Living Well With Giada De Laurentiis: On Pantry Swaps, Morning Rituals, and La Dolce Vita at Home

If your pantry is full but you still somehow have “nothing to eat,” this one’s for you.

Giada De Laurentiis is in a phase where it’s less about complicated recipes and more about getting the basics right. Less focused on complicated recipes, more focused on what’s actually worth keeping on your shelves. With her Giadzy pantry line, she’s dialing in on foundational ingredients, bronze cut, slow dried pasta that holds sauce properly, high polyphenol olive oil that brings both flavor and function, and tomatoes that taste like they were picked at the right time.

Because living well, for her, isn’t a full reset. It’s the small things that actually stick. What you make on a random weeknight. What you pour over your pasta. What you keep stocked without thinking twice.

In this edition of Living Well With, Giada shares the habits that anchor her mornings, the pantry swap she recommends to everyone, how motherhood has shaped her perspective on nourishment, and what la dolce vita looks like at home today.

If you love conversations with founders who are redefining wellness from the inside out,  read our latest Living Well With featuring Robin Berzin, founder and CEO of Parsley Health here.

Living Well with Giada

Do you have a morning ritual that sets the tone for your day? Yesss! I’m a creature of habit, and I’ve found that is what makes me feel good for the busy day ahead. I feed my dogs, take them for a stroll, and go right into an hour of yoga. I drink bone broth and collagen powder as my first food every day. All of that before I have any coffee or phone time.

Do you have a non-negotiable ritual that grounds you no matter how busy life gets? Being with my family (including the animals!). Sitting with them and really being present, hearing about my daughters day, cooking alone with no cameras. All therapy to me!

How has being a mom shaped the way you think about food and wellness? As a mom, it’s my job to make sure I’m feeding Jade food that has the nutrients she needs to grow. To me, that means making sure that the food that I’m feeding her is real. Now that she’s a teen, I don’t have as much control over what she eats, but she has a good baseline understanding of what works for her, and that’s all I can ask for.

What’s always stocked in your pantry? My Go-to vinaigrette 

Pre-making condiments and dressings is one of my favorite hacks to save time, and still consume the whole ingredient.

I use the Giadzy Organic Coastal Puglia Olive Oil because it’s high polyphenol so that I get an extra hit of antioxidants.

Your new pantry line highlights quality ingredients and thoughtful sourcing. Why do you think it’s important for people to rethink what’s in their pantry? Your pantry sets the tone for how you eat every day. If you stock it with high-quality ingredients then cooking becomes so much easier and healthier. It’s not about having a million specialty products, it’s about choosing a few really good basics that you can rely on.

What’s one thing most people don’t realize about the health difference between premium pantry staples and conventional ones? So much of what we consume is filled with fillers, dyes, additives. It can feel super overwhelming to tackle your pantry.

Taking the time to source your ingredients is one small action that  you can take to elevate your dishes and feel good about what you're eating. We tirelessly source the best ingredients, which goes all the way to where our pasta is cut and how it is dried. It’s a labor of love, so that you don’t have to do the thinking.

If someone could only swap one pantry item for a higher-quality option, where should they start? Pasta! It’s such an easy swap. Pick a pasta that is imported from Italy, bronze cut, and slow dried for a nutrient dense product to feed your whole family.

What do you hope people feel when they open their pantry and see your products? I want people to feel that they are getting a really transparent product so that they know that what they’re serving their family is the best it can be. Having grown up in Rome, these foods taste like home to me. We so often hear “pasta tastes so different abroad” and that is literally because it is. We are bringing that luxury into your everyday pantry. Shop Giada's Pasta here. 

What book or podcast are you loving at the moment? I love Elise Loehnen’s podcast Pulling the Thread. And I like to listen to books while I work out, and just finished Bobbi Brown’s new book. So good.

What does “living well” mean to you right now, in this season of your life? Taking the time to enjoy my life. Things get so hectic, and I love finding my slice of la dolce vita by spending time with my animals and family. I’m at my core an introvert, so being at home is.

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Why You Attract the Same Type of Partner (And How to Change It), According to a Therapist

If you have ever found yourself dating the same person in a different body, you are not alone. That frustrating feeling of thinking this time will be different, only to realize you are back in a familiar dynamic, is something many people quietly wrestle with.

To unpack why this happens and how to actually change it, we turned to Dr. Erin Pash, DBA, LMFT. Dr. Pash is an award winning mental health executive, licensed therapist, and founder of Ellie Mental Health.

In this conversation, she explains the psychology behind repeated relationship patterns and what it really takes to choose differently. You can also read her previous insights in What to Do When Stress Is Creating Distance in Your Relationship According to a Therapist.

Why do so many people feel stuck attracting the same type of partner, even when they want something different? Here's the thing nobody wants to hear: you're not just "attracting" these people. You're choosing them. Your brain has a pattern recognition system that was programmed in childhood, running in the background like an app you forgot to close. It whispers, "Ooh, this one feels familiar," and your body interprets familiar as safe, even when familiar is actually a dumpster fire.

This happens because of something called repetition compulsion. We unconsciously seek out relationships that mirror our earliest emotional experiences, not because they were good, but because they're known. The brain prioritizes predictability over happiness. So you keep swiping right on the same energy wearing a different outfit, from the emotionally unavailable musician to the emotionally unavailable finance guy, and think you've evolved, but your nervous system knows the truth. Until you get curious about WHY that pattern feels like home, you'll keep redecorating the same broken house.

