The PrimaFoodie Guide to the Best Clean Sunscreens

For the past several years, the team at PrimaFoodie has been vetting clean sunscreens to deliver you the best options for optimal protection. By "clean," we mean the solution contains minerals to block UVA and UVB rays and includes zero artificial fragrance, parabens, emulsifiers, or additional ingredients linked to health concerns. 

We vet these yearly for several reasons: solutions change, which means efficacy and purity may also change, and researchers consistently reveal new data on ingredient safety. This year proved to be a big one in terms of news. The Environmental Working Group showed that approximately 75 percent of the 1,700 sun protection products its team evaluated “did not provide adequate sun protection” and contained "ingredients that could pose health risks."

Sunscreen and 'sunblock, ' terms used interchangeably, generally work one of two ways: Blocking the sun's rays with minerals, such as zinc oxide, or filtering and absorbing the rays with chemicals. Research has linked some of the most common chemical sunscreen ingredients, including oxybenzone and octinoxate, to pose health risks to marine and surrounding environmental life, thus presenting the possibility that these chemicals could impact human health. What's alarming about these two ingredients, along with other common sunscreen ingredients, octocrylene, homosalate, and avobenzone, is that they are absorbed through human skin and, subsequently, other organs.

In a news alert about its findings, the EWG stated the need for consumers to consider their sun protection wisely. "And some ingredients commonly found in sunscreens have been linked to both human and environmental concerns. But they're still widely used in hundreds of products, even though they have not been tested adequately for safety," said Emily Spilman, an EWG program manager for Healthy Living Science, in the news release. "It's outrageous that shoppers may be slathering these potentially harmful chemicals on their skin every day without the reassurance of those safety tests," 

The EWG has warned the public about sunscreen ingredients since it launched its first Guide to Sunscreens in 2007 and has been urging the FDA to review chemical sunscreen ingredients ever since. 

This year, we found that most of our favorites from our 2023 PrimaFoodie Sunscreen Guide still met our strict standards—and we added a few new ones to the mix. Here, you'll find mineral solutions that we believe to be clean and efficacious. But we urge you to always do your due diligence when choosing a sunscreen (or any personal care product): check your labels, know your ingredients, and listen to your gut. 

PrimaFoodie-Approved Clean Sunscreens for 2024

ALL GOOD: SPF 50+ SUNSCREEN BUTTER

All Good is committed to creating products that are  good for our skin and for the environment. This butter is thick, hydrating, fragrance-free, and excellent for the face and body. The compact tin makes it easy to toss into your backpack or purse. The company claims it is "very water resistant,"  but we still suggest ample applications if you're swimming.

KARI GRAN ESSENTIAL SPF 30 

As equally hydrating and protective as it gets, this super hydrating oil serum-type sunscreen feels like a supple serum. A raspberry seed and plum oils base gives the skin a hydrating quench with zero residue.

SOLARA SUNSCARE GO! DAILY DEFENSE MINERAL FACE SUNSCREEN

This lightweight SPF 30 recently came onto our radars. EWG-certified, it is blendable and silky. Founded by a mother who started vetting her personal care products after battling Lyme Disease and also seeing her children react to various sunscreen, the company promotes clean, minimal-ingredients responsible skincare

BADGER ACTIVE MINERAL SUNSCREEN CREAM

A simple, clean, universal SPF 30 cream made by a small, family-run New England company. Containing only five ingredients, one of which being super nourishing sea buckthorn oil, this is a great option for long days outside. It's a bit sticky and needs extra elbow grease to rub in. 

RAW ELEMENTS SUNSCREEN SPF 30+ FACE & BODY

This super thick mineral sunscreen paste goes a long way when you're outside for hours. Considering its thick consistency, it rubs in surprisingly well and leaves only a slight light white cast. This is a great pick for hiking and all-day summer outdoor exploring.

URSA MAJOR FORCE FIELD DAILY DEFENSE LOTION 

Ursa Major continues to be a pioneer in clean, effective skincare. Their unscented, lightweight moisturizer is great for the face, neck, chest, and arms. It absorbs almost immediately without leaving any residue. The aloe vera, jojoba, and shea butter are super moisturizing. 

VIVE SANA DAILY PROTEZIONE SPF 30

This is an easily spreadable, hydrating, tinted sunscreen for the face, neck, and décolletage we've loved for years. Vive Sana's products are mostly made of organic ingredients and are free of chemicals and artificial additives. The Daily Protezione SPF 30 offers the physical protection of zinc oxide with no stickiness or pastiness. 

KINFIELD DAILY DEW SPF 35 

We've long loved Kinfield's products, and this all-day SPF is a winner. It has a silkier texture, which results in a dewy, glowy finish. We love how the aloe and sea kelp add a dose of hydration and antioxidants. 

KIDS

ALL GOOD: SPF 30 KIDS SUNSCREEN LOTION

This fragrance-free lotion is rather light, which makes applying it to little ones' skin quick and easy. We found that a little goes a long way, and it leaves minimal to no residue. It also claims to be water—and sweat-resistant for up to eighty minutes.

BABO: CLEAR ZINC SUNSCREEN SPF 30

Babo is a thick, mineral all-over sunscreen lotion for babies, children, and adults. It's EWG-certified, free of any concerning chemicals, fragrances, or nanoparticles, and deemed hypoallergenic. We especially like how it doesn't run in the eyes. It's supposed to be waterproof for up to eighty minutes, making it great for long days on the beach.

TINTED

IRIS & ROMEO BEST SKIN DAYS

This serum-moisturizer-SPF, which doubles as a light daily foundation with SPF 25 protection, is buttery, silky, and moisturizing. It goes on smoothly and quickly settles into the complexion. We love that it also protects from blue light and contains hydrating rose and moringa oils.

ILIA C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40

Touted for its "encapsulation technology," this foundation-like sunscreen delivers phytonutrients and vitamin C. It's a clean, light, dewy face product that covers many skin tones daily.

SUNTEGRITY 5-IN-1 TINTED SUNSCREEN MOISTURIZER

This light, tinted SPF 30 comes in four shades. It's sheer, goes on smoothly, and blends in rather quickly, but it does require reapplications throughout the day. We wish the company offered a wider range of shades to include dark complexions.

SAINT JANE LUXURY SUN RITUAL PORE SMOOTHING SPF 30

This natural mineral sunscreen has been a PrimaFoodie favorite for the second year in a row. Rich in botanical antioxidants, including green tea, and hydrating ingredients, it doubles as a protective face moisturizer. We love how sheer it is, with the perfect amount of tint that results in no white cast from the zinc oxide, only a dewy finish. It is quite thin, so reapplication throughout the day is necessary.

