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Pumpkin Coconut soup for cozy fall days

This is such an easy soup to throw together & is the perfect October mood.

You can make it with bone broth (my rec) or vegetarian with vegetable stock. Either way, it’s loaded with goodness. Pumpkin puree is loaded with antioxidants & polyphenols for healthy cells.

Benefits of bone broth: I usually just start with an organic rotesserie chicken & simmer it down in water for 3-4 hours, until the broth is thick & jiggly, then remove the bones. Bone broth is incredible for gut & skin health (collagen) & is what our bodies crave & need during these transition months to colder winter days.

I used my favorite new Le Creuset & it simplified the process & made it that much more enjoyable to see it simmering on the stove while we lit our first fire of the season & curled up with the kids.

Ingredients

*3-5 cups of bone broth or vegetable broth (depending on how thick you like your soups)

*2 cans organic pumpkin puree (15 oz)

*2 cups coconut milk (15 oz can)

*4 carrots, chopped

*3 large cloves garlic, pressed/crushed

*1 bell pepper, finely chopped

*1 jalepeno/spicy pepper

*1/3 c brown sugar

*1 medium white onion

*4-6 large sage leaves, finely chopped

*Salt & pepper to taste

*optional parsley for garnish

Directions

*Chop veggies & herbs & throw them into the pot on medium high for 5 minutes until soft

*Blend the puree & broth & brown sugar in a separate bowl, then pour into the pot with chopped veggies

*Slowly pour coconut milk in, while stirring

*Simmer for 30 min to 1 hour, garnish with parsley and serve with fresh bread

Bon Appetit!!!

xx

maddy

Summer Rhythms 2022

*This blog post is dedicated to my friend Mary Teller. Last summer we were poolside with our little ones, and just last week she lost her courageous fight against cancer. She is a beautiful reminder to me of living joyfully in the present moment, especially as a mom of littles. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, we only have today. Her life gives us a rich perspective to view our own as we design summers that are full of meaning & beautiful moments*

It’s that time of year that moms both love (all the free time & watching kids enjoy summer) & dread (how to keep them busy/out of trouble/slightly bored but not bored to death ;)).

As the summers have gone by & as my kids grow, I treasure these months in a special way. The gift of pure leisure & carefree time is so fleeting (as is childhood) & rather than wanting to rush through it, I want to savor it & remember with them just how special these moments are. I’m speaking as the mom of a 12 year old, aware that in 3 summers or so she will have a summer job, and be busier with other things. These are precious days of free time. On the other hand/flipside, we don’t want to get burned out & tired out from too much summer fun & activity…and toddlers (and moms) need our reset & recharge time. The extra messes & longer days can take their toll on all. It’s a fine balance to be found. Doing a mid-summer check-in and helping us all look at how our summers are going & how we can tweak things. I’d love to hear from all the mommas–how’s this summer going for you?

*Yes I’m aware that some are starting back to school this week & next–but that’s crazy! I mean, summer goes until Labor day in my book*

Here’s some musings on the summer as a mom (of 5), some things that work for us, and I hope it’s helpful for the mommas who are looking to refresh their mindset or routines, plan summer intentionally, activating their kids’ happiness & imagination while maximizing relaxation as well. This summer is the first one that feels “normal” in a few years, and we will certainly be leaning into all the opportunities for travel, weekend getaways, time with family etc as well as wonderfully slow paced days at home with little on the agenda.

Summer Rhythms re-imagined

I like to use the word rhythm rather than schedule, because I find that helps me keep it loose & feel more relaxed about it. We have a rough structure for how the days go when we are home (morning activity, lunch & quiet/rest & afternoon/evening playtime)….but it varies each week, and I love that in this season we plan our days according to our priorities, and I like to keep it pretty relaxed so we can continue to be spontaneous & plan things based on the weather, invites from friends, etc.

I will say it feels like I have a wider variety of kids interests–with pre-teen down to toddler, so some days, splitting up & getting people occupied with different activities just makes sense. But I also treasure things we get to do all together, so I try to weave both into each week.

Summer daily checklists

I instituted summer checklists because I like for them to know what’s expected of them & to not have to have too many discussions (arguments) about what they need to do & when. It’s listed clearly & generally in order so they know that in addition to tons of free time & play etc they are expected to do basic chores, reading, practicing piano & helping out in various ways. I see them take alot of pride in these, and the end of week rewards (for a fully completed checklist) can vary from a trip to get ice-cream, to a $ amount, depending on the age & what they are accomplishing. Try out different incentives & see what works.

Balancing busy/full weeks with slower weeks

While there’s plenty of pressure/appeal to rely on camps to keep kids busy, active & trying new things…I think that there’s alot to be said for having some real down time & more unscheduled time too. There’s so much research right now on the importance of unstructured play time/free time for kids. It’s also about fighting back on the pressure of a “do more” culture. Deep happiness is often found with less. I love the #chasingslow movement that I discovered 5 years ago when setting out to create intentional summers for my family. We’ve found over the past few years that some kids do need more camp/active time, and others need less. Even with carpools, etc, the camp pickups/drop offs can set us on a tighter schedule as well, so what I like to do is vary the camps. I usually try to have 1 kid in camp each week we’re home (not traveling) or every other week, but then also allow for periods of time/weeks without camps so we can do family outings like head to a blueberry patch or go on a hike or have friend time without the constraints of a camp routine. I find that just a little itch of boredom, some slower days can be just what they need to instigate them in a new creative direction, last summer they built an elaborate bush fort with friends out back & this summer I suspect we will be working on new projects & getting immersed in new wonderful activities, led by them.

I also love having a garden handy as an ever changing interest & hobby spot—they can do as much or as little with it as they want, since they are each fully responsible for their own veggie bed (from planning/planting to harvesting…and let me tell you, they are very proud of the fruits of their labor).

Here’s a bit more inspiration/context for how boredom & mental space can be a good thing for all of us—and how to cultivate it in a smart phone/distraction focused age.

Planning out summer: Bucket List

I obviously like to do this well in advance, but here’s my rough strategy so you can see how I mastermind it (& works for a mid summer revisit). I block in all the trips/travel first & weekend activities that I know about. I like to bookend longer trips to beginning & end & then leave a stretch of time at home mid-summer so we can get into some routines at home. We moms all need pretty big buffers of several days on either side of trips because of all that’s involved in getting us out the door & fully packed/prepped & then recovered on the other side. Totally worth it & I really believe in traveling with kids—it’s just much better when we leave ample time for all the things that will come up related to/surrounding a summer trip/prep & recovery. I find traveling in early summer & right at the end helps us have nice capstones but also still be around for alot of the local activities/camps etc that happen throughout mid summer (July).

(I think I’ll do another post on traveling with a bunch of kids of all ages. It’s not easy but it’s SO beautiful & worthwhile to do!)

I think less obvious but equally important: being intentional about who you want to make summer memories with! This is your chance! We love to travel & we prefer to travel to family or vacation with family because it takes some of the pressure off of us & makes the kids & all of us have a more enjoyable time! Then as well, with friends, it can often get hectic with vacation schedules, so setting up times to make sure you have those long unhurried summer evening hangouts or daytrips with your favorite people planned throughout can really keep the summer energy & anticipation high. Everything about summer is better with loved ones.

Then we look at & make our summer bucket list–it includes our planned travels & summer highlights (yes, this year we did Disney–crazy but fun), but often times it’s also simpler wonderful things like strawberry picking that they get such a kick out of doing, or taking friends to our local lake. The kids love doing these. I’m actually framing the past bucket lists from previous summers…it’s so fun to see which things have evolved & become summer traditions.

So…then with chill weeks surrounding trips or long weekends/big events, etc….I then zero in on what skills/interest areas we want them focusing on—and they are now at the age that they love having summer for going deeper into activities/hobbies that interest them.

I love summer for developing a FLOW state around daily life, projects, gardening, DIY, art, whatever you’re into, and helping your kids see the opportunities & do the same.

FLOW state: getting intensely involved in something to the point where you lose track of time/consciousness, it’s a balance of challenge & comfort, stretching yourself & your skills & also being deeply at ease.

This is something I work to cultivate in summer for myself & my kids/us as a group, because the long days & flexible schedules allow for it. It could look like jumping into a gardening or home project, or helping your kids work at and master new skills & activities like piano, crafts, or a new sport. It actually differs from “mindfulness” & you can read more about it & think about how it can be applied to your summer—here.

For Corinne it’s always gymnastics–she loves it & is thrilled to have a year round sport with mostly conditioning work in summer time (not competing). Emma is doing a farm apprenticeship program all summer (3 time blocks/week) which is great to get her outside/active, having fun with friends/peers & learning alot. Ambrose is getting a couple weeks of sports camp which help him skill up in the sports he likes. All 3 older ones have piano lessons/intensive built into their schedule since it’s something we want to prioritize & they have more time to focus on it when they aren’t also juggling academics. With these “anchors” in our week, I can then plan in the camps next (yes, the kids have some favorites but we also help them try new things)…and then I finally layer in the other stuff–outings, social time, etc.

Summer reading: inspiration/incentives

This is always a big question—how to get kids committed to & reading in the summer as a strong daily habit! We have it on our daily checklists (made in canva) & they are expected to read books from their school list as well as frequent library trips (yes, girls are now able to ride their bikes to the library in town)…I also always do a bit of an overhaul/refresh of our shelves, new books are very tantalizing and I leave them out/rotate through their room shelves, and generally make sure that most weeks we have chunks of down time at home while 2 little ones nap, and that’s their reading/drawing/down time.

