The Intentional Mum

In this special episode for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2021 Kerry and I share our experiences of baby loss through miscarriage.  Both of us have had a missed miscarriage but our experiences are quite different.  We hope that by sharing our stories it helps other women going through baby loss know that you aren't alone. *Content warning: This episode includes descriptions of baby loss and miscarriage that some may find difficult to hear and discretion is advised* Mentioned in this episode: Missed miscarriage D&C – this is a term that is often used for surgical management of miscarriage, although the official term for the procedure is “evacuation of retained products of conception” Medical management of miscarriage Miscarriage Association Tommy's Sands Petals – not mentioned but this is another charity that provides support to those experiencing baby loss If you would like to find out more on this topic you can find my story at: https://theintentionalmum.com/missed-miscarriage-story/ You can find me on Instagram - @the.intentional.mum

“Your worth as a parent isn't tied up into how often your baby wakes up” In this episode I'm joined by infant sleep expert and founder of Care it Out, Kerry Secker.  Kerry has over 20 years' experience specialising in infant sleep – first as a nanny and now as a sleep consultant.  Kerry has provided families across the globe with support and assurance to help them reach a settled night's sleep without sleep training. Mentioned in this episode: Care it Out The Sleep Show Bedtime boundaries Gina Ford Sleep training Naps and nap gaps Bedtime routines Sleep cues Breastfeeding and co-sleeping SIDS You can find more episodes of The Intentional Mum as www.theintentionalmum.com  Come say hi - www.instagram.com/the.intentional.mum

“Being pregnant was possibly the most I have ever loved and respected my body” In this episode I'm joined by my lovely friend and all round superwoman, Carly Rowena.  Carly is a personal trainer, YouTuber and mum to Jax who keeps things super honest and candid when it comes to fitness, relationships and mumlife. Mentioned in this episode: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro – watch Carly's video of our trip Baby carrying Diastasis recti Breastfeeding Emily Skye Co-sleeping Antenatal classes Carly's sexy series Seaspiracy Let's Sweat You can find all episodes of The Intentional Mum at www.theintentionalmum.com/podcast Why not say hello on Instagram - @the.intentional.mum

"The breath is the bridge between your body and your mind"  Sophia is a coach, hypnobirthing and yoga teacher who empowers women to embrace calm - whether that's during pregnancy or in everyday life. She's a birth and life optimiser!  In this episode we discuss everything from creating a positive birth experience to how you can use yoga and hypnobirthing to aid your parenting and your life well beyond pregnancy. Even if you aren't pregnant or planning to get pregnant there's plenty of takeaways from this episode. Mentioned in this episode:  Hypnobirthing Yoga C-section birth The Prenatal Snug Podcast Emotional freedom technique BRAINS Fear-tension-pain cycle Neuro-linguistic programming / NLP The Prison Doctor* Brene Brown* Cold water therapy* Swamping Sophia has created The Prenatal Snug - an online sanctuary for pregnant women to find reassurance and a whole load of wonderful resources for getting through pregnancy and preparing for birth and that includes weekly prenatal yoga. You can also find Sophia at www.sophiahanson.com and on Instagram @the.prenatal.snug Find more from The Intentional Mum podcast at www.aminimalistmother.com 

"You can't be perfect because the system isn't perfect" In this episode I'm chatting about all things tiny home and sustainable living with conservationist Molly Doubleday.  If you are in need of some minimalist living inspiration then give this a listen. Mentioned in this episode: Capercaillie Farne Islands Tiny home living Having a mission statement Skillshare Veganism Greenwashing Shower playlists Greggs vegan sausage rolls You can find Molly over at www.hippyhighlandliving.com and on Instagram @hippyhighlandliving. You can find all episodes of The Intentional Mum over at www.aminimalistmother.com Follow on Instagram @a.minimalist.mother Follow on Twitter @intentionalmum

