Why I Stopped Using It—and What I Do Instead

For years, dry shampoo was marketed as the ultimate beauty shortcut.

Skip a wash day.
Add volume.
Refresh your roots.

And while I understand the appeal, I’ve personally moved away from dry shampoo altogether—even the natural versions.

What many people don’t realize is that dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair or scalp. It simply absorbs oil and leaves behind a layer of powder designed to make hair look fresher.

Over time, I noticed my scalp felt increasingly congested. My hair lost some of its natural shine and movement, and I experienced more shedding than usual. While many factors can contribute to hair loss, I began questioning whether repeatedly coating my scalp with powders—even natural ones—was helping or hurting.

The more I learned about scalp health, the more it made sense.

Your Scalp Is Skin

We often forget that our scalp is simply an extension of the skin on our face.

Imagine applying layers of powder to your face day after day without properly cleansing underneath.

Eventually, your skin would likely feel congested, dull, and irritated.

The same can happen on the scalp.

Whether a dry shampoo is conventional or natural, most contain ingredients designed to absorb oil, such as:

• Arrowroot powder
• Tapioca starch
• Rice starch
• Corn starch
• Kaolin clay
• Bentonite clay
• Silica

While these ingredients may be natural, they still leave residue behind until thoroughly removed.

Over time, that residue can mix with:

• Sebum
• Sweat
• Dead skin cells
• Environmental pollutants
• Styling products

Creating buildup on the scalp and around the hair follicles.

Why Scalp Buildup Matters

A healthy scalp creates the ideal environment for healthy-looking hair.

When buildup accumulates, you may notice:

• Itching
• Flaking
• Increased oiliness
• Dull hair
• Heavy roots
• Lack of volume
• Difficulty styling
• Increased shedding

The scalp thrives when it can breathe, renew itself, and maintain a healthy balance.

Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Buildup-Free

One of the biggest misconceptions in clean beauty is that natural automatically means harmless.

While natural dry shampoos may avoid aerosol propellants, synthetic fragrances, or harsh ingredients, they still function by depositing powders onto the scalp.

The issue isn’t necessarily the ingredient itself.

It’s the accumulation.

A healthy scalp still requires regular cleansing and renewal.

How I Care for My Scalp Instead

Today, I focus on supporting scalp health rather than masking oil.

1. Wash When My Scalp Needs It

Rather than stretching wash days as long as possible, I listen to my scalp.

When it feels oily, heavy, itchy, or uncomfortable, I wash it.

There’s no prize for going the longest between washes.

2. Massage While Shampooing

A gentle scalp massage helps loosen buildup, increase circulation, and create a more thorough cleanse.

I spend an extra minute or two massaging with my fingertips—not my nails.

3. Exfoliate Regularly

Just like facial skin, the scalp benefits from gentle exfoliation.

Scalp exfoliation can help remove:

• Dead skin cells
• Excess oil
• Product residue
• Environmental buildup

You don’t need aggressive scrubs.

Gentle is often best.

Simple DIY Scalp Exfoliation

Before shampooing, try:

Brown Sugar + Shampoo

Mix a teaspoon of fine brown sugar into your shampoo and gently massage into the scalp.

The sugar dissolves as you wash while helping lift buildup from the surface.

Clarifying Treatments

If you use styling products regularly, an occasional clarifying wash can help reset the scalp and remove stubborn residue.

Think of it as a seasonal deep clean.

4. Support Scalp Health From Within

Healthy hair doesn’t start with products alone.

Nutrition, hydration, stress management, sleep, and overall wellness all play a role in supporting healthy hair growth and scalp function.

The Bottom Line

Dry shampoo may make hair look cleaner.

But looking clean and being clean are not always the same thing.

For me, letting go of dry shampoo was part of simplifying my routine and prioritizing scalp health.

The result?

A scalp that feels healthier, less congested, and more balanced.

Because beautiful hair begins where healthy skin begins—at the root.

And sometimes the most effective beauty ritual is the simplest one: giving your scalp the care and attention it deserves.

 

Love + Be Well,

Natalie

I never gatekeep things that work for me—

There are certain wellness practices that become part of your life because they make a noticeable difference.

For me, NAD+ is one of them.