SAIE SUNVISOR

We keep returning to Saie products, some of today's most hydrating and gorgeously textured clean makeup items. The 'Sunvisor' is super light and hydrating, with a tinted blend of aloe, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and zinc oxide, offering great light coverage all day. It sinks it and leaves no white cast. 

TRUE BOTANICALS SKIN BARRIER SUN SHIELD SPF 30

Part sun filter, part tinted moisturizer, this mineral-based lightweight face lotion sinks in quickly. Given its thin texture, we find it best used as a daily moisturizer, but it doesn't fit the bill for a day at the beach. 

6 PrimaFoodie-Approved Clean Deodorants

Synthetic preservatives. Binding agents. Antibacterial chemicals. Aluminum. Putting these substances onto our bodies repeatedly would cause anyone to pause. Yet these are ingredients commonly found in conventional deodorants and antiperspirants. And while the research investigating the link between cancer and deodorants and antiperspirants is (still) lacking, there is evidence that these ingredients are known endocrine disruptors.   

That leaves us with finding something better: a product that helps to keep odor and excessive sweat at bay. But a truly clean deodorant—one made without endocrine disruptors and other toxic additives—that works is hard to come by. Thankfully, we've done the work and found several that mainly check the boxes. 

We say "mainly" because finding a clean deodorant can be tricky. Our body chemistry shifts throughout the days and months, depending on what we're going through, eating, and more. All of this can impact the efficacy of a product. Our advice is to go with it. Switching to and sticking to clean deodorants can take some trial and error—but it's a change worth making.

Humble Rosemary & Mint Aluminum-Free Deodorant

This is Nichole’s new favorite. Uplifting and refreshing, it glides on smoothly. What’s notable beyond Humble’s super clean ingredients is that it’s alcohol-free, which makes it gentle enough for super sensitive skin. 

Agent Nateur holi (rose) N4 Deodorant

Each deodorant in this collection is super clean and smells divine. This holie (rose) version, made in partnership with Shiva Rose, has a scent of sandalwood and rose. It isn’t as effective for Nichole, which is why we think it’s best for lighter, non-workout days.

PiperWai Natural Deodorant Cream

This is one of Nichole’s favorites. It’s a simple cream packed with moisturizing shea butter and coconut oil that relies on activated charcoal to neutralize odors and absorb moisture.

Ursa Major Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant

The aloe allows this to smooth on easily, while the eucalyptus and peppermint leave a cooling sensation. This is a staple that has (so far) worked consistently for us.

Tallowderm Natural Deodorant Balm

This brand uses beef tallow, which is rendered beef fat that is naturally antimicrobial and high in vitamins and moisturizing properties. Nichole has found that the key here is to go light. A single thin layer does the trick. Applying too much and it could stay damp, or cause you to sweat more.

Simply Divine Botanicals Keeping Abreast of It Deodorant

Formulated with odor-zapping silver, zinc, and mineral salts, this light deodorant sprays on easily and leaves a light note of citrus.

Schmidt’s Geranium Flower Deodorant

Since 2010, Schmidt’s has been at the forefront of the clean deodorant game, so they really know how to make a clean stick that works. Each of their myriad of scents, from Rose + Vanilla to Fig + Yuzu, are all stellar, but the Geranium gets our pick. It’s super light, leaves a hint of lemony floral, and is good for more sensitive skin

BeautyCounter The Clean Deo

We fully trust BeautyCounter. Every product from this clean company that we’ve tried gets an excellent rating from the Environmental Working Group and our thumbs up. This deodorant comes in a refillable case and works well—really well—in keeping away sweat and odor.

Cleo + Coco Great Expectations Charcoal Deodorant

This is one of the best working natural antiperspirants. The magic is in the natural clay and charcoal, which work together to zap bacteria and wick away moisture. It works so well, it makes us wonder why aluminum is still a contender. 

What Is “Inclusive Beauty”? Meet the Iconoclastic Beauty Founder Fighting for Greater Ethics and Kindness in the World of Self Care

A new wave of beauty pioneers are fighting back. They’re challenging the toxic and exclusive pillars that have forever pervaded the beauty industry and, instead, creating products that encourage a more mindful, clean, inclusive approach to self-care.

One such pioneer is Jennifer Norman. Founder of Humanist Beauty, a B Corporation Certified skincare collection focused on breaking the conventional beauty standards, and The Human Beauty Movement, a positivity-focused social impact effort, Norman wants to encourage a new wellness and self-care industry—one that invites every individual to define beauty for themselves. Norman and her team call this “inclusive beauty.”

Before we investigate what inclusive beauty is, we’ll first take a look at what it is not. Household makeup and skincare brands have long used tactics that reinform ageism, binary gender expectations, racism, sexism, and ableism. Expectations around what someone should look like have sold billions upon billions worth of products. Yet, these arbitrary beauty standards have led to wide swaths of consumers falling victim to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and other mental and emotional health issues. 

In tandem with these issues is the continued widespread inclusion of harmful chemicals in makeup and personal care items. A 2021 study found high levels of hazardous industrial compounds—all of which linked to grave health conditions—present in more than half of the cosmetics sold in the US.  

In short, the things created to make us feel beautiful have excluded, marginalized, and sickened consumers. Norman, along with her team behind Humanist Beauty, is flipping this script. Her focus is on ingredient purity, supply chain ethics, and care for every stakeholder involved, from her employees to consumers to the planet. “I wanted to develop a brand that went above and beyond to appreciate kindness, diversity, and well-being,” the founder says. 

When we asked how she is doing this, and what exactly she means by “inclusive beauty,” Norman is incredibly forthright. “Inclusive beauty is so much more than showing tokenistic images of women with different skin tones and hair types,” she tells us. “It extends to understanding the thoughts, feelings, frustrations, and opportunities of those who have previously been marginalized and under-represented in society. It is letting people know that we see them, hear them, and care about them deeply.”

A Conversation with Jennifer Norman

Let’s start off with the genesis of your company, Humanist Beauty. 

When I started developing the Humanist Beauty brand, I reflected on my own life experiences of being an adopted Asian American girl, and also on being the single mom of a mixed-race child living with chronic illness and disability. I wanted to develop a brand that went above and beyond to appreciate kindness, diversity, and well-being. 

How do you honor “inclusive beauty” via your brand?

