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

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...

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 fam...

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, rel...

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'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 p...

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:  These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant  The...

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 jus...

Welcome to Installment #6 of What We Ate This Week, how I prepped and what I spent! This was a lovely and smooth week filled with simple meals, lots of grilling, and zero food waste. The grand total for the 6 of us was $250+ for two Trader Joes trips and a super quick Costco run.  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

This week, we're diving into God of the Woods , a gripping literary mystery set in the Adirondacks. With shifting timelines, vivid imagery, and rich character work, Liz Moore weaves a haunting story of family secrets and long-buried truths. Stay tuned through the end for a spoiler segment and one big lingering question. Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

If you flinch every time someone asks “What’s for dinner?”—you’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack why that one simple question feels so loaded, especially for moms juggling the mental load. I share real talk on meal planning stress, emotional exhaustion, and why the timing of that question makes it feel like a personal attack. Plus, I offer practical tips (and a little humor) to make dinner...

I’ve really noticed a difference in how much less overwhelmed I feel. The best part? I’m not trying to keep everything in my head anymore. If you’re anything like me, that mental load can get heavy. But having this simple, month-by-month reference has made it so much easier to keep everything on track. Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Baby #1 Birth Story — Episode #41 Baby #2 Birth Story — Episode #42 Baby #3 Birth Story — Episode #92 Baby #4 Birth Story — Episode #146 Practical Resources: The Mama Natural by Genevieve Howland Ina Mya's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin Pro Tips:  Ask for Natera's self-pay option - $250 Fresh Test for alternative glucose screenings (non-GMO, gluten free, artificial flavoring free,...

Five Overrated Books I've Read Recently:  A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston The Husbands by Holly Gramazio The Middle of the Night by Riley Sager The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer PS. The new to us children’s book we loved: Truman by Jean Reidy Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Outdoor Spring Activities with Kids Nature Walks: Around the neighborhood, a new to you trail, or park Staring a Simple Gardening Picnics, try one in your own backyard!  Exploring New-to-You Playgrounds / Parks / Trails  Biking + Walking + Scootering around the neighborhood Outdoor Art Projects (using chalk, grass, flowers, rocks, & sticks) Bird Watching -- so fun! Send us Fan Mail www.darabox...

So much to love with this novel, however the ending was terrible that made so little sense.  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Mindfulness Practices Motherhood This Spring: Evening cup of tea Daily gratitude journaling Moment of mindfulness in the mornings Phone-free time challenge Mindful listening  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

I tracked all my 20204 impulse purchases on Amazon and Target. Here are the things I loved, and worked out super well, in addition to all the things I deeply regret.  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Peaks and Valleys: Making Good and Bad Times Work for You by Spencer Johnson Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Oh boy, this book left me very underwhelmed, which was a bit disappointing from a Liane Moriarty book! Here's why...  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

Starting the day with an empty dishwasher. This typically happens the night before, it’s the last thing my husband does before coming up stairs for bed.  The daily load of laundry, ideally started first thing in the morning A shower. Doesn’t happen everyday, at this point 10-15 minutes of weights and or a 30+ minute stroller walk One small home task, like vacuuming a room, or wiping down the bathr...

Welcome to Installment #5 of WWATW, how I prepped and what I spent! This was an unusual week for us, as we had two epic snowstorms, so grocery shopping and meal planning were very much fly by night. We did manage to get groceries mid-week and the grand total for the 6 of us was $228 at Trader Joes.  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com

A very daunting, but totally doable task! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you tackle this beast in bite sized chunks: Upload and sort all photos from your phone, digital camera, USBs, etc. to an external hard drive (I have this one 1T External Hard Drive ). Go slowly, month by month, year by year.  From there, delete excess from your phone, digital camera, USBs, etc. Pick out favorites fr...

Each of these were quite enjoyable!  That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally  Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera  The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak  Send us Fan Mail www.daraboxer.com