At 54 years old, I’ve learned that aging well isn’t about chasing youth. It’s about supporting the body in ways that help you feel vibrant, energetic, clear-minded, and capable of fully enjoying your life.

After my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2014, I became deeply committed to understanding how the body works and what it truly needs to thrive. That journey led me to clean eating, reducing toxic exposures, prioritizing sleep, managing stress, and nourishing my body from the inside out.

But in recent years, I’ve become increasingly interested in cellular health and longevity.

That’s where NAD+ entered the picture.

And for me, it has been a game changer.

What Is NAD+?

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of the body.

Think of it as one of the key molecules involved in cellular energy production.

Your body relies on NAD+ to help support:

• Energy metabolism
• Mitochondrial function
• Cellular repair processes
• Healthy aging
• Brain function
• Overall vitality

The challenge is that NAD+ levels naturally decline as we age.

Research suggests that by middle age, our NAD+ levels may be significantly lower than they were in our younger years.

This decline is one reason many people begin to notice changes in energy, recovery, focus, and resilience as they get older.

Why I Started Paying Attention to NAD+

I’ve always believed that how we age is influenced by the daily choices we make.

As someone who is passionate about graceful aging, I wasn’t looking for a quick fix.

I was looking for support at the cellular level.

I wanted to continue feeling strong, capable, mentally sharp, and energized—not just for myself, but for my family, my business, and the life I love.

The more I learned about NAD+ and its role in cellular energy, the more intrigued I became.

What I Personally Noticed

Everyone’s experience is different, but these are some of the changes I noticed after making NAD+ part of my wellness routine.

More Consistent Energy

Not the jittery energy that comes from another cup of coffee.

A steadier, more sustainable kind of energy.

The kind that helps you move through a full day with less of the afternoon slump many of us have come to accept as normal.

Better Mental Clarity

One of the biggest benefits I noticed was feeling more focused and mentally sharp.

As a business owner, wife, mother, and now grandmother, I have a lot of moving parts in my life.

Having clear, steady focus is something I deeply value.

Improved Recovery

Whether it’s exercise, travel, busy workdays, or simply the demands of everyday life, I feel like my body bounces back more efficiently when I’m supporting my cellular health.

Greater Vitality

This is the hardest benefit to describe, but perhaps the most meaningful.

I simply feel more like myself.

More vibrant.

More resilient.

More capable of showing up fully in my life.

Aging Gracefully Starts at the Cellular Level

At Love + Be Well, we talk often about nourishing the body from within.

Healthy skin starts from within.

Healthy aging starts from within.

Energy starts from within.

NAD+ reminded me that true wellness isn’t only about what we see in the mirror.

It’s about what’s happening inside our cells every single day.

The choices we make today influence how we feel tomorrow.

And while there’s no magic pill for aging, there are ways to support our bodies as they move through the natural aging process.

My Philosophy on Longevity

Longevity isn’t about living forever.

It’s about maintaining quality of life.

It’s having the energy to play with your grandchildren.

It’s feeling strong enough to enjoy a morning walk.

It’s having the mental clarity to pursue your passions.

It’s waking up excited for the day ahead.

For me, NAD+ has become one of the tools that helps support that vision.

Not because I’m trying to turn back the clock.

But because I want to feel my best as I move forward.

The Bottom Line

At 54, I’m more interested in vitality than vanity.

I’m interested in supporting my body, honoring the wisdom that comes with age, and investing in the habits that help me feel strong, energized, and well.

NAD+ has become an important part of that journey.

Alongside nourishing food, restorative sleep, movement, sunshine, stress management, and clean living, it has earned a permanent place in my wellness routine.

Because aging gracefully isn’t about becoming younger.

It’s about becoming your healthiest, most vibrant self at every age.

And for me, NAD+ has been one more step in that direction.

 

You can find the exact NAD+ I use daily in our Lifestyle Edit section.

 

Love + Be Well,

by Natalie

 

 

How Safe, Consistent Sun Exposure Supports Healthy Skin, Better Sleep, Hormone Balance & Graceful Aging.

For years, we’ve been taught to fear the sun.

While excessive sun exposure can absolutely damage the skin, the conversation around sunlight has become surprisingly one-sided. Like most things in nature, the sun isn’t simply “good” or “bad.” It’s a powerful biological signal that our bodies have evolved alongside for thousands of years.