Humanist Beauty stands for all races, backgrounds, skin tones, ages, abilities, gender identities, and beliefs. It lets all people know that they have value, and they matter. Some of the ways Humanist Beauty honors that is by working with diverse talent like trans model Gracie Cartier, prosthetic queer dancer Kima Dima, and unconventional curvy beauty Leah Abramson. We also support those with visual impairment or blindness by offering braille ID bands for our skincare products, Herban Wisdom Facial Oil and Herban Wisdom Eye Cream. We will continue innovating for ways to serve the abilities community even more going forward. 

What changes in the skincare and beauty industry are you most dedicated to seeing and being part of? 

More and more, beauty is being defined as wellness. It’s so much more than skin-deep. It’s about living truthfully, healthfully, and connected to everyone else in a positive way. The organization that I founded, The Human Beauty Movement, is all about embracing an ethos of beauty positivity. It’s about every human being coming to know their own true self and embracing the beauty that lives within. That way, they can then manifest that beauty out into the world as they desire rather than worrying about anyone else’s definition of beauty. 

I [recently] attended Natural Products Expo West, and I was blown away by the spirit of community and togetherness that was pervasive throughout the show. There is an enhanced focus on well-being across all categories, which is a likely response to living through an isolating pandemic such as we all did. 

Humanist has obtained B Corp status, which means you must prioritize the wellbeing of your employees, customers, and of the Planet. It’s worth noting that this is not an easy certification to obtain and maintain. Will you walk us through how Humanist makes this a priority?

I absolutely founded my business knowing that B Corp Certification was a priority, and I’m proud to say that The Human Beauty Movement was certified after 1 year of being in business. 

Being a B Corp is the gold standard of proving social and environmental impact. Given that ‘clean beauty’ means a lot of things to a lot of different people (and to some, it means nothing at all), having third-party validation such as B Corp Certification elevates brands in the marketplace as representing the best for people and the planet. Rather than putting all focus on shareholder value, which prioritizes profits, we put all our focus on stakeholder value, which is the positive benefit we’re creating for the entire ecosystem which encompasses our employees, suppliers, customers, communities, governance, and the environment. We put programs, policies, and procedures in place to ask questions like, “Do our suppliers exemplify diversity and fair wages? Are we supporting a regenerative economy? Do our products deliver holistic wellness through organic content, safety, and quality testing? How are we prioritizing community engagement and transparency?” And so on. 

B Corp Certification goes far beyond the realm of just being “clean.” It helps us assess and track our progress as a benefit company and hold ourselves accountable for living out our purpose-driven values. 

Ingredients are a critical part of your brand. How do you ensure the ingredients you use and the sources you tap into are ethical, pure, and conscious? Are there practices that a consumer can follow for vetting their own products? 

The truth of the matter is that consumers love to research ingredients yet doing so can be time-consuming. And there is a whole lot of contradictory information out there. That’s why it’s good to know there are brands, retailers, and organizations that help do the vetting for them. Clean retailer Credo Beauty allows you to click on any product’s ingredients to learn about their definitions. The EWG Skin Deep database is a good source for ingredient information. While not perfect, it’s perhaps the most comprehensive source for product safety data, and the EWG Verified seal is the strongest third-party indicator of best-in-class safety. 

I have extremely high standards when it comes to the ingredients that go into Humanist Beauty formulas. Not only do I screen for cleanliness, but I also do background checks on suppliers to vet their harvesting, processing, and manufacturing processes. I also require test results to ensure all raw bulk is clean and safe. 

[We] maintain an Ingredient Glossary where anyone can research any ingredient in our formulas to learn more about its function and safety. Transparency is an important aspect of our core values. 

To learn more about Norman and her inclusive beauty approach, visit humanistbeauty.com and the-hbm.com. 

—By Stacey Lindsay

The Simplest Act that Can Change Your Life

Whichever way we choose to communicate, the power of the written word is indisputable. That’s because the act of writing things down, with our hands clutching a pen and the ink drenching the page, is a practice that elicits a specific response in humans. Recent research suggests that the physical practice of writing—not texting, not typing, not voice-noting—is linked to stronger memory recall and higher brain activation. (Professor Kuniyoshi L. Sakai, a neuroscientist at the University of Tokyo and the author of a 2021 study on physical handwriting has been quoted saying that “paper is more advanced and useful compared to electronic documents because paper contains more one-of-a-kind information for stronger memory recall.”)

Writing down your thoughts—or goals, or ideas, or lists—is also a means that helps you bring ideas to life, author and life coach R.A. Leslie tells us. “It’s a visualization,” says Leslie, who bases much of her coaching work on journaling. (Leslie taught a journaling workshop for our first HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summit this past summer.) “You concretize things when you write them down. You get clarity—and your subconscious will actually obey what your conscious mind is telling you.” Leslie’s theory shows that by putting something to paper, the thought becomes real which in turn causes “your subconscious to obey what your conscious mind is telling you.”

So, if you seek to eat more vegetables: Write it down. If you desire to cook at home more: Jot it on paper. If you yearn for more organization and clarity: Go analog. “Whatever your goal is, if you want to be healthy, want to feel a certain way, want to follow this plan to feel better and healthier, writing helps,” says Leslie.

It also works from the other end of the spectrum. Meaning, if you lack the motivation to do something that you know would be great for you, writing it down can “trick” you into doing that actual act, says Leslie. “It’s really about telling your mind what it’s going to do.”

These reminders of how an exercise that is so simple yet so transformative intrigues us—particularly because we’ll soon be launching a PrimaFoodie tool that harnesses this power. (More on this very soon—stay tuned!) In the meantime, here are three more reasons to consider picking up the pen or pencil more often:

#1: It is fast. Sure, we’ve become so used to tapping a quick note to ourselves on our phones, but jotting down an idea with our entire hand is usually much swifter than relying only on our two thumbs. This is why Leslie is always prepared. “I have a piece of paper and a pen with me all the time.”

#2: It is easy. There’s no pressure to jot things down perfectly, says Leslie. Do it in your style and your way, whether this means dedicating a full hour to journal, using a consistent planner, or quickly jotting down random handwritten notes. The key is to write with no parameters. “This is something that should be pleasurable and enjoyable.”

#3: It is the beginning of something bigger. What is the bridge between our thoughts, goals, and dreams and their reality? Leslie says it is the act of immortalizing the idea. “The [aspect of] writing it down is the first step to really feeling and doing what you want.”

Stay tuned here and on Instragram for our upcoming PrimaFoodie launch that incorporates this simple, life-changing skill.

