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Category: motherhood

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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).

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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 🙂

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Reflecting on 2020…and Looking Ahead to 2021

What a year. In so many ways, a time of testing, and of turning upside down so many things we held dear or took for granted.

At the same time, it’s been a year with a multitude of blessings: a chance for more calm, more space, more quiet, more time with loved ones, less stress and everyday bustle. We’ve had to really re-evaluate all our commitments and relationships, now with a new context of being safe and responsible regarding the virus, but also with an eye to the new, huge array of opportunities.

I am grateful that my family has experienced blessings in this year, and I’m keenly aware of how difficult this year has been for so many. Many families have lost income, had to relocate in the midst of the pandemic, have juggled competing work and childcare demands, and done it all in isolation from much needed help from family and friends.

In many ways, we were spared from the worst of the crisis. Our family was very lucky not to have our financial wellbeing threatened. We had no job loss or lack of economic opportunities, and we had safely settled into our new home in a great neighborhood just before the lockdown hit. By this time last year, our huge home renovation project was (miraculously) at a calm and reasonable pausing point.

But I also know that none of us were un-affected. The normalcy of going to playgrounds, seeing friends, going to restaurants, museums, and school, was all called into question. My family began to have a totally home-centered life, and while it suits us well and we really love it and thrive here in our home, it was still something that required a stripping of expectations, a surrender, a re-orienting of hearts and minds.

At the beginning of 2020, I choose three words for the year: Simplicity, Savoring, and Surrender.

Choosing words for each year is a practice I began a few years back. I tend to be a performance oriented person. I love my lists, my goals, my short-term and long-term planning. For me, choosing words or themes or virtues to define my year keeps me focused on the gentler, bigger picture of growth and the life I want to live, rather than putting too much emphasis on a list of goals or thresholds to measure my performance or my worth.

Choosing these themes and words has proven to be immensely helpful for me. I like to stick with three, both so that there can be some distinction and diversity between the concepts and also so the alliteration keeps them front of mind.

Clearly, the Holy Spirit had something in mind for me when He led me to simplicity, savoring, and surrender for 2020. Lessons that I’m still unpacking.

In early 2020. I savored our home even as we painted, cleaned, cleared out, and finished many of our spaces to be a place we truly love. I savored many moments with kids, unexpected time with the girls home from school, then a transition to homeschooling this fall. I savored our ability to shape and work hard to create meaning, balance, flow, and peace in days that were now, suddenly, so open-ended.

We savored watching spring turn to summer, watching our littles grow before our eyes, long golden days and evenings in our new garden, romping in the yard, swimming at our local lake, eating dinner outside. We savored all the time with dad during the time he was home with us (in lockdown). We savored regular walks, local hikes, moments in nature, and all things that were “safe” to do. We savored new neighborhood relationships and friendships that deepened during quarantine.

We embraced simplicity, of life and of schedule. Weekly trips to the grocery store were considered our outings. The focus was simple days, simple pleasures, simple moments with kids: sitting and reading to them, playing, cultivating of our home spaces, gardening & tending to our outdoor spaces, cooking, and doing dishes peacefully, after months of living in a constant state of upheaval and stretched between two homes in fall 2019. I saw my kids embrace simpler days and thrive without having to leave our home, neighborhood yards, or walkable town. Their contentment inspired me to dig deeper into simple joyful routines of my own.

Simplicity & embracing what’s essential…giving in to days that prioritize rest, nourishment, connection, and creativity….are beautiful seasons indeed. That’s what 2020 allowed for many of us. Stripping away the extra & superfluous led us deeper into the callings of our heart, our creative natures, allowed us to stretch, learn new things, care for our selves & families & homes in new intentional ways.

I surrendered (not always graciously) to the day-in-day-out demands of motherhood with four littles. The hard moments jumble right up next to the simple and beautiful ones, and it leaves me every evening falling into bed exhausted and knowing I gave my all.

I surrendered my expectations of what home life, work life, and school life would look like, when they all blurred together even more than before (and yet, beautifully, I saw how they informed, inspired, and lifted each other up). I also surrendered the pain and frustration of challenging relationships that were not working anymore, letting go of bitterness and letting our smaller, slower life show me that it was okay to forgive and move onward in peace.

I surrendered my hopes for a school year that would look like the previous ones had and embraced the beautiful mess (sometimes not beautiful, just messy) of homeschooling. I surrendered to a tough(er) first trimester with this baby, grateful that in those early weeks when I napped daily, was constantly nauseous, and rarely (never) made dinner, we had a dear cousin able to come stay with us to help. I surrendered yet again to allowing my work goals to shift and look different for the fall (and yet, somehow to feel more confident and passionate about what I doing than ever before as I watch so many of us step back to reconsider and redesign our lives). We started work on our unfinished basement, and surrendered (me, less than patiently) with the delays, setbacks, and challenges of doing renovation work during Covid-19.

As I look ahead to the spring, I am surrendering my expectations (me, the ultimate planner) to what life will look like with five. I know it will be different, will stretch us, and will be beautiful just as every stage of life has before it.

Surrender doesn’t come easily for me. But I’m immensely grateful for all the opportunities to watch a bigger, better plan unfold this year and to learn to expand my heart and mind, always.

These three themes helped guide, anchor, and motivate me during some of the challenges of the year. They helped me appreciate all the good moments…simple and savoring as they might be.

2020…the year we embraced HOME and fell deeply in love with ours. The year I transitioned from “I’ll never homeschool” to “we’re going to do this and give it our best shot,” and then fell in love with the pace of life it gives us. The year we relished each social gathering and strategically chose the friendships to invest in and allowed others to recede. The year when family became more central than ever.

I will never forget this year. I’m truly grateful for the lessons that I needed to learn. I hope to carry them with me as we step across the threshold of the new year and acknowledge just how much resilience and strength this year has required of us.

Congrats on making it to the end of 2020! You’re a different version of yourself, hopefully a version you’re proud of or surprised by. The odds are that you did some pretty extraordinary things this year, and it’s good to celebrate what you’ve endured and worked through. Here’s to building on all of this, and running into 2021, together!

Curious: What were your main lessons & takeaways from 2020?

Have you ever chosen themes or intentions for your new year?

Have 5 minutes? Take my healthy habits & fulfillment quiz to determine how prepared you are for positive changes in 2021!

Do you feel like you could use a mindset support for your goal, intention, or habit setting? Check out my inspired life coaching program, and my 5 week signature life design course as a way to jumpstart your new year.

Thanks for being part of my 2020. You’re a big part of the reason why I wake up every day inspired, hopeful, and ready to continue doing my small part to make this world better, brighter, kinder.

Fear and darkness will not win.

2021…let’s do this!

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Life lessons from my garden

Maddy’s note: this is my 100th blog post! I had no idea when we started this humble project a few years back, where it would take us, and how much we would enjoy the process. Thanks to all you faithful readers, and a huge shout-out and thank you to my sister Annie, my talented editor.

