Hospitals are incredible when it comes to handling emergencies, but they’re not the only option for birthing—and they’re certainly not always the best choice for every mom.
Choosing to birth in a setting that aligns with your values, priorities, and comfort level can make a huge difference in your experience and even your recovery.
For many moms, the default choice is a hospital simply because that’s what they’ve always been told is safest. But safety isn’t just about access to medical interventions—it’s also about feeling supported, empowered, and in control of your birth. And for some moms, that means exploring alternatives like home births or birthing centers.
The Benefits of Home Births & Birthing Centers
Many women who opt for home births or birthing centers report feeling more empowered, supported, and connected during their labor. These environments are designed to honor the natural birthing process while still providing professional care from midwives and birth teams trained to handle a wide range of scenarios.
Here’s why some moms choose these options:
- More control over your birth experience – You decide who is present, what positions you labor in, and how you move through your birthing process. No being confined to a bed or pressured into interventions that don’t feel right for you.
- Fewer interventions – Hospital births often come with a cascade of interventions, from IV fluids to continuous monitoring, epidurals, and even unnecessary C-sections. Birthing centers and home births allow labor to progress naturally, reducing the likelihood of these interventions.
- A more peaceful environment – Instead of bright hospital lights, beeping machines, and medical staff coming in and out, home births and birthing centers provide a calm, familiar, and supportive setting.
- Better postpartum experience – Many moms report an easier transition into postpartum recovery when they give birth in a space where they feel safe, respected, and cared for.
It’s About Reclaiming Your Birth Experience
This conversation isn’t about hospital births being bad—it’s about knowing that you have choices. Every birth is unique, and what feels right for one mom may not be right for another. The most important thing is that you’re informed, confident, and in control of your experience.
So if you’ve ever felt like the traditional hospital setting wasn’t for you, know that there are other paths. Do your research, talk to providers, and trust that you have the right to birth in the way that feels best for you and your baby. Because birth isn’t just about bringing a baby into the world—it’s about how you feel while doing it.
It’s day one of your period—you’re bloated, crampy, and all you want to do is wrap yourself in a cozy blanket burrito. Sound familiar? Your hormones are at their lowest, your body is working hard to shed the uterine lining, and let’s be honest—everything feels like too much.
But what if you had a simple, natural way to support your body during this phase?
🚨 Enter: Essential Oils for Your Menstrual Phase! 🚨
Essential oils have been used for centuries to support hormonal balance, reduce inflammation, and ease discomfort. Whether you’re dealing with cramps, mood swings, or low energy, these five oils can help you feel more like yourself—even on your toughest period days.
🩸 Clary Sage → The Ultimate Hormone-Balancing Queen 👑
This powerhouse oil contains phytoestrogens, which studies show can support progesterone levels and reduce period pain by relaxing uterine muscles (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2012). Apply it topically with a carrier oil or diffuse it to help your body through this phase.
💜 Lavender → More Than Just a Sleep Aid
Lavender is well-known for its calming effects, but did you know it can also lower cortisol levels and reduce PMS-related anxiety? (Phytomedicine, 2013). A few drops in a diffuser or mixed with a carrier oil for a belly massage can work wonders on stress and period discomfort.
🔥 Copaiba → Your Secret Weapon for Pain Relief
Think of this as the essential oil cousin to CBD—it supports your endocannabinoid system, helping to reduce inflammation and ease cramps. Apply it directly to your lower abdomen with a carrier oil for quick relief.
🪵 Frankincense → For Grounding & Blood Flow
Not only is Frankincense amazing for emotional balance, but it also supports healthy circulation—making it great for reducing bloating and general period discomfort. Try adding it to a warm bath with Epsom salts for ultimate relaxation.
🌿 Peppermint → Energy Booster & Headache Relief
Feeling sluggish? Peppermint oil can boost circulation, reduce nausea, and relieve headaches. Apply a drop to your temples (diluted with a carrier oil) or add a few drops to your diffuser for a natural energy boost.
How to Use These Oils for Menstrual Support
💨 Diffuse This Blend for Period Zen:
✨ 3 drops Clary Sage
✨ 2 drops Lavender
✨ 2 drops Frankincense
✨ 1 drop Copaiba
💆♀️ Cramp Relief Belly Massage:
Mix 2 drops Clary Sage + 2 drops Copaiba with a carrier oil and gently massage over your lower belly.
🛀 Hormone-Supporting Bath Soak:
Add 5 drops Lavender + 3 drops Frankincense to a warm Epsom salt bath for the ultimate relaxation.