When approached mindfully, sunlight supports healthy skin, balanced hormones, circadian rhythm, mood, metabolism, eye health, and overall vitality.

The goal isn’t to burn.

The goal is to gradually build what many wellness practitioners refer to as a solar callus—your body’s natural adaptation to sunlight that allows you to enjoy its benefits more safely and comfortably throughout the year.

What Is a Solar Callus?

A solar callus isn’t a literal callus. It’s a term used to describe the skin’s natural ability to adapt to increasing amounts of sunlight over time.

Just as your muscles become stronger with progressive training, your skin develops greater resilience through gradual, consistent sun exposure.

As spring transitions into summer, regular exposure to natural sunlight encourages:

• Increased melanin production
• Thickening of the outer protective layers of the skin
• Enhanced antioxidant activity
• Improved vitamin D production
• Better tolerance to UV exposure

This gradual adaptation is very different from spending months indoors and then suddenly exposing your skin to intense midday sun for hours.

Nature thrives on consistency.

Our bodies do too.

Why Morning Sun Matters

The first rays of sunlight after sunrise provide one of the most powerful signals for your internal clock.

Morning light enters the eyes and communicates directly with the brain’s master circadian clock, helping regulate:

• Sleep quality
• Cortisol rhythm
• Hormone production
• Mood
• Energy levels
• Metabolism

Morning sunlight contains a higher proportion of red and near-infrared light and lower levels of ultraviolet radiation.

These wavelengths are believed to support cellular energy production within the mitochondria—the tiny powerhouses inside our cells.

Even 5–15 minutes outdoors shortly after waking can help anchor your circadian rhythm and improve sleep later that evening.

No sunglasses.

No window glass.

Just your eyes receiving natural daylight as nature intended.

Sunlight & Graceful Aging

When we think about aging well, most of us immediately think about skincare products, collagen supplements, or treatments.

But one of the most powerful influences on how we age is something far more fundamental: light.

Our bodies use natural sunlight as information.

Morning sunlight helps regulate the hormones that influence sleep, stress resilience, metabolism, and cellular repair. These systems all play a role in how we feel, how we recover, and even how our skin ages over time.

Early morning sunlight is rich in red and near-infrared wavelengths, which have been studied for their ability to support mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are the tiny energy-producing structures inside every cell, including skin cells.

Healthy mitochondria mean healthier, more vibrant cells.

And healthier cells are the foundation of radiant skin at every age.

Graceful aging isn’t about avoiding every wrinkle.

It’s about supporting the body’s natural ability to repair, renew, and thrive.

The Mid-Morning Sweet Spot

As the sun rises higher in the sky, UV levels begin to increase.

This is often one of the most beneficial times to begin building your solar callus because UV exposure is present but generally less intense than during peak afternoon hours.

Depending on your skin type and location, brief exposures may help:

• Support vitamin D production
• Stimulate natural melanin production
• Enhance mood and energy
• Strengthen the skin’s adaptive response

The key is stopping before your skin becomes pink or irritated.

Sun exposure should feel nourishing—not stressful.

Midday Sun: Respect, Don’t Fear It

Midday sunlight is when UVB rays are strongest.

These are the wavelengths primarily responsible for vitamin D production.

This doesn’t mean everyone should spend long periods in direct midday sun. It means learning to work with your body’s signals.

A few minutes may be enough for very fair skin.

Darker skin tones may require more time.

The goal is always the same:

Receive the benefits without crossing the line into inflammation or burning.

When exposure extends beyond your skin’s comfortable limit, seek shade, wear protective clothing, or apply mineral sun protection.

Building a solar callus is never about “pushing through.”

It’s about honoring your individual capacity.

The Hidden Benefits of Sunlight for the Eyes

Many people are surprised to learn that healthy sun exposure isn’t just about the skin.

Our eyes are designed to receive natural light.

Specialized cells in the retina measure brightness and communicate with the brain, influencing:

• Circadian rhythm
• Hormone production
• Sleep quality
• Mood regulation
• Seasonal adaptation

Research has also shown that spending time outdoors may support healthy visual development and may help reduce the risk of certain vision issues in children.

Natural daylight provides a richness and intensity that artificial indoor lighting simply cannot replicate.

Of course, this does not mean staring directly at the sun.

Instead, it means allowing your eyes to experience natural outdoor light throughout the day.