“Zero- waste living is an ideal that really really hard to achieve so it's about the journey not the destination” In this episode I'm joined by the creators of the #setmeplasticfree challenge for Plastic-free July, Hollie Barber and Sara Bills. In this episode we discuss going plastic-free and why it's not all or nothing.  We chat about how the #setmeplasticfree challenge got started, including planning during late night feeds and how it is such a positive movement.  Hollie and Sara are honest about their sustainability struggles when it comes to family life. But Sara and Hollie also offer plenty of tips for being more sustainable. Sara and Hollie connected on Instagram through their love of cloth nappies and found that they shared many of the same parenting values, including becoming more sustainable.  After months of chatting online Hollie and Sara eventually met in person and found that they get on just as brilliantly in real life. We also talk about how important Instagram can be for new mums to make connections – especially in Covid times where face to face connections at baby groups are limited.  Hollie and Sara's friendship is a brilliant example of why online friendships can be just as important as face-to-face friendships, especially if you are struggling to find like-minded parents. Hollie and Sara give an insight into what's coming up in this month's challenge including sustainability on a budget and why this is so important. It's a great challenge to join in with if you are thinking of doing plastic-free July. Mentioned in this episode: #setmeplasticfree hashtag on Instagram Zero-waste periods Mooncup Eco guilt / eco shaming Baby-led weaning Cloth nappies Ebay Facebook Marketplace #haveyuleselfanecolittlechristmas hashtag on Instagram Hollie's zero-waste Christmas National hygiene week You can find Hollie on Instagram @rainbeauadventures and on her blog Rainbeau Relaxation. And you can find Sara on Instagram @raising_earth_punklings and on her blog Raising Earth Punklings. Instagram: www.instagram.com/a.minimalist.mother Website: www.aminimalistmother.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/intentionalmum  

"You can claim your space too in whatever art form feels right to you" In this episode of The Intentional Mum I chat to the incredible Rabya Lomas about reinvention and nurture. Rabya Lomas is a super talent woman who inspires others through her incredible photography and passionate words and our conversation is no exception. Rabya's story is such a powerful one.  We start by chatting about Rabya's experiencing of returning back to the workplace following maternity and her feeling of being jaded and burnt out. A creative outlet at the time was Instagram where Rabya developed her photography style and found her voice, but found that even in those online spaces she faced the same erasure she was feeling in the workplace. These experiences led to Rabya publicly speaking out on Instagram stories about her frustration – something which as well as being incredibly cathartic also opened up her own learning and unlearning when it comes to racism. In bringing these experiences to her photography Rabya has made her Instagram into something truly empowering and inspirational. We talk about the importance of representation and for children from global majority backgrounds to be able to see themselves in leading roles (whether that's in film or in business), as well as the importance of centring stories on joy rather than just pain and trauma. Rabya shares her experiences of the workplace and how her ethnicity has impacted on those experiences. We talk about how motherhood changed our perspective on work and the events that led to Rabya's decision to leave the 9-5 system and the growth required to be able to take that decision. We also chat about predominantly white spaces and the need to create inclusive workspaces. Rabya is passionate about reinventing what work places should look and feel like. In spring 2020 Rabya created the ethnicity pay gap petition – a petition to the UK Parliament to make ethnicity pay gap reporting mandatory for businesses alongside the existing requirement to to report gender pay gaps.  Rabya's shares her feelings about the attention her petition received as a result of George Floyd's murder. We also talk about self-care and nourishing yourself and the importance of that, whether through cooking, gardening or just taking time offline. This is especially important for mums as we often put ourselves last. Rabya loves solo cinema trips so we have a great chat about going to the cinema for some alone time. This chat brings us onto board games as both Rabya and I are big board game fans. I finish by asking Rabya what the biggest thing she has learnt from the last year in lockdown and I know her answer will really resonate with you. Mentioned in this episode: Rida Suleri-Johnson @Beforeandagain_ Ms Marvel Spill the Chai Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Ethnicity pay gap petition      Thor: Ragnarok Rocks Tenet Queen and Slim Jojo Rabbit Wingspan Carcassonne Hive Spirit Island Azuleo Forbidden Island / Forbidden Desert You can find Rabya on Instagram @sheflourished_ on Twitter @sheflourished and on Patreon Loved this episode? Why not check out episode 4 where I chat to Lucy Lucraft about activism and the importance of self care.

