My clean beauty must-haves: gentle, effective products like Oliveda, OneSkin, and more that nourish skin without harsh ingredients.

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re having a wonderful morning! I’m off to a yoga class and looking forward to family dinner later tonight.

For today’s post, I wanted to chat a bit about clean beauty and share my absolute go-tos.

Why I Switched to Clean Beauty

As an Integrative Health Practitioner, I spend a lot of time helping women lower their toxin exposure through food and lifestyle. While I’ve been cautious about the foods I eat and we purchase for decades now, I didn’t start paying attention to what I was putting on my skin until I was pregnant with Liv.

Our skin is our largest organ, and many conventional products contain harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrance, and endocrine disruptors that can build up over time. Choosing clean beauty products means fewer questionable ingredients, more plant-based actives, and often better results.

Today I’m sharing my personal clean beauty must-haves: the products I reach for every single day. These are not sponsored picks; they’re the ones I truly love and have seen real results from using them. Affiliate links are included below – thank you so so much to those of you who shop through my links.

Clean Beauty Must-Haves I Always Keep on Hand

1. Olive Rose Skin Tint

Why I love it:

This skin tint gives me that “your-skin-but-better” glow with light, buildable coverage. It’s perfect for days when I don’t want a full foundation. I’ve also been out of it for about a month now and lurk the website every single day. It should be back in stock within the next couple of weeks! FINALLYYYYYYYYY.

Key benefits:

Lightweight hydration with a soft, dewy finish

Evens out redness and blurs minor imperf

Hi friends! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? The Pilot and I are enjoying a date night, P has a basketball game, and it’s our neice Daisy’s 1st birthday party! We got to celebrate the birthday girl last night and can’t wait for more fun this weekend.

In between that, I’ve just been here doing the homeschool thing, working with clients, and LOVING this season of Dancing with the Stars. Just give Robert the mirrorball already.

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

There’s nothing like post-detox tacos, I tell ya.

9.26 Friday Faves

Fashion + beauty + random:

HUGE Athleta sale right now!

Some faves:

these wide leg pants

this sweatshirt

this rib crop tee

P lives in these hoodies

and these tech tees

The perfect red flats

Lurking this website EVERY DAY for my favorite skin tint #7 to be back in stock. Currently, I hold the empty bottle upside down and shake it. I use this tinted SPF moisturizer and this on top, and it’s the perfect combo for a little bit of coverage, but not too much.

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Hi friends! I’m thrilled to share this week’s conversation with Dr. Karyn Shanks, MD, IFMCP a certified functional medicine physician with nearly 40 years of experience. We chat about into treating the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – and how trauma, nutrition, and self-care all play a role in lasting health. This was an amazing conversation and I can’t wait for you to hear it!

194: Healing Through Whole-Person Care with Dr. Karyn Shanks, MD

Here’s what we discuss:

• Why treating the whole person—physical, emotional, and spiritual—is key to healing

• How trauma can impact chronic illness and long-term health

• Strategies for nervous system regulation to support recovery

• The extensive intake process that helps understand a patient’s full health story

• Why spending time with patients is critical for effective care

• Common nutritional deficiencies and how they affect even healthy eaters

• Daily self-care practices that support wellness and reduce anxiety

• How to feel empowered in your health care decisions

• Meditation, creative activities, and listening to your body as tools for well-being

Karyn Shanks, MD is a physician-healer-teacher-writer who lives and practices in Iowa City. Her work is inspired by the science of Directable Human Potential—epigenetics, neuroplasticity, core Functional Medicine systems biology, and transformational psychology—and the wisdom gleaned from the healing journeys of thousands of clients over her thirty-year career. She approaches all of her work through the Unbroken philosophy and framework—that we all have vast untapped genetic, biological, psychological, and spiritual potential.

Connect with her on Instagram here and on her website here.

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For my free Autoimmune Healing ebook, click here.
Detailed show

Sharing some of my go-to low-impact cardio options for autoimmune flare days. This was something I really struggled with and have definitely been there. These are some of the things that helped me, but please reach out to your doctor for personalized advice. If you’re ready to get to the root cause of how you’re feeling, email me gina@fitnessista.com subject TESTING. 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a lovely week. I’m looking forward to lunch with the girls today and a low-key night catching up on Dancing with the Stars. We’re loving this season!

