The Raw and The Cooked - Simple Rhythms for SAHM, Honest Motherhood, and Books Worth Reading

One of my favorite rhythms we've added to our summer is a weekly trip to the library. In this episode, I'm sharing everything I've borrowed over the past few weeks—from books I absolutely loved to the ones I returned after only a few chapters. That's the beauty of the library: when the books are free, it's so much easier to take risks on new authors and genres. Not every b...

Ann Patchett has done it again. In this episode, I'm sharing my spoiler-free thoughts on Whistler , why I think it's one of her strongest novels to date, and the surprising ways it echoes my all-time favorite, Commonwealth .  Then, after a clear spoiler warning, I dive into the themes, family dynamics, and character parallels that had me immediately listening to Commonwealth for the thir...

This week I'm sharing the non-fiction books I'm exploring in 2026 and what they reveal about the season I'm currently in. From marriage and communication books like Fight Right and You're Not Listening , to health and healing titles such as Good Energy , The Body Keeps the Score , and Healing Trauma , my reading list is centered around healing the body, mind, relationships, and...

In a culture that constantly encourages us to upgrade, replace, and start over, there is something deeply countercultural about slowing down long enough to ask: Can this be repaired? From fixing a stand mixer and restoring outdoor lighting to learning basic sewing and tackling first-time DIY projects, this episode examines how stewardship is about more than saving money. It is about developing ski...

This week I'm sharing my thoughts on The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan. We talk about audiobook narrators, friendship, reinvention, second chances, and why I kept inventing household chores just to listen to one more chapter.  Plus, my one major frustration with the story—and why I still ended up loving it. Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Summer is here — and this year, we’re embracing a slower, simpler rhythm. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I plan our “camp mommy” summers with four little kids: creating gentle structure without overscheduling ourselves, organizing outings, simplifying meals, planning around swim lessons and library trips, and preparing our home for a calmer season. If you’re hoping for a cozy, manageable summ...

This week, I’m talking about something that’s been quietly changing the way I read: slowing down. For years, I chased ambitious reading goals and measured my reading life by numbers — how many books I finished, how quickly I moved onto the next one, how much I could “keep up.” But lately, I’ve started asking a different question: what’s the point of rushing through books if none of them actually s...

A book shows up in the mailbox and suddenly I’m reading a format I normally avoid. That’s how The Correspondent by Virginia Evans landed in my hands, and it’s why this review turns into something bigger than a thumbs up or thumbs down. When a trusted friend mails you her copy, you can’t help but listen a little closer and I’m glad I did. We talk through what makes this epistolary novel so readable...

In this episode, I walk through what I call the 2 p.m. reset—those moments in the afternoon when the day starts to feel like it’s slipping away. I paint a realistic picture of that mid-day overwhelm: a messy kitchen, kids needing constant attention, dinner still unplanned, and a growing sense that nothing has really been accomplished yet. I talk about why this time of day feels so hard, not becaus...

This week I’m sharing how I actually use AI in my real life as a stay-at-home mom of four—without understanding anything technical. From building flexible routines that actually work, to planning holidays, breaking down home projects, writing emails, meal planning, and even figuring out “clean” products, ChatGPT has quietly become one of the most helpful tools in my home. If you’ve been curious ab...

I went into George Saunders’ Vigil with the kind of excitement you only get when an author has already given you a personal classic. Lincoln In The Bardo is still one of my favorite audiobook experiences, the kind that feels less like “listening to a book” and more like being pulled into a full cast performance. So when I saw Vigil drop, I skipped the description, hit purchase, and hoped for that...

In this episode, I’m sharing a Q1 budget recap as part of our “use it up, wear it out, make do or do without” year. I walk through what worked over the past three months, including areas where we saved money, lowered recurring expenses, and leaned into a thrift-first mindset for clothing, home items, and kids’ needs. I also talk about where real life didn’t line up with the budget—things like high...

Today, I'm sharing three recent favorites I can’t stop thinking about, then unpack one widely loved novel that surprised me in the wrong way.  How To Read A Book by Monica Wood , a prison book club - fun!  What Kind Of Paradise by Janelle Brown as a lingering, introspective audiobook. Set in the late 90's with tech on the horizon and the tension between protection and control  The Correc...