This summer I’m loving these 100 days books from Memoria Press to keep them connected to what they are reading each day–they draw pictures from the books they read & write the title so it’s a bit like a log. Ambrose loves the idea of getting to 100! Emma just does a journal & writes more lengthy synopsis/reflections when she finishes each book. I know I’m going to treasure these 🙂

There are different ways to focus on motivation/rewards etc. Depending on what camp you fall in, material rewards or $ might not be your cup of tea, but in the past I’ve put a $ amount per chapter book for the girls, or take them out for ice cream when they hit a certain reading goal. The important thing is that they enjoy it, and they realize this is a golden opportunity to put that blessed leisure time to good use 😉 This year when Emma wanted to start watching a new show w me at night, we challenged her to read a book off her list first & she was so proud when she powered through it it just over a day 🙂

Mama needs a time out 😉

I have a babysitter block that also anchors my own week for my sanity & work time. Getting out 1x/week for errands/work sessions or just sipping an iced chai & reading a book…has been key for surviving & thriving in the summers past. These long days are an intense time for moms & we need those chances to mentally reset. I have also loved having a wonderfully responsible babysitter take my safe swimmers & sometimes friends to the lake for lake time while I’m at home getting things done—whether it’s work or a home project or packing 😉 (I used to be napping with my newborn last year….those were special days indeed). Do yourself a favor & plan this into your summer budget & schedule. Your kids will have a blast & you’ll love the reset–you can come back into the chaos ready for more, or welcome them back home tired out once you’ve had a few precious quiet hours to yourself at home. Just as your kids are encouraged to get into a flow state or improve at things that interest them, they should also see you taking time not only for daily movement but also hobbies & things that bring you joy & encourage summer flow.

Gardening & simple summer projects/hobbies

This is another anchor of our summers at home. For 5 years now, having veggie gardens has been one of the most joy-producing habits of these warm months, & connects us all with nature & the cyles of the seasons & what we’re eating all summer. I love seeing them going into their garden beds to grab what they want to eat/add to our meals & the pride they take with (super) simple maintenance. This year we did a bunch of landscaping & flowers & more in the front so it’s been so satisfying to see the spaces transformed with some nursery trips & sweat equity, and vision….and now lots of water & trusting the process. I’ve fallen in love with watching things bloom, cultivating & encouraging beauty at every turn. Turns out when mom’s outside getting dirty, and happy, and the hose is on, it’s automatically a fun summer day at home 😉

*Normally I do a few DIY/furniture fixes or other house/space projects but this year I’m focused on just the bare minimum of (cough—decluttering/resetting & organizing toys & kids activities on 3 floors!) & will keep adding to my list of projects to do in Sept when they are back in school! It’s fun to dream up projects like painting a playhouse, refreshing kids furniture, or things that the kids can get involved in. Treehouse with dad is on the bucket list 😉

*The gardening lifestyle (and that includes everything from planters/pots to full garden beds/veggies….encourages a slower pace, one that is relishing each day for the simple abundance of nature, and learning to pace our rhythms related to those of natures. It encourages us as a family to eat everything fresh out of the garden, completely focused on our meal planning & daily dinners based on what is ripe right now, today. The best feeling in the world watching the kids come running in with fresh veggies, excited that they harvested & can now chop/cook them.

It has shaped us fundamentally & I couldn’t recommend it more—even if you’re not sure whether you have a green thumb–give it a try. You might surprise yourself with how much you love it. I know for me it’s also been healing & rejuvenating my heart to just make plans, get dirty, and grow beautiful things in a year of loss (my grandma & then now 2 others last week). Did you know that soil contains anti-depressants? Getting out in the garden esp with your littles will guarantee you some Vita D & all the mood boosting you could ask for.

*When I started my garden 5 years ago, I was coming out of a period of time of living in NYC & that go-go pace had gotten under my skin. I’ve been grateful to re-learn/un-learn what to consider being productive, and my kids & my garden help me savor & deeply enjoy the simple slower pace that nature teaches us.

*You can read more about Life lessons from my garden written in summer 2020. I keep coming back for more lessons each year and I know that you’ll love it too once you start. Last summer, when postpartum with Nellie, just being able to go out into my yard & gather beautiful bouquets for the house gave me great joy. Sometimes these daily rituals are just waiting for us, to transform our life & outlook.

Energy for long days, balancing activity & rest

I’m writing this with my feet up on our back deck, relishing the joy of a double nap (2 toddlers) & a lazy Sunday with nothing planned. It’s good to rely on energy tools for the inevitably long days, but also to relish the slow summer pace when possible. The days are long so it’s good to welcome the siesta philosophy & have scheduled down time each day in the afternoon. Even if you don’t nap, just having quiet & reading time & less interactions helps you reset & then enjoy being out & doing things until dark. People are very understanding when you share that you have time blocked for rest midday (making exceptions when needed) & there are plenty of evening hours until dark for fun. I like having a morning punctuation/activity, even something simple like a walk & playground time, that then leads us into lunch. We all benefit from the ebbs & flows in the long days.

At the end of this post I share my go-to’s for summer-long energy. Us mommas need it! Sometimes, we need a bit of stress relief (ashwaganda) too as we navigate full days with little people & summer adventures or days at home.

I’ve learned (in these past 12 years of mothering…) that doing things I love in small pockets of time & being able to really plan the days with ultimate flexibility & also carving out time for things that bring me joy (recently it’s been walking around at the golden hour at home photographing my flowers)…can really increase our energy & joy & expansive feelings. We all benefit from chasing our joy, and it starts with us mommas, and how we model that for our kids.

Building in time for movement is so important for physical & mental health. I love a good 20 min HIIT workout in my basement while the toddlers play nearby, or getting out for a run or even long evening walks into town with a few kids in tow. Backyard games can be another great way to get your sweat on…have fun & make it happen!

PS: have healthy weight goals for summer & looking to shed lbs/do a cleanse/gain energy, sleep better & feel amazing? Take your meology quiz here or reach out to me hello@maddypidel.com to discuss how I can support your goals! I adore helping mommas thrive & summer is the trickiest & also the most important season for that!

My tools for an energized & thriving summer

This is my go-to checklist of things to have on hand for your most energized & healthiest summer yet.

Planning activities: day trips, local outings etc.

I’ve found that a well-planned day trip or long 3-4 day weekend can be just as enjoyable as a longer vacation, and sometimes a bit easier/less hassle. Depending on kid’s schedules, etc, it can be nice to be out for the day but still sleeping in our own bed. We’ve done some fun outings to Brooklyn & NYC that felt like a true getaway but we were home & cozy in our beds when it was all over. I’ve also accepted that we’re in a season of life where the family may split up for some weekends/ summer activities. As I finish up this post, my husband has the kids at a family reunion weekend in upstate NY–I’m getting amazing photos of the 3 older ones, under waterfalls, on hikes with cousins, sleeping out in tents, long games of ultimate frisbee, and meanwhile the little 2 & I are happy with splash pad or lake time followed by 2-3 hour naps 😉 I think it’s OK to get creative as parents, and bonus points if you can also get in a romantic getaway weekend! *booking ours ASAP*

I’ll share another post on doing longer trips/airline travel etc with kids–I think those are very special punctuation points too, but it doesn’t always have to be elaborate or expensive. Think of how many cool destinations are within a 4 hour drive from where you live & start pricing & planning!

In our area, many museums offer free admissions for kids during summer. Check out your local spots & see what kind of specials or extra programs they have going this time of year.

Summer is a great time to check out local spots you’ve been wanting to explore, and bringing friends with is the cherry on top. Taking leisure seriously is an art form, and one we’re working on cultivating—it’s a beautiful thing to fill those childhood memory buckets with beautiful places & memorable people. Yes it can stretch us as mommas but it’s usually always worth it! (And ps, we get better at navigating naps on the road, or toddler transitions/sightseeing etc, and we’re all better for it!).

My summer home office: the back deck during siesta hours, or a coffee shop 😉

Working mommas & work from home

This can certainly present its own challenges. However, I like to see the positive side first. As a business owner mom, I get to decide when/where I work & truly design my work life around our summer rhythms that work for all.

If you work outside the home or on a typical 9-5 schedule, you know how truly precious those moments are & will want to take advantage of every weekend & summer evening. The good news is, you can. It’s so great when you can keep your work & life flowing along & maybe outsource some of the things taking your attention related to home etc so you can just enjoy a bit of summer fun! Take a cue from the kids & live life in the present whenever you can! Push bedtimes back & do something fun on a Wednesday evening. Batch errands or social time so your weekends don’t feel weighed down with “to-dos”. Embrace summer Fridays & work smarter not harder.

As a mompreuner, I personally choose to take on less projects & clients in summer, shift things around as needed, welcome my full entourage of college sitters that we love (and who drive the kids to fun things). If it’s a rainy day in summer, I might batch a bunch of things & be productive, while on a hot & sunny Friday I might skip the to-do list until Monday & head to the beach with kids. I most likely won’t launch a new course or program in the middle of summer (never say never, right ;)) & I find that these weeks can be key for resetting, stepping away from our work, refreshing the vision, pivoting, evaluate what’s working & what’s dragging us down, and coming back in to hit the ground running in Sept with a full business mindset reset! (And bonus points if you can get some biz reads or podcasts in at the beach or while gardening ;)) Our business needs us at our best & summer is for finding a new flow, new perspective, and even new sources of inspiration that will carry you into the new (school cal) year.

(If you’re reading this and you’re a mompreuner, I have an exciting new cohort of our mastermind starting in Sept. I would love to connect & see if it’s right for you! Learn more here & email me hello@maddypidel.com)

Simple is better

Certainly with kids, sometimes the simpler the better. A backyard water fight & volleyball session might be just as fun when you’re totally engaged with it than an elaborate & exhausting trip to a beach 2 hours away. You get to gauge what everyone needs, and mix it up, but don’t be afraid to lean heavily on simple summer routines that produce maximum joy. After my son did a few weeks of sports camp, he set up his own sports camp with stations in the yard & it’s been entertaining them for hours.

For us, a walk into town for an evening at a local concert, picnicking with friends & walking home at dark makes us all feel like we’re living the summer dream. A lot of local fun can be had at festivals, fairs, local museums often run promos (ours do a free summer program for kids)…or even the classic backyard campout complete with tent, flashlights & popcorn & scary stories. So much of summer with kids is about seeing the magic & joy that’s already right there, and sharing it with them.

Yes, I’m going to encourage you to embrace a season of paper plates, simpler lunches, teaching kids to make their own snacks or having a quick grab basket of snacks at the ready, and definitely find ways to not have to make dinner a few nights a week—it’s the best feeling to leave the kitchen clean at 4pm & know you’re off duty! Order pizza or healthy takeout like subs at the pool or lake, or take the family out or meet up with friends at a concert w a picnic! Kids loving dining al fresco & we love it too! (less to clean up). Then when you decide once in a while to go all out on hosting at home or making a meal fresh from the garden, it will feel more special.

