Welcome to Food Soul Motherhood! A little more about me and the blog:
My husband Frank and I moved to Southern California in 2012 due to an unexpected career change with the Air Force. It has been quite the journey finding balance in a transitional phase of life: plugging into a new community, adjusting in all the ways that accompany such a move, meanwhile embarking for the first time on the adventure of parenthood. That is where the beginnings of this blog were birthed…
We are currently proud parents of a five-year-old daughter and our two-year-old son, making life anything but boring! Adding our son to the mix has doubled the joy (and the intensity) of parenthood but what a beautiful experience it has been and continues to be. After six years in Southern California, we moved back to the Pacific Northwest for a few years, and then opportunity came calling, bringing us full circle back to Southern California summer of 2019. We are planting our permanent roots beneath the palm trees of sunny Temecula and we are thrilled to be officially calling it “home.” It has been a wild 10 year ride as a married couple – many of moves, career path changes, educational degrees obtained, and then adding in the littles! It has been full of joy, struggles, challenges and a lot of growth in the process. Our humble advice? Keep laughter alive, embrace grace, and have an attitude of gratitude. We are greatly looking forward to our next chapter of raising two little ones under the California sun and enjoying new experiences, growing together as a family!
What inspired me to create Food Soul Motherhood?
I am passionate about experiencing life to the fullest, embracing things that ignite and feed the soul. Motherhood is a big part of that for me as challenging as it is, much of the time. I’m a huge proponent of finding ways to take time to nurture ourselves as moms. That is essential in order to pour back into our little ones, our partner, and remain centered as an individual in the thick of motherhood. I’ve lost my way in achieving that balance on more than one occasion, but the great thing about life is that if we stay malleable, humble, yearn to learn from our mistakes, and live with intention, the growth that happens will continually propel us forward even in imperfection. Cooking, reading, writing, photography and creative projects are some of those outlets for me and help me stay connected to who I am apart from being a mom and wife. They fill my tank so I can pour back into those I love. I look forward to sharing them here on the blog and encouraging you to find those things that fill you up and stay connected to who you are!
Food has been an area of life I have found redemption in, which I will share more about in future posts. However, I still struggle to find balance in this arena just like anyone. I know many moms who have expressed that cooking intimidates them. I find joy in discovering ways to boost confidence in the kitchen. Featuring delicious, simple recipes that require minimal time slaving over the stove is the goal. I strive to find delicious, healthy combinations that are simple and easy. Whether looking for dishes to make for the family, a recipe for easy, elegant entertaining, or just a simple afternoon snack, you’ll find plenty of ideas here on Food Soul Motherhood. We have families to take care of, careers to keep up with, meals to make and a household to maintain…all the while keeping the nurturing of ourselves and our most important relationships as the main priority. It feels like the impossible sometimes! I hope to make the juggle a little easier by providing simple “go to” recipes with time-saving tips and kitchen products. That being said…
I’m also passionate about empowering one another as women and moms in this tender, yet tough stage of life. Let’s celebrate the power of vulnerability with the joys and hardships we encounter daily as moms and feel confidence emerge as we share in this crazy journey. I hope Food Soul Motherhood can be a place that fosters community, promotes growth and ignites inspiration. Many moms I have talked to have described feeling “never enough,” “not good enough,” “isolated,” and “alone” in this stage of life. Let me tell you – you’re not alone! I am thrilled to be a part of breaking down those barriers that keep us closed off. Let’s strive together towards the quest for balance, for vulnerability, and the courage to embrace all we are as we dive into life. What a beautiful struggle!
Thank you for joining the journey with me!
Bethany
