Cassie Davis, NTP, LPN - Floriva Wellness

04/02/2026

Not all fries are created equal… and it has nothing to do with the potato. 🍟

If you’re trying to make better choices, this is one of those small things that actually adds up.

Most restaurant fries are cooked in seed oils like canola, soybean, or corn oil. These oils are highly processed and break down easily at high heat, creating compounds your body doesn’t exactly love.

Then there’s the extras no one talks about:
• “Natural beef flavor” – sounds harmless, but it’s usually a lab-created flavor blend (often derived from wheat/dairy) used to mimic the taste of beef fat… not actual beef tallow.

• Anti-foaming agents – added to frying oils to keep them from bubbling over after being reused over and over. That oil? It’s not fresh.

• MSG counterparts – even when MSG isn’t listed, ingredients like “yeast extract,” “hydrolyzed proteins,” or “natural flavors” can create that same flavor-enhancing effect.

None of this means you can’t ever enjoy fries, but it does mean it’s worth knowing what you’re actually getting.

If you’re going to have them, look for places using beef tallow or fresh, clean oils… or make them at home where you control it.

04/01/2026

Another one I always notice on labels -
“natural flavors.”

It sounds harmless, but it’s one of the vaguest ingredients you’ll see.

“Natural flavors” can be made up of dozens of different compounds, and companies don’t have to tell you what’s actually in it. It’s essentially a catch-all term.

You’ll find it in everything from sparkling waters to protein bars, coffee creamers, sauces… even products that look really clean on the front. This isn’t about avoiding everything with it, but it’s something I pay attention to, especially if I’m already questioning how a product is going to make me feel.

The more you read labels, the more you start to notice patterns.
Simple awareness > overthinking it.

03/31/2026

Maltodextrin is one of the most common ingredients I check for on labels.

It’s technically classified as a “complex carbohydrate,” but it acts more like sugar in the body raising blood sugar quickly and significantly.
In fact, it has a higher glycemic impact than table sugar.

What most people don’t realize is how often it shows up. It’s in a large percentage of packaged foods, including products labeled “zero sugar.”
You’ll see it in things like protein powders, drink mixes, flavored coffee products, and snack foods.
So while something may look like a better option on the front of the package, the ingredient list can tell a different story.

02/18/2026

There is so much that goes into being a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. For me it was the years of nursing school, several years of being personally sick and navigating my own journey and using that to help others and finally my year of school to become certified. AI doesn’t get you “someone” with real world experience and that is one of the most valuable parts of the entire healing experience.

02/18/2026

If you’re local to me, check out Mudd Creek, LLC & Bake House for all of your gluten free goodies! Can’t wait for the grab and go!

Our Self-Serve Bake House Stand will be opening next month and will be open every Monday and Friday from Noon to 6pm. I’ll be sharing March’s calendar soon with all the featured flavors. But I wanted to share a preview of the gluten free favorites you can expect to find on a regular basis (please note the flavors will vary):

Bread - $7.00/loaf
Cookies (3pk) - $5.00
Cupcakes (6pk) - $10.00
Ready to Bake Homestyle Biscuits (4pk) - $6.00
Ready to Grill Brownie Smores - $10.00
Ready to Bake Cheesey Burger Buns (4pk) - $6.00
Baking Mixes $6.00 or 3 for $10
Ready to Bake Cinnamon Rolls (6-8) - $10.00
Fruit Spreads - $5.00 or 3 for $12.00

Please note that pre-orders or special occasion orders (eg – birthday, anniversary) can be placed at anytime, with a 72 hours notice.

01/16/2026

01/08/2026

Regenerative agriculture isn’t a trend. It’s a return to how food was meant to be grown and why it matters deeply for our health.

🌱 It restores the soil
Healthy soil = healthy food. Regenerative practices rebuild soil microbes, minerals, and organic matter, which directly impacts the nutrient density of what ends up on your plate.
🥩 It improves the quality of our food
Animals raised on pasture and crops grown in living soil contain:
Higher omega-3s
More antioxidants
Better mineral content
This is nourishment your body actually recognizes.
🌎 It works with nature, not against it
Instead of depleting land, regenerative farming improves it—supporting biodiversity, water retention, and long-term sustainability.
🧬 It supports human health
When soil health declines, so does our food quality. That shows up as inflammation, hormone imbalance, blood sugar dysregulation, and nutrient deficiencies.

🚫 What it moves away from:
Chemical-heavy farming
Monocropping
Nutrient-depleted food systems

01/07/2026

The New Food Pyramid (aka: how we actually nourish our bodies now) 🌿

The old pyramid told us to fear fat and load up on grains.

The new pyramid flips that script and it makes so much more sense.

Here’s what it looks like today:
🥗 Non-starchy vegetables as the foundation
🥩 Quality protein (animal or plant, sourced well)
🫒 Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, grass-fed butter, nuts)
🍓 Fruits for antioxidants
🌾 Whole, properly prepared carbs as optional (based on your body, goals, and blood sugar)

What’s no longer the base?
❌ Ultra-processed foods
❌ Refined grains & sugar
❌ “Low-fat” everything

01/02/2026

If you had to pick ONE thing to improve your health, it would be to meet your protein goals! Most of us have a hard time doing that with sit down meals alone.

Equip is a premium high quality protein brand that my whole family and I use on a daily basis…we also love their protein bars!

https://www.equipfoods.com/FLORIVAWELLNESS

12/25/2025

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a gentle, joy-filled day. 🎄✨

12/22/2025

This is just a simple soup, but I add bone broth anytime I can - soups, mashed potatoes, rice, sauces… you name it.
It’s an easy way to sneak in protein, minerals, collagen, and gut support without changing the meal or making things complicated.
Nothing fancy. Just one small swap that makes everyday food work harder for you. 💚

12/15/2025