Exciting news — Beautycounter is finally back... as Counter! Still rooted in the same mission to deliver high-performing, safer skincare and makeup, the brand has relaunched under its original founder, Gregg Renfrew, with a fresh new approach.
I’ve trusted these products not just because Counter continues to lead the industry with one of the strictest “Never Lists,” banning over 2,800 questionable ingredients to prioritize your health and safety, but because I have super sensitive skin and their products are not only gentle, but they actually work — improving texture, tone, and overall radiance. Many clean brands don’t really do anything for me (regarding age reversal) or cause my skin to be worse (one natural oil cleanser caused Tony asthma just being near him - can you imagine how children and pets may react?!). I personally went through some growing pains trying to find replacements for products that I ran out of. Thankfully they are back!
While the relaunch is a soft opening - the current product lineup isn’t quite as expansive as before (more is coming), many customer favorites are back — including several of mine, like Countertime, Countersun, and the Skin Dew Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20.
I’d love to reconnect, answer any questions, and help you explore what’s new and what’s still your favorite. Questions? Need guidance? You can book a complementary call with me or just send me a message. Links in Bio!
FYI: There is a slight change to the skincare line, what was Countermatch, which was a favorite of many of my clients, got an upgrade, it’s now Counterglow. I’m happy to share more if you are interested.
@arcteryxportland Trail Fest 2025! @tsbrakebush and I ran the 20k (hiked up some steep parts and stopped for a few tree hugs). Great course and fantastic company! Many thanks to our friends, Angela and @adina_bean who volunteered and our friend, @laura.coleman27 who showed up to send us off to the start line (making sure we did our warm ups 😉)!
Everyone was so helpful and gracious from bib, pickup, course directions/cheering, aid station gummy bears and other goodies, to the end with great food and delicious @athleticbrewing non alcoholic beer!
Lastly, thanks to our magnificent Forest Park and all those involved in keeping it beautiful and accessible.
Definitely signing up next year! 🙌👏❤️🙏
Just leaving a dine & learn meeting with my good friend, Karen Willoughby @thrivenutrition_coaching, @microbiomelabs Oregon Account Manager & Practice Development Consultant, along with Kevin, Regional Manager. Met with a group of amazing practitioners. I love learning the latest science about the gut microbiome and how it relates to whole body health. I am also so excited about this new Digest Mate Digestive Enzyme & Probiotic Blend for Broad Spectrum Digestive Support! Also super impressed by the newly updated version of Serene Skin!
From this literature pictured here from Microbiome Labs::
“What Are the Benefits of DigestMate™?
• 2-in-1 (digestive enzyme and probiotic) blend for digestive and gut health**
• 14 digestive enzymes team up to boost digestion and fully break down food**
• Probiotic spores and yeast enhance gut diversity and fortify the gut barrier**
• Maintains normal immune and inflammatory responses**
• Healthy inflammatory responses may enhance digestive comfort**”
- Broad spectrum, acid-stable enzymes for complete food breakdown.**
-Powerful synergy of digestive enzymes & probiotics.
-Probiotic spores & yeast blend supports gut microbial balance for optimal nutrient absorption.**”
What Are the Benefits of SereneSkin™?
• Gut-Skin Axis support for healthy, clear skin**
• Double health benefits work from the inside out**
• Promotes hydration & moisture retention for plump, radiant skin**
• Supports firmer, more youthful-looking skin**
• Fortifies skin barrier health & structure for a luminous glow**
• Promotes elasticity & resilience for smooth, supple skin**
• Provides antioxidant skin support for UV stressors**
• Eases non-cystic acne severity & lesion count, aids clarity**
• Regulates transepithelial water loss (TEWL)**
• Helps address oily skin by reducing sebum production**
• Supports gut microbial diversity & richness**
“Healthy Gut Promotes Healthy Skin”
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
My special interest is gut health and it is foundational to my work given that it is foundational to health.
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
“Look!” and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
by Mary Oliver
📹: Video by me. My dad and I saved milkweed with a chrysalis along the road which was about the be mowed down by ODOT. I spend weeks immersed in my parents wonderful wonderland in Virginia, in awe and wonder of all the magnificence and this was an extra special moment. Enjoy.
#maryoliver
Happy Father’s Day to all the awesome dads out there and sending love to all those who find this day challenging for whatever reason.
I never take for granted how blessed I am to have such an incredible dad! Loving, hardworking, extremely generous and caring, super smart and such a goofball at times too. I love my dad SO much! ❤️
Beautiful Forest run with Tony and the pups this morning, despite a rough tumble! Ouch! Also see the dirt on my face, lol. Oh well.
One really needs focus while running here as there are lots of roots, rocks, and cute giant Banana Slugs to negotiate. I fell 3 times last year while trying to run fast here. I decided to not run too fast on the trail anymore since I finally ended up with a stress fracture that took me out of the Boston Marathon 😕.
This time I was turning my head to say something to a nice woman I was passing, dropping my guard, I fell hard on my left knee and right elbow.
Tony had turned around already so he wasn’t around but the kind woman and every passerby asked if I was okay as I nursed my wounds.