"There's so much to see on our doorsteps" In this episode I catch up with Hey Mama Earth founder and freelance content creator Vicki Chagger about connecting to the Earth and nature. We recorded this episode back in March when we were in the middle of lockdown 3 in the UK so we talk a lot about our experiences of lockdown and the challenges that that has brought, especially our struggles to get outside when working from home and the things we miss from commuting to the office. But even though the end of Covid-19 restrictions are (hopefully) in sight there's still plenty of inspiration for bringing more of nature into your daily life. We discuss the joy that comes from finding connection, with nature and the earth and how that affects our mental health.  With so many of us spending so much time indoors and at home over the last 18 months it's become so important to make that effort to get outside and soak up that time in nature. Vicki's sustainability journey has been shaped by her travels and her experiences in Nepal and Malawi and we discuss how for both of us our travel experiences have changed our perspective when it comes to the climate crisis and our own daily actions. Vicki shares some really great practical actions that you can take to get outside and connect with nature regardless of whether you live in a city or have limited outside space.  There's some brilliant ideas especially if like me you struggle to think of ideas of ways to explore nature with your little ones. We also discuss going vegan and whether it's possible to eat eggs in a cruelty-free way if those eggs come from backyard rescue hens.  If you are interested in finding out more about going vegan then check out episode 1 with Hannah McIntyre which is all about plant-based living. Mentioned in this episode of The Intentional Mum: Cherelle Slaney Annapurna circuit Interview with Sean McCormack from Ealing Wildlife Group Scala radio – In The Park Calm app Nature bathing Cowspiracy Can vegans eat eggs? You can find Vicki at www.vickichagger.com and @vickichagger on Instagram and read more of her curated content at www.heymamaearth.com (including an article from me on staying intentional for the planet) and @heymamaearth on Instagram

"Shopping is the elephant in the room" Emma Gleeson is a decluttering expert and the bestselling author of the brilliant Stuff Happens! Manage you clutter, clear your head & discover what's really important. Emma's approach to decluttering is firmly rooted in sustainability and in this episode of The Intentional Mum I discuss with Emma all things decluttering sustainably and why it's human nature to love stuff. We talk a lot in this episode about fast fashion and the impact our wardrobes have on is as individuals as well as on people and the environment. Emma started out in theatre and costume design but soon found her interest lay in researching the psychology of shopping and fast fashion and she shares some fascinating insights into the history of PR and marketing. Emma isn't a minimalist and her approach isn't about trying to live without stuff, instead Emma wants us to embrace our love of stuff but in a more conscious way.  Emma's book is an absolutely brilliant read, and so much more than a guide to decluttering.  Emma gets into the psychology of stuff and why material culture is part of being human. We chat about snobbery when it comes to sustainability chat and the judgment on parents for things like shopping at Primark during the pandemic. Emma has some brilliant advice about stepping away from the guilt about not being able to afford to buy sustainable items.  It's more important to be mindful about how you shop and slow down your shopping habits. I also ask Emma about her process for decluttering with clients and she shares some brilliant tips for making the decluttering process more manageable. If you are interested in sustainable fashion or feeling anxious about your wardrobe then this episode is for you. Mentioned in this episode of The Intentional Mum: Give Up Yer Aul Tings Stuff Happens The Environmental Justice Foundation Mindful materialism Clutter cycles Paradox of choice – the more choice you have the less satisfied you are Hedonic treadmill Edward Bernays Hibernating your clothes Leaving time in your decluttering for cleaning Greenwashing – Amazon and H&M UN sustainable development goals Recycling and the plastics industry Rights for garment workers Dealing with sentimental items You can find Emma at www.emmagleeson.com on Instagram @stuffhappensemma and on Twitter @emgleesondub Loved this episode? Head over to www.aminimalistmother.com for more intentional living inspiration

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the idea of decluttering? In this episode I'm sharing my tried and tested top tips for getting started with decluttering. So grab a cuppa and give it a listen - I promise you you'll have found your motivation by the end of the episode. Keep listening for a sneak peak at what's coming up in season 2. If you loved this episode then head over to www.aminimalistmother.com for more joyful intentional living inspiration.

