Howdy Ho Reader!

Watch out, Mama's on a health kick.

You know that means everyone will be eating kale and turmeric this week! LOL!

Well, you see, I’ve been taking in a little extra education lately, and I came away feeling both inspired and recommitted.

It’s easy to forget, in the middle of busy days and tight budgets, that food isn’t just one more thing on the to-do list.

It’s the Foundation. Of. Everything.

It affects how we feel, how we think, how we function and ultimately, how we live (or don't).

We hear a lot of big ideas about health and nutrition, and obviously they’re important but they can also feel overwhelming.

Expensive. Time-consuming. Out of reach for real life.

This is why it's important to know committing to healthy, nourishing food doesn’t have to mean perfection.

It doesn’t require a complete pantry makeover or a second job to afford it. It can be as simple as a thoughtful grocery list, a few good ingredients, and a plan that works with your life instead of against it.

A pot of soup on the stove.
A meal that uses veggies or whole grains to stretch a little further.
A system that makes the next right choice easier.

That’s how change actually happens.

Not in grand gestures, but in small, steady decisions we make every day.

I’ll keep saying it, because it matters: taking care of ourselves and our loved ones starts in the kitchen. And it’s something we can do, beautifully, thoughtfully, and yes, even frugally.

One meal at a time.

Have you heard of this?

I want to share something this week that I think is genuinely worth your time.

It’s called the Food Revolution Summit, and this weekend you can get free access to the 8 powerful episodes, featuring 40+ of the world's top health and food experts.

I’ve been watching as many episodes as possible, and I’m honestly impressed. Again! This is my third year enjoying this summit.

This isn’t recycled “eat your vegetables” advice. It’s thoughtful, up-to-date information from dozens of experts talking about real ways to support your health. Your brain, your heart, your energy, all of it.

You don’t have to watch everything (who has that kind of time?), but I’d encourage you to pick just one session and watch/listen while you’re walking, folding laundry or making dinner.

If you go to the link below and look at the purple menu bar at the top, you'll see "Episodes" click there and that will let you see all the sessions. Watch anything you want, any time between now and Sunday night.

Click here to find Food Revolution Summit

I especially recommend Episode 2 about beating inflammation and autoimmunity, and Episode 7 about gut health, microbiome, immunity and mood. Really, really important information to have.

There are also recipes and cooking demos.

Sometimes one good idea is all it takes to change the way you take care of yourself.

And that’s time very well spent.

Quick behind-the-scenes update from Divaville…

We had the tiniest hiccup finishing up Frozen Assets.

And by “hiccup,” I mean I took a rather dramatic tumble in the garden and introduced my temple to a raised bed. The raised bed won. I’m currently sporting a goose egg and a black eye that suggests I’ve been in a bar fight (I assure you, I have not, or Jason would have video).

So… we’re pausing the final “talking head” filming until I look a little less like a cautionary tale.

But oh, my goodness. It’s so close. And I am so excited for you to see this.

If you’ve ever thought your freezer was just a place to stash leftovers and forgotten bags of peas, you are in for a delightful surprise.

This course is about turning your freezer into a full-blown strategy, one that saves you time, money, and a whole lot of dinner stress.

We’ll be back on set as soon as I look presentable again. Stay tuned… this one’s worth the wait.

When "Buy One Get One Free”

Isn’t Really Free!

And this is exactly why I teach what I teach.

Because once you start paying attention to how food and money intersect, you begin to see the patterns, and not all of them are in your favor. Very few, honestly.

There’s a major lawsuit right now involving Albertsons Companies and the Washington State Attorney General's Office over deceptive “buy one, get one free” promotions. In plain English? Some of those “deals” may not have been deals at all.

This is the kind of thing we dig into in my Savvy Shopper workshops—how grocery stores market to us, where the traps are, and how to shop with confidence instead of confusion.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a sale is really saving you money, you’ll want to read this. I break it all down right here:

When “Buy One Get One Free” Isn’t Really Free: The BOGO Truth Every Shopper Needs The Truth About “Free”

There’s a lot happening in the world right now.

Every time I think, “Surely that’s enough for one week,” the world says, “Hold my beer.” There’s always something new and trying to keep up with all of it can feel like a full-time job. The worst full-time job ever!

You may have noticed there’s a wave of May Day protests happening today. People choosing to step away from work, school, and even spending for the day as a way to make their voices heard by being absent.

It’s happening all over the country, with thousands participating in what’s being called an “economic blackout.”

I’ll be honest, I considered staying quiet today in solidarity.

But then I thought about it a little more.

Because in my world, choosing how and where we spend our money, being highly intentional, and knowing that we "vote" with every dollar we spend, that is a form of participation. It always has been.

Every grocery trip, every dollar spent (or not spent), every choice we make, and it all adds up. It’s our daily vote for the kind of world we want to live in.

So, I decided to show up today and keep doing what I do: helping all of us spend wisely, waste less, and take care of our homes in a way that feels grounded and intentional.

NEW! on the website!

I have managed to get some new posts on the website since I had my video shooting schedule suddenly open up.

Why Beef Prices Are So High And Smart Ways to Work Around It I can explain it!

Beef, Beans, or TVP? The Ultimate Budget Battle for Your Dinner Table budget meal planning showdown

Crock-Pot Balsamic Glazed Pork Roast Pork to the rescue! This recipe is divine! (If I do say so myself) Set It and Forget It!

Homemade Pizza Dough A one-bowl wonder. No mixer. No drama. Just great crust. Quick & Easy

Okay, one more!

How to Save Money on Salads Easy, Healthy, and Budget-Friendly Ideas If we must.

Your Mission This Week:

Eat the Rainbow. Simply.

You knew this was coming, LOL!

This week, we’re not overhauling your diet, or counting anything.

We’re just adding a little color.

Each day, look at your plate and ask: What’s one more color I can add?

A handful of berries with breakfast.
Sliced cucumbers next to your sandwich.
A few carrots tossed into your soup.
A sprinkle of herbs over dinner.

That’s it.

No complicated recipes. No extra stress. Just one small, thoughtful addition.

Because those colors? They’re not just pretty. They’re your body’s little allies bringing in nutrients, variety, and balance without you having to think too hard about it.

And something lovely happens when you start doing this.

Your meals feel more complete.
Your plate looks more inviting.
And you begin to nourish yourself in a way that just feels… easy.

Not perfect. Just better.

And little bits of better, my dear, add up.

That’s it and that's all for today.

So, wherever you are today, whether you’re paying attention to the world, or taking a little break from it, I hope you’ll come back to the small things that steady you.

A simple meal. A well-stocked pantry. A plate with a little more color than yesterday.

These aren’t small things, really. They’re the foundations of a life that feels cared for.

Until next time,

Onward and awkward!
​Diva Patti D.

Grace Notes:

• Slice a lemon and take in the scent before you use it. Bright, clean, almost like a reset button for your senses.
• Open your spice cabinet and inhale something warm like cinnamon, cumin, oregano. Little jars, big personality.
• Listen for the ordinary sounds of your home: a kettle heating, a door closing, the hum of the fridge. Quiet proof that life is moving along, steady as ever.
• Add something unnecessary but delightful to a meal, a sprinkle of herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, a cloth napkin instead of paper. Just because.

Tiny moments. Fully yours.

See you next week! xx