Not Quite Grownup

Send Caitlin a Text!

Your ADHD medication works perfectly one week, then feels like sugar pills the next. Before you blame your pharmacy or your brain, here's what's actually happening: your hormones are messing with your medication's "Wi-Fi signal." When estrogen drops—during your luteal phase, period, postpartum, or perimenopause—your meds can't connect the way they should. It's not you. It's chemistry.

Stop wondering why your ADHD meds feel inconsistent—hit subscribe and get cycle-aware medication strategies, tracking tips, and advocacy scripts that actually work.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for women whose ADHD medication feels like it has multiple personalities, and anyone who's tired of their doctor dismissing hormonal patterns as "just PMS."

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What You Get In This Episode

• The Wi-Fi metaphor that explains why estrogen affects your stimulant medication response
• When your meds feel weakest: luteal phase, menstruation, postpartum, breastfeeding, and perimenopause
• Medication timing tweaks and dose adjustments that work with your cycle (with the right provider)
• How to track your symptoms, cycle, sleep, and stress—plus privacy considerations for period tracking apps
• Non-medication anchors: CBT, certified ADHD coaching, and support groups that get hormonal ADHD
• Building redundant systems and low-energy backups for potato brain days
• Self-advocacy scripts to use with providers (and when to find someone new)

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Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of ADHD and adulting. With Ariella Monti (ariellamonti.com), novelist and unstoppable force who understands firsthand how ADHD affects every aspect of daily life.

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Sources & Mentions

• Get the full list of sources here.

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

You were fine until middle school, then everything fell apart. Your postpartum brain fog felt different than "new mom tired." Your 40s hit and suddenly you can't remember words mid-sentence. What if these aren't three separate problems? What if it's all your ADHD brain responding to major hormonal shifts—and nobody told you that was a thing?

Stop wondering why your ADHD feels different at different life stages—hit subscribe and learn how puberty, pregnancy, and menopause unmask or worsen symptoms (and what to do about it).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

Hey! If you're loving this series, we'd be so grateful if you'd leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. We're sitting at 4.9 stars but need more reviews to help other women find us. Your words help us reach the moms who need this information most.

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for women noticing their ADHD symptoms have changed dramatically during major life transitions, and moms watching their daughters suddenly struggle as hormones kick in during puberty.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Why estrogen dips send ADHD symptoms through the roof (and why 94% of women say perimenopause is the worst for ADHD)
• How puberty unmasks ADHD in girls who were "fine" in elementary school
• The pregnancy hormone rollercoaster: superpowers vs. cotton ball brain, and why postpartum is more than just "new mom life"
• What perimenopause does to your ADHD brain—word-finding trouble, mental fatigue, and emotional overwhelm that feels life-altering
• Why your experience might look different from other women's (and why that's not a character flaw)

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Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of ADHD and adulting. With Ariella Monti (ariellamonti.com), novelist and unstoppable force who understands firsthand how ADHD affects every aspect of daily life.

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Sources & Mentions

Coming up next week: Medication adjustments, advocacy strategies, and how to work WITH your hormones instead of against them.

• CHADD, ADDitude mag, various research studies, and others. Get the full list in this blog post.

P.S. If you're loving this series, we'd be so grateful if you'd leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. We're sitting at 4.9 stars but need more reviews to help other women find us. Your words help us reach the moms who need this information most.

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

Ever notice that your ADHD medication might as well be a Tic-Tac right before your period? Or that some weeks your brain feels sharp while others feel like you're thinking through fog? Here's the thing: it's not in your head. Your hormones are literally messing with your ADHD brain, and not enough people are talking about it.

Stop wondering why your ADHD feels like a moving target—hit subscribe to hear how your hormones affect your brain chemistry, symptoms, and medication effectiveness.

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for women with ADHD who've noticed their symptoms change throughout the month, moms of girls with ADHD, and anyone who's ever wondered why some weeks feel impossible while others feel manageable.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Why estrogen is your brain's best friend and how it boosts the dopamine your ADHD brain needs
• The monthly ADHD rollercoaster: how weeks 1-2 vs weeks 3-4 of your cycle affect your symptoms differently
• Why your medication feels like it stops working during certain weeks (and why it's not your imagination)
• How masking strategies hide ADHD symptoms until hormonal transitions expose them
• Why major life transitions like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can unmask or worsen ADHD symptoms

—

Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of ADHD and adulting. With Ariella Monti (ariellamonti.com), novelist and unstoppable force, who understands firsthand how ADHD affects every aspect of daily life.