Who doesn't love a bonus episode! In this short episode I'm talking all about what intentional living is, why minimalism doesn't mean getting rid of all your stuff and why I think you should give it a go. Keep listening for a sneak peak at what's coming up in season 2. If you loved this episode then head over to www.aminimalistmother.com for more joyful intentional living inspiration.

"It's not our job as parents to entertain our children" In this episode I catch up with the brilliant Tiffany Ross. Tiffany is an early years educator with over 17 years experience who helps parents to navigate the tricky toddler years with joyful child-led activities. Tiffany shares her own parenting journey from overwhelm, exhaustion, burnout and guilt from the pressure of trying to do everything to clearing everything out, embracing minimalism and taking a child-led approach which has allowed her to bring more joy to her parenting. If you are feeling overwhelmed by just how many different educational philosophies there are out there and don't know where to start Tiffany shares her advice on how to pick and choose the different techniques that work for you and your child to find more joy. We have a brilliant discussion about how to get your toy rotation right by paring this right back to a few items to avoid overwhelm (and reduce the burden on you when it comes to tidying up). We also discuss the benefits of open-ended toys, using items from around the house in creative ways and Tiffany shares her secrets for using those loud flashy toys to maximum effect to hold your child's interest and allow you to get stuff done. One thing I really struggle with is how to balance demonstrating an activity with giving my child the space to learn and so I asked Tiffany for her advice and she shares some brilliant tips for modelling behaviour and when you don't need to correct your child. We recorded this before the announcement of schools going back and Tiffany gives some amazing advice about how to take the pressure off when it comes to home-schooling. And although most children will be heading back to school, the ideas that Tiffany shares to bring balance and be child-led will be invaluable if you have to continue home-schooling for any reason. Tiffany reminds us it's not our job as parents to entertain our children constantly. Boredom is important for creativity and giving yourself permission to take time to recharge is just as important as trying to keep up learning at home. Ditching the guilt around this is so important to ensure that you are able to fully recharge. Finally, we discuss where to go for inspiration for activities that doesn't leave you feeling overwhelmed or inadequate. Tiffany has some brilliant ideas for simple activities that take less than 5 minutes to set up but keep your little one occupied for long enough for you to enjoy a hot cuppa. Things mentioned in this episode of The Intentional Mum: How to choose different educational philosophies that work for you Montessori Steiner Waldorf – breathing in and breathing out Benefits of toy rotation Destructive behaviour versus destructive play When to change up your toy rotation Open-ended toys – toys that don't have a set purpose and can be lots of different things DIY-ing toys and activities What to do with single use toys and when to utilise these for maximum impact Whether Lego is an open-ended toy Lego Masters Parallel play – playing separately but next to each other Home-schooling and how to break up tasks Intentional TV time Bluey Looking after yourself and your mental health Sensory rice Sensory play You can Tiffany over at www.inspirelearnteach.com and @inspire.learn.teach on Instagram.

“Lean in to each phase” In this episode I'm chatting to Cherrelle Slaney, a mum on a mission to prove that menstruating doesn't have to be all doom and gloom.  Cycle tracking goes beyond simply tracking ovulation and your period but it doesn't have to be complicated (and it definitely doesn't need to include taking your temperature every day). In this episode of The Intentional Mum, Cherrelle guides us through how to get started with menstrual cycle tracking to find more energy and joy. You may already know that your period is the low point of your cycle and that ovulation is when you are at the highest energy point. But what about the other parts of our menstrual cycle? And how can we make the most of each phase of our menstrual cycle? Cherrelle breaks down what we need to be looking for and how we can lean in to each phase of our cycle. We get into the detail of how birth control can affect your cycle (but there's all sorts of factors for choosing contraception so please choose what is right for you). And we also discuss contraception after having a baby and how your periods might change after pregnancy and breastfeeding (and how it can be scary waiting for them to come back). Finally Cherrelle shares why she loves sustainable period products and how these took her from miserable periods to joyful ones. Cherrelle talks through the different options beyond just a menstrual cup. Feeling inspired? You don't have to wait for day 1 of your period to start tracking your cycle - you can get started straight away. *If you are worried about your periods or your cycle changes please do speak to a doctor / medical professional to make sure everything is ok* What we talk about in this episode of The Intentional Mum podcast: Cherrelle's blog and ebook Taking your temperature to check for ovulation The stages of your menstrual cycle: Menstruation – your period when your energy is at your lowest Pre-ovulation – a phase of rising energy Ovulation – when the ovary releases an egg and the high point in your cycle Pre-menstruation – the luteal phase Ovulation burnout What to do if you have an irregular menstrual cycle Birth control Contraceptive pill Depo injection C-section Copper coil Ovulation pain Menstrual cups Reusable period underwear Cloth sanitary pads Menstrual discs You can find Cherrelle @cherrelleslaney on Instagram and at www.cherrelleslaney.co.uk Don't forget to come say hello over on Instagram - @a.minimalist.mother 

