BFCM for Your Health: The Functional-Medicine Guide to Buying (and Not Buying)

Nov 17

Let’s talk about the sales you’ll actually use.

Big brands are gearing up to give you the best deals of the year… but are they really worth it?

Before you add that “wellness” gadget to your cart, remember this wise advice (shoutout to my grandma!):

“If you wouldn’t pay full price for it, it’s not really a deal.”

That’s the perfect mindset heading into Black Friday / Cyber Monday (BFCM)—especially if you’re trying to shop smart for your health instead of your dopamine.

As a functional-medicine practitioner, I look at BFCM through a different lens: Will this purchase move the needle for your biology?

Here’s a clinician-minded playbook to help you buy what actually matters… Whether you’re navigating Littleton’s dry winters and altitude, Sonoma’s coastal sun and fire season, or connecting with me online via telemedicine.

woman touching her head and holding a laptop

The Reality: Sales Don’t Change Biology

Deals are persuasive. Biology doesn’t care about price tags.

My job is to help you spend where your health will actually shift and not where marketing just gives you a momentary “I’m being healthy” high.

    Buy-This / Skip-That Guide
  
        BUY (High-ROI Health Wins)
      
          ✔
          AirDoctor (bedroom): filters wildfire smoke, allergens, and dust — especially key in Littleton and Sonoma.
        
          ✔
          Avocado Mattress: upgrade if yours is > 8 years old or if mornings feel achy. Sleep quality = hormone stability.
        
          ✔
          Primally Pure Mineral Sunscreen: safer SPF for daily use, especially at altitude. I keep mine in my bag year-round.
        
          ✔
          Oliveda Serum: antioxidant-rich, clean skincare — lives on my counter 24/7.
        
          ✔
          Pact Organic Sheets: chemical-free sleep environment (I love their linen set).
        
          ✔
          LEAF Shave: zero-waste metal razor — no plastic, no irritation.
        
          ✔
          Non-toxic cleaners: easy win for lowering your household chemical load.
        
        SKIP (Low-ROI Impulse Buys)
      
          ✖
          Trendy “detox” teas and single-ingredient “fat-burn” powders.
        
          ✖
          Flash-sale supplement bundles from unknown brands.
        
          ✖
          Luxury skincare loaded with fragrance and mystery chemicals.
        
          ✖
          Fancy wellness gadgets that you’ll forget about in a week.
        
          ✖
          Synthetic or overly marketed “luxury” home items that look festive now but turn into regret purchases later — classic shiny-object syndrome.

hands holding metal razor — **I love, use and** **recommend** **the Leaf Razors!**

How to Budget for BFCM Like a Functional-Medicine Pro

When you sit down with your holiday budget or gift cards, use this quick hierarchy:

1. Upgrade your environment first.
Your bedroom air, mattress, and bedding impact hormones, immunity, and recovery more than any supplement ever will.

2. Refill what’s already working.
Stock up on trusted products you use daily—sunscreen, skincare, and cleaners. Avoid experimental supplements or “miracle” detox kits.

3. Then add a small treat.
If you’ve handled the basics, go ahead and get that non-toxic candle or yoga mat that makes you smile. Joy is still medicine.

This is how we make sure BFCM spending actually builds health instead of cluttering it.

Tell Me Where You Live, and I’ll Tell You What Your Body Needs

I split my time between Littleton, Colorado, and Sonoma, California—two climates that couldn’t be more opposite. And yes, your geography absolutely shapes your biology.

What your body needs in dry, sunny Colorado isn’t the same as what it needs in the North Bay of California.

In Littleton:
Think high elevation, thin air, and wood-smoke winters. Prioritize air filtration (AirDoctor is my go-to) and consistent SPF, especially when hitting the slopes, especially when it’s snowing… that altitude sun and reflection is sneaky. Hydration and barrier-supporting skincare also go a long way here.

In Sonoma:
Between fire season and long stretches of sunshine, focus on air quality, clean skincare, and breathable bedding. Agricultural residues can sneak onto your skin and linens, so low-toxin swaps like Pact and Oliveda matter even more.

Everywhere (Telemedicine patients — that means you!):
I treat women across climates through telemedicine. Tell me your zip code and season—smoke, humidity, sun, or snow—and I’ll tailor supplement and detox recommendations to fit your local environment and lifestyle.

Clinician’s Take: How I Shop BFCM

I love a good deal, but I only chase what changes daily exposures, supports sleep, or has clinically consistent results in my patients (not the flashiest wellness trend).

This year, my personal cart looks like this:

Pact Sheets (because mine are on rotation 24/7)
Oliveda Serum (my skin’s happy place - click here to take the quiz to find out what your skin needs, because we’re all unique)
Primally Pure SPF (oh hey, there ski season)
AirDoctor filter replacements

And yes… a cozy, non-toxic candle, because balance.