—

Sources & Mentions

• Visit this episode’s blog post for links to sources used in this episode!
• Healthline
• CHADD
• ADDitude Mag
• Evernow
• Frontiers in Global Women’s Health

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

"There's too much that will make you upset to not start taking action." - Caitlin

In the wake of recent tragedies at Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis and Evergreen High School in Colorado, we're bringing back an episode that feels heartbreakingly relevant.

If you're feeling helpless and angry right now, you're not alone. But we know the women who listen to this show don't stay helpless for long. They’re women of action.

This episode, originally from April 2023, walks you through concrete steps you can take to advocate for safer schools and prevent future tragedies. We cover effective advocacy strategies, policy changes that work, and meaningful ways to support victims' families.

Let's turn that fury into action and honor these victims by fighting for the safer schools our children deserve.

The blog post for this episode is linked here.

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What You'll Learn:

• Practical steps to tackle school violence in your community
• Why mental health support in schools matters—and how to advocate for it
• How gun control policy changes impact community safety
• The power of local elections and why your vote matters for school safety
• Concrete ways to support victims and families affected by gun violence

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Why We're Qualified to Talk About This: We're passionate advocates for school safety with backgrounds in education and a deep understanding of the issues surrounding school violence. We believe parents deserve practical action steps to create safer environments for their children.

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Resources Mentioned:

• 5 Ways to Take Action After a School Shooting | Teen Vogue
• Sandy Hook Promise
• The Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund
• Everytown Support Fund
• Protect Our Schools
• Make Our Schools Safe
• March For Our Lives

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

That sinking feeling when you realize you've been paying for three different—and overlapping—streaming services you don’t use? Or when you're staring at a pile of unopened bills wondering how adulting got so complicated? If you have ADHD, money management isn't just challenging—it's playing financial whack-a-mole with a brain that's working against you.

Stop letting your ADHD brain sabotage your financial goals—hit subscribe and learn money management strategies that actually work with your neurodivergent brain (no spreadsheet mastery required).

• Click here for this episode’s blog post with links to sources and even more content.
• Stay connected: Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for women with ADHD who are tired of the shame spiral that comes with financial struggles, and anyone who's ever wondered why something as "simple" as paying bills on time feels nearly impossible with a neurodivergent brain.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Why ADHD creates a perfect storm of money management challenges (executive dysfunction meets dopamine-seeking behavior)
• The real cost of the "ADHD tax"—late fees, forgotten subscriptions, and impulse purchases that add up
• Practical, brain-friendly systems like separate checking accounts and strategic auto-renewals
• How to reframe certain spending as necessary accommodations rather than failures
• Strategies for dealing with financial shame and building sustainable money habits that work with your ADHD, not against it

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Bios

Caitlin brings her signature blend of humor and practical advice to help overwhelmed moms navigate the challenges of ADHD and adulting. Ariella Monti (ariellamonti.com) is a novelist and unstoppable force who understands firsthand how ADHD affects every aspect of daily life, including financial management.

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Sources & Mentions

• Managing Money and ADHD | CHADD
• Mastering Money Management with ADHD: Practical Tips for Adults | The Mini ADHD Coach
• What Is the ADHD Tax? | Verywell Mind

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

Ever notice how traditional self-care advice makes you want to scream? Those peaceful meditation sessions and serene bubble baths that work for everyone else feel like torture for your constantly-moving ADHD brain. Turns out, our brains need something completely different—and we've got seven research-backed strategies that actually work.

• Click here for links to all sources and mentions in this week’s blog post.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for anyone with ADHD who's tired of self-care advice that leaves them feeling worse instead of better. If you've ever tried to "just relax" and ended up more anxious, or attempted meditation only to feel like your brain was about to explode, this one's for you. We're talking real self-care for brains that don't sit still.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Why traditional self-care fails ADHD brains – And why it's not your fault that meditation feels like punishment
• Seven science-backed strategies that actually work – From flexible routines to strategic movement and protein timing
• The sleep game-changer – Recent research on what really disrupts ADHD sleep (hint: it's not just screen time)
• "Unhinged" self-care hacks we actually use – Face masks to trick yourself into showering, adding completed tasks to your to-do list, and why Tetris after stress is scientifically legit
• How to eliminate "should" from your vocabulary – And why small moments of joy aren't luxuries, they're essential maintenance

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Bios

Caitlin is joined by special guest Ariella Monti, novelist and friend, filling in for Jenny. Together they're diving into self-care that actually makes sense for ADHD brains—no sitting still required. They're not wellness gurus or mental health professionals, just two women sharing what actually works when your brain runs on a different operating system.