When I first started learning about natural health, I had no idea how powerful plants could be in supporting our bodies. But now? I swear by these oils every month!
💬 Have you ever used essential oils for period relief? Let me know in the comments!
A hearty and flavorful salad that’s anything but boring! This Lentil and Cauliflower Salad with Orange Tahini Dressing is packed with protein-rich lentils, roasted cauliflower, and a bright, creamy citrus tahini dressing that ties it all together. It’s the perfect balance of fresh, zesty, and satisfying perfect for a quick lunch, meal prep, or a nutrient-dense side dish. Bonus: It’s completely plant-based and loaded with fiber to keep you feeling full and energized!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Dry Green Lentils (rinsed)
- 1 head Cauliflower (medium, cut into florets)
- 1 tbsp Moroccan Spice Blend
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1/4 cup Tahini
- 1/2 Navel Orange (large, zested, juiced)
- 1/2 Lemon (juiced)
- 8 cups Arugula
- 1/2 cup Pitted Dates (chopped)
- Organic chicken (we do ours from the local farm, this will add some extra protein which can help in so many ways!)
Instructions:
- Cook the lentils according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (205ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Toss the cauliflower with the Moroccan spice blend, salt, and pepper until well coated. Arrange the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until cooked and browned slightly, tossing halfway.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, orange juice and zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Place the arugula on a platter and top with the cooked lentils, cauliflower, and dates. Drizzle the tahini dressing over the top. Divide evenly into bowls or plates, and enjoy!
This recipe is packed with various vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, C, D, E, K, and B-vitamins, as well as minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc. These nutrients are essential for various bodily functions, including immune function, bone health, blood clotting, and energy production.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lbs Chicken Thighs With Skin (bone-in)
- 3 Garlic (clove, minced)
- 2 Yellow Onion (large, thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsps Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 cup Basmati Rice (dry, rinsed)
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
- 1/4 cup Parsley (chopped)
Instructions:
- Pat the chicken dry and place it in a large bowl. Add garlic, onion, lemon juice, mustard, paprika, and cayenne. Mix well, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for two hours or overnight.
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions.
- Meanwhile, remove the chicken from the marinade and set the marinade aside. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on each side for four to six minutes or until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, cook the marinade for three to five minutes until it thickens and caramelizes.
- Return the seared chicken to the pan, add the broth, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until fully cooked. Divide the rice and chicken evenly among serving plates, top with parsley and enjoy!
Let me tell you something I wish I had realized sooner: setting wellness goals isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
For the longest time, I pushed my own well-being to the back burner. I was too busy, too tired, too focused on everything (and everyone) else. And honestly? I thought I was fine… until I wasn’t.
The moment things really started to unravel, my body let me know in no uncertain terms. I wasn’t sleeping enough. I was dehydrated. I was reaching for convenient, processed foods way too often (because, let’s be real—just because something is organic, vegan, and gluten-free doesn’t mean it’s actually healthy). And alcohol? It made an appearance at a few too many dinners. 🍷
Then one day, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror—puffy, exhausted, and not feeling like the best version of me. And that was my wake-up call.
It wasn’t just about the way I looked. It was how I felt. Sluggish, irritable, drained. I didn’t have the energy to fully show up for my family, my work, or even myself.
But here’s the truth: when you prioritize your wellness, everything shifts. Your energy improves. Your patience expands. You move through your days with more ease, more confidence, and more you. And that, my friend, is everything.
I started small. More water. Less caffeine (I know, I know, but my anxiety thanked me). More whole foods. Less “healthy” junk. I made sleep a priority instead of treating it like a luxury. And you know what? It made a huge difference.
I had more energy to chase my kids without feeling wiped out by noon. I felt lighter—physically and mentally. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like myself again.
I know it’s not always easy. We’re moms. We’re business owners. We wear a million hats. But here’s the thing—when you’re running on empty, everything feels harder.
So if you’ve been putting yourself last, consider this your sign to start making small shifts:
✔ Drink more water. (Seriously, your body will thank you.)
✔ Prioritize sleep. Even if it means letting go of that last episode on Netflix.
✔ Fuel your body with real food. Think more protein, less sugar crashes.
✔ Move in a way that feels good. Not as punishment, but as self-care.
✔ Take deep breaths. Stress is inevitable, but how you handle it makes all the difference.
You don’t need a full-blown overhaul overnight. Start small. Pick one thing and commit to it. And most importantly—give yourself permission to take care of YOU.
Because when you do? You show up as the best version of yourself—for your kids, your business, and your own well-being. And you deserve that. ❤️