What role do early relationships or childhood dynamics play in who we’re attracted to as adults? Massive. Your earliest relationships are your brain's first draft of what love looks like. If love looked like chaos, criticism, or emotional unavailability growing up, your nervous system filed that under normal. So when you meet someone who gives you that same cocktail of anxiety and longing, your brain goes, "Ah yes, love. I recognize you."

We develop what are called internal working models, mental blueprints for how relationships function. If a caregiver was inconsistent, you learned love requires hypervigilance. If a caregiver was critical, you internalized that love must be earned through performance. If a caregiver was emotionally absent, you learned that needing people leads to disappointment. These blueprints do not expire at eighteen. They follow you into every relationship until you consciously examine them. It is not that you're broken. It is that your internal GPS was calibrated by people who maybe should not have been driving. The good news? You can recalibrate.

How do attachment styles influence the types of partners we attract and tolerate? Attachment styles are your relationship operating system, and most people have never checked which version they're running. There are four primary styles, secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized, and each shapes not only who you're drawn to but what you'll tolerate.

If you're anxiously attached, you're drawn to avoidant partners like a moth to a very emotionally unavailable flame. Their distance activates your I must earn love programming. If you're avoidant, you might pick partners who need a lot from you so you always have a reason to pull away. If you're disorganized, you swing between craving closeness and panicking when you get it. The anxious avoidant pairing is the most common unhealthy dynamic I see in practice, and it's remarkably stable, not because it works, but because each person's behavior reinforces the other's worst fears. The shift happens when you start choosing partners who make your nervous system go "huh, this is different" instead of "OH GOD, HERE WE GO AGAIN."

Why do unhealthy dynamics often feel more attractive than healthier ones? Because unhealthy dynamics give you a neurochemical hit that healthy ones do not, at least not in the same way. When someone is hot and cold, your brain is on a slot machine. Intermittent reinforcement is the most addictive reward schedule that exists. That emotional whiplash creates a surge of dopamine, cortisol, and adrenaline that your brain interprets as passion.

There is also a trauma bonding component. When periods of stress are followed by relief or affection, it creates an intensely strong attachment. The reconciliation feels euphoric precisely because the conflict was painful. Meanwhile, the person who texts you back consistently? Your brain registers that as meh because there is no neurochemical roller coaster. We have confused anxiety for attraction, and it is the biggest scam in modern dating. Chaos is not chemistry.

Why can healthier relationships sometimes feel boring at first to people used to emotional highs and lows? Your nervous system is basically a retired adrenaline junkie. When you have been riding the emotional roller coaster for years, a calm relationship feels like sitting in a parked car. Neurologically, your baseline for arousal has been set artificially high by chronic relationship stress. When cortisol drops to where it should be, it feels flat, similar to how someone in a loud environment perceives normal volume as silence.

There is also an identity component. If you have built your sense of self around being the one who loves hard, fights for love, or handles difficult people, a calm relationship can feel like an identity crisis. Here is what I tell my clients: that boring feeling is actually peace. You just do not recognize it yet. Give your nervous system three to six months to recalibrate. Let your body learn that love does not have to hurt to be real.

How can someone tell if they are truly emotionally available? Most people think they are more available than they actually are. Some honest benchmarks: Can you make genuine space in your life for another person, not just in theory, but in practice? Can you sit with someone else's emotions without trying to fix, flee, or freeze? Are you actually over your ex, or just over them while still checking their Instagram at midnight? Can you tolerate being truly seen, including the messy parts?

Signs you might not be as available as you think: you are only attracted to unavailable people. You fill your schedule so completely there is no room for someone to fit. You lead with your representative rather than letting someone see the real you. You say you want commitment but feel panicky when it is offered. If you are constantly attracted to unavailable people, that is usually a mirror, not a coincidence. Emotional availability is not a switch you flip. It is a daily practice of staying open when every part of you wants to self protect.

What specific dating behaviors tend to reinforce old patterns? I see these on repeat. Moving too fast because intensity feels like connection, when speed actually bypasses your discernment. Ignoring red flags because they have potential, which is code for I am projecting the person I want them to be onto the person they are showing me they are. Over functioning, meaning you are doing 85 percent of the emotional labor and calling it love.

Choosing people based on chemistry alone while ignoring compatibility. Chemistry tells you there is a spark, compatibility tells you there is a future. You need both. Keeping someone around because you are afraid of being alone. Making excuses for behavior you would never tolerate from a friend, which is a great litmus test, by the way. And my personal favorite: the this time it is different mantra while doing absolutely nothing differently. Same picker, same patterns, shinier package.

What practical steps actually lead to different relationship outcomes? Get radically honest about your patterns. Look at your last three to five relationships and find the common thread, because there is one, and it is you. Not in a self blaming way, but in an empowered way. You are the variable you can change.

Slow down. Speed is the enemy of discernment. Give yourself a minimum of three months before making big relationship decisions. Get curious about what boring feels like and challenge yourself to go on at least five dates with someone who feels nice but not exciting before writing them off. Build a life you actually love being single in, because desperation is the worst dating strategy ever invented. When you are fulfilled on your own, you choose partners from desire instead of need, and those are fundamentally different relationships.

Learn your attachment style and study it like your emotional life depends on it, because it does. And get professional support, therapy, journaling, honest conversations with people who love you enough to tell you the truth. The goal is not finding the perfect person. It is becoming someone who can recognize a good thing when it shows up and not run from it.

What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to change who they attract? They make a new checklist without doing any internal work. They go from I want someone exciting to I want someone stable and think that is the whole job. But if you have not addressed WHY you were drawn to chaos, you will either pick the same person in different packaging or self sabotage the good thing because it does not feel right.