From Ice Plunges to Dream Readings: What We Learned from our HEAL with PrimaFoodie Summer Health Summit

At the risk of sounding cliché, it feels like just yesterday when we were producing our first virtual summit. Our small-but-mighty team (we’re looking at you Adrienne and Emila!) had boots on the literal and digital ground, booking talent and recording workshops, while Nichole was juggling interviews, partnerships, and all the like. There were moments where an hour felt elastic as we stretched it to fit in all there was to plan.

Now here we are, on the other side of the launch of the HEAL with PrimaFoodie Virtual Health Summit, feeling revitalized and empowered. This project was a lesson in gumption and kismet, and a reminder that when we follow our guts, and keep them healthy, great lessons unfold. We’re grateful to each of you who joined.

There were giant takeaways from this premiere event that amplified our minds, bodies, and souls.

• For our mental wellness, we learned how to break free from toxic thoughts from Keren Eldad. We found essential time management skills for moving through our weeks with joy from Margot Janks. We benefited from a practice to help us tap into a “deeply respectful motivation” to be present from Elena Brower.

• For our physical wellness, Dr. Jacklyn Tolentino informed us on symptoms of blood sugar and hormonal issues. Jennifer Ragazzo revealed exactly why a damaged gut impacts our entire bodily system (including our skin and emotions). Hilda Labrada Gore gave us one of the most impactful home tools to boost our energy, mood, and glow. (The effect it had on Adrienne and Emila was instant proof!)

• For our emotional and spiritual wellness, Jennifer Swartley gave us the wisdom to acknowledge and breathe through burnout. Sarah Chavez and Marina Mizruh illustrated why creating inviting, warm, personal interiors can have immediate effects on how we feel. And R.A. Leslie walked us through a journaling practice to help us “critically think” about our lives.

Of course, these learnings are only a hint at all we covered and the amazing talent that took part. We also got cooking and baking in the kitchen, conversing about how we need to support regenerative agriculture, and the fascinating reasons behind why eating more nutrient-dense foods is an act of environmental activism. 

At the end of it all, we felt lighter and more positively charged than we ever have. We’re fueled to do this again. Stay tuned for more HEAL with PrimaFoodie summits in-the-works—and let us know if there’s anything you wish to learn about in the future.  

Our sincere thanks to each of our talented experts for their contributions: Britta Plug, Dr. Robin Currey, Jennifer Swartley, Farmer Lee Jones, Amanda Ramirez, Margaret Floyd Barry, Jennifer Ragazzo, Leah Ann Bolen, Barbara Stamis, Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, Michael Mansour, Laurel Gallucci, Seonagh Kummer, Elena Brower, Margot Janks, Jayne Williams, Sarah Chavez and Marina Mizruh, Belinda McCall, R.A. Leslie, Hilda Labrada Gore, Monica Ford, Keren Eldad, Abigail Wald, and Hitha Palepu,

Bookmarked: 5 Recent ‘Wellness’ Articles Worth Noting

We’ll read thought-provoking wellness wisdom anywhere our eyes land on it: in a magazine, on a favorite website, via a new study. But what constitutes “thought-provoking” likely differs for each of us. At PrimaFoodie, we seek wellness reporting through an inclusive lens: features that consider the truth that feeling good and living well must be accessible to everyone. Plus, wellness comes in many shapes and sizes. Even the act of keeping a streamlined kitchen, as this brilliant Remodelista feature below outlines, can be an act of self-care in and of itself.

‘How to Recycle’ via Doré

This headline may come across as reductive—but in truth, it’s anything but. The chain of recycling is complicated. The guidelines for what can and cannot be recycled vary widely between cities, states, and countries. This lack of clarity can push many to throw up their hands, but Tyler Simmons, the zero-waste coordinator for EcoAction, says it’s important to not give up. As he expresses in this interview, what we need as consumers is more clarity and the gumption to hold the large corporations responsible for the plastic they pump out.

‘Tending to Your Plants Is Really Tending to Yourself’ via Well + Good

Whether you have a massive kitchen garden or a lone houseplant, having some form of greenery in your living space offers a chance to foster a stronger relationship with yourself and the natural world. In this article and accompanying podcast, regenerative gardener Emily Murphy, plant doctor Maryah Greene, and licensed therapist Anita Yokota speak to the body, mind, and soul benefits that come from tending to plants.  As Yokota says, “research has shown that we are drawn to the color green because it's refreshing...and it de-stresses us.”

‘Confused about Chemical Safety?’ via The Credo Blog

It seems the word ‘chemical’ has gotten a bad reputation. We aim to avoid chemicals in our food, our skincare, and our household products. But when we take a pause to consider, everything—literally everything—is made of chemicals. It’s just that some are hazardous to our health. What we need to do is consistently educate ourselves on how to keep our radars sharp on which chemicals to avoid. This quick primer is a good place to start for personal care items.

‘The Healing Power of Play’ via The Good Trade

Remember recess? That chunk of time dedicated to free play somehow gets totally overlooked once we hit a certain age. This is unfortunate. Researchers tout the benefits of play, which can be any form of healthy, creative, self-indulgent folly, as being wider reaching that we may realize. As this writer sees, play can be discovered in overlooked places—and it may be a tool for the healing we need.

‘5 Clever Efficient Ideas from a Cookbook Author’s Home Kitchen’ via Remodelista

Your home should rise to meet you. And your kitchen? It must bend over backwards, at least in our minds. As Nichole has long said about keeping a clean pantry and tidy fridge, streamlining your cooking space isn’t solely about aesthetics. It’s a critical ingredient for keeping you inspired and calm so you continue to cook healthfully. This peek into cookbook author Amy Thielsen’s kitchen is fodder for creating an efficient and inviting space that works for you.

What to Expect at HEAL with PrimaFoodie, Our First Virtual Wellness Summit

When we first set out to host a wellness summit, we were clear on two things.

First, we wanted it to be fun and inspirational. The world is saddled with hardship and our lives are busier than they’ve ever been. These truths can make uplifting ourselves and making changes toward an empowered and healthy lifestyle a challenge.

Secondly, and most vitally, we wanted our summit to be accessible. Wellness is not a privilege; it is a right for every human. This creed has always been a passion point for Nichole and all of us at PrimaFoodie. The lessons, foods, and tips that open the doors to true well-being need to be right there for all of us, no matter our background or standing in life.

So here we are, amped by these convictions. We’re thrilled to present to you a peek at our first digital wellness summit, H.E.A.L with PrimaFoodie, taking place on August 25th & 26th*. We’ll be gathering online for inspiring and engaging workshops, interactive sessions, and interviews led by our founder, Nichole, and the PrimaFoodie team. Joining us will be experts in the fields of holistic health, nutrition, food activism, mindset coaching, bodywork, and sustainability to educate and empower. These individuals are the best in their fields, and they’re bringing their coveted wisdom to help all of us in the PrimaFoodie community make the shifts we desire.

