Managing Mealtime Madness

In this quick solo episode, Sarah shares some of her meals that her family shared last week, including opportunities to improve upon for next week's meals to make things easier, and also highlights what worked well for busy weeks. She also shares some easy recipes for you to try!

Your meals don’t have to be Pinterest-worthy — simple, repeated, even imperfect meals still get the job done.

Don't forget to leave a review for the podcast. I’d love to hear what you all ate last week! Tag me or send me a message with your easy wins.

Chapter markers:

1. Introduction to Meal Planning- 00:00:00
2. Easy Dinner Ideas- 00:03:00
3. Enticing Curiosity at the Table- 00:06:00
4. Using Leftovers Creatively- 00:09:00
5. Balancing Meals with Busy Schedules- 00:12:00

Try these recipes:

- Sweetpotato Chicken Chili

- Pumpkin Protein Oats

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Gisela Bouvier is a media Registered Dietitian based on Florida. In this episode, Gisela shares how to be okay with using convenient and processed foods in her busy lifestyle, while still nourishing her family. She talks about how and why she came to embrace mindful eating after suffering from an eating disorder for many years prior to having her three kids. From that experience, cultivating a good relationship with food is very important to her, and she shares how she does that in her house to get meals on the table, while still working full time. 

We discuss: 

• How mindful eating connects food to memories and traditions.
• Why it's important to avoid labeling foods as good or bad, especially in front of kids
• How and why convenience foods can be nutritious and save time - and how to change our thoughts around them.
• The Cultural food traditions that enrich family meals and connections.
• How parents can create a positive food environment for children.
• Why meal planning can and should reduce stress, not add to it.
• Food should be fun and enjoyable for families!
• Support systems are crucial for navigating diet culture - how to find them 

Learn more about Gisela - Check out her blog and Instagram

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In this episode, Breana Killeen, Sarah speaks with Breana Killeen, a senior food editor at Food & Wine and a dedicated farmer and chef. Breana shares her insights on the unique experiences of raising children on a farm, lessons learned through farming, the importance of family meals, and how these experiences shape their relationship with food. Breana also offers practical tips for busy parents on meal planning and preparation. Her approach to cooking is both accessible and creative, making it easier for families to enjoy nutritious meals together.

Sarah and Breana also discuss:

• How farming teaches children responsibility and life lessons and how Kids learn about food production through hands-on experiences.
• Tips for reducing food waste at home and in cooking
• Easy tips to prioritize family meals more - Family meals foster connection and communication.
• How quick and easy meals can be nutritious and delicious - she shares "chef tips" to help us all acheive this!
• Breana isn't a "meal planner," so she shares how she still gets meals on the table nightly. 
• Make a sauce or marinade can elevate a meal. She loves the Maya Kaimal sauces. 

Find Breana on Instagram

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In this episode, Sarah talks with Beth Stark, to discuss the challenges and strategies of meal prepping, especially during the back-to-school season. They explore:

- How parents can navigate the busy schedules to create balanced meals

- How to involve children in meal planning

- Redefining meal prep for busy families 

- Creative Lunchbox Ideas for Kids

- Encouraging Variety in Kids' Diets

- How to create a variety of meals that are both nutritious and appealing

Beth Stark, RDN, LDN is a nutrition and food communications consultant based in Pennsylvania.

As a dietitian for over 20 years, Beth has worked in a variety of practice settings including inpatient, outpatient, community, and retail. In 2021, Beth launched Beth Stark Nutrition, where she partners with like-minded brands, people, and organizations to create engaging recipes, content, cooking demos, webinars, nutrition communications tools and more.  She also oversees Nutrition Outreach efforts within the PA and NY Beef Councils.

Beth received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State University and completed the ARAMARK Metro NY Dietetic Internship. 

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In this quick episode, Sarah shares a realistic approach to bedtime snacks — a common source of confusion (and negotiation) for many families. 

Should you offer them or not? Whether your child is genuinely hungry at night or using snacks as a stalling tactic, this episode explores how to approach bedtime snacks without guilt, pressure, or power struggles.

Sarah covers:

• Why bedtime snacks can be totally normal (and sometimes needed!)
• How summer and school year routines change things
• What to watch for if your child is skipping dinner
• Practical bedtime snack ideas that fill bellies without overcomplicating things
• Compassionate ways to set boundaries — without making snacks a “reward”

Whether you're in the midst of back-to-school transitions or simply looking to refine your bedtime routine, this episode is packed with practical tips and real-life examples to help make evenings more peaceful and nourishing for the whole family.

