Restoration Wellness, LLC

10/01/2025

As a holistic health practitioner and rural health educator, I believe that food is more than fuel, it is a gift from God meant to nourish body, soul, and community. Yet in a land overflowing with abundance, too many families are still left hungry or struggling to access nutrient-dense food. This gap is not only a health concern, but also a matter of stewardship and human dignity.

Scripture reminds us that “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). We are called to steward creation well, which includes ensuring that the food grown from the soil is accessible and life-giving for all. When families cannot afford or reach healthy food, when policies waste perfectly good produce, or when soil depletion strips nutrition away from crops, we fail in both stewardship and justice.

As a practitioner, understanding my clients’ nutritional needs is central to their healing journey. But nutrition does not exist in a vacuum—access is a critical component. If a client cannot access fresh, nutrient-dense food due to cost, distance, or policy barriers, then their wellness plan becomes unrealistic and their healing is hindered.

That is why listening to real experiences through this survey matters so deeply.

Wellness begins with access to the basics of nourishment.

This project, Starving in a Land of Plenty, seeks to listen and learn from the voices of rural and urban families alike. By participating in this short survey, you are helping uncover the real challenges and shaping solutions that honor God’s design for abundance, care, and community. Your input is not just data—it is a testimony that every person deserves access to food that sustains health and restores dignity.

👉 Please take a few minutes to share your experience. Together, we can re-imagine food systems that reflect both stewardship of creation and compassion for people.

09/26/2025

Healing In Uncertainty

There is no denying it: we are living in heavy times.

Mental health concerns are skyrocketing. Emotional overwhelm is no longer something people whisper about. It is openly worn on faces in grocery stores, in school drop-off lines, and in exhausted social media posts. Add to that a 4% cut to Medicaid funding in Idaho, and we now have fewer safety nets for those who need care the most.

Meanwhile, headlines are breaking down trust in some of the most commonly accepted medical practices. The latest? Tylenol is being scrutinized for its potential connection to autism, particularly when used during pregnancy. While the research is still developing and not all sources agree, the mere possibility has shaken many families and reopened hard conversations about how we protect the next generation.

In the middle of this mess, you are expected to carry on.

Read more in the comments.

07/21/2025

Designed by psychologists, powered by dopamine, and disguised as “just one more level”—video games aren’t playing around. They are literally built by psychologists to keep you stuck in pixelated purgatory while your real life collects dust. If your real-life goals are AFK (away from keyboard), it is time to unplug....

Designed by psychologists, powered by dopamine, and disguised as “just one more level”—video games aren’t playing around. They are literally built by psychologists to keep you stuck in pixelated pu…

07/13/2025

"Your child is not trying to give you a hard time, your child is having a hard time." Regulation comes before education, because a dysregulated brain cannot learn, no matter how cute the bulletin board is. If we stop reacting to behavior and start responding to needs, we won't just change a child's day. We will change their trajectory....

“Your child is not trying to give you a hard time, your child is having a hard time.” Regulation comes before education, because a dysregulated brain cannot learn, no matter how cute th…

07/11/2025

I blamed perimenopause, my mattress, and possibly demons, turns out it was melatonin turning my bed into a human Crock-Pot. Who knew one tiny chewable could have me sweating like I was hosting a fever dream bake-off!...

I blamed perimenopause, my mattress, and possibly demons, turns out it was melatonin turning my bed into a human Crock-Pot. Who knew one tiny chewable could have me sweating like I was hosting a fe…

07/08/2025

What do you get when you mix a sideways saddle, a weed-loving horse with zero trail manners, and a mom with MS who decided to ride anyway? One unforgettable family adventure, a cookie-fueled cooldown, and enough laughter to count as cardio. Spoiler: grace showed up… right between the ditches....

What do you get when you mix a sideways saddle, a weed-loving horse with zero trail manners, and a mom with MS who decided to ride anyway? One unforgettable family adventure, a cookie-fueled cooldo…

07/04/2025

Ready to celebrate your freedom with more than just fireworks and hot dogs? This cheeky deep-dive connects the dots between bald eagles, gut-healing lemon water, faith-fueled liberty, and the weird (and surprisingly wise) health hacks of America’s founding days. Spoiler: Ben Franklin wanted a turkey, and your lungs hate fireworks. Let’s talk real independence from toxins, trauma, and tiny thinking....