We tie a bow on the rhythmic home series by zooming out to seasonal flow and the small resets that keep our routines working as life changes. We share how we review what’s working, adjust what’s not, and stay grounded as people so our home supports us instead of controlling us. • zooming out from microhabits and weekly flow to seasonal rhythms • asking what’s working, what feels chaotic, and what...

In this episode, we continue the Rhythmic Home series by exploring the layer that often gets overlooked: what’s actually inside your home . Because even with strong habits and a well-planned weekly flow, your home can still feel overwhelming if the volume of what you own is working against you. We talk through the difference between daily tasks, weekly rhythms, and ongoing projects—and why keeping...

In this second episode of the series on building a rhythmic home, we move from micro-habits into structure — specifically, how to create a daily and weekly flow that actually supports your life. Because the truth is, even the best systems won’t work if your days feel reactive and scattered. This episode walks through how to organize your week in a way that feels calm, flexible, and realistic for m...

This episode kicks off a special four-part series about what it really takes to run a peaceful, sustainable home. Before we talk about planners, weekly rhythms, and seasonal resets, we have to start somewhere much smaller: our habits . Because the truth is, a calm home isn’t built on heroic cleaning days or perfect organizational systems. It’s built on tiny decisions we make throughout the day. In...

In Part 9 of What We Ate This Week , I’m sharing a very full February week — what we ate, how I prepped, and what we spent as a family of six after returning from travel. This week includes: A full fridge reset after vacation Two Trader Joe’s runs + one Costco trip Scratch cooking (as always) Frozen cookie dough confessions 🍪 Homemade tortillas 🌮 Shabbat rhythms ✨ And how I manage leftovers so...

This year, I’m treating 2026 like a stewardship reset. In this episode, I walk through the discretionary spending categories I’m tracking — groceries, household sundries, kids’ gear, memberships, family outings, clothing, and more — and how I’m identifying the “slow bleeds” that quietly add up. I also share why I’m prioritizing second-hand purchases, repairing before replacing, and using what we a...

This week, I’m talking about the Ten Commandments, and why I believe they are still a blueprint for human flourishing today. I share my thoughts on integrity, faith, and choosing what is right in a world that often celebrates the opposite. If you’ve been feeling unsettled by what you see in the culture, this episode is an invitation to choose light, truth, and moral clarity — imperfectly, but sinc...

February can feel endless—especially when you’re home with little kids, battling cold temps, cabin fever, and low energy. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest, gentle “survival guide” for making it through winter without burning out. From at-home lattes and simple meals to lowering the bar, leaning on community, and finding small things to look forward to, this is a reminder that you don’t have...

In this week’s episode, I’m sharing how I actually live a “good energy” life with four kids under seven—without biohacking or perfection. From sleep hacks, gentle daily movement, and mindful alcohol habits to whole-food meals, slow cooking, and simple personal care swaps, I walk through the small changes that make a real difference in day-to-day energy and long-term health. No judgment, no impossi...

I’m sharing a no-holds-barred reading roundup: four books I couldn’t put down (even when I didn’t love them), and four that just didn’t stick. From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to impulsive library grabs that pleasantly surprised me, we dive into what made these pages fly—or flop. Spoiler: “page-turner” doesn’t always mean “masterpiece,” and sometimes the books you think you’ll love… you just can’t...

What if fatigue, brain fog, cravings, and mood swings weren’t random—but signals from your cells asking for help? In this episode, we break down Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means and translate metabolic health into real life. We explain the five key markers that act like a dashboard for how well your body makes and uses energy—and why so many “normal” symptoms are early warning signs, not destiny. We...

In Judaism, we sometimes call God ‘Hashem,’ which means ‘The Name.’ I love this word — it feels close and loving. In today’s episode, I’m sharing something a little softer and more reflective. Lately I’ve been feeling deeply aligned and blessed in this season of life — not because everything is perfect (it never is), but because I’m becoming more aware of Hashem’s presence in the day-to-day moment...