The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause

When it comes to midlife weight loss, you probably think you need "more discipline" or "more willpower". Not true! What is true is that your strategy isn't built for a busy, midlife mom in perimenopause. Most of us try to DIY our way through nutrition, diets, and workouts. But when it seems like you've tried everything , but nothing is working to help you improve your...

Feel like you're already "behind" in the New Year before it’s even gotten off the ground? This episode is for you! Happy New Year, my friend! If you’re listening and feeling less "reinvigorated and refreshed" and more like "exhausted midlife mom just trying to survive," I want you to take a deep breath. You are exactly where you need to be. In this episode, I’m s...

At the beginning of a new year, you probably feel that familiar nudge. You know the one: the "New Year, New Me" excitement where you buy the fancy apps, the matching yoga pants, and print out a meal plan so organized it belongs in a museum.  But let’s be real—by Valentine’s Day, those yoga pants are being dressed up for "casual office wear", and your motivation has completely e...

Want to know the truth about my "healthiest year ever"? It didn't look anything like I had planned. Maybe your health and wellness goals went off the rails this year, too?  You are definitely not alone. I started this year with a physique coach, ready to get into the best shape of my life for my 50th year. But life decided to hand me a cancer diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and the l...

If you're ready to finally ditch the diets, for something more sustainable (and that gives better results!), listen up! When I tell women I lost 65 pounds in my late 40s, t heir first question is always "How?" And while I could list the diet swaps and workouts, that's not the full story, is it? We both know that when life hits the fan—solo parenting for six weeks, caring for a...

You likely know by now that anti-inflammatory nutrition in midlife is a non-negotiable. But let's be honest, we all get tripped up when it comes to traveling! Whether you're heading off for a family vacation, a holiday visit, or a packed work trip, it can feel impossible to stick to your healthy eating habits when you’re away from your own kitchen. And I hear you thinking, "Ashley,...

Raise your hand if you've tried everything in perimenopause to lose weight, but nothing works? You’re tracking your steps, eating salads, maybe even choking down dry chicken and broccoli for dinner. Believe me, I get it! I've been there, and I hear this same frustration from busy, midlife moms every single day. As we creep into perimenopause and beyond, losing weight becomes a whole new...

The holiday season is here! Yay for the twinkle lights, cozy feelings, cherished traditions...but there's plenty of food and alcohol that can absolutely derail your health goals. As a busy, midlife mom managing perimenopause symptoms and working to lose weight, you know that sugar and inflammatory foods can instantly lead to a miserable sugar hangover and that dreaded need to unbutton your pa...

Ever feel like your thoughts are actively working against your midlife health goals? Like, the moment you decide to try something new, your brain slams the brakes on with excuses like, "That's too hard," "I don't have time," or the classic, "My family will never eat that"? You are absolutely not alone!  In my first-ever Ask Me Anything episode of The Family...

You hear the phrase everywhere: gut health. It's on product labels, social media, and talked about by every wellness guru. But what does that even mean? More importantly, how does your gut health get impacted in perimenopause? And how are you supposed to fix it when you're already juggling a full life? Trust me, I get it. For years, I struggled with mystery symptoms that felt completely...

Today, we're diving into one of my favorite topics: food! But we're not just talking about what to eat; we're talking about how to do it without spending a fortune. I know what you might be thinking—eating healthy, especially with an anti-inflammatory focus, is expensive. Maybe you have a big family to feed, or maybe you’re cooking for just a couple of people now that the kids are g...

Feel like you'll never get anywhere with perimenopause weight loss? You're not alone! It can feel like your body is working against you, making it impossible to see consistent results. You might be exhausted, feeling a little fluffy around the middle, and wondering if this is just your new normal. I see you, and I get it. But what if you didn’t have to give up? What if there was a differ...