The second most common mistake is thinking awareness alone is enough. Insight without behavioral change is just interesting information. You have to practice choosing differently in real time, when your nervous system is screaming at you to go back to what is familiar. Changing your type without changing yourself is like putting a new address in the GPS but never leaving the driveway. The checklist is the easy part. The mirror is where the real work happens.

What advice do you find yourself giving over and over again to clients stuck in this cycle? Stop asking Why does this keep happening to me? and start asking Why do I keep participating in this? That reframe changes everything because it gives you your power back. You are not a magnet helplessly pulling in terrible partners. You are a whole human making choices, sometimes unconscious ones, but choices nonetheless.

Pay attention to how someone makes you feel in your body, not just in your head. If your stomach is in knots and you cannot eat and you are calling that butterflies, we need to talk. Real connection should make your nervous system feel regulated, not activated. Learn the difference between excitement and anxiety. They live in similar neighborhoods in your body, but they are not the same thing.

And finally, everybody sucks sometimes. You, me, the person you are dating. The goal is not perfection. It is finding someone whose imperfections you can work with, who is willing to grow alongside you, and who makes your nervous system feel like it can finally exhale. That is the real thing. And you deserve it.

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In Conversation: A Behavioral Scientist on the Cost of Constant Availability

There’s a kind of exhaustion a lot of us are carrying that doesn’t look dramatic. You’re getting through your day. You’re answering the emails, returning the texts, keeping up. On the surface, you’re fine.

But underneath, something feels overloaded.

In her new book Finding Focus, behavioral scientist Dr. Zelana Montminy explores what constant distraction is doing to our minds and nervous systems. Her message isn’t about productivity. It’s about what happens when we’re always available and never fully at rest.

When we asked her what she’s most passionate about helping people with right now, she didn’t hesitate: “Right now, I’m most passionate about helping people reclaim their attention in a world that constantly fragments it. Not as a productivity hack, but as a deeply human necessity.”

In Conversation with Dr. Zelana Montminy

We’re Living in Continuous Input

“We are living in an era of continuous input with very little integration,” she explains. Historically, stress came in waves. Now it is ambient, chronic, and psychologically layered. News, notifications, social comparison, global uncertainty, and personal responsibilities all coexist in the same cognitive space.

“The nervous system was not designed for perpetual vigilance.”

It’s not just the volume of information that strains us. It’s what she calls the emotional ambiguity of it. We are constantly processing micro-threats, micro-decisions, and micro-interruptions. Over time, that creates “a baseline state of low-grade activation that people normalize as ‘just being busy,’ when in reality it is nervous system fatigue.”

Constant availability keeps that low-grade activation running in the background. We interpret it as productivity, when it’s often depletion.

Focus Is Not a Discipline Problem

One of the most important shifts in her work came from noticing a pattern. People would come in describing anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, and lack of motivation. Beneath those symptoms was fractured attention. “Not because they were weak,” she says, “but because they were emotionally and cognitively overloaded.”

That realization changed how she understands focus. Attention, she explains, is “a physiological and emotional state.” When your nervous system feels unsafe, attention splinters. When it feels regulated, attention naturally stabilizes.

Instead of asking why you can’t focus, the better question may be whether your system feels supported. Focus is not something you force. It is something you support.

The Illusion of Being Responsive

Culturally, we reward availability. One norm she believes should be retired is the expectation of constant availability. “It creates the illusion of responsiveness while quietly eroding depth, creativity, and psychological recovery.”

Human cognition thrives in cycles of engagement and disengagement. When availability becomes continuous, “the mind never fully resets. We end up responsive but not truly present.”

That distinction is subtle but significant. Responsiveness can look productive. Presence is what restores.

The Burnout We Miss

Burnout rarely announces itself dramatically at first. More often, it shows up quietly. She describes early signs as “subtle cognitive fog, increased irritability, loss of enthusiasm for things that once felt meaningful, and a sense of emotional numbness rather than dramatic breakdown.”

It appears as a disconnection long before collapse. Many people miss it because they are still functioning on the surface. But functioning and feeling well are not the same thing.

If You Can’t Step Away

For many people, stepping away from responsibilities isn’t realistic. Life remains full. She acknowledges that “exhaustion and responsibility often coexist, especially in seasons of full life.”

The goal is not to escape your responsibilities. It is to reduce unnecessary nervous system strain within them. That might mean fewer transitions, more realistic expectations, micro-recovery throughout the day, and protecting small pockets of cognitive space. “You don’t need a full life overhaul. You need moments of physiological exhale. Sustainable resilience is built in increments, not dramatic resets.”

It’s a steadier, more humane approach to resilience.

Constant availability asks us to be everywhere. Her work, and Finding Focus, invite a different question: what would it look like to protect your attention instead of constantly offering it away? 

To keep up with Dr. Zelana Montminy’s work, follow her on Instagram at @dr.zelana.

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7 Signs Your Home Might Have a Hidden Mold Problem

We spend a lot of time thinking about what we eat, the supplements we take, and the routines we follow in the name of wellness. But there’s one factor that quietly affects our health every single day that almost no one talks about: the air inside our homes.

That’s exactly the space Michael Rubino has built his career around. An indoor air quality expert and environmental wellness advocate, Rubino is the founder of HomeCleanse and co-founder and Chair of Change the Air Foundation, organizations focused on helping people understand how their living environments impact long term health.

“The average person breathes around 20,000 breaths per day,” Rubino explains. And because most of us spend roughly 90 percent of our time indoors, the air inside our homes ends up being a much bigger part of the wellness equation than we realize.

When that air contains things like mold spores, VOCs, pesticides, or bacteria, those exposures can quietly add to the body’s toxic load over time. The tricky part is that the signs are often subtle, even in homes that look perfectly clean.

