 There’s just something about a crisp, creamy broccoli salad that satisfies your taste buds in every way. This classic, yet underrated side dish, is always a crowd favorite and disappears fast. It’s fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between crunchy, savory, and sweet. What makes this broccoli salad especially perfect for warm-weather gatherings is how simple it is to prepare ahead of time. The flavors only get better as they chill, making it an easy, stress-free addition to your menu. Packed with crisp broccoli, smoky bacon, and a creamy dressing that ties everything together, this dish brings comfort and crowd-pleasing flavor to every cookout table. As we gather this Memorial Day weekend — celebrating, remembering, and spending time with the people we love — recipes like this become part of the memories we make together. So grab your serving bowl and get ready for a summer favorite that everyone will be asking you to bring again and again. Did you know?
Broccoli Salad Prep Time: 20 minutes Chill Time: 1 hour Ingredients:
Instructions: Wash the broccoli and dry it very well. Cut the florets (and the stem) into bite-sized pieces. Add bacon and cranberries. Whisk the dressing ingredients (mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper) in a small bowl and set aside. Place the ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and toss with dressing. Remember to allow time for the recipe to chill in the fridge to give the broccoli a chance to soak in some of the dressing, making it more flavorful! Notes: Preparing to make your salad- you can prep and make this salad a day before you serve it. Leftovers will keep for 4-5 days. Substitutions- If you don't like mayo, you can use Miracle Whip, Coleslaw Dressing or Greek yogurt. You can also add bacon bits if you don't want to make bacon for this recipe. Additional ingredients- Some people add red onion, cheese, sunflower seeds and sugar to their broccoli salad. I like to add a 1/4 cup of ranch dressing for an added kick. Enjoy! For Your Information This recipe is:
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 As a doula with more than a decade of experience supporting families from all walks of life, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of real, human care in birth and postpartum. And lately, I’ve been reading a lot about the rise of “AI doulas.” If you’re a pregnant woman, a parent, or someone who cares about equitable maternal care, you should think critically too. Because here’s the truth: AI doulas, no matter how smart or advanced the technology, cannot replace the support, knowledge, compassion and embodied expertise of live doulas and birth workers. And that limitation matters deeply, especially for Black and Brown women and for families in rural and underserved areas who are already struggling to access quality maternal care. The Evidence Speaks for Real Doula Support Over years of training, intuitive skill and lived experience, doulas have become an evidence-based part of maternal care. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have linked doula support, particularly continuous, human, non-clinical support, to:
What Real Doulas Bring That AI Simply Can’t When people talk about AI doulas, they usually mean chatbots or machine learning tools designed to answer questions about pregnancy, contractions, labor stages or baby care. They might offer information. They might offer checklists. They might even simulate empathy through programmed responses. But here’s what AI cannot and will never do:
The truth is that AI can't give the much-needed human response to years of infertility, a third trimester pregnancy loss, a changed birth plan that ends in an emergency csection, birth trauma, the long journey of breastfeeding or pumping, preparing to leave your baby with someone while you return to work and all of the other countless physical, emotional and mental changes that come with parenthood.  Soula — AI emotional support self‑discovery coach for women Where AI May Help and Where It Falls Short
Listen, I don’t dismiss technology outright. The modern world has come along way with technological advances. AI tools can offer resources, triage information and support access to basic guidance when no human is available. There is emerging research on AI applications in maternal health in low-resource settings that aid triage and decision support for clinical staff. But that’s not the same as replacing a doula. Those applications are clinical adjuncts, not sources of continuous physical, emotional, cultural, and advocacy support. Bridging the Gap: Companies Who are Making a Difference At the same time, we are seeing companies like Maven Clinic and Cleo step into this space, offering families access to virtual doulas, care advocates, and wellness support through technology. These platforms are often employer-sponsored benefits designed to increase access to guidance, education, and support across pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting. Through services like video consultations, messaging, and on-demand resources, virtual doulas on platforms like Maven can help with birth planning, answer questions, and provide emotional support from a distance. Cleo similarly connects families with guides and experts who offer personalized support across different stages of caregiving . And to be clear, there is value here. These tools can help bridge gaps, especially for families who might not otherwise have access to any support at all. But even as these companies expand access, what they are offering is still adjacent to, not a replacement for, the deeply relational, hands-on, culturally attuned care that in-person doulas provide. Technology can extend our reach, but it cannot replicate our presence. AI will continue to evolve. AI doulas may become more sophisticated. But they will always be tools, not replacements, for the human heart, presence, intuition and expertise that real doulas bring to birth and postpartum care. Real doulas don’t just provide information, we bear witness. We advocate. We care. We walk into the unknown with you. And in birth, that human presence matters. Want to know the real deal about AI? Watch this eye-opening video on the future of AI from a spiritual perspective.  Welcome to the wild, beautiful, and sometimes bewildering world of parenthood. That first year after your baby arrives? It’s a whirlwind. You will survive off of cat naps and cold coffee. You won't see or talk to your friends for months at a time. The words "clean up" will mean something completely different after a few weeks. You will think about things you have never thought of before like death from lack of sleep or cracked nipples. You will do things like dance to Prince at 2 a.m. just to get your baby to stop crying. And sometimes you will wonder what you were thinking when you wanted to have a baby. But the first year is also equal parts joy, exhaustion, and recalibration of your entire life.