This post was featured in the Theology of Home roundup on August 5, 2020.

Our humble garden has been changing the pace of our summers for four years now. 

It started as a fun project that we took on when moving to the “country,” and has become something we look forward to each year. The first year was a lesson in many things, but mostly in eagerness. We enjoyed building the beds and planting a large multitude of different seeds and seedlings, only to realize we could overcrowd the plants, and that we had alot to learn about tending them into a fruitful harvest.

When I started my gardening habits four years ago, I was in a season of mild postpartum anxiety (PPA) and was generally overwhelmed. Adjusting from two to three kids was hard for me, and on top of that, we had made a big (wonderful) move to a more rural lifestyle, out of the crazy hustling pace of New York City. It was a lot of change, and I needed a full reset of the pace that I’d grown accustomed to. I knew that life could be simpler, slower, and richer in little ways, but I struggled to relinquish the cultural pressures of hustle, “more,” and “instant,” and my kids did too.

As we learned to tend our plants that first summer, I saw a shift in all of us. Of appreciation for simple daily miracles, of slowness, of wonder at the beauty of our world, and at our chance to cultivate a small corner of it. 

Over these four summers, we’ve spent some beautifully memorable hours prepping, tending to it (though we’re very low-maintenance about it relative to some expert gardeners), and of course, harvesting, as we are now in July and August. 

There are cherry tomatoes we eat like candy, herbs for nightly dinner enhancements (and cocktails, of course), and other things like cucumbers and zucchinis, eggplant, bell peppers, that appear almost overnight and miraculously…the growth can almost be seen if you watch closely. It reminds me of how it feels to watch my children, ages almost 10 to 18 months, growing before my eyes with the simple ingredients of summer: food, sunshine, and long hours of play. 

In a culture that emphasizes and values consumption over all (think our overflowing homes, netflix subscriptions and screen consumption, constant need for new, different, the way social media fans the flames of need cycles), I know that our humble attempt to grow a garden is something that helps me pause. To lean towards other values. Of cultivation, care-taking, and a slower pace of life. 

Why we garden: some thoughts

Gardening is an excellent form of the “unplugging” and resetting that we all need, especially in the midst of a year that has challenged everything about our sense of normalcy. 

In the past, we, like many other families, have gone down the path of summertime crowding and the “consumption” of experiences like camps, activities at the library, and vacations away. I’m still sometimes guilty of falling prey to this, but the presence of our garden and the life flourishing right there in that patch, pulls me back to a more grounded reality, helping me relish staying home and living expansively within our spaces.

A book that I read last summer drove home this perspective from another angle. There are some nearly forgotten values that we would do well to build our lives on—sustainability, cultivation, peace, patience, and a long-term perspective. Cultivating these values leads us to make decisions that have positive ripples for years and decades to come.

I don’t know how much my kids will remember of all of this, or if they will cherish home grown foods or choose to plant a garden in their future lives, but I do know that they take so much pride in the veggies they are growing here today. They eat them willingly, proudly tasting the fruits of their labor, and I believe they have a deeper sense of wonder and appreciation for the earth and its fruits knowing the process that we go through, from seed to harvest. 

Living in tune with nature’s rhythms

When we start our seeds in the frigid April air of Connecticut or buy our tiny seedlings from local farms in May, we are committing with hope and joy to the cycles of the year; the long hot days are soon to come. 

And in August, when the cherry tomatoes are bursting with ripeness and we walk by and pop them in our mouths as we wander around the yard, it’s a reminder of the goodness of each season and of just how much the little things, simple and fleeting as they may seem, can truly mark and ground our lives. (Do you think we would appreciate juicy summer tomatoes the same way if every day was hot and tomato season was year round? I doubt it.) 

When we get a sudden, strong, mid-afternoon summer storm, I sigh happily knowing that nature is doing its watering (even if it means we have to get creative with our rainy day plans). There’s a bigger life cycle at work that we’re tapping into. There’s something to be said for living with these seasonal rhythms that remind us, a time for everything and everything in its time. 

This year, the four kids each had the chance to be responsible for designing and tending to one of the garden beds as we built. They enjoyed every aspect from moving soil, picking out seedlings from a local organic farm, and planting their selection of herbs, veggies and flowers. It was a process that kept us happily busy for long spring days, and now they burst with pride when picking veggies for dinner or showing yard guests the growth of their gardens. 

Keeping it simple

All these plants really need are good soil, sun, and plentiful water—sometimes rain, sometimes overzealous hose soaks from the kids, or a gentle sprinkler mist, mid-day, that helps punctuate our routines and outdoor time.

The garden welcomes whatever attention it gets, and these plants are hard-wired to thrive. The other day my daughter was having a tough moment and I told her that plants grow and do well when we sing to them. Now I’ll see her pausing in the middle of her play to sing a short song to them (or catch the dragon fly that always linger there) before she goes back to her games. 

It’s easy to over-complicate gardening, like anything in life. Or to focus on the results (I have a zucchini plant that is HUGE, but not producing fruit! Puzzling, but I’m going with it). Keeping our expectations for the garden project low has meant that we welcome and relish all the harvest we get, and we stay curious/learn from mishaps or things that don’t turn out as planned.

Creating Space

Turns out–we learned from our beginners’ eagerness the first year, you can definitely over-crowd a garden space, causing nothing to grow very well because each plant is competing for the key ingredients to a good life: sun, water, and soil nutrients. 

When I’m pruning my tomato plants, cutting back the stems and growth that, while pretty, will keep the plant from flourishing and producing fruit, I’m struck by the metaphor for our lives. I’ve distilled this metaphor/life lesson into a phrase that’s become a guiding principle of my life (and of my signature life design course): “create space”. In order for the good stuff to flourish (and even before we may fully see it coming to fruit), we have to diligently prune and make room in our lives so that the good fruit can make itself known.

Cultivating patience

As anyone who knows me well can attest, patience is not my strong suit. 

Sometimes my impatience leads to gardening catastrophe. Last year I had a great bunch of seeds germinating in my laundry room in trays, and I transplanted them just a wee bit too soon, before it was warm enough…they didn’t make it. 

Fortunately, I also have kids who help me grow in this virtue. Tending to little ones (plants or humans) requires ample amounts of patience. Like when I’m teaching my toddler to enjoy watching (not tugging or touching) the green tomatoes, growing in size in June and July, and reminding him to wait until they are perfectly red (or purple) before we pick.

How much more we appreciate and savor the long awaited veggie when it’s finally ripe and ready for the sauce-pan or the salad bowl. And how much more our patience reminds us of the value of what we’re anticipating.