What else is dragging you down? Loads of laundry? Do a simplified capsule wardrobe for the kids, and resolve to leave laundry for the rainy days…or at least batch it/do it first thing so it doesn’t steal the joy of your summer day by staring at you from the couch…

Embrace things that help simplify your life, don’t be afraid to ask for help—babysitters, housekeepers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, even doing childcare swaps with other moms who might need hours to themselves too. Try instacart or whole foods delivery if it saves you precious summer hours. It’s not possible to be all things for all people all summer long… you’ll burn out. Better to pace yourself & welcome support & see how much you all benefit from it.

I love having some rainy day activities & craft kits saved at the ready for when they get a bit bored or need to change up the pace. Here’s a few we are enjoying right now, and this fun dominos set to pull out for rainy day fun. My kids do so many legos & magna tiles creations in the summer.

Backyard Oasis, summer at home

Something that’s also beautiful to consider & work towards is having your backyard & outdoor spaces feel like you’re on vacation, and transport you to a sense of leisure, peace & cultivate play & great family moments & memories. We’re currently in a season of welcoming guests (every weekend we haven’t traveled this summer!) & it’s been so fun to play volleyball in the yard, eat on the back deck with visitors or just ourselves, play pick up soccer, lounge on swings & around the yard, and do regular bonfires.

Sometimes we need to be creative & put a bit of that summer budget you’ve squirreled away for a nice bed & breakfast or hotel experience, and commit to bringing some of it right to your own home. We did some landscaping & outdoor projects the past 2 years that are starting to make our spaces hum with bees & color & summer beauty.

Everyday we go out & gather gorgeous bouquets of flowers that we grow, and I sun bathe on my deck & ignore the dishes & to-do lists—but also dive into home projects during nap times or btwn lake sessions which feels like the best of both worlds staycation style.

Creating a life you don’t have to take a vacation from is a beautiful & challenging goal, and is a focal point for my life design course. You can learn more about that here (enrolling now for fall cohort!)

Shifting our mindset around summer

Sometimes, it’s as simple as re-wiring our mindsets/thoughts about summer. If we catch ourselves looking at the week ahead & dreading the idea of all those hours that we have to fill with littles, try a mental reset to see the opportunities. Maybe it’s also about getting that self-care/alone time scheduled or some 1×1 activities with kids planned. I find that pouring into them in those special moments pays major dividends during the rest of the week.

As many of us hit the mid-summer mark (yes I know some mommas in various parts of the country are about to send kids back to school), it can be a good time to fight the day to day fatigue of handing out popsicles & coloring packs and come up with a fresh vision and plan for leaning into summer living with the family. Sometimes we even just need to re-envision how the days are going & add in more meaningful play–in the backyard or locally with friends…Or maybe it’s time to book a last minute weekend August getaway or day trip to take advantage of the season & explore some new places.

Let’s take advantage of these beautiful long summer days—to both reset/recharge, make beautiful simple memories with the kids, and take advantage of the gift of TIME, our most precious resource.

Cheers, summertime momma. I see you, and you’re doing amazing.

I’d love to hear if any of this resonated with you or inspired you to do things differently for the remainder of the summer.

I can’t wait to hear what summer rhythms work best for you & your family. It’s a very special time of year indeed. Let’s just a little longer, ignore the messes, play w our kids, do those adventures & things you love, soak up the magic of summer. We’re making memories that will last a lifetime.

Summer recipes: Zucchini Friti (fried zucchini flowers)

This recipe is a fun favorite that is right out of a (Northern) Italian restaurant.

We had thrown a bunch of squash plants in the lower garden & they went crazy, producing tons of these lovely (edible) yellow flowers before fruiting.

This recipe is based on having about 20 of these flowers. They have a lovely delicate flavor and when stuffed & fried are absolutely delicious.

Ingredients:

*20 medium- large zucchini flowers

*1/2 cup flour in a shallow bowl or large plate for breading + salt & pepper to taste

*chunks of fresh mozzarella (1/2 lb)

*capers (2-4 per flower)

*2 eggs, beaten, for breading

Wash the flowers very well! We had bees literally crawling out of them as we washed them!

Set up your breading & frying stations.

Eggs in a bowl, flour on large plate and then get some olive oil sizzling over med-high heat in a non-stick pan.

Stuff the flowers with mozz & capers. You can drizzle olive oil inside too.

Roll each flower in egg mixture & then coat with flower & fry in batches until golden brown.

Serve hot & enjoy one of my favorite subtle delicacies of summer!

I made these with my cousin Lucy & we had such a blast-from garden to finished product. My favorite part of summer is eating right out of the garden. If you make these, tag me @maddypidel.

Bon Appetit!

Summer…we’re so ready for you!

The longer days, early morning walks & gardening, evenings that stretch & are full of fun & play until dark, backyard hangouts, BBQ’s, family gatherings, vacations, pool time, dining al fresco. So many things to love about summer!… *This week has been a heavy one. Thinking of those families who will have a very different summer than they had hoped for, our thoughts & prayers are with them, and I’m committed to living in defiant hope & making the impact we can, right here & now, in our families & communities.*…And with that…comes the inspiration to make sure our health, vitality & energy match our summer bucket lists & plans. Here’s a quick round up of summer essentials, recipes, workouts I’m loving, summer beach reads, and more. Cheers to the long weekend & the start of summer ‘22! May it be memorable & wonderful in every way.
Maddy’s Good list summer roundup: 

*The perfect summer salad (that can be paired with grilled foods or as a stand alone dinner)—shared the recipe over on insta 😉 (tag me if you make it!)

*HIIT workout: when you have 20 min & want to get your sweat on before you tackle the day.

*Beach read, Genius zone: I’ll be bringing this one on vacation with me & discussing with my inspired reads book group…summer is a perfect time to focus in on our zone of genius & what inspires us & allows us to live more creatively. The world needs that from you.

*Kids craft roundup: try these to make memories on the long summer days 

Share what’s on your summer bucket list & essentials for this beautiful season!
My summer healthy essentials roundup:

*Hydrate for natural electrolytes (great for kids & moms & we make popsicles with it!)

*Stress relief for anyone who’s extra busy in summer (mommas ;))

*Peach energizing tea: summer in a glass & a perfect midday boost without caffeine

*Sustained energy boost for all day energy/focus (*free with order!)

*Vitalizer for complete daily nutrition on the go

*Life shake for yummy summer lunches (try the limited edition peach!)

*7 day healthy cleanse: the easiest way to feel & look amazing from the inside out!

These have been powering me through summers with all the energy & vitality I could ask for since 2012…so grateful I get to share them with you & see the impact it makes!
Happy clients tell all:

“J & I are loving the dream serene!”

“I need to do another healthy cleanse soon”

‘I’m feeling less anxious & I’m down 6lbs in 2 weeks”

“This sustained energy boost is incredible!”

*Let’s make your summer the best yet!
Email me hello@maddypidel.com for your free 15 min health or life design consult!

2021: Simplifying the holiday season

2021 has been quite a year. Maybe not on the level of 2020, but in some ways, even more challenging & complicated to navigate, as we tried in various ways to get back to life as normal, and yet still faced so many new frustations, challenges, precedents, expectations, differing views on the best way through the pandemic experience, etc.

I don’t know about you, but I’m totally ready for a quiet & simple holiday season. This topic is always dear to my heart, and I find it always strikes a chord. We want to find a way through that doesn’t leave us battered & burnt-out by December 31st.

But how to pull that off?

For some of us, travel is back in the picture. It can certainly feel complicated, even when you’re excited about being with loved ones….the logistics can really eat away at the fun…or it can be viewed as an opportunity to change the pace, and, yep, simplify!

For us, after being home for 4 Christmases in a row (unusual) due to putting down roots in CT, new baby (Blaise born Jan), home reno craziness, and pregnant with Nellie/wanting to stay put last year…we’re ready to hit the road & enjoy some time with our Southern family.

(And we just came back from a glorious weekend in Portland, ME, unplugged & exploring, spending time in nature, in fun new places, soaking up the family time).

It’s in sync with our general feel that we want to focus on experiences, memory making & quality time as a family, over stuff, toys, more junk for the home & kids this year. I know others are feeling the same.

Staying home is amazing, and yet also presents its own challenges: how to host graciously but without being overly stressed & exhausted by the experience? How to rein in the desire to go overboard with decorating, bursting the budget & everyone’s patience as you decorate everything you can lay your hands on? (guilty of that last year thanks to nesting & home project mode).

How to lean into the experiences, moments, and memories that you want to carry with you, and that you all value, and to let go of the rest, or have it fade into the background?

Sometimes, it’s about making a DON’T DO list, along with your TO DO’s lists.

I can tell you with full clarity that I NEVER want to have the experience (again) of rushing around to stores like target or walmart, in evening traffic (it’s pitch black by 5 here), shopping frantically for stuff that may or may not be super important to have, but that feeling of frenzy & being out & about (especially with an infant) when I could be home cozy by the fire. No thanks. I’ll pass up on those deals, refocus on shopping locally, or creatively, & save my time & sanity 😉

For some people, it’s about skipping the long mall lines for Santa pics, and choosing to do something that suits your family better, like going to pick & cut your own tree, or doing a caroling party with friends.

What’s on your holiday DON’T DO list?

But, so, how to do holidays well? How to lean into the good stuff…and somehow carry the load of it all peacefully? How to discern what to go all-in, pinterest details crazy on, and what to offload, outsource or streamline so it causes no brainpower or stress. Certainly, some things like holiday greeting cards, can be as simplified or as complicated as you like–time & budget allowing. Other things like baking might thrill some families, and leave other families lackluster. So you’ll want to lean into your own particular emphasis for the season, and leave comparison or insta-envy at the door.

Here’s a few tips & musings of mine, that I hope will be helpful. I don’t have all the answers, but I have been trying for years to find that balance of holiday season work & play, rest & bustle, memory making, and detail check-listing. At the end of the day, leaving extra space for the unexpected is always my favorite part, especially with little ones. Sometimes they just need the room to be creative, cozy, playful, imaginative, generous (making gifts for loved ones), etc. It’s too tempting to over-program the days around the holidays but we all need down time for rest, and cozy winter rituals like tea & reading.