7 Signs Your Home May Have Hidden Mold

1. A Persistent Musty Odor

Musty odors are one of the most common signals that something may be happening behind the scenes in a home.

A persistent smell can indicate microbial growth or mold somewhere in the environment, even if it is not immediately visible.

Because mold often grows in hidden spaces such as inside walls, under flooring, or within HVAC systems, the smell may be the first noticeable clue that something is off.

2. Chronic Respiratory Problems

Rubino notes that chronic symptoms can sometimes include respiratory problems.

If someone is experiencing ongoing congestion, irritation, or respiratory discomfort without a clear cause, indoor air quality may be worth investigating.

Airborne contaminants such as mold spores or other particles can circulate through a home and continuously expose the body.

3. Brain Fog, Fatigue, or Headaches

Poor indoor air quality can also show up in ways that feel less obviously environmental.

Rubino points to chronic symptoms that can include brain fog, fatigue, and headaches. These symptoms are often attributed to stress, sleep, or lifestyle factors, which can make environmental exposure easy to overlook.

When contaminants are present in indoor air, they can add to the body’s toxic load and affect how someone feels day to day.

4. Skin Issues or Hair Loss

The skin can also reflect what is happening in the surrounding environment.

Rubino notes that skin issues and hair loss are among the chronic symptoms that may occur when indoor air quality is compromised.

When the body is repeatedly exposed to environmental contaminants, it can sometimes manifest through inflammatory responses that affect the skin or scalp.

5. Digestive Issues, Anxiety, Depression, or Hormonal Imbalances

One of the reasons indoor air issues can be difficult to identify is that symptoms may appear unrelated at first.

Rubino explains that chronic symptoms can include digestive issues, anxiety or depression, and hormonal imbalances. Because these issues affect different systems of the body, they may not immediately point someone toward an environmental cause.

6. Feeling Better When You Leave Your Home

One of the clearest clues is how someone feels when they step outside their usual environment.

Rubino notes that people sometimes experience noticeable improvement when they are away from home. If symptoms improve while traveling or spending time elsewhere and then return after coming back home, it may indicate that something within the indoor environment is contributing to the issue.

7. Consistently Waking Up and Feeling Unwell

Sleep environments matter more than many people realize.

Rubino points to consistently waking up and feeling unwell as another potential indicator that indoor air may be affecting someone’s health.

Because bedrooms are spaces where people spend many continuous hours breathing the same air, any contaminants present can have a more concentrated impact overnight.

He also notes that many people dealing with indoor air quality issues experience what feel like seemingly unconnected or “random” symptoms, which can make the underlying cause harder to identify.

Why Modern Homes Can Make Air Quality Worse

Ironically, modern construction has not necessarily improved indoor air quality.

“Tighter built homes mean there is less airflow between indoor and outdoor spaces,” Rubino explains. As a result, contaminants that make their way inside often remain trapped until they are actively removed.

When this is combined with modern building materials, potential moisture issues that allow microbial growth, and inconsistent industry standards around indoor air quality, it can create what Rubino describes as a perfect storm for unhealthy indoor environments.

The encouraging news is that improving indoor air quality can have a meaningful impact.

By reducing contaminants in the home, you lower the body’s toxic load and allow it to operate more efficiently throughout the day.

Sometimes, the most important wellness changes are not about adding more supplements or routines, but about improving the environment we live in every day.

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Living Well with Dr. Sarah Rahal, Founder and CEO of ARMRA: On Resilience, Colostrum, and the Foundations of Health

Dr. Sarah Rahal began her career inside traditional medicine, training as a double board-certified pediatric neurologist and working at the forefront of complex neurological care. But over time, her focus widened. Chronic illness was rising. Resilience felt harder to come by. And after facing her own prolonged health crisis, the questions became personal.

What actually sustains the body? What strengthens it before it breaks? That inquiry eventually led her beyond clinical practice and into building ARMRA. Still grounded in science, her perspective today is less about intervention and more about foundation.

In this conversation, she shares the thinking that shaped her transition, the rhythms she protects in her own life, and why she believes living well is often about restoring signal in a world that constantly adds noise.

Living Well with Dr. Sarah Rahal

You made a bold transition from double board-certified pediatric neurologist to wellness entrepreneur. What sparked that shift, and how has your clinical background shaped your approach to holistic health? It wasn’t ambition that pulled me out of medicine. It was a growing discomfort I could not rationalize away.

As a pediatric neurologist, I watched more and more children walk into my office with chronic issues that used to be rare. Digestive problems. Behavioral challenges. Autoimmune diagnoses. Constant fatigue. It stopped feeling like bad luck. It felt like a pattern.

I was trained in a model that views the body like a machine. Something breaks, you identify the part, you medicate or remove it. And in acute situations, that model is lifesaving. But when it came to chronic illness, it felt incomplete. We were managing breakdowns without asking why the system was so vulnerable in the first place.

Then my own body collapsed.

I was hospitalized for nearly a year and a half. I followed every protocol I had been taught to trust. I did everything by the book. And I kept unraveling. There is nothing like losing your own health to strip you of certainty. It forced me to admit that the framework I had been operating in was too small.

The body is not a machine made of isolated parts. It is a living network. A dynamic field of light, frequency, and magnetism, constantly responding to the signals around it. Every cell is listening. To food. To light. To stress. To sleep. To connection. To the environment. Health is not about swapping out broken pieces. It is about the quality of the signals the body receives and how coherently it can respond.

Once I saw that, everything shifted.