Accepting the times of hidden growth, and of times of blossoming

This year, in our new space, I’ve been marveling at watching the growth up close, and with plot twists. With late frosts and a beach trip, we planted everything pretty late, and the first few weeks it felt like we might never see growth. Between little seedlings trying to survive the elements, some pebbles lovingly thrown at them, sporadic watering, and a child’s attempt to “weed” them, our plantings just couldn’t catch a break. And since this was a new garden plot we didn’t know if it would be the winning combo of sun, shade and distance from roving animals. 

But we kept doing all the steps, and trusting the process, more instinctively now, without knowing what kind of a bounty we would get.

Sure enough, after weeks of what felt like incremental growth came a week of heavy daily rains and an explosion of blooms, blossoms, fruits, and veggies just appearing, literally from day to day, before our eyes. 

Nothing can prepare you for that sudden shift from nothing to something, from barrenness to fruit, from hopefulness to gratitude. But like everything in life, we have to accept that there are patient, long, dry periods, followed by the beautiful blossoms, fruits of prayer and work and living, that make it all worthwhile, and cause us to marvel: “how could all this bounty have come from such a tiny (hopeful) starting point?” 

In the garden, as in life, it feels like a miracle, every time. We simply have to trust and stay present to the process as it unfolds. 

Garden rhythms, a slower life

I’m someone that thrives on rituals or daily rhythms. Loose enough (room for adjustments and spontaneity), but structured nonetheless. Moms’ lives can feel a bit chaotic at times, so I look for predictable elements that I can plug into and offer as guideposts to the kids, especially on these long summer days. 

Midday naps, morning work and chores, then afternoon simple outings, and predictable morning routines all work for me. Mornings are my best chance to fit in my necessary quiet, recharging moments like an early morning run or walk in nature—sneaking away to be alone with my thoughts.

The rituals of tending to a garden (water, weed, harvest), which I at first saw as yet another thing on the to-do list, has become embedded in how we do summer. When I turn on the hose for a midday garden watering, it often turns into sprinklers and water play. When I take the few minutes needed to weed a bit or harvest, I savor the long evening rays of the sun hitting the garden and their nearby swing, the kids play around me, or I help them harvest without destroying the plants in the process. The pre-dinner ritual is to plan our meal based on what’s ripe and ready to be eaten…and to grab the herbs, veggies and anything else we need to craft our meals.

We live a moment of gratitude for this gift of food growing right here, for our enjoyment.

It’s good to feel connected to the process and helpful to the growth of a garden, but not fully responsible. Like the “soul gardening” I’m doing with my littles. 

I can’t imagine summer without these garden rhythms, and I pray that the slower pace of life, and the new rhythms we’ve welcomed (often reluctantly) in 2020, sink deeply into all of us, helping pull us out of our modern busyness & hustle, and reminding us of just how much goodness and beauty lies in timeless rituals of cultivation, care-taking and living in tune with nature.

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Why I still wear a bikini after 4 kids…

I realize this post may be unintentionally controversial, and I’m not here to have a discussion about modesty & whether bikinis should be worn.

The fact of the matter is, occasionally, I wear them. Sometimes I don’t when I know I’ll be super active or prefer to have more coverage.

Many moms just tell themselves that after they have kids, that’s it…they will never be the “same”.

Well, that’s true. You’re forever changed…for the better. Your heart changes in all the best ways, and while yes, pregnancy & birth can leave their marks on our bodies, I believe that these are things that we should acknowledge, share, and celebrate.

I could easily run down the list…the belly button will never be quite the same as it was before being stretched & expanded to a breaking point 4 times…stretch marks are a reality for many, varicose veins for some, and the list of undesirable goes on…

But, at some point along the way, I realized that my kids deserve for me to:

a) Work hard to be at my best, for them. To not use anything as an excuse for taking care of myself, nutrition, exercise, rest, general self-care, and almost the most important, mental health habits that allow me to be a positive, present, (mostly) calm momma.

b) Be an example for them of joy, energy, health, loving the gifts of their life, including the body they have to care for. I witness this self-acceptance (especially important for my girls), and face my own demons, in working towards this everyday, gently & with intention.

Mommas, our bodies have done incredible things in creating, birthing, feeding and raising these humans. Let’s celebrate them, and build each other up as well (it makes me so sad to see moms sitting around telling each other about all their body & life complaints & then validating for each other that it’s ok to do nothing about it, and to stay frustrated & unhappy).

The 2 main tools I use in postpartum (well, starting in pregnancy) for my core strength, and fighting gravity and the “mummy tummy” is to rely on the Every Mother workout programs…for a strong core in pregnancy, which is key for birth and early recovery. They have an amazing early reclaim program that offers safe simple exercises (via an app) starting a week after birth–and then you can transition to their standard “reclaim” program at 6 weeks PP. The second tool I use (besides my full postpartum nutrition regimen, see here)…is the 7 day healthy cleanse, always after about 6 months PP. Here’s an example of how this helps me (in conjunction with the exercises) to fight bloating and unnecessary extra weight around the middle…resetting metabolism, digestion, and more in the months following baby.

This is safe to do in postpartum, with modifications.

These 2 tools, and the PP stretching series I created (below) have helped countless other mothers I know, and truly, it’s not just about looking good in a cute suit (though that’s important too). It’s about avoiding back pain, core weakness, tendencies to hernias, pelvic floor weakness, and so much more that comes with the territory (if we aren’t actively working on fitness & strength during childbearing seasons).

A mindset shift I like to make in pregnancy & postpartum is not bemoaning the inevitable changes to our bodies (which are many)…but in focusing in on what we CAN do…celebrating and being grateful for all that our bodies are doing to care for, support, grow, nurture these little perfect humans, as well as what we’re able to do for ourselves, our communities…it’s a simple but crucial shift. If you need to, start an affirmations list that includes the things that you’re grateful you can do–run after your kids in the yard,

I used to be a fitness junkie…I did HIIT almost every day after my 2nd chid…but with a less than strong core, it wasn’t entirely what my body needed. Mindul movement and gentle approaches to fitness and health in pregnancy & postpartum will serve us best in the long run. Of course, each person has a different starting point, and it’s good to celebrate the fact that our bodies are designed to recover well & be even stronger than before, with the right tools & support.

To all the mommas out there who are wondering whether they should show off the ways in which their children have changed them, my answer is YES. You are more beautiful than you may ever know. Look into their eyes and you’ll see the answer there…you’re their everything, and deserve to feel that way no matter what.

If you’re curious to try the Every Mother program, it’s literally never to late (or early) to heal or prevent diasistis recti & all the conditions that come with it.

You can access my link to the Every Mother program (best part–it’s all available on an app!) here.

And use code MPIDEL15 at checkout for 15% off.

If you want to check out the 7 day healthy cleanse, you can order your kit here, and email me hello@maddypidel.com to get your guide, meal plan, healthy modifications, and all the tools you need to get started.

Finally, check out this postpartum stretching series & postpartum body image chats series I recorded for all the moms who are in the same place, of looking to regain strength, confidence, groundedness, and vibrancy after birth.