The intention of this summit is to revitalize your self and soul. To support you in doing this, you’ll get access to life-shifting information, plus downloadable takeaways to bring with you to continue your healing journey. Not to mention there will be exercises, cooking tips, and mindset focuses to keep tucked in your “pocket” so you can thrive no matter where you are. 

This is just scratching the surface. The key to this gathering is you: Whatever you seek—be it to shed old habits, lean into a cleaner way to eat, or find the courage to take a new wellness path—we’re there for you. Take a peek below to see some of the many experts and offerings we have slated.

And lastly, back to the word: “accessible.” If you or someone you know is eager to join yet faces a challenge with our ticket price, please send us a note here. We have a handful of tickets available at a sliding scale and want to ensure everyone who wants to join can.

We can’t wait to see you on August 25th & 26th. Here’s to our good health and luminosity.

Some of the offerings and experts at H.E.A.L with PrimaFoodie:

• A ‘Detox Your Mindset’ Workshop with world-renowned career coach Keren Eldad.

• A transformational breathwork session with intuitive healer Barbara Stamis.

• A radical new look at hormone imbalance with Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino.

• Tools for conquering burnout with leadership and mindset coach Jennifer Swartley.

• And much much more…

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE

*All ticket holders will have access to the digital summit content for one week, beginning on August 25th.

The Life-Shifting Potential of a 'Mindset Detox': A Conversation with Coach Keren Eldad

We’re aware of the toxins that can build up in our bodies, say from eating lots of refined sugar or processed foods. We also know about the havoc this can wreak on our health. What many of us tend to overlook, however, is how our minds are also susceptible to toxicity. “Our mindsets can also be affected by toxins building up, through the accumulation of toxic thoughts,” says certified career and executive coach, Keren Eldad (whom we and her legions of fans call ‘Coach Keren.’)

Nagging and harsh narratives that play out in our heads, like I’m not good enough or I will never be successful are what Coach Keren calls “junk food thoughts.” They may seem banal, but their impact is harsh—and they can get in our way of living a truly authentic and happy life.

Enter ‘The Mindset Detox,’ Coach Keren’s brilliant strategy for freeing ourselves from toxic thoughts. It’s accessible to everyone and—as she outlines in conversation with Nichole here—an incredible antidote to overwhelm and unhappiness.

A Conversation with Coach Keren Eldad

What is ‘The Mindset Detox’ and why is it important?

The Mindset Detox is simple, and so important and relevant for everyone. The reason why a mindset—the established set of attitudes held by someone—“detox” is critical to most is because most people need one. Most people are feeling stressed, stuck, and just feeling like they are not living to the fullness of their potential. The latest Gallup poll and American Psychological Association figures consistently show that north of 60 percent of U.S. adults are feeling daily stress and worry, and this is just one area in which most of us could use a bit of a “cleanse” (to borrow from detox terminology).

We hear a lot about detoxing the body; about how there are chemicals in food that can be harmful, how pesticides can affect us, and how bacteria can build up in our systems. We hear about the perils of gluten, and sugar, and caffeine, and we are aware that the consumption of these can fill our bodies with harmful toxins, which can cause us to feel bad, or to at least not be in optimal health. Many of us are also aware that in order to alleviate the results of toxin buildup, many experts recommend a deep cleansing to help rid those toxins, and get you feeling better. 

My theory is that in the same way, our mindsets can also be affected by toxins building up, through the accumulation of toxic thoughts. Junk food thoughts, like I can’t get well, I won’t forgive this person, there isn’t enough time to catch up, and everyone else is doing so much better than me. If this rings true or familiar with anyone out there reading this, I believe the solution (or at least, the beginning of the solution) is The Mindset Detox.

Specifically, you may want to work your way out of the five most common negative patterns of thought that I have seen, as a certified coach and as a suicide counselor with CTL, towards undoing them and getting past them. These “toxic five,” based on my work with over 500 top-tier leaders and my years of experience as a crisis and suicide counselor are judgment, insecurity (self-judgment), negativity, blame and resentment, and impatience.

What is the best way to go about The Mindset Detox? Where do we start?

The best way to START is to recognize that we are not entirely happy. This is very hard to admit – but just as any search for a cleanse or cure begins in the body, it must start with the awareness of what does not feel so good. When we can identify that there are anxious thoughts we could live without, that guilt plagues us, or that we constantly compare ourselves to other people, or that we tend to blame others in moments of stress – we can also begin to target these and begin to do the work to unwind our mindsets from these patterns. In other words – to detox.

This depends on two things: 1. Admitting that you do not feel 100 percent great all the time, that you do not “have it all together,” that you do not know everything and that you could use some help or work on learning something new around here, and 2. Being able to welcome some uncertainty and discomfort into your life for a brief period while you go through your detox. Just as for most people (if they are anything like me) a cleanse is a shift that requires some effort and discomfort, same thing goes for a mindset detox. We have to relinquish old, habitual patterns of thought that will not just roll over and die. It will require a period of internal work. The good news is, with a great coach and excellent support system, this goes easier. In fact, you may even enjoy the learnings and the process of tackling and detoxing from each of the aforementioned five.

What are some ways to identify toxic thoughts?

It’s pretty easy to identify them but clearing them out is an entirely different matter. I am not too sure a clearing out of brain space is possible, at least not entirely, but a shift in focus IS–and that is what a detox is about.

Let’s begin with identification. I’m fairly certain, as I speak to people day in and day out about thoughts that trouble them, thoughts that scare them and thoughts that seem to feel heavy, that most people know what I’m talking about and can identify these very readily. But let me get specific here to give you some examples: When we dwell on how somebody hurt us or how something set us off our course. 

When we make constant comparisons, dwell on blame, harp on and on about how we never get ahead, on how we have been at this company for so long but don’t think we are being appreciated or are getting anywhere, and even on how terrible 2020 was – we are thinking toxic thoughts. If we let such thoughts linger without check, they will infect our entire lives, affect our attitude and self-image, and they will become a part of who we are. 

Like me, you probably know people who have let their toxic thoughts run away with them. They are bitter, cynical, sour, constantly complaining, stressed, anxious. They are probably also stuck in a negative rut–perhaps in a bad relationship, or perennially single, perhaps constantly in debt or going from job to job, and so on. Why is that? It’s because they let those thoughts take root. By now, their negative—or toxic–patterns of thinking - have not only become who they are, but self-fulfilling prophecies. 

