Tara Maurer
Tara Maurer is a Des Moines-based writer with a decade-long commitment to plant-based living and eco-conscious choices. She has over 8 years of experience in the natural health industry, working at the nation’s third-oldest locally owned health food store. Tara lives a low-impact lifestyle—no car, no meat, no fast fashion—and loves sharing down-to-earth tips for sustainable living.
At Earth’s Friends, she writes about sustainable wellness, clean living, and plant-based health tips. Her approach blends science-backed wellness with real-world sustainability, no perfection required.
The Oil Confusion Ends Here: Which Cooking Oil, Skin Oil, Or Supplement Should You Actually Use?
Health
January 12, 2026
The Oil Confusion Ends Here: Which Cooking Oil, Skin Oil, Or Supplement Should You Actually Use?
From olive oil to avocado, coconut, and beyond, this in-depth guide breaks down how different oils work for cooking, skincare,…
6 Chia Recipes That Keep You Full, Regular & Weirdly Obsessed
Home & Garden
January 12, 2026
6 Chia Recipes That Keep You Full, Regular & Weirdly Obsessed
They swell up like frog eggs, look kinda weird, and somehow end up in everything from pudding to banana bread.…
Energy Vampires Are Everywhere (But Easy To Defeat): Tiny Habits That Cut Your Power Bill Fast
Climate & Planet
December 9, 2025
Energy Vampires Are Everywhere (But Easy To Defeat): Tiny Habits That Cut Your Power Bill Fast
Respect your mother! Mother Earth, that is! Earth Day is April 22. But you don’t need an excuse to save…
Stop Staring At The Ceiling: The Science Of Sleeping Better Naturally
Health
November 13, 2025
Stop Staring At The Ceiling: The Science Of Sleeping Better Naturally
Can't seem to catch your zzz's? Feel like you rarely get a good night's sleep? You're not alone. The National…
The Hidden Dangers Of Antibacterial Soap (And Why “Germ-Free” Isn’t Always Safer)
Health
November 4, 2025
The Hidden Dangers Of Antibacterial Soap (And Why “Germ-Free” Isn’t Always Safer)
Antibacterial soap once promised better protection against germs, but research and FDA rulings tell a different story. Learn how triclosan…
Homemade Almond Milk In 15 Minutes: Cheaper, Creamier, Cleaner
Health
October 18, 2025
Homemade Almond Milk In 15 Minutes: Cheaper, Creamier, Cleaner
So I have a lactose intolerance issue and have been drinking soy milk for close to 15 years in place…
Cast Iron: The Heavyweight Champion of the Kitchen — Benefits, Myths, and Care Tips
Home & Garden
October 8, 2025
Cast Iron: The Heavyweight Champion of the Kitchen — Benefits, Myths, and Care Tips
My mom gave me one of her cast iron pans, and I’ll admit, I’ve never used it. To be honest,…
6 Science-Backed Benefits of Green Tea (And How To Avoid Side Effects)
Home & Garden
October 2, 2025
6 Science-Backed Benefits of Green Tea (And How To Avoid Side Effects)
Green tea is made from a variety of sources, but originally the term “green tea” referred to the tea made…
10 Recently Extinct Animals — And Why Their Stories Still Matter
Animals
September 19, 2025
10 Recently Extinct Animals — And Why Their Stories Still Matter
Extinction isn’t just a story of the distant past — it’s happening in our lifetime. From Lonesome George, the last…
Raspberry Leaf Tea Benefits Every Woman Should Know: From Period Relief to Hormone Balance
Health
September 17, 2025
Raspberry Leaf Tea Benefits Every Woman Should Know: From Period Relief to Hormone Balance
Red raspberry leaf tea, not to be confused with raspberry tea, has long been used for women’s health. However, it…