You’re truly incredible momma, and you deserve to feel & look amazing! Vibrancy starts with the inside out, and that special glow & spark you bring to everything you do!

xx

maddy

PS, email me hello@maddypidel.com to learn about my new INSPIRED MOTHERHOOD coaching offerings, to help you live your motherhood, inspired.

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3 Scrumptious Strawberry recipes for summer

June…strawberry season…this year it coincided with a big sigh of relief a things start to open up again, and we find new patterns of summer “normalcy”–and of celebrating warm weather (that came late in CT), and being alive after the winter that would never end. And of course, strawberries are the perfect early summer fruit that we’re all craving as the days lengthen & heat up.

We finally did a strawberry patch day at Jones Family farm, after hearing about it for years. Definite summer bucket list for this crew…and the result…LOTS of strawberries…the kids, especially the girls are great pickers! The boys much preferred to romp in the patch and eat everything in sight, and that was wonderful too.

We came home loaded, especially thanks to a mothers helper who was also a dedicated picker 😉 So now the fun decision time…coinciding with fathers day weekend…what to make?

High on the list was strawberry icecream, along with strawberry rhubarb pie, and the desire to attempt Jam for the first time…and along with that, if we had enough left, some strawberry scones for Father’s day brunch. So here we go, sharing the recipes we tried, tweaked, and loved.

I may just want to go back in a few weeks and do this all over again!

Homemade Strawberry Icecream

This is a custard recipe—decided we wanted an old fashioned taste & texture this time. If you don’t want to use eggs, here’s another good option (non-custard recipe).

The nice thing is, this can easily be made dairy free. Just substitute coconut or almond or a combo milk, and they now have a dairy free heavy whipping cream alternative…so easy!

I also substituted coconut palm sugar for regular sugar…it definitely gives it a different (I would say lighter sweet) flavor, and I personally love it.

We doubled the batch…our kitchenaid icecream attachment couldn’t fit it in all at once…but definitely better to just make it all up and cycle it through if you can!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries , hulled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar, divided–1/2 cup for blending with strawberries and 1 1/2 cups for the main mixture–we used coconut palm sugar
  • 4 cups heavy whipping cream (can sub dairy free)
  • 2 cup milk (whole)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and 1/2 cup sugar in a mixing bowl, set aside in fridge for 2 hours.
  2. In large mixing bowl (kitchen aid) beat eggs until light and fluffy.
  3. Gradually add remaining sugar, mixing well. Stir in milk and vanilla and mix well.
  4. Blend strawberries in a blender for a more even pink look/flavor and save a few strawberries in chunks for some nice texture.
  5. Add strawberries with juice and mix well.
  6. Gently stir in whipping cream just until combined.
  7. Pour into ice cream maker and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

The kitchen aid icecream attachment is definitely the lazy man’s way to make ice-cream (I’m sitting here writing this out while it churns)….I remember the many hot hours taking turns churning icecream with my cousins as kids. But the reality is…this is much less intimidating, and I don’t want my ability to make ice-cream often in the summer to be dependent on whether my kids are around to lend an arm (they helped with the initial part of the recipe and then went in the sprinkler with friends).

A killer taste. Literally a spoonful tastes like every summer memory, flooding into one bite. Don’t take my word for it…try this!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

With Father’s day weekend, we needed no excuse to whip up this tasty recipe. I used store bought pie shells because I have no guilt with taking short cuts on full weekend days…but here’s a good recipe if you’re making your own crust!

The rhubarbs grow wild in our yard (planted by the former owners, in a corner of the yard we hardly use…so it’s fun to have the girls bring heaping handfuls of them for us). They have a bitter edge that is balanced well by the ultra sweet strawberries. This wasn’t a pie combo I loved as a kid, but it’s now one of my absolute favorites.

We started with this recipe…and adapted (increased strawberry to rhubarb ratio, etc). Emma was my lattice queen, and it was fun to see her enjoy the creative pastry process…a girl after my own heart, finding flow & enjoyment in the kitchen in creative ways.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 2.5 cups chopped strawberries
  • 3/4 c. raw sugar 
  • 1/2 c. cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice plus 1 tsp. zest
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. cold butter, chopped
  • 1 large egg, beaten

*Vanilla ice cream, for serving*

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Prepare pie crusts and then do a quick pre-bake (scoring the dough) for 10 minutes…meanwhile…
  2. In a large bowl, mix together rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, zest, and salt until mixture begins to look juicy. Place one crust into a pie dish and pour in fruit mixture. Dot with pieces of butter.
  3. Decrease oven temp to 375
  4. With the other sheet of pie dough, make a lattice top. First, cut the dough into ¾” strips. Then, weave strips over and under each other in a criss-cross formation. Using kitchen shears, trim the top and bottom crust so there’s a 1” overhang, then fold under and crimp edges together. Brush crust with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
  5. Bake until pie is golden and filling is bubbling, about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. If crust is browning too fast, cover with aluminum foil.
  6. Let pie cool slightly, then serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

So yummy & balanced! A perfect summer treat…and I also happen to love it for breakfast with cold brew on a warm summer morning! Try it, guilt free…after all, we’re after #intutiveeating here.

Fresh Strawberry Scones

The final recipe we made with our first batch of strawberries…strawberry scones for fathers day brunch. We tripled this recipe (changing some things), and then were able to have 2 extra batches for sharing with neighbors, for guests, and freezing So easy to pull out from freezer and prepare whenever you’re in the mood for that fresh summer taste.

So, is it wise to triple a recipe when it’s new and you’re experimenting? Not always. But in this case, it worked out! It was touch & go for a bit as I worked to get the consistency right with the types of flours I was using. I’ll encourage you to stay flexible, and work with these measurements with a literal grain of salt 😉

I wanted to make mine with less gluten so I started out with half & half einkorn flour and white whole wheat flour. But then, with the heavy cream I used instead of the originally suggested yogurt, it ended up being a bit too moist and needed more flour, so I added almond flour. All of this is reflected here, and it actually worked out to be a wonderful blend of textures/flavors. This process is exactly why my old food blog was named “whoops yummy”…and my family still teases me with that phrase from time to time.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup einkorn flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
  • 1/3 cup sugar (I used raw)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 heaping cup hulled and diced fresh strawberries
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 large egg
  • Optional but recommended: 1/2 shredded coconut to mix in
  • Raw sugar to sprinkle on top of the scones before baking

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper or tin foil.
  2. In a medium bowl, blend together all of the dry ingredients.
  3. Cut butter into the dry ingredients with a pastry cutter. It’s old fashioned but genuinely the best…channel your inner Julia Child and enjoy.
  4. Gently mix in the diced strawberries
  5. In a small bowl, whisk the heavy cream and egg until smooth. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, gently stir wet mixture into flour mixture until large dough clumps form (be careful not to squish all the berries). Use your hands to press the dough against the bowl into a ball. The dough may be crumbly at first, but as you press, the dough will come together. If it’s not crumbly at all, and instead is too moist (the flours like einkorn can absorb it differently)…then go ahead and keep adding almond flour until the consistency is right.
  6. Place dough ball on a lightly floured surface and pat into a 7-inch circle about 3/4-inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut into 8 triangles; place on prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
  7. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

Can serve warm (extra yum) or make ahead and then re-heat in a toaster oven or low heat oven for the same melt-in-your mouth effect, but with less worry about timing it perfectly.