I’m totally fine. I squirt some water on the injuries and thankfully had a small cloth to clean them up a bit. I tried moving my phototherapy patches to the injuries but my body was too sweaty for them to stick. That said, I let them sit there a bit and then went in my way. The wounds aren’t even noticeable now, besides the abrasions.
I’m incredibly grateful that I have a strong resilient body. Not because of good genes, but because I am committed to ensuring I do what I can to respect and honor the gift God gave me by taking care of myself.
There was a time I didn’t do that and things went south. It’s never too late to take even baby steps towards doing what you need to do to truly take care of you. It starts with you believing that you are truly worthy.
I included a photo to show you an example of the terrain of the trail. No Banana Slug shots though. Maybe I’ll get some next time. They are always there!
Joint pain isn’t something to smile about, but the fact that you can do something about it is! I’ve helped hundreds of clients reduce or eliminate joint pain since 2013, and I’ve been there myself. In my mid 40s, I felt “old and creaky” with foot pain and orthotics. What I didn’t know? Your gut microbiome impacts everything—joints, mood, focus, and more. At 62, I’m running marathons, doing intense training programs and lifting weights without pain. While injuries happen to all of us, I recover quickly.
A client recently had an “aha” moment when we connected her bloating and joint pain to her diet. An imbalanced gut can cause systemic inflammation, leading to chronic issues. Stress, toxins, medications, certain non-food additives, foods exposed to pesticides, pathogen exposure from foreign travel or even swimming in a polluted water can disrupt your gut. Over time, these build up, and one last “straw” can tip the scale.
It’s easy to blame aging or pop a pain reliever, but those quick fixes take a toll. You’ve tackled hard things before—why not this? Take charge of your health to feel vibrant again. I became a Nutritional Therapist after fixing my own health, and I’m passionate about helping others do the same.
You’d go to the ends of the earth for your loved ones. Do it for you.
Contact me for a complementary 20-minute session. Let’s point you in the right direction!
#GutHealth #JointPainRelief #HealthyAging
In my work as a Functional Nutritional Therapy practitioner, I had the incredible blessing of being mentored by @juliematthewsnourishinghope to help me with the most precious and meaningful case of my career. If I helped no other person in my work, I would be satisfied that I fulfilled my purpose with just this one.
This super special boy was severely autistic, outwardly unhappy, crying all the time, no eye contact, only spoke one word (not sentences), was never still and had explosive, smelly yellow poop and gas throughout the day. The family was incredibly committed to help their son. It was hard work. Our work together resulted in a much better qualify of life for him and his loving parents. He became calm, happy, started engaging in conversations, and even telling jokes. His stools became perfect. He is still autistic (now considered mildly autistic), BUT HIS HEALTH & WELLBEING IS SO MUCH BETTER. I still keep in touch with the family and not so long ago received a surprise bouquet of flowers from them with many thanks as their son continues to thrive beautifully.
Many of the strategies we used to help this precious boy are also laid out in this incredible book, The Personalized Autism Nutrition Plan | Nourishing Hope for Kids with ASD, ADHD, Anxiety, and Neurodevelopment Delays. What a powerful tool for parents (and fellow practitioners)!
Congratulations on your new book, Julie Matthews! I’m so grateful for your work and your guidance. The Bioindividual Nutrition Institute continuing education programs have empowered me to help others in a very meaningful and impactful way. ❤️🙏
Thirty-five years ago today, my husband and I chose the beautiful and powerful passage from 1 Corinthians 13 to be part of our wedding ceremony —“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
While we haven’t always lived up to those words perfectly. We’ve learned that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about patience, forgiveness, and a willingness to keep growing together.
Our relationship has been an ever evolving journey of learning how to listen, understand, and support each other even when it’s hard.
I’m grateful that Tony puts up with my endless list of unconventional interests and endeavors, has patience for my stubbornness, and most of all, keeps me laughing and feeling loved and adored. He is a truly a wonderful husband and even more remarkable father and all around incredible human. I’m feeling quite blessed.
Cheers to 35 years! 🥂
P.S. Tony’s not on social media and will not be excited that I posted a photo of with him in it but he’ll forgive me. How could I not celebrate this milestone?! 😉🙏
What a beautiful day - starting and finishing with awesome friends after a very heavy week last week.
First I met up with my dear friend and soul sister, @skbsandybarnes. When I’m with her, I feel like I’m snuggled in a warm, cozy blanket.
Tonight, 3 of us from our track group pivoted from running after earlier tough workouts. Rather than not showing up, we met at the track and walked around the beautiful neighborhood together, bathing in nature, friendship and great conversation.
I’m so grateful. 🥰🙏❤️
Back at the track for the first time after the last marathon and feeling great, especially with these beautiful, strong souls. I love speed workouts but that was not always the case. When I first started them 6 years ago, I’d drive to track with a bit of fear and dread. Maybe even a little anxiety. Sometimes I’d literally have an upset stomach! It was hard and I was NOT confident. Consistently showing up got me stronger and more confident. If I can do it, you can. If you want to, anyway. Lots of people tell me that they have minus zero interest in running, lol. It’s okay. There’s plenty of other options to get out and move with friends! You never know what you might end of loving. One step at a time is all you need to get started!