  1. Make a list of your priorities & top traditions. Pretty obvious but this is always where to start. Now my kids are old enough, the girls remember our “traditions” during Advent & the weeks before Christmas. We talk about the things we’ve done, what our options are, and then make our list & get organized/ get tix. Things like Breakfast with Santa get mixed interest from the crowd, but other things like the Holiday train show will get 100% major satisfaction & is worth the effort that goes into such outings. Once you have this list, it’s pretty easy to start with the most important & work down, when you’ll do them, and everything else falls into place around this. When your kids are little, and you’re intentionally working to create these traditions, it’s good to keep the bigger picture/vision in mind–and lean into things that you feel will stand the test of time.
  2. Decide WHO you want to make memories with. For us, we usually plan a cookie party, and this year we plan to invite some new friends. We’re doing a few key December outings & invited friends *and mothers helpers* along to make them extra fun. I have a moms brunch on the calendar that doubles as an excuse for a bit of shopping, and the kids have specific things like ice-skating that they will be meeting friends for. The month can fill so fast, so I like to sit down with the kids, chat about it all (#1), mark in dates/plan with folks & reserve/get tix well before Dec 1 hits, so that the rush of everyone’s full calendars doesn’t affect you getting that time that you want with friends & loved ones.
  3. Carve out down time. This might sound counterintuitive or obvious after points 1 & 2. But the whole thing about filling your calendar is, you also need to balance it with—rest, quiet, cozy fireside, peaceful “crafternoons” as we jokingly call them fill in some of that down time for us, as do long fireside evenings with Christmas read-alouds, etc. Get out for fresh air & nature time. Parents–make time for dates: walks and hot cocoa are our favorite during fall/winter, or intentional family time even in the midst of what feels to be an extra full season. Having a list of family holiday movie favorites and some new board games by the fire is a great way to connect & decompress during the December weeks.
  4. Get outside. This is so important on so many levels. It’s important especially to get out into nature & soak up the fresh winter air, get some Vit D during the precious daylight hours, get the lungs pumping & bodies moving. This is especially important for combatting the stress of staring at the to-do list or the rarely-clean kitchen during busy weeks, etc. It will also motivate you—get your checklisting done during rainy or quiet/cold days & get out into the winter sunshine whenever opportunity allows. This can also turn into gathering fresh greens, berries, or other foliage for indoor decor, and double as nature’s shopping trip 😉 Nature always gives us a chance for a fresh perspective on the day & our priorities.
  5. Don’t be afraid to say NO. A few years ago, I read a book called the BEST YES. Its premise is that in order for your YES to be “the best”, you have to be saying NO to lots of things that aren’t a good fit or worthy of your attention/energy. That way, you’ve created space to say YES fully & go all in on things that matter to you. These holiday weeks you might be getting all the invites & some of them sound great, and some don’t. Or the pressures of school play & volunteering etc coinciding with other holiday events makes you want to pull your hair out. Just say no. No one will die. Better to underpromise & keep your sanity & happiness than to over-commit, regret it, run around like a crazy person, and get so flustered you forget that we’re celebrating the simplest event in human history: a baby born in a stable.
  6. Don’t sacrifice sleep. Let’s just say, learned this one from experience. You need your rest, and this is officially hibernation season. Embrace zzs, for your health: both physical & mental. I love a good epsom salt bath, some dark chocolate & fireside cuddles or reading to reset & renew….but yes, sleep trumps all. Here’s my new favorite sleep supplement (dream serene) to help you get your best night of sleep.
  7. Take care of yourself. Vitamins, exercise, regular meals, sounds basic but in the scramble of a busy season it can easily get shelved or go out the window. Everyone in your life needs you at your best. So schedule it, plan it in when approaching each day & make it happen. Stretch, walk daily, eat fresh greens, seasonal soups, drink delicious teas rather than just pounding caffeinated/sugary drinks from the starbucks holiday menu. Here’s a few of my favorites, starting with…the oh-so-necessary….Stress Relief complex (with ashwaganda). You better believe I take one of these daily as part of my best & simplified December.
  8. Just exhale & welcome quiet & stillness. Simple, but oh so hard sometimes. I take inspiration from the colder weather, the chance to curl up indoors or by a roaring fire while flurries fall outside here in CT. Take a deep breath, gather inspiration from advent reflections (I snagged the The Holy Way: a beautiful advent journal compiled by my friend Elizabeth), write about what’s important for you & why. Make this a journey of the soul, and let all your inspired activities & generous crafting, decorating & gifting come from the simple impulse of a heart, in love.
  9. Outsource & streamline. This is pretty obvious, right? Don’t scrub your toilets while baking & prepping for guests to arrive–let someone else take care of that! Get your meal plans set up, groceries delivered, and don’t hesitate to utilize take-out on the especially full days so you can be present to what you need to. Streamline your outings/errands (or find a way to get it all done online or extremely locally;), and batch work & play where you can. It may not be perfect, but the goal is to help you focus in on your core December goals, and areas of interest for the holidays, keep you in flow, and let the other stuff fade into the background.
  10. Focus on EXPERIENCES, over STUFF. This is my intention for this season, and already, having unplugged & spent the busiest shopping weekend of the year hiking, exploring with the fam, and watching the waves roll on the coast of Maine, I have no regrets. We’ll always remember the people, the moments, and the intentions behind the gifts more than the gifts themselves. So see how you can simplify, and give YOURSELF & the gift of TIME this year…present & peaceful, and…thriving!

It’s ok if the gingerbread isn’t made from scratch. If you have cute decorating kits & everyone in the family gets into it, we’ll call it a win. It’s ok if you don’t do alot of December outings this year; if you decide your energy is better focused at home on simple decor & celebration moments…what matters is that you’re serene, clear-headed, and your heart is quiet enough to be able to hear the whisperings of magic & the callings to your heart during these weeks.

Cheers friends. I know this is easier said than done, but hopefully if we keep these ideas in the forefront, we’ll savor & celebrate all the moments of the season, and come out of it all renewed, inspired, invigorated, filled up with the goodness & pure beauty of life during these meaningful moments.

Yes, I know there are many reasons why the holidays can be a particularly challenging season. And simplifying can only make it better. Keep some space open for renewal of heart & mind & body, and preparing to face the new year…transformed.

She can’t wait for her first Christmas!:)

This is our chance. Let’s thrive through the holidays. And focus in on the greatest gift—of new life given to us in this season that makes sense of every moment of our life.

lots of love & gratitude for you!

Maddy

PS: Tag me if you’re sharing about how you’re #thrivingthroughtheholidays & tag me @maddypidel

(Here’s my Dec love letter & specials to my VIP community, if you’re not on there).

Loaded chicken tortilla soup: perfect for fall evenings & postpartum mommas ;)

I had a big response/request to share this recipe when I posted about making it on instagram. I know some people like to bookmark/save blog links vs insta stories so I’m sharing it here.

This recipe came into my awareness through a magazine (Costco–via Kim Holderness’ new cookbook “Everybody Fights”) …and was pinned on my pantry door in preparation for my postpartum season with Nellie… “Chicken anxiety tortilla soup” was the original title-and I loved what was in it–knowing I might doctor it up a bit. The secret/surprise ingredient from the original recipe is a can of coconut milk…gives it just a creamier edge & blends perfectly with the hotter flavors of the soup–I think it’s the right balancing act, and packs a nutritional punch too, perfect. The spices in it are what gives the recipe its name—cumin and tumeric are known for their calming effect even while warming the blood—this is a perfect soup to make for a momma in her postpartum phase–the collagen & nutrients of the bone broth, the soft veggies of all kinds & the easy to digest & warming palette (spices) make this perfect for her. If you’re trying to sneak more veggies into your kids–or husband–they will never guess that this is loaded with goodness

So if you’re like me…and value the benefits of a home-made bone broth—then grab your organic rotisserie chicken, strip the meat off, and make your bone broth the day before (or in the afternoon if you’re planning this soup for dinner). It calls for 2-3 cups of broth, which is about half what you’ll get from simmering your chicken bones on low for 3-4 hours (and hence, why I offer a generous doubling of this recipe–it keeps well & just seems to get better the second time you warm it up!)

This recipe got some of it’s additions from my kitchen (the peppers) because we were using them for part of my brand update photo shoot (can’t wait to share more soon!)…and of course they weren’t going to waste. I adore the bright color & bright taste they add to this, after some mellowing by sauteeing, of course.

Fall Calming Chicken Tortilla Soup

*4-6 cups of bone broth, homemade or from a container *depends on how *soupy* you like it, and how much of each of the below you add…

*1-2lbs cooked chicken, cut/shredded finely

*1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk

*2 zucchini

*2 cups carrots, chopped (I used baby carrots to save some steps)

*1 can 28 oz organic diced tomatoes, drained

*4-5 mini peppers–orange, red, yellow, well chopped

*2 medium onions, chopped

*4 garlic cloves, minced

*2 tsp ground cumin

*2 tsp ground tumeric

*2 tsp smoked paprika

*Salt & pepper to taste

*Olive oil for sauteeing veggies

Get the broth warming, and throw in the chicken & coconut milk. Saute the veggies in batches–I did onions & garlic with zuchinni, carrots seperate, and then peppers, since cook times vary to get them soft. Add to soup. Throw in your spices & simmer for 30 min while you take a brisk fall evening stroll or toss the football in the yard with your kids.

Serve with sour cream, avocado slices and/or shredded cheese, and tortilla chips—either on the side or crushed up in the soup, depending on your preference.

Cheers! Enjoy this warm hug of fall comfort in a bowl, from my kitchen to yours.

~Maddy

Postpartum Tools for Thriving: Maddy’s Favorites

An energized, balanced and happy mom is the most important thing for a baby’s well-being in the early stages. Postpartum is meant to be a time where mom and baby thrive. At no other time (besides pregnancy) does a mother’s care for herself translate so directly into the care she provides for her baby. A mother’s body is doing so much in postpartum to provide for her baby’s health and growth.

It’s a beautiful thing to be able to provide the BEST of nutrition and holistic tools to help postpartum mothers feel their best.

As someone who’s had 5 babies, I can tell you that I’ve had a variety of experiences. All these tools mentioned below are ones I discovered after my first postpartum recovery, which was…rough, to say the least.