We spoiled our guy with these on Father’s day, and Emma, who is a scone afficionado and critic, said they were seriously amazing.

So basically, this blog post can be–ways to eat fresh strawberries all day long, from breakfast (scones), midday (ice-cream), to evening (pie). That’s certainly my plan.

If you try out any or all of these, let me know how you like them! Tag me on insta so I can see your creations.

Lots of love, stay safe, and keep enjoying the summer with simple, beautiful rhythms and some new fun summer recipes!

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Adventures in…homeschooling!

This time of coronavirus pandemic has meant that life has changed, overnight. Many of us are still unpacking what it all means, and working from the ground up to build new rhythms for our days. Suddenly, many of us are homeschooling our children (in the midst of our work and other obligations) and while it’s an abrupt shift, and has been challenging for many of us, I firmly believe that we will look back at this season, and see alot of good in it.

My own childhood history is that of homeschooling, for all of elementary and even for highschool. It was a blessing that I know shaped who I am tremendously, and while I know full well the inherent challenges of it, I have also been a first-hand beneficiary & recipient of so much of the best parts about homeschooling–the freedom, independence, forced habits of personal discipline and motivation, and the reminder that at the end of the day, we are all responsible for our own education. Learning seeds of this (in the right nurtured environment) early on, can shape the trajectory of a beautiful educational experience of a lifetime.

It’s one of those things that can look messy in real-time, in the process, but stepping back just a bit, it’s a beautiful thing. We all need to give ourselves grace and remember that our kids see us, doing our best, adjusting at a steep curve and learning alongside them all (those of us who haven’t been homeschooling)…and in the end, we’ll all look back and say–it wasn’t easy but we did it!

Love establishing our habit of prayer & journaling and learning about a virtue–combined with some read aloud as needed 😉

Here’s a few glimpses into our perfectly imperfect homeschooling life (of one full week), and a few thoughts & tips/tools that I hope may make it just a tiny bit easier and less stressful for you.

*Keeping our mindset on the bigger picture enables us to stay positive throughout–focusing on what we can accomplish each day with all the time we now have at home. I have to remain flexible while firm about a certain list of things getting done, but the order in which they happen may shift, and working on building habits of responsibility and self-direction/motivation in the kids as a top priority. We’re doing a combo of online & book learning, as many of you are, so it ends up being like “station rotation” at our house (like the girls were used to from school): 30 min with me at the dining table, working on specific worksheets/assignments, then a small break for a chore or quick play in the yard, or 30 minutes of free reading, they can sneak off to a comfy spot in the house (quiet and away from little brothers)…before coming back for a 30 minute session in their google classroom in the office, or playing math games on this fun site called www.abcya.com (believe me, it makes me very happy to see how much joy they get out of “fraction monsters”–the bigger fraction eating the smaller one–and it’s entertaining 3 of them (oldest sis gets a mini audience for part of it).

Their simple joy about choosing and planting seeds is contagious. Daily #actsofhope during this time.

*Keeping things light and positive is definitely the name of the game to keep my own stress levels down, and to keep us powering through our day. I’ve chosen to offer rotating “specials” classes, just like they had at school. They get a kick out of this–with science class being planting seeds last week (an ultimate #actofhope in these dark times–that better, brighter days are coming)…and art class, cooking class and PE were we’ll be learning more about certain sports. Having it feel novel and fun (with short segments of focus) is what’s working for us.

Field studies at a local park: nature walk & beach/stream play.

*Here’s a great checklist that has basically taken all the stress out of having to keep them reminded of what they need to do. I detail out all the things we need to have them do in a given day, and establish a simple reward for each week (it’s been a new craft), and they eagerly refer to them often and remind me of what needs to get done. This takes the fighting out of any particular moment when I ask them to do it–I just refer to the chart. And vice versa, I don’t have to control too tightly the order in which things happen: I let them dictate that, so long as it all gets done over the course of the day. It’s really been a life saver and I even established a small checklist for myself to ensure I hit my own daily self-care and personal goals along with the work and family commitments we all feel. With so many big things out of our control, it’s so nice to feel that this one thing–our rhythm, our daily work and commitments, can be checked off a list and represents a day intentionally lived.

*Talk about it all. I have been checking in with them frequently to see how they are feeling about things–if they feel they are getting enough support, if assignments feel easy, hard, at the end of each day how they feel it went–their “highs and lows” (we love this great book to make it a family dinner affair) and of course, talking in general terms about how we’re all handling this crisis. This is an important moment, these little beautiful people are processing a huge life change alongside us, and I want to honor and respect that. For one of mine, it’s also meant some face-timing with her classmates to fill the social hole she feels missing. We all have to take the approach that we’re figuring this out one day at a time, and I think involving the kids in that, so they know they are agents of their new life, is hugely helpful.

I have to admit: when we designed this space a few months back, I thought to myself it would be perfect for homeschool moments…

*Tidying breaks. This is a major lesson learned–if we let the normal messes of schooling build up, it gets to my peace. I love a mid-morning and lunch time quick tidy that everyone can be involved in; and more than ever this is when our spaces need to be well organized with easy access to materials, and a beautiful, calm and productive environment for them to learn. Grateful that we’re able to tailor our new spaces and just test out how things flow best regarding which classes or activities for schooling take place where. Just like in their classrooms, kids love it when we mix it up, and they also respond well to order.

*Regarding schedule–what works for us is some flexibility and grace (spoken as a mom of 4, with lots of moving parts and little needs from everyone)…I don’t sweat if we don’t get everything done before lunch; there are plenty of other moments in the day and afternoon, but I DO emphasize down-time/quiet time during Blaise’s nap–and I will often get my own work done then, or focus in with the older girls, and I make sure that we all MOVE every day—that hasn’t been too hard as they just run out the door any moment they get when it’s sunny. When it’s rainy, we’ll pull out the yoga mats and do some good ol’ mindful movement. Walking/riding bikes in the neighborhood helps all of our moods, and I’ve tried to keep a steady flow of slightly new crafts/coloring pages, and art materials flowing in, so they are always eager to use. Again, we’re only 1 week in, but I know Michaels and other places are having fantastic online sales, and we can get alot of great stuff delivered that can help make this all as bright & fun as possible.

(More on working from home tips in this post….)

Yard creativity & recess.

I know that at the end of each day, I want them to know that we learned together, we did our very best, and we were kind and positive to each other. That we listened well, and grew together. It’s challenging me in all the right ways, and stretching my momma heart (with so much pride, especially, for how resilient they can be) and I am very grateful for the hidden blessings and lessons of a challenging time.

