Updates from Dana Ellison

Before Your Bake Another Holiday Dessert

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 20:35:00 -0500

🍁 The sweetest season of the year may be affecting more than your waistline.

Pumpkin bread, homemade pies, Christmas cookies, and those seasonal coffee drinks seem to find their way into our days almost without us noticing.

And while I love the memories these traditions bring, there's something about sugar that I wish more women understood, especially as we head into cold and flu season.

Our bodies have an amazing immune defense system, but the relationship between blood sugar and immunity is more complicated than most of us realize.

Then there's the whole conversation about artificial sweeteners. We've been told they're a better alternative, but the research raises some interesting questions about their use.

And those natural sweeteners we're using in our homemade recipes? There's something important to understand about them, too.

In this week's blog, we're taking a closer look at sugar, immune health, and what those familiar sweet ingredients may mean for our bodies.

From Pumpkin Spice to Food Guilt: What's Really Driving Your Fall Cravings?

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:14:55 -0500

That afternoon sugar craving may have very little to do with your willpower.

“I know what I should eat. I just can't seem to do it.”

Friend, if you've ever whispered those words to yourself, you're certainly not alone. You start the morning with the best intentions, but somewhere between breakfast and that afternoon slump, the pumpkin bread or leftover apple pie starts calling your name.

And before you know it, you're feeling frustrated with yourself again, wondering why something that seems so simple can feel so difficult.

But here's what I find fascinating. There's so much more happening behind those cravings than most women realize, especially as we move through midlife.

Your body has an intricate system of hormones and chemical messengers that influence your appetite, energy, and even the moments when something sweet seems irresistible.

And there's another part of this struggle we don't talk about nearly enough: the guilt that follows.

In this week's blog, we're uncovering the surprising connection between fall cravings, blood sugar, and the emotions surrounding food.

Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Turning Awareness into Health Stewardship

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 17:08:00 -0500

Many women assume the products on store shelves have already been thoroughly tested and proven safe for daily use.

Yet Scripture warns that a lack of knowledge can bring destruction, while faithfulness as stewards means learning to care wisely for the bodies God has given us. This October offers space to move past simple awareness and into thoughtful health stewardship that honors body, mind, and spirit.

This blog post shares insights into cancer and the five influences on the body’s terrain that Dr. Jimenez discusses in his book Hope for Cancer.

DISCLAIMER: This is for informational purposes only. Any opinions expressed are my own and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Seek help from a qualified medical professional.

Rethinking Sick Care: Supporting Your Health Before You're Sick

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:50:00 -0500

Your body was designed to be active and supported in staying well, not to remain passive while waiting for illness to appear.

For years, my entire approach to wellness came down to searching through the medicine cabinet when sickness came on.

When women begin to break that cycle by exploring natural wellness, they often walk right into another trap: trading conventional clutter for an overwhelming mountain of natural remedies they barely understand.

True health stewardship looks entirely different.

God fearfully and wonderfully created your body with intricate systems that are already working around the clock to protect and maintain you.

Caring for that design is not about running on fear or panic-buying the latest viral bottle. It is about steady, proactive wisdom long before anyone in the house feels run down.

When you stop reacting to illness and start honoring how your body was actually made, the overwhelm finally lifts.

Strong for the Season Ahead: Making Muscle a Midlife Priority

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:15:00 -0500

The scale has been the wrong focus. For years, I thought about my health in terms of weighing less. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it will take to stay active in the years ahead. I want to carry the groceries, get up from the floor, keep up with the people I love, and serve wherever God calls me. I’m realizing that strength matters to all of that.

Conquering Your Emotional Food Cravings Before They Conquer You

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:19:00 -0500

Your cravings aren’t always about the food.

So many busy Christian homemakers carry stress, fatigue, and emotional weight quietly, and sometimes it shows up in the pantry instead of in prayer. In this blog post, I’m sharing about emotional cravings and what may really be happening beneath the surface.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated with yourself for reaching for food when your body wasn’t truly hungry, this message will encourage you. There is a deeper reason those cravings can feel so strong, and understanding that can bring so much more peace to your health stewardship.

This post speaks straight to the woman who wants to be a good steward of her body without guilt, shame, or harsh rules. With a biblical perspective and simple encouragement, I’m wrapping up this important conversation in a way that helps you see your cravings differently.

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalm 107:9

If you’re curious to better understand what your body and heart may be asking for, read the full post today.

Fall Reset: Making Room for What Matters Most

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:32:00 -0500

As the first crisp fall breeze arrives, do you feel the urge to restore order to your home calendar and habits?

Many Christian homemakers sense the weight of accumulated clutter not just in closets but in overfilled schedules and complicated health routines that leave them exhausted.

Scripture reminds us to let all things be done decently and in order. What if this season reminds you to cast away what no longer serves your health stewardship?

Enjoy this week’s blog post as we continue falling into routines.

Why Getting Back to Routine Can Restore Midlife Energy

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:15:00 -0500

There’s something about September that pulls us back toward routine after the joyful chaos of summer.

Yet many of us midlife homemakers notice the fatigue, restless nights, and afternoon slumps that follow. Could it be your body is simply craving the order God designed into creation?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a season for everything. What if September invites you to steward your health by returning to calm, consistent routines rather than continuing in the chaos?

This week’s blog is all about falling back into the routines our body craves.

If Your Health Was a Bank Account: What' Your Balance?

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 14:32:00 -0500

What if your body has been sending you an “insufficient funds” notice and you didn’t recognize it?

Throughout our lives, we’re constantly making deposits and withdrawals from our health. For a while, we may hardly notice the difference. We keep going, serving, caring for everyone else, and assuming our bodies will simply keep up.

Until one day…they don’t.

Fatigue creeps in. Sleep changes. The weight won't budge. Brain fog, cravings, digestive issues, aches, or that simple feeling of “I just don’t feel like myself anymore” start getting our attention.

Maybe the question isn’t simply, “What’s wrong with me?”

Maybe a better question is:

“What’s the balance in my health account?”

And just like your bank account, sometimes you need more than a guess to know where you stand.

Radiance Restored: Natural Solutions for a Brighter, Even Complexion

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Have you recently noticed subtle changes, like new dark spots or uneven skin tone in your reflection in the mirror? As busy homemakers pouring our energy into family and ministry, it is so easy to let our own well-being slip to the bottom of the to-do list.

You might feel like those lingering marks are just an inevitable part of aging or the result of exhaustion. But what if your skin is simply asking for a different kind of support?

Caring for your complexion is not about vanity; it is a vital piece of your health stewardship. I just published a new post exploring the fascinating connection between what happens deep inside our bodies and what shows up on our skin.

We dive into how to view skincare through a biblical lens and honor the beautiful bodies we have been given.

Read the full post on the blog today to learn how to naturally encourage a brighter, more radiant complexion!