaking of gut loving phytonutrients, one of my favorite ways to boost them is with Layer Origin Simple Reds. Easy, effective, high quality.

Happy Summer, friend!

Kristen

P.S. I’d love to hear what’s on your summer bucket list! Hit "reply" and share what you're doing this summer.

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