At the time, I couldn’t imagine how a mom could enjoy the postpartum time, but with these tools that I have now, I can honestly say that I look forward to and absolutely LOVE the early days. Ideally, there is gentle healing/recovery, adjusting to your baby’s needs, carving out quiet and rest and a safe space for the new addition to flourish and thrive.

Because it’s so foreign to our modern sensibilities to value rest, quiet, stillness, and deep nourishment, it takes intention and planning to make this kind of postpartum lifestyle your reality.

Everything in this list I personally use (some are from my favorite brand partner) and I can vouch for the difference they make–I feel it’s my responsibility to share what’s worked for me & so many of the mommas I support/coach in PP…it is possible & you deserve to thrive at every moment of this fragile & beautiful season with baby!!

Early Postpartum Recovery Tools:

*The Every Mother Early Reclaim program is my absolute favorite. It’s changed my body forever and allows me to recover faster and stronger after each baby I’ve had and return to working out more balanced and whole than before. You can start as early as 1 week postpartum, and it’s 100% safe and doctor approved.

Get 15% of Every Mother when using my referal code MPIDEL15 at this link. You won’t regret it 😉

*Postpartum stretching and body image program. This is something I put together in my 4th postpartum, when it was essential to me to regain balance and a sense of well-being and strength before doing more intense workouts. It connected me to my PP body in new levels of appreciation and love, and I’ll share that with you in a 7 video series that you can easily fit into PP days. These are short videos and stretching guides to help you in the healing process, and to feel amazing.

Postpartum stretching series

Next Level Nutrition for Postpartum

Healing and reducing inflammation

*Vivix is my hands-down favorite for promoting/supporting the healing process in your body.

*Bone broths, and products high in collagen are key for postpartum nutrition

*New Collagen product that I throw into my shakes (after first 40 days) or into soups/yogurt/etc before that. Incredibly important for healing/reshaping your skin

*Alfalfa (also helpful for breastfeeding)…this is one of nature’s supergreens, and you can get it in tablet form…helps with letting go of that oh-so-burdensome water weight & bloating after pregnancy, and also helps with energy levels.

*These are key during first 40 days when your body is doing the bulk of the initial healing work after birth*

For more ideas & inspiration about how to design & live the first 40 days, and the following months of PP, see my new mini course, coming soon…details here.

Nutrition baseline and Energy

*Postnatal depletion is so common and so unfortunate. You’re giving the very best of yourself to baby during pregnancy & if you choose to breastfeed, it just keeps going. You need to replenish after birth with the very best, and that’s been my experience in postpartum. After my first, I found myself dragging, exhausted, it wasn’t just the sleep-less nights. My body really was running on empty. My prenatal (at the time ) wasn’t doing anything for me, it was just expensive pee.

Fast forward to now…I have crazy amounts of energy, and don’t experience that deep fatigue so often associated with postpartum early weeks…I’m careful to rest, and balance with all of the recs here, but in particular, your baseline nutrition is KEY for how you’ll both nourish baby (my infants are off the charts for weight in early weeks ;), my favorite marker)…and yourself!

Nourishment also looks like…

*Doing things that bring you joy each day

*Taking tasks/housework/childcare off your plate & mental load–letting yourself be pampered & cared for the way you’re caring for baby

*Making choices about what you want each day to look like; clear boundaries, rituals that support you & baby, and trusting your intuition.

Here’s my 2 favorite recs. I actually mix & match, doing the meology packs and vitalizer strips alternating since I love both programs immensely & can’t choose one over the other….my meology pack has alot of omegas for example for brain health/mood balancing, and the vitalizer has those oh-so-beautiful combinations of nutrients designed to help mommas thrive and feel better than ever!!

Vitalizer Women: A best-in-class complete pre/postnatal plan with a daily strip you can throw in a diaper bag or take anywhere–it’s simple, comprehensive (80 bio-optimized nutrients from Bs, D’s and vitalea w iron, to a powerful probiotic). You’ll never go back once you start.

Me-ology: (It’s a totally personalized nutrition program where you put in your 3 main health goals and it creates a special nutrition pack just for your needs). I love this one, and it can vary alot in cost based on the goals you have and the supplements included. Play around with it, try it for 30 days, and the nice thing is that you can also adjust the pack as your health goals change, which is common in the 9 months following baby.

If you’re not sure which one to focus on, or have questions when looking at the details, email me hello@maddypidel.com….the meology will also prompt me when you’ve taken the quiz so we can discuss your results 🙂

Digestion

Any mother can tell you–digestion is one of those tricky things after birth and can be the difference between a pleasant & unpleasant first few weeks, as the body re-adjusts, organs move back into proper place, swelling & inflammation go down, and the body’s metabolism & digestion is natural sluggish right after birth when establishing the breastfeeding/milk production routine…

*Optiflora DI–a best-in-class probiotic with 4 strains that are highly studied & proven to work well together for not only gut health (which ties in with mood) but also for immunity boosting–something every new momma needs 😉

*Ez-Gest–digestive enzymes are key for maintaining a proper digestive pace, and especially in PP, these can play a key role when digestion can sometimes be sluggish. Helps break down food that can also keep baby from having tummy upsets (as does optiflora).

Garlic Complex–can be a useful aid; nature’s anti-biotic and helps kill off bad bacteria in the gut (while kombucha can help replace with new positive organisms). I take it on occasion.

Breastfeeding Support

A beautiful gift to baby & incredible for bonding/establishing strong mother-baby connections–but obviously something that isn’t the right choice for everyone, so no judgement. For me…it’s been a cornerstone of establishing my own postpartum rhythms & mood balancing, and is one of the reasons that I’ve defaulted to co-sleeping primarily during the first 3 months when milk production is getting established. Whatever you choose, we all know the whole gamut of leaking/cracked nipples/clogged ducts (ugh), and even breast infections. Here’s what I keep on hand to make breastfeeding as smooth as possible—along with a good quality pump which can help in times of engorgement/clogging when baby isn’t up to the challenge.

*Hydrate/Performance Electrolytes. Staying hydrated while breastfeeding, especially in warmer months, can be challenging. The all night feeding sessions take their toll, and we need electrolytes to replenish, not just water. This is my favorite formula, and I love the lemon lime, mixed with the energizing tea & chia seeds–the ultimate PP midday pick-me-up.

*Alfalfa–helps as a galactagogue (milk increase) but also in my experience, this blend with peppermint helps balance if there’s an oversupply issue…also amazing for baby (obviously, as a super green).

*Lecithin is key for thinning milk/unclogging ducts. This particular one works like a charm for me…take 1-3 when I feel a clogged duct issue & it resolves itself quickly with baby/pumps’ help. No time for that nonsense 😉

*Stress relief complex. Because stress can be tied to milk production, or lack thereof, always good to keep this handy. I rely on it in the early weeks to keep off my “edge” & to help both baby & I relax & enjoy the moments we have.

Sleep!

A good night’s sleep is literally magic for a new mom. And the beauty of these supplements is that they pass through (in small quantities) to baby so you can ensure you’re both getting optimal support for your rest.

PM Recovery–this, along with the epsom salt baths, will be a key piece of your early recovery & reducing soreness in the days/weeks following birth. It serves as a muscle relaxer & sleep inducer (with tart cherry) & I love how effective it is. Don’t do postpartum without it. Designed for athletes, and yes, momma, you’re a super star athlete in PP.

Sleep gummies. These have become a favorite in our household since I began using them right before Nellie–it’s always good to have toddlers & other siblings sleeping well at night too. I LOVE how fast these kick in, and how well they knock you out–without a drowsy side effect if you do end up getting some interruptions to a stretch of sleep.

Gentle Sleep complex. Another formula of various herbs to promote restful sleep. I don’t use it as often as the other 2, but it’s equally effective & can be combined with the others—1 tablet of each 😉

Enjoy those precious hours of sleep…and…for the first 3 months, whenever possible…nap!

Hormone Balancing & moods

A very real part of postpartum life. This can really add a challenging dimension to caring for self, for baby, and for basic life stuff when moods are everywhere…even the basic things can feel overwhelming and then the guilt can set in that we aren’t enjoying this time the way we want to be. Here’s a secret….rest, rest, care for momma’s nutrition & mental well-being & the rest will work itself out. These tools can help ALOT & I start taking them in larger amounts (the GLA) in late pregnancy to help begin the process.

*GLA complex (A miracle worker for postpartum moods). It’s so simple & yet so real…these crucial healthy fats help us as we transition from birth through the first 40 days, and beyond.

*Cal-Mag. Not only does it serve the purpose of providing magnesium but it also gives us that crucial calcium boost (esp if you live dairy free like me).

*Magnesium supplements (there are a bunch on the market…I’ve been happy with these calm gummies, & sometimes give them to my kids too)

*Mood lift complex (St.Johns Wort & natural herbs) can be beneficial if you’re more prone to postpartum depression (I’m more prone to PPA, hence mag & stress relief). If you don’t know, have both on hand, and experiment to see if you can get yourself balanced.

*Epsom salt baths (also serve for purposes of relaxing/better sleep)…when we have a depletion of magnesium, we can experience more mood swings, and more swings towards postpartum anxiety. Take it from me, it’s not a great way to experience life with baby…Here’s the PP bath salts I use for healing & mood & sleep.

*Please don’t construe this as medical advice or taking the place of speaking with a counselor or psychologist if you’re having extreme mood swings or having trouble getting emotional balance in PP. You have every right to seek professional help if things feel too far “off” your normal.

Healthy weight in PP

I don’t like the idea of diets in PP–it’s truly a 4 letter word. We’re focused on deep nourishment & nutrition to balance the body, and supporting digestion….naturally, weight loss will follow. Dieting can also mess with moods/balance (deprivation will trigger anxiety in many mommas with good reason…you and baby need all the healthy nutrition you can summon…) But that also doesn’t mean you can’t care for yourself & lose the “baby weight” in simple, safe & effective ways…

Here’s a few things that can aid in feeling great, providing the best healthy snacks & meals in a pinch when mom has only one hand (but can start a blender)…I have many more tips & suggestions from my many years of baby recoveries & getting back to an ideal weight/fitness level…that I’ll share in my upcoming mini course.

*Life Shake plant protein: a simple & delicious meal replacement. I don’t suggest doing them as meal replacements until after 2.5 months, or when baby is established in feeding routines & their own weight gain…you don’t want to jeopardize baby’s caloric intake 😉 It’s So nice & easy to whip up a shake at lunch time, and depending on what you add in, it can be a nice caloric punch & also a treat, that tastes amazing.