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Sources & Mentions

• Get the links to all sources mentioned in this episode in this week’s blog post.
• Follow us on social media @ckandgkpodcast on all platforms
• Follow @ariella_monti on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok
• Get 20% off Ariella Monti's fantasy romance novel "Roots and Ink" with promo code CKANDGK at AriellaMonti.com

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

You know that voice in your head that whispers "everyone else has it figured out" while you're standing in some big box store with your keys in one hand, searching for a shopping list you can't find, wondering how you ended up in the home dècor aisle when you came for toilet paper? We're talking about ADHD shame—where it comes from, why it sticks around, and how to finally tell that voice to shut up.

• Get the full list of sources and even more content from this episode’s blog post.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for anyone with ADHD who's tired of feeling like a "failed adult," sick of apologizing for existing, or fed up with that internal critic that never seems to take a day off. If you've ever been called "too much," "not enough," or "lazy," we see you—and we're here to help you fight back.

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What You Get In This Episode

• The "shame smoothie" breakdown – How childhood experiences, societal myths, and internalized ableism blend into one toxic mess
• Where ADHD stigma really comes from – Why people still think it's "just a childhood disorder" or an excuse for bad behavior
• How shame shows up in your daily life – From procrastination cycles to over-apologizing to comparing yourself to neurotypical parents
• 7 practical strategies to fight shame – Including how to separate ADHD science from morality and why "shamelessness" might be your superpower
• Your ADHD strengths reminder – Because creativity, hyperfocus, and persistence are actual superpowers

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Bios

Caitlin is joined by special guest Ariella Monti, novelist and friend, filling in for Jenny. Together they're tackling the heavy stuff—ADHD shame and stigma—with the same humor and honesty you'd expect from your most understanding mom friends. They're not therapists, just two women sharing what they've learned through research, experience, and plenty of "oh crap, me too" moments.

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Sources

• All sources and more content in this episode’s blog post
• Get 20% off Ariella Monti's fantasy romance novel "Roots and Ink" with promo code CKANDGK at AriellaMonti.com
• ADDitude Mag
• Our ADHD Playlist on Spotify

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

Ever found yourself holding a peanut butter spoon in your bathroom with absolutely no memory of why you’re there or what you’re doing? Welcome to parenting with ADHD, where working memory glitches meet kid interruptions, and somehow you're still expected to keep tiny humans alive and thriving. We're diving into the real challenges ADHD parents face and sharing the hacks that actually work.

• Get the full list of sources and even more content from this episode’s blog post.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

This episode is for any parent with ADHD. If you've mastered the art of hyperfocusing on LEGO builds at 2 AM but can't remember to feed yourself lunch, this one's definitely for you.

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What You Get In This Episode

• Real solutions for "What was I doing?" moments – Body doubling tricks and task anchoring that actually work in real life
• Time management hacks for the time-blind – How to stop deep-cleaning the fridge when you should be leaving for school
• Overstimulation survival strategies – Creating tap-out systems and emergency sensory kits for when everything feels too much
• Scripts for emotional rollercoaster days – How to repair with your kids and name that guilt gremlin
• Your ADHD superpowers as a parent – Because hyperfocus ninja skills and empathy champions are real things

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Bios

Caitlin is joined by Ariella Monti, novelist and friend. Together they're navigating the beautiful chaos of parenting while managing their own ADHD brains. They're not therapists or mental health professionals – just two women sharing what they've learned through research, experience, and plenty of trial and error. Think of them as your slightly more caffeinated mom friends who've done the homework so you don't have to.

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Sources

• All sources and more content in this episode’s blog post
• Get 20% off Ariella Monti's fantasy romance novel "Roots and Ink" with promo code CKANDGK at AriellaMonti.com
• ADDitude Mag
• Dr. Steve Storage @drstevenstorage on Instagram

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
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• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

Parenting a neurospicy kid is a special type of challenge. Former teacher Caitlin and ADHD mom Ariella share real strategies for the trenches (because ‘just listen OMG’ isn’t working).