I stopped asking, “What drug matches this diagnosis?” and started asking, “What is disrupting the conversation inside this body?” What is weakening its resilience? What is interfering with its ability to adapt? That is what led me to colostrum. Not as a wellness trend, but as something foundational. It is the first nourishment we are designed to receive. It supports the gut, which is one of the primary interfaces between us and the outside world. It helps reinforce the body’s internal boundaries so it can respond intelligently rather than overreact or shut down.

My clinical background shapes everything I do. I am rigorous. I read the research. I question the data. But I no longer see the body as a collection of parts to be managed. I see it as an intelligent, responsive system that thrives when the right signals are restored.

I did not leave medicine to reject science. I left because I wanted a model of health that was big enough to hold the truth of how the body actually works.

ARMRA is rooted in science but designed for everyday people. Can you walk us through the research and philosophy that underpins your product formulations? ARMRA is grounded in science, but built for real life.

Colostrum is the first nourishment every mammal receives. It contains over 400 naturally occurring compounds, including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, peptides, growth factors, and prebiotics that support the gut lining, tissue development, recovery, and overall resilience.

Controlled human trials in healthy adults and athletes suggest bovine colostrum may support gut barrier function, exercise recovery, and aspects of immune health. The research is promising and still evolving, as it should be.

My philosophy is preservation, not enhancement.

Most commercial dairy processing uses high heat, which can damage fragile bioactives. If colostrum’s power lies in its complexity, that complexity has to be protected. I spent two years developing our Cold-Chain BioPotent Technology to preserve colostrum at low temperatures and maintain its molecular integrity from start to finish.

We do not isolate or fortify. We preserve the full biological matrix as close to its natural state as possible. To me, science is about protecting what biology already perfected.

There’s a lot of noise in the wellness space. How do you ensure that ARMRA’s products are truly evidence-based and effective? First, we have a robust Science team with deep expertise, and we trust and lean on that guidance in everything we do. We build and communicate around the most up-to-date scientific research available, and we make decisions based on biology and evidence, not marketing trends.

Second, quality control is non-negotiable. ARMRA is produced in FDA-registered, GMP-certified facilities, and every batch undergoes rigorous third-party testing for heavy metals, glyphosate, and microbiological contaminants. Scientific integrity is not just about what you say. It is also about how you source, manufacture, and verify what you make.

Third, we welcome scientific curiosity and thoughtful skepticism. The research on colostrum and its bioactive compounds continues to evolve, and we are committed to communicating that science responsibly. When we reference the broader body of literature, we are speaking to established biological mechanisms and the growing research base, while remaining transparent about where the science is still developing.  If you're curious to explore ARMRA for yourself, you can shop it here.

What are a few simple, evidence-backed and doable daily habits that you believe make the biggest impact on long-term metabolic and hormonal health? The fundamentals still win.

Morning light. Get outside within 30 to 60 minutes of waking. Natural sunlight sets your internal clock and anchors your hormones for the day. It is one of the most powerful metabolic signals we have, and it is free.

Darkness at night. Real darkness. No overhead lights, no glowing screens in your face. Even low levels of artificial light can blunt melatonin and disrupt deep repair. Protect your nights as much as you optimize your days.

Preserve muscle. Resistance training is nonnegotiable if you care about metabolic and hormonal health. Muscle is metabolic currency. It drives insulin sensitivity, stability, and long-term resilience. It does not have to be extreme. It has to be consistent.

Calm your nervous system. Chronic stress, constant notifications, artificial light, nonstop input, it all adds up. Daily walks outside, quiet time, simple breathwork, even ten minutes without stimulation, restore regulation.

Health is rhythm. Light and dark. Stress and recovery. Effort and stillness. When your rhythms are intact, your biology follows.

How do you recommend incorporating ARMRA products into a daily wellness routine for someone who’s brand new to supplementation? I encourage simplification first. ARMRA is a whole food, not a synthetic supplement stack.

For most people, I recommend taking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I personally dry-scoop four scoops of ARMRA Colostrum Unflavored. It is also a seamless addition to any cool beverage or food, like shakes, smoothies, yogurt, cottage cheese, iced coffee, or simply water.

Consistency matters more than complexity. ARMRA is designed to support foundational habits, not replace them.

How do you define impact in the wellness space? Impact is upstream. We are moving out of an era of maximalism: constant tracking, stacking, and optimization. If a brand helps people simplify and restore trust in their biology instead of micromanaging it, that is impact.

ARMRA was built not as another intervention, but as a reminder that the intelligence for resilience already exists within the body. To me, true impact changes how people relate to their health, from control to coherence.

What are you listening to lately? Any podcasts you’re loving right now? No. Right now I am not filling my head with more input. I spend so much of my life researching, building, thinking, creating. Silence feels more valuable than another voice in my ear. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is turn down the noise long enough to hear yourself again.

Outside of ARMRA, what supplements do you personally take? Sunlight. It is the only true source of deficiency most of us share and the only one I am interested in supplementing.

We live indoors under artificial light, disconnected from the primary input that shaped human biology. Light regulates sleep, hormones, mood, metabolism. When that signal is missing, everything downstream feels it.

No supplement charcuterie board. No 38 pill launch sequence. My stack rises in the east. I look up.

Is there a nonnegotiable ritual in your day that keeps you grounded? Morning light is nonnegotiable. Before I do anything else, I step outside. A few quiet minutes in the sun, feet on the ground, breathing. It sounds simple because it is. That is the point.

I also protect stillness. Twice a day, I disconnect from noise and notifications. And at night, I sleep in total darkness. If you do not create quiet intentionally, your nervous system never recalibrates.

What advice would you give to physicians or researchers who are thinking about stepping into entrepreneurship? I can only speak from my own experience.