*Metabolic boost: recommended for use after 3 months PP, for similiar reasons as above….establishing milk supply, etc, firmly first.

If weight loss is a priority for momma I do have some healthy programs & tools that I can offer you after a quick consult. I have modifications for a 7 day healthy cleanse that is totally safe for mom & baby, and works great (after first 3 months)…as well as other elements of the 180 program that may be tailored to your specific needs. Email me hello@maddypidel.com, and we’ll chat about how to get you to your ideal weight, without dieting or deprivation or reducing baby’s nutrition/milk supply…

My hope for you, momma, is that postpartum is a time of deep rest, deep grounding in the blessings of this season, of this incredible baby that you’ve been gifted with caring for, and that the bonding time is front & center, along with your own care & well-being. You will need to gather a support team to help you along this journey, and you’ll welcome all forms of next-level care that appear. This list of my favorite things is meant to transform your experience of postpartum, and to share all that I’ve learned and benefitted from in my experiences…(things I wish someone had told me or given me when prepping for my first;))…we all have our own unique experiences, but there are many shared elements of postpartum that mommas can connect about, and support each other with. You’re not alone in what you’re going through.

So here we are, sharing the mom tribe wisdom, and of course, if you have questions or want additional support in your postpartum journey, I highly encourage you to check out the mini-course I’ve been working on for you…it does touch on many of these areas & goes much deeper into other areas such as fitness, postpartum productivity & life design,

All my love,

Maddy

Reach me at hello@maddypidel.com with comments, questions, or just to say hello 🙂

Musings from Postpartum Life – 3 Months with Eleanor Marie (and a Mini Birth Story)

I know everyone loves a good birth story. And every experience of new life begins there…in those special hours. I’ve had 4 births before this one that were as different as they each could be…and going into this birth was a whirlwind of nesting, preparations (basement reno life) and of course, the anticipation from all fronts about just who our tie breaker baby would be…

We went in for a scheuled induction post date…with a history of macro babies, post date and all the scheduling//logistics to get extra hands here, we were happy to take some of the element of surprise out of it, and move labor along with my midwives in hospital setting that I do best with. Low and behold it was a busy weeked in L&D dept, with a full (super) moon and a bunch of other folks with scheduled inductions…with me I started on cervadil and we watched to see if labor would kick start/jump start with a little encouragement…no luck…so 12 hours later (after a crazy night on the floor, a few emergencies with other mommas, and us just chilling/sleeping), they finally switched gears and got the green light to start me on pitocin, with minimal dilation but everything else lining up/ready to go. My labors have a history of being very long/slow/peaceful build up to 3 cm, and then finally when they can break my waters, things accelerate from there. It was a relaxed, chatty day, we visited with the awesome nurses/midwife and generally (almost) forgot why were there 😉 Finally…after 6 hours turning the pitocin higher and higher, and finally breaking my bag of waters, things started picking up, and I opted for epidural, to be more relaxed/restful after what had turned out to be a long (delayed) induction …we’re gonna say 36 hours in the L&D room–possibly a record! But only 12 of that was considered active labor from when they got my pitocin started to when she was born, in the wee hours of the morning. It was one of the most intentional, empowered, calm, (yes, challenging at moments, but mostly mentally), and serene births, and for that I am truly grateful. She was born 8lbs 10oz, a good lb smaller than my biggest baby, and from the first moment we laid eyes on her, we were absolutely and totally smitten.

I am a strong believer in honoring and making a significance to postpartum life, as a cocoon phase, and a time of transitions for mom and baby. Yes, there’s the obvious physical healing that needs to take place (often forgotten or underestimated in modern times), and there is just as importantly, a huge emotional/psychological component to postpartum life—mother and child are learning to be *Apart* from each other, after 9+ months of only ever existing *Together*…and in addition to that, the mother is embracing a new identity as a result of this child, and this is a radical and beautiful thing, but requires delicacy, awareness, and the right support systems. No matter how many children you have, you truly can’t *hack* or shortcut the postpartum phases, but you can instead (as I’ve done) learned to embrace them as a beautifully unique time, and to do my best to lean into them and live them with grace–and the mindset that I’m allowed to deeply thrive, just as my baby is meant to thrive. With the exponential rise of Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety (which myself struggled with after child 3), I think it’s clear that we’re doing something wrong as a culture, in not supporting mommas properly in this time. It takes intention, planning, humility (welcoming help is hard for the super momma persona), but in the end, it’s what our mothers and children need. The babies need it (a thriving momma is so closely tied in to a thriving baby)…and of course, the worn out mommas of 2021 need a chance to feel loved, grounded, nourished, and happy. That’s the challenge and also the ideal.

While many from the outside might have seen only glimpses of my postpartum season with Nellie (some days I shared what was happening on social, other days I just kept it honored and quiet in my heart)…it was truly a beautiful season, even more beautiful than I could have imagined, and that largely in part because I welcomed the support I so desperately needed. Even if in past days, I could “wing it” with a recovery period, and then zoom on with my busy life, something switched after my 3rd child, and I realized I craved *rest *quiet *honoring the baby and the season I was in *doing things differently for a time *Fighting pressure to bounce back *Less is more with pp fitness…and so much more. This is where my postpartum momma’s group was born, and my own focus on supporting postpartum mommas as a health coach (with a beautiful and overwhelming response…because it touches a chord).

We all know the stereotype of the over-exhausted momma, desperate for a wink of sleep, and the incessantly crying infant who can’t adjust to it’s new life. Well let’s just say, that’s not how it has to be.

As you’ve seen from my other blog posts, I take birth prep very seriously (and healthy habits in pregnancy). These pay off most clearly in the first weeks of postpartum life.

If momma has been active, caring for herself well, focusing on optimal nutrition, and fueling her body (to reduce inflammation esp at the end), then the hours, days and weeks after birth can be a relaxed and gentle period of rest…with no thought of rushing back to fitness or “normal life” or work, or anything.

Because these topics are near and dear to my heart (as I live them yet again)…I’ve been working on a mini-course that goes more in depth into some of these topics. You’ll see references to it throughout, but here’s the first chance for you to check out what it’s all about…it’s designed to connect directly with you, in each beautiful phase of preparing for postpartum, living postpartum, building your support team, deciding how to nourish and support yourself and baby best, and so much more…and it’s done through small/short videos that you can watch in 5 to 10 min segments (because sometimes that’s all we have, when breastfeeding, etc), and they are meant to inspire, uplift, provide concrete tools and a framework for doing postpartum well. It’s going to look different for everyone, so the course will give room for YOU to uncover and embrace what style of PP you’d like to have, and go from there…

I also prepped a small gift from my postpartum toolkit to any of you mommas that this would help: it’s a sheet of postpartum affirmations that I use regularly (daily) in PP to help ensure my mindset and my heart are in the right place. So many things can swing our moods and emotions and feelings in PP, and so often I see that mommas run the risk of getting so down on themselves, guilty or letting random advice or judgment take the place of their own beautiful intuition about what’s needed. So here it is, enjoy, and let me know what you think (tag me if you’re enjoying using them)….@maddypidel on insta, and #inspiredpostpartum.

Grab my free Postpartum affirmations sheet here.

Transformative Postpartum

I’ve loved this image and analogy since I first heard it, that postpartum life is like a cocoon, a safe and transitional place/season that is a crucial part of both mother and baby emerging as balanced and thriving individuals. So often our society puts pressure on us, mothers, to pretend as if nothing happened, to be back on our emails, our treadmills, our hectic pace, without acknowledging just what a huge and life changing occasion this is…it takes time to unpack. It’s not a sign of weakness to carve out crucial rest and healing time, especially in honoring the first 40 days after birth, and the first 3 months often hailed as the “4th trimester” of critical baby development, and mother’s recovery–physically and also emotionally.

Creating your ideal Postpartum

Yes, it’s OK, and good to dream about and plan for your ideal postpartum. Obviously every baby is different, every birth experience and recovery is different, and every family and support set up is different. With all that said, it’s your right and your role, as mother, to set up the ideal and communicate that clearly, so that you and baby can focus on bonding, and you can hone your motherly instinct to serve you best during this time.

For some of you…your ideal postpartum is 3 months alone, with baby (and maybe spouse)….

But, with other siblings in the mix, if any, or the fact that lonliness is seen as a key contributor to postpartum anxiety and depression…mothers really aren’t meant to do this alone. At least you need someone to help cook and clean while you rest 😉

And for me, my ideal postpartum looked quite different. I’m extremely extroverted, and coming out of a year like we’ve had (thanks covid), the idea of having loved ones around us in the days after Nellie’s birth was positively life-giving. Yes, we were hosting many of them in our home, and yes, some days it was alot. But the trade-offs I saw for my family, my kids, my husband and myself were so rich. And in this process I learned to articulate my boundaries, ensured I napped/laid down every day with Nellie. I learned when to say I needed a few hours to myself (and someone would take the kids out), vs welcoming people in for meals, cooking for us, hosting, and of course, never playing hostess but always focusing exactly on my needs and baby’s—disappearing to rest or feed whenever needed.

It’s a delicate balance to be found, but I know that when mommas are happy and feel loved, celebrated, supported, nourished well, and more, then it gives them crucial time to focus on baby and recovery, and resetting in every way.

Intuitive Postpartum

You’ll hear a theme here in this post—intuitive eating, intuitive movement, and intuitive living in postpartum…it’s what I aspire to, and it’s our best chance at thriving. Remember the phrase “mother’s intuition”? Cheesy or not, it’s true that in these beautiful intense early days, our intuition is at it’s strongest, and it’s a chance to lean into it, trust it, and hone it (if you’re not practiced/skilled at living or listening to intuition). It will serve us well, and help protect us from burnout, stress, mood swings, and more.

Trust your gut…even while you heal and nourish it in postpartum (see my gut boosting tools below). Your intution and your instincts during these early days are beautiful and powerful–and designed to make it so that you thrive, as well as baby thrives. Sometimes, when things would feel out of whack or the days would be whirling by me without enough intention, I would pause and very clearly check in with myself: how am I doing? Scan the body, how am I feeling? What do I need? What do I sense that baby (and my other household members) need today? How can I ensure that I get the rest and self-care that’s vital for me, while the rest of them can thrive? The answers are always there, as soon as we do that mental reset and check in. It’s critical for thriving in postpartum, so I encourage you to build the muscle, and journaling/meaningful connections with other mommas and your support team can also help in teasing out what is needed/best for all right now.