And if you are honest, you probably also identify some such thoughts in YOU. These thoughts come to us all. What is of extraordinary value is our ability to identify them, our willingness to experience or sit with them, and our desire to learn how to focus our mind more on what we DO want to think than on what we DO NOT want to think. This is the work of the detox.

How can we start to shift our focus?

To unpack all patterns of toxic or negative thought would be too elaborate here, but let me begin to help you shift your focus from a negative thought with my number one favorite mindset-shifting exercise. I call it the Pause Principle. Here is how it works:

Every time you hit an obstacle or challenge from now on, I want you to do this: DO NOTHING. Literally hit pause. In this moment, take three steps: 

1. Turn Inward. Recognize your reaction is the real enemy. Getting defensive, angry, jumping to conclusions–these are the actual problems. The tip off will be negative emotion. Stop yourself right there. 

2. Question. Ask yourself: “Is what I see or how I see it the absolute truth? Is this the full story?” If not -get curious. 

3. Reframe. Ask yourself: “How can I see this as an opportunity?”

What is an example of a moment when you have integrated this into your life?

A couple of years ago, I was seated on a flight from Miami to NYC, next to my friend-Latin American TV host Lili Estefan. We sat, we chatted, we drank wine. I was on top of the world. Then, that terrible thing happened. The one that sets us all off – even normally calm people: The plane got grounded, and we were asked to get off the plane. 

This truly incurred my wrath, first because I thought I would be late getting home, and mostly because I was in first class, and sitting next to a celebrity. But as we disembarked, I did that PAUSE in my head. 

In the pause–I first noted to myself that freaking out would not be a good reaction. To wit, as we walked back into the airport, I saw this lady totally take it out on a receptionist who couldn’t do anything for her. She was the problem. Next, I asked myself if the grounding was really so bad. As a stereotypically Jewish person, that was very easy for me to do, because I’ve had a lifetime of training for disasters. So, I conjured them up. I thought- who knows – we might have crashed? Maybe something was wrong with the plane? Maybe the pilot is going through a breakup and isn’t fit to fly?

And finally – in a pause that literally took about 17 seconds, I turned it around and instantly saw the opportunity. I mean, HELLO?  I was in the Miami airport, with a South American superstar. Lili and I turned that very long delay into an adventure. We ran around the airport in one of those golf carts making Instagram movies, and delighting not only everyone around us – but ourselves, too. We had dinner. It was fun. 

The bottom line is that though we did fly coach home, and we did get in late, we got a great story out of it. Plus, my IG following tripled that night, and I got three new clients in South America. 

How do you get out of feeling down and out when nothing seems to be going your way?

What you describe is a conflation of the toxic five. Feeling “stuck,” or “down” with general malaise is seldom only about insecurity or impatience. It’s more of a cluster of feelings. I think what this question is about to address is the feeling many people out there have, which is that they are stuck, or down. It’s like a nagging dissatisfaction.

If so, then I will assume that these people want motivation, and have heard all the advice on how to get motivated and even though they really want to move ahead, they just feel that they...can’t. If so – HOW does one get out of this and into the next level?

The first thing I can say to this is that I understand, and that I know how hard this state is. I remember being stuck myself–way back when I was considering getting divorced, or when I just couldn’t find the wherewithal to start my own business, or when my first business shut down, or when both my cats died in 2015 and I found myself having to start all over at the age of 36.

I mention these times in my life because I want anyone out there to know that they are not alone, and can get over any period of challenge or stagnation, no matter how prolonged. The way out is through the recognition of two useful perspectives:

1. That you are not actually stuck. What is actually happening is that you are committed to certain patterns of behavior because they’ve helped you in the past. Now, if you are feeling stuck,then those behaviors have become more harmful than helpful. But if you understand that the reason why you can’t move forward is because you keep applying old formulas to a new level in your life, maybe you will embrace what you hear here today–because I will give you the new formula you can try in order to get new results. 

2. That you are VERY powerful and CAN move forward if you want to. For those out there who are “stuck,” or feeling “down:” I would like to remind you of who you are. You are pure potential. You are a magnificent being with a LOT to offer. If you are stuck, you may have forgotten this. Take a second to remember who you are right now. You are not small. You are not meant to be small. Similarly, you will not be stuck forever. Figure out what’s missing in your life. What aren’t you doing or what are you doing too much of that’s causing you to feel so stuck?

To move forward, you will specifically need to embrace these two perspectives. You will also need let go of three things:

1. the past,

2. any blame towards yourself or others, and of course

3. caring what anyone thinks about your upcoming transformation because you will 100 percent fail. That’s just how life works.

To begin to embody these principles and move forward, listen to the stories in your head. What are you telling yourself about what happened to you in the past? Does it involve blame, shame and regret? Does it involve judgment? AUDIT your stories for the toxic five.

If you identify any of the toxic five (and you likely will), ask yourself why you are stuck on these stories and what you can do to live with them, accept them, and move forward. You can't undo what has brought you here, but you can choose to find peace and to make it useful to you, which will allow you to see your reality in new ways and feel freer to change your attitude. All this takes is work and the earnest desire to grow.

Personally, I did this work just because I was so sick of being that person who whines all the time. Way back when, I had stories too–one to explain each of my problems. They kept me justifying why I was in a crappy marriage, why I didn’t like my job but really couldn’t start my own company, why I couldn’t afford vacation, and whatever else I was denying myself. 

As Rumi said, you were born with greatness. Once you realize this, and really receive it in your heart (it’s ok to mull it over; realizing you are awesome takes time) the rest, the “mindset detox” itself, is peanuts.

What are your top tips for daily mindset resets?

I have only three tips and I live by them:

1. Meditate every day for 15 minutes and read as much uplifting content as you can, for 30 minutes, every day. Happy minds begin and end with what you feed them

2. Two epic daily writing practices: A. Write to do lists each morning and watch your time and energy expenditure. You are not a machine, do not live like one; B. Write three things you appreciate each day in a gratitude journal. It will change your focus, which will change your life.

3. Curate and hang out with people who are awesome, happy and rooting for your rise. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, can do this alone.

For more of Coach Keren’s Mindset Detox tips, watch her IG Live conversation with Nichole HERE.

3 Mindset Tips for Meeting Exercise Resolutions

Reaching our goals is no easy feat. To create any change requires consistency, gumption, and ultimately belief in ourselves. But so often, we focus too much on the end game rather than the success along the way. It is there, in the process, where the greatness exists. That's why at PrimaFoodie we want to celebrate those small wins. They may seem more limited in size, but they add up to remarkable things. 

