The truth is: Black mothers face life-threatening experiences while pregnant 

 while giving birth. Many of them die in delivery rooms because of gross negligence by healthcare providers that they should be able to trust. The National Institute of Health says “national severe maternal morbidity rates have nearly doubled over the past decade, and have increased to 166% higher for black women than white women from 2012 to 2015.” 

black maternal health & why it matters

 said about the first year of postpartum, "there’s the dreamy, sleepy, sweaty, sweet, tricky, exhausting, messy, magical healing first 40 days, and then the months of adjustment and learning that come after that. There’s your body that needs to recover, then the motherly knowing and trusting that needs to develop over time. At the heart of it all, there’s also a baby in your arms who starts out so tiny and helpless, but grows so quickly, crossing milestones and new phases (again more learning and trying)."

the messy, the rewarding, the postpartum essentials

I, like most people - was always under the impression that for a caterpillar to transform into a butterfly they simply encase themselves in a cocoon, sprout wings and poof! They are now a butterfly. The reality is much more gruesome…caterpillars completely liquify in that cocoon. Their cells melt, then reassemble…and build a butterfly from scratch. It is a complete physical metamorphosis, though they retain memory of their former caterpillar self.

metamorphosis of motherhood

Historically, birth wasn’t really a big deal. It was a fact of life, a very common event that took place in almost every home, in every family. Attended by mothers, sisters, friends and the midwife. You labored with the support of all the women in your life. Women witnessed birth before they had their own children, therefore there was no mystery and very little distress or fear. Yes, mothers and babies died in childbirth, but that too had almost an air of mundane, another fact of life.

the weight of birth

A fun listicle of our favorite treats for your tootsies.

treats for your feets

A friend recently shared with me her New Year’s resolution: 20 minutes of exercise every day. I just love a goal that’s doable, simple, and leaves room for more. It’s a brilliant idea whose time has come. As we near the one-year anniversary of the Covid-19 lockdown, the scale tells the tale of how so many of us have been unconsciously coping with the changes to life as we know it. 

move it, move it

If anyone out there has miscarried, then you understand. Even if you haven’t, I’m sure you can imagine the heartbreak. For my partner and I, it wasn’t so much the loss of the pregnancy as the loss of the idea - the excitement. It seemed like we had just come to terms with the notion of being parents and bringing a life into this world when it was snatched aways from us. I’m not gonna lie, I cried in the bath… a lot. It was messy. I couldn't believe it was happening; I had built a vision in my mind of this baby and then it was gone. Gone.

just an empty uterus

It may seem obvious but if you don't drink enough water, you become dehydrated, which leads to so many undesirable side effects. However, if you drink more water, there are many remarkable benefits, so remarkable in fact, that we consider hydration the low hanging fruit of over-all health and wellness.

drink your damn water

Everyone is obsessed with morning routines, but what about nighttime? How you unwind from your day is as important to your overall well-being as your morning self-care practice is. A calming nighttime routine can help relax an anxious mind, soothe aching muscles, and prepare your total being for deep, restorative rest.

night time routine 101

Ahhhh, the holidays. A time for family, giving -- and bloat. Marsupial pouch-like bloat. Stare-at-your-tum-and-wonder-what-exactly-is-in-there kind of bloat. Blame it on the days of wine, bleu cheese, and Santa’s boot-shaped cookies. Days that stretch from Thanksgiving to the second week in January, like a kitchen remodeling project that’s gone on waaay too long. This is the dark side of the holidays, chronic indulgence that steals your chance to feel good and be present while giving presents because you’re too busy feeling furious at yourself for abandoning your will power. Again.

the wellness wagon

A winter wellness routine is your best defense against cabin fever this season. While winter may seem cozy at first, day after day spent indoors can get old fast. An easy-to-follow winter wellness routine is an essential indoor activity to spice up your self-care ritual.

winter wellness: hygge

Self-care isn’t selfish. A regular self-care practice that boosts your well-being means you have more to give where it matters most. No matter how jammed your daily to-do list is, shoring up your health is a must. Current times show that now more than ever, taking care of your health is essential. In whatever ways you can manage, make sure to make time for you each day and nurture your body and mind.

Beyond the Body

black maternal health & why it matters

the messy, the rewarding, the postpartum essentials

metamorphosis of motherhood

the weight of birth

treats for your feets

move it, move it

just an empty uterus

drink your damn water

night time routine 101

the wellness wagon

winter wellness: hygge

immunity-boosting ideas

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