You've heard me say it before: perimenopause and midlife can feel like an uphill battle. You're juggling a career, a family, and all the stress that comes with it, and it feels like your body is just not on your team. You're tired, you're bloated, and the number on the scale just keeps creeping up no matter what you do. I used to think eating "healthy" was enough. I w...

Feeling like you're stuck in a cycle of "I've tried everything, but nothing works"? I hear you, and honestly, I've been there myself. For over a decade, I've been on a health journey, and while I've done a lot of healing and made a bunch of changes, I've also made a ton of mistakes. The thing is, mistakes are part of the game! If you want to see different re...

Do you dread making dinner? Can't come up with healthy options that your family will eat, too? Stuck eating more than your fair share of takeout? With all of the recommendations out there for midlife moms (more fiber! more protein! eat healthy, and get more sleep!), its not surprising that you're overwhelmed with info. And yet you still don't know where to start! In this episode you...

Juggling perimenopause, family, and weight loss goals can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like "healthy" and "anti-inflammatory" food means "no fun." It's absolutely possible, but it helps when you have a few boundaries or guardrails in place. In this episode, we're doing things a little differently and getting deep into our feelings. I’m sharing...

You hear it everywhere these days: building muscle is an absolute MUST for women in midlife. As a midlife woman, who is also recovering from breast cancer, I’ve been taking a deep dive into my own health. What I’ve learned about muscle is truly staggering. The statistics on bone fractures and falls for older women are jaw-dropping, but here's the thing: it all ties back to how much muscle we...

I know what you're thinking when you see this episode title: is sugar really that bad? Maybe you're like me a few years ago, telling yourself, "I eat pretty clean, I don't really have that much sugar." (But, you’re still struggling to lose weight, even though you think your nutrition is totally dialed in). Or maybe you know deep down you could probably cut back on sugar, b...

What if I told you September is actually the best time of year to lean into your health, wellness, and fitness goals? Seriously. We’re talking about a season that’s naturally more structured, predictable, and calm. This is your chance to ride the “back-to-school effect” and actually get goals accomplished! In this episode, we're going to dive into why ditching the New Year's Resolution m...

Feel like you're lacking "motivation" or "discipline" to build healthy habits? What if you could build habits that stick without either of those things? This week, Ashley shares three unconventional tips for building healthy habits, from her 10+ years of experience, that will help you finally create lasting change. Get ready to challenge everything you thought you knew abo...

It's a polarizing topic, but one that we should care about TODAY: the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet for our kids. You might think kids should just be kids, but what if the food they're eating is secretly causing hyperactivity, poor concentration, and long-term health risks? This week, Ashley makes a compelling case for why a healthy, anti-inflammatory approach is crucial for our...

If you have a love-hate relationship with snacks (especially after school snacks!), this episode is for you! While snacks can be a good part of a healthy day, they're often a source of stress, power struggles, and guilt for moms. This week, we're diving into how to reclaim snack time and turn it into a source of fun, health, and ease for the whole family! Ashley gets real about the damag...

Get ready! We're celebrating a major milestone: the 50th episode of The Family Fork podcast! To mark the occasion, Ashley gets vulnerable, sharing her personal journey—from healing after an abusive marriage to navigating cancer— to reveal the three most important lessons she's learned about health and life. Whether you're just beginning or starting over for the tenth time, this epis...

You hear it all the time, "reduce inflammation", but do you know WHY it really matters? It's more than just bloating or puffy hands; it’s a silent force that can affect your brain, joints, and overall health. This week on The Family Fork, Ashley gives you 5 compelling reasons why you need to start reducing inflammation TODAY: Clearer Thinking: Learn how brain fog, forgetfulness, and...

You hear that you're supposed to eat protein in perimenopause, but you're still confused. Knowing how much, what kind, and when can be a puzzle This week, Ashley is breaking down everything you need to know about harnessing the power of protein for more energy, less cravings, and sustainable weight loss (yes, even in midlife!) Discover why protein is your secret weapon against the challe...