No Place Like Home

Ahhhhh, January.  It’s finally here.  After months of what feels like non-stop activity, there’s something so nurturing about the cold, dark days of January.  We retreat inward, taking time and space to reflect on the previous year and look ahead to all that can be.  We take comfort in the warmth of our homes and [...]

Coffee Calls

It’s Day 14 of the Whole Living 28-day Action Plan, the exact midpoint, and my email in-box is telling me to have some coffee.   Easy enough, right?  Oh, except….I’m pretty sure they’re telling me to have it for the first time since the detox began. Right.  14 days without coffee.  Despite my best intentions [...]

Gratitude in the Face of Challenge

They say whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.  If that is true (and I do believe it is), 2011 will go down as my body-building year.  It hasn’t been easy…my husband’s unemployment, a difficult birth, family illness and strained friendships have made 2011 a year to remember.  But like the pilgrims, who had suffered [...]

Buzz Lightyear, to the Rescue!

Pop Quiz.  What do Dora the Explorer, Lightening McQueen and Ariel the Mermaid have in common?  I mean, of course, besides the fact that they entertain our kids while we unload the dishwasher?  Give up?  In my world, they have a less-than-helpful role in my weekly grocery shopping.  Their wide eyes and flashy smiles seem [...]

On Today’s Menu: Taco Surprise

Double Thumbs Down. That’s what my six-year-old Sarah gave the tacos her school served her for lunch this week.  To say I was proud would be the understatement of the year.  After all, my kid’s desire to buy lunch in the cafeteria has been the source of all of my going-off-to-first-grade anxiety since the moment [...]

Celebrate National Nutrition Month!

March is National Nutrition Month, and the good folks at the American Dietetic Association have inspired bloggers to write a post based on this year’s theme, “Nutrition from the Ground Up.”  In honor of their work, as well as Michelle Obama’s campaign to end childhood obesity, I’m happy to oblige! As a mom, it’s hard [...]

Breaking Out of The Comfort Zone

Facing the dilemma of what to write about tonight, it was going to be one of two possible topics. One: a recent weekend getaway with friends and family to an area never before visited.  Two: a new recipe using tempeh, an ingredient never before introduced at my dinner table. As I procastinated a bit, switching [...]

Personal Reflections on Post Partum Depression (Project Happily Ever After)

A friend recently linked this article, and although the show they mentioned has already aired, I think the insight of the writer and the dozens of comments by affected readers is invaluable.  If you have suffered from Post Partum depression, or if you have ever denied your negative feelings as a new mother, this link [...]

The Great Grocery Smackdown (The Atlantic)

“It’s getting harder and harder to hate Wal-mart,” — Michelle Harvey of the Environmental Defense Fund If you’re a mom who cares about sustainable agriculture and supports local farmers, but worry about blowing the food budget at high-end organic markets like Whole Foods, this article will surprise and delight you! In the past, I’ve shopped [...]

Running on Empty

As usual, I was trying to fit it all in. Church service and meetings, grocery shopping, writing, and playing with my kids.   I was running from the minute I woke up, which is sad for a Sunday, the day once known as the day of rest.  Still, I refused to give up my workout. [...]

Eating Healthy on a Budget

A few months ago, our friend, Tracey Miller of Tracey Miller Wellness gave us some great advice on eating healthy while staying within the family food budget.  Thanks to Yogamint.com, here is a great 5-minute video with more helpful tips on the subject.   It’s important information as so many of us moms struggle to [...]

Immunity-Boosting Foods from Whole Living

Now that we are amidst flu season, it’s important to keep our immunity in check – especially with young children at home and in close contact with other kids.  Here’s a terrific slideshow of immunity-boosting foods from Whole Living/Body & Soul magazine.  Next time you are out food shopping, why not pick up a few [...]

Sneaky Vegetables: Helpful or Harmful?

Tonight was leftover night in my house.  Because Sundays are usually my menu-planning and grocery shopping day, we try to wing it on Saturdays, cleaning out the refrigerator and making the meal more laid back.   Since I had some leftover macaroni and cheese (which by the way is the easiest thing on earth to [...]

“Be Well” Mom’s Nutrition Seminars coming in March!

Attention Seacoast area Moms!  I’m happy to announce The PranaMama will be hosting a nutritional seminar series in March.  Tracey Miller, of Tracey Miller Wellness, will provide four 90-minute seminars for group discussion and education.  Come to learn, share ideas and questions, and meet other wellness-minded Moms. “Be Well” Mom’s Nutrition Seminars (Group Classes) Are [...]

Back to Basics with Healthy, Delicious & Fast Comfort Food

Ahhh, the holidays are behind us.  Don’t get me wrong – having two little kids was a ball this year.  My son delighted in the season’s sweets and was thrilled with Santa’s bounty, and my daughter, although old enough to absorb every minute of commercialism surrounding her since Halloween, was gracious and thankful for Christmas [...]

Buying Local – Another View

I recently read this insightful viewpoint on The Hidden Costs of Being 100% Locavore, and thought it was interesting food for thought. On the one hand, by choosing to support our local farmers we also minimize oil production and reduce emissions.  But what about those communities far away who rely on their export of goods [...]

Off the Mat Moms-Lesson 5: SAUCHA

We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are. – Nutritionist & Author Adelle Davis Being a mom is much harder than I ever expected.  One day it’s figuring out how to keep a kid in bed (when you [...]

A Lunch of My Own

Call me crazy, but my inner foodie won’t listen. Today at lunchtime, the most stressful part of my day, I voluntarily created some stress of my own by breaking out several child un-friendly ingredients and at least three Calphalon pans.  Tired of the noontime habit of standing behind my kitchen island, stealing sandwich scraps and [...]

Flavors of Fall

October is my favorite month of the year.  Not only is the weather nearly perfect and the colors spectacular, but some of my favorite vegetables are in harvest.  As cozy evenings replace hot summer nights, I’m inspired to get back in the kitchen, and create healthy comfort food my whole family can enjoy. One of [...]

Eating Local Tips for Busy Moms on a Budget

I recently asked Tracey Miller, of Tracey Miller Wellness, what a busy mom on a budget can do when she wants to eat locally and minimize packaged foods.  Tracey, a holistic health counselor, health and wellness educator, cooking instructor,  and a freelance journalist, not to mention a busy mom herself, had some great ideas to share, [...]

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