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A postpartum meal–to give, or receive

I LOVE the tradition of showering new moms with meals, after a babe. It’s a simple, perfect way to support her and her family, in those moments when she needs extra rest and less to think about (food shopping!)…so, when I get the chance to do this for friends, it makes me so happy.

I decided on this seasonal meal because it emphasizes eggplant, which is known to be very good for toning/healing the cervix after birth. It’s hearty while being vegetarian, and is a favorite that can please the hub and kids too.

The side dish is a beet and goat cheese salad, filling and beets are an incredible detox food…giving a gentle cleanse to the organs—so perfect for a pp momma.

And for dessert–a seasonal crisp–light and refreshing…we chose blueberry, you can do peach or any flavor that suits you and the season, and who you’re making it for.

And…adding a loaf of fresh bread and a bottle of wine will make it a treat that truly honors the beautiful mother and her family in this special season.

There are a number of steps to this meal, but if you get into a flow and do all of it in overlapping stages, you can get it all done in the space of a…say…6 month old afternoon nap time 😉

Eggplant Parm

*1-2 medium to large eggplants, organic is best

*1 jar of local marinara sauce

*1 log (10-12oz) of fresh/local mozzarella cheese.

*2-3 eggs (blended in a bowl)

*3/4 c. whole wheat flour, for breading

*olive oil, for medium saucepan, and bottom of the 9×13 dish that you’ll be baking the eggplant parm in.

*Salt & pepper to taste

Blueberry Crisp

*1-2lbs of organic blueberries, seasonal.

*1/2 cup butter (softened)

*3/4 cup oats

*3/4 cup brown sugar–sprinkle 1/4 cup on the fruit and let it sit for 30+ min while you’re doing other things. The other 1/2 cup will be for the blueberry crumble.

Beet, goat cheese and lettuce salad

*1 small log organic goat cheese

*1 container of mixed greens, or 2 heads of lettuce

*3 med beets, roasted, peeled, cooled and chopped (see below).

Serve with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, lightly tossed right before serving.

Throw the beets in the oven at 400 to roast in tinfoil. It will take about 40 min to an hour, depending on how big they are. I had one monster one from the farm, and 2 smaller, so I took them out at different times (poke a knife in to be sure its buttery soft)…then peel the skin off once they cool, chop, and they are ready to go in the salad later on.

Next (while those cook) prep the eggplant parm.

Prep the 9×13 baking dish, and heat the olive oil until hot. Take the medium sliced eggplant and dunk to cover, first in the egg, then in the flour–to bread it. Throw 3-4 into the sizzling oil at a time, and cook until slightly brown on one side, then flip. Note, depending on how thick you cut, and their pan cook time, they may not be fully tender in the middle. That’s ok, because you bake them with the sauce and they full cook at that point.

Once you’ve arranged these eggplants in a single layer (usually 6 for me, when using the 9×13)…then we go to the sauce and cheese layers. Dump some sauce to cover, and throw a slice of mozzeralla on each eggplant slice–very satisfying to the organized mind 😉

Complete these steps until you have 2-3 layers, with the sauce and mozzarella on top. Then you can put it aside, to have the baking take place at the new momma’s home (so it’s hot and fresh) or, bake it at your place to simplify things for her. 350 oven for 20-30 min, until you see it bubbling well. (Note, can be baked in conjunction with the crisp…efficiency!)

Finish assembling crisp (fruit with sugar has been sitting), use a pastry cutter to cut in butter, oats, and brown sugar. This is gluten free, and OH SO good. Then crumble the oat mixture on the fruit, and let it sit…again, either bake at home and bring warm, or pop it into the oven at her place so that the smells of baking dinner and dessert are part of the experience.

As a health coach, food is definitely a love language for me, and I love supporting moms (and being supported!) during postpartum, a time of special attention, love and rest for mommas who are doing so much work in healing and feeding, loving on their babies.

I hope you enjoy this and let me know what you think–if you’re bringing it to a friend, be sure to make double so you feed your own family too 🙂 And if you’re a new mom, send this link to someone who will be happy to make it for you!

With love,

maddy

Check out my posts on postpartum nutrition, healing and reflections after my 4th (born January 2019)

Currently postpartum? I made a special stretching series that helps us focus on loving & honoring the postpartum body, while building new layers of strength and body image.

I started a postpartum community on FB a few years back, it’s been a wonderful community, chatting all things thriving in postpartum (and that could be 3 weeks or 6 years after baby).

And…let’s connect on instagram! I’m @maddypidel.

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A new approach to postpartum fitness, and a postpartum stretching guide.

This time around…my 4th postpartum…my motto for building back to fitness habits and feeling great–has been…”less is more”. Now, let me start with saying that for me, postpartum fitness secret #1 is—stay fit in pregnancy…it’s just so much easier to jump back in and your body responds so well if it’s a habit that was built over that time…rather than taking a break for all of pregnancy (if possible!)…of course the other secret is, mindful movement—it’s more likely to be long walks and playing with my kids or stretching on my porch rather than rushing to hit the gym machines. Functional movement is so good for us, when healthy flexibility, energy and mood is the goal.

So what’s your INTENTION for postpartum fitness? Let’s start there. It can’t be just to fit into a certain pair of pants, that just won’t feed us in the way that another motivation will. Some of us have been there, done that, and it’s a vicious cycle, when the focus is meant to be on nourishment, feeling energized and alive, nourishing our babies, and just enjoying this special season, even as you work to get to a weight that’s the healthiest for you.

I have alot of thoughts on healthy weight loss in PP…if you’re struggling in this area and want to connect–message me. And check out my body image bonus videos in the series below!

We want to be approaching postpartum fitness from a perspective of self-acceptance and honoring our bodies for what they’ve accomplished in bringing these children into the world. They are beautiful beyond measure.

And with my experience…3 very different postpartums before this, but often a common denominator of, even with a good focus on nutrition and supporting myself, still pushing myself and my body before I was really ready…this time has been easy…restful, slow (for me), and while I have hit some fun targets–prepping for and running a 7 mile race at 3 months PP (yay!), I haven’t been pushing myself on a daily basis or doing intense workouts. Instead, if given the choice between a nap and a run, I’m likely to choose the nap. And some miraculous days, I get both 😉

Well, in response to what I hear alot from moms in postpartum when I work with them—it’s hard to come to terms with these bodies–we want to love them, but sometimes they are unrecognizable to us, and their changes are causing us to wonder if life will ever be the same as “before”. Here’s a hint–it won’t. BUT, you deserve to be stronger, fitter, more energized and feel better than ever. Seriously. That’s been my experience in PP and it can be yours. So much of it starts with nutrition, hormone balancing, rest, resetting the nervous system, establishing patterns and structures of self-care and mental breaks that allow us to do the mothering well, when it can feel all-consuming.