Supporting Your Skin From Within

One of the most overlooked aspects of sun resilience is nutrition.

Healthy skin is built from the inside out.

Nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants can help support the body’s natural defenses against oxidative stress from UV exposure.

Some of our favorite glow foods include:

• Colorful berries
• Wild salmon
• Pasture-raised eggs
• Leafy greens
• Citrus fruits
• Tomatoes
• Fresh herbs
• Fermented foods rich in probiotics

Hydration also plays an important role in maintaining healthy, resilient skin throughout the summer months.

Healthy Skin Was Never Meant to Live in Fear

For many women, decades of beauty messaging have created an exhausting relationship with the sun.

We are told to avoid it, cover from it, hide from it, and fear every moment spent outdoors.

Yet some of our happiest memories involve sunshine—morning walks, beach vacations, gardening, hiking, and time spent with family.

The goal isn’t reckless exposure.

The goal is balance.

Healthy aging comes from understanding that our skin is intelligent. It was designed with natural protective mechanisms and remarkable adaptability.

When we nourish our bodies, support our skin barrier, stay hydrated, and gradually build sun tolerance, we create resilience rather than fear.

Because true beauty isn’t found in avoiding life.

It’s found in fully living it.

Aging Well Under the Sun

At Love + Be Well, we believe aging gracefully isn’t about chasing youth.

It’s about cultivating vitality.

It’s waking up energized. Sleeping deeply. Feeling strong in your body. Nourishing your skin from the inside out. Spending time in nature. Gathering around the table with the people you love.

Sunlight has always been part of that story.

When approached with mindfulness and respect, daily sun exposure can support healthy skin, balanced hormones, better sleep, improved mood, and the cellular energy that helps us thrive as we age.

So step outside.

Watch the sunrise.

Feel the warmth on your skin.

Let nature remind you that wellness was never meant to be complicated.

Sometimes the most powerful tools for graceful aging have been shining above us all along.

 

At Love + Be Well, we believe wellness is often found in returning to the simple rhythms nature has always provided—real food, clean living, movement, rest, and mindful time in the sun.

 

Love + Be Well, by Natalie

A Glow Food Side Dish for Backyard Gatherings

There is something about summer meals shared outdoors that feels different. The pace slows. The conversations linger. The table fills with simple dishes made from ingredients that are at their peak.

This White Bean & Grilled Corn Summer Salad is one of those recipes I find myself returning to all season long. It comes together quickly, can be made ahead, and pairs beautifully with everything from grass-fed hamburgers to grilled vegetables and fresh watermelon.

Most importantly, it is filled with what I like to call glow foods—whole, nutrient-dense ingredients that nourish from the inside out. Creamy white beans provide plant protein and fiber to support digestion and balanced blood sugar. Sweet summer corn offers antioxidants and natural sweetness, while fresh herbs, avocado, and extra virgin olive oil bring healthy fats and phytonutrients that help support radiant skin and overall wellness.

It’s the kind of dish that feels both comforting and fresh, proving that healthy food never has to be complicated.

Ingredients

• 2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 ears fresh corn, grilled and kernels removed
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, sliced

Lemon-Lime Dressing

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste

Directions

1. Grill the corn until lightly charred and allow it to cool.
2. Combine the beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and basil in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
4. Pour over the salad and gently toss.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to come together.

Serves 6–8 as a side dish.

Easy Swaps

This recipe is wonderfully forgiving and easy to adapt with what you have on hand.

• No cannellini beans? Use Great Northern or butter beans.
• Add crumbled feta or goat cheese for extra richness.
• Swap basil for fresh dill or cilantro.
• Add diced cucumber for extra crunch.
• Stir in arugula just before serving.
• For additional protein, add grilled chicken or wild-caught salmon.

Why It’s Glow Food

At Love + Be Well, we believe beauty begins with nourishment.

White beans are rich in fiber and plant-based protein, helping support digestion, steady energy, and a healthy gut microbiome. Extra virgin olive oil provides beneficial polyphenols that help combat oxidative stress, while colorful vegetables and herbs contribute antioxidants that support healthy aging and glowing skin.

This simple salad delivers nourishment without feeling heavy—exactly the way summer eating should feel.

Here’s to cool evenings, full tables, and food that loves you back.