When in doubt…rest.

The answer to many mini challenges that arise with a new life with new baby stem from just mis-matching our pace of life (blame modern world moving at the speed of light). What’s needed is REST, stillness, peace, calm. Baby needs it, and so does our postpartum body. In the first 2 months especially, I am willing to take rest as the default. Sure, there are spurts of activity, outings, the like, but in general, I’m reminding myself (and baby’s cues are perfect here, with their frequent feedings)…that the key is to rest and put your feet up. Having a postpartum nook and some enticing snacks/drinks/a book or phone, is a key element of looking forward to all the moments you’ll spend nursing your little one. Filling them with the best nourishment, you’re reminded to replenish yourself—energy tea, postpartum teas, enriching meals, bone broths, etc….

Your needs for support are very real, and change frequently.

From my experiences with babes #4 and 5, when doing postpartum more intentionally….you have very specific needs during week 1 and 2, and these change after, into weeks 2-4, then again after 6 weeks or 40 days. With Nellie, I found it was a good 7+ weeks (while at grandma’s house) before she was settling and napping well on her own (being able to put down and sleeping long stretches). Now, that’s a real milestone, and before that, it’s good to be extra reliant on help, and ensuring that you’re getting breaks from full baby duty, in addition to housework, meals, etc. You just need to know you can get mental resets and fully rest yourself, in order to come back stronger in every way.

Postpartum fitness…less is more.

I laugh when I write this, because I truly didn’t get this for my first few postpartums. I was itching to be “back” and pushed myself harder than I needed to…with the net result being a longer or more difficult recovery, or in the case of my 2nd postpartum, after a huge baby/drawn out birth and not respecting time for my abs to heal (didn’t have everymother) I was jumping into ab exercises and HIIT early on and probably doing more damage than good to my body, in the name of coming “back” and feeling myself. Now there’s nothing wrong with that instinct, but we want to be as gentle as possible. Less is definitely more when it comes to pospartum activity and “fitness” (I have in quotes because the focus should be on function before fitness)…our pelvic floor, core and all of our body have been through something life changing and intense. They need time to heal…rest is literally the best and most effective weight loss tool in early PP, and balancing moods, strengthening core, stretching/re-discovering un-used or under-used muscles is KEY for a real pp fitness journey that gets you where you want to be, injury free, stress free, balanced, and stronger than ever.

For me, after Nellie, this looked like moving intuitively (around the house, and a few tiny outings) for 3 weeks, breathing, stretching a bit, everymother, then slowly starting to go on short walks in the neighborhood, starting with the short distance up and down in front of the house, and then longer walks (we live on a 2/3 mile cul-de-sac loop) but always staying very mindful and never pushing myself. I focused most of my energy in the first 6 weeks on nutrition and rest, and proper healing/ab support, and the result was that at 6 weeks I felt totally ready and eager for my first run!!

Postpartum Nutrition: Intuitive Eating

Now I know that it may sound crazy to say to a new mom: trust your intuition, eat what you crave and what makes you feel good. So many moms feel this pressure to start calorie counting, dieting, and watching what they eat from day one…it’s crazy and counter-productive. Your body and your baby need so much right now…and none of it can feel or be restrictive. However, I do understand that there are alot of misconceptions and misunderstandings out there, so here’s some guidelines that I’ve taken from the overall framework of the wonderful book The first 40 days…and adapted based on my experiences.

Eat a high fat, high nutrient diet for the first month, to balance hormones, provide you and baby with balanced, enriching meals, and totally don’t even think about diets, weight loss, and of that, but rather, focus on stress management, hormone balancing, sleep, and feeding baby well…that will achieve the desired effect for you (with the help of my pp nutrition super kit).

It’s important to eat warm, easily digestible, soft foods and emphasize teas and broths and warm, veggie and meat rich (bone broth is key, as is a delicious steak or two if that sounds appetizing)

Trust yourself and enjoy snacking like a queen…I had a wonderful friend send me bags from whole foods my first week PP with all the delicious healthy snacks you can imagine, nuts, trail mix, veggies and hummus, chips, I was in heaven…and of course, chocolate. I keep some stashed by my nursing/postpartum nook and had it in my bedside table too; quick hits of sugar and something yummy to take the edge off your hunger when you’re feeding. Acknowledge that now, more than ever, you’re eating *and hydrating* for 2, so give yourself permission to enjoy pretty much everything you like, in moderation, and trust the process…weight loss comes as a natural result of re-balancing, nourishing, stabilizing after birth, making sure baby has enough nutrients coming, and then releasing weight (with healthy digestion, etc playing a key). The First 40 days book emphasizes eating animal products/iron rich foods and there’s a whole section in my upcoming PP course about specifics of meal planning and nutrition in PP. The main thing is that you’re letting other people cook for you—and doing as little cooking and shopping in the first month as possible! That’s the way in which it takes a village. Virtual or in person (local) meal trains are your best friend, and be specific about what you want! (Maybe you get sick of pasta really easily!)…we loved getting meals delivered from our favorite local restaurants, and it’s often easier for someone to place an order for food you’ll love, and they can do it from anywhere, rather than stressing about bringing meals to you–it depends on what you want and what works for them….I saw it work well for a friend recently to do a virtual meal train, so I think whatever floats your boat and works for your network of friends and family.

Next level self-care

Whatever that looks like for you–don’t hesitate to do it. For me, this time around, in the midst of the first weeks (with alot of extra hands around), it looked like prioritizing pelvic physical therapy (life-changing! I’ve been doing it 5 years and adore it), and reflexology, which has been a hugely beneficial healing modality for me…it’s one of the best ways to re-balance all the systems of the body, hormones, etc after birth–I go monthly for the first 6 months!

It means caring for myself with all the tools in my nutritional tool-kit–night and day difference with doing postpartum (my first one…really rough)…vs my other postpartums…(see details below).

It means putting my phone down and staring at Nellie, or napping for an hour instead of doing chores midday, or sending the kids out with a kind relative so I can have a quiet (relatively clean) house and get a few things done on my computer, or hopping into a postpartum soak bath after putting the kids to sleep.

It means saying no to negative energies around myself and my family, or setting new boundaries based on the kind of ideal day schedule we’re setting up.

Productivity & Life design in PP: permission to write new life priorities
With both other girls (that I had 10 and 8 years ago), the focus was always on back to work, and enjoying the fleeting time I had with them…But also tearing myself away at 8 weeks PP with both to be back in an office/pumping/the whole 9 yards. Working mommas; I see you, I feel your pain. You’re happy to be back, activating your mind and being yourself, but then you’re torn because this part of your heart lives outside of you now, and generally wants to be with you/near you all the time!!

For me, now, that my life is established (and my PP experiences solidified my decision to be my own business owner…to live this season to the full and watch baby grow)….I find that yet, with each child, there’s a major shift that occurs, and now I just lean into it, and welcome the idea that I will want to switch up many elements of life as part of welcoming a new baby. It’s a seismic shift, and there’s no good reason to pretend like you have to go on just as before. I’m humbling asking for more help, to be able to continue doing what I love to do, and what fuels me, even as soon as I try to be more for each of my kiddos–it’s just not possible some days, and there’s no pride in trying to be alll things for all of your people (incl spouse ;):)

Sometimes, life with a new baby brings us ultra clarity about what we want to have in our life still (and what we’re happy to let go of)…I love this element, of simplifying, coming from a place of rest, and listening to yet again, our intuition. I always come out of the first few months newly convicted about new directions to take my business as a biz owner, creatively charged up in new directions as a content creator, coach, and more. I love letting go of things that aren’t serving me…and never looking back. This includes even relationships that don’t have a place/role in your new life with baby. Now, with homeschooling in the mix, I’m in a season of gathering inspiration and tools for that, and preparing for even more leaning into help to make it all happen.

People often ask me for tips about life design and generally productivity while in PP phase. The answer is: use all the small moments well. You may not have an hour chunk with no interruptions, but you can learn to embrace and use the smaller fragments:: 5 min here for a phone call/checking off the list, 10 minutes here for a computer session/email time, 15 minutes there for brainstorming or using those valuable (many) feeding hours for reading/reflection/journaling/making phone calls rather than just scrolling the feed (though there’s a rejuvenating time for that too!)

Coming soon…postpartum mini course sneak preview…

I really have so much to say on each and every one of these topics (often learned from doing it wrong, or learning from what happened in previous postpartums), and I only have so much space here…BUT, the postpartum mini course is the place where I get to share more–from my PP heart straight to yours.

Here’s a glimpse at some of what the PP course is covering:

Postpartum daily rituals
Postpartum mood management
Postpartum–siblings
Setting up support/structure for early weeks, and beyond
Core recovery
Postpartum fitness and nutrition
postpartum snacks
productivity and life design in postpartum

I’m having a blast creating this course, and it’s a gift to be able to share it from this place of being right in the middle of (coming out of the first 3 months) with my own sweet Eleanor Marie, where it’s all fresh in my mind and heart.

If you’re not a mom, or not in PP, but think this blog post or the upcoming course could benefit a friend, feel free to send them this link…I greatly appreciate it, as that’s how this blog grows and supports mommas.

Thank you to all those of you who have supported and been part of this postpartum journey of mine so far…it’s such a rich blessing to know that there are so many who are supporting, either physically if close by, sending gifts or meals, and generally creating such a warm welcome for Nellie.

I am still allowing myself to sift through my own life priorities, and letting new things come to the forefront now, as we head into the next phases of life with 5 kids…right at this beautiful cusp of welcoming the fall, etc.

Definitely this blog, and the postpartum mommas group and all the ways I get to serve you in your health and life design journeys is a huge source of inspiration and support to me, and I love getting to look at new layers and angles to continue in it.

Here’s the postpartum nutritional tools/packages I swear by, since some of you have been asking for specifics and links, it’s all here & you can message me or email me hello@maddypidel.com if you have questions or want to get free shipping, or bundle PP coaching sessions with it!