Of course, you know about some of my favorite postpartum nutrition tools…you can find more about those here.

I decided to focus on a baseline of stretching, this time around. I knew I wanted to do a strong core recovery, after dealing with and reversing DR after my 3rd pp (thanks Every Mother!). I’m a big yoga fanatic, but even the standard flows can be too taxing in early postpartum. So this series is meant to be the most gentle, mindful movement possible, targeting the low back, hip flexors, shoulders, and all the areas that get tight and get used so much in daily motherhood. Pelvic mobility and gentle core awakening are the key for a great recovery, so I wanted to start there.

I hope this benefits other mommas as a habit, as it has me, and I wanted to also explore the important topic of postpartum body image, and share some reflections, both from my own experiences, and from the amazing moms I work with and coach. This is a bonus section of the video series.

If you’re not a mom but you know someone who would benefit from this—please share!

*You can also get 15% off the Every Mother early reclaim program I mentioned above, through this link, and entering MPIDEL15 when registering.

Downloadable e-guide & live video series available.

Cheers, friends. Life is meant to be lived to the full, with intention, as the best versions of ourselves. Yes, even in motherhood 😉 Our babies deserve it too, and these are days and moments we want to look back on with the most joy.

https://vimeo.com/341464300
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Postpartum life series: reflections at the 2019 NAMI women to women brunch

I had the honor of speaking at this beautiful event earlier this month. It was a privilege and I was thrilled to speak about a topic that is so near to my heart, and which I’m currently living–namely, finding balance & thriving in postpartum, and bringing awareness to the many challenges faced during this beautiful, fragile and absolutely life-changing season. Of course we focus on the milestones of a babies first months, but we must similiarly acknowledge and celebrate/support a mother in all her milestones of postpartum, and what she’s experiencing. I have seen all too often that women “suffer through” these tiring months without support, balance, joy or healthy habits that make them at their best. And as a culture and society, sadly PPD and PPA instances are on the rise, as we pressure women to get “back” to their perfect body, their normal levels of activities, and to rush back into work away from baby. Basically–to ignore the special needs, pace and blessings of this phase of life. Let’s change all of this. We’re flipping the script on postpartum life, I know as a community and society, that it’s important and possible.

*So, if you were there, you’ll know that this is NOT the speech I actually gave word for word—I always find in the moment that speaking from my heart rather than reading is the way to go, but since I prepped these notes, I wanted to share, and get your reactions to them. I know it takes a village and we’re all finding ways to voice just what we, our friends, and the mothers around us, truly need in postpartum. All of our experiences and stories deeply matter. The world needs to hear and be shaped by them*

Blaise made his stage debut with me, it meant so much that I could have him there as part of my presentation–the very representation of what I’ve become so passionate about advocating for and modeling; mothers can be mothers AND make an intentional impact, it’s not an either/or. It’s time for society to recognize and embrace these new models for work & mothering.
A captive audience…
Beautiful and inspiring friends whose own paths and work (and friendship) brought us together; they are wonderful advocates for healthy motherhood, prevention, and a focus on the whole person.
I’m always and continually inspired by courageous women–mothers and now grandmothers–who have forged the path of courage and authentic truth-telling. Their legacy is where we pick up, and their important work is echoed in all that we undertake. Barb is a true hero of mine in women making a huge impact through their work and business ownership, nutritional counseling–it was an honor to precede her on stage.
Indeed we are.

Talk given at the Woman to Woman event, Saturday, May 18, 2019

Event supporting NAMI (National Alliance Mental Illness)

Tomorrow Starts Today…with how we flip the script on thriving motherhood in postpartum

Good morning, my name is Madeleine Pidel, I’m a wife and mother of 4. I am also a health and business coach, and my postpartum experiences have completely transformed my outlook on life, my own career, and the trajectory of my life and our family. I want to share some reflections about why I believe that we can flip the script on mothers thriving in motherhood (which begins in the fragile days of postpartum), and thus create a better tomorrow, today.

I will start with my experiences in postpartum, and draw out some important conclusions based on stories that many of you here may be able to relate to, or know someone in your life who’s going through this.

With my first daughter, born 9 years ago this summer, I was working hard at a job I loved in NYC, when all of a sudden, it was time for her to be born, and maternity leave started…

…After a challenging (and beautiful) natural birth experience, I found myself completely overwhelmed, exhausted, life upside-down, no way of knowing how to care for this little human in my arms, or myself. I remember some days I didn’t get dressed, didn’t leave the couch, but I had a super supportive husband, and community of first time moms, so it wasn’t too lonely or tough (comparatively). But I definitely struggled with my identity, my feelings of self-worth (when I was focusing all my time on a baby, which didn’t feel “productive” to my career driven self). I had tinges of postpartum depression, and by 8 weeks, was actually relieved to have found an amazing nanny and to be going back to work part time–my brain needed it, and I needed a reason to get dressed and feel like a normal human. Of course, once I was balancing part-time (almost full-time) work and a child, I was getting frayed thinner than ever before. This is the reality for so many women. And rather than asking for more help, I just pushed harder and began to experience burnout when I was around 1 year postpartum. I had a health crisis, was very nutritionally depleted, no extra energy to workout or “care for myself” which I had decided was “selfish” at this point. It was my own crisis and wake up call I needed. I was fired from the job that was draining me, and I was given the gift of time to focus on being “just mom” while looking for another job.

At this point, my friend Melinda reached out to me and supported me, and shared this opportunity of business ownership that she was just discovering as a new mom like me. I was given a ray of hope to create a beautiful future for our family, and to dream again, all in an instant. What a gift to give a mother—to believe she can be truly present to her babies and kids as they grow, while being fully ambitious and pursuing beautiful things that matter to her too. It’s our lean-out, best of both worlds reality, that I feel so privileged to live, and to share.

This time, I had a strong sense that while my baby (turned toddler) could thrive without me around, I needed to be more a part of her life, and I was inspired to prepare to leave my desk job life. So in preparing to conceive and give birth to my 2nd child, I started my own business with this amazing tribe of women you see all around you, and I choose to work in finance in an environment with better work-life balance, and I knew I would be saying goodbye to office life after my 2nd was born, so my husband and I did everything we could to prepare financially for this transition. I had these incredible nutritional tools that are being shared (with my 2nd pregnancy) and felt amazing (no GD, worked out until 37 weeks), and my birth to a 9lb 11 oz baby girl was a beautiful experience, and my recovery was swift, I felt amazing just days after birth. I went on the road and traveled when she was 3 weeks old; to our global conference and our families. Balancing postpartum with a toddler was challenging but I wisely put myself into situations (the homes of my aunt, my mom, my mother in law) where I could rest and be cared for in those early weeks. But when I was preparing to go back to work at 8 weeks (to finish up a project then give my notice), the familiar deep dread set in. It’s just against everything in our hormonal and natural makeup to leave our babies so young and be sitting in an office, often doing work we could do remotely. Pumping and bottle prep takes women sometimes up to an hour each day/evening, and it’s just draining. My child didn’t take a bottle well at all, so I was going home on lunch breaks to feed her, then rushing back to work, pump, work some more, all knowing that things would shift soon enough. When she was 3.5 months old (and I’d been working for 6 weeks to complete an audit project)–I brought her in, in a carrier, and gave my notice to my boss, one of the moments I’ll always remember. I focused on my littles and worked on growing my at home business. The challenges of self-care, and balance remain, but with the empowering community of business owners, no one judges you for bringing babies to meetings, to conferences, and I felt so empowered and grateful. I had mom friends commenting to me–“you’re so lucky you get to have time with your babies and still use your brain”, and this beautiful reality drove me to share this gift with many other mommas. The work-life balance we desire, and which our babies need from us in their first years of life, is possible with some creativity and grit.