“Once you've found something that works for you, stay off social media” In this episode I'm chatting with Grace Phillips, the mum behind the amazing Cloth Nappy Geek website. It's also a little bit different because it's the second part of a much longer conversation that I had with Grace. You can listen to part 1 of our chat in which Grace interviews me about all things elimination communication and whether cloth nappies are a minimalist option over on her Cloth Nappy Geek podcast. Grace uses her website and social channels to share reviews of cloth nappies to help parents choosing cloth understand the different options available in the search for the perfect cloth nappy. Grace started her cloth nappy journey with her second child and therefore has experience of using both reusables and disposables.  We chat about how Grace got started with cloth and how it was actually her husband's reluctance to use cloth that was the catalyst for branching out to test different cloth nappies. Grace and I have very similar experiences in starting with cloth and especially feeling like the nappies we were recommended weren't as beautiful as we had hoped. If you are thinking of starting cloth nappies then this episode is packed full of advice. And if you are a seasoned cloth bum parent I hope you will enjoy listening to us nattering about the joy of using cloth as well as pick up a few tips and tricks along the way. We delve into the detail of the technical side of cloth nappies, discussing the different fabrics and absorbency options but also how we shouldn't overcomplicate this.  Grace also talks about how it can often be difficult to find more detailed information on the technical side of things, with brands referring to use buzzwords over quantifiable information. Grace also highlights how Instagram is a marketing tool to get us to buy and therefore there can be a lot of temptation to buy more nappies in new prints. We discuss overconsumption, sustainability and minimalism in a lot more detail in part 1 of our conversation over on Grace's podcast. Things mentioned in this episode: Cloth Nappy Geek podcast – listen or watch to Part 1 of our conversation The Nappy Lady cloth nappy questionnaire 2-parter systems – where an inner absorbent nappy is covered by a separate waterproof wrap Close Pop-in nappies Buying something you like the look of to get started Blueberry Orion wrap Motherease How to convert a reluctant partner to using cloth Easy Peasy Bumbles WAHM – Work At Home Mum Designer Bums Baby Bare Modern Cloth Nappies Fiyyah Cloth nappy libraries – find your local library Night nappies and why we don't need as much absorbency during the night as we do during the day Absorbency and the differences between different fabrics used Boosters – to add extra absorbency to your cloth nappies Manufacturing of cloth nappies Baba & Boo hemp boosters Acronyms used in cloth nappies Why disposables are designed to make you use more nappies than you need to WHO recommendation to change a nappy every 2-3 hours Let's carry on the conversation over on Instagram You can find Grace @clothnappygeek on Instagram and at www.clothnappygeek.co.uk

"I've learnt a lot from the pandemic just to slow down" This week I'm chatting with the wonderful Hannah Gorman. Hannah is a mum, step-mum, blogger and advocate for all things eco living. As well as sharing her own journey to a more sustainable lifestyle Hannah's blog is filled with inspiration for embracing eco-friendly living as a family in a manageable way. In this episode Hannah shares how she has created a minimalist stash of cloth nappies and how this has changed over time. We also have a really great chat about how to resist the temptation of buying more and more beautiful prints (and the prints that Hannah simply couldn't resist). But we also keep it real, discussing the challenges of minimalism including creating a maternity wardrobe that doesn't include fast fashion, with Hannah sharing her tips for buying clothes for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hannah shares her experiences of being pregnant in a pandemic and the upsides to lockdown life and how her perspective on life has changed. Hannah and her family had Covid-19 over Christmas and her experience is reassuring for anyone worried about how to cope with isolating at home with a toddler. Finally we chat about eco-swaps and the stereotypes that come with sustainable living and how we definitely are not crusty hippies. Things mentioned in this episode: Reusable nappies Cloth sanitary pads Extinction Rebellion Having a minimalist stash of cloth nappies The joy of secondhand baby clothes Letting your friends know you are open to having things secondhand Why you don't need breastfeeding specific clothing Covid-19 Allotment gardening Natural deodorant Stereotypes about being eco-conscious Joe Wicks Let's carry on the conversation over on Instagram Or come say hello over at www.aminimalistmother.com  You can find Hannah @hannahlgorman on Instagram and at www.hannahlgorman.com