It’s the time of year when many of us are trying to make good on big resolutions relating to health and fitness. Whether it’s a new exercise routine or a clean protocol, we come to these decisions with clear-eyed optimism and excitement. But so often—too often, really—we’re left in the dust of our aspirations. But what’s important to remember is that it’s not a lack of gumption or willpower that causes us to fall short of resolutions. It’s our approach. Big goals are achieved through small steps.

I have lived this truth over and over. When I’ve fallen out of an exercise routine, my first instinct would often be to get back on track by leaping into a long run. And then it would hit me: I wasn’t ready for a long run. What I needed was to take a walk around the block—and then to celebrate it. Because that walk would be the first step to the journey that would lead me to the long, joyful run I was envisioning and back into my routine.

If I had pushed myself into a big run, there’s a good chance I would have ended up with exhausted muscles—or worse—and that would have set me back even further. By taking the healthy micro steps that my body really needed, I could build up to a long run in a sustainable way, meaning I’d be able to run easily and often. And that’s really the goal, right? To get into a fitness rhythm where you’re getting exercise most days and you’re feeling good doing it.  

So how do we practice this? By embracing all the steps, no matter their size, and celebrating the small wins. They all add up to a marathon—and by leaning into them, we enjoy the journey so much more. 

 3 Mindset Tips for Meeting Exercise Resolutions

 1. Clear the obstacles.

 All kinds of distractions and impediments can throw us off track. Clear them out of the way so there is nothing between you and your workout.

 -  Get things ready the night before. Fill up your water bottle, lay out your workout clothes, and have everything where it needs to be so you can get to your workout without anything slowing you down.

-  Have a plan. Work with a trainer who creates custom workouts for you or try one of the many workouts available online. There’s so much out there, you don’t have to come up with your workout yourself (and enjoying the challenge with others is motivating).

-  Plan for unexpected opportunities. Keep a pair of running shoes or your favorite workout equipment in your car. If you find yourself out and about with time to spare, you can sneak in some exercise outdoors. It’s a much better way to celebrate free time than hunching over your phone.

 2. Trust that every minute counts.

 Most of us know we should be aiming for at least 150 minutes of physical exercise a week—and that moving more often means even greater health benefits. But this can be broken up into tiny chunks. If 30 minutes a day, five days a week, feels overwhelming, try three 10-minute sessions, or even six 5-minute sessions, in a day. Research shows it’s as beneficial to your health as doing 30 minutes at once. Here are some tips:

 -   Try the scientific 7-minute workout. Many applaud this quick-but-intense interval method.

-   Working from home? Pretend you have to “commute” to your next Zoom meeting and take a walk around the block or go up and down the stairs for a few minutes before you sign on.

-   If you sit a lot during the day, take a 5-minute dance break (or squat break or push-up break) after you complete a big task.

 3. Honor yourself and your wins.

Maybe you’re not up for a full-on marathon today. (If you’re just getting back to an exercise routine, you’re probably not.) So start small—literally. Tell yourself, “I’m not going to run on day one, I’m going to walk around the block.” And then acknowledge and celebrate yourself for doing just that. Even the seemingly small act of taking the stairs can result in a huge shift. Every minute and every movement counts. They are the steps that add up to your lasting fitness journey.

With love,
PrimaFoodie

Why Women Need to Make their Voices Heard

Several years ago, I began to notice a troubling trend in my daughter’s preschool classroom. My daughter, who had always been bright, opinionated, and decisive, began to shrink and silence herself. I watched as the boys would shout their answers while she would sit quietly with her arm raised, choosing to follow the rules rather than compete for her voice to be heard. 

This scene was a stark image of the significant imbalance we face in the world. Too many women shrink themselves, quiet their voice, and alter their visions to cater to others. Witnessing this broke my heart. It also lit a fire in my soul. I have work to do—we all have more work to do—to encourage true gender equity in the world.

We see how the cards are stacked against women everywhere. I have seen powerful, smart women stagnate or stall in their careers after taking time to have children. Certainly, we have evolved as a society, and the job of childcare is shouldered by both men and women. However, there still is a significant imbalance, which results in women either downshifting their careers, giving up on their passions, leaving the workforce entirely, or facing significant obstacles and disadvantages when they choose to re-enter the workforce. 

 In 2020 alone, a year that has been marked by significant challenges, women have been disproportionately impacted in the work world, thus facing intense barriers including the loss of jobs and stymied careers. This has an immediate effect on the individual, but also in her family, community, and society at large. When women leave the workforce, it cuts into the future of women leaders.

 It is critical that we change mindset around women’s equity and be advocates for change. We need to take the steps to shift the conversation and put an emphasis on progressing parity. Whether it be starting a business, raising caring children, or pursuing any passion, every woman’s purpose and voice is worthy of being nurtured, honored, and respected. These decisions are what grow our society. Until we have a world that supports every woman's choices rather than penalize them, we need to fight.

 One of the most influential ways to do this is to invest in ourselves. We need to own our dreams and accomplishments. We need to rally for progressive work policies, support female entrepreneurs, offer inclusive maternal leave, and buoy what we truly want each and every day. That is up to us. Quieting our voices doesn’t lead to true change. Pursuing our passions, fighting for our worth, and bolstering our personal agency does.

 By doing this we are doing two giant things: We’re giving credence to our dreams and we’re working to knock down a systemic issue that has, for too long, become central to modern life. It is scary, I know. I have left the workforce, had a child, experimented, and started businesses all facing great precarity. I have experienced ups and downs and weathered huge learning curves. It is hard but it is worth it. I know my voice is worthy. And when I face doubt, I think back to my daughter raising her little hand in class. I want to set the tone for her and all girls that our voices need to be heard.  

 So let’s all go forth, dream big, and evolve the system. We need your voice, and your power. I am here cheering you on.

x PrimaFoodie

10 Games to Play With Your Child in 10 Minutes

On the days when there is no time to have an elaborate tea party or take out all the blankets to make a magical fort, here are ten simple games that will help foster connection with your child - all in under 10 minutes. 

1. Build an Obstacle Course 

Use your furniture to create a series of fun challenges. (You may need to bring in some extra chairs from another room.). Tell your child to climb over, crawl under, do jumping jacks, make funny faces, sing a song, or whatever fun obstacle you can create together. 

Time it! Children love to show adults how fast they are. Timing it really gets them excited and motivated. After the first time, tell them “I think you can do it faster than that!” Encourage them to try it faster and faster. It builds their confidence and shows them how they can measure success based on their own performance and not their peers. 

