{HMW} Nourishing yourself Through times of Transition
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Dear Reader, I've been thinking a lot about "felt time" lately and how everyone experiences time so differently. My husband has noticed that I often reminisce about the past and conjure up nostalgic moments with a pang of sorrow, even when those moments were truthfully not so great at the time. In fact, I tend to overly filter most of my past experiences in a glow of positivity. Science explains this through a cognitive bias called the "Rosy Retrospective." That's why despite all the excitement and pride I feel at my middle daughter graduating high school this weekend and starting at the University of Maryland in the Fall, it's also punctuated by moments of melancholy and complicated grief. What felt like an endless stretch of diaper changes, tantrums and overall chaos, has morphed in my mind as this glorious, unfettered time of baby cuddles, coos and a simpler time in life. I know every mother goes through this gradual emptying of the nest, but I truly never thought I'd actually get to this point. So, I'm sitting with it all: 🌼 The awe of the passage of time.. 🌼 The joy and pride at seeing who my daughter has become.. 🌼 The fear, relief, freedom and regret I feel about having fewer parenting responsibilities come this Fall... 🌼 Plus the anticipatory grief and thrill of beginning this new chapter of my life. Make no mistake - transitional times can absolutely affect our relationship with food and may even affect what types of foods we crave and need. These transitions don't just reshape our external circumstances, they transform us from the inside out. I've noticed that during periods like these, my relationship with food becomes a quiet barometer of my emotional state. Some days I crave comfort foods from childhood, trying to anchor myself to something familiar. Other days, I reach for whatever requires the least thought, my appetite dimmed by change. There's no shame in this. Our bodies and minds respond to emotional upheaval in deeply human ways. Rather than fighting these patterns, I'm learning to pay attention—to ask myself what I actually need in any given moment. What I'm discovering is that these uncomfortable transitional moments offer us a rare opportunity to check in with ourselves. To recognize that grief and joy can coexist, that we can celebrate our children's growth while mourning the end of an era. If you are in a period of transition as well - this might be a great time to get curious about what you need right now, both nutritionally and emotionally and embrace and make the necessary adjustments. Have it: Interesting Article Alert: The Surprising Ways Siblings Shape our Lives (gift article). Made it: Just got back from 8 days in Switzerland—mountains, vegan fondue, Eurovision (!!), and a vanilla-scented steam room I may never emotionally recover from. This week’s 5-Senses Sunday is a love letter to travel, joy, and the very real guilt of unplugging when the world feels like it’s burning. NEW! >>>> One Pan Meal Program and Prep Guide Want it: This pour-over coffee system looks easy - I need to up my coffee game. I need some sentimental and/or practical Graduation gift ideas for a bunch of graduation parties we're going to in the next few weeks. Any idea? Ingredient Spotlight: New Potatoes There's something magical about new potatoes—those tender, thin-skinned gems that practically melt in your mouth. I discovered this firsthand during a recent trip to Switzerland, where I enjoyed them alongside the most incredible vegan fondue. New potatoes are actually just young potatoes harvested early in the season, which is why their skins are so paper-thin you can rub them off with your thumb. They're naturally waxy with a creamy texture that makes them perfect for boiling, roasting, or tossing into salads. Plus, they're packed with vitamin C, potassium, and fiber—all while being naturally gluten-free. Try them simply boiled with fresh herbs, roasted with olive oil and rosemary, or as the star of a warm potato salad with dijon vinaigrette. Their mild, sweet flavor pairs beautifully with everything from sharp cheeses to tangy dressings. Try these 15 New Potato Recipe inspiration. Announcements & Upcoming: Expert Study Skills Tutor and CEO and Founder of Ace Cookie Tutoring, Jessyka Coulter, has recognized that need and created an amazing collection of interactive resources for you and your teen this summer. She’s named it Get Up and Learn! Why am I telling you about it? Because she asked me to create an activity for the event : ) I’m excited to share I’ve put together (name of resource) for you. I can’t wait for you to download your own copy during the FREE event! I know I’ll be checking out the free resources for myself between June 2 and June 15. To get free access to my activity and the 20+ others, click the button below.
Extra Bytes: What I'm Reading: The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt What I'm Watching: Babygirl 🔥- (on the plane home from Switzerland.) What I'm Listening to: My daughter's last band performance of High School is tonight - sniff sniff. She graduates this Sunday. What I'm Eating: Caribbean Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Rice That's it for me this week. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy hump day! Warmly, Jenny |