Ready to celebrate your freedom with more than just fireworks and hot dogs? This cheeky deep-dive connects the dots between bald eagles, gut-healing lemon water, faith-fueled liberty, and the weird…

07/01/2025

I’ve broken up with Facebook—don’t worry, it’s not you, it’s the algorithm. Come find me on my website where the vibes are better, the content’s richer, and I actually see, you!!...

I’ve broken up with Facebook—don’t worry, it’s not you, it’s the algorithm. Come find me on my website where the vibes are better, the content’s richer, and I actually see, you!!

06/30/2025

Let us explore the deeper truth behind the phrase “I don’t have time,” revealing it as a reflection of our true priorities—and the pain it causes when others make us feel like we’re not one of them. With honesty, grace, and biblical perspective, it offers insight and healing for those wrestling with being deprioritized by the people we love....

Let us explore the deeper truth behind the phrase “I don’t have time,” revealing it as a reflection of our true priorities—and the pain it causes when others make us feel like we’re not one of them…

06/24/2025

Salt was once worth its weight in gold. Roman soldiers were paid in it (“salary” literally comes from sal), and it was essential in biblical covenants and offerings. It was a symbol of preservation, purity, and permanence. But today? Salt’s reputation has been processed right along with the table variety that shows up in fast food and hospital meals.

“Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt,    or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?” Job 6:6 The mallow, most likely a type of salt bush, Atripl…

06/15/2025

To the Men Who Stay

Here’s to the husbands who show up.
Not just at work, not just at church, but at the kitchen sink, in the midnight hour, and during the hard conversations.

Here’s to the dads who don't just throw a ball but throw down in prayer when their families need heaven to move.
Who trade personal comfort for family covering.
Who know their strength isn’t in silence, but in presence.

Not perfect. Not polished.
But present.
Steady.
Tried and true.

If you’re that man — or you’re learning to be — thank you.
We see you.
Your family feels you.
And heaven honors you.

Happy Father’s Day to the men who lead with love and live with loyalty. You are the quiet heroes of the home.

06/11/2025

When was the last time you slowed down enough to just color?

Coloring isn't just kid stuff — it's a surprisingly powerful wellness tool for all ages. Here are the top benefits of coloring, whether you’re using it with clients, kiddos, or sneaking in a little self-care:

Top Benefits of Coloring

🧠 1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Coloring calms the amygdala (the brain’s fear center) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the one responsible for rest and digest. It’s basically a nervous system “hug.”

🖐️ 2. Improves Fine Motor Skills

Holding crayons or pencils and staying in the lines? That’s coordination and dexterity training — especially great for kids, those recovering from injuries, or individuals with neurological disorders.

🧘 3. Encourages Mindfulness

Coloring pulls you into the present moment. No doom scrolling, no to-do lists — just you, the paper, and the next color. Hello, meditation in disguise.

🎨 4. Boosts Creativity

Even when you're coloring someone else’s art, your brain gets creative deciding what to use, what to blend, and what to make your own. Bonus: It gently unlocks emotional expression.

❤️ 5. Enhances Emotional Regulation

Coloring provides a non-verbal outlet to release frustration, grief, anxiety, or even joy. It’s safe, soothing, and great for emotional processing (especially helpful for neurodivergent kids and adults).

😌 6. Promotes Better Sleep

Step away from the screens and grab some colored pencils in the evening. It winds the brain down naturally — ideal for insomnia or overactive minds.

👩‍👧 7. Encourages Connection

Group coloring with a caregiver, friend, or therapist opens space for talking, bonding, or even shared silence. It's sneaky therapeutic magic.

🧠 8. Supports Neuroplasticity

Coloring activates different brain regions (visual, motor, and cognitive), which helps maintain and build new neural connections — especially helpful for those with cognitive decline or developmental delays.

My advice, take a break and color! I provided a coloring sheet to save you some time! Feel free to send me a message to send you the PDF to print them all off!

"If you're on a healing journey and want more insights like this, hit subscribe. I am here, walking it with you." - Melanie Long-Azary CHHP