Postpartum nutrition packages

*Healthy digestion:

*PP sleep tools:

*Energy & mood:

*Multi/covering your bases

*Breastfeeding/milk production support

Packages: designed from my PP nook to your hearts & hom.

Essentials:

Give me the good stuff

The ultimate PP package

Brand new: a business owner momma mastermind!

This project is close to my heart, as I’ve been blending a life of intentional mothering and business ownership for over 9 years now, and while it’s no walk in the park, and some days can feel like balance or success in any one area will be an elusive goal we just keep chasing…there’s other days, moments & even hours, that find us in flow, connecting deeply to our why (our families/children) & digging deeper to find new resources, strategies and tools for growing impactful businesses while always putting our priorities straight, aligned with our core values.

Ever since I began this journey fully in 2013, after saying goodbye to a predictable but draining desk job, it’s been non-stop opportunities for challenge & growth, and one of the key indicators for success that I’ve seen in myself & others is the chance for community, peer feedback & mentorship, and placing myself in connection with other inspiring individuals who can help me grow! And it’s crucial to connect with other MOMs who run businesses, since our experiences are so unique, and our time management/juggling is unlikely any other 😉 From this same place & the feedback from many who reach out to me–passionate about being fully MOM, present to their kids, and also fully BIZ OWNER (with or without the hustle;), the question always comes: HOW DO YOU DO IT?

And there isn’t one answer for all, or one size fits all lifestyle. That’s the beauty of why we chose this. Instead, what we need to do is intentionally DESIGN our life & our business goals around our deepest heart callings, our priorities–financial, family, work-life balance, etc.

Are you ready for that level of intentionality, flow & success in your business? Keep reading!

This group will meet 2x monthly–one will be a Q&A discussion chat where you can pitch/share your burning/pressing questions with the group and we discuss! And the other one will be a mini discussion & presentation led by Maddy on various topics….(we read book chapters/articles to set the tone for each topic) such as these:

*Setting business goals as a momma

*Day in the life: how real mommas juggle work & mothering with grace

*Less hustle, more flow. Planning for seasons of growth, seasons of rest, seasons of scaling.

*Back-end systems/outsourcing & scaling to grow your biz: some tips & practical systems

*Setting client schedules that work for YOU.

*Mindset for success: mantras & tips for how you think about your business & mothering.

My goal for this group is that this 1.5 hour monthly commitment (2x 45 min calls) will fit seamlessly into your busy mompreuner life, and add so much value & encouragement & excitment & motivation that you find yourself brimming with excitement to get to work each week, with clear purpose, understanding what you’re building, where you’re heading, and why. That you know that you have an incredible group of women who are cheering you on, every step of the way.

Currently, the group is enrolling for all business types. I get asked about this most often from other health coach mommas who are in the midst of building businesses, so I plan to have a core group that focuses on those needs (my own industry)…but I’ll of course run a group for other industries as we have so many things we can learn from other moms peeling back the curtain to show us what’s behind their successful business in 2021.

In future I plan to offer multiple groups based on industries, experience levels, etc, but for now, I want to start with the first brilliant cohort of mommas & create something meaningful that benefits all of us, no matter what our line of work or experience level! This also allows me to offer an introductory pricing for the community, which will make it affordable for those at every level, including those just beginning to build & grow their businesses.

Learn more, give feedback, & get on the wait list here! The group begins in Sept 2021, and runs for 6 months (with Dec break) ending March 2022!

Incredible things are happening—can’t wait to have you as part of it!

A peek inside the birth bag—and the final countdown to our tiebreaker baby!

Life has been full in recent weeks. It’s been a fun mad rush to the finish line with nesting & completing our basement reno, and making lots of big & small upgrades around our project home, as well as making major headway towards finishing up our schooling year. I feel like life went from slow motion (snowed in Feb) to hyper-speed with March & the coming of warmth & fun in the sun, and of course, lent & Easter. We’re now in a final countdown to baby, and I finally packed the bag (never having gone early, I don’t usually feel any urgency until 37 weeks ;))

Now, with this done, and baby spaces set up (little nooks around my room for now), it’s begun to finally feel very real, and very exciting.

I have had 4 extremely different births (and each one perfect & beautiful)…so I have learned to let go of my expectations around how it “should be” and be more aware & mindful that it’s going to work out perfectly, and baby has a crucial role to play in it too. This time, with baby staying in breech position until late (35 weeks) I was laughing that yet again, a reminder of how little we have in our control & how much this baby just wants to keep us on our toes 😉

Did lots of inversions (spinning babies), reflexology, acupuncture & some hypnobirth meditations, & baby turned & seems like he/she will stay put vertex (fingers crossed) for now. I don’t take any day of a healthy pregnancy, baby, and momma for granted, so now we’re just in the final waiting game, and eager to meet him or her.

With what I said above about realizing there’s no one “right” way for birthing to go, I like to approach birth in as empowered, confident, peaceful & prepared way as possible. I like to think of it like an athletic endeavor, so the tools I stock & bring with me are similar to what I would use for finishing a half marathon…with an even sweeter finish line.

I love holistic tools for pregnancy, birth & postpartum, so you’ll see exactly what I value, and rely on now as my toolkit for empowered & peaceful birthing, and initial recovery.

Birth bag roundup

For baby:

*I’ve learned not too much is needed–they provide many of the essentials like diapers 😉 & clothing is optional during the first crucial hours of skin to skin time. But of course, a few swaddles like the ones from Aden & Anais & Be A Heart are lovely to have, and an outfit or 2 for styling & for bringing baby home!

This is my first time bringing clothing for both genders, and it’s definitely a funny & exciting feeling.

*Frankinscense oil is a wonderful one for baby.

For labor:

*The best natural hydration drink on the planet–you need to keep your elecrolytes & energy up.

*Energizing tea–a clean energy boost perfect for laboring momma

*Arnica oil

*Essential oils like clary sage can help with effective laboring & relaxation. I love my young living essential oil lip balm too.

*headphones, a labor playlist that’s calm & inspiring, or a hypnobirthing meditation (I loved these in my labor with Blaise).

For initial recovery:

*cozy socks are a must

*sweater/bathrobe layer

*I love bringing my own pillowcase as well

*PJs that are comfy & easy to nurse in:) Mine are from Gap.

*Tea mug (I love my Yeti) & some of your favorite teas (they may provide some too)

*Supplements like cal-mag, optiflora DI probiotics, herblax, recovery for restful sleep, & others can make the first day after birth easier on your body

*Skincare travel kit: to pamper yourself a bit & take care of your skin in the hours/days after birth. I love my youth.

*Of course my daily pre-natal/go to–the meology personalized nutrition packets

Additional items:

*Book if you think you’ll get to it 😉 (I prefer it to endless instagram time & it helps me wind down to sleep)

*All the snacks!!! You need to replenish. I love trail mix & high fiber foods.

*Change of clothes for hub

*Charger 😉

Nutrition for 3rd trimester, and something I did differently this time

I also love focusing on good nutrition & support for momma in the final trimester. This time around, with an anemia diagnosis that was beginning to affect me… I went ahead and, at the recs of my midwives & some friends I trust, got 4 iron infusions. I did them through a wonderful wellness center near me, called Peak Wellness, and my dear friend runs the infusion room so I knew I was in good hands. They were a literal game changer for me. I feel SO much more energy, focus, mental alertness, and preparedness for birth & recovery than I did before I had them (at 32 weeks I was fading & wondering just how I would make it through). Anemia is extremely common in pregnancy, and while it’s wonderful to supplement iron orally (which I do always) & even add in floradix etc if needed, there comes a point that if your iron stores (ferretin) levels are too low, it becomes extremely hard to effectively (quickly) increase your iron levels without infusions. I’m a huge advocate for these now (if needed) & am so glad I went through the extra steps of getting the pre-scrip & making time for the infusion appts in these final weeks.

I also like to have awareness of the foods that can support us in birth prep

*pineapple helps ripen/tone the cervix

*dates are known to be helpful with a smooth & fast labor/delivery

*kale/celery & PB & other fiber rich snacks are crucial in late pregnancy when it’s harder to eat full meals but you need the nutrients

*Energizing tea along with chia seeds (protein & fiber) & the natural hydration formula gives me a perfect morning or mid-day energy/mood boost.

*Trail mix is another easy energy boosting snack to have on hand during late pregnancy, and even during labor

*Protein shakes are my jam when I don’t feel like eating real meals–they give me energy for hours, and help me feel amazing. (Kale, oatmilk, fresh or frozen pineapple, vanilla life shake, optional mangos or other frozen fruits). Babies & mommas need all the healthy protein we can get for building cells, so this super clean plant protein is what I rely on.

*Red raspberry leaf tea/3rd trimester tea blends. This one is a special one concocted for me by my reflexologist…it also has nettle & oatstraw and a few other key ingredients that serve me well both now & into postpartum.

I’ve been joking with my husband that the time around having the baby, being away & postpartum resting will feel like a major vacation, especially with how hard we’ve been working on some home projects & finishing off some spaces/nesting in an extreme way.

I love the postpartum set-up where I’m going to have baby: gorgeous river views, great care & amenities, it feels more like a hotel than a hospital 😉

As we wind down the homeschool year, and prep to welcome all the helping hands, I couldn’t be more thrilled with where everyone is at–the other kids are truly thriving & growing so much & I know they are ready for this big change too.

I take postpartum rest very seriously, and I’m SO grateful to have family & others stepping in to provide over a month of hands on round-the-clock help for us so that we can all transition well, I can enjoy baby time, and the kids can have their needs met well.

Gifts for the kids while I’m away.

This time, I also wanted to make things feel a bit more special for the kids as they welcome a new sibling. I gathered some fun crafts & activities, with notes for each, and they are stashed away, to be opened while I’m away, doing the birth & recovery. Because of covid, they won’t be visiting me, but rather waiting until I bring baby home, so it feels extra important for them to realize their important role in all of this, and to know how much we appreciate them, while baby is being born.

Grateful for every day that I wake up with energy & motivation to face the tasks at hand, and to continue on with baby & general spring prep & loving life with these littles. Things are about to change permanently, and for the better, so I’m here creating space, creating awareness & ready for the next chapter with all the goodness it will bring.

Rocking my Blanqi support wear which is my favorite way to stay comfy, supported & active in the final weeks.

See you soon, baby.

Love,

your momma