⭐ Rate & Review:

If this episode helped you feel more confident about your family’s snack routine, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Your feedback supports the show and helps other parents find it.

Check out some inspiration for healthy kids bedtime snacks, or snacks any time of day!

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In this episode, my seven year old, Camryn, joins me to talk about snacking habits, and how kids may see snacks. We talk about strategies to offer more fruits and veggies, let kids play a role in the snack process, and fun ideas that you can try at home. Camryn even shares some tips for enticing picky eaters to try new foods, and some fun summer-friendly options!

Snacks mentioned in this episode:

• Edible cookie dough
• Pumpkin spice cookie dough
• Sweetpotato zucchini muffins
• Greek yogurt banana bread

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If you've ever been worried about your child's weight, this is an episode you won't want to miss! Jill Castle, long-time childhood nutrition expert and founder of The Nourished Child and author of Kids Thrive at Every Size, joins Sarah on Managing Mealtime Madness. 

Together, Sarah and Jill explore:

• Why traditional approaches to weight and BMI in children often miss the mark
• How parents and caregivers can shift the focus from weight to well-being
• The role of nutrition, growth patterns, and genetics in body diversity
• How to build positive food and body relationships at home
• Practical, non-stigmatizing ways to support kids of all sizes
• How shame and pressure around food can impact kids

Whether you’re navigating your child’s growth concerns or just want to raise confident, healthy eaters, this episode offers a compassionate and evidence-based roadmap for parents.

Learn more about Jill!

Jill's Website | Jill's Instagram | Jill's Book - Kids Thrive at Every Size

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Chelsea LeBlanc is an award-winning registered dietitian, media personality, recipe developer, and nutrition expert in Nashville, TN. She runs a nutrition communications company and virtual private practice where she helps career-driven women plan and prep quick and easy meals on a budget. She frequently contributes to multiple media outlets––including Eat This, Not That!, Well + Good, MSN, and Eating Well.

Passionate about reducing food waste, she promotes sustainable meal planning and preparation, guiding her clients to make mindful decisions that save money, minimize waste, and simplify healthy eating. Through her virtual private practice and contributions to various media outlets, she empowers individuals to adopt simple strategies to reduce food waste in their daily routines while sticking to a budget.

Find Chelsea on Instagram and check out her website 

What We Discuss:

• How to prep meals and snacks before giving birth (and what to prep!)
• Easy postpartum snacks and one-handed meal ideas
• How to accept "survival mode" and still nourish yourself
• How to accept help — and ask for what you actually want
• Why perfection isn’t the goal (and what to aim for instead)
• Tips for starting solids and early allergen introduction

Make sure to leave a rating for the podcast!

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Amid rising controversy and misinformation on social media, this episode explains what seed oils are, how they’re processed, and whether they deserve the “toxic” label they’ve been given.

As a Registered Dietitian, Sarah dives into the science behind seed oils, their role in heart health, inflammation, and whether they’re safe for kids. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What seed oils are and how they differ from fruit oils 
• How seed oils are processed and what that even means
• The truth about linoleic acid (omega-6 fat) and inflammation
• Why omega-6 fats are misunderstood and how they compare to omega-3s
• The actual scientific evidence on seed oils and heart health
• Why seed oils can be safe — even beneficial — for kids and families
• How to store and use seed oils safely at home

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In this episode, Sarah talks about her recent firsthand experience on cattle ranches in Nebraska and some of the main takeaways for families. She shares some of the myths about beef and misinformation about grass-fed vs. conventional beef, and talks about beef nutrition, especially for growing kids. 

From how cattle are raised to what happens before beef ends up in your grocery store or on your toddler’s plate, Sarah breaks down 5 key takeaways that every parent should know. If you’ve ever wondered about the nutrition, safety, sustainability, or ethical side of feeding your family beef, this is a must-listen.

Beef recipes for kids:

• Cheesy beef taco pasta
• Skillet breakfast scramble
• Ground beef recipes for toddlers

Have a listener question or feedback? Send me a text!

Support the show

Join the email list to get a list of easy popular family recipes and meal prep tips!

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