Today, I wanted to chat a little more about my autoimmune journey and some of the things that have helped me during a flare, especially when doing workouts, especially cardio felt more challenging.

Low-Impact Cardio Options for Autoimmune Flare Days

When Movement Feels Harder Than Usual

If you live with an autoimmune condition, you know the ups and downs all too well. Some days you feel strong, capable, and ready to take on a workout. Other days… just getting out of bed feels like a victory.

As someone who has supported many clients (and experienced my own share of health hurdles), I’ve learned that movement doesn’t have to totally disappear on autoimmune flare days. The key is choosing low-impact cardio options that support circulation, lymphatic flow, and mood – without pushing your body into more inflammation or exhaustion.

I wanted to chat about some of my favorite gentle and low-impact cardio options for autoimmune flare days, so you can honor your body while still supporting your health and fitness goals.

Why Low-Impact Cardio Matters During Flares

When your immune system is flaring, your body is already working overtime. High-intensity training can sometimes make symptoms worse, spiking cortisol and leaving you drained.

Low-impact cardio, on the other hand:

Supports blood flow and oxygen delivery.

Encourages gentle detox through sweating and lymphatic movement.

Boosts mood and mental health.

Helps maintain consistency without burning you out.

Think of it as a way to meet your body where it’s at while still taking care of yourself.

Best Low-Impact Cardio Options for Autoimmune Flare Days

Walking (Indoors or Outdoors)

Walking is one of the most underrated low-impact cardio exercises. On flare days, keep it gentle: a slow stroll around your neighborhood, or even laps inside your house. Fresh air + sunshine can also help reset your nervous system.

Tip: Start with 5–10 minutes, and if it feels good, extend from there.

Rebounding (Mini Trampoline)

Rebounding is one of my favorites for autoimmune flare days. The light bouncing helps move lymph fluid, supports detox pathways, and boosts circulation without being too taxing.

Tip: Gentle health bounces (feet s

Sharing some of my tips for gluten-free meal prep.

Hi friends! Happy Monday! What’s the week looking like for you? Liv has a pretty low-key week at school with some half days, so I’m looking forward to getting caught up with some things around the house. We emptied our storage unit and going through everything has been a picnic, let me tell ya.

Something that has been saving my life since school started: meal prep!!

Why I Love Meal Prepping

When it comes to eating healthy meals consistently, meal prep is one of my favorite strategies. It saves time, money, and the daily stress of figuring out what to eat. It makes such a difference to have nourishing food ready to go. It’s easier to stick with your health goals when you open the fridge and healthy food is waiting for you.

Since P and I are both gluten-free and she’s homeschooled, I’ve been doing a lot of gluten-free meal prep. At first, it can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to navigating a gluten intolerance. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, there are so many naturally gluten free foods that are perfect for meal prep recipes.

Today, I wanted to chat a bit about gluten-free meal prep: what it means, why it’s worth it (!), tips for success, and easy free recipes you can try this week. (For more meal ideas, check out this list of dinners our family loved and this list of dinner ideas.)

What Is Gluten-Free Meal Prep

Gluten-free meal prep simply means preparing meals ahead of time that don’t contain gluten: the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This is especially helpful for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, but many people choose gluten-free eating because it can help with digestion, energy, or overall wellness.

The beauty of gluten free meal prep is that it uses free options you already love: veggies, lean proteins, beans, grains like rice and quinoa, and healthy fats like olive oil. With the right plan, you can enjoy flavorful and satisfying meals without the stress of last-minute cooking.

What Are The Benefits Of Meal Prepping Gluten Free Meals

Saves Time

By cooking in a big batch, you can prepare lunch, dinner, and/or snack options for the whole week. No scrambling in the kitchen every night!

Saves Money

Planning and prepping in advance helps you avoid expensive takeout. If you need even more budget tips, check out my post on cheap meal prep ideas.

Supports Healthy Eating

When healthy food is ready to grab, you’re less likely to reach for packaged snacks or fast f