BTW: Your kid isn’t giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time. And you? You’re doing better than you think.

• This episode’s blog post (+ Sources & Mentions)
• Subscribe to our newsletter!
• Our ADHD Playlist on Spotify

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Who Should Listen

• Parents who’ve googled “why does my ADHD kid argue about EVERYTHING?” at 2 AM
• Anyone who’s found a lost permission slip in the freezer
• Teachers who want to better support ADHD students (and their exhausted parents)

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The ‘47 Asks’ Challenge: Why your kid genuinely doesn’t hear you (and how to ditch the nagging).
2. Transition Meltdowns Decoded: The 3-phase science behind “GET IN THE CAR RIGHT NOW” fails.
3. The Love of Arguing: Why your child debates like a tiny lawyer (and how to redirect it).
4. The ‘Lost & Found’ Cycle: “Launch pads” and “drop zones” and visual checklists for forgetful kiddos.

Listen for the full list plus science-backed strategies to cope.

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher who’s witnessed and caused ADHD chaos.
• Ariella Monti: Author and ADHD mom who bribes with screen time (and refuses to fight about jackets).

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Sources & Mentions

Get the full list plus links in this episode’s blog post.

• ADDitude Mag
• Book: The Explosive Child by Ross Greene (collaborative problem-solving).
• Instagram creators: 
  • Dr. Steven Storage
  • NurtureADHD

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
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• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.

Send Caitlin a Text!

Ever stand in front of an open fridge for 3 minutes, then eat a fistful of shredded cheese like a goblin? Asking for a friend. This week, we’re serving up real ADHD nutrition hacks (no kale… unless that’s your thing).

• Get even more content from this episode’s blog post, linked here.
• Subscribe to our newsletter!

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Who Should Listen

• ADHDers who’ve ever meal-planned on Sunday and eaten cereal for dinner by Tuesday.
• Parents of neurospicy kids who survive on the same 3 foods.
• Anyone who thinks “rotisserie chicken is a personality trait.”

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What You Get In This Episode

1. The Protein Paradox: Why you need ‘emotional support cheese’ (hint: dopamine boost).
2. Carbs Aren’t the Enemy: Pair them with protein to avoid hangry meltdowns (e.g., Goldfish + peanuts = survival snack).
3. Fridge Feng Shui: Hide veggies in the crisper? Bad. Put grapes and yogurt at eye level? Genius.
4. Sensory Hacks: Like how to make your “safe foods” work harder.
5. Rotisserie Chicken Worship: How one $8 bird can fuel 3 meals (salad, soup, general garnish).

Actionable Tips

• Grocery Shortcut: Buy pre-cut veggies/fruit (yes, it’s more expensive—but actually eating them is priceless).
• Grazing Menu: Keep “protein stations” (e.g., nuts, jerky) where you hyperfocus, like your desk or couch.
• Texture Fix: Hate mushy food? Try crunchy peanut butter on apple slices instead of sandwiches.

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher who knows exactly which kids are running on 3 Pop-Tarts and ADHDer-mom.
• Ariella Monti: Novelist who knows the power of cold pizza + a handful of almonds, and ADHD-mom to a neurospicy and food-particular child.

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Sources & Mentions

• The ADHD-Dopamine Link: Why You Crave Sugar and Carbs | ADDitude Mag
• 4 Ways ADHD May Affect Your Eating Habits—and How to Get Back on Track | SELF
• The ADHD Dietitian on Instagram
• Why Sugar is Kryptonite: ADHD Diet Truths | ADDitude Mag
• Dopamine: What It Is, Function & Symptoms | Cleveland Clinic
• Intuitive Eating: Benefits and Principles | Cleveland Clinic
• Comorbid health conditions in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses | ScienceDirect
• Book to consider: Finally Focused by Dr. James Greenblatt and Bill Gottlieb, CHC (ADHD nutrition deep dive).

Welcome to Not Quite Grownup. Let's do this. 

• Subscribe to join other Not Quite Grownups here >>>
• Follow on Instagram and Threads @not_quite_grownup.
• Please, rate, review, and subscribe for more Not Quite Grownup stories. 
• Love you, mean it. 

Support the show

Visit notquitegrownup.com for more content and the latest updates. Or connect on social media @not_quite_grownup on Instagram and Threads.