2. Play Hug Tag

A fun and cuddly spin on the traditional game of tag. Chase your kid around the house trying to hug them. If you catch them, you get to hug and kiss them for ten seconds. My daughter loves this game. 

3. Journal 

This one is great for first grade and above when kids are  starting to read and write. I love the Five Minute Journals for Kids. Set a ten minute timer and spend that time quietly playing soft music and sitting next to each other as you write. It is helpful to give a writing topic, such as everything you are grateful for or what were each of your favorite parts of the day. 

4. Color

Another quiet activity that is great for connection. I love adult coloring books and tombow watercolor markers. My daughter loves them, but I only let her use them when we color together because they can easily stain fabrics. She feels so special when we get to use them together and she loves picking out her color palette. It’s also a wonderful way for her to learn about primary and secondary colors and how colors fit together. 

5. Produce “Pretend TV” 

My daughter has a stencil pad that lights up and one day she turned it into an “iPad.”. She said she was watching Netflix so I joined her and started making over-the-top emotions. She thought it was hysterical. As she pretended to change channels, I would switch up my emotions. Now she asks if I want to watch Netflix on her “iPad” and it is a hilarious ten minute game. 

6. Create a Surprise Bath

I’m not sure how this started but it’s become a regular ask. My daughter will want me to make her a surprise bath. I get out my salts, essential oils, and candles and make her a bath fit for a princess. She will soak in it for quite awhile and I will read her a story. A few times I even picked a rose from outside and sprinkled the petals in her bath. Talk about luxury!

7. Have a Dance Party

This is a great way to change up the mood in the house, especially during quarantine. We take turns picking songs and blasting them through the sound system. It is a great break from work and an impromptu way to create connection with her in the middle of the day. It also stimulates creativity. We come up with some pretty amazing dance moves.

8. Conduct Science Experiments

This is not your typical science experiment but it is a good way to use up expired products. I get out old baking soda, baking powder, anything that has gone rancid, and let my daughter go wild with mixing and stirring. She has a science kit with test tubes, droppers and microscope slides and we have lots of fun making a gooey mess pretending we are discovering new products to help save the world. When I don’t have expired products, we go out in nature and collect dirt, leaves, and grass. The trick to cleanup is to contain this in one tray or the sink.

9. Avoid the “Snake”

This game is another great way to connect while getting out some of your child’s pent up energy. Grab a jump rope or string and tie one end to a chair leg then stand far apart holding the other end. Wiggle it like a snake on the floor and tell your child to run and jump over it. If they touch the rope, it’s a snake bite and you have to tickle them to get the venom out. Make the snake smaller or bigger making them jump higher and longer. It’s another great way to challenge them and allow them to show you their strength.

10. Play Cards

I taught my daughter how to play cards at a very young age. In the beginning it was Go Fish and Old Maid. Now she has progressed to games like Uno, crazy eights, kings and rummy 500. She is quite the card shark. I always tell her I should take her to vegas with her card luck. We can have a quick card game at lunch or after dinner. It’s quick, fun and interactive. 

Honoring the Modest Moments

Reaching our goals is no easy feat. To create any change requires consistency, gumption, and ultimately belief in ourselves. But so often, we focus too much on the end game rather than the success along the way. It is there, in the process, where the greatness exists. That's why at PrimaFoodie we want to celebrate those small wins. They may seem more limited in size, but they add up to remarkable things. We want to be so many things.

By Stacey Lindsay

We want to be successful. Accomplished. Present. Innovative. And—perhaps most of all—we want to be finishers. That is, we want to "crush" the lofty high goals that we set for ourselves. We want to reach the end game so we can move on to the next thing.

The word "crush" has taken a front-row seat in our modern lexicon (along with "kill"). To "crush it" today means to exceed the goals we've made for ourselves in an exclamatory way. While accomplishing something is positive, there’s an underlying stressful connotation to this saying: Everything we do or want to do seems to be laced with an all-or-nothing mentality: We crush it or we don't. We kill it or we fail. 

This rigid expectational mindset is everywhere. There's a shared impulse to overachieve, which stems from an unremitting way of life that has blossomed in America. We leave no wiggle room, be it in how we parent, how we move forward in our careers, or how we take care of ourselves. It's all or nothing. Couple this with the fact that every facet of our lives now seems to be an opportunity to multi-task or commodify. If we aren't spending every minute working to get smarter, healthier, fitter, richer, or better then what are we doing?

One thing we're doing is hurting ourselves. When we give more credence to the things we don’t accomplish, we actually feed into a greater cycle of failing. Research over the past decade has shown that when we don't work to control our self-criticism it can negatively impact our progress in meeting our goals. (Separate research links self-criticism to depression.)

What this all-or-nothing approach also does is keep us from missing out on the deep enjoyment that comes from the things in-between the idea and the goal. Instead of looking at the end game, if we take pause and look at the smaller wins—be it one less cup of coffee or taking the stairs instead of the elevator—we're more likely to continue moving forward on that path. Jenny O'Dell perfectly captures this in her book, How to Do Nothing. She writes that "patterns of attention—what we choose to notice and what we do not—are how we render reality for ourselves, and thus have a direct bearing on what we feel is possible at any given time." There is a "revolutionary potential" to taking back our attention, O'Dell continues. We can find pleasure, satisfaction, and encouragement from the wins that we've so long been overlooking.

Because it is in these nuances that the joy lives. These smaller wins, the moments that build to the next, count for way more than we give them credit. I believe we need to give them more credence. We need to learn to be more compassionate and generous with ourselves—which research touts as a way to promote self-growth and accomplishment. Instead of giving in to self-loathing over not completing a new at-home workout routine, why not focus on the fact that you signed up for it in the first place? That’s a win. Or rather than dwelling on the fact that you ate the entire chocolate bar, why not pay attention to the dried herbs you swapped out for fresh cilantro in your dinner? These things may seem meager but, in fact, they're huge. Small shifts add up to great things. It's simply up to us to see that.

We are living in uncertain times. Each of our situations is different but our collective front against a health epidemic is the same. We need to—more than ever—be good to ourselves and lean into the modest moments. After all, it is these small wins that lead to great things.

It is these small wins that make us human.

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Stacey Lindsay is part of the PrimaFoodie team. A longtime journalist, she was formerly the articles editor at goop. Throughout her career she has covered the topics of women’s issues, philanthropy, veterans' rights, climate change, civic engagement, and financial health for various print, digital, and TV outlets.