Be Well Collective

03/27/2026

The countdown is on! We'll start seeing patients in our new space in April 🤍.

03/25/2026

H**p seeds: rich in magnesium making it calming for the nervous system
Legumes: rich in soluble fiber which can help bind up toxins in the bile and feeds the good gut microbes
Coconut water: rich in potassium, a natural electrolyte to hydrate gut tissue and support bowel movements
Chamomile tea: naturally calms anxiety and supports sleep

Gut health is a whole body approach!

03/24/2026

Our mission guides every decision we make. We have felt God’s perfect timing as we prepare to move into our new building — a nurturing space where a community of parents and children come together in their journey to be well. Our desire in this space is to redirect children’s healthcare to a focus on intentional patient interactions and collaborative care that provides healing with grace to Altoona and surrounding communities — evolving our name to reflect this space — Be Well Collective.

The word Collective reflects who we already are.
It represents collaboration between providers, families, and patients.
It reflects our whole-child and whole-family approach to care.
It honors the community that makes this work meaningful.

Pediatrics remains at the heart of what we do. This new name allows our vision to grow while staying rooted in the care you trust.

03/20/2026

We can’t do it all, and that’s okay.

What we can do is focus on creating balance in the areas that matter most: more connection, more play, more calm. And gently support the rest as best we can.

Parenting and wellness are about small, thoughtful choices, not perfection. Every step toward balance helps children grow, learn, and thrive.

03/18/2026

Constipation is one of the most common concerns we see in pediatrics, and it’s rarely just about fiber.

In functional medicine, we look at constipation through a lenses including:
🧠 Nervous System
Stress, anxiety, and other behaviors can impact the gut-brain axis and slow motility.
💧 Hydration + Volume
Low fluid and fiber intake can impair stool movement and volume.
🦠 Gut Microbiome
Low beneficial bacteria (like bifidobacteria) can reduce healthy stool formation. After antibiotics this is a common issue.
🧂 Mineral Balance
Magnesium plays a key role in relaxation, including relaxing the colon. Other minerals like potassium, iron and iodine also influence the gut.
🔥 Bile Production and Digestive Capacity
While a more common concern as we age, the production of key digestive components including stomach acid, bile and digestive enzymes can impact stools. Some kiddos who are super active can have less parasympathetic nervous system activity leading to lower production of these juices.
It’s not always:
❌ “They need more fiber.”
❌ “They just need Miralax forever.”

It’s about understanding why the gut is slowing down.
If your child:
Skips days between bowel movements
Has painful stools
Has belly pain regularly

There is a root cause.
Constipation is a signal.

03/13/2026

🌞 Spring Break + Little Kids = Extra Sun Care!

If you’ve got little ones heading into spring break adventures, don’t forget their skin needs a little extra love in the sunshine. Kids’ skin is delicate, and using clean, nourishing sun care makes all the difference when they’re spending long days outside.

At Be Well Collective, we love simple, effective options made with skin-supportive ingredients:

✨ Simply Tallow Sunscreen – deeply nourishing and protective with traditional, skin-loving ingredients.
✨ Rowe Casa Sun Care Line – gentle, clean sun care designed with families in mind.

The best part? We keep these in stock right here in the office, so you can grab what you need before beach days, park playdates, and outdoor adventures.

Stop by and we’ll help you find the best option for your family so everyone can enjoy the sunshine safely. ☀️🧴

:

03/13/2026

03/11/2026

Will you try this chicken wild rice soup recipe?!
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1 cup wild rice (dry)
1 (32 oz) container organic chicken broth
2–3 large carrots, peeled and chopped (about 1½–2 cups)
½–1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about ¾ cup)
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tbsp dried)
1 cup organic heavy cream (or ¾ cup half & half for lighter option)
1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for cooking)
1–1½ tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
Optional: 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions
Cook the rice:
Rinse 1 cup wild rice. Cook according to package directions (typically simmer in 3 cups water for ~40–45 minutes until tender). Drain any excess liquid.

Cook the chicken:
In a large soup pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked through (about 6–8 minutes). Lightly salt and pepper. Remove and set aside.

Build the soup base:
In a new pot, pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Add chopped carrots, onion, and garlic (if using). Reduce to a simmer and cook 10–15 minutes until carrots are tender.

Combine:
Stir in the cooked chicken and wild rice. Simmer 5 more minutes to allow flavors to combine.

Finish:
Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in 1 cup organic cream. Add parsley, remaining salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes (do not boil after adding cream). Optional: Add chopped kale or spinach in the final 5 minutes for extra minerals

Taste & adjust:
Add more salt, pepper, or parsley as desired.

03/08/2026

Hello Be Well Collective families 🤍

Over the next few weeks, things in our current space may start to feel & look a little different. You might notice pictures, decorations, and other items gradually coming off the walls as we begin preparing for our move. While it may feel a bit unusual to see the space change, it’s all part of an exciting transition!

We are getting ready to move into a new space designed specifically for your child and family. This new environment will allow us to serve more families, create even more engaging experiences, and continue investing in kids in a bigger way than ever before. 🤍

We’re incredibly excited for what’s ahead and grateful to be on this journey together as we prepare for the next chapter!

03/06/2026

A warm bath can help children relax and support digestion, especially during occasional constipation.

Magnesium (Epsom salt) helps relax muscles and support the body’s natural elimination pathways.

Keep baths short and age-appropriate: under 1 year max 15 minutes, over 1 year max 20 minutes.

Never allow your child to drink the bath water—it can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

This is a simple, soothing practice to help kids unwind and encourage regularity as part of a calm bedtime routine.

03/05/2026

When considering which sweeteners are best for your family, we encourage you to think about a few things:
What risks have been shown in long term research
How do they impact our kids energy, behavior, digestion and symptoms
How much and how often are we having

The newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend avoiding added sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners up until age 11. After that, the added sugars should be less than 10% of daily calorie intake, which comes out to 15-20 g daily at most.

Added sugar is one of the leading contributors to non-alcoholic fatty liver, weight gain and mood disorders in children.

It’s also important to consider a child’s risk of insulin resistance, which can be influenced by their birth weight, activity level, stress and hormonal shifts throughout puberty.

Overall, based on our dietitian Kelli’s perspective, stevia is a good option for occasional sweet cravings along with more naturally sweet, fiber-containing foods like sweet potatoes, pears, dates, berries and honey.
A few studies referenced:
PMID: 32257884
PMID: 35456796