Entrepreneurship is not a choice you make. It takes hold of you. It is caring so deeply about bringing something into the world that staying where you are feels like a betrayal. It is not logical. It is not safe. It is an obsession you are willing to risk your comfort, your reputation, even your stability for.

You leave the structure, the credentials, the predictability. You step into something relentless and indifferent. There is no safety net. No one is coming to save you. You fall, and you trust you will find a way to climb back out.

You also have to be slightly delusional. You believe in a future that does not exist and hold it long enough for reality to bend toward it.

If you can walk away from it, walk away.

If you cannot, it has already chosen you.

Wellness means something a little different to everyone. How do you define “living well,” and how has that definition evolved throughout your career and life? Early in my career, I defined wellness as the absence of disease.

I was trained to believe that health was something you managed. Optimize it. Track it. Stay ahead of it.

Then life humbled me.

After my own health collapsed, everything shifted. Living well is not about control. It is waking up with energy. Sleeping deeply. Feeling clear in your body. Being present in your relationships. Handling stress without breaking.

It is not about doing more. It is about needing less.

Today, living well means returning to the basics our biology expects: light, movement, strength, real food, connection, purpose. When those are in place, the body works.

My career taught me how to treat disease. My life taught me how to live in health.

The post Living Well with Dr. Sarah Rahal, Founder and CEO of ARMRA: On Resilience, Colostrum, and the Foundations of Health appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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Why Dermatologists Are Rethinking the 10 Step Skincare Routine

Skincare used to be simple. Then somewhere along the way, our bathroom shelves turned into full on skincare wardrobes. Toners, essences, exfoliating acids, serums layered on serums. Suddenly everyone seems to have a 10 step skincare routine, making it feel like more products meant better skin.

But in dermatology offices, the story often looks very different. Many people are dealing with irritation, breakouts, and stressed out skin from routines that have simply become too much.

Dermatologist Dr. Hallie McDonald has seen this shift firsthand. After treating a growing number of patients experiencing reactions from overly complicated regimens, she helped co found ERLY, a derm founded skincare line built around a much simpler philosophy: fewer, smarter products that support the skin barrier instead of overwhelming it. We asked Dr. McDonald to break down why complex routines became so popular, what they’re actually doing to our skin, and how to build a routine that truly works.

Our Conversation With Dr. Hallie McDonald

Over the past decade, elaborate multi step skincare routines became widely popular. From a dermatologist’s perspective, why do you think people became so drawn to these complex routines in the first place? I think several forces converged at a similar time like a perfect storm. The rise of social media made the concept of skincare more aspirational. When people showcase 10 step routines, it looks luxurious, and skincare becomes almost meditative and a part of self care. Along those lines, there was an increase in ingredient transparency and consumer interest. However, as consumers learned more about ingredients, many assumed that more ingredients equaled better results. As influencer culture rose, so did the globalization of beauty trends, especially K beauty. Skincare shifted from basic hygiene to a hobby and identity for many people. Lastly, the COVID 19 pandemic accelerated the skincare boom because people had more time at home to experiment with routines, heightened stress that drove self care rituals, and constant video calls that made them more aware of their appearance. 

From a skin health perspective, what actually happens when someone overloads their skin with too many actives? The skin barrier is designed to protect against water loss, infections, and environmental irritants.  When you layer multiple actives like retinoids, exfoliating acids, and brightening agents, you disrupt that barrier.  There is an increase in transepidermal water loss, redness, stinging, acne, perioral dermatitis, and eczema.  Ironically, many people try to correct these adverse effects by reaching for more products, which worsens the cycle.  I see this in my office every single day.  People come in with adverse side effects from their skincare routines and show me the 10 products that they have been using to try to correct it.  The solution is often to just simplify their routine and bring everything back to basics, and this is the reason I co-founded ERLY.

We see new skincare trends constantly emerging online. How can consumers tell the difference between a helpful trend and one that might be excessive? This is a tricky one because there is so much misinformation out there, and I think it is very important to get your skincare advice from a reputable source.  What an influencer recommends might not be best for you and your skin.  What works for your friend might not work for you. Make sure you are checking to see whether there is real science behind a recommendation.  A lot of social media skincare trends are created to capture attention, often prioritizing dramatic visuals or extreme results over science and safety.  Any promises of dramatic changes overnight should be a red flag.  

Are there any current trends that concern you as a dermatologist? By far the most concerning trend to me is chasing the UV index.  It has become very popular to follow the UV index readings on a weather app to try to optimize tanning.  This is incredibly dangerous.  What was designed to help people understand when the risk of sunburn is the highest is now being used to get deliberate sun exposure.  A tan is a sign of skin damage, and UV is a known carcinogen.  If you really want to look tan, then use a sunless tanner.

Recently we’ve seen the rise of trends like “skin flooding,” where people layer multiple hydrating toners, essences, and serums. From a dermatologist’s perspective, what’s your take on this approach? Hydration is certainly important, but your skin can only absorb so much at a time.  Beyond a certain point, you are just increasing cost and complexity.  Excessive layering can potentially lead to pilling or clogged pores.  A well-formulated serum with hyaluronic acid followed by a moisturizer to seal it in is usually sufficient. 

What would you say are the core products every skincare routine should include? A gentle cleanser, a daytime moisturizer with at least SPF 30, and a moisturizer without SPF for night should be in everyone’s routine.  That foundation addresses cleansing, barrier support, and UV protection, which are the non-negotiable pillars of long term skin health. 