You’ll hear advice from every direction, but there are some truths you don’t hear enough about. So let me tell you the real deal about what to expect, how to survive, and maybe even thrive during that unforgettable (and often unforgiving) first year. 1. Just Like Marriage, the First Year Is the Hardest Bringing a baby home is a dream come true… and also a shock to the system. You're navigating sleepless nights, diaper blowouts, feeding schedules, and a brand-new identity as “Mom” or “Dad.” It’s not uncommon for couples to experience tension during this time. You’re both stretched thin. Be patient with each other. Communicate often. Laugh when you can. And remember: this is a season — not forever. 2. You and Your Partner Will Have Different Parenting Styles One of you may be laid-back. The other may Google every symptom at 2 a.m. You might handle crying with cuddles, and your partner with rocking and pacifiers. Different isn’t wrong, it’s just different. Work together to find a middle ground. Respect and trust each other. Your baby will benefit from seeing both of you show up with love, even in your own unique ways. 3. Children Change Everything, Including Your Marriage Your life as a couple takes a backseat to bottles, burp cloths, and baby giggles. The freedom you once had to plan spontaneous date nights? Gone (for now). But with intentional effort, your marriage can not only survive, it can grow. Let your partner know you still see them. Prioritize time to connect, even if it’s just a hug in the kitchen or a whispered “I love you” over a mountain of laundry. 4. Intimacy Is a Lifeline, Not a Luxury We’re not just talking about sex—although that, too, when you're ready. Intimacy in the first year is about touch, emotional closeness, and feeling like a team. Don't let exhaustion steal that bond. Find your rhythm again. Sometimes, intimacy looks like holding hands while watching baby sleep. Other times, it’s a heartfelt conversation after midnight feedings. Keep choosing each other. 5. Relationships Will Change (Be Prepared to Lose Some) It’s painful, but true. Not everyone will stick around once you enter parenthood. Some friends won’t understand why you can’t text back or why you keep canceling plans. Some family members might not support your choices. Let them go with grace. The ones who matter will show up. And you’ll find new connections — in playgroups, in your neighborhood, even online — with people who get it. 6. Go Out — Even If It’s With the Baby Yes, it’s a hassle to pack the diaper bag, time feedings, and navigate the world with a baby in tow. Do it anyway. Fresh air and a change of scenery are crucial for your mental health. Grab coffee. Take a walk. Go to the bookstore. Even a trip to the grocery store can feel like a mini vacation in those early months. 7. Time Management Will Be Redefined Forget the old to-do lists. Success now looks like everyone got dressed today or you remembered to eat lunch before 3 p.m. Time becomes elastic and weird. You’ll become a master multitasker—answering emails while rocking a baby, folding laundry during naps, and scheduling showers like military operations. Flexibility is your new superpower. 8. Know the Signs of Mental Health Distress Postpartum depression and anxiety are real. They don’t make you a bad parent. They make you human. If you're crying more than usual, feeling numb, irritable, or disconnected, don’t brush it off. Talk to your doctor. Reach out to a friend. Therapy and support groups can be life-changing. You deserve to feel like you again. 9. Always Have a Camera Nearby These moments—the sleepy smiles, the first laugh, the way your baby wraps their hand around your finger — they go by fast. Capture them. Even the messy, imperfect ones. You’ll be so glad you did when you're looking back, wondering how they grew up so quickly. 10. Don’t Stress Over Developmental Milestones Every baby is on their own timeline. Some crawl at six months, others not until ten. Some sleep through the night early, others don’t until toddlerhood. Comparison steals joy. Trust your instincts and your pediatrician — not Instagram. 11. Your New Normal: Work-Life Balance, Redefined Returning to work? Staying at home? Building a side hustle during naps? However your days are structured, balance isn’t about equal time, it’s about presence. When you’re with your baby, be with them. When you’re working, give yourself permission to focus. You won’t always get it right. That’s okay. You’re learning. And that, in itself, is parenting. The first year of parenting is a masterclass in growth—for you, your partner, and your baby. It’s messy. It’s beautiful. And it’s okay if it doesn’t look picture-perfect. Breathe. Be kind to yourself. Celebrate the small wins. And remember: you’re not alone.  