"There's no judgment like the judgement around parenting" In this week's episode I'm chatting to the awesome Lucy Lucraft about some really juicy topics around sustainability, motherhood and why we shouldn't be trying to be perfect – I just know you're going to love this episode! We start by discussing why zero-waste is unattainable and that we don't have to be perfect to make a difference when it comes to being sustainable.  We also take a look at the negative aspects of the sustainability community, particularly when it comes to veganism, privilege and white supremacy and the importance of remembering the people who are actually being impacted by climate change. Lucy shares her thoughts on the importance of looking after your mental health to give you the resilience to participate in activism and the importance of prioritising yourself sometimes (something that as mums we often don't do). We also discuss the importance of speaking honestly with our children (and what a struggle that can be). Lucy explains how she approaches talking to her children about important issues like climate change in an age-appropriate way. Finally we talk about eco-swaps including getting honest about the realities of using cloth nappies. Things mentioned in this episode: The myth of over-population The importance of resilience and self-care in activism Mel Wiggins Instagram filters The hole in the o-zone layer Greta Thunberg The Happy Song by Imogen Heap Bokashi bin compost Aja and Lucy Moan About… - Lucy's podcast with Aja Barber What She Said – Lucy's podcast Let's carry on the conversation over on Instagram You can find Lucy @lucylucraft on Instagram and at www.lucylucraft.co.uk

"If you think eco-living is expensive you aren't doing it right" In this week's episode I catch up with the lovely Innes Vautier to chat all things slow and simple living with kids. Innes' website Aboderie provides endless inspiration for embracing a minimal, sustainable life and we discuss how Innes has found ways to embrace slow living while living in London. Innes is really open about the challenges that can come with living in a big city, but also the positives that city life brings. We take a deep dive into how we can all cut down on our waste and adopt a low impact lifestyle by being more intentional. Innes shares her advice on how we can adopt more eco-friendly choices that should save you money like gardening, family cloth, cloth nappies and using what you already have. We also discuss imposter syndrome online especially when it comes to sustainability, how fixing and making things is good for our mental health and that life isn't always Pinterest perfect so we need to be realistic. Things mentioned in this episode: Brockwell House community garden Family cloth - Innes has a brilliant guide to getting started with family cloth Who Gives and Crap? - If you aren't ready to switch to family cloth just yet there are plenty of sustainable toilet rolls  Picking one thing to switch to get started Innes is one of the nicest people online and it's impossible not to be inspired by her beautiful posts about living sustainably. You can find Innes on Instagram @aboderie and at www.aboderie.co.uk And I'd love to hear what you thought of this episode over on Instagram/a.minimalist.mother