What inspired you to create ERLY, and what gap did you see in the skincare market? As a dermatologist, I saw an exponential rise in patients coming into my office with adverse effects from their overly complicated and inappropriate skincare routines.  Social media was driving a market saturated with products with harsh ingredients and heavy fragrances, and trends that did not prioritize barrier health.  As a mother, I also became concerned about these influences on my own children.  I co-founded ERLY to simplify skincare and bring it back to evidence-based essentials.  The gap I saw was for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, multitasking products that support the skin barrier while still delivering visible results.  I wanted the products to be appropriate for all ages and skin types. 

ERLY is built around the idea of simplifying and personalizing routines. What does that philosophy mean to you as a dermatologist? To me, simplification means understanding the science behind the products and thoughtfully choosing our ingredients but also purposefully excluding potential allergens and irritants.  As a physician, each patient is unique, and I am trained to tailor treatment plans to my patients’ individual needs.  Our product lineup is tightly curated intentionally because skincare does not need to be complicated to be effective.  We created the serums to target specific skincare concerns to give people an opportunity to personalize their routine.  Each serum addresses different things.  Daily Dew is an illuminating serum with niacinamide and phloretin that brightens the skin and fights hyperpigmentation.  Daily Splash has three forms of hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump, and minimize fine lines.  Daily Soothe has niacinamide to fight inflammation, redness, breakouts, and minimize pores.  With this tight lineup, we can target a wide array of skincare needs in a gentle, barrier-supporting way that is appropriate for all skin types.

When formulating ERLY products, what ingredients or formulation principles were non negotiable for you? Fragrance-free formulations were totally non-negotiable because fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis and irritation, and I wanted products that even sensitive, young, or barrier-compromised skin could use every day. I also focused on barrier-supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides.

One product that’s gotten a lot of attention is Daily Dew Illuminating Serum (also a personal fav!), which gives skin that lit from within glow. What ingredients in Daily Dew help support skin health while also creating that luminous finish? I am so glad you love it! I love it, too.  Daily Dew is formulated with niacinamide and phloretin. Niacinamide is a true ingredient overachiever- it acts as an antioxidant, fights free radicals, strengthens the skin barrier, improves redness, reduces breakouts, and minimizes pores.  Phloretin is great for improving hyperpigmentation and brightening the skin. 

If someone wanted to build a simple routine using ERLY products, what would that look like from morning to night? The core lineup would be as follows: 

Morning:
Cleanse with ERLY Face Foam
Apply an ERLY serum (if needed)
Apply ERLY Start Moisturizer with SPF 40 (bonus- it also has peptides) 

Evening:
Cleanse with ERLY Face Foam
Apply an ERLY serum (if needed)
Apply ERLY Night Moisturizer with Peptides 

For the serums, I use the Daily Dew in the morning to give my skin that glow and act as an antioxidant.  It is a great substitute for Vitamin C for sensitive skin.  In the evening, I use the Daily Soothe for my redness and pore minimization and Daily Splash for extra hydration and plumpness.  The serums are meant for personalization, so everyone can decide what their skin needs on any particular day. 

Which product do you feel best represents ERLY’s philosophy of simple but effective skincare? ERLY Night Moisturizer with Peptides is a powerhouse product that is still safe for all skin types. Many people cannot tolerate retinoids, and peptides are a great alternative for antiaging benefits.  Peptides help support collagen and elastin in the skin to improve fine lines and support the skin barrier.  It also has Vitamin E that acts as an antioxidant, promotes skin healing, and fights inflammation.  Hyaluronic acid is included for extra moisture and barrier boosting.  It is non-comedogenic and safe for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin.  Using this one product can target multiple skincare concerns at once, thus simplifying your routine without compromising results. 

If someone could make just one change to their skincare routine today that would benefit their skin long term, what would you recommend? Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen every single day, even when it is cloudy and even when you are mostly indoors.  Up to 80% of visible aging is due to cumulative sun exposure over time.  Consistent sun protection preserves collagen, prevents pigmentation, and most importantly reduces skin cancer risk. I love ERLY Start Moisturizer with SPF 40 because it also a great multitasker.  It is packed with peptides to support collagen and elastin, improve fine lines, and support the skin barrier all while providing broad spectrum UV coverage.

The post Why Dermatologists Are Rethinking the 10 Step Skincare Routine appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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Celebrating Women In Wellness: Our Favorite Living Well Interviews With Female Founders

March brings with it International Women’s Day, a moment to celebrate the women shaping industries, challenging norms, and building businesses rooted in purpose.

At The Chalkboard Mag, we’ve had the pleasure of spotlighting many incredible women founders in the wellness space over the years, especially through our Living Well series, where we dive into the rituals, philosophies, and personal journeys behind the brands we love.

From skincare pioneers and wellness entrepreneurs to physicians, bakers, and astrologers, these women are redefining leadership in the modern wellness world. Their stories are not just about building successful brands. They are about resilience, creativity, community, and the courage to build something meaningful.

In honor of International Women’s Day this month, we invite you to explore some of our favorite Living Well conversations with inspiring female founders and leaders below.

Molly Sims On Barrier Health, Balance, And Doing Less

Model, actress, and YSE Beauty founder Molly Sims has spent years refining what it truly means to care for skin from a place of balance rather than burnout.

In our conversation, Molly shares the moment that reshaped her skincare philosophy, her belief in protecting the skin barrier, and the gentle science behind her cult-favorite exfoliating pads.

→ Read the full Living Well interview with Molly Sims

Lauren Ireland And Marianna Hewitt On Building Summer Fridays

Before Summer Fridays became a skincare staple, co-founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland built their brand by listening closely to their community.

In this Living Well interview, the duo reflects on the early days of influencer culture, why Jet Lag Mask resonated so deeply with customers, and how simplicity and trust still guide the brand today.