Do you have high lipase breast milk? I first learned about high lipase breast milk when I was working as a nanny. I was caring for a newborn and one day while preparing his bottle, I noticed a difference in the milk. It smelled different, like it had gone bad. But how could that be? Ths mom had just pumped the milk the night before. So I went upstairs to tell her and we both agreed to see if the baby would drink the milk. He did. But this led to an afternoon of unexpected research to figure out what was going on with her milk. What had she eaten recently? Was she sick? Was this a one time thing? Should she call her OBGYN? And most importantly, would the baby experience any adverse affects after consuming the milk? For many breastfeeding mothers, pumping and storing breast milk offers flexibility and peace of mind. But some discover an unexpected twist: after storing breast milk, it smells or tastes soapy, metallic, or even rancid. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with high lipase breast milk. While it can be frustrating, the good news is that your milk is still safe and valuable for your baby. What Is High Lipase Breast Milk? Lipase is a naturally occurring enzyme in breast milk that helps break down fats, making the milk easier for your baby to digest. In some individuals, lipase activity is higher than average. This can cause stored breast milk (especially when refrigerated or frozen) to develop a distinct smell or taste after just a few hours or days. What Causes High Lipase? The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but it's believed to be simply a matter of individual body chemistry. High lipase levels don’t mean there’s something wrong with you or your milk, just that the enzyme is working very efficiently. Is It Safe to Feed Baby? Yes, breast milk with high lipase is completely safe and still highly nutritious. However, some babies may reject it due to the altered taste. If your baby refuses stored milk, there are still ways to make it work.  How to Feed Your Baby With High Lipase Milk
1. Scald Your Milk Before Storing- If your baby rejects unmodified high lipase milk, scalding may help. This process deactivates the lipase enzyme before it can change the milk's flavor.
2. Test Milk Storage Time Limits- If scalding isn’t ideal, experiment with how long your milk can be stored before the taste changes. Some high-lipase milk is fine for 24 hours or more in the fridge before becoming off-tasting. Feeding it within this window might work. 3. Mix With Fresh Milk- Some babies will take stored milk more easily if it's mixed with freshly expressed milk to dilute the altered flavor. Other Uses for High Lipase Milk If you find yourself with milk that your baby won’t drink, don’t throw it out! Here are other meaningful and creative ways to use it:
High lipase breast milk might throw a curveball into your pumping plans, but it doesn't mean the end of breastfeeding success. With a few tweaks, you can still feed your baby and make the most of every drop. Remember, your milk is amazing, even with a soapy twist. Have you dealt with high lipase milk? What worked for you? Share your story in the comments below.  The early days of the fourth trimester are beautiful, exhausting, and demanding all at once. In the whirlwind of those early postpartum days, one of the most thoughtful ways to support new parents is by providing meals. Meal trains—a system where friends and family sign up to bring food on designated days—have long been a go-to tradition. But while well-intentioned, traditional meal trains aren’t always the best option for postpartum mothers. Here’s why and how we can do better.
The Problem with Traditional Meal Trains Traditional meal trains often fall short because they don’t take into account the specific nutritional needs, dietary restrictions, and personal preferences of postpartum mothers. Some common issues include:
The Importance of Postpartum Nutrition Postpartum recovery isn’t just about rest, it’s about replenishing the body, healing tissues, and supporting hormone regulation. Proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in all of these. Some postpartum nutrition guidelines include:
How Friends and Family Can Truly Help Instead of relying on the traditional model, here are more thoughtful, flexible, and nourishing ways to support a postpartum family: 1. Cook or Deliver Requested Meals
The heart behind a traditional meal train is always appreciated, but as we grow in understanding postpartum recovery, it’s clear we need to move beyond casseroles and cookie-cutter solutions. Supporting new moms means nourishing them in ways that honor their bodies, preferences, and healing journey. So, the next time someone you love welcomes a baby, ask how you can feed them their way, not just what’s easiest for you. Thoughtful nourishment is one of the most profound gifts you can give a new mother. |
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May 2026
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