Meal planning doesn't need to be complicated or time-consuming to be effective. We break down a simple four-step system that will transform your weeknight dinner routine and eliminate the daily stress of deciding what to cook.

• Determine exactly how many nights you'll be cooking each week
• Create a list of 3-5 "staple meals" that you enjoy making and your family enjoys eating
• Check your fridge and pantry for ingredients that need to be used up
• Fill in your calendar with specific meals, drawing from your staples
• Keep meals simple with the protein-starch-vegetable formula
• Maintain just a handful of starches in your pantry to simplify planning
• Prep vegetables in advance by roasting them with simple seasonings
• Create your grocery list based on your meal plan
• Include an "everything must go" night to reduce food waste
• Remember that most families prefer a rotation of favorite meals rather than constant variety

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I'm completely swept away by "The Wedding People" by Alison Espach, a book that surprised me with its raw honesty and emotional depth. This winner of the 2024 Goodreads Favorite Fiction award deserves every bit of its 4.1-star rating and half-million reviews.

• Audiobook narrator Helen Lazor delivers an exceptional performance, bringing characters to life with distinct voices
• The premise follows Phoebe, who checks into a hotel to end her life, and accidentally connects with bride-to-be Lila
• Their unlikely friendship forms the heart of the story, creating genuine humor amid serious themes
• The book handles the topic of suicide with remarkable grace and sensitivity
• Character arcs feel authentic and earned, with transformations that emerge naturally
• All characters feel fully developed, even those we aren't meant to particularly like
• The ending provides satisfaction while avoiding predictability
• This ranks as my top read of 2025 so far, a book that lingers long after the final page

If you've read "The Wedding People," I'd love to hear your thoughts! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend giving it a chance.

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Managing evening routines with four kids under six presents daily challenges that require flexibility, patience, and a consistent framework. Parenthood transforms us into versions of ourselves we never imagined possible, handling the beautiful chaos of young family life.

• Striking a balance between consistent bedtime routines and summer flexibility
• Reset the entire house after dinner with a family "power tidy" system
• Divide evening responsibilities between partners without rigid role assignments
• Implement age-appropriate chores for children as young as four years old
• Coordinate multiple bedtime routines simultaneously while maintaining sanity
• Find small moments of personal time even within chaotic evenings
• Recognize that the intensity of parenting multiple young children is temporary
• Acknowledge both the exhaustion and the deep pride of raising young children

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This episode is part confession, part therapy, for any mom drowning under a sea of plastic toys, overzealous grandparents, and the guilt that keeps you from tossing it all in a donation bin. I’m sharing what our kids bedrooms really looks like (hint: 5 baskets of stuffed animals, and that’s just the start), the infamous Belle doll incident that broke me, and how I’m learning to set boundaries, release guilt, and reclaim our space. We’ll talk systems, scripts, and why you are allowed to say, “This doesn’t belong here.” It’s not about the stuff—it’s about protecting your peace, your kids’ imaginations, and your home’s heartbeat. If you need permission to do a ruthless toy purge, this is it.

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In honor of our late cousin Tim, I wanted to carry his birthday card legacy alive and well —armed with a spreadsheet, stamps, and a stack of Trader Joe’s finest $1 cards. In this episode, I share the surprisingly simple system that keeps me organized, why the little act of sending a card matters more than you think, and how you can keep the kindness ripple going in your own mailbox. Because maybe we all need a little less scrolling and a little more postage stamps.

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We're talking all about starting solids with sanity for babies around six to twelve months, sharing raw and honest approaches without losing your mind during this beautiful yet messy period of development.

• Most nutrition from birth to 12 months comes from milk/formula - solid foods are just a bonus
• Starting with simple whole foods like blueberries, bananas, and avocados requires minimal prep
• Balance both baby-led weaning for independence and purees for added nutrition
• Constipation challenges are normal - pears, prunes and peaches help get things moving
• Sanity-saving supplies: silicone bibs with catchers, easy-clean high chairs, and freezing homemade purees
• Feed babies in just a diaper to avoid constant outfit changes
• The "decoy spoon" trick: give baby a spoon to hold while using another to feed them
• Expose babies to family meals when possible but have backup options ready
• Give yourself grace - some days will be homemade purees, some days will be Cheerios

Just remember this challenging phase is temporary but meaningful - we're teaching our children that food is colorful, fun and nourishing.

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In this episode, I’m sharing my top picks for summer reading in 2025, from literary fiction and psychological thrillers to gripping dystopian tales. I also have a special selection for children ages 4-7, if you're planning on taking any family roadtrips, these would make excellent audiobooks!

Read along with me this summer! Summer 2025 List:

1. These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant
2. The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
3. The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
4. Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli
5. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
6. The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding
7. The Quiet Tenant by Clemance Michallon
8. Long Bright River by Liz Moore
9. A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
10. Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Four Children's Books (ages ~4 to 7 years old)

1. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
2. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
3. Pax by Sara Pennypacker
4. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

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After a week of sickness, missed routines, and general chaos, getting back on track can feel overwhelming. In this gentle, honest episode, I share what it looks like to reset slowly—without pressure or perfection. From freezer meals and fresh bedsheets to spiritual grounding and small acts of beauty, this is an invitation to begin again with compassion. Whether you’re coming off a lost week or just craving a softer reentry into daily life, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to bounce back all at once.

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