"It's polite pain" In this episode I chat with my friend Nadine Pemberton about her lived experience of racism.  Nadine was a practising solicitor for many years, advising the boards of a number of UK public bodies and is now a coach, mentor and freelance consultant. We discuss what terms like white supremacy, privilege and micro-aggression actually mean, with Nadine sharing her own experiences of racism, particularly in the workplace.  If the fallout of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests have left you with questions about how you continue your learning and raise anti-racist children then give this episode a listen.  Nadine shares her thoughts on how we talk to our children about these issues and the really practical steps we can take to raise our children to celebrate difference.  Nadine is such a wonderfully positive woman and we also chat about realising your dreams through vision-boarding and intention setting - Nadine's own experience will absolutely leave you feeling inspired. Mentioned in this episode: BAME - Black Asian and Minority Ethnic, a commonly used term in the UK to refer to non-white racial / ethnic groups BIPOC - Black and Indigenous People Of Colour, a term that is increasingly used as an alternative to BAME Global Majority - this is Nadine's term of choice when referring to non-white racial / ethnic groups (definitely a term I am going to use from now on) Bettina Love - https://bettinalove.com/ I feel incredibly grateful to Nadine for being so open and speaking so eloquently about what is naturally a very emotional subject.  I really hope that this episode will leave you wanting to take further steps on your anti-racism journey. Let's carry on the conversation over on Instagram - @a.minimalist.mother You can read my blog over at www.aminimalistmother.com And you can find Nadine at www.facebook.com/pempluscoaching and @pempluscoaching on Twitter and Instagram and @livingstlucia on Instagram.  

Are you thinking of doing Veganuary or cutting back on your meat consumption? Then this episode is definitely for you. In this episode I speak to the lovely Hannah McIntyre about embracing plant-based living. We discuss why going plant-based is so important for the environment and how to make the transition gradually so that you're more likely to stick with it.  Hannah also shares lots of tips and tricks for how to make vegan cooking work for you and your family. As well as vegan inspiration, Hannah shares her experiences as a charity shop manager and top tips for successful secondhand shopping as well as her favourite eco-swap. Mentioned in this episode: Cowspiracy on Netflix Easy Vegan Bible by Katy Bestow  Ebay, Depop and Vinted for secondhand shopping online Join the conversation over on Instagram - @a.minimalist.mother Read my blog - www.aminimalistmother.com And you can find Hannah at https://blog.doodleheart.co.uk/      

In this episode I suggest ideas for Christmas ideas that don't cost a thing for adults and children alike. I share some Cornish Christmas traditions and how lights can bring joy at this time of year. Perhaps there's a living advent calendar near you, or you can admire the best lit houses in your town. If the weather is a bit rubbish there's still plenty of fun to be had indoors too. If you enjoy this podcast head over to www.aminimalistmother.com where I write about living intentionally. Or join the conversation over on www.instagram.com/a.minimalist.mother

In this episode I discuss ways in which you can switch off and chill out ahead of the crazy Christmas period, and share some ideas on how you can make more sustainable choices. We start by looking at ways you can make space to breathe at this busy time of year, especially when the kids are filled with that end of term excitement. Ways to switch off that might work for you include guided meditation, yoga, crafting, baking (and getting ahead on the Christmas food) or simply sitting down with a cuppa and a copy of the Christmas Radio Times. We then look at how we can get ahead with wrapping and the options for making this Christmas a bit more sustainable. Plus I share my favourite apps for making a virtual Christmas card to send to family and friends. If you enjoy this podcast head over to www.aminimalistmother.com where I write about living intentionally. Or join the conversation over on www.instagram.com/a.minimalist.mother

For many decorating your house for Christmas is the start of the excitement and anticipation of what lies ahead.  But what if the idea of having even more stuff surrounding you makes you feel anxious? Christmas is not the time to go into a full scale decluttering minimising mission (unless you have a lot of time of course) but there are some quick wins and steps you can take to make your space feel more calm when Christmas arrives. In this episode I take you through 5 quick ways to declutter and get your space ready for Christmas.

Feeling a little overwhelmed by 2020?  Wanting to create a joyful Christmas but not sure where to start?  Listen on my friend... Christmas is the season of the maximalist, with gifts and shopping and food and events. And that can by pretty overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be that way. You can create a magical Christmas for you and your family by choosing a more intentional Christmas.  In this episode I set out a plan for you to create an intentional Christmas. We start by choosing three intentional words that we want to describe the coming month, look back at our favourite memories of Christmas from childhood and weave these together to come up with a plan for creating new traditions this year without the burnout.  There really is something magical in the air (and no it's not the anticipation of gifts). There's something wonderful about slowing down and finding the joy in the little moments. So join me in this episode, which I hope will leave you inspired about the days ahead.  Want to find out more? Come say hello on Instagram Read more thoughts on intentional living and positive parenting over at A Minimalist Mother