I LOVE seeing the women of my generation–from all walks of life and careers, rise up and take a stand for better balance in their work, in the baby’s first year and beyond. We’re continuing to show that we’re more valuable in our careers of choice BECAUSE of being mothers, not in spite of it. And with enough women doing just this important balance, the general culture can shift towards being more understanding of flexible working, a win-win situation.

I have now had 2 other postpartum experiences, as a business owner, and it’s incredible beautiful and freeing. I have had to learn to be better about asking for help, outsourcing everything except the most precious roles that only a mother can fill, and learning “radical self-care for radical service” which is my tagline for mommas. It’s not selfish to make sure our bodies, hearts and minds are working at their best to care for and raise these humans. It’s essential. And we need to rise up and create a stronger culture of care and support, enlisting folks who truly understand what is happening (and needed) in postpartum to provide that for mommas.

Of course, dropping off meals and baby clothes is a kind gesture, and appreciated, but even more appreciated or needed is taking the other kids away for an hour so mom can nap, or, when she’s ready, coming over to provide company to the new mother, or just hold the babe while she gets a moment to herself.

Additionally, all the nutritional and hormone balancing tools we offer are a crucial part of the puzzle for me. I use the foundational nutrition tools that the women in this room all use and rave about–I don’t know about you, but I want to age with grace, and alot of energy. I’m healthier now in my mid 30s, after 4 kids, than I was in my mid 20s, and I know it’s thanks to these daily vitalizer and daily shake. I literally can’t imagine going a day without them.

I’ve had 3 incredibly healthy pregnancies, with perfect health markers, high energy, the ability to workout, and this sets up for a smoother postpartum experience–less “baby weight” to lose, more energy, easier time transitioning into postpartum fitness habits, and of course it takes discipline and a strong WHY, but this is something all new moms crave and need more of, to be uplifted and reminded that they too, are allowed to thrive. Even the age old “sleepless exhausted” momma of a newborn doesn’t have to be that way. I had 1 baby (before Shaklee) who was the classic collicky, gassy, fussy, not a good sleeper, and I have since had 3 larger (healthy birth weight) Shaklee babies who sleep well for me from day 1, and not only that, we have tools like the cal mag and the pm recover to ensure mommas get the most out of their crucial rest.

With my 3rd postpartum, even though I was very healthy and had a good recovery, I began to experience some signs of adrenal fatigue and PPA, which is less diagnosed, understood or talked about. For me it looked like being super busy, keeping my super mom cape on too much, and getting frayed/fried around the edges. Getting exhausted easily, snappy at my kids (too easily anxious or angry) and I had to work to reset my nervous system, with tools like the stress relief complex, B’s, valuing sleep more, and I also discovered the incredible healing art of reflexology, and regular massage, etc, to support my body and give it extra doses of self-care, for all that I was expecting of it. This is when I embraced the concept of “radical self-care for radical service”–when we know WHY we want to be at our best, and who we’re doing it for (in addition to ourselves) it rises from the level of “extra” to essential.

This time around, in my 4th postpartum with Blaise, I wanted it to be as peaceful and restful as possible, and I called on my mom and family/sisters to come and stay with me for the first full month. I cooked very few meals, did almost no driving or caring for the kids, and this allowed me to have my best, fastest recovery, which amazed my midwives, considering it’s my 4th. I used Every Mother throughout the pregnancy and in the weeks following to prevent any additional separation and to continue healing my DR–which is a huge challenge for many moms, and I know SO many folks who’ve seen huge improvements in their back pain, posture, core strength and more.

I also did the extra resting/focus on support in those first weeks to balance my mood and ensure I didn’t develop early triggers for adrenal fatigue. It’s about giving mom permission (and value) to deeply REST, and in doing the very important work that she and baby are doing. We need communities and a society that support this understanding of postpartum, and as I look around this room, I can see that all of you are inspired by, and working towards, and can commit with me towards that.

I’ve become so much more aware of what my body needs in postpartum, with the phrases “intuitive eating” and “mindful movement” shaping much of my daily habits, and I’m so grateful for the incredible set of nutritional tools at our disposal. I’ve gone on to run a half marathon at 6 months postpartum with my 3rd, and things that would have been unthinkable to that original sleep and energy deprived me of 9 years ago. The GLA complex helps with balancing hormones and I take it whenever I’m feeling my mood is out of whack, along with lots of healthy (mindful movement, walking, stretching), socializing with those who lift me up, and epsom salts are hugely healing for postpartum nerves, afalfa for breastfeeding, vivix for reducing inflammation and of course, healthy digestion with optiflora DI. I eat a hormone balancing diet and have learned so much about the nutrition of postpartum not only through coaching other women through it from all walks of life, and living it myself deeply, but also through this wonderful resource called “the first 40 days” (A perfect book to give to someone you know who’s expecting a babe) (linked below). It’s about committing to a self care routine and knowing you’re doing it for you, and for baby. Doing things that bring us joy each day are crucial–it can be as simple as reading a book you enjoy while baby naps on you in the mornings with your favorite tea, laying out on a blanket in the sun in our yards while babe is napping, or grabbing a coffee at your favorite local spot, and sitting in a park (getting OUT with babe for our best mental health)…these things build up our level of joy and gratitude during this season which is also so ultimately demanding of us. The balancing act is challenging, but so beautiful when each mom finds her postpartum groove.

These babies are our future, and caring well for their mommas in those crucial, vulnerable, fragile first weeks & months (which are also the most beautiful), is our gift to the future of our world.

Action item: Can we all reach out to a new mom in our life today; let her know she’s valued, loved and supported? Share with her that postpartum can be a thriving, energized and truly happy and wonderful experience, and that want to be there for her, to support her in experiencing just that, with your presence, deep caring, and all the tools and ideas mentioned here.

Thank you!

More resources:
*First 40 days, a guide to nourishing the new mother (book)
*Facebook Postpartum community
*Other postpartum blog posts–here and here.
*Support NAMI (Putnam county chapter) here.