2026 Issue #26

Three Pantry Staples for Better Self-Care

Hi Reader,

This week was a little different around our house.

The boys spent time with their grandparents and at camp, which meant something that almost never happens...

The house was quiet.

For about fifteen minutes, I stood there wondering what I should do with myself.

Should I answer emails?

Pull weeds?

Start another project?

Finish a project I started a few weeks ago?

Instead, I did something completely out of character.

I took care of myself.

I walked into the pantry.

Not because I was hungry.

Because I remembered something an olive farmer taught me when I was in Greece last year.

He told me olive oil wasn't just for eating.

They used it for everything.

So I figured...

Why not?

When it comes to our beauty routing, we're constantly being told we need

Another serum.

Another cream.

Another miracle ingredient discovered at the bottom of some rainforest.

Meanwhile, one of the healthiest foods on the planet has been sitting quietly in our pantry the whole time.

So this week, olive oil officially earned a spot in my self-care routine.

Here are three ways I used it.

💆‍♀️ 1. I Fed My Hair

I gently warmed about ¼ cup of olive oil (just warm—not hot) and worked it through my hair from scalp to ends.

Then I covered it with...

A gallon-sized Ziplock bag. 😂

Okay, so the guidance was to use a shower cap but I didn't have one.

I'm sure that would work too!

Twenty minutes later I shampooed and conditioned like normal.

Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and healthy fats that help moisturize dry hair and add shine.

My hair felt softer immediately, and I swear it behaved itself a little better the next few days.

👣 2. I Finally Did Something Nice for My Feet

After a long day on the farm, my feet deserve a raise.

Before bed, I rubbed a little olive oil into my heels and slipped on a pair of cotton socks.

Olive oil helps soften rough skin while locking in moisture overnight.

The next morning my feet felt noticeably smoother...

🫒 3. I Tried Oil Pulling

This one isn't for your hair or skin, but it helps your mouth microbiome.

I swished about a tablespoon of olive oil around in my mouth for 3-5 minutes before brushing my teeth.

Make sure you spit it into the garbage, not down the sink.

Oil pulling helps freshen your breath and supports a healthy mouth by reducing some of the bacteria that naturally live there.

Sometimes wellness isn't about finding the newest thing.

Sometimes it's about rediscovering the oldest things.

The things our grandparents used before beauty aisles were fifty feet long.

So this week, before you buy another product because the commercial promised younger-looking skin...

Take a peek in your pantry.

You might already have something worth trying.

xo,

P.S. There's still a few spots open for Painting in the Garden this Tuesday, June 30th. Reserve your spot.​