→ Read our Living Well interview with Summer Fridays founders

Amy Liu On Building Tower 28 And Redefining Clean Beauty

Founder and CEO Amy Liu created Tower 28 after struggling to find safe products for her eczema-prone skin.

Today the brand is the first makeup line fully approved by the National Eczema Association, setting a new standard for sensitive skin.

→ Read the full Living Well conversation with Tower 28 founder Amy Liu

Jena Covello On Ingredient Integrity And Agent Nateur

Founder Jena Covello built Agent Nateur after navigating her own health challenges, turning her personal healing journey into a mission to rethink clean beauty.

In our Living Well interview, she shares the ingredient standards behind the brand and the rituals that keep her grounded while building one of wellness’ most coveted beauty brands.

→ Read our Living Well interview with Agent Nateur founder Jena Covello

Carina Chaz On Clean Fragrance And DedCool’s Cult Scents

Founder Carina Chaz created the scent that would later inspire DedCool when she was just thirteen.

In this Living Well conversation, she shares the philosophy behind DedCool’s modern fragrances, from cult favorite MILK to the unexpectedly addictive Mochi Milk.

→ Read the Living Well interview with DedCool founder Carina Chaz

Carly Kremer On Propolis And Beekeeper’s Naturals

Founder Carly Kremer launched Beekeeper’s Naturals with a simple idea: upgrade the modern medicine cabinet using ingredients from the hive.

In our Living Well interview, she shares her daily propolis ritual and the surprising lessons bees have taught her about building a lasting brand.

→ Read our Living Well interview with Beekeeper’s Naturals founder Carly Kremer

Laurel Gallucci And Claire Thomas On Sweet Laurel

The founders of Sweet Laurel Bakery built their beloved grain-free brand around healing, friendship, and beautifully simple ingredients.

In this Living Well conversation, Laurel Gallucci and Claire Thomas share how a personal health journey and creative partnership helped shape one of the most recognizable wellness bakeries today.

→ Read the Living Well interview with Sweet Laurel founders

Dr. Robin Berzin On The Future Of Functional Medicine

As the founder of Parsley Health, Dr. Robin Berzin is redefining what preventative medicine can look like.

In this Living Well interview, she shares why so many people who look healthy on paper still feel unwell and the habits she protects to support energy, resilience, and long-term health.

→ Read our Living Well interview with Dr. Robin Berzin

Elissa Goodman On Graceful Aging And Gut Health

Holistic nutritionist Elissa Goodman has long been a trusted voice at The Chalkboard Mag.

In this Living Well conversation, she shares the most common mistakes people make when trying to improve their diet and the wellness philosophies that help support lasting vitality.

→ Read the full Living Well interview with Elissa Goodman

Hillary Peterson On True Botanicals And Plant Intelligence

Through True Botanicals, founder Hillary Peterson has spent the last decade showing how nature and science can work together.

In our conversation, she shares the philosophy behind the brand’s ingredient sourcing and the rituals that help her stay balanced as a founder.

→ Read the Living Well interview with True Botanicals founder Hillary Peterson

Amy Lea On Astrology, Human Design, And Self-Trust

Astrologer and Human Design analyst Amy Lea helps leaders reconnect with their most aligned selves.

In this Living Well conversation, she shares her journey from skeptic to guide and explains how astrology and Human Design can help people make more aligned decisions.

→ Read our Living Well interview with Amy Lea

Wildling Beauty Founders On Gua Sha And Slow Beauty

Wildling Beauty founders Gianna De La Torre and Jill Munson have helped bring gua sha and lymphatic skincare rituals into the modern beauty conversation.

In this Living Well interview, the duo shares the philosophy behind slow beauty and the skincare practices that support glowing skin from within.

→ Read the Living Well interview with Wildling Beauty founders

Indie Lee On Clean Beauty And Resilience

After recovering from a brain tumor diagnosis, Indie Lee rethought everything she was putting on her skin, eventually launching her namesake brand INDIE LEE.

In our Living Well interview, she reflects on resilience, intention, and the rituals that keep her grounded.

→ Read our Living Well interview with Indie Lee

Priscilla Tsai On Cocokind And Radical Transparency

Founder Priscilla Tsai built cocokind around transparency, affordability, and thoughtful ingredient sourcing.

In this Living Well conversation, she shares skincare myths, ingredient insights, and the cult-favorite moisturizer that helped define the brand.

→ Read the Living Well interview with Cocokind founder Priscilla Tsai

April Gargiulo On Slow Beauty And Vintner’s Daughter

Founder April Gargiulo launched Vintner’s Daughter with a philosophy rooted in craftsmanship and uncompromising quality.

In our Living Well interview, she shares her approach to slow beauty, sustainability, and the rituals that support mindful skincare.

→ Read the Living Well interview with Vintner’s Daughter founder April Gargiulo

May Lindstrom On Ritual Skincare

Founder and formulator May Lindstrom has built a devoted following through her luxurious, sensorial skincare creations, including the iconic Blue Cocoon balm.

In our Living Well conversation, she shares the rituals that shape her day and the inspiration behind her signature formulas.

→ Read the Living Well interview with May Lindstrom

Jenefer Palmer On OSEA And Marine-Based Skincare

Founder and Chief Seaweed Officer Jenefer Palmer helped pioneer the clean beauty movement through OSEA, a brand rooted in marine wellness.

In this Living Well interview, she shares the skincare philosophy and ocean-inspired rituals that have guided the brand for decades.

→ Read the Living Well interview with OSEA founder Jenefer Palmer

The post Celebrating Women In Wellness: Our Favorite Living Well Interviews With Female Founders appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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