 

Gather, nourish, glow.

 

Love + Eat Well,

Natalie

A simple way to turn garden vegetables into something everyone reaches for.

There are certain recipes that start as a way to use what’s in the refrigerator and quickly become favorites. These zucchini fritters were one of those happy surprises.

Made with fresh zucchini, shredded cabbage, eggs, almond flour, and a handful of pantry spices, they’re crispy around the edges, tender in the center, and packed with flavor. We love serving them warm with a dollop of lemony Greek yogurt and fresh basil from the garden.

They’re simple enough for a weekday lunch, beautiful enough for brunch with friends, and nourishing enough to make you feel good long after the meal is over.

Ingredients

For the Fritters

• 2 medium zucchini, shredded
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup almond flour
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Cooking

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon grass-fed butter

Lemon Basil Yogurt

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Fresh basil, thinly sliced
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. Place shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
2. In a large bowl, combine zucchini, cabbage, eggs, almond flour, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, sea salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until fully combined.
4. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Scoop about ¼ cup of mixture for each fritter and gently flatten in the pan.
6. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
7. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate while finishing the remaining fritters.
8. In a small bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, basil, and a pinch of sea salt.
9. Serve warm with the lemon basil yogurt spooned over the top or alongside for dipping.

Why It’s Glow Food

These fritters are packed with ingredients that nourish from the inside out.

Zucchini and cabbage provide fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that support digestion and overall wellness. Eggs contribute high-quality protein, while almond flour offers healthy fats and nutrients that help keep blood sugar balanced. Greek yogurt adds additional protein and beneficial probiotics, supporting a healthy gut—one of our favorite foundations for vibrant skin and wellness.

Fresh basil and lemon brighten the dish while providing antioxidants and fresh flavor that makes healthy eating feel anything but boring.

Easy Swaps

Add More Protein

• Stir in crumbled feta.
• Top with smoked salmon.
• Serve alongside grilled chicken.

Make Them Dairy-Free

• Use avocado oil instead of butter.
• Serve with a dairy-free yogurt alternative.

Boost the Veggies

• Add shredded carrots.
• Mix in chopped spinach.
• Add finely diced scallions.

Herb Variations

• Fresh dill
• Chives
• Parsley
• Mint

For Extra Crunch

• Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds before serving.

These are best enjoyed warm, preferably outdoors on a sunny afternoon with people you love around the table.

 

Love + Eat Well,

by natalie

 

A fresh, crunchy cucumber salad from Natalie’s kitchen — layered with cooling cucumbers, creamy avocado, herbs, and bright lemon for the kind of simple summer meal that makes you feel instantly refreshed.

This recipe came together on one of those warmer evenings when we wanted something light but still satisfying.

And honestly…those are usually my favorite kinds of meals.

Simple ingredients.
Big flavor.
Very little effort.

The crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, fresh herbs, and lemony dressing all come together in the prettiest way. It feels nourishing without being heavy and somehow tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a little while.

I especially love making this ahead because it’s the kind of recipe that makes healthy eating feel easy.

And anything served in a chilled bowl on a summer afternoon just feels extra good somehow.

Why We Love It

Cucumbers

Hydrating, refreshing, and full of skin-loving water content that helps support that fresh summer glow.

Avocado

Adds healthy fats and creaminess that make this salad feel satisfying and balanced.

Fresh Herbs

Bring brightness, flavor, and that fresh-from-the-garden feeling that makes simple meals feel special.

Make-Ahead Friendly

One of my favorite recipes to prep ahead for lunches, gatherings, or easy summer dinners.

Ingredients

2 large cucumbers, sliced
1 avocado, diced
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh dill and parsley
Juice of 1 lemon
Olive oil
Sea salt
Fresh cracked pepper

 

Optional additions:

feta cheese
chickpeas
grilled chicken
extra herbs

Directions

Slice cucumbers and place into a large bowl.

Add avocado, red onion, and fresh herbs.

Drizzle with olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

Season with sea salt and cracked pepper.

Toss gently until combined.

Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before serving if you have time.

Serve chilled.

 

Glow Note

I love recipes that feel fresh, simple, and beautiful without needing much effort.

The kind of food that leaves you feeling lighter, calmer, and well cared for.Especially in the middle